Chapter Five
The Road to Dorù Areaba
Disclaimer: is in chapter two.
Aragon shifted uncomfortably in his saddle for the umpteenth time.
This was only his second time on a horse,-his first being the day before,-and, although his new master, Elmïra,-the elf who'd saved his life when Dorian had tried to kill him,- had assured Aragon that his horse wouldn't let him fall, unless he jumped off himself, Aragon couldn't help but feel apprehensive about riding.
After they'd all written their names in the Book, they'd each been assigned a room for the night.
Aragon had slept peacefully, and undisturbed that night.
For the first time in nearly three years, he surrendered himself fully to sleep, knowing, that for the first time in a long time, he was in safe hands.
Thelduin hadn't slept though.
All night, Aragon dreamed of gazing out of the window, with his tail coiled around the bed head, gazing out the window at the heavens.
Watching.
Waiting.
Reflecting.
As the first pale lights of dawn had streaked the sky, Aragon was awoken by Thelduin.
Wake up, dear-soul, it is a new day, and a new beginning. She said.
Aragon awoke, feeling completely refreshed.
As he looked around, he saw a new set of clothes on a chair by the window.
The clothes weren't there the night before.
Care to explain? Enquired Aragon as he pulled on the new breeches.
Thelduin returned to observing the sun-streaked twilight as she replied. One of the servants put those there last night, while you slept, he meant neither you or I any trouble, so I didn't concern you with the fact. She said, following an Albatross out too sea with her eyes.
Aragon didn't pursue the matter, as his thoughts turned to other matters.
He was going to ask Thelduin what she thought would happen now, but he was interrupted by one of the servants.
'Good, you're awake, Mistress Elmïra is waiting in the entrance hall for you, do not tarry, she doesn't take kindly to those who are lazy and slow.' Said the servant, then left.
Which one was Elmïra? We weren't told the names of the riders, aside from Dorian, but everyone around here knows him. Aragon asked Thelduin, who flicked her tail lazily.
Elmira, saved your life yesterday, she also was tasked to find my rider by none other than Eragon the Scion himself. Answered Thelduin calmly.
Aragon froze.
'Why would an elven rider want me as an apprentice?' Asked Aragon aloud.
Thelduin glanced at Aragon.
I don't think she would take you as an apprentice just yet, a master although Elmïra svit-kona is, she prefers to take an active roll in the riders instead of a passive teaching roll; If the Scion ordered her, then she would take an apprentice, but the Scion is the only one who she answers too. Explained Thelduin calmly.
So what would she want with me then? Asked Aragon as he pulled on his shirt.
Well, if you'd hurry up you'd find out! Came Elmïra's irritated voice in Aragon's head.
Aragon quickly buckled his belt, and pulled on the new pair of shoes beside the chair.
Thelduin landed on his shoulder as he opened the door.
Behind the door was none other than Dorian, the Master of the Citadel.
His arms were crossed over his chest, and his face was a mask.
Aragon tensed, ready for a very one-sided fight, but it never came.
'Good luck, initiate Aragon, may you achieve great good as a rider.' Said Dorian, then walked off.
Aragon went to ask Thelduin what she'd thought of Dorian's over-night change of heart, then thought better of it as he remembered the elf waiting downstairs for him.
When Aragon finally came to the main hall, he was greeted by the sight of Elmïra and her dragon waiting for him, while Jarren and Sarah watched on.
'Glad to see you finally decided to get up, initiate Aragon, now we can finally get going, come on you two, you're coming as well.' Said Elmïra motioning to Jarren and Sarah, who rose and fell into step with Aragon.
'Where are we going?' Asked Aragon.
'Wait 'til we've put some distance between us and the city, I don't want anyone to follow us.' Replied Elmïra briskly as she and her dragon strode out the doors, followed by Aragon, Jarren and Sarah.
In the courtyard, they were greeted by four horses, saddled and waiting.
Jarren and Sarah mounted two chestnut horses, Sarah slightly less awkwardly than Jarren.
