There was some delay with this chapter, but I can explain.
In Australia school just started up again so I was overwhelmed with assignments and other stuff (details not important). Any way its not abandoned.
To answer to a question from one of my reviewers, both of the male eggs are still in the hands of Galbatorix.
Warning: contains words that readers may find offensive, reader's discretion is advised.
Harry's foreseen doom
Harry was sitting in a dark the room, tied to a chair his hand restrained behind his back. The shadows were obscuring half his face and his cloths bloody and worn
"Tell usssss where he issssss." The ra'zac said, holding a bloodied knife over his head.
Harry glared venomously at the vile and repulsive creature, his gaze filled with rage and loathing. "To hell with you, bastard!" Harry said and spat right into the creature's face.
"We have wayssss of making you talk." The other said, menacingly.
"Why should I tell you? What will I gain?" Harry said.
"A quick death." The ra'zac with the knife said and plunged it into Harry's stomach.
Harry sat bolt upright, clutching at his stomach. He was drenched in cold sweat and was panting heavily.
"Only a dream." He said, though he was deeply shaken.
What most disturbed him was that the dream had been so… real.
Harry had felt the pain shot through his stomach when he had been stabbed, he had felt the cold from the dingy room he was in and he had seen his tortures, the creatures that chilled his bone and made his blood icy in his veins.
He looked over at Eragon who was sleeping soundly. Should he wake him? No, he thought, he need not bother his brother with his own worries. He knew somebody however who he could tell everything to.
Harry swung his legs over the edge of his bed and arched his neck, stretching the stiffness from it.
He got out of bed and pulled on his jacket and shivered. This night, thankfully, was not as cold as the ones previous.
He slipped his feet into his boots without putting his socks on and walked through the kitchen silently and proceeded to the wooden door.
When he opened the door a blast of chilly air rushed inside so he shut the door quickly to avoid letting more cold air in.
The air outside was a good 5 degrees colder and Harry's breath rose in a mist before him.
He walked across the field, careful to avoid the fresh growing crop and entered the stillness of the forest. This part of the forest was not considered part of the spine, but dangers still lurked in the dark shadows cast by the light of the moon shining through the treetops, but Harry knew he was safe when his dragon was about.
Harry's boot's moved silently through the forest floor, years of hunting in the spine had trained his feet so they carried his body with ease and stealth even Eragon could not match.
Harry A voice echoed in his mind as he came nearer to Arasei's little clearing.
Hey Arasei He had chosen Arasei purely because he liked the sound of it. Wether the word had some sort of meaning he did not know.
You are scared Arasei commented, it was not a question; she felt what he felt through their link.
Disturbed Harry corrected.
What bothers you? Arasei asked.
My dreams are becoming more realistic by the day. Harry said as Arasei's resting figure came into view. At first glance she appeared to be sleeping, but on closer inspection, Harry could see she had both eyes open, trained on him. He had had the same dream before, but only now had he felt the pain from the knife.
Arasei lifted her head off her paws and stood, stretching her legs of in front of her and looking remarkably like a cat, except for her sabre like teeth and shining purple scales. Come for a ride with me, I always find flying cheers me up. Arasei said through a yawn.
Harry grinned and he walked over to a tree and pulled a scrap of leather from the hollow. They used it as a saddle because Harry knew that the scales that covered Arasei from head to tip of the tail would tare his thin pants to pieces if he were to ride her bare-backed.
Arasei was slightly smaller than a horse, but could support Harry weight with relative ease. Arasei had strong wings, not quite as muscled as Saphira's, but Arasei was more agile and quick. Eragon had yet to ride Saphira for fear of falling to his doom, much to Saphira's disappointment. Saphira was sleeping a way away looking just as majestic and fearsome as Arasei.
Harry placed the leather just where her back met her neck. It was the only place on her spine where the horns did not grow and so it was the ideal stop to ride.
Crouching down Harry secured the leather saddle by tying it off in a strong not under he neck. With ease Harry jumped up onto Arasei's back and hooked his legs under her neck. As soon as Harry was in place and holding on tight, Arasei crouched down and pushed off from the ground. With a mighty flap of her wings accompanied with a joyful whoop from Harry they took to the sky.
The night was peaceful and calm; Harry rested his head on Arasei's neck and Arasei hummed contently.
It was past midnight, the half moon was clear and shining brightly causing the light to shimmer off Arasei's scales.
The wind was chilly but Harry kept close to the warm body of Arasei. A sense of peace washed over him and for the briefest of moments he forgot the dream that had been plaguing his mind for the past week.
His thoughts drifted and he fell into a trance, wavering on the edge of sleep and wake.
All of a sudden the wind rushing past his ears intensified and Arasei's voice broke him out of his trance Harry!
Shit, Harry thought, he was falling, but how? There was no time to dwell in this though, if he did not act fast, death would be the only thing to await him.
The wind blew in his face and the ground rushed forward to greet him. He had been quite high up in the air, so Harry guessed had about 30 seconds before he hit the ground, and then he would surely be dead.
