Vrael let out a heavy sigh as he rubbed his forehead. Umaroth sent his rider a calming feeling but otherwise the mighty white dragon didn't acknowledge the world. Oromis and Glaedr sat near the leader of the riders. Many riders were shouting and fighting amongst one another. A new threat that they never expected has risen right under their nose. Galbatorix. A very sad feeling rose in his gut as he thought about the rider he had failed. Vrael had always been a kind elf and had done his best to make sure the whole of Alagaesia was in peace. A young rider sat to the left of Oromis, The Elf's youngest rider. Brom. Galbatorix had claimed his dragon, Saphira. Undbitr laid at his side but the man from Kuasta refused to even acknowledge it. The color reminding him of his lost dragon. A resounding BOOM filled the air and all the rider's panicked, preparing for an attack. Umaroth rose to his full glory and let out a bellowing roar, shaking the area around them.
When Vrael had finally regained himself he looked around. Other riders around him glanced around in shock, nobody quite knew what to do. Standing in front of them was the traitors themselves. Galbatorix and five of the thirteen Foresworn. With a loud war cry, Brom shot out at stabbed at Morzan but before the man could even defend himself his sword was shot out of his hand. Brom's eyes widened before he went to punch the man but again, his arm faltered. Growling he sought to use magic but soon realized that it escaped him.
"Enough. You will not be able to attack on another. I have gathered you hear to listen to a story. The story of the future."
A deep voice filled all their minds. Everyone glanced around cautiously. Nobody knew who or what this being was but as if sensing their thoughts it rumbled out, "I am everything around you and yet I am nothing. Vrael, read the name of the book that now resides in your lap." Everyone looked over to the said elf. Vrael himself looked shocked that he did in fact have a book sitting in his lap. He cleared his throat but before he could say much more there was another flash, much gentler then the last one he might add, and there stood the Elf king and his mate. Evandar and Islanzadi looked extremely confused before noticing the threat standing before them. Evandar stepped in front of his mate protectively while she pulled the baby closer to her chest.
"Fear not elves, nobody here can hurt one another. I will not allow it." The entity seemed to think on it before whispering, if that was possible in a mind, "No harm shall befall Arya Drottningu seeing as she is much too important for the future." They slowly relaxed although they didn't seem too happy about it. Brom was still aggravated at the fact he could not attack Morzan. "Damned you! You stupid entity! Let me kill them they deserve it!" The entity seemed amused at Brom's words but otherwise didn't speak but it was clear they were watching.
Vrael seemed to take this as a queue because he sucked in a deep breath and read, "Eragon. The book's name is Eragon." Everyone leaned closer, even the traitors themselves. They wished to know the future. He looked around before continuing on, "Shade of fear."
Wind howled through the night, carrying a scent that would change the world. A tall Shade lifted his head and sniffed the air.
Whispers traveled amongst the group. Worry and uncertainties. The riders would never let a shade roam free among the world which meant that they had failed to stop Galbatorix. At that a savage grin spread across his face knowing that he was victorious.
He looked human except for his crimson hair and maroon eyes. He blinked in surprise. The message had been correct: they were here. Or was it a trap? He weighed the odds, then said icily, "Spread out; hide behind trees and bushes. Stop whoever is coming... or die."
Around him shuffled twelve Urgals with short swords and round iron shields painted with black symbols.
This time angry shouts left everyone and the king looked disturbed. Was he not actually king? Umaroth could feel Vrael's annoyance and snarled, "SILENCE!" Everyone went silent at the Head Dragon's command allowing Vrael to continue the story.
They resembled men with bowed legs and thick, brutish arms made for crushing. A pair of twisted horns grew above their small ears. The monsters hurried into the brush, grunting as they hid. Soon the rustling quieted and the forest was silent again. The Shade peered around a thick tree and looked up the trail. It was too dark for any human to see, but for him the faint moonlight was like sunshine streaming between the trees; every detail was clear and sharp to his searching gaze. He remained unnaturally quiet, a long pale sword in his hand. A wire-thin scratch curved down the blade. The weapon was thin enough to slip between a pair of ribs, yet stout enough to hack through the hardest armor.
The Urgals could not see as well as the Shade; they groped like blind beggars, fumbling with their weapons. An owl screeched, cutting through the silence. No one relaxed until the bird flew past. Then the monsters shivering in the cold night; one snapped a twig with his heavy boot. The Shade hissed in anger, and the Urgals shrank back, motionless. He suppressed his distaste-they smelled like fetid meat- and turned away. They were tools, nothing more.
The rider's and elves gathered around all looked around. Even Shade's disliked Urgals. Although it still worried many of them that there enemies were even allying with monsters such as these.
