AN: I'm so sorry for being so very late in submitting this chapter. Life has played havoc with me these last few months… and finally I've been able to put all of my penned thoughts into typed text. I am not completely happy with how this chapter ended up… but it'll do…
Thanks for all your likes and follows- just one request- more reviews- please! They really go a long way in kicking out the occasional writer's block.
Do read and enjoy this new chapter and tell me what you thought about it…
As always all feedback is much appreciated.
Chapter 13 : Interlude
2nd February, 1917 T.E, Early morning…
His breath came out in great mists in the chill of the morning, as Eragon stepped outside the legionary one man tent.
It had snowed the previous night, but thankfully not heavily… Still Saphira was covered in a light layer of snow – her breaths coming were like the wind from two great bellows.. Laughing silently at the mental image, he started to get ready for the journey ahead.
The horses seemed fine… the heating and insulation wards that he and Arya had put up the previous night were still working.
The surrounding woods were very quiet, a death like stillness hung over the entirety of the woods except for the gurgle of a small stream some distance to the left.. He very well knew that the stream originated from the hot springs that were maybe an hour's ride from the road- and the only reason the water hadn't frozen over.
They were deep inside Urgal territory- five weeks ago Markath's guards had reported a massive Urgal build-up and this was later independently confirmed by the cavalry scouts that Eragon had directed to the area. For four weeks, the holds had prepared for an attack from the Spine, but it never came… What was more puzzling was the fact that the Urgals had simply vanished overnight.
Eragon had been perturbed by the unusual developments- his instinct telling him that some larger, darker game was afoot… He decided to investigate the matter personally and thus his presence deep in the wilds of the Spine.
It was the sixth day since they had left Markath and the should've encountered Urgal patrols by day two or at most three and by now they would have had to flee from a full Urgal warband.. but nothing of the sort occurred. Saphira hadn't seen anything either in the bare pine forests apart from the occasional wildlife.
The rustle behind him told him that Arya was up- that was good- the sooner they resumed their journey the quicker this quandary would be resolved.
She sensed his impatient mood- no real surprise given the strong mental bonds the trio had formed with each other- and rushed to get ready.
'I'm sorry if I woke you up,' Eragon whispered into her mind.
'Your absence woke me up, yes, but it was high time we resumed our journey,' she replied.
Eragon walked upto Saphira and brushed away the snow covering her face- waking her up I the process. She blew warm air into his face in form of greeting before rising to all fours and shaking away the excess snow that still clung to her scales.
"I'll be in the hot springs till you get ready… I need the warmth." She said, a bit terse in the chilly morning before blasting off towards her destination.
She had grown spectacularly in the five months since she had hatched- now she was twice the length of a horse and one and a half times as tall. She couldn't breathe fire for any decent length of time yet.. her vocal chords hadn't grown strong enough yet to handle the vibrations of a thu'um held for long durations…
"I'll look to the tents if you look to the horses?" Arya asked, breaking his chain of thought.
He nodded.
Half an hour later, they were on the old main road that led to Illirea from the ancient citadel of Sancre Tor… the mausoleum of the Reman dynasty as well as the greater Septims.
Saphira flew overhead, keeping her eye out for any dangers.. the lack of any signs of Urgals was beginning to gnaw at Eragon's mind… the Urgalgra were an extremely divided society- there were four major tribes and seven subsidiary ones in Skyrim- all of them were in a state of almost constant warfare and hostility. The last time the Urgals had banded together was during the Great War… that incident proved to be catastrophic for the Mede Empire and the Riders… Eragon worried what a reappearance of a similar banding together would herald…
There had been one tribe that had stayed away from that attack- the Bolvek tribe which was honour bound to uphold a truce between Skyrim and the Urgals. His intention, from the very beginning of their journey was to reach the fortress home of the Bolveks and find out the truth of the matter.
'Dushnikh Yal is to the Southwest of here… if you two push the horses you will reach there by midday tomorrow,' Saphira said.
