Chapter 3: Rubyus and Saphira
Triston opened his eyes. He, for once, had not dreamed that night. It had been a week since Eragon had brought the egg home. He then decided that he should scry some more that day, but not just then. Suddenly, he felt a touch in his mind:
Triston. I have found the dragon that hatched out of your brother's egg.
What? I'll be right there!
If you wish to remain undiscovered, leave this to me. Your brother will no doubt come running once his dragon notices me. You should remain in your bed, and not give any sign that you know anything. Also - She has noticed me. Goodbye for now. The touch faded, and Triston fell back in his bed, thinking.
I hope this goes well. I'll need to look at Eragon for signs if I don't hear from my dragon. I should really give him a name, shouldn't I? How about... Rubyus? Yes, that sounds good.
Indeed it does. Rubyus' presence came into his mind for a split second, and then went away again. Triston sighed and began to think, not for the first time, that dragons were tiring.
Eragon was shocked out of bed when a presence came into his mind, screaming:
Eragon, I found another dragon! Come here quick!
Where are you? After that question, his dragon showed him images of what she was seeing, and Eragon pulled his boots and coat on and bolted out the door, looking for the place his dragon was showing him. More images were shown, ones coming from the farm where Eragon had fed her, and showing him how she had gotten where she was. Eragon found that place in about five minutes, his dragon shouting all the while. Can you talk to it? Is it threatening you?
`No, he isn't, but come quick Eragon! You need to see him! He's red and has a black marking around one eye and a white one around the other! Eragon burst into the clearing his dragon was in after that last thought, and did indeed see a small dragon about his dragon's size in the clearing. It also had a white marking around its left eye and a black one around its right.
"Whose dragon are you?" Eragon demanded. "Who are you?" The dragon unfurled its wings and hissed at Eragon and his dragon.
"What do you want?" Eragon asked forcefully. "Why are you here?" The red dragon hissed at him again, and Eragon took an involuntary step back. The dragon collected its wings and began to walk off, when Eragon had a great idea.
"Fine. Come on, he's no threat to you, dragon. Go back to your hunting." Eragon then swiftly leapt at the red dragon, picking it up. He then realized what a bad idea picking up a dragon was, as it tried to bite him. He dropped it hastily and walked back to his dragon.
You really need a better name for me than "My dragon." His dragon said to him internally.
Fine. How about... Well, you're blue, and you're shiny, so how about Saphira?
That is perfect. Now what are you going to do about that dragon?
Just leave him alone, and it'll be alright.
"Dragon, me and my dragon are going to leave you alone, and we'd like you to leave us alone too." Eragon could have sworn the red dragon nodded, but then it went off into the forest, leaving Eragon alone with the newly named Saphira.
How're you today, Saphira? Do you need any meat?
No, I'm not really hungry after this. I'll just go into the forest and try not to meet him again.
That's good. I don't think he could hurt us. We're too big. At least, I'm too big. I really need a sword to fend bad things like him off.
I agree. Saphira thought to Eragon as they parted ways, Eragon to his house, Saphira to her forest.
Triston heard the door open and shut when Eragon returned, and decided to go out himself. After he got out of his bed, however, he heard Rubyus in his head:
Come quickly. There are men searching for the dragons. You must kill them for the Balance to have a chance.
What? Where?
I'll show you. Triston had sudden images of a path from his farm to where Rubyus was, and where the two men were.
Right. I'll be right there. Triston bolted out the door, and into the forest, following the path Rubyus had shown him. As he reached the place, he endeavored to be quieter, but to no avail as one of the men called out:
"We can hear you! Come out, whoever you are, in the name of Galbatorix!" Triston let out a miniscule groan as he walked into the clearing. "What are you doing here, young man?"
"This is by my farm. I was going for a run. Why are you here?"
"That is a secret mission given to us by the Empire. You cannot know, peasant!"
"I'm an educated peasant, -"
"Oh sure, peasant. Leave here or die!" The men pulled out swords from their scabbards, and pointed them at Triston. Triston continued:
"-Kveykva!" He held out his fingertips as he spoke the last word, and red lightning shot forth from them into both the men, or rather, agents of the Empire, he assumed. Their bodies became charred, and it smelled of burning flesh in the clearing. Triston felt quite light-headed, but stayed on his feet. He then called in his mind to Rubyus:
Did they see you? Wait, I just killed men. I killed someone!
