Hello everyone.
Eldest begins immediately! As always, thank you for reading and as always there will be an author's note after the chapter.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Saphira! Let me help him, we need to close the wound! I yelled at the distress dragon. She wouldn't even let us get close without growling at us.
She caved and backed away as whimpering sounds emanated from her throat. Worry spread across our link. I know, I won't let him die I promise. I said in response.
Eragon was laid on the bed face down. The armor came off fast as our hands moved to undress his torso. My diagnostic spell told me that his spine wasn't cut. That's good. Luckily his mind seemed to be at rest so Oromis had already helped him drive the spirits off obviously. The spell also told me that there was lingering magic crowding around the wound, no doubt a parting gift from the shade.
I have no idea how to heal that. Ok, think, fix what you can for now and get him stable, we can deal with the curse later.
Taking into account all his injuries I focused on everything I needed to will the cells to heal. "Heill." I whispered after going over the injuries in my head.
His back started knitting itself back together from the top of the wound down to his lower back. I also removed most of the scar tissue, all that was left was a thin line instead of an ugly scar at the end of the process. It was possible to remove it completely and I would if he wanted me to but I personally like the reminders that scars give us and don't think they should be removed completely.
The job was done and he was stable. "Arya, stay with him. Vanir, there is still a battle raging my friend…" I said to the two of them as the twelve spellcasters watched on patiently.
"Actually, the clans have started fighting each other, we are chasing them out now." Brom said as he ran in the chamber. "How is he?"
"Good, he is healed but there is some sort of curse lingering around the wound. I have no idea how to remove it." I responded quickly.
"Ajihad wants us scouring the tunnels to finish them off, take a few moments and we'll leave. You twelve will join us. Faolin, Glenwing, and Murtagh are with Ajihad and have already left. Arya, can you continue?" He asked as he finished up.
"Aye, I only need a few moments. My last spell took a lot out of me." Arya said. We made eye contact and I pointed at my temple.
Soon enough we were connected and I pushed some energy into her from my emerald. She looked at me very surprised and even shocked. Did I do something wrong? I asked noticing her reaction.
No it is fine, it is just considered very intimate.
Apologies, it is my gift for saving us. I have a vast amount stored, are you ready? I asked as I broadcast my desire to give her more.
She nodded and I poured a significant amount of the energy that I gained from the urgals in the earlier battle into her. I could feel her reach out onto her person and store it somewhere but I couldn't tell where and didn't ask either. Soon we disconnected as she stood up. "Thank you."
"It's the least I could do. We all would have died without your help."
Brom seemed to notice our interaction and commented. "Yeah well you better hope the dwarves feel the same way. What happened?" He asked not knowing how Durza was defeated.
"I'll tell you on the way."
Three days, it was three days that we hunted down urgals in the tunnels. We joined up with Ajihad's group sometime in the second day, it's hard to tell time in the tunnels. I was happy because that meant that I could prepare us for the ambush that would come at the conclusion of our raids.
If it even comes. I thought as we neared the end of the tunnel. I looked around our group, all of us with bags under our eyes. The twins should still be in the cells.
None of us spoke, everyone was just ready to be back so that we could rest. I was too worried about the ambush so I reached my mind out to the surrounding tunnels and all around us.
Nothing.
I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I decided to give everyone a warning. My mind reached out to nearly everyone in the party and I was let in easily, they were used to the feel of my mind, even Ajihad.
Don't let your guard down just yet.
Everyone straightened up at the reminder. It didn't take us long to clear the rest of the distance. When we cleared the tunnel, everyone in the party inhaled deeply and relaxed.
I did not. Instead I turned around, still searching with my mind for the ambush that was supposed to come. Once again I found nothing with my mind or my eyes.
Suddenly the rest of our party minus Brom, Vanir, Murtagh, and I snapped into two lines and followed their leader, marching the way.
The rest of us followed at a slower pace, they could still feel my apprehension at the tunnel and how an ambush hadn't come yet.
It was a long walk, but eventually we made it to the welcoming party.
Apparently we were the last group to arrive because the twelve elves and Arya had already been healed and washed. Eragon and Saphira were also up and about, obviously still hurting from his back, the grimace on his face told me everything.
The marching soldiers and dwarves stopped as Ajihad raised his hand, with another motion, they were dismissed. His personal guard stayed a safe distance behind him.
He started to speak but I didn't hear him, instead my attention was drawn to the werecat rubbing against my legs purring. My body seemed to relax and let out all of the tension built up for the past few days. I couldn't help but squat down and pet her, no words were said but I was happy to see her again.
A hand broke me out of my trance as it crossed into my line of sight and stayed there. I grasped it and noticed that everyone was already walking away except Vanir, who the hand belonged to.
