Sorry it took so long for an update but, I've been busy. So this chapter's extra long! Ooh, and Eldest finally came out! yay!
Another day on their way to Ellesmera and Kaida was riding on Ruac, watching Rouge fly gracefully through the sky.
She had nearly double in size sense they left Ceris a week ago, and had become an elite flyer and excellent hunter. Kaida hardly ever had to hunt for them anymore.
Rouge, come back down. Lunchtime. Rouge swooped down to the ground next to Kaida. She pulled her long, leathery wings into her sides and walked towards Kaida.
Do you need me to catch anything? Rouge asked Kaida.
No, we still have meat from this morning. Kaida began to cook the meat as Rouge stayed close by, keeping an eye on a prancing rabbit in the distance.
After Kaida served up the meat she split it up between her and Rouge and gave Ruac some water as he ate the grass scattered on the floor of the forest.
By the time Kaida had gotten back to eat her own meal, Rouge had already torn through most of hers, shreading it with her teeth.
Wow, your getting big fast. This worried Kaida a little bit. Right now it was easy to keep Rouge a secret. She wasn't large enough to be spotted, but if she continued to grow like this, it could become a problem. But for now she shrugged it off. If it became much of a problem later, they would figure out a way to make it work.
After they were done with their lunch, Kaida cleaned up and took out the map of Alagaesia.
It shouldn't be much longer. Maybe another week, Kaida told Rouge as she rolled up her map. She rubed Rouge's belly a bit before loading her bag onto Ruac and taking off once again. And following behind her was Rouge.
She gazed up at her, watching her twist and twirl gracefully in the wind. But when she brought her gaze down she saw someone -or something- in the distance. Kaida squinted to see what it was, but couldn't make out any details.
She slowed Ruac down and carefully approached it. Once she was close enough to see what it was, she jumped off Ruac and crouched in some bushes.
Rouge, land here. She gave Rouge a mental picture of where she was and seconds later the dragon was next to her. Who do you think it is? She asked Rouge.
Not sure. Let's get a closer look. So Kaida and Rouge cautiously moved a bit closer behind some more bushes.
Now Kaida could see it was a man. He was muscular and heavily armed. A bow and arrows were slung across his shoulders, a long slender sword was hooked to his side, and she could see a dagger that was badley concealed in his boots. But Kaida assumed he was a mortal, he was just to big to be an elf, who were usually slender and tall. He short, dark brown hair and equelly dark eyes.
He was crouched over a fire, strong scents of meat coming from it. Kaida inched just a little bit closer. A twig snaped beneath her feet and the man whipped his head around in her direction.
Kaida was concealed by the bushes, but the man still stared at the spot where she was for several minutes until going back to his fire.
Rouge glared at her with fierce red eyes. You're going to get us both killed someday.
I'm sorry, I'll be more careful next time...Rouge snorted, and a puff of smoke came out her nostrils. Come on, let's get out of here.
Leaon stared into the bushes for a few minutes. He swore he heard somebody back there. He then assumed it was his imagination and turned back to his meal that was cooking over the fire. Once it was done, he quickly ate it and doused the fire.
He leaned back against a rock and sighed. He was exhausted. After beheading the executioner and stealing a horse from the stables he fled from Uru'Baen and north towards Du Weldenvarden.
But Galbatorix had called guards to come aftrer him. He had to constintly run, only stopping for a few hours of sleep and quick meals. He eventually threw them off after crossing the Hadarac Desert on his fourth day of travel, but he did not slow his pace. Anyday now Galbatorix could have a new Rider, and would attack the elves.
As he leaned against the rock he began to drift to sleep, to tired to stop himself from doing it. He immediatly shot up, awake, when he heard another twig snap in the distance. This time he was sure of it. Somebody was there.
He pulled out his sword and cautiously searched the bushes around his camp. But he found nobody there. He was starting to turn back to his camp when he saw a horse in the distance and somebody mounting it.
Quick as lightning, but quiet as a mouse he lept through the bushes and to the clearing where the horse was.
He crouched down into the bushes and watched as the girl mounted her warhorse.
She was extremely beautiful, and he loved the way her long blonde hair fell on her shoulders. But as he scooted closer she turned around and saw him. She pulled out her sword and held it, ready to fight.
