Chapter 5: Angela's gift.
Eragon and Saphira arrived in their tree house just in time to watch the sunset. Both he and Saphira watched the sun as it began its journey downward, creating strange hues of blue, red, purple, and orange. It was a beautiful sight. Saphira lay on her paws with her head up, gazing at the pretty colors in the sky.
What does it look like to you, Eragon asked while lying against her side.
The blues and reds shine brighter than any other colors, Saphira explained, sighing happily. She turned to face him and showed him her teeth. Care to see for yourself? Eragon looked up at her and nodded, releasing himself to her. He shut his eyes as he felt her presence inside of him.
Open and see, she told him. He opened his eyes slowly, fluttering his eyelids at the difference in perception. He suddenly felt as if he was her as he saw the extravagant colors in the sky. Saphira turned her gaze towards his body, so Eragon could see himself. His physical body was in a trance, sitting up and staring blankly at the sky. Saphira then released her hold on him and he jumped back into his body and out of his trance.
It's beautiful, Eragon said to her. I wish I could always see like that. Saphira let out a small growl and leaned in to nudge his face with her nose.
We must rest until tonight, Saphira said gently, rubbing her nose against his cheek. I do not know what Angela has for us, but I would rather have us prepared for it. Eragon yawned and reached his hand out to nuzzle her snout.
We have had an interesting day haven't we? He muttered. I still wonder what she has planned for both of us. At least I am not on her bad side after curing Elva. Saphira laughed kindly and blew out a small plume of smoke.
She has always been mysterious, has she not? Saphira asked, laying her head next to Eragon's body. Eragon pat her forehead with his left hand and smiled. The sun had completely set and the stars were beginning to shine, which meant that it was almost time to leave. Saphira got up first and padded over towards her bowl shaped bed. She flopped down inside of it and began cleaning herself. Eragon walked past her and into the bathing room to clean up as well.
Maybe she is going to give us a gift, Eragon suggested while bathing.
It has been defined as a gift already, little one, Saphira replied. If it is materialistic, I know not.
Either way, Eragon said, I am dying to know what it is.
We will both see soon enough, Saphira replied gently. Eragon stepped out of the tub and shaved with magic. He stepped out to see Saphira standing in front of him.
Are you ready? She asked. Eragon nodded and crawled up onto her back. He decided to travel bareback for this trip to provide more comfort for her. Within moments, he and Saphira jumped out of the tree house and into the air to the forest in search of Angela.
They touched down in the dense forest and hustled through it to find Angela and Solembum standing around a lit fire with a black cauldron hoisted above it.
"Shadeslayer," Angela said, clasping her hands. "Welcome. Come hither the both of you and I will explain." Eragon shrugged at Saphira and weaved through the trees to reach her.
"What is this?" Eragon asked, sniffing the fumes from the cauldron. Saphira leaned her head over his body to sniff as well. She shot back and turned her head away.
That is quite foul! She exclaimed. It reeks of magic and another familiar odor.
"What is in this?" Eragon asked again. Angela grinned.
"There are many ingredients," Angela exclaimed. "The main one is Fricai Andlat…?"
"The Death Friend?" Eragon asked. "You told me that it is the most poisonous mushroom!"
"Peace, rider," Angela said, raising her hand to silence him. "Yes, it is poisonous, but I have been working with it since the Burning Plains. There is a certain spell cast to only affect the spirit and not the body. Before we get started, I must converse with you two privately."
"Why?" Eragon asked. Saphira nodded her head slowly, asking the same question.
"Trust me, Eragon," Angela said. "I must make sure that this is a wise and noble gift for you two. Will you?" Eragon turned to Saphira.
I don't know, Eragon told her. There is a hefty amount of Death Friend in this. Should we do it?
We have nothing to lose…?
But our lives! Eragon cut her off.
I still wish to see what is planned, Saphira protested. Let's take the risk. She has never placed us in harm's way before.
Right as always, Eragon said with a smile. "Okay let's do it."
"Eragon," Angela said to him. "Right this way." Eragon shut the link between him and Saphira and followed closely. Angela waited until they were out of earshot until she spoke.
"Tell me Eragon," she said. "How do you feel about Saphira?" Eragon looked up in thought and then faced Angela.
