For generations the skies of Alagaesia had been monotonous, predictable and all around not something filled with wonder compared to the old days when dragon's, both bonded and wild filled the skies. If one were either an urgal or human native to the spine, then this dull reality would likely be their curse for the remainder of their life.
But times change.
If one were out hunting, touring or simply on some errand close to Utgard Mountain and took one peek at the sky, then a sight not beholden to most mortal beings in this age would await them.
For it was here that a clash between some of the most dangerous creatures known in the land was taking place. Three mighty individuals representing that ancient and noble order of dragon riders were at this very moment hell bent on destroying the most heinous of creatures. Those very monsters that had preyed on mankind since time immemorial were now having the favor returned.
The hunters had become the hunted.
"ERAGON" The warning voice of Saphira reverberated through his mind just in time for him to duck out of the way, as one of the Lethrblaka swooped over him trying to catch him off guard.
Their ambush had started off rather well.
As soon as he had noticed the Ra'zac approaching from atop his vigil, Saphira had returned to the top of the tower so that both men could mount the dragoness. They didn't have to worry about their approaching adversaries spotting them due to the fact, that both magicians had surrounded Ristvak'baen with layers upon layers of anti-detection wards. They were as good as invisible.
Eragon took the lead position, sitting as close to Saphira's head as possible so that he could help ward of any attacks from the front, whilst Brom took a more uncomfortable position closer to Saphira's tail. They waited for a good while before beginning their ambush. With too much distance the element of surprise would be wasted. Luckily the quickest path to Carvahall from the Ra'zac position was almost a straight shot over Utgard, meaning all they had to do was wait.
In the meantime, darkness had descended upon them, the sun having finally surrendered its domain to the moon.
As soon as the Ra'zac passed the old outpost on their unholy mounts, the remaining scions of the dragon order sprung their trap. With magic from both mages infusing the dragon's speed, the bane of men didn't even realize that they were under attack, until after Saphira had viciously crashed into the smaller Lethrblaka with the power of a mighty avalanche.
Things had quickly gone downhill for Galbatorix's pets after that.
Before the Ra'zac could even get their bearings and attempt to figure out what dared attack them, Saphira had already sunk her mighty jaws deep into the smaller Lethrblaka's wings. This was then followed up by the dragoness pulling a great chunk of flesh and pieces of membrane out of the offending appendage, effectively crippling the great beast's maneuverability.
It was not pretty. It was brutal and bloody. No bard would sing about such vicious and gory details, the people listening to such a battle would be fed censored songs of great honorable riders smiting down creatures straight from hell itself. None of the participants in said battle cared about any of this. Eragon, Saphira and Brom had not come here to be written into some tavern legend.
They had come here to kill.
After the initial collision, the larger of the Lethrblaka finally found its bearing and turned towards Saphira for a counterattack.
Brom simply raised his hand, letting out a mighty.
"Kveykva!".
Immediately the surrounding darkness became illuminated by the most radiant of lights that the Ra'zac had seen in decades. To the riders and lone dragon the light felt invigorating, almost like a rallying cry that compelled them to destroy these spawn of darkness. To both the Lethrblaka and their spawn it was detrimental and morale breaking.
The creatures were only disorientated for a short moment, but Brom's quick thinking had stopped the counterattack upon Saphira's vulnerable rear. This wasn't like the cave in Helgrind where she could keep both Lethrblaka in her sights. In the air the dragon hunters had the potential to outflank her. She wasn't yet up to her former size and strength, the greatest of the Lethrblaka was still larger than her, so she had to trust in her companions to watch her blind spots.
With this in mind she continued her assault upon the offending Lethrblaka, that she had just taken a huge bite out of. With tooth and claw she began tearing the already crippled Lethrblaka apart, great gashes oozing with blood appeared all over the creature.
Amidst all this unparalleled amount of savagery Eragon narrowed his eyes at the hooded figure upon the Lethrblaka trying to keep its balance, whilst simultaneously lashing out at Saphira with its blade. He drew Zar'roc from its scabbard and before either Brom or Saphira had a chance to react, jumped the small distance between the two fighting giants so that he landed next to the smaller Ra'zac.
