The Last Dragons
Warning; Some people might pick up on slight moments of what could be described as Slash between Caleb and Solembum. It won't develop as anything more than what is in this chapter but I'm trying it out. I don't see Caleb having a happy future with an Elf and you can't have a long life with a human, thus this is a logical option and Solembum is far older than even Islanzadi so there isn't really anything wrong with it.
Chapter 13; Homecoming
Elvin camp
Caleb poured warm water from his cupped hands over his head before leaning down over the large bowl and ducking his head under the water. He sat up slowly letting the water dribble down over his neck, shoulders, back and chest. It soaked into his thick cotton trousers even though he picked up the towel from his side and began drying himself off. Caleb, Murtagh and Eragon were sharing a large tent near the central arena of the camp while Saphira, Thorn, Lucus and Glaedr were out in the clearing between the tents.
Murtagh and Eragon were sitting in silence playing an Elvin card game that Eragon had taught Murtagh how to play a few hours ago after they'd retired to their tent and eaten in solitude. Caleb had been silent, refusing to open up to either of his brothers even though they'd tried their hardest to draw him out of his solitude. They knew he was pained by the very idea of being amongst the Elves he'd always wished for but there was little they could do when Caleb hadn't said a word to either of them. He even didn't talk with Lucus, though he did share feelings with his bonded. He could never actually shirk his Dragon.
Caleb stood and pulled on firstly a cotton shirt of Eragon's and then the leather archer's vest that King Orrin had given him. He didn't actually have many clothes of his own. Only some shirts and trousers that Roran and Horst had given him and the few pieces that had survived the trip from Uru-baen. That and his black travelling cloak that he always had. He left the light shirt undone down to his sternum as usual and left the leather vest undone both at the front and down from his elbows. He sat on his bed and pulled on a fresh pair of socks and his boots before strapping his sword, Aidail, to his waist. He'd leave his bow here this time.
"Where are you going?" Eragon asked. "Want some company?"
The concern in his voice made Caleb look up. "I need to go deal with something."
"With your sword?" Murtagh prompted.
"I don't plan on using it, if that's what your worried about." Caleb assured him.
"The Queen?" Murtagh stood.
"I need to talk to her." Caleb nodded. "Alone."
Murtagh deflated visibly. Caleb smiled at him and moved closer. "Be careful."
"They won't hurt me." Caleb told him.
"I meant mentally." Murtagh shook his head.
"I'll be ok, Murtagh. Really." Caleb assured him. "I'm sorry I've been such a git since getting here."
"Don't worry about it. I understand." Murtagh nodded.
Eragon stood and moved up to Caleb. "She's still awake." Eragon told him. "I know your mind's been locked down since we got here. She's talking to Maestin I think. In her tent."
"Thanks." Caleb nodded and hugged Eragon to show he was ok. He turned to Murtagh and leaned forwards and kissed him lightly on the forehead. "You too."
"If you want to go for a fly or something afterwards I don't want you going alone." Murtagh told him. "I get to be the big brother sometimes."
"I'll ask." Caleb nodded. "I promise."
Caleb ducked out into the night air. It was possibly one hour or so after midnight and the camp was quiet even though very few Elves slept this early. Most only needed three hours of 'rest' a night. A full moon was high in the sky lighting the camp to his Elvin eyes like it had become the sun.
He turned and walked slowly down the edge of the arena. A patrol of Elves were walking through the middle giving the four Dragons a wide berth. Caleb heard a low growl and stopped to study them. Glaedr was watching him as was Thorn. Saphira had been the one to growl at him but it was only to get his attention. Lucus however was watching him with a steady gaze. His silver scales made him look ethereal as the moonlight reflected off of him like a halo. Caleb smiled at him, happy that Lucus stood out even between his three larger kin.
"Be gentle Elfling." Saphira's gentle voice told him. Lucus looked at her proving that at least he had heard the words and probably Glaedr and Thorn too.
"Don't tell him to be gentle." Lucus told her. "She deserves..."
"Don't argue." Glaedr chided. Lucus snorted out a cloud of smoke in Saphira's face and she knocked him on the side of the head with her own snout.
Caleb laughed quietly with the distinct impression that the Dragons were trying to cheer him up. There was little doubt that Lucus knew exactly how he felt and Saphira was very intuitive. Thorn and Glaedr were obviously just enjoying the peace. Caleb turned and continued up towards the large dark green tent at the end of the Arena. It was guarded by two Elves who wore both bows and swords like most Elves did. All Elves carried both but the Archers in battles carried Longbows while the Swordsmen wore stronger armour. It complimented their versatility perfectly.
These two guards however were both Spellcasters and their minds swept out towards Caleb as he approached. Caleb brushed against their minds keeping them at bay even as they heard the steady growl of Lucus in their minds. Their minds drew back as they realised he was a Dragon Rider but that simply proved he was Caleb, who had shown so much discourtesy towards their Queen.
"I'm here to speak with the Queen." Caleb told them in the Ancient Language.
"We have orders by the Council not to permit you, or Morzan's son, into the Queen's presence." One of them told him rather bluntly.
"Which son of Morzan?" Caleb shook his head. "The one that only grew up as his son, the one that is only his son by blood or the one that can claim both, though he is loath to do it."
The two Elves looked astonished for a moment. The second spoke this tiem. "Until the one named Murtagh and yourself can prove your loyalty you will not be admitted entrance."
"We have already proven loyalty to those we are loyal to." Caleb told them simply, they looked surprised since he couldn't have lied. "We are loyal to each other and to Eragon. We are loyal to our Dragons also. We have proven those loyalties beyond question."
"Then you have not proven your loyalty to our Queen." The first pointed out.
"It is the Queen that owes me proof of her loyalty." Caleb told him bluntly. They were obviously rather shocked by his comment. "She is the one who broke a promise and therefore by Elvin custom I can call on her to explain herself at my own leisure."
"We still have orders not to permit you entrance." The same one told him with a shake of his head.
