Chapter 8: The Rider, the Witch and the Werecat.
"Well that went well" said Eragon cheerfully as the heavy door slammed behind him.
Orik gave him a confused glance, and was then coughing on smoke as Saphira snorted 'How exactly did that go well, little one.'
"We're still alive and we didn't have to kill anyone, I call that a success" he stared pointedly at her.
'Oh fair enough, that is a success.'
Orik watched their exchange, then said "Come lad, I'm sure you're hungry, and we need to get your dragon settled in."
Saphira hissed, and Eragon stared at Orik coldly "Her name is Saphira."
Orik bowed to her "My apologies, I'll be sure to remember that."
He plucked an orange lamp from the wall and led them down the hallway.
"You don't seem too bothered about the fact that you're stuck guarding me" said Eragon casually, looking around with casual interest.
Orik looked back "Ajihad is a good leader, he understands how to uphold the law and yet remain just. And he did so in a way that the twins can't complain."
"But you're still banned from military duties" he pointed out.
"Under Ajihad's command, but I'm also one of Hrothgar's subjects, under his rule I am still free to do as I wish."
Eragon nodded, understanding how dual loyalty was useful "Can others in Farthen Dur use magic?" he didn't even try and keep up with the dwarf and just strolled along at a casual pace.
The dwarf looked back at him from almost ten paces ahead and sighed "Few enough" when Eragon joined him he took a much slower pace, matching Eragon easily, despite his small stature "And the ones we have can't do much more than heal bruises. They've all had to tend to Arya because all their strength was needed to heal her."
"Expect for the twins?"
"Oei" grumbled Orik "She wouldn't want their help anyways. Their skills lie in other areas, namely scheming and plotting for power, to everyone elses detriment. Deynor, Ajihad predecessor, allowed them to join the Varden because he needed their support... you can't oppose the empire without spell casters who can hold their own on the field of battle. They're a nasty pair, but they do have their uses."
"And what of the dwarves, do you have you own spell casters?"
The entered one of the four tunnels that divided Tronjheim, clusters of dwarves and humans strolled along, some in deep conversations, but it all stopped as they saw Saphira.
Ignoring Ajihad's advice Eragon didn't even try and hide Zar'roc letting it display at his side proudly for anyone who looked, however they were in the minority, as most looked from Saphira, then to Eragon's face looking at little else, a few dwarves glanced at the sword darkly.
"You might want to hide that blade" said Orik quietly, eyeing those few "But yes, we dwarves do have our own spell casters, mighty fine ones too."
Eragon could tell that he didn't wish to give too much information away and so cast about for a different topic as they turned left, heading towards a distant pair of gates.
"Where are we going?" he eventually settled on.
"Out of these halls so Saphira can fly to the dragonhold above Isidar Mirthrim, the Star Rose. The dragonhold doesn't have a roof, Tronjheim's peak is open to the sky, like that of Farthen Dur, so she, that is, you, Saphira, will be able to glide straight down into the hold. It is where the riders used to stay when they visited Tronjheim.
"Isn't it cold and damp without a roof?" he thought of the great gem momentarily.
"Nay" Orik shook his head "Farthen Dur protects us from the elements. Neither rain nor snow intrude here. Besides, the holds wall are lined with marble caves for the dragons. They will provide all the shelter necessary. All you need fear are the icicles, when they fall they have been known to cleave horses in two."
'I will be fine' assured Saphira 'A marble cave is safer than any of the other places we've stayed.'
'I'm not worried Saphira, just bored.'
She snorted at that.
"Where's Snowfire, and Tornac?" Orik looked at him oddly "Mine and Murtagh's horses" he added.
"Oh, they're in the stables by the gate. We can visit them before leaving Tronjheim."
They soon arrived at said stales and Orik guided him to the pure white and grey horses.
"We will see the both of them fed well and treated kindly" Orik assured, watching as Eragon stroked Snowfire's nose.
Eragon gently touched the horses mind, he was happy here, there was hay and it was comfortable, far nicer than running through the woods with Urgal chasing them.
Smirking with amusement he moved over to Tornac and stroked him kindly as well, he was much the same as Snowfire "Don't worry" he said quietly, but knew Orik could hear "Murtagh's fine, and I'll see him stay that way."
