HOWDY ALL
Sorry this has taken so long. School is very, very unkind.
I was on Shurt'agal (spelling?) and I think from what CP has to say about book three, that there is a book 4! Also it isn't a trilogy anymore. It's a series! Lol he's got a lot of writing to take care of.
I hope that you like it. I would like more than the one review than last chapeter ( thank you Blue-Eyed Chica )
Please make me happy. I get depressed when no one reviews.
On a tangent, I have come to realize that there is almost an equal number of reviews for ELDERS coming in than there are NEW AGE reviews.
ANYWAY TO THE STORY!!
Sorry I am just a little…um…energetic right now, writing seems to perk me up a little.
Enjoy.
READY?
GET SET!
READ! READ! READ! READ!
And please leave a review when you are done.
Disclaimer:
I don't own anything but the plot and the characters and places that don't appear in Eragon and Eldest.
Chapter 6:
Who Are You?
(Who?-Who?…Who?-Who?)
How much farther? Sam asked Ithmir as he lounged in the saddle. It had taken over a week to find their way up the river. Sunlight had to stay in her dragon form in order for Sam and Tag to eat, which they did sparingly.
Another day maybe. Ithmir replied. I can see the lake in the distance. It's huge. He sent a mental picture to Sam who was dumbstruck at the sight.
Can we get there by evening? Sam asked.
Maybe, if we push it. Ithmir answered, and then surged ahead.
Mind telling me why we want to go faster? Sunlight asked.
If we hurry, we might make it to the lake shore by tonight. Sam replied.
Lovely. She said. Maybe while you're at it, you would be so kind to tell me when I can go hunting.
I thought that older dragons didn't have to eat for a long time. Ithmir said.
If you like to think that flying for a week, all day every day, without food is easy, then I'd ask you to relieve yourself of your rider, and fight. Sunlight retorted.
But that would waste even more energy. Ithmire replied.
Sunlight said nothing, only simmered and flew on in silence.
Guys, Tag began, Please don't push Sunlight, she's tired. You don't want her to get her mad when she's tired. Things usually turn out bloody. I've had that happen a few times already, and I'm not keen on letting it happen again.
Okay. Ithmir replied. I've seen how her red wild brother is sometimes. I don't know where he get's the strength or energy to do some of the things that I've seen.
That's because he's wild. Sam replied. I've read that you can never predict their actions unless you have their oaths.
That's the truest thing about us. Sunlight said breaking into the conversation.
Let's just get there quickly. Sam said. The sooner we get there, the sooner we get to eat.
I might need some of that energy from your hilt to make it in a little while. I'm on the final stretch on energy, when we still have another lap left. Ithmir told Sam in private.
So the mighty dragon admits defeat? Sam asked jokingly.
Never. Ithmir replied rocking Sam in the saddle enough to shut him up.
What's that on the left coming towards us? Sunlight asked as a dark shape floating above the land grew larger.
Whatever it is, it's probably not going to like us being here. Sam said. If it's a dragon, we're trespassing on its territory, if it's something else, then I don't know what it is.
Whatever it is, it's closing fast. Tag said.
Should we hit the deck? Ithmir asked.
Not yet. Sunlight replied. Wait until it's right on top of us. Hopefully it will overshoot.
--
Flar dropped like a stone and landed with a thundering crash in the middle of the village.
Nice landing. Morzan said to his partner.
Thanks. Flar replied. Now hurry up and get the eggs. I'll get the students.
Morzan slid silently out of the saddle and ran into the forest. Oromis emerged from the hall and saw Morzan and chased after him. Oromis alert. Flar told Morzan.
Thanks for the warning. Morzan said as he slid Zar'oc out of its sheath without a sound. Above him, he could hear Flar and Glaedr grappling in thee sky, trying to pin the other to the ground. Morzan rounded a corner and lept behind a rock. Concentrating, he focused his mental output to imitate a rabbit. If Oromis was using the mental aspect of his mind, he shouldn't notice Morzan. Life, however, is not always perfect. Oromis stopped right in front of Morzan and used magic to crumble the rock into powder.
"It'll take more than that trick to hide yourself Morzan." Oromis said as he slashed down with his sword. Morzan blocked it clumsily and then stood up and threw Oromis's sword off. Getting his balabce, Morzan began a steady and slow onslaught driving Oromis backward for several minutes. Finally, Morzan wrestled Oromis' blade from him and placed the tip of his sword on Oromis' neck.
