Chapter 4. Knights of Stronghammer
Stronghammer that was the name Roran received the day he took up a hammer from Horst's forge and used it to help the people of Carvahal drive the Razac and soldiers of the empire from the village. He proved himself worthy of that name when with the steel of words he sparked the ambition and drive of the people to abandon their homes and travel across Alagaesia to Surda and join the Varden. Roran Stronghammer lead some three hundred people through the spine to the city of Narda where they hired barges to take them to Teirm and it was in Teirm that Roran met Jeod Longshanks and discovered the reason the empire was after him and why the Razac took his beloved Katrina.
With Jeod's help Roran stole the Dragon Wing a ship large enough to hold the entire village and feed them. They sailed along the coast running from three other ships and escaped through the boar's eye a massive whirlpool that lay in between Beirland and _. Roran and the villagers of the Dragon Wing arrived on the burning plains via the Jiet River and found the Varden engulfed in a battle against the Empire. Roran gained the victory for the Varden by killing the twins who had betrayed the Varden, kidnapped Murtagh and delivered him to Galbatorix. Roran revealed to Eragon that Katrina had been captured so the two cousins along with Saphira traveled to the helgrind where they killed the Razac, their parents the Lerthberka and avenged the death of Garrow their father.
Roran Stronghammer's exploits reached the ears of Nausada who wanted Roran to serve the Varden but first he had to prove himself and he was placed under the command of Martland Redbeard then after a few missions Roran was placed under the command of Captain Edric. It was during this time that Roran committed insubordination, but he killed nearly two hundred men single handedly. Despite his actions he was publicly flogged and then Nausada decided to give Roran his own command, but under the stipulation that his command included Urgals, because human Urgal relations were deteriorating. Roran accepted only to be challenged by an Urgal during a mission. Roran wrestled the Urgal and won a feet few humans could claim or even live to tell about. Through Roran Stronghammer's efforts the Urgals came to respect humans and they renewed their oath of alliance. As time went on Roran's command was increased to one hundred. Fifty humans and fifty Urgals; twenty-five of the humans were men from Carvahall and because of Roran's leadership and the prowess of the humans and Urgals under his command the group eventually became known as the knights of stronghammer. The knights of stronghammer had such a reputation that Galbatorix's troops would run in the other direction or just surrender when they found out who they would be facing. Roran's missions were legendary against the empire; like the time he and his knights faced a force three times in number and Roran himself killed a hundred of them. The knights of stronghammer had retaken a town in Surda that had been lost to the empire.
So it was no surprise when Nausada chose Roran and his knights to scout the country side of Belotona. Roran lay on his stomach on top of a hill over looking a farm three miles inside the Belotona territories.
"Stronghammer what are they doing?" The question came from Yarbog whom Roran had made third in command after Cairn.
Roran handed the spyglass to Cairn; "They are about to set fire to the fields…"
"It looks like Galbatorix doesn't want us using those crops to feed our troops…" Cairn said next to him.
Roran smiled, "It looks like we'll be getting some sword work after all; Yarbog go back to the knights and tell them to flank those soldiers… Cairn and I will get their attention…"
"I obey Stronghammer…" Yarbog slipped down the hill and made his way to the knights while Cairn and Roran mounted their horses and broke out into a run,
"You can't do this… this farm has been in my family for generations…" The man yelled to the captain.
"The great and powerful Galbatorix doesn't want these fields to fall in the hands of the Varden… that is why he is offering three crowns an acre…" The captain lied Galbatorix was offering five crowns an acre.
"The land is worth more than that…"
"You raise your voice at me again or talk back and I'll have these men take your wife for a slave and your boy will make a fine armor bearer…"
One of the soldiers grabbed the Captain by his collar; "Captain look…" The Captain followed the man's pointing finger south across the fields to where two men were racing towards them and one man was brandishing a hammer over his head.
"It's him… its stronghammer…" the soldier cried.
"They say he killed two hundred men…" One man cried.
The men began to cry out in terror; "Silence he is just a man and he can be killed better if we capture him Galbatorix will bestow an earldom upon us… Be men or I will kill you myself…" Most of the soldiers jumped on their horses and galloped towards the two men. Three soldiers tried to desert, but the captain had them shot with arrows.