They left Tronjheim through the same gates they arrived through, with Eragon noticing only now the gold griffin statues guarding the entrance.
His talk with Ajihad had been longer than Eragon assumed as the sun no longer filled Farther Dur with light through the crater opening, and without those rays Farthen Dur was cast into a velvety blackness. Tronjheim sparkled brilliantly in the gloom and, even hundreds of feet away Tronjheim's glow was enough to light the ground.
Orik pointed upwards to Tronjheim's white pinnacle "Fresh meat and pure mountain water await you up there" he said speaking to Saphira directly "You may stay in any of the caves. Once you make your choice bedding will be laid down in it and no one will disturb you."
'You have fun' he said to his dragon, who was looking forward to resting without fear.
He unstrapped Saphira's saddle so she could lie down comfortably 'Will you take my bow?' he asked.
'You don't want me to take Zar'roc?' despite this question she gathered up the bow and saddle in her claws.
'If they decide to attack me a bow will do a fat lot of good, my sword will be much more useful.'
'I see, well, try not to get poisoned little one' she gave her own personal version of a grin which involved lifting her lips so that her fangs were exposed.
'Back at you.'
With one great leap she flew up into the sky and soon disappeared over Tronjheim's peak.
"You have been blessed rider" said Orik watching the sky where she had vanished "I prefer my feet on the ground, and preferably under it, but I find my heart longing for open skies and soaring cliffs, and the thrill of hunting like a hawk."
"I know I am" responded Eragon.
"Ah, I neglect my duties as host, come let us find the cooks and beg meat and bread form them!"
They soon sat cross legged on an alcove carved from Tronjheim's outer wall, stone platters of steaming mushrooms and fish in their hands.
Wordlessly they ate and once the platters were clean Orik took out a long steamed pipe and lit if, sighing in contentment "A worthy repast, though in need of a good draught of mead to wash it down."
"Do you farm in Farthen Dur" asked Eragon looking over the darkened ground.
"No, there's only enough light for moss mushrooms and mould. Tronjheim can't survive without supplies from the surrounding valleys. That is why most choose to dwell elsewhere in the Beor's."
"There any other dwarven cities?" asked Eragon yawning.
"Not many" said Orik "And Tronjheim is the greatest" Orik blew out some smoke "You have only seen the lower level so it hasn't become apparent but most of Tronjheim is deserted. There are levels up there utterly unused for decades. Most dwarves prefer to live below Farthen Dur and Tronjheim in the passageways and tunnels that riddle the rock below."
Eragon nodded, blearily rubbing his eyes.
"Over the years we have tunnelled the Beor's extensively, to the point where it is possible to cross the entire mountain range, one side to the other, without every setting foot on the surface."
"Impressive" he complimented "But isn't it a waste to have all the unused space."
"Yes it does, some have even argued that we abandon this place because of the drain on our resources. But it does perform on invaluable task."
"Which is?"
"In times of great need, or desperation the entire dwarven nation can be housed in Tronjheim, only three times in our history has this been the case, and each time Tronjheim saved us from certain destruction. That is why we keep is garrisoned and in use."
"It is impressive."
Orik nodded "I'm glad you find it so, few outsiders lay eyes on it these days due to the cursed king Galbatorix. Come let us take our plates back, then you can rest."
Picking up his platter Eragon followed Orik back down the staircases "How many Varden live in Tronjheim?"
"Humans or Dwarves?" asked Orik, leading them down another staircase.
"Humans."
"Hmm" he considered the question a few moment "About four thousand, but that is a poor indicator of the number of your kin who have fled the empire, only warriors and those who wish to fight come here, the rest are under King Orrin's protections in Surda."
"So Surda does support the Varden?"
"Yes, it through his assistance that the Varden have most of their weapons and supplies. And Galbatorix considers Surda a minor threat, ha, foolish no? For without Surda, and King Orrin, there would be no resisting the empire."
Eragon remained silent, thinking on the sixteen thousand men that made up the empires fully marshalled army, and that was without the Urgals.
"Don't despair over the number of humans here" said Orik, seemingly reading his thoughts "There are many dwarves, far more than you have seen, and all will fight when the time comes, King Orrin has also pledged troops and the elves promised to aid us as well."
Eragon nodded "The symbol, the one on your helm, what does it mean? It's on the floor beneath the dragonhold as well."
