The Last Dragons
A/N; Yeah... well I started this chapter trying to be subtle about the slash. To start with I was trying to make it so that it was there if you wanted it to be there but then I just gave into what I wanted and this is what you get as a result.
Chapter 14; Elven Might
Elven camp
Caleb woke from his trance and of course he wasn't surprised at his guest. Solembum was warm against him from where he lay half over him with his face nuzzled into the side of his neck. What Caleb was surprised by was that Solembum had been a ten year old boy when he'd joined him late last night and now he was easily a seventeen year old human, not much older than Eragon was. It also seemed that Solembum wasn't shy in any of the ages he took upon himself and clearly he had the same reactions to a morning like this as any other person.
Caleb wasn't one to comment on Solembum's obvious state and instead roused the slightly smaller boy by touching him on the back, all that was necessary it seemed. Solembum lifted a groggy head to look at his pillow and a small smile spread across his face.
"You sleep like a cat but react like a human." Caleb said rather bluntly.
"You can't blame me for my nature." Solembum told him without shame nor did he try to move away from Caleb regardless of what their closeness belied. It was a long moment before Solembum made to stand though his expression was more serious as he looked down at Caleb again. "Better I be with one I can love than be forever chased by Maud."
Caleb sat up in the bed as Solembum turned away, unashamed by his nakedness. He could easily be lost in a crowd of human young men except for the fact that he looked far more attractive than any human that Caleb had ever seen. His looks could be described as elf like. "So you're using me to get rid of that were-cat?"
"I've managed to avoid her for this long. I don't need you in order to continue doing that." Solembum glanced over his shoulder before stretching his body just like a cat would before he bent down to pick up the loose robes that he normally wore and then walked around the wooden divider into the main section of the tent. Caleb shook his head and pushed the fact he was falling for the were-cat out of his mind.
He pushed aside the thin sheet and stretched his body before he pulled on a light shift and headed out into the main part of the tent. Solembum was sitting cross-legged on one of the cushioned but he didn't look as cheerful as he usually was. Caleb knew he'd been a little confrontational but some things had to be said. Caleb circled around him and just as he was standing a few feet behind the were-cat he kissed him on the top of the head and put a hand on the back of the seventeen-year-olds neck.
Solembum grinned up at him clearly happy that he wasn't been kicked out even though Caleb didn't think that a were-cat was somebody you could get rid of. "I don't mind you being around, Solembum." Caleb whispered so that their words couldn't be heard by any passing Elf. "But it's not like I can think of my own happiness right now. Maybe once I've seen to Eragon and Murtagh's safety I can think of things like that."
"I can wait." Solembum told him.
Caleb moved to the tied up entrance and deftly undid the knots he'd done the night before and then moved sat on a cushion opposite Solembum. Only then did he let his mind drift over to Lucus. He'd known since he'd awoken that his bonded was up in the air with Saphira and Thorn hunting but he'd kept his own thoughts to himself especially because of what they'd entailed. He had no doubt that Lucus had been well aware that he was awake however.
"Are you having fun?" Caleb asked.
"Yes." Lucus told him. "Do you want to join me for a while?"
"Just for a while." Caleb told him before muttering the spell under his breath tying himself closer to his bonded. To Solembum his eyes would simply turn into a more vibrant colour of violet before he shut his eyes to concentrate solely on the Dragon part of his soul as together he and Lucus soared over the top edge of the clouds, dipping their wings down slightly so it cut through the watery substance like a finger through a bowl of water. He could see Saphira in front of him to his right and Thorn close on her tail almost directly to his right.
He didn't know how long he stayed like that before his own self distracted him, or rather two noisy humans distracted him and he cancelled the spell. He looked up from his place on the floor at Eragon and Murtagh who were too busy bantering to realise they'd pulled him out of his enjoyment. Solembum chuckled quietly and Caleb looked over taking in his younger body. He was now about the age of a twelve year old human boy.
Eragon and Murtagh sat down on the cushions spread around the edge of Caleb's tent and Eragon turned to Caleb and opened his mouth.
"Don't even think about drawing me into whatever it is you two are bickering about." Caleb cut him off with a sharp look. "I want no part of it. We have things to do today."
Murtagh snorted. "I could have told you that, little brother." Murtagh teased Eragon.
Caleb nodded sideways to a young Elf girl standing meekly in his doorway and she walked forwards with feigned confidence with an almost steady tray with several bowls fruit sitting upon it. She placed it on the table that sat between the four of them. "Is there anything else you require, Eldas?" She asked in quiet ancient.
