Four riders
Disclaimer:Eragon belongs to christopher Paloinini
Eragon walked from the the rock of Kuthian throughly shaken. He felt no limits, he felt invincinible. "But you aren't little one" came Saphira's voice.Eragon ignored her. He went to the centre of the barren plains.Everybody else stood back.Feeling deep inside himself he unleashed a blast of pure force that shattered the very earth underneath him. Deep cracks spread out from underneath his feet. Taking out and calling fire to his sword he swung it in several odd patterns.Karris approached him. "Lets see what your made of" he said , elvesbane in hand.
Eragon swung his sword in a low arch forcing Karris to go left.Karris dodged the sword but the fire burned him.He jumped higher than Eragon would have thought possible and slashed downwards at Eragon. Eragon raised his sword just enough so that the two tips met. He twisted and Karris spinned around and landed just behind Eragon. Karris turned and swung his sword out at Eragon's back.Eragon ducked and swung to his knee. Karris brought his sword down vertically so that Eragon wouldn't be able to move his sword. Eragon knew his sword wouldn't connect but he also knew the fire could. When the blades struck the fire spread and burned Karris breaking his concentration and giving Eragon his chance. With a swift flick his sword was at Karris's neck.
Karris applauded Eragon's idea but warned that it wouldn't work against a warded opponent.They were flying over the massive sea whan Eragon saw a massive silver worm rising out of the sea. "Oh great" said Eragon. "A sea serpent." Karris had noticed and turned but Eragon smiled. "Log ne fire!" He cried and the serpent shattered into hundreds of pieces.He smiled. His power was close to unstoppable. "Nice" said Karris. "But next time destroy it in a way that doesn't end with me covered in sea serpent bits."
Brom walked calmly sat in an inn in Dras Leona. He knew that Eragon would get here eventually.Most likely this city was high on the Varden's list of cities to attack. And besides there was something else here.He was told a boy named Murtagh and his dragon was stationed here to stop the Varden from taking over Dras Leona...
Eragon and Karris were camping outside of Aroughs while they waited for the Varden to catch up. They could easily overwhelm the defences on their own, but they needed an ocuppational force. They were eating there food next to a small fire when Eragon asked "Karris do you consider yourself evil?" Karris smiled. "Didn't Oromis tell you that no one who's truly evil considers himself evil?" Eragon staightened. This was going to be difficult. "Yes but how do you find yourself?" Karris frowned. "I find myself as myself." "Give me a straight answer Karris" demanded Eragon. He was getting impatienent. "Eragon when not said in the ancient language words mean nothing.I could tell you I'm evil but will that make me evil?" Eragon smiled. "Then don't tell me who you are ,tell me who you were." Karris sighed. "I was Karris. I see this empire as mine and rightfully so. In my quest to retake what's mine I've killed a lot.Warriors,workers,women, children even pets. I can't say I'm proud of it but I have.I was a ruthless killer,interested only in vengance." He flashed Eragon a smile. "Now that you know who I was you should sleep easy..."
The Varden arrived the following day. Eragon and Karris already discussed a plan. Use destructive magics to scare the people. A small attack force was assembeled and Karris was at it's head.He was an impressive figure, tall with brown hair. He looked like a king but once you saw the eyes you would think again. They were a disstorting yellow-green. Before a battle or when he was angry his eyes turned completely yellow. Personally Eragon thought he brought the effect on with magic but if you looked deep enough into his eyes you could see things swirling in them. An after effect of spending years absorbing souls.He calmly raised his word and said "Warriors of the Varden." Complete silence. Even the Kull were silenced. "Today we retake what belongs to us. Today we retake the empire.Today we retake our homes and farms.Our liveleyhoods and previous lives.Today the raising of the rightfull goverment begins." The warriors human,Kull and dwarves cheered. Karris pointed elvesbane towards the city and cried. "Uthat itizet drailzaas!" Only the Kull and Angela understood what he said, but everyone saw the effect. The gates of Aroughs shattered and fell.With great roars Saphira and Eridor flew towards the city.
