Chapter 61
Hello again everyone! This chapter is in Arya's POV. It's been quite a while since I've written her POV and I've always liked trying to build an Arya that is the same as CP's and yet not. Anyway, this is merely a filler chapter that will lead up to the battle for Feinster and Gil'ead. There's not much that I have to say so enjoy reading everyone. RR!
Hacking down another soldier in her path, Arya easily pulled Támerlein from the lifeless body before her. She felt ill at ease as she stared at the looming city overhead. They were drawing closer to the city of Feinster and preparing for the siege. It was a fairly large city and from the looks of the preparations it was well equipped for a siege. She could spot the outlines of heavy cauldrons spaced evenly about the parapet ready to rain down hot oil on any who dared to climb the city walls. With a flick of her wrist, she cleaned Támerlein of the blood that stained its emerald blade.
Sheathing her blade, she glanced up when Eridor came to stand beside her. Unlike his earlier fierce stance, he was relaxed with his eyes gazing out onto the short span of land between them and the city. I can hear them reinforcing the walls, he said. Arya frowned slightly. That would make matters all the more difficult. It was easy enough for her and Eridor to fly over the gates of Feinster and unlock it from within but if they did so, they would have to try their best to fend off attacks from the soldiers staying there. There was also the underlying worry that Galbatorix had sent several of his magicians to help guard the city.
Though Feinster was not as an important city as Gil'ead was, she was positive that her mother and her forces can easily render any type of magic that blocked their way. The Varden was not like the elven army. They lacked magic. There was the Du Vrangr Gata but they lacked skilled magicians. From what she saw when she helped Eragon to train them they were very few scattered in their numbers that had any chance of holding their guard against a magician of the Empire. Staring at the city for a moment longer, Arya turned to Eridor.
Let us continue Eridor, the emerald dragon bobbed his head up and down once. Arya turned back to the forefront and continued onward, the forces of the Varden marching behind her. Ever since she'd returned to Ellesmeŕa, Nasuada had asked that she help dispatch the marauding groups of soldiers that Lady Lorana sent to harass the Varden and delay their arrival to the city. They were becoming more frequent thought Arya grimly as she continued to walk with Eridor behind her his great mass easily seen due to the openness of the fields. Slightly behind her were the elves that were dispatched to guard Murtagh. They'd stayed behind when the three of them departed ways after a request from Murtagh. He and Thorn had managed to argue that with the three of them and their dragons gone for a period of time, the Varden would be left defenseless. Arya hadn't thought much of it for the twelve of the elves sent to the Varden were mainly sent to guard Murtagh nothing else. When Eragon interjected and also asked that the elves remained, there was a slight change in the meaning of the request. At the thought of Eragon, she suddenly became irate. The tender affections she felt at remembering how he asked Blödhgarm to stay behind with the Varden were short lived.
She could feel Eridor's amusement as he followed behind her. Ever since she left Eragon, she found her temperament grow slim. She would be lying if she said she didn't feel a stark contrast in her without Eragon's presence. It was different from when she left to search for Murtagh after he rescued Katrina from Helgrind. They weren't bonded yet. Now that they were bonded, she found a change in her attitude after she'd left him at Farthen Dûr. She grew impatient and barely had the right mindset when dealing with others. It took all of her strength to maintain her stoic façade. But oftentimes, she found herself ready to snap. To add to it, the thought of Eragon traveling to join her mother at Gil'ead made her mood even worst.
"More soldiers ahead!" yelled Bard as he ran forward from behind her. She took a moment to stare at the blond haired man as he easily ran towards the enemy company holding a long sword in his hand. Bard, serving as a commander in the Varden, had asked to join their company against the troops of Feinster. It was a slight larger company than the first few but she wasn't daunted. Springing forward behind Bard, she drew Támerlein from its sheath once more as Eridor pounced over her landing before the troops. He let out a terrifying roar, burning to death the soldiers in his way, before with a whip of his tail, sent four others flying about twenty feet. They hit the ground motionless, crushed from the blow. Eridor's attack accomplished what he'd wanted. He'd managed to scatter the troops for them to easily deal with. Arching away from the center of the company, she ran towards the left towards the scattered soldiers.
