Chapter 8
The next morning Roran woke and stretched as he looked around, he saw the others were already awake and preparing to leave, he watched as Murtagh pulled on his boots stood beside him Eragon was fastening his leather bracers. Once he had washed and changed Roran quickly packed his meagre belongings into his pack and pulled on his travelling cloak before he hefted his pack and the buckskin tube that protected his bow and arrows. In his left hand he held his shield, and in his right, he carried Kveykva the sword belt was wrapped around the scabbard making it bulky but not unmanageable.
Together the six riders and four smaller dragons left the large guard room and made their way to north gate of Tronjhiem and once they were out of the city they were greeted by Thorn and Saphira both of whom were already wearing their saddles.
Eragon and Murtagh went over to their dragons and fastened their packs to the saddles.
Murtagh looked at Eragon as he finished, "Are you ready little brother?"
"As ready as can be. I hope we can find someone who can help us in Ellesmera."
Murtagh's smile was wan as he looked at Eragon whose expression was defeated, and he placed a hand on the back of his brothers' neck and pressed his forehead to his brothers. "We will find a cure for this final plague of Durza's. I swear to you Eragon I will not rest until you are safe."
Eragon's smile was faint. "Thank you, brother."
Then he straightened and looked at the others who had each just fastened their own packs to saddles and now milled around, they hadn't observed the brother's intimate moment together however because Saphira and Thorn had manoeuvred themselves so as to shield the pair from everyone else.
As one the six riders and their dragons flew to the northern gate of Farthen Dur, when they landed, they all dismounted and sat around waiting.
It took an hour, but they were eventually joined by Hrothgar and Orik who were accompanied by half a dozen other dwarves each of whom carried an odd, shaped bundle covered by a burlap cloth.
"Greetings Argetlamr." Said the Hrothgar, "I see you are all packed and ready for your journey, I have decided that I shall be sending Orik with you as my ambassador to see that you receive the instruction that you are due."
"It will be good to have Orik with us." Said Eragon
"Also, we have had our finest smiths work through the night to repair your armour as well as the dragon armour you used during the battle of Farthen Dur, I know you cannot take the dragon armour with you and so once it finished, I shall entrust it to the Varden's safe keeping until you return." He waved a hand and the six dwarves stood behind the king moved forward and stood before each of the riders one by one they removed the burlap revealing the armour they had worn during the battle. The mail was repaired dents had been worked out of their helms and shields and the bracers and grieves were polished until they gleamed.
Roran looked confused missing from his armour was his helm and as he looked around, he saw that Eragon to was missing him helm. Before he could comment Hrothgar coughed in his hand, he held what Roran recognised as Eragon's enamelled and plumed helm, the front of which was facing the king, in Orik's hand was Roran's helm.
"I know we have spoken already on the subject of riders swearing allegiance to each of the factions that comprise the resistance against Galbatorix and with regards to that Murtagh and Nassuada have already sworn themselves to Mika and the Varden. However, before Eragon and Roran make any oaths a choice lies before you."
"What choice is that your majesty?" asked Roran
Hrothgar turned the Eragon's helm, on the brow was the gold embossed hammer and stars of Dûrgrimst Ingeitum, the same symbol was embossed upon Roran's helm.
"I wish to extend to you these as an offer of friendship with the next generation of riders and I would also like to adopt you both into Dûrgrimst Ingeitum and into mine own family as my sons."
Roran looked at Eragon and asked Is he serious?
He seems to be.
What do we do?
Do whatever seems best to you; I may be your teacher, but I cannot make this decision for you cousin. I however know my choice. With that said Eragon stepped forward and took his helm from Hrothgar and tucked it under his arm "I thank you your majesty and I am glad to accept your invitation to join Dûrgrimst Ingeitum."
All eyes then turned to Roran. He looked apprehensive "How often has this been done?" he asked.