"You never did stand a chance against me." Morzan said in a monotone and then knocked the elf out with a fist.
Done beating up the old elf? Flar asked.
Yes. Morzan replied. Is Glaedr subdued?
Once you knocked him out, he seemed stunned and just glided to the ground. Flar answered.
Are you down? Morzan asked.
Yes. Flar said Why?
I'll bring Oromis to you and then find the eggs. Morzan said.
The students are already awake. Flar replied.
Good. I'll be there in a minute. Morzn said. This elf is heavier than he looks.
Either that, or 80 some-odd years haven't been that kind to your muscles. Flar replied.
I doubt it. Morzan grumbled back. It took him nearly five minutes to carry the elf back to Flar's side where he cast a spell on him to keep him from waking. Then he took off joging into the forest and found the spot. He was in a clearing that was about the right size for a five or ten year old dragon to land in. In the middle was a rock partially submerged to which Morzan walked to. "Risa!" Morzan commanded, and the stone slowly lifted out of the ground leaving a set of stairs descending into the earth. Summoning a red light, Morzan started to go down, deactivating all magical and mechanical booby traps with a general spell that he and Glabatorix had developed for this secret place.
Everything all right? Flar asked when Morzan paused for a while at the bottom of the steps.
I think so. No one has been here in years. Morzan replied and then walked over to a metal vault door which opened after he placed Zar'oc into a impression in the door and turned it. Inside werelights floated above tens of dragon eggs. With a quick spell, he lifted them into the air and brought them to the surface after closing the door and replacing the stone on the surface and repairing the damage caused by lifting it out, leaving it looking untouched.
I got all of the eggs. Morzan told Flar.
Perfect. Flar replied. The students are awake and ready to go and Gleadr hasn't moved.
I'll be there in a moment. Morzan said and then broke into a light jog with all the eggs floating after him suspended in a red light. Morzan arrived and was immediately bombarded with questions from his two students.
"Where are we going?" one asked.
"To Uru'baen." Morzan said briskly. "Go get some bags to put these in." He ordered indicating the eggs floating behind him. The two dashed off and Morzan checked on Oromis. He was breathing, that was a good sign.
Should we get ready to go? Flar asked.
Not yet. Morzan replied. I want to see if I can get the diamond out and take it with us.
I thought that was impossible. Flar replied.
I was the one who cast the spell to keep it in place. Morzan said. I should be able to undo it.
Go try. Flar said. Leave the eggs here, I'll make sure they get in bags and on our saddle.
Each of the students can carry two bags each. Morzan said. They need something to take pride in, and protecting the eggs will do just that.
Why the heck does he just go off on his own all the time? Eragon cursed under his breath.
He and Galbatorix had a lot of time to do things in secret. Arya replied. He might still be under his orders.
Maybe. Eragon said. But why keep it a secret? Why not tell us. It could be important.
Yes, it could be important, but the likelihood that it isn't dangerous or exceedingly powerful. Saphira said. Galbatorix was very powerful, and may have been the only one to handle such things safely.
If Sam is trained correctly, he might be able to duplicate Galbatorix's doings. Lifskul said.
Sam watched from Ithmir's back as the dark shape hurtled closer and closer.
This thing isn't a dragon. Sunlight said. It's too fast.
Then what is it? Tag asked.
It could be that half-shade guy. Sam replied.
How likely do you think that that is? Ithmir asked.
Quite. Sam answered. It seems to me that there are a lot of powers that he may have developed. Flying may just be one of them.
It's possible. Tag replied.
They flew on, keeping a sharp eye on the shape as they went. When the shape was still a league away, Sam heard a buzzing in his ears. What is that? Ithmir asked.
I have no idea. Sam answered.
Greetings younglings. A deep, obviously male voice said.
Who are you? Sam asked.
Merely your counterpart through history Sam. He replied.
Where are you? Ithmir demanded.
Flying beneath you. Sam looked down. He could clearly see a huge purple dragon flying slightly ahead of them.
He's given us an advantage. Sunlight said in a slightly surprised voice. No dragon would ever do that.
Y'all think this is the half shade? Tag asked in a sleepy voice.
No reason to believe he isn't. Ithmir replied. For one thing, he knew Sam's name without asking, and second, he isn't quite the right shape for a dragon. He doesn't have enough spikes to be a real dragon.
