Roran was lying on his belly behind the edge of a sandy hill dotted with sparse blades of grass, thornbushes, and small, rosebud-like cactus. The brittle stems of coastal grass pricked his palms as he inched forward to gain a better view of the beach. He was just west of Carvahall, along the coast leading to Narda. Roran flinched as he remembered the events that transpired there.
The evening sun streaked the Spine with shadows long, narrow, and jagged- in the west- illuminated the ocean so that the horizon became a rippling bar of gold.
To his left, Roran heard the steady breathing of the Red Rider, Murtagh, who was stretched out beside him. The Rider was staring down the beach with an angry look, a look that Roran feared for it was one that meant death. Murtagh was in casual armor that looked like metal scales embroided with gems and golden design, no doubt he recieved them by Nasuada's command when he returned from his self-imposed exile.
He paid little attention to that now as he watched a column of monstrous, Urgal-like creatures clambering out of long boats, dragging them to the shore as their heavy feet sloshed in the wet sand and rising waves, apparently coming from large ships anchored out in the sea. All the monsters wore thick leather garments, some barely covering their bodies, and were at least taller than a Kull.
Smaller things followed the creatures with many stange and varied gaits- they limped and shuffled and humped and wriggled; and some used their abnormally long arms to propell them forward on curiously short legs. What bothered him were the sheer numbers of these things; the entire coast was filled with different sized creatures, stretching for miles down the shoreline.
Some monsters began setting bundles of cloth down in various spots, which was quickly gathered by the shorter things as they used the cloth to built large tents. Their speed at putting the tents together was astounding, within seconds it seemed as if a city had just appeared on the beach. Soon large campfires roared to life, exhaling black smoke into the sky.
The sun had completely set when the creatures settled down, and Roran and Murtagh slowly slithered down hill where they could speak without notice. When Roran and the Rider reached the bottom, they heard a gruntual language and an orange light approached the top of the hill.
By unspoken consent, they crawled backward, making their way further down from the crest of the hill they hid behind. At the bottom, they rose in a half crouch, then turned and, still doubled over, ran between two rows of hills. The shallow depression gradually deepened into a narrow valley lined with crumbling slabs of shale as they reached the foothills of the Spine.
Dodging the gnarled juniper trees that dotted the valley, Roran looked back to the hill to see several large figures standing upon the crest, silhouetted by the blazing torches in their hands. The creatures remained there, statue-like, for several more seconds before quickly turning and running down the other side, towards the beach.
Roran released his pent-up breath and followed Murtagh. Gravel crunched under their feet as they reached the riverbed of an evaporated river. The Spine extended above them, their snow-capped mountains glistening in the moon light. The stars pierced the heavens with sharp, icy dots.
A great lump ahead signaled their camp, the agglomeration rose in fell with the sound of rushing air, and soon Roran could make out each and every ruby red scale on Thorn's hide.
"Brisingr." Murtagh whispered, starting a confliguration in a pile of dried sticks and leaves, that would produce no smoke that unfriendly eyes might spot, they had gathered before they left for the beach. The sudden elevation in light shook Thorn from his sleep, the dragon first looking for a possible threat.
*Murtagh, have you found anything.* Thorn asked upon seeing his rider, his deep voice echoing through Roran's mind like the sound of a landslide.
"Yes, but not enough." He said, sending his experience of the venture to his dragon. Murtagh pulled a log into the light from the shadows the fire couldn't penetrate.
Roran did likewise, sliding a rotting tree stump around the fire, where he sat, fiddling with his hammer, his legs outstretched to the glowing embers-enjoying the warmth. He had wished they could've found out more about the creatures, hopefully they could go back and possibly figure out some useful information.
For the moment, quiet regained the upper hand within the valley. Even the coals smoldered in silence, and the breeze rustled no leaves. The silence unnerved Roran, he had been used to it during his time serving the Varden in their war agianst Galbatorix. But now, after so long, it recreated memories of what he did, what he sacrificed so much for freedom, and his many near-death experiences. The ghosts of his past had soon left his dreams, but there always remained a hole in his heart, one he couldn't fill.
After a considerable gap in conversation, Thorn yawned, exposing his rows of many fearsome teeth. *Whatever these things are, whether Urgal or some hybrid monster, we must suspect they came here to get something done.* The dragon stared with one ruby eye at his rider.
Murtagh nodded, it only seemed right that they came here from a great distance, and wanted to wage war or offer peace. No matter the outcome Murtagh had his mind set on doing what was best for Alageasia. "There is some truth to his words."
Roran silently agreed. He placed him in the shoes of the creatures. Apparently they sailed from a distant land, risking distruction by storm, starvation, or some unfortold fate to get here. Maybe they fled their land in hopes of finding another, or they knew of Alageasia from the begining and wished to take over or ally with the Empire. Both options seemed reasonable to Roran, however he didn't voice his thoughts.
Drawing and releasing a slow breath to clear his head, Roran tried to force his mind back to more pleasent thoughts, those of his beloved, Katrina, and their two children, Ismira and Garrow, named after his father's father, it had been Katrina's idea. He smiled at the memory, and longed to return to them, even though it had only been four days since he departed from Carvahall.
Murtagh must have been entertaining similar thoughts, for he asked, "Do you see them?"