"For a human? Never I had to argue with the families of the Ingeitum for a day and a night but eventually they all accepted. You will have all the rights of a clan member, you may attend our councils, voice your opinion on any issue, and should the worst befall you, you may be buried with our dead." Answered Hrothgar.
Roran raised his chin, stepped to Orik and took his helm placing it on his head, "I also accept your invitation your majesty, it is an honour to join both Dûrgrimst Ingeitum and to become a member of your family."
The king of the dwarves beamed, "Good, very good." From within his robe, he withdrew a polished earth coloured stone, a Knurlnein as Hrothgar called it, he then asked each of them to prick a finger and allow a few drops of blood to wet the Knurlnein before he asked them to swear their oaths in dwarvish.
As Eragon healed the cut on his palm he saw Olwen approaching the small group accompanied by Brom and Selena, the three were deep in conversation. Olwen wore dark pants with his usual soft boots and soft forest green open lace shirt at his hip was his elegant rapier over his shoulder was a large pack with a blanket fastened to the top. As the three joined the others Murtagh took Olwnen's pack and tied it to Thorn's saddle as the elf greeted the others. Whilst Eragon conversed with his parents and Olwen chatted with Katrina and Nassuada and Roran talked with Orik and King Hrothgar.
Finally, the last to arrive was Mika who was flanked by Jormunder and twelve heavily armed men, as he drew near, he saw Roran's helm, and he looked to Eragon who was still holding his helm under his arm and his face dropped ever so slightly but he hid it well.
"So, you accepted then." It wasn't so much a question, more a statement of fact
"We did." Said Eragon, "It is a great honour, and it ties us by family to the race of dwarves, as Nassuada's blood ties her to you and the Varden and Arya's will tie her to the elves." He looked at everyone around him, "For centuries the riders stood apart, but no more. We are a new order that will rise from the ashes of the old bound by our blood and law to all the nations of Alagaësia."
"I am proud of you, my son." Said Selena as she stepped up and hugged him.
Brom then stepped up to his son, clasped his hand and spoke softly to him.
As they moved apart Mika looked at them "I wish you fair winds and safe travels riders."
Jormunder looked at them all, "Have a good trip my friends, please guard yourselves well."
Mika moved forward and pulled his sister into a fierce hug, "Be careful little sister and stay safe."
Olwen spoke then "We must be off, Aiedail has set, and we have far to go today."
Quickly the others said their final farewells before the riders along with Orik, and Olwen approached the mouth of the ominous tunnel that led into the bowels of the mountains.
As they passed into the tunnel Roran who was walking beside Orik asked the dwarf "Where exactly are we heading?"
The dwarf looked at him. "From here we will travel through the tunnels to Tarnag which is north of here, from there we will travel along the Az Ragni to Hedarth, usually we would travel by raft down the river."
"By raft?" interrupted Roran
"Aye it is the fastest way, we could travel by horse I suppose but rafts are quicker, however I suspect that we will probably end up flying from Tarnag. We won't be able to do that when we reach Du Weldenvarden though. The elves will most likely provide us with horses when we reach the forest."
Katrina's eyes hurt as the great stone doors were dragged open, and light flooded the tunnel, she raised a hand to shield her eyes. Around her she could sense the others were also covering their eyes. Behind them the dragons hissed and shifted themselves to better perceive their surroundings.
For two days they had traversed the underground tunnels that led from Farthen Dur and spiderwebbed out like the roots of a vast tree. All the while they had been bathed in the soft white luminescence of the were lights that Eragon, Murtagh and Olwen took turns to conjure. They had spoken little as they travelled, the darkness surrounding their illuminated area pressed in against them and it felt like a crushing weight, and it cowed them all even Orik who was a dwarf and had lived in Tronjhiem and the Beor Mountains spoke but rarely, though she suspected that most of his silence was brought on by the prospect of having to fly on dragon back from Tarnag to Hedarth.
