I own nothing of the Inheritance Cycle!
Thoughts over bond.
If someone was to look up at the sky they would see a small black dot, leisurely flying in the clouds. They would think the dot was a simple bird, and they would continue on with their day.
In reality they small black dot was actually a very large, and very beautiful, aqua blue dragon, making her way to Surda. There were two men on her back named David and Murtagh.
David was in the front of the saddle, still dressed as though going to the Kings party, leaned up against Aquila's back. His looked have been turned back to normal however, with his auburn hair along with his elvish features. In his lap was the blue eldunarí of Saphira.
Murtagh was on the back of the saddle, facing David. His looks have also been returned to normal. His hair was no longer short and blonde, but instead it was a dark brown–possibly black–and brushed his shoulders. He had removed his servants apron and his shirt, claiming they were bothering him.
Both men had wide grins of success as they looked at the saddle in between them. For sitting in the saddle were two eggs: one blood red, and the other emerald green. Successfully stolen from King Galbatorix himself.
"We did it," Murtagh's voice was filled with a sense of accomplishment, "We actually got them."
"That we did." David agreed.
Murtagh reached out to pick up the red egg but David stopped him, "No Murtagh."
"What do you mean? You had said it would hatch for me."
"Yes I did say that, and if it does hatch I would rather us be on the ground then up here in the air where it might fall off of the saddle and plummet to the ground."
Murtagh looked at the red egg intently, seemingly fighting himself on whether or not to just pick it up anyway.
David is right young Murtagh. Saphira spoke It would be better if the hatchling was to hatch when we were safely on the ground. Although it may just hatch because it can feel your presence.
Murtagh relented but he seemed displeased that he was unable to touch the egg.
It won't necessarily hatch right away. Aquila spoke to those on her back It could take hours, or weeks.
"That's true. It took you several days to hatch for me." David rubbed his chin, "I still won't take any risks though." Aquila when we land, make sure we're near a lake or pond of some sort.
I will stop at the Tüdosten in the evening.
Thank you.
For awhile the group flew in silence, content to let themselves relax from the past several months of tension. David laid against Aquila's neck while she leisurely flew through the air while Saphira retreated into the Eldunarí, waiting for when she would be needed. Murtagh sat watching the eggs–mostly the red one–but his eyes drifted to the green one eventually and his brows furrowed in thought.
He looked up at David, "What about the green egg?"
David didn't need to open his eyes to know Murtagh was looking up at him, his shields were down and he was watching his surroundings. He supposed that was going to be a hard habit that won't be going away. "What about it?"
"You said you knew the red gag was going to hatch for me."
"I said it probably would. From what I know it will hatch for you, but I could be wrong." David pointed out.
Murtagh ignored Davids words, "So then who will the green egg hatch for?"
David opened his eyes and looked down at the green egg, "He will hatch for his rider." David ignored anymore of Murtagh's questions regarding the egg. Eventually Murtagh gave up and he leaned up against the spike behind him.
You did not tell him it would hatch for Arya.
I did not think it was something he needed to know.
Very well. But will you tell Arya?
David took a deep breath and released it before he spoke again I don't know. I probably should, though looking at how Vanir treated Eragon for being a human rider I worry for how we would be treated when there is an elf rider. Eragon and I would not be treated as equal as an elf.
You do not know that David.
Your right, I don't. But I fear that to be the case.
Will you keep the egg a secret then?
I probably won't be able too. With Murtagh knowing I have it I wouldn't be surprised if he told the leader of the Varden about it.
You mean Nasuada?
If she's the leader then yes.
The sun had nearly set by the time Aquila passed over the town of Furnost. She made it halfway over the Tüdosten before landing at the lakes edge.
David held the green egg and the Eldunarí securely to his chest before sliding down Aquila's side. He hit the ground with barely a whisper of sound and he continued a little ways away from the lake. He set down the Saphira and the egg before moving on to enter the forest for some fire wood. He was stopped by Murtagh's voice from behind him.
When he turned around he saw Murtagh was still sitting on Aquila's saddle. He raised a brow, "Yes?"
"If I get down the same way you did I'm going to break something."
"Don't be ridiculous it's not even that big a drop."
"Ridi–I am thirty feet from the ground!"
"Then walk down her back and get off her tail."
