piperw142: It's my pleasure and as you can see, it only took me 4-5 days to update the next chapter this time (I was inspired this time) x)
George Edwards: Sorry to disappoint you but I'm not planning to write a sequel, even less a cross-over. I'm not familiar at all with Tolkien's universe, I saw the movies once, that was 10 years ago and never put my hands on the books. And yes, you should read Eldest and Brisingr (I prefer the first two since I brought them just before the movie came out so, personal preference and nostalgia here ^^ ).
Anyway, Good Reading!
Chapter 21
The next day, during lunch, a messenger told Eragon and Saphira that they've been summoned by Nasuada. Once again, they found themselves in Ajihad's office. The only difference now was the vase with the flowers in it.
Not to their surprise, their grey-haired friend was already here, sitting patiently on a chair. Eragon walked to him and did the same. Nasuada waited a few moment before beginning: "If I summoned you, it's to tell you how bad our current situation is: we're poor, almost out of food and other materials and not a lot of people want to join our ranks. This is why I decided to move our troops to the Surda."
"I don't think Orrin, the Surda's king, will publicly oppose Galbatorix."
"The tables have turned. They will help us, it's certain." She said before continuing. "The Varden will leave Farthen Dur in a month. Meanwhile, I have a favor to ask of you. I want to spread rumors in the Empire, about you and Saphira who decided to join our cause. Do you have any objection to that?"
The Rider had a mental discussion with his dragoness for a good minute before answering.
"Do what you think is the best. If it helps you to recruit more people, I'm not against it."
"Good. It'll help us more than you think. Anyway, I also wanted to see you about your training with the elves. Since they put wards around the forest, we have no way to contact them without going physically there. They don't know everything that occurred since Arya's kidnapping."
The young woman gave him a scroll.
"This parchment explain our situation and our plans. Keep it with you under any circumstance until you deliver it to Queen Islanzadi. I hope it'll be enough to restore our diplomatic ties."
"When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning… and someone else is coming with you."
Eragon knew they would have to travel on the ground because Saphira wasn't strong enough to carry him, Arya and Alex. But, he was curious to know who would be the fifth traveler.
"To stay impartial and keep the peace between our races, it was decided that a dwarf would go to the Du Weldenvarden with you. Orik was the best choice since you're friend with him."
Nasuada turned her head to the other adolescent, who stayed silent until now.
"Alex, I have something to ask of you too."
"What is it?"
"Is there any way for you to provide us with some military support or anything else?"
"Except me, no. If your father briefed you correctly on my case, the only military help you'll have is mine. For my government, this mission don't exist at all. If I ask for anything, they'll deny that this and put me in jail so I can't tell the population the existence of this world. I was supposed to come here on peaceful term and I killed no less than a hundred soldiers while chasing down the assassins working for the king. If I never come back home, they'll erase everything about me as if I never existed so, you can forget about it."
"I see. It's better than nothing, thank you. And as an Ambassador, I suppose you'll go with Eragon?"
"Yes. I also promised Brom I would watch their back until they were strong enough to be on their own."
She nodded, understanding perfectly the reasons why Alex would stay at his friend's side. Nasuada dismissed them, telling the group to prepare themselves for their next journey.
After a light dinner, Alex left the duo alone, wanting to sleep early this time.
The trio arrived at the north gate exactly one hour before dawn. Not long after them, it was the dwarf's turn to arrive. While giving Eragon his repaired armor, Orik explained Hrothgar's offer to adopt him into his clan, as a member of his family. It was including the status, privileges and rights as a true-blooded dwarf. After debating mentally with Saphira, the young man accepted. One short initiation ceremony later and he was considered a member of the Ingeitum clan.
Soon after this, Arya and Nasuada joined the group. They made their final preparations before leaving. The Varden's leader bid them farewell, adding that her people will wait patiently for the group to come back.
Orik was leading, a red lantern in his hand. The swordsman was walking at his side, his flashlight pointed in front of him. Arya and Eragon were behind them while the dragoness was in the back.
"How long will it take us to go through this tunnel?" asked Alex to his friend.
The latter shrugged. "Two days or a little more, it'll depend of how fast we'll walk."
And indeed, two days had passed since they left Tronjheim. Cool, fresh air greeted them when they left the tunnel, accompanied by a bright sun.
"I'm not against walking under a mountain but for this long? Nope."
«I agree with you. The outside world is far better than this. »
Unfortunately for Saphira, she couldn't go for a flight since they weren't far from their next step: the city of Tarnag. Arya was the first to walk down the path leading to the city, quickly followed by the others. Not long after this, a group of seven dwarves on their giant goat appeared, saying they would be their escort into the city.