Cairn pointed his hand and used a few new words he learned from Eragon and killed five of the men. They slammed into each other and within two minutes Roran killed six men. Twenty men fell to arrows shot from Baldor and the battle was over before it began.
There were only five soldiers left alive including the captain who held the boy by his throat. Two of the other soldiers held the wife and the last two held the man.
"You are going to let us leave or the boy and his family dies…"
"It is over surrender…" Roran ordered as he sent a signal to Cairn with his eyes. Cairn sent a mental order to Baldor and two other archers and Cairn and the Urgal spell caster Urrzhag placed wards around the family.
Baldor and the two soldiers slipped backwards on their horses and drew arrows they shot three of the five soldiers and Mandel threw a dagger into the head of the forth. The Captain tried to slit the boy's neck but the wards erected around him caused the blade to glance off to the side. Roran leapt off Snowfire and tackled the captain they wrestled for a few seconds then he managed to break his neck. Roran stood up and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Not bad…" Roran said to Mandel who was removing his dagger from the soldier's head.
"Thank you sir… I've been practicing…"
"So it is true…" The farmer said looking at the Urgals; "…The Varden have aligned themselves with Urgals…"
Roran stepped forward with a smile; "It is true, but not in the way you think… Galbatorix made a deal with the Urgals first, but he betrayed them so the Urgals came to us for vengeance they only want tot live in peace and avenge themselves against the mad king…"
The man stared at Roran for a few seconds then he went into his house and came back carrying an elaborate long box. He opened it and inside was a broad sword. The man cautiously removed the sword and stabbed it into the ground, he took a knee before Roran.
"This sword has been in my family since the days of king Abernost and my father taught me to use it as his father before him… I pleadge myself to the Varden until the day Galbatorix is no more…"
Roran took the man by the shoulders and stood him up; "Your sword would be greatly appreciated, but these are dangerous times and we must take precautions… Cairn here will enter your mind and see if you speak truly…"
It only took a few seconds to determine that the man and his family weren't enemies or spies. As they talked two Urgals came running towards them.
"Stronghammer…" They kept yelling at the same time.
The elder Urgal spoke; "We spotted a caravan heading north… it is heavily guarded…"
"How many soldiers…" Carn asked.
"We counted five hundred men…"
Roran smiled and sat up in his saddle; "What do you say knights… this caravan worth the risk…" They all shouted slamming their swords against their shields. "Mandel…" He ran up and saluted; "Put together a group of six knights to escort this man and his family to Feinster… three Urgals and three humans… you will lead them…"
"Yes sir…"
"The rest of you with me… Yarbog you and the Urgals will get their attention and we will flank them from behind…"
They broke off into a gallop and divided into three groups; one lead by Mandel to escort the man and his family to Feinster; the second Yarbog lead was completely made up of Urgals and they rode north east to attack the caravan from the north while the third group that was lead by Roran attacked from the south. The caravan was extremely long and when the captain saw a group of Urgals charging he ordered his archers to shoot them and his Calvary to flank them left and right, but the Urgals roared at the charging horses causing them to holt and scatter. As the battle broke down in favor of the Urgals Roran and the rest of his knights used their bows to take down two ranks of the remaining soldiers before they realized what was happening. The battle dragged on and Roran lived up to his reputation inspiring his knights to fight on. When the soldiers saw they had been out maneuvered many of them deserted and others turned on their comrades. When it was over Roran lost four Urgals and eleven humans.
Roran was tending a wound on his arm when Carn rode up beside him. "That was a good fight…"
"Yeah keep that up and you might just kill every soldier in the empire…" They laughed but then Carn grew serious; "…Um there is something you need to see."
Carn lead Roran up the line of wagons to a covered wagon and when he pulled it back it was more like a cage on the back of the wagon with females of every age shackled inside.
Roran climbed down off Snowfire and walked up to the wagon. "Do any of you speak this language?"
