I really didn't feel like updating today. My back hurt for some odd reason and I nearly fell asleep at my computer. I find myself being distracted lately now. Not doing anything but merely thinking. And I want to address a point here, I'm always open to your suggestions but I cannot always weave in the things suggested. (Not that I don't want to but it gets confusing some times O.o) If I do I tend to get lost in what I was originally trying to write. Anyways, this is more of a filler, history lesson type chapter since we are now starting in on Inheritance. Within a few more weeks and I shall be done! Anyways RR!
Feeling as if his mind was about to explode, Eragon felt himself being thrown back violently into himself. He panted slightly from exertion as if he had run a mile. Oromis and Islanzadí appeared just as exhausted as he was. Outside of the tent, he could hear Saphira shaking her head as if to clear her mind. On top of the folding table was one of the Eldunarí they had rescued from Galbatorix. After Islanzadí firmly sorted out Gil'ead, Oromis called her to meet him in his tent away from the main body of the elven army. Eragon was also called out to meet the two leaving his reminiscing of the city for another day. He rubbed his temple feeling a pounding ache in his head.
For the past hour, the three of them as well as Saphira and Glaedr have been trying their best to make contact with one of the Eldunarí. Queen Islanzadí settled for trying to communicate with the violet colored Eldunarí. The only problem was that the Eldunarí was young and after a century of abuse from Galbatorix the dragon's mind had become twisted with madness. Madness to the point that the dragon could not remember its own name. No matter how hard they tried, the turmoil in the dragon's mind made it impossible for them to speak to it. The feeling was odd thought Eragon tiredly. There was no coherent thought in the dragon's mind, it was everything and at the same time nothing.
"It cannot distinguish friend from foe," said Eragon as they gazed down on one of the four eggs before them. He glanced at Oromis and Islanzadí wondering how they planned to continue. So far, nothing they had tried reached the dragon. If they continued, they were going to exhaust themselves. Islanzadí stepped forward and reached out to let her hands hover about the stone.
"Galbatorix have broke them," said Islanzadí in a low whisper. Eragon glanced away slightly regretful. When he served underneath Galbatorix, he knew about the existence of the Eldunarí and was offered to take a few to serve him. However, Eragon had refused. Not because Saphira adamantly refused to let a rider who abused her kin fly with her but because he could not bring himself to stoop as low as Galbatorix. Yet the man was the most powerful person in Alagaësia.
"We should not continue at the moment," said Oromis brows furrowed. "It has only been but a few moments since they were freed from their captivity. We must let them in peace. If enough time has passed they shall become curious as to why Galbatorix is not in their presence. It is a stem of hope for us that they come to this realization before we march on Urû'baen."
"Yes," Islanzadí withdrew her hands slowly. Her early blood stained visage was now gone and she once more looked like the regal queen that she was. Her golden armor sparkled leaving no evidence of the crimson hue that stained it earlier. "It is for the best. You have done us a great deed Eragon Shadeslayer by saving these hatchlings."
Eragon inclined his head accepting her thanks. She accepted his silence as a reply and nodded. The three of them stood in silence each in their own thoughts. Outside of the tent, the puffs of air from Saphira and Glaedr could be heard. A long moment passed and Eragon was resigned to merely sit and wait for either Islanzadí and Oromis to speak until a thought occurred to him. It had been forming in the back of his mind but he was not able to give it words until now. His eyes darted over to Oromis. The elf was staring at the Eldunarí on the table with sad eyes.
"Do you know them Master Oromis?" asked Eragon. Oromis blinked startled as if he was not expecting anyone to speak so soon. He turned to Eragon his eyes holding a great depth of sadness. He did not mean to upset Oromis but it appeared that he did.
"As part of the Elders, I did know them," said Oromis he took a seat on one of the stools arranged in his room and gestured for Eragon to do so. Eragon did. He expected that Islanzadí would take her leave but she picked up the violet stone and tucked it away in the chest they found in the treasury earlier. Locking it, she carried it with her about the table, her red cape sweeping the floor. Placing it on Oromis's cot, Islanzadí seated herself on the cot. Of course she would get the cot thought Eragon amused. He could hear Saphira's laughter in his mind. He waited for Oromis to start. He appeared to be gathering himself for a rather lengthy story. Elders, Eragon remembered when he was younger a vague speech that Galbatorix told him about the Order of Dragon Riders. What did he say about them? That they were senile and too comfortable with their powers? Yes, that sounded very much like the dark king he was educated by.