"This? This is the symbol of the Ingeitum, the smiths and metal workers. The symbol of my clan. It was the personal crest of Korgan, our founder. It represents how one clan rules, with the twelve surrounding. King Hrothgar is also of Durmgrist Ingeitum and has brought my house much glory and honour."
Having returned their platters they passed by one dwarf, who turned to Eragon and bowed "Argetlam."
Eragon nodded respectfully, then walked back to Orik, who was watching from afar, he then asked in a near silent whisper "What did he say?"
Orik grinned "Argetlam, it means silver hand in the elven tongue, it is often used to refer to the riders."
They continued for a bit before Orik asked "Is there anything else I can do in my capacity as your host, or do you wish to return to Saphira now."
"Well I could do with a bath" said Eragon thinking of his no doubt filthy face, his gaze travelled down to his dirty, bloodied, and in places ripped clothing "And some new clothes."
"Both of which are easily done" they headed down a long staircase until they were well below Tronjheim, the corridors were tunnels now, and they were only five feet high so Eragon was somewhat cramped, all the lanterns were a soft red "So the light doesn't blind you when you leave or enter a dark cavern" explained Orik.
They entered a bare room with a small door on the far side. Orik pointed to it "The pools are through there, along with brushes and soap. I'll have new clothes waiting when you get out so you can leave your clothes here."
"Thanks" murmured Eragon as he left, and he quickly stripped down and headed through the room and into complete darkness.
He walked forwards carefully until his feet touch warm water, then eased himself into it. He waded out finding that the pool only ever reached his waist, and then relaxed into the soothing and mildly salty water.
He relaxed for a good while before deciding to clean, he groped over a slippery wall until he found the soap and brushes then scrubbed himself clean, he was fairly certain he had rubbed off most of his skin when he stopped, when he finally finished he floated with his eyes closed, though it made no difference to what he saw, enjoying the warmth.
He blinked slightly as he entered the lighted room but his eyes didn't hurt too much, he found a towel, a fine white linen shirt and a pair of long brown breeches, folded neatly on the floor.
The clothes fitted him fairly well and a nice pair of brown leather boot fitted his feet nice enough, but he had kept the leather gloves with him, they held only sentimental value but he liked them and pulled them on over his hands, which looked cleaner than they had ever been.
He then strapped on the nice leather belt and placed Zar'roc on it, it pulled the trousers to one side slightly, but not to immodesty.
Orik waited for him in the tunnel still smoking his pipe, Eragon's hair was still damp, he led them back up into Tronjheim and then out of the city mountain.
Eragon had already called Saphira and new that she would arrive soon.
"How do you communicate up Tronjheim?" he asked to pass the time.
Orik chuckled "That's a problem we solved long ago. You didn't notice but behind the open arches that line each level is a single unbroken staircase that spirals around the wall of Tronjheim's central chamber. The stair climbs all the way to the dragonhold above Isidar Mithrim. We call it Vol Turin, the Endless Staircase. It isn't swift enough for emergency though, nor convenient enough for casual use. Instead, we use flashing lanterns to convey messages. There is another way too, though it is seldom used. When Vol Turin was constructed, a polished trough was cut next to it, it acts as a giant slide as high as the mountain."
"A giant slide?" asked Eragon, his eyes glimmering and a grin on his face.
"I would not advise you to try it, the slide was built for dwarves and it too narrow for a man, you may slip out and crash into the aches, or worse into empty space."
Eragon nodded, but pouted. His actions received an amused glance from Orik.
Saphira landed near them, as she did so a crowd of dwarves and humans began to gather.
"You better go" warned Orik watching the crowed "Meet me by the gates at morning. I'll be waiting."
"How will I know when its morning?" asked Eragon.
"I'll have someone wake you. Now go!" Eragon slid through the crowd and pulled himself up onto Saphira's back.
Before she could take off however an old woman stepped forwards and grabbed Eragon's leg with a fierce grip. Eragon looked down at her calmly, but mentally he was preparing magic.
"What is it?" he asked gently.
The woman gray eyes, filled with desperation met his own crimson, unfazed by the murder in those eyes she tilted her arm allowing a baby's face to be revealed in the bundle she carried.
"This child has no parents... and no one to care for her but me, and I am weak. Bless her with your power Argetlam. Bless her for luck!"
