Disclaimer – Don't own Naruto or any other reference story or music

The Last Rider

Chapter - 02 – The Wandering Nomad

Play Music - Kingdom Skies – Two Steps From Hell - Dynasty

Alagaesia some eighty plus years later

Deep in the forest Eragon, new rider of an young blue dragon named Saphira with his sword Zar'roc given to him by the late once dragon rider Brom. They travel the Varden to the city of Tronjheim in the hollow mountain Farthen Dur. With a rogue name Murtagh who carries a troubled past and a direly sick young elf woman named Arya.

Eragon is a dark haired youth with brown hair and fifteen going on sixteen year old. Murtagh is a dark black hair youth with short hair like Eragon though unlike Eragon's shaggy hair, Murtagh is straight. Arya is a beautiful long black hair young elf with cat-like green eyes and pointed ears showing her elfen heritage.

Arya was wearing simple black leather leggings, boots, and shirt, with a dark brown cloak covering her as she rode unconscious on the only horse.

Eragon wears simple brown tunic and pants with a white under shirt with brown leather boots and the red sword Zar'roc strapped to his side.

Murtagh was in all black tunic and pants, with leather boots and sword at his side with a simple wooden bow hook along his back.

The small band are what they believe is two days journey from Farthen Dur mountain and the Varden in the city of Tronjheim. The sky grew dark with dark clouds looming overhead.

Eragon and Murtagh trek through the mountain leading the horse transporting Arya through the mountain pass, when heavy rain and sounds of thunder are heard in the skies.

"Bloody hell, as if we didn't have enough problems, now the skies themselves curse us with misfortune." Murtagh remarks dryly

Eragon leading the horse through the once hard now treks through the soft muddy ground slipping slightly. Sent a small glare at Murtagh

"Hm it could be worse it's only a little rain, that should help us lose those Urgals that have been dogging us since we rescued Arya." Eragon remarks half heartily before a loud boom if thunder followed by a bolt of lightning hitting a tree a few yards behind them sending them flying with Eragon and Murtagh crashing and rolling and Arya falling off the horse landing it to the brush.

Murtagh recovers first standing on trembling legs and rubs the back of his head before looking around for Eragon before seeing him walking over and helping him up.

"You were saying… it seems the weather will kill us long before the Urgals will at this rate. The rains only getting worse and now lightning we need to find shelter or well be joining the horse." Murtagh yell over the howling wind and heavy rain pointing in the direction of the down horse.

Looking around for Arya, Eragon sees her in the brush before going to check on her condition before responding. "Gather what you can from the horse then help me carry Arya, I'll see what Saphira can find."

'Saphira we need shelter and fast or this storm maybe the end of our journey' Eragon calls Saphira through their telepathically link

'I hear you Eragon however I'm having trouble flying in this growing storm myself but I will try' Saphira sends back

As Saphira searched for a place to shelter them from the storm, Eragon and Murtagh carried Arya with one of her arms over each of their shoulders. It was several grueling hours later and for Eragon and Murtagh making slow progress through the thick mountain forest.

With the earth beneath their feet muddy, each step took effort to remove their wet mud covered feet from the muddy hole the trek made. The travel over rocky surfaces wasn't any better with the heavy rain making the ground very slippery and slimy making it was sluggish moving forward.

Mud slides only made travel more tedious, add their wet and soaked clothes and the bands morale was at an all time low. The only plus was the spontaneous lightning strikes couldn't start a forest fire with the heavy rain but left the two looking up as much as looking forward.

When Saphira called, Eragon couldn't have been more than happier for the distraction. 'Eragon I found a place for you not far from your location but it's off the trail to the east overlooking the valley.' Dodging a lightning strike Saphira continued. 'It an in cropping in the mountain side, forming an under pass or small cave.'

'Thanks Saphira it may be out of the way but anything's better than this.' Eragon sent back through the link 'Be careful little one I missed the cave the first time because it was well hidden from view by the brush, I only saw it the second time because of the heat from a fire.' Saphira says worriedly 'There may be someone else in the pass with you, be vigilant little one.' As Saphira sought cover from the storm herself.

Eragon began retelling Saphira message and warning to Murtagh they made their way to the cave. As they move into the area however, both Eragon and Murtagh almost wouldn't have even seen the opening if they weren't already looking for it.

For it was well covered by the brush and tree branches cover the small six feet tall three foot wide opening in the cliff side that lead to an open area. In area that over looked the valley below that had moss, rock spikes, and roots running everywhere covering the open cave from view from below.