"Murtagh?" Eragon turned to his older brother. "Is there anything you need that can't wait?"
Murtagh shook his head and Eragon turned and shook his head at Caleb. Caleb in turn turned back to the Elf. "No, we're fine, thank you good Elf." He replied though he kept to common so that Murtagh could follow however the poor Elf simply looked at him strangely. He sighed before repeating himself though this time in Ancient.
"In that case, Shurtagal, the Queen and Council request that you all attend a strategy meeting as soon as you have eaten." She told him before she backed out of the tent and disappeared.
"Couldn't she speak common?" Murtagh asked.
"All of the older Elves will but those born after the Elves went into hiding have the choice. Most of the younger Elflings like her won't know enough to hold a conversation." Caleb explained. "We've got a strategy meeting after we eat."
"So I would say take your time." Solembum spoke up gently before reaching out and taking one of the berries from a bowl and popping it into his mouth with a cheeky grin.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Thirty minutes later
Caleb walked through the open entrance to the Queen's tent without announcing himself. The Queen had mentally called him about ten minutes ago asking him to come see her before the strategy meeting began. She was alone eating from a bowl of fruit as she did the last few touches to her hair in front of a mirror.
She didn't have to see him in the mirror to know it was him, Caleb felt the touch of her mind against his own. Now that the Elves had gotten used to the three Dragon Riders in their midst they'd opened their minds into the vast community that existed mentally over the camp where nobody could possibly sneak in undetected.
"Caleb, thank you for coming."
"It was that or risk slighting the Queen of the Elves." Caleb told her unfazed by the fact she was talking in common, clearly knowing that he was more comfortable in it than Elvish. She chuckled lightly before turning to face him. "I wanted to ask you if you would join us Elves in this war?"
"That's a rather odd question. I told you that I'd fight for my brothers and their Dragons." Caleb told her before moving away from the entrance and taking a piece of sliced apple for himself. He'd found that Elvish fruit was far more pleasant than anything he was used to.
"But will you fight for the continuation of the Elven race?" Islanzadi asked seriously.
"Does it want me to?" Caleb asked.
"Yes, Caleb." She nodded simply. "The Council is in agreement after I told them all that I know of your life so far. You are one of us by decree of the Elven families."
"But should it really have taken a vote from the Council to accept an Elf into their midst?" Caleb asked rhetorically before struggling. "I'm not just an Elf anyway."
"You're Shurtagal." Islanzadi nodded in continuation of his declaration.
"Is this why you asked me here?" Caleb asked. "To find out if I'd shirk their decision at the strategy study?"
"No." She shook her head and gestured to an ornate, wooden trunk sitting at the foot of a bench against the side of the tent. Caleb found his eyes drawn to the small emblem on the front of the chest. An oak tree with two small saplings twisting around it. He knew that if he looked closer he'd see flowering tree runners up all three trees. He didn't need to look though, it was Caleb's family crest. "Ingwe arrived about three hours before sunrise. He brought this from his home. It seems that he's been planning for this reunion for many a year since your birth."
"Since my family's slaughter you mean?" Caleb corrected. "I trust you know that event seems to be the topic of discussion for most of the Elves here. Lucus nearly ate one of your citizens because he talked about it within his earshot."
Islanzadi grinned ever so slightly. "Well we must be getting ready for this meeting, Caleb. Ingwe informed me that he had a suitable tunic prepared for you by his wife. I believe it will suit you well."
"And declare to the Council that I'm on your side?" Caleb challenged.
"And remind my people that you are one of them. To fight for them and be protected by them." Islanzadi didn't even blink at his challenge.
"I suppose I could do with getting out of these clothes." Caleb shrugged. He'd been travelling rather light for almost seven months now with only a few extra clothes he'd gotten from firstly Carvahall and then the Varden. Caleb walked over to the chest and knelt in front of it. He popped the catch but after a moment's thought he closed it again and place his hands on the handles before lifting it up. It wasn't as heavy as a human-made trunk this size would have been.
"I'll see you soon, Caleb." Islanzadi told him before turning gracefully to enter the private section of her tent.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Eragon stared in shock as he walked into Caleb's tent just before they were about to go to the strategy meeting. Caleb smirked at him in the mirror he was using to straighten his black hair before he turned around. "Yes, Eragon?"
"Uh..." Eragon swallowed. "You look great."
"Thank you, Eragon." Caleb laughed. "You can close your mouth now. We're going to be late if we don't find Murtagh soon."
"I just..." Eragon bit his lip, obviously trying not to laugh at whatever he was thinking. "I suppose I never really saw you as an Elf before."
