Chapter 6
"Wake Knurlhiem, the funeral cannot start without us." Said Orik
Roran groaned as he woke and across the room, he heard the others grumbling as they woke up.
"What did you call us?" asked Katrina
"Knurlhiem? It means stone helm which is accurate since I've been trying to wake you for over an hour now."
It was at this point Eragon, and Arya walked in dressed in black, each of them was carrying several bundles of dark clothes "Ah, you're finally awake it was a little bit of an eventful last night. I'm a little bit disappointed in you brother I thought you could hold your drink better, I'm not surprised Roran, Katrina and Nassuada are worse for wear." He tossed a bundle at Murtagh who caught it, Arya went to each of the girls and handed them each a bundle whilst Eragon handed his second bundle to Roran.
"Get changed the procession is almost completely assembled." Said Eragon
After fifteen minutes they were all ready wearing similar clothes, the men all wore black leather pants, loose fitting, open neck, drawstring black shirts and polished hard black boots each carried their sword on their left hips.
The girls clothes were similar to the men's with black leather pants, they too wore polished hard riding boots but their shirts weren't as loose as the men's, they also had their swords at their sides Arya wore hers on her right hand side whilst the others wore theirs on the left. Once they were all dressed, they followed Orik out of the hall and to the south gates were drawn up and just inside was a column of people and at its head was Ajihad, cold and pale upon a bier of marble, his helm was studded with gems that glowed dully, as if sharing in their sadness, his hands were clasped over his chest just above the diamond shaped shield that covered most of his chest and legs. Six men clad all in black armour with grim and sombre faces bore the bier upon their shoulders. Behind the bier stood Mika still garbed in black wielding his father's sword, around him were the council of elders looking like a pack of vultures surrounding a dying man, all that was save for Jormunder who looked who looked pale and defeated. With deliberate steps that caused venomous looks to shoot from the council Brom and Selena joined Mika both dressed in sable grey. As the riders joined the column, they were joined by Hrothgar who chose to stand with them with Orik at his side. Behind the head of the procession was a mile long column of mourners
"Where will Ajihad be buried?" asked Katrina
"Oi, there was much debate about that amongst the clan." said Hrothgar "When we Dwarves die it is our belief that we need to be sealed in stone else we will not be able to join our ancestors. Honestly it is more complex than that, but I can't say more to outsiders." He looked at Eragon and Roran before he continued. "We will do anything to assure such a burial, and there would be great shame on any family or clan if they allow anybody among them to rest in a lesser substance. For that reason, there is a hall here in Farthen Dur where all knurlan, dwarves, who have died are buried. We cannot entomb Ajihad there since he's not a dwarf, but we set aside a hallowed place for his to rest, that way people may visit him without disturbing our halls for the dead, and he will receive the respect he so deserves."
"You have done so much for us and for the Varden, your majesty." Said Nassuada sadly
"Some have said it is too much, but I believe your father deserves even more respect and honour," said Hrothgar. "For me it is nothing my dear."
Together they waited patiently, the wait was gut-wrenching, Katrina looked around finally she settled on Roran his face showed his sorrow at the occasion but that wasn't what made the small smile cross her face, his hair was ruffled from, and he hadn't had a chance to run a comb or brush through it.
He looked at her "What is it."
She smirked, walked over to him, reached up and ran her fingers through his hair "Nothing now, you're perfect." And she kissed him on the cheek.
As Roran looked around he saw the others staring at him Eragon and Murtagh were smirking whilst Arya and Nassuada smiled softly.
It was then that the booming bass note of a drum vibrated and echoed throughout Tronjhiem shaking them to the core, as one they began to follow the procession as it moved forward. With Hrothgar and Orik a few steps in front of them with the dragons just behind them, eventually the column stopped between the vast onyx pillars and a hush fell over everyone and the reverence of the dwarves grew as they entered the great central chamber and beheld the scattered remains of Isidar Mithrim.
Guilt and remorse clenched at Nassuada's stomach, and more tears threatened to spill, both for her father's passing and the terrible deed that she and Arya had to do in order to save Eragon and Murtagh.
In the centre lay the largest pieces with the smaller shards scattered around the rest of the chamber.
"I do wish we could have done something other than destroying the star sapphire." Said Nassuada
"I know but what other choice did we have?" Asked Arya as they walked past the countless shards of Isidar Mithrim.
