Okay graphic battle/disaster scenes here. Good news, Thorn and Covin'thra are starting to 'get into it'. First Draken and Lunalese, and then them. Eggs all around!!!!

Chapter 67: It Has Begun

"The country is in ruins," Murtagh explained to Eragon, who was sitting at his table with Saphira alongside him. "Thorn and I traveled with Nasuada and saw it all for ourselves. Helgrind is completely demolished and there is many that are trapped under the rubble there."

"Any other places?" Eragon asked. Murtagh nodded his head.

"Every city has been affected on this side," he explained. "All of the cities on the opposite side of the Spine have been hit with a large tidal wave. We flew over there and examined the destruction. Eragon, many have not survived."

"Most of the cities in the other region are in the mountains," Eragon told him. "There is a chance that all there are safe for the time being. Murtagh, we shall lend a hand to those in need. You take Thorn and Covin'thra and aid those near the seas. She can fly and is half the size of Draken now so she may offer much help."

"What about you and the rest of your kin?" Murtagh asked. "I noticed that Draken has a significant other now, could she offer assistance?"

"I am sure on that."

- - - - - - - -

"Greetings, Thorn," Covin'thra told the bright red dragon as he touched down beside her. Equinox was laying underneath the lone tree in the front yard and Draken was holding a conversation of his own with Lunalese. "How are you?"

Not well, I am afraid, Thorn replied worriedly. I have traveled this country with Murtagh and discovered that many have been lost over such a disaster. More humans await for us to come to their rescue.

"I can help you," Covin'thra said proudly. "I am almost of Draken's size now and my sister is none higher. Perhaps we can fly there now?" Covin'thra was exaggerating and Thorn knew it. She had grown, but she is only half the size of her brother. Still, the fact remained that she was growing closer to the proper mating age. Thorn could sense that it would not be long until he could have a family of his own.

Now, my dear, Thorn replied kindly. We must wait for Murtagh and Eragon to create a tactic to handle this. I fear that what you will see there will only shock you.

"I have already seen war and bloodshed, scarred one," Covin'thra pointed out. "Few things may shock me. As for my sister, I know not of her tolerance."

Wise and brave, Thorn commented her. You will make a great mother someday, Covin'thra.

"When the time comes," she sighed out, as she turned her attention over to see Draken and Lunalese laying together in the grass. "I will not lie, the feelings that my brother expresses to Lunalese do seem rather interesting, but I feel as if I am still too young to understand it all."

You will eventually, Thorn replied.

"Have you ever felt like that?" Covin'thra asked innocently. Thorn shook his head and snorted, tossing black plumes of smoke from his nostrils.

Nay, he sighed. I have wished to feel that way for many months. Suddenly, Murtagh emerged from the home with Eragon and Saphira walking behind him.

Have we developed a plan? Thorn asked him.

Yes, he replied. Gather here, friend. We will discuss it. Thorn nodded his head and turned to face Covin'thra.

Come, he told her. We are preparing to leave. Covin'thra let out a soft growl and padded next to the large red dragon. She watched as Equinox climbed to her feet to head over as well. Draken and Lunalese flew over quickly, but stayed at each other's side the entire way.

"Okay," Eragon told them. "From what Murtagh has told me, we have quite a mess on our hands. All of the cities on the other side of the Spine have been hit with a tidal wave."

"Many are dead," Murtagh spoke out. "Our job will be to look for any survivors. It will be very difficult."

"Murtagh will take Covin'tha and Thorn to the sea and scan the cities for anyone alive. From there, you should take them to a safe, dry area where the healers could access them."

"The Spine may be a good idea to place them," Murtagh said. "It is high and not flooded. It may be a rough trek, but the healers should have no problem…?"

No, Lunalese suddenly snapped. We cannot have people roaming those mountains. It is too dangerous. I know because I used to live there.

"Well then," Murtagh groaned, "any other ideas? I know that the town of Bullridge was the one that was less damaged. Perhaps we can drop them off there?"

