Author's Note: I've finally gotten hold of a full copy of the Ancient Language, so don't worry, the spells will become more complex. By analyzing Christopher Paolini's Index of the Ancient Language, I find the meaning of many words that aren't written down specifically but are in phrases. These words are repeated in the same way in phrases making me conclude they have a certain meaning. Because of this, I can make spells in the Ancient Language without copying word-for-word what Christopher Paolini has already written. For you faithful readers, I work harder this time to make the reading of this work more pleasurable. Please, please review!
Anguish overwhelmed Eragon. With a cry, he rushed over to the smoldering wall. Men were trying to put the fire out, but to no avail. It was magic fire. A young man turned when he heard Eragon coming.
"Shadeslayer! We need help!" Eragon moved closer. Arrows moved through fire, the smoke providing a perfect cover for them.
"Look out! Arrows!" Most of the people heard Eragon's warning but those who just arrive, bringing water from the Jiet River, where shot to death while they stood. "I'll deal the fire and the enemy. Go make a new wall," Eragon growled at the warriors.
"What if they burn up the new wall?" One asked.
"Questions, questions. Just do as your told!" Eragon snapped. The men quickly scuttled to work at Eragon harsh command. He was not in the mood to explain.
Eragon raised his right hand. Jeirda du skőlir fra adurna! A bolt of energy shot from his hand and hit the wall. The fire wavered a little but did not change. Then, Eragon raised his left hand in the air, towards the river and shouted, Risa adurna, thrysta du brisingr! Water rose from the Jiet River and in a streaming arc, rushed to the fire and encased it. Then, the water moved inward compressing the green flames into a smaller space.
Arrows rushed through the fire again. Letta orya thorna, Eragon said. The arrows froze in mid-air. With a flick of his right hand, Eragon said, ganga fram. The arrows went back the way they came, back to the enemy. By the cries on the other side of the wall, Eragon knew with satisfaction that his missiles had reached their targets.
Eragon returned his concentration to the green fire. The water had stopped it from doing any more damage to the wall but the wall had almost burned to the ground. Though the haze was thick, Eragon could sense his enemies waiting to charge through the remains of the wall and attack him.
Eragon turned his attention to the magical fire. Adurna, letta du brisingr, he shouted. The water tightened around the emerald conflagration, then washed over it, extinguishing it. Eragon shouted, triumphant at last. Before he could react, the wood burst, sending shards of charred wood in all directions. Twenty-six warriors rushed through running straight for Eragon.
Eragon brandished his sword. With one great stroke, Eragon ended the lives of three soldiers. With inhuman speed, Eragon raced along the edge of the ruined wall and cut down the rest of his opponents. They had been easy to kill, but the encounter had taken a toll on Eragon. His energy was low after Elva died and the spells and the fight did not help. He staggered back to the new wooden wall being constructed.
"Faster! Faster, we must work faster," he said. The workers worked harder, heaving logs back and forth and assembling them. "Just bring me the logs! I will make the wall." The men rushed to obey his command. Eragon lifted a log in each hand and mashed in into the earth. The eyes of the men widened in surprise of his feat of strength.
"Faster I tell you! We must complete the wall soon so I can put a spell on this wall!" The soldiers seemed to like the idea of watching magic and with new heart; they set to work and a neck breaking pace. Orik arrived at Eragon's side.
"You should double layer the logs, Eragon. Then, it will be hard to get through and you can make steps on our side for archers, you should also dig a moat…" With Orik's help, they quickly created a wall complete with steps on one side and moats with spikes on the other. It was time for Eragon to do his work. Everyone gathered to watch; anxious.
"This is why this wall won't burn," said Eragon loud enough for all to hear. With a tremendous effort, Eragon place one hand on the wall and shouted, Atra ono waise skoliro fra brisingr! Energy streamed from Eragon to the wall. His knees buckled. Orik ran over to him in surprise. Then he lifted Eragon off the ground and to his tent. Eragon saw darkness…
Galbatorix was delightfully excited. The boy that he had tortured hours ago was in the hall of his palace. He tossed a stone at the boy.
"Say, risa."
"Why? What for," the young boy inquired. Galbatorix anger flared.
"DO NOT QUESTION ME!" The boy jumped in fright. Then, Galbatorix quickly concealed his emotions and said in a milder tone, "I am teaching you magic. One day, it will save your life and you will thank me for teaching it to you." Galbatorix could tell that the boy was full of questions, all, which he was too scared to ask. The boy attempted to raise the stone and failed. He tried again, and again - failing. Finally, he became impatient.