For a moment, the two just stared at each other. Both had their swords up and both standing, as if ready to attack (Leaon had now stood up from the bushes, as there was no need to conceal himself anymore).
"Who are you?" she asked, still not moving her sword or dismounting Ruac.
"I am Leaon. Former soilder of the Empire. But I am no longer on their side. I am searching for Ellesmera to warn the elves of an attack that could be coming anyday now."
As he explained his story further, Kaida contacted Rouge and told her to stay hidden. She didn't want Leaon to harm her, and it was best he didn't know she was a Rider, anyways.
Once he was done he looked at her expectantly.
"My name is Kaida. I am from Ceris, and am also in search of Ellesmera." Her sword still did not move, but he lowerd his slightly. He was not sure if he could trust her or not, but she looked harmless so far, and could be helpful in helping him find Ellesmera. So far he had just been heading in the general direction with no real knoledge of it's exact location.
He decided to risk traveling with her. "Well, honestly, I am lost. I have no map to guide me, and I would hate to see a lady like yourself traveling alone. Perhaps we could travel the rest of the way together?"
Kaida did not answer. She, too, wasn't sure if he was trustworthy. If he really was from the Empire it was possible that he was a spy, and was using her as an inside source.
Rouge, he wants to travel with us. Shall I accept?
Not yet...hold on one minute. Kaida could feel the connection break and went back to staring at Leaon. He began to squirm in the uncomfterble silence.
Suddenly he clamped his eyes shut and held his head, as if in pain. His knees buckled slightly and he twitched for a few minutes, and then straightend up again, looking as confused as Kaida.
Rouge taped back into Kaida's brain. He is trustworthy, his story is true.
What did you do?
I searched his mind. Looked for memories of his execution.
Kaida was amazed and puzzled. You can do that?
As can you. You just have to learn.
Kaida turned back to Leaon who was starting to back away. "You may come with me to Ellesmera." The sudden answer seemed to shock him.
"Oh...ok." He now seemed a bit frightend of Kaida and continued to take tiny steps back. "Why did you search my mind?"
Kaida now lowered her sword and began to dismount Ruac. "You've had your mind searched before?"
"Yes, when I became a soilder for Galbatorix. He did it to all of us to prove we weren't spys."
"Oh," Kaida replied. "Well, I didn't search your mind...But it was done so I could see if you were trustworthy." Leaon nodded in understanding.
"Right...Well I suppose I'd better pack up my camp...So we can get going..."
Kaida followed him to his clearing, pulling Ruac along beside her, and waited as he finished packing his things and tieing them to his own horse.
His horse was beautiful and strong (nothing but the best for the Empire) and was a deep chestunt color.
"I stole him from the Empire. I named him Beamu; not really sure what his real name was..." Kaida chuckled and stroked him one last time before mounting her own horse.
She watched Leaon mount his own horse and began to guide the way.
Kaida had to admit to herself, even though Rouge was good company, it was nice to have a human companion on the trip, too.
Eragon opened a large wooden door into a huge, marble chamber. Arya had told him that the Queen wanted him to start his next stage in training at sunrise, so he had waken up early and headed down to the chamber.
A large case of swords and bows sat at the far side of the room, studded with rubies and saphires. A large wooden table sat the wall opposite of it, holding all sorts of diffrent things including: a silver ring, a marble, and a golden goblet full of water. Other then that, the room was empty, only consisting of one large window overlooking Ellesmera.
For a few minutes Eragon simply examined the swords in the bejewled case. They were of the highest quality, as was anything made by the elves, and each was slender and light.
Then the door opend and Eragon turned around.
In entered an elf. He wore long emerald robes and a sword was placed on his side. He looked fairly old. Maybe 40 as a mortal, which meant he was very old in elven years. But even with that he was slender and muscular and could easily overpower Eragon if he chose to.
He swiftly walked across the room and up to Eragon.
"Hello," he said in a deep booming voice. "I am Abreiach, and will be training you." Eragon gave him a quick bow. He then began to walk over to the table filled with diffrent things and Eragon followed.
"Arya informed me that the Twins tested your magical ability but I often find the Twins...unreliable." Eragon saw a sly grin flash on his face. "So I will be testing you."