"Form up everyone! We cannot let these blasted creatures reach the city gates!" the commander yelled gesturing for his troops to reform else they would be slaughtered. Hearing his words, they scrambled to do as he said. Whether or not they were in formation didn't bother her. In the end, they weren't going to be the victors. Running forward, she easily brought up Támerlein as one of the soldiers thrust his spear forward believing that he would impale her. She cut the shaft of the spear with ease and then proceeded to stab him in the gut. His companions let out terrified shouts, half mixed with anger, as they cursed her and her people. Removing her sword, she turned to the fallen soldier's companions.
"Will you surrender?" asked Arya coldly, "This battle is pointless."
"Never! Surrendering to you is as good as handing over our home to you foul demons! Fight for peace! Bah!" one of the soldiers spat at her feet. He was either very brave or very foolish thought Arya as she stared at him. "The Varden are traitors to their people and Empire allying themselves with elves and Urgals! I'd bet that traitor of a rider is there with you as well! Eragon was it? Hmph, Gabranth was a more fitting name!"
At the mention of Eragon, she felt her anger peak for several reasons. Knowing that talk with them was useless, with a flourish of her sword she rushed towards them as her earlier irritation returned to her. With the pommel of her sword, she knocked the soldier speaking to her in the joint of his elbow snapping the bone. He howled and his sword tumbled from his fingers. Not letting him suffer anymore she beheaded him. It irked her for some reason that these soldiers would speak so of Eragon when he'd worked so hard to be who he was today. Gabranth…An image of an ebony helm with horns protruding from each side flashed in her mind. She sidestepped a downward slash and killed the soldier before her with a stab through his buckler and through his chest. No, he was always Eragon.
Once more she felt a great amount of affection rush through her when she thought of him which was again extinguished when she thought of his decisions. Two nights ago, she'd learned of Eragon's decision to fly to Gil'ead in a meeting with Nasuada as they were devising a battle strategy on how to take Feinster.
She thought back to the conversation and her surprise.
Standing about the center table in the command tent, those present were all armored to fight in case they were called upon it. Staring at the various maps that laid on the table before them Arya was trying to think of a plan that would best benefit them. They couldn't withstand anymore losses as it was. Their forces were tired after the long march from Farthen Dûr, across Surda, and finally to Feinster. Murtagh was busy and they'd just received word that he'd made it to Du Weldenvarden. Whatever he had to do there wouldn't take long for Oromis and Glaedr were soon to join the elves at Gil'ead.
"We've prepared a battering ram to break through the gates," Nasuada spoke as she stood at the head of the table. Jörmundur stood at her right hand while Bard stood at her left. Across from Arya was Brom with a deep frown on his face, his blue eyes sharp. King Orrin stood garbed in his golden armor opposite Nasuada. "However, I do not believe this will be effective."
"Why do you think so?" asked Orrin with a frown. Despite being a young ruler, he carried himself with much dignity thought Arya as she watched Orrin stand straighter. "The battering ram has yet to be used."
"I am not speaking of the quality of the ram," explained Nasuada, "But the extent of the defenses of Feinster. Galbatorix—rather, Lady Lorana has no doubt begun to reinforce the gates and city walls when she heard of our march for the city. There may be magicians stationed there to protect the gates."
"Then we shall climb the walls," said Orrin simply. At his suggestion Brom shook his head. His voice was gruff as he answered.
"Nay, the walls are eighty feet high. They've sure to prepare catapults and cauldrons of hot oil for our men. The moment they start climbing the walls, they will be bombarded with such," said Brom as he folded his arms across his chest. He paused before glancing at Bard, "Have you ever been there before Bard?"
The commander nodded a serious expression on his face. Despite his easy going personality, when it came to the military, Bard became an apt leader. Already, he'd earned a trusted place amongst the warriors of the Varden. "A year ago, Lord Eragon had visited the city to settle some affairs with Lady Lorana," Bard gestured to a map of the city pointing to the gates. "Near the gates are towers. The machine to open the gates is stationed there. At most it will take two people to open the gates."