Caleb raised his eyebrows at the boy in amusement. It was surprising what a good Elven tunic could do. He was so used to wearing the looser and badly made clothing that came with living with humans that it was almost a pleasure to wear the well fitting black trousers and the green tunic that he'd tied around the waist. The tunic itself was clearly hard enough to use in battle yet it moved without restriction and was comfortable. It had fine, yet strong, cords that held the wrists together so it could be undone to fire a bow. Over the top of the tunic over his left shoulder was a silver tinted dark green shoulder piece that held his family emblem on the front.
He lifted Aidail's sheathe from the side of the tent and tied the cords around his belt before looking over at Eragon. His new younger brother was decked out in a similar way to Caleb, wearing Elven clothes and with the Elven sword that Nasuada had gifted to him around his waist and his bow and quiver over his shoulder. Caleb gritted his teeth at the reminder that his own bow was currently lying in the plains in several pieces.
Caleb followed Eragon out and if he hadn't been an Elf he wouldn't have been able to catch Solembum in cat form as the little creature leapt up out of the grass next to Lucus' head and into his arms. Lucus grunted at him but stayed still knowing that he three Dragons and Glaedr wouldn't be at the meeting physically. The chances of any of them not having their input through their Riders was slim however.
Murtagh came out of his tent as he felt Caleb and Eragon's minds nearing and his eyes widened as he spotted the man he'd grown up with. "Wow, Caleb. I never knew you had it in you!"
"Hilarious, Murtagh." Caleb drawled.
"You look good." Murtagh complimented.
Caleb nodded once to accept the comment before the three walked slowly up through the camp and through the central arena, ignoring the sparring Elves that broke apart to watch their passage through their midst. Caleb knew perfectly well that most of them were watching him.
The large mess tent had been cleared and in the centre was a group of tables placed side by side with about four inches of sand piled on top of it. Murtagh and Eragon both looked a bit confused by the strange centrepiece but Caleb wasn't surprised to see it. Around the tent groups of Elves stood talking quietly to each other but all conversation stopped as Caleb, Eragon and Murtagh walked into the tent. Caleb saw many an eye flit to the crest on his shoulder piece.
Caleb's eyes easily sought out Islanzadi in the crowd but he was surprised to see pure emotion on her normally neutral face. She was proud of him and that shocked him more than anything else. His eyes were drawn to the Elf at her side as he felt one of the thousands of minds around the camp brush closer to his own then was deemed normal and he knew it came from the tall brown haired Elf at her side. He was wearing thick dark brown clothing that was well travelled and had a slender, yet deadly, sword strapped to his waist and a longbow over his back. He was an archer more than a fighter who would stay back out of a battle and rain death down on their enemies from afar and for Elves that distance was as far as a catapult was capable of. The longbow was a work of art, thicker than a human bow but of one piece which made it stronger.
Caleb drew his attention back to the Elf as he realised that Islanzadi was leading him over. He realised who he must be and almost unconsciously his arm twitched an inch to the side to brush against Murtagh's leg, enough of a brush to get his older brother's attention. Murtagh turned to look at him from where he'd been studying the room's occupants while Eragon talked to a newly arrived Oromis. When Caleb didn't look at him he followed his line of sight and saw the approaching Elves and instantly knew who the other Elf was. He took a step to the side so that he was half behind Caleb but so that his hand could rest on Caleb's back as a sign of support.
"Caleb-Elda." Islanzadi greeted him formally. "You look so at home." She told him glancing at his green tunic and specifically at the emblem he wore on display. "May I introduce to you Ingwe Delturin. Your father's friend and the man who would have raised you if he had had the means."
"Atra esterni ono thelduin." Ingwe dipped his head even as Caleb had to control the shock of being greeted like that by a friend of his father's.
"Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr." Caleb took control of his emotions and said the ritual response clearly even though it took Murtagh rubbing his back slowly to make it come out clearly. "I should thank you for the gift of these clothes." Caleb continued before Ingwe could think of finishing the optional last statement.
"I admit that I had this item made for you but that shoulder piece was your father's. He was wearing that when he died trying to protect your mother." Ingwe told him sadly and Caleb could help it when his right hand came up to lightly touch the shoulder piece. Almost toying with taking it off again so as not to damage it. "Fear not, Caleb-Elda, it was enchanted long ago when it was made and given to your grandfather. It won't be spoiled by anything but the most powerful of spells. And I believe your father would have been pleased to see you wear it into battle."
