"I hope we make it to Helgrind by nightfall, Eragon," Roran said hopefully. "I can't bear another night without Katrina."
Saphira snorted. I couldn't fly that fast if Galbatorix himself was chasing me. Aberon to Dras-Leona in one day!
Eragon nodded, relaying Saphira's words to Roran. "I'm sorry, Roran, but it's impossible to make it to Helgrind before nightfall. We'll be lucky to get there by nightfall tomorrow. No, we'll be stopping in Cithrí tonight."
Roran crossed his arms and pouted. "Don't you forget, Eragon, this is all your fault," he said darkly.
Eragon sighed. "I know that, Roran," she said. "That's why I'm coming with you."
Most of the day, the three of them traveled in silence. Roran occupied himself with fantasies of what life would be like once they rescued Katrina. They would probably go on living with Eragon and the Varden in Surda. They could have a life without Sloan, Katrina's treacherous father. After he betrayed them in Carvahall, Roran didn't even care if he hated him.
Eragon's thoughts first fell on Arya. There were two instances in Ellesméra when he had expressed his passionate feelings for Arya and she had furiously rejected him. He knew that he was a human and she was an elf and that he was only a child compared to her. Still, he was a Rider and his life span had been greatly increased because of it. Then, she hadn't even come to say goodbye when he was leaving Aberon that morning. Nasuada's words rang in his head; she hasn't been herself lately. Were his feelings for her still bothering her?
Then there was the task at hand. To rescue Katrina, Eragon knew that he would have to defeat and kill the Ra'zac. That by itself would be a challenge. The Ra'zac were born to prey on humans. Roran's descriptions of what they actually looked like and his story of how they ate Quimby still haunted him. His task would be made even more difficult if Galbatorix or even Murtagh showed up at Helgrind. He just had this foreboding feeling that he'd be seeing Murtagh again soon.
Saphira sensed his restlessness and tried to comfort him. You are not alone, little one, she said. I'm here. Roran's here too.
Eragon sighed. I know, Saphira. I know. It's just that, well, Roran won't be much help if we have to face Galbatorix or Murtagh. Even the Ra'zac will be a challenge.
When you fought Murtagh, much of your strength was already gone, Saphira pointed out. He waited to come into battle until the Empire was losing. He had an unfair advantage over you.
What's to say he won't next time? Eragon asked. What if I have to kill the Ra'zac and then Murtagh shows himself? He'll be at the same advantage.
Galbatorix has no reason to believe that we're coming after the girl now. Saphira comforted him, He's probably still sitting in Urû'baen.
Eragon sighed again as Cithrí came into view just ahead of them. It was just starting to get dark so they had made excellent time. Eragon nudged Roran, "There is Cithrí." Take us down, Saphira.
Saphira descended slowly, almost blending in with the dark night sky. Roran gasped in fright and grabbed Saphira's neck to steady himself. I hope he's more accustomed to flying tomorrow, Saphira told Eragon. I can't maneuver as well with him grabbing my neck like that.
Eragon laughed and Roran shot him a quizzical look. Eragon relayed Saphira's concerns and Roran crossed his arms indignantly. "I'm sorry I don't fly around on dragons all day while normal people are trying to save villages from the Empire," he snapped.
Land on the outskirts, Eragon told Saphira. I don't know whether or not these people know of us or not. I don't know whether King Orrin's told them or not.
Very well, Saphira agreed and touched down outside Cithrí's walls.
Eragon and Roran dismounted. I'll spend the night in the city with Roran, Eragon said to Saphira. I doubt he'll take kindly to the idea of sleeping under your wing.
Saphira nodded. I understand.
Eragon turned to Roran. "Come on," he said. "We'll find lodging and supplies in Cithrí. These people should be friendly to us."
Roran nodded and followed Eragon to the city gates, impulsively putting his hand on his hammer. The last few times he'd tried to enter a city, the guards had given him a hard time.
"Who are you and what are you doing walking around outside the city at night?" one of the guards asked them when they reached the gate.
"I'm Eragon Shadeslayer and this is my cousin, Roran Stronghammer," said Eragon.
The guard gave them a funny look. "Eragon Shadeslayer, huh?" he asked disbelievingly. "The Eragon Shadeslayer? Aren't you supposed to be in Aberon?"
Eragon sighed and showed the guard his gedwëy ignasia. "I come from Aberon on Lady Nasuada of the Varden's orders," he told the guard. "I seek lodging and supplies in your city."
The guard looked at his shining palm in awe. "Do you… do you really have the dragon?"
"Yes."
"Come in, then. Come in," the guard said, hastily rushing them into the city. "Lord Smythe will be wanting to see you then. Come on, this way."
Eragon rolled his eyes and looked at Roran. The two followed the guards through the streets of Cithrí and into a large square with a large estate on the other end. The guard led them into the estate and took them to Lord Smythe's study where an eccentric looking old man with long white hair was leaning over a tattered old scroll. The guard cleared his throat and the old man looked up from the scroll.
"What's going on?" he asked the guard wearily through very large spectacles. "Are those two causing you trouble?"
The guard shook his head. "Oh, no, sir! This is Eragon Shadeslayer and his cousin Roran Stronghammer. They've the dragon with them!"
Smythe's eyes lit up with excitement and he rushed over to shake their hands. "Eragon Shadeslayer, very nice to meet you, sir!" he exclaimed, shaking Eragon's hand vigorously.
