Seven reviews last chapter. We're doing good.
Dragon Rider of Alagaësia: Murtagh is def. cooler than Eragon because Eragon is def. a baby. Thanks for the hilarious review.
Emberseve: So glad you liked it. Murtagh is really adorable, isn't he?
fAteD lOvE: EragonArya fluff? I'll see what I can do.
Voyfan7: Uh huh. You caught on quickly. Nasuada's not stupid and… well.. this chappie explains that.
Miyumi S-H: Glad you like it. Let Circe die? I don't know about that. She might still be important.
DeadlyCreative: Ecstatic that you like it. This soon enough for you? Lol.
Chaseh: we'll see. Second A/n discusses future stories.
Chapter Twenty: Eve of Battle
"Do you really think she could have escaped if I hadn't wished it?" Nasuada's eyebrows rose quizzically as she answered Eragon's suspicions about Murtagh's dream. Did he think she was stupid enough to allow Circe to escape and possibly destroy the Varden in the process? Probably not. He was just concerned.
"What do you mean? Nasuada, she's gone back to Urû'baen," Eragon insisted.
"I know," Nasuada responded calmly.
Eragon's mouth formed a small 'o' as he realized what was going on. "Then you did wish for her to escape?"
Nasuada nodded. "I know that no mage in Du Vrangr Gata can contain a shape shifter, let alone a Kylrian. I've decided to use it to my advantage. Circe has escape and flown back to Galbatorix. I have no doubt in my mind that she will tell Galbatorix about our plans to attack Urû'baen."
"But how can that work to our advantage?" Eragon asked, still not quite understanding. "Galbatorix will be prepared for out attack."
"Circe will tell him that we will arrive tonight," Nasuada stated. "And if we keep going at this speed, we will. We're going to wait an entire day at this camp and show up at Urû'baen tomorrow night. Use your mind, Eragon. The heat has returned and those soldiers will be waiting a day in full plate armor."
"Heat stroke," he whispered in realization. "Nasuada, that's brilliant, but it may not be enough to tip the odds in our favor."
"Angela has agreed to poison them again. She's go ahead of us with Solembum," Nasuada told him. "By the time the armies arrive, the poison should have taken effect." She paused before continuing. "Another thing," she said. "We're going to attack Urû'baen from all sides. Arya and Islanzadí will lead the elves from the north. The Dwarves attack from the west led by Orik and the Urgals hit the eastern wall led by Nar Garzhvog. Orrin and I will lead the men to the southern wall. They are the largest force and the bulk of Galbatorix's army will be waiting in the south."
"What about Saphira and me?" Eragon asked. "Where will we be?"
"Wherever Galbatorix is," Nasuada answered solemnly. "We will need all three of our Rider to defeat him."
"You trust Murtagh in battle?" Eragon inquired in surprise.
Nasuada nodded gravely. "I have no choice. Like it or not, Murtagh is more powerful than you or Roran. We're going to need him."
"If you're talking about power, Circe would be good right now," Eragon said suddenly, surprising even himself.
Nasuada glared at him. "She's doing her part," she responded coldly.
Instead of answering, Eragon looked to do the entrance flap of the tent. He knew that Arya, Orik and Nar Garzhvog were standing right aside waiting to speak with Nasuada. He looked at Nasuada again. "I believe you have others waiting to see you. I don't know why I said that, but it remains the truth," he told her. When she didn't respond, he bowed to his liege lord and exited the tent, seeing that he was right about who was waiting outside.
Arya and Orik smiled at him and Eragon smiled back. I'll be waiting for you out here, he said as he touched Arya's mind, not really wanting the others to here what he had to say to her. She nodded quickly in agreement before going in to see Nasuada with Orik and Garzhvog.
While he waited for Arya, Eragon sat down on the soft grass outside Nasuada's tent. It was early morning and the sun had just risen above the horizon, warming their camp with its golden rays. The morning dew was still wet upon the grass, but Eragon didn't mind. Thoughts of the upcoming battle were swimming through his head. Seeking comfort and reassurance, he reached out to Saphira. What if we don't succeed, Saphira? he wondered. What if Galbatorix wins?
Saphira's reply was not immediate. We must succeed, Eragon. We have no other choice.
I'm not as strong as Galbatorix. Nobody is.
Time will not wait until you are stronger, if such a thing can be achieved. Our time is now, Eragon. We can only hope that our power will be sufficient.
