I encourage you all to visit www(dot)inheritanceforums(dot)com if you want to get the updates to Babylon as soon as they come out, because, quite frankly, I hate creating a separate Word document for every chapter. It makes no logical sense.
Also I have another story, Nexus, on IF. Feel free to read that and I hope you enjoy it as well. (It was written back when I was a little bit more of a rookie when it came to writing).
Finally, IF is way easier to talk to people on. I post updates on what is going on and when the next chapter is going to be up, etc. on there. So if you want to be in the loop go there and join. I'm considering the idea of not updating anymore just because of how slow the system is. (Like really, does it take an hour to process a review or a new chapter? IF does it instantly…)
Chapter 6: Roran's Rescue
Eragon crouched next to Arya behind a large boulder that was a few hundred feet away from Belatona. The sky was pitch black and no sound could be heard for leagues in any direction. Saphira had dropped the two off near the city and had flown off to a small clearing a distance away to wait while they attempted to find and rescue Eragon's cousin, Roran.
While they flew the three of them had taken time to form a careful plan to infiltrate the city without any suspicion. The problem that presented itself to them was that Roran was held in a random house in the city, not an actual jail. Eragon had gleamed this information from the mind of a soldier that Saphira had past over. He had also learned that Roran was the only survivor of the ambush. A pit of sadness welled inside him as he thought about how difficult his next encounter with Elain would be.
He felt obligated to deliver the news personally, it was the least he could do in return for the many kindnesses that they had shown him in Carvahall and even since then. Horst's family had been one of the few to accept Eragon for what he had become and not judge him for the destruction of Carvahall, for he had played no part in it.
Eragon pushed his emotions aside for the time being. He and Arya had a task to accomplish, and they planned to do just that. Once he saw the single guard turn around he singled Arya and they sprinted across the field, coming to a quick stop directly next to the city wall. Together they both whispered, "Risa." The magic carried them up to the top of the wall, which was empty for the evening.
As silently and quickly as possible they ran down to stairs to the base and, careful to avoid anyone who happened to be roaming the streets, set off towards the location of Roran. Eragon had learned that Roran was being held in a standard house rather than the castle. In a way he was grateful for Galbatorix's paranoia of a Varden agent attempting to spring Roran from jail, or even to kill him to keep him from being used as a bargaining chip, for it was the only reason he and Arya had even a chance of returning to the Varden with Roran alongside them.
Due to some small bit of luck he and Arya managed to arrive unseen and undetected. They donned invisibility spells and approached the house where Roran was held. Eragon quickly scanned the house with his mind. He was met by immediate resistance as four magicians assaulted him in return. Saphira and Arya came to his aid after only a split second and they were able to overwhelm the magicians and kill them, but not before one of them sent out a cry for help.
Arya and Eragon both unsheathed their swords and made quick work of the other eight guards in and out of the house. When Eragon entered the bedroom he saw Roran lying on the bed, chained to the four posts, sleeping soundly. A gag was in his mouth and there were several cuts and scrapes on him, but as a whole he seemed healthy enough.
Eragon removed the gag and cut the chairs with magic, freeing Roran. The muscled warrior woke up as the chains snapped and glanced around quickly, his eyes scanning the room for threats.
A relieved sigh escaped Roran as his eyes came to rest on Eragon and Arya, who had removed their cloaks of invisibility to save energy. Emotions sprang forth in Eragon; relief, sadness, concern, empathy, and love, but he suppressed them for the time being. They still had to make it out without any casualties, and emotions would only get in the way.
Eragon did, however, embrace Roran strongly for a long moment, displaying his relief that his cousin was alive and well. Roran returned the gesture and whispered, for he was aware they were still within the Empire, "I knew you would come." Eragon released Roran and smiled, a single tear sliding down his cheek. He was vaguely aware of Arya leaning against the wall watching them with a slight smile on her face.
Eragon finally motioned to Roran and Arya for them to begin their departure. Roran asked, "What is our escape plan? How to we escape without being seen?"
"We won't." Eragon spoke without emotion. His voice held a razor edge that surprised even Arya.
Eragon had lately come to the decision to avoid killing soldiers of the Empire unless it was absolutely necessary, the thought of killing to save his own neck was rather repugnant, but he knew that it had to be done. And besides, he thought to himself encouragingly, You wouldn't want Arya to get hurt or captured would you?