"I could end up slipping anyway and then break my back!"
David threw up his hands in exasperated defeat, "Then your stuck up there."
"You have magic, just levitate me down or something." Throughout the conversation Aquila has been shaking with rumbling laughter.
David turned back to the trees behind him, "Súndavar." The shadows slowly leaked out of the trees and wound their way towards Aquila and Murtagh. They rose into the air and attached to the saddle, slowly solidifying into the shape of a slide.
"There."
Murtagh looked at the slide with distrust. Slowly setting his legs Onto the slide to test whether or not it would hold, he tightly held onto the red egg before pushing off of Aquila's saddle and sliding to the ground. Once he stood up from the slide the shadows sunk into the ground.
Murtagh looked at David in thanks before he asked, "Where are you going?"
"I'm gonna find us some food, as well as some fire wood." David said as he walked into the forest next to the lake.
Casting his mind out into the forest David searched for any animals nearby that they could eat for their dinner. He discovered a deer not far from his position. He headed towards the small clearing where the deer was grazing. He reached for his magic, the killing word on the tip of his tongue…but he just couldn't do it.
David sat back and watched the deer with confusion. He didn't understand why it felt so wrong. He's killed plenty of deer before. Heck, look at when he first came to Alagaësia! But something about this felt different. If he killed the deer it would feel as though he was killing a friend. He didn't understand why he couldn't kill it.
You are changing little duck.
What do you mean?
You know you've been changing. Your looks have changed, your voice has changed, the way you walk, your speed and strength have changed, even your smell has changed.
David was stunned I…I knew I was changing but this? I haven't realized I've changed that much.
They were silent as David watched the deer. It still hasn't realized David was sitting there. What do I smell like?
Aquila was amused with the question Refreshing. Like fresh spring air…and apples.
David cracked a smile Spring air and apples?
Yea.
Well that's not that bad.
No it's not. And you better hurry up with that deer and for because Murtagh here is getting antsy.
David felt unease return to him at the thought of killing the deer. Aquila must have felt it as well David all is well. If you must then think back to when you were still able to hunt.
David did as she suggested. He thought back to the time before Aquila, when he would hunt down the deer and use their skin as clothing. It both helped and sickened him. But before he could loose his nerve he re-focused on the deer and spoke, "Deyja." The deer dropped with a dull thud.
You may have to continue to do so until we are able to return to the Varden.
Great. David smoothly lifted the deer over his shoulder, whispering a small apology in the ancient language.
When he rejoined Murtagh and Aquila, David set up the wood he had gathered from the forest. He lit the fire while Murtagh prepared the deer, and if thought killing the deer was hard it was nothing compared to actually having to eat it.
When they finished the deer David laid back onto the grass, gazing at the thousands of stars decorating the night sky. He closed his eyes, preparing to fall into a light sleep, much like how the elves sleep, when he heard a small squeak.
David opened his eyes as a smile broke out on his face. He sat up and looked at Murtagh over the fire, only to see that he had fallen asleep. Should I wake him?
The noise could have been something from the forest you know, not necessarily the egg.
David looked at the red egg sitting next to Murtagh's hand. The fire light reflecting off of its blood colored surface. He watched it for awhile, waiting for it to make another sound, but it stayed silent.
David went to lay back again but stopped when he saw the egg shake and emit another squeak. That didn't come from the forest. Scrambling to his feet David kneeled at Murtagh's side and shook him awake. Murtagh looked up at him with groggy eyes. David opened his mouth to explain but another squeak interrupted him. Murtagh looked at him as if he was crazy. "I'm not the one squeaking idiot!" David whacked him upside the head, ignoring the following "Ow!" As he pointed to the egg.
Murtagh looked to where he was pointing and saw the egg give a violent shake, making a small crack appear on the shell. He shot up from the grass, any sign of grogginess gone from his body as he tensely gazed at the egg.
Aquila situated herself behind both David and Murtagh, snaking her head on Murtagh's right, allowing herself to watch as one of her kin hatched from the egg.
Saphira. David sent his mind to the Eldunarí one of the eggs is hatching.
He felt the happiness and relief come from the elder dragon That is indeed wonderful news. The dawn of riders is coming again, and it is thanks to you young David, and with that Saphira retreated back into the Eldunarí.
