A/N – Welcome to the third chapter of Blood Always Tells. This chapter was a mission to write so I've alternated between Eragon and Rorans' POV'S as much of it is just as personal to Roran. (+ i like Roran as a character)
Sorry if it gets confusing!
Slaying Demons
Exhilaration surged through every fibre of Rorans being as he soared through the clouds, twisting and turning while the fierce wind battered against his face. He turned around to look at Eragon who was utterly relaxed, a contented smile on his face. And how different his face was thought Roran, suddenly realising how much Eragon must have gone through. The first night after the battle he had forced the entire story from him but only now, while riding Saphira could he begin to understand it.
I'm glad you are finally seeing things from our point of view
Saphira! Give me some warning before breaking into my mind Roran mentally shouted, he still wasn't used to the dragon's method of communication.
Are you ok Little one? She questioned the unusually quiet Eragon.
I'm fine Big one. He replied jokingly.
Guess that makes me Medium one. Smiled Roran.
Looking to the horizon he squinted his eyes, attempting to find any sign that they were nearing Helgrind. They had been travelling on Saphira for two and a half days now, resting at nightfall or when the wind got too strong. During these times Roran and Eragon would spar, Roran alternating between his trusty hammer and a crude sword Eragon had persuaded him to borrow from Fredrik's armoury.
"We are getting close" Eragon broke the silence suddenly. Roran looked hard, but other than a small hill they approached he could see nothing.
"How can you tell?" He said, turning around to see a look of intense sadness on his cousin's face. As they landed on the hill Roran noticed a faint shining further up.
Saphira spoke solemnly.
Brom's Tomb…
Eragon dimly registered a conversation between Saphira and Roran. His mind however was focused on the upcoming tomb. The hills every feature was familiar to him, printed in his mind, two steeply cliffed sides and two gently sloping ones, an ideal position to defend from. And then the hallowed tomb at the very peak, positioned just above the cave which had been Brom's final resting place. He approached the grave slowly, tears threatening to spill from his eyes at any moment, as his adventures with Brom flowed through his mind freely. Brom had taught him so much in such a small amount of time, acting more like a father than a mentor.
"Why must everyone I get close to die?" Eragon whispered to himself, tears now flowing freely down his face as he lost the will to oppose them. Thoughts of death rose unbidden into his mind. Who would be next? Roran. Nasuada… Arya? For the first time since he had met her, Eragon began to believe that maybe Arya was right about their relationship, maybe they could never be. Age difference had always been a poor excuse, what were eighty or so years to an immortal! But despite all his arguments he knew that the time had come for him to put his love for her aside, if not for the greater good than for her own sake.
Glancing up Eragon noticed Saphira gazing at him, unconditional love with a touch of pity in her eyes. Drying his tears he embraced her long neck tightly, holding her like a life line from his sorrow.
Two hours later Eragon entered the cave, Saphira had left to go hunting a short while ago and Roran was putting the final touches to a fire. Plucking an apple from his pack Eragon lay against the floor peacefully, opting to remember his better times with Brom instead of grieving over what could have been.
"Barzul!" He looked up at Rorans sudden curse, the fires kindling was damp and wouldn't light.
"Brisingr" he murmured sleepily, and was rewarded by Rorans shout of alarm as the fire blazed up suddenly.
"It's hard to believe you're the same Eragon who left Carvahall all those months ago." Rorans sudden comment caught him off guard. "Farm boy, warrior, magician, rider… Shadeslayer."
"I've had to change, in order to survive. Much the same as you" Eragon replied defensively.
"You mentioned teaching me to defend against magic the night after the battle, perhaps now is the time?" Roran changed the subject, sensing Eragons unease.
"Aye now's the time" Eragon replied gratefully, and proceeded to instruct Roran on the nature of magic and how to fortify the mind against it.
Roran was struggling against Eragons mental probe, trying to focus all his attention on his hammer when Saphira interrupted.
I've located Helgrind; it's about three hour's flight away
Excitement and nervousness simultaneously wove themselves through Rorans mind as Saphira's words registered themselves. Three hour's! Three cursed hour's before he could rescue his love Katrina and avenge Garrow's death. Nervousness soon kicked in though, the Ra'zac were fearsome opponents and had left terror as well as anger in his heart. Terror of the unknown, which hounded Roran mercilessly due to his ignorance. It would soon be time to confront his demons, and slay them. Literally.
After much debating Eragon managed to convince Roran to spend the night in the cave. They would wake at dawn and ride out until Helgrind was in sight, from there Saphira would attempt to lure the Ra'zac out to Roran and Eragon, who would fight them where they where weakest, daylight. Whilst Eragon and Roran duelled the Ra'zac Saphira would hold off the Lethrblaka, until Eragon was free and could aid her with magic.