Eragon's eye locked onto the small child's face, and he thought carefully 'Eragon... be careful' warned Saphira.
Eragon slid down from the saddle, even down from Saphira's back he was tall when compared to the woman and continued to gaze at the child "May I?" he said.
The woman nodded, after a moment hesitation, and let Eragon take the child in his arms.
He thought long and hard on what to say, and he knew Orik watched carefully from the sidelines.
Then he finally worked it out, and, careful not to disturb the child, he slid off the glove on his right hand and placed the gedwey ignasia against her brow "Atra gulai un ilian tauthr ono un atra ono waise skolir fra rauthr" he felt a drain, as if he had used magic. He pulled his glove back on and gently gave the child back to the woman "That is all I can do for her. If any words have the power to forestall tragedy, it will be those."
The crowd was silent still watching in amazement.
"Thank you, Argetlam she whispered bowing slightly, Eragon pulled himself up onto Saphira as the woman made to cover the child, but Saphira snorted and twisted until her head loomed over the child. The woman grew rigid, her breath caught in her chest. Saphira lowered her snout and brush the baby between the eyes with the tip of her nose, then smoothly lifted her head away.
A gasp ran through the crowd, for on the child's forehead, where Saphira had touched her, was a star shaped patch of skin as white and silvery as Eragon's gedwey ignasia.
With that Saphira took off into the sky, buffeting the crowd with wind from her wings
'What did you do?' asked Eragon unusually sombre.
'I gave her hope, and you gave her a future' there was silence then Saphira dared to ask 'Why did you do that little one?'
'I just saw the baby's face, and I wondered if I looked like that as a child, when my mother left me.'
'I'm sure she did not wish to Eragon' said Saphira gently.
'It's more than that Saphira, what am I? What have I become? Not too long ago I was wondering if the crops would survive the cold, now I'm consulting with leaders, pursued by Galbatorix, travelled with Morzan's son. And now people seek my blessing, do they not know what I am?'
'No little one, they don't' was her quiet response to his rant 'But what you are matters little, that child there will become another legend, with your words hanging over her, and that mark on her brow do you think she will live a normal life, as a farm hand or a weaver.'
'They were just words' he reminded the dragon.
'No little one, they were words of power, spoken by one with power. She will go on to become another tale, another legend, another hero.'
'You think a few words will have that kind of affect?' he asked doubtfully.
'Eragon you are special, farm boys are not named after the first Rider for no reason, you name was the start, and you are the continuation or the end.'
Eragon sighed.
'Come let us think no more on this, we are safe, for now. Let us enjoy that and ignore troubles that we cannot answer.'
Eragon nodded accepting Saphira's words, he watched as the Isidar Mithrim came into view, Saphira landed on it, her claw clattering against the gem.
'Won't you scratch it.'
'I think not' she said as he got down 'It is no ordinary gem.'
Eragon glanced down at it, where she had landed here were no mark, no imperfection and looking down he couldn't see through the great gem .
'Which one did you choose?' he asked looking at the various caves, some no bigger than a man, others larger than a house, shiny rungs set into the marble walls allowed people to reach the higher caves.
'Come.'
She leapt into the air and landed in a medium sized cave, Eragon clambered up after her.
It was a dark brown on the inside and deeper than he had expected, the walls were roughly chiselled giving it a natural feel. Near the far wall was a cushion large enough for Saphira to curl up on and next to that was a bed, built into the side of the wall.
The cave was lit by a single red lantern than had a shutter so one could dim, or extinguish it.
'It's nice' he said looking around.
Eragon walked over to his mattress, he kicked off his boots and his shirt and lay Zar'roc next to the bed, then sank down onto it 'So what do you think?' she cocked her head questioningly 'Of Tronjheim, of Ajihad, of the dwarves.'
'It is, nice. But it seems that we will face battles here too. Only this time swords and claw are not our weapons, instead words and alliances have similar effects. We must be careful, the twins dislike us so we must watch for any duplicities they may attempt. The dwarves dislike us, only a few are willing to trust us. The elves did not want a human rider so there will be opposition for them as well, and if your... condition is revealed then all may be lost.'
'I doubt Ajihad will tell the Varden, as a whole. He'll tell a few people, important people and leaders of the Varden politically, and Hrothgar most likely. I suppose it's a question of whether Hrothgar decides to keep it a secret or expose us. Either way we may be forced to fight our way out of here.'
