I have been down with a cold so I figured that this would make a good topic chapter. I'm surprised, not many reviews from the last chapter…I hope that I haven't set my goal too high! Anyways, this is a little fluff but also fills in a bit about Stave. Enjoy.
Chapter 18: In Sickness and In Health
It had been two weeks since the argument between Saphira and Eragon, and her belly had expanded with the egg of the first wild dragon, Draken, inside of her. They spent the two weeks next to each other in the nest, until Eragon had to hunt for food. But on this morning, Saphira was experiencing something that was not enjoyable. Sickness.
How are you feeling, love? Eragon asked gently, pressing his snout next to hers. He refused to change into human form until after she laid her egg. Saphira lifted up her head to him, and sniffed. Suddenly, she took in a large puff and sneezed in front of him.
Bless you, Eragon commented. Saphira sniffled and laid her head back down beside him.
I do not feel well today, Saphira groaned. My head hurts and I…she paused to sneeze again, tossing a small spout of flame from her nostrils. I cannot stop sneezing! Eragon pulled his head back slightly and chuckled while she sneezed again.
Make it stop, Saphira muttered. Eragon rubbed his muzzle against hers again.
I did not know that dragons could get sick, Eragon said to her. I will do what I can for you, but I may have to leave.
What for? Saphira asked, widening her eyes.
You need fresh water and a few herbs to fight off this sickness, Eragon advised. I will find Stave and get his help.
I'm fine, Saphira lied. Don't leave me. Eragon laughed again as she threw another sneezing fit, shaking her massive body with every blast.
It does not seem so, Eragon told her. Just try to rest. I will bring Stave here to assist me. Saphira groaned and shut her eyes.
My head feels like…?
Ten thousand hot arrows, Eragon finished for her. I can make it go away, but I have to leave first. I do not want you to suffer on like this when I can help. Eragon pulled his wing off of her and tucked it to his sides while he got to his paws. I love you and I will return shortly.
Your presence will be missed, Saphira replied. No matter how long you are gone. Eragon grabbed a green colored tunic that he left on the floor with his claws and padded over to the edge of the cave.
Be careful love, Eragon told her. She lifted up her head again and sneezed once more.
You be careful, she replied, sniffling again. Eragon hummed loudly and leapt off of the edge to find his new friend and rider of old, Stave.
- - - - - -
"How did he get my sword?" Stave asked out loud, pacing back and forth along his tavern in thought. "I dropped it during my last flight with Galzra near the Spine!" He grabbed his mug of mead and took a hearty sip from it. The pub was empty except for him and his loud mumbling. Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the wooden door behind him.
"Who be ye?" Stave called out, setting his mug back down on the table.
"Eragon," the voice called back. "We met before."
"I remember," Stave yelled out. "Come in, it is open." The door creaked loudly as Eragon pushed it open.
"Hello Stave," Eragon said. "I came to ask for a favor."
"Anything for a fellow Argetlam," Stave said, stepping over to the opposite side of the bar to pour him a drink. "What can I do for you?"
"I need help with Saphira," Eragon said bluntly, accepting the mug of mead that he poured for him. "She has became ill today and I cannot carry the supplies to mend her on my own. If I gather the herbs and water, would you be willing to ride on me back to my dwelling place and assist?"
"It has been several years since I have ridden on such a mighty beast," Stave said with regret.
"It is not far," Eragon reassured. "Our home is just past Lake Flam, remember?"
"Aye," Stave replied. "What herbs do you need? Perhaps I have them here." Eragon gave him the small list, remembering all of the herbs that Angela mentioned when doing her spells and potions. Thankfully, Stave had all of the herbs in his tavern.
"If this is not to much trouble," Eragon finished, "I also need a large bucket of fresh water."
"There is a well out back," Stave mentioned. "Take as much as you see fit."
"I cannot thank you enough, friend," Eragon replied, reaching out to shake his hand. Stave took his hand and shook it firmly.
"Forgive me," Stave said. "During our last meeting, I noticed that you had a bronze blade with you. Where did you find it?"
"In the cliff area a while out from our home," Eragon explained. "We found it lodged in a tree while we were making a nest."
"Are you expecting?" Stave asked. Eragon smiled.
"She should lay in two weeks," he replied with a grin. "I am going to be a father."
"Congratulations my boy!" Stave exclaimed, slapping him against his back. "Will it hatch for a rider?"
"We want our son to be the first new free dragon," Eragon said. Stave smirked.
"That sword that you found," Stave asked, "did it have a name engraved on the hilt?"
"I did not check for one," Eragon said. "Why?"
"I believe that the blade you have discovered…was mine." Eragon lowered his head.
"Do you wish to have it returned to you?" Eragon asked. Stave shook his head.
"I do not fight anymore, son," Stave said, placing his hand on his shoulder. "You need it to take care of your family. I have a feeling in the pit of me belly that says the slavers are up to no good again. Now, we should get to your ailing dragon before she worries." Eragon nodded and tossed the herbs into a small sack. He followed Stave out the back of the tavern towards the well. Stave grabbed a rope that went down into the dark hole in the ground and began to pull on it.
"This bucket should be enough to quell her thirst," he said in between pulls. Eragon grabbed on and gave him a hand. In moments, the bucket was up and filled to the top with clear, cold water.
"I will change into dragon form now while you get the bucket ready."