"Ajihad will meet with us in the morning, go rest." He told me lifting me up. "We plan on leaving for Ellesmera directly after." He continued at my nod.
"We?" I responded as we started walking to our rooms.
He visibly paused at that. "You are not leaving." He said, more of a statement than a question.
"No, there is too much to do. Eragon is in safe hands." I replied.
"Then I will stay also." He stated after thinking for a moment.
"You do not wish to go home?" I asked genuinely surprised.
"I spent all my life in that forest, I have learned more on this adventure with you than I ever did in Ellesmera." He replied honestly. "Du Weldenvarden will always be there, but this adventure is something that will define us." He continued on wisely. "I wouldn't miss that for the world ...isn't that how the saying goes?" He asked at the end of his sentence.
I laughed at that. "Yes, that is perfect." I responded throwing my arm around him.
He didn't say anything so I continued. "There is nothing I can teach Eragon that Oromis or Brom cannot. But there is a lot I can do for the Varden, did you see how they fought, little more than one on one battles, no cohesion, no discipline. Not to mention the Du Gata Vrangr." I said subconsciously correcting the name.
"You have plans?" He asked.
"You have no idea."
It felt good to walk around without armor on, my body had become accustomed to the extra weight during my time during and after the battle. The necklace around my neck also seemed to weigh a little heavier, even though I knew it hadn't changed at all. I wore my usual traveling attire, dagger included, although my warhammer lay in pieces in my room.
The only difference was that it was teeming with life energy from the urgals in the battle. It wore on my mind, animals were one thing, a sentient life form was completely different. My only consolidation is that it would go to waste unless I captured it, it would help during the war.
It already had a significant amount of energy in it, I know for a fact that it had about the same as Aren did before the battle. Now it was at least triple that amount, or more. It was this reason that it was now enchanted to only be worn by me or those I allow. Anyone who tried to remove it from my person, would find it almost impossible, it would burn up the energy stored inside it trying to make you stop.
Soon I found myself in Ajihad's office again. This time I was the first to arrive, with Shadowcat hot on my heels.
"I'm glad you are here first." Ajihad said immediately as I walked in. "Would you mind warding us?" He asked.
I didn't even hesitate, the world vibrated as I summoned my magic and spoke my will. Once it was done I told him. "It is done."
"You are leaving today?" Ajihad asked in response.
"No, Vanir, Shadowcat, and I will stay." I said seriously.
His head whipped up in shock. "Well that makes this easier. I will skip to the important information. Eragon will be invited to join Durgrimst Ingeitum, I cannot warn him for fear of Hrothgar's wrath. If he accepts, the power balance will shift." Ajihad said.
"He will accept, if he hasn't already." I replied honestly. "And I approve." I finished.
Ajihad looked at me inquisitively. "Why do you say that?"
"For all intents and purposes, Eragon is or will become a dwarf in all but biology, that is an extremely powerful position if wielded correctly. He is already a human rider, that enough is all we need for him to be the figurehead of the Varden. I don't see the problem." I said laying out my evidence of why Eragon needed to accept without giving away my future knowledge of us needing Orik as king in the future.
"A dwarf?" He said obviously not thinking of that angle. "Very well. Now onto the other business. The Du Vrangr Gata need a leader, you are the obvious choice. You wou…"
"I accept." I said cutting him off.
"You wanted this the whole time? That is why you volunteered to break the twins, yes?" He asked. "There are much subtler ways to gain loyalty. Also, they escaped during the battle."
"Well I needed to get my point across, I knew we didn't have much time." I answered truthfully before I processed what he told me. "They were still alive?" I asked in shock thinking they would be executed immediately.
"I didn't have time to do anything with them with the battle approaching." He continued. "They were tracked to a steep cliff and remnants of their clothing were scattered around the area, we think they jumped." He concluded.
"They didn't. Double your guard at night, and make sure there is a magician amongst them." I answered thinking of the development. At least they won't get Murtagh.
"There is something else." I continued after I came to terms with the information.
"The Varden needs discipline, no it needs a complete rework." I said getting to the point.
"What do you mean?" He asked not losing his cool, instead he seemed intrigued.
"There are no shield walls, the men fight one on one, instead of in cohesive units, they are quick to run, I can go on but you get the point. Against urgals or elves it is understandable, they are physically more impressive. But this war will be against humans from now on, we can dominate this war with discipline." I said seriously.
I pushed the book that I wrote during my time in Ellesmera towards him. It was written in the runes of this world, extremely detailed, and even had drawings. It was everything I remembered about the Roman legions and how they ran the armies.
It was the only thing I felt comfortable with bringing over from my previous world, I absolutely refused to introduce the idea of gunpowder and bombs to this world. It is just too pure, I was in an extremely unique position to influence the world in a different direction.
