A/N: Hey, guys. I know this chapter is really short. :/ oh well. I started a new Hunger Games story. I'm like obsessed with working on it :). I'm really excited. I went to the bookstore today (Like you care XD) and I saw all the Inheritance books in the front. It was cool. So I bought like two hundred books. :). ANYway, I'm going on vacation, so I can't update for three weeks. I'll work on my stories though, while I'm away. Now read!
Disclaimer: I don't own Inheritance Cycle, but you might have thought I did because I haven't put the disclaimer in for like ten chapters.
Chapter 23!
Eragon paced the interior of her tent, staring intently at the floor, as if it held all the answers he sought. It had only been a day Nasuada had left with Murtagh for Feinster. Most likely they hadn't even arrived in the city yet.
Eragon still did not know what to think of his elder brother. Part of him almost wished that Murtagh would reveal his sinister intentions. But he had sworn in the ancient language that he was not in league with Galbatorix – at the time. Murtagh could very well have renounced Galbatorix. But he also may have joined forces with him once again.
Perhaps his half-brother really had repented and changed for the better, but Galbatorix could still be in control – he had bound Murtagh in a way that, as far as Eragon knew, was irreversible.
And he worried about Nasuada, his liege lord, friend, comrade and confidante. It was for her sake that he hoped Murtagh stayed sane for the duration of their excursion to Feinster at least.
He berated himself for not accompanying them, or even insisting that the Nighthawks come along. Worst-case scenarios plagued Eragon the previous night, so he had settled himself by placing wards around Nasuada. He had asked Saphira if she had gleaned anything from Thorn's mind, but the dragon had been weary at the time. As far as could be told, Thorn was completely innocent, but a little consciousness had been nagging at her mind. Eragon had dismissed it as an unfortunate pig which had been subject to an experiment of Angela's, but now he dwelled on it. Could it have been an eldunari? If so, what was Murtagh planning to do with it? What was the point of hiding the dragon heart-of-hearts on Thorn? Murtagh had turned the eldunarya that he'd admitted to having over to Eragon yesterday.
The glittering stones felt as if they had been sitting in the sun when Eragon drew them from a bag which had been underneath his cot, taking care not to touch them in the process. They could not be mistaken as nonliving.
One stone was iridescent purple; the other was an earthy burgundy. Glaedr's eldunari rolled out last of all. Eragon had been tempted many times to enlist Glaedr's help or advice, but he figured that the dragon was still wallowing in grief. It was understandable – he couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like to loose Saphira.
But the dragons in these eldunari were perhaps centuries old – he could call on these sagely beings for help.
Tentatively, Eragon laid a finger on the reddish stone. Emotions coursed through him – sadness, loneliness, loneliness like he's never imagined possible. Yet, there was also a sense of peace.
Hello? Eragon said, tentatively directing the thought in the direction of the eldunari.
Who, after so long, is disturbing my misery?
My name is Eragon. Alagaësia is in great peril. A magician named Galbatorix is –
Must all two-legs unload all of their burdens on mighty dragons? What interest have I in human affairs?
You don't understand. I am a dragon rider, one of the last, and your kind is gravely endangered. Your wisdom is much needed.
A dragon rider. How wonderful. It was a dragon rider who last seized my eldunari and drained me of my vitality. I care not about the fate of Alagaësia; I care not if my kind is destroyed. I care not if my eldunari is destroyed, for I have nothing to live for. I've served my usefulness, and my rider had plunged into the void long ago. Now leave me be, Eragon.
Though Eragon was only mildly surprised by the dragon's cynicism, he was taken a bit aback by it, nonetheless.
He was reluctant to touch the next eldunari, but still he pressed a finger to it and let a swirl of emotion overtake him.
Who calls upon my wisdom? The dragon inquired. Its voice had an almost feminine quality, like Saphira's opposed to Glaedr's.
It is I, Eragon Shadeslayer, Eragon replied.
Shadeslayer? Sounds promising, the dragon remarked. I am Empress. My rider was Ava. She passed into the void long ago. I pine for her… It's been so long since another has sought my knowledge.
A sagely dragon's knowledge would serve Alagaësia well right now. There is an evil magician name Galbatorix ravaging the land by means of powerful magic. No one can seem to oppose him. In order to oppose him in war –
War, the dragon said dramatically. I have no desire to be used as a weapon of battle. Leave me Eragon Shadeslayer, for I shall not aid you in opposing your enemies.
Eragon groaned. Why were all dragons so obstinate? He supposed he should have expected it, but that put him no closer to defeating Galbatorix or recovering the last dragon egg.
The sound of wing fluttering and a heavy landing alerted Eragon that Saphira had just landed outside. That and the screams of terror.
How many times do have to tell you land elsewhere? Eragon scolded.
Sorry, Saphira replied, unrepentant. She grinned toothily.
Eragon caught a whiff of her breath and almost fainted. You need your teeth cleaned! He gagged and ducked into his tent to retrieve the herb Angela had given him for his dragon's breath once.
Saphira eyed it distastefully when Eragon held it in front of her jaws. You expect me to eat that?
Come on, Eragon urged. It's tastes good, see? He pooped a leaf in his mouth and began to chew. The herb was minty, with a bit of tang. It was the after-taste that made him spit the leaf out.
Tastes like tar, he thought disgustedly, then, realizing this wasn't very encouraging added, in a good way.
Good try, Saphira said, snapping the sprig of herbs from Eragon's hand. Luckily, I don't require much persuading.
The young boy Jarsha appeared just then, presumably bearing a message.
Saphira growled in greeting. Your breath really does smell much better now, Eragon noted.
"Hello, Jarsha," Eragon said, smiling amiably at the boy.
Jarsha nodded a hello. "King Orrin wishes to speak with you. He's up at the red pavilion."
"Thank you," said Eragon, tossing the boy a crown.
There. It's done :) subscribe and review, please!(x1,000,000). Come on, you know you want to! I think the next chapter is going to be from Orrin's POV. Just so you know, I don't think I'll be going back to Murtagh or Nasuada for a while.
Thanks to Writer of the North for beta-ing for me! Award for being awesome. I have a bunch of new reviewers I want to thank. I'm beyond happy. Special thanks to Restrined Freedom, just for being cool and reviewing every single chapter!
Also, I had chapter 4 last on the chapter list because something really weird happened... Well, I fixed that and removed the author's notes too.
Bye/Chao/Read my next chapter/Peace
-Seastar