"Go and ask her to rescind that order than. I will wait." Caleb raised his voice knowing that the Queen would now know he was there. She'd probably heard most of the conversation already. "She has only this chance to talk to me. If she does not permit it, Lucus and I will fly within the hour and wish you all good luck in this war for it shall no longer be ours. This, I swear, is her last chance with me."
There was a hanging threat in his voice that seemed to still the two Elves. "Let him enter." Islanzadi's voice was barely above a whisper but all three heard it. The guards looked at each other before moving aside for Caleb to pass. Caleb walked through the small gap in the loose tent doors and stopped just inside while he took in the Queen and Maestin, her advisor, who were sitting on opposite sides of a table over a couple of maps. They were both staring at him. Caleb just kept silent and eventually the Queen spoke again.
"Maestin-elda, please leave us. Take the guards with you and issue orders that no one is to come near my tent for the next few hours." She told him.
"My Queen. I could be exiled for leaving you without protection with somebody like this." Maestin complained though his words were polite.
"He'd never hurt me." She told him.
"Is that true?" Maestin stood and looked at Caleb, standing almost between him and the Queen.
"It would not be possible to say those words." Caleb told him bluntly. "For there was a time recently where I could have harmed her."
"See." Maestin half turned to the rather shocked looking Queen.
"I can however say, and thus prove, that I mean her no harm right now." Caleb spoke in the Ancient language and thus his words couldn't be under suspicion. He didn't dare look at the relieved look that passed Islanzadi's features nor the look of hope in her eyes. "You have what proof you need." Caleb pointed out. "Now leave before Lucus removes you and the guards by force."
Maestin's eyes widened. He turned to the Queen, still unwilling to leave her alone with somebody like Caleb but after a moment where Caleb assumed he and the Queen spoke mentally, he saluted her and left. Caleb could hear him telling the guards to follow him. Caleb crossed the room and sat gracefully on the wooden divan.
He knew the Queen was watching his every movement as his fingers traces the knots and branches of the half sofa. Caleb was amazed by it just as he had been amazed at the beds in their own tent. Grown as they were from the trees themselves. Sung out of the wood was the actual term.
"This is all different to how I always imagined it would be." Caleb spoke softly without looking at her. He didn't trust his emotions right now. This woman had been a second mother to him. Third really if you included the one he'd never known.
"What is, Caleb?" She asked after almost a minute when Caleb didn't offer to continue.
"Meeting you, meeting Elves." Caleb told her. "I mean I always expected to be distrusted by everybody else and Arya did just that, though she let the humans beat me, drug me and not heal me properly. Meeting you though..." Caleb paused and sighed. "I always thought that seeing you in real life would make me happy."
"And I make you sad." It wasn't a question. It was filled with such self-loathing that Caleb was forced to look up at her. She blanched as she saw the tears in his eyes. Caleb looked back down.
"Not sad." Caleb told her softly. "Lost."
"Lost?" She asked. Clearly she'd been prepared for anger, hate, sadness or other more simple feelings but not this one.
"Alone maybe." Caleb shrugged and looked up. He gritted his teeth and stood up so quickly that the Queen leant back in her chair. There was no dignity in how she sat, no arrogance expected of a Queen of a race like the Elves. No self-surety that should flow from a being of her immense age. Caleb gripped the edge of the table and stared into her face. "You left at the worst possible time in my life. You left when I could have been useful. You left when the King wanted to make use of me, wanted to train me, make me the head of his armies with Murtagh at my side. You left when I had to be in the Castle without Murtagh. You left when I needed to have help to save Eragon, my brother. You left me months before I had to stand on my own during the Agaeti Blodhren. Do you know how hard all of that was for me?"
"Caleb...I..." She trailed off as she forced herself to look straight into his eyes.
"Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to sit there, eating with the King, while he tried to convince me that Murtagh had run off and left me. As he told me that he'd train me in magic. And all that time I had to remember that you'd abandoned me?" Caleb spat angrily. His arms were shaking and the edge of the table was close to splintering in his grip. "Did you think I'd understand? Did you think I'd know the reason you'd abandoned me?"
The table edge splintered in his hands, sending splinters through his skin. Caleb winced and shook his hand but he ignored the pain for a moment. "Did you even have a reason?" Caleb collapsed backwards onto the divan again and stared down at his hands. Caleb heard and felt the heavy thud from about ten yards away and knew that Lucus had landed outside the tent. He could hear his growl but only spared a moment's thought to make sure he didn't incinerate Islanzadi. "Did you?"
"No." Islanzadi's words were a blow to Caleb. He could have almost handled illness as a reason, or that she had been drawn up into some massive task that had prevented her from having the time to talk to him, but this was almost too much for him.
"Did you really not care enough about me? Did you really just train me so that you could have a spy? Somebody to run after a Dragon Rider if one appeared in the Empire?" Caleb asked without looking at her. "If that's what I am to you, I'll leave you in peace. I'll fight your war and you won't have to have anything to do with me again."
"Is that what you want me to say?" Islanzadi spoke up and Caleb flinched and looked up. She was kneeling in front of him and he hadn't even noticed. Caleb shook his head. "Caleb. You have always been like a son to me and you always will be no matter if you refuse to speak to me for the rest of time. I have no excuse for abandoning you and I'll take that with me to the grave whether it is eons in time or in this war."
Caleb didn't speak but he flinched as she reached out and cupped his bleeding hands in her own. He felt the surge of magic and gritted his teeth as the splinters and shards came free of his skin. She muttered again and his hands healed without a sign of the wound except for the blood. She didn't let go of his hands. "It was Arya wasn't it?" Caleb asked suddenly.
"I have no right to try to reason away my actions." She told him.
"Please, I need a reason." Caleb almost begged. He was crying again but this time he didn't look away from her. "If it wasn't for Lucus I might have lost my mind and become what Galbatorix wanted me to become. I need to know why you'd risk that."