Katrina hoped that she would get to spend some time with Roran the only time she could remember them talking was the previous night when he had come and sat beside her after dinner, he had confided in her about how he was nervous for this next adventure. She had set his mind at ease before she had kissed him on the lips before snuggling against him and going to sleep.
As Katrina followed her friends through the door, she saw that they were stood upon a granite outcrop below them was a shimmering blue lake larger than the lake Kostha Merna but no less beautiful, it stretched from mountain to mountain and filled the entire valley and sealed the end. As she looked at the rest of the view, she saw the Az Ragni flowing north, winding between peaks until it flowed out onto the eastern plains.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" said Murtagh
She started; she hadn't realised Roran's cousin had stepped up beside her.
"It truly is." Came Roran's voice from behind her, she turned to see him staring at her and it made her blush, she tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at him coyly.
"I think Murtagh was talking about the scenery Roran."
"I know but that doesn't make what I said any less true." He said with a shrug
Off to the right was a fairly well used trail that led down to the valley floor. Together Eragon and Orik led the way down the trail, after half an hour they broke of the surrounding trees and before them they saw the dwarf city of Tarnag, it was a testament to dwarven engineering, they had taken the unrelenting Beor Mountains and transformed them into a series of terraces, the lower two terraces were given over to farms with squat halls made of stone, steadily the other tiers rose made up of interlocking buildings culminating in a dome of white and gold, to Roran the city looked as if it were merely a set of enormous steps that led up to the great dome.
"Ah Celbedeil, tis the greatest dwarf temple and home to Dûrgrimst Quan, they act as messengers and servants to the gods."
"Solus wants to know who rules Tarnag, I must confess I always assumed it was Dûrgrimst Quan." Asked Nassuada
Orik looked at her "Ney lass whilst the Quan are a strong and powerful clan both politically and religiously, they are few, it is the Ragni Hefthyn, the river guard who control Tarnag."
"Their clan chief Undin, will be our host." Said Eragon
As they carried on Nassuada noticed that Olwen had grown somewhat sullen since they had left the tunnel and she decided to ask Arya about it.
The elf smiled at her, "He's still a little sore, the last time he visited Tarnag he showed an interest in learning more about Dwarven customs, but the priests of Tarnag seem to dislike him even if he means no harm."
"That seems…" she paused searching for the right word.
"Harsh?" Arya offered
"A better choice than what I was thinking." Nassuada confessed
Arya laughed, it was a musical sound, that made Nassuada smile.
"Elves and Dwarves have a long history of disagreements, especially since elves don't believe in any gods, Olwen has always had an open mind however."
"It seems that the priests simply hate him for his race."
Behind them Eragon stretched "It's good to be back outside under the trees and the sun. I've missed being out in the open."
Roran had ended up walking alongside Orik and he looked at the dwarf "How did you ever hide Tarnag from Galbatorix and the forsworn?" he wiped sweat from his brow "I can understand with Tronjhiem and Farthen Dur but this place."
Orik chuckled "We could not hide Tarnag or any of the other cities above ground, so we simply abandoned them and withdrew underground into the tunnels, it is only in the last decade since Morzan and the rest of the forsworn began to stay closer to Uru'baen and their own estates that we have returned to our above ground dwellings." He looked at Tarnag and then back at Roran "I fear that you and your friends will be unwelcome in Tarnag, we dwarves have long memories, and we remember keenly the destruction Galbatorix and the forsworn dealt to our people, we lost an entire clan in our retreat from Ilirea they gave their lives to protect our entire race and will be remembered with great honour until the end of days."
As they reached the curve in the road an animal crashed through the bushes at the edge of the road. Roran stepped back in surprise and stepped on Nassuada's foot.
She cursed in dwarvish as well as a language Roran didn't recognise eventually she stopped and looked at him, "Can you watch were you're putting those gigantic feet of yours."
"Sorry," Roran apologised "It won't happen again" he looked back at the animal that had just appeared, it looked like a mountain goat from the spine, except it was at least a third larger and had massive, ribbed horns that curled back around its cheeks.