A young woman with same color skin as Nausada came forward, but her head was bald and despite that her beauty undiminished. "I speak this language…"
"Are you slaves or what…"
"I am a free woman of the desert tribes… I was captured as were these…" She pointed to woman like her; "The rest were taken from villages whose families refused to fight for the mad king…"
"We will free you, but first you must be tested for deception…"
Carn and Urrzhag took a few minutes to read their minds and when they were done the women were released and offered sanctuary in Feinster. After checking the wagons Roran's knights found food, weapons, armor, and wine. It was decided to take everything with them and after traveling for a mile they made camp encircling the wagons around them for protection. An hour before sunrise they ate broke camp, and continued on.
Roran sat on Snowfire while the caravan passed in front of him and then he waved Albriech over. "Albriech ride ahead and tell Jormonder we are alright and what is taking us so long…"
"Yes sir…"
As he rode off Roran pulled the pebble out and concentrated on it then he cried. "Steirn Risa!" He repeated the phrase several times before putting the pebble away. "How did you discover your magical abilities?" He asked looking at Carn.
"Well… my family at least my mother and I were living in Dras Leona when I was a boy… my father lost the farm and sold himself into slavery to pay our debts… a man tried to rob my mother and I saved her life… I was so angry that this explosion of power leapt from my mind and killed the man… I didn't know what I had done but my mother did… I got it from her side of the family so we left Dras Leona that day because my mother didn't want me to become a servant of Galbatorix… We traveled to Surda where her sister taught me how to use magic and then when I was old enough I joined the Varden…"
Roran was about to continue on when a bird flew by his head and landed on a branch in a nearby tree. Roran eyed the bird and was about to leave when it flew at him again and returned to the tree.
"What is that bird's problem…"
"I think you made a new friend…" Carn said.
"No look at his leg…"
Carn spotted the note tied to its leg and called the bird with its mind and the bird flew to Carn's hand and he untied the note and the bird flew off. "That bird was under a spell to deliver this note to the Varden and someone blessed it in the ancient language…"
Roran took the note and opened it; "It's a message from a spy in Belatona…"
"Then we better get it back post haste…"
It took another day to return to Feinster's countryside and then two more days because of the wagons and people the knights had brought with them. After a time on the fifth day of traveling, the high walls of Feinster could be seen in the distance. Then Roran noticed the unmistakable form of Saphira descending towards them. When she landed Roran and Eragon jumped off their saddles and they ran to each other and hugged.
"About time you got back…" Eragon said.
"We ran into some trouble…"
("Or you went looking for it) Saphira said touching Roran's mind.
"Guess who is waiting at the gate?"
Roran smiled; "She should be resting…" Roran said handing Eragon the letter.
He stopped walking and mentally told Saphira what the letter said; "Where did you get this?"
"From an enchanted bird…"
"Nausada needs to see this…"
When Roran spotted Katrina he ran with all his might until he was holding her in is arms. "My love you should be resting…"
"I was, but then I saw Eragon jump onto Saphira…" They kissed as they were joined by Eragon and Saphira.
"Hail Stronghammer… hail Shadeslayer…" Jormunder yelled walking up to them.
"I take it the Varden is gathering…" Eragon asked.
Jormunder smiled; "Yes they are…" Jormunder's smile turned into a frown when Roran handed him the letter and he read it.
"Nausada needs to see this immediately…" Jormunder said.
"I agree… perhaps you should dispel the people for now…" Eragon suggested.
King Orrin was disappointed when Jormunder dispersed the people and Roran kissed Katrina one last time before leaving. Nausada and the council of elders were there along with Orrin and his councilors. Trianna was there representing the Du Vrang Gata and Angela was there as well taken into Nausada's confidence because of her skills. Arya Blodgharm, Narheim and Nar Garzhvog were there representing their respective races and Elva was there standing beside Nausada as usual. First Roran cleared his throat and gave his report on the expedition into the northern countryside. Then Nausada read the letter Jormunder gave her.
Nausada was wearing her full battle armor and so was King Orrin. Nausada sighed and looked at everyone; "My friends… the letter in my hand is from one of my spies in Belatona… It has some very interesting and disturbing information on it…"
"Well tell us… don't keep us in suspense…" Orrin said.
Nausada read the letter slowly and in a monotone voice; when she was done Orrin spoke first. "Can we trust the information…"
"We can…" Eragon said speaking up; "…I checked the letter it is authentic... it is from Tymen."
"If this is true then how could he find out about Shruiken guarding the egg or this well of souls…" King Orrin asked.