"The Elders," began Oromis his voice steady. Eragon snapped his attention back to his teacher waiting for him to being. "Was a council of aged Dragon Riders, we were those with wisdom and knowledge. At least that was what I believed we were."
Now that Eragon thought about it he had rarely heard word of the Elders. Galbatorix spoke about them as aged old wind bags with nothing better to do than lord over others. And even while Oromis was teaching him, the Elders were only mentioned in passing. "Were the Elders and the leaders of the Dragon Rider the same?"
Oromis shook his head, "No, when the Order of the Riders were first formed it was best that there would be two different systems: the elders and the leaders of the riders. When Bid'daum hatched for Eragon, the two became the first Dragon Rider in Alagaësia. After seeing the creation of a new bond between Bid'daum and Eragon, the leaders of each race had started to abandon weapons for a more peaceful form of cooperation. And thus the Dragon Riders were created. Queen Tamunora with the help of Eragon forged a pact with the dragons in which dragon eggs would be given to the elves and then hatch for one that it deemed fit to be its rider."
Queen Tamunora, Eragon heard about her before in his studies in Ellesmeŕa. Whatever became of her he did not know. All he knew about the line of monarchs was from Queen Dellanir and on. She was the ruler of Du Weldenvarden before King Evandar. Dellanir had helped to add humans into the pact between the dragons and elves with the assistance of the leader of the Dragon Riders at the time, Anurin. He had heard that she abdicated her throne to study the mysteries of magic. Then Evandar took up the post of king.
"As the eggs began to hatch, it was clear to Eragon and Queen Tamunora that an order must be created to overlook the dragons and their riders for their forces combined are greater than an elf or dragon alone. In order to prevent these young riders to sow misery into the land of Alagaësia, for they were still new to their powers, the Order of the Riders was created. It was suggested that there be two systems in place to prevent an imbalance in the order: the leaders and the Elders. The leaders would stand at the forefront of the order and maintain the peace and prosperity of Alagaësia. The Elders were given the task of educating the new riders in order to prevent them from running astray. It was this that dual system that was made to prevent one from having too much power over the other. A system such as this would have been maintained for centuries had there not been the possibility of betrayal."
"Never had we considered that one of our own would turn against us," said Oromis with a pained expression. "It could be that we were so confident in our teachings or in our power but we never suspected that our very downfall would be by one of our own. Galbatorix was young at the time just like you Eragon when he foolishly attempted to test his bravery against the Urgals in the Spine, there his dragon, Jarnunvösk, was killed. I consider myself very fortunate Eragon that Glaedr and I were able to escape the tragedy of Doru Araeba. When one's dragon is killed or one's rider is killed, the pain that is felt is unbearable. An emptiness as cold as ice will appear for then they will no longer be connected—the dragon and rider. The pain of losing your dragon or rider can drive one insane. Galbatorix was young and he was driven towards the edge of madness."
"My father lost his dragon, Saphira, while he was fighting didn't he?" asked Eragon. He remembered hearing from his mother that he and his father shared a dragon named Saphira.
Oromis nodded, "In a battle on Vroengard, Saphira was killed. The loss of her drove Brom mad. Angered that his bonded partner in life was killed he sought the downfall of Galbatorix and the Forsworn, particularly Morzan. Do you know why Eragon?" This was something Murtagh had yet to tell Eragon or maybe Brom never told Murtagh. Curious, Eragon shook his head. Oromis's eyes darted to Queen Islanzadí. She was unmoving on the cot as she listened to the story. Eragon was not sure that she heard of what had happened between Morzan and Brom but she made no move to leave.
"I was never told," Eragon answered Oromis's question.
"It is not my place to tell you the history behind the man that is your father but I shall say this, Brom was young when he joined the Order and when he met Morzan. He idolized him. Morzan was above all in his eyes and he followed him about doing what was asked of him. However, after Saphira was killed. Brom blamed Morzan and soon sought his destruction," said Oromis. "His anger and hate drove him to create the Varden and forge alliances between the Varden and the dwarves. He killed three of the Forsworn, including Morzan, and orchestrated the deaths of five others. He went to such lengths to steal one of the three remaining eggs from Galbatorix. That was the extent of his grief Eragon. It was a grief that plagued him for nigh on a century. While Brom sought to channel his anger and sorrow into avenging Saphira, Galbatorix could not."
