Ten reviews! You guys are amazing.
Dragon Rider of Alagaësia: Another good review. Glad you like it.
RandomReviewer: Yup. Arya has a history of doing that.
Canadien-Girl14: Glad you loved it so much. Murtagh's my fav character too.
Miyumi S-H: Glad you like it.
HK-50: I was going to send Eragon to the time of the OT, but then realized that he and Saphira wouldn't be able to take part in a lot of events, such as the space battles. It'll probably during the Clone Wars, think Ep 2-3 time frame.
FAteD lOvE: Yeah, their parting is such sweet sorrow… wow, I just quoted Shakespeare.
Voyfan7: next Rider? Yup, everyone's going to have to wait on that one.
Crystallblade Warrior: I'm amazed at how much you wanted more. Lol.
13BlacKAnGELs: Yup, a new dragon egg. Thanks a bundle for that Murtagh plushie. I love him!
DeadlyCreative: Galbatorix is going to get it, but having Circe hatch it? I don't know…..
Chapter Twenty-One: The Great Battle of Our Time
The sun refused to rise the next morning.
The Varden woke at dawn to find their camp shrouded in an eerie darkness. Men drifted out of their tents to stare dumbfounded at the sky. Torches were relit from the night before and the leaders of those still encamped a day's march from Urû'baen made their way to Lady Nasuada's tent to discuss the sun's strange behavior.
"It's an omen," Angela stated solemnly. "A bad omen."
"If it is," asked Nasuada. "Then what would you have us do? We've put too much work into this attack to call it off now. The Elves, Dwarves and Urgals would all be walking right to their deaths without us and the Riders."
Angela frowned stubbornly. "What's your opinion, Shadeslayer?" she demanded.
Eragon looked to the floor, not wanting to insult Angela or Nasuada. Finally, he sighed. "Things don't look good," he said.
"Aha!" exclaimed Angela. "I told you so!"
"But," Eragon continued, ignoring her outburst. "Nasuada is right. We can't call off the attack now. We must leave at once or risk loosing our one chance to defeat Galbatorix."
Nasuada smiled and looked to Trianna. "See to it that your magicians are ready to leave. Get everything packed away and ready to go," she ordered. Trianna bowed and left the tent. Nasuada turned to Orrin, Eragon, Roran and Murtagh. "Make preparations for departure. We must leave as soon as possible."
We're going to be in a battle Roran's young dragon Garrow asked in amazement. The green creature was now as big as Saphira was when she and Eragon fought in the Battle of Farthen Dûr, but he was still a hatchling at heart.
Roran smiled at the dragon. Yes, he answered. And you had best be on your best behavior. Remember everything Saphira and Thorn taught you or you'll be fried by Shruikan.
Garrow shrunk back at the mention of Shruikan's name. Bad black dragon, he muttered. Bad black dragon scares me.
Roran couldn't help but laugh at the little thing. I know that bad black dragon scares you, he told him. But today, we're going to scare bad black dragon.
Garrow's eyes widened in amazement. Really?
Roran nodded, suppressing another urge to laugh at Garrow. Yes, really. Now, look, here comes my wife.
Katrina strode through the camp towards Roran and Garrow. Her expression was grave and her copper hair was unpinned and swirling in the wind. She threw her arms around Roran once he was in reach and pressed her face into his chest. Roran could feel her shaking and crying.
"Katrina, what's wrong?" Roran asked once she released him. "Did someone hurt you?"
"The men," Katrina whispered. "They were saying horrible things."
"What kinds of things, Katrina?"
"Roran, you never told me you'd be fighting Galbatorix!" she cried.
Roran sighed. "Katrina…"
"Roran, he'll kill you!"
Roran grabbed her roughly by her shoulders and forced her to look up at him. "Katrina, listen to me," he said sternly. "Galbatorix is not going to kill me. I'm going to kill him, with the help of Eragon and Murtagh. We're going to put an end to this bloody war. Now go with Nasuada and her guard. You'll be safe there."
Katrina shook her head. "No," she whispered. "I want to fight with you."
Roran leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I'm sorry," he whispered back. "But I love you too much to let you fight and risk loosing you. Katrina, I'd die without you."
"And I'll take Otho to my chest if you're killed," she vowed, slowly turning and making her way to Nasuada and the guard, where Roran wanted her to go.
