Chapter 9: Meetings, Meetings, Meetings.
A dwarf waited for him in the dragonhold.
"Argetlam" he muttered bowing "Good. Awake. Knurla Orik waits for you" said the dwarf in a thick accent. He bowed again and scurried away.
Saphira landed next to him, Zar'roc in her claws.
'You read my mind' said Eragon, grabbing the sword.
'I always do.'
He buckled the sword to his belt, then clambered into Saphira's back and whooped as she flew out of Tronjheim, she spun round and then performed a loop the loop enjoying Eragon's enjoyment.
They landed by one of Tronjheim's gate, where Orik stood, he quickly ran to Saphira's side.
"My king, Hrothgar, wishes to see both of you. Dismount quickly. We must hurry."
Eragon leapt down landing deftly by Orik, who quickly trotted off down a soaring corridor "Where we meeting Horthgar?"
Orik didn't slow "In the throne room beneath the city. It will be a private audience as an act of otho, or faith. You do not have to address him in any special manner, but speak to him respectfully. Hrothgar is quick to anger, but he is wise and sees keenly into the minds of men, so think carefully before you speak."
'This may be a trap, be prepared' warned Saphira, her former playfulness gone.
'I know Saphira, but it may not be, it may be that he wants to meet us before making his choice.'
'Does that mean my rider will show him some modicum of respect' she said playfully.
'Of course not' rebutted Eragon 'Respect is earned, not given because one holds a title.'
'Still, do try to remember that he is the king of the dwarves, remember your whole talk with Angela about allies.'
'You were listening in on me' he accused, of course he had known she was.
'There was little better to do.'
They now stood before two granite door, a seven pointed crown was carved across both doors and seven dwarves stood on guard at each side of the entrance.
They dwarves pounded on the floor with the hafts of their burnished mattocks, a deep boom rolled back up the stair and the door swung inwards.
The room was natural cave, stalactites and stalagmites hung and rose along the walls. At the far end sat a black throne where a figure sat motionless.
"The king awaits you" said Orik, urging him forwards, but he did not enter the throne room with him. Eragon's left hand tightened around Zar'roc silver wrapped hilt in a reverse grip, but he didn't draw, or loosen his blade, and other than that there was no change in his posture.
They walked along the good bowshot long hall, in between the stalactite and stalagmites in alcoves rested large statues each depicting a dwarf king sat on his throne, their sightless eyes glared sternly into the distance.
They passed by forty one statues, then there were only empty recesses, where the future kings would be immortalized.
Eragon and Saphira stopped in front of the dwarf king.
He sat like the statues on his throne. The throne was carved from a single piece of black marble, it was blocky unadorned and cut with unyielding precision.
A gold helm, lined with rubies and diamonds, acted as Hrothgar's crown and rested upon his head. His visage was grim, weathered and hewn with many years of experience. A shirt of mail covered his powerful chest.
His white beard was tucked into his belt and in his lap he held a mighty war hammer, embossed with the symbol of Orik's clan on its head.
Their gazes met, and the deep flinty eyes met the murderous crimson.
"I had hoped Ajihad lied when he told me you were a shade. But I see he was not" he said sternly, his voice cold and controlled.
"No he wasn't" Eragon knew Saphira was keeping a close eye on their surroundings and so kept his own gaze focused on Hrothgar.
He stared at them "You need not fear, as an act of otho, of faith there is no one else here, me, you and your dragon, there is no one else."
Eragon smiled blandly "Forgive me for not trusting you, but I don't think I will."
He nodded "True enough, one learns over the years that trust is a valuable commodity, and some people give it too freely. But you never truly know a person, someone you have known and trusted for years can betray you over the smallest of things."
"True" agreed Eragon "But thankfully I trust no one here, except for Saphira... and Murtagh"
The king's face darkened as Eragon mentioned that name "I have been told you travel with the son of a Forsworn" his gaze flickered to Eragon hand where the hilt of Zar'roc lay "And that you bear an enemies sword. I would warn you though, to be wary of Murtagh."
"Murtagh is my friend" Eragon replied "I would choose him over the Varden and the dwarves, I told Ajihad much the same thing."
"Yes, and he told me. But I had hoped that you might have gained some wisdom since talking to him."
Eragon glared up at him "Perhaps it is you, Hrothgar, who needs wisdom."
Hrothgar became stony, and his gaze was fierce. A withered hand gripped the war hammer tightly until his knuckles turned white.
'Eragon, how about we make him not want to kill us?'
