The inexperienced dragons got tired very easily which annoyed both Saphira and Glaedr as they had hoped to cross threw Alegasia in only a couple of days. Now it would take a week or so if they were lucky. The girls also needed to rest more often than Eragon. Riding on the back of a gigantic dragon was exhausting for anyone who was untrained, even the elves. Eragon had to continuously apologize and convince Saphira not to fly away without him. The girls noticed Saphira's malice towards them as they walked off to fetch water from a nearby stream.
"That giant dragon has a real attitude." Isabella said as she let the water flow into her pouch.
"I'm sure we are moving at a pace much slower than they would like. I mean look, our dragons are sound asleep from flying and we can both barely move. Those two are talking as if they just took a quick stroll." Nadia said eyeing Eragon and Saphira closely, "It's amazing their endurance and stamina. I've never seen anything like it."
As much as she hated it, Isabella had to admit what Nadia said was the truth. She had seen how strong and powerful Eragon was but she never would have guessed he was this physically able. She was envious of the strength that seem to ooze out of every part of him.
"Do you think we can ever get that strong?" Nadia asked.
"Yes. Stronger even. We can be so strong that no one ever has to suffer again. We can protect everyone." Isabella said.
Nadia nodded, "I will protect you Izzy. That is if you want me to."
Isabella stood there stunned and watched the sun gleam off of Nadia's face making her freckles blaze like fire, "We can protect each other. Like we've always done."
Nadia nodded closing her pouch. She walked back to where they had set up camp. Isabella watched her walk away. She had always felt connected to Nadia. Since the first time she let her play with her toys when they were young. She never wanted to be away from her or see harm come to her. She had always protected her and she had sworn to do it for the rest of her life.
Eragon finished setting up camp as he heard footsteps. He knew who's they were so he did not get alarmed.
"That was quick," Eragon said to Nadia, "Did you get all the water u needed."
"Yes sir. Thank you sir." Nadia said.
Eragon chuckled, "You really must stop with these formalities. They are useless to you now. You are a Rider and you must present yourself as one. Where I stay politeness is encouraged but no one is anyone else's 'sir' or 'mam'."
"But I thought you were their leader and teacher?"
"And that I am but I created a different society. One not as formal as the elves, but not as informal as the Urgals or Dwarves. There everyone announces me by my title in respect but not in duty. I am no one's sir or lord. I am just another Rider like you or Isabella. Once you perform a deed high enough to earn a title I will announce you in that title as you do me."
Nadia was very happy with this. She had worried that when she arrived everyone would want to be referred to as a lord or a lady and that her role there would be the same in Carvahall. Worried that she had left Carvahall only to do the same thing in a strong place.
Isabella walked up next to them yawning loudly. She was obviously tired and Eragon could see that. He had set up individual tents for them to sleep in comfortably.
"Please pick one that suits you." Eragon said.
Isabella walked over to the one in the middle and dove into it. She slumped down on the sheets hard and fell into a slumber almost immediately as her head hit the ground.
"You can go to if you need to," Eragon said to Nadia as he saw her still sitting trying dearly to keep herself up, "No need to worry about me. I am more than capable of being out by myself."
"Thank you Eragon Shadeslayer." She stood went into the same tent as Isabella and snuggled close to her.
Why did I even bother making three tents, Eragon wondered to himself.
About quarter of an hour had past and Eragon thought they were sound asleep. He went and grabbed three wooden, long bladed, one handed training swords. An upgrade from Brom's sticks he thought. He walked over to the tent the girls were sleeping in and tore it apart exposing them to the cold spring air. They jumped out of their sheets only to be met by a sword swipe to the torsos.
"What the hell!?" Isabella screamed still groggy from her small nap.
"Watch your tongue. Little girls should not speak that way." Eragon said standing over both of them.
He threw them the training swords. Barely able to see them they put their hands up in a defensive position to stop the swords from hitting their heads.
"We were just sleeping!" Isabella was fuming mad and wide awake now, "I'm going to kill you now!"
"Use that anger and come." Eragon said egging her on as he backed away into the area he cleared for training. She followed him and lunged with every ounce of force she had trying to split him in two. She dodge easily smacking her in the rear with the flat of his sword.
She winced in pain and fell to the floor.
"Anger is good in battle. But only if you can control it. Otherwise it is nothing but a liability." Eragon began teaching her. "You," he pointed at Nadia who was still sitting where the tent used to be, "Get your sword and come strike at me as well. You two both have much learning to do."
She stood up and got into a battle ready stance.
"Your stance is impressive and controlled. Your breathing is at the prefect pace to fuel strength into your muscles perfectly. I see you had a great teacher. But that won't be enough to hit me."
Isabella slowly climbed to her feet and watched as Eragon was distracted with Nadia. Nadia looked over at her and gave her a slight hand gesture they had come up with when fighting together. She knew that she had to wait until she strikes and then strike to catch him off guard. After years of training together Nadia and Isabella knew each other's moves like they knew their own.
Just like it was planned Nadia leaped at Eragon and proceeded to attack with a volley of strikes which all missed their target swiftly. She was very unpredictable and Eragon got the feeling that these moves would have turned him into chopped ham 50 years ago. He was very impressed by her speed and fighting instincts. She reminded him of an old elf friend. She went high and then low spinning and jumping out of the way of the way of his attacks just as they were inches from her. Eragon praised her swordsmanship inwardly increasing his speed and strength steadily.
Isabella saw that Nadia was doing everything she could to find an opening for her and it felt like he had none until she saw that as he goes to attack her with his striking hand loosens his guard on the opposite side. She calculated that the window for attack was less than a tenth of a second, which faster than anything she's ever done. However seeing Nadia give her all gave Isabella the drive to try and exploit that window.
She waited for him to strike again then lunged closing her eyes and moved faster than she's ever gone before. She swung and felt her wooden blade hit something. She opened her eyes and saw that somehow Eragon had made her and Nadia cross blades.
"I knew what you two were up to from the start. Isabella I could feel your energy anxious and waiting and so I created a false opening which spurred your energy to get excited. If you wish to sneak attack someone you must try harder to conceal your presence and true objective. Even though you had looked to be out your mind revealed your true goals and I was able to exploit that to my advantage. In battle you must conceal your mind as well as your body. Nadia I could tell that you were biding time by how in effective your attacks were. You were pulling back a few inches away from hitting me so that you could conserve energy and keep striking until Isabella found an opening. I realized this when the impact of your blows were not as fierce as they should have been."
The girls slumped down to the floor disappointed at their defeat again.
"But if you guys were fighting anyone else you would have won. I know some elves that wouldn't even stand a chance," Eragon smiled, "Now you can go back to sleep now. For real this time. No interruptions I promise."
Eragon began to walk away towards Saphira when heard," Thank you for the lesson." He turned to see both girls on their knees thanking him for the training the advice they just received. He nodded saying, "And many more will follow. Be prepared not all lessons will be as easy as today's."
They walked away sore and tired another tent and proceeded to sleep anticipating more lessons in the ways of the sword.
Oh how the roles have changed. Saphira teased Eragon, It was not too long ago Brom was educating you with wooden tools.
Well at least these are closer to actual swords and not just sticks I'd happen to find. Eragon chuckled a little at the thought.
She nuzzled him with her nose. He would be proud of you.
I sure hope so Saphira.