With an unspoken consent, Arya and Eragon kicked their horses into a full gallop.
Late Afternoon…
Eragon and Arya had had a more or less peaceful ride- except for the two sabretooths who had tried to ambush them.. A shout of "KYNE" from Eragon had them pacified.
Saphira had not been able to spot them hiding underneath a overhand and that made Eragon more cautious… If even Saphira's excellent vision could be fooled…
They were going more slowly now and the horses had managed to recover their breath.. a good thing too…
'Eragon! Frost trolls ahead! They are hunting a pair of Urgal hunters' Saphira suddenly screamed into his mind.
Wincing from the suddenness of the mental spear thrust, Eragon asked, 'where are they?' The road had been descending for the last three miles or so- they were between two tall hills with the road following the slope of the hill on the right. The hills were thickly forested- although there were hardly any leaves in the bare trees- ahead the road curved to the right, disappearing behind the hill..
'A bit far… a third of a mile away from your current position... the Urgals don't stand a chance… I'm intervening.'
Eragon saw what Saphira was seeing.. the trolls- six or seven of them- had descended from a small cave in the mountains to the northwest and had hemmed the hunters into a narrow depression off the road to the left, hemmed in on three sides by steep mountain walls.
Eragon kicked Roheryn to a full gallop, Arya mirroring his actions.. the horses thundered down the cobbled road.
Saphira dived from the clouds, roaring harshly, the trolls pausing as they recognised the deep throated challenge of a dragon.
The mountains made it difficult for Saphira to attack but nonetheless- she dived keeping close to the mountain wall-following the ragged slope, her wings slightly tucked in- reaching frighteningly high speed.
The trolls were distracted by her sudden appearance and the Urgals used the opportunity to scurry down the road towards Eragon and Arya. A dozen meters of the ground- Saphira tilted her wing sockets and snapped her massive wings open, instantly changing her movement form almost completely vertical to almost completely horizontal and yet losing none of her speed.. She made a high speed pass over the trolls- breathing the hottest fire that she could manage. Her thu'um echoed through the valley for miles.
"YOL TU'UR SHUUL!"
Hot bright flesh melting flames engulfed the trolls- their chilling screams filled the air as Saphira flapped her wings mightily to gain height.
One of the trolls died in the dragonfire while the rest resumed their pursuit of the hunters. Saphira roared in anger and frustration- she had hoped that her appearance would be sufficient to scare away the trolls- but atleast the trolls were on the road- it would be much easier for her to attack them there. She made a second pass- this time reaching out with her rear legs and ripping another troll open.
As she rose to make a third pass- a horn blew in the distance- its clear ringing tones giving hope to the ragged Urgals and making the trolls pause yet again.
The thunder of shod hooves galloping across cobblestones preceded Eragon and Arya as they burst from the forested bend, charging straight at the trolls.. on seeing their rescuers- the Urgals ran forward and uphill even with greater speed while the trolls roared in anger.
Eragon held his hand-and-a-half sword ready as he neared the trolls- the first one reared up in anger- its clawed arms raised high as if two smash him and Roheryn into the road- he swerved to the left, avoiding the pale twelve feet tall beast and brought down his blade in a fast upward slice- the tempered edge of the Skysteel sword cutting through the troll's torso rather easily.
Beside him, an arc of lightning fried the troll who tried to claw him off the saddle- sending it flying.
Roheryn was still galloping at full pace- making it easy for him to decapitate the next troll and Arya cleaved another with her own sabre. Saphira landed atop the last one, crushing its head underneath her forelegs.
The two urgals slowly approached the trio- they held bows in their hands but hadn't knocked any arrows.
Urgals were certainly different from other races… dark green or greyish skinned and no less than six feet tall with pointed ears and large canines that protruded beyond their upper lips- they certainly looked intimidating.
But Eragon knew that Urgals were an honourable, hardworking and trustworthy race- they lead harsh lives in their strongholds and mines- living their lives as per strict and unforgiving rules known as the Code of Malacath. They were, as a rule, exceptionally strong and made great smiths, soldiers and hunters… unfortunately, the Urgals had an unhealthy addiction to war.. but even then they fought as per strict rules of engagement.