"An Urgal would be envious of horns like those" commented Breoal
Roran agreed "They'd probably go into a fit of rage, those are some impressive horns."
There was a saddle lashed to the goats back and in it sat a dwarf who held a half-drawn bow, an arrow already fit to the string. "Hert dûrgrimst? Fild rastn?"
Orik answered in his own language, all the while Roran continued to study the goat which was staring at the six dragons warily. "It seems to be quite intelligent, though its face is a bit comical."
Breoal snorted "It does have a frosty beard and that over solemn expression, very much like a dwarf."
"It is their land after all so I suppose the animals would be very dwarvish too."
Without any visible command the goat leapt forward. The distance it covered was quite large and it seemed to momentarily take flight. With a few bounds it had disappeared between the trees and bushes.
"What exactly was that?" asked Katrina
"That was a Feldunost," explained Orik, "It's one of five animals that can only be found here in the Beor Mountains, we have a clan named after each one. Dûrgrimst Feldunost are the bravest and most revered of the clans. We rely on the Feldunost for its wool, milk and meat. Without them we could not live in the Beor Mountains."
"Why are Dûrgrimst Feldunost so revered though?" Asked Katrina as she and Murtagh drew closer
"It is because Dûrgrimst Feldunost risked themselves and still do as a matter of fact to tend our herds and fields above ground when the traitorous Forsworn terrorised us. We owe them all a great debt."
"Do all Dwarves ride Feldunost?" Asked Roran.
"Only within the mountains, they're hardy and extremely sure footed, I have seen one climb a near vertical cliff face to graze on a tuft of long, lush patch of grass that was growing out of a small crack in the cliff face. However, they are not best suited for vast open plains.
In his mind Eragon heard the younger dragons discussing whether Feldunost would be tasty, before he could interject however Saphira spoke "I would not try to eat one of them, the short-leg-round-ears Dwarves are very possessive of them, it would not do to anger them by experimenting with your choice of prey."
Eragon smiled to himself as a memory came back to him of when he and Saphira had flown on their own from Vroengard carrying a message for the recently crowned King Hrothgar from Anurin who had been the leader of the riders at that time. Whilst he had been in discussions, Saphira had left the mountain and gone hunting, she had attempted to catch a Feldunost and had been confronted by the half dozen dwarf shepherds who were watching over the herd, they had brandished rude spears made solely of wood at her and she had been startled that they thought they could chase of a dragon with sticks.
Arya looked at him and he felt her brush against his mind, and he lowered his barriers "What's so funny?"
He replayed for her the memory of Saphira being confronted by the dwarves and she laughed as well.
"Is something amusing little one?" Asked Saphira
He explained about what he had shared with Arya, and she huffed, releasing a gout a blue fire from her nostrils that ignited several nearby trees.
"Saphira!" cried Eragon and quickly he drew upon his magic and extinguished the flames.
"Oops, Sorry."
The others stared at the blue dragon in surprise.
They continued walking once flames had been dealt with and Arya, Murtagh and Eragon had used their combined magic along with a swath of Saphira's strength to repair the damage to the trees.
As they walked out from beneath the dark bent boughs of the forest, they entered a large clearing that surrounded Tarnag. Dwarves were scattered around the field some in pairs, some in small groups and here and there the odd solitary dwarf, all began to flock towards the riders and dragons. From within Tarnag leapt seven Feldunost with jewelled harnesses, the mounted warriors carried pennant tipped lances that snapped out behind them.
As one the warriors reined in their mounts and the dwarf in the lead spoke "Thou art welcome in our city of Tarnag, upon the otho of Undin and Gannel, I Thorv son of Brokk, offer you peace and shelter." Roran noted that he had a grumbling raspy accent that was very different from Orik's
"By Hrothgar's otho we of the Ingeitum accept your hospitality" responded Orik
"As do we in Mika's stead." Nassuada added with a charming smile
"And so do we in Islanzadi's stead." Finished Olwen
Appearing to be satisfied Thorv pulled on his reigns and spurred his mount, the others moved to take positions on the flanks of the riders.