She sighed and looked down but made a conscious effort to look back up at him as she spoke. "When Arya was captured I was overcome with grief. I refused to look out into the world. I thought that Arya was dead as I couldn't sense her and the thought of you being harmed was too much for me. I didn't deal with that the right way. I made myself assume that you were better off without me and I assured myself that you would be fine." She paused but Caleb didn't speak up. He'd never thought that she'd abandoned him to spare herself another loss. It made some sense even if it was illogical and irrational. "I didn't even realise Saphira had hatched. I knew nothing about Murtagh going after him. I knew nothing about the world outside of Du Weldenvarden until Arya and Eragon came to us. I tried to reach you but..."
"A trick I learnt from Saphira." Caleb mused. "It got out of my control. I never thought it would hurt you, it was just reacting to my emotions. That's why I couldn't say what Maestin wanted."
"I understand." She nodded. "I'm not going to ask for your forgiveness, Caleb. Just another chance. I promise that I won't betray it this time."
"On one condition." Caleb told her. She was clearly shocked and her eyes snapped up to his. Hope shone in them and Caleb couldn't find himself all that angry with her anymore. There would be fences to mend as the humans said but it could be done.
"Anything." She told him.
"If we're going to fight this war with you we're going to need a few things. Eragon and Murtagh need new swords. Mine needs redoing to be stronger if it's to contend with Galbatorix. All of us, Dragons and Riders, are going to need armour if we are to go into battle and I need a bow that won't snap if I use it to my full potential."
"I wouldn't let you into battle without all of those things." She promised him.
"The last is the most important. I don't really care about the rest apart from protecting my brothers and our bonded." He paused for a moment. "You have to trust Murtagh as you do me. You have to trust that I know him better than any other. You can't afford to mistrust him because of anything you saw him do under Galbatorix's control. He is mine and Eragon's brother and he has to be treated just as you plan to treat either of us."
"I trust Murtagh." Islanzadi promised him. "I will make sure he is no longer treated as Morzan's son but for what he really is. Your brother."
Caleb nodded and wrapped his arms around her crouched form. She returned the embrace eagerly and Caleb let his emotions settle properly. He knew that the Queen was crying gently. When he pulled away he wiped at his eyes and smiled up at her. "I am glad to be here." He assured her. "Maybe you should contact Arya though. I think she was worried that I'd hurt you." She chuckled and Caleb stood slowly. "We're going for a fly. We'll be back after sunrise I think. The Dragons need to hunt too."
"Go. We all have much to do." She stood and smiled. Caleb backed out of the room breathing in the air in one large gulp. His mind flickered out like a snake over the area even as he walked towards his bonded. Minds shrunk away from him automatically baring two which opened for him. Caleb's mind was back where it belonged a moment later, before any of the other Elves could think to find out who it was that had spread out their mind.
When Caleb had been in Uru-baen he'd used a spell, taught to him by Islanzadi, to hide his mind so that it wasn't obvious he was hiding it. The spell took a lot of concentration to maintain since Caleb had to work out what to allow to be read and what to hide. It had given him almost unmatchable mental abilities that not even the other Elves could challenge. Let alone when he had Lucus half set up in his own mind and half of his own mind set up in Lucus' head.
The two minds that recognised him without care where just as easily recognised by him as Murtagh and Eragon. In the instant his mind was open to the world he left them what amounted to an invitation. Caleb approached his moonlit Dragon and knelt in front of his head. Lucus, sitting on his haunches, leant his head into Caleb's chest and Caleb hugged him. "You are complete." Lucus announced calmly though there was happiness bubbling across their bond.
"We both are now."Caleb kissed his brow before standing. Lucus stood with him. The past weeks had been the most difficult for Caleb. Ever since Lucus, Saphira and Thorn had become a family, Lucus' own emptiness had been filled but Caleb had still yearned for something he had believed he'd never have. He still felt that way but after talking to Islanzadi he finally felt that he wasn't the only Elf in the world. It had been hard letting Lucus feel happiness while hiding his own emotions of loneliness from his bonded. He knew he had failed in hiding them completely but neither of them had spoken about it. Now, though, they could be happy together.
Caleb swung up onto Lucus' back and Lucus spread his wings. Lucus wasn't wearing a saddle but they didn't plan to do any acrobatics and they didn't plan to fly long. Caleb looked back down at the doorway of Islanzadi's tent and saw her standing watching him with a look of relief on her face. Caleb gave her a short wave before holding on tightly as Lucus leapt into the air and caught himself on his massive wings. They beat steadily to slowly gain altitude and the steady thud of his wings announced Caleb's departure to all the Elves still awake and probably quite a few that had been sleeping.
As Caleb and Lucus flew slowly over the camp, Caleb really took it in. His mind shrugged to spread over them all so he knew the army was large. It probably matched the ten thousand
humans that the Varden and Surdan's had staged at short notice. Caleb knew that this was it for the Elves and that the Varden and Surdan's could easily call up thirty thousand but the Elves counted for far more than humans. A thirty thousand strong army of humans would be hard pressed to defeat an army of even only ten thousand Elves especially since the Elves always very quickly gained magical superiority.
Against the hundred thousand man army Caleb and Murtagh knew that the Empire could muster though, the Elves, Varden and Surdan's would be hard pressed to win even with the Dwarven armies. That was why they needed the Dragon Riders and why they had to split Galbatorix's attention between the two armies.
The approaching sound of wings told Caleb what his mind suggested. Saphira and Thorn were beating at the air to come up beside Lucus. Once they, Eragon and Murtagh had arrived Caleb reached out gently with his mind. He found that Murtagh had brought Solembum with them and turned to see the boy in front of Murtagh being held tightly since neither Saphira nor Thorn had their saddles. Caleb's mind met Murtagh's and was permitted access without any delay. "What happened?" Murtagh asked.
"She agreed to no longer see you as Morzan's son but as my brother." Caleb told him.
"That's always nice but it's not what I wanted to know." Murtagh told him. Caleb felt Eragon's mind and let him and then Solembum into the conversation.