"Are you sure that this is the right word?" he inquired.
"You are young, impatient, and rude. Maybe next time this will make you be less curious." Galbatorix raised his hand. The boy flinched. Atra onr blőd waíse brisingr, said Galbatorix calmly. The boy screamed. He writhed on the ground, but his blood burned on.
Galbatorix laughed. What fun it was to watch little weak creatures react to pain. "Get up! Keep saying risa until that stone starts to rise you impatient wretch! Next, time call me master, unworthy dirt," Galbatorix shouted. Then, he kicked the boy.
Eyes watering from his throbbing body, the boy wrenched himself to his feet. Risa! Risa, he cried as loud as he could, trying to distract himself from the pain. Suddenly, the stone rose. Then, it wobbled and fell back on the floor with a dull clatter.
"Good," said Galbatorix. Atra onr blőd waíse blőd un atra ono waíse heil! "That," drawled Galbatorix, "is your reward". The boy gasped as his blood stopped burning and the pain receded.
Eragon woke up to the sound of talking.
"Are you still sure we should stay?"
"We have already decided…"
"Shall we follow the Varden to Uru'Baen?"
"I think we should, at least I will." Eragon recognized a voice at last; it was Orik's.
"We will follow you…King Orik even though I be not wanting it"
"You mustn't. I go by my choice."
Eragon sat up. He was on a few hides on the floor.
"Eragon!" Orik strolled over, "Feeling better?"
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Oh," said Orik, "only a few hours." Eragon leapt to his feet.
"A few hours! What happen when I unconscious?"
"Nothing," replied Orik, "oh, we kind of stood over your body and yelled for a while but nothing else".
"No," said Eragon annoyed, "what was the enemy doing".
"Oh, they tried to break through the wall, no use" started Orik, "then they tried to burn it-" Orik broke off in a fit of laughter, "you should have seen their faces! They came which their torches and magical fire but the flames just didn't burn the wood. They didn't seem to get why they couldn't burn it. You did a good job Eragon".
Eragon surveyed the tent. Eleven or so dwarves were seated around a roughly hewn, wooden table. He walked outside and to his tent. Saphira was sitting outside.
You have been gone long, little one.
Yes.
Did the meeting take so long?
No, I cast some spells to stop Galbatorix's army. They were burning up the wood wall with magic fire. I put the fire out, then built and new wall, and cast additional spells to keep them from burning that. I used too much energy and I fainted.
How was the council?
We began to fight over what the Varden should do. Then, Lady Nasuada decided that I would go to Helgrind while gathering an army. After that I will face Galbatorix.
I see. But how will you defeat him?
I don't know, Saphira. I don't know.
Galbatorix had made the young boy swear fealty to him in the ancient language.
"Now, you are bound to me forever. They first order, I will give is to kill your parents!" The boy gasped in horror. "You will go to your house and pretend you have escaped from prison. Then, you will use magic to do the murder while they watch. Don't disobey me. I will be watching you."
Galbatorix rose and gave the boy a rough shove, "Go. Now." It was going to be an interesting night…
Eragon was in Nasuada's tent.
" Arya has contacted the elves. They are on their way. You and Saphira should pack for the trip to Dras-Leona and Helgrind," she said.
"I will go soon my Lady. What of the enemy right now?"
"They are held back until because of you. Still, if they get their catapults, we will be in trouble. The wall will last for enough time until we finish packing. Now go, Eragon Shadeslayer."
"Yes, my lady"
For the boy, it was a nightmare. For King Galbatorix, it was pure fun. They were back at the homely cottage the boy had once lived. The boy knocked on the door tentatively.
The door opened to reveal a middle-aged woman.
"Etich? Is that you?" The women's voice was full of surprise.
"Yes mamma"
"How did you get away?"
"I escaped from the King's prison." The women's face light up with joy.
"Genhart! Our son's come home," she shouted over her shoulder and said gently to her son, "come in darling, you must be cold". The young boy was uneasy as he walked into his house but his mother did not notice.
Inside, there was a small table laden with food. In the corner there was a fireplace bathing the small, cozy room with light. There was a staircase opposite the fireplace in which a middle-aged man was descending.
"Etich…" the man squinted at his son, "is that really you?"
"Yes…papa"
"How did you get here?"
"I escaped"
"Escape? How?" The woman walked over to her son and gently pushed him toward the table.
"No more questions Genhart," she said to her husband, "Etich must be starving". The couple stood and watched as their son ate.