Eragon sighed "I will judge Murtagh based on what he does, and what he has done. So far he has done little to lose my trust."
Hrothgar seemed to calm down, only slightly "You do not think family is important?"
"Family is important, I know that, the reason I hunted the Ra'zac and from there found Brom and even started the journey that lead me here was because they murdered a member of my family, my uncle and the only father I have ever known. But Murtagh's father sliced open his back" he drew Zar'roc from is sheathe in one easy pull, then flipped the blade around his left hand so that he held it in a proper grip "with this very blade."
He held the wine red blade up in front of his face "I do not think Murtagh held his father in high regard after that, I do not believe that Murtagh would emulate such a man."
The king seemed to have mostly calmed down during his speech, but his gaze was still more reserved than it had been. He raised a withered hand from his hammer "May I examine that blade?"
Eragon cocked an eyebrow "Only if I can examine that hammer" he said simply, unwilling to surrender his weapon without making the dwarf king do the same.
Hrothgar frowned, then nodded and raised the hammer in his left hand, holding his right hand out of the blade.
Eragon tossed Zar'roc into the air, and let the blade land in his palm, he then offered the hilt to Hrothgar whilst taking the hammer.
It was a fine piece of work. It was balanced like perfection, and felt good in his hand. Eragon was fairly certain it could smash an armoured mans chest apart and could certainly smash a Kull's head in two, overall it was a brilliant weapon.
"It is Volund, forged by my ancestor Korgan, first king of the dwarves" said the king watching his carefully.
"It is a fine weapon" complimented Eragon.
"Indeed" agreed Hrothgar "As is this" he lifted Zar'roc its edge glinting in the light "A masterfully forged blade. The elves rarely make swords, they prefer bows or spears, but when they do the results are unmatched, even by my kind."
He tested Zar'roc's point with his palm "It does not please me to see this weapon. But carry it if you will, perhaps its fate has changed."
They returned the weapons to each other and Eragon slid Zar'roc back into its sheath.
The king watched him silently for a minute "Az knurl deimi lanok 'Beware the rock changes' an old dictum of ours. And change it does, quickly nowadays."
"I could not meet you earlier as Ajihad did because I was forced to deal with my enemies within the clans. They wished me to deny you sanctuary and expel you from Farthen Dur. It has taken much work on my part to convince them otherwise."
Eragon nodded, unsure if it was just a statement, whether he was looking for thanks, or if he simply wished Eragon to know of the trouble he had caused.
"You see there" he gestured to the statues Eragon and Saphira had passed "Forty one of my predecessors sit there, when I pass on it will rise to forty two. We dwarves are old, older than the fair elves and savage dragons. We are the bones of this land."
"I am old enough to have seen your kind, in their fleeting glory. I spoke with their last leader, Vrael, who paid homage to me within these very walls. I remember how the riders meddled in affairs that they weren't needed in... and I remember the peace they brought to the land, how under their power it was safe to walk from here to Narda."
His gaze, which had focused on nothingness, as if he looked into the very past itself, now focused on Eragon "And now you stand before me, a legacy revived. Tell me why have come to Farthen Dur, I know of your tale, Ajihad has told me of it, but what is your intent now?"
"Now?" said Eragon casually, leaning against Saphira "For now me and Saphira want only to rest, in peace. And from there we'll see where we go."
Hrothgar scratched at his chin, through his long beard "Then it was a desire for safety that drove you. So are you content to rest here in peace, until the end of time itself?"
Here Eragon laughed "I told Ajihad something, something I'm sure he told you. I want Galbatorix dead, and the Varden are the best way of doing that, raising my own rebellion, and letting it gather enough power before Galbatorix notices would be too hard, so I'll use the Varden."
"So you want Galbatorix dead? Is that all? Will you sacrifice everything for this goal?"
Eragon gave him a flat stare "You assume I know."
"Do you know why this seat was quarried so flat an angular" he asked after more silence "It was made so that no one could sit comfortably upon it. To remind the king of his duties, of his obligations. What is there to remind you of your obligations?"
"Me. I remind me of my obligations."
"I see. When Galbatorix falls what will you do then? Will you take his crown and rule in his place?"
"No. I don't want his throne, I just want freedom. But I can't just have it, because I also want my revenge, until my vengeance has been fulfilled it will weigh on my mind and I could never truly be free with it there."
Hrothgar face softened "I see. It seems I forget you are a child" Eragon frowned "Do not be offended. I am old, very old, even by dwarven standards. Before me a human, twenty and five years old, is still a child, and will be for the next twenty years."