David was only allowed to blink before he heard another squeak, this one louder and more urgent. He looked back down at the egg and saw more cracks webbing out across the egg. The egg then stopped shaking, and no more noise came from within. Chipped parts of the egg suddenly broke away near the top of the egg, that was the only movement for a few seconds before a small red nose emerged from within, followed by a serpentine neck. It looked around at its surroundings and when it saw Murtagh it gave another little squeak.
They all blinked in confusion when it retreated back into the egg. They leaned closer to the egg, only to draw quickly back when the rest of the egg burst open revealing the rest of the dragon hatchling.
The fire light revealed the spikes along the dragons back to be white as snow, along with its claws. The fire made the young dragons scales look like blood-red embers. When it shook out its wings they were revealed to be a wine red color.
The hatchling tucked its wings back to its sides and began sniffing the area around it. It's scarlet eyes landed on David before shifting over to Murtagh. It gave an excited squeak before wobbling over to sit in front of him. It sat in his haunches and looked up at Murtagh and cocked its head to the side, giving another squeak to reveal its pointy little teeth.
Murtagh looked over at David. He just sat their patiently and gazed back, "What are you looking at me for?" Murtagh looked back at the little dragon and hesitantly reached his hand out, allowing the red dragon to sniff at his hand before gently nuzzling his palm.
The moment it touched Murtagh's palm a bright light lit up the camp as Murtagh fell back against the grass with a cry. His whole body was tense as the pain flowed throughout his veins, eventually draining away.
Murtagh groaned and went to sit up, but David put a hand to his shoulder to stop him. "Rest Murtagh, all will be dealt with in the morning." Without the energy to argue Murtagh relaxed and allowed himself to drift to sleep.
A squeak drew Davids attention back to the hatchling as it climbed onto Murtagh's chest, circling around before settling down to sleep. David chuckled and returned to the other side of the fire. Aquila joined him and curled around him, drawing her wing over for a make-shift tent.
The following morning David woke up at the same time the sun rose. He opened his eyes to the light aqua blue of Aquila's wing.
Stretching in content David nimbly maneuvers from underneath the wing to find everyone in the camp to still be asleep. When he saw the small patch of red next to Murtagh, Davids immediate reaction was to rush over and check if he was still alive, but the memories from the night before came rushing back, breathing a sigh of relief when he realized the patch of red was just the dragon hatchling curled up against Murtagh's side.
Seeing the hatchling also made him remember that it would need to eat. He waded into the lake and casted his mind out towards the fish swimming away from the disturbance he created. He invaded the minds of three fish and made them swim up to his person. He took them from the water while telling them not to struggle.
He re-lit the fire and cooked two of the fish, leaving the third for the young dragon. The smell must have woken the dragon because he heard a squeak on the other side of the fire. He looked up to see him sitting on the opposite side of the fire, eyeing the cooking fish hungrily.
David whistled to get the hatchlings attention before he threw the fish next to him. He eyed David before sniffing the fish suspiciously. Apparently he found it satisfactory for he lunged at the fish and ripped into it.
Was I that really that small once?
Aquila's head was resting on the ground next to David, watching the hatchling as it devoured the fish David had given it. Scratching Aquila's snout David responded Indeed you were.
He does not even reach the length of one of my claws. It was true. From the tip of his snout to the tip of his tail, the hatchling was still a few inches shorter that any of Aquila's talons.
He will grow. Aquila hummed in agreement.
The sound drew the attention of the hatchling, making it look up from the fish and towards Aquila. When he saw her he let out another squeak, whether or not it was from fright David wasn't sure.
He slowly crawled towards Aquila's head. He didn't notice Murtagh awakening but David did. He handed one of the cooked fish to Murtagh as they watched the interaction between the two dragons.
"What are you going to name him?"
Murtagh looked at him with slight confusion, "What?"
"He'll need a name you know. Can't go around calling him dragon all the time."
"What would you suggest?"
"I like to think that naming the dragon yourself is a sort of special occasion." David patted Murtagh's shoulder, "You'll think of one, I know I did."
"And how did you find one? 'Aquila' is not from any language I know."
"I would have been surprised if you did know. Aquila is Latin for eagle."
"Latin? I have never heard of that language before."
