Thanks to anyone and all who review! (hint hint I really appreciate reviews!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon, Eldest, or the Inheritance series, but one day, oh one day, I will!
Areyou ready yet?
Not yet.
How about now?
No.
What could possibly take you so long to get ready little one?
Well it's just that… I haven't explained it to Ayra yet.
Then go do it.
That's the thing… how do I do that? I can't just say goodbye to her and not let her know where I am going!
Actually, yes you can, but that is besides the point. Just do it!
Eragon stared at Saphira blankly and wondered at her last comment. It had been easy enough for him to explain to Oromis and Queen Islanzadí. All he had received from both of them were some "You are not prepared!", "Why must you neglect you training?" and the occasional "This will ruin your future!" rantings and lectures. That aside, they did not take the news too harshly, and Queen Islanzadí actually seemed to show compassion when Eragon explained the whole races-of-the-world-trying-to-destroy-each-other war.
You know what? Fine! I'll just… I will do it!
Good.
Eragon gave her one last glare and then marched out of the room. He walked about the town, greeting the occasional person or two along the way, until he knew that there was only one more place he could look to find Ayra. He headed toward the Menoa tree.
Sure enough, he found Ayra sitting underneath the long branches, watching dusk begin its approach and absently playing with a flower in her hands.
"Um, hello…Ayra." Eragon addressed awkwardly to Ayra. She lifted her head from her reverie and turned to face him.
"Oh, hello Eragon. I was not expecting you… would you care to join me?"
"Ayra – ImetanwomanandsheaskedmetohelpsavetheworldfromobliterationandIsaidyes soIamgoingtoleavenow." He muttered quickly so that she would not question him further.
"Excuse me?" Ayra asked as she stood in concern about what she had just heard.
"Listen Ayra, I just wanted to say good bye before I left. I don't really know where I am going, or when I might be back. I… I just wanted you to know. So this is farewell." Said Eragon, wondering if this meeting with Ayra might be his last.
"Goodbye Eragon. I will…miss you." She ran up to Eragon and gave him a quick hug, but let go swiftly and ran out of sight.
Eragon watched her run off until she vanished beyond his vision, then headed back to his own room. He walked in to find Saphira asleep and some loose objects sprawled across the room. The sun was sinking fast, and Eragon finished packing his belongings into the leather bags which he placed next to his other provisions and Saphira's saddle. He had packed everything that he believed to be useful, and then some with the help of Saphira. He had taken the full three days to get ready, but as usual before he took a long trip, Eragon felt completely unprepared.
I expect this to be a long night, so I might as well get a little bit of rest before… well before our destiny befalls us. And Eragon climbed under his linens and faded into a dreamless sleep.
Eragon are you ready? She has just sent me the location.
Hmm…what? Oh, yes. Everything is packed and tied on.
Let us be off then!
Eragon sighed and took one last look at Ellesméra. I will miss this place. He thought to himself.
We will see this place again. I am almost definite of it.
Good. And Eragon, for the second time in six days, saddled up and flew into unknown of the dark night.
This flight that Nika had shown Saphira was even farther away than the last time, and Eragon was once more beginning to doubt this woman and her plans. Right before Eragon wanted to ask Saphira to turn around, he spotted another clearing in the dense forest, though it seemed a smaller patch than last time. Saphira slowed down on the ground and Eragon slid off, expecting the usual greeting. He straightened up, but realized that Nika had not arrived yet, and began to busy himself by searching around the area. Eragon meandered around the trees, weaving a path in and out of them, when he heard the grass in the center of the clearing rustle around as though a gentle wind had passed through. He turned his head once more to see Nika, but for once, she was not standing gracefully, and was down on her good leg breathing heavily.
Before Eragon could walk over to her, she stood herself up and smoothly brushed the dirt off of her white pants and adjusted the cloth around her eyes, which had fallen slightly askew.
"Please forgive my delay. I had run – or flew for that matter – into a bit of trouble along the way. Let me tell you, arrows are not that pleasurable to dodge…"explained Nika as she hastily bowed to Saphira first, the Eragon. "Are both of you ready for the journey? I see you have packed many belongings… and a weapon, good. We will most likely be needing it." She said as she nodded in the direction of Zar'roc sheathed on Eragon's waist.
Eragon walked toward her, intending to be courteous and bow back to her, but halfway through his bow her noticed a metallic shimmer that began at her elbow and made drip marks down her arm and onto the grass below her.
"Nika, what is that on your arm?"
"Hmm? What? Oh! That arrow really did nick me…" she murmured and pulled what looked like a long strand of gauze out of thin air and began wrapping her elbow in a fashion so that it could have maximum flexibility.
Eragon, startled by the sudden appearance of the bandages, just watched in amazement. And she didn't even speak the ancient language! How can she do that? His thoughts were cut short by Nika when she ripped off the excess gauze and stretched her arm.
"There, much better. Now, are you ready to fly?" she asked.
Eragon was still speechless when Nika asked him the question and he watched the excess gauze float to the ground, but never hit the grass as it disappeared into nowhere. He shook himself slightly and tried to piece together what happened. After a few moments of perplexity, he gave up altogether on the speech concept and nodded his head weakly.
"Alright, you may saddle Saphira and I will fly beside you." She proceeded once Nika saw Eragon nod his consent. "Lets go!" and she pulled the leather gloves off her belt that Eragon had seen when they first met, and sprang into the air.
Eragon followed moderately, and allowed Saphira to gain altitude before contacting Nika with his mind. He could not possibly speak to her over both Saphira's and her wings, so he attempted. He reached out until he felt the alien mind, and tentatively entered. As soon as he did so, he almost pulled back in fear of what might happen to him, and if he would have the same reaction as before when he came close to Nika.
Nika?
Oh, good, so you can talk silently. I was just about to contact you, but I was not sure if I would frighten you again.
Well, that is one problem solved. Anyway, just one question for right now. Where might we be going? Eragon turned in his saddle to face Nika, who was currently hovering about a foot away from Saphira. Eragon blushed slightly at the sight of her. Her face was full of elation and joy as her wings beat in a steady rhythm. She belongs in the air, she just looks so…complete up here. He noticed a smile come on her face once more as she told him:
You two will be the only outsiders to step in Coseara since the beginning of the feud between elves and dragons. Her smile widened and she shot forward, impressing Eragon again with her great speed and agility. Nika stopped some ten feet before them before turning around and beckoned to them.
Saphira flew forward, and had he not been strapped in tight to the saddle, Eragon would have received whiplash and a nice scar from the spike on Saphira's neck behind him.
The three sped off into the night, which only became darker as time flew by. All Eragon could hope for was his trust in Nika and a future, and one that would not end all too soon.
Yay! I finally found how to make those time skip bars! (why I didn't figure it out before…) and once again a thanks to all those who review, because you guys keep me writing! (the writing at the top is a bit different, I was feeling a bit like writing something funny this morning… oh well! enjoy!)
