Eragon starred, eyes wide open. He had never seen a city as amazing as Ellesmera. Even Terim, Dras Leona, or Tronjeheim matched it's vast beauty. All the houses, shops and buildings stood tall and sturdy. Little elven children ran up and down the streets, following their mothers, or kicking a ball around with their friends. Older elves, both men and women, walked the streets cautiously, armed with either swords or bow and arrows. But the most spectacular site sat in the middle of the city. It gleamed with gold magnificence and was surronded by magical looking gardens and was guarded by soilders plataed with golden armor. It was the palace, home of Queen Islanzadi.
As the citizens of Ellesmera saw Eragon and Saphira enter the city all was silent and still. The elves starred at them. Some looked hopeful, some angry, and some were impossible to read.
What should I do? asked Eragon.
Just walk, head for the palace.
Eragon was about to step forward when he saw Arya shake her head no and motion for him to stay put. So he did, and after a few seconds a beautiful elven lady approached them from the center of the city. She was tall, thin, and pale as all elves were, but was exceptionally beautiful. She had long wavy blonde hair that dropped down to her mid-torso. She had electric green eyes full of wisdom and hope and was dressed in elegant, royal blue robes. As she walked down the street the elves kneeled in respect. She finally made her way to the gates and stood infront of Eragon.
"Rider Eragon, you arrival has been highly anticipated," said Queen Islanzadi. "Follow me to the palace. You may rest and relax before we start your training." After saying this, she turned around and headed back up toward the palace. Hesitating at first, Eragon followed, Saphira right by his side. He tried not to concentrate on the elves that were starring at him. After what seemed to be endless hours of walking, Eragon found himself standing infront of the amazing palace. He then followed the Queen inside and the soilders closed the doors behind them, blocking out the rest of the city, but allowed Arya to follow them inside.
The inside of the palace matched the magnificents of the outside. He walked on marble floors so smooth and glassy as if they were brand new. Large pillars stood on both sides of him reaching up to the very top of the palace, four floors up.
Eragon followed Islanzadi in through a pair of oak doors that opend up to a large room with bookcases lining the walls. In the middle was an oak table, a large velvet lined chair on one side, and a few smaller ones on the other. Islanzadi sat on the large throne and indicated that Eragon and Arya were to sit in the chairs parallel. Saphira sat next to Eragon's chair.
"Welcome to Jialcarva Nelies, also known as Palace of Peace. Unfortunatly, it hasn't been living up to it's name lately..." The Queen seemed to daydream for a second, but quickly snapped back to reality. "Rider Eragon, as I have already said, your arrival has been greatly anticipated. Although you should have been her days ago."
"I'm sorry for the inconvience," spoke up Arya, "but on our first night out we were attacked in our sleep and were forced to rest for a day or two, and shortly after our other accomplice died, and we gave a proper burial."
"Yes, I was told that there was supposed to be three of you. I am sorry for the loss." Although she did not look very upset. Apparetnly she knew that the other person had been Murtagh, and his name was not welcome in Ellesmera.
"Well Arya, last time I saw you, you were departing for the journey to Farthen Dur. Apparently you got a little side tracked. I'm sure you will explain it all later. But for now I would like a word with Eragon alone. One of the soilders outside will show you to your room and help you get your horses settled in the stables. Then you may rest until dinner, I'm sure it's been a long and tiering journey."
Arya stood up and exited through the doors. Sitting alone in his seat, Eragon felt small.
"Eragon," said Islanzadi, "usually in the point of a Rider's life, they would be starting the next step in their training. Learning to control their magic and become more powerful with it. They would also learn to be a great swordsmen. But under these conditions we may only be able to get through half of your training. Because of the spies found in Du Weldenvarden, war is expected soon. And when that time comes, we will need you more then ever.
"Now, will you tell me what happend the night you were attacked?" she said.
So Eragon started telling the story from what he knew. How they, what they assumed to be the Ra'zac, attcked in the night. And ended with Murtagh's death. After he told his story Islanzadi sat in her chair pondering for a minute. Finally she spoke.
"If it's true that the Ra'zac are out again working for the Empire and killed Murtagh, like you thought, then we are in much deeper trouble then I anticipated." Eragon silently nodded. "Well, for now, the best thing we can do is begin the rest of your training. And when the war begins, hope you are ready.
"I'm sure you would like to rest a little before training. At the top of the tower is a roomy chamber that your dragon may like, and there are numerous bedrooms throughout the palace, you may choose from."
"Her name is Saphira," replied Eragon.
"Pardon?"
"My dragon, her name is Saphira."
"Oh," she replied. "It is an honor." Saphira nodded in acknowledgment.
"Thank you for allowing us to stay here," said Eragon as he headed for the door.
"It is a pleasure," replied Islanzadi. Eragon opened the doors and left the room, followed by Saphira.
"Would you like to go to your room now?" said one of the soilders, eyeing Saphira.
"Yes, but could you show us to Saphira's chamber first?" With a quick nod, the soilder led the pair outside.
"The entrance is outside. She should be able to fly up to the tower. Is this ok?" Eragon nodded and watched Saphira fly off to the chamber. The soilder then led Eragon back inside and up to the second floor. "You may choose any room you like on this floor or the one above it."
"Thank you," replied Eragon, and the soilder left. Eragon wandered up to the third floor so he could be closer to Saphira and settled for a medium sized bedroom toward the end of the hall. It was elegantly decorated. A large sleigh style bed was placed inside the room with a matching cabinet. Eragon layed his travel-worn pack ontop of the bed and laid down. The soft feather bed felt incredebly comfterble after weeks of sleeping on hard ground. His eyes began to shut when somebody opend the door, making him sit straght back up. Standing in his doorway was Arya.