"Thank you, horse-masters and thank you, great dragon for saving our lives. May Malacath protect you for your valorous deeds!" One of the Urgals said in the common tongue.
"We did what we felt to be right. I am Eragon Bloodborne, this is Arya of the Blades and the dragon is Saphira. May we know your names?"
"I am Yurgob and this is my cousin Ghoragdush. We're hunters from Dushnikh Yal."
"From Dushnikh Yal, you say?" Eragon asked, smiling widely, "I believe we were destined to meet, friends."
The fortress of Dushnikh Yal was truly impressive.. hewn from the solid granite of the mountain- the walls of the citadel were quite literally a single monolithic structure- a continuous part of the mountain and thus much stronger than artificially built wall would have been.
There were several buildings apart from the citadel- a granary, a mill, a smithy even what appeared to be a barracks of sorts. These structures were protected by a stone walls that surrounded the whole area and an outer ring of wooden palisades.
They were stopped at the palisades and the two hunters went inside to speak on their behalf.
A few moments later, a massive Urgal, close to nine feet tall appeared from behind the gates.
"Kull," Eragon whispered to Arya. The kull in question was wearing thick greenish plate armour, layered in plates to give the appearance of large scales. A wicked looking mace hung at his waist.. the urgal had bright eyes with grey irises, his grey hair was tied in a loose ponytail that was draped over his left shoulder. His face and arms were quite thoroughly crisscrossed with scars of varying thicknesses and lengths. He studied Eragon first and then Arya, his intelligent eyes lingering on them for a few seconds each before moving on to rest on Saphira. The Kull gave the dragoness a respectful bow and Saphira dipped her head in return.
"I am Nar Garzhvog, chief of the Bolvek tribe. You have saved the lives of my sister sons and for that you have my gratitude," the now identified chief spoke to the still mounted companions.
"I am Eragon Bloodborne, Thane of Whiterun and this is Arya of the Blades. Our winged companion is Saphira daughter of Vervada. We would speak with you and your council, Nar Garzhvog." Eragon said.
The Nar nodded, "I had wished to send a message to the Jarl of Whiterun for some time… it is fortuitous that we have met, Eragon Bloodborne. Please come in."
He waved his hands and the wooden gates were opened wide. A small feast had been organized in their honour and that, more than anything else, told Eragon just how similar the Urgals were to other races.
The atmosphere at the Chief's table was jovial even though Eragon didn't understand a word of what was being spoken in the deep gravelling tongue. There were several games of riddles, much to the delight of Saphira who spoke through an interpreter. Two bards were there as well who sang of the legends and myths of the Urgalgra. The Nar translated some of the songs for the benefit of Arya and Eragon…. At one point in the feast, the Chief turned to Eragon, "tell me Eragon, what really brings you and your companion here…?"
"We are worried about the en masse disappearance of the Urgal tribes… You know as well as I what happened the last time around when the other tribes banded together…" Eragon left the statement hanging.
The Nar nodded his massive head once, "I do believe that we may be able to shed some light on this disappearance… but that is a discussion for tomorrow in front of the council."
Eragon agreed and they dispersed for the night.
"Your people are the only ones who have remained true to the truce agreed between us… the others attacked us fifteen years ago and now once again, we find them missing.. the entire tract of land from the edge of Markath hold to your own territory lie completely empty. I would be very grateful if you could shed some light on this development." Eragon said to the gathered council.
Eragon, Arya and the elders were gathered in the Chief's longhouse. The doors were kept open to allow the other members of the tribe and Saphira to witness the proceedings.
The elders began to converse among themselves but one particular woman, who had been introduced to Eragon as Mubrul, Nar Garzhvog's mother and Wise Woman of the tribe gazed at him with a small smile on her wrinkled face.
A warrior of the tribe rose from his oxhide chair and gazed hatefully at Eragon and Arya, who were sitting facing the semi-circular Council.