"Gifted to your Grandfather, Frenwin, by my own husband before the war with Galbatorix started." Islanzadi told him gently. "Your Uncle was named after him when he fell trying to protect my husband in his final battle."
Caleb had never known that his family had had such history with the Royal family, Islanzadi had never brought it up to him. Caleb touched the emblem one last time before dropping his hand and nodding to Ingwe. "Perhaps Uncle, later we may talk?"
The smile that spread across the other Elf's face at being called Uncle by Caleb almost seemed to light up the tent. "It would be a pleasure, Nephew."
"Of course you'll have to get Lucus' blessing before any relationship is formed between us." Caleb told him with an amused smile. "If he thinks you're not one hundred percent serious he may just try to find out what Elf tastes like."
"Then I have nothing to worry about." Ingwe smiled gently before turning and saluting Islanzadi. "Perhaps we should begin soon."
"You are eager to get away to talk to Caleb?" Islanzadi didn't seem surprised. "Very well, Ingwe-Vodhr."
She turned and made her way slowly up to the furthest side of the table and as one the other Elves began forming a square at the table's edges. Caleb looked back over his shoulder at Murtagh to see that Eragon was standing on his brother's other side. Caleb sent them a questioning look. "I was translating for him." Eragon told him.
"Uncle?" Murtagh asked. Caleb nodded slowly. "Just be careful, Caleb. I don't want you getting hurt."
"I know." Caleb nodded. "I have no great expectations."
"That's not necessarily a good thing." Eragon frowned. Caleb turned away from them both and headed towards the only section of table left blank. About halfway down the closest side, in the middle of the side to the Queen's right.
"Welcome all." The Queen stated regally and waved her hand in a semi-circle in front of her. Caleb felt the shift of power as she cast a silent spell over the sand making it shift and run across the table as if a hundred snakes were slithering through it. It began to take on the distinct outline of Alagaesia though only parts of it were in high detail and the towns were larger than scale so that all the buildings were visible.
Eragon and Murtagh whistled under their breathes, clearly impressed. When you were old as some of the Elves in this tent you got to see a lot of the world yet still some of the parts were not up-to-date as far as changes in the last hundred years were concerned. "Caleb?" Islanzadi turned to him. "Would you please change what you think is relevant?"
Caleb nodded slowly and cast his spell aloud so that Eragon and Murtagh could learn it. Some of the sand shifted, the terrain around Uru-baen as well as the city itself took on a crystal clear and accurate depiction as did the western coastal towns. Caleb, standing on the north of the map near to where Islanzadi had marked their own camp looked to his right and sighed as he waved his hand, crumbling what Islanzadi had depicted as Carvahall back into the sand leaving only ruins behind.
Eragon's breath hitched slightly but he didn't comment. Caleb nodded at Islanzadi. "I believe either Eragon and Saphira would be best suited to show Gil'ead in better detail when the time comes."
"As I had expected." Islanzadi shifted into common with a small nod to Murtagh. "As peculiar as it may be to have this discussion in the common tongue we are all aware that Murtagh-finiarel is not as well versed in the Ancient language and I believe that his brother's time would be best suited concentrating on the matter at hand rather than translating for him."
There were nods around the room. "Eragon-Elda?" Oromis spoke up from where he was standing opposite the Queen and on Caleb's far right. "You are the best versed in the Surdan and Varden forces, what do you think they can achieve?"
"With the Dwarves help I believe they can achieve much but without the Elves they could not hope for victory. If the Empire turns it's full attention on Surda it is easily possible they could be destroyed." Eragon told them all with a glance at his Master.
"My daughter's last report declared that the Free Armies have moved to Dauth to regroup and construct the weapons of war they require." Islanzadi told her. "They plan to take the southern peninsula from across the river with a smaller force to hold the coast while the main army travels up river to take Belatona. The main army will use this as a first staging point to strike out into the grasslands at the towns there."
"They hope to take in the refugees as they go." Eragon spoke up confidently. "Nasuada is convinced that the citizens of the Empire will aid them in any way possible."
"An army is an army to them." Murtagh spoke up and everybody looked at him. "Caleb and I know the most about how the citizens work in the Empire and I see them running from the Free Army rather than joining them. They know the might of the Empire and if they start seeing Shuriken in the skies around Uru-baen then they won't risk siding with the Empire's enemies."
"Do you agree, Caleb-Elda?" One Elf asked that Caleb didn't know.
"I do." Caleb nodded. "They may join us after we show we can truly win but until then they won't side against Galbatorix especially for an army out of such a little country as Surda."
