Chapter 7 (Rewritten)
The three humans were riding at a good pace, the coastal city slowly disappearing behind them. While Brom continued training the farmer in the art of magic, Alex was admiring the landscape. It wasn't often he could see a beauty like this. He was the kind of boy who was raised in a big city, not accustomed to see fields and mountains. A cool gust gently touched his right cheek and moved his hair a little, making him smile. But it was a genuine smile, not a fake one he often used since Robert's death to keep his relatives from worrying when he felt bad about something.
"What are you smiling about?" asked Brom, an eyebrow raised.
"I'm… happy, look at everything around you. It's so beautiful. Nowadays, there's not a lot of people who are interested in admiring the landscape anymore."
The bald man chuckled. "I can't help but agree on that."
A small pang of sadness hit the swordsman, their short stay at Teirm was the closest thing he had since he first stepped in Alagaësia and it was a nice change of pace. No turn of duty, never on the alert, no fight for his life… just a few relaxing days surrounded with nice food, drinks and books. He had appreciated the break and felt the one at Dras-Leona wouldn't be as appreciable as this one.
While the storyteller and the young Rider were talking about were-cats and other magical creatures roaming the country, the sound of wings flapping reached their ears and forced the two men to stop their conversation and their horses to look at the sky and see the blue dragoness landing a few meters away from them.
Eragon wasn't surprised by this at all, it's been a few days since their last flight together and Saphira certainly wanted to spend some time with him. The Rider admitted it would be nice to soar the skies again after staying on the ground during the majority of their time in the town. However, shock appeared on his face when he heard the lizard's thoughts projected to the group.
«Alex, would you like to go for a ride with me? There're some things I need to talk about with you, I would have liked to speak about it earlier but the moment wasn't right. »
The latter seemed a little embarrassed by the proposal. "I don't think it's a good idea, shouldn't Eragon be the only one on your back since he's your Rider?"
«Technically, yes but I don't mind and he won't too. Right, little one? »
The farmer gulped, knowing he didn't have much of a choice since her decision was made. She only asked him as a formality but he was aware that she would obey him if he refused… and had no reason to say no. "Well…why not? I'm not against it."
«What do you have in mind? It's not in your habits to do something like that. » he said, wanting know why she requested this from the swordsman.
«I need to ask him some questions and see for myself if I can trust him. »
Eragon nodded. «Ah, I see. Tell me what he says. »
«Will do. » She then licked his cheek.
The adult with almond eyes jumped off the horse and walked to the dragoness, bearing a wide smile on his face.
"Man, it's like a dream coming true. Thank you for this, Saphira. I'm glad I'm not afraid of the heights."
"You're indeed someone strange." said Brom, before explaining. "You absolutely hate riding a horse but you're thrilled by the idea of flying on a dragon's back."
"Yeah, I know but hey, it's not like I can control what I'm afraid of or not!"
"At least, I hope your clothes are thick to keep you warm because it's cold up there."
"Don't worry, they are."
Alex climbed up on the saddle and put his feet on the leather calipers, adjusting them for his legs. When he was comfortable, he clasped his hands and rubbed them together.
"I think I'm ready, we can go when you want to Saphira."
The blue dragoness didn't answer and jumped into the sky, gaining altitude quickly before stabilizing not far from the cloud. The young adult thought the scenery was beautiful from the ground but nothing could ever compare from watching it at high altitude. Magnificent wouldn't be enough to describe what he saw, and he couldn't find the right words to describe the view. Fields, trees and rivers slowly passed by as they flew at a leisurely pace. His mouth opened in awe while his eyes sparkled with pure, unadulterated joy.
"Okay, that is cool!"
She slightly turned her head to look at him with a single eye. He could feel and hear the happiness in her voice when she spoke. «I'm glad to know you appreciate the flight. »
"That I am. It's just so… I mean, this is one in a lifetime experience! You can't just describe something like this if someone's asking how it is, the only way is to live it yourself." He chuckled. A peaceful silence between them while they appreciated the moment. However, Alex decided it was the moment to break the ice and get to know why the dragoness asked to spend a moment with him. "So, what do you wanted to talk about?"
She stayed silent for a moment, probably looking for the right words before she spoke. «Eragon is my partner of mind and heart, it is my duty to protect him, especially against people who want to hurt him or use him. Depending on the moment, you acted friendly or totally cold and I don't know what to think of it. I must know…are you after my little one? Are the Ra'zacs an excuse to make us trust you and then betray us when our guard is the lowest? »
"No." The answer immediate, leaving not a single chance to discuss it.
