Chapter 7: Link to the Rescue
Link spent a lot of time with Arya training to use magic. He learned several new words in the ancient language. He learned that if he merely spoke the word brisingr, or fire, he could ignite an arrow and cause a massive explosion of green flame.
"Why is the flame green?" Link asked.
"Your magic color matches that of your dragon. Every spell you cast will be green," said Arya. "It just so happens that my magic color is green as well."
He also learned what scrying was, and the command, draumr kópa. It took him a while to perfect it, but he learned quickly.
Over this time, Vanilor grew as well. Link began to have conversations with him, and Arya told him that soon he would be large enough to ride.
When Link was having difficulty with a particular spell, thrysta vindr, Vanilor offered advice.
When you utter the command, make a thrusting motion with your right hand, as if you were throwing the ball of air toward something, said Vanilor.
Link followed his dragon's advice. He planted his feet firmly on the ground as Arya taught him, then said, "Thrysta vindr!" and shoved his right hand forward, palm facing outward. Instantly Link saw the air ripple toward a hill and blast a hole in the ground, sending dirt and grass everywhere.
"Excellent," said Arya. "You learn quickly."
The training, which Link learned was called tuatha du orothrim, took several weeks. By the time he was nearly done, Vanilor was large enough to ride. The Varden fashioned a special saddle that was placed on his back, in the middle of a gap between the sharp scales, right where his neck met his shoulders.
When the first half of his training was finally complete, Link was asked to see Nasuada and the Council of Elders in the same room he had first met with them. He knew exactly why they were meeting with him. Link dressed in his red tunic for the occasion and headed over to the room. He was invited in briefly after knocking.
Link walked in the room and had a seat in between Umérth and Elessari. There was a brief silence before Jörmundur spoke.
"I'm sure you know why we've asked you to come," he said gravely. "It is time you went after Eragon Shadeslayer and Roran Stronghammer, our two greatest assets."
Link nodded. He knew it.
"You and Vanilor will leave immediately. I trust you can get your own weapons ready?" he said. Link nodded. " Here is a map, then," he said while handing over a scroll. Link took it gratefully. "That will be all," he said.
Link stood and excused himself from the room, then headed straight to his own room to pack his weapons.
What's going on? asked Vanilor.
We're going after Eragon and Roran, said Link.
Already? Vanilor asked.
Yes. The Council thinks we're ready. Do you? said Link.
I do not doubt, Vanilor replied. Link smiled inwardly and finished putting his Deku Nuts into his travel bag, which he then strapped to his back. When he made sure everything was ready, he exited his room and made for the secret entrance to Vanilor's courtyard. Once there, he saw Arya and Orik were waiting for him.
"Hello," said Link. "Come to see me off, have you?"
"Oeí. To wish you good luck as well," said Orik. Link nodded his thanks both to the dwarf and Arya, then mounted Vanilor, whose saddle was already on his back. Link made sure his legs were strapped to the saddle securely.
Ready? said Vanilor.
Ready, Link replied. Vanilor then kicked off the ground with a mighty flap of his wings, and they were airborne. This was only the second time he had ridden Vanilor; when Vanilor's saddle was first made, Link went for a quick fly around the countryside where nobody would see them.
Going through landscape was tricky while trying not to be seen, but Link thought Vanilor did it very well. They steered clear of nearby villages such as Lithgow and Petrovya. It took hours to get past the latter, but soon they were flying above what Link knew from looking at the map was Lake Tüdosten, which meant they were now within the Empire's borders. By then it was nearly sunset, so Link told Vanilor to land as soon as there was barren, level ground. Link was already a skilled outdoorsman, so he set up a fire and cooked his dinner over it. Vanilor left to hunt for his own food. As soon as Link was finished eating, Vanilor returned with a mouthful of deer. Link sat on his bedroll and talked with his companion for a long time. Finally, after he became weary, Link nodded off. Vanilor folded one of his wings over his Rider and slept as well.