"And why must we divulge our secrets to the outlanders? The humans have shown nothing but scorn and contempt for us…!" He spat venomously. "Let them all rot in hell for all I care… they are the ones who are responsible for this mess in the first place… As far as I am concerned there is no difference between the Empire, Skyrim and the Varden…"
The brute's rant was stopped quite suddenly by Mubrul who rose from her seat and banged an as yet unseen staff- a light ripple of energy passed through the house and everyone fell silent, their attention focused upon the old woman.
"Enough Yamarz," the woman said with steel lacing her voice. "I've had enough of your hate-filled drivel." She added several words in the native tongue of the Urgals, which Eragon guessed by Yamarz's reaction were very insulting in their nature. "Remove yourself from this council immediately." The woman finished in the common tongue, all the while gazing straight at Eragon with a neutral expression.
'I like her' Saphira quipped and Eragon had to fight to keep a smile from his face. The great amusement that he felt from Arya didn't help…
Yamarz recovered from his anger enough to shout in anger, "you would banish your own blood…! For this outlander? This nord?"
"Fool! This is no mere Nord! HE is the Dragon of the North..! HE is DOVAHKIIN!"
That announcement was followed by a stunned silence.. before the whole air filled with urgent whispers. Eragon groaned in the privacy of his shared mind… Yet another group had become aware of his identity.
Arya had become suspicious and was drawing in her energy reserves, preparing herself for a tense confrontation. Saphira had risen up onto all fours and was growling… the Urgals outside had scattered away… fearful of the dragoness' wrath.
"Do not be alarmed, Dovahkiin. Your Dovah Sos burns so bright that people must be truly blind to not see you for what you are.." the Wise woman said, a smirk adorning her stern features for so short a time that Eragon was convinced he was seeing things.
He sent a calming thought to both of his friends and they relaxed.
Nar Garzvhog sighed, shaking his not inconsiderable head in irritation.., "Very well… I find myself agreeing with my mother… Much to my own surprise.." he smiled, "Your being dragonborn is a bonus.. I had already decided last night to reveal what we believe to you… Hearing my mother today only assures me that my decision is a sound one."
The Nar took a deep breath before looking around the room, meeting the eyes of every Urgal present. "You are right of course, Eragon; the Urgalgra have not come together like this for many decades… not since the fall of Orsinium… This particular coming together and the one just before the Great War were not true coming togethers either. There is some sort of trickery… a malfeasance of sorts that has pervaded the minds of the other Nars.. I do not understand much of spells and sorcery…" the Nar looked at a loss for words and turned to his mother for help.
"What my son wants to say is that the minds of the other chiefs have been possessed by a powerful entity or perhaps entities… The same would have been our fate had I not made him an amulet that protects him from foreign influences."
Eragon and Arya shared a worried look… this matter of possession was worrisome… if the minds of the stubborn Urgals could be brought to heel… there was no saying what these mysterious entities could do to others.
'Who do you think is behind this? This is certainly not the work of Alduin or any other Dovah… Legends speak of a shout that allows you to subvert someone's will to your own but these shouts do not work at any great distance or for any great duration of time.'
'I think that this is Galbatorix's doing.. there have been persistent rumours that the Mad King has a shade in his employ. A shade could conceivably do this.' Arya replied.
'It doesn't matter who is doing this… we must inform our allies of this possession and check our own leaders to make sure that no one on our side is suffering from the same.' Saphira said, an angry growl resounding throughout her mind. Dragons hated such underhanded tactics with a passion… having been the target of such attacks during their war with the elves.
"Thank you, Nar Garzvhog and Mubrul… this information may well save countless lives…" Eragon said, bowing to the council.
SkyHaven Temple, the Spine. 15th February, 2017 T.E
"So, this is the real reason why you brought me here-to gain access to the Archives of the Dragonguards…" Eragon looked at Esbern- the Loremaster and Keeper of the Blades.