Roran's eyes were wide as they passed through a tunnel into the lowest ring of Tarnag that was filled with numerous farms, they passed through five more tiers all of which were guarded by fortified gates carrying them past the fields and into the city itself.
The buildings within the thick ring of wall were all made of stone and yet were shaped so gracefully. As they progressed a group of armed dwarves exited from houses and formed a thick line to block the street. Their faces were concealed behind long purple veils, around them the dwarves reined in their Feldunost with hard faces.
"What's going on?" asked Katrina.
Orik shook his head and moved forward with his hand on his axe. Thorv was arguing harshly with one of the veiled dwarves though somehow respect showed through.
Roran shifted to get a better view of the strange dwarves and the dwarf that was arguing with Thorv looked at him and began pointing a look of horror on his face before he began shouting in dwarvish again. This earned Orik's ire, and he moved forward drawing his axe as he went. He spoke in a low threatening tone. The veiled dwarf gave Orik a long hard look before he removed an iron ring from his pocket and plucked three hairs from his beard and twined them around the ring before he threw it on the floor and spat after it.
Without a word the strange dwarves filed away, around the riders the other dwarves flinched as the ring bounced across the granite pavement.
Olwen, Eragon, Murtagh and Arya all stared in horror, the younger dwarves went pale as they reached for their swords, Thorv growled at them and they resheathed their half-drawn blades.
Nassuada looked at everyone confused "What was that all about?"
Thorv shook his head "It means you have enemies, rider."
Thorv and Orik then hurried the others along through another wall into a large courtyard that contained three large banquet tables. Before the middle table stood a group of dwarves one of them was wrapped in a large wolf pelt, he stepped forward and spread his arms "Welcome riders to Tarnag, the home of Dûrgrimst Ragni Hefthyn. We have heard many good things about you riders, I am Undin, son of Derund and clan chief."
A second dwarf stepped up beside Undin this one wore a sleeveless tunic that reached to his knees and was belted in the middle. His arms were powerfully muscled and betrayed that he clearly had the body of a warrior, he had hooded black eyes that lingered on the riders faces in particular, those of Eragon and Roran, his eyes then passed to Arya and Olwen and a flicker of distaste passed over his face "I am Gannel, son of Orm Blood-axe and clan chief of Dûrgrimst Quan."
The irritation from all six dragons flashed through Nassuada as well as the other riders.
"Patience dear one." She knew the other riders were having similar conversations trying to calm their bonded partners.
The clan chiefs then greeted Olwen, with a great deal of forced civility on Gannel's part. When the two dwarf chiefs turned to greet Orik the dwarf simply extended his hand and showed them the iron ring.
Undin's dark eyes widened, and he picked up the ring gingerly pinching it between his thumb and forefinger, he held it at arm's length as if it were a venomous snake that might bite him at any second, "Who gave this to you?"
"Az Swedln Rak Anhuin," Orik's tone was flat and all the more deadly because of it, "And it wasn't given to me but to Eragon and Roran, and in extension to the other riders and their dragons as well."
Nassuada watched as alarm spread across the faces of the other dwarves. She knew a lone dwarf would face a hundred urgals without fear, but this single metal ring had terrified the dwarves. It must have meant something dreadful.