"He told me that you were the one to convince the other elders to deny him a second dragon," recalled Eragon from his conversation with Galbatorix during his battle with him earlier. Oromis's expression deepened as Islanzadí's lips thinned.
Oromis fell silent before nodding, "Galbatorix came to us on his knees begging us to give him another dragon. The grief from the loss of Jarnunvösk drove him to madness. He believed that forming a bond with another dragon would lessen the loss. I was ill at ease with how he appeared before us, desperate with a half crazed look in his eyes. The other Elders saw nothing of it and was about to grant Galbatorix another egg to heal his loss. I spoke out against it and another answer was put forth and Galbatorix was denied a second egg. His madness at the loss of his dragon soon changed as hatred for the order. He saw our denial as an act of vengeance against him. In retaliation Galbatorix, with the help of Morzan, who will later become the first of the thirteen Forsworn, stole an egg from us. The dragon in the egg was forced to hatch for him and would later be twisted to serve him. That dragon was and is Shruikan."
"With his band of Forsworn, Galbatorix attacked Doru Araeba and during the battle the Order of the Dragon Riders was horribly crippled," said Oromis. A shadow passed over his teacher's face and Eragon could tell that Oromis was reliving what had happened during the battle. "Many of our companions were killed on the Island of Vroengard particularly these four Eldunarí." Oromis gestured to the chest by Islanzadí with sad eyes. "They were but hatchlings and their riders have yet to learn the role of a dragon rider. The young ones fell easier than us. They're riders slain, Galbatorix gouged their heart of hearts from them. The violet Eldunarí that we were trying to make contact to was Fundor. The others were still too young to be named."
"I thought their riders named them?" asked Eragon. He remembered when Saphira was named. He practically continuously threw names at her until she found one that she liked. Oromis shook his head.
"Dragons often choose their own name once they are old enough to understand the concept of a name and its meaning," said Oromis he glanced at Saphira's shadow as if interested by something but continued, "A perversion to this tradition was when Galbatorix named Shruikan. He did not let his dragon choose his own name for then that would mean giving Shruikan the freedom to shape his own self. Remember Eragon that a name carries great weight."
Eragon full well knew that Oromis was referring to the concept of a true name. Everyone had a true name or so Eragon was led to believe. He had never made an attempt to know his own true name. It never meant much to him. However, now that he thought about it. What was his true name? Did he even have one yet? He knew that Saphira did not make a great enough of an attempt to divulge her own true name. His eyes wandered to Islanzadí and Oromis, he had no doubt that they knew their own true names. Did he even want to know his? The thought played about in his head for a long time as Oromis continued.
"By denying Shruikan the right to choose his own name, he denied Shruikan his freedom therefore bounding himself to Galbatorix," said Oromis. His eyes wandered to the chest. "The Eldunarí within that chest physically died on Vroengard after their riders were slain before their very eyes. They would have no doubt killed themselves had it not been for Galbatorix and his Forsworn. If I am correct to assume so, when the dragons were slain he would take their heart of hearts for his own and now every Eldunarí in his possession are the very dragons they'd slain on Vroengard."
It was a miracle than thought Eragon how Glaedr and Oromis managed to escape such an onslaught. The leader of the dragon riders then, Vrael, was killed in his hesitation. He could have killed Galbatorix thought Eragon and be rid of him. However he did hesitated to do so and because of that was injured. In order to ensure his reign, Galbatorix hunted down Vrael and killed him. "If it is not any offense to ask this but how did you and Glaedr escape Vroengard?" asked Eragon curiously. He did not mention the two names that Galbatorix spoke to him about: Kialandí and Formora.
The atmosphere in the tent was tense as the words left Eragon's mouth and he was not sure whether or not he regretted asking. Oromis remained silent for a long moment and when Eragon thought he wasn't going to answer, the elf spoke, "As I was flying out with Glaedr, two of the Forsworn Kialandí and Formora created a magic circle to trap Glaedr and myself," he heard a low rumble outside as Glaedr listened to the story. "The two of them did not kill me immediately but rather sought to punish me for leading the Elders in denying Galbatorix a second egg. When I had thought they would kill me, Glaedr's will broke the magic trapping us. He threw Kialandí back and impaled him on the spike of his dragon nearly killing the Forsworn. When he made to escape, Formora injured him and sliced off his front leg."