Arasei was flying down, but she wouldn't be able to catch up in time. He was going to die, there was no way he could live through this, he couldn't believe he had fallen off his dragon; he must've drifted off to sleep unawares.
Harry was about to crash and he closed his eyes and prepared himself for the impact. But he felt something, warmth welling inside his chest, building up and promising to explode. Was it hope? No. It was like a new power, a new strength, and although he had never had this feeling before, it did not feel foreign; in fact it felt familiar, somehow.
Harry did not fight the feeling instead he embraced it. He let in spread to his hands and like he had done this before he let it flow outward. Harry had no idea what was going on, but he knew something was happening.
Harry opened his eyes.
He was hovering, 10 meters from the ground, just above the tops of the trees
The night was dead silent and Harry was shocked but not the least bit tired or scared.
Arasei flew up beside Harry and gave him a deep and searching look.
Magic. Arasei said slowly.
What? Harry asked
Magic, that was what you just did Arasei said.
How do you know what magic is? Harry asked sceptically as he clambered onto Arasei.
I can feel it inside me Arasei said
You don't know magic Harry said
No, I don't know magic, magic knows me, and the magic is a part of me, as it is you Arasei said
Harry thought it over then said In Brom's stories, a mage is always tired after he uses magic, but I am not in the least.
Who says all magic is the same? Arasei pointed out, Perhaps Dragon rider's magic is special
Perhaps Harry said, but he still felt he was missing something important, like trying to remember something that was still just beyond recollection. In time, he told himself, in time…
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
It had been a few days since Harry and his magical outburst; Saphira and Arasei were still growing. Eragon had finally gathered the courage to ride Saphira, though not for very long, he spent most of his free time fighting the tree in the clearing, beating it with a crafted stick and imagining the tree was an enemy solider. He was a good fighter and Harry often watched him spar as he himself practiced hovering a pebble in his palm.
Harry had kept his newfound magic a secret from Eragon, but he had asked Brom about magic and he had explained the basics. From what Harry could tell, his magic was either super advanced or different, perhaps a bit of both. Brom said magic required a great deal of practice and special words, but Harry discovered all he required to use magic magic was focus and intent.
Eragon threw his stick to the ground, sweaty and breathing heavily, and he slumped down next to Saphira and closed his eyes.
Eragon had planned to buy a proper sword ever since Saphira had hatched. "A warrior must have a weapon." He reasoned, so he had asked Saphira to catch deer and other animals for him. Eragon sold the hide and meat in town and in doing this he was making a fair bit of coin, his meat was much cheaper than Sloan's yet still just as good; but Eragon had to disguise some of the wounds left on the meat from Saphira, the townsfolk thought Eragon was using his bow to kill the animals, the fact that he had a giant fire breathing lizard hunting for him was to remain a secret.
Roran had begun his job at the mill and had yet to loose a finger or limb under the grindstone, the cold had given way to a few days of warm sunlight and because of this Harry and Eragon had planned to visit town later that day.
Harry got up and picked up the stick Eragon had been using, he swung the stick in font of him and slashed at an imaginary opponent. Eragon watched amused as Harry attempted to wield the makeshift sword with a clumsy and untrained hands.
He no longer stood a chance against Eragon in an honest duel, however if it came to that Harry had a few tricks up his sleave. Harry had already begun to incorporate his magic into his fighting, he wielded a steel dagger and could conjure a ball of fire in his other hand, he could cast shadows to conceal himself and knock opponents of their feet without touching them. Harry could sneak u behind someone by using his magic to mute the sound of his feet, making easy and silent kills.
Yes sir Harry was one to be reckoned with, a deadly and silent assassin with a Dragon to watch his back.
XXXXXXX
The two boys entered the town and immediately smelled trouble… literally.
There was a strange and putrid stench hovering in the air.
The stench was similar to that of a rotting carcass and piss, quite a strange concoction. Although faint, the smell made someone reluctant to breath. When someone took in a breath of air, it seemed to stick to the roof of your mouth; you could almost taste the vile smell on your tongue.
Harry and Eragon held their noses and hurried into the local Tavern. Mercifully, the smell seemed to stop at the pine walls of the Tavern and the air inside felt clean and fresh.
Harry and Eragon took in a deep gradating breath as they sat down at the bar and ordered some mead.
As the bartender placed the mead in front of them they heard a hiss and Harry's blood ran cold.
It was the same voice.
The same cold and chilling voice from his dream.
Two strangers had entered the Tavern. They were tall, concealed in black robes and bringing with them the vile stench that Harry and Eragon had smelled outside.
The two went up to the bar and said to the bartender. "Greetingsssss" in a low hiss.
"M-may I help you sirs?" The bartender said with a shaky voice, his hand inching to his belt where a dagger was seethed.
"We are looking for two… itemssssss. They were sssstolen about a month ago." One of the strangers said.
"I need more than that." The bartender said boldly, but shrank back when one of the strangers banged his fist on the table menacingly.