With fire burning within his veins, Eragon immediately attacked the creature that in another time had caused him so much pain. He surely looked some ancient hero of old with the first mighty downward swing that he directed towards the Ra'zac. It was only the incredible instincts and reflexes of the monster, which saved it from being cut in half by the interloper that dared attack it upon its own mount. The Ra'zac, used to being on the offense, found it rather difficult defending itself against this enraged human, who had somehow ambushed them at night.
Eragon knew nothing other than the foe in front of him and his feet trying to keep its balance upon said foe's mount. Wielding Zar'roc in a two handed grip felt rather awkward when compared to Brisingr, but that didn't deter him in the least. Every blow fell with the strength of a hundred Kull, and every cut with the precision of even the greatest Eldar.
Yet still the menace that in another time had split his family apart refused to die, desperately parrying and evading his strikes whenever possible.
It wasn't as though it mattered in the long run. Multiple minor cuts already adorned the creature's body and every single strike from Zar'roc fell with lethal intent. This wasn't like Helgrind, where all he wielded was a glorified walking stick. This was brightsteel at its finest, ready to cut any enemy into a thousand pieces.
All he needed was one good hit and his blade would do the rest.
As he moved his feet to keep his balance upon the great flying hunk of flesh that he had boarded, an idea suddenly struck him. He swiftly disengaged from the Ra'zac, which left the creature confused as to why the rider would suddenly stop his assault, but its confusion was cut short as it realized what Eragon was up to.
It immediately tried to re-engage Eragon, but all it got for its efforts was a great ball of blue flames to the face.
Said flames of course couldn't hurt the Ra'zac due to Galbatorix's wards, but they still left the Ra'zac disorientated due to the bright light. Those precious seconds was all Eragon needed, and with a savage downwards strike he imbedded Zar'roc deep inside the Lethrblaka's back.
The results sadly, were not as positive as the rider expected.
The great winged creature let out a shrill cry of pain, but nothing more than that. Eragon had hoped that he could somehow sever the creature's spine, but guessed that his knowledge of Lethrblaka anatomy was lagging, or that its hide was simply too thick.
The smaller Ra'zac seemed to have a greater reaction though.
As soon as Eragon drew Zar'roc from the Lethrblaka's flesh the deadly duel continued, although for the first time in this deadly dance the younger rider found himself on the defensive. The Ra'zac had become incredibly enraged at someone daring to harm its parent. It made one wonder, could this race actually feel something other than rage and hunger?
Eragon cared naught for any of these philosophical thought running amok inside of his mind at the speed of light. An enemy was trying to destroy him, but this would not be the day of his demise.
He had a duty to uphold.
Not only his duty as a rider, but also to the memory of his family from what felt like a lifetime ago. His uncle would not meet his end by Seithr oil, but by old age, with Roran and Katrina's children surrounding him, happy and content. Katrina would never be kidnapped by the Ra'zac, or Roran forced into a war to save her. He silently swore that he would avert this fate as best he could, by his might as the last free rider. He promised himself that even if Galbatorix killed him his family would live on, content in their little corner of the world.
Focus and determination filled him. He tired of this nightmare of the past refusing to die.
The Ra'zac was in the middle of another enraged blow, determined to decapitate this human that dared attack them in the dead of night.
It did not expect what happened next.
Tiring of this duel, Eragon did what his father would call reckless, and what Saphira would call idiotic.
Ducking under the swing meant to leave him a head shorter, Eragon rushed the Ra'zac, barreling into the creature with so much power that one moment they were standing on the shaking flesh of the Lethrblaka, and the next they were falling, the air hissing against them as the ground came closer.
Both adversaries quickly found their bearings, but Eragon held the dominant position, what with him expecting this move and being the only one still armed, the Ra'zac having lost its sword to the wind upon Eragon's impact.
After a short while grappling, Eragon began his unwavering assault on the unarmed Ra'zac, and with one savage stroke, stabbed his former nightmare through what he discerned to be its throat.
