This one is going to scare a lot of people, but I think that this story may actually be closing soon. I am pushing to keep it flowing, but the only way I can would be the U.S trip after Stave's death to keep plots and stuff going on. Otherwise, it would just be fluffy nonsense and few people want that…right? Here it is, and have 9-1-1 on speed dial.
Enjoy
Chapter 58: The Dreaded Night
What a day, Eragon groaned, as he padded into his home with Draken behind him. Saphira was sleeping in the furthest bowl with her young daughters, but she immediately shot her head up to greet her husband after he walked in. She let out a wide yawn and moved her jaw around in an attempt to wake up her mouth.
Where have you two been? Saphira asked worriedly. I have been waiting for hours.
I know, Eragon replied tiredly. He stepped over to her and rubbed muzzles. We found Stave. He is still after Draken.
But how can that be? Saphira asked. Is he not too mature to be taken?
"He told me that it is still possible," Draken informed. "All he needs is my true name, but you have not given it to me."
True names can be discovered on your own, son, Saphira sighed. I feel that we should not tell you yours because of Stave and his plans with you. Not knowing it will keep you safe.
Great idea, Eragon said, yawning. He gently pushed his sleeping daughters aside and lay down next to his wife. I do not know if the elves have increased their power in this region. I sure hope so.
I do too, love, Saphira replied, pressing her head down against Eragon's. This is becoming quite a burden. Where is Stave now?
Hiding, Eragon explained. The demon disappeared before meeting his fate.
Too bad, Saphira said with a kind laugh. She watched as Draken padded over to his bowl beside them.
"I am sorry for how I acted today, mother," Draken murmured. "You must have wise reasons for not waging war on him."
No need for apologies, Saphira said, shutting her eyes. You were right. We have spent so long running instead of defending. For that, I apologize. It was very late; almost midnight. Eragon looked around his home to see that candles were lit around the windows and up the stairs into their main bedroom to provide a very soothing light in the home. Saphira noticed his curiosity and growled lovingly.
I did not know what form you were going to arrive in, she explained. I did not want you to trip over your feet, so I lit them for you.
Very kind, dear, Eragon chuckled, but it would have been very humorous to see me do that, would it not? Saphira let out a choppy growl and was surprised to see that her laugher awakened none of her younglings. Suddenly, Eragon popped his head up and muttered the word to shift forms. Saphira watched with curiosity in her eyes as Eragon climbed up the stairs into the other room. A few muffled crashes were heard and Eragon could be heard whispering a curse.
"What happened in here?" he asked quietly to avoid startling his young children. Saphira gently climbed up to her paws and padded up the wide staircase to see what the commotion was about. When she reached the top, she was forced to laugh. Eragon was lying on the floor covered in different colored tunics, but his bronze sword was clutched in his right hand.
What happened? Saphira laughed out. Eragon swore again and pushed himself out of the clothes.
"I just opened the closet and they fell on me," Eragon huffed. "How did this happen?"
I have not been in there, dear, Saphira said, as she bent down to pull a tunic off of Eragon's leg with her mouth. Why do you wield a sword?
"I cannot be too careful," Eragon explained, brushing himself off. "What if the elves did not do what they said they would? That would leave our home unprotected this entire night."
I understand, Saphira said. The candles that she had lit illuminated her sapphire scales, making their gleam bounce off of the room's walls. Will we ever find peace, Eragon?
"Soon," he muttered, spinning the sword by its hilt in his hands. "We must fight for it…again." Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the large down below.
Who might this be? Saphira questioned, as she turned to pad down. Eragon quickly threw on one of the tunics that fell on him and stuck his blade threw its belt before heading off to follow Saphira.
"Who is it?" they heard Draken ask. The two sisters were now awake and were cowering in the bowl, growling and hissing every moment or so.
"I am a friend of Eragon's," the voice on the other side of the door answered. "Is he available?"
"Yes," Eragon called out. "Draken, let her in." Draken nodded his head and used his claws to turn the doorknob. On their doorstep stood the witch, Angela.
"It has been a long time," she told him. "May I enter?"
"You may," Eragon said politely. Angela cautiously stepped in, admiring the shimmering scales on Draken's hide.
"I see that you were true to your word," Angela said with a smile. "The race has been rebuilt."
"Almost, Angela," Eragon explained. "We have two daughters, but they are far too young to worry about mating. How come Draken's ability to converse aloud does not shock you?" Angela laughed softly and stepped over to Covin'thra and Equinox.
"I knew that it was going to happen," she said matter-of-factly. "Sadly, I do not come to visit. I have discovered something…something very bad."
"What?" Eragon asked. He heard Saphira whimper silently behind him.
"Eragon," Angela stated, "the spell I gave you was powerful, but there is a large chance that it may wear off."
No! Saphira cried. Is there anything that can be done?
"I am working on that now, brightscales," Angela replied. "As of now, the effects seem to only be temporary. You have only been like this for seven months, but at the end of the twelfth month…the exact day and time of when I completed the spell…all will be lost again. This is only a small calculation and there is a small chance that it will never come to pass, but you need to know: Whatever form that you are in during that final day, you will remain in your entire lives." Eragon turned to Saphira and placed his hand on her forehead. She was shuddering violently and Eragon could sense fear and heartache coming from her emotions.
Saphira, Eragon tried to comfort. If this is the case, then I will remain in dragon form with you for the rest of our days.
It is not that, Saphira replied sadly. I was thinking of having a human child after our other younglings leave home. Eragon held his mouth agape at his wife's comment and quickly turned to face Angela.
"Please," he said. "Do all that you can for us. If it is true, come and find us to let us know…?"
"I am already risking much now," Angela replied. "I have slipped into Ellesmera and this area seems to be the strongest point. Why I was let in, I know not."
