Free Riders

Author's Note: Eragon is not mine. Char, Blaster, and Saranya are. Comment as you see fit.

Chapter 32: Water, Most Abundant Resource

When they finally stopped for the evening, neither felt better. Most of the day was spent taking detours to avoid patrols with hunting dogs. Blaster went to Sara to remove her load. How'd they do?

Well, Sara said. They stirred a few times, but otherwise remained still. Blaster and Murtagh slowly removed the two girls on the ground. They then began to cook up dinner.

"We can't keep up this pace," Murtagh finally said after the meal was finished. "We aren't gaining any ground on the soldiers. Another day or two of this and they'll be sure to overtake us."

"What else can we do?" Blaster snapped. "If it were just the two of us and you were willing to leave Tornac behind, Sara could fly us out of here. But, with both Char and the elf, too? Impossible."

Murtagh looked at Blaster carefully. "If you want to go your own way, I won't stop you. I can't expect you guys to stay and risk imprisonment."

"And leave you to the wolves?" Blaster questioned. "Yeah, right. That would be poor thanks for helping get us all out of Gil'ead alive."

"Still doesn't solve our problem," Murtagh said.

"What can?" Blaster asked. He gestured to the elf. "I wish she could tell us where the elves are. Perhaps we could seek sanctuary with them. But, I don't think I would like taking a trip back by Gil'ead."

"Considering how they've protected themselves, you'd be hard pressed to get their location from her," Murtagh said. "Even if she did, the others might not welcome us. Besides, the last Riders they had contact with were Galbatorix and the Forsworn, and I'm sure they made a lasting impression. Plus, I haven't got the honor of being a Rider like you. They wouldn't want me at all."

"That may be true," Blaster said, "but we can't even find them. We can't exactly ask the elf until she returns to the land of the living, so I suggest we flee."

Murtagh laced his fingers together and pressed his thumbs against his temples. "The only thing we can do is leave the Empire, for there are few places that are safe, yet they are far from here. Plus, they would be difficult to get to without being followed or captured. To the north is Du Weldenvarden, which we might be able to hide in, but I'm not really interested in going back by Gil'ead any more than you are. To the west lie the Empire and the sea. South is Surda, where you might find someone to guide you to the Varden if your contact doesn't work. And the Hadarac Desert lies between us and whatever lands are to the east. Somewhere along there hides the Varden."

Blaster soon got a headache. "It's too dangerous to go to Surda. We would have to traverse most of the Empire and avoid every town and village along the way."

"So, you are suggesting we cross the desert?" Murtagh asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I see no other option," Blaster argued. He pulled up his map. "Besides, we must leave before the Ra'zac get here. They will most likely be in Gil'ead within a few days with those flying steeds of theirs."

"Even if we do reach the desert before they get here, they could still overtake us," Murtagh replied. "It'll be hard to outdistance them at all."

"That's assuming they can follow our trail," Blaster replied, leaning back against Sara as he checked the map. "To catch us, though, they'll have to leave the soldiers behind, which is to our advantage. If we ever encounter them in a fight, I think the three of us could defeat them. Providing they don't ambush us like before.

"And that leaves one problem," Blaster said. "The desert. Hot, dry, and full of sand. Not only that, but according to the map, it is many times larger than the plains we crossed on our way to Gil'ead." He showed Murtagh his map.

Murtagh swept his hand over the right side of the map. "This blank part was once under one rule when the Riders lived. If the king gathered new Riders under his command, he would be able to expand the Empire to an unprecedented size. But that's not the point. The desert is so massive and full of many dangers, meaning that the chances are slim that we can cross it unscathed. It is a desperate path."

"We are desperate," Blaster said. He looked at his map once again. "Okay, I've had an idea. If we cross the desert through the belly, it would take us at least a month. Possibly two months. But, what if we angle towards the Beor Mountains? That way, we would only be crossing a fraction of the desert. From there, we could follow the Beors into the wilderness, or head west into Surda. If this map is accurate, the distance between here and the Beors is about what we covered between Dras-Leona and Gil'ead."

"That took us almost two weeks," Murtagh argued.

"On account of my injuries and that we were taking it slower than normal," Blaster said. "If we press ourselves, it shouldn't take nearly as long."

