Part Nine:
You sat in the conference room amongst Eragon, Murtagh, Ismira and the council members. Phaddo, an old woman was the only female amongst the old council members with silver like hair held up in a bun, her robes hang on her skeleton like body and her wrinkled face always wore a cold expression on her face. Her thin lips were chapped and her aquiline nose made her look like an old hawk.
Wallesk, a man looking to be in his middle-ages sat like a statue, his face long and strict no emotion showing on his features. Gurt and Brun were dwarf brothers but not twins. They both had long red beards and big smiles on their faces. Iroast was the youngest however he was still looked to be as old as Wallesk. He had short black hair, plump lips and strong jaw with thick bear-like body. His eyes shined with life-force and fatherly love. The only one giving you goosebumps was Hastvu who had grey skin with tattoos all over his body and was bald. His black eyes pierced into your soul and he seemed to look out for only his own wealth.
'We received the message from Jonaldel about the attack on Gil'ead… how are we supposed to react when Vraë locked away Du Weldenvarden? The elves retrieved now and we cannot reach them.' spoke up Wallesk.
'Taking back the city won't make any difference. The Soulless King will come to us anyway' said Gurt matter-of-factly. You sighed knowing his words were true. You saw what the soulless king was capable of with his soulless knights and half-dead soldiers. Last time the encounter has been fortunate for Alagaësia but now… the recruits weren't ready, the royal bevies were lacking of soldiers and the elves were locked behind the barrier of Vraë not seeing the truth. Sacrificing the new recruits who weren't qualified yet was something you would never let the council do.
'But we can't let him get close to Uru'bean! Queen Jonaldel's authority is not stable yet because of the new king of Surda. That damn brat thinks he can do anything he wants!' growled Iroast reminding you of Thor.
'We could send a message to the Soulles King and ask him to fight our armies only once. If he wins, we retrieve and he can take Alagaësia. If we win, his armies will go back to his lands and we raise a wall on the side lines of our countries one with magic ensuring that they cannot get over it ever again.' you spoke up after a long silence making everyone look at you. Some of them had frightened expressions, like Phaddo and Wallesk while Murtagh's eyes just shined at your suicidal idea with a smirk on his lips. Eragon's eyes sparkled with curiosity and nervousness.
'It is the riskiest idea I've ever heard of' gasped Phaddo. Hastvu rolled his black eyes at her and let out a huff.
'And those ideas were a long time ago, I assume' remarked the grey skinned man making your lips quiver a bit as you tried to fight the urge to smile. Phaddo's eyes flashed to him while her face changed into a dark red.
'How dare you-!' she screeched. Eragon stepped into the fight with a motion of his hand.
'Please, stay away from rude comments on each other and try to focus on the urgent case we're facing right now' his voice sounded irritated but you knew he was hiding his smile. Everyone thought Phaddo was as old as Alagaësia itself and her ridiculous behavior pretending she's young still was making her more ridiculous.
'Still that idea is way too risky' crossed her arms the old woman.
'We can't afford more than one battle against the Soulless King, Phaddo. The new recruits will be barely ready for battle and the almost all of the older generation of the Riders died in the former battle. I know because I was there' you leaned forward in your chair. 'The royal army is too small to rely on the whole battle and the elves are locked inside of Du Weldenvarden.'
'We could still try to get in Du Weldenvarden and move Vraë out of the elven throne' spoke up Murtagh suddenly snapping your attention to him. You knew what he wanted and you didn't like the idea.
'How? No one knows the elven palace enough except Eragon and he has to teach the recruits' said Brun.
'I lived there through my life' you said dreadful at the thought. You couldn't go back but you had to. You already felt the nausea coming to you at the thought of standing in the throne room of Ellesméra or in your room or anywhere you could be reminded of Arya and your failure. 'I could lead my friends through the lands. Prince Loki and Thor are strong and fast and have experience in battle just like Lady Sif.'
'They need to bear magic if you want to step inside the barrier. Vraë will be alarmed of your magic knowing yours already and it will be suspicious for him to feel unknown magic enter Du Weldenvarden.' turned Eragon to Murtagh with furrowed eyebrows.
'The elves who stayed here are enough for them to create a layer of their magic for the four of them to cover their own magic' shrugged Murtagh. 'I used that method before.'