"At least we know where he is keeping the egg… stealing it is another matter…" Arya said speaking up.
Nausada started laughing which drew weird looks from everyone except Elva and Angela who was knitting. "Something funny Nausada…" Orrin asked.
She sighed; "I have a secret to tell… after the battle of the burning planes I sent fifteen spies to Uru'baen in order to discover the whereabouts of the egg and it seems a pointless mission now…" she looked at Orrin; "…I hope you aren't offended."
Orrin waved her off; "No I am not… its just well I was thinking along those lines and I was going to ask you if we could send spies to Uru'baen…"
"The obvious thing to do is kill the dragon then you can steel the egg…" Angela said still knitting.
"This is no time for jokes…" Narheim said; "…we have bigger issues to deal with like the fact that Murtagh and Thorn are waiting for us in Balatona… And speaking for my new king and my clan who has adopted Eragon into our clan we cannot risk Eragon in a fight with Murtagh especially since Galbatorix has given him more of these Eldunari…"
Saphira spoke so that everyone could hear her words; ("You forget Narheim that Eragon and I have Blodgharm and Glaedr's Eldunari as well and if a few of the Urgal spell casters join with the elves we should be able to drive them off…")
Many at the table agreed but Orrin said; "I agree with Narheim… and you all seem to be forgetting the fact that the Dwarves are marching an army to reinforce us… we should wait until they arrive then we will be in a far better position when Eragon and Saphira face Murtagh and Thorn…"
"If we wait on the Dwarves it could be a month before we march further North… and I don't think Murtagh will wait that long…" Falberd said.
Nausada turned her attention to Blodgharm; "Blodgharm do you think you and Elves could overcome Murtagh or do you think we should wait…"
"Lady Nausada my first concern is for the safety of Saphira and Eragon… logic says we should wait, but I am confident that with our help Saphira and Eragon could drive them off again… but I would like to speak with Glaedr first before we make a move…"
"And these spells…" Nausada asked waving the letter.
"I am familiar with at least two of them… as for the others I will have to explore their purpose first and then I should be able to counter them…"
"Arya what do you think…"
She sighed and took a look at Eragon; "I think we should wait on the Dwarves…" When she said this Blodgharm looked at Arya and said something to her mind; she responded and returned to the table conversation. "…I do agree with Blodgharm though about getting Glaedr's council…"
"If anyone care's what we think Saphira and I would like to attack if we can drive them off…"
"Wait…" Orrin raised his hands; "What is all this talk about driving them off… shouldn't you be trying to kill them…"
"Aye…" Narheim said.
Nausada looked at Eragon and he nodded yes; "We have more secrets, but they belong to Eragon…"
Eragon sighed; "Before I say anything I must swear you all to secrecy…" Everyone agreed in the ancient language; "…Murtagh …Murtagh is my brother." He watched the reactions of the people who didn't know before continuing. "…He is my half brother we share the same mother …my father was Brom."
"Why weren't we told this sooner…" Narheim asked.
"Because… when Murtagh told me I was under the belief that Morzan was my father…"
"Yes and we didn't want the Varden to fall apart because our greatest hero and warrior against Galbatorix was the son of Morzan, but it turned out not to be true…"
"Perhaps you should consider telling the Varden, because Galbatorix might get the idea to spread the news to discredit Eragon…" These words were spoken by Angela.
"Eragon the decision is yours…"
He sighed; "Angela is correct…"
"Jormonder what do think of attacking Belatona now…"
"I am with you… I think Eragon and the Elves can defeat them…"
Nausada looked at Roran; 'What do you think Roran…"
"I agree with King Orrin… for once in this war I would like to outnumber the enemy…"
Everyone laughed; "So would I…" Nausada said chuckling. She sighed; "Eragon do you think Glaedr will speak with us?"
"Perhaps… I can try to get him to talk…"
"We will wait on his council then… I have received word that Galbatorix has suspended the sale of lace throughout the empire… those funds were needed to fund our war effort…"
"What are you going to do for gold now?" Orrin asked.
