A/N: Welcome back! Here is yet another chapter….
Chapter 8: Teaching a New Dog Old Tricks
The next morning, Eragon woke with a racking pain in his head. He rolled over onto his side to find Saphira awake, and watching him. He tumbled out of bed. Saphira eyed him strangely.
What are you looking at? He said crankily, flattening his rumpled hair. The events of the previous night swirled in his head meaninglessly.
Just making sure you were all right. Last night was…. different. Saphira replied soothingly, and dropped her head.
Is it time yet for training?
Almost, if you'd like to rest for a while, you may. I will wake you.
No, I'm awake.
Eragon stretched hugely, and stepped lightly over to the mirror. He drew a small basin of water, and scrubbed his face vigorously. After, he wrestled indignantly with his hair. When he was finished, Eragon turned back to his dragon.
Might as well get an early start.
They flew over the elven trees toward the small shack in the plains. Saphira landed neatly, and folded her wings beside her as Eragon slid off. Oromis was nowhere in sight, and neither was Glaedr. He frowned gently, and sensed something very wrong. Eragon unsheathed his sword, and Saphira stood on her hind legs, tilting menacingly.
Suddenly, an enormous dragon landed in front of them, reared up and malicious. It wasn't Shruikan, however. Nor was it Thorn. It was Glaedr. Glaedr with Oromis perched precariously on his back, leaning forward with a golden sword gripped in his right hand.
With an odd hesitation, Eragon remounted Saphira and she flew slowly toward them. They were both unsure what to do, and Eragon had a half a mind to unsheathe his sword. In the reluctant silence, Glaedr forward and almost to a chunk out of Saphira's shoulder with his teeth. In outrage and confusion, Saphira swept upwards and away into the sky, Glaedr and Oromis right on her tail.
At that point Eragon had his sword out and ready. Oromis climbed nimbly up his dragon's neck and leapt across the open air towards Saphira's neck. She caught him smoothly, only to receive a deep gash in her scale from his sword. Eragon rushed at him, sword drawn.
Careful, Little one! Saphira hissed, while maneuvering away from a flame thrown by Glaedr. His is either testing us, or is delirious. You must not hurt him badly; he is delicate!
Eragon nodded in concentration. Oromis seemed to be fighting with all he had. Ducking and swerving he battled Eragon back. Eragon nudged his mind gently, but recoiled when he stabbed him back.
"Sorry, master," he muttered softly, but did not cease his blows. Meanwhile, Glaedr and Saphira were grappling fiercely. Although Glaedr was missing a leg, he still had enough power to beat her slowly downwards until she begged Eragon for strength.
Suddenly caught off guard, Eragon was thrown off of Saphira's back by a few well-placed Ancient Words. He drained the last of his strength from the belt of Beloth the Wise to cushion his fall. He looked up determinedly and saw Glaedr turn and dive straight at him. With a yelp, Eragon dove to the ground. Glaedr missed him barely, and circled back up to take on Saphira.
Eragon called to Saphira softly: Capture Oromis! Maybe we can make them surrender by holding him.
That would be disrespectful! She countered, with difficulty.
It's the only way. Just do it!
Saphira didn't respond. Instead she performed the most complicated roll in the air Eragon had ever seen. Oromis had no time to react before Saphira's strong claws upon his broad shoulders. He was disoriented and dizzy; therefore, he could not stop her.
Glaedr stopped suddenly. There was a long silence, and afterwards, the great, golden dragon landed.
Congratulations! He boomed. You have passed the test. We are proud. But do not expect Galbatorix to be so easy to defeat. He is stronger, trickier, and is not afraid to use dark magic. You may go. But do not think greatly of your victory!
Saphira placed Oromis on his feet, and flew to Eragon. Her confusion showed in her eyes, but the two did not speak. Eragon clambered over Saphira's flank and settled himself. They flew away in simple silence, as if one word would break the metaphoric spell in which they were placed. The elven sky set gently, and a strange feeling came into Eragon's heart, as if something far away were going awry.
It is a funny thing how right he was.
A/N: I know, short, possibly bad, but in my personal opinion, it was decent.