With everyone being able to use or at least learn how to use magic, science becomes a secondary. I have this idea in my head of a world where everyone in nearly self sufficient through the use of magic. Science will tell us how the world works and how to influence it, but magic will be the instrument to do it. It will be clean, the world won't suffer the consequences like my last world did. Carbon won't be pumped into the air to use energy, energy will just be used and dispersed back into the universe naturally with magic.
But to do that, I can not let humanity progress without guiding it. I would need power, this is the first step.
"This is incredible." Ajihad said as he browsed through the book.
"It will change the way war is conducted." I said seriously. "There is more."
"More!?" He said in shock.
Just then Vanir walked into the room and noticed us talking. I waved him over, what I am about to say is was something he needed to know. Once he got close enough I spoke the words to allow him to hear the conversation.
"Aye, we are all capable of magic, humans, every one of us." I said.
It spoke of Vanir's trust in me to not deny the information outright.
Ajihad had a deep frown on his face. "Do you have proof of this?" He asked.
"I am the proof." I answered. "I had no talent until Brom taught me, he thought his end was coming, so he began searching for someone he could teach the secrets of the dragon riders to, in case he couldn't be here to teach them himself." I lied with the story Brom and I had developed in Ellesmera. A lot of work had been done for this exact moment.
"Why isn't this common knowledge?" Vanir spoke up asking. He knew that it was a lie but he didn't know of the actual information.
"The dragon riders thought the information too dangerous. They didn't have the resources to teach everyone how to properly wield it either." I answered.
"You wish to take advantage of this?" Ajihad said.
"Yes, we have to. We need more magicians." I answered. "But I won't choose just anyone to teach, they will have to meet my requirements. For example, they have to be at least fifteen."
People were shuffling into the room now, the council plus Murtagh and Brom. All that's left are Eragon,the twelve elves, and the egg bearers. They were probably busy packing and getting ready.
He was obviously deep in thought. "We will speak of this later." He finished.
I nodded to him and cut off the flow of magic to the spell. Vanir and I joined the others and waited.
His mind knocked on mine. How much of that is true? He asked in the ancient language.
I responded with the ancient language also. Almost all of it, everything except the lie about Brom searching for someone to pass the knowledge to. He told me shortly after I joined this world. I said speaking of the 'merge'.
He didn't say anything, instead falling into himself, no doubt to come to terms with the information.
Soon enough there was a black cat laying across my feet as Eragon and the rest of his party entered the chamber. You've been clingy lately. I told Shadowcat. She swatted my leg in response.
"Good now that everyone is here, we can begin. Eragon and the rest of his party depart for Ellesmera immediately after we are done. Before that, there are some announcements." He paused looking at all of us.
"We are moving to Surda." He said, no one uttered a word but I did notice some shuffling. The council looked a bit angry at not being included in the decision. "We cannot launch a campaign against Galbatorix from these mountains. King Orrin and his forces will also join us when we arrive."
Another pause to let us soak in the information.
"The Du Vrangr Gata will have a new leader. Roran Garrowsson has been appointed to the position and granted a seat on the council." He said dropping the biggest bomb on everyone.
Wasn't expecting the seat on the council, a political move to tie the Varden to Eragon further. Smart. I thought seeing the reasoning behind it.
There were audible whispers at that declaration as everyone looked towards me. I stood stoically and accepted the position with a nod.
"Everyone besides Eragon and Saphira is dismissed." He finished, not in the mood to deal with people apparently.
We shuffled out of the room and I was accosted by those I would consider friends. Before they could ask any questions I decided to get my intentions out in the air, so that they would know.
"Before any ask, I will not be departing for Ellesmera. I will stay here and try and whip this 'wandering path' into shape." I said. "Any are welcome to stay and help me, although I know most won't."
Their excitement of my new role diminished as they processed the information. I have gotten close to nearly everyone the past year or so. The egg bearers, the twelve spellcasters, Murtagh, and especially Brom.
Blodhgarm stepped forward. "We wish you good luck in your future endeavors, we will meet again soon." And then the twelve spellcasters drifted away from the party, to let everyone else say goodbye.
Arya, Faolin, and Glenwing stepped forward next. "You are always welcome in Du Weldenvarden." Arya said and gave me a half bow.
"You honor me." I replied dumbfoundedly. I'm pretty sure that is a big deal.
"Don't let it get to that big head of yours." Glenwing interrupted slapping me on the back, always the jester. "We will see each other soon." He finished walking off.
Faolin picked up where he left off. "Aye, we will. Take care friend." He said as he extended his hand.
I grasped it with mine and pulled him into a half hug, completely manly of course. "You as well, take care of my brother, he will need it." I said looking into his eyes.
"Of course." He said walking away.