"We settled things. She explained that she couldn't face losing me too after she thought that Arya had died." Caleb told them. "Not very Elf-like of her."
"Are you ok?" Eragon's thoughts stirred something in Caleb's body. A reassurance that even if things had turned out differently with Islanzadi things between him and Eragon would have remained the same. There'd never been any doubt about things between himself and Murtagh.
"She didn't ask for forgiveness." Caleb sighed. "I'll be ok."
"Did you want her to ask?" Eragon asked as if offering to go down there right at that instant and make her ask.
"Some things can't ever be forgiven, Eragon. If she'd asked I wouldn't have been able to give it. We both knew that." Caleb told him. He leant down and tapped Lucus' neck sending a burst of thought to his bonded. Lucus rolled ever so slightly with a twitch of his wings and they turned up a river that flowed into the large Lake. Saphira and Thorn followed even as Lucus dipped down so that his feet dragged through the surface of the wide river. They flew up it in silence for a time before Lucus landed softly on a beach at a turning. Caleb's mind told him that they were alone as he slipped off of Lucus' neck. The Dragon quickly moved into the water to let Saphira and Thorn land side by side.
Caleb turned to Murtagh, Eragon and Solembum as Lucus waded out into the water and then suddenly submerged. "He wants to go for a swim if Saphira and Thorn want to go with him."
"It's the middle of the night." Murtagh told him even as Saphira and Thorn followed Lucus out into the water.
"Are we keeping you up?" Eragon laughed.
"Some of us actually need sleep." Murtagh grumbled and punched Eragon on the arm. Eragon grinned at him.
"There's nobody around so I'm going for a swim too." Caleb announced. "It's been a long time since I managed to do something on my own time and the Elves won't expect us till the morning."
"Sounds good." Eragon nodded.
"How cold is that water?" Murtagh eyed it carefully.
"Probably on the chilly side." Eragon muttered. "We're a long way north."
"Stop being a wimp, Murtagh." Caleb grinned at him even as he dropped his belt and sword to the side and tugged off his leather vest. Eragon laughed and unbelted the Elvin sword that Nasuada had given him. "You're supposed to be the older brother here."
Murtagh's eyes widened before he laughed and dropped Zar'roc to the ground rather brutally. He tugged off his own shirt and soon all three were wading out into the water completely naked. He and Murtagh didn't care if they saw each other that way and Caleb doubted that Eragon was unused to seeing Elves naked since even though they were conscious of their state in public when they were in small groups of the same gender they didn't care about who saw them bathing. Caleb imagined that he'd often bathed with Oromis during their training. Eragon was a bit nervous around Murtagh since they had only really known each other as brothers for a month. Caleb's uncaring attitude to nakedness around his two brothers soon evaporated any nervousness between the two though.
Caleb stopped in the river just as the water cover his waist and turned to Solembum who was still standing at the edge of the water watching them. "Are you coming to join us?" Eragon asked. He'd moved slightly further into the water and it reached up to his ribs. Murtagh however had ducked slightly to bring the water up to his neck so he could get used to the cold of the water that effected him so much more.
"Cats don't like water." Solembum told them.
"But you're a boy too." Murtagh laughed. "That means you can swim."
"Come on Solembum." Caleb smiled at him gently. "You're part of the gang now."
Solembum winced but took off his loose green cotton shirt and stripped himself. He was probably older than Caleb and Murtagh. Caleb couldn't even start to guess but he still had the body of a fifteen or sixteen year old. That brought another thought to Caleb. When they'd been introduced he'd looked like a ten year old. Obviously he could choose how old to look.
Solembum toed the water and advanced until it lapped his ankles before backing away. Caleb laughed and walked out of the water towards him.
"Come on, I'll guide you." Caleb grinned wickedly at Murtagh and Eragon. Eragon looked confused but Murtagh grinned back. Caleb turned suddenly and hoisted the sixteen year old up into his arms uncaring about their state of undress. Solembum squeaked in shock but clung to Caleb with his arms around his neck and his legs around his stomach as Caleb advanced into the water. Solembum tucked his head into Caleb's neck as the water lapped higher around them but Caleb kept his steady pace until they were both surrounded by water.
He mumbled soothingly in Solembum's ear singing a song in the Ancient language that Islanzadi had used to sing to him when he was younger. Murtagh grinned at him remembering the times Caleb had sung that to him after nightmares. Eventually Solembum relaxed and looked around. He stayed snuggled up to Caleb though but Caleb found he didn't mind since his strength and the water meant he could hold Solembum up easily. If that soothed the werecat's fear of water then he'd happily do it.
Caleb turned to Eragon and Murtagh only to see Eragon get a wicked smirk on his face before jumping through the water and tackling Murtagh down into the water. Murtagh came back up gasping for air and the two began fighting. Caleb started backing up and Solembum's eyes widened as the water lapped around his chin. Caleb re-shifted him so their head's were level before backing further into the water. He pushed the shorter Solembum away slightly but held him firmly under the arms so that Solembum could get used to kicking his feet to stay afloat.
Caleb spent hours coaching Solembum in how to swim while his two brothers frolicked about in the water, swimming up into the languid current and then drifting down as they chatted together happily. By the time Solembum would allow Caleb to let go of him he had the hang of staying afloat. Caleb ducked his own head under the water for a moment and swam gently in circles around his new friend.
When he surfaced again Eragon and Murtagh had joined them again. Caleb kept a close eye on Solembum as they all drifted gently in the centre of the river. "So, Eragon." Caleb grinned at him wickedly. "What's going to happen between you and Arya?"
Eragon blushed so deeply that even Solembum laughed though he stopped very quickly after his head disappeared under the water. Caleb swam around behind him and lifted him up taking both of their weight. Solembum seemed rather content against Caleb even if they were swimming around in cold water, in the middle of the night, naked.
"Oh, he's so smitten." Murtagh laughed at Eragon. Eragon just chuckled and playfully punched Murtagh in the arm.
"It's a good thing Arya is just as bad." Caleb spoke with a soft smile at Eragon.