"Wasn't Formora an elf?" asked Eragon curiously at his words Islanzadí's expression tightened as if he had unknowingly stepped on a sensitive boundary. Oromis nodded looking ashamed of himself.
"That she was," said Oromis, "I can only assume that Galbatorix's words of persuasion won her over. You see Eragon, Galbatorix was and still is a gifted orator. He understands that it does not take war to move a people but words. That therein makes him a dangerous opponent." Like Elva thought Eragon warily as his mind wandered to the silver-tongued girl.
"She has shamed us," his eyes darted to Islanzadí, who was looking anywhere but Eragon and Oromis, as if the shame of an elf becoming an Forsworn was too great for her. It must have shocked them thought Eragon to see their own kind take part in the betrayal.
"We were too weak to participate in the last battle of The Fall," said Oromis his eyes wandering to Islanzadí. She did not move and Eragon was worried that the elf queen may have forgotten to breathe. "King Evandar marched with our forces and the last of the free riders on Iliera. Brom having recovered from the battle on Vroengard joined him on the last stand against Galbatorix. There the last of our riders were slain as well as King Evandar. When we lost the battle, we withdrew to Du Weldenvarden and hid waiting for an opportune moment to come for us to once show ourselves to the world. A century passed before fate decided to grace us with your presence. Now we have three young and whole riders fighting for us: you, Murtagh, and Arya."
Eragon saw Islanzadí stiffen at the mention of her daughter. She was worried for her daughter thought Eragon. She had already lost a mate to Galbatorix, the possibility of losing Arya was no doubt a dark thought that plagued her mind.
Oromis paused, his eyes wandered to the chest once more before he sighed, "It will take time for them to recover if at all but it pains me to see such young Eldunarí twisted to such an extent," he fell silent, done with his story. Once more no one dared to speak, sinking deeply into their own thoughts. Then Oromis's eyes returned to Eragon. "What will you do now Eragon?"
Taken by surprise, it took Eragon a moment to gather his thoughts. "Now that the siege of Gil'ead is won, I would like to return to the Varden," said Eragon. He was hesitant in his decision. He wanted to be reunited with the people he loved but he felt reluctant to leave the defenseless Eldunarí. Oromis saw his dilemma and turned to Islanzadí.
"I do not see the harm in you taking one with you," said Oromis surprising Eragon. He had thought that Islanzadí and Oromis would want the Eldunarí close by for safeguarding. When Eragon expressed his thoughts Oromis nodded, "It is true. I do not wish to part with such a young minded Eldunarí after having just rescued it but it may be for the best. Giving it distance away from Urû'baen may ease its mind. There will also be Thorn, Eridor, and Saphira there to safe guard and give it company."
"Which Eldunarí will I be taking?"
Oromis was thoughtful, "Fundor is the oldest of the four. It will be easier for you to try and communicate with him as compared to the other three." Eragon nodded, that seemed a fair enough logic to follow.
"May I Your Majesty?" asked Eragon waiting for Queen Islanzadí's approval. She turned to him with an impassive expression. Holding her gaze he waited for her to say something. After a few moments, she nodded.
"I can see no reason to deny you," replied Islanzadí. He had hoped that she would say as much. After another long moment of silence, she stood turning to Eragon. "I will have some of my warriors prepare you for your journey back to the Varden. When do you plan on leaving Shur'tugal?"
"Early morn," Eragon answered her. She nodded, her brows furrowed.
"Very well, I shall have your saddle and bags supplied and such on the southern front of our encampment," her eyes traveled down to the chest in her hands, "I shall meet you for your departure with Fundor." With that she swept the flap of the tent aside easily and left her guards posted outside falling into formation behind her. Eragon watched her leave his mind calling out to Saphira, who had up to this point, remained silent.
Queen Islanzadí does not seem herself, Eragon observed.
It must be the constant talk of King Evandar. I heard that his body was lost in the battle, said Saphira after a long moment. She was feeling rather upset. He could only think that it was the Eldunarí that upset her. To have to lose their riders when they were so young…It reminds me of the time when we were separated. That feeling was horrible. I cannot even imagine the pain a dragon goes through when their rider is forever lost to them.
