Eragon spent the next three days testing and training Ron and Harry, making them do certain tasks while keeping up their mental shields. Hermione had a natural knack at it. Finally, Ron and Harry could hold their own against his attacks.
"The Varden has a few informants who may be able to sneak you into the city, when you are ready," Eragon said. "Getting out, though, may be only up to you. Are you sure you still want to do this?"
"I still want to," Harry said. "I'm sick of waiting around. It's time to do something."
"You're right," Eragon said. "It is time to do something. Galbatorix won't be expecting his precious dragon egg being stolen from right under his nose. On the same day you three try to steal the egg, I'll be launching an attack of my own. The Ra'zac must pay for what they did to Carvahall, and I must rescue Roran's future wife."
"That will be a very bad day for Galbatorix, if both are successful," Hermione mused.
"This war must be ended quickly, but I fear that that may not be possible. Even though dragons mature quickly, it still takes time. And there are no guarantees the egg will hatch anytime soon. The Rider could be anyone," Eragon said. "The longer the war drags, the more lives lost or ruined. But, if we just let Galbatorix be, he'll continue to ruin lives as he chooses, and he may set his sites on the larger world."
"And he won't die anytime soon, will he?" Hermione asked.
"Unfortunately, he won't, unless there's either an accident or someone kills him," Eragon said. "I'll have to leave soon. I left the Varden rather abruptly."
"Yeah, we need to work on stuff as well. Like how to get out of Uru'baen quickly," Harry said.
"Let's keep in contact, and we can set a day later for the double attack."
Eragon then made preparations to leave. He asked Mrs. Weasley if she had enough food to spare his journey back to Surda.
When he was packed and ready to leave, Eragon mounted Saphira, and she did a vertical take off, jumping up and climbing the sky with her powerful wings. Below the Burrow dwindled, and those who were watching him were no longer visible.
Alright, now that we have a way, we can get the egg. I just hope those three will be all right, Eragon said to Saphira.
Like you, they're adults now. They'll be fine, just like we'll be fine, Saphira replied.
I hope you're right, Eragon said.
The days passed, and the Golden Trio had been secretly practicing Apparition. They knew that they would have to use it to escape. The problem was, however, was practicing so that not only could they not be seen, but heard, as well.
They finally took to taking the invisibility cloak and leaving the Burrow for some forested hills. There, they practiced in secrecy, on always keeping lookout. Finally, the day came when they were confident enough to go anywhere they've been before. Going someplace they've never been to before was another thing.
Harry sent Hedwig with a note stating their readiness. Then, he, Ron, and Hermione waited for Eragon's response.
They were surprised when Eragon came back, personally. He had ridden hard and fast, mostly to avoid detection above the cities in the Empire. He didn't want to have to fight Murtagh just yet.
"I've arranged for housing for the three of you, and for a guide into Uru'bean. How we're going to get you to Surda, though, is still undecided. Saphira, though strong, certainly cannot take all four of us, not for the long journey to Surda," Eragon said after the greetings were done.
"I have a broomstick I can fly on," Harry said.
"What about us?" Ron said, indicating Hermione and himself.
"One can ride Saphira, with me. So, we need transportation for the other," Eragon said.
"I would borrow a broomstick from my family, but I'm not sure if it'd be able to keep up with Harry's Firebolt and Saphira," Ron said. "We're not rich."
"Well, we can slow down a little. But how are you going to travel without being seen? We'll be passing over Muggle towns and cities," Eragon asked.
"That's easy. We can cast a Disillusionment Charm," Hermione said. "That way, only Saphira will be seen."
"Well, I guess it's settled. Why don't you pack up what you need to take? Remember, take only what you can carry. Food and necessities only," Eragon said.
Flying high above Empire, going much slower than Eragon had at first anticipated, all five of them could see the destruction. Entire towns were razed, and cities were crumbling. Apparently the Muggles had gotten very scared when faced with a large, fire-breathing dragon.
Hermione gasped at the destruction. But the Muggles should have retaliated using their advanced weaponry, she thought suddenly. That was when she saw several downed planes, of the fighter type, and she understood. Murtagh was using his magic.
"Eragon! Could your magic stop a projectile going faster than the speed of sound?" Hermione asked over the wind. She rode Saphira behind him, her arms wrapped firmly but not too tight on his midriff.
"There are wards that would make projectiles miss. Like all magic, it drains the caster's energy. Also, if the magician could utter the spell fast enough, he could take control of the projectile in question. Being able to break into others' minds would be useful in that situation," Eragon said. "The Muggles can make objects go that fast?"
"Yes," Hermione said. "I thought that the Muggles, once Galbatorix started exerting his rule over them, would retaliate and possibly even kill him."
"Well, we may still need help from the Muggles. Surda is smaller than the Empire, and cannot create an army as big as the Empire can. The Varden had moved to Surda, so the two are more or less combined for now. The last thing we need is to draw Galbatorix himself out prematurely though. With Murtagh still around, I'm definitely not ready to face Galbatorix yet," Eragon replied.
Draco arrived in Surda dirty and sweaty. Two things he did not like to be. But, he had to keep a low profile if he was to succeed in his mission. Draco planned on doing more than what his part was, this time.