"It is of my opinion that the Varden and Surdans believe they have already won the war." Islanzadi said quietly. "I do not believe they realise how hard this fight will be but this is our best hope."
"The Council agrees with the plans suggested by Hrothgar, Nasuada and Orin. We must strike at the northern towns and cities to split the Empire's attention so that he cannot mobilise his entire army against any one of us." Maestin declared and there were nods around the tent.
"Unless he decides to call our bluff and turns his entire might on the south." Caleb spoke up. "He's no fool and he's not nearly so insane as the Varden like to believe."
"What do you think he will do, Caleb-Elda?" Ingwe asked from the far side of the table.
"He will strike to demoralise both armies." Caleb told them. "The Varden and Surdan's are most effective at the moment because of their recent win. If he can remove that moral high he'll take out much of their fighting ability."
"What are you saying?" Maestin asked but Caleb could already see that many of the room knew where he was going, especially Oromis.
"He'll bend every power he has to kill Murtagh." Caleb said simply and ignored it as Murtagh flinched.
"What!?" Eragon gasped. "Why Murtagh?"
"He knows I am magically and physically the stronger of us three and that Saphira is twice as old as Lucus or Thorn. He also knows the training you have had." Caleb said quietly. "If he manages to kill anyone of us it would severely affect the outcome of the war."
"If not lose it for us all together." Oromis nodded. "Glaedr and I are in no shape to fight a battle as you all know and any one of Caleb, Murtagh or Eragon are no match for Galbatorix. To kill him will take all three."
"Thus Galbatorix will try as hard as he can to destroy one of us to ensure his own safety and demoralise the Free Army." Caleb nodded.
"So, are you suggesting that we hide you within Du Weldenvarden until the final battle?" One Elf asked.
"While an option it would become too obvious that we had disappeared." Eragon spoke up. "Saphira, Lucus and Thorn have to be seen. At every battle possible."
"I agree." Islanzadi nodded. "The wards on the Dragons will be placed by additional Spellcasters and boosted by their Riders only. Nothing can be allowed to harm them."
"Now that we've discussed what could happen, let us move onto what we now have to do." Oromis spoke up.
"The Free Armies will move up from the south until they reach Furnost where they can remain long term with the lake at their back and resupply ships from Surda and the Beor Mountains." Islanzadi informed them. "They'll remain there until we have formed at Bullridge when we can move as one to surround Uru-baen."
"Then we'll move on Ceunon and Gilead first." Maestin nodded and reached out a hand over the sand shifting the image to show the track down through Ceunon, down the Anora River, across the plains to Yazuac and the River Ninor and then down to Isenstar. "We can destroy much of the northern troops as be destroy Gilead and then move down the River Ramr to Bullridge."
"My men will harry any Imperials that Gilead try to send up to meet us." Ingwe spoke up.
"I would also suggest a few things." Eragon stood up slightly straighter. "Therinsford, Yazuac, Daret and the other northern towns have no major love of the Empire. If they see a massive Elvish army on the move they may join us."
"Humans?" An Elf asked.
"If we have humans in our army we are more likely to gain aid later on from townspeople. Otherwise we are just an invading Elven army." Caleb pointed out. "I agree with Eragon and suggest that Eragon, Murtagh and I fly southwest to Therinsford and then around to Yazuac and Daret and try to enlist their aid. It will only take us a few days. If they wish to join us they can spread the word to the nomadic tribes in the grasslands and the other smaller towns and they can join us at Yazuac before we head for Gilead."
"I think the young Shurtagal is onto something." One of the other older Elves chuckled. "By the time they get around and back to us we can be at Ceunon ready to attack."
"Then it is agreed?" Islanzadi asked and nobody objected. "The new generation will bring the tides of war." She chuckled dryly.
"Is there a chance Galbatorix knows you enough to think of this plan?" Maestin asked suddenly. "If he has placed a spy in the townspeople to attempt to assassinate you."
"Then we'll kill them." Caleb said bluntly. "We'll take every precaution and bear in mind that these towns have a rather closed population. A new stranger will be easy to spot and with what happened to Carvahall most of the towns we flew over on the way north had fortified themselves. Strangers won't be easily welcomed."
"And you will?" Ingwe asked.
"Lucus doesn't really require an invitation." Caleb laughed
"Then it is decided." Islanzadi nodded. "The three of your will fly to Therinsford as soon as you wish."
Caleb nodded and the three of them backed away to let the others discuss more practical matters. Caleb had just left the tent when he felt a mind nearing his. "Caleb, I would speak to the three of you."