"What are your opinions of scaling the walls?" asked Brom wanting to hear Bard's thoughts. That was another mystery about the servant that followed Eragon so devotedly. Many claimed that he had the ability to foretell the consequences of their actions. When Arya had asked him about it he merely told her that it was a "gut feeling" of his.
Bard rubbed the growing stubble on his chin, "Lord Eragon once said that only those willing to throw away their lives would scale the walls if they weren't equipped with wards or such," though Bard said it like it was an off handed comment, its effects were quite significant. Arya was amused for she had no doubt that Eragon said it in the way Bard described. Eloquence was something he rarely called on. Brom nodded taking the words of his son seriously. Nasuada's frown deepened. Jörmundur shifted on his feet while Orrin scowled. Eragon's words had to be taken seriously for he was once a part of the Empire as a rider to Galbatorix. He knew more about the cities and their defenses than they did. After a moment Orrin slammed his hands on the table.
"Then what are we going to do? Merely wait until they think it fit to invite us into their cities? If we cannot scale the walls then are we to dig tunnels underground like the dwarves?" asked Orrin, he glared at Bard as if frustrated that he'd even commented on the battle strategy.
Nasuada shook her head, "No, we shall have two of our strongest warriors fly into the city and open the gates for us. It will be risky for we do not know the numbers stationed at the tower but the presence of a dragon will surely make them think twice."
"Ah," Orrin nodded, "Yes, Eragon can open the gates for us."
Nasuada's frown deepened and her eyes were hard as she glanced around the table at all of them before saying in a hard voice, "Eragon will not be joining us in the siege for Feinster." A shocked silence was their response to her words. Arya reeled in her surprise, outside of the command tent listening through her mind was Eridor and she could feel his own surprise at the news. Eragon wasn't going to be joining them? Did something happen while he was at Farthen Dûr? No, she thought, she was told that Orik became the new king meaning that everything had gone as they'd hoped.
"Why not?" asked Brom sharply, his voice tinged with worry.
It looked as if it pained her to do so but Nasuada continued speaking, "He is flying with Saphira to join Queen Islanzadí and her forces at Gil'ead." The tension in the command tent grew. The air felt so thick that Arya believed it had taken a tangible form. At the mention of her mother, she felt all eyes rest on her. Like usual, Arya did not show any signs of emotion. But inwardly she was confused and angered. Why hadn't he told her?
He may not have thought about it until after you've left, Eridor spoke up trying to defend Eragon, You told him that we were returning to the Varden the day before you left. Perhaps, it occurred to him like how it occurred to you.
Still…Arya trailed off. Eridor in order to avoid the turbulent feelings going on in her withdrew slightly. Orrin's earlier frustration returned to him with a vengeance. He was glaring darkly at Arya though he spoke to Nasuada, "And why would he do such a thing when he is a vassal of yours, Nasuada?"
"He had brought to my concern that we have been unfair in the balance of power amongst our forces," said Nasuada with such a great amount of force that drew everyone's eyes. "Ever since Murtagh arrived at the Varden, he has brought with him Arya, a new rider, as well as Eragon. Ever since, we've be coddled by the combined forces of three riders. Our forces have grown comfortable with their protection. Meanwhile, Queen Islanzadí and her forces have taken Ceunon without seeking any assistance and now she and her forces march on Gil'ead, a city that lies not far from Urû'baen. The elves have always been a reliable ally of ours regardless of whom is within our presence."
Arya was going to have to thank Nasuada later on for emphasizing that point. The dark skinned leader continued refusing to let anyone interrupt her, "They've marched with us in hopes that once we've reached the gates of Urû'baen that we can defeat Galbatorix. Without their help we have no chances of taking the city with or without our riders. In addition, a dragon rider that is rightfully theirs, has lent us her aid on numerous occasions rather than her people. It is poor form to offer them no assistance in return as they prepare to take one of Galbatorix's favored cities."
Orrin's eyes narrowed, "Did Queen Islanzadí request this of Eragon?"
At the undertone in his voice, Arya's emerald eyes turn to the king. She may not be on good terms with her mother but it did not sit well with her how King Orrin spoke of her. She was the ruler of their people and as such deserved respect.