"But even by humans standards you are young, barely into manhood, and yet the weight and burden of leadership has been forced upon you."
"Ajihad told me much of how you became a shade, I will not ask you to retell that tale, but I must ask you... was it truly your choice?" his voice was grave.
"Yes it was... I chose, and this is the price I pay for my foolishness" Eragon kept his crimson eyes on the king, making sure he could see them in all of their terrifying glory.
Hrothgar examined him again, looking for anything he might have missed. Even Saphira turned an eye to him. Self deprecation wasn't in Eragon's personality.
"And you Dragon" he turned his gaze to Saphira "What are your thoughts?"
Saphira growled 'Tell him I thirst for the blood of our enemies. I have no love for traitors and egg breakers, he held me, and still has two of my brethren, whom I wish to free. And tell Hrothgar I think you worthy of this task.'
Eragon nodded and relayed the message calmly.
Hrothgar smiled "I see the dragons have not changed since times of old" there was a pause now "Has my nephew proved helpful during your time here?"
"Who?" asked Eragon confused.
"Orik, my youngest sister's son. He's been..."
"Oh yeah, he's been great" interrupted Eragon.
Hrothgar smiled at him, amused "I was grateful to hear you defended him with your words" Eragon nodded not really caring "I'm afraid I must cut this short. There are matters I must deal with. But know this, words and promises mean nothing to my kind" he warned his voice turning grave "We will be swayed by actions alone, only in this way can you prove yourself to them."
"I'll keep that in mind" said Eragon nodding.
"Good, you may go" he gestured to the door.
"Yeah, yeah, bye" he waved behind to Hrothgar as he casually walked away.
Orik watched him nervously "What happened? Were you well received?" his tone was cautious, with a good dollop of worry.
"Well..." Eragon frowned and thought on it "I'm not dead, that's gotta be a good sign" he said cheerfully
Orik chuckled "Yes it does."
Walking away from the throne room they soon reached Tronjheim's centre beneath the great Isidar Mithrim "Your blessing yesterday stirred up the Varden like an overturned beehive. The child Saphira touched has been blessed as a future hero. She and her guardian have been quartered in the finest room. Everyone is talking about you 'miracle', all the human mothers seem intent on finding you and the same for their children."
Eragon face turned unusually sombre "They'll have to be disappointed, that child was special."
'Indeed' Saphira agreed 'She was special. No other child shall receive that mark.'
"Saphira agrees. She won't give anyone else the mark" he told Orik.
"Yes, well, they'll no doubt pester you regardless. So it's best if you keep out of sight, you may rest easy in the dragonhold though, no one will disturb you there."
Eragon nodded, not really interested.
'You can explore' said Saphira 'I'll head back to the hold and you can explore in discretely. Besides there's someone I want to meet.'
He nodded distractedly 'Say hello to Solembum for me.'
Saphira winked at him and padded off.
Orik's eyes watched her leave "She'll head back to the dragonhold, hopefully we can remain unnoticed without the giant blue dragon following us about."
Orik chuckled "Aye, well what is it you wish to do."
"Well... breakfast would be nice. Then... I dunno, isn't there like the seven wonders of Tronjheim or something?"
More laughter from Orik "There is Tronjheim's library. It's old and contains a great many scriptures and scrolls, including a history of Alegaesia untainted by Galbatorix's rule. But..."
"I'll go to the training ground tomorrow" he stated anticipating Orik's question.
"Of course, come lets us get some food."
Eragon stared down at the words, dwarves used the same runes as humans it seemed. He briefly wondered what runes the elves used but refocused his thoughts quickly on the tale written in front of him.
He struggled, somewhat, to read, he still could but it was harder, then again he hadn't read a book since Teirm so it was to be expected.
The writing was of human make, it told the tale of Irnstad, the Rider, and one of only two beings who survived killing a shade.
He heard footsteps behind him but paid little attention, after all he wouldn't be the only person in the library, but his shoulders tensed.
"Greetings Rider" Eragon lifted his head, as if sniffing the air, then placed the book back gently.
"Greetings... what should I call you?" his bluntness made one of the figures smile awkwardly.
"The twins, or bald one will suffice" one said, his voice sounding disturbingly like the Ra'zac's.
"Well then greetings twins... did you require something?" he eyed them casually.
"We have been searching for you?"
"Oh, do you have a child you wish me to bless, because I'm afraid that was a one off" he said with a patronising smirk.
"No" his voice was pleasant but there was a definite hint of annoyance in his tone "Ever since our meeting with Ajihad, we have wanted to... apologise to you for our actions" they were clearly mocking him, but in a way that he couldn't challenge, well he could but they could just play it away.