"Rhunon-Elda." Caleb greeted. "We shall come as soon as possible."
"Good. Bring Lucus, Saphira and Thorn with you." Her mind was gone abruptly and Caleb got the distinct impression she was still working.
"It seems that Rhunon wishes to speak with us." Caleb told Eragon and Murtagh even though he hadn't broken step the entire time. "And our better halves."
Murtagh laughed but Caleb knew that all three of them reached out for their Dragons at the same time. Caleb simply sent the need for Lucus to come meet him and it wasn't even in words. Now that they were so combined words were rarely needed anymore. He heard a trio of dull thuds from near their own tents and it wasn't long before he could see the three Dragons in the air gliding over the tents towards them. Caleb turned off the path and twisted through a few tents until he found the faded red tent that Rhunon slept in. Her forge sat outside surrounded by a wooden fence to keep out distractions.
Lucus, Saphira and Thorn landed lightly on the grass around the tent and carefully folded their wings. "I collected your saddles last night." Rhunon announced loudly as she came out of the opening in the fence carrying a huge bundle of what looked like chainmail. "They're just inside the door. I needed them for the sizes. You're wasting time. Go and get them."
Caleb chuckled but stepped inside the fence and lifted Lucus' saddle with little effort before carrying it outside as Eragon and Murtagh did the same with theirs. He had to laugh again at the sight of Lucus up on his feet with his head extended upwards and his wings out. Clearly Rhunon had approached with the bundle of chain mail and Lucus wasn't quite as amused by her impatience.
"I think you need to ask." Lucus said to them all. Lucus rarely spoke to anybody but Caleb because of the way he'd been raised with just Caleb around. His voice was far softer and smoother than Glaedr's and Thorn's but held a sleekness that Caleb always found comforting. He'd always remember the little Dragon that had rolled around in the dirt digging holes in Carvahall though and the little Dragon that had chanted Caleb's name from his perch on Jet's head when he'd first learnt to speak.
"Lucus, just let her do what she wants." Caleb laughed.
"I swear I'll eat her." Lucus told them bluntly even as Rhunon tutted and slapped him lightly on the side of the neck. Lucus snorted out a cloud of smoke in her face while saying something rather unpleasant about her for everybody to here.
"Lucus, calm yourself." Saphira told the smaller Dragon from where she was lying to the side.
"You wait until she's poking at you." Lucus growled out even as he let Rhunon push his wing to the side. Or rather he moved his wing at her insistence, his wings were too powerful to be moved aside that easily, even for an Elf.
Rhunon stepped back and nodded in satisfaction before she stepped back and lifted Lucus' saddle from the floor and put it on his back. Lucus snapped at her this time and Caleb stepped forwards. "Lucus won't let you tie on the saddle, he won't be confident you've done it right and it's my life on the line."
Rhunon nodded and turned to almost lovingly sort through the chainmail on the ground while Caleb fastened Lucus' saddle into place. "How soon are you leaving on this quest of yours?" Rhunon asked.
Caleb wasn't surprised she knew, the chainmail was clearly armour and her timing had been perfect. Obviously Islanzadi had requested she give the Dragons some form of armour. "Probably in a few hours once we get our stores ready." Caleb told her.
"Then we can put his armour on and leave it on." Rhunon nodded. "I've worked for two days to make these so don't lose them."
Caleb studied the chainmail better. He'd assumed that she'd simply dug them out from some place but now that he looked closer he realised that they were a darkened shade of silver for Lucus, a dark red for Thorn and rich blue for Saphira. She'd made them just for this sort of thing. As Caleb, Murtagh and Eragon helped her fit the chainmail to Lucus she explained to them that the chainmail was lighter and stronger than normal metal and that she'd used the same magic as she put into her weapons to colour it. She told them that she was already working with the other blacksmiths to perfect the full battle armour plating but it wouldn't be ready till a lot later.
As they finally finished fully dressing Thorn and then Saphira they stepped back to study the trio of Dragons. They were an impressive sight in the bright sunlight. The chainmail fit perfectly and almost seemed to have grown onto them since there was no loose sections. Lucus flapped his wings a few times and stretched his neck before looking back over his shoulder at his new armour and gave a satisfied snort.
"It will do." Thorn said regally causing Rhunon to laugh in amusement.
"I have given it some serious thought, Shurtagal." Rhunon turned to Caleb. "You're words were true and heartfelt. However I still stand by my decision, I will no longer create masterpiece weapons to wage war with."