The Shade forced back his impatience as the minutes became hours. The scent must have wafted far ahead of its owners. He did not let the Urgals get up or warm themselves. He denied himself those luxuries, too, and stayed behind the tree, watching the trail. Another gust of wind rushed through the forest. The smell was stronger this time. Excited, he lifted a thin lip in a snarl.
"Get ready," he whispered, his whole body vibrating. The tip of his sword moved in small circles. It had taken many plots and much pain to bring himself to this moment. It would not do to lose control now.
Eyes brightened under the Urgals' thick brows, and the creatures gripped their weapons tighter. Ahead of them, the Shade heard a cling as something hard struck a loose stone. Faint smudges emerged from the darkness and advanced down the trail.
Everyone there held their breathes, worried for these people that they did not know. Who ever it was, it was definitely an enemy to Galbatorix. A deep cunning filled Galbatorix's eyes as he leaned forward, ready to listen to an enemy so important he sent a shade to them.
Three white horses with riders cantered toward the ambush, their heads held high and proud, their coats rippling in the moonlight like liquid silver.
On the first horse was an elf with pointed ears and elegantly slanted eyebrows. His build was slim but strong, like a rapier. A powerful bow was slung on his back. A sword pressed against his side opposite a quiver of arrows fletched with swan feathers.
The last rider had the same fair face and angled features as the other. He carried a long spear in his right hand and a white dagger at his belt. A helm of extraordinary craftsmanship, wrought with amber and gold, rested on his head.
Between those two rode a raven-haired elven lady, who surveyed her surroundings with poise. Framed by long black locks, her deep eyes shone wit a driving force. Her clothes were unadorned, yet her beauty was undiminished. At her side was a sword, and on her back a long bow with a quiver. She carried in her lap a pouch that she frequently looked at, as if to reassure herself that it was still there.
Evandar and Islanzadi glanced at each other before looking down at their recently born daughter who had a patch of black hair on her head. Before they could talk amongst themselves the Entity spoke to everyone.
"Aye King Evandar, Islanzadi Drottningu. That is your daughter, Arya Drottningu."
As if calling upon her with her name, a flash blinded everyone momentarily. When it cleared they were face to face with a stunningly beautiful elf woman. She carried herself like royalty even if she was holding a sword in her left hand, ready to defend herself. Her eyes scanned everyone quickly before her eyes landed on the elven parents. "What trick is being played on me? Which one of you is holding this illusion?" When she finally noticed Galbatorix her heart stopped. "You! You Oath-Breaker! You are-" But before she could continue her mouth snapped shot on its own.
"Peace, Arya Drottning. I have brought you here. There is no reason to be defensive because it futile. All I ask is that you mind what you say so as not to spoil the future too soon."
She nodded slowly, putting Tamerlein back in its green sheath. It did not escape the riders who knew the sword. Arva stepped forward to stare at Arya, "You carry my sword." As if to further prove his words, The elf pulled out his own sword. Arya bowed to the rider quickly, "I carry Tamerlein with honor, Shu'Turgal. Your brother Fiolir offered me it." Arya hesitated before the Entity once again spoke.
"It will not harm them to know."
She nodded quickly. "It was given to me by your brother when my own dragon hatched for me." Evandar and Islanzadi eyed their older daughter with shock before Evandar grinned brightly, "My daughter? A dragon rider? Do you hear that Islanzadi our daughter is a rider!" A smile graced her lips before a large green dragon bellowed and plummeted quickly towards them all. He landed near Glaedr and Umaroth and roared aggressively. "Peace Firnen, there is no enemies today." Arya said to her dragon, a smile grazing her lips.
Vrael looked hopeful at the sheer size of the dragon. He was mighty and honorable if he is bonded with one of the same honor. "The first free rider?" He asked hopefully but Arya shook her head. "Nay, there are two other riders that came before me. Eragon and Murtagh. Although Eragon is the first free rider. Let us keep reading."
One of the elves spoke quietly, but the Shade could not hear what was said. The lady answered with obvious authority, and her guards switched places. The one wearing the helm took the lead, shifting his spear to a readier grip. They passed the Shade's hiding place and the first few Urgals without suspicion.
The Shade was already savoring his victory when the wind changed direction and swept toward the elves, heavy with the Urgals' stench. The horses snorted with alarm and tossed their heads. The riders stiffened, eyes flashing from side to side, then wheeled their mounts around and galloped away.
The lady's horse surged forward, leaving her guards far behind. Forsaking their hiding, the Urgals stood and released a stream of black arrows. The Shade jumped out from behind the tree, raised his right hand, and shouted, "Garjzla!"