"Apology accepted" he said quickly.
They smiled, but it was obviously strained "We have come to pay homage to you" Eragon watched, his expression bored, as they bowed, but deep inside a roaring inferno of anger was welling.
'Be careful!' he heard Saphira hiss, clearly she had connected to him once she sensed his anger.
"You honour me, and I must thank your no doubt kind words on me to Ajihad, else he would not have granted me audience" they quite visibly scowled but replaced it with pained smiles soon after.
"We are honoured that you would think so highly of us. We must thank you for your kind words, we are in your debt" they bowed again.
"I'll remember that" said Eragon coolly.
They moved closer and their voices were more pleasant when they spoke again "We have searched for you for another reason Rider. We lead a small group of magic users here in the Varden, perhaps you have heard of us, the Du Vangr Gata, the..."
"Wandering Path, I know" he interrupted.
They smiled again "Your knowledge of the ancient language is most impressive. As we were saying the Du Vangr Gata has heard of your mighty feats, and we wish to offer you a membership. We would be honoured if one of your stature were to join us. And I suspected we could aid you as well."
"Oh? And how would you do that?"
Another twin took over here "The two of us garnered much experience in magical matters. We could guide you... show you spells we've discovered and teach you words of power. Nothing would gladden us more than if we could assist, in some small way, your path to glory. No repayment would be necessary, though if you saw fit to share some scraps of you own knowledge, we would be satisfied."
Eragon chuckled darkly "You must think I'm an idiot, if you honestly believe I would trade the scraps you might have learned, for the words Brom taught me. It must have pained you when you couldn't read my mind, when you couldn't learn the words I know."
The twins demeanour changed, and their smiles turned to frowns "We are not to be trifled with boy! We are the ones who will test your abilities with magic, and that could be most unpleasant, after all it only takes one misconceived spell to kill someone. You may be a Rider, but the two of us are still stronger than you..."
"Or so you believe" said Eragon interrupting their rant "Do you want to test that? Do you want to test you might against mine? Are you truly so stupid that you think you could take on a Dragon Rider?"
They paused here, worried looks took over their scowls.
"Well?" he prompted.
"The offer is still there, we will wait for your reply tomorrow" one said stiffly "Make sure it is the right one."
"I will" said Eragon to their retreating backs.
He snorted 'Little idiots.'
'True enough, but we may not want them as our enemies, they do have the rest of their group on their side, against all of them...'
'We would emerge victorious... they could not stop the Mighty Saphira and her Shade Rider.'
He could hear here growl in agreement through the connection.
'I'm sick of this' Eragon complained glaring around at the books 'I'll come back to the dragonhold now, meet me.'
He stomped over to Orik, who was polishing his axe "I'm gonna head back to the hold" he told the dwarf.
Orik escorted him to outside of Tronjheim, a crowd was already gathering around Saphira's form, but she growled threateningly as they approached Eragon.
He clambered onto her back and she, in one mighty leap, catapulted them into the sky.
'We must resolve this problem quickly. We cannot let them intimidate you!' she said her wings flapping them high into the air.
'They're not intimidating me, they aren't even a match for me' he said grumpily.
'That's true, in terms of magical ability, but politically we have no idea what kind of sway they hold. Remember what Ajihad said, the tricky part is in getting those in power to include you in their deliberations, if the twins are against us they could advise others that we are not trustworthy...'
'Which we aren't' he reminded her, but she ignored him.
'Or foolish or any number of other things that could damage our reputations amongst the Varden, we must be careful.'
'Yeah, yeah, it's not like it matters, don't forget that we are dragon and rider, the important folk must include us or the many will feel as if we're not being given the respect we deserve.'
'And if their respect in us is gone.'
'Then we leave' it a simple yet oh so cruel 'If they believe the lies of a couple of bald bastards then they don't deserve us, and so we'll leave.'
'I see. Maybe we could get Angela to threaten them, she seems to dislike them and doesn't seem to care for authority... and she likes you.'
'Really? I got the impression she wanted to kill me, still I guess I'll try.'
Saphira was silent for the remainder of the journey. They landed gently on the Isidar Mithrim.
He looked around bored 'I'm gonna explore up here, maybe try and find Angela... anyway, I'll be safe, see you in a bit.'
Saphira nodded and watched him go.
A voice was speaking inside the dragonhold 'Who's that?' he asked peeking through the arch at the dark skinned woman.
'I don't know.'
