Free Riders

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

Chapter 34: Kung Pow Part II: Enter the Mind

Blaster pointed to the mountains, grinning. "Look closely," He said to Murtagh.

"What?" Murtagh replied, irritated. "I don't see—" The words died in his mouth as he took in what he saw. If his jaw wasn't attached to his face, it would have been sitting on the back of Tornac. He squinted to get a better look. "Damn! I knew the Beors were large, but not that monstrous size."

"No kidding," Blaster said. "I just hope that the animals who live there aren't in proportion to the mountains."

"It'll be good to get some shade and slow down," Murtagh said. "I think we've all had more than enough of this forced march."

"I don't want to stop until Arya is cured," Blaster said. "I don't want her to die. I don't know, however, how it will help her if we keep traveling. We'd have better luck trying to give both her and Char a rest in a real bed."

"Well, when we reach the mountains, we could take them to Surda, as it isn't that far," Murtagh suggested. "There must be a healer there who can help them, for we certainly can't."

"Let's get to the mountains first," Blaster said. "That is our first priority: getting out of reach of the Empire."

Though the landscape changed dramatically, the mountains didn't seem to be getting any closer. As they neared the foothills of the mountains, the sand gave way to dirt, dunes were replaced with furrows of past floodings, and a cool breeze blew around them, as opposed to the sweltering wind from the desert. The horses were eager for the change in climate and pressed onwards.

A league from the foothills, they rested. Gazells bounded through the lush fields, and Sara had her eyes on them. They camped by a stream, congratulating each other with smiles. Sara crowed jubilantly, startling the horses in the process. They had traveled about sixty leagues in five days. With Blaster doing the math, he was astonished that, even with their trek through the desert, they still managed to maintain an average of thirty-six miles a day.

What was better was that they were now outside the Empire. But, even as the skies darkened, and the stars winked into existence, Blaster felt an urge to return. There had been many wrongs committed by Galbatorix, including murder and slavery. With Eragon's help, they had to assist those who were unable to resist the oppression of this monarch dictator.

Blaster looked at Arya stretched out by Sara. The orange light from the fire lit up her face. Finally, he knelt by the elf and placed his palm on her brow and, without telling anyone, sent a probe into Arya's mind. He found it clear as a bell as opposed to muddled as he had anticipated. Seconds later, he recoiled in pain as Arya struck back. Though Arya got through his first line of defense, Blaster drove a tendril of thought into Arya's mind.

He felt another attack, but continued to drive forward until he found his way to the communication part of the alien brain. Finally, after much thought and a lot of pressure, Blaster spoke to Arya.

Peace, Arya, he said in the ancient language. I am a Rider and a friend. I mean you no harm.

Arya's attacks stopped, and surprise eminated from her. Suspicion followed next, but that soon gave way to her finally lowering her barriers. Blaster touched the entire conciousness of Arya, finding it more alien than he had anticipated. It was vast and powerful, full of memories from countless years. A melody seemed to play, both wild and hauntingly beautiful at the same time as a kind of embodiment of her identity.

What is your name? she finally asked. She too spoke in the ancient language, though Blaster could tell in her voice that she was weary and filled with despair.

I'm General Blastbone Clarkson, Blaster replied. He resisted the song's call to dive deeper very well, especially with Char nearby.

No need to tell you my name, she finally said. Why have you contacted me in this manner? Am I still prisoner of the Empire? And how do you know my name?

No, you are free! Blaster replied. He only knew a limited amount of words in the ancient language compared to Arya, but he managed to say: I was able to find you imprisoned in Gil'ead, so, with the help of some friends, we broke in and rescued you and my friend Char. It's been five days since then, we've crossed the edge of the Hadarac Desert and we are now camped by the Beor Mountains. You haven't stirred nor spoken in all that time.

Ah…so it was Gil'ead, Arya said. She paused, then said, I know my wounds were healed. At the time, I didn't understand why. I was certain that it was preparation for some new torture. But now I realize it was you.

Of course, Blaster said.

And yet, I haven't risen and you are puzzled. She was starting to speak softly.

Yes, Blaster replied.

During my captivity, a rare poison, the Skilna Bragh, was given to me and Char, in addition to the drug to suppress our power. Every morning, we would be given the antidote from the previous day's poison, sometimes by force if we refused to take it. Without it, we will die in a few hours, maybe shorter for Char. That is why I lie in this trance, and why Char has begun to meditate—we can slow the process of the poison, but it doesn't stop it completely. I was contemplating waking in order to end my life and denying Galbatorix, but I refrained for hope you might be an ally. Her voice was getting weaker.