«Prove it. »
"I know Brom's true identity, he was one of the riders of old. His dragon, his Saphira, was killed during the battle in Doru Areaba. I shared with him who I really am and what was once my first objective here, in Alagaësia. Even after what happened since we left Carvahall, you're still suspicious of me and this is something I completely understand. Eragon's safety is your top priority, after all."
«If this old man think you're trustworthy enough, I'm not going to gainsay him. But what do you mean by 'first objective in Alagaësia'? »
"Usually, I like to keep my memories and thoughts to myself but feel free to search the answer to your question in my head. I hate to repeat myself."
This is exactly what she did. Less than five seconds after talking, Alex felt a heavy but gentle pressure in his mind. He allowed her inside, pictures, sounds and smells from her past assaulted him while she experienced the same thing. Not wanting to invade his privacy more than necessary or see something that concerned only him, Saphira quickly found the whole reason of his presence, absorbing quickly the memories dedicated to his goal as well as his official purpose here. She seemed a little disturbed when she withdraw from his head.
«I- I don't know what to say… I would have acted more friendly if I knew the truth sooner. »
The swordsman smiled, perfectly understanding her initial attitude toward him and her current reaction. "Don't say that, it's in my nature to keep things for myself and stay distant because I don't want to be attached." But slowly, it transformed into a sad frown and he turned his head away, observing the world around him. "It's a defense mechanism, I push others away from me because I'm afraid to lose them like I lost him but strangely, with you and Eragon, that's not the case. Why? I don't know and I'm not sure I'll have the answer to this one day."
«So… where does that leave us now? » Saphira asked, curious but also hopeful?
"Well, it's not too late to start over and be friends."
A smile appeared on her draconic lips.
«It doesn't seems to be a bad idea. »
"Now that we put this behind us, show me what you got!"
«With pleasure. But don't complain if your stomach can't stand it! »
The blue overgrown lizard folded her wings against her sides and did a few aileron rolls. Before Alex could feel dizzy, she opened them and quickly followed with a barrel roll. Then, she climbed higher until she decided it was enough and stopped flying, making the two of them dropping to the ground at a fast pace. The young man with light brown hair yelled in excitement, his heart beating at a crazy pace against his chest.
Saphira suddenly stopped their descent by opening her wings, using the warm currents to keep floating. Alex did his best to inhale slowly and deeply to calm his heartbeat. The dragoness slowly regained height, enough for him to touch the clouds with his hands.
"That was one hell of an experience! Thank you again for sharing this with me."
«Think nothing of it. I also appreciated this moment even if I used it as an excuse to talk privately with you. »
The young man stayed silent and looked at the sky, watching the position of the sun and sighed. "We still have some time before us but we should come back to Brom and Eragon soon, the night will be upon us in less than a few hours."
Saphira roared and picked up speed again. «Let's enjoy what remain of the day in that case! »
The two men had stopped in a small clearing for the night. When Saphira landed softly, Alex climbed down from the saddle and stretched a few limbs, hearing some of them pop in answer. He grunted and sighed in contentment.
"As much I loved this little ride, it's good to be back on the ground again."
"So, how was it?" asked the storyteller, curious to hear what the swordsman had to say.
"Just… wow, I mean, the sight from up there is wonderful. It's difficult to describe how I feel after living something like this. What's corresponding the most is that I'm overjoyed and honored for having experienced such a thing once in my life."
Brom couldn't help but chuckle at this. "Not many people can claim they rode on a dragon, except for a rider. You're extremely lucky indeed."
Alex began to help them unpack their things from the horses and went on preparing a fire for tonight's meal. While the fire was slowly getting stronger, Eragon walked away to find a source of water. After a few minutes, Saphira was cleaning her forepaws when she suddenly turned her head in the direction her Rider took, looking panicked before jumped in the forest. She began to tear the trees apart with a ferocity neither the storyteller nor swordsman had seen before. The duo immediately stood up, each gripping their weapon in preparation for something. However, the dragoness stopped her current task and rushed back to the camp to put herself around Brom and cover him from the outside world with her wings.
"Saphira, what's happening?!" asked Alex, tightening his grip on his M4A1.
His question went unanswered.
When Eragon entered the campsite, he had to duck under the lizard's tail, as it swung overhead. "Stop, it's me!"
"Eragon, what the heck is going on? One moment, your dragon was perfectly fine and the next, she went crazy on us!"