Caleb sighed and was about to tell her that he didn't blame her when she nodded abruptly. "I shall however create weapons to protect loved ones. By the time we attack Gilead I will have three new swords for you to carry. True swords like Zar'roc."
"We are honoured, Rhunon-Elda." Eragon bowed his head to her.
Saphira stepped forwards and lightly nudged the Elven blacksmith with her nose. "You have our gratitude, Rhunon-Elda."
It was truly a compliment to have a Dragon call you praise you with that honorific, or any honorific for that matter. Caleb saluted her with a smile before turning to the three Dragons. "Go get used to the new armour. We'll meet you in the arena just after noon with the provisions and we'll leave from there."
"As you wish, Caleb." Thorn nodded and with a great gust of wind launched himself into the air. Saphira followed him a few seconds later and after a quick nudge at Caleb, Lucus followed them. Caleb watched the three of them show off their new armour as they glided low over the tents.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Palancar Valley
Caleb was on watch during the last hours of night while Lucus, Murtagh, Thorn, Eragon, Saphira and Solembum slept behind him. The three Dragons formed a circle of warmth against the chilly air of the higher altitude and Murtagh, Eragon and Solembum were curled up against the respective Dragons to keep warm.
Caleb stood just out of the circle looking out of the trees at the burned husk of Carvahall nestled into a bend in the Anora River. It was a sad sight but somebody had been through here to bury the dead. Probably a group of people from Therinsford. It had been hard for Eragon to accept when the three Dragons had circled down over the village ruins.
A rustle in the trees to Caleb's right distracted him for a moment and his hand was on his new bow in an instant before he relaxed as his mind found the familiar mind of a small rabbit waking up for the day. His thoughts went quickly to the bow over his shoulder. It had been a gift from Ingwe just as they were preparing to leave from the arena. One to replace the bow Caleb had lost but still a far better replacement. It was one piece of solid oak sung out of a tree even with the carvings in it. The sides were smooth and it would be tough to even mark it with a knife. It was probably strong enough to block a sword strike from a normal human once or twice but Caleb doubted he'd let that happen.
He'd tried it under the watchful eyes of the Elves and shot further then he'd ever shot before. If he hadn't been a Shurtagal and a brilliant Spellcaster in spite of that he'd probably be among the archers. However he'd be the first to admit that many of the swordsmen in the Elven army could beat him without his added strength and speed but that came in time. He'd heard Islanzadi call him a progeny to Maestin and seen the Elf nod his agreement but he didn't let that go to his head. He would still be hard pressed to survive this if he wanted to ensure that Eragon and Murtagh survived. He was under no impression that he wouldn't sacrifice himself to ensure their survival.
"It's time to get up." Caleb told the six others with his mind even without looking back at them. Saphira, Lucus and Thorn lifted their heads to look at him and he glanced back over his shoulder.
"It's still early, Caleb." Murtagh groaned as he sat up indiscriminately using Thorn's neck as a lift thought he Dragon didn't seem to mind much.
"No." Eragon shook his head and stood quickly, looking up passed Caleb and at the mountains. "There's a storm coming." It was true, Caleb had been watching it for the last hour as the clouds spilled over the Spine and kept the sun dark even as it rose. "It looks like a snowstorm."
"We should get to Therinsford and take shelter." Caleb nodded.
"We can fly over a storm." Lucus pointed out.
"But we still need to talk to the townspeople." Caleb argued lightly.
"If we're going to go we should go soon." Eragon told him. "That looks like the first snows of the winter and it'll hit in an hour at most."
Caleb nodded and lifted himself up onto Lucus' saddle before letting Solembum jump up into his lap. Lucus stood up and shook slightly. "Let's get going then." Lucus announced and threw himself up into the chilled air. He rolled around in the air and Caleb rode it out easily knowing how his bonded liked to fly. The roll got Lucus back into the art of flying with the armour he'd warn all night.
"We'll take your saddle off if the people in Therinsford are friendly to us." Caleb told him knowing that Lucus hated wearing the saddle for too long. "We'd better leave the chainmail on though, it's too fiddly to put on quickly."
"I know." Lucus nodded. "It weighs less than the saddle anyway."
They were soon joined in the air by the others and Lucus slowly turned to the south, following the river down the valley towards the town. It was only a short flight but the three Dragons took their time and as soon as they came into view of the town they banked around the town. Lucus flew to the right while the other two turned to the left before they circled around the town giving the townspeople just starting their day the chance to see them and call out to each other in warning.