Good catch dragon. The voice rumbled. Land near me on the shore of the lake. He said as he surged forward. With a huge slipstream to fly in, Sunlight and Ithmir were able to fly faster. In less than two hours, they were collapsed on the sand gazing out over the lake. Sam and Tag had started a fire with magic and were cooking the last of their food. Sunlight gazed at the fire and then finally stalked into the lake and proceeded to fish. Within ten minutes she had four fish cooking over the fire thanks to Sam and Tag. She was too tired to change shape. When they were done, she snapped two of them up in one bite and left the other two to Ithmir who followed suit quickly. Sam glanced at the purple dragon-correction-the half shade.
I wonder where he got the power to do that. Sam wondered absent-mindedly.
Well, Ithmir began, He is nearly a millennia old, has probably had tens of teachers, and then hundreds of years to learn by himself. Besides, he can do that energy absorption thing that you can, and if he can store that, he could do anything.
True. Sam replied imagining caverns filled with gems saturated with energy. I wonder if the dwarfs would let us use their sapphire for storage.
Probably not. Ithmir replied. But you never know. When we get back we can ask.
That thing is supposedly huge. I wonder if I could ever fill it. Sam pondered.
I don't think that you could stand up to the strain of putting that much energy from anywhere into that. Ithmir said.
You speak of the sapphire rose. The half shade stated.
Yes we do. Ithmir. What about it?
If you are wondering if the dwarfs will let you use it, you can forget it. He shifted his bulk to look directly at Ithmir and Sam. They wouldn't let me try 500 years ago. If there is one thing that you can count on the dwarfs for is for them to be stubborn and never change their minds.
Are you sure? Sam asked.
Positive. He replied. I've tried three times. All of you need to rest tonight. He stood up slowly. I'll be back in the morning to wake all of you. He took off flying and disappeared into the night sky.
Where do you think he's going? Sunlight asked.
Who knows. Tag replied. I'm going to sleep. I'm worn out. He curled up on the sand and Sunlight placed a wing over him and curled up and fell asleep.
I guess I'm first watch. Sam said and settled down next to Ithmir.
Wake Tag when the moon is half-way up. Ithmir instructed.
You think he'll want to be woken up? Sam asked, but Ithmir was already asleep.
Sam sat on the beach for three hours waiting for the moon to rise, but it never did. Sam tried to stay awake, but finally sleep took him.
Ithmir woke in the morning to find Sam asleep on his flank. The purple dragon was nowhere to be seen. In his place, a man, or so it seemed, was sitting by the fire cooking something. A little ways off a horse was tethered to a withered tree.
I see you're awake dragon. He said.
Who are you? Ithmir asked.
Well, shape changing is one of my powers…I think you know who I am. He replied.
Same voice, same monotone, different body. Ithmir replied. You're that 'dragon.'
1 for 1 dragon. He replied.
What is your name? Ithmir asked.
I'll explain everything when we get to my home. He replied.
Should I wake the others? Ithmir asked.
Sure. He answered. We need to get going soon and breakfast is almost ready.
Ithmir gave everyone a sharp mental jab that got them awake and complaining in seconds. Wakey wakey!
Why? Sunlight asked. Why this torture?
Get up of I'll rip your precious Tag away from you. Ithmir threatened.
With a huge roar Sunlight stood up, raised her wings slightly and stood protectively over Tag. Just try it and I'll kill you.
So you do have feelings for him. Ithmir mused laughing mentally.
Well, um, well-well we-we are almost siblings you know. Sunlight stammered.
Case closed! Ithmir said with a little joy.
You'll pay for that. Sunlight glared at him in anger.
I await it with anticipation. Ithmir replied. Anyway, it's time to wake up and I think you make a very good alarm. Tag and Sam were stumbling their way towards the fire, not even noticing the half shade.
Good morning to you two too. Ithmir started.
Wha we miss. Sam asked as he yawned. And who is that guy over there?
Glad you finally saw him. Ithmir replied. By now you could have been dead. How'd you think that make me feel?
Who is he? Sam asked. What's his name.
He's the half shade, Mr. dragon-who-changes-into-a-human-in-the-middle-of-the-night. Ithmir replied.
I see. Tag said. He had been listening on them. Don't just stand there you two, go introduce who you are.
All right, all right! Sam said as he stood up and brushed off the sand from his legs.
"Hello…Um, My name is Sam."
Alright I know that this is really short, but I just had to publish this. It was annoying me that I haven't updated A New Age in like 2 or three months. Don't kill me!
Any way, some really nice fanfics I've found:
Red is the Blood by Firesilk
-quite nice, and very addicting.
If I find anything really good, I'll name it next chapter.
Cyberviper42