Hey guys, Just want to give a huge shoutout to "FailtasticBelt" For his reviews and constructive criticism. He is a fantastic writer, I in particular like his 'SAO' story "Demon Slayer: Sun Dancer Remake". Definitely go check it out and until next time
-Beagle out-
"Dorian, we are going to need horses", Brom suggested, "As much as I hate to steal, the empires pursuit will be swift and we will need the extra speed". Dorian dipped his head and thought for a second before nodding in affirmation. Brom jogged out the door and shut it behind him, And the rest of the room fell into silence.
"I won't be needing a horse, I will run" Arya spoke from the corner, already heading towards their room to retrieve her belongings, her graceful strides barely making a sound on the aged wooden floor. Eragon stood on the spot, his eyes narrowed as if he was focusing on something far away.
"Saphira knows what's happening and is on the way to fly with us"
"Good, try to keep her updated" Then Dorian paused for a moment, "In the meantime Eragon, help Arya with our supplies if you please" Dorian asked, his voice still steady despite the stress that was mounting.
After a moment his thoughts finally turned to himself, after a moment he pushed open the aged wooden door and was momentarily blinded by the morning sun. Covering his eyes with his hand he stood for a moment to let his eyes adjust. After his vision cleared he gazed upon three fine steeds saddled and ready to ride. Picking out his saddlebags he jogged over to his horse.
A brown and white spotted mare awaited him and brayed quietly when he got close. his hands found their way to her muzzle where he slowly pet her until she calmed. Whispering soothing words he started unpacking his bow. His hands caressed its smooth finish, until they rested on the large stone resting in its heart. It pulsed slightly upon contact and after a moment's hesitation he strung his weapon with a practiced ease before swinging it over his shoulder. This was closely followed by his quiver of arrows. which hung around his hip. With a sigh of contentment he rolled his shoulders before getting ready to mount up.
He stopped when he heard a sound behind him, and was surprised by the old inn owner glaring at him.
"Whaddya think ya doin?" She questioned, hands on her hips. The rather heavyset woman was clearly not impressed by the group and was curious as to what they were up to.
"I would keep myself hidden if I were you, the less you see the safer you will be" Dorian cautioned the woman, and thought for a moment before holding out a rather hefty bag of gold. "Something for your trouble… and silence". Her eyes narrowed and glared at him for a moment, deciding in her head whether or not it was worth the trouble, before she snatched the bag from his hands and quickly disappeared back inside. Dorian began planning their route in his head, thinking of potential campsites and cities to avoid. He turned around when he heard the sound of soft hoofbeats on the ground behind him.
"Riders approach from the west, we need to leave with haste"
"Damn, I thought we'd have more time" Dorian sighed heavily before squaring his shoulders and standing a little taller, as if mentally preparing himself for the coming chase.
"Could you get Eragon moving, We need to go"
Brom nodded before heading inside, his steps hurried but not frantic. In the meantime Dorian loaded his meagre possessions into the saddlebags. He stopped moving for a moment when he heard a noise in the trees beside the Inn. He looked along the ground towards the forest and despite the still air saw the shadows of the tree's move. He closed up the saddlebag and walked around his horse to place it between him and the forest. He slowly shrugged his bow into his hands and drew a singular arrow from his quiver. Moving only his head he peered around his horse and found the slightly moving shadow crouching by one of the large oak trees.
Closing his eyes he visualized the arc of his arrow and its target. His index and middle finger gripped the arrow and held it loosely to the string, just tight enough to hold the singular arrow in place. After a moment he stepped out from behind his horse and in one smooth motion pulled the arrow back and released without pause. He then immediately drew another arrow and fired with a slightly higher a satisfaction that never truly disappeared he watched as the two arrows sailed across the clearing and with a gasp they found their mark in the strangers throat. The now fatally wounded man let out a strangled, choked gasp before collapsing to the ground.
He ran to the body and immediately noticed the gold flame on his chest. He retrieved his arrows and dragged the body deeper into the forest, so that it would take a little longer to find. When he returned he found Brom standing silently and a less silent, and impatient Eragon. Arya stood next to Eragon's horse, stoic as ever, ready to begin their journey. Dorian mounted his horse and then with a loud "Hyah" they began to gallop away, following Dorians lead.
Several hours later -
The party continued forward steadily approaching a cliff face with a small valley leading into its depths. Dorian raised his hand and pointed forward towards it. His intentions made clear the group urged their horses into a faster gallop, racing against time to get out of sight of imperial pursers before nightfall.
Unbeknownst to Dorian a figure laid prone on top of that cliff face, and observed the party take shelter in the deep valley. He lay there for several minutes after they passed before rising up and moving away from the edge. He had a small cage placed several meters back which held a singular bird inside. Scrawling a quick note he tied the small message to its foot before releasing it into the dusky night.
"We rest here", Dorian ordered, while gesturing to a small cave on the side of the valley, "I'll take first watch". He then slipped out of the cave without much sound, which rapidly disappeared into silence.
Arya sat near the entrance and gazed into the rapidly darkening night sky, while Brom and Eragon set up their respective bedrolls. While they did this Eragon kept taking small glances at Arya, her form bathed by the moonlight, almost glowing. He sighed to himself and started removing his cloak, intent on getting as much sleep as he could before his watch.
Brom glanced at Eragon, who was clearly lost to his thoughts, before tapping his shoulder.
"Let's train", he then threw a wooden sword he prepared earlier towards Eragon.
Catching the sword in his outstretched hand Eragon sighed heavily before dropping into a now familiar ready stance, his weight on his right foot and leading with his left. His hands held the guard low to his waist and he slowly moved to the left to get inside Broms guard. This put his back to the cave entrance and cast his shadow across Brom's eyes His feet shuffled without ever leaving the ground and his face was stoic, giving no hints as to what he was planning. They both stopped at the same time, and the tension grew thick in the air. Without his knowledge Arya turned around to view the confrontation.
With an explosion of movement Eragon dashed forward a swung with a hard left to Broms side, the shock when their swords clashed reverberated up Eragon's hand and all the way to his shoulder. Brom then moved to strike Eragon's now exposed right side with his boot, the hard leather hitting him dead-on the ribs, and he gritted his teeth before feinting upwards and then crouched low, sweeping Brom's legs out from under him and then pointing his sword at Broms neck. The fight had ended almost as fast as it started, with much chagrin Brom grinned before taking Eragon's outstretched hand. Using his considerable strength Eragon helped him to his feet.
"Well done, it is clear I have no more to teach you" Brom complimented, his eyes shining with pride, "But that's no excuse for us to stop training, we will continue tomorrow night". With an air of finality then strolled out of the cave to where the horses were picketed. Eragon appeared confused for a moment before noticing that Arya was facing towards where the spar had just taken place.
"You fight well Eragon, It is not often that Brom is defeated" Arya complimented, impressed that Eragon had acquired such skill in such little time. His face lit up with a smile, clearly her words had quite the effect on him. Before he could even mutter out a reply, she looked back to the moon once more and continued her silent vigil.
Miles away, flying silently through the air the greatest predator in Alagaesia flew silently. The air was still and the moon bathed Saphira's scales and despite the late hour she was wide awake. Her senses were on full alert so when she detected a rather small creature flying towards her. She moved to capture it in her immense jaws but decided it wasn't worth the effort and allowed it to pass her by. Minutes later Eragon mentally showed her their campsite and how to reach it. She glided silently, before making a slight left bank and began her approach to the camp.