The group of dwarves gathered around Undin all of them muttering darkly in dwarvish, eventually the dwarf chief managed to get control of the group before he moved forward and spoke to the riders. "We intended on celebrating your arrival with a feast the likes of which we have not had an excuse for, for nigh on a hundred years. Please allow my servants to show you to the quarters we have prepared for you." Without another word Undin along with Gannel and their advisors swept out of the courtyard leaving the riders along with Orik and Olwen standing there alone. After a few minutes a servant appeared and asked the riders and their friends to follow him, he led them into a low-ceilinged hall that forced everyone but Orik to stoop. One by one they left the group until finally Eragon and Arya were shown into a spacious room that had a double bed that was large for dwarves but for a human and elf, Eragon knew that his feet at least would stick out from under the covers and he was grateful that he didn't require sleep in the traditional sense anymore and that he could assume a seated and cross legged position on the floor and allow his mind to stray and rest, he also knew he must be cautious in this place now that Az Sweldn Rak Anhuin was set against him and the other riders, but he felt a degree of relaxation settle over him as he felt Saphira and Thorn spread their combined minds out allowing them to watch over the entire city and warn him and Murtagh if they sensed any immediate danger.
He came back to himself as he heard Arya sigh in contentment and looking round, he saw that she had undressed and sunk into a steaming tub of water, he watched as she began to undo her usual plait allowing her dark hair to spill out. Once Eragon had dropped his pack on the bed he stood his sword by the table upon which stood a large stone basin and a large jug of water. Quickly Eragon pulled off his travel worn clothes until he stood there in only his trousers, with a quiet word he used a spell to heat the water and began to wash off the grime of their journey through the tunnels.
Eventually there came a knock at the door and outside stood a different dwarf servant who in a heavily accented voice told the riders that Undin and Gannel had concluded their meeting and that the feast was due to start imminently.
After following the servant back outside to the courtyard Eragon and Arya saw that the other riders along with Olwen and Orik, all of them wearing their finest clothes and each looking more refreshed had also returned along with Undin, Gannel and a host of other dwarves.
"Finally, the last of the riders are here and we may begin. Please all of you be seated." Said Undin who stood at the head of the table.
Once each of the riders had taken a seat near where Undin sat the dragons who had been curled up together each of them kept an eye upon the feast before them.
As he took his seat between Katrina and Orik, Roran joined his mind with the other riders "Has anything happened since we've been gone?"
"Undin had the gates barred and added extra guards to the walls." Answered Thorn. "I think he believes that Az Sweldn Rak Anhuin will cause trouble during our stay here."
"We won't allow any misfortune to befall you little ones." Said Saphira
Once everyone was seated Undin rose and in his deep voice proclaimed "Ignh az voth!"
From behind the tables servants began to stream out of Undin's hall carrying platters of hammered gold piled high with meat, fruit, pies and all manner of other roasts, soups, stews alongside breads and various cheeses, along with the platters came chilled silver flagons of beer, ale mead and wine. Eventually the centrepiece of the feast was revealed three enormous, roasted boars that glistened in the sauce they had been cooked in. each carcass was as large as a horse, and each required six dwarves to carry it and its ivory tusks were as long as a man forearm and its snout was as wide as a man's head.
"Nagra or Giant Boar," Explained Orik. "You are truly being honoured riders, for only the bravest of Dwarf hunters hunt the Nagran. It is only served to those of great valour and renowned."
"It may also be a subtle gesture that Undin if not Gannel as well will support you over Dûrgrimst Nagra." Added Olwen
"Is this one of the animals native to the Beors?" Asked Katrina "And what are the others?"
"Well there are the Shrrg, great wolves that are big enough the feed on the Nagra, and they can match a Feldunost for speed, there is also the Urzhadn, which the elves call Beorn, and have lent their names to these mountains," Orik looked at Eragon and Roran. "Though that is not the true name of these great peaks, and finally there is the Fanghur or Wind Vipers, they are thought to be related to the dragons in some way."
It was at this point that Undin who had taken his seat once more raised a hand and spoke once more "Smer Voth."
It was then that servants stepped forward and with large, curved knives they cut portions of Nagra and set them on everyone's plate except for Olwen and Arya, they even cut large weighty portions for each of the dragons, with a smile Undin drew a small knife and sliced himself a piece of meat from his plate, placed it in his mouth and chewed slowly, around him Roran sensed the tension as everyone watched Undin chew. Finally, the clan chief swallowed and smiled "Ilf Gauhnith!" he proclaimed.