I do not believe that they see me, but it likely does not matter, as they are dead.
Well, yes, but I killed them! Ikilled them!
It was necessary. Would you wish that they had found me?
Well, no, but I killed someone! That isn't something people are supposed to do!
Really? You kill animals for food, and you kill plants for food as well as by carelessness, and yet humans are so different? Why?
Because they're the same as me! They're human, and they think, damn you! Why don't you understand?
Because your actions were necessary to preserve the instrument of the Balance, and through that, the Balance itself. You killed them for a reason, and you don't regret it, so why are you unhappy?
I wish there had been another way I could have resolved this, I guess! If you want to use logic on everything and say stuff like that, then yes! I didn't want to kill them, but I did!
If you did, and you know why you did, where is the problem?
The problem is - Never mind, you just don't understand. How has your hunting been?
Apparently I do not. My hunting could be better, but I am doing well. Your brother's dragon has been eating a lot of the mice and rodents, but your brother is feeding your dragon some meat from your cellar, so I have at least some food. How have your lessons with Brom been going?
Well, he hasn't yet asked about you, or the egg I brought him, but I think he knows that you hatched and just isn't talking about it for his own reasons.
You should tell me where Brom is, so I may talk to him.
You can do that with other people than me? Triston was startled, and it carried into his thoughts to Rubyus.
Yes, if they work towards the Balance. I have a feeling from what you have told me of Brom that he may.
Someone would see you if you went into Carvahall, though!
You may cast a spell so that I am not seen, Rubyus responded. Or you may simply act for me as I talk through you, and you may translate.
I'll ask him if he wants to talk to you, first, Triston thought to Rubyus.
That is fine with me. I must hunt now. Farewell, and may your actions preserve the Balance. Rubyus' presence left Triston, leaving him with the knowledge and shame of killing two men.
Triston walked up to Brom's home and knocked on the door three times.
"I'm coming in!" he alerted Brom.
"Ah, Triston. What brings you here?" Brom said as he walked in the room.
"Well, my dragon wants to know if you work towards the Balance. Do you?" Triston saw Brom's pupils shrink to pinpoints, and Triston took an involuntary step back.
"Triston, it is time I told you what the Balance is. Sit down." Brom motioned to a chair, and Triston sat. Brom took the chair opposite Triston's, and began his monologue. "Heyra Neo. The Balance is a group of people who claim to make everything 'Balanced' in Alagaesia. They believe in both good and evil, both order and chaos, in both Light and Dark. They are the enemies of both the Varden and the Empire, in a way. Currently, they most vehemently oppose the Empire, as Galbatorix has lived far longer than any king should, but they also oppose the forces of good, the Varden, because they are 'Too focused on one goal,' and 'Too inclined to good.' Of course the Varden are focused on the goal of defeating Galbatorix, because he wants all of Alagaesia under his control. He is the greatest threat to Alagaesia, no matter what the Balance says. And 'Too inclined to good?' That does not exist! The Balance thinks, or claims, rather - that there are greater threats than Galbatorix that the people of Alagaesia should be aware of as well, and that they should focus on. One such made-up claim is that there are creatures we have never heard of lurking in the oceans, waiting for the right moment to strike. Another is that there are creatures that we have bound to silence that are also waiting to attack. Preposterous, isn't it? The last one that I know of is that there is an army of dragons across the oceans, flying towards Alagaesia to destroy it. The Riders would have discovered the dragons if there were any, and have started to mobilize to destroy them. In short, the Balance is just a few people trying to threaten the people of Alagaesia and make them think Galbatorix is not the greatest threat!" Triston called up Rubyus in his mind and relayed him everything he'd heard, and felt a growl on the other end.
Brom is lying. Triston had never felt a voice or thought with such certainty ever before in his life, and almost shrank back, but didn't. The Balance would never cause undue fear to the peoples of Alagaesia. Fear is one of the only things the Balance believes should not be in the world, as it neither destroys nor creates, but disrupts the natural course of things. The Balance seeks to inform, not to cloud the minds of people, and lets them make their own choices about the world. Tell Brom he is wrong.
