Hey everyone!
Back with another chapter! I have started another story called Voleur D'âme. I've already seen some familiar alias' following that story so I thought I would let the rest of you know about it.
Thanks to everyone for showing the story love.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"Eragon, father, I must speak to both of you."
"What is it son?" Garrow responded as Eragon seemed to give me his attention.
"First let's start with Brom's story. How much do you believe?" I asked.
"I do not worry myself with such matters, who cares if it's true or not, as long as it doesn't affect me or mine then I don't care." he said.
"I am glad you said that, Eragon anything to add?" I asked as I turned my attention to him.
Panic flashed across his face. "No."
"I already know Eragon, tell father."
At his silence I continued. "The stone that I gave Eragon was not a stone at all. It was a dragon egg." I paused. "And it has hatched for Eragon."
He looked at me as if I had grown a third head. "Are you feeling alright son, Brom's story was just that, a story."
"No, he's right uncle. She hatched." Eragon butted in.
"She?!"
I tuned the conversation out as I heard the sound of hooves hitting the ground outside. Who could it be? Time seemed to slow as I realized the answer. I tracked what looked like a molotov crashing through the window and hitting the ground not 5 feet from the kitchen table. Fire spread immediately.
I was already moving, one hand grabbed Garrow and the other Eragon. Using my impressive strength I hauled them up off of the table and immediately ran towards the back wall.
"Stay behind me, Jierda!" I cried out using the energy from my necklace and the wall folded in on itself as my will tore a hole big enough to shove us out the back wall.
Immediately I dodged the swing of a sword that was meant to incapacitate, not kill. At the same time I positioned the others behind me. A being wrapped in a black cloak seemed to pause, surprised by the advanced maneuvers. There was already one waiting out back?
I used the pause in activity to draw my dagger and take stock of the situation.
On the other side of me was the other Ra'zac approached. Under their cloaks black leathery skin stretched across their frames, beaks poked out from underneath hoods as the shorter one spoke. "Where isssss the egg?"
Good they don't know it's hatched, Durza must have sent them to track us from the forest.
"You will not find any answers here, only death." I responded not even trying to deny the information. They have to die.
"Foolisssssh human, you will tell ussssss."
I said nothing as we appraised each other. I reached out to the minds of Garrow and Eragon. Do not interfere in this fight! Eragon, tell her to stay away, they must not see her.
She is not listening! She is about to be here. He responded.
BARZUL!
Deciding that a two on one battle was not in my advantage I reached my mind out to the power in my necklace again. "Deloi" I spoke as I moved forward.
The ground rose up in accordance to my will to try and grab the feet of both of the Ra'zac. In a burst of speed, they both avoided the moving ground but I counted on that fact as I sped to the taller of the two and parried a strike from his blade and counterattacked. He moved with a speed that I hadn't ever encountered, comparable to the speeds Durza moved at, and dodged while also swiping at my neck.
I had to back off as the other approached from behind to get to Garrow and Eragon, I quickly intercepted his thrust and kicked him away. He landed on his feet. Of fucking course.
Suddenly a roar came from the night sky and the next thing I knew the taller of the Ra'zac was crushed beneath a mass of sparkling blue scales the size of about two horses. Her head naked forward immediately and a crunch was heard as the Ra'zac was finished off before he could react.
My attention immediately went to the other Ra'zac and I attacked. His surprise at seeing his brother? killed allowed me to push the advantage and get a swipe across his stomach, only deep enough to be a nuisance. Soon enough we were exchanging blows in a speed that could only be matched by elite fighters. During our clash, I was so focused on the battle that I didn't notice a shadow approach from behind the Ra'zac.
A pitchfork pierced through the air toward the back of the Ra'zac and I could only watch in slow motion as he turned around with an inhuman move, dodged and swung his sword forward with purpose, right through the neck of my father Garrow.
I could do nothing but stare as I saw his body fall one direction and his head the other. I stood there and distantly heard someone screaming, I would later realized that it was me.
He came to his senses and immediately ran the opposite direction, somehow I snapped out of my daze and remembered that he couldn't be allowed to escape so I gave chase.
He was outrageously fast but I was keeping up, he hit the tree line and as soon as the next clearing came into view a black mass swooped down and grabbed him between its claws. I piercing shriek rang across the sky that made me cry out in pain as my ear drums rang. I readied myself expecting an attack but none came. A roar carried across the distance in response, a challenge to those who would harm her rider.
Why isn't it attacking? I thought as it retreated across the night sky.
Numbly I made my way back to the farm and I realized how far we had made it in such a short run. We were no less than 300 yards into the tree line. Did we really run that far?
As I arrived back at the farm I noticed that my entire party was already there, swords drawn and eyes upwards. Saphira was curled around Eragon who cradled Garrow's decapitated body with tears running down his face.
Numbly I walked up to Eragon and pulled him off of the body and held him as we both cried for our loss.
Logs crackled and popped as fire snaked across it. The funeral pyre had a body on top of it. My father's body.
It had been roughly four hours since the Ra'zac ambushed us. It was the worst four hours of either of my lives. It was on repeat in my head, the body falling limp and those lifeless eyes, god his eyes.
