Thanks to all of you who reviewed, I really value all of the feedback I've been getting. Now, onto the story. This chapter is longer than the others, and the plot is really going to take off from here. Sorry if the characters seem a little OOC, it's not really my strong suit. Enjoy!
Eragon looked at the man, suddenly feeling very uneasy. He raised his hands away from his weapon, to show that he had no intention of causing a conflict and said, "I am Eragon Shadeslayer, the leader of the Dragon Riders. My companions and I are leaving Alagaësia." Seeing that the man loosened up a bit, he continued, "If you don't mind my asking, what is this place?"
"Well met, Shadeslayer. I am Tujeyd, and I help guard the border of Alagaësia, which is where you are now," the man answered, losing the hard look on his face, "Beyond these walls lie wild, dangerous lands."
"I see," said Eragon. Beside him, Blödgharm stepped forward.
"Are we allowed to pass through here?" the elf asked.
"Of course," Tujeyd responded, "but I have been instructed to warn any travelers that pass through that beyond those doors, the land is dangerous and unforgiving. It is inadvisable for all but the most powerful warriors and magicians to continue beyond the border."
Eragon smiled, and said, "Well, I suppose it is a good thing I am a Dragon Rider, and my companions are the most prolific spellcasters in Alagaësia."
Tujeyd nodded and let out a chuckle, and said, "I suppose you are right. Now, Shadeslayer, if you don't mind my asking, why are you leaving Alagaësia?"
Answer wisely, Eragon. We do not want our plan to become general knowledge, Saphira advised.
Eragon gave her a mental nod and then said, "We are setting out to discover new lands, in hopes of adding to the vast amount of information available to scholars throughout Alagaësia." Eragon thought he heard Saphira chuckle to herself.
"Interesting," Tujeyd muttered. He began walking towards the door where he had entered the hallway from, and motioned for Eragon and the elves to follow.
Looks like you will have to wait in the hallway, Eragon said to Saphira, who snorted with disdain.
As Eragon and the elves entered the room, Tujeyd turned around and said, "I don't suppose that you wish to make the journey through the desert on foot. We have stables here, but you would probably need to have two riders per horse, as we do not have very many mounts."
"That would be greatly appreciated," Eragon said, "but I doubt that we would be able to return the horses in a timely manner."
"No worries," Tujeyd replied merrily, "just promise me that you will eventually bring them back. The timeliness does not matter, because very rarely do people visit this place in need of horses."
Eragon swore in the Ancient Language that the horses would be returned, and then Tujeyd brought the group into the stables.
The elves split up into five pairs, and each pair mounted a horse. Tujeyd then led them to the exit at the end of the long hallway.
"There is one more thing that you all ought to have," Tujeyd said, and handed everyone a pouch of water. He explained that each pouch had been magically altered so that when it ran out of water, it would refill instantly.
"Tujeyd, I cannot thank you enough for the horses and water. I wish I had some way to repay you, but the best I can do is to give you my eternal gratitude," Eragon said.
"And that is all that I require, Eragon Shadeslayer. I would do anything to help the man who brought freedom to our land. Now, off with you! Go out and discover uncharted lands with the knowledge that all of Alagaësia is in your debt!" And with that, Tujeyd threw open the doors, and with a final farewell, Eragon, Saphira, and the elves began their journey through the desert in search of a new home.
Tujeyd certainly was friendly, Eragon said to Saphira as he climbed into her saddle.
What do you expect? We are heroes in Alagaësia. However, where we are going, we have no legacy. We should expect no such treatment in this new land, Saphira replied.
Eragon braced himself as Saphira took off into the sky, and the horses below began to trot through the desert. The leader of the Riders raised his eyes, and looked off into the land that he would now call home. Although he could see nothing but sand, he knew that he would find a suitable place to start the new age of Riders…
After a few hours of riding above the endless sand, Saphira's mind reached out to Eragon's.
Eragon! Look ahead of us! she said, her voice full of excitement.
Eragon, who had been resting his head on Saphira's neck, peered out ahead of him to see that a large city surrounded by tall, black walls was quickly approaching. A jolt of excitement ran through his body as he gazed upon the magnificent city.
Suddenly, a familiar voice popped into Eragon's head. He jumped with surprise, as he had almost forgotten that it was there.
I would recommend that you circle back and inform the elves of this discovery, Glaedr said in a commanding tone.
Of course, Ebrithil, Eragon replied, and then grabbed the spike on the back of Saphira's neck as the blue dragon swerved around and began flying towards the elves, who were a few miles behind.
Saphira landed with a crash in front of the elves as their horses sputtered to a stop. Eragon hopped off of his dragon's back and quickly filled the elves in on what he and Saphira had seen.
"I think it would be best if we set up camp for the night, and then went into the city tomorrow, where we can begin to search for information on this land and try to find a suitable home. The sun is about to set, and it would be futile to attempt to find someone willing to answer our questions when the people will all be sleeping," Blödgharm said as he stepped off his horse and took a drink of water out of his pouch.
I agree, it would be wise to set up camp now while we still have enough light to do so. It has been a long day, and we all need to get some rest, Saphira added, and with that the group set up camp and got some well deserved sleep.
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