"We must kill Stave," Eragon said, balling his fists. "If I only have five more months left, I want to spend them lovingly with my family, instead of fearfully in war." Suddenly, all of the candles began to fade as a black shadow entered the room.
"Do you think that magic can hold a demon?" a demonic voice echoed off of the walls. Angela turned to face Eragon.
"This man is possessed," she told him. "He has taken over everything and is fighting for Nasuada's position. He must die before the Empire gets rebuilt." Eragon took his eyes off of Angela to watch the mysterious shadow flutter in the dim candlelight. He turned back around to notice that Angela had left.
It is just you and me love, Saphira said. Till death do us part.
Always, Eragon replied, unsheathing his sword. Saphira padded next to him and hissed loudly at the shadow.
"A mother and father protecting their children to the death?" the shadow asked menacingly. "Too bad you will not live to see the power that they will hold."
"Try to take them, Stave!" Eragon shouted, pointing his blade at the dancing shadow in front of him. Draken, who was watching the shadow from beside his mother, roared in anger and swished his tail fearsomely.
Stay down sisters, he told them through mental link. No matter what happens, do not move!
Yes brother, Covin'thra replied nervously to him.
"How touching," Stave said, floating around the room. "A dragon who loves his siblings as much as a mate would. That is actually rather grotesque in my opinion, but sins are my specialty."
"I do not love them that way and you know so!" Draken screamed. "Unlike you, I take responsibilities for my brethren rather than leave them to fight on their own. That is right, I know that you were one of the early riders. How much love did you have for your sibling?"
"ENOUGH!" Stave shouted, briefly extinguishing the candles around the room. "Eragon, you have one last chance. Release Draken's true name and relinquish him to me, or you will suffer."
"Never!" Eragon hollered. Suddenly, Stave's shadow leapt over to Eragon, and a green sword made entirely out of fire appeared in the demon's hand. Eragon quickly tossed his blade up to parry the blow and almost fell over by the sheer force of Stave's attack. Saphira attempted to swing her tail at Stave, but he disappeared before it could hit him.
"I suppose I shall take his brethren then?" Stave asked sarcastically. Eragon and Saphira watched with horror as Stave's evil shadow walked over to the final bowl. Equinox squeaked with terror and began thrashing about before she was suspended in the air by Stave's hand. It looked as if Equinox was levitating, and this frightened Eragon, Saphira, and Draken.
"Let her go!" Draken screamed. "You harm one scale on her hide and I will rip your body apart and feed the pieces to the vultures!"
"What is he doing?" Equinox fearfully asked, squirming violently. Stave had her gripped by the back of her neck and his grasp was as tight as Eragon's in dragon form. She could not escape. Suddenly, she yipped and whimpered, shuddering violently. Draken watched Stave's free hand to see that he had pulled off one of her scales.
"You bastard!" Draken yelled. In an instant, he lunged toward Equinox, chomping his teeth at Stave's shadowy torso. As usual, the demon disappeared again, leaving Equinox to fall six feet to land harshly on her rear end.
"I actually would prefer this one," Stave said, reaching down to get Covin'thra. Surprisingly, she growled and snapped her jaws on Stave's hand. It was a good feeling to hear a demon shout in pain.
"How..?" He asked. "You are too young to…fight."
"No I am not," Covin'thra said, hissing. "I have teeth, and I shall use them just like my brother."
"Then I suppose that I must make due," Stave said, glaring at Eragon; his crimson red eyes glowing in the dimly lit home. "I will take the other one."
"Not before I take your head," Eragon said, stepping forward with his sword drawn. Stave laughed and waved his hand over Eragon's blade. In an instant, Eragon's blade left his hand and flew to its master's.
"You can do nothing being unarmed," Stave pointed out. "I will take her, and if you want her alive, bring Draken and his true name. You will know when and where to meet." Stave floated back over to Equinox, who was sitting on her haunches and whimpering at the pain of being dropped.
"Equinox," Draken shouted to her. "Run!" Equinox quickly hopped up to her feet and ran out the door. Stave snickered at Eragon, and disappeared yet again.
- - - - - -
Equinox rushed down the hill as fast as her small paws would allow her to go. She was panting in fear and exhaustion, not knowing where to go or what to even do for that matter. All she knew was that if she did not run, she would be taken. She continued to run until she lost her footing and tumbled down the hillside, stopping directly in front of an oak tree, which was struck by lightning so many days ago. The tree looked as if it were Stave's shadow and scared the poor dragonet even worse, causing her to chirp in panic and dash into the wooded forest.
Equinox? Draken asked. Where are you?
I do not know, she replied. I am scared, brother.
Be brave, child, Draken said. Stave has just left and Eragon is out searching for you. Stay alert and you will stay free.
I understand, Equinox murmured. She shut off the link between her and Draken, and curled up inside of a rotted out ash tree that was deeper in the forest. It was cold and windy, making the forest especially horrifying to her. The wind would rustle the branches over her magenta head, and the cold would cause steam to rise up every time when she took a breath. Suddenly, she felt a hand grab her. She squealed and kicked, flapping her wings to help her escape but it was no use. It was too strong.
DRAKEN!
I am sorry, but I had to do it. CLIFFHANGER! I have a surprise for tomorrow that may either cause my readers to die of heart failure, or just die of sheer shock. Anyways, I figured that in biblical times, demons could only be confined by the power of God alone…and being that they do not share that belief, they are not safe. (Demons also cannot die…the decapitation idea is to provide a more complicated plot). As for Angela and the 'news,' I figure that you deserve to know that, as of now, I have no plan to ruin them like that, but things can change. Let me know.
PEACE!!!!