"This is to easy" thought Eragon as he fought on the streets. He and Karris were under strict orders from Nasuada not to rip apart the entire city in the fight. Frankly that rather limited their use of magic.Eragon didn't really mind.None of the soldiers who were defending Aroughs were a match for him.He was so strong that he cut through their armor as if it wasn't even there.Ten soldiers were steadily retreating form him.One loosed and arroww. Eragon caught it and threw it aside. He looked up and walked away. Eridor flew forward and burned them to death lazily. Eragon walked on to find a man surrounded by magicians and soldiers. Obviously the leader of this fine town. Eragon approached and they tensed but didn't attack. "Ready to give up?" asked Eragon mockingly. Karris told him to appear at all times if he would kill anything that moves. For some reason people surrendered faster when faced with ruthless killers. "Let them know they're dealing with fully fledged killers who couldn't care less if they live or they."
They nodded obviously fearing for their lives and handed Eragon some papers. Eragon smiled.They were signing over the city.
Eridor was flying high above the city.Whenever he saw that a group of the Varden's warriors were about to be overwhelmed he would fly down and burn,slash and bite until only the Varden's warriors were left standing.He didn't enjoy slaughter. He killed as little as possible preferring to scare the enemy with roars or fire.He could feel Karris's pulse racing. His rider was enjoying himself...
Karris at least was having a good time. Slashing through soldiers and laughing as people ran from him. He didn't bother to hide that he enjoyed himself. He jumped over rooftops and landed in between running soldiers.He was taking care of a particullary fast soldier when Eragon cut into his mind . "Time to go. We won." Cursing Karris turned and ran back to the Varden.Seiges always ended just when he was really enjoying himself.
Nasuada had signed and was thinking what to do. Karris made capturing the city easy and risk free but his manner in dealing with the defenders left much to be desired. Shewasn't sure how to appease the people of Aroughs but Eragon and Karris obviously didn't care. They were already planning their attack on Feinster.She would have to appease the people with Eragon's slogan. Kill Galbatorix by any means.
Karris was walking with Eragon towards Angela. They had already made they're plans. But they neede a poison that would stop Murtagh long enough for them to free him from his oaths. "But why?" asked Eragon. "After your little fight with him, Galbatorix had Murtagh swear he would stop at nothing to capture you.He won't be able to stop himself.So we'll have to do it for him." Karris and Eragon entered Angela's tent. "Hello, lovely to see you boys" she said positevely. She appeared to making a strange potion. Karris had obviously already asked. "Is the poison ready?" asked Karris. "Pah." Said Angela. "It's more like drink to help you sleep. But it packs a lot more punch" she said cacckiling. "Right" said Eragon. "Whatever" said Angela. "Here's a vial full." But be carefull. The affected person can take a while to wake up." Karris grabbed the vial and ran out.Eragon followed him quickly.
Eragon and Karris waited patintly for the Varden to begin moving to Feinster. Feinster was a small but, beutifull town right next to the sea.It was ruled by Daniel Refter a fair and good man.He had already exchanged messages with the Varden. He wanted to help them but the empire had sent a garrison to make sure they didn't do that.Karris had told them to station the garrison near the port and let the trustworthy soldiers join up with the Varden at the gates. Eragon and Saphira would attack from the air, Karris and Eridor from the sea and theVarden would attack from land.
Eragon stared when he saw the scene that was taking plac.The plans were working well enough but Karris had chosen to make a dramatic entrance.He and Eridor but out from the water with a huge wave.The soldiers would probably have launched a good attack but Eridor had started blowing fire. The sea water evaporated creating a massive wall of steam. Eragon and Saphira were on them before it cleared.When the smoke cleared only a few soldiers remained standing and Eragon dispatched them lazily.
Karris loved making a dramatic entrance. He loved it even more when that entrance ended with bloodshed.He could barely see due to Eridor's firebreathing so he found one mind after the other and slashed in their general direction.They actally managed to hit him with an arroww. Grinning savagely he found the person who shot him. He used his magic to inflame every nerve in that person's body causing him, pain beyond pain.The person died due to suicide.The pain was so great he stabbed an arroww through his own hart. "Spoil sport" said Karris and began searching for more enemies...
Belatona. An ancient city that was once a great center of magic. Galbatorix has banned most magic but the art continued here is secerecy. Eragon wasn't nervous but knew perfectly well the danger in attacking this city. "This war has been easy. Belatona is the one worry I can think of. The leader is a powerfull magician sworn to Galbatorix.He won't let us stop until he dies.No matter how much damage we do." Karris sounded hopefull as he said this.Eragon had an idea he was hid his true nature until he started to trust him.
