Disclaimer: I wish I lived in Eragon's world, but alas, I own nothing from Eragon, Eldest, or the Inheritance series. Still looking for my dragon…
"Eragon, I can not help you further your skills if you do not pay attention!" warned Oromis for the sixth time in the past hour. He sighed, "Eragon, are you sure there is nothing you want to tell me? For the whole lesson you seem… distracted by something. And I know for a fact you are not worried about your back."
Eragon relaxed and let his hands rest at his side from his previous stance. "Sir, I… no… No, I am fine. I apologize for my behavior. I just have a lot on my mind."
"I see. Very well then, today's lesson is over." Eragon was about to turn his back when Oromis grabbed his shoulder. "But tomorrow, I want your full concentration. We can not get behind like this again. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir. I… I understand." Muttered Eragon and walked back to his room.
Eragon walked through the streets lost in thought, barely seeing the others that passed by him on their daily tasks. Three days had passed since He and Saphira had spoken with Nika, and the night was coming on fast. It would be lying to say that Eragon had not thought about his decision, but he still had not come up with his decision yet.
Hoping to clear his mind and come up with his final resolution, Eragon changed out of his clothes and washed himself in the basin. He inhaled the steam for a few moments and let the hot water drip off of him. He put on different, lighter garments, this time robes of sky blue, and sat himself down on the bed. Slowly, he reached over and picked up the silver piece of metal that Nika had given him.from the side of his bed. In his mind, he tossed around the idea of blowing into it, just to satisfy his curiosity, but dismissed it after he could come up with no questions to ask her once she had arrived.
The sun gradually set behind the surrounding mountains' valleys, and still Eragon had made no decision. He paced around his room spinning the metal in his fingers, and finally forced himself to sit on the edge of the opening and let his feet dangle off of the edge.
All of the races…just disappear? But how? Why? How can I trust Nika and her proposal? If I did choose to help her, what would she have in store for me? There are too many question left unanswered and no one to answer them. I just don't know! Thought Eragon as he lifted himself up from the edge and looked once more to the horizon before turning and going back to his pacing.
He moved towards the wall as he heard the air being forced to the ground and let Saphira glide into the room and stop just short of the wall.
You are back early little one. Is there anything wrong with Oromis or you? It is not like him to cut a lesson short.
Saphira, I still can't make my decision. Everything is just too…questionable. She has not made this an easy choice, that is for certain.
Just know this little one; whatever decision you make, I will always support you. I only suggest you heed her words about the war. I strongly believe that we should help… but the decision is all yours. Saphira took a deep breath and stretched her front legs before turning around and curling into a tight ball on her bed. You should get some rest before our trip. We do not know what she has in store for us if you accept. And Saphira presently fell sound asleep.
Eragon stared at Saphira lying for a moment, and turned around to kneel on his bed. He placed the piece of metal next to his boots and exhaustion overcame him. Just as he was nodding off to sleep, one last thought came to his mind.
How will I say goodbye to Ayra?
Eragon, awaken! Come little one, we do not want to be late!
"Hmm… What? Oh! The meeting, right! Quick, Saphira, where is the saddle?"
Please do not speak out loud Eragon! We do not want to rouse unwanted suspicion.
Oh, right, sorry. Eragon said to Saphira as he tied on the saddle around her neck.
Do not forget her trinket. It would be rude to forget.
I've got it. Saddle, trinket, Zar'roc…wait, where is Zar'roc? Oh, no matter…Thought
Eragon as he pointed to each item in turn. All ready, are you?
Yes, let us be off.
Saphira once more launched out of the opening and Eragon met her on the ground. He swiftly scrambled onto her neck and strapped himself in. With a running start, her wings carried her and Eragon off into the night and to an unknown fate.
The ride had been a silent one, both dragon and rider lost in thought along the way. The only time the silence was broken was when Saphira alerted Eragon.
We are here again. I am going to land.
Once again, Nika was waiting in the center of the clearing and greeted them as Eragon slipped off of Saphira's back and obtained his balance on the ground.
"I see that you have chosen to return. And I hope with an answer to my question. But you look unsure. I say to you, Rider Eragon and Dragon Saphira, that I may be able to answer most, if not all of your questions."
Still thoroughly confused at how she can see his expression, he pushed the matter aside. "Nika, I do not have any questions for you, at least not yet. And my answer to your question… is…" paused Eragon as he shifted his vision to the ground. He snapped his head back up and turned to face Nika. Suddenly, he bowed to her and said "when might we begin to help?" which startled even Saphira, who could usually read his every move.
A smile dawned upon her face, which made her features even more attractive, if it were possible. Her smile showed her straight, white teeth, which almost matched her white shirt. She clasped her hands together and said to the two of them "Oh, this is good news!" And Eragon could hear her take a deep breath. "I was almost afraid you would decline and oh… but the matter is you did not! Alright, now, we must move as soon as possible. But, I will give you two a few more days to do what you must. We have a long journey ahead of us!"
Nika's energy was so strong that Eragon swore he could feel her happiness radiating off from her. He had only felt it for a few moments though, before he realized that the energy began to hurt his eyes. He put his hand up to shield his eyes, but soon the energy was blinding. Without another thought, his world turned black and he fainted.
"Eragon, please wake up. I am sorry, but I had forgotten that you are not used to my ways. I should have realized this earlier, but I did not realize what effect it my have had on you." He heard Nika say as he opened his eyes. He woke up to find himself lying down on the grass next to Saphira with Nika leaning over him.
"How long have I been here?" He murmured to Nika as she lifted his wrist to check his pulse.
"Oh, only five minutes or so but still… Here, take this, it will make you feel less dizzy." And Eragon felt her press something cool to his lips and a warm liquid went down his throat. He coughed at the sudden warmth, but swallowed it all the same and eventually sat himself up. He sat still for a few moments, then tried to stand. He struggled to concentrate his vision on a nearby tree, but nearly fell over again as he walked around. Nika swiftly caught him before he hit the ground again, and he noticed dimly that she had acquired a new bandage on her hand from when the had last met.
"I deeply apologize for this incident. It seems we have much to learn about each other. Can you walk now?"
"Yes, I… now I can. But what just happened, and why are you getting so many injuries?" inquired Eragon.
"I am afraid those question are left for a better time, Rider Eragon. Come quickly, for the sun is beginning to rise, and none of us must be seen leaving this area." She led him over to Saphira, who crouched enough so that Nika could lift Eragon into the saddle and tie him on.
How can she do that blindfolded? Eragon wondered as he dimly watched her work.
"And this is where we must part until next we meet. Another three days I think, and we shall meet at an area that I will give to you. I know not how long this journey will take us, or to what lands it will bring us to. Come prepared… for whatever may happen." Then she turned to Saphira, "I trust you to bring him back safely." And Nika put he hand on her long muzzle. Nika then turned her back and walked once again to the center of the clearing. She bent her knees and spread her wings, and was just about to take off until Eragon remembered.
"Wait! I have this from when you last gave it to me." And he reached into his pocket and pulled out the silver metal piece.
"Oh, you may keep that until we meet again. You may find that you need it." And she finally took off into the night. Saphira waited just a few moments after Nika left before she herself sprung into the air.
Saphira, Eragon dazedly thought. How do you think the others will react?
That is impossible to tell. But everything will always unfold in the end, for certain.
That's right Saphira. They always do. Eragon let the warm breeze of dawn carry him off to sleep and away from thought.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I never knew my first fanfic would be any good!
