Yep another dark and dreary chapter. ExA have a small argument and the Varden get some visitors. Tell me if it sucks I don't mind, it's the only way to improve.
The days to Orrin's funeral seemed to adopt a detached aura; many a things may have happened or nothing, Eragon could never remember. Life in itself lost its lustre and the future came into conflict with the dreams of free men.
Nothing was said. Nothing needed to be said.
It was at times like this that Eragon withdrew into himself and hoped, hoped and wished for an antidote to their failure; because that's what it was, honeyed words could not disguise it. Yes they had won the skirmish, but war always had a price and sometimes it was too steep, too taxing and the carefully constructed vision would crumble. He and Saphira had survived Oromis's death with their hopes still breathing, just. But now the liberators were trapped, encapsulated within their own prisons: petty squabbles and churlish desires took hold of men's hearts now that the affair between Surda and the Varden was on the brink of collapse. What held these men together now? Their diplomat was gone. It was a question taunting not only Eragon but also Nausuada, Islanzadi even Arya; it was what kept them awake at night and what drowned them with insecurities.
How cruel of fate, to mock us with failure so close to our goal, Eragon thought,his heart heavy with worry.
No reply graced his musings and that was what scared Eragon, more than the haunted look in his friend's eyes, more than the collapse of discipline within the ranks of the Varden, even more than the presence of the creature.
It was getting dark now, the small rays of light receding over the horizon. A faint wind slowly picked up, pelting Eragon with minute specks of dust and razor edged leaves.
A quiet howl carried across the land and then nothingness... or so Eragon thought.
It was the urgent pattering of feet that first alerted Eragon to danger. He waited, tense, his sense tingling. An urge to destroy crept into his limbs along with a childish excitement. This intruder would pay for its boldness... dearly.
It was a savage emotion, inhuman. An emotion the foolish farm boy who embarked upon this crusade wouldn't even recognize.
"Saphira come quickly."
A frustrated roar greeted his words, "I come."
Perhaps it was a result of his heightened awareness or the fact that he was leagues from the Varden' camp that served to increase his surprise at the appearance of a certain elf.
"Arya!"
She was panting, sweat dripping from her forehead, her hair clinging rebelliously to her flawless cheeks. Eragon stood slowly as if performing a dance, shocked at her appearance.
Brisingr quickly left its scabbard, showering the dwelling with its brilliance.
"We have been searching for you Eragon; do not shield your presence so thoroughly: we know not when we may require your assistance or you ours."
Her bearings oozed submission. This was not the Arya he knew; Eragon tightened his defences.
His eyes hard, Eragon growled, "What has happened Arya?"
"I believe the true question would be to ask what has not happened," she regained her usual coldness, emotions quickly vanishing, "Murtagh and Thorn attacked less than half an hour ago... But," her facade somewhat cracking, "They were also accompanied by our true foe."
The rest of her words were drowned out by Eragon's warring conscience. Galbatorix had finally forsaken his lair, the cold hand of misery and horror pressed down upon Eragon's back, his feet froze and Brisingr clattered to the ground with a distant thud. What could he hope to achieve now? His power was insufficient. Nothing existed to balance the scales. Even his paltry hopes were crushed, swept away with the Varden's end.
"Saphira..."
"I know little one, I am coming."
Defeat laced even her emotions; she who had always been confident in the past.
Eragon felt small, small and insignificant.
"I've failed Saphira."
She did not contradict him.
Turning back to Arya, the terror clear in his tone Eragon voiced the question gnawing at his heart, "What... what are we to do now?"
"I don-"
"Roran... Katrina... Nausuada," Eragon croaked, his heart was hammering, turning over each and every scenario.
"Nausuada made it out... she travels to Feinster... as for the rest... I know not," she stopped, "I am sorry."
A rage, so deep that even Saphira recoiled from him, filled Eragon to the brim. He would make them pay, all of them, they would all burn in his personal hell. He turned to the encampment, the faint blaze of the fires now visible. One foot pushed its way forward.
Arya reading his bearings swiftly blocked his path, her right hand shooting out to hold him in place.
"No, you cannot."
Lashing out with his left elbow Eragon grazed Arya's chin, he launched another barrage at her, angered at the failure of the first. Ducking under his blows Arya stepped back hastily, putting a small distance between the two. Her eyes twins pools of anger. Still she refused to move, her stance firm.
"Move woman or I swear I will kill you where you stand," Eragon roared.
"Think Eragon," she insisted, "That is exactly what they want you to do; what do you hope to achieve with your demise? As long as you live there is hope, no matter how slim, a hope men and women have died for."
Eragon's tumultuous emotions barely acknowledged her words. Just as he was about to attack again Saphira intervened.
"Eragon get a hold of yourself, Arya is right your death will serve no purpose. We must push all that much harder now."
"You are right," Eragon conceded regrettably, the thirst for vengeance was still strong, but now logic was reappearing.
He slumped to the ground, eyes downcast and tears welling behind the lids. Arya approached him cautiously kneeling at his side as if in prayer. Eragon did not look up; neither did he offer her an apology. He did not see the need.
Arya allowed his silence to pass unchallenged, he needed this, even the elf could tell. So she waited.
(Little Time Lapse Here)
Saphira landed softly her feet barely making a noise, the usual brilliance of her scales subdued by the night; even still both rider and elf were brought out of their reveres.
"Oh Eragon," she murmured, nuzzling him affectionately.
Sadness and understanding passed along their link and, despite everything else, Eragon thanked the gods who had blessed him with her.
"What are we to do now Saphira?"
"I... am unsure...your rage clouds my thoughts... perhaps Arya has a plan..."
Eragon turned to the elf in question, his eyes dead. She had been watching their exchange, her eyes narrowed, with an emotion akin to jealousy across her features. It was gone as soon as it came.
"What," Eragon started, letting the words roll across his tongue, "Do you suggest we do now? Saphira and I are lost on the subject."
"Blödhgarm and those elves who survived are already making their way to Gil'ead; we shall join them... but tonight we rest here, we know not what Galbatorix has released upon the land."
Nodding in appeasement, Eragon craned his neck slightly to catch sight of the now smouldering remains of the Varden's encampment. Life just seemed to complicate with each passing day. Eragon could feel the hollowness building up inside him, soon he wouldn't care for the war; victory or defeat, it would be the same to him.
As time passed Eragon found himself staring at Arya: should he apologize? He battled back and forth for several moments, until finally the choice was made for him. Arya's head drooped slightly to the front and her eyes fluttered shut.
He continued to watch her for a while, till her state of impassiveness dulled his senses and it became difficult to stay awake. His final thoughts before the darkness engulfed him were of his cousins and their unborn child.
Roran... I'm so sorry.
Never again, never again shall I fail.
Something changed within Eragon; a harsh tug deep within him marked the end of naiveté. A sharp, almost painful determination rose from the ashes. Reborn, almost as a complete opposite... almost.
Failure is a vice of the weak.
So I figured out how to check stats and I have had 1600 hits, but only 5 reviews. Come one guys, tell me if it sucks I don't mind, really. It's how you improve. Tell me what is bad and I will try to fix it. I tried to cut down on the dialog a bit. So yeah hope you liked it. Oh and point out any errors. Are my chaps to short? Or is my writing bad? (I have never written a story before, only description pieces so I expect this).
Updated Chap a bit.