If not for the small camp fire they would have missed it completely like Saphira and walked right by it. Setting Arya in the entrance of the cave, Eragon and Murtagh swords drawn make their way into the low lighting of the cave were they see a hooded man tending to the fire.

Play Music - A Growing Feeling – Two Steps From Hell - All Drones Go To Hell

Staying behind the rock wall Eragon and Murtagh try to determine who the person was and if the figure is a threat when suddenly the figure speaks. "You may as well come out, I heard you trek through the trees. You weren't exactly very quiet even with this rather rough weather." In a monotone voice

Eragon and Murtagh nod slowly to each other then step out from behind the rock pillars and stone wall into the cave with swords raised. "Who are you?" Eragon said slightly raising his sword as if to instill he's point.

The hooded figure one eye brow though neither could see it with the low lighting from the fire and the hood from his cloak. "I believe its appropriate custom to state one's own name before asking of another?" The hooded figure stated again with his lazy monotone.

Both Eragon and Murtagh glance too each other at what they both believed to be a strange individual before responding. Shrugging Murtagh let Eragon answer. "Eragon and my friend is Murtagh." "Eragon you say?" raising his head slightly the hooded figure stated as much as asked

"Eragon hm, Era-gon now where have I heard that name before, I know I heard that name before, I just can't seem to place where hm…" The figure says with the same monotone of indifference without any emotion.

Both Eragon and Murtagh tense believing that they may have been found out and that the figure knew about them. Prepared to fight despite their fatigue they took a closer look at the hooded figure.

The figure was wearing a light tan cloak with a hood, black armor that seems to be made of both leather and metal. The figure had leather straps connecting to the fabric under his gauntlets, which went to his knuckles leaving the hands free then going around to his forearm.

The person wore black leather leggings with long gray boots and what looks like a white face mask. Next to the figure on the ground were both a sword to the right and a bow to the left. The sword has a simple dark brown leather wrap grip in black leather sheath, with the blade an ebony black a strange symbol above the hilt. It had no cross guard but protrusion on either side. (Ascheriit Fairy Stone Sword)

The bow is a matte black western style straight bow, with a simple design. It was made not of metal or wood but some unknown material neither recognize. A quiver of some twenty or so arrows all black shafts with silver feather ends. (Archer's Bow Unlimited Blade Works)

The figure before them still made no move for his weapons or them and both Eragon and Murtagh tense like a loin waiting to pounce. "Ah" the hooded figure lets out in his cold monotone. "I remember now Eragon the rider." Both Eragon and Murtagh ready for person to reach for his sword.

"The first man to ever ride a dragon, and name revered by the elves and a legend among the humans and dwarves. I don't suppose their any relation to him or just the name?" Seeing their shock but no response forthcoming

"Well that's no surprise most have forgotten the first rider others curse his name saying it a warning of dark time with how the king wouldn't have so much power without his dragon and the riders are nothing more than monsters in human form, though that matters little to me." All said in that emotionless cold monotone of indifference.

"Well what in a name anyways just a thing others give you to remember you by whether it be for good or not." Paying little mind or no caring the figure continues "Well you may as well come in the weather not going to clear up till morning anyway…oh should probably bring your female companion in as well can't be very warm at the entrance."

As he goes back to mixing the thick soup… or whatever it is in the pot over the fire. Eragon nodding to Murtagh goes and brings Arya into the cave and sets her down by the fire, as Eragon and Murtagh seat down across from the hooded figure with Arya behind them.

The hooded figure nods to themselves and stops steering the soup and reaches for his hood revealing deep crimson eyes, long sliver white hair tied into two braids with two kunai weighting the ends. There was a white face mask covering his lower face from the nose down and around covering his ears.

With his pale skin and angular and feminine facial features both Eragon and Murtagh were unsure if the person was male or female. They were completely caught off guard as the now young silver hair figure quickly rises and rushes the two before either of them can redraw their swords, before jabbing them both with two fingers in the neck with the left and right hand respectfully.

As they both collapse to the cold floor of the cave unable to move the silver hair figure walk causally over to Arya as if he didn't just disable both of them easily without any effort.

Eragon seeing the figure and can still move his head calls out to try and stop the silver hair figure. "Leave Arya alone, take whatever you want just don't touch her." Seemly ignoring him the figure remove the cloak covering her to reveal long raven black hair and long elven ears.

Humming the silver hair figure gently remove the wet cloak and picks Arya up before walking pass the two before setting her on the makeshift bed near the fire, before speaking to the still looking at the female elf.

"Strange company you have with you she-elf, a young rider, a rogue, and a young dragon hatchling. One must wonder what stars you were born to have such strange luck." The silver hair figure says to the unconscious Arya, before turns slightly to look over his shoulder to look at the prone forms of Eragon and Murtagh.