Sounds lovely, Lunalese replied. I shall fly and check for any survivors in the Spine. Draken? Will you come with me?

"Of course," he replied. Draken looked down at his father and growled pleasingly. "Will Equinox accompany you?" His father shook his head.

"Son," Eragon explained. "We have more to worry about than the Spine. I was hoping that you would take her and Lunalese to help in the other cities. Saphira and I will go to the large towns like Uru'baen and Gil'ead and search for survivors there. You take Equinox and scour the smaller towns between them."

Those in the Spine may be in grave danger, Lunalese advised. We must help them.

"Thorn and Murtagh could…?"

No! Lunalese protested. I am the only one who knows what truly lies there. If you send them in, then they will not return.

"Very well," Eragon sighed. "Check the towns near and around the Spine. Do what you must, but be careful and look after Equinox."

"Yes father."

- - - - - - - -

Rise my brethren! The wyvern commanded the forest around him. Creatures of all types began emerging from the dense foliage. Wolves stood in a large line of 20 per row, and the five mountain lions of the mountain stood also in perfect formation. All of the mountains deadliest hunters were lined up and poised for battle.

The humans have been immobilized by such an outstanding twist of fate, the wyvern explained. They are crippled and sick, which leaves us with the perfect opportunity to drive them out of our land forever! As he finished, the wolves howled loudly in acknowledgement. Let us force them back to the separated landmass and force them to live like we have…on their own. This land…is now Ours! ATTACK!

- - - - - - -

"I do not like this," Draken told Lunalese, who was flying beside him. Equinox was on his right side. "How did it even happen?"

I have never experienced something like that before, Lunalese pointed out. All I know is that many people are hurt. If I were the wyvern, I would order the revolt to go on right now when they are at their weakest point.

"What are you talking about?" Equinox asked curiously. Draken turned to face her.

"Sister," he said, "we may be flying into a battle soon. Stay close to us and do not wander off."

"Yes Brother," Equinox sighed. Suddenly, she turned her gaze away from Draken and looked down at a village below them. "Look!" The two other dragons turned their gaze downward to see the city of Ceunon. It was a disaster indeed. The land was encased in brown water and many of the homes were demolished, lying flat in the muddy surface.

We should help, Lunalese sighed. She quickly tucked her wings in to dive down, as the two other dragons followed close behind. All three landed in the shallow murky water where the destroyed town was and were rather surprised to see a few buildings on fire in the midst of the small flood.

"Spread out," Draken said. "Call out for anyone alive. If you find one, find us." Equinox nodded her head and waded through the water. There were three bodies that were floating on the water's surface but several more were resting underneath it. Equinox shuddered and cringed as her claws struck down against the flesh of those who didn't make it underneath her.

"Is anybody alive?" she called out, as she approached the only recognizable home in the village. No sign of anything. She turned to see Draken dive under the water while Lunalese kept watch above him. By the look on the yellow dragon's face, it was obvious that they were coming up empty as well. Equinox sniffed at the walls of the home that she was examining and quickly caught a faint scent of something inside of it.

Brother, she called to him mentally. I believe that I have discovered someone. Instantly, Draken and Lunalese appeared beside her. Draken pushed the door of the home open, knocking all of the water inside of the home to the far corners inside of it. This dwelling place was built perfectly and was quite sturdy, but some water still managed to seep in.

I shall search the rooms here, Lunalese said as she craned her neck to look beside her. Take Equinox and see the next level. Draken nodded and gently nudged Equinox to climb up the steps. He was very proud of how large she had grown, but he still was taller. She led the way up the steps with Draken close behind her.

"Watch your step, brother," Equinox said nervously, as her paws slipped about on the wet wooden stairs. She could hear Draken clamber and stumble behind her, but he held his balance perfectly. Within moments, the two were up on the final floor.

"Hello?" Equinox called out. "Anybody?" Draken sniffed about and caught a very familiar scent that was coming from the room in front of him. He used his head to push in the door and almost fell back in shock. In this room were estranged writings on the walls, all written in blood.