They sat in comfortable silence for several minutes.
'We best sleep now little one' said Saphira finally.
'One more question' she nodded 'Can I survive without pledging my allegiance to one group or person as Ajihad wishes?'
She took a long moment to think 'I don't know little one. It may be difficult, and at some point we may have to pledge our allegiance to one group or another, but remember they cannot force us into anything, we are strong, strong enough to resist them and kill them if it comes to it.'
'I know.'
Eragon jumped from the mattress, suddenly uncomfortable, Saphira watched him as he clambered onto her pillow and lay against her tummy. But she growled happily and spread a wing over him.
And like this dragon and rider fell to sleep.
He yawned and stretched, feeling the tension in his muscles slowly leave.
Safe, that's what he was, for now at least. And it felt good, wariness still plagued his thoughts but it was gentler now, but he knew that it could all be ripped apart with ease.
He frowned, and lifted his head high, with his eyes closed, as if feeling for something. Then he smiled "Solembum" he said with both his mind and mouth.
'Obviously' said the large shaggy black cat as it licked its paw, stopping, momentarily, it looked Eragon up and down, before fixing his red eyes on Eragon's red eyes 'You have a new pair of eyes' he said casually.
'Obviously' Eragon returned Solembum's own words back to him.
The werecat purred, then standing and stretching he shook his mane of black fur and jumped down to the Isidar Mithrim twenty feet below 'Coming.'
'Go. I will be fine' encouraged Saphira when he looked at her.
Grinning he jumped down landing in a crouch on the star sapphire, Solembum waited for him at the arch that led to the rest of Tronjheim, the minute he had recovered Solembum had shot out at a quick pace.
Eragon chased after him, running as fast as he could, and though he managed to keep his sights on the werecat, he was always a few steps ahead, no matter how fast Eragon went he could never overtake Solembum.
Soon he and the cat stopped before a door where Solembum yowled loudly, the door opened, seemingly of its own accord and let the two in.
"Hello" he said cheerfully smiling at the fortune teller and witch, sat in a plus leather chair in the centre of the room, Angela.
She looked at him sternly "Hello" she responded coolly.
Eragon just smirked at her.
"So you're a now shade are you?"
Eragon didn't answer and sat down on the floor, watching Solembum in his hiding place.
"Huh, I suppose its pointless to be angry with you, I doubt you knew what you were getting into, and you're clearly still you, else Solembum would've run or tried to kill you himself" Eragon nodded "But know that if you weren't a rider I'd dig out your heart with a hair pin and feed it to a pig."
"I appreciate the kind words" he said sarcastically smirking at her.
She shook her head "How can I possibly ague with such wise words. So!" she had apparently that it being a shade was no reason to reject good company "You are the Rider. I suspected as much but didn't know for certain until yesterday, I should've known the minute you mention Brom. Saphira... fitting name for a dragon."
"Brom's dead, the Ra'zac killed him" said Eragon with a bitterness he barely realised he felt.
She was taken aback and played with a lock of hair "I'm sorry, I truly am."
"But not surprised" he smiled bitterly "After all you predicted his death."
"I didn't know who's death it would be" she shook her head "But no, I'm not surprised. I met Brom once or twice, ha" she laughed sadly "He didn't care much for my frivolous attitude towards magic. It irritated him."
Eragon nodded, sounded like Brom "In Teirm you laughed at his fate, and said it was something of a joke. Why?"
Her face tightened "In retrospect, it was in bad taste. But I didn't know what would befall him. How do I put this? It was his wyrd, his fate, to fail at all of his tasks, except one, though through no fault of his own. He was a Rider, but his dragon was killed. He loved a woman but his affection proved to be her undoing. And he was chosen, I presume, to guard and train you, but in the end he failed at that too. The only thing he succeeded at was killing Morzan, and a finer deed he couldn't have done."
"Except killing Galbatorix" said Eragon, smiling but it didn't reach his eyes which were clouded with emotion.
"Yes, except that."
"He never mention a woman" said Eragon quietly, not excepting any answer "Then again, 'It proved to be her undoing' I guess he wouldn't."
Angela shrugged carelessly "I heard it from one who couldn't have lied. But enough of this talk! Life goes on and we shouldn't trouble the dead with our worries" she scooped up a pile of reeds from the floor and deftly began platting them together, closing the subject to discussion.