"Who?"
"The men you've killed. Do you see them in your dreams?"
"Somethimes."
The pulsing glow from the coals lit Roran's face from below, forming thick shadows above his mouth and across his forehead and giving his heavy, half-lidded eyes a baleful aspect. He spoke slowly, as if he found the words difficult. "I never wanted to be a warrior. I dreamed of blood and glory when I was young, as every boy does." He noticed Murtagh nod slightly. "And now I have killed...I have killed and killed."
Murtagh soaked in the information, it was nice to have someone open up so trustingly to him. Many people were disturbed by his presence. "Turmoil accompanies every great change. And we have experienced more than our share, for we are agents of that very change."
Thorn rose his head so that it was level with the seated humans. *I am a dragon. I do not regret the deaths of those who endanger us. Surely, Roran, when you fight, does it not lend wings to your feet and bring great joy of combat. Does the pleasure of pitting yourself agianst a worthy opponent and the satisfaction of seeing the bodies of your enemies littered around you elude you entirly?*
Murtagh stared at the coals. He had stated a truth that he was reluctant to acknowledge, lest by agreeing that one could enjoy violence, he had already became a man he despised, why mend that and become something he doesn't recognize. So he remained mute. Across from him, Roran appeared similarly affected.
"None the less, I still..." Before he could reply Murtagh lept to him, lifting him off the stump and carrying him up the foothills to a rather steep cliffside. Thorn was making his way up behind them.
"Letta." The fire below bursted into sparks and disappeared, not one piece of ash hot.
"What was that for?" Roran asked, brushing his shoulders when Murtagh released his grip.
Roran didn't need a response for, from the direction of the beach, came a long line of torches, bobbing up and down as the owners walked across the hills. It seemed like an entire army were making their way to them. Fear gutted Roran, and he clutched his hammer even harder, turning his knuckles white and causing a clump of tendons in his wrist to twitch.
The contingent traveled with impressive speed. To Murtagh it reminded him of the time when him and Eragon were fleeing to the Varden, with the Kull following them. The same fear then was less impacting, but still there. They soon had to press closely agianst the cliff, brushing agianst loose peices of shale that fell and shattered agianst the rocky soil. Thorn was well hidden dispite his sheer size and helped camoflauge the two humans behind his bulk.
The creatures quickly reached their camp, their leader stopped and bent down, studying the retired campfire site. He brushed the ash, and must have figured it was old due to the lack of heat, he grumbled something, then motioned the others to follow. They passed underneath the hiding place of the dragon and humans without notice, the red glow from their torches casting an evil cover on the surrounding landscape, creating rough shadows that danced with the torches' movements.
It was at least half an hour before the creatures completely passed by, vanishing behind the mountains that formed the Spine. Roran, his legs and muscles sore from holding a single position for so long, stretched and rolled his head, releasing stress built up in his tendons. Murtagh followed suit.
Thorn sniffed the air. *They are still close by, we should be careful.*
Murtagh stepped to the edge of the cliff and peered down. "I don't have a clue to as what they are doing. But they're traveling east." He said, pointing to his left.
Roran flinched, "But why would they be..."
Murtagh raised an eyebrow in suprise. "Carvahall."
"Queen Nasuada. My respects and regret for the untimely intrusion, but we have a problem." Murtagh was facing the mirror in Roran's room. When the creatures left their sight, they climbed onto Thorn and flew as fast as they could to get to Carvahall. The creatures, at this time, were at least two leagues away from the city, and the sun had several hours before it's arrival.
Nasuada looked as if she had just woken, which was plausable, considering that it was early in the morning. "No it is fine. I was about to wake anyway. What seems to be the bother?"
Murtagh paused, figuring the best way to word his thoughts so that they came out correctly. "Those sightings you sent us to investigate, well we recieved little about what, why, and who these things are, but they are in great numbers and have an impressive arsenal of weapons. Right now they march upon Cravahall, we know not their reasons for this, however, we believe it's an act of war." Murtagh took a deep breath as he finished his final sentence.
Nasuada seemed too confused to understand, though the meaning seemed to have gotten across. "Pardon me, for I am tired, but there is nothing I can do. It would be possible for me to contact Gil'ead and have them send soldiers to you, but if this is war we are looking at, then they wouldn't arrive in time." She yawned. "What of the soldiers in Carvahall?"
Roran stepped closer this time. "There are many, and all well trained. Our defenses are impressive. But we lack enough resourses to take on the entirty of these creatures. They would eventually break through our walls and take over."
Nasuada nodded, wieghing the odds, then started to speak.
"Your majesty." Came a voice from the other end of the mirror, hidden from sight.
"Come in." Her head turned to someone not visible on the glass.
"There is a problem. We recieved contact from the coastal cities, a distress signal if any. They are under attack. Apparently those strange ships seen have brought soldiers in great numbers. They've massed along the entire coast and are surrounding the Spine, destroying every city, town, village, and farm in their way."
A\N: Hope you all enjoyed this little tid bit. Violence and action will come next chapter, that I promise. If this met your liking then leave a review, constructive criticism is welcomed here. Agian, thanks to those who are supporters to this story, have a great day. Till next we meet.
-Skoilr