Eragon shifted in his saddle to readjust his position so he could peer over Saphira's flank in order to see a long line of dwarves streatching from Moldûn to the Âz Ragni just south of Hedarth. From what Eragon could see; most of the dwarves were citizens leading carts driven by oxen or Feldûnost, and some carried large packs filled with their belongings, but he did catch the desultory glint of dwarven armor.
*What do you think happened to the dwarves?* Eragon heard Saphira sniff the air, then she snorted and he felt a sorrowful emotion pass to him.
*I smell smoke. And not the smoke from a simple camp fire, but the smoke caused by war.* She tilted her head towards the out of sight mountains that were the Beors. *There is smoke, very thick and miles high, it must have travled a great distance because it seems to be fading.*
Eragon didn't know what to think, if the dwarves were defeated, well, the thought made him wonder; was Orik safe? The procession below was filled with worry-striken female dwarves, probably grieving over lost loved ones, and confused children who had no clue what had happened. He hoped that no one lost anyone dear to them, bu he knew that in war, there were wanted and unwanted deaths. But is Roran alive? After so long away from his home, he wanted more than to arrive because of war, but to meet up with family in friends and catch up on recent happenings.
But they were back in Alageasia agian, after so long it didn't feel any different. He still noticed the exact spot where the Talita had been docked before they boarded and left his family and friends on the beach behind them. But he had a responsibility to the Riders and their rebirth. He still remembered when he decided to leave Alageasia:
*Flashback:*
"You can't expect me to believe that, with all your power, you can't protect the dragons here in Alageasia." Nasuada scowled.
"Maybe I could, but we cannot depend on magic alone to safeguard the dragons. We need physical barriers; we need walls and moats and cliffs too high for man, elf, dwarf, or Urgal to scale. More important, we need the safety that only distance can provide. We have to make it so difficult to reach us that the challenges of the journey will discourage even our most determined enemies from attempting it. But ignore that. Assuming that I could protect the dragons, the problem would still remain of how to keep them from hunting livestock- ours as well as the dwarves' and Urgals'. Do you want to have to explain to Orik why his flock of Feldûnost keep disappearing, or do you want to have to keep appeasing angry farmers who have lost their animals?... No, leaving is the only solution."
Eragon looked down at the fountain. "Even if there were a place for the eggs and the Eldunarí in Alageasia, it wouldn't be right for me to stay."
"Why is that?"
He shook his head. "You know the answer as well as I. I've become too powerful. As long as I'm here, your authority- and that of Ayra, Orik, and Orrin- will always be in doubt. If I asked them to, most everyone in Surda, Teirm, and your own kingdom would follow me. And with the Eldunarí to help me, there is no one who can stand agianst me, not even Murtagh or Ayra."
"You would never turn agianst us. That's not who you are."
"No? In all the years I shall live- and I might live a very long time- do you honestly believe that I will never choose to interfere with the workings of the land?"
"If you do, I'm sure it will be for a good reason, and I'm sure we will be grateful for your help."
"Would you? No doubt I would believe my reasons were just, but that's the trap, isn't it? The belief that I know better and that because I have this power at my disposal, I have a responsability to act." Remembering her words from before, he echoed them back to her: "For the good of the many. If I was wrong, though who could stop me? I could end up like Galbatorix, despite my best intentions. As it is, my power makes people tend to agree with me. I've seen it in my dealings in the Empire... If you were in my position, would you be able to resist the temptation to meddle, just a little, in order to make things better? My presence here unbalances things, Nasuada. If I am to avoid becoming what I hate, then I have to leave."
*End Flashback*
He looked to the Riders behind him, their dragons like shimmering stars in the setting sun. His students had been reluctant to return, and fight for their home and defend their families, but even now, Eragon could see their worried looks. He also spotted Blödhgarm upon Ghana's back, sitting behind Níthrem, and Angela and Solembum upon Jura, Sofala's dragon.
The hundreds of elves that lived on Shur'tugal Isle, a customary name for the land of the Riders, boarded boats similar to the Talita and agreed to meet up with the Riders back in Alageasia whenever they could.
He knew his Riders would have the proper finesse to physically encounter an enemy in war, but he worried for all but one, Níthrem, who was a hundred years old and had fought in the war agianst Galbatorix. Eragon also felt dubious about wading into a war with no knowledge of their enemy before hand.
