I DID NOT DO A TIMEWARP! That will have to come later. Also, the daily posts are back…I put one up yesterday and another today so expect it to be pounded out from here till Thursday. This chapter is going to make some people hate me, but only you could decide: DISCLAIMER: I got some of this off of the Lynard Skynard song Simple Man (hence the title). Also because I have never said it before, I do not own anything except for the new dragons added and Stave. I think that is it. Let's rock.
Chapter 86: Simple Man
Eragon gently guided Saphira to the kitchen and had her take a seat while he prepared breakfast for everyone else.
"I can still do it," she protested, but Eragon silenced her with a soft smile.
"Saphira, can you not just enjoy one simple day off?"
"I prefer not to," she muttered, but Eragon placed his hand on her shoulder and kissed the back of her neck tenderly.
"Let me be a help to you…at least until our child comes." She placed her hand on his and looked up to smile at him.
"I suppose you are right," she admitted. Eragon turned away to start the meal. "What is the agenda for this afternoon, my darling?"
"I have not thought of it. I suppose I need to add an extra room…?"
"Why? We have a spare room already." Eragon looked in the room to see Equinox sleeping against her new friend Guardian.
"That is her room." Saphira shook her head.
You cannot see it, can you? She asked him mentally. Our children are leaving our nest. That room will be empty before Bowen arrives.
Wait. How can Equinox leave without a mate? Saphira turned to see Guardian gently scratch his beak across the sleeping dragoness' side, just underneath her wing.
Eragon, she likes him…?
He is no dragon, Saphira. They are friends in the least. Saphira stood to her feet and motioned for Eragon to follow her outside. He placed some meat in the oven and walked out behind her.
"Eragon," she sighed. "Gleadr told me that it is very possible to create hybrids…or mixed species."
"Okay?" Saphira turned to look at the house and smiled.
"I do not know if it is possible, but I have heard tales of wyverns mating with dragons, but I know not of what their offspring looked like." Eragon wrapped his hand around her waist and brought her in close.
"Ever since she was little, Equinox always got the last pick, huh?" Saphira nodded her head. "Now, she can see what it is like to love another, no matter what the species is."
"We do not know how Guardian feels though," Saphira pointed out. "Perhaps they shall be friends and nothing more?" Eragon shook his head and smiled.
"Whatever happens, I just want what is best for her." Suddenly, Draken stepped out of the house, stretching outward like a waking kitten.
"Good morning," Draken said with a pleasing snort. "When will breakfast be ready?"
"Soon, son," Eragon replied. "How is Lunalese?"
"She is tremendous, Father. Luna is happy that her first child has came out well."
"I cannot wait to see him hatch," Saphira said with a soft smile. "Eragon, we are grandparents."
"I would not have it any other way, Mother." Eragon stepped forward and brushed his first child's scales. Draken shuttered at his proud touch.
"I am proud of you son," Eragon whispered into his ear. "You are no longer a hatchling, but a fine, noble dragon."
"Your father is right, Draken. We could not be happier for you. Now, you get to feel what it is like to raise one of your own."
"I will not let you down; I won't let my son down." Eragon chuckled and took his hand away for Draken to place his brow against it.
"Do not stress so hard over this," Eragon informed. "Live in the moment and everything will be perfect. After all, if I would have planned every second from your hatching to adulthood, where would you be now?"
"Good point." He turned to face out over the hillside. "I will miss this place, Father."
"I beg your pardon?"
"We are leaving before he hatches," Draken muttered. "We are going to find a home of our own and raise him there. I suppose that we have a few weeks here before we leave." Eragon lowered his head and scratched his head.
"You will be missed," he said solemnly. "Draken, I suppose now is the proper time to give you my parting words of wisdom." Saphira placed her hand on Eragon's shoulder as Draken slid to his paws in front of him.
"I am listening."
"Son, remember everything you have learned here in this home. Be willing to fight for your family, but also be willing to retreat when you feel weak. Be a simple man, Draken."
"Father is right, child," Saphira stepped in. "You have found a female of your species, and you have also created a family of your own. Do not make your life too complex dear. Complexity creates stress, which is bad on a family."
"I understand," Draken sighed. Eragon crouched in front of his son.
"Things will more than likely come your way, my boy," he stated. "Just know that everything passes over time. Never dwell on things that will not last the rest of eternity." Draken bobbed his head and looked Eragon dead in the eyes. "Treat humans with respect and always honor them, son, unless your very life is threatened by it. You are very wise Draken, and I know that you will heed our advice while you are out on your own. If you do wish to leave earlier, we will not hold anything against you."
"I shall tell my mate," Draken sighed. "We discovered a nesting area only ten leagues from here. We will leave tonight."
"You had better visit us daily, child!" Saphira scorned with a sly smile. "After all, will you not want to see your brother?"
"Draecion will be considered his as well, Father," Draken said proudly. "They will grow up together and be like how I was towards my own siblings."
"We pray so," Saphira sighed, rubbing her swollen belly. It was getting larger by the day and Eragon was willing to bet that Bowen would be born around the seventh or eighth month. Draken bowed humbly at his parents and stepped inside.
Luna? He asked the sleeping yellow dragoness. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. We are leaving today.
I thought we were going to wait a few more weeks, Lunalese muttered groggily. He sniffed and showed her his teeth.
I have been given permission to leave, my love. We can go and make our own nest now. Lunalese climbed to her feet and brushed muzzles with her mate. Gather Draecion and get ready to say our farewells. Tonight, we will start our own family. Eragon stepped inside with Saphira, who accidently tripped over Draken's tail as she entered.
"Sorry," she muttered. Draken let out a forgiving growl and turned back to Lunalese as all of the other creatures in the home began to wake. Equinox was up now and was sitting next to Guardian. Saphira looked around the house and suddenly realized that Covin'thra was missing. "Where is Covy?"
"We are here!" The dragoness called outside of the home. Eragon looked outside to see Thorn and Covy leaning against each other with their tails crossed over their backsides.
You didn't? Eragon chuckled over to Thorn.
We did.
Will she lay?
Not this time, Thorn said proudly. Why? Are you expecting to be a grandfather so soon?
We already are, Thorn. Eragon shifted his head over to Lunalese, who had Draecion's egg comfortably in her mouth. They are leaving to form their own nest. My children are leaving, Thorn; every last one of them are going away.
It is part of life, Rider. Eragon nodded his head and walked up to stroke Covin'thra's head. It was sweaty and her eyes were narrowed to show exhaustion.
"Good morning," Covin'thra managed to say. Eragon pat her silver scales and chuckled.
"Just finished, huh?" Covy lowered her head in embarrassment, but Eragon lifted it back up to face her. "Why so shamed? If your mother and I never tried, you would not even be here."
"True, Father. We would have came home last night, but we lost track of time."
"Did Thorn treat you properly, my child?" She let out a very pleasing growl and turned to face her life partner.
Very. Suddenly, a lone figure came running up the hillside. Eragon turned to see that it was one of Roran's close friends.
"Eragon!" the man called out. "Eragon, come quick!"
"What is wrong?"
"Katrina!"
I didn't want to do it, I fought so hard not to do it, but I had to do it! CLIFFHANGER! Daily posts have started again so this can get finished. Take notice of all of these small hints that have been dropped out…they will play a major role here.
PEACE!