What about me? Eragon blinked twice, he had completely forgotten that Saphira was still in his mind. She was circling above Belatona waiting for them to make their move.
And you as well, Saphira. For you, Arya, and Roran, I will kill.
"That magician sent out a warning when we killed him," Eragon abruptly stated. "We must hurry." The soldiers of the Empire, no matter their numbers, did not frighten Eragon. What he was worried about was the possibility of powerful magicians protecting those men and making them far more difficult to defeat.
"You still haven't explained to me what we are going to do to escape."
"Just stay close to me and Arya." They carefully opened the door and stepped into the street, watching every alley and path. After no more than a hundred feet there was a flicker of movement down an ally, and then another.
Eragon waved Roran back a little and drew his sword soundlessly, Arya followed suit. A shout was heard and then the tramping of boots ensued. From the amount of thuds Eragon figured there were probably twenty men facing them, not a real threat.
The snap of a twig behind him caused Eragon to spin around instantly, and he was concerned as he saw another twenty or so soldiers step out and surround them. The only advantage to the situation was that Roran, who was unarmed, was out of the way of the fight. Together he and Arya drew their swords soundlessly, and each charged their respective group of men.
The peace of night was quickly replaced by rhythmic pings as Eragon and Arya blocked, slashed, and killed mercilessly. Their rivals, the soldiers of the Empire, were no ordinary soldiers. It was obvious to both elves that Galbatorix had done something to enhance their speed and strength, although not quite to the level of an elf.
By the time Eragon had killed eighteen out of the twenty men facing him Arya had killed nineteen. They weren't competing for a number of kills, but they both knew that they would have to finish their last enemies off quickly so they would be able to flee before another group of the soldiers arrived and detained them even further.
Eragon's last two men charged him together, causing him to hesitate slightly. They were obviously a bit more intelligent than the rest of his enemies and he was already tired out, so fighting a two on one wasn't exactly what he wanted to do. In a matter of moments Eragon was lucky enough to slip past one's guard and slash the man in two. Even as he did so the other man drew a dagger and hurled it towards Eragon. He was barely able to dodge the projectile, and since the man had thrown away his weapon Eragon instantly took advantage of the opportunity and beheaded him.
A slight sigh escaped the lips of the Rider, but it was replaced by a look of horror and confusion as he heard a faint thud from behind him, and the sound of his best friend in pain. He spun around instantly and immediately saw what had happened. Tears came to his eyes as he saw the dagger that he had carelessly dodged imbedded deeply in Arya's torso. Her final rival was dead, but she was on the floor as well.
Roran emerged from hiding as Eragon shouted, "Arya!" He ran over to the elf and hurriedly examined her wound, stifling tears at how he had caused her such pain.
When he examined her he found out that the dagger had pierced several key organs and an artery, meaning that Arya would die, and quickly, if he didn't save her. Before he could do anything Saphira said in his mind, Eragon, heal the artery and close the wound. You can attend to her while we fly, we must escape.
Eragon paused, torn between his duty to help Roran escape and to return to the Varden alive and well, and the elf lying before him. A comforting hand gripped his shoulder and he recognized the touch as Roran's. His cousin said, "Eragon, Saphira is right. She would not have said that had she thought that Arya would have died because of her words. We need to go."
Eragon did not reply for a moment, and then slowly nodded. He placed his palm over the bleeding wound and murmured a few words in the Ancient Language, closing the wound and healing her artery so that she would not bleed out as quickly. He tenderly picked Arya up, a tear on his cheek, and slung her over his shoulder, being especially careful to keep the part of her chest that contained the wound free of pressure.
With a slight nod to Roran he and his cousin dashed down the nearest alley and sprinted, as fast as Roran could run, to the south gate. Eragon motioned for Roran to stop and stay back for a moment as they neared the gate. He inched forward and poked his head around the corner, and then immediately pulled it back.
"There are easily a hundred and fifty men out there. Time for Plan B."
"And what's Plan B?" Roran asked with a frustrated sigh.
In a dull voice, for he knew the energy it would cost him, especially after he was already weakened, Eragon said, "We climb the walls with magic. Let's go."
He led Roran down a few alleys until they arrived at the wall. They were a good five hundred feet away from the gate, so none of the men would be able to see them. Eragon took a deep breath and linked his mind to Aren. "Risa."