Nasuada shook her head, "No, he requested that he fly to join them to ensure that we both do not suffer losses. Our allies are important King Orrin and without them, the Varden is no more than a ragtag band of warriors demanding independence from an Empire that outnumbers us greatly. In any case, it was Eragon's choice and as his liege lord I gave him permission to go for I believe it is in the best interest of the Varden."
"It is not hard to believe why he would ask of you such a request," muttered Orrin his eyes once more sliding to Arya's. She felt her lips thinned. Eridor from outside of the tent, shifted his shadow changing against the cloth of the command tent.
I can frighten him for you if you want, he offered her. She declined as she turned to Orrin, lifting her chin up.
"There is a fine line between feelings and duties King Orrin, Eragon and I understand that above all else," said Arya in a rather cold voice. There was a chill in the command tent as they all absorbed her words. Averting his eyes, King Orrin grunted. She turned her attention back to Nasuada as she began to turn the subject back to the battle strategy they were trying to agree on.
"With that said, I've received word that Murtagh and Thorn shall rejoin us in a few days time in time for the siege. We shall have both him and Arya, as well as two of Murtagh's guards, fly over the walls of the city and open the gates from within. You must hurry though for we will be open targets waiting for you outside the city walls," Nasuada grimaced slightly. "I shall not be joining the forces personally for my injuries have yet to heal and without Eragon here to command the army I shall leave that task with the both of you, Bard and Jörmundur…"
The meeting continued on but she found herself thinking deeply about Eragon and his decisions to fly and join her mother at Gil'ead. There was only one reason why he would do such. He was worried for Oromis and Glaedr.
Arya twirled on the spot, slicing the soldiers about her as they tried to surround and overwhelm her. She felt her displeasure grow as she thought of the conversation she had with Eragon afterwards when she scryed him. Sitting at her table in the middle of her tent, Arya stared down into the surface of the water in the basin before her. Eragon was staring at her from the water's surface. They didn't say anything to each other for some time. She stared at him trying not to think of the time they'd spent together before she left for the Varden for that would only weaken her resolve.
"You are going to join my mother at Gil'ead," said Arya. He nodded. "Why is it that you did not tell me?"
His eyes shifted as he stared at her, "I wasn't sure of my decisions until after you left." He was speaking honestly for he spoke to her in the ancient language. She stared at him for a long moment before sighing rubbing her temples with her fingers. "Have you been receiving trouble because of my decision?"
Smashing the sword of her opponent into a thousand fragments, Arya killed the soldier by stabbing him in the gut. Her anger was getting the best of her, taking in a deep breath she pushed the memory from her mind. It would only serve to annoy her. What was more was that she knew that Eragon was right for doing what he did. He was merely trying to even the balance of power in their forces. It was unfair to have the dragon riders only fight on the Varden's front. Dispatching the last of the soldiers before her, she sighed. Eridor was a few paces away. He sniffed at a body of a soldier and turned to her. Knowing what he was asking she held up her hand and with her magic snapped the armor off of the body. With a snap of his jaws he ate up the body of the soldier.
She turned away as a horn sounded from the Varden signaling that they were stopping for the day. She wiped Támerlein clean with the tunic of one of the fallen bodies. Using a moment to draw the remaining life energy from the dead soldiers, she stored it away in the emerald jewel on the pommel of her sword. Done, she sheathed the blade.
Eridor walked over to her and nudged her. She turned to him and climbed to sit between his shoulder and neck. As one the two of them returned to the Varden as they started setting up camp. In another day's time, they would reach the outskirts of the city. The warriors would wait until Murtagh returned and then she and Murtagh would fly into Feinster and open the gates from within. When they reached the outskirts of the encampment, Arya jumped off from Eridor and made her way through the tents that were being set up. She ignored the stares that she received and searched with her mind for the location where Finny was. He had offered to carry her things while she fought. As usual, she found him guarding Selena and Brom.
Brom and Selena sat on a wooden cart that was made from magic and cushioned for comfort. The horses that belonged to Eragon when he was in Urû'baen were tied to the cart. As a reward for their hard work, Desdemona was feeding the two horses apples. Like Eragon, his horses were very refined.