Later that evening, Eragon sat on Saphira's back in his chain mail with Mor'ranr and his crossbow at hand. Saphira, clad in her Dwarven armor, nearly blended in with the dark sky. Realizing this, Eragon shuddered to think about fighting Shruikan against the night sky. He was likely to be hit without even seeing them. Shivering, he quickly shook the thought from his mind.
Here we are, Saphira, he said dramatically as the city of Urû'baen came into view over the horizon. The great battle of our time has arrived.
I can only hope that we're ready, Saphira answered. Is my daughter safe? Is she all right?
Eragon nodded, eyes falling on the small saddlebag that held the violet dragon egg of Saphira and Thorn's child. It wasn't the safest place, he knew that, but it would have to do under the circumstances. She's fine. Stop worrying.
Stop worrying? Saphira asked incredulously. My unhatched child is being brought into battle. What am I supposed to do?
Eragon chuckled. I bet Thorn doesn't worry this much, he teased. Saphira fell silent.
Galbatorix's army was assembled and waiting for them, just like they'd thought it would be. At the sign of the three dragons and the Varden soldiers, the ranks stiffened nervously. The battle had finally come. Saphira flew low towards Nasuada, who was trying to call them over.
"Tell Arya that we're ready. She and Islanzadí may start moving their troops into the city," Nasuada said. "I've just sent Roran and Murtagh to alert the Dwarves and Urgals," she paused for moment. "And, Eragon, be careful. As soon as Galbatorix appears, the three of you must fight him before he can destroy too much of the army."
"Don't worry, Nasuada," Eragon assured her as Saphira rose into the sky again. "I'll do my best." Arya?
Yes, Eragon?
Nasuada says you and Islanzadí can start moving into the city, he told her.
All right, was Arya's solemn reply. And so it begins… were her last words before she closed her mind link to him. Eragon frowned. No 'I love you'?
He shook his head, returning his mind to the battle at hand. The Imperial archers had started shooting arrows at him and Saphira. He grinned at the simplicity of the fight so far. "Brisingr!" he shouted confidently and watched with satisfaction as the arrows burst into flame. He looked down. The Varden had not yet broken enemy lines.
Saphira flew in low over the enemy ranks, causing a cry of fear from the soldiers. A jet of flame from her mouth incinerated the nearest group of them. The others broke ranks in despair. Saphira smiled. That trick never gets old.
Eragon looked back over at Nasuada. Finally, she and Orrin were leading the men in a dash at the enemy. Many of the soldiers, distracted by Saphira, paid no mind to the approaching soldiers and lost their heads because of it.
Saphira rose into the sky once again, only to fall back down in a vertical dive and grab several soldiers with her claws. Eragon heard their anguished screams abruptly stop as Saphira drove their heads together and sent them plummeting to the ground. Seeing her coming in for another round, the soldiers scattered to try and protect themselves. No matter, remarked Saphira, unleashing another jet of flame that engulfed anyone nearby.
Eragon's mind itched as Saphira began to climb into the dark sky once again. Murtagh was trying to touch his mind. Hastily, Eragon let him in, eager for whatever news his brother had.
He is here.
Eragon knew exactly what Murtagh meant.
Panicked, he shared this information with Saphira and Roran and looked to the sky in anticipation. A dark, nearly invisible, black bat-like shape moved stealthily on Urû'baen's southern wall. Sharpening his eyesight with Saphira's help, he could see that it was just as they had feared. Galbatorix and Shruikan had come to battle.
Keeping his eyes fixed on Galbatorix, Eragon raised his strung bow, hoping to catch the despicable king off his guard. Taking his aim, the Blue Rider gasped as he saw Galbatorix slowly turn his head to look at him and Saphira. His black gaze seemed to bore into his eyes and a sharp chill shot down his spine. As the Rider King smiled slyly at him, Eragon felt his bow break apart in his hands.
Shocked, he looked down at the Elven bow, broken in his hands. Frustrated he threw the bow in the air, letting it fall down to the battle below. Broken, it was of no more use to him and would only hinder him. He looked back to the wall; Galbatorix had disappeared. A shiver of fear ran down his spine as he looked up to the dark sky. Now, Eragon could see Shruikan, seemingly coming out of nowhere. The darkness had veiled him.
As Shruikan neared Eragon, he felt Saphira stiffen beneath him. Saphira? he asked tentatively. There was no reply. SAPHIRA! Eragon shouted. SAPHIRA MOVE! Once Shruikan was nearly on top of them, Saphira seemed to come back to life. Just as the black dragon released a deadly stream of flame, she darted out of the way.