He placed the golden goblet full of water infront of Eragon.
"First I would like you to scry."
"What?"
"Let's try Arya." Eragon nodded and closed his eyes, focusing in on his magic. He had not used it for awhile now...He then whispered the ancient words. He looked down into the water and saw Arya. She was sitting in the dining hall, eating her breakfast.
"Very good. Now, send this across the room and hold it up in the air as long as possible." Abreiach handed Eragon a rock. Eragon took it and sent it across the room. Then he held it a few feet off the ground as steady as possible. After a few minutes he became tired and had to let it drop.
"I see...Here eat some bread." He handed Eragon a bit of bread and he cramed it in his mouth. He assumed this was for energy.
For the next hour Abreiach tested Eragon in many things, all which he passed. But towards the end he asked for some larger things from Eragon, which he could not accomplish. One included controling the silver of the ring.
Finally Abreiach handed him some more bread and he ate it.
"Well, you've been taught well. Brom did a very good job. But you still have much to learn." He then strode across the room to the swords.
"Arya has already tested you, and says that you are very good, for a mortal. But now I am to train you. I warn you now that it will be exhausting, but you will become an excellent soilder in return." Eragon nodded.
"Right, so take this sword." He handed Eragon a long silver sword with a saphire stud at the end. Abreiach unshealthed his own sword and got into fighting stance.
Just as he had warned the training was long and hard. For a couple hours Abreiach taught him new moves and defenses, and tested his streangth and stability. It wasn't until noon that he stoped. Eragon slid down the wall and wiped the sweat from his face.
"Good. Very good. You may go for now, but I would like to train again tommorow morning, same time." Eragon nodded, too tired to say anything.
Abreiach walked out of the room leaving him there. It was his first day of training. He was bruised and sore and all energy was drained from him, yet he couldn't wait to go back tommorow.
Galbatorix was angerily pacing the floor of his office. A few days ago Boq had brought in five children, all to test the egg, and all were unsuccesful. Even worse was the fact that one of the soilders had escaped and his persuer's had failed to catch him.
So now he was left without a Rider and an escaped prisoner who knew too much. It was a race. Between finding a Rider, training him/her well enough to fight, and attacking Ellesmera, and the one soilder to reach Ellesmera and warn the elves (for that is what Galbatorix assumed he was doing, as he was heading in that general direction). Galbatorix had slim chances in winning.
Galbatorix stopped pacing as Boq opend the door.
"What is it?" snapped Galbatorix.
"Sorry to interupt you, sir, but we're found more children suitable to test the egg. They're here now if you'd like to..." Boq didn't bother to finish his sentence. A gleam of happiness sparked in Galbatorix's eyes.
"Yes. Take me to them now." Boq led Galbatorix out of his office and down a few floors to a small chamber. In the middle of the chamber were four children, all looking a bit scared.
The first one was a boy who looked to be about 14 years old and had bright blonde hair and hazel eyes, and next to him stood a boy exactly like him.
"Twins, sir," said Boq as he saw him eyeing them with curiosity. The next in line was a girl about 15 or a little younger. Her long brown hair was in two braids and her eyes averted to the ground.
Last of all was another boy who was reaching manhood, almost 16. His dirty blonde hair was cut short and messy. His eyes were a soft gray and he, unlike the others didn't look as scared. He was actually looking Galbatorix in the eye as he examined each of them.
Galbatorix gave him a cold look back, but the boy did not look away. Galbatorix raised his eyebrows as if impressed.
"And all meet the standards?" questioned Galbatorix. Boq nodded nervously. "Very well, allow them to test the stone." Boq scurried across the room and took the large emerald green egg from the cusion it was sitting on.
He walked back to the line and up to the first twin. The boy held his hand out and held it in his palm. For severel seconds they just sat and waited. But nothing happend.
Boq hurridly took the egg from the boy and handed it to his brother. Nothing. Boq passed the egg from the boy to the next person in line, the girl with the braids.
The girl nervously took the egg, but almost immidiatly gave it back to Boq. Lastly, Boq handed the egg to the last boy in line. Nothing happend at first, but when Boq went to take the egg away, it gave out a loud, distinguished squeak.
An evil grin quickly spread across Galbatorix's face.
"I believe we have found our new Rider."
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