The energy drain on Eragon was immense, but he sustained himself long enough to lift the three of them over the wall and lower them too the ground. Upon a brief inspection of Aren and after a transfer of energy to ensure that he would be capable of running he found that the gem's vaults of energy were drastically lower than the last time he had inspected the gem, which had been several weeks before. Roran waited semi patiently for Eragon to gather himself, he knew that magic put a great strain on the user after watching Carn battle against the Empire's arrows while they were under Edric's command a few months.
A few moments later Eragon signaled Roran and together they ran into the darkness, escaping the city without being seen by the guards stationed at the gates. Eragon slowed his pace to match Roran's, which was surprisingly constant considering that he had been in captivity and most likely tortured a bit. He took the time between their flight from Belatona's walls and their arrival at where Saphira was waiting for them to contemplate precisely which spells he would use to mend Arya's wound. She had remained unconscious since her injury. Eragon knew that she had entered an artificial coma to slow its progression.
Once they reached Saphira Roran bent over and placed his hands on his knees to catch his breath. Even in Eragon's worn out state the run had been simple for him, he hadn't noticed Roran's exhaustion until that point.
Saphira snaked her head out and touched Roran on the forehead, then Eragon, welcoming them back. She then moved her head and sniffed Arya, who was still slung over Eragon's shoulder. I'm glad you killed the soldier responsible for this, she said to Eragon, allowing Roran to hear her thoughts as well. If you had not, I would have been forced to go back and kill him myself.
Roran raised his eyebrows and glanced at Arya, obviously surprised by Saphira's uncharacteristic attachment to the elf. Eragon reached up and patted Saphira on the nose. The dragon moved her head back with a slight snort, and spread out as low as possible on the ground so that Roran would have an easier time getting on.
Eragon was the first to run up Saphira's foreleg and take his seat, making sure that there was a bit of space between him and the neck spike in front of him. Roran clambered up Saphira next, albeit much slower than Eragon. "Sit behind me and wrap your arm around my waist. I need to heal Arya while we fly." Roran nodded, settling into position behind Eragon, and at the same time Eragon lowered Arya from his shoulder and laid her across his lap, her chest wound directly under his right palm. His left held her steady as Saphira reared and jumped into the sky, doing her best to minimize the turbulence so that Eragon could work in peace, without fear of falling off.
After Eragon had done nothing but stare at Arya's wound for a long minute Roran asked, "Well, how is she?"
"Not good." Eragon sighed and cracked his knuckles, gathering the healing words that he would need. "This might take awhile. The dagger caused more damage than I originally thought. Although…" he paused. "Assuming I don't run out of energy, she'll live."
Eragon didn't wait for a reply from Roran. He muttered his incantation and observed through his mind, for he had already sealed the wound and could not physically see the wound. Several gusts caused Saphira to sway in the sky, almost making him lose his concentration multiple times, but it was his strong resolve that kept his mind on track.
Several long minutes later, after exhausting his own reserves and diving deeply into Saphira's, the process was complete. Eragon scanned the wound once more with his mind and made sure that he hadn't missed anything before sighing with satisfaction. He held Arya stead with both hands and relaxed, relieved that his efforts had proved successful.
Arya did not wake for the remainder of the time Saphira flew. Eragon assumed that she was resting and he did not disturb her, for he was able to discern her clear thoughts and lack of pain by a simple mental touch.
Saphira flew for only a few hours, about double the distance a horse could cover in the night, before landing in a grove of trees situated on the shore of Leona Lake. Eragon rolled out a blanket and set Arya on it while Roran made to get up and get some firewood.
"I'll do it." Eragon wanted to take a walk anyway to try and get his mind away from some of his wandering thoughts. He wondered if rushing to Roran's aid so quickly, and without leaving the Varden much protection, was a good idea. More than whether or not it was right or wrong, Eragon wondered what could have happened if the operation hadn't been successful.
Eragon I know you better than anyone, so trust me when I say that you had to do this. You would not have been able to live with yourself if you did not. That is all that matters. Saphira's words brought a small portion of comfort into Eragon as he walked out of the clearing.
As he passed Roran he said, "Keep an eye on Arya, I'll be right back."
**
Roran watched Eragon go and sighed after he had left. He looked down at Arya, observing that she was still asleep. Despite his exhaustion from the day's events and being held in captivity, Roran slowly began to clear excess sticks and leaves away from the spot where he decided the fire should be. He was vaguely aware of Saphira making herself comfortable off to the side of Arya. The dragon stared at him with one large sapphire eye. While he worked he considered what had happened a few days before.