The gates of Belatona were fortified by Galbatorix himself.They could not blow it apart without heavily weakining themselves. "Galbatorix does not want to lose Belatona" said Karris grimly.He had spend the day scounting out the city's defences. "It's time for you to live up to your name ,Shadeslayer" said Karris grinning. "They're leader has allowed a shade to live in the live the city?" asked Eragon unnerved. "Two shades actually" said Karris smiling.He loved a challenge. "And don't be so shocked. The leader himself is a shade. Three shades." Eragon was unnerved. His last encounter with a shade had not ended well. But a practical question appeared in his mind. "How can there be so many shades in this city?" Karris looked thoughtfull. "I think Galbatorix convinces the sorcerers to summon the spirits into themselves.Galbatorix can be very convincing when he wants to be." Eragon was disgusted. Galbatorix actually changed his people into walking vessels. He'll kill their very identities just for new,beter soldiers.
The gate was maintained by everyone of the Shades and by Galbatorix's magic. "How are we going to break through the gates?" Eragon asked Karris as they stood outside the gates. "The gates are to powerfull to break through." Said Karris grinning. However the walls aren't" he simply blasted the walls next to the gate apart and smiled as the gate just stood there.They gates still stood but that wouldn't help them.Belatona had a small army and the Varden was swelling with new recruits so Eragon and Karris ran straight past them. The one shade was in the west part of the town the other was at the north part. The third one was inside the citadel but they didn't plan on attacking him yet.Eragon and Saphira ran to the Shade. Surprisingly he had no guards.He was going to reinforce Belatona's army. He was rather shocked when a huge jet of flame shot at him. Eragon jumped off and attacked the shade's mind. The trick didn't work. Galbatorix had no doubt warned them of that. Hiding his own mind he ran forward. He would deal with this shade the old fashioned way.
Karris's shade had a few hedge magicians around him performing some odd spell.They are trying to make him stronger Karris realised.They were however, in a wooden building .Karris used his magic to block all the exits and Eridor burned the building into oblivion. Only the shade remained. Drawing out elvesbane Karris approached him.
Eragon jumped back and lashed out at the shade. The shade looked a lot like Durza but was considerbly stronger. He smiled as the shade attempted an odd manuver.The shade swung his blade in a circle. Eragon dropped his sword before the shade could connect, cuaght it again and swung at his legs as the shade jumped high up. Eragon smiled.He wanted to try this for a long time. Running at full speed he jumped at the shade and slashed upwards.The shade tried to block but he had no momentum.Eragon cleaved the shade through the hart in the air. Saphira flew underneath him and Eragon landed comfortably and flew towards the town hall.
Karris however was having a bad time.He couldn't break into the shade's mind and the shade just wouldn't die.He called fire to elvesbane but the shade's blade held firm. He then pulled back and twireled himself landing underneath him .The shade slashed down his blade an inch away from Karris's neck...and found a huge Ivory talon in his chest.Eridor smiled as much as a dragon could smile.He always wanted to kill a shade.
The final shade was dressed in golden armor and stood waiting at his hall.Eragon and Karris approachedfrom the front. "You seek to challenge the might of Galbatorix?Beware for you shall lose. My oaths prevent me from saying more.Die foolish ones." He gestured for his soldiers to attack but found a bunch of burned corpses.Eridor and Saphira blew fire and were shocked.The shade had the power to blow them away.They could easily fly back but that wouldn't be neccasery.When the shade turned he found elvesbane on his chest and Eragon's sword on his middel. "Goodbye" said Karris as he plunged his blade downward through the Shades hart.
Eragon and Karris were camped out next to Dras Leona eating vegtables and flour. "I hate this" said Karris dispassionetly. Eragon looked over at him and asked "Karris after this war what will you do?"Karris looked thoughtfull for a moment. "Eragon after this war ends I have a bloodline to reforge, a whole bunch of dragons to return and then I will reform the riders.If I succeed in all that I will probably return to my never ending war with the elves. Assuming I live through this war."
The Varden had arrived and were camped outside of Dras Leona but this siege will be a lot different. Galbatorix had no doubt impressed upon Marcus how important it is that the city doesn't fall to the Varden.More than that Eragon and Karris were sure that Murtagh was inside and ready to deter them.But that wasn't a worry. Karris defeated Murtagh on his own and Eragon would need no help.Their greatest sense of security was that Galbatorix wouldn't make Murtagh powerfull enough to be threat to him...