Caleb could hear the cries of fright even as Lucus grew lower to the ground staying just outside of normal arrowshot, his mind reached out and blanketed the town looking for anybody with mental training and then anybody that could mean them harm but at the moment it was just either shock at seeing a Dragon or disbelief that the others had seen one.
"I'll let you announce us, Eragon." Caleb sought out his brothers' minds even as he watched Saphira dip down over the main street and gently land on the main road, just where the townspeople had stopped Caleb that time.
"People of Therinsford." Eragon spoke out with his mind, speaking to all of those in the town. "I am Eragon of Carvahall, nephew of Garrow and cousin to Roran Garrowson. My friends and I come in peace and wish for an audience and a place to shelter from the coming storm. If any of you wish you come out and talk to me I give you my word that you will not be harmed. We have no desire to harm honest people."
"Oh very stylish." Murtagh chuckled but Eragon's calming words and latent familiarity with these people seemed to do the trick and slowly people began to look out from the alleyways and houses they'd hidden in and slowly a few men and women moved out into the street though they stayed far away from where Saphira stood with Eragon on her back.
Lucus and Thorn remained in the air as Eragon slide gracefully off of Saphira's back and began walking away from her towards the people. Lucus tilted and folded his wings landing rather more heavily then was strictly required just behind the townspeople sending up dust as he folded his wings. Thorn landed more gracefully behind Saphira and Caleb took a moment to grin at the fact that with three Dragons in the street there was barely enough room to fit a wagon down the street.
The townspeople moved together as they turned to look up at Lucus and were distracted enough that Eragon as standing right behind them when he greeted them. "You are the Miller are you not?" Eragon asked.
Caleb slid to the ground though Solembum stayed lying on the saddle in cat form. He walked past the humans to stand at his brother's side and saw Murtagh heading their way. "I remember you." Caleb spoke up. "You greeted me the last time I came through this way."
The men and women turned to look squarely at Caleb and their eyes widened as they took in his appearance, dress and most especially his pointed ears. "You're an Elf!" The Miller cried in shock. "You were the man that came through more than half a year ago asking for information on Roran. You went to Carvahall just before it was destroyed by those creatures."
"We are Dragon Riders." Murtagh said loudly with a vague gesture behind the three of them at Saphira and Thorn. "We killed the Ra'zac less than a month ago."
"Along with Dras-Leona we here." One of the two women said sharply. "Are you here to do the same thing?"
"If you've heard about Dras-Leona you'll also have heard that the citizens were unharmed as much as possible. Only the structures and soldiers were harmed and it was their choice to fight for Galbatorix." Caleb said and his musical voice caught their attention.
"I can understand your mistrust of Caleb and Murtagh." Eragon gestured to his brothers. "But I am from these parts, I came to this town several times with my Uncle. The only difference between us is that Saphira chose me to fight alongside her, to be her Rider."
"Yes, we know you." The Miller told him, "And we heard what happened to your Uncle. You'll always be welcome here."
"Thank you." Eragon nodded. "We had hoped to talk to you further and to shelter here from the storm and if it's possible if we could talk in the barn then all those that wish to hear our words may listen and our Dragons may shelter too."
"We can easily stable your Dragons in the hay barn but perhaps we..." One of the other men started but was cut off when Lucus growled from mere feet behind the townspeople. He'd moved closer in a few strides that they hadn't noticed.
"Dragons are far more intelligent than most in the Empire give them credit for." Caleb told him. "Lucus is no mere animal to be stabled and brought out to ride when the need arises. If we may talk in the barn with our Dragons present he is less likely to decide to dine on one of you." He said it with a straight face but Eragon and Murtagh ruined the effect by chuckling in amusement.
A strong wind buffeted them and they all looked away to the north-west. "Perhaps we can hurry to the barn. The others will gather those that wish to hear from you." The miller announced before nervously working his way around Lucus trying not to put his back to the man. Caleb walked under Lucus' raised head and patted his chin lovingly. Lucus liked to play the evil Dragon at times but Caleb didn't have to worry about him actually following through on one of his playful threats.
They followed the miller into the hay barn and Lucus, Saphira and Thorn settled down on the ground near to the rear door. Caleb moved over to Lucus and knowing they'd be there for several hours at least he unstrapped his saddle and placed it on the ground before rubbing Lucus' scales gently listening to the purrs rumbling through him at Caleb's attention.
Caleb only moved back to where Eragon was talking to the miller when he noticed the barn was filling with the townspeople, easily four hundred men, women and even their children all staring at Lucus, Saphira and Thorn in awe and then even a few stared at Caleb since none had seen an Elf before.
"I think we should be allowed to ask a