"Who was it that poisoned the she-elf boy?" Eragon seeing no way out and no harm in telling him "A shade named Durza, Arya was captured to try and find where she sent Saphira egg." Eragon responds evenly with worry for the elf.

"How did you know I was a rider or about Saphira?" Musing over the question or just not caring the figure didn't respond for several minutes other than to poke, turn, and look all over Arya body at her wounds.

Eragon was about to retort but the figure spoke first. "I'm a nomad I learn and see things most would miss. Like the smell of hay and manure on you from working on a farm or the smell of metal and blood on your friends clothes making it easy to see he's a rogue." The silver hair figure state without a care in his emotionless monotone

"As for the rider and dragon your body releases magic uncontrollable something seasoned riders learn to control and mask to hide themselves. As for the dragon, as soon as I saw her move getting ready to come to your aid if I had attacked with the intent to kill." Shrugging like it didn't matter the silver hair nomad continued

"Even with the heavy rain the lightning lights up the area for a moment and that was all I need to see her." Said the nomad in the same cold monotone

Pulling out a small bowl out of his pack as well as a small bag followed by taking out some herbs then grounding and mixing them in the bowl. Before cutting Arya finger and letting the blood fall in the bowl.

Then putting the bowl down and raising his face mask slightly so his mouth was uncovered put Arya's now blood finger into his then wrapping it lightly before mixing the blood in a well. "What are you doing?" yelled Eragon or tried to but came out only raising his voice a little.

The nomad only continued mixing then added water making it turn into a greenish purple mixture that was thick like honey. Turning somewhat to face them but still mixing. "The poison was spreading too quickly with her cold and wet condition. The she-elf would only last just over a day at best at that rate, and while it doesn't matter to me if she lives or dies…" causing both Murtagh and Eragon to tense

"I won't let the she-elf just roll over and die if I could help prevent it." Raising the bowl to his as Eragon and Murtagh now can see the nomad is male, the nomad pours the thick mixture into his mouth then leaning down and kissing Arya on the lips.

Using his tongue though neither blushing nor one angry youth could see it pushes the pours it down her throat. Standing in pulling back down his mask the nomad walk to the edge of the cliff inside of the cave and rinses out the bowl before walking back and placing both bowl and bag of herbs in his pack.

Then looking for the first time at Eragon and Murtagh, "You should be getting feeling in your lower body soon, didn't know if you were helping the she-elf or she was your prisoner."

"Either way it was quicker to just temporary disable both of you to prolong her life I lack the ingredients to cure her but could easily slow it down." The nomad explains in the same lazy monotone as if he did move at inhuman speeds and disable them with just his fingers.

Eragon recovering first, seats up slowing holding his head as a wave of dizziness hits him. "What did you give Arya, and why'll were at it how did you move so fast and disable me and Murtagh?"

Picking up is sword and leaning against the wall with his sword in his right hand and his leg bent at the knee and against his chest, the nomad closes his eyes. With the nomad in the back of the cave, with the edge to the right, Arya to his left by the fire, and the two were recovering across from them.

Murtagh was angry regarding the blow and preparing to let it be known but the nomad spoke before he could. "It was a simple tonic to help ones immune system to resist poisons however adding the she-elf blood with it let the potion turn into an stimulant against the shade's poison not much but it will give the she-elf another day or two depending on her physical condition."

"As for what I did to you two that was lot of practice and training something neither of you have done." In his lazy cold monotone, "By the direction you were heading I'd say you're heading for the Varden which is a day's ride on horseback but a two to three days march on foot on the pass you were taking."

"Should've gone through the valley you would have lost a day going that way but could have made it up and had an easier journey by traveling over the lake instead of going around and over the mountain." Opening his left eye were large scar ran down his face over his eye. "If you plan to it make to the Varden before the she-elf dies you're going to have to take the hunter's trail down and over the mountain to the valley below to the river into the dark forest."

"It's the most direct route to the Varden and the secret entrance to the dwarven city." Closing is eye again, "It's faster than the route you were taking which would have lead you their but in a more roundabout path."

"Now if you plan to get their before the she-elf dies I suggest that you get some rest you both look like you could use it." As the silver hair nomad seem to go to sleep. Murtagh and Eragon agree that sleep seems like a very good idea.

Dawn came far too quickly for both Eragon and Murtagh as the first rays of sun shined into the cave waking the two from their light sleep. The warmth of the fire did little to help against the cold, hard, and unforgiving ground of the cave.