When he was done, his father walked over to him and asked, "So how did you escape, son?" Etich had never told a lie to his parents in his life. He hesitated; thought of what Galbatorix would do to him if he didn't, then spoke.
"King Galbatorix let me out so that he could torture me more," his mother gave a small gasp, "when he did, I ran for it. He shot a few spells at me but I dodged them. Then I ran and ran, I never looked back". The Etich gave a small sigh.
"Ah, son, we will never let that happen to you again," said his father. Etich gave a small fake smile.
Kill them, now! The Etich shivered, the voice was Galbatorix's.
"Etich, Etich," his mother was speaking to him, "go to bed now, you must be tired dear". The young boy stood up slowly walking toward the staircase. His hand gripped the stone in his pocket. It was rough and sharp. Easy to kill a person with.
Taking it out, he absent-mindedly bounced it on his palm. Risa, he said softly to it. It rose a foot into the air. He turned to face his parents how gentle they were, how kind. They were the only people who had loved him. And now he was going to kill them.
NOW! Etich jumped as Galbatorix's voice suddenly emanated from his thoughts.
Turning back to his stone, Etich decided that killing them with a stone was a too crude. He took the stone and returned it to his pocket. Etich turned his gaze to his parents and said, Letta onr-. He stopped abruptly. How could he kill so kind people, such nice parents, the ones who had been his only source of love, happiness? I'll just do a spell really fast and I won't have to think about it, he thought. Jierda, he said.
His mother's knees snapped. Jierda, jierda! He cried trying to kill his mother quickly. Again, his mother's neck did not break but rather her arms. It was so strange, so unfitting that such a small boy could have so much power. He was dangerous. Etich looked a his mother. She was broken, helpless to his cruel spells. Etich broke.
"No," he sobbed, "I won't do it!"
There was a swirl of darkness. In the warm and homely cottage stood Galbatorix. A black cloak rustled softly on the floor, a great sword clinked softly at his waist.
"You disobeyed my orders didn't you!" Etich ignored him. All Etich's attention was on his mother. He raised his hand and shouted loudly and clearly, Waise heil! His mother's bones fused together but she did not notice.
"Disobey your orders?" She asked. Galbatorix laughed.
"Why don't you tell you mother, boy!" Etich went slowly to his parents.
"I sorry mamma," he began, not daring looking at them, "I didn't escape. Galbatorix didn't let me," his voice grew stronger," he tortured me mamma! He taught me magic and-" Etich broke off, and sobbed. He cried for a moment then said, "He made me swear and oath to serve him, I had too. He tortured me-" the boy broke off again, his small body racking with sobs, "he made me go and, and kill you!"
Etich cried and cried. His mother bent down, dried his tears on her sleeve and held him close.
"Well, well," said Galbatorix striding toward Etich, "enough talk. Kill your parents now!" Etich pushed his mother gently away from him and stood.
"No" Galbatorix walked up to him and forced his chin up.
"If you do so, boy, I will reward you. I will teach you magic, you will be more powerful than you could ever dream."
"Why do you ask? You know I will say no."
"Ah…of course you will say no," said Galbatorix, "I also like to give my servants a choice…of course. Of course, if you say no, I will have to use methods of persuasion. What is your choice?"
"No"
" Then I shall show you what I do to people who disobey me!" Atra brisingr malthinae un thrysta ono! Fire exploded from the evil King's palm and surrounded Etich. The cocoon of flames tightened and Etich shrieked in pain. His father leapt at Galbatorix.
"You will not do that to my son!" Malthinae, Galbatorix barked extending a claw-like hand. Etich's father froze, as if bound in shackles.
"But," said Galbatorix, "as you wish, Waise losna fra brisingr!" The fire disappeared. Etich fell limply to the floor. His mother rushed quickly to him.
"Etich…Etich, are you okay darling?" The strong cold hand shoved her to the ground.
"Of course he is fine, woman!" He bent down and dragged Etich to his feet…
"I need a wine skin, at least ten loafs of bread and some dried fruit." Eragon was giving last minute orders for the journey he was about to start. The serving boy rushed off to get the supplies, which Eragon had called for.
"Are you ready Orik?" Eragon said to his dwarf friend.
"I am ready," Orik gestured at a small group of dwarves, "they aren't". Eragon walked past a few tents to another group.
"Roran!"
"Eragon"
"Is all of Carvahall ready?"
"See for yourself" Eragon past Roran and saw that the villages seemed to be done for quite a while. Packs were on everyone's backs except for small children. The group seemed very impatient - Gertrude kept checking her bottles to see is any salve had come out, Loring kept re-rolling his leather in his pack, Fisk kept organizing his wood and tools in his.