Nausada sighed; "Well we aren't hurting financially yet, because of the treasury here in Feinster and when General _ arrives from Aroughs we will add to that fortune. Despite all this we cannot linger here for too long…" She turned her attention to Trianna. "Trianna tell your spell casters to stop their production of lace…"
"As you wish my lady…"
"I have a solution…" Eragon said speaking up. "I have a spell I can teach the Du Vrang Gata… so long as they swear in the ancient language to use it only to support the Varden…" Eragon explained his idea to everyone, which delighted Nausada to no end.
"Thank you Eragon please implement it immediately… Before we adjourn, there is one more thing I would like to suggest… I would like to keep troop moral up and as I understand Roran… The man Horst… his wife is about to give birth…"
Roarn smiled, "Yes any day now…"
"Well if they are in agreement I would like to hold a birthing celebration in honor of their new child…"
"I will ask them and see if they are agreeable…"
"Good… everyone is dismissed…"
Nausada remained seated as everyone left the courtyard to get started on their particular projects. The first thing Eragon and Saphira did was go and visit Glaedr's Eldunari. He placed his hands on the Eldunari and pleaded with his mind to Glaedr, but all he felt was sorrow and loneliness from within. Eragon was about to withdraw his mind when a great heat engulfed his body and gripped his mind. At first the contact was full of rage but then it calmed into the wise conscious mind of Glaedr.
("I know why you have come Eragon… I am aware of everything going on around me…")
("I am sorry for your loss master… Oromis was more than a mentor to me… He was like a father…")
("You honor him and me with your words… tell Nausada I will speak with her and her advisors after the birthing celebration…")
("Thank you master…")
("Go now Eragon… I must be alone now…")
("You are never alone master…") Eragon replied and broke the contact.
Then Eragon met with Trianna and the members of the Du Vrang Gata. He made them swear in the ancient language never to use the spell for personal gain and only to benefit the Varden for the war. When they had all sworn, Eragon taught them how to mentally sift in the dirt and extract gold particles from it. Only Trianna and three others could accomplish the feat without assistance from another. The others had to combine their strength in order to pull the gold dust from the ground. When he was done, Eragon and Saphira met with Blodgharm and the other elves to practice countering Murtagh's spells. Arya was there as well and they practiced for the rest of the day.
Roran met with Horst and Elain to discuss Nausada's idea to which they agreed. The word spread quickly and the Varden got ready for the eventful day.
Angela was inside her room mixing her toxins the Varden would use in the upcoming battles against the empire. She was busy stirring her cauldron when a nock came at her door. Sensing that it was Elva at the door she smiled and cried; "Open…" in the ancient language. The door opened and in Elva walked who had the look of a nine-year old girl. Her rapid aging had slowed, but still the magic forced her to grow older before her time. "Well this is a pleasant surprise what can I do for you?" When she did not respond right away, Angela looked at her and to Angela Elva seemed more grave in the face than usual. "What is wrong?"
Elva walked up to Angela in tears and dropped to her knees in front of her. When she did this Solembum transformed into his boy form, removed his clothes from Angela's bag, knelt beside Elva, and comforted the girl.
"I am afraid…"
"Of what?" Angela asked.
Elva sighed and looked into Angela's eyes; "And may you be a shield from misfortune…" She said reciting a line from the blessing Eragon bestowed upon her. "Ever since Eragon returned with Glaedr's Eldunari I have been beset by two things I must prevent… and I am scared because of what my thoughts are leading me to do…" Both Angela and Solembum listened as Elva told them what was pressing down on her and the misfortune she could not ignore despite her new abilities. When she finished she lay her head down in Angela's lap.
"Of course I will help you…" Angela finally said.
Solembum picked her head up and kissed her on her dragon-marked forehead. A wave of power flowed into her body strengthening her mind and body. "The blessing of all werecats be on you little one and take heart for I will accompany you on your quest… for you hold the fate of many in your hands…"
Elva dried her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief; "Thank you…" she said.
"Well… we have work to do and little time to do it in…"
Angela finished her pot of poison and then called for a servant to take the mixture to King Orrin and his chief spell caster. Then Angela got to work on a special drink that would allow her to enter someone's mind as he or she slept. She learned the spell and concoction from an elf a long time ago when she visited Ellesmera.
The three of them spent the entire next day getting ready and making plans with Elva and then when they were done they got ready for the birthing celebration.