Chapter 5

Finally, it's getting warmer! I have been cold for too long!

I know Saphira, we never have to go back there again! I need to feel the sun on my skin! I've never been that cold in my entire life, not even in the winters in Carvahall!

For the past three months, Eragon and Saphira had been exploring the cold expanses of the north. For the first couple of weeks they had flown over grass plains and forests. Melding their minds together and extending their consciousness in every direction, they were able to sense all the life around them. The came across vast herds of wild deer and oxen, as well as large groups of predatory cats that that worked together to take down their prey. From high above, they also spotted nomadic tribes, similar to those in the Hadarac Desert.

Gradually the weather started getting colder and colder. Animal life thinned out and plant life became scarce. They passed mountains taller the Spine but much colder. Saphira fed off herds of woolly deer that managed to survive despite the harsh conditions. Eventually they reached the ocean. The ground was made of snow and ice and they saw blocks of ice floating in the sea as well. Although the area seemed devoid of life, using their minds the pair were able to discover that in fact the sea was teeming with fish. They even saw a giant creature that looked like a Nidhwal leaping out of the sea, but its mind was not as dark.

Now, they had left the cold north far behind, and were heading east. A few days ago they had seen Du Weldenvarden on the horizon. Both Saphira and Eragon longed to visit, but both knew that if they did, they would never leave. So on they went. Each day it got hotter, and each day Saphira got happier. She was in her element. Dragons loved the heat, and Saphira was no exception.

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months and on they went, encountering no people of any kind, be they humans, elves, dwarves or urgals. All the while, the Eldunarí extended their consciousness' in every direction, seeing through Saphira, Eragon and any life nearby. Together they soaked up all the information they could, storing it away in case the Riders may have use of it sometime in the future.

After four months of travelling since they left the north behind, Saphira and Eragon came to an ocean. Saphira landed on the beach.

What do we do now? Keep going or turn back? Saphira?

All this flying has made me bigger and stronger than I could ever have imagined being for my age. I believe that with a full belly I could fly without stop for five days. Maybe six. Masters, what do you think?

It was Umaroth who answered.

We sensed the ocean a few days ago and we have been discussing what to do since. We agree that you are certainly strong enough Saphira. You are one of the strongest dragons of your age I have ever seen. Since we started our journey, the Eldunarí have collectively been gathering energy from the life around us. We have a wide enough reach that we can take a small amount of energy from a large number of creatures without harming any of them. We have gathered a very large amount of energy in this way, enough to move several large mountains. Or enough to keep a dragon in the air for up to two weeks. If you wish to carry on we will support you. If you wish to turn back we will support you in that as well. You are the Lead Rider and Dragon. Yours is the final decision.

Eragon spoke first.

Saphira, if you're able, I think we should continue on. We've come this far. If we fly for about a week and still can't sense any land ahead of us, then we can turn back. But you're the one flying. You decide.

I agree we should continue. I know that I'm strong enough. But I need to eat first. Let us rest here for a couple of days. I can fill my belly and we can rest before we attempt the crossing.

So for two days Saphira gorged herself on the deer and goats living in the dunes beside the beach. Eragon replenished his own food supply, gathering fruits and hunting rabbits, then cutting and drying the meat into strips. He also found a local spring, and was able to make it into a pool so that Saphira could take regular drinks and keep herself hydrated for the long trip ahead.

At dawn on the third day, they left the beach. Saphira rose as high as she could without freezing Eragon – who was wearing all the clothes he had brought. The air became thinner as they went up, and less resistance meant that Saphira could conserve energy.

Guided by the Eldunarí, Saphira located and used the air currents to go faster than she would normally be able to fly using only her wings. The continued in this way three days, without meeting any form of weather – good or bad – other than the wind they were using to their advantage. However, on the fourth day, they were hit by rain. Rain that lasted for a day and a night. It made the two of them miserable and it weighed down Saphira's wings, making the already tired muscles even worse. Every hour Eragon cleared her wings of water with an incantation, which helped, but not by much. Finally, they flew through the other side of the rain cloud, to be met by blazing sunshine and a spectacular rainbow.

While Saphira concentrated on flying, Eragon and the Eldunarí spread their minds in every direction, trying to find life that indicated they were near land.

With the wind to help her, Saphira managed to fly for eight days unassisted. It was on the eighth day when Valdr spoke to them.

Young Ones, I sense birds to the south-east. Perhaps one more day's flight.

The Eldunarí flooded Saphira with some of their stored energy. She let loose a jet of flame and a roar. Her muscles were re-energised, her body no longer tired. With renewed hope, they headed south-east.

At dusk, on the ninth day at sea, they saw land on the horizon. A couple of hours later and they could hear the cries of sea-birds, but it was deep in the night when they finally landed. Saphira managed to find a group of hills just beyond the ocean front, where she settled into a small valley and promptly fell asleep.

Eragon could not get the saddle off her back, so he simply pulled out his blankets and curled against her side. He dared not sleep, however. Although he could not sense anything around them apart from rabbits and birds, they were in a new land, and he couldn't be too careful.

Saphira slept through the whole night and all of the next day as well. When she woke up the following evening, she was famished.

Hello, sleepyhead.

Hello Little One.

