Here we go! No one predicted this…I guarantee it!
Chapter 20: The Prophecy
It was morning and Eragon was the first to wake. He lifted up his head from beside Saphira and rubbed his snout against Draken's egg.
Good morning, son, he whispered smugly. I cannot believe this! I am a father! As quietly as he could, Eragon got to his feet and stepped out of the cave to hunt for Saphira and himself. She is exhausted from last night, Eragon told herself. I don't want her to do anything she does not have to. With that in his head, Eragon leapt out from the cave in search of a worthy meal.
Let's see here, Eragon thought to himself, flying above the forest. What is there that is awake? After hunting for so long, he had forgotten to feel as much remorse for the creatures as he used to when he was just human. Suddenly, something down below caught his eye.
A visitor, Eragon chuckled, swooping down low to investigate. He touched down in a small clearing next to a cloaked figure in the shades of the trees.
What brings you here? Eragon relayed his thoughts to the figure.
Eragon, he replied, taking off his hood. It was Stave. I need your help.
You helped me many times, Eragon replied. How may I aid you?
Kill me! Stave shouted in his head. Eragon snapped back by the strange command.
What? He asked, cocking his head. Why?
There is something else you need to know about me, Stave went on to explain. Argetlam, I am Galbatorix's younger brother.
What? Eragon asked. Then that means…?
Yes, he finished. I am the heir to his throne. Kill me!
No! Eragon roared. You are different than your brother! You have remorse for others!
No I don't, he said bluntly. Eragon, I have been fighting with myself ever since you told me of your youngling. I miss the power of being greater. With a dragon, I can regain that power. Kill me before I fall again to my temptation! Eragon roared from Stave's words, swishing his head back and forth as if trying to erase it from his mind.
You planned to betray me? Eragon asked.
Yes, Stave yelled to him. "KILL ME!" he screamed out loud. "I do not want to fall to evil again."
There has to be some other way, Eragon said. You do not wish to do this, continue to fight it while I take Saphira and move to a different home.
"I would search for you just like my brother," Stave said plainly. "There is no other alternative!" Eragon turned his head away.
I refuse, Eragon said. Stave approached him and unsheathed a blade that was concealed in his cloak and pointed the tip at him.
"Then I will make you,"Stave yelled. Eragon roared at him, not even curious to where he had received the weapon. In an instant, Eragon turned around and snapped Stave's wrist, causing him to drop the sword.
Listen to yourself Stave! Eragon screamed. You are being foolish!
"Think of your son," Stave yelled. "If I fall into this temptation, I may do something we both will regret. End it now before it is too late!"
You come near my family, Eragon scowled. I will kill you. Go home, Stave. Clear your mind of such treachery and forget about being king. Nasuada is the one who has that right now.
"She does not deserve it like I do!" A different, demonic style voice screamed out of Stave, causing Eragon to hiss at him.
You are possessed! Eragon yelled. What have you done to have such spirits inside of your soul?
"I am Galbatorix's brother," he laughed menacingly. "Do you think that I did not suffer from his evil ways? Bah! He made me like this. I hear his voice in my head every moment even though he is no more. Tell me how torturous that is? Kill ME!"
I cannot! Eragon screamed. There are other methods besides murder, Stave. We can figure this out. Eragon watched as Stave reached down to pick up his blade.
"If you won't," Stave muttered, "then I will!" Eragon roared loudly as Stave positioned the tip of his blade to his stomach and thrust into himself. He fell to his knees and let go of the sword to let it dangle in his gut. "I will not betray the dragons again!" he uttered in between sore coughs. Suddenly, his eyes lost their color and turned white, as if he were a zombie. Stave grabbed the hilt of his blade with both hands and jerked the sword out of him with both hands without even a yelp of pain.
"You are too late," the demonic voice came back. "No you and Saphira will suffer!" Before Eragon could say anything, the demonic Stave rose from his knees and dashed into the forest.
No, Eragon hollered. I have to warn Saphira. He roared loudly and leapt into the air to head back home.
Where is breakfast? Saphira asked energetically. I was expecting a deer at least.