Eight hour's later:
Roran led the horses to a quiet glade, concealed by several large bushes whilst Eragon silenced and calmed them, using words from the ancient language. On the final leg of the journey Eragon had informed Roran of everything he knew about the Ra'zac, remembering his lesson with Oromis. Neither spoke as they carried out the assorted tasks, both mentally preparing themselves for the upcoming battle. A sharp pain struck Eragon through his mental connection to Saphira.
They come!
Three small specks appeared in the sky as Saphira's frantic words reached them. Roran glanced at Eragon and then walked out into the open, hammer held tightly in his hands, sword at his waist while Eragon concealed himself with the horses.
Thud Thud Thud
Three pairs of wings beat out their harsh melody.
Thud Thud Thud
Beads of sweat began to form on Rorans forehead.
Thud Thud Thud!
The mighty creatures swooped over the campsite, Saphira in the lead, the two Lethrblaka snapping at her tail. Roran roared and swung his hammer mightily, clipping one of the Lethrblaka's taloned feet and sending it spinning off course. From the other, the larger Ra'zac swiftly descended, landing smoothly before Roran who spun his hammer intricately and advanced. He was halted by a soft pad from behind him as the second Ra'zac landed.
"Soo, the mighty warrior hass finally graced us with his presence" The words chilled him to the bone, and had a slight menacing hiss to them.
"Shame the king wantss him alive, he and the pretty girl would make a passable two course meal." The smaller Ra'zac snickered and licked the edge of his blade.
"I the Stronghammer of justice have come to claim vengeance for my father's death, and to rescue that which is dear to me. You would do well to move aside." Roran spoke out, a touch of fire to his voice.
"Advance if you can human." Both Ra'zac said together with utmost spite and breathed out deeply. As their breath polluted the air Roran felt his insides go numb and, try as he might could not move an inch in either direction.
"You have grown ignorant in your dominance." Eragons voice cut through the Ra'zac's illusion, freeing Roran instantly. "You forget that with a dragon… Comes a rider!"
With that both Eragon and Roran leapt forward, smashing into the still startled Ra'zac'.
Eragon felt Arya's blade come alive in his hand as he danced forward, thrusting and parrying, showing no signs of effort as the Ra'zacs blade blocked him at every turn. Feinting high he swung at the beasts legs, grazing one slightly and causing it to back away hissing. Beast and man stared each other over contemplating the next move. While Eragon's speed and strength were without match, the Ra'zacs' cunning, ruthlessness and experience made it a more than worthy opponent... With the sword.
"Playtimes over." He grinned and reached into his mind seeking out words to hunt down the pressure points on the beast's neck, when the second Ra'zac surprised him from the left, its blade already streaked with blood.
Roran blinked rapidly as beads of sweat trickled into his eyes. His endurance and fighting skills had improved to-no-end since his training with Eragon had begun however the smaller Ra'zac thwarted him at every turn, seeming to second-guess his movements, its blade cutting through the air like crimson lightning as cuts started to appear all over his bruised body. Screaming aloud he brought his hammer down in a reckless arc at the demon hoping to catch it by surprise… And was met with a face full of steel as the Ra'zac countered his advance and smashed the hilt of its blade into his unprotected face, rewarded by the soft crunch of a broken nose as the spent warrior fell backwards in shock. With utmost distain the demon leapt at Eragon.
Eragon recoiled instantly, his sword swinging up and cutting both Ra'zacs blades out of the air. Unable to concentrate on magic he tried to lash out but was blocked by one blade as the other homed in on his throat. Forced into a defensive stance Eragon found himself losing ground rapidly as he parried the relentless super human strikes, only sheer technique or luck could get him out of this mess.
Looking up through his blood and tears Roran saw Eragon fighting a losing battle; Saphira's brutal charges were being gradually tamed by the two Lethrblaka and fear engulfed him as he realised that this was the end, not just for him, nor Eragon but the entire resistance… Katrina
"I've failed her" he sobbed to himself "I've failed them all." Darkness engulfed his senses and the last thing he saw was Eragon fall to the ground. Defeated.
"NO!" Light burst into his vision, and his senses sprung back into full form.
"I am Roran Stronghammer!" He roared aloud and drew his sword magnificently as the Ra'zac turned in surprise, leaving Eragon looking at him in awe from the ground. Taking a breath he made to stride towards them and fell forward, flat on his face from the effort.
Arrogant laughter filled his ears as the Ra'zac advanced cockily.
"Your pretty mate will pay dearly for this human. You will watch, helpless as I rip her apart, flesh from bone… slowly… delicately."
At that Roran snapped. Green fire flared through his senses and burst cataclysmically in his mind as he drew his sword once more and threw it mightily. Without realising what he was doing he screamed aloud with every particle of his being.
"Brisingr!"
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A/N – Hehe hate to leave you on a cliff hanger but the next chapter should be up soon. Sorry if the end seems slightly rushed, or if Roran is completely out of character.
As usual please review!