Chapter 17

I received a review asking me how Murtagh is so weak. When I was writing the chapter of Murtagh and Rya's fight, I thought about it myself and came to the conclusion that Murtagh hadn't had any battles after his leave, thus making him somewhat rusty in the art of duelling with swords. Anyway, here is chapter seventeen.

How could you be so stupid Eragon? Saphira scolded him. From what you've told me, you didn't seem to even wait to hear what happened next.

Saphira, I was angry. Tell me one time you have been able to control your anger, Eragon retorted.

Saphira leaned in closer to him, her snout inches from his face. He could feel the fire in her chest and the heat from her breath.

I am a blue dragon. We are well known for controlling our anger, just as the red dragons and the black dragons are known for how fierce they become when they are angry. Now go heal yourself. You look like hell. Arya managed to properly disfigure you. Were you even trying to defend yourself?

No, he admitted.

A plume of smoke erupted from her nose. Heal yourself then! Do you want to look like a cripple?

Eragon sighed and walked off. Scars and bruises were the most difficult to heal. He had many of the latter. Arya had kicked his face a good few times. He didn't really have anywhere to go so he walked back to Saphira and sat back down, hiding his face from her so as to make her stay quiet.

Saphira, why do you think she tried so hard to stop me?

Why do you think I tried so hard to stop you? She retorted.

'Fair point,' he said aloud.

Rya was seated next to him, petting Moonstone and teaching him words in the common tongue.

He reached out for her and she came closer to him, as a niece would an uncle. She continued stroking Moonstone. They stayed like that for a while before Eragon felt another presence watching them.

He leaned closer to Rya's ear. 'Someone is watching us,' he whispered to her.

'I know,' she replied, whispering along with him.

'Do you know who it is?' he asked.

'Murtagh.'

Eragon was glad that she had forgotten how he had treated her the other night, but now he thought she might remember it because of Murtagh's presence.

'How do you know?'

'Moonstone told me.'

Eragon was surprised. It had taken Saphira a few months before she could even say his name, let alone remember other ones.

Eragon let her go and stood up, ignoring Murtagh for the time being.

'Rya. Do you think I should try and solve my differences with Arya? About my vengeance on her behalf?'

Rya shrugged. 'Do whatever you want, but I don't think she will listen. According to the lessons Zenith used to give me, the elven maids are hard to apologise to. You could try and anonymously stalk her. It may help you understand what to do next.

Eragon nodded and walked off. They were camped at the foot of the spine. Eragon had awoken to find himself back in Osilon with the Riders he had set out with. At first, he had thought of it all as a dream, but him bruises where Arya had kicked him proved otherwise. Arya also hadn't even looked twice at him since he had woken up. She had made a new tent on the other side of the encampment and flown on the other side of the group. They were now, just on the outskirts of Therinsford. They would be heading out for Narda that night. They would be travelling during the hours of darkness in the case that there would be Riders hidden in the mountain caves and peaks.

Eragon walked towards the easternmost section of their camp to search for Arya and found her conversing with a few elves. Eragon silently paced over to her. Arya had her back to him. He gently took hold of one of her shoulders. What happened next had been totally unexpected. She had turned around and did a fancy counter which Eragon didn't get a chance to see. He received a sharp, striking kick to his head and found himself in a lock with both his arms barred behind her left elbow and her right hand cupped his neck, with an unbreakable grip. His head felt light from the kick. How she had managed to kick him so quickly then put him into a lock was a mystery to him.

'Eragon!?' she blurted out in surprise. She immediately released him and he clumped to the floor. He felt dizzy and couldn't tell who he was looking at or what they were doing. Arya didn't even help him get to his feet and he remained on the floor as he spoke to her.

'What do you want Eragon?' she asked. A hint of malevolence tinged her voice, causing Eragon to shiver.

'I wanted to speak to you,' he said in a half groan. She had kicked him right where she had punched him, right on the bruise. He hadn't removed it so it ached.

Arya didn't say anything but just looked at him. He hadn't noticed but Saphira was still in his mind.

I told you it was a stupid thing to do. Arya didn't love him but the death of her mother's best adviser won't exactly allow her to enjoy the presence of the one who killed him.

Shut up Saphira! The last thing he needed was her taunts. And to add salt to the wound, Arya left him to lie on the floor and stalked off. Why is she so angry with me? I killed an elf, but she doesn't even let me tell her that I had no control over myself.

Bah! Was all Saphira said. She then pulled in her wings and jumped off from the ground and took flight.

'Eragon,' he heard a familiar voice call. He looked up and saw Blodhgarm with his arm reaching out towards him, as if to help him up. Eragon took the hand and was pulled to his feet. He sagged against the elf for a moment before straightening himself up. They then spent the next few minutes discussing what Eragon should do with his whole Arya being angry situation. Blodhgarm didn't seem to have any problems to be speaking to him about these matters. He also gave Eragon examples of his own setbacks with his mate. Eragon seemed to be happy to have his company and reassurance, although he and Blodhgarm had become very close after they left for Edoc'sil Deloi. The topic had changed and Eragon was glad about it. Constantly being criticised by one of his closest friends didn't help him gather his confidence. They were currently talking about their dragons and how they felt when they hatched for their Riders.

Eragon heard a roar. A dragon's roar. It wasn't a normal one either. It sounded… bloodthirsty. The thunderous sound of a flapping dragon echoed through the sky of the setting sun setting from the tip of the mountain. Eragon looked around the sky. From what he could see, there were no dragons from his group in the sky. Suddenly he remembered the reason he had originally set out for.

Rouge Riders.

Eragon and Blodhgarm both ran to their dragons and mounted them, preparing for a battle. Sildaghm reared up along with Saphira. Eragon magically magnified his voice so everyone in the camp could hear him.

'Riders of my order!' his voice boomed. 'The rouge Riders approach! Today we convey the responsibility that has been bestowed upon us by our dragons! Today we help the populace of Alagaesia whose safety has been entrusted to us! And do not forget! Never turn your back to the enemy! Do not die as a coward after everything your masters have taught you! Now we charge into the face of the enemy!'