"Okay," Murtagh said. "One final question. We have enough supplies to last us, since I bought some in Gil'ead. But what about water? The roving tribes who live in the Hadarac usually disguise their wells and oases so no one can steal their water. Carrying enough for more than a day would be impractical, and the horses and dragons drink more water in one sitting than we do in a week. So, unless you can summon a rain storm, I don't see how we're going to do it."

Blaster dug a small trench. Within moments, he had found a damp layer of earth a few inches below the surface. "Exhibit A, my friend," Blaster said. "Something I learned a long time ago in a place very far away. Water, right in the earth."

How does that help? Sara asked. Water in the desert is sure to be buried so deeply, we would have to dig for weeks to find it. Blaster voiced her question before responding.

"True, but, with magic, we could merely lift the water like a well. Watch." He summoned his magic. "Adurna reisa." The little trench slowly filled with clear water. He tested it with a sip before releasing the magic and allowing the water to return to the earth. "And there you go. Just like a well."

There might not be enough water in the ground for you to bring up to the surface in the desert, Sara said.

"But I'm merely lifting the water to the surface," Blaster said. "It'll be an easy task for me, so long as I lift the water slowly. It will work, I am sure of it."

"Okay, but we should get some sleep if we are to get a head start on the soldiers tomorrow."

"Agreed," Blaster said. "I just want to check one thing." Using the same spell, he lifted water and filled a small bowl, then muttered, "Dramur kópa." Instantly an image of Brom came to his bowl and he saw that he was battling Eragon. After a few seconds, he looked directly at Blaster and started to approach. The next thing startled Blaster.

"Where are you?" Brom asked. This got Murtagh's attention. "After we got separated over near Dras-Leona, I don't know what happened."

"I'll explain later," Blaster said. "Right now, we've just broken into and out of Gil'ead and we need your location."

"I know that voice," Murtagh said. He leaned in closer and got a good look. "Brom!"

"Hello, Murtagh," Brom said. "I haven't seen you since you were what? Four? Five years old? How's that scar on your back?"

"What scar?" Blaster asked.

"I suppose I should tell you," Murtagh said. "You've been traveling with me for almost a month, so you should know the truth. I am the son of Morzan, First and Last of the Forsworn."

Sara roared in anger and pinned him to the ground.

"Sara, back off," Blaster said. "Just because his father helped betray the Riders doesn't mean that he'll turn out to be the same."

"But still," Brom said.

"What's going on?" Eragon moved into the picture and Murtagh got a good look at the sword.

"So it was you," Murtagh said to Brom. "You stole my father's sword. The same sword that tore open my back when I was three."

"Yes, but I had my reasons," Brom said. "However, you put me in a bit of a pickle. You see, you are traveling with a Rider and the elf that carried the eggs after they were stolen. What is your purpose?"

"I am trying to save their lives, even if it means escorting them to the Varden and then off into a place to hide from the Empire." Sara got off of Murtagh. "I possess no magic, yet I know of the ancient language. I have been visited and spoken to by the King himself. I have no love for my father, nor the Empire, but, even if you drag me to the Varden, I will not join."

"Acceptable," Brom said. "But I must tell Blaster how to get there, and I must have your word that you will not harm them." Mutagh nodded and, in the ancient language, promised not to harm the Varden. Blaster did likewise. Brom showed them their path through a series of vertigo inducing images. They started by the Beors, which looked monstrous to them, and into a small valley with a river. "It is a long journey, but I will hope that you will know the way. Follow the Beartooth River to the waterfalls at Kóstha-mérna. At the base, take a rock and knock it on the wall and shout 'Aí varden abr du Shur'tugalar gata vanta.' You will be challenged, but they will admit you."

"Okay," Blaster said. "One last thing, though. What is the name of the elf?"

"Her name is Arya," Brom said. "You will do well to be polite around her."

"Of course," Blaster said. "Polite is my middle name. Or, it would be if I had a middle name." Murtagh yawned. "I should let you go. We are in the middle of running and it would be best if we get some rest before we get captured by the Empire and his Shade."

Brom looked shocked. "Yes. Get out of the Empire right now. I will expect details when you are here."

"Will do," Blaster said. "Blaster out." Brom nodded then disappeared as Blaster canceled the flow of magic. "I will want to know your story once we have the opportunity. It's just a shame that Brom told me your secret instead of you."