Saphira…
If you died, I do not think I will have the will to continue living without you, her words shocked him. He was about to scold her until he thought of himself. If Saphira died would he continue on without her? He thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. No, Saphira was not going to die. There was no need to think of such things.
He turned back to Oromis, he was walking about his tent grabbing two cups and a wineskin. "Master Oromis," Eragon called out to him. His teacher remained quiet but Eragon could see a difference in his posture showing that he had heard him. "Has any other rider lost their dragon that you knew of?"
Oromis nodded, "There were plenty during the great battle a hundred years ago. However there may be one more whose rage was greater than Galbatorix and Brom. During the battle on Vroengard, there was an elf by the name of Thuviel who was assisting us in fending off the Forsworn. His dragon died and he no longer wanted to continue living. That was why during the battle on Vroengard, he killed himself with magic. Whether by design or by accident has never been clear. But I can only think that if it was by accident that Thuviel did not regret it for he loved his dragon dearly."
"How did he kill himself?" asked Eragon curiously as Oromis placed a cup in his hands pouring an amber color liquid from his wineskin into the cup for Eragon.
"He converted his flesh to magic," said Oromis pouring himself a cup. Eragon took a drink immediately recognizing the sweet nectar like taste. It was faelnirv, an elven liqueur. "The result was that a great explosion shook the island of Vroengard poisoning the island. Now, the island has become twisted with life that is not meant to be and that is no doubt evil." Eragon took another long drink from his cup emptying the cup altogether. He was sure he was never drunk before thought Eragon as he continued to drink with Oromis. It seemed like his master was deeply suffering after he saw the state of the Eldunarí and how they were unable to make contact with the soul of the dragon resting inside. It was a sad thing to forget one's own name. Eragon sighed as he felt his body become warm by the faelnirv. His mind was starting to buzz slightly.
He was sure he was not drunk. He remembered seeing Saphira drunk on dwarvish mead before and she nearly destroyed the banquet hall they were dining in. He had seen Thorn just as drunk as Saphira. The ruby dragon had tried to stand on his hind legs and collapsed nearly crushing a hundred people. He had seen Murtagh drunk before and his half-brother passed out cold on the floor without a care in the world. But Eragon was never drunk. He just did not want to risk his image if he ever let liqueur have the best of him. Come to think of it, he had never seen an elf drunk either. Even during the Agaetí Blödhren he did not see one elf drunk. He remember merry dancing and singing. It seemed that when elves drank liqueur they merely appeared to be unwinding themselves. Unlike when humans or dwarves became drunk, elves did not become sluggish nor provocative. Eragon was sure that when drunk he would be neither.
The two of them, master and student, spent a great time merely speaking to each other. They conversed about the battle for Gil'ead, about the years before the fall of the riders, and about life in general. Eragon could not remember more of the conversation but he was positive that there was nothing of importance besides mere conversation between the two of them.
"Are you intoxicated?" Arya was staring at him from the mirror situated in the tent that the elves let him stay in during his time with them. He folded his arms across his chest feeling rather well. No, he felt better than well, he felt rejuvenated in mind and body. Currently he was speaking with Arya about the conditions at Feinster and relaying to her the ongoing events in Gil'ead. After they had heard each other's stories Arya was going to turn the two way contact over to Nasuada for him to give her his rather informal report at the moment.
Eragon frowned. "That I am not," answered Eragon. She raised a brow looking as if she did not believe a word he said. Then she asked him once more in the ancient language. He opened his mouth to reply to her surprised to find the words stuck on his tongue refusing to come out. As if satisfied that she was indeed correct Arya snorted.
"You are intoxicated," said Arya. She had been telling him about the battle of Feinster until it she noticed his condition. "Would you like a moment to gather your wits before we continue? Perhaps you can ask Oromis or another elf to give you a drink to clear your mind."
"I refused," said Eragon surprising her. "I do not need a drink to clear my mind. I am perfectly capable of holding a conversation as I am now."
How stubborn you are, commented Saphira in his head. Arya looked torn between humor and disapproval but she did not say anything about his stubbornness and continued. That could only mean that he was going to hear about it when he returned to the Varden thought Eragon unsure of whether or not he should feel happy or regretful. "In any case, I thought it was only fitting to let Nasuada as well as Blödhgarm and the others to know about the Eldunarí. Seeing as Glaedr entrusted his Eldunarí to Murtagh for safe keeping it is only fair."