Forget about our meal, love, Eragon panted. It's Stave! The dream I had is coming true! We have to get out of here and move to a safer area.
What are you talking about? Saphira asked, nuzzling against him. Eragon backed away to show that he was serious.
Stave is Galbatorix's brother! Eragon exclaimed. He is after Draken and he told me that we will not be safe unless he is killed.
Well kill him, Saphira growled. How dare he threaten our youngling?
If only it was that simple, Eragon groaned. He is possessed somehow. I watched him fall on his sword, yank it out, and dart into the woods without uttering one shriek of pain. Evil is embedded in him. Saphira's eyes widened. Stave was considered a true friend to their family, and now he has threatened their lives and the wellbeing of their son, Draken.
What should we do? Saphira asked worriedly. Eragon lowered his head in thought.
Surda! He exclaimed. We can get protection from the Varden until Draken is old enough to defend himself.
If we go there, Saphira warned, they may want us to make him a rider's dragon.
We both have decided against that, love, Eragon commented. They cannot force their decision on us over this matter.
- - - - - -
"What do you want?" The slaver scowled at the cloaked figure in front of him. "You still owe me for my broken wrist!"
"I plan to pay you in full," the figure said, keeping his eyes down low so the shade from his hood would cover them. "I have an assignment for you and your companions. If you succeed, the reign of Galbatorix may possibly rise again."
"I knew you would give in and become like your brother," the slaver joked. "You sound quite like him now as well. Tell me, what is it you are after?"
"Bring me the egg of Eragon and Saphira!" Stave spat out. The slaver's face turned ghost white.
"The couple I fought earlier?" he asked. "Never! I lost fourteen good men in that quarrel. I cannot fathom how many I would lose against a dragon!"
"The reward will be great if you succeed," Stave bargained. "I will make all who survive my chief advisors when I regain my throne."
"I want more," the slaver argued. "I want heir to your throne in case of your…misfortunes."
"You have it," Stave agreed. "Just bring me that egg!"
"Very well," the slaver said, grinning. "Where and when."
"In the cliffs above Lake Flam," Stave explained. "Do it now!" Stave sighed.
Hopefully they have heeded my words of advice and left.
-- - - - -
When should we leave? Saphira asked, sitting next to her love. Eragon growled.
I do not know, he replied. I think it would be safe to leave come nightfall.
If you believe so, Saphira sighed. We are on the run again. What a shame.
I swear, Saphira, Eragon promised. I will kill him before he harms you or Draken. I will kill all who threaten this family.
I will be at your side, rider, Saphira said, leaning against him. Eragon lifted up his head.
You will need a weapon, he said. If you are to change into human form I want you to have more to defend yourself with besides your hands. Eragon morphed into human form and casually grabbed a tunic from the floor. Saphira changed as well and followed him.
"Let's see here," Eragon said out loud, stepping out onto the edge of the cliff to scan for anything that could be used as a weapon. All he found was a long tree limb shaped like Stave's from the fight in the tavern. He gingerly picked up the branch and brought it back into the cave. He took his blade and whittled the edges down to make sharp points on both ends of the staff. From there he whispered a strange word in the ancient language to make the wood twist in the middle to create a finely carved grip for her hands.
"Take this," Eragon said, tossing the staff to her. Saphira grabbed it and spun it around, amazing Eragon by her agility.
"I have seen people fight for a long time love," Saphira explained. "I suppose I catch on quicker to fighting styles than handling dining utensils."
"I suppose," Eragon laughed out, twirling his sword between his hands. "In the dream you were too tired to shift into dragon form. I think that it was from sparring. We need to do everything opposite of what I envisioned. We will not lose our son!"
"I pray not," Saphira said worriedly, sliding the staff to her side to lean over and kiss him on his cheek. "We seem to always run into some type of adventure together do we not?"
"We do," Eragon laughed. Suddenly, there was a loud crash below them. "What was that?" Eragon looked down and gasped. There were about fifty slavers making their way up the cliffs to their home and all were armed with swords and bows. Eragon turned to face Saphira.
"Grab Draken!" Eragon shouted. "The prophecy has begun!"
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