'When?' you quirked an eyebrow.
'When he broke in to rescue you' sighed Eragon tiredly. Your eye widened at that.
'You did what?!' you cried out in surprise and anger. 'You know how dangerous was that?! Vraë could've killed you for trespassing illegally!'
'I told him the same things' noted your father. 'But (Name)… you are the most important person in our lives and we needed to try everything we could to get you back.'
'Still…' you sighed putting your face in your hand. 'I think the meeting is over for today. You can leave. Father, uncle I want to speak with you two.'
The council members widened their eyes at that but left the room quickly. You sighed and got up from your seat anger filling your body as you glared at the two Riders in front of you.
'Maybe I am important to you but what about me? Do you think I wouldn't be angry at myself if I would've known that any of you died because of me?! I cannot lose either of you! I wouldn't be able to handle that! Not after mother's and Srunugr's death!' you yelled at them angry tears running down your cheeks. They acted like foolish brats not thinking about the consequences. Just thinking about losing them made your heart throb in pain. You just got your life back and the knowledge that Murtagh could've died for you was overwhelming.
You saw their mournful expressions but soon were enveloped in a tight hug by both men. Your sobs rocked your body until no tears were left and you could breathe normally again.
'You're so much like your mother' sighed Eragon making you and Murtagh laugh quietly.
'I scold others the same way she scolded me' you giggled.
'I could hear her screaming from the training fields when you went to Asgard without permission' ruffled your hair Murtagh. The three of you went to your duties after that so you started searching for Loki, Thor and Sif to tell them the news.
Lunch time was coming soon and so when your stomach let out a grumbling sound you weren't surprised too much. You decided to find your friends later and look for something edible. You walked down to the dining halls where there was already dozens of young Rider recruits and a few from your generation. They wore the uniform they got when they joined the Academy. Dark brown leather pants and vest with a white linen shirt and laced boots. You could make out perfectly the small copy of the Academy's flag on their chests sewn into their vests. You remembered your own generation and remembered how they looked at you. Most of them had jealous and angry sparks in their eyes while the rest just ignored you. Darla and Frask were the only friends you had from that time and of course there was Ismira too but she had other friends who mostly just avoided any contact with you.
At first you didn't understand why they acted like that but soon you realized the reason. They could all see the similarity in you and Eragon and how differently he looked at you. They were jealous because Eragon was someone who wrote Alagaësia's history and they wanted to be his sons and daughters too. You sighed heavily and tried to shake those thoughts out of your head while you stepped in the line waiting for food. Someone nudged your elbow drawing your attention to them. It was a young boy, human, around sixteen with light brown hair and green eyes. He had a straight nose with strong jaw and definite features. He sported a light blush as he looked at you with his mouth slightly ajar.
'S-sorry, (Name) Dröttningu… but… can I ask you something?' he asked quietly. You smiled at him kindly and nodded waiting for him to continue. 'Will you be our new teacher?'
You lifted your eyebrows in surprise and cleared your throat. It was not something you expected. Why would you teach them anything? You were a failure in the Rider history. You lost your dragon because you were careless.
'Why are you asking me such a thing?' you asked back.
'Um… I-I'm sorry if I offended you in any way… I just… we all saw you walking around the Academy again and… we thought you would join the teaching staff. A-and you are quite skilled with magic and you were the best student in your generation so…' his blush deepened with every sentence if not every word making you chuckle lightly. He was a cute boy and you were sure the girls at a nearby table were absolutely staring daggers into your back in jealousy.
'You didn't offend me, don't worry' you chuckled again however your smile faded from your beautiful face. 'I'm not sure if I should be the one teaching you new ones anything at all.'
'What?! Why?!' he cried out in protest. You smiled at him with a pained expression.
'Did you hear about the first battle Alagaësia had to fight with the Soulless King?' you asked quietly. His eyes widened and he looked down on the ground in shame for asking something like that.
'But… Dröttningu… everyone of us pays for our victories. We chose a life where we need to face the truth and accept that we cannot have what everyone else can. We give up something or someone to protect many others. You did the same back then and everyone should respect you for it' said the boy with furrowed eyebrows. You looked down at him and you knew. He was going to be bigger than his classmates. You reached out to mess his hair up with tears in your eyes when one of your former classmates approached you.