Both start the unforgiving morning standing up and popping out the kinks of sleeping on solid rock all night. Eragon noticed the slight fire and the pot covered soup with two bowls by it, taking off the lid causes both his stomach to all but cry at the thick meaty smell coming from it.

Eragon almost didn't hear Murtagh's groaning stomach but the slight drool at the corner of his mouth show how hungry he was. Eragon barely heard the nomad coming into the cave and Murtagh suspects that they only reason heard him at all was because the nomad wanted them to, though he didn't voice his thoughts.

"I would eat quickly if I were you if you want to make it down the mountain by nightfall." Turning around the two only now see that Arya was sitting up against the wall and all his gear is pack up. Throwing his pack over his shoulder then starts walking back out of the cave.

Murtagh reacts first speaks up. "Wait your just leaving, what about all the cooking gear?" Stopping and looking over his shoulder.

"This is a hunter's camp those are for hunters who come through here to use, as for your unasked question you don't need to know where I'm going and I don't believe it's any of my business where you go or what you do so I leaving."

Eragon jumping in, "But you helped Arya and you know your was around this area it's true you told us which way to go but without your help we may not make it in time to save Arya life."

With a sigh the nomad mumbles "lazy troublesome brats" before turning around and putting his pack down then leaning against the wall. "Hurry up and eat then I don't have all day and make sure you rinse out the pot and bowls before you go put some coins in the hole under the rock with the arrowhead by the fire as payment for using the camp."

Murtagh not needing to be told twice pours himself some and begins eating with Eragon right behind him both eating with gusto. Eragon looks at Arya as he eats on for the nomad to speak suddenly. "I already feed the she-elf some berries and fruit, so hurry up."

Play Music - Highlands – Two Steps From Hell - All Drones Go To Hell

After breakfast which both Eragon and Murtagh thought was much too good to be made by a guy let alone in the woods, cleaned up the camp site and headed out on their way to the Varden with their strange guide.

Who to make matters stranger was carry Arya on his hack like it was nothing and still moving at a pace both young man were hard pressed to keep up. He seem to glide through the trees and brush, over rock and streams with both grace and ease that spoke of years of skills and experiences beyond his youthful appearance.

Though only Murtagh really notice the ease while Eragon was more concern with Arya condition or looking at her backside Murtagh wasn't sure which and was almost tempted to ask if not afraid of the answer.

The unconventional band made advantageous time down the mountain a few hours after night fall just as the sun had set. They set camp at the edge the forest by the river. Sleep came easily for Murtagh and Eragon though from the long hike or light meal either noticed that the nomad had slipped some relaxants herbs into the meal so they would sleep easier.

Though that was for his benefit then there's since both would have try to stay up to keep watch of him.

At daybreak the group had a light breakfast of some fruit before continuing on. As the band reach the top a rocky rim late morning that overlooked the valley they could see the start of the river they were following and the narrow canyon it came from.

It was barely two hundred meters across with trees, vines, and thick mist looming everywhere. The canopy from the massive thick and tall trees follow by vines barely let any sun light through and the mist gave the place an apprehensive feel to the area.

It was midday and they were about to stop for a quick break for lunch. With the overcast sky this would be their last for the day till night fall. Then a cry of birds and rustle, crackle, crunch, of the trees was their only warning as two Urgals rush out of the trees approaching for behind them.

Play Music - Shoot To Kill then Guerilla Raid - Two Steps From Hell - All Drums Go To Hell

Before either Eragon or Murtagh could draw their swords, two black arrows streaked by, lodging into the heads of the two Urgals. Turning around to see the silver haired nomad notching another arrow, as Arya lay down with her back against a medium size rock.

"Prepare yourselves that was just the scouts, Urgals travel in pack of a dozen or more." As the nomad let's free another arrow, this one flying into the trees follow by a smack and a thud as another one falls.

As Urgals begin pouring out of the forest up the hill in scores, Murtagh drawing his sword rushes out to them and begins a quick clash of blades parrying and dodging blows as more Urgal descended out of the forest.

Eragon seeing Murtagh engaging one Urgal then another quickly moves to back him up but keeping in mind that Arya is behind him and not to them passed him. With each one Eragon manage to take down two more took its place.

Soon both Eragon and Murtagh were fighting an uphill battle back to back with the Urgals form a circle around the two completely cutting them off and preventing their retreat.

Several times the two tried to rush them and clear an opening to fall back up the hill to the nomad and Arya but only got pushed farther down and away. They couldn't see through the grayish mash of bodies to see how the nomad was doing nor did Eragon have the moment to look.