Finny was busy setting up the tent and such in the open space they decided to occupy. Arya made her way over to them. Hearing her approach, Finny glanced up a smile brightening across his lips, "Ah, Arya there you are!" he paused in his work and hurried to the second cart behind the one in which Brom and Selena were sitting in and reached in to pull out Eridor's saddles and her bags. "Where would you like me to put this?"
"I can take it Finny," said Arya as she reached for her things but the young boy refused to hand it over to her insisting that Eragon would have his head for making her do physical labor. Honestly thought Arya as she watched him put up her tent near theirs, she didn't need to be pampered. She was going to have to talk to Eragon about having him speak with Finny. While he was working, Selena with the help of Brom lowered herself from the cart. Arya watched as she made her way over to her supported by Brom.
"It's good to see that you are unharmed Arya," she said kindly. Arya inclined her head at her. Selena was very close to child birth. Two more weeks or so and the baby will be born. It was odd to think that nearly a year had passes since Eragon had joined the Varden. Her eyes wandered to her round belly and she thought of the only two children in Ellesmeŕa: Alanna and Dusan. They were conceived twelve years ago and there was much rejoicing in Ellesmeŕa. She had no doubt that when the child of Selena and Brom were born, the babe will be loved by the Varden for it will be the sibling of Murtagh and Eragon, the riders who brought the Varden their many victories.
As she thought of the baby, she felt slightly worried. If Eragon's family was anything to tell from, the new born child will no doubt be involved with fate as much as the older siblings. And to be born during a war was never heartening, especially for the parents. The baby had to be protected thought Arya. When word traveled that Selena finally gave birth, Galbatorix's spies amongst the Varden will no doubt try to use the baby as a bargaining chip. If it weren't for Desdemona, Finny, Rosalie, and Bard Selena would be an easy target for assassinations. And that would surely drive Eragon mad with grief.
He loved his mother so.
Her thoughts wandered to her own mother and she felt a slight pain enter her heart as always. Ever since their argument over her choosing Eragon as her mate, she and her mother once again were returning to their estranged relationship. They refused to concede to each other. She understood her mother. In elf years, Arya was still rather young barely having lived for a century. Her mother was only trying to protect her. When she was conceived, the celebrations in Ellesmeŕa lasted for days on end or so she was told. But then her father fell to Galbatorix and her mother took the throne after him. Pain and sorrow in humans was no comparison to the devastating grief that her mother felt. To lose her mate so soon after Arya was born was a cruel hand dealt by fate. One only had a child in Ellesmeŕa when they were certain of their love and their bond. Her parents were certain and yet, this was how they were repaid. But her mother's way to deal with grief was to devote herself to her work. When one could not deal with grief, one simply had to ignore it.
It must have hurt losing father, thought Arya as she nodded to Selena hearing his words. "Would you like to join us for supper?" asked Selena as Arya returned to herself. "I'll have Bard prepare something and do not worry there will be food for Eridor as well."
Hearing her words, Eridor made a satisfied sound. Arya nodded, "If it is not any trouble to have me."
"Never," said Selena kindly as Brom helped to guide her to sit on a comfortable bench. He left her to speak with Arya as he went to set up their tent. Taking a seat on the offered stool that Finny hastily gave her, she turned to Eragon's mother. She felt Selena studying her face intently, "You seem unhappy, Arya."
Arya averted her eyes. Usually she would end a conversation right there or take affront to such statements. However, this was a different situation. Selena was Eragon's mother and because of that Arya did not consider her a stranger. "It is nothing of the sort," said Arya softly, "I am just feeling tired."
"Nasuada has charged you to dispatch the soldiers that have been sent to attack us," said Selena in understanding. She had thought that would be the end of the conversation but Selena continued, "Do you miss Eragon?" Rosalie, who had come to join them, froze off to the side as she was preparing the fire. Eragon was blind to the woman's affections but she knew that Rosalie felt affectionately for him as well as Desdemona. Arya would be lying to say that it didn't bother her but she knew better. She understood Eragon's feelings well.