Early the next morning, they ate a quick breakfast and Link was on Vanilor's back again. They talked of anything and everything, like Galbatorix, the elves, Eragon, the like. Their conversation stopped, however, when they flew over a particularly interesting landscape. The ground was dry and cracked, and several geysers pockmarked the land. The dry ground was almost a charcoal color, and looked burnt.
This must be the Burning Plains, said Link.
Yes, you can tell from the battle-worn corpses. The battle that occurred here must not have been long ago.
Nasuada spoke of it as if it happened ages ago, Link said.
Perhaps it is hard for her to remember.
Sunset arrived after they were clear of the Burning Plains, so they stopped and rested again. They were in the middle of nowhere, so Link did not fear to make a campfire again. Vanilor hunted while Link cooked, and they repeated the same process of the night before.
When they awoke, Link referred to his map. After some speculation, Link guessed they were somewhere in between Melian and Dras-Leona. At the rate they were going, they'd be to Helgrind by nightfall. Satisfied, Link mounted Vanilor once again and continued their journey to save Eragon and Roran.
As Link predicted, it was sunset when he could see Helgrind. As Nasuada had described, it was an evil-looking place. It was nothing but a mere mountain, but the shapes of its peaks and the overall appearance of it sent shivers down his spine. Link feared to get too close to it, but found a raised area where he could see the mountain perfectly. Vanilor was about to land in a certain spot, but something caught Link's eye.
Look! said Link. What is that?
What is what? Vanilor asked.
That shimmering mound on that hill. Let's land by it.
Vanilor swerved around and headed for what Link was talking about. He landed with a thud and Link dismounted, puzzled as to what it could be. When he drew closer, he gasped.
It was a tomb, but it was the strangest tomb he had ever seen. It looked like a heaping pile of gold with a sheet of glass over the top of it. He could see straight down into it, and could see the person inside. It was an old man, who looked merely asleep. Link noticed an enscription on the glass. It read:
HERE LIES BROM
Who was a Dragon Rider
And like a father
To me.
May his name live on in glory.
Link realized this was the same Brom that had taught Eragon most of his skills, and the same Brom that was killed by the Ra'zac. The enscription was written by Eragon himself. Humbled, Link bowed his head and paid homage to one of the greatest Riders who ever lived.
Vanilor bowed his head as well. It was a long time before either of them spoke.
It happened at dinner.
Link was finishing his food and Vanilor was just returning from a hunt when Link heard a cry. Wiping his mouth, Link called to Vanilor.
I can't see that far, said Link, especially in the darkness. What can you see?
Vanilor peered in the direction Link was looking, which was at the base of Helgrind.
There are two men, said Vanilor. They appear to be dead. They are lying next to a wheelbarrow with rations in it.
That can't be Eragon and Roran! Link despaired.
No, they are slaves, Vanilor said. Link breathed a sigh of relief.
Let's get a closer look, said Link. Vanilor allowed Link to climb aboard his saddle. When he was securely fastened, he silently swooped down off the large hill and into a small wooded area, where Vanilor would be harder to see because of his green scales. They were near the edge of the woods, and Link could see much better.
Two bat-looking creatures flew down from the top of Helgrind. Merely looking at them filled Link's heart with fear. He had never seen such hideous creatures. Link could tell something was on each of their backs.
They must be the Ra'zac! said Link. Vanilor agreed. The bat creatures landed awkwardly near the slaves' carcasses. Both riders dismounted. One took the rations out of the wheelbarrow and packed them on the back of its bat, and the other took the slaves. Then they both rode to the top of Helgrind.
Troubling, said Vanilor. I don't like this. Let's get out of here.
I couldn't agree more, said Link. Hastily, he began to mount Vanilor. He was only just too late. As he was about to strap himself on, he felt a sharp pain on the back of his head, and heard Vanilor roar.