They walked down several flights of stairs that led to the tunnels below and into the caverns that were inhabited by many dwarves that lived in stone houses carved from the very mountain itself. Mothers held children staring at the procession as it passed with wide solemn eyes. Eventually the last echoing boom of the drums was heard, and the column stopped, above them ribbed stalactites covered the massive catacombs ceiling. The silence that fell over them was eerie, around them were thirteen archways above each was carved a clan crest, at the rear was a fourteenth archway that bore no clan crest, the bearers entered the fourteenth chamber in which was a white marble crypt with an epitaph inscribed upon it. Together the bearers lowered Ajihad into the tomb before they stood back and knelt in silent reverence, after which they left. Next to enter were the council of elders who stayed in the chamber for barely a handful of minutes, after which Mika, Brom and Selena entered the grotto and the riders joined them, the room wasn't big enough to fit all the dragons so only Solus joined them. When nobody said anything, the golden dragon stepped forward and swung her great golden head to look at Eragon "Can you cover him please." Nodding the sapphire rider stepped forward and looking at Murtagh, when his brother joined him, they took hold of the massive marble cover stone and laid it over Ajihad and as they stepped back the dragon craned her neck forward and touched the tomb with her snout. The moment the connection was made a blinding light filled the chamber forcing everyone to shield their eyes, when they removed their hands, they saw that the tomb had been transformed from marble to pure diamond.
Once more Solus spoke so that everyone present could hear her. "We will avenge you; your efforts will not be in vain. Your son, we will help him lead Alagaësia into freedom, so you may be remembered for all time.
Only allowing Nassuada and the other riders to hear her next words she said, "Thank you for bringing my rider into the world, I shall watch over her now that you are with your dear ones. Rest now Ajihad and be at peace." Once more the great dragoness touched the tomb before retreating from the hall.
Tears welled in Nassuada's eyes at her dragons words, and she went forward and laid a hand upon the transparent crystal of her fathers tomb, before she left the grotto, Mika stepped up to the tomb and laid his own hand upon it and bowed his head for several long seconds before he stepped back and looked at them all, "Once we leave here our plans are in motion and our course is set in stone."
Eragon looked at him, "We are prepared to accept what fate has in store for us my lord and we shall stand by your side."
Mika nodded at him and looked at each of them, "Thank you all." With that he left, and the others followed not far behind.
Slowly the mourners entered the alcove, and each paid their individual respects. Finally, the last mourner exited the grotto and as one they all began the walk back to Tronjhiem.
As they walked Nassuada allowed herself to sink into her bond with Solus, the love the two shared for one another helped ease the pain of her father's lose, she looked at Mika as he walked at the head of the column his head held high and proud, she worried for him he didn't have a partner like Solus to help him through this.
As they all filed into the amphitheatre, she took a seat on the lowest ring of stone benches that ringed the entire room she looked up as Murtagh sat beside her, he smiled and took her hand, "Are you ok?"
Her smile was gentle "I will be, but I'm worried about my brother, he has so much responsibility on his shoulders now and nobody to help him."
"He has you Nass, and he has all of us as well, as you do. He may not have a dragon at his side, instead he has six dragons and eight riders who will lay down their lives to finish your fathers work."
Her smile became brighter she leaned over and kissed his cheek, "Thank you Murtagh."
Slowly others filed into the amphitheatre, around them sat the other riders as well as Mika, Brom and Selena as well as the council of Elders, Hrothgar and Orik. Around them all the dragons curled up their eyes open and watchful.
"Ever since Korgan we have elected our rulers in the very room, even I was chosen by the grimstborithn of the thirteen clans." Said Hrothgar, "and as such I thought it only fitting that the Varden select their new leader here as well."
"I hope it all goes well" said Nassuada nervously
"We are going to make some fierce enemies after this." Noted Solus.
"No more than usual." Replied Nassuada
"At least you'll have Murtagh to share it with." Teased Solus
"Don't leave Thorn out of this." Ribbed Nassuada, behind her a low rumble came from Solus, Thorn turned to look at the gold dragoness, before he laid his head back on his massive paws.
After a while every seat was filled and Jormunder rose and taking to the platform he began to address the crowd.
For the most part Nassuada tuned out Jormunder's speech, detailing her father's achievements and many accomplishments, he also spoke of when they last convened after the previous leader Deynor died fifteen years ago. She paid attention when he spoke of a new leader that would win the Varden more glory. Surely that wasn't all that people cared about.
From one area she heard the shout of "Shadeslayers!" and then again from somewhere else "Argetlam!"
Jormunder remained unfazed and held his hands up "Please, Please, they have many duties and responsibilities. Perhaps someday it will be possible but not yet. The council of elders took a long time to decide upon our future, especially as Brom does not wish to retake the mantle. We need someone who knows our wants, our needs. Someone who has lived amongst us, suffered as we have."