What about the dragon? An annoying thought popped into his head. He remembered the nonchalant way the dragon had explained how hot its fiery breath could get. I'll just deal with it when the time comes, he firmly told the nagging voice. Besides, I bet the scales of that dragon are worth a fortune, and many of its other parts as well.
He smiled at that thought. His family had always had money, and bringing in more money would certainly please his father. He'd also be doing the Dark Lord a huge favor by killing the dragon as well, for the last thing they needed was a vengeful dragon on their tails.
A shadow cast overhead, and looking up, Draco could see the blue shape of the dragon, high up in the cloudless, summer sky. He didn't see the Rider, but then, the dragon was so far up, draco probably couldn't see him anyways. Looking back to the road in front of him, he sidestepped quickly to avoid some manure left behind by some work animal.
Filthy backwater Muggles. Worse than the Muggles of my world, Draco thought, sneering inwardly. He did his best to keep his expression blank. He listened to conversation around him, for the caravan guards in front of him were very loose talkers. The caravan in front of him was carrying goods from farms on the edge of the border to the capitol.
"Heard another attempt on Lady Nasuada's life was made," one started.
"But that kid, Elva, prevented it again, right?" the other said, apparently already having heard this story.
"Right. Have you seen her? A dragon mark on her forehead, and violet eyes. Unnatural, violet eyes," the first one said.
"She the one that Eragon's blessing turned wrong?" a shout from further ahead asked.
"Aye, but he offered to fix it. She declined, for the moment. Said she was more useful the way she was, she did," the first one shouted back.
The last caravan driver roared at the gossiping guards, "I'm not paying for the lot of you to gossip. Keep your eyes peeled for bandits!"
The conversation died, but Draco had learned that his foe wasn't infallible. Even the mighty Rider made mistakes. Little did he know, the Rider in question did not make mistakes very often, and also seemed to be very lucky.
Saphira landed in the castle courtyard yet again. The castle was built as a last defense against enemies, and though parts were ornate, it had that feel to it. Once the dust settled, Hermione removed the Disillusionment Charm from Harry and Ron, who also landed in the courtyard.
Servants came to help unload Saphira. Eragon knew better than to refuse their help, though he didn't need it.
The King of Surda, Orrin, greeted Eragon alone this time. When asked where Lady Nasuada was, he was told that shortly after he left an attempt was made on her life. Elva prevented it.
"Galbatorix's forces here remain vigilant," Eragon said. "Has anyone fished out the culprit?"
"Yes, and the culprit was dealt with. So, these are the three who will attempt what Brom and Jeod started long ago. Let's get you to your quarters. Roran has been looking for you, Eragon," Orrin said.
"Do you know where he is now?" Eragon asked. "I'd like to speak with him."
"Unfortunately, I don't know exactly know where he is at the moment," the King of Surda said.
"Even here, there may be enemies about," Eragon warned the trio. "As you have seen. So, be cautious."
"We will be, don't worry," Hermione said.
"Alright. Very few know about your mission. Even your guide doesn't know the true nature of your mission. So, don't speak about why you're here," Eragon added to his warning, in low tones. "Your guide's under the impression that you're going to spy in Uru'baen."
"We'll be careful," Harry said.
"Then let's get you settled in," Eragon said, nodding to King Orrin.
"A servant should be here in a moment to escort you. I have duties I must attend to," Orrin said.
"I must report to Nasuada, as well. Are those meetings still going on?" Eragon asked, referring to the border meetings that have been taking place.
"Unfortunately. I fear it may be a while before those meetings are finished," the King replied.
"I thought that they'd stop once Galbatorix started exerting his power on the unfortunate cities and towns that happen to be in the Empire," Eragon said. "I saw quite a bit of destruction on my way here."
"We've had reports from our sources in the Empire," Orrin said. "Those diplomats want us to wait for the United Nations to decide what to do."
"We can't wait, can we?" Eragon said, his voice flat. "Galbatorix certainly won't wait to try to strike us."
"I've been trying to impress that on to the diplomats. This isn't just a skirmish, it's a full blown war," Orrin said.
"I agree," Eragon said.
Just then, a servant came up, panting. He bowed deeply to both King Orrin and the Rider. Eragon shook his head at this, but said nothing. "Are these the three whom I must escort, sire?" the servant asked.
"Yes," King Orrin said. "Take them to their rooms."
"I'll stop by your rooms after I take care of my own duties," Eragon promised. "We still have to plan exactly how it will work out."
The trio was led away, and Eragon set out to find first Nasuada, then Roran. Once Nasuada was informed of everything she needed to know, Eragon went to first Roran's room, then the training grounds to find his adopted brother. He found Roran in his own room.
"We'll be attacking the Ra'zac soon," Eragon said by way of greeting. "At the same time, an different attack on Galbatorix's forces will be held. Someone is going to try to steal the last dragon egg."
"So, at last we'll have our vengeance, and I can have Katrina," Roran said.
"We'll be attacking the Ra'zac in their lair, so we must be extremely cautious. Who knows what hidden dangers Helgrind has for trespassers besides the Ra'zac themselves," Eragon cautioned.
"Right, right," Roran said. "But the Ra'zac will pay for what they did to Carvahall, Father, and Katrina."