--
Roran sat around the fire with his men. Garth was in the process of arguing with Horst about Eragon and Arya's powers. He could have intervened and settled it easily, but it was amusing to see someone like Garth make a fool out of himself.
A moment later Roran heard a strange sound from behind him, which was quickly replaced by dozens of battle cries as a force of at least thirty or forty men rushed towards their camp. He barely had time to reach his hammer before his assailants were upon him. As they sprinted forward Roran observed that their movements were faster and more precise than any ordinary human, but they weren't on the level of speed that Roran had witnessed Eragon and Arya reach two days before.
Some of his men were not as fortunate as him, as he was on the side of the fire opposite that of the attackers. Garth and Harold were quickly cut down as they tried to grab their weapons. "Stay together!" Roran shouted to his men. "We are better than them!"
Another six of Roran's men fell, and Roran found himself in a two on one match against the enemy commander and one of his comrades. He ducked under one sword, barely, and smashed his hammer into the commander's shin. The man made no sound and continued to fight him, hunched over on one leg. Blast, Roran thought. Not only were they faster than a normal soldier, they had no pain as well.
Roran rolled to the side as both men slashed downwards at him, this time he managed to get back up and smash one of the men in the head before he could react. The soldier toppled to the ground, motionless.
Before reengaging the other man before him Roran quickly glanced around. There was only one of his men still alive, Horst, who was fending off another three of the enemies. Roran knew he had to act quickly, as he could see six enemies approaching him.
--
Roran's thoughts were interrupted by a slight rustle from behind him. Acting on instinct he ducked and rolled forwards, anticipating another ambush. When he looked up and searched his surroundings he found no enemies, only Arya starting to try and sit up.
He berated himself for being so paranoid and quickly hurried to the injured elf's side. He set a hand on her shoulder and was surprised when she tensed and her head snapped in his direction. Her muscles relaxed slightly as she realized that he was not an enemy, but she did not seem comfortable with him touching her, so he removed his hand quickly.
Arya leaned back, apparently no longer possessing the desire to sit, and mumbled, "Eragon…"
Roran was bemused by her reaction. Eragon's confession of his feelings for Arya rushed through his mind and he couldn't help but wonder if Arya harbored any of the same feelings for him. He finally replied to her by saying, "He's just gathering some firewood, he'll be right back." Roran paused for a moment, unsure of what to do next. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine."
"You don't have to prove anything to me, Arya." Roran assumed that the only reason she might lie was to protect her reputation or some nonsense such as that.
"I guess I should remember that you are practically family now. I'm sorry."
Family? What in the world?
At that moment Eragon returned and placed the firewood in the clearing Roran had made. He then looked over at Arya and his eyes widened as he saw her awake. He hurried over to her side and kneeled down opposite of Roran.
**
Arya lay on the ground with Roran kneeling next to her. She wasn't exactly thrilled that he was the one she had woken up too, she would have preferred it if Eragon was sitting beside her. After exchanging a few words with Roran, of which she considered insignificant, the person she truly wanted to see arrived: Eragon.
He entered the clearing and set a pile of logs down on the ground before coming over to her side and kneeling beside her with a concerned look on his face. She wanted to speak with him, but not in front of Roran.
Eragon seemed to understand that because he said, "Roran, could you get that fire started for us?" The muscled warrior nodded and backed off, understanding that Eragon wanted to speak to her alone.
Once Roran had moved away Eragon grasped one of her hands in his own and whispered, "I'm sorry." The moonlight was barely bright enough for her to see a small tear at the corner of his eye, but he did not let it fall.
"For what?"
"That dagger was meant for me, not you." Understanding filled Arya. Eragon blamed himself for her injury, even though there was nothing that he did that caused it.
"Shh, tell me what happened after I got hit."
Eragon recalled how he had finished off the last soldier and how he had temporarily healed her wound. He then told her about how he and Roran had escape and the spell he had used to fully heal her several hours earlier. When he was finished he murmured, "I'm just glad you're okay…"
"What would you have done if I had died?"
Eragon looked at her, his face bore a frown and a questioning glare was in his eyes. "I don't want to imagine what would have happened."
"Eragon," Arya surprised herself by the harshness of her voice, and she could tell it had an effect on Eragon. "While I know that we both care for each other a great deal, and you may even have some feelings beyond that, we must remember that the Varden and killing Galbatorix is more important."
"Please, Arya. You're the last one to talk to me about duty."