'You shouldn't praise her, kid. She lost her dragon because she was careless.' spoke up Knuset. He was now a man as tall as Thor and just as well-built. He had platinum blonde hair and icy blue eyes with white skin. He was always competing you in school and was always a jerk to you. Your eyes narrowed at him and pulled your hand from the boy at your side.
'And who told you that it was wise to poke your nose in other people's conversations?' you quirked an eyebrow. 'As I remember you were placed to behind the leader of the second division back at Yazuac while I was leading a division.'
'I didn't forget that you were always hiding behind your parents' shadows and that's how you got so high' he spit the words at you. You felt your blood start to boil in your veins but you managed to keep your calm.
'I worked for it, Knuset and you know that too! If you would've concentrated on your own improvement and not on accusing me of your lack of intelligence and try to play tricks on me you would've been the one to lead the division right next to Eragon!' you replied meaning every word. You didn't hate him back then and not even now. He was the type of person who tried to find someone to accuse of their own faults. His eyes widened in surprise.
Slowly his lips curled up in a smirk as he found his words for a reply but was cut off by someone gripping his shoulder making him yelp in surprise and pain too.
'I assume it was enough, Knuset. The lunch break is almost over and you still have a mission to go to' said Eragon with burning fire in his eyes. Knuset decided to turn and go to prepare for his mission leaving you with a group of recruits and Eragon in the dining hall.
'I was perfectly fine defending myself, father' you sighed and picked up a plate of food before walking with Eragon to a table.
'I know, (Name)… but I'm still your father and will protect you' he smiled at you while digging in his own plate of food. You ate in silence for a long while when you looked up at him and spoke up.
'You know that boy, there at the front?' you pointed out the boy who talked to you a half an hour earlier. Eragon nodded.
'He's Ceraige one of the best students. He's always late of his lessons but pass every exam with the highest grades, why?' he asked quirking an eyebrow at you questioningly.
'He will be your successor in taking over the leading of the Academy and he will fight with everything he has when it would come to defend his home' you answered still watching the young boy, Ceraige with a small smile playing on your lips. Eragon looked at him too now with something in his eyes you couldn't quite place. It was close to relief and expectation.
After lunch you began your search for Loki, Thor and Sif. You walked down to the training fields where you assumed Thor would be and you didn't have to look for too long because of the victorious roar sounding from a large group. You smirked and placed your hand on your sword by your hip. You pushed through the crowd and crossed your arms in front of your chest waiting for Thor to win against one of the eldest Riders, Ithas and elf. The elf who finished the Academy earlier than you wasn't bad at sparring but he was always into magic. He could've been better but he never wanted to so Thor was now in superiority.
Ithas moved forward his sword pointing at Thor's chest but the blonde prince knocked him back with Mjölnir easily. Ithas landed on the ground with a loud thud and lifted his hand in surrender.
'Anyone else?' looked up Thor with a large grin on his face. You walked down unsheathing your sword smirking at the blonde giant.
'I'm going to show you that I can still kick your ass' you replied making him smirk playfully. You lifted your sword the tip pointing towards Thor before you made your move and ran to him. He barely had time to react and dodge your sword as it sliced through his leather vest leaving a whole in it. You turned around and swung your sword at his waist not waiting for him to wake from his stupor. He stepped back so your sword just flied next to it. But Thor had a different idea and decided to strike back. He swung Mjölnir towards you but you crouched down quickly and kicked his legs from under him. He fell flat on his face but reached out for his hammer. When Mjölnir arrived in his hand however he had no time to move because you were pointing your sword at his throat.
'Just like last time' you smirked. 'I won.' You let down Kweikva and stepped from Thor offering your hand to help him up which he accepted with a big grin on his face.
'You are still the finest warrior along with Sif, (Name)!' he beamed at you.
'However now I need to talk with you and the others. Meet me at the garden an hour later' you said not waiting for his reply as you made your way through the crowd and left him to entertain the recruits. Next were Sif and Loki. You passed by the old and new students who looked at you with awe. You thought all of them hated you like back when you were just a student but from what Ceraige said and how he acted showed you that those times passed and you could finally live like you wanted from the beginning. However that case changed too and all you wanted was to be with Loki and you were determined to have that life.
To be continued…