"I found an Urgal footprint, it's fresh. And I broke my wrist. Where's Brom?"
A gruff retort came from behind Saphira's wings.
"Tell your crazy dragoness to release me; she won't listen to anything I say."
She then folded her wings, freeing the furious storyteller.
"Alex, saddle the horses and help Eragon to climb on Cadoc." He ordered as he extinguished the fire.
"Aye."
The young man did as he was told and when they were on the horse, the farmer used his good arm to put it around the swordsman's waist. Saphira nuzzled her rider and took off. The three men pushed the horses to their limits, wanting to put as much distance as possible with their pursuers. Eragon had his head against Alex's right shoulder and his wrist close to his chest, trying to not move it too much.
When they were a good distance away from the camp, they abruptly stopped.
"Listen!" whispered Brom.
The trio heard the distant sound of a hunting horn behind them. "I think they found our camp and probably Saphira's tracks. They will not stop the chase until they capture or kill us. We have to outrun them." Then, two more horns roared. Closer than before. A moment later, the sapphire dragoness landed beside the bay horse.
"Ride Saphira, you'll be safe with her." Commanded the old man.
"But, and you?"
Alex smirked, unsheathing his broadsword. The blade shining and ready to do a bloodbath. "Don't think they'll have us that easily. In the case we must fight, I'll happily put them down with my bare hands. Now go!"
Saphira flew off above them as the two riders rode away. As the minutes passed by, the swordsman often looked in the sky to spot the dragon and her passenger. Another horn resonated not far from behind them, aggravating the tension. The duo pushed the horses to their limits, not leaving them a single moment to take a breath. A last horn was heard behind them, then total silence. Minutes passed by but they heard nothing.
As Brom and Alex slowed down, the latter asked. "Do you think we lost them?"
"I'm not sure but we shouldn't stop until-" Without any warning, one sounded very close to them. They resumed their frenzied retreat. It was too late for them to outrun the chasers. The Urgals were quickly gaining ground on them. Looking again at the sky, the young man didn't saw the giant lizard and immediately stopped his mount.
"Stop! We have to go back, those idiots used themselves as a bait to let us escape!"
Alex rode the way back as fast as he could without trying to injure the horse in the process. When he entered the clearing, he saw that something horrible was going to happen. One Urgal was behind Saphira, who was only concentrated on an unconscious Eragon, and had raised its axe to deliver the killing blow at her neck. Without a second thought, the swordsman did the only thing logical in this situation. He jumped in the air, from the saddle, and unsheathed his blade. The Urgal's hand holding the weapon fell to the ground and a horizontal strike, from left to right, was enough to behead him.
It was only at this moment Saphira looked around her to see the headless monster on the ground. Two others regained consciousness and snarled at the human. The latter sheathed his broadsword and pointed his M4A1 at them, his laser sight directly aimed to the head of one of them.
"Drop your swords now and surrender or I'll have to kill you!"
"We only obey to our master. The one who dominates this land and everything living on it."
"Too bad, I'm not from this place so he has no right over me."
"He knows of this and why you're here. You'll never be successful in your quest to get rid of the Ra'zac."
The man with almond eyes smiled at this bit of information. "So, Galbatorix is your master? I know who I'm going to pay a visit to, now. But, unfortunately, that means I have to kill you."
And less than five seconds after, Alex pressed the trigger twice. The bullets ended right between their eyes and their bodies dropped to the ground. The swordsman sighed and walked to the sleeping boy. He knelt at Eragon's side and checked for a pulse. Fortunately, he found one.
"Why is he like this?" Alex demanded, as Brom arrived in the clearing.
«He used too much magic to repel the Urgals. »
"I see. Brom, what are we going to do? We can't stay here but at the same time, we can't let those creatures escape alive."
The bald man nodded. "Eragon's safety is our priority, we'll take care of the Urgals later."
"In that case, I'll keep an eye on him while you two go after them. I'll only slow you down."
The young adult raised his head to look into the dragoness' eyes.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine with me."
«Thank you for saving my life and for this. »
"It's nothing, now go! We're wasting time."
Brom climbed on Saphira's saddle, who then jumped up and took off.
"Unfortunately, I can't move you around too much without risking to injure your wrist further." Alex sighed and installed the farmer comfortably under some blankets. "So, we have to stay here. I take the first watch so you can sleep in peace."
He chuckled and shook his head.
"As if you could answer or even hear me."
The swordsman sat against a tree, his eyes observing the clearing with attention and ready to jump into action at any moment.