I'm sorry, Saphira told him. I couldn't move. Galbatorix-
Her words were cut short by a shrill cry of pain. Cutting out of the dive early, Shruikan had turned in time to ensnare the end of Saphira's tail with her dagger-like teeth. Eragon closed his eyes in pain as he felt Saphira's emotions as his own. As she howled in agony, he slowly turned in the saddle to face Galbatorix.
"Let her go," he commanded sternly.
Galbatorix laughed, shrill, cold, disturbing laugh, and Eragon felt a prying force trying to gain access to his mind. He nearly panicked, realizing that it was Galbatorix's doing. Brick wall, brick wall, brick wall, he tried to think over and over again. But the king's power was overwhelming. He wouldn't be able to keep him out for much longer. He couldn't let Galbatorix into his mind. That would spell certain death.
Murtagh, seeing his brother's plight, came up behind Galbatorix on Thorn. The red dragon unleashed a powerful torrent of flame at the Rider King. Galbatorix, not wishing to be fried, relinquished his assault on Eragon's mind and Shruikan spun around to face Thorn, releasing Saphira. Eragon let out a sigh of relief and Saphira flew up high into the sky to escape the menace and examine her wound.
Without speaking the words in the ancient language, Galbatorix effortlessly stopped Thorn's fiery attack with magic. The two dragons circled each other slowly as their Riders regarded each other. Murtagh glared at Galbatorix with enough hatred as he could muster. "What have you done with her?" the Red Rider growled.
Galbatorix laughed again, sending chills down Murtagh's spine. "Don't worry. I promised her that I would tell you," he chuckled. "Yes, tell you and then kill you." When Murtagh's hardened expression did not falter, Galbatorix continued, "She came before me, begging for death. And, I, the merciful lord, merely granted her wish."
"You lie!" Murtagh spat. "I know she's alive."
Galbatorix narrowed his eyes. "It's time I fulfilled my promise," he spat back as Shruikan lunged forward at Thorn. The red dragon yelped in surprise, barely missing Shruikan's razor sharp teeth.
Murtagh drew Zar'roc and turned Thorn to face Galbatorix. "Today you die!" he vowed.
Galbatorix laughed and drew his own sword. Shruikan lunged forward at Thorn again, and the red dragon evaded the attack by climbing a few yards into the air. Shruikan growled and jolted upward, ensnaring Thorn's right wing in his mouth and puncturing the membrane with his mammoth teeth.
Thorn howled in agony and distress and Murtagh sought a way to end their suffering. He took Zar'roc and, leaning over Thorn's back, drove its crimson blade into Shruikan's neck. His enemies howled in anger and drew back. Murtagh quickly examined Thorn's wounds; his wing membrane was severed and torn in five places.
I'll be okay, Thorn tried to assure Murtagh. Forget about it.
Murtagh cursed. Nonsense, Thorn. You can barely fly.
Look out!
Taking advantage of their momentary distraction, Galbatorix had drove Shruikan up toward them again. Murtagh slashed futilely at Shruikan as he saw Galbatorix utter inaudible words in the ancient language. Deep gashes opened in Thorn's neck and thick blood slowly flowed from the wounds. Murtagh cried out in agony and despair as he felt Thorn's life begin to fade. Tears in his eyes, he looked up at Galbatorix. "I will kill you for this," he vowed.
This time, Galbatorix's maniacal laugh was cut short. Saphira and Eragon had returned with Roran and Garrow. Together, the two dragons rammed straight into Shruikan's side, sending the beast flipping downward.
"Go!" Eragon called to Murtagh.
"Tend to your dragon!" shouted Roran.
Murtagh hastily obeyed.
It didn't take long for Shruikan to recover from Saphira and Garrow's blow. Galbatorix was rapidly approaching. He extended his right hand and silently sent Garrow tumbling backward. At the same time, Shruikan barreled into Saphira.
Shruikan's weight sent Saphira flipping chaotically away from him. Eragon watched in horror as the saddlebag holding the new dragon egg forced itself open and the egg came falling out. Galbatorix saw it too. In an instant, he had Shruikan in a mad dive after it.
So, as of right now, I'm going to do Darkness Approaches first, followed by Armageddon. Don't worry though; the others will still be done.
In the meantime, here's video trailer for Darkness Approaches that I made. Tell me what you think.
http://www. youtube. com/ watch?v KJv1kcsYP5I
You'll have to take the spaces out of the URL. It won't let me post it here without them.