"..oran! RORAN!" Brom's hands cupped my face as he stared into my eyes.
"We have to move, all your things are packed. Come on son, pull it together, we need you. Eragon needs you."
"Huh? Yea ok, let's go." I said as I climbed up Cadoc's saddle. "Eragon?" I said as I looked around.
He was asleep on the back of a newly acquired horse that they had picked up on the way back to the village, a beautiful steed. It was being led by Brom.
"I had to get you back somehow. Mourn later, for now we ride." He told me as we sped off. I felt the familiar feeling of my hammer knocking against my leg in its sheath on the saddle as we rode, I reached down and grasped it and centered myself.
I realized Shadowcat was sitting in my lap. When did she get there?
Are you alright young one? Was all she said in response, ignoring my question.
No. I said as she curled up next to me in a comforting way not saying anything but helping the most in only the way a mother could. The hand not steering Cadoc reached down to pet her and pull her closer.
You have to be, mourn, live on for him as he would have wanted. The rider needs you, we need you. She told me and I felt the minds of everyone envelope mine, taking my pain onto themselves, sharing it amongst the six of us.
We all stayed like that for the next couple of miles, it seemed like an eternity. Eventually I pushed the pain into the back of my mind. I knew it would never leave, a constant reminder of my failure.
As I looked around I noticed Arya drying the tears that had fallen on my behalf. Faolin fiddled with something in his lap and had a melancholic look on his face. Brom eyes were red and puffy. Vanir's jaw was clenched and his hand grasped his sword tightly. Thank you. I spoke to everyone. They turned to face me.
My eyes hardened. How did they find us?
Brom composed himself before responding. Durza must have sent them to track us after the battle. We were so foolish, we should have left immediately as she hatched, we were sitting ducks.
As I pondered the information. How did you know of the attack?
Shadowcat. I felt them. Brom and Shadowcat responded at the same time.
We just finished dinner and suddenly she's running out the door screaming to grab our weapons. We had no idea what was happening. They never came through the town, we would have known.
We have always been able to feel their kind, we were hunted to the brink of extinction thousands of years ago and to survive we adapted. She said educating us.
They came from the air and probably lost your tracks in the town amongst the thousands of hoof and footprints, I took the route around the town in haste if you remember…. I led them straight to us. It was a chore to fight the pain down when I realized that fact that I got my father killed.
No one replied, there was nothing to dispute. We all made mistakes Roran, we are all to blame for how lax we became. We must prepare for every eventuality now. Faolin cut in.
We were blinded by our happiness for the rider. It will not happen again. Arya chipped in as her eyes hardened.
Deciding to switch topics I asked. Where is Saphira? Brom flinched in the corner of my eye.
"Is that her name?" Brom said aloud disconnecting from us, no doubt to hide his surprise and pain at the name.
"Aye, sorry I forgot I never told you her name." I said apologetically.
"No matter. Anyway she won't speak to us but Arya convince her to follow from high enough that no one would recognize her from a buzzard."
"She worries over Eragon." I stated more than asked, looking at his still sleeping form.
Deciding to reach out to her, I felt around her mind and I was met with a growl.
Peace bjartskular. I told her. Thank you for your help, without it I doubt the outcome would have been as good.
I didn't do it for you! She snapped. I can't reach him, he is in turmoil.
He will need you calm for when he wakes. Comfort him, take his pain onto yourself and guide him out, then he will wake. I told her. I could have done it myself but they needed to learn how to do it themselves, the closer the dragon and rider the better.
Sure enough about 5 minutes later Eragon stirred from the saddle. I rode beside him and made sure he didn't fall as he came to his senses. I also took the opportunity to let the others ride ahead of us and give us some privacy.
"Roran?" he said as he shot upright, I grabbed him as he almost fell out of the saddle.
"Easy, we are on the road. How do you feel?" I asked.
He seemed to deflate at that. He didn't respond immediately, instead choosing to look around at our party, then up to the sky obviously in a conversation with Saphira. I waited patiently.
"What were those...things?" He asked after a few minutes.
"They are a race of beings most commonly called the Ra'zac. They have hunted humans since before humans came across the sea. They work for King Galbatorix."
"Did you kill the other one? The one who ...?" He choked up at the thought of Garrow.
"No, he survived." I responded and decided to leave out his parents.
"Where are we going?" He finally responded after digesting what I told him.
"We are headed to Teirm, to see Brom's old friend. Once we get there we will get on a ship and head south."
"Is that where the Ra'zac are?" He asked. He still wants to chase after them like in the books. Even after seeing what they can do.
"No, I know where the Ra'zac are but I will not tell you." I told him seriously.
"Why?! They killed Garrow!" He screamed at me.
"You are not ready to face them." I said calmly.
"Yes I am! I can fight, I can kill them."
I looked at him as if he was mentally insane. "Eragon, you saw how they moved, faster than an elf, strong as an urgal. You don't even know how to swing a sword."
"I'll fill them full of arrows!"