Murtagh approached next. "I would like to stay with you, the elves would never accept me like the Varden has." He said.
"Of course. You have proved yourself to Ajihad, I know he'll let you stay." I told him as he went to stand with Vanir and wait for Brom and me to finish.
Brom looked almost sad. "Can I convince you to come with us?" He said starting the conversation.
"You probably could, but I wish you wouldn't. I have become a crutch for Eragon." I said revealing half of the reason for me not leaving with them.
"Then I won't try. I will miss you." He said. "I know you already have a father, and I wouldn't dream of replacing him. But I consider you as a son, and I'm proud of what you have become since we started on our journey."
Wow I was not expecting him to be this emotional. It would only be about two months before I saw him again.
I honestly got a little choked up at hearing that and wrapped him up in a hug. "You are like a father to me. Doesn't mean I don't miss Garrow, and you're not replacing him. It's just ...I appreciate all you've done for me." I said fighting back tears.
"You know I'll see you in a few months don't you?" I asked.
"I wanted to tell you just in case that doesn't happen." He responded. "Just like I will tell Eragon everything soon." He finished.
It's about time. I thought in response to the information. "Good, he may be angry for a little, but he'll come around."
"You'll have to tell him everything soon also you know." He said back to me.
"When you all return, I'll tell him everything. Now leave before you convince me to come with you." I said jokingly.
"Goodbye son, take care of yourself." He said as he let go of me and joined the others waiting on him.
Eragon will miss you, we will miss you. I heard Saphira say in my mind as her massive consciousness touched mine.
I will see you soon, although you will be completely different people. I replied to the beautiful dragon as they walked out of Ajihad's office.
I will miss you too. I said as Eragon approached me. He had a smile on his face.
"Ready to go?" He asked.
He doesn't know? I asked Saphira.
You humans ears are nothing like dragons. She said pointing her nose to the sky.
"I am staying Eragon. There is a lot of work to be done." I told him.
The smile fell from his face. "But I need you." He said before he could stop himself.
"You don't. You've seen war, you've killed, and you face a shade and came out on top. You don't need me." I told him.
"I did all that with your help. I couldn't have done that alone." He replied.
You already have, once before. I thought.
"It's time you become your own man Eragon. You are the rider, you are stronger than you know." I said trying to get him to see the point.
He broke eye contact with me. "You're leaving me again." He said letting his age show, and mirroring what he said a few months ago.
I grabbed him and pulled him into a hug, he embraced me immediately. "It's only for a few months, we'll be back together soon. The Mourning Sage will teach you all you need to know, more than I could ever." I said revealing that I knew of his interaction.
His face morphed from sad to confused, and then it became hard. He broke contact, steeled himself and looked into my eyes. "I'll miss you." He said.
I smiled in response. "I'll miss you too little brother. I will scry you until you reach Du Weldenvarden."
He nodded, happier than earlier, then he turned and walked over to Saphira, who leaned down so he could get on her. His back is hurting him no doubt.
I expected them to leave immediately but I had been so distracted that I didn't even notice all their gazes looking past me, towards something behind me.
I turned to see what it was.
King Hrothgar stood alone twenty paces behind me. His personal guard stood a respectable distance away from him.
In his right hand, he held Volund. In his left, he held a different type of warhammer. It was absolutely gorgeous, the metal was black, the handle wrapped around a lot of the frame and inside it was a pitch black leather with gold ornamental drawings in it. The metal leading up to the hammer had a gold eagle flying towards the head on both sides of it. The actual hammer was designed a lot like the one Rhunon had made but with more of a dwarvish feel to it, one blunt end and one spiked.
"Roran Garrowsson, without your aid in the defense of Tronjheim, we would have no doubt lost our ancestral home." King Hrothgar said loudly for everyone to hear.
That's an exaggeration. I thought as I saw this move for what it was, a political move.
"You lost your hammer during the battle with the shade no?" He asked me directly.
"Yes, your highness." I replied respectfully.
He walked forward, closing the distance between us. Soon enough he was within arms reach.
He looked up to me. "Accept this, as a token of my people gratitude."
"You honor me, King Hrothgar." I said kneeling and placing my palms flat in the air for him.
His left hand rose and place the warhammer perfectly in my hands. Once he let it go he turned around and yelled.
"Stronghammer!"
It sounded like the entire dwarven nation repeated after him.
"Stronghammer!"
A/N: STRONGHAMMER!
Yo I was really hyped up about this chapter. What does everyone think? Too much theatrics?
I haven't written a chapter of this story since I started Voleur D'âme. Has my writing improved? Can anyone see a difference? Any improvements? If not, anything I can improve on?
I didn't say it because I didn't see an opportunity to put it in the story, but Eragon has already received his invitation into the clan.