piperw142: No prob' ! But sorry for taking a little longer this time, I wasn't motivated much for this chapter.
George Edwards: Dude, are you in my mind or what? The encounter between Glaedr and Alex will be a pacific one, that's for sure. Our protagonist wil be jealous, it's certain but there'll be a little twist, you'll see ;) The song will be a love song, it's almost definitive but which one... I'll put some thought for the lemon scene but if I write one, I'm switching the story to Fiction M, just in case of.
Soldiers of the Dragons: Well, thank you. I'm trying to put some realism in the relation between Alex&Saphira. It wouldn't be interesting to make them fall in love madly after only 10-15 chapters. Especially since Saphira don't know what true love is (she only know the familial one due to her relationship with Eragon/Roran/Katrina). She only had the infatuation Eragon has for Arya as a reference.
Dax2010: I'm glad to know you like my story that much, I'm pleased!
Two weeks and just 2000 words, yeah, I know. I've wrote more under less time but I didn't know what to write for this one and didn't to put some filler just for the sake of it. The next chapters'll be more interesting. There'll be elves, political/technological discussions, moar training, some tension between human/elves (Vanir, mah boi, if you can hear us, this one is for you).
See you next chapter and good reading!
Chapter 22
While Eragon was invited to visit the main chapel of the city, just after breakfast, in company of the dwarf administrating it, Alex and Saphira were currently left to their own devices. The latter was laying outside, basking under the warm sun while the swordsman observed the city, on a wall, swinging his legs without a care in the world and humming a catchy tune. The dragoness opened her left eye and looked at him.
«So, how was your walk last night? »
Without even looking at her, he answered, grinning. "It went fine, the air was fresh and it was a little windy but agreeable. I needed that, especially after spending almost a week inside a mountain. I'm sure you understand that."
«Yeah, I was also tired of being underground. We dragons prefer places where we can fly freely, feel the wind under our wings and the sun on our scales. And I suppose your stroll wasn't a silent one? »
"Indeed. Arya and I talked a lot."
«About what? »
Alex turned his head to her, an eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"What's with all these questions?"
«I'm just curious, that's all. »
He shrugged and looked again at the landscape in front of him.
"Yeah, sure. Anyway, we talked about Earth, my past and some historical events that happened in my world. Just general stuff."
«It's strange. You two are the only people who barely say a word and only talk when it's necessary and however, you don't hesitate to engage in a discussion with each other. »
"True…"
«What intrigue me is you seems to have opened yourself faster to her than Brom or me… »
Alex made a strange movement with his head, as if he was taken aback by what she said.
"Maybe it's because I'm going soft? I was on my guard for so long and after travelling for months with you, I broke the shell of anguish, hate and anger I put around me. I felt at ease in her presence, just like with you or Eragon." He turned to look at her, a playful look in his grey eyes. "But, with these questions… I wonder, are you jealous Saphira?"
«Why would I be? Last time I checked, you're free to talk to any female you want. »
"Well, I spent some time with her, talking, completely alone and away from others. Instead of you."
Saphira sighed, knowing she couldn't escape it. «It would be lying to say I don't like being in your presence. »
At this, the young man laughed loudly. "So, you ARE jealous!"
The only answer he had was a deep growl, which made him laugh even louder.
A couple of hours later, the Rider was back with a gift from Gannel: an enchanted necklace protecting him from anyone trying to scry him and Saphira. The group was informed they would leave this place tomorrow morning, just before the sun could rise.
The following day, before the sun could appear, Undin decided it would be better if a group of his best guards were escorting them until they reached the entrance of the Du Weldenvarden. Once outside the city, rafts were waiting for them, floating in the river. Their next stop was Hedarth, a trading post where they would fill their backpack with food and then, the ancient forest, home of the elves.
Once everyone was ready, poles entered the water and the rafts were pushed away from the edge, slowly gaining speed and increasing the distance between them and Tarnag.
Alex stood up and walked to the front of the raft, looking in direction of the north, eager to go to their next destination, knowing it would bring him closer to his final goal.
Hours passed by as the group continued their approach of the outpost. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to do so except talk or admire the scenery. Eragon decided to follow his dragoness and jumped in the water, swimming happily alongside her. They stopped for the night, their activities reduced to erect the tents, cook the food and go to sleep.
This routine continued for the following days, only broken by another attack from Eragon's wound on his back. His friends were completely helpless, only able to stay at his side to comfort him. The fact he couldn't do anything to ease the pain enraged Alex. Eragon had suffered enough until now, he didn't need to live with this reminder of his duel with the Shade.
