Red, Blue, and Green
Disclaimer: Eragon, Eldest, and the entire Inheritance series do not belong to me. Nor do its characters. Don't sue me, and thank you.
Chapter Six
Arguments
Edoc'sil stared at Eragon with a confused expression on his face. "Shadeslayer, it would be practically impos-"
"No, not impossible, Edoc'sil-elda, as you and I already know." Eragon smiled.
"It might take months to find the egg! Who knows where Galbatorix has put it, after Saphira's egg was stolen! For all we know, he could have it in his own bedroom. I barely escaped with my life when they caught me."
"Then we would send the egg immediately after we find the egg. If it is in Galbatorix's chambers, we might take it when he is not in it. We cannot possibly know what might be ahead of us, but we must try it. We cannot expect to defeat Galbatorix with only the power of a single Rider."
Edoc'sil opened his mouth to argue, then clamped it shut again. Thinking, he started fingering the pommel of Skölir. Eragon waited patiently, smiling at Edoc'sil, for he knew the answer.
The elf sighed. "My recklessness is getting the better of me. As you wish: I will accompany you in this adventure, foolish it may be."
Eragon's smile turned into a grin. "We set out to Teirm as soon as we can. Most probably in a day or two."
Edoc'sil stood up, bowed, and placed his first two fingers on his lips. "As you wish, Shadeslayer."
The Dragon Rider did likewise, before leaving Edoc'sil's room. He felt excitement move through his veins, and Saphira laughed in his head when she felt it. You surprise me, little one. Are you sure you want to receive the last egg? It might take more effort than you think. I should remind you now that there are two Riders there that could behead you with a single stroke of their swords. Even then, you still plan to steal it. Your bravery is admirable, but remember to not achieve recklessness.
Eragon smiled at her. Do not worry, I will try not to get overexcited. And with that, he made his way towards Saphira, who was still outside the room Eragon had been sleeping in. Haven't the dwarves given you someplace to rest?
Not really. The new King does not share the same respect to Dragons as King Hrothgar, it seems. Orik has apologized to me, and besides, I would have rather slept near you.
Well, that is quite rude of him. Eragon shook his head. But it would be best not to make enemies so soon and ask Orik to get us a room that could fit you. He patted her sapphire scales. Now, on another topic, what do you think about Edoc'sil?
Saphira licked a paw. Well, there is more to him than meets the eyes. Just like any elf. I suppose we both were surprised when Arya was revealed to be a princess. He may have more secrets, but I think he is trustworthy.
Eragon chortled. I suppose so.
For the rest of the day, Eragon and Saphira flew around Tronjheim. He was happy to have one of his and Saphira's regular flights. They hadn't had one in quite a long while. They enjoyed a long conversation with each other, although Eragon noted that Saphira did not stray anywhere the topic of Murtagh. Saphira, there is no need to think I might suffer strange symptoms if you mentioned Murtagh's name.
I suppose I did not want you to get sad, little one. She laughed in his head.
However, as dusk came, and the sky began turning dark, Saphira said, There is somebody down there, waving at us. It must be important. Eragon agreed, and she landed in front of Tronjheim's gates. There, Orik was bobbing up and down angrily.
"Where have you been? The King has asked for your company," said the dwarf. He beckoned with a stubby finger, and they followed him through Tronjheim, where he lead them to a fine chamber, where Orik bowed to a stone-faced dwarf. Eragon did likewise, but quickly returned to his normal position to take in the dwarf's features. He had a long brown beard falling from a lined and expressionless face. His black eyes did not remind Eragon of Hrothgar's kindness, but made him shiver as they stared at him coldly. A long mane of brown hair fell behind his shoulders and down his back, streaked with gray.
"My name is Otho, human," the dwarf said, in a tone that suggested that he considered himself higher in status than the Rider before him. Eragon winced at his harshness.
However, Eragon regained his composure, and smiling evilly in his head, bowed again to Otho. "And mine is Eragon, sir." He spoke in an equal tone as Otho, although he did say 'sir'.
He felt amusement coming from Saphira. She did not seem to mind that he was taunting the dwarves King-to-be. Anger flashed in Otho's eyes, before it vanished and was replaced by the usual coldness. Orik seemed to fidget with his ax in his nervousness.
