Chapter Twenty-Three

Of Justice and Charity

Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Aragon was deeply grateful to see Ilirea again.
He was even more deeply relieved to find that not only had Elmïra found lodgings in Ilirea away from Oromis',- thus eliminating having to see Morzan,- but that he was allowed a day's rest before he had to give answers.
His first act,-after bidding a good day to Jarren and Sarah, and then extricating himself from Elmïra's bone-crushing hug,-which surprised Aragon more than anything else,- was to stagger into his new quarters, hunt out a fresh change of clothes, run himself a bath, then collapse into the steaming hot water with a contented sigh.

A little over eight months ago and you would never have been caught near a bath, and now here you are savouring it like a well-matured wine. Observed Thelduin with some amusement from where she was coiled up on her dais.
Things happen, in this case I became your rider, and as a consequence of my training under Elmïra I've learned to enjoy baths as a way to unwind and relax. Replied Aragon with the air of someone enjoying themselves deeply.
You mean you got used to them when Elmïra made clear you were bathing or sleeping outside. Replied Thelduin with dry amusement.

'Well,' began Vrael from the head of the table, 'thank you Aragon, but it appears you can't provide any answers about how you came to be bewitched, or how you managed to come back from the dead like that; however, I think I can safely say that I am impressed with how your training goes, evidently your studies under Eragon and Elmïra are going extremely well.' He said.
'Master?' Asked Aragon, frowning. 'Err…not to put to fine a point on it, but that vagabond…you know, killed me,' he said.

'Yes, and before he did, you dislocated his shoulder, he was a former Rider himself, and one of the youngest to complete our training, not to mention one of our most gifted; the fact you even hurt him that much before he killed you bespeaks that you're a fighter of rare skill,' replied Vrael.
'That's not to say,' broke in Elmïra, 'that it's all down to you. Far from it, if you were to fight a more experienced practitioner of martial arts, they'd be able to beat you inside of ten seconds, but there's no doubt that you do have talent, just not that much,-the martial way can,-with time and practice,- turn even the most unhandy idiot into a deadly fighter.' She said.
'Yeah, you only have to look in the mirror to see that Elmïra,' said Dalemore with a smirk.
This earned a,-very quiet,- chuckle from Oromis and Vrael, and a death-glare from Elmïra.

'Alright, enough of this horse play,' said Eragon, cutting over what was most likely going to be a rather coarse retort. 'We still need to find Aragon a task to complete to show how far he's come, and after the debacle the last one turned out to be, I don't feel all that confident in saying he passed or failed.' He added.
We believe that it may be, as he is so much older than the average novice, that we should set him a harder task; perhaps tracking the slavers rumoured to be operating between the Hadarac and the Beors? Suggested Bid'Daum for all to hear.

If Elmïra and Teclian failed to find the lair of those vermin, what chance do you suppose their apprentices stand? Asked Umaroth shaking his ponderous head at the suggestion.
'That they'd actually find the slavers, if they can't hear wings beating, I'd say they get pretty damn cocky; and if that's the case, maybe my two apprentices can track them,' answered Elmïra, crossing her arms and looking up at the old dragon coolly.

The table was silent for a long while, and during that time Aragon didn't know if he wanted them to say 'yes', because it'd mean he was a long way from Morzan and Kialandì,-who evidently planned on turning the younger riders against him,- or 'no', because he was so downright tired after his unexpected death, resurrection and journey home; not to mention that it would mean he and Thelduin would have to complete the task alone, as well as face the dangers the journey entailed alone: Ra'zac, wild dragons, urgals, wild animals, Shades, not to mention the slavers, as well as common bandits.

'Well…' said Vrael at last, 'fine, I give in, Novice Aragon, your new assignment will be to locate the slavers known as 'The Phantoms'; as their name suggests they're elusive, and they've evaded many Riders before you; you will leave for this quest in a week's time. Do as you will until then, and if you so choose, you may ask a companion along,' he added.
'As you wish, Master Vrael.' Said Aragon with a bow, before backing out of the room.

When the doors banged shut behind him, he immediately went to Thelduin, and sat down looking rather dejected on one of the coils of her tail.
'Well Thelduin, looks like we're going to the Beor Mountain foothills.' He said faintly.
But we get the week off; and by the time we get back, Morzan and Kialandì will have forgotten what they were trying to pin on us. Replied Thelduin, nudging Aragon with a talon.
Here's hoping. Replied Aragon, already planning on how to use the upcoming week.

The next day, Aragon was in the middle of reading a copy of The Lay of Umhodan, when he was interrupted by Elmïra.
'We need to talk.' She stated flatly, after snapping her fingers under Aragon's nose.
'You didn't need to do that you know,' said Aragon in annoyance, before putting the scroll aside and standing.
Why've you stopped reading? We were just getting to my favourite part. Asked Thelduin in annoyance, flicking open one of her blue-green eyes.
'Come on, I think it's about time someone enlightened you as to what's happening with this girl who got you and Dorian killed,' said Elmïra, walking to the door.
Well versed in their elven teacher's quirks, cues and mannerisms, Aragon wordlessly followed, and after an annoyed huff, Thelduin shrunk herself and flew after them, alighting on Aragon's shoulder as he closed the door.