"It's a language from where I am from." David said as he watched with amusement as the hatchling continuously tried to climb onto Aquila's snout. Only succeeding when he pounced and hooked his claws into her scales, causing her to growl and scare the hatchling into falling off onto the ground again.
"You are not from Alagaësia?"
David flicked his eyes towards Murtagh, "No."
"You come from across the sea?" Murtagh seemed to hold some kind of amazement in his voice.
"Yes, I come from very far away, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back…" Davids voice tapered off at the end as he sat and thought about his life before. It would seem that over the past eleven years he's been in Alagaësia he's forgotten his mothers name. Did he have any pets?
Murtagh broke him from his thoughts, "Aquila could bring you back home."
That caused David to start laughing, drawing the attention of the two dragons. "Where," David took a deep breath to compose himself, "Where I am from dragons were a myth–fantasy. Should I return in the back of one my people would most likely try to kill her." And then dissect her to find out more about dragons. Then ask where I found her.
Aquila raised her head and placed her snout against Davids forehead and hummed. It sent vibrations throughout his body that melted away his bad thoughts. It always brought a smile to his face.
The hatchling chirped and crawled up Murtagh's shirt before curling around his shoulders. Murtagh smiled at him and scratched beneath its chin, causing it to stretch out and begin purring. He laughed and turned to David, "They're like cats."
"When they are young like that definitely." Aquila snorted in mock affront.
"Don't even start with me Aquila you acted just like the hatchling."
"Hatchling?" Murtagh asked.
"Well you still haven't given him a name. What else am I going to call him?"
"I see… You called it a him right?" Even if David had said yes, Murtagh was too deep in thought to hear him.
Murtagh suddenly tensed up, "Somebody is here."
David stayed relaxed. He never has his barriers protecting his mind anymore. He knew the only living thing near their group were the fish in the lake, but he was still confused. "What do you mean? There is nobody around here for miles."
"Something, foreign, brushed against my mind."
Realization dawned on David, "Murtagh don't close your mind to him."
Murtagh looked at him, confused, "Why would I–"
"Actually that's a good tip. Alright young rider first lesson," David threw his arm over Murtagh's shoulder, "Do not close your mind off from your dragon. What you should do is join your consciences together until you think and act as one. Although," David looked at the young dragon, "You can wait to mingle your consciences when he gets a little older, for now just share each other's thoughts."
Murtagh looked at the hatchling on his shoulders, "You mean what I felt was him?"
"Of course."
Murtagh must have done what he said because his face gained a small smile and he turned to David, "He's curious."
David grinned with him, "They always are at that age."
David stood up from Murtagh's side and walked over to the lake. He kneeled down and peered at the waters surface, "Dramur kópa."
Nothing happened at first but then a part of the water stilled and turned dark until an image rippled into view. The image revealed an image of Galbatorix. David spoke again so he could hear whatever Galbatorix was saying.
"Are your men ready Ephraim?"
"Yes your majesty."
"You will set out for Surda immediately. It is there that you will encounter the Varden, and when you do you will do whatever is necessary to find my son."
"But your majesty he was taken by that dragon. The Varden might not even have him."
"Then explain to me why the dragon took my son! Why, out of everyone, was he the one the dragon captured? It's because it was given orders too."
"Your majesty?"
"The Varden has gotten word of my sons existence and they sent that beast to come and take him away from me, and I want you and your solders to bring him back."
"What of the other rider with the Varden?"
"Let nothing get in your way of finding my son." Galbatorix waved his general away, "That will be all."
Ephraim bowed, "Yes your majesty." He left the room, presumably to start leading his men towards the Varden.
David released the image and sat back. He was surprised that he was able to scry Galbatorix at all. What worried him was that Galbatorix did not tell Ephraim not to kill Eragon or Saphira. But he was pretty sure they would be able to handle themselves.
David returned to the others and saw the hatchling was inspecting Aquila's face. "Find a name yet?" He looked over at Murtagh for an answer.
"No," Murtagh signed, "I tried using some of the names of past dragons but I guess he didn't like any of them."
"Ah you'll find it eventually." David sat back against Aquila and watched the clouds drifting by when he remembered something.
"Hey, Murtagh?"
"What?"
"Your finding dinner tonight."