Hearing Saphira's words, Eragon's gaze fell on Mor'ranr, the sword that Solembum had predicted he would have. There is another part to Solembum's prophecy, he told Saphira. When all seems lost and your power is insufficient, go to the Rock of Kuthian and speak your name to open the Vault of Souls. Perhaps that will make me strong enough to fight Galbatorix.
Again, Saphira did not reply instantly. We can only hope so. Her voice was sad, almost lamenting. But we do not know where the Rock of Kuthian is.
We didn't know that those Elves were the roots of the Menoa tree either, Eragon told her.
Saphira was in agreement. Then all will be revealed when we need it.
There was a pause and then Eragon spoke again. Saphira, he asked, where are you?
With Thorn, came her simple reply.
Eragon smiled. There may be more dragons in Alagaësia yet.
Saphira snorted. I don't know where you get your delusions.
Eragon laughed as Saphira temporarily cut of their mind link. He was truly happy for Saphira. After Glaedr rejected her, he feared that she would never find anyone to mate with. His thoughts were disrupted when Orik, Garzhvog and Arya came out of Nasuada's tent. With a smile to Arya, he sprung to his feet. Orik and Garzhvog nodded to him in acknowledgment before continuing on their way and leaving Eragon and Arya alone.
"Arya," Eragon whispered as his arms wrapped around his Elven love in a loving embrace.
Arya hugged him back. "Eragon," she said. As the two released each other, she spoke again. "Nasuada has told you her plans, then?" she asked. "You know that Circe was allowed to escape?"
Eragon nodded. "I don't want to talk about Circe or the war," he whispered in her ear as he tried to ensnare her lips in a kiss.
"Eragon," Arya said, almost scolding him as she pulled away. "Not here. Not now."
"Yes here. Yes now," Eragon breathed, his face mere centimeters from hers. "The truth is we're going to war and I have to fight Galbatorix. Arya, there are strong chances that I won't return."
"Don't say that," Arya pleaded.
"I have to," whispered Eragon. "I love you and I can't bear the thought of not being with you. Galbatorix is strong and he can kill me with one word if he wanted to. This may be our last day together." He placed a small kiss on her lips.
Arya drew away quickly. "Not now," she said again.
Eragon didn't hear her. "Come," he said, taking her hand and attempting to guide her, "Let's go to my tent."
Arya pulled her hand away. "Eragon!" she said firmly. "Aren't you listening to me?"
Eragon looked shocked. "What's wrong? I thought we'd gotten over this."
"We have," Arya told him, her voice softening. "It's not a good time for this. Eragon, we're going to war."
"We still have one more day before we complete the march to Urû'baen," he told her. "Arya, I want to be with you. This may be our last chance."
"The Men have one more day," Arya whispered. "The Dwarves and the Urgals are leaving now," she paused before going on to say sadly, "So are the Elves." Eragon looked at her in disbelief. "By tomorrow night we have to be on the other side of Urû'baen. Islanzadí's waiting for me."
Eragon stared at her in disbelief for a moment before grabbing her and kissing her fiercely. To his pleasure, Arya kissed him back for a time before drawing away. "I love you," she whispered sincerely as she began to walk away. "Be on the top of your game when you meet Galbatorix. I'll die without you."
Eragon watched her go with a wistful gleam in his eyes. "I love you too," was all he could manage to say to her. His heart ached more than it had at the Ageatí Blödhren.
Later that night, Eragon sat in his tent with Mor'ranr and Wyrda laid out on the floor in front of him. The two swords were physically identical, but Eragon could tell them apart by the amount of Elven magic in them. He glared at Wyrda like it carried an infectious disease. The only reason he kept it was because it was his only blade. Now, he no longer had a reason to keep the sword Galbatorix had forged for him. Mor'ranr, on the other hand, was not only of better quality but was given to him by the Elves and formerly belonged to Brom.
Come outside, little one, came Saphira's voice inside his head.
He sighed, taking Mor'ranr and pushing Wyrda aside. I'm coming, Saphira. He smiled. He had barely gotten to see Saphira recently. She'd been too busy with Thorn.
Nothing could have prepared Eragon for what Saphira wanted to show him. On the ground at Saphira's feet illuminated by the light of torches, was a deep purple dragon egg.
What… is that he demanded in shock. He knew that Saphira had been spending a lot of time with Thorn, but he didn't know that they were mating.
Saphira stared at the egg on the ground, refusing to meet Eragon's eyes. What is what?