Eragon returned the shake. "The pleasure is mine, Lord Smythe. I've come to Cithrí for lodging and supplies. We're on our way to Dras-Leona on orders from Lady Nasuada."
"It is my pleasure to give you rooms in my very own estate, Argetlam," he said. "You may help yourself to any of my supplies that you'd like." The old man paused for a moment, as if he'd been waiting to ask this question since they'd arrived. "Where is the dragon?"
Eragon smiled. Everyone always wanted to meet Saphira. "Oh, she's waiting outside the city."
Smythe frowned. "Oh no! That won't do. Tell her to come in immediately, Dragon Rider. I won't have a creature of her majesty sleeping outside my walls!"
"As you wish, My Lord," Eragon said with a smile. Come on, Saphira, he called to her. There are some people here waiting to meet you.
Oh, goody, she said sarcastically. More admirers.
They went outside to the large square in front of Smythe's estate to greet Saphira. The dragon descended from the sky with such beauty and grace that even Eragon had to gasp in astonishment. She lowered her head and allowed Smythe and the guard to stroke her head.
He is a rather interesting looking fellow, Saphira observed.
"She says it's nice to meet you," Eragon told Smythe, ignoring Saphira's comment.
"Never in my lifetime," Smythe whispered. "I never thought I'd ever meet a dragon. What's her name?"
"Saphira."
"You've made my day, Saphira."
The next day, Eragon, Roran and Saphira left Cithrí will full stomachs and bulging supply bags. They'd all slept exceedingly well and thanked Lord Smythe for his hospitality when they woke up. They left just before dawn. Rested, the moods of all three of them had lifted. Eragon even felt confident facing the Ra'zac.
"It does my heart good to know that that was my last night without Katrina," Roran said excitedly. "I can't wait to hold her in my arms again."
Eragon spent the journey storing energy in the jeweled belt that Oromis had given him. He was going to need all the strength he could get for the task at hand.
As they got closer to Helgrind, Eragon began to go over strategy with Roran. "Just follow my lead," Eragon told him. "Do whatever I tell you."
Roran frowned in indignation. "Wait a minute, Eragon," he pointed out, "I've fought these desecrators. I know what I'm doing."
"Yes, you may have," acknowledged Eragon. "But you do not have all the experience that I do. I killed a Shade in Tronjheim; I trained with the elves in Ellesméra."
"I heard that Shade had you beat and you only killed him because Arya and Saphira distracted him," Roran said sourly. "Who was it that managed to get the entire village of Carvahall to Surda? Who was it that allowed to Varden to defeat the Empire by killing those evil sorcerers?"
Eragon sighed. "Roran, just listen to me!"
Roran didn't reply. He crossed his arms and stared out into the horizon. It was starting to get dark and the dark silhouette of Helgrind was just visible in the distance.
You underestimate him, Eragon, Saphira admonished. He is capable. Do not assume you are cleverer.
Eragon scowled. "Just don't get yourself killed," he spat at Roran.
The daunting Helgrind came closer to them as Saphira flew on. Are you ready? Eragon asked her.
Saphira nodded. I am ready.
As they came closer, two flying figures appeared over the tower.
Lethrblaka, Saphira hissed.
Roran drew his bow and shot several arrows at the beasts and their riders, the Ra'zac. One of them dipped in the air as the arrow made contact with its chest. Though, it wasn't enough to kill it.
Eragon reached out with his mind as the creatures came closer. Roran had made it obvious that the Ra'zac weren't shielded by magic. That was strange. He thought for certain that some magician inside the tower would be helping them. They were facing a Dragon Rider, after all! He concentrated on the beast that Roran had hit with an arrow. "Thrysta!" he yelled. The lethrblaka shrieked and fell from the sky, bringing its rider with it.
"Good job," Roran shouted to Eragon. "Leave the other one to me."
But Eragon didn't get the chance to answer Roran. Two new figures had appeared. Eragon stared at them in disbelief. He knew their shape all too well. It was two dragons, one black and one red. He didn't have to ask who was riding them.
"It's Galbatorix!" Eragon yelled at Roran. "Galbatorix and Murtagh!" Get us away, Saphira! Eragon panicked. I can't take both of them at once! Get us out of here!
Saphira dove, trying to put as much space between her and her enemies as she could, but Thorn and Shruikan chased after her. Roran screamed at Eragon in protest, "What's she doing? We have to save Katrina!"
"Roran, it's no use!" Eragon yelled back. "Neither one of us is match for Galbatorix himself!"
Saphira executed and sharp turn, flapping her wings as hard as she could and flying as fast as she could, but, after a day's journey, much of her strength was gone.
Eragon realized it was hopeless. Somehow, Galbatorix had found them out and had enough time to plan a counter attack. As Thorn and Shruikan continued to gain on Saphira, they heard Galbatorix shout something in the ancient language. He was using his magic against them.
A high-pitched screeching filled Eragon's eyes and he screamed as his entire body was enveloped but intolerable pain and agony. His vision went fuzzy and, eventually, black. He could feel Saphira's pain as well. Galbatorix's spell was draining her of her energy. She'd lost her eyesight too and she couldn't flap her wings anymore. They plummeted to the ground, Galbatorix and Murtagh in hot pursuit. Eragon knew he was losing consciousness. This pain was even worse than what Durza's wound used to do to him. It was unbearable.