The constant parry, dodge, block, and rare thrust dropping one was tiring him quickly and the cuts and slashes on his arms and chest weren't helping. Murtagh wasn't doing any better, why'll normally faster and more agile then them and could easily beat them one on one the Urgal had him beat with brute strength, as well in reach and height add to that, their heavy blows were making his arms and hands go numb.

While back to back was a good strategy at first, it was broken now as the Urgals circled them, there was now a good meter between them and that was growing farther quickly as they were forced apart in the frenzy of battle.

The cuts and slashes while minor wounds were beginning to slow him down and a wild over head slash by a eight foot Urgal clipped Murtagh in the shoulder even with him blocking, bring him to his knees. Looking up to the piggish yellow eyes and the large sword coming down again to finish what it started.

Murtagh heard Eragon yell for him to move and get up, but the last bow made his legs buckle and go numb from the partial block. Prepare to try and roll away, but is forced to close his eyes as blood splatters all over his face, from his would be killer as a black arrow with bonelike arrowhead in the shape of a drill.

Murtagh sees the sliver feathers at the end as it plows through its head and continues on to go through the chest of three more before lodging into the next of the fourth.

Two more arrows follow behind it reaping death to the Urgals. The group of Urgal they were fighting turn to face their attacker only to see more than dozen of their pack died with arrows stuck fast into the head, heart or a hole their instead.

Several had broken necks, arms, legs, or even their own weapons lodge in their bodies with some even missing their heads. Looking passed the carnage the long double branded silver hair nomad releases on more arrows to fly into the chest of an Urgal coming up behind Eragon.

Standing tall or as tall as someone his height can be but to the Urgal he seem like a giant at the top of the hill complete unfazed by their assault with no injuries or even a drop of blood on him.

Strapping his bow back on his back the nomad draws his black sword for the first time. And starts causally walking down the hill with the same empty crimson eyes but for those who looked closely could see the cold edge in them.

The Urgal clearly seeing him as more of a threat all rushed at him. Raising a brow at the poor tactic with his sword in his left hand, the nomad began a bloody dance down the hill through the charging horde lobbing off heads and body parts flying left and right never breaking his stride or getting a drop of blood on him.

In almost no time at all the two scores, of roughly thirty Urgal that there were at the start of the ambush there was now only five. They stood among the bodies of their fallen forming a somewhat semi-circle in front of the nomad.

The five Urgals were not use to fear, more in causing it but they just watched their small band reduce to a handful in less than a few minutes. As they stare down the nomad that was the cause of both their fear and lose of troops with their weapons in front of them like a shield or to stop his advance as they all subconsciously took a step back.

The nomad finally stops as soon as he sees the Urgal step back not having the desire to chase them down, and then speaks for the first time since the battle started.

"If you plan on running away like dwarves told to take a bath then by all means do so, I don't have all day…" Though the monotone was the same, there was a cold edge to it, almost like he was gloating them to charge at him

Play Music - Raging Horde- Two Steps From Hell - All Drums Go To Hell

The fear seems to vanish instantly on their face only to be replaced with wrath as the five charge him in a blinded rage. Bringing his sword up to his shoulder height, than pointing the blade towards the charging foes in a high guard stance with his legs slightly bent.

As the frenzy Urgal reach a meter of him the nomad takes a step forward disappearing only to reappear behind them, the Urgal didn't even register the movement still in their blind run. By the time they blinked the killing blow was already done, the five drop dead lying in a growing pool of their own blood.

Neither Eragon nor Murtagh even saw the strike let alone the step of the nomad, just the falling bodies. Saphira however with her enhanced sight saw the first strike of the nomad blade coming forward to stab the center Urgal in the heart but couldn't follow the other strikes at all but seeing the clean cuts and slashes on the bodies knew that the man was a master swordsman.

Touching down Saphira scans the area for any more before checking on Eragon but keeping the nomad in sight. Eragon seeing the dangers passed uses his limited healing magic to heal his and Murtagh more severe wounds the best he can.

After Eragon closes Murtagh's shoulder wound he walks back up the hill were the nomad was with Arya right to the right. "What in Alagaesia was that just now? I never seen anyone move so fast that they disappeared, nor hit five enemies at once let alone at the same time."

"That was the first movement of swordsmanship I learned long ago..." Pausing to turn to Eragon and the recovering Murtagh the nomad continues "Though that wasn't the complete movement only the first stop." The nomad says dryly like it wasn't a big deal before looking into the forest and then the fallen Urgal.

Following the look Murtagh responds, "Are you going to recover your arrows you used quite a lot?" Before looking at his quiver on his lower back to see it's still full

"Their no need my quiver is enchanted to refill itself. I always have enough arrows, besides we have company coming I suppose we should greet them after coming all this way down the mountain to welcome us."