A red bolt flashed from his palm toward the elven lady, illuminating the trees with a bloody light. It struck her steed, and the horse toppled with a high-pitched squeal, plowing into the ground chest-first. She leapt off the animal with inhuman speed, landed lightly, then glanced back for her guards.
A sad and distraught look filled Arya's face as many there gave her looks of sympathy. Her green dragon nudged her softly and she patted his nose. Her parents gave her gentle smiles and she returned them. They had come to sit next to her just to be near their daughter. Although it was slightly weird to see herself as a babe.
The Urgals' deadly arrows quickly brought down the two elves. They fell from the noble horses, blood pooling in the dirt. As the Urgals rushed to the slain elves, the Shade screamed, "After her! She is the one I want!" The monsters grunted and rushed down the trail.
A cry tore from the elf's lips as she saw her dead companions. She took a step toward them, then cursed her enemies and bounded into the forest.
While the Urgals crashed through the trees, the Shade climbed a piece of granite that jutted above them. From his perch he could see all of the surrounding forest. He raised his hand and uttered, "Boetq istalri!" and a quarter-mile section of the forest exploded into flames. Grimly he burned one section after another until there was a ring of fire, a half-league across, around the ambush site. The flames looked like a molten crown resting on the forest. Satisfied, he watched the ring carefully, in case it should falter.
The band of fire thickened, contracting the are the Urgals had to search. Suddenly, the Shade heard shouts and a coarse scream. Through the trees he saw three of his charges fall in a pile, mortally wounded. He caught a glimpse of the elf running from the remaining Urgals.
She fled toward the craggy piece of granite at a tremendous speed. The Shade examined the ground twenty feet below, then jumped and landed nimbly in front of her. She skidded around and sped back to the trail. Black Urgal blood dripped from her sword, staining the pouch in her hand.
The horned monsters came out of the forest and hemmed her in, blocking the only escape routes. Her head whipped around as she tried to find a way out. Seeing none, she drew herself up with regal disdain. The Shade approached her with a raised hand, allowing himself to enjoy her helplessness. "Get her."
Galbatorix eyed her curiously, "What did you carry Arya Drottning?" He spoke with his silver tongue, trying to appease the elf. Her parents couldn't help the sadness they felt at her title. If she wore it, it meant that they had fallen. "Your downfall" Arya said, giving the future king a savage grin. Firnen punctuated her statement with a deep growl.
"The thing that will help bring you to death, Egg-Crusher." Firnen's deep voiced rolled over them all. Some looked at the dragon in shock. They had not expected his voice to be so deep. "You are lucky that you kept me in a chest for I would have slaughtered you the second I had the chance." Arya shook her head at her dragon's claims, amusement rolling from her. She knew why he disliked him of course. Why wouldn't the dragon? But it was more for her and Eragon's sake rather then his. "Let it rest My Partner"
As the Urgals surged forward, the elf pulled open the pouch, reached into it, and then let it drop to the ground. In her hands was a large sapphire stone that reflected the angry light of the fires. She raised it over her head, lips forming frantic words. Desperate, the Shade barked, "Garjzla!"
"A dragon egg.." Whispered Oromis softly. "You were an egg farrier?" Arya dignified the response with a nod.
A ball of red flame sprang from his hand and flew toward the elf, fast as an arrow. But he was too late. A flash of emerald light briefly illuminated the forest, and the stone vanished. Then the red fire smote her and she collapsed.
The Shade howled in rage and stalked forward, flinging his sword at a tree. It passed halfway through the trunk, where it stuck, quivering. He shot nine bolts of energy from his palm-which killed the Urgals instantly- then ripped his sword free and strode to the elf.
Prophecies of revenge, spoken in a wretched language only he knew, rolled from his tongue. He clenched his thin hands and glared at the sky. The cold stars stared back, unwinking, otherworldly watchers. Disgust curled his lip before he turned back to the unconscious elf.
Her beauty, which would have entranced any mortal man, held no charm for him. he confirmed that the stone was gone, then retrieved his horse from its hiding place among the trees. After tying the elf onto the saddle, he mounted the charger and made his way out of the woods. He quenched the fires in his path but left the rest to burn.
Vrael sucked in a deep breath after reading, looking around at them all. "The next chapter is called Discovery." Before he could continue speaking another flash happened much to everyone's distaste. The Entity shot them a feeling of slight regret but otherwise could not help them. Magic liked to be flashy, what could they say? Standing in the center of them all was a beautiful sapphire dragon and a man that looked both human and elf. If not for the slight stubble and short hair he had going, they would have expected him to be full elf if not slightly awkward.
Boom! That's the first chapter. The second should be up soon seeing as I'm already writing it.
