VIII
Critique
Brom's POV:
I watched our new 'friend' as he had an animated discussion with my son, explaining the finer points of swordsmanship as we trekked over to Dras-Leona. It has been two months since we left Teirm, on our mission to kill the Ra'zac, after making Jeod and Helen promise to utilise the transport runestone a day after we left.
I still remember Erik's reaction to Eragon declaring our mission, after having warded the room from eavesdroppers.
He fell out of his seat laughing.
Once he regained his composure, he fixed a level stare on Eragon, his legs crossed, arms resting on the arm rests, his fingers steepled. He held the stare on Eragon until he started to squirm on the spot.
"Kid, just because you are now a Dragon Rider, doesn't mean you can go out hunting the very thing that hunt your species" he said, his voice even and calm. It was the tone of a parent scolding a child. I got up, opening my mouth to defend him, at which Erik fixed me with a murderous look and pointed a finger at me.
"Sit down and shut up. I'll deal with you once I'm finished with him" he says, his voice sounding like the Spine in the chill of winter.
"Alright, let's break it down. One, you are motivated by revenge. This will make it personal, and it will consume you. You will not be objective on this hunt. Anytime you think you are not making progress, you will sink into near suicidal, self destructive depression. Second, you're inexperienced and untrained. Once you've broken a siege or successfully lead a counterattack against a superior force, I might consider letting you go on a solo op. Until such time, you're as green as a new bud in spring. Third, these monsters are apex predators of humans, and their mounts hunt everything else, including dragons. It's only the King's power that helps him keep a control over them. They are the very definition of fear. Their native cunning means that not only they wanted you to come after them, they expect you to. Why else would they leave a flask of their most precious weapon behind?" he continued, his incisive analysis of the situation, though valuable, was destroying the poor boy's confidence. Erik must have realised that, for he got up and gripped Eragon by his shoulders, causing him to look up. Erik gave a kind smile.
"I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it. But, that it shouldn't consume you. You will fall down, and that's among one of the reasons I'm here. To prevent that" he says, his voice warm and kind. The cynical, paranoid part of me was worried that he would win Eragon over with his charisma. But, the part that trusted Arya's judgement, told me to wait and watch.
"Now Brom" said Erik, his voice taking on a tone that can only be called menacing, his smile turning predatory "let's discuss you"
And he reamed into me. I felt like a complete idiot by the time he was done with me.
The second, more private, reaming he gave me afterwards was even worse. I honestly felt small.
"I think we should make camp now" I said as I noticed the time of the day. Sounds of acknowledgement, were heard. Eragon volunteered to get water, while the rest of us set up camp. Saphira came gliding down on silent wings, landing with nary a sound or tremor, a thing that Erik had insisted. When Saphira had complained, he had a completely private mental conversation with her. All Eragon saw were a succession of images, with strange devices that seemed to fly. And all of them were supposed to be completely silent and all of them were the epitome of killing machines.
While we set up camp, I felt a prickle of unease, my sixth sense screaming to me to rush to Eragon's side.
And then I heard it.
An Urgal hunting horn.
Eragon! Saphira bellowed as she launched herself into the air. We readied ourselves, packing up the camp, until I noticed something strange.
Erik was standing stock still, his head bowed.
"Erik...?" Arya asked hesitantly, as she reached out to touch his arm. At that very instant, his head snapped up, his eyes open and glowing with an unearthly red light. A purple haze coated him, causing him to start floating in the air. A heavy presence filled the entire area, as Saphira flew in, carrying a very clearly injured Eragon.
"What's happening to Erik?" I ask Allister and Arya, who shot me uncomprehending expressions of confusion. Great, even they did not know.
Crashing sounds herald the arrival of the Urgal hunting party, who come to a screeching halt, making uncomprehending grunting sounds. Then, one of them, presumably the leader, stepped up and grunted.
"What elvish devilry is this! We of the Gormag clan do not fear pretty lights and..." he is cut of by a chuckle. Well, more like a mountain caving on itself, if it could sound amused, definitely.
"My kin, you disappoint me" came a voice of untold age. And power.
"We are not your kin, human" the Gormag hunting party leader said, his tone giving away his disgust.
"No? How about a little show-and-tell" came the voice again from Erik's mouth. And my mind is assaulted with images.
A mountain redoubt. A loving family.
Manifesting magic at a young age.
Being shunned by everyone not related by blood, until meeting a crazy hermit called Tenga.
Surviving insane adventures, only to come home to see yor family slaughtered and your clan burnt to the ground.
Learning of the attackers whereabouts, and hunting them down.
Deciding to unite the clans under one banner. A banner of peace. So that no one may know the pain you knew.
A vicious conflict, uniting the disparate clans.
Being crowned the King of the Urgals.
Peace and prosperity.
Deceit and treachery.
A horrible crime, pinning the blame on the Urgals.
A terrible war, the Urgal's inevitable defeat.
The unmasking of the traitors, their execution.
Death.
"No, No, it can't be...you're only a legend!" the Urgal exclaimed, his face slack jawed in amazement. Everyone else, including us are looking at Erik in shock. Again, somewhere a mountain caved, as Erik's eyes flashed red in amusement.
"Bow before me, for I am Kulkarverk. Your once and future king" said Erik, as all the debris and everything not secure to the ground started to float around us.
Next up: Kulkarverk: The Urgal, The Legend.
R&R!