Chapter 20. New Dragon Rider
Angela was stiring her cauldron as usual; the time of the day was an hour before noon. She was making a new batch of poisons because the ones used at Belatona were ineffective. Murtagh and the spellcatsers at Belatona had been ready for that. She was adding some chopped up mushrooms to her concoction when she felt Solembum's mental shout. It was as if a dam had been unleashed in her head and all her memories of talking to Elva and the plans she helped them make came back to her mind. She jumped up and down and laughed when she felt Eragon and Saphira with them. She cried when she learned what Elva had become.
("I shall bring them immediately…") She replied extinguishing the flames and setting aside her utensils. Angela's apartment was three blocks from the palace as she liked her privacy. She locked up and headed strait for the palace entering it through a secret passageway.
"I agree we can't wait any longer…" Nausada said to Orrin as they and the allied leaders headed for the thrown room. Everyone was on board with rescuing Eragon despite Glaedr's prtotests and assurances that Eragon would be fine.
"We must decide who we will send to Urubaen…" Arya said walking right behind Nausada.
"Whoever we send this group must include all the races…" Nar Garzhvog grumbled.
The guards opened the door for them; "Of course…" The words stopped in Nausada's mouth, because Angela was sitting on the thrown.
"It is about time you all arrived I thought I would have to come looking for you…"
"How in the world did you get in here?" Nausada asked in anger.
"Well I am a witch and I know more about this castle than any of you…"
"Guards!" Nausada yelled. Arya whispered into her ear.
"Really…" Angela said; "…Are you still upset." She sighed when Nausada didn't respond. "…Can you put your anger aside long enough for me to say that I remember why Elva and Solembum left…"
Her words caught everyone off guard; "I thought you said that you wouldn't remember until they returned…" Roran said.
"Yes and they have returned…"
"Where are they…" Nausada asked.
Angela smiled; "It is complicated… There is something I must show you…"
Nausada was getting angrier by the minute; "If you have something to say…"
Glaedr's powerful mind touched them all; ("Let go of your anger Lady Nausada and go with Angela… You will not be disappointed…")
("What is going on Glaedr?") Arya asked with her mind, but he had withdrawn to his eldunari and said nothing else.
Nausada sighed; "Okay show us…" Angela went to the wall and pressed several stones, the wall slid apart to reveal a secret passageway. "How did you know about that?" Nausada asked.
Angela just smiled and lead down a tunnel that came up a mile from the city near a bush. She led them due north towards the spine and as they walked Nar Garzhvog grumbled.
They climbed a hill and headed towards a forest at the base of a mountain. "ERAGON!" Nausada screamed and started running. He sat on a tree that was on its side, with a young woman sitting next to him. Saphira was sitting on her hind legs next to him.
When Arya saw them she forgot who she was and ran passing Nausada. When she reached him Arya threw her arms around Eragon and kissed him on the cheek and mentally she greeted Saphira. "Maybe I should get captured more often…"
"Don't joke like that…"
"It is good to see you well and unharmed Skulbulba, Shadeslayer…" Dainor said.
("If you are here then where is Queen Islanzadi…") Saphira asked.
"We have much to discuss…" Arya said to the both of them.
The next person to come running up was Roran they hugged each other and Roran whispered something in his ear. Then he greeted Saphira as Nausada, Orrin, and the others joined them. Eragon greeted each and every one of them.
"How did the two of you escape?" Nausada asked.
"You will have to ask our rescuers…"
They all finally noticed the woman sitting next to Eragon; she had an exoctic look with a mix of both Elven and human traits. What caught their attention the most was her pink eyes and pointed ears.
"Elva is that you…" Nausada asked.
She smiled, "Yes it is me…"
"What has happened to you…" Arya asked.