I don't think I should, Triston thought cautiously. I'll listen a bit more, and then make my decision and not tell it to him. That good enough?
Yes, I suppose. I shall stay and listen to the rest of his falsehoods.
"Triston, you realize that Galbatorix living and remaining ruler of the Empire forever would be terrible, don't you?"
"Yes I do, Ebithril. Thank you for telling me the truth about the Balance today. Could you teach me the words for shield, water, and earth today?" Triston swiftly changed the subject, but Brom seemed not to notice.
"Of course, Triston. The word for shield is Skölir. You can say a word after it to specify what kind of shield you'd like, which you knew already if you remember your lessons on the grammar of the ancient language."
"I do." Triston said quietly, and thought:
I don't trust Brom on this. I just have the feeling that they're not trying to spread fear. I think they must be powerful mages that know a lot, and don't keep it to themselves.
You are right not to trust him on this subject. The Balance is an entity, not a group of people, unless you perceive the instruments of the Balance as the Balance. Also, I feel he is trying to hide something about his relations to the Balance or his feelings towards it. I cannot tell yet, but I shall let you know when I do.
That's good. I'll try to learn the ancient language from him, and then we can leave in about, what, five months?
Yes indeed. We will help the Balance destroy Galbatorix, and then assist the Balance maintain itself in Alagaesia and the world.
We will.
"The word for water is Adurna, and the word for earth is Deloi. You have that memorized?" Triston was struck back to reality by Brom's speech.
"Yes, Ebithril," Triston said quickly. "My dragon is calling me now, so I'm leaving, if that's alright?"
"Yes, yes." Brom appeared weary and on-edge, which was an affect that Triston had never seen on him before. Triston left cautiously, and heard on his way out Brom murmur: "Lúka Heyra Neo." Triston left the house feeling conflicted, yet having an odd sense of accomplishment.
Why do I feel like this? Why does it feel like I've done something? I've just learned some new words and learned that Brom wants to hide something about the Balance. Maybe it's because I learned that Brom isn't infallible, but why would it be that? Deciding it was useless to dwell on, Triston walked down the forest trails back towards his home, instead of taking the ones on the bare hills. He was uninterrupted on the way, however his thoughts were in turmoil.
Eragon saw Triston coming back to the farm, and spat on the ground. He sensed that something was different about Triston these days, but he couldn't tell exactly what.
Saphira, do you know any reason why Triston would be acting differently? he asked his dragon.
I don't, no. Can you show me him?
Alright, here. Eragon showed Saphira what he was seeing, and she responded:
I don't see anything different, but he has really nice gloves.
Gloves? That's not like him. He never wears gloves, even in the dead of winter.
Then why is he wearing them now?
That's a good question, but I'm sure he's just come to his senses and knows that he needs gloves so his hands don't freeze off.
On a new note, do you have any meat? The pickings are very lean right now. If I didn't know better I'd say there was another dragon hunting.
Remember the dragon we saw? That might be the reason.
It's odd that there is one wild dragon without a parent around here. I wonder if there is a Rider around here?
That's impossible. We're the only farm for a good five miles!
Well, have you considered either Roran or Triston being a Rider?
Roran would have told me, because he knows me, and we're nice to each other, and Triston is too much of a bastard to ever have a dragon want to bond with him.
Have you told Roran about me?
No, but -
Then why would you think he would tell you?
I don't know. Eragon admitted sheepishly. Do you want some meat now?
Of course! Thank you! Eragon could almost feel Saphira's presence jumping around, and he laughed and went to get the meat. He pondered reasons Triston could be wearing gloves, and then a thought struck him.
What if a dragon actually did bond with him, and he's trying to hide the mark on the hand with the gloves? No, that's not possible, a dragon would never bond with him. But what if one did... Eragon kept thinking back and forth these thoughts, and eventually got the meat to Saphira, but continued thinking:
If that dragon is Triston's... Then Alagaesia is doomed unless Saphira and I can fight him off. I think I should visit Brom again, and see what his thoughts on it are. Feeding Saphira, Eragon thought this, and was certain Brom would know the answer.