They followed the Az Ragni until it joined the Edda River. Hedarth, the outpost, has been built at the junction between the two rivers. Their rafts were exchanged for donkeys, except Arya and Eragon. From where they were, they could admire the vast plains which extended to the horizon. It took them three days after leaving the outpost to see the forest appear in their view. At the beginning, it was nothing more than a patch of green but slowly expanded into a line of different kinds of trees.
A few hours later, at the end of the third day, Arya contacted Eragon and Alex mentally, asking them to follow her as silently as possible. She waited for them just outside the ring of tents, sitting on a log.
"There're some things I have to teach you two before we enter the Du Weldenvarden. Such as some customs, mannerisms and ways of speaking since elves consider courtesy in a high regard."
"My situation is almost as bad as Eragon… so, no way I can dodge this lesson."
Arya smiled a little at this. "Indeed. While Eragon is our only hope against Galbatorix, you also have an important role. After all, you're a human, an Ambassador, coming from another planet, beyond the stars with technology and knowledge hundreds of years ahead of us. Our best scientists, spellcasters and blacksmiths will want to talk with you."
Then, for the next hour, she taught them how to greet someone properly, or even someone who had a lesser/higher status than them. Saphira asked if all this was applying to her and the answer was negative. Since she was dragon, she was higher than everyone else, even the Queen. They didn't expect the dragons to respect their laws. Alex's case was lightly different: only the Queen and her advisors were above him in rank.
"Alex, can I see your arm?"
The young man presented his right arm, still in a cast, to her. She ran her fingers on it, applying a little pressure here and there, obtaining almost no reaction from Alex.
"Your healing is almost over, I'll finish it quickly."
Arya whispered a phrase in Ancient Language, and her hands began to glow green. A few moments after, it disappeared and she nodded, satisfied before removing the cast.
"Wait a few days before resuming your training, your bones are still a little fragile."
The swordsman smirked. "Quite the contrary, I have to strengthen them again as soon as possible, to prevent my arm from breaking so easily next time! Ready for a sparring match, Eragon?"
The duo stood up. They removed their boots/shoes before Alex presented his left fist to his friend who bumped it with his own before they took their fighting stance.
"Did you even heard what I said?"
"Yes, I'm not deaf but I've chosen to ignore it!"
Alex rushed to his friend, his fist ready to strike. Eragon stood his ground and crossed his arms at the last moment to block the blow. Instead of this, the swordsman used his momentum to feint and kick Eragon in the right side at full speed. The rider clutched his side in pain, his breath labored.
"Always keep your sides protected; they're more vulnerable than your front. While you're recovering your breath, your guard is lowered and your opponent has all the time in the world to finish you."
His friend retaliated by throwing a few punches, be it directs, hooks or uppercuts. Some of them found their targets while others missed. The assault didn't stop Alex from also giving a few hits. Eragon sucker-punched him, breaking his guard and concentration. He took his friend's head with both hands, pushed it down while raising his leg to give three knee stroke and kicked him back. The swordsman's nose was bleeding and he had a cut on his lips. Eragon was getting far better at this and for him, that was an excellent thing. It means his role as a tutor was coming to an end and very soon, the rider would be as good if not, far better than him. The moment he got within range, Alex grasped Eragon's clothes and put a foot to his chest. Alex then rolled back and used the momentum to hurl his opponent over his head, where he crashed down into the floor. Eragon landed on his back, letting out a grunt of pain before rising up with difficulty.
"Come one, let's continue."
The man with brown eyes looked at him, surprised. Despite the blows he took and his recent recovery, Alex was standing a few feet away, completely unfazed by his injuries. "I'd like to know something Alex… how do you keep rising up each time you're in a tight spot or beaten up. Dras-Leona, Gil'ead, Farthen Dur... how can you ignore the pain, tiredness, the aches in your muscles? Even right now, I'm sure you're in pain but refuse to show it."
The grey-haired adolescent smiled.
"Because, just like you Eragon, I have a goal. I have friends, a family, waiting for me to come back to them, supporting me in my quest. This is what make me determined to see the end of this journey that I started six years ago. That's why I'm willing to endure all of this."
"I see. In that case, let's put an end to that sparring match. The one who hit the other first win!"
"I'm okay with that, let's go!"
The two boys rushed at each other, their fists ready and grinning like idiots.