Chapter 7: A First Encounter
Marie hopped down off Snowfire after another long day of riding. They had trained three times more during the day and the girl could tell muscle was growing. She could also lift a pebble in the air for ten minutes straight without having too much energy drained.
Oropher had practiced flying at every stop and was now able to fly onto Mary's shoulder, though he was reasonably tired afterward.
Marie had now gotten so used to riding with Brom that he began to talk to her and every now and then, Eragon would break in and ride in unison.
Besides talking to Brom, Marie was looking forward more and more to the times when Eragon would ride beside and chat. She even began to look forward to sparring. Magic practice for her was fun because Eragon began teasing her about her skill, often making her lose concentration. Other times, she would be disappointed when Eragon went off with Saphira and admired longingly as the soared out of sight each time. (Brom used that time to teach her how to horse-back ride. It didn't improve much.)
Oropher was also a good friend to talk to. Since he couldn't comment on anything, only feel, Marie often had mental conversations where he listened. She loved that she was finally being heard out and nobody had to know about it.
Marie's wrist hadn't healed very much and she could hear small conversations where the males would discuss whether or not they should use magic. For some reason, Brom discouraged that and told Eragon to let it go. Eragon usually left the conversations in an irritated manner.
Eragon leaped off Cadoc and he and Marie led the horses through another trail, this one bushy instead of branchy.
Brom followed and the trees soon began to appear. They settled their camp and Marie began to practice using magic.
"I'm going to get a drink," said Eragon. Marie and Brom nodded as Oropher curled up next to Saphira.
Marie reached out with her mind to the pebble and almost instantly reached the watery barrier. She pushed against it and burst through it, as if taking in a wanted breath.
Marie strained to keep her eyes open as she concentrated hard, trying to lift the pebble.
To her glee, it began to hover and stayed in mid-air above her hand. Marie reached out farther, having newfound energy. Oropher pushed his way in and helped her as she willed the little rock to revolve around her hand.
The rock moved and then faltered. It began to drop as if in slow motion as she felt some anxiety and distrust towards someone from Oropher.
The rock pulled out of the motion, as Marie felt something huge grab her.
"Whoa!" she shrieked as she was tugged under something large. A blue shade covered their view and Marie knew it was Saphira's wings.
"What is going on?" demanded Brom as he tried to free himself from Saphira's grasp. Oropher was wiggling on the other side of Marie but as soon as he had started, he stopped.
What's going on? Try and speak! Cried Marie with her mind as she, too, began clawing the ground for an escape.
She felt Oropher trying to calm her and then two words with a male voice flashed into her head. Eragon. Trouble.
Marie told Brom what Oropher had said and he stopped struggling.
Swift footsteps could be heard and then Saphira moved, presumably whacking her tail.
"Stop. It's me!" a voice yelled. Marie recognized Eragon's voice.
"Oops?" he growled from outside. Marie assumed he was talking with his dragon. "Where's Brom, Marie and Oropher?"
"I'm right here," snapped Brom from beside Marie. "Tell your crazy dragon to release us; she wouldn't even listen to Marie or Oropher."
"Let them go!" yelled Eragon's voice. "Didn't you tell them?"
Instantly Saphira's wings lifted and Marie, Brom and Oropher popped out, looking bewildered, angry and confused.
"What's going on?" snapped Brom.
"I found an Urgal footprint. And it's fresh."
Brom put on a serious face and began to wipe away camp. Marie grabbed her bag and held Oropher close, looking round with wild green eyes. "Saddle the horses. We're leaving."
He turned when Eragon just stood there and Marie shifted uneasily.
"My arm…I think I broke it," Eragon, mumbled swaying a bit off to the side.
Brom cursed and saddled Snowfire and Cadoc while the two teens stood off to the side feeling useless. He told Saphira to fly ahead and she took off, her blue scales blending in the darkness.
He helped Eragon and Marie get on the two horses just as a faint call of a hunting horn sounded. Panic shot through both teens.
Brom spoke again, taking the charge. "They must have found where we were and probably Saphira's tracks. They will chase us now. It's not their nature to let prey escape."
More horns sounded and Cadoc and Snowfire began to prance uneasily. Marie and Eragon grasped the reins tightly with their left hands.
"We better run," said Brom another horn sounded, much nearer. His face went blank as he called Saphira.
She swooped in and stood with half open wings as Brom yanked Eragon off Cadoc. "Leave him. Go with Saphira. You'll be safer with her."
Eragon hopped onto Saphira reluctantly. "What about you and Marie? You guys could get hurt!"
"Don't worry about us! Marie knows enough about riding to stay on Snowfire." Brom said and he pulled himself on Cadoc.
"At least let me take Oropher! He might not be able to stay in Marie's pack at a full gallop!" demanded Eragon. He held out a hand and the pearly dragon looked at Marie in question.
Go ahead…be safe…Marie willed. Oropher reluctantly fluttered over and clung on to Eragon's arm. Eragon looked at Marie as he grabbed Saphira's neck.
Marie was shaking as another horn blasted sounding almost on top of them.
"GO!" screamed Brom. Saphira kicked off and the two riders heeled the horses.
Marie threw her arms around Snowfire as the horse galloped without request next to Cadoc. Wind swept and scratched at her tan face as the horses galloped onto the road.
It was if she was in a dream. The thundering hooves of the horses, the shaking flowing movements, the Urgal horns blasting painfully in her ear. Her wrist had stabbing sharp pains erupt from it as she clung to the white horse with both arms.
Marie stole a glance at Brom, trying to keep her eyes open. Fear crept up in her as she realized Snowfire was slowing.
"Go! Go!" Marie cried, kicking the animal. But Snowfire just didn't have the same effect of riding on her as he did Brom. He refused to listen to the endless kicking in his sides.
Marie almost burst into tears as Snowfire slammed his front hooves into the ground and stopped.
Pounding from behind made her look around. Massive creatures were pounding away on trail horses.
"Oh!" cried Marie in fear. They were ugly and horned and were carrying hard weapons.
A piercing roar ripped through the plains. Snowfire reared in fright as something huge dropped out of the sky and landed in front of them.
It was Saphira and Eragon!
Marie wanted to voice her thanks but Eragon had a hand out and was shushing her discreetly.
Marie stroked Snowfire and pulled back on the reins, her wrist throbbing painfully. The horse, breathing hard began to back away, snorting every now and then.
A deep, horrible voice spoke out, making Marie cringe. "Our master wishes to speak with you human!"
Marie looked up at Eragon's brown haired head as he replied. "Who is your master?"
The voice spoke again more cruelly and Marie could hear the shifting of the trail horses. "His name does not deserve to be given to one as low as yourself. He rules the sky and holds dominance over the earth. You are no more than a stray ant to him. Yet he has decreed that you shall be brought before him, alive. Take heart that you have become worthy of such notice!"
"I'll never go with you nor any of my enemies!" spoke out Eragon. "Whether you serve Shade, Urgal, or some twisted fiend I've not heard of, I have no wish to parley with him."
"That is a grave mistake," growled the voice that Marie was now sure of was an Urgal. "There is no way to escape him. Eventually you will stand before our master. If you resist, he will fill your days with agony."
"Keep your offer and tell your master crows can eat his entrails for all I care!" snarled Eragon.
Marie's eyes widened, as the Urgals became angry-and attacked.
To be continued… sorry to those who reviewed. I'll talk to you if you review this chapter...TY!