The Blades were amongst the oldest orders in the history of Alagaesia- the very first Blades had come to Alagaesia in truly ancient times- thousands of years ago as part pof the Dragonguards- wo had invaded Alagaesia from the distant lands of Akaviir-in search of the Dragonborn. They defeated the fierce Nord-Elf alliance and seemed unstoppable when they were finally defeated by Reman Cyrodiil- first Emperor and Dragonborn. The Akaviiri had immediately sworn fealty to Reman Cyrodiil and served as the bodyguards to him and his heirs.
Reman's dynasty ended with Reman III who was assassinated along with his two sons by agents of the High Elves of the Summerset Isles- a distant group of islands far to the South West. Amidst the resulting chaos, the High Elves invaded and scythed a path of uter devastation through the land- ruling with an iron fist, unchallenged until Tiber Septim forged an alliance of men, dragons and the wood elves to retake the heart of Alagaesia- marking the beginning of the Second Era and the beginning of the Septim Empire.
In the interregnum between the two empires- the Blades, ashamed of their failure to protect Reman's heirs and burning with hatred for the High Elves (Aldmer), evolved into an intelligence service. Hitting back at the Aldmer and stoking the resistance within the Aldmer controlled territory, the Blades had spies and agents everywhere, even deep in the enemies' camp- their services would prove to be invaluable to Tiber Septim.
Later, Tiber would reorganise the Blades into an order of warriors, closely associated with the Greybeards who had been the Emperor's mentors. Nonetheless, the Blades' extensive network of Spies was retained and indeed expanded upon during the reign of the Septims; so much so that soon the Blades had spies of all races and all occupations in their pay. Such was the reach and influence of the Blades that their Grandmaster was the single most powerful person in the Emperor's Elder Council. Not even the Riders and the Elven court were immune from espionage. The Second Era would mark the height of the Blades' power and influence.
The assassination of Uriel Septim VII and the subsequent Oblivion Crisis would mark the beginning of the end for the Blades. Between Reman III and Uriel, the Blades had failed at their sacred duty of protecting the Dragonborn emperor. When Martin Septim, the last Dragonborn emperor sacrificed his life and ended the Oblivion Crisis… it brought and abrupt end to the Blades.
The new dynasty, the Medes, refused to allow the Blades to guard the emperors, not when they had twice failed- and so spectacularly at that. Without and empire to guard and serve and with no dragonborn, the Blades drifted aimlessly decaying with the centuries… until the present time when there were hardly any Blades left.
However, the return of Alduin had rejuvenated the order.. after all their origin was as famed dragon-slayers. The Greybeards had asked them to renew their old contacts within the Empire. The loremaster had begun to go through the ancient archives looking for anything in the old documents that would help them in the coming war against Alduin.
And that is where Eragon came in… for the ancient archives had been sealed shut by a blood-seal.
"Yes, Dovakiin.." Esbern, the old man had almost danced with joy when he and Saphira had walked though the double granite doors.
"What do I've to do?"
"Cut your palm and press it against the center of the seal" Esbern instructed – pointing to the seal o the floor- made from three concentric circles of some greyish metal.
Stepping closer, Eragon kneeled by the seal- keenly studying the runes etched into the three discs. They were elven runes- written clearly in the Ancient Language of the Snow Elves. Arya came and stood beside him.
"Can you identify the runes?" she asked.
"I can.. these are the runes for sealing and binding, this cluster powers the whole ward using… oh it is tied to something outside the building- that's weird."
Arya studied the runes he was gesturing at- "these runes link to energy absorbing ones above us.. outside- they draw their energy from the sun's rays. These ones test and verify your blood for… divine blessing?!"
Eragon refrained from whistling his appreciation.. the ancient Akaviiri certainly knew their runes.
"So that means that not just Dragonborns but potentially any half-god would be able to open this up." Arya continued.
Eragon cut open his left palm and pressed it against the center of the Blood Seal. The blood slowly trickled through the crevices and the device suddenly glowed brightly with a white-bluish hue.
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