Chapter Twenty-Six

Hunting Phantoms

Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Aragon stood from where he'd been examining tracks left by his quarry, alone in the Beor foothills but for Thelduin.
Eragon had told Aragon in no uncertain terms that Sarah would not be accompanying him the morning after he'd asked her to come with him.

After some debate with Thelduin, he'd decided against taking any of the eldunarì in residence at Ilirea along for the journey, mainly because on the few occasions Elmïra had left him and Thelduin with them,-either to learn some facet of something, or to meet a particularly distinguished dragon, or some other reason,- he'd found most of them to be haughty, condescending,-in some cases conceited,-and in some others, to be too wrapped up in overly-complicated thoughts to be good company, while a comparative handful were good company, but not inclined to go adventuring.

'Well, if memory serves, that is a canyon with only one entrance. We've got 'em pinned.' Aragon said, indicating the comparably tiny canyon entrance several miles to the south.
Careful they might just want us to think that. Thelduin cautioned.
True, but if push comes to shove, there's always plan B.

What? Punch your way out?
Sort of, it was more like fight our way out; you know, adaptable to the circumstances.
How very wise of you. Thelduin replied.

The Scion calls that sort of reasoning 'Ockham's razor'; personally, I call it common sense. Aragon said.
So how do you plan on taking these slavers out? Thelduin queried.
That's the beauty of it Thelduin: we weren't charged to eradicate these slavers, we were only told to locate them. We leave the blade work to the Riders-in-full; besides, we're way too far outnumbered to be going toe-to-toe with them. Aragon replied. I say we just confirm these slavers are in that valley, relay the information back to Ilirea, then wait for the Riders-in-full to show up and aid in the slaver's demise. He added.

You took what I said about being more careful to heart didn't you? Thelduin asked with approval.
You're not the only one who thinks enough is enough. Aragon replied wearily.

The sun had set when Aragon and Thelduin flew into the canyon, sticking close to the shadowy passes high above, Aragon surveying the valley with his mind, and Thelduin with her acute sense of smell and exceptional eyesight.
There. Thelduin said quietly, and Aragon saw the image of a campfire in a heavily concealed clearing.
When he focused his telepathy on the area, he got a sense of at least fifty human minds, all of which were heavily defended.
Throughout the mental reconnaissance, Aragon made dead sure not to be noticed. When he was finished surveying the camp, he drew back to himself.
Let's go back to that ledge a bit further back down the valley and report what we found. Aragon said, a sentiment Thelduin was happy to second.

After they landed, Aragon quickly invoked the scrying spell, along with a second enchantment to avoid alerting any mage the slavers might have.
When the mirror cleared, he came face to face with Elmïra.
'Do you want me to give you a goodnight kiss?' She asked with the barest trace of sarcasm.
'And peace live within your heart, ebrithä Elmïra,' Aragon replied deadpan. 'No, this is business; We found the Phantoms, now what?'
'Keep an eye on them, do not lose them, and we'll contact you as soon as we can.' She replied, before terminating the spell.
Aragon sighed.
We're in for a long night. Aragon said to Thelduin.

Thelduin curled herself up next to the cliff face, and extended a questioning thought to Aragon, who obligingly took a position between her forelegs, allowing her to curl around him to keep him warm, because despite the heavy, fur-lined leather cloak he was wearing, it was bitingly cold.
From the ledge, they had a clear view of the campfires of the slavers, but Aragon kept checking periodically with his mind that the slavers were indeed there to be sure they weren't playing them.
Have you given any thought as to what we can do once we've finished our training? Thelduin asked Aragon while they waited.
He shivered; he hadn't lit a fire to avoid giving away their position.

I'd very much like to see what's across the sea to the west, or maybe go to Emelan… Aragon said at last.
Aragon felt Thelduin's acknowledgement, and they were silent a while longer, just basking in each other's presence.
What think you of Faith? Thelduin asked, glancing down at her Rider.
From the standpoint of a fellow student, or from the standpoint of looking for some payback on me going on about Anarch and you? Aragon asked.
Thelduin was silent at this.

Both. She said at last.
I like her. Aragon said simply. And she's got plenty of potential as a Rider, it'll be interesting to see how Mor'ranr turns out as well.
You see him as a more…fitting…match than Anarch? Even though we dragons don't pair for life?
I don't like Morzan, and the less I have to do with him, the better I'll feel for it. Aragon replied.
So, you'd- why am I even talking about this? Thelduin asked.
Because you're not sure of your own feelings? You've yet to begin breathing fire Thelduin, and if memory serves, that's the best indicator of when a dragon can mate; you're just entertaining the thought. Aragon replied. But, you're right, it isn't my place to tell you what to do; I can only offer advice and act as your conscience, which is only sweet justice for all the times you do exactly the same to me.
Thelduin nosed Aragon sharply in the shoulder.
Mind your tongue Aragon, or I'll drop you in the Beartooth River. She warned.

The moon had risen when Elmïra contacted them again.
'Keep watching those slavers, notify us if they move, and don't go trying to fight them, I'll be there shortly with a force of elven rangers to eradicate them.' She said.

'As you wish.' Aragon replied, casting out with his mind as he said it.
The slavers hadn't moved. In fact, they hadn't fallen asleep either, which this late meant that there was something awry.
'You might want to hurry, something isn't right, the slavers are wide awake, and from the general pitch of their emotions, terrified.' Aragon said, then noted the note of anxiety in his own voice.

He looked back at the mirror he used for scrying and saw it'd gone back to reflecting the shadows.
Then, further down the valley, he saw an arch like the one he'd seen on Vroengard slide noiselessly from the mountainside, and Teclian came gliding through.
Something is wrong. Aragon repeated, then shared his observations with Teclian and Elmïra.
It's ra'zac or I'm a hatchling. Teclian said.

Round two. Lovely. Aragon said to Thelduin, snapping open his wrist bow.
This time, I am bigger and we're both more skilled. Thelduin replied, crouching low so Aragon could climb onto her back.
They're still fresh out of my worst nightmares. I don't rate our chances to be much better than last time. Aragon replied in a cautioning tone.

And that just about does it for the edit of this story, meaning I am officially finished with it.

Feels kind of weird, but in an immensely satisfying kind of way.

No One-liners.