"I cannot carry the herbs and this blasted bucket!" Stave protested. Eragon chuckled.
"I can carry the bucket my self," Eragon said. "I need you to carry the herbs."
"Point taken," Stave replied, smiling. He set the large bucket down on the ground. "Shall we?" Eragon made Stave turn around so he could strip down and change without ruining another precious tunic. After transforming, Eragon scooped up the large bucket with his claws and tapped Stave on his shoulder to signal that it was safe for him to turn back around.
"Are you ready?" Stave asked. Eragon nodded his large black head in response as Stave approached him. "It has been quite some time since I have done this!" Eragon crouched so Stave could get on more comfortably.
We must hurry, Eragon projected to him. I have been gone long and she may be worrying.
"You never want to keep a spouse waiting!" Stave mumbled. "We may be flying into a hefty argument boy."
Just hold on! Eragon exclaimed, as he flapped his wings.
"To what?" Stave asked. "You have no saddle!"
You better figure out something, Eragon warned. Without warning, Eragon leapt into the air and beat his wings to lift up into the sky. Stave decided to clasp one of the polished spikes that rested on Eragon's head for grip, but he did not hold on as tightly as Eragon had predicted.
It is obvious that you were fond of flying, Eragon said. What happened to Galzra?
I was a fool, Stave replied back. It was during a fiery war that blackened the skies around us. He was too wounded to press on and I was too greedy to stop and heal him.
You betrayed your dragon? Eragon asked with concern. I cannot see how you could have done that so easily.
Like I said, Stave implied. I was a fool. He had arrows piercing through his wings and two spears were lodged in his belly. I strived for victory and blinded myself by it. He died during our flight, knocking me down into the lake where you and your dragon reside now.
Whose side were you on during the battle? Eragon asked tentatively, catching an updraft to climb higher.
I fought for the forsworn, Stave replied. Few know of my existence because I was one of the first to fall. Eragon roared in anger at his words.
How could you have fought for such a thing? Eragon demanded. You were a fool!
I admitted it too, Stave pointed out. All I have been looking for was a chance to redeem myself of my treachery. Will you forgive a foolish rider of old? Silence.
You have provided nothing but good things for me and my spouse, Eragon said, adding a sigh. I forgive you. Hold on, the cave is up ahead. Eragon ducked in low against the wind and swooped in for the cave. He landed softly and crouched so Stave could dismount.
Eragon, Saphira groaned. Where have you been? Eragon padded closer to her and rubbed his muzzle against hers.
I have the herbs to get rid of your cold, Eragon replied. Are you feeling any better? Saphira lifted her head up to sneeze again.
No, she muttered. Eragon set the green tonic he wore down on the floor after setting the bucket down.
"Honia!" Eragon chanted. He shrunk back down into human form again and quickly slid on his clothes.
"Stave," Eragon called. "Mix up those herbs a bit and bring them hither."
"Very well," Stave replied. Using a stick and a small wooden bowl, Stave pounded in the herbs until they made a fine brown colored powder. Eragon cupped his hands in the cool water and dumped some into the bowl, creating a brown, chunky soup. He then grabbed the bowl from Stave and held it up to Saphira. She groaned and lifted her head up to drink.
"This should make you feel better soon," Eragon told her, rubbing her neck with his free hand. Saphira drank until the medicine was all gone. She even licked the sides to make sure that she did not leave anything behind.
"Lay your head down dear," Eragon commanded softly, pressing his hand gently against her head to bring her down comfortably.
"Stave," he said. "Hand me the towel by my knapsack." Stave nodded his head and tossed him the rag.
What are you doing? Saphira asked. Eragon looked over to her and smiled.
"Garrow did this to me when I was younger," he said. "It works well with headaches and fevers." Eragon took the towel, twisted it around a few times, and dunked it into the cold water in the bucket. He pulled the rag out and rung some of the water out of it.
"Lay your head flat," Eragon said to her. Saphira groaned again, but straightened her noggin out to where her chin was flat on the ground. Before she could ask, Eragon took the towel and gently pressed it against her brow. She sighed comfortably at the cool cloth against her scaly forehead and closed her eyes to let the water drip down more freely from the towel.
"Eragon has told me that you are expecting," Stave said quietly. Saphira opened up one large blue eye.
Yes, she told him. It is going to be a son.
Have you discovered a name for him? Stave asked. Eragon listened in on the conversations between the two.
We have named him Draken, Saphira said, rather happy that her sneezing fits have ceased.
Lovely name, Stave replied kindly. You have a very kind rider, Saphira. You are blessed to have him.
I consider us to be blessed to have you as a friend, Saphira said lowly. Forgive me, but I must rest now. Thank you for your help.
It is an honor, Brightscales, Stave replied. He turned to Eragon. "Will you be well alone with her?"
"I believe so," Eragon said. "The sun is just beginning to set so suppose that we will be okay for the night. What of you?"
"I must lock up my tavern," he said. "I hate to ask, but can you take me back?" Eragon turned to see Saphira snoring slightly. He was satisfied that she was not aching anymore.
"Of course," Eragon replied. "Thank you again for your help."
I HAVE A SURPRISE NEXT CHAPTER…BUT YOU MUST REVIEW TO FIND OUT! By the way, when wives…or girlfriends get sick, it is always up to the man to take care of her…To all the 'dudes' reading this remember that (LOL).
PEACE!