"Make sure they all have enough food for three week," said Eragon to Roran, "oh, and make sure they all are properly armed". Roran nodded and set off to do so. It was so strange watching his cousin giving orders, and the villagers all paying attention and obliging without a thought.
Eragon went back to his tent. He found a wineskin, thirteen loaves of bread, and an assortment of dried berries, prunes, and raisins. Pleased, he gathered them all up and crammed them into a small bright-red sack.
Saphira. Are you ready for the journey?
What is there to prepare for?
Eragon laughed at his mistake, then said, Can you carry these supplies? Saphira raised her head in indignation.
I am not a pack animal. But, of course I can.
Thank you.
Eragon went and found Orik. He was in a circle of dwarves and they were arguing.
"If you don't want to go, then don't!" Orik was saying.
"It is unfit for our king to neglect his subjects"
"We should protect you, King Orik"
"Nonsense!"
"Who will rule in your stead?"
"I will choose a substitute for the time being"
"What order do you have for us right now?"
"You must fight with the Varden," said Orik, "but make there aren't too many loses, we cannot afford to be decreased in numbers".
"Why?"
"Because," Orik went on, "You will later join the Varden in a massive attack on Uru'Baen. There you will meet me"
"What if you die before you get there?"
"Then, my substitute becomes my successor," answered Orik then said, "now go and do as I say!"
Orik turned to Eragon.
"Ah, Eragon, it seems that fate will bring us together for another adventure".
"Aye"
Together they walked, ready to set off on their quest…
"Face me!" shouted Galbatorix.
Etich opened his eyes and looked blankly around, dazed. Galbatorix shook him brutally. The boy's eyes finally focused on the black-robed King.
"What is you answer now? Answer me!" Etich didn't reply.
"Answer me! Jeirda!" Etich's leg snapped. The bone ripped through the tender flesh and jutted out. The boy groaned.
"ANSWER ME!"
"No"
"What do you mean!" Galbatorix hissed
"I won't kill my parents" His mother kneeled beside him.
"Are you alright, Etich?"
"I'm fine mother, waise heil" His bone pushed itself back in and fused together. The flesh tightened and knitted together.
"What did you say?" Galbatorix said, shoving his face into the young boy's.
"I said I won't kill me parents" Fury flared up in Galbatorix. He seemed to grow; dark, and menacing; and when he spoke, his words held terrible power.
"I am tired of your idiocy. I command you by the oath in which you are bound to me, to kill your parents…NOW!" There was a long silence.
Etich willed himself to disobey, to ignore the command but the ancient language took over him. He took his stone. His voice spoke in a strange sharp manner, Ganga!
A power forced his to direct the stone to his mother. It mashed into his father's temple. It withdrew, dripping with blood and darted for his father's shoulder. He saw the surprise on his father's bloody face. Then, the sharp rock went for his mother. Then back to his father. Each hit left a wide gash, blood oozing out of it. Etich cried and begged for release as he slowly sliced his parents to death…
"The main problem," Eragon said, "is getting everyone across the battle field" Everyone was gathered around Eragon and Saphira.
"We could use the dragon to carry us over," said Horst.
"We would be shot to pieces!" retorted Thane.
"We could go around the armies," offered Gedric.
"Take to long," said Albriech.
"We have time," replied Morn.
"So we're going around?" Roran asked. Everyone agreed.
"We must get going soon," said Eragon, "Saphira and I will fly ahead to spot anyone who might attack"
The small group set off. It was night. Eragon and Roran led. Ever since Eragon had met the villagers on the Burning Plains, they seemed to follow his every order with a kind of awe and reverence.
"We're off to fight the Ra'zac!" everyone shouted merrily.
Skirting the fridge of the to armies the people moved quietly making sure not to awake the soldiers that served Galbatorix. Saphira flew quietly overhead in the dark sky. After a few hours of walking, Eragon stopped.
"Move a little farther from the army and set camp here"
Everyone took out their tents and pitched them in a circle. Saphira land with a soft thump and lay by Eragon's tent. It the middle, Mandel was trying to light a fire.
"These blasted twigs! They won't light!" said Mandel angrily, throwing his flint to the ground.
"Here," said Eragon, Brisingr! Fire flared up from the twigs and Mandel's eyes widened in shock. Soon, everyone was gathered around the warm blazes, cooking food, telling jokes and laughing merrily.
Eragon went inside his tent and fell asleep.
Daylight. It was a new day. Eragon stood up and threw on a cloak and buckled his sword. His tent flap opened. Eragon drew his sword quickly. It was Orik.