Aragon went over too a grey gelding, and attempted to copy Sarah's mounting technique.
He only managed to fall off the other side of the horse.
Elmïra smiled, amused. 'Hold onto the pommel of the saddle, put your left foot in the left side stirrup, then haul yourself up and put your other foot in the other stirrup.' Explained Elmïra calmly, as Aragon clambered to his feet.
This time when he tried it, he managed to stay in the saddle.
Aragon was snapped out of his reflection of the morning by Sarah.
'So, where are we going then, Tierm is miles behind us now, so are you going to tell us or not?' Asked Sarah boldly.
Elmïra looked back from where she rode ahead of them, on her black mare. 'Although I am not yet formally the master of any of you, while we travel together, you will address me as 'mistress' in this language, or 'ebrithä' in the ancient language.' She said sternly. 'Likewise, you will address Teclian as 'master' or 'ebrithil'.' She added in a tone that broached no complaint.
There was silence for a good few minutes, then Aragon asked. 'Ebrithä, where are we going?'
Elmïra glanced at Aragon approvingly. 'You catch on quick Aragon, we're taking the scenic route too Dorù Areaba, apparently all three of you are to learn from the best.' Said Elmïra in an odd tone.
'How far mistress?' Asked Jarren, as he tore his gaze from the pristine blue waters of the sea on their left.
'Four days ride to the trading city of Narda, then we take a boat to the island from there.' Answered Elmïra briefly.
Jarren looked thoughtful. 'If we hurry, we might be able to catch my father and the Spirit, and save ourselves the coin.' Mused Jarren aloud.
'Initiative, and practicality, very good young Jarren,' said Elmïra brightly, 'how long must we cut off our time to catch your father?' She asked a moment later.
'A day, I can just make out the Spirit a bit further out there.' Jarren gestured off to the left, pointing to a tiny smudge on the horizon.
'Good eye.' Commented Aragon, shading his eyes and squinting at the ship.
A hard hour's riding at a steady canter later, Elmïra began quizzing the three about their knowledge of the riders, dragons, Alagaësia, the various inhabitants of Alagaësia, foreign lands, and various other things, ranging from crafts like weaving, through to swordcraft and sailing.
They were each expected to answer the question themselves, and a good deal of the time they were ignorant of something.
At times like these, Elmïra gave a brief summary of what the actual answer was, or what had actually happened, regarding questions of history.
To the surprise of all but Aragon, he got many of the questions regarding Alagaësia, it's inhabitants, and foreign lands correct.
'How the bloody hell could you have heard of Summersea Port?' Asked Jarren in shock, after Elmïra asked after the capital of a distant country called Emelan. 'It isn't shown on any maps, and to my knowledge, Dad's the only captain from Alagaësia to sail that far Nor-west.'
Aragon grinned. 'Well, you're right, the bloke I heard this off of was a foreigner, I think he was from directly west across the sea, but I forgot to ask him exactly where he was from.' He said modestly.
Take some pride in your knowledge once in a while Dear-soul, it won't kill you. Said Thelduin to Aragon half-asleep from one of Aragon's empty saddle-bags.
'Good you two, Summersea is indeed the capital of Emelan, and good memory Aragon, good to see that what they taught you in that orphanage didn't fall on deaf ears.' Said Elmïra in a neutrally approving tone.
They rode through the sunset, and well past when the moon rose. Finally though, Elmïra conceded that the three novice riders needed to rest, so she called a halt.
Jarren began stacking kindling for a fire.
'No, Jarren, no fire, there are urgals, and worse that haunt the roads close to the mountains.' Said Elmïra warningly.
'Then what about-?' Sarah broke off as Elmïra continued.
'We'll eat cold food, until we reach Dorù Areaba, there, we won't have to worry about urgals, shades, or-' she broke off as a hiss sounded from the darkness.
The only thing I changed here was the time taken to get to Narda, mainly because originally I had this little band going from Tierm to Narda in three days, which is a little far fetched whichever way you slice it.
No One-liners!