"I already asked her once." Eragon told them miserably. "During the Agaeti Blodhren. She said no and the next morning she'd left Ellesmera and was heading for Surda."
"You can't beat running across the entire known world." Murtagh blurted before realising what he had said. "Sorry."
"You know she only did that because you are a Dragon Rider. She can't justify distracting you right now." Caleb told him.
"She still seems to be doing a good job." Eragon blushed again.
"You want my advice?" Caleb asked.
"You're offering advice about women?" Murtagh laughed at him.
"My experience is just as legitimate as yours." Caleb retorted. He let go of Solembum as the werecat squirmed to get away obviously wanting to try treading water and swimming again.
"You've never had a woman." Murtagh accused.
"Making out with women you don't even know the names of in taverns in Uru-baen doesn't count." Caleb retorted before turning in the water to his younger brother. "Seriously, Eragon. Don't give up on her. Keep persevering until she understands that you are serious about her and not just taken with the first Elf you met."
"Do Elves and humans ever get along?" Eragon asked nervously.
"Me and Murtagh seem to manage." Caleb frowned not understanding his words.
"I don't mean like that." Eragon blushed again.
"Oh you mean romantically." Caleb got serious again. "It's heard of but not recently and it doesn't normally turn out well. Humans die while Elves live more or less forever. The Elf never lives happily after the human dies. Most die shortly afterwards."
Eragon sighed. "That's with normal humans though right?" Murtagh prompted.
"Yeah, it's to do with the lifespan." Caleb nodded. "Eragon doesn't have to worry about that. A Dragon Rider lives just as long as an Elf does and in a hundred years or so her century head start won't matter all that much to either of you."
"Was it common?" Eragon asked. "Dragon Riders and Elves I mean."
"A Dragon Rider and a human is just the same as an Elf and a human. They can be happy but the human always dies of old age." Caleb winced knowing he was describing his own mother in this. "Morzan proved that. He went even madder after mum died." Caleb looked at his older brother and bit his lip. "You're going to have to find somebody within the Elves as well."
"I'm not sure I'm all that bothered about that right now." Murtagh told him.
"I'm thinking about the future." Caleb grinned at them. "I'd like nephews and nieces from both of you."
"What about you?" Eragon asked.
"I'm not sure about that right now." Caleb told them. "I...don't know how I feel about Elves in general right now."
Murtagh hugged him with one arm but they were distracted once again as Solembum wallowed back under the water. Caleb didn't react as his mind found Lucus just under them and a moment later Lucus' head came out of the water with Solembum wrapped around his neck. "I think he's had enough." Caleb grinned at Solembum's tired expression and tight grip around Lucus' neck and then looked up at the rising sun. "Let's go dry off. Do you three want to go hunt?" Caleb asked as Saphira and Thorn both swam up the river towards them.
"We shall hunt." Saphira announced to them all before leading the way out of the water. Caleb followed knowing that Saphira, even though female, wouldn't care about his state of undress, or even Murtagh's. He lifted Solembum down off of Lucus' neck before laying himself and the shorter boy out on the gravel beach. Murtagh lay on his left while Eragon lay down on Solembum's other side.
"This was fun." Eragon told them. Solembum muttered something sleepily before rolling on his side and curling into Caleb's side. He was soon asleep. "He seems rather happy with you, Caleb."
"I've noticed." Caleb told him. "I don't know how much of that is just him being a cat though. Cat's are always friendly."
"You don't seem to mind." Murtagh told him and leaned on an elbow to look at him.
Caleb gave him a small smile before shuttering his eyes. For some reason he didn't want to talk about this right now.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Half an hour later
Caleb sat up slowly once they had all rested and the sun was fully clear of the horizon. They were easily dry by then and in Murtagh's case, warm again. Solembum stirred and purred against Caleb making him laugh. "Come on, Solembum. We need to get back. Go get dressed."
Solembum gave him a smile perfectly suited for a cat and jumped up and ran to where his clothes had been left. How he changed form so easily with his clothes was beyond Caleb but just like Dragons, a werecat used magic without words. Caleb, Murtagh and Eragon dressed quickly and waited patiently for their Dragon's to return. They came up a few minutes later along the river making it obvious that, for the sake of Eragon and Caleb, they'd washed their mouths after eating meat.
"Am I going to go off meat at some point?" Murtagh asked shocking Caleb as he asked what he was thinking.
"Yes." Caleb told him bluntly. "If you want some though you'll have to go with the Dragons. The Elves won't like you bringing meat into the camp. Nor will I."
"Nor me." Eragon chuckled. "Trust me, after you train you won't regret losing meat."
"What is it about meat you suddenly don't like?" Murtagh asked. "Caleb used to eat it as a child and you did when we were travelling together."
"Caleb? Do you want to explain?" Eragon offered.
Caleb nodded. "When you reach out with your mind you can sense all the human minds, right?" Murtagh nodded with a frown. "If you listen carefully enough you can connect with the minds of animals as well and not just one at a time but all of them. You can observe everything that happens, understand the way they think, their fears and pleasures. After you do that enough you realise what it is that you're killing for food."
"Especially when you can eat plants." Eragon put in.
"Actually you can't." Caleb told him, "At least human's can't live safely on just plants. They need some things that you can only get in meat. Dragon Riders and Elves don't so we can get away with it. That's why the Elves never pushed for humans to keep to plants alone."
"So when I learn this I won't be able to eat meat either?" Murtagh asked.
"You can try if you really want to." Eragon told him. "I tried after being in Ellesmera for a while. I caught a couple of rabbits but couldn't go through with eating them."
"And you know I forced myself to eat meat at the King's dinners." Caleb winced. "And you know what that did."
"You'll teach me this right?" Murtagh checked.
"Sure." Caleb assured him. "But I think we owe it to Oromis to talk to him first."
"I was going to suggest that." Eragon put in. "I wanted to mention it before but I couldn't."
"That's ok." Caleb nodded.