An undercurrent of understanding seemed to ripple through the crowd as Jormunder continued "We need someone who knows everything about Ajihad's work, his strategies, and everything he wished to keep secret.
A hushed whisper began and Jormunder's voice joined with and confirmed their thoughts "We the council of elders, through merit of his father's accomplishments, select Mika as our new leader."
Jormunder bowed then and stood aside allowing Olwen to take his place "The elves honour Ajihad tonight and on behalf of Queen Islanzadi, I Olwen ambassador for the elves recognise Mika's ascension. I extend the same support and friendship that I gave to his father, Atra esterní ono thelduin Mika Elda." He twisted his hand in the elves traditional custom.
Hrothgar, followed by each of the riders gave their pledges to satisfy the council, once they had all stepped down the council of elders took to the dais and looked around at everyone gathered in the chamber.
Jormunder raised his hand to call for silence before he spoke "By right of inheritance and succession, Mika has been chosen from amongst many candidates, and by his father's feats, and by the blessings of his peers we the council of have chosen Mika as the new leader of the Varden. Now we ask you have we made the right choice?"
The sound was thunderous, as one the crowd in the amphitheatre roared their approval.
Jormunder smiled and nodded "Then by the power granted to this council, we pass all of Ajihad's privileges and responsibilities to his eldest child and heir, Mika." He laid a silver circlet on Mika's brow, the young man rose and looked Jormunder in the eyes his face grim as the two men turned to face the crowd Jormunder said "I give to you our new leader!"
The resounding cheers of both men and dwarves, rang throughout the room,
Murtagh looked at Nassuada and caught her staring at him.
"You're staring at me," he said with a smirk "Found something you like my lady?"
She smiled and tucked her hair behind ear and ran her fingers through his tousled hair smoothing down the patch that was sticking up "No you're perfect now." She felt herself flush and thanked the gods that she had dark skin and the flush of blood that flowed to her cheeks was concealed.
"Surely you're making fun of me?" he teased.
Before she could reply Mika cleared and she looked at him he nodded at her and she at him.
"Its time to fulfil our promises."
Mika raised his hand and silence fell almost instantaneously. "For centuries the order of dragon riders existed, it has watched kings and queens rise and fall. Their loyalty to all the races is renowned and they favour no one race above any other. However times change, and yet it would be improper for all of the riders to be loyal to only one faction." Hushed murmurs began to fill the room and the faces of the council soured. "The Varden must not trap them in binding and oaths."
"Mika," hissed Sabre her eyes narrowing, "They made a promise to the council."
He rounded on her "It does not matter, for I have ordered them to break that promise. It would be improper, and I have made an agreement with King Hrothgar, Ambassador Olwen and even Queen Islanzadi herself. Balance must be kept amongst our factions."
Murtagh took her hand and squeezed it before letting go and with his hand on Vervada's pommel he stepped from his seat and mounted the dais with Nassuada, Thorn and Solus behind him. Murtagh noticed that Brom and Selena had both joined them, as one the four riders drew their swords and knelt, as one they spoke "Out of deep respect and appreciation for the future difficulties that you might face, we give to you our swords, and swear fealty to you as Shur'tugalar, Mika son of Ajihad."
From their places on the bottom tier the other riders along with Olwen, Hrothgar and Orik grinned mischievously.
Silence reigned for several seconds and Murtagh saw the looks of malice radiating from the council behind Mika all except Jormunder whole nodded in acceptance. One by one Mika took the proffered blades and repeated his words from two days before.
The crowd rose, shouting in approval. Dwarves stamped their feet rhythmically while men pounded swords and axes against their shields. Mika grinned as he once more raised his hands for silence. "People of the Varden!" The cheers died down, and the crowd waited in anticipation of his next words. "As my father before me, I give to you my life for our cause."
Orik looked at Eragon, "Did you and the others plan this ahead of time?"
Eragon's look was vicious, "Well we all planned on swearing fealty, the bit where only two of us swore to Mika came from the discussion between him, Hrothgar and the Queen."
Orik's grin was just as wicked, "It was a smart plan, but dangerous, the council of elders seem most displeased. I fear you have all earned some powerful enemies even though you and the others did not personally take part in the oath-taking."
Eragon groaned and Roran looked at him, "What's wrong cousin?"
"We have to leave Farthen Dur, no doubt the council of elders will be thirsty for revenge."
"Aye. The sooner the better." Roran answered.