"Two perfectly polished stonesssss of great value to the man we work for." The other stranger said.
"I'm afraid, I don't know what you speak of! If you are not going to buy than please leave." The bartender said with as much courage as he could muster.
The two people, no, creatures hissed angrily, "If we find you have been with holding information expect trouble." And they left, taking with them the revolting smell.
Eragon looked horrified, it did not take a genius to realise they were after the dragon eggs, which had hatched to them, no doubt if they caught them they would be taken straight to the king.
Harry stood and whispered into Eragon's ear, "Get Brom, meat me by the stables, we need to leave."
"Where to?" Eragon said.
"Away from here." Harry said seriously.
Eragon opened his mouth and closed it; he nodded then got up and left. Harry wondered what had made him stiffen his resolve; perhaps the thought of what they would do to Saphira if they were caught made him think twice about objecting.
Harry placed a hand on his dagger, ready to pull it out at a moments notice and he left the Tavern, walking quickly but not running, in case the strangers were looking for suspicious activity.
Harry hurried out of town and down the road to the farm, where Saphira and Arasei would be.
Arasei! Harry thought.
What is it? Harry heard Arasei's voice echo on the back of his mind.
We need to go, now! There were two strangers looking for two polished stones in town! Harry said while replaying the memory of the incident so Arasei could see, tell Saphira and stay hidden, but don't go to far away!
Harry saw a flash of purple in the distance as Arasei took the ski, but it quickly vanished behind the thick mist curling off the mountains.
Harry turned uprightly but a second later stopped in his tracks, there standing stock still down the road were the strangers staring straight at him. Harry's blood ran cold, had they glimpsed Arasei? Had they heard his thoughts?
It didn't matter, Arasei was out of range, and so he couldn't call for help. Perhaps if he delayed the strangers he would be able to make it to Brom and Eragon and make a quick escape on Arasei who would no doubt be waiting near the stables.
Harry slipped the Dagger out of his belt and clenched his other hand into a fist, staring straight into the eye of the tallest of the his two foes. Harry saw them draw out two short one-handed swords and hold them with confidence in front of them.
Harry paced with exaggerated slowness toward the strangers, his eyes never wavering from the stranger's cold stare.
He stopped 10 feet away from the two and readied his blade.
Without warning the tall stranger pounced into the air with inhuman speed, his sword held high ready to deal a killing blow. Harry focused on the air between them and, just like he had practiced, thrust out his palm and the stranger was propelled backward by a strong gust of wind.
The other darted forward a slashed at Harry with his sword but Harry Parried and thrust his hand forward a second time causing the attacker to lose balance. Seeing the opening Harry sliced at the stranger, who got out of the way before Harry's blade his neck, however not fast enough to avoid getting his arm sliced open.
The Stranger who had attacked first jumped to his feet and pulled from inside the tunic he was wearing a black knife with an ornately carved wooden handle. He threw the knife at Harry but Harry sidestepped and pounced on the attacker. Harry manipulated the air so it propelled Harry forward toward the one who threw the knife.
Harry knocked the stranger over and pinned him to the ground, restraining his arms and legs with magic and sitting on his chest. Harry delivered two vicious punches right into his face and stabbed him in the gut. The creature hissed in rage and tried to throw him off.
All of a sudden the second creature had hold of his shoulders and pulled him off the other.
The first creature got up off the ground and pulled a second knife from inside his black cloak.
"Sssssso petty, ssssso foolish are the ridersssss." It hissed, "now tell us where the other isssss!"
Harry a feeling of da'ja vu as he remembered his dream, he knew what was coming next. Harry struggled then said his line, almost comically "To hell with you bastard!" and spat into the creature's face.
"We have waysssss of making you talk." The other hissed angrily.
"You really believe you have me don't you? But you are forgetting something, a tiny detail." Harry said smugly.
"And that isssss?"
"THE DRAGONS!" a voice yelled from off the road and turning his head he saw Eragon sitting astride Saphira and Brom on Arasei.
You came back! Harry said to Arasei.
You knew I would Arasei said back.
"Will you continue to trust in your own strength, against a dragon?" Harry said mockingly.
The two creatures exchanged looks than as they released Harry they said, "Be warned humanssssss, our king will not tolerate traitorsssss like you and you will soon be disposed of, painfully and sssslowly."
"How can I betray a man who I never followed?" Harry rebutted, "Now be off, or fear the wrath of my Dragon!" Harry said venomously.
The two creatures bolted down the road, curving off into the trees to the east before they disappeared in the distance.
Harry turned to Brom, "You were right." Harry said as he looked at his knife, which was covered in black blood, "We are on the brink of a war, and we will indeed be in the thick of it."
"Prepare your blade." Brom said to Eragon. "We're leaving for the Varden."
Finally, this chapter is done!
I have been swamped with schoolwork recently so the next chapter will probably be up Friday next week, but don't worry I have no plans in abandoning it.
Anyway I hope you are enjoying the story so far, please read and review.