They quickly got into the sky after that with Solembum holding tight to Caleb's waist as they flew back to the Elvin camp. Word from patrols on the north side of the camp reached the main body long before Lucus, Saphira and Thorn burst across the skies. They all landed rather heavily in the arena in the centre of the camp and Caleb, Solembum, Murtagh and Eragon had barely gotten to the ground when Islanzadi, Maestin, Oromis and two older looking Elves began to approach across the grass.
They didn't move until Islanzadi came to a stop just opposite Caleb. Eragon and Murtagh saluted her and after a small smile flickered over his lips Caleb saluted too. Islanzadi lifted a hand to cut off a suddenly very confused Eragon who had just started the ritual blessing. She
looked first at Eragon, then at Murtagh before finally looking at Caleb making it clear she was addressing them all.
"Atra esterni ono thelduin." She spoke with a light air as if what she was doing was common place.
Caleb grinned but spoke up for the three of them. "Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr."
"Un du evarinya ono varda." Not only had she spoken first, she'd now spoken the additional line sealing them as her superiors, at least for this time. Oromis was grinning happily while the two older Elves and Maestin had paled at the first line and almost collapsed on the last. Islanzadi turned to Murtagh. "Greetings, Elf-friend. Brother of Caleb-Elda and Eragon-Finiarel."
"You honour me." Murtagh bowed. Caleb had explained the term Elf-friend to Murtagh on the way there. Any human with that title bestowed upon them could expect every courtesy from any Elf they met. She'd just accepted Murtagh into the Elvin army in a way that none could argue. "After growing up with Caleb it is a pleasure to finally meet the woman that raised him through dreams." Murtagh grinned at her as he finished.
"I have learnt much about your own childhood through Caleb-Elda." She told him with a light smirk even as she used the highest honorific for Caleb yet again. "Through your brotherhoods good times and bad. You have kept him safe and that earns you my heart. Welcome to the Elves, Murtagh-Finiarel." She told him using the honorific for one showing great promise just like she did for Eragon.
"I hope I live up to your expectations, my Queen." Murtagh saluted her again and bowed his head.
"I do not expect you to call me your queen. For the one that helped to protect Caleb I hope you will call me as he does. As Islanzadi." She told him.
"Use Elda." Caleb warned him in a split second.
"As you wish, Islanzadi-Elda." Murtagh told her looking all the while as if he had been planning to use that honorific all along. Caleb knew though that he didn't know all that much about them yet.
"We have much to do today." Islanzadi announced slightly louder and her voice reached out over the audience they had attracted. Caleb lifted an arm as Solembum burrowed into his side but nobody commented on the suddenly ten year old boy's actions. They all knew werecats had their own way of thinking and acting. "We wish to test your skills to discover what we must train you in. Oromis will test your magical skills as he is the best suited to the task and we shall find a suitable Elf for you to test your swordsmanship against."
"As to that I have a request." Caleb spoke up with a smirk. "There was an Elf that saw to Eragon's...training." He said the last word with a dubious tone. "Vanir. I believe he will be the best suited as he is already well versed in the capabilities of a Dragon Rider."
Islanzadi frowned and her mind reached out to Caleb. Caleb let her in. "Explain please, Caleb."
"He insulted Eragon throughout their training until Eragon beat him after his change at the Agaeti Blodhren. Call it a retribution of honour." Caleb replied in his mind. Islanzadi looked resigned but nodded all the same.
"I have sent for Ingwe, Caleb." Islanzadi told him gently. "He is among those on the eastern reaches of Du Weldenvarden nearer to Gil'ead. He will be here by the morning."
"Who's that?" Eragon asked.
"My father's friend." Caleb told him smoothly. "He was the only one to survive the ambush that killed my family. Baring my mother of course but she didn't survive my birth."
"Who were his parents, Islanzadi?" Maestin asked.
"The Master Spellcasters Inwin and Fellatai." She told him with a sorrow filled look at Caleb's emotionless face.
"Those killed in the Urgal ambush?" Maestin asked. Caleb heard with his mind that Eragon was translating all of this for Murtagh but he didn't pay them any attention.
"I would like to talk to him when he arrives."
"I'll make sure he eats the morning meal with you." She assured him.
"Thank you." Caleb told her. "What of armour and weapons?"
"This afternoon you may go to Rhunon." Islanzadi told him with a strange hopeless tone. "Perhaps you may convince her to make you weapons, she is the best at the task. The sword, Zar'roc, is one of hers. After you speak with her we will have you and the Dragon's measured for armour."
"We thank you, Islanzadi-Elda." Eragon bowed to her.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
A half hour later
They'd eaten a light breakfast comprising of a salad mixed with exotic berries. Murtagh had eaten it without comment even after that morning's conversation. The arena was quickly transformed into a training area as Elves mixed together to practice their swordsmanship. Murtagh eyed them warily knowing fairly well that even after blending with Thorn he was far slower and weaker than the Elves.
"You look worried." Eragon muttered.
"Weren't you before they changed you?" Murtagh countered.
"I only fought against Arya and she held back and then Vanir." Eragon shrugged.
"Don't worry about it Murtagh." Caleb spoke up and placed his hand on Murtagh's back gently. "It's been a long time since a human beat an Elf in a fair fight. We've got our magical tests with Oromis first though."
Even as he finished speaking they saw Glaedr glide overhead. The giant golden Dragon settled down on the ground at the bottom end of the arena where Saphira, Lucus and Thorn were lying together. Thorn stood to greet the Dragon but Saphira and Lucus didn't bother. Caleb knew they greeted him silently though.
"We're going for a fly." Lucus told him after a moment. He sounded worried.
"I'll be fine, Lucus. If anything happens Eragon and Murtagh won't leave me on my own." Caleb told him.
"I want to be here when you meet Ingwe tomorrow." Lucus told him. "Glaedr says we will be."
"Good." Caleb told him. "Go have fun."
Caleb felt a wave of joy at being allowed away. It had been a while since Lucus had really pushed himself and he'd wanted to prove himself to Saphira and Thorn who had both been in fights against another Dragon before. Lucus had partly proven himself against the Lethr-blaka but they'd been slow and cumbersome in comparison.