Blood began oozing from the lethal wound, falling down upon Palancar Valley like small droplets of rain.
Gurgled inconceivable noises came from the creature, but Eragon had no idea as to what it was trying to say, and he cared not either way. Still falling through the air with the ground coming closer, he shoved the now dead creature off of him before looking skywards.
If the Ra'zac had caused small droplets, then its mount was about to make it actually rain. Saphira had mauled the creature into an unrecognizable heap of flesh, with rivers of blood falling from numerous wound. It was obviously going to die of blood loss soon enough. He suddenly noticed that the larger Lethrblaka was nowhere in sight and scrunched up his eyebrows in confusion.
"ERAGON".
He could feel Saphira's worry for him through their bond, and the obvious reason became clear soon enough.
Turning sideways he spotted the remaining Lethrblaka flying at him with lightning speed, no more than twenty meters away.
Reacting quickly, he propelled himself through the air towards the oncoming creature with magic, yet still missing the creature by mere inches on purpose.
Zar'roc at the ready, he lashed out and carved a mighty gash down the creatures flank, even as he continued his flyby with speed akin to the greatest of dragon kind.
Some part of Eragon's mind cried out with savage delight that Palancar Valley would be painted red with the blood of these creatures. The bane of men would die, forgotten by all but their vanquishers in the valley where the first men of Alagaësia founded their kingdom.
It somehow seemed fitting.
Adrenaline pumped through his veins and his belly was filled with fire equal to that of Saphira's flames. If not for the night shrouding his face in darkness, the remaining Ra'zac would have been shocked at the manic grin etched on the rider's face.
He was brought out of his musings by the fact that he was once again flying through the air with nothing around him, having already passed the Lethrblaka. Before he could turn around and access the situation, great claws wrapped themselves protectively around him.
His partner had arrived.
"Took you long enough" the manic grin from before still attached to his features.
"Oh hush you, I think you gave the old two leg a heart attack".
Saphira slowed down her flight, allowing Eragon to leave her claws and deftly climb up her body. A certain rider awaited him at the top as he finally sat down in his saddle. Brom could do nothing but simply shake his head, all the while muttering things like "reckless fool" and "idiot" under his breath.
Turning away from his father and his quiet ramblings, Eragon focused back on the task at hand, the remaining Lethrblaka.
"Over there little one". Saphira projected some images in his mind of the Lethrblaka, slowly descending into the valley below, litters of blood flowing from its side where Zar'roc had bit into it.
"Seems like you did quite a number on that beast" Came the acute observation from his father, who seemed to have finally stopped ranting about his son's inadequacies.
Eragon couldn't help but smile at his father's exasperation, but he didn't linger on that thought for long.
They weren't done yet.
"Take us down Saphira, let's finish this once and for all".
Rage, hatred and fury burned within its blackened veins.
Hatred was the greatest constant, for how could you not stop hating when a human was your master. Even a being as great as the dark king would ultimately in some way still look like prey to one of its kind. It was unnatural that they had been enslaved to such a being, and so hatred was a constant.
It hated these renegade rider's as well. These mongrels that had somehow managed to ambush them at night. Its parents were dead and its partner too. One leg had almost been crushed to dust under the weight of its sire as the blood loss had finally become too much, and they began their deadly descent towards the ground.
Wingbeats could be heard in the distance. Wingbeats of the great blue dragon that had somehow surprised them in their peak condition.
How it hated that dragon too.
They were close now, yet running was no possibility with its mangled leg. Fury filled its entire being; the humans were weak and the Ra'zac strong. This was the way of the world, yet humans would be its executioner.
It simply stood there, on the carcass of its dead sire, waiting for these wretched mongrels to make their appearance.
They had fallen into a small clearing, so there was plenty of space for the dragon when it landed with plenty of maneuverability to spare.
Two figures jumped off the dragon, one young and one old.
The youngest took the lead, his crimson blade held out to the side with a mix of blue and green liquid covering it, the life-force of its kin no doubt. The two humans stopped a mere ten feet from the body of the Lethrblaka, staring up at the wounded Ra'zac.