Eragon frowned rubbing his temple feeling a slight ache but he ignored it, "Are you upset that he did not entrust his Eldunarí to you?" asked Arya mistaking his frown as a result of her words. He blinked and shook his head.
"No, I just have a slight headache," said Eragon honestly. He straightened, focusing his thoughts, "In any case, that is good to know for I have to tell Nasuada about what has happened in Gil'ead and it pertains to the Eldunarí. Is she there?" Arya nodded, she looked reluctant to leave but she knew that he had a duty to his liege lord first and foremost when he returned to the Varden he would tell her everything that had happened.
She disappeared and a minute passed before Nasuada settled before the mirror facing Eragon. She studied Eragon for a long moment before smiling, "It is heartening to see that you are well, I had heard whispers that the siege for Gil'ead was fierce."
"That it was," agreed Eragon with a slight nod. "How are you Nasuada? Arya has told me that you managed to settle matters concerning Feinster."
"Yes, with the cooperation of Lady Lorana. She could not go against Galbatorix directly but we managed to find ways about her oath," Nasuada stared at him for a long moment, "She claims that she has met you before Eragon, when you were Gabranth." He nodded, "In any case, without her assistance we would have spent many days trying to bring order about Feinster. I take it that Arya has told you about the battle for Feinster?"
"In as much detail as she could," said Eragon. Nasuada nodded. "You were informed about Glaedr and Oromis as well as the Eldunarí by Arya." He did not say it as a question but as a statement for she nodded. Before she could open her mouth to answer, Eragon turned away feeling his chest heave. He coughed violently into the crook of his elbow, after a moment he turned back to Nasuada apologetic. "Sorry."
She merely shook her head with an amused look, "I was warned that you were somewhat under the influence at the moment."
Somewhat? Completely, corrected Saphira in Eragon's thoughts. He merely poked at her mentally before he turned his attention back to Nasuada as she spoke, "But yes, I was told by Arya and later Murtagh about your teachers and about the Eldunarí. Though it irked me to be kept in the dark, I understand the weight of such a secret if it became common news, who knows what other greedy magician would seek the dragons merely for their Eldunarí? In any case, this certainly does shed light on how and where Galbatorix is getting his strength. Now what news have you for me during your service to Islanzadí at Gil'ead, Eragon?"
He described to her in detail of what transpired at Gil'ead. She was surprised to hear of how Galbatorix took control of Jeremiah's body but remained quiet until he reached the end of his report. All while he spoke, Nasuada made curious expressions her fingers tapping against the table that the mirror rest on. When he was done and had finished telling her that he was leaving for the Varden by morn with Fundor, she spoke. "You were right," she said simply. He raised a brow waiting for her to elaborate. "I must admit that I was doubtful that your presence at Gil'ead would do much to help the elves since they are so strong a race but I was wrong. You managed to keep another rider safe and retrieve four Eldunarí. That thinking is for a leader Eragon."
"I am still far from being the leader that I should be," said Eragon. She nodded. Her earlier tapping on the table stopped, her fingers pausing.
"Will you be able to help the Eldunarí?" asked Nasuada.
"I will try as well as the others I am sure but I cannot guarantee that we will make progress anytime soon," said Eragon. She nodded once more. Quiet for a moment, Eragon waited for her to speak. She stared at him studying him for a moment.
"In any case, you did us a good service Eragon," said Nasuada, "I will await for your arrival. You should rest, you have worked hard. And I am sure that you are having quite the trouble focusing on politics at the moment."
"Of course my lady," Eragon bowed to her.
This chapter surprisingly was difficult. I could barely remember any of the details from Inheritance. I'm not sure if it's because my mind has suppressed the memories of the book or because I'm so focused on this story that I just started to forget what actually happened. Anyways, I had to go reread a few chapters to familiarize myself once more with the book. I hope you all like it. And I would like to thank the reviewer who told me about the interview CP had regarding possible ExA in his other works. I'm holding out hope that CP won't disappoint once again. Lately I feel like you all have been deprived of ExA so I shall be working on their reunion! Anyways, I'll see you all soon.