"True... so why you here and not in Teirm?"
"Ah, at last, an interesting question. Well after hearing Brom's name again in your visit I sensed a return of the past of Alegaesia. People were whispering that the empire was chasing a rider. I knew that the Varden's egg must have hatched, so I closed my shop and head out to learn more."
"You knew of the egg?" he asked with some interest, but not much.
"Of course I did. I'm not an idiot. I've been around much longer than you would believe. Very little happens that I don't know about" she paused and focused on her platting.
"Really, so sources of great information pass into your little shop looking for herbs?" he grinned at her, flashing his white teeth.
She just smiled "Sometimes, other times I must pursue them. Now where was I... ah yes so I knew I had to get to the Varden. I've been here for about a month, though I don't really care for this place, far too musty for my taste. And everyone in Farthen Dur is so serious and noble. They're probably all doomed to tragic deaths anyway."
"If you want I can make fate come true."
She paused and considered him a moment, trying to figure out if he was kidding or not. Once assured he was kidding she continued "Yes well, fate will have it whether they die a tragic death at the hands of a rider or at the hands of their feet when they slip and break their neck."
"Hands of their feet?" he asked.
She ignored his question "And the dwarves... ugh, a superstitious bunch of ninnies content to hammer rock for the rest of their lives. The only upside is the mushrooms and fungi that grow in Farthen Dur."
"If that's all, why stay?" he asked grinning at her antics.
"Because I like to be where important events are occurring, and few are more important than the resurrection of the Dragon Riders..."
"And it all starts with a shade" he inputted amused.
"It seems so" she said, equally amused "Besides if I hadn't left Solembum would have left without me and I enjoy his company. Still what adventures have befallen you since we last spoke?"
And so over the course of an hour he gave a greatly abbreviated version of what had happened, when he came to mention Murtagh she sputtered "Murtagh!".
"I know who he is, save it till the end of the story" he said rolling his eyes.
As with Ajihad he explained only the bare details of Gilead, saying simply that 'Murtagh rescued me and Arya, I had already been turned into a Shade but was still me.'
When he was finished the witch leaned back into her chair, her reeds were forgotten after five minutes of his tale. Without warning Solembum leapt down from his hiding place and landed in her lap. He eyed Eragon for a minute, before closing said eye.
Angela patted the werecat "Fascinating, Galbatorix allied with Urgals, Murtagh out in the open... I'd advise you to be careful with Murtagh, but you're obviously aware of the danger."
"Murtagh is my friend" he said coldly "I'd chose him over all of the Varden any day."
She surveyed him for a moment, before nodding "Still do be careful, we sometimes place our trust in bad places."
"And then there this other shade, Durza" she noticed Eragon flinch at the name, but made no comment "I think he's the greatest danger to the Varden currently, besides Galbatorix. I loathe shades" she said leaning forwards and looking him in the eye, Eragon was unfazed and just stared back. She leaned back quickly, unnerved, like everyone else, by those crimson eyes "They practise the most unholy magic, after necromancy."
"I think you'll find I don't."
"No" she looked him over "Not yet."
"Nor ever, I do want some people as allies you realise, I can hardly destroy the empire by myself, it'd be a blast to try though. Me against the entire Imperial army, Galbatorix, and, of course, Shruikan. Now that would be fun!"
She laughed at his comments "I'm sure it would be, until you died."
"Until I died" he agreed.
They sat quietly, Solembum's purring the only noise in the room.
"Do you know what a shade is?" asked Eragon finally, breaking the peace.
Angela was startled at the sudden question, Eragon had moved during the quiet, so that his arm wrapped around his legs and his forehead rested on his knee, she stared at him, and understood. He was scared.
He was scared of what he was, he was scared because he didn't how he was, didn't know why he was, and didn't know the limits of his self.
"A shade" she stared quietly "Is someone who gives in to the spirits, sometimes letting them control them for more power" he flinched here "other times beings overwhelmed when they summon spirits stronger than themselves, the spirits control them and that is what makes them different than from sorcerer. Sorcerer's are just people, like me and... and me" Eragon chuckled slightly here "no better or worse than anyone else. They use their magical strength to control the spirits and the spirits power."