"Finally! Someone awake! Everyone is sleeping like a rock! Even the elf"
"Arya is here?"
"Yeah, yeah"
"When- how did she get here?"
"When you were asleep she came creeping up…said that she had to do some work before she left" the dwarf came nearer, "so Eragon, what do you say we wake the others?"
"I'm already awake" Eragon and Orik turned to face Roran, "and so are the others"
The three walked outside Eragon's tent. Everyone was waking up, getting ready, and eating breakfast. Saphira was helping people light fires and had a devious habit of scaring the youngsters.
Saphira! Eragon shouted as she aimed another one of her menacing growls at a very scared Nolfavrell.
What?
Stop scaring those weaker and smaller than you out of their wits!
I so fun to see that terrified look on their faces.
Saphira!
Okay, okay I'll stop.
Eragon went to her side and took some food from the sack. Then he walked to the very center of the camp.
"Fellow travelers!" he shouted over the voices. Everyone stopped their chatter and looked up at him, "Those of Carvahall! It is time to start traveling again! Eat your breakfast and we will start in three minutes!"
Everyone flew into a fully of movement, shouting at each other, eating and packing. Eragon rolled up his tent and put it on Saphira's back. Then, he walked over to Arya.
"You have taken much upon yourself, Eragon"
"Aye"
"You have changed much"
"Yes…Arya, will I survive this?"
"I don't know Eragon, I don't know" For the first time, Eragon saw the trouble on her face. It was plain and clear - she wasn't hiding it. Eragon sighed and walked out of the encampment. Almost everyone was ready, people with heavy packs on their backs trailed behind him, telling jokes and making merry. Roran and Orik pushed to the front with Eragon and Arya.
"It is good to be with Carvahall again," Eragon said to Roran, "even under these…circumstances"
"Yes," he replied, "I believe it must"
"Eragon," said Orik, "I've been working for a line of defense in case soldiers attack," he glanced at Roran, "can I organize them now?"
"Of course," said Roran.
Orik walked over to the villagers, and in an imposing air of a king he shouted, "I need ten able bodied men, armed and at this side, no…no, you stay back, I only need ten. Be ready for an attack! I need ten more men to guard our rear! And ten more for that side! Okay! I need the rest of you to take the place of those at the rear, or sides ever hour…"
Roran turned to Eragon.
"Is he a dwarf?"
"Aye, and a mighty good one too "
"I never thought that I would ever meet one, let alone travel with one"
"Many things I did not expect to be more real than fairy tales," replied Eragon thoughtfully.
Orik had organized everyone, guards on both sides and at the rear, the rest in the middle. Everyone waited impatiently, ready to move. Eragon walked down the perfectly ordered men, and grunted his approval.
"I think we should go now!" he said to everyone.
"Wait! Argetlam!" Eragon turned.
Not far, about twenty feet away, rode twelve figures. Their brows were adorned with silver, and their horses were Elvin.
"We have been sent by Queen Islanzadi," said the lead elf.
Author's Note: Ah…I love cliffhangers. So…how did like it? Well I've now got to explain the Ancient Language. Most of the spells I have created by carefully analyzing Paolini's glossary and you can be fairly sure that that they mean word for word what I say they mean. Others are directly from the glossary. Jeirda du skőlir fra adurna means "Break the shield from water", Risa adurna, thrysta du brisingr means "Rise water, compress the fire", Letta orya thorna (a spell directly copied from the glossary) means "Stop those arrows", ganga fram (another spell copied directly from Paolini's glossary) means to go forward, Adurna, letta du brisingr means "Water, stop the fire", Atra ono waise skoliro fra brisingr means "May you be shielded from fire", Atra onr blőd waíse brisingr means "May your blood be fire", Atra onr blőd waíse blőd un atra ono waíse heil means "May your blood be blood and may you be healed", Atra brisingr malthinae un thrysta ono means "May fire confine and compress you", and Waise losna fra brisingr means "Be free from fire". There also is the basics, Brisingr means "Fire", Ganga probably means "go", Jeirda means "break", malthinae means "confine", and Risa means "rise". For those who haven't read Eldest probably know a little about the villagers like Horst but I'd like to give you some background info. Brigit (she hasn't been mentioned yet) hates the Ra'zac for killing he husband Quimby and Roran for causing the Ra'zac to kill him. Etich is my creation; he hasn't been mentioned in any of Paolini's books. Oh yeah, King Hrothgar is dead, making Orik his successor. Hurray for King Orik! Please review!