"Something wonderful…" Elva replied showing them the palm of her right hand. They gasped at the green tinted dragon mark on her hand. Thud, they were hit by a percussion of air. The elves knew that only one creature in the world could create such an effect. Arya, Dainor and the elves looked up at a green dragon gliding down to the ground. The dragon had pink eyes like Elva, the spikes on his back and his claws, teeth, and wing claws were white. He was almost as big as Saphira. His mind touched each and everyone gathered at the tree. ("Greetings to all… I am Galmore and Elva is my rider… I am honored to finally meet each of you… Elva speaks very highly of you Nausada Nightstalker and you Angela Cap-shroom… I was the last egg held by Galbatorix and now I am free…")
They all bombarded Elva at once with their questions, but she raised her hands and silenced them all. She sighed and took a deep breath, "May you be a shield from misfortune… That was Eragon's blessing are at least part of it…" She turned to face Eragon. "When you returned from Ellesmera the second time… There were two misfortunes, that weighed down on me. I had to do something, the first and most presedent was that of dragons. Saphira's sorrow carried a weight behind it and that weight came from all dragons… the plight of her race weighed down on me like a mountain. Then there was Eragon… It was only a matter of time before Murtagh captured him and Saphira…" Elva wiped a tear from her cheek. "…I apologize if I worried any of you but I had to act… I went to Angela and told her what I was going through. Solembum agreed to accompany me to Urbaen…"
Angela sat next to Elva and started talking, she was holding Solembum in her arms stroking the cat as it slept. "Elva came to me and I agreed to help her as best I could… first I pretended to be Galbatorix and I asked Elva what would make my life easier… we went from there coming up with stuff to counter him and then I had to do something about Eragon… There are things he knows and parts of his character I hid behind a wall of emotion… I also used his link with Saphira to hide certain parts of her character from Galbatorix…"
"How in the world did you get in our heads…"
Angela smiled; "Through that dream you had…"
"That was you?" Eragon asked blushing.
"What dream?" Nausada asked.
("It is better not to ask…") Saphira said.
Eragon breathed a sigh of relief when no one pursued the matter; Angela continued. "I used the living dream to accomplish my goals…"
The elves plied Angela with questions about the living dream technique because it was a piece of magic invented by elves. When all their questions were answered Elva started speaking again. "Angela had me swear in the ancient language that I wasn't bound to obey any oaths I made to Galbatorix. What I am about to say will make many of you angry…" She wiped her eyes dry, "…Solembum and I traveled to Urubaen and as we traveled we encountered only one incident." Elva told them of their journey to Urubaen and how Solembum got work in the kitchen, as a servant. Solembum scouted the city for the ten spies and gave Elva a list to memorize.
"Ten spies…" Nausada said speaking up, "I sent fifteen spies to Urubaen…"
"Yes, but I only told Galbatorix about ten… the other five helped us with our plans to escape the city… Because of Eragon's spell my mind is extremely powerful… not even Galbatorix could enter it…" Elva's tears started to flow even heavier. She told them that she had to betray their secrets in order to gain Galbatotrix's trust. She told Galbatorix how Eragon was able to defeat Thorn and Murtagh at the Jiet river. When she said this Arya became extremely angry and yelled at her.
"You had no right… because of you Blodhgarm, Seriss, and many others died because of you…"
It looked as if Arya was about to attack Elva and she stopped when Galmore roared and placed his head in between them. ("Peace oh queen of the elves… I swear on my life and the bond forged between dragons and elves that the blood spilled by Galbatorix shall be avenged…")
"Queen!" Saphira and Eragon said at the time.
Arya sighed, "My mother Islanzadi was killed by Galbatorix…" She said looking at Eragon. He gave his condolences to her in the ancient language.
"I am sorry, but there is more…" Elva said. She revealed everything to them. She told them about Murtagh's secret, how she advised Galbatorix to seek help from Az Swell Rak Ahunin. She told Galbatorix that she wanted revenge on Eragon because Nausada ordered him not to remove the spell from her. She told them how she convinced Galbatorix to leave the city and of their daring escape. As they traveled the egg hatched and she named the dragon Galmore.
Nausada walked up to Elva and hugged her, "You have done a great thing on behalf of all the races who fight against Galbatorix … Thank you…"
"Does Galbatorix know?" Orrin asked.
Roran had given Elva a towel to wipe her face; "When he returns to Urubaen he will find his city partly burned and the egg missing… all he will know is that a little girl betrayed him…"
"The two of you need a place to hide and the safest place is in Ellesmera…" Arya said. Elva was about to protest, but she stopped her. "…I know what you would say Elva, but the two of you need training…"
"Then Saphira and Eragon can train us…" She said interrupting.