"The reason I have summoned you here is to discuss the promise you made to us, and another matter, afterwards," Otho said, gruffly. "You promised to fix Isidar Mithrim. We are almost done with placing the shards together. Will you fulfill your duty?"
Eragon smiled sweetly. "I'm afraid it is not me, but Saphira, who made the promise."
"Did it now?" growled Otho, not taking any particular case that Saphira tensed at her being regarded as an object, and that Orik gave out a nervous cough. Eragon placed a hand on Saphira's side, comforting her. Her muscles relaxed. Eragon continued to smile at the King.
"I would like to inform you that Saphira is as much a person as you and I, and you would so well to remember that, before you make such a foolish mistake as the Council of Elders," said the Dragon Rider, ignoring Orik's cry of bewilderment.
Otho's face made no move to stop appearing angry, his scowl making his face ugly indeed. "Silence! Such insolence will not be permitted in my halls!"
Eragon raised his eyebrows. "I'm afraid you must respect others before you expect them to do the same to you," he said, calmly.
Orik was trembling now. His eyes darted from dwarf to Rider, as if expecting to draw their weapons and fight each other. However, Otho appeared he was ready to do this. His hands gripped Volund the war hammer. Eragon was staring back at Otho calmly.
"If you were not a Dragon Rider, you would have been killed by my own hands!" Otho growled, in a voice that made it seem clear that this was no idle threat.
"You would find it hard to kill me, I am afraid," Eragon replied, not bothering to keep the anger out of his voice this time. "Make sure you remember that before threatening me, the next time we meet."
The dwarf King jumped at him, bringing Volund at Eragon's head. The Dragon Rider carelessly blocked the blow with Argetdail. He took care to dull the blade's edges quickly, before the dwarf King aimed another blow at Eragon. He blocked each and every one of the blows that the King threw at him. "I was about to make you swear fealty to me, but, apparently, you are too insolent!" Eragon said nothing of this, and he noticed that Orik ran out of the room. Saphira started moving towards their fight. Don't. I want the experience. She grunted and retreated.
No matter, the King proved a good enough match for him, although he did not let the King hit him. The King was fighting with full force. Eragon blocked blow by blow, until the King began tiring. Eragon shrugged and knocked the hammer off the King's hands and placed the cold blade of his sword directly against Otho's neck, at exactly the same moment a score of dwarves ran into the room. Eragon sighed and sheathed his sword, making his way out of the room, Saphira growling at any dwarf who tried to approach him. Orik followed them, who had returned with the dwarves, and stared at Eragon as if he was mad.
"He will not remain King for attacking you," Orik said. "I doubt the clan chiefs are that foolish. I do not know what might happen to you though: You insulted the King indirectly. It will not be taken lightly."
"I hardly care," Eragon said, surprising Orik. "Please take me to a room that could fit Saphira and I."
Orik did just that, and he settled next to Saphira, while Orik took a good look at him before leaving.
We have made enemies today. Saphira eyed him suspiciously. Yet you enjoyed it.
Eragon smirked. Naturally. This will teach the dwarves not to take us lightly.
Saphira shook her head, laughing. He was surprised to find that she did not object to his actions. He cuddled against Saphira's shining scales. She encased him in one of her wings, before both of them fell asleep.
Author's Note:
You probably consider me silly for doing this chapter like this. But I knew I had to do it. Some of my frustration in the books went to the dwarves, who I thought were taking Eragon lightly and ignoring Saphira mostly, except Hrothgar and Orik. I don't know if its just me.
Oh and if you haven't noticed, I changed my pen name and the title of the story. Please comment on the story title. I seriously can't come with a better one.
Now review responses:
UltimateAurikkuFan: Thank you, and I'm glad you chose to read my FanFic for the Inheritance trilogy.
teenchic2004: Ah, thank you. You might be right in your guess. Who knows, except me, of course.
bananasrokk: Awesome? Really? Thanks.
Asmith: Thank you, for reading my fanfic and reviewing me. I hope you enjoy this chapter too.
That's it, I suppose. Please review.
And, to make you review, I want everybody who reads this chapter to tell me who they think would be the new Rider. And in the next chapter, you'll find out. I promise! And also, I'm not continuing until I get more reviews. So there.