"I would be lying if I said I did not," said Arya as Selena smiled, she shifted slightly rubbing her back. "Are you uncomfortable?"
"Just a little," she admitted. Desdemona bound over and handed her a drink to ease the discomfort of carrying a baby. She thanked the haughty yet beautiful woman. "Eragon tends to do things on his own. He was always like that when he was a child. Stubborn in every little action, just like his father."
A slight tinge of curiosity flowed through Arya, "How was Eragon as a child?" he rarely talked about his childhood before Saphira was hatched and no else knew about his childhood apart from him and his mother. She wasn't doing anything at the moment and she would like to know.
"Eragon was a lonely child," said Selena with a faraway look as she stared at the campfire that Rosalie made. Arya caught sight of Bard approaching, holding an armful of ingredients to make dinner with. "When he was born, he was very bright always asking questions but as he became older something in him changed. I wasn't sure what it was but he grew quiet and he didn't say much anymore. I think it was because he believed that Brom had abandoned him. He spent much of his time studying, Galbatorix didn't want a potential rider to lack a decent education." So even Galbatorix understood the value of education. "At one point Eragon became obsessed with trying to learn history. He wanted to know the origin of everything because he himself he did not know his own. He didn't have friends his age and he rarely left the estate grounds. He followed me everywhere I went."
Arya didn't find that hard to believe. Eragon despite not admitting it, she knew how much he cared for his mother. That brought a memory to the forefront. She remembered a time when she was younger always following her mother about but there were times when she was cared for by the other members of her house. Her eyes traveled until they fell on Eridor's green scales. He was busy eating pastries that Bard had cooked up for him. Staring at the emerald color she was reminded of another lush, emerald hue that was just as beautiful.
With great grace Arya jumped from branch to branch. She wasn't high up. She was still too young to try and climb seventy feet from the ground. Running along the branch, Arya glanced down at the ground before her seeing everything with such clarity that it felt like the world was glowing. Running from the branch she jumped easily landing on the branch before her. As the trees parted she found herself staring up at the bright blue sky above her. There wasn't a cloud in the sky.
It was beautiful thought Arya.
As she stood there staring at the sky, she turned when she heard the flapping of wings catching sight of a white raven flying in the opposite way. Before she could contemplate it, a musical voice called out to her. "Arya, would you like to come down and join me?"
She glanced down, standing twenty feet below her was her mother whom Arya bore a striking semblance to. Nodding, she easily climbed down landing gracefully on her feet. Arya was young, barely a decade old but yet she oftentimes wandered away from their family hall exploring much of the forest. Everything was curious to her.
"Supper is ready," she reached forward and gently dusted Arya's clothing. It was a simple gesture but it meant much to her all the same.
Arya returned to the present staring at Selena as she continued speaking. Eragon loved his mother dearly and Arya understood that deep feeling. She, too, dearly loved her mother. She didn't know how to express it though. Through the century she'd been alive, the two of them spent little time together; just few days scattered throughout the many years. When she had made her decision to become the elven ambassador, the two of them argued heatedly for days on end about duty and the difference between wanton foolish and necessity. But there was one thing that they both hid in their fierce arguments: their love for each other. Her mother did not want to lose her and she did not want to lose her mother. If her parents had to sacrifice their life for their duty, she wasn't going to stand by idly. They were too proud.
After she'd dined with Brom and Selena, Arya retired back to her tent deep in thought. She thought about a multitude of things. Though she did not like the thought of Eragon flying so close to Urû'baen in order to make his way to Gil'ead, she was glad. He would be there to watch over her mother. Her mother was strong and powerful but she as well as the rest of her people had not been to battle in decades. Whatever were to happen, she only hoped for their well-being. And that her mother will be able to see what it was that Arya saw in Eragon.
Be safe mother…Eragon…
And that is the end of the chapter. Thanks to all of you who've reviewed, you make my day. Hehehe you know I've been thinking of doing a bonus thing for every hundred reviews but I can't think of anything good to write. So I'll just continue to write the chapters and try to beautifully end this story because there's another Eragon project I want to start soon. Anyways I'll see you soon! Have fun reading! But don't stayed glued to the computer too long gotta get up and do something productive!