Caleb watched as the four Dragons sent up a cloud of dust as they clawed at the air, raising up elegantly and to the utter amazement of all of the Elves in sight. Caleb turned as he felt the familiar mind of the Queen of the Elves. He probed out automatically and felt Oromis at her side shield himself. Islanzadi recognised his mind and left her own open. A sign of trust that made Caleb smile gently at her as she approached. Caleb left his mind open as Oromis opened his own letting the Dragon Rider learn what Caleb's mind felt like.
Oromis prodded at Caleb's mind as if attacking him. Caleb carefully deflected the attack. Using the skills learnt after spending his childhood shielding from King Galbatorix he hid his mental training from Oromis looking exactly like he was an untrained human. Oromis frowned trying to work out why he couldn't sense any mental training before intruding further. Caleb's shields sprung up out of nowhere blocking his mind completely. Oromis recoiled rapidly and chuckled.
"I would say that Caleb-Finiarel is in no way in need of mental training."Oromis told the Queen. "His mental shields are impressive when active though he can hide his training perfectly."
"It was the only way to survive in the King's presence." Caleb told him. "He knew that Murtagh and I could block our minds but not that I could attack. He would have known I had magical training otherwise."
"Caleb has been learning magic for fifteen years." Islanzadi told Oromis. "He is as knowledgeable as I, though only recently has he become more powerful than I."
"We shall see." Oromis nodded. He turned to Murtagh and reached out with his mind. Caleb reached out too but stayed clear of the attack. Oromis knew he was there and his intention to protect Murtagh was obvious. If Oromis even thought of hurting Murtagh, Caleb would be through his own barriers and Oromis would be dead before he'd completed his spell. "His defences are also impressive. As good as Dragon Riders of old. Experience will give him finery but these are beyond what I expected of a new Rider."
"I had Caleb to attack and test them." Murtagh told him.
"Together you survived what one of you might not have been able to." Oromis nodded. "Shall we begin your magical tests?"
"This is a test of skill rather than brute strength." Islanzadi told them. "Even so you will be against my magic and not Oromis-Elda."
Caleb frowned and looked at Oromis with a clear question on his face. "My magic was broken in one of the final battles. I can only achieve the smallest of magicks."
Caleb winced wondering bleakly what he'd feel like if he lost his magic. He bowed at Oromis respectfully. Caleb's own test went smoothly since Islanzadi knew his skills. Caleb showed her the things he'd learnt and they had a small battle to determine his increasing power which had grown again in the month since he'd countered the spell Murtagh had cast against Hrothgar.
Murtagh's test was far longer since his major spell repertoire consisted of what Galbatorix had taught him in the six months between Thorn's hatching and the Battle of the Burning Plains. He was basically left to run through what he'd been taught though when Oromis asked how his magic had been increased Murtagh went shockingly pale and stumbled backwards with a shake of his head. Caleb winced and got between Murtagh and the two Elves.
"Don't worry about it, Murtagh." Caleb whispered into his brother's ear as he wrapped his arms around him tightly. Murtagh ended up almost hanging off of Caleb. "If you want to talk about it later we will. Just forget they asked for now."
Murtagh nodded and Caleb slowly let go of him and turned to Oromis and Islanzadi with a determined shake of his head and a resolute glint in his eyes. "It can wait." Islanzadi declared. "Vanir should arrive soon and we shall test your swordsmanship."
"Without your presence, Islanzadi-Elda." Caleb told her softly.
She eyed him for a moment before nodding. "I shall find an impartial Captain to watch and report back to me."
Vanir actually came across as the epitome of polite Elvin custom but Caleb sensed he was of the same age as Caleb and Murtagh. He saluted Eragon with a respectful expression. "We'll begin with the human." Vanir told the three of them bluntly.
"I heard human." Murtagh reached for Caleb's mind.
"He said you're first." Caleb told him before moving to the side with Eragon. "Use the tricks you learnt against me. Don't try to prolong the fight. You'll tire first."
"I know how to fight an Elf, Caleb." Murtagh drew Zar'roc with a gentle hiss.
"You use Eragon's sword. Do you not even have one of your own?" Vanir asked in the Ancient language. Caleb realised he was using it only to irritate Murtagh since all the Elves knew he didn't know enough to hold a conversation.
"Elvin custom states that you speak in common." Caleb stated rather bluntly. "And Zar'roc belongs to the oldest son of Morzan."
Murtagh threw him a grateful look even as Vanir narrowed his eyes at Caleb. "Let us begin this then." Vanir spoke bluntly. His common was raw and unpractised. He drew a sword slightly lighter than Zar'roc but just as deadly looking. He ran his fingers along the blade blunting the edge with a faint green light. Caleb moved over to Murtagh and did the same to Zar'roc knowing that Murtagh hadn't been taught the spell. Vanir leered at Murtagh who drew himself up.
If Murtagh was one thing it was determined. He shifted his sword into a high guard and Caleb backed away. Vanir attacked first bringing his sword around in a rather slow low strike. Murtagh stepped away from it with ease and slashed out with the sword. Vanir blocked it with effort before counterattacking with a rather fast strike that Murtagh could only just dodge. The fight was clearly in Vanir's hands as the minutes stretched on. Murtagh had been changed in the seven months as a Dragon Rider, showing physically only as a slight sharpening of his ears but his body had become stronger and faster. He was nowhere near the speed and strength of an Elf though.
The fight ended when Vanir struck Murtagh on the arm with the edge of his blunted blade and Murtagh staggered backwards. Vanir had a superior look on his face as he sneered at Murtagh. Caleb looked across the small space to the Captain that Islanzadi had sent to watch the fights. He motioned to Caleb who moved forwards and drew his own sword.
"Arrogance is not becoming of an Elf, Vanir." Caleb told him simply. "I requested you for this because of your words to my brother. You have proven his words to me. If you win this you will prove your thoughts but if I win you will apologise to both of my brothers for everything you have said, or thought, about them."
