"Oh my word..." Eragon gasped.
I thought so. The smell was too old.
Eragon was speechless. Just like in the dream, Bid'Daum flew over the plain without stopping, and they both sat in stunned silence at the carnage.
So this is what my kin and yours have been up to, Bid'Daum said sadly. It's worse than you let on. Indeed, they flew on and on, and still every inch of the ground was covered with bodies. Elves were torn into dozens of pieces, dragon limbs lay scattered about the field, blood was everywhere, and so were the flies, scavenging creatures and birds of prey. We are far too late.
Eragon was silent, saying nothing even when Bid'Daum finally pulled back into the clouds to begin their retreat. Neither of them said anything through the whole flight, which was made at a far slower pace than prior.
They stopped for the night and still had not said a word, the loss and overpowering sense of failure looming over them like a giant with his club drawn. Eragon especially could not pull himself together; it was all too similar to his dream. Where was the maiden then? Did he really have the answers, or had he been delusional, from the very beginning?
Are you hungry? Bid'Daum asked in the end.
And at first Eragon did not respond. But finally he nodded and pulled an apple from his sack. Bid'Daum watched him eat, and once the apple core lay underneath the dirt (courtesy of a brooding Eragon) he laid his head near Eragon's knee.
So this is what awaits us if we idle for too long.
Yes. Eragon answered after a moment.
Then we need to hasten back and search for news.
How? Bid'Daum, we may be the last remnant of our species. I've never seen that many elves in one place in my entire life. Eragon began shaking; the tears were finally arriving at the corners of his eyes.
Live and let live, Eragon. You and I are not dead, therefore we must do what we can to preserve what is left. It's our destiny.
You believe in destiny? You believe that those elves – those dragons died because that was their destiny?
Eragon, Bid'Daum sighed, smoke curling out of his nostrils. Life isn't just about breathing. It's about living. With others. That's what you're fighting for, boy. Remember that. Weep now, but come the morning, put on your brave face and let's keep living while we breathe.
Yes sir, Eragon breathed, hugging his knees to his chest and allowing the tears to spill, allowing the sobs to rack his body. Bid'Daum crawled around and let Eragon lean against his warm tummy, and they sat as such until dawn.
Let's go, little one. Bid'Daum nudged Eragon with his nose. Grudgingly, Eragon stood and mounted Bid'Daum.
The flight of that morning was quick, and they landed in the clearing where they had left Eliana before noon.
These tracks are fresh, as of yesterday, Bid'Daum mused, sniffing Eliana's footprints.
She probably went to find more news, Eragon muttered.
And where would she look for that?
No idea. Let's follow the tracks by air.
And how do you propose we do that?
Eragon sighed. He hated not thinking up to speed.
Magic, he grumbled half-jokingly.
All right then, if you can think of a spell that will do that, I will fly us there.
Eragon blinked twice before he realized that magic could indeed serve that purpose. A spell and a launch-into-the-sky later and they were hunters of the sky, the two minds melded into one purpose.
There.
I'm on it.
Bid'Daum rolled into a dive, extending his wings at the precise moment so as to not crash into the trees. Eragon vaulted off of Bid'Daum, through the trees, and landed softly in the grass. He immediately caught sight of Eliana.
Eliana herself whirled around at the sound of Eragon's arrival, sword in hand. She stopped short.
"You two are fast."
"We were too late."
"You – oh no." Eliana froze and dropped her sword, her glare losing its intensity and fading into a blank expression. "No," she whispered.
"I know," Eragon sighed. "I assume there's no more news?"
Eliana shook her head ever so slightly.
"No, no, I haven't been in contact with elves since I saw you off."
"Do you know where we could find some?"
"Elves?"
"Living ones, preferably." Eragon grimaced.
"Maybe," Eliana whispered again. "There's a chance – but you probably don't want the Queen to find you."
"That insinuates the Queen is still alive."
"Unless fate has dealt unusually cruel cards today," Eliana mumbled. "She should be fine."
Bid'Daum dropped from a tree, and padded over to Eliana. She placed her hand on his nose, and clenched her eyes shut.
"If we go by dragonback we could probably find a camp by sundown," she added eventually.
Bid'Daum? Eragon asked.
Hop on.
Eliana vaulted into the curve of his neck, and Eragon followed suit, just behind her. Bid'Daum leaped into the air, following Eliana's instructions obediently.
Just as she had promised, before night fell the caps of camouflaged tents could be spotted in the forest below.
Drop me off here, Eliana instructed.
Are you sure? Eragon asked.
Positive. Where will you two be?
Somewhere. You know how to contact us, Bid'Daum snorted.
Right. If I hear anything I'll let you know.
We'll be on the lookout as well, Bid'Daum murmured.
"Be safe," Eragon whispered into Eliana's ear.
"You too," and with that Eliana vaulted into a tree.
Let's go, big guy.
Without getting spotted by unwanted eyes, I presume?
Indeed.
I know where we can stop!
Bid'Daum... you've lived how long in an enchanted forest? As far as geography skills go, I'm afraid I still outknow you.
I was going to say a lake. But that works too.