"Beware the creatures," many writings said on the walls. "Rise to power…PROTECT ME!" He turned to see a bronze blade resting on the table in the evil room.

"That was…Stave's," Draken explained to Equinox. "This was…oh dear! This was where he hid from the elves. He knew about the uprising."

DRAKEN! Lunalese suddenly shouted. Get here quick! I found someone. Draken bolted down the steps with Equinox following close behind. They stopped to see a young servant propped up against Lunalese's side. His skin was dark and his eyes showed both pain and misery.

He was hiding, Lunalese explained. I found him in the closet over there.

"What is your name?" Draken asked out loud. The servant trembled and placed his face to Lunalese's side.

"Do not harm me!" the servant called out. "Please…no. Leave me be, winged demon!"

"Demon?" Draken asked, cocking his head. "I assure you that I am not that."

Draken, Lunalese said with a chuckle. It is the way that you speak which frightens him. He trusts me because I approached with my mind.

"Okay then," Draken said with a chuckle. He tucked in his wings and turned to face Equinox. "I suppose that he sees us differently than Lunalese." Equinox nodded and snorted loudly at the comment.

Does this make things better? Draken asked the servant. I must apologize. My father is the Rider Eragon. His wife is my mother, Saphira. The reason I can talk physically is because of them. Now, I assure you that no one here is a threat to you. Do you understand me? The servant nodded his head and turned to face Draken.

"I am Jesiah," the servant explained. "I was a servant to the master Stave before he was killed. I was just about to leave before the Earth began to shake so violently. What has happened?"

"The country has been divided," Draken explained. "Many other towns have suffered the same fate. Do you know if any others survived?"

"I am all that remains."

- - - - - - -

Therinsford was a small village in the Spine Mountains, but the horrible earthquake had rattled it off of the foundation. Buildings collapsed on top of their owners, killing many. If that was not bad enough, many people lay trapped in their ruins. As those who were free roamed about in attempt to assist, the wyvern stood by with his army of creatures beside him.

Leave no one alive, the wyvern told the lions and wolves behind him.

Yes, they replied just as if he controlled their minds. In moments, the line of predators marched down the hillside, growling and licking their chops as they approached. One victim was caught fetching water to douse the flames in the village. The five mountain lions pounced on the poor middle-aged man, tearing his skin from his bones as he attempted to scream for help…or mercy. As his body lay lifeless in the small pool of bloody water, the five creatures rejoined formation with the wolves. They marched further, not even bothering to clean the blood out of their fur.

We can do this, the wyvern said, overhead. Run my minions! Attack while they are still weak! The wolves picked up the pace, sprinting heavily towards the wrecked town ahead. They broke off to surround the village. The mountain lions encircled the right and backsides as the wolves completed the maneuver by gathering around the front and left sides. All in the circle were doomed. Many grabbed wooden staffs and pitchforks as weapons, but they knew that swords and spears were needed more to kill such beasts. The creatures pressed in, pushing the villagers into tighter formations in the middle. Suddenly, all of the predators leapt at the townspeople, shredding them completely. The wolves dug underneath the destruction to get to those wounded underneath. As they pulled them out, the lions would maul them.

It is just as I envisioned, the wyvern said with a sadistic chuckle. Press on, soldiers! Clear this mountain of any creature with two legs!

- - - - - - - -

"So what do we do?" Covin'thra asked Murtagh, who simple shook his head. "All of the cities near the sea have been checked already."

I feel as if we should inspect the Spine, Thorn said. Lunalese seemed really worried about it. Suddenly, a large plume of smoke appeared from the mountains.

"I suppose that we are heading there," Murtagh said with a soft chuckle. "Come along, Covy. We have work to do."

Okay, Jesiah is like this Jes-eye-uh. Nothing really major involving him yet, but as you can tell, the revolt has begun! I am also getting the ThornxCovin'thra blossoming out now too, so everyone should be happy!!!

PEACE!