The woman looked little older than seventeen. She wore an elegantly cut, wine red, velvet dress, a jewelled dagger hung from her belt in a tooled sheath.
Saphira's head was poking from her cave.
"Please could you tell me where Rider Eragon is?" asked the woman sweetly, curtseying.
Saphira glanced at her with amusement.
Eragon placed a finger to his lips, telling Saphira to be quiet, as he approached the woman, not the best plan he ever had but the worst that would happen was he'd be stabbed.
The woman faltered when Saphira didn't answer and looked unsure "Um..."
"I'm here" he whispered, right into her ear.
She spun, taking several steps back and drawing her dagger, before she realised it was Eragon "Oh, forgive me, you startled me."
"Which was the plan" he said quietly, to the point where she could barely hear it "Who are you?"
"I am Nasuada" she curtsied again, having regained some confidence.
Eragon nodded, she was quite attractive, with wide lips, almond shaped eyes, and round cheekbones, it was a striking visage "And you, apparently, know who I am, so what do you want?"
She smiled charmingly "My father, Ajihad, sent me here with a message. Would you like to hear it?"
Eragon frowned, and re-examined her, admittedly they had a very similar skin tone but... he chuckled.
"Um..." she looked unsure again.
"It's nothing, don't worry about it" he reassured her 'So I tell him not to trust me with his daughter, and he sends her to meet me... strange man' "Yes I would like to hear the message."
She threw back her hair, and it caught Eragon's eye when she did so, which was clearly her intention as she smiled as he did so "He is pleased you are doing well, but he cautions you against actions like your benediction yesterday. They create more problems than they solve. Also he urges you to proceed with the testing as soon as possible, he needs to know how capable you are before he communicates with the elves."
Eragon nodded, exactly what he expected, then he glanced at Nasuada, she didn't seem out of breath or winded, and yet to get up here she must have climbed up the Vol Turin, or...
"Did you climb all the way the Vol Turin just to tell me that?"
Nasuada shook her head "No, I used the pulley system that transports good to the other levels. We could have sent the message with signals but I decided to bring it myself and meet you in person."
Eragon smirked "I'm honoured one such as yourself deemed me worthy" he said flirtingly, noticing with glee how her face flushed, he heard Saphira growl at him from her cave.
"Um... it was nothing" she said keeping her head down "If you will forgive me, I am expected elsewhere, but my father has decreed that you may visit Murtagh" 'Like he could stop me' thought Eragon "I met him earlier... he seemed anxious to speak with you. He seemed lonely, you should visit him" her tone was sombre but she quickly and effectively gave Eragon the directions to Murtagh's cell.
"Thanks, do you know anything about Arya?" he asked, his thoughts turning to the raven haired elf.
Nasuada smiled mischievously "Only that she recovers swiftly, as do all elves. My father, Hrothgar and the healer are the only ones allowed in to see her, they spend much time there learning all that occurred during her imprisonment."
Her gaze flickered to Saphira, then back to Eragon "Is there anything you would have me convey to Ajihad on your behalf?"
"Yeah, tell him I'll take his advice on board, I'll do the testing tomorrow, and tell him he certainly can trust me with his daughter" she looked even more confused, and slightly offended "Insiders joke" he assured her "He'll get it."
She smiled "I will take your word to him directly. Farewell, Rider Eragon, I hope we meet again soon" she curtsied and left the hold, the picture of nobility and pride, Eragon's eyes were drawn to her gently swaying hips.
'Pulley system or no, this wasn't an ordinary meeting.'
Saphira growled in annoyance.
'What's wrong with you?"
She just pulled her head back into the cave.
'Hey Saphira!' with a sigh he clambered up the rungs and into their cave "Honestly what's wrong with you" he almost chuckled as he saw Solembum curled up in a hollow at the base of her neck "Hey Solembum."
Solembum purred a little louder to show he heard, Saphira just glared at him.
'Seriously Saphira, what's the matter with you.'
She huffed and turned away.
Eragon sighed 'Hey Solembum, do you know where Angela is? I tried but couldn't find her?'
'She is somewhere in Tronjheim?'
'Where, I need her advice?'
'Somewhere' was the simple, aggravating reply.
'When will she return?'
'Soon.'
'How soon is soon?'
'Soon.'
'Is soon longer than today.'
'Yes.'
Eragon sighed again and unbuckled Zar'roc "You two are right pains" he said glowering at Saphira and Solembum.
"I'm going to visit Murtagh tomorrow" he told them, fingering Brom's ring. Solembum didn't react, Saphira just nodded grumpily.