"Only the most evil of spirits seek to control humans though, and once ensconced there they never leave. The problem is shades are notoriously difficult to kill, only two peoples Laetri the elf and Irnstad the Rider, ever survived that feat."
Eragon nodded "So I've heard."
"From what you said, about the whole demons and unknown that turned out to be a dragon dream thing, I would guess that the demons were the spirits, you said they were numerous, now describe the summoning, you don't have to tell me anything exact but it will help."
"I don't really know, he chained me down on a raised platform, then summoned the spirits, I didn't hear how and barely remember what was said, just a great pain in my mind, like someone was ripping it apart."
"But what stopped it?"
"It was..." he thought back, it wasn't that long ago but it felt like a life time "It was when Saphira arrived, when I could sort of feel her mind at the edge of mine."
"Then Saphira stopped it?"
"No, it wasn't her, it was something else... something deeper."
Angela considered it a moment thinking carefully, Solembum just sat with his eyes closed "Well let's take a dive and go on an assumption. You see Eragon, you aren't like normal humans, of course you aren't, but you weren't even before you became a shade. You see your mind is connected to a dragon on the deepest level, to the point where you two are less two separate minds connected to one mind in two bodies."
Eragon nodded following her explanation, somewhat.
"Now when the spirits tried to take over let's assume that your mind is connected to a dragons. Before Saphira arrived your mind was being consumed, but when she did arrive you became stronger, your mind was braced you said, yes. Now let's assume this dream is some type of subconscious message, like your mind was trying to show you something, in this case your choice between something you don't know and fear, to something you do see and fear, either could be good, either could be not."
"Now you see, your mind was simply trying to show you your choice, and you, because of this, made your choice and therefore survived. You and the unknown/dragon killed the demons and then they vanished turning into the colour. So presumably they still exist, but are locked away in you cranium" she poked him in the forehead, gravely "waiting to wake up."
Their eyes met and this time she didn't look away, it wasn't until Solembum meowed that they finally became aware of how much time had passed.
"So why are you up here?" asked Eragon easily finding a safe subject "Isn't it inconvenient?"
She laughed, though it was somewhat restrained, not quite as full as it could have been, and her face was pale "Truthfully? I'm in hiding, the magic users here, though they barely rate the term, were pestering me to join their secret club, all because the guard blabbed about who I was, oh if I find him I'll turn him into a toad... excuse me frog. Anyway, they kept pestering me, despite me threatening them and so I moved up here secretly in the middle of the night. For one of my talents it was far less work than it looked."
"Were you forced to let the twin examine you mind before entering?" asked Eragon once again finding a nice safe topic.
"No, you?"
"My sword was pressed against his throat when he tried" said Eragon calmly smirking.
"Oh good, yes I like that, it's excellent. Anyway I've been coming here long before they started examining minds, they're not about to start on me now. Those drajl twins would love too, of course, but they know the effort would leave them broken and gibbering nonsense."
She peered into the other room "Well! This has been an enlightening talk, but I'm afraid I have to go now. My mandrake root and newts tongue is about to boil and it needs attending. Do come back again when you have the time. And please don't tell anyone where I am. I'd hate to have to move again, and it would make me very... irritated. And you don't want to see me irritated."
Eragon stood to attention and saluted her "Sir yes sir."
"Good" Solembum jumped from her legs and lead Eragon from the room and back to the dragonhold, at a much more sedate pace than before.
'Wait' Eragon stopped him before he could leave 'What you said before, about the Rock of Kuthian, the Vault of Souls and the Meona Tree... what did you mean?'
'What I said? What makes you think those words weren't for a human and a human alone?'
Eragon smirked back at him, Eragon stood right in the arch, and Solembum stood several paces behind him. It was almost like a fight, and despite Solembum's small size, though he was large for a cat, Eragon didn't intent to underestimate this opponent 'Because otherwise you wouldn't have said them.'
Solembum surveyed him a few moments, his red eyes flashing 'You will encounter them... in time' he said with an air of finality.
'I see... well I look forward to it' Eragon said with a smirk "I may be unable to change the future, but I know one thing, I'll have as much fun as I can getting there."
Solembum purred as if Eragon's answer satisfied him 'Not going to question me more?'
'No, it'll be more fun to find out about it when I need it than now, and guess what? I like fun.'
With that Eragon headed into the dragonhold.