"What do you mean?"
"You chased me into the Empire, technically against Nasuada's wishes, and abandoned the Varden just to find me. You also practically forced me to let you come along on this mission. Why did you do that? You have yet to explain that to me, and you have also yet to tell me why you came after me in the Empire and what you were about to say before I fought Murtagh." Eragon's voice held an edge to it that she was unaccustomed to.
Why did I say that to him? He saves my life yet again and I just repaid him with coldness, even after what he did for me last night. Why can't I control myself around him? Her thoughts wandered for a few more moments before she came back to reality.
Smooth, Saphira said to her.
Arya ignored the dragon and her constant amusement directed towards her and Eragon. She was sorry for what she had said, for she realized now, after considering Eragon's question, that there was a place where duty no longer mattered and it became personal. Finally, "I was going to ask you to not leave me alone like Faolin had, even though it wasn't his fault. And…" she ignored the surprised look on his face. "I chased you because I couldn't risk losing you, not as a warrior for the Varden, but as a friend."
"Then you understand what I say when I tell you that duty is sometimes my second priority, but only when it comes to the welfare of one of my friends."
Arya was touched by his care for her, that he would take the time to explain himself, especially after she had been rude to him. I am not myself tonight. I would not be so rude to him anymore if I was in my right mind.
"Thank you, Eragon." He cocked his head to the side quizzically. She elaborated. "Thank you for caring for me so much that you would choose me over the Varden. I know what the Varden and Galbatorix's downfall means to you."
He squeezed her hand. "Without you, Saphira, and Roran, Galbatorix's downfall would be nothing more than a plot for revenge. It is in you three that I find my strength to fight." She yawned expansively, still exhausted from her lack of energy. It occurred to her that Eragon must have taken her own energy to heal her wound, which must have meant that he had been extremely tired himself.
Eragon said, "Come, you are still tired and need to rest. I'll set you next to the fire, near where I'll be sleeping so you can rest, alright?" Arya indicated her approval and he picked her up carefully and set her down by the fire, on top of a blanket that was already laid out.
She quickly drifted off into her waking dreams, secretly wishing that Eragon had moved her a bit closer to where he was sitting so that she would be nearer to him. Not even with Faolin had she experienced such an…odd sensation. She doubted that she could ever fully reciprocate his love for her, at least not in the way he desired, but she felt comforted when she thought that for however long she lived, there would be at least one person that she could talk to and confide in.
**
Eragon sat opposite Roran around their small campfire. Arya lay around a foot away from him, and she had just recently fallen asleep. He had observed that Roran seemed to have something to discuss with him, and was perplexed by his silence all evening, but he decided that he would wait before questioning him. After all, if it was about his recent ordeal then he would definitely wish for peace of mind to think.
Roran finally spoke a few minutes later, and Eragon took special note that he had waited until Arya had passed beyond the realm of consciousness before speaking. His cousin said, "Eragon, Arya said something today that I don't quite understand."
"What was it?"
"When she woke up and I went to her, attempting to ensure that she was alright, she lied and said she was fine, and when I pursued the topic and told her that she had nothing to prove to me her response was quite unexpected. She said, "I guess I should remember that you are practically family now. I'm sorry."
"Family?" The word stunned Eragon. He knew that Arya considered him a close friend, but he hadn't suspected he was family to her, and never in a million years would he have imagined that she would apply that to Roran or any other extension of Eragon's family.
"I don't understand it either. Have you made any progress in your suit with her?"
"Progress, yes. But, definitely not to the point where I thought that she considered me, much less you, to be family."
"Perhaps her injury allowed you to see a side of her that she normally hides from you? Maybe you have made more progress than you think." Roran's eyes twinkled slightly and Eragon could tell that he was happy for him in a way, even though what they were discussing was only speculation.
Eragon felt a slight pressure on his hand and he looked down. A small smile graced his face as he saw Arya's hand on his own, and through a quick mental probe he was able to confirm that she was still asleep.
Roran raised his eyebrows and smiled even wider. "Well there's something you wouldn't expect."
Eragon grunted, no longer in a mood to talk with Roran if he was going to start making jokes at his expense. To end the conversation he said smoothly, "We're both tired. Let's get some rest and we can finish this discussion another time." Roran gave a slow nod, obviously aware of Eragon's attempt at ending the conversation. Eragon murmured a quick spell that would wake him should anyone come near their camp, and promptly fell into his waking dreams.