Not bad, eh? Two chapters in three days? :'D As promised there is some action in this and two major events happen in this chapter that are going to influence the rest of the story! Once again, I've spoiled you. Hope you enjoy it! R&R!
Chapter 8
After a good-night's rest, the trio was ready to continue their journey towards Gil'ead. They had encountered no trouble whatsoever exiting Kuasta unnoticed and after paying for their stay at the tavern, they soon joined Saphira at the edge of the forest. The flight was rather pleasant and Arya had to admit that there was nothing more beautiful than surveying Alagaesia from flying dragon-back. She would have to thank Saphira for the honour later.. She smiled, remembering the conversation she had had with the dragon before their departure.
As predicted they arrived just as twilight stretched across the sky, creating lovely shades of pink, purple and navy blue. I stand corrected thought Arya this is stunning. I shall have to make a fairth of this. The princess set her eyes upon the effects of the sunset upon the land. She could see Lake Isenstar in the distance and the mountain of Marna. It was beautiful.
"I know" murmured Eragon as if he were reading her mind.
Unfortunately the scene changed from awe to fear. Gil'ead. The fortress seemed to darken as Arya and Eragon fixed their gaze on what was a former Empire prison hold. Durza... She visibly flinched at even the thought of his name. Arya shrugged off the feeling and replaced it with a unemotional mask. She would not show weakness in front of Eragon, her mother and the elves; especially her mother.
Saphira landed just outside the fortress and was greeted by hundreds of elves that wished to praise her. Eragon seemed amused. As the elves now gathered around the new arrivals, Arya noticed how some regarded Eragon with pure hatred, masked of course with fake manners and courtesy. The Queen now approached, followed by her guard. She was just as regal and proud as she remembered. Truth be told Arya did not miss her mother as much as she used to, especially during her first years of banishment with the Varden, but she could not escape the feeling o longing o having her mother love and care for her as a human mother would.
Arya stepped a few feet backwards and allowed Eragon to quietly converse with Islanzadi. He was obviously narrating the capture of Feinster and the demise of Varaug. She could have easily listened in if she wanted to, but she did not want to linger in her mother's presence more than necessary. Protocol be damned.
Several minutes had passed when Eragon finally finished telling his tale. The Queen looked visibly shaken as she moved towards her daughter to embrace her in an extremely awkward hug.
"I have missed you" said she. The statement took the princess off guard as she did not know what to make of it. For the first time in over seventy years her mother had shown her some form of affection. During her last visit to Ellésmera with Eragon, their reunion had been strictly formal and Arya barely aknowledged the Queen's presence, which was understandable. She still had not forgiven her.
Arya stiffened and retracted from the embrace. "I'm sure you have" she replied coldly. Islanzadì sighed. Arya then swiftly marched over to Saphira, without so much as a good-bye to her mother, and gathered her belongings bidding good-night to a bewildered Eragon who now stood next to his dragon, to retire for the evening.
The next morning Arya awoke in a slightly better mood, knowing that she would spend the day with Eragon searching for the egg. The downside to this, however, was spending the day in the dreaded dungeons. There were certain memories that Arya did not want to relive and she certainly did not want them resurfacing now that she had finally regained some control over them.
She quickly bathed and readied herself for what would be a very interesting day. As she walked through the camp in search of Shadeslayer, she nodded curtly to the elves that attempted to greet her, not in the mood to take on conversation since it was now common knowlodge that their princess was now also a Shadeslayer and they would probably detain her with praise.
She silently rejoiced when she found the Rider lying down against his dragon's belly. Arya wondered why he refused a tent, but who was she to judge? The elf was undecided as to whether indulge him with a few more minutes of well deserved sleep or to merely awaken him now. Saphira opened one huge eye and greeted the princess.
Good morning, Emerald-Eyes she said in a rather groggy voice. Arya tried her best not to seem amused.
Greetings, Saphira she replied happily, a small smile etched across her features.
Well? Are you going to wake him? I wish to go flying and I do not need my Rider sleeping all day. I believe you have work to do, hmm? she asked as if irritated by Arya's lack of action. Her voice reminded her of her mother scowling at her after one of her rebellious outbirsts. She chuckled at one of her many memories.