"There isn't enough time and…"
Galmore roared raising his head into the air and spitting a stream of flame from his mouth, ("I am a dragon and I will fight training or not… My blood runs hot and I seek the heads of those who betrayed the races of Alagaesia. Death to all oath breakers…")
Eragon stepped forward; "They have a point Arya…" She was about to protest but he stopped her with a plea from his mind. "Where can they hide… Galbatorix knows the location of Ellesmera…"
"We have other cities they can hide in…"
"I wouldn't ask them to fight, but Saphira and I can't fight Galbatorix, Shruiken Thorn, and Murtagh…"
("Eragon is right and I don't like it either, but Galmore and Elva possess abilities Murtagh can't fight against… Maybe if they can defeat Murtagh then the four of us can defeat Galbatorix and Shruiken…")
Arya protested even more and Nausada and a few others added their protests to hers. That is when Glaedr spoke touching all their minds; ("It is true the hatchlings lack the training and experience to be of a true threat to Thorn and Murtagh, but with my help Saphira, Eragon and I can give them enough teaching and wisdom to hold their own… I have an idea that I will only share with Saphira and Eragon… if it works we will have a big surprise for Galbatorix when he attacks…")
Arya sighed; "Very well Glaedr I shall trust your judgement in this matter…"
Nausada smiled; "Good now that all that is settled…" She turned her attention to Roran. "Go back to the city and have the Varden gather in the streets of Feinster… This will boost their moral to no ends…"
("They are preparing to show us off…") Elva said to Galmore. ("Prepare yourself for a never ending parade of hi and hello…")
("As long as I get to eat…") He grumbled.
As they started walking back towards the city Nausada pulled Angela to the side. "I just wanted to apologize for my behavior… I should have known…"
Angela waved her off; "Pish posh… Don't give it another thought… I still consider you a friend and I hope you think of me in the same manner…"
Because they were on foot, it took longer to reach the city than Nausada would have liked. When they reached the city the varden and their allies were gathered from the gate all the way to the palace. A thunderous cheer went up as Eragon and Saphira walked through the streets. Those cheers were followed by ohs and ahs as a young woman with pink eyes, dark hair, and, a dragon marked forehead followed them riding a green dragon. Many of them guessed it was Elva and the rumors flew from one end to the other. When they reached the steps of the palace Eragon came forward and gave a speech. He thanked them for their concern and revealed that is was Elva the girl he blessed and Solembum the werecat who rescued him from Galbatorix. Then Elva came forward and spun the tail of her adventures with Solembum. She revealed everything to the varden and held nothing back as she spoke.
Finally Nausada came forward; she gave a speech unlike any she had ever given inspiring her troops and allies to prepare for the battle to come. She informed them they would wait in Feinster and let Galbatorix's troops come to them. She also warned them that Galbatorix himself might fly out to meet them on his black dragon. When they were done the crowd dispersed and Nausada and the leaders of the allied forces gathered in the courtyard of the palace to discuss a plan of action.
"With the elves and dwarves here we finally outnumber the enemy… but numbers will mean nothing when Galbatorix has enchanted his troops with speed and strength equal to that of the elves…" Nausada said.
"Yes then there is the clan Az Swell Rak Ahunin to deal with…" Orwick said. "…To think Vermond could be so treacherous as to make a deal with Galbatorix… This must be dealt with before he has a chance to join Galbatorix's forces…"
"I screed as much of the Beor Mountains and the Hadarac desert as I could…" Eragon said. "…I saw no sign of the army. Either they are protected by enchantments Galbatorix raised or they march through a part of the desert or mountains I am unfamiliar with…"
"I had my spellcasters scree for Vormund and his army as well… all they see is a large patch of desert." Orwick said.
Nausada sighed; "Dividing our forces is not wise… If Vermond and his clan wants to fight for Galbatorix then so be it… We still have numbers on our side…"
Orwick looked at the other clan chiefs and sighed; "You underestimate Vermond Nausada, but I will follow your lead in this…"
"The enemy is gathering… let them. We will defend Feinster and let them come to us…" Nausada said. Her plan was to have Orrin's Calvary along with the Elven Calvary and the Urgals attack Galbatorix's forces from the east. The Elves and Dwarves would be stationed in lines outside the city and they would lead the attack. Archers would be stationed on the walls, the rest of the army would be stationed behind the wall.
