A/N Thanks too all you who reveiwed, it was greatly appreciated. Here's your new chappie,
and I promise not to give ya another cliffie. This chapter, at least.
Eragon shifted in his saddle. Behind him sat Roran, who had a look of determination and hope for Katrina, who they were on a mission to find.
"Little one, it is getting dark. I think I see a clearing up ahead, so i'll land. Or... must we keep going," Saphira gently asked Eragon. Saphira's beautifull wings seemed to tilt, as if in question to the land ahead.
"No, I think we all need a little rest. Roran especially. I'm worried about him, he's always prodding me to keep going, go faster," He replied.
He relayed the message to Roran, who grunted a response. "Fine...how long will we stay," He asked.
Eragon looked back at Roran, who's eyes blazed back at him. "We only need to stay long enough for Saphira to rest, and to refill out waterskins. Other than that, we could leave within 6 hours or so. Remember Roran, if were not strong enough to battle the Raz'ac, how can we rescue Katrina?"
Roran seemed about to protest, when a tired weariness overtook him.
"Alright Eragon...but you know how much this means to me that we leave as soon as possible."
"I know."
"Little one... I see now that this clearing is not as deserted as I thought it was."
"What do you mean?"
"I beleive that it is a small village. The details were hidden from me by the tree tops...there is a small battalion of Galbatorix's troops there."
"Well we can't check it out. We've got to be going."
"But it is what you have to do. It is unlikly that the empire would use one of their preciouse mages on a small battalion such as this one, so you could take them all with a death spell. You as a rider must help if you can. Its our duty."
"As always Saphira, you are right."
"Roran, there is a grouping of Empire soldiers up ahead. We'll have to take a look, and perhaps go into battle. We may not have to."
"Eragon...is it that important," Roran growled.
Eragon wanted to let up...but he knew he had to do what so many other riders had done before. Act with courage.
"I'm truly sorry Roran...but it is. It's why Saphira chose me, because I would act on my duty, to save lives and restore peace. And wherever Galbatorix's troops are...there can be no peace.
Airon looked at the Elixer. The strange liquid inside gave him an uneasy feel, but he never was one to trust his gut. He put his hand on the elixer...and gasped.
It was cold. To him.
"Wha...?"
"Well, in order for it to work, Airon, it has to be colder than you," the gaurd said smoothly, his words slipping over each other like poisened honey.
Then Airon thought that maybe it wasn't his stomach protesting...but his words...they were ringing with truth...
"I-I'll take it."
"Good...now drink and be healed."
Airon put the Elixer to his lips and a gut renching blow hit him. It was like a huge feeling of...evil, there was no other word.
He looked past the foul drink and saw behind his eyes. There was shadows lurking there, evil things.
"Whoever you are, DON'T drink it!"
"Huh? What the...?"
"Wait. Act like you didn't hear me. This is Eragon, and that is no healing drink. It has no name, but the effect is fatal after you kill everyone the enchanter tells you to. And it is colder than you because demons are colder than ice."
"Demons...?" Airon thought.
"Uh, um, I think your horse is running away," Airon tried feebly.
"BOY, do you want to bring justice to the empire or NOT?"
The gaurds face seemed to change from welcoming destiny to a hatefull, shadowed face. His eyes turned red, just like his hair. He gave off a evil stench, but Airon was too stiff with fear to notice.
"Drink it boy...now..."
The gaurds face was a roiling mass of shadows and hate now. He was completely a shade.
"ERAGON! THAT IS A SHADE, YOU MUST HELP HIM," Saphira shouted in Eragons head.
"Fine, DIVE!"
Saphira folded her huge blue wings and went almost strait down. She adjusted her flight pattern and opended her wings at the last second, catching the air to brake expertly. Eragon slipped his dwarven sword out of Beloth the Wise and watched for his moment.
Inside the tent, Airon stood like a statue. "I-I-I-I-"
"Drink...NOW!"
Airon shuddered at the sickening words and again put the edge to his lips.
The liquid rolled toward him...
Eragon widened his eyes at the scene unfolding in his life sense...
He tipped it...but at the last second, something stopped the demonic liquid from falling into his lips. A bright light lit in the bottle, and the Elixer stopped in midair. A battle was waging in that bottle, Airon was sure of it.
"You don't beleive in God..."
The word of the shade shattered Airons confidence fully, and the light dimmed, allowing the Elixer to slide closer.
Closer...closer...
RIIIPPPP!
Saphira burst into the other side of the tent at top speed, opening her maw and fireing a torrent of fire at the Shade. Eragon leaped from her back and snatched the bottle from Airons shaking hands.
"SAPHIRA! GET HIM OUT OF HERE!"
A/N That's not a cliffie...is it?
Hope ya all don't hate me now, but I SERIOUSLY gotta go to bed. Its 11:35 at night, and I got school tomorrow.
Next: Airon and magic. Maybe not a good idea...