"Nothing I'm proud of anyway," Murtagh said. "I trust you won't slit my throat while I sleep."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Blaster said. "You probably saved my life back in Gil'ead. I help save yours, we're even. Now let's get some sleep. We're going to need it."

It was early predawn when they forced themselves awake. It was cold, as the sun was still a few hours from rising. Blaster thought of a problem about Arya. "She cannot ride on Sara's back much longer without getting sores from her scales," he said. "And the claws are out as it would be too dangerous for her to land and she'll get tired."

"I would offer using a sled," Murtagh said, "but we have your Char who is in the same boat. I do not want to have the horses laden with extra weight."

"Hang on," Blaster said. "Char wears clothes similar to mine. My clothes have been magically enhanced to resist wear and afford better protection when riding. Char's is exactly the same. Therefore, she can stay in the saddle. However, the issue is with Arya."

I have an idea, Sara suddenly said. What if you tie Arya to my belly. She'll be safer than anywhere else, unless we are attacked by archers, but I could easily fly over their arrows. Plus, I'll still be able to move freely.

None of them could think up a better idea, so they quickly adopted hers. Blaster managed to find two one-hundred-foot coils of climbing rope in Char's bag, as she was an avid climber like himself. Blaster shook his head, but was glad that she was well prepared. He set to work, cutting the rope in half. Making sure that the ropes would be long enough to encircle Sara's girth, Blaster tied Arya, blanket and all, back-first against Sara's belly. After a few moments of checking over the knots and testing the tension, Blaster stepped back.

"Your scales might rub through the rope," Blaster said to Sara. "We'll check them periodically for fraying. So, with everything packed up and secure, shall we depart?"

Murtagh's eyes sparked dangerously and a smile came to his lips. He glanced back the way they had come, where the smoke from the soldier's camps were clearly visible. "I always did like races."

"And now we're in one for our lives," Blaster deadpanned.

Murtagh swung into the saddle and trotted out of the camp. Blaster followed on his horse that he had named Phillip, after his late grandfather. Sara jumped into the air and flew low to the ground. In this fashion, the three of them made their way southeast, toward the Hadarac Desert.

Blaster often checked behind them for their pursuers as they rode. His concerns were more for both Char and Arya. It was mostly concern for their health, and would they survive their trip through the desert.

For the rest of the day, the three of them sped through the land, ignoring any discomfort and fatigue. They drove the horses as hard as they could without killing them. Sometimes they dismounted and ran on foot to give the horses a rest, and only stopped twice to allow the horses food and drink.

The contingency from Gil'ead were far behind them now, but they had to avoid new soldiers every time they passed through a town or village. Somehow, the alarm had been sent ahead of them like a telegraph. They were nearly ambushed twice by patrols along the trail. They escaped both times thanks to Sara's keen senses of smell. With unspoken consent, they avoided the trail after the second near miss.

As the skies darkened into the evening, and then into night, they relentlessly paced out miles. As they traveled, the ground rose to form low cactus-dotted hills.

"There's a town ahead, Bullridge," Murtagh said. "They're sure to have soldiers watching for us, so it would be wise to slip by them now while it's dark."

After three hours, they saw the straw-yellow lanterns of Bullridge. Soldiers were spread out and patrolled between watch fires scattered around town. The trio muffled their sword sheathes and carefully dismounted. They led the horses in a wide detour around Bullridge, listening attentively so as to avoid any encampment. Soon enough, the town was behind them.

Daybreak finally flooded the sky and warmed the air several hours later. They all halted on the crest of a hill to observe their surroundings. The Ramr River was both to their left, and some five miles to their right. Ahead of them was where the river doubled back on itself in a narrow loop before curving towards the west. They had achieved sixteen plus leagues in one day. Everyone was exhausted.

"Let's find a gully or hollow where we can sleep undisturbed," Blaster said. They found a small stand of juniper trees nearby and laid their blankets beneath them. Sara waited patiently as they untied Arya her belly and removed Char from the saddle.

"I'll take first watch," Blaster said. "I'll wake Murtagh around mid-morning. We'll rotate from there." He set his bare sword across his knees, and pulled out his pistol. Murtagh fell asleep quickly.

Will they make it out in time? Can Murtagh be trusted? How much longer before Arya and Char wake up? Find out next in this special 4-part installment of Free Riders.

I know, I haven't updated in what seems like forever, but I have been busy with starting work. Hence why I am updating four times today, periodically throughout the day. Please R&R.