The princess moved over to Eragon and shook him gently. He seemed to be talking in his sleep, murmuring silly things like "Saphira, don't eat my breakfast!" and "Saphira, don't kill Orik!" To this, Arya could not help bursting out laughing and Saphira hummed in great amusement. Eragon, hearing laughter, awoke all of a sudden, rather bewildered to find the Elven princess laughing. He looked around, trying to find the source of such entertainment, but for obvious reasons, he failed.
In the meantime the laughter had not yet died up or gave any sign of coming to end as the confused expression on the Rider's face only envoked more amusement for the two females.
Arya could not remember the last time she had laughed so much, especially at someone else's expense, but the look on Eragon's face was truly priceless. After what seemed like an eternity the pair finally decided to let him in on the joke. Eragon smiled and theatrically gave a bow. Saphira soon took off, muttering how tiring two-legged were and set out to enjoy her day.
Eragon and Arya spent the morning searching the city for any evidence of the egg, but unfortunately it was nowhere to be found. They searched the entire city, conjuring spells to locate it, tracing its magic, but to avail. There was a great tower in the center of the city, where the governor resided. All they found was documents from the King and viceversa.
At one point though, Arya came across a most valuable piece of information.
"Eragon!" she yelled from across the room, trying to gain his attention. He swiftly made his way over to her.
"What is it? What have you found?" he asked eagerly. As he read the scroll, a grimace appeared upon his face.
"We have a spy in our midst" he breathed. A sound that was almost inaudible, even for the most capable of ears.
"Yes, but it does not mention a name. We must send this information immediately to Nasuada! It is quite possible that she will order us to return, but our task is extremely important, Eragon. The egg is much more valuable." she sighed.
They had since abandoned the tower and asked the Queen to relay their message ad they continued their search. The only place left was the dungeons.
According to Islanzadì, the elves had searched most of the dungeons for any remaining spellcasters, but had not ventured in the deepest part of the prison. It was mid-afternoon when Arya and Eragon decided to search the remaining tunnels and cells, but took certain precautions by allowing four very capable elves to accompany them.
The tunnels were dark and gloomy, the only light was the fire of the tourches in the hands of the four elves that accompanied the two Shadeslayers. Most cells were empty apart from a few that contained nothing more nothing less than rotten corpses that appeared to have been dead for days if not weeks. Arya noticed that all the bodies that were recovered were tortured in cruelest of ways. She had to close her eyes for a moment to regain her composure. Durza. Nobody seemed to notice Arya's moment of weakness except for Eragon who silently prodded her mental barriers, asking for entry into her mind, to which she consented.
Are you o.. Eragon had barely started speaking when a sudden thunder erupted from the wall in front of them. All of the companions were knocked to the ground as three masked figures appeared in front of them. One of them held a shiny emerald stone that shone in small light of the torches, in their hands.
"The egg" whispered Arya.
Both Shadeslayers stood up and unsheathed their swords, ready for battle. The four elves that were still on the dirty floor struggled to stand as the masked figures started to disappear down one of the tunnels.
Eragon foolishly left the safety of his guard and ran after them. He reached them soon enough and was now engaging one in a battle of swordmanship. The first masked figure had not been trained well. His swordmanship skills were average and it was an easy kill for Eragon as he gracefully plunged his sapphire blade through his heart. During the battle Arya had made her way towards the Rider, sword in hand, she also ready for battle. She easily found him, as she could hear the clanging of blades and screams of what could be described as pure agony.
Arya enganged in a mental battle with what seemed to be the leader of the group, the one who was holding the egg as if his life depended on it. Well, his life did depend on it. The man was trying to keep Arya out of his mind, but with she being an elf it was an extremely difficult task. She pushed through his mental barriers with brutal force as she deepened her consciousness into the man's mind.
"You are to protect the egg with your life, do you understand me?" the man nodded.
"If anything should happen to it, I will hunt you and your family down and I WILL NOT BE MERCIFUL!" said the same voice.
Arya retreated from the man's mind and slit his throat with her thin Elven blade. Eragon and the four elves quickly disposed of the other two masked figures. Arya was not paying much attention to the others, her gaze was fixed upon the emerald stone.
"The last egg." she whispered as she gently caressed it with her long fingers. They had found it.
So, how did I do? Am I living up to expectations, or am I failing miserably? Tell me what you think, I love to read your opinions. R&R!