"They can move fast enough to avoid them, you'd never hit them. Eventually I will take you there myself and we will have our revenge I promise you but before that you must be trained." I told him. "If you wish to kill the Ra'zac then that means you wish to go against the king?" I asked seriously.
"Rebels, is that what these people are? Rebels?" he said putting the pieces together.
"Aye and soon you will have to choose a side."
"What if I don't want to? I just want to be a farmer!"
"Unfortunately that is not possible. Galbatorix will hunt you down and force you to serve him."
"What side are you on?" He asked me after a few moments of contemplation.
"Yours, whatever side you choose." I lied trying to guide him to a decision. I felt bad about manipulating him but it had to be done.
"Is it true what Brom said about the riders of old? That Galbatorix killed all of them and then became king?"
"Yes that is true."
"Are the rebels savages like the empire tells everyone?"
"No, that is not true. They are just like you and me, but they refuse to kneel before a tyrant." I told him. "Galbatorix is evil and they realise it."
"So that is where we are going? The Varden?" He asked putting the pieces together.
"Aye. We will board a ship in Teirm, sail to Reavstone in Surda and then ride to the Beor Mountains from there. Along the way, you will need to be trained." I told him as we caught up to the rest of the party.
"Saphira wants to thank you for helping her wake me up." Eragon said before I could leave.
"Tell her that she is welcome" I responded.
Brom cut in and added. "And that is your first lesson. From now on until one or both of you dies, you will share everything with each other. Pain, happiness, love, hate, anything and everything. It will be your greatest strength, the bond between a rider and dragon should be as strong as possible."
From that moment on Brom started teaching Eragon, all throughout the day and then he would beat on him at night. It was obvious to anyone that Eragon had near prodigious skill with the sword. He even had Zar'roc attached to his hip at all times now. Brom wearing the one he trained me with at his side.
We decided to take the same path to Teirm as we did before and we couldn't be seen racing across the countryside either, else our cover would be blown, so we were slow.
Soon enough Yazuac came into view. I haven't told anyone of what would happen here, it honestly slipped my mind with everything going on and was only reminded as we rode up to the center of the town.
Just like in the books, the bodies were piled high and a stake was driven through some poor soul in an attempt to send a message. The elves decided to go around to avoid being seen so it was just Brom, Eragon, Shadowcat, and me.
Eragon retched over the side of his horse. "Urgals." I supplied to everyone.
Reaching out my mind I found the three urgals that would have ambushed them in another life hiding in an alley between some houses.
"They have not left." I continued.
They took the opportunity to show themselves and attack. I was already out of the saddle with my warhammer drawn. The one that went for me fell easily, a simple dodge and swing ended his life.
Brom did not get caught off guard this time and dispatched his easily, most likely because he was not rusty like he was in the books. He has already been in better shape for a year.
Suddenly I heard a yell of "Brisingr!" and an explosion sent the body of an urgal soaring over our heads.
"Well, blast... Where did he even hear that word?" I said aloud wondering how events played out the same.
Shadowcat was still napping in Cadoc's saddle.
Traveling over to the alley where he passed out I muttered my custom diagnostic spell and discovered that he passed out due to exhaustion. Reaching out to Saphira's mind I found her diving at full speed towards the village. Don't. He is fine, he just needs rest.
She didn't respond so I sent images to confirm what I said was true and finally she banked and flew upwards again. Hopefully no one saw her.
I reached out to his mind and fed him some energy to help speed up his recovery.
"That is my fault. I lit a campfire using it when you were hunting the other morning, he must have heard me." Brom responded as he rode up behind us.
I told the others about what happened so that they wouldn't come running.
At least some things are staying the same.
Soon enough we were back on the road with Brom leading Eragon's horse through the countryside. He eventually woke up and started asking questions, he was like a kid in a candy store when he realized he could use magic. Brom quickly taught him the limitations of magic and left out the ability to store energy in gems for a couple of days to make sure Eragon knew the importance of not overexerting himself.
Our slow movement did have some advantages, more time training Eragon. Brom and I had already discussed what the training should entail, in the books they had time, so he was more relaxed, designed to ease him into the life. We did not have that luxury, if everything went according to plan then we should be with the varden in around 3 months. He was put on a fast track.
Every night he would spar with Brom for now while the rest of us would correct his stance and put in our two cents here and there. We would eventually start sparring with him but for now Brom was teaching him the basics and building muscles he needed to wield a sword.
During the day we taught him how to think like a rider, how to handle situations as the riders of old did. They did keep the peace for thousands of years after all. When we weren't doing that we were teaching him how to defend and attack with his mind. His only breaks were during meals and right before everyone turned in for the night, he spent this time conversing with the elves or Saphira.
I slowly started coping with my fathers death, mostly due to the help of Shadowcat. We would talk most of the day while we rode, way more frequently than we ever had. By the time we arrived at teirm, the nightmares had stopped.
A/N: Do you guys hate me now?
Now everyone knows why this story is M for mature. There will be detailed descriptions of death and war in this story. Although this will arguably be as bad as it gets.
Let me know what you think about Garrow's death, and the progression of the story in the reviews!