While they were walking in direction of the citadel, a group of dwarves wearing purple robes stood in their way. Immediately, Alex stood in front of the Rider, his left hand on the Glock's holster, ready to use it if he thought it would be necessary. The leader of those new dwarves shouted angrily when he saw the Ingeitum's insignia on Eragon. He tore a few hairs from his beard, wrapped them on the ring, threw it in the street and spitting after it. Then, the newcomers ran away while Orik and the others were taken aback by the gesture.
"From what I seem to understand, those guys don't want to befriend us." said Alex.
Orik retrieved the ring, grunting in approval. "Indeed. You have made enemies Eragon. It was bound to happen, one day or another."
After walking a few more minutes, they entered in an open courtyard where another group of dwarves was waiting for them and a few tables were set up. One of them, with a gray beard and wearing wolf skin presented himself as the leader of another clan and their host, named Undin and introduced someone else: Gannel, another leader and head priest of the Quan clan.
The talk was shortened by Orik who showed them the ring. They went inside to discuss this topic in private, leaving the two adolescent and dragoness on their own.
"Sorry to leave you alone Saphira but we need to rinse the filth we have on us. We'll be back soon."
«Don't worry Little One, I'll be fine. »
Maybe an hour later, or a little less, dwarves were packing the tables, waiting for the feast to begin. Once everyone was here, they dug in. There was a lot of food and drinks. Not wanting to repeat the scenario they had a few days ago, Eragon and Saphira were only drinking water. Despite the good ambiance, there was still some tension from what happened earlier.
However, the festivities stopped at the moment Eragon asked about the ring. Undin told him that by doing this, those dwarves were now his blood enemies and would oppose him in any way possible. The Rider tried to acquire more information but the hosts refused to say anything else on the matter. Soon after, Alex excused himself, saying he would take a stroll around the citadel for some fresh air before going to bed.
"In that case, I hope you don't mind if a guard go with you, for your safety." said the clan chief, in neutral tone.
The swordsman shrugged. "Even with one arm, I can protect myself perfectly, thank you for the offer."
"I'm sorry to insist but after what happened today, and even if you're not a Rider, the members of that clan could hurt you as a way to show Eragon what they're capable of. You wouldn't want to upset us, right?"
"True… it's true. You're completely right, I just killed almost three hundred Urgals on my own, no less than a battalion of soldiers in Dras-Leona and two of them while I was helping my friends escaping from Gil'ead. Oh and I was also engaged two times in a 2v1 fight with the Ra'zac, Galbatorix's best assassins and survived both encounter in one piece… nah, it's absolutely nothing at all. Despite that, I'm completely defenseless. " He replied sarcastically. "Choose someone quickly because I'm going out now."
Not waiting for any kind of answer, the young man walked away.
Undin's face was completely red in anger but before he could do anything, Arya stood up. "I'm not happy with the way Alex acted too but what he said is true. Moreover, as a foreign dignitary, it wouldn't be good to create a diplomatic incident with him. He know what he's doing."
All the dwarves present in the room looked at her, baffled.
"How so?"
"Alex is not from Alagaësia, he's from another place, far beyond the sea. No need to send someone after him, I'll do it myself."
It was on those words she left, walking fast to catch up with the swordsman. Fortunately, he wasn't that far ahead of her.
"If you're here to tell me to come back to them and apologize, I'm sorry to say that I refuse."
"You could have handled this a little more diplomatically."
"And stroke their giant ego? Nope at all, especially after they treated Saphira like a pile of shit!" The young man looked at the elf, frowning in anger and with his fists closed. "I understand they hold a grudge against those giant lizards and the Riders but damn. They acted as if she was a mindless beast, only used to entertain people… and I don't want to imagine what you must be thinking as the elves are 'almost' worshipping the dragons. That's why I decided to go outside, away from them."
She smiled at this. "For their sake and mine, It's better if I keep my emotions behind a wall of neutrality."
"Yeah, I think so too. I never saw you angered and I really don't want to. Anyway, I'll go now so, feel free to follow me if you want to. It'll be nice to talk to someone with who I can have a philosophical/political discussion and forget all this drama for once."
"Sure. In truth, I was also curious about you and where you're coming from."
"Ask, I'll answer as best as possible."
A little away from them, standing on the plaza was the sapphire dragoness. She was completely concentrated on watching the duo talking, even if she couldn't hear what they were saying. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Arya smiling after Alex said something, she let out a small growl. Her reaction surprised her… why was she acting like this? Like she didn't want the young man to be near the elf. Those two were only discussing after all, there was nothing wrong in talking innocently.
Saphira knew this feeling that had invaded her the moment Alex was left alone with Arya, it was the same thing she felt when Trianna was flirting with Eragon: jealousy.
Now, the question was: why?
Why was she harboring this kind of feeling for Alex?
«Am I jealous of Alex or rather… am I jealous of the fact he's spending time/talking with another female? It doesn't make any sense. »
She went to the large cushion they installed for her and laid down on it. She closed her eyes, the image of Arya and Alex haunting her, she grumbled and let out a deep sigh. Not long after this, she fell asleep.