He remained still, staring at the cavalcade of dwarves, and expanded his mind so that he could communicate with all the Riders and dragons at once. *We are going to land up here, I want to know what has happened.*
Eragon felt their affirmation and instructed Saphira where to land. There was a small hill between the dwarves and Hedarth that would be large enough to occompany the dragons' sizes.
Saphira swooped down to the clearing. The talons on her hind legs cut deep grouges in the soft earth as she landed, back-flapping to slow herself to a halt. Leaves and blades of grass swirled around her as if caught in a whirlwind. Once she dropped to all fours and folded her wings, she lifted her head so that her size and authority appeared magnified to the cheering dwarves, who recognized the Rider and dragon.
The other dragons landed behind their teacher in a similar fashion, buffeting the ground with powerful gusts of wind.
Eragon dismounted and stared out over the expanse of knurlan, hoping to see Orik clambering towards him. But he never caught sight of the familiar dwarf king. "Where is Orik!" He shouted, and instantly the dwarves silenced and looked to the ground.
Fear and worry struck him in a way he hadn't experienced before. After several long seconds of immense silence, he continued. "Alright," he said morosely, "Then what has happened?"
There was a chorus of 'I don't know's' and 'Haven't heard from the army since we left'. But he was determined to find out the truth. He looked out to the congregation once agian and spotted a famliar dwarf, one that had delivered messages between him and other dwarves when he was amoung the dwarves so many years ago.
"What of you?" He said, directing his words the the specified dwarf. "Come here."
The dwarf pushed through the members of the gathered knurlan. He was carrying a heavy pack and holding several round objects that he placed into his pocket as he stepped up onto the hill. "Yes Argetlam."
"What has happened so far?" Was all Eragon said. He knew some minor details from Angela's visit, but wanted to know more than just speculation. He looked to his right as Blödhgarm approached his side, then nodded and returned his attention to the waiting dwarf.
"After contact with Surda was interrupted by the coastal attacks, about two days later, Orthíad was invaded. That was when Orik ordered that all civilains flee north to Tarnag because the attackers were making their way east, wiping out every city in their path. When we got to Tarnag, Dalgon was besieged and overcome with worry for the fellow knurlan, Orik commanded that the civilians migrating north turn east and head for Hedarth.
"Before we left the comfort of the Beors I last heard that the monsters were making their way for Farthen Dûr. Several magicians that were accompanying us tried to contact the capitol and soon learned that llirea had been overwhelmed." Here Eragon tensed. "Based on the last chance of communication we had, the monsters were heading north for the elves."
Eragon nodded. Hundreds of thoughts flooding his mind like a summer downpour back on Shur'tugal Isle where the seasonal rain was tremendously overpowered. "Do you know, or can you estimate where these creatures could be right now?" Eragon knew he was asking for an uneducated guess about a war matter, though unprofessional, he needed something to go by.
The dwarf shrugged, "Based on their speed at travel and novice knowledge about the layout of Alageasia, most likely they are north east of Bullridge, maybe at the northern most point of the Hadarac desert. Not sure which, but those are mine best guesses."
Eragon looked towards the horizon and nodded. "Thanks, you've been a lot of help. You can go now." He then turned to Angela, Blödhgarm, and Saphira.
*We could get there fast if we travel on dragon back without stopping.* Said Blödhgarm.
*Yes, and thats what we'll do.* Eragon looked to his students. Luckily he had Saphira take the dragons on extended flying trips around the island, so at least they were used to flying great distances with a lack of rest. *We will defend the elves, they are our last hope at saving Alagaesia.*
A\N: Hello, I'm really glad that this story is making good progress, it's starting to tie into the prologue. And I want to give a big thank you to those who have supported this story, whether by following, favoriting, or reviewing. And I want to thank you all for giving this story over 2000 views. Sorry if this chapter was a bit slow and unaction-packed, but it's nessecary. The next chapter will have some Saphira/Fírnen and Eragon/Ayra action in it, after they fight off the Monsters of course.
And as a little treat, for those who review I will send you a deleted scene (the fight between the dwarves and the monsters) since it never made it to the final draft. But you have to let me know if you want it, and you also have to be signed in cause it will be sent via PM. You should review regardless, Lol. Till next we meet.
- Skoilr