They walked in silence a long while through the streets, before coming at last to one of Ilirea's landmarks: The Tower of Gilderian.
Ostensibly one of the most complete libraries in Alagaësia, it also featured a spiral path along it's outside.
This is where Elmïra finally broke the silence.

'Usually when something like this happens, we leave it up to whichever part of a pair is left alive to punish a transgression like this,' she began, 'however, your ressurection leaves us a thorny problem: Seithrena doesn't blame the girl so much as Galbatorix and his pet Shades, same with Thelduin and yourself, but we still need to punish the girl for stealing the egg and starting the whole thing in the first place, and as you're back from the dead, the council decided to leave the girl's punishment at your's and Thelduin's door.'
Aragon was silent for a long while, not even speaking with Thelduin.

As they came to a bench, he stopped and took a seat.
'I can't really blame her for stealing the egg.' Stated Aragon baldly to Elmïra after he'd sat down.
'Oh?' She asked, 'why?'
'Because…' he broke off. 'Because, if Dorian had've succeeded in throwing me out of the hall, I would've gone after an egg regardless; Another year on the streets probably would've killed me, I don't think even having to fight Teclian would've stopped me.' Aragon answered.

'So you understand her motives and feel a kinship with her?' Pressed Elmïra.
Aragon nodded once.
'Yes, although that doesn't mean that I think she shouldn't be punished,-dying was very unpleasant,- but I think death is a little extreme a punishment…' He trailed off.

Then an idea struck him.
'Is there a mark of high shame among the riders?' He enquired curiously.

When she awoke, still in the same bare stone cell, it was,-as usual,- because someone had opened the door.
With deep reluctance, she opened her eyes, sat up, and pushed her hair back over her shoulder, to come face to face with none other than the rider who got stabbed in the heart.

'And so we meet again, for the third time I believe, and to recap: the first time you kicked me in the groin, and the second time I ended up getting stabbed and dying; most people in my position would probably really want to kill you.' Said the rider flatly, and crossing his arms when he finished.
'But let me guess:' she said venomously, 'you've got a much better idea, like using me as your whore maybe?' she asked, doing her utmost to try and get him to kill her quickly.
In a single motion, the rider crossed the distance between them, and grabbed her by the chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

'No.' He said quietly, 'I was actually thinking about giving you what you originally wanted, but if you'd prefer-' she didn't listen any further, and slapped him hard across the face, causing him to fall to the ground in surprise.
'A simple 'no,' would've sufficed, but how about it? Still want to be a dragon rider?' Asked the rider.

'You haven't even said who you are!' She snapped.
The rider hesitated. 'I suppose I'd best tell you who you're responsible for causing the death of, and necessitating the resurrection of; My name is Aragon the Grey.' He said. 'And who might you be, aside from the architect of a great deal of my recent discomfort?' He asked in turn.
She looked away, and muttered something about 'not having a name.'
'Not one you like at any rate,' said Aragon dryly, 'Katherine Wilde.'

When Aragon said her name, she stiffened.
Then attempted to claw his throat out, only to be tackled against the wall by a very strange looking dragon, then pinned by it's forehand.

'You could forge a new name and life for yourself as a rider, although after that, I think I will see to it you bear a mark of shame for causing the death of Dorian Staves and his partner; not to mention mine.' Said Aragon.
'Stop mocking me! I know you only really want to get inside me like every other guy I've met, so don't insult my intelligence!' Screamed Katherine in anger.

'I'm not mocking you,' said Aragon mildly, 'I want to know how badly you want to be a rider.' He explained.
Katherine snarled maniacally, and there was something truly savage and desperate in her gaze.
'I'd kill for the chance; and according to you I've already done so twice.' She spat.
'Three times actually, but are you willing to endure hardship? Prejudice? Ostracism? Suspicion? Hatred?'
'What in Angvard's name do you think I've gone through in the past eight years since the Riders freed me from slavery then left to rot in the gutters of Dras Leona? It can't be any worse than that!' Shouted Katherine, trying to wriggle from between Thelduin's talons, and ultimately failing.

Aragon was silent.
'I'll let you cool off for a bit I think, tomorrow though, we shall see if that egg you stole wants you.' Aragon said mildly, and left the room, Thelduin alighting on his shoulder as the door closed behind him.

Katherine gave a shriek of frustration, and punched the wall, immediately wishing she hadn't.
Then it hit her what Aragon was doing for her and she slumped onto her cot in shock.
There'll be a hitch though, in a deal like this, there has to be a hitch. She realised.
What that hitch was to be, she wouldn't find out until the next day.

Again, the only real change here was changing the name of Vrael's dragon from 'Freidain', to 'Umaroth'.

No One-liners. (This still applies with any review you may wish to give regarding this story.)