There's a herd of deer about a league away, if you're hungry. In response to Saphira's quizzical eye, he said, I went exploring a couple of hours ago, while you were asleep. As far as I can tell we're alone here. It seems to be deserted.

Well, I'm going to fill my belly with those deer. I'll be back soon. Don't cause any trouble when I'm not here. Saphira gave a mental smirk.

Eragon was indignant. How could I possibly cause trouble? There's nothing here! Anyway, I don't make trouble, trouble finds me!

Saphira let out a draconic chuckle. Whatever you say, Little One.

Then she spread her wings and leapt into the air, silently gliding in the direction of the deer. She returned a short while later, and then proceeded to clean herself of the gore.

How many?

Three, Saphira said nonchalantly.

Three?!Are you sure you won't be too heavy to fly tomorrow? Eragon teased.

Watch it Eragon, Saphira warned, you may be a Rider, but I am a dragon, and I can squish you like bug.

Yes Saphira.

The following two weeks they spent going inland, not encountering a single person. They passed over deserts and bogs, forests and plains, Saphira staying so high in the sky that if anyone below happened to glance upwards, she would appear to be no more than an eagle.

One day, Eragon saw smoke rising in the distance.

Saphira, do you see that?

I do. I smelled it a few leagues ago. Shall we have a look?

I think so. But these people have probably never seen a dragon before. Let me cast an invisibility charm around the two of us, just in case.

Saphira glided closer and a village came into view. Or rather, what was left of one.

I can't sense anyone nearby. I think it's safe to land.

Saphira settled gently in the centre of the village, only raising small clouds of dust. Eragon hopped off her back and looked around the village. It brought back unpleasant memories of the war against the Empire. Most buildings had been pulled down, and everything had been set on fire, although it must have been done days previously, for the wood that was left was only smouldering. Here and there were white hand prints on the ruins. Thankfully – but Eragon was curious as to why – there were no bodies anywhere. Perhaps the inhabitants knew the attackers were coming and fled. Either way, it was clear that something bad had happened here.

Let's go Saphira, there's nothing we can do here.

So they flew on, passing ten more villages in a similar state over the next four days.

Eragon, I smell blood. There has been war here recently.

Saphira spotted the battle-site not long after.

There, she said, by the ford. It was apparent that nobody was alive, so Saphira alighted on an outcrop of rock beside the river.

Cautiously, Eragon approached the ford, unsheathing Brisingr as he did so – this was the first time he had needed the sword since they left Alagaesia.

There were bodies scattered everywhere, on the banks and in the water, the ford too shallow to wash them away.

There were men and horses, but also creatures that Eragon had never seen before. They resembled urgals, but had no horns. Most were the size of normal urgals, but there were others that were nearly as big as Kull.

Although these creatures made up most of the dead, it appeared they had won the fight. Off on one of the banks, was a circle of men. They had clearly died fighting back-to-back. They had put up a good fight, too. They must have killed fifty of the creatures before they were overwhelmed. Again, Eragon saw the white hand. It was on the face of every dead urgal-like creature.

Together, Dragon and Rider continued on their journey. Both felt unsettled, however. Something was ill-at-ease in this new land, and although neither could say how they knew, it was obvious to the Lead Rider and Dragon that there was evil at work.

After another week of flying, Saphira said suddenly, Eragon, I can see a large group of people ahead of us. I think it might be those creatures we saw at the ford.

Because of Saphira's far superior eyesight, it was another couple of leagues before Eragon could make anything out. What he did see shocked him. Group was an understatement. It was an army.

Saphira, can you see how many there are?

Thousands, she paused, I'd guess ten thousand.

Ten thousand! If it was groups of those creatures destroying the villages, an army that big has only one purpose: to destroy everything it comes across. Are you able to get over them? I want to try and hear their thoughts.

Saphira caught up with ease, staying so high she resembled a bird. The two of them opened their minds and carefully scanned the thoughts below, keeping up strong mental barriers at the same time. What they found confirmed their worst fears.

The creatures were not very intelligent, and seemed to be bred for war. Their numbers were because they were expendable. The only thing on their minds was death. Hate for men. Blood-lust.

As far as Eragon could tell, they seemed to be the creatures resembling Kull. Their weapons were crude, but effective. They did not feel pain, and had no self-preservation instinct. They would keep fighting until they were dead.

Just before they pulled away, they found the leader. This one was smart. He had intelligence. He was controlling the army. He knew where they were going. Eragon and Saphira managed to get the directions from his head without him realising. Then they returned to their own minds.

We have to help, Eragon said at once. We can't just leave those people to be slaughtered.

I agree. Should we attack?

No. I don't think so. We're too exposed. They don't seem to have any magicians protecting them, but their numbers are too great. We'd never kill all of them before some escaped and spread word of us. We know something bigger is at work here. Something evil. I can feel it. So can you. We can't turn our backs and go back to Alagaesia without destroying it. The dragons would never be safe. We should go to 'Helm's Deep', as these creatures are calling it. Hopefully we can earn the trust of the people and fight with them.

I am proud of you Little One. You have truly become wise. Saphira sent feelings of love and tenderness through their connection, letting him know exactly how proud she was of him.

Of course, you're right, she said, let's find Helm's Deep, we've people to protect!

AN Please review, positive or negative, all feedback is good! Constructive criticism is welcomed! Nym