"Hello," said Arya. "I'm sorry, did I wake you up?"
"No," replied Eragon. "I was just laying down for a bit. How did you find out where I was sleeping?"
"Well, I assumed you would try to get a room as close to Saphira as possible, so I checked all the rooms on this floor until I found you." Eragon nodded, surprised she would go through such efforts to find him.
"So, what did you and Queen Islanzadi talk about?"
"Well," Eragon replied, "she told me that I may not be able to complete my second stage of training as a Rider because war is expected soon. And when I told her of the Ra'zac she became worried and suspects Ellesmera will be attacked soon.?"
"You told her abuot the Ra'zac attacking?" asked Arya, sounding almost mad.
"Well, yes. She asked me how Murtagh died...Did you not want me to?"
"It's ok, you couldn't have known not to say anything.
"But the thing is, I was considered one of the greatest warriors here in Ellesmera. That's why they chose me to guard Saphira's egg on the trip to Tronjheim. But I failed. The soilders ordered to guard me were killed and I was captured. The egg was lost. Ellesmera had high hopes that one of the elves in our city would be accepted. But before I was kidnapped, I had to send away the egg to protect it, losing all hopes were gone. Not that I'm not happy Saphira chose you," she added, seeing the hurt look on Eragon's face. "And then I was supposed to help you and Murtagh on the trip to Ellesmera, and I failed again...I won't be surprised if Islanzadi doesn't allow me to live here anymore..."
"You life in the castle?"
"Yes," Arya replied. "Because I help the Queen on important journeys and act as a soilder when needed, she provides me with meals and housing."
"Well, I assume you would like to bathe and change clotihng," she said changing the subject. Eragon nodded. Dirt from his travels had covered Eragon and blood stains were on his shirt from his wound. So he followed Arya as she guided him to a bathing room down the hall. "I'll have somebody send you up some fresh clothes." And then she left. Eragon quickly undressed and slipped into the warm bathing pool. He stood for a second and then dove into the water. He found some soap and lathered himself, wiping up every bit of dirt and washed through his hair. He went back under to wash away the soap, and then just sat in the steaming water to relax.
His thoughts soon wandered to Arya. He wondered if she already had a husband. The fact that she might had never occured to him, but he then assumed that she didn't, considering that she traveled, apparently, alone and she lived alone in the palace. He then began to think about how beautiful she was. It was as if every part of her body was perfect. From her dark, mysterious eyes to her long, flowing hair. Even the scar on her cheek made her uniquely beautiful. He longed just be able to stare at her, to kiss her.
His thoughts were soon interupted when Saphira contacted her, and Eragon attempted to get all thoughts of Arya out of his mind so Saphira would not detect them.
How are you, little one?
I'm good. Just finishing up a bath. How's the dragon's chamber?
It's cozy. I have a beautiful view of the city. You should see it.
I'll try to come before I go to bed.
Good...
Their conncetion broke and Eragon stood up and got out of the bathing pool, drying himself off with a towel. A fresh linen shirt and trousers waited for him next to the door. He quickly dressed and exited the room. Not knowing what to do now, he wandered through the palace. He admired the paintings hanging on the walls and the great archatecture of the building. After walking around the palace for close to half an hour he ran into Arya.
"Hello. It's about time for dinner in the dining hall, would you wish to join?" she asked him.
"Well, uh, is there anyway that I can eat in the dragon chamber with Saphira?" Eragon asked.
"I will have it arranged," replied Arya with a smile. With that she walked off and Eragon decided to head to the chamber. So he went outside and to the side of the palace.
Saphira, can you come get me?
In a flash Saphira soared down from the window of the chamber and landed smoothly next to Eragon. He tried to clamber on as fast as possible, as people stoped and starred as Saphira came down. Once securly on, Saphira took off, and in a few seconds Eragon found himself inside the dragon chambers. The chambers was one huge room taking up most of the fourth floor. A huge window large enough for Saphira to fly through faced the city. You could see every bit of it, all the way out to the golden, glowing gates. Saphira was right, it was a breathtaking view. Inside the chamber was extremely large bedding, big enough for Saphira and Eragon to sleep in. Across from the bedding was a mangled deer.
They brought you dinner?
Yes, and I assume they'll bring yours in a little bit too. As if on cue, a servent appeared from a trap door that Eragon had not noticed, and he carryied a large tray of food. The wonderful smell of it made Eragon realize how hungrey he was. The servent placed the food on the floor and said to call if he needed anything else, and climed back down the trap door. Eragon and Saphira began to eat their dinner, and finished full and content. Saphira layed down on her bed and Eragon against her stomach, and appriciated the warmth from the fire in her stomach. Together they just sat there looking out the window at the city. Slowly the sun began to set on Ellesmera and finally left them in total darkness.
Not wanting to go back into his bedroom in the palace, Eragon curled up next to Saphira and the two of them fell to sleep.
Come to me Eragon. The voice echoed in Eragon's mind as he slept. And then pictures joined into his dream. It reminded Eragon of when Arya guided him to Farthen Dur, only this was a path leading through Du Weldenvarden, and seemed to be much shorter, just a little over a league outside of Ellesmera, and it ended at a small clearing with a pond. Come to me Eragon. I am The Mourning Sage, The Cripple who is Whole. Come to me. I will come, Eragon replied. Then Eragon's dream faded away and he woke up in the chambers. He gazed out the window to see that the sun was rising over Ellesmera. Saphira was already awake and watching him with curiosity.
Are you ok, little on?
Yes, he replied. I know where to find The Mourning Sage.
Just got some sudden inspiration so I sat down and wrote! I hope you guys liked this chapter, the next one should be really good... But I won't be able to update for awhile, I'm going on vacation:D Please Review!