How long can you remain like this? Blaster asked.

Weeks, but I'm afraid I haven't that much time, Arya replied, weakly. This dormancy cannot stall death forever. I can feel the poison in my veins now. Unless I receive the antidote, I will succumb to the poison in three to four days. Char, I believe, will last just as long.

Where might we find this antidote? Blaster asked. He was rather nervous.

Outside of the Empire? Two places: with my own people and the Varden. My home, however, is beyond the reach of dragonback.

Then, we must go to the Varden, Blaster replied. I will not bother with asking for directions for Brom, the Rider who told me your name, gave directions to the Varden.

I see. However, you must swear to me that you have not deceived me in some manner and that you intend no harm to the elves, dwarves, Varden, or the race of dragons.

Upon my word as a Rider, I swear and affirm that I have not deceived you in any way, Blaster said. I do not intend to harm any of the aforementioned races, nor harm or give away the Varden's location to our enemies, whether it is willingly, or forced. This promise was repeated to Brom before I was given the directions.

It is still pretty far, Arya said. Don't let it dissuade you.

What should we tell them to give you for the poison? Blaster asked.

Her voice quavered, but she was able to regain some strength. Tell them—to give me Tunivor's Nectar. You must leave me now, for I have expended too much energy already. Do not talk to me again unless there is no hope of reaching the Varden. If that is the case, there is information I must impart to you so the Varden will survive. Farewell, Blaster, rider of dragons. My life, and that of Char's, is in your hands.

Arya withdrew her contact from Blaster. He shook his head and opened his eyes, finding Murtagh and Sara staring at them, concerned, on either side of them.

"You all right?" Murtagh asked. "You've been kneeling here for the better part of fifteen minutes."

"Really?" Blaster asked, blinking.

Yes, Sara replied. You had a pained look on your face.

"I talked with Arya," Blaster said as he stood. Mutagh looked at him as if he had gone mad. "The name of the elf, remember?" Blaster explained.

What ails her? Sara asked, impatiently.

He told them all about the entire discussion.

"Now, if you will excuse me, I want to talk to Char," Blaster said. He walked over to her form, kneeled before her, and placed his right hand against her face, extremely similar to the Vulcan mind-meld. As soon as he closed his eyes, he extended a tendril of thought towards her through his hand and into her mind. Char, can you hear me?

Now there's a voice I never expected to hear again, Char's voice said. Where are we?

Safe, Blaster replied. We managed to get you and Arya out of Gil'ead. Of course, we nearly managed to get captured before-hand, but, we got you out. I was just checking in to see how you were doing.

Char seemed to laugh a bit. I'm dying, she said, her voice as serious as she could get it. There is a poison in me, and I cannot hold it off forever. Hence this deep state of kel-no-reim.

Well, we are going to try and get the two of you to the Varden where there is an antidote, Blaster said. Arya is weak, and we might have to fly you there on Saranya.

Who?

That silver stone was actually a dragon egg, Blaster said. I am now a Rider in this land. Mine is Saranya, and I hooked up with one other Rider, by the way, whose blue dragon is called Saphira. This Rider's name is Eragon.

Well, since it is far away, I suppose you should use your energy to make sure your rides don't tire between here and there. She sighed. What of my weapons?

I have them here. He paused as he heard a growling. I will let you rest, now. I want to make sure you have enough strength to get to the Varden in time. We gotta set our marriage date.

Until then, Char said. Kai ga mov a no zu bac. May the wind be at your back. Blaster retreated from Char's mind to find that Sara was looking at some point in the distance

"Okay," Blaster finally said. "What is going on?"

Sara hissed. Look!

They all followed the dragons' gaze westward. Blaster's eyes bulged. "Merlin's beard!"

No more than a league away from them was a column of figures marching east, parallel to the mountain range. Hundreds of troops stretched for nearly a mile, with dust billowing from their heels and their weapons glinted in what little light was left. A standard-bearer rode before them in a black chariot, holding up a crimson banner.

"It's the Empire," Blaster said. "They've found us…somehow." Sara poked her head over the shoulders of the others to gaze upon the column.

"Yes," Murtagh said. "But those aren't men. Those are Urgals."

Will Arya and Char survive? Where are the Urgals going? And, most importantly, will the gang escape from their enemy's grasp yet again? Find out in the next installment of Free Riders.

He is more learned in mind domination than he occasionally lets on. He's had practice. Please R&R.