Silence descended upon the clearing once more, as if the land itself was waiting in anxious anticipation for whatever outcome would be decided.
It broke the silence.
"Who are you" came the angry hissing response to silence. For some wretched part of it mind was curious about these feeble looking humans.
The young human stepped forward.
"I am your end, eater of flesh." The young rider took a deep breath before continuing." None will remember you, your name will disappear, your deeds will disappear, and soon the hunters of men will be naught but myth". It was said with such conviction that one would think the rider had talked in that accursed tounge of the elves.
The fury flowing through its vein became akin to an inferno at the arrogance of these declarations.
"FOOL" It roared, blood and spittle flowing from its beak.
"Once we were many, your feeble order tried to wipe us out, but we endured and when I am gone others will take my place".
The human didn't seem concerned in the least.
"I know the cult in Dras-leona that worship you and I have learned that more of your kind is hidden throughout the land". The rider's left hand began glowing, blue flames danced around its hand as if they had a life of their own.
What to the Ra'zac had looked like just any other feeble human turned its full attention towards the remaining of its kind, a smirk adorning the mongrels face.
"But I promise you this; I will hunt your kind until none remain". Though the Ra'zac did not truly understand the ancient language, it could still feel the threat that this rider posed to its remaining race.
It had been momentarily frozen in shock at the rider's knowledge of the remaining eggs scattered throughout Alagaësia, but the icy feeling in its body soon gave way to burning insurmountable fury.
"Human" It hissed
"As long as your weak kind live we will remain, always in the shadows, always watching, and when the time comes, we will feast, feast on your flesh and your blood". It drew its menacing sword from its scabbard and with its last strength jumped towards the human, intent on cutting the arrogant wretch down.
The last thing it felt was icy pain from shoulder to leg, and then all-encompassing darkness as the nothingness that it had come from claimed it.
Ristvak'baen
"So what's out next plan of action?" was the question that all three individuals currently inhabiting the old outpost wanted answered.
A couple hours had passed since Eragon dealt the killing blow to the last Ra'zac and dawn was upon them. They had just returned after finally finding the smaller Lethrblaka's corpse to make sure it was dead, but none of them had bothered trying to hide the bodies. Galbatorix would realize soon enough that his servants were dead, one way or the other.
"Well we can't stay here that's for certain". Brom muttered gruffly.
"And Carvahall is out of the question". Added Eragon. He did not want to bring any more attention towards his hometown. They had suffered enough because of his foolishness.
"We are few and our enemies many, we need allies in this venture, otherwise we are doomed". Projected Saphira
Brom threw up his hands "True observations, but there aren't many allies left. The Varden and the Dwarves are diminished, the elves are under siege and Surda is soon to be as well". He looked thoughtful for a second. "Of those four, the elves would be the most valuable to keep alive, we can't save everyone".
Silence descended upon the group as they thought their options over, until a mad gleam entered Eragon's eyes.
His father glanced over before sighing "I don't like that look"
Ignoring his father Eragon began explaining.
"We can save everyone, or at the very least relieve the pressure on every single being opposing Galbatorix". He saw it inside of his mind now and he could feel Saphira mentally nodding her assent, this could work.
"And how would we do that?" Was the questioning response.
"The Urgralgra".
…
"Excuse me?"
Eragon began explaining, undeterred by his father's disbelieving face.
"We rally the Urgals and attack the empire from the west, this will surely draw some of Galbatorix's forces away, so that our allies are allowed more freedom".
His father simply stared at him.
"How in all the hells are we going to rally the Urgals Eragon".
Eragon did not answer at first, he instead turned to peer northwest, where he knew the rider city of old was located. It felt as if he could almost see it from atop Utgard.
"First we must get to Vroengard, we have waited long enough".
The Eldunarí hidden there could not be underestimated; They would need them if they were to face Galbatorix's rider's, who would definitely be armed with some heart of hearts as well. Not to mention that none of them would stand a chance against the king himself without the assistance of the dragons.
He turned around so that he was facing his father, brown eyes meeting blue.
"And after that we kill a shade".