"Now" said Orik, turning to his own meal as conversation began throughout the courtyard.
Roran was surprised, he had never tasted anything that came close to the boar, the meat was juicy, soft and oddly slightly spicy, almost as if it had been soaked in honey and cider. He caught Breoal's eye "I wonder how they managed to cook something so large."
Taking a bite Breoal answered "with great skill and no small amount of time else the inside would not be cooked properly.
"Since when did you learn about cooking?"
"It's only common sense something that size would be impossible to cook normally."
He came back to himself as he heard Katrina ask a question that he didn't hear, however he heard Orik's reply.
"It is a custom that stretches back to a time when poisoning often happened amongst the clans, the host tastes the first bite and declares that it is safe to eat."
Aside from sampling the numerous dishes Eragon spent his time conversing with the other riders, Orik, Olwen and the numerous dwarves around him, due to the immense size of the feast hours passed by quickly and it was early evening by the time that the servants returned to clear away the remanets of the banquet.
Undin turned to look at the riders "The meal pleased you, yes?"
They each expressed their gratitude and awe at the meal.
"Your words gladden me. I had the tables moved outside yesterday so that your dragons may dine with us."
Eragon felt the instant cold grow over each of the riders, he didn't know whether it was intentional or not, but Undin treated the dragons as nothing more than simple beasts. He had intended on asking about Az Sweldn Rak Anhuin in private, but he wanted to unnerve Undin now and he was just about to clear his throat and ask when he heard Katrina say.
"On behalf of myself and the other riders as well as our dragons, I thank you." She paused. "Sir why was the ring thrown at us earlier."
Silence fell over the courtyard and Murtagh coughed into his tankard spraying beer all over the table, Eragon saw Orik wince and beside Arya Olwen smiled wickedly in understanding.
Undin set his dagger down with a scowl. "Those Knurlan you met come from a tragic clan. They were among the oldest and richest families in our kingdom before the fall of the riders. They made two mistakes that sealed their doom, however. They lived right on the western edge of the Beors, and they volunteered their greatest warriors in Vrael's service." His voice cracked with anger. "Galbatorix and his vile and accursed forsworn slaughtered them in them in your city of Uru'baen before they flew upon us in here in the mountains." He looked at Eragon and Murtagh. "You know this all too well since you were both there that day."
"Yes, and it was only because of me and Thorn that Grimstcarvloss Anhuin and he guards survived."
"That may be, but soon after she died of grief. Her men took on the name Az Sweldn Rak Anhuin, or in this language, The tears of Anhuin and from that day they covered their faces as a reminder of their loss and the desire for revenge. And so they rebuilt through the decades. They have waited patiently and hunted for the justice they wanted. Now you come not one rider and dragon but six and two of you bear the mark of Hrothgar's clan. It is the biggest insult that can ever be done to them. Your feats back in Farthen Dur do not matter to them. The ring they threw at you is the ultimate challenge it means that the entirety of Dûrgrimst Az Sweldn Rak Anhuin will forever oppose you with all the resources at their disposal in every matter big or small. They are your blood enemies set against you fully and without hesitation, as your companions this extends not only to Roran and Eragon but all of you riders as well as your dragons."
"Do they mean us bodily harm?" asked Roran. He shared a worried look with Breoal.
Undin's Gaze momentarily faltered as he gave Gannel a long look, before he shook his head and laughed gruffly. "Of course not, young rider! Nobody not even they would dare harm a guest, even if that person is a blood enemy. It is forbidden by the laws of every race, is it not? They only want you gone never to return. Please let us have no more talk on these matters. Gannel and I have offered you all our hospitality, as a symbol of our friendship. This is what matters is it not?"
Eragon looked at Saphira he could sense her anger simmering "What is it?"
"They are afraid and resentful, little one." Her eyes looked solemn, and she shuffled slightly "They have been forced to accept the help of not one but six riders."
"Aye, they may fight with us, but they certainly don't fight for us."