THE DARKEST OF BLUE SKIES
Here you go another short chapter, get used to it they will all be short.
Chaptet 6: Unfamilar Writing
Eragon looked down at the ground, keenly aware of Arya, sitting rigid and stiff behind him. They were flying over the Hadarac Desert, and Eragon could feel sizzling sticky sweat form on the back of his neck. It was hot, hotter than Eragon remembered and he was tired of seeing nothing but blue skies while the wind ripped and torn at his body. But looking down did nothing to cheer his mood. As far as the eye could see was nothing but sand; brown, gold, orange, yellow, and tan flecks in horrible amounts, scattered in dunes and valleys.
There was a hawk circling endlessly, about four meters below them; searching for prey in the searing hot sand, making Eragon wonder exactly how it could differ anything living from the infinite amounts of lifeless sand. It swooped up close enough for Eragon to touch and plunged towards the ground.
They would have to make camp soon, down in the desert below. Eragon despised the thought, but he could feel Saphira's muscles heaving below him and her breaths short and shallow; although they had left as soon as they possibly could, covering as much ground as Saphira could manage; Saphira was tired and Eragon didn't blame her.
We should break and wait out the hottest hours of the day while Saphira recuperates, Eragon decided.
But somehow he did not think that Ayra would agree with this idea. She had been moody the whole trip, sitting sternly and scanning the ground below.
She should not feel so special, Eragon told himself, you can see someone approaching from miles away, anyways.
He was so bored; even though he had been talking to Saphira for a while. But they had stopped there chat about four hours ago, so that Saphira could save her energy and strength to make their trip. Also, he was awfully worried about Roran; when he had come back to the tent, he was not there and with no other way to apologize to Roran, Eragon had left him a note; even though Roran could not read anything but words and phrases that they had seen around the farm.
Saphira had helped him word it, making it simple and understandable, so that Roran did not have to ask for someone to read it. It said that he was really sorry to have to leave this soon and that family was truly his first priority. Eragon also added that he would talk to Roran as soon as he could, and that he did not want Roran to leave to find Katrina alone. He then tucked it under Roran's pillow, where he knew Roran would find it sooner or later.
He sighed aloud, he knew it was a feeble attempt to earn back Roran's trust, but what else was he to do?
Tell the others…said Saphira, cutting into Eragon's thoughts … I need to stop; the sun is just too hot.
Eragon looked back at Arya and Orik. Arya was still scanning the ground, but Orik was cursing, looking forward with his eyes shut tight.
"… My place is not up here, it is in the earth, by the ground. There is nothing but air up in this forsaken sky, I will never again step on the back of a…" Orik's voice drifted to Eragon.
Eragon smiled to himself and shouted over the wind, "We are landing for a couple of hours, to wait out the sun."
Orik looked at him with and opened his eyes a slit. "Bless you child." He said looking towards the ground and shuddering.
But Ayra did not look happy. She frowned and opened her mouth to protest, but Eragon shook his head, silencing the elf.
"She is carrying three people," he said angrily, "She needs a rest, as much as you would, if you were running across Alagaesia."
Arya said nothing, but continued to inspect the desert floor.
Find a shady spot, Eragon told Saphira, and we will stay there for as long as you need.
Saphira said nothing, but swooped of lazily towards a large sand dune that created a dark shadow on the ground below it. Saphira landed roughly, her feet dragging in the cool sand. Eragon slid off of her awkwardly, his knees buckling as he made contact with the ground. Arya followed him, landing gracefully.
Eragon looked at Orik, who was still sitting on Saphira; his eyes squeezed shut and his hands grasping the sides of the saddle.
"Orik," Eragon shouted smiling at him, "We are on solid ground now."
Orik opened his eyes a slit, and looked down. He relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that they were indeed back on terrain. Eragon went to help him down but something caught his eye. There was something tucked in Saphira's saddle, flapping in the wind. It was a crumpled piece of paper, addressed to Eragon.
Eragon's stomach tightened, fearfully as starred at the unfamiliar writing.
"What is that?" Arya asked from behind him.
"Oh, it's um… nothing," Eragon said hastily, tucking it into his pocket.
Sensing his agitation, Saphira looked at him but was too weary to say anything. Eragon shifted his weight and sat on the ground, and watched as Arya helped Orik jump off of Saphira.
I don't know why, Eragon told Saphira, but I just don't have a good feeling about that note, and I don't want Arya to see it.
Saphira snorted. I thought you loved her, she said bluntly.
Eragon looked at her in annoyance, but ended up sighing. I guess I do, he admitted. What was the point in trying to deny his feelings?
Let's get water, Saphira suggested. Eragon nodded his head and got up. Saphira dug a hole in the ground with her massive talons. While Eragon expanded his mind and found the familiar lump of magic. "Adurna." He said, calling up the water from the sand.
Saphira watched as the hole slowly filled with mucky water, then she bent her head down gratefully and lapped it up. Eragon then filled up the water hole repeatedly before Saphira lay down for a nap.
Eragon watched her and soon she was asleep. He glanced towards Arya and Orik. Orik was dozing, peacefully close to the rim of the sand dune, and Arya was perched up on the peak of the dune, scanning the desert for any enemies. Once he was sure that Ayra and Orik were occupied with themselves, Eragon took out the note and unfolded it slowly.
The note was written in the ancient language. And Eragon looked at it puzzled. He knew some of the words, like brisingr, gedwëy ignasia, and wydra. But there were also many words that Eragon did not recognize. He sounded them out to himself, "Oka weenm…oh...Oka weenm, oka tuyu, opiënko du gedwëy ignasia lam brisingr, oka du nor, trezģa unin wydra."
Puzzled Eragon looked around, wondering if he should ask Arya what the mysterious letters were. But, instead of finding Arya's back to him she was turned around, her mouth open.
"What…" Eragon started to ask, but he felt something. His skin tingled, slowly getting stronger. He looked down, seeing the gruesome sight of skin, dancing , popping and snapping. He felt Saphira wake up beside him, and faintly saw Orik and Ayra scrambling towards him. His vision blurred, mixing colors together. He screamed, calling for Saphira with both mind and voice. He held up his hands in front of him, he could not feel them, they were numb. He slapped them together, cursing aloud. He couldn't think anymore, he couldn't feel and slowly, painfully, his mind went blank.
I know you don't know what the ancient language in this means but you will find out later. I'm not thrilled with this chapter but i hope it is better than i think it is. Review please!