Brom was very busy.He may not be as powerfull as the other riders but he stil had his cunning. And he was cunning indeed. Diamonds made surprisingly good bribes and within the month he had over half the army in his pocket.He had already made his plans.When the dragons started fighting he and his men would flee. Afterwards they would return and help the Varden on their journey to Uru'baen.
Eragon and Karris were standing outside Dras Leona's gates ,planning.They knew if they got Murtagh and enough recruits they could begin the journey to Uru'baen.The elves had already taken the northen half of the empire and their armies would meet up at Uru'baen. Karris suddenly raised his hand and pointed and Dras Leona's gates and they shattered and through the gaping hole flew Murtagh and Thorn.
Saphira and Eragon immedietly flew out to face them while Karris and Eridor flew past and began their little attck on Dras Leona. Saphira roared and blew a jet of flame towards them. Murtagh's wards stopped the flames and Thorn kicked out at Saphira.Saphira flew higher and swung her tail at him. He attemptet to bite it but Eragon slashed at him. Thorn and Murtagh flew higher and started circleing Saphira. Saphira waited calmly as he dived down. When he turned sharply Saphira suddenly moved and kicked him hard. He spun off, almost falling to the ground. "Not used to fighting a dragon who isin't tired?" she asked mockingly.Thorn roared but went down to land. Murtagh deftly stepped down and unsheathed his sword. Saphira also landed and Eragon jumped off her smiling. He took out his own sword.
Murtagh made the first move. He lifted his hand and a spell flew out.Eragon's wards stopped it easily. "Murtagh is holding back" thought Saphira. Eragon saw the loophole.Galbatorix made him swear to use any means neccasery to capture him but not kill him.If Eragon used his power Murtagh would also be forced to use more power. His sword in hand Eragon ran towards Murtagh. "You shouldn't have come brother" said Murtagh as there blades connected. Eragon was holding back. If he used his full strengh Murtagh would be forced to retaliate.Eragon swung at Murtaghs hand . He needed to disarm him.Murtagh however countered easily.Eragon jumped very high and slashed downwards. Murtagh countered by blasting him out of the air. "Uh oh" thought Eragon. "He can't hold back anymore" "Eragon" Saphira cut in. "Overwhelm him before he is forced to retaliate!" Eragon slashed at Murtagh with all his power. Zarroc flew out of Murtagh's grip.Quick as a flash Eragon was on him.He poured the vail down Murtaghs throat. Murtagh raised his hand and fell asleep before he could preform his spell.
Karris was having the time of his life.Jumping high he impaled a horse and rider. He landed and saw an entire battalion of soldiers coming out to meet him. Karris was a bit unnerved.There just wasn't as many soldiers as he had excpected.However there was still enough to satisfy his bloodlust. "Well you may think I'm going to kill you so that the Varden can take this city" he informed them. "You're wrong ,I'm going to kill you because it's fun!" He loosed a small ball of compressed air into them and lunched forward as they were blown apart.He stabbed and slashed until none were alive. He looked up at the giant citatel that lay before him.He ran toward it,jumping over buildings, cutting through soldiers and when he arrived he left a trail of death behind him.Gaurds stared down at him at the door. "Old Marcus is paranoid" thought Karris as he killed the gaurds with fire and blew the door apart. "And rightfully so" he thought as he walked into the citadel. There wern't many gaurds but Karris guessed the bulk of them would be on the final floor gaurding Marcus.He walked through hallway after hallway, steadily working his way up. "I hate this" he said after four hallways .He blasted a hole in the roof and jumped up to the next floor.He had an uneventfull journey except when he jumped through a certian floor. "Why would he keep all three his mistresesses on one floor?" wondered Karris as he jumped up to the final floor. He smiled when he saw that he had blown a hole right where the gaurds were standing. He turned and leaped into their midst slashing through everyone that stood in his way. It was time he and Marcus had a "chat" about who rules Dras Leona.
That night there was a great celebration. Eragon couldn't believe his old mentor was back and he had made sure they had enough soldiers for their siege of Uruban. Karris was less happy but managed to smile when he had a new thought. Four riders versus one. Four riders against Galbatorix...
Next Chapter:Karris is evil and Eragon is not. Brom tries to help and gets shot. From his evil bonds Murtagh is freed and Galbatorix is angry indeed.R and R please.