That! Eragon shouted. You know what I'm talking about. That polished purple stone there that looks exactly like your egg when I first found it.
Oh, said Saphira. That. That would be my dragon egg.
And Thorn's the father?
Yes.
I thought you didn't like him, Eragon teased. Saphira glared at him. Eragon laughed, amused with her pride. Sorry, sorry, he said quickly. But you could have told me.
I'm surprised you needed to be told. A Rider should always know what his dragon is doing and vice versa.
Eragon ignored that comment. Does Murtagh know?
Thorn was supposed to tell him.
Eragon looked up as a twig was snapped in the distance. He could see someone silhouetted against the darkness coming toward them. Thorn could be seen in the sky behind him. "Murtagh," he whispered.
"Let me see it!" Murtagh demanded as he came closer, pushing Eragon out of the way and picking up the egg from the ground. Its purple shell sparkled radiantly against the soft glow of the torchlight. He looked from Eragon to Saphira excitedly as Thorn landed behind him. "Do you know what this means, my brother?" he asked. "This is one more weapon that we have against Galbatorix."
Saphira growled. My child is no weapon of yours.
Our child, Thorn corrected her.
Eragon put his hand on Saphira to try and comfort her. "Murtagh, it hasn't even hatched yet."
Murtagh glared at them. "It will be a weapon against Galbatorix. It has to hatch and quickly," he said, turning to go and walk throughout the camp to find the new Dragon Rider.
Thorn moved to block his path. No. Not now.
She will die in the battle if she is hatched now, Saphira snarled.
Eragon and Murtagh both stopped dead and looked to Saphira. "She?" Eragon asked. Saphira nodded. "Another female dragon," Eragon whispered in awe.
Murtagh's eyes narrowed in determination as he looked down at the egg in his hands. "Galbatorix must not know of its existence," he declared.
Eragon nodded. "We should agree to tell no one," he suggested as voices could be heard in the distance. He turned his head to see who was approaching and could make out two figures against the torchlight. With his Elvish vision he could see that it was Nasuada and one of her servants. He turned to Murtagh. "She should know," he whispered.
Murtagh shook his head frantically as they came closer. "No," he whispered back. "We shouldn't get them excited." But Eragon wasn't going to listen. As Nasuada and the servant came closer, he waved his arms and beckoned them over.
"What's this all about Shadeslayer?" Nasuada asked when they were within speaking distance. "You should be getting ready for-," Eragon reached over and snatched the purple egg from Murtagh, holding out to Nasuada, and she stopped dead, staring at the egg in disbelief. Her eyes darted from Thorn to Saphira and back to Eragon and Murtagh.
Eragon grinned. "The next generation of dragons is being born."
Nasuada nodded. "That may be so, but we still have a battle to win tomorrow," she told him. "Put that somewhere safe and get to bed. You're going to need all of your energy tomorrow, both of you," she added with a glance at Murtagh. Eragon nodded and Nasuada left with her servant.
"Give it to me," Murtagh said quickly, holding his hand out for the egg with a greedy look in his eyes. "I'll keep it safe."
Saphira growled and let out a puff of smoke. You shall do no such thing.
Eragon nodded and held the egg close to his chest in a protective manner. "I agree with Saphira," he said. "I'll keep the egg tonight."
All right guys, I still need your help on something. The majority of you guys voted for Darkness Approaches, previously named In the Beginning. I was planning on keeping that one until after Empire comes out, hoping that Paolini will give me a little bit more information. And, two new plots have joined the crew. Your input is so important to me. Please tell me what you would like me to do.
Darkness Approaches: How Galbatorix fell to the dark side and betrayed the Varden. Everything you ever wanted to know about the Fall.
My Heart Will Go On : During his stay with the Varden in Farthen Dûr, Murtagh falls for one of Ajihad's healers, but can their relationship endure the trials that Galbatorix puts it through?
Equilibrium (EragonStarWars): During their aerial battle at the Burning Plains, Eragon, Murtagh, Thorn & Saphira are mysteriously transported to the galaxy far, far away during a very pivotal point in its history.
Armageddon (Takes places right after Era) Galbatorix has been defeated, but something so evil cannot be destroyed so easily. Our heroes must now deal with problems of apocalyptic proportions.
Prisoner: Katrina of Carvahall has been kidnapped, captured and stolen from her beloved fiancé, but who's to say that Fate doesn't have another fate for her? Her light in the darkness is a mysterious Red Rider she meets in Urû'baen. KatrinaMurtagh