"I feel as if we are…more than family," he replied. "We have gone through so much and she has always been there for me."
"Go on," Angela said. Eragon brought his gaze back to Angela.
"I just wish that I could be there for her," he explained. "She is the only female of the dragon race and with Shruikan dead and Thorn and Murtagh banished in Sharktooth Island, she is all alone…?"
"There is still one more egg left," Angela said. Eragon shook her head.
"It could take ages before it hatches," he groaned. "She is miserable and feels like she can never experience true love. I love her with all of my heart and it pains me to feel her depression."
"Very well," Angela said. She turned around and began walking back towards Saphira and Solembum. "I expected this on your part. Now I must see Saphira's answer." Eragon walked over to wake Saphira, who was sleeping peacefully on her paws.
Your turn, Eragon said. She got to her feet and stretched out her wings and back.
Very well, little one, she replied. I shall be back shortly. Angela motioned for Saphira to follow her and she obeyed.
"I need you to tell me," Angela said out loud. "What are your true feelings for Eragon?"
I don't understand, Saphira said in Angela's mind. Why do you need to know the answer to this?
It will all be revealed in time, Angela thought to her. I must know to make sure that this is the right gift to give you two. Saphira sighed.
Very well, she mused, I have loved Eragon since the day I hatched for him. If anything, I would say that my love for him has grown tremendously over time. I find myself dreaming about him…us…together.
Does this have to do with you being the last? Angela asked. Saphira hummed in a sad tone and turned it into a shallow growl.
Nay, Saphira replied. I do think about never finding a mate and facing extinction, but my love for him is not because of it.
Have there been any moments while you have been together? Angela asked. Any bad experiences?
I was heartbroken today when Arya approached him, Saphira replied. I felt that he would accept her and leave me as a mere pet. Then, my heart leapt for joy when he told me that he refused her offer.
Ah, Angela said. That is a very good sign. You love him dearly and couldn't bear to lose him to her, yes?
Yes, she replied, lowering her head. I am foolish for my desires.
Do not be so negative, dear, Angela said. This is a worthy gift for you two. Let us make our way back.
It was midnight now and Eragon was standing beside Saphira with his hand on her side. Both refused to tell the other of the conversations they had with Angela.
"Shall we get started?" Angela asked. Solembum, who was in human form, grabbed two large cups and dunked them into the cauldron, filling them both to the brims.
"When I say 'drink' you must do so at the exact same moment," Angela advised. "If you are off by a second, you may be killed where you stand." Solembum approached Eragon and handed him a cup. He looked inside to see the chunks of the poisonous mushroom floating in the lumpy liquid. He turned to see the ware cat place the other cup in front of Saphira.
I love you, Eragon said softly. A small tremor ran down her form.
I always will, little one, she replied. Both placed their lips to the cup.
"Now!" Angela said. Eragon tilted the cup upward and chugged the brew while Saphira gulped it from the ground. "Perfectly timed!" Angela exclaimed happily. Eragon began swaying violently, dropping the cup to the ground. Saphira was doing the same.
"Wh…what is…?" Eragon tried to ask, but he lost consciousness and fell down to the floor, crashing against some dead twigs. Saphira sunk down to her paws and placed her head on them to quell her dizziness. Within two seconds, both the rider and the dragon were unconscious.
"Time for me to do my part," Angela said. She stepped over and positioned herself between the two with her hands outstretched. She muttered something in the ancient language, but it was hard to decipher. Eragon and Saphira suddenly began glowing strange bluish-green colors as Angela continued to chant the spell. The color on the two began rising off of their bodies and floating up into the sky. At once, both colors converged onto one another with a loud explosion. Angela closed her eyes and finished the last sentence of the spell as tiny bits of the colors fell back onto the rider and dragon.
"The hard part is over," Angela said breathlessly. She turned to see Saphira open her sapphire eyes.
What happened? She asked. I feel…strange!
You should, Angela told her. The potion has altered your spirit. We will discuss further after your rider wakes. Angela turned towards Eragon, but something was wrong. Eragon was turning blue and wasn't breathing.
"Oh dear me!" Angela exclaimed.. Saphira rose to her feet and turned to see him in such a state.
ERAGON!
PEACE!