okay...so it's starting to get interesting...i'm probably going to start making the chapters a LITTLE longe from now on, so be patient...err...yeah, enjoy!
Urû'baen was a large place, much larger than Feinster, Belatona or Dras-Leona. Eragon found himself remembering Angela's words "she's doomed, you're doomed, we're all doomed!" because it did indeed seem a little too optimistic when the Varden told each other they were going to sweep through the streets like a broom through a kitchen. Who knows, maybe they would, maybe the people of Urû'baen were sick and tired and would surrender to the Varden. At which point Eragon heard the other part of the conversation "see how I did not mention what kind of doom, that means whatever happens, I predicted it…" or something along those lines. Eragon shook his head smiling. What a weirdly wonderful woman. They were close to Urû'baen now. Tomorrow morning Arya, Elva, Blodgharm and he were already going to be at Galbatorix castle and then Nasuada would launch her attack.
Elva was riding on Saphira with him and the two elves were running. They had had a head start of two hours and Saphira was desperate to catch up with them, obviously viewing the occasion as a race. Or maybe it was just to pass the time. Elva was surprisingly mild-mannered. The sharp edge in her voice had left and she tried to speak without her grownups voice and in a childish 7 year-olds voice. He wondered whether Elva had always had the ability to switch her voices, or if it was a new development.
Next opening, land, I think it's about a quarter of a mile ahead of us, but I'm not sure, the animals are unclear.
Already over it! Saphira boasted, swooping down. Why did Arya have to tell him? Saphira had been right. Her fly with him had caused him more pain than joy. More longing. More love.
Saphira landed just as the two elves appeared noiselessly from the woods.
"Yes?" He asked. They had greeted themselves before Nasuada had sent them off, and he thought it a waste of time to greet them again.
It was not Arya, but Blodgharm who decided to speak out loud. "Nasuada presented us with a mirror and told us to contact her as many times as possible, including twice during the journey and once when we have arrived."
So that she knows when we are dead and she can spread the news, Eragon thought grimly.
With those words Blodgharm nodded at Arya who removed the necklace she had hanging around her neck, opened the round pendant at the bottom and revealed a small thumb-print sized mirror. Arya spoke in the ancient language what meant as much as 'glass let me communicate'. Her reflection subsided and an upside down image of feet was visible.
"Err…Nasuada?" Eragon spoke into the mirror. The image blurred and Nasuada's face was visible. By the way she seemed to be holding the mirror, Eragon realised it must be a ring. "Hello again Eragon, are things going well?"
Eragon wanted to nod, but realising, that it might be difficult to see on a ring, he answered in words. "Aye, but how much longer is it until we can see the castle, we have been travelling since morning, at high speeds."
Nasuada hesitated. "Only a little while longer" she replied.
~O~
Worried. He was worried about getting there on time because Nasuada had not told him. She had told Arya and Blodgharm and Elva, but not Eragon. They had to keep him on the right track. Away from Urû'baen, away from Galbatorix castle. Anything to keep him out of the way until the end.
Arya felt a disgust towards Nasuada which she tried to keep under control, but she could not help it. Elva was with them because she was useful, and she could die of the pain, since she could not ignore entire wars yet. Blodgharm was with because he was a worthy protector and a good steady magician, and Arya…Arya was with because if she died, Eragon would willingly kill himself for her.
Arya glowered at the mirror and then searched the sky for Saphira. They were ahead of her and Blodgharm.
Why did Nasuada not send all of Eragon's friends with him as well, JUST IN CASE. What about Roran? Then Arya realised just how terrible the plan was. Roran was too good a fighter, too good a leader. Eragon had to hold through to the end, he had to be ready when the time came and he had to face Galbatorix, so they had to draw out the fight. Make it longer. Sacrifice more people.
Blodgharm seemed to have been thinking the same.
This is wrong, he spoke to her, he deserves to know and make his own decisions. He sounded like a father. She made a mental note never to tell Eragon that thought even if…
Yes, She replied. We should tell him.
Speak with Nasuada first. Blodgharm replied. Arya agreed, let us give her a chance to redeem herself, she thought to herself.
~O~
The ring was a mistake. It was difficult to see and it took her a long time to realise when they were contacting her. However at the time it had seemed like the most convenient object Nasuada had ever owned.
"Nasuada, we need to talk to you." Arya. Nasuada frowned, they had only spoken 20 minutes ago, why was she already contacting her again? Horror picked at her emotion when the question what had happened? Rose to her head. She lifted her hand infront of her as if signalling to stop and looked into the mirror. Arya and Blodgharm. Alone.
"We don't think it is fair to leave Eragon in the dark, he has more right to know than anyone." Blodgharm pronounced.
Nasuada's lips puckered. "It is for the safety of the ONLY VARDEN rider that he does not…"
How could they go back on their promises like that! Eragon had to stay in good health or else…Nasuada could not even bear to think of the consequences.
Arya, although her face was left unmoved, grew unbelievably angry and said quietly but furiously "He thinks he is going to steal the egg, not battle Galbatorix! Who knows how many Heart of hearts he has"
Nasuada let out a small grin "398" she gave away. Arya's eyebrows shot up.
"What?" she questioned in a disbelieving tone.
"The heart of hearts, there are 398 of them, they are in an underground tunnel directly underneath the castle and reachable through a trap door in Galbatorix chambers" Arya seemed to be rethinking.
"That makes the matters worse…" She concluded, shaking her head. "it's impossible,"
Nasuada sighed. She realised that Arya was questioning her leadership and judgement, even if she claimed she wasn't. This was going to be a tricky one…
~O~
What neither Arya, Blodgharm or Nasuada knew, was that the deed was done and Eragon had spooned the information out of Elva. The fact was, he had realised, all three of his other companions had known about the mirror. Why had he not heard about it? Then he realised they must have talked alone, without him. What other information had they hidden from him?
Arya and Blodgharm stood discussing angrily what would or could happen in Nasuada's plan, when suddenly Arya grew aware of a very loud whooshing sound, like an unbelievably strong wind or…
She did not have time to finish her thoughts for just that second she was swept of her feet and when she looked down, she realised in horror that she was dangling at least a mile in the air.
HOW DARE YOU.The Dragon screamed in her head. The sentence was lined was balls of hate, disgust, distrust and disappointment.
HOW COULD YOU? This time it was lined with fear, worry and desolation. Arya realised, Saphira was mirroring Eragon's thoughts and feelings as well as hers.
WHY WOULD YOU? Saphira.
WHY…The last one was the worst. It was not Saphira but Eragon who sent it to her the message and it was not lined with feelings but with pictures. Roran and Katrina. Eragon when he told Arya the first time he loved her. Eragon and Arya at the camp fire. The grass ship. Thorn. Murtagh. Brom. The Ra'zac. The dream of Saphira dying…
Arya clamped her hands over her eyes. The pictures stopped and she wept. The first time she had wept since Faolin's death. The tears came slowly, unused to brimming to the surface. Why was she so weak? She wiped her tears away ashamed. The she looked up at the body of the massive blue creature.
Tell him I'm sorry.
Tell him yourself.
okay answers to my MANY, MANY reviews... come on people! i'd appreciate a little help :( anyway, oh well, here:
Emi.B: soz about the nickname, yes...kinda, but my chapters are always short
R.F: well...not exactly, more just a fill in of information i hate jumping in time, a week is usually my limit...
JAm123: NO! not telling! wierd how things change...last time we spoke u hated her!