"I accept." Vanir sneered. He was clearly thinking that even though Caleb was an Elf he was still raised by humans.
"Vanir-Vodhr." Another young elf spoke up. "Beware of his extra strength, he will use it against you."
"Keep out of this." Caleb told the Elf bluntly. "If he needs your advice he will ask for it."
Vanir drew himself up and raised his sword to begin the fight. Caleb drew Aidail and purposely cast the blunting spell without words. The sword flashed green as the spell went into effect.
Vanir attacked first but Caleb had already decided not to use his additional strength to fight this battle. He would beat Vanir as an Elf so he couldn't claim disadvantage. He parried the first strike with ease and continued doing just that for over five minutes. Vanir was a good fighter but he constantly underestimated his opponents. Vanir upped his level but he didn't have the elegance and skill of Arya.
Caleb parried and blocked with seemingly effortless precision but kept the strength of his strikes to Elvin levels until he flicked his sword up under Vanir's strike and disarmed him. Caleb stepped closer and raised the tip of his sword up under Vanir's chin. "Now, what was it you said to Eragon? Dead?"
There was a shocked silence all around them as Caleb turned his back on Vanir and headed for his brothers. He turned before the three were about to leave. "I don't expect you to be able to swallow your pride this soon. Tonight at the meal with the Queen will do for your apology." Caleb smirked at him before leaving with a laughing Murtagh and a grinning Eragon.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
That afternoon
Eragon led Caleb and Murtagh into a large tent on the edge of a cluttered space that was clearly a forge. Solembum was sleeping in Caleb's arms and his purrs ran through Caleb's chest. "Rhunon-Elda?" Eragon greeted her since she had her back turned to him. This tent was more of a workspace than a sleeping area. Racks of armour filled every inch but Caleb noticed that there wasn't a single weapon in the room.
"Eragon." She turned and took him in. "Still alive I see."
"I was lucky." Eragon told her modestly. Caleb was translating for Murtagh silently so he could keep up. "We need to ask something of you."
"Yes, yes. The Queen did warn me." Rhunon announced primly. "And my answer is no."
"Even to armour?" Caleb asked knowing the problem from Eragon earlier. She refused to make another weapon after her own swords had destroyed so much. Something that Caleb could understand.
"Armour is another matter." Rhunon told him. "I have already begun work on armour for the three of you. I will need your measurements."
She seemed to want to use that to slide out of the rest of the conversation but Caleb wouldn't give up that easily. Her swords were unsurpassable and he wouldn't let her get away with that so easily. Not when his brothers and the Dragons were in danger. "What price would you pay to protect those that you love, Rhunon-Elda?" Caleb asked suddenly. She looked up looking rather startled at the question. Their eyes met.
"I knew your mother before she died. You have identical eyes." Rhunon told him sadly. "And I would pay a great deal."
"What do you think I'd be willing to pay to protect my brothers? The brother that are my whole life?" Caleb asked. She stared at him. "My very life." He told her bluntly. "And I would go to the ends of the world to ensure they had the best chance of coming out of this alive. That means having the best weapons possible. Luckily that means I have to come to you."
"I don't make weapons." She told him.
Caleb stared into her eyes with ruthless determination. "Is losing the ease of your conscience too high a price to pay to protect those you love then, Rhunon-Elda." Caleb asked. "For surely Galbatorix is armed with one of your swords and we stand against high enough odds as it is without having weapons to match. Will you stand aside and watch the world burn?"
"You do not plead or beg like others have done." Rhunon told him. "I will think on your words."
"Do not think on it for too long." Caleb told her.
"Rhunon-Elda." Murtagh saluted her and bowed before presenting Zar'roc to her within its sheathe. "Upon this blade my oath to Galbatorix was broken when I stabbed my own brother with itIt is my father's blade and I wish nothing more than to discard it. That however seems callous since love went into its construction. I would be pleased if you would take it."
"You would leave it?" Rhunon asked him.
"There is a lot of pain upon that blade." Murtagh told her. "My father harmed me with it in a drunken rage, Brom's Dragon died upon it, among others, and I almost killed Caleb with it."
"I will ensure that it never tastes blood again." Rhunon swore to him and accepted the sword. She placed it on a table with almost reverent hands. "I must take your measurements and then this evening take those of the Dragons. I will be busy enough with your armour. It will give me enough to time to think on other matters."
"I am not unaware of the pain this causes you, Rhunon-Elda." Caleb told her. They'd all moved smoothly into Common for Murtagh's sake.
"But it is within the price you are willing to pay." Rhunon smiled at him. "That I can respect, Caleb-Elda."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
That night
They were moved into single large tents that evening. Each tent was in a colour to match their Dragons and inside each was a desk and chair, a bed behind a draped cloth and a large bed for their Dragons. The entrance was larger than normal to accommodate the Dragons. Eragon, Murtagh and Solembum were sitting with Caleb on the floor while Lucus lay on his bed. Saphira and Thorn couldn't have fitted in as well but Caleb knew they both rested on their own beds in his brothers' tents on either side of his own.
"How do you feel, Caleb?" Murtagh asked.
"Like we've just arrived at the end of a road." Caleb told him with a small grin that told of his strain. "And onwards is just a vast field full of obstacles."
"Our guided path is at an end." Eragon chuckled. "And now the decisions are ours to make."
Caleb grinned at him and hugged him to his side. "You're growing up little brother."
They played cards and chatted well into the night before Murtagh declared that he needed to sleep. Eragon left with him and Caleb stood and stretched out his muscles. He tied shut his door to give himself privacy before he stripped down, kissed Lucus on the nose and lay down under the covers of his bed. He was just about to fall into his trance when the covers rose and a naked Solembum, in his ten year old form, curled up into his side. Caleb smiled down at him, kissed his head and hugged him closer as the werecat fell to sleep.
Caleb fell into his trance finally believing that his life might turn out well after all.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
End Chapter