"Elva and Galmore can wait behind the wall…" Eragon said speaking up; "When I give the signal they will reveal themselves… Whatever happens Saphira and I must make the first move and draw him away from the battle…"
"I don't like this…" Arya said.
("You may not like it, but it is necessary…") Galmore said.
The conversation stopped when everyone noticed Elva. They asked her what was wrong, she said in a shivering voice. "Galbatorix has returned to Urubaen.
A sense of doom took hold of the people gathered; "Then it has begun…" Nausada said. "…We will face our greatest foe."
The meeting ended and Roran as commander of the varden issued out orders to prepare for the upcoming battle. A sense of hope took hold of the men of the varden. They had a new rider even if it was the witch child Elva. They had a real chance at victory. As for Elva she walked up the street in disguise. She didn't want to draw attention to herself and insisted on going alone. She didn't have to travel far as her destination was an abandoned estate that had been given to the old woman Greta who had taken care of Elva as a baby. The estate was also used to house the servants, armor bearers, runners and cooks of the varden.
Greta was out in the garden tending her flowers when the air was filled with the sent of wild berries. "Hello… Greta…"
The old woman turned to face the pink-eyed, dragon marked girl she often referred to as little plum. She looked her up and down; "So the rumors are true…" She said with a crack in her voice.
Elva smiled; "Yes they are true…" Elva cleared her throat. "I uh… forgive me…" She blurted. "I owe you an apology for the things I said to you when Eragon tried to remove his spell…"
They stared at each other for a few seconds and Elva feared she wouldn't accept her apology. Then Greta's face softened and she smiled; "Of course I forgive my little plum…"
They hugged; "If ever you need or want anything ask it and it is yours…" Elva whispered. Greta hugged her tighter. "Now I want you to come with me… There is someone you need to meet…" Elva scooped the old woman up in her arms and took her to the dragon hold beneath the palace. Saphira was there with, Galmore, and Glaedr's Eldunari. Saphira greeted them both and Glaedr did as well from within his Eldunari.
"Greta meet Galmore… Galmore this is my mother and the woman who cared for me for all my life…"
Galmore lay on his side next to Saphira. He stood up and brought his face eye level with Greta. ("We are well met Greta… Elva speaks vert highly of you…") She curtsied and addressed him out loud. Then Galmore touched her on the forehead and then he breathed his hot breath on the woman. Elva gasped because Greta stood tall and strait her hair was long and she had the look of a woman in her early thirties.
("What did you do…") Elva asked to Galmore.
He grunted; ("I don't know exactly… I felt many sorrows in her heart and I gave her something you desired but could not…")
Greta noticed Elva's expression and looked into a well of water at her reflection. She gasped and her eyes began to water; "What have you done to me dragon…"
("I am sorry if you are offended, but I couldn't help it…")
("Be careful when the urges of magic come upon you… It is dangerous to do such things without the proper training…") Glaedr said.
"Well I was hoping to take you for a ride on Galmore's back…" Elva said.
Greta laughed and jumped up and down; "I feel new as the days of my youth have returned."
Elva and Greta jumped onto Galmore's back and off they took into the sky.
Eragon stood on a hill just outside of the city; his elven guards stood nearby, just in case. He watched Glamore climb into the sky with Elva and another young woman on his back. That is when Saphira touched his mind and told him who the woman was. The air was filled with the familiar smell of crushed pine needles. He smiled as Arya joined him and told the other elves to leave.
"I need to speak with you in private…" She said when the elves were out of earshot.
"I am listening…"
She smiled and remained quiet for the next few minutes; "I love you…" She blurted. "I wanted to tell you that… I was going to tell you that after the battle of Belatona."
"Then I got captured… and you…"
Eragon couldn't say the rest it hurt too much; "And I became queen of the elves…"
("One more thing to stand in our way…") He angrily thought to himself. "When did you know… When did you know you loved me…" He had to ask again to keep himself from crying.
She sighed; "When… I guess when we traveled together after you killed the Razac…"
"Fate has conspired against me…" Eragon said; "…Why didn't you say something before I was captured?"
She raised an eyebrow; "Do you think that would have made a difference?"
He smiled; 'I suppose not…"
She took a step closer and kissed him on the lips; "I shall always be your friend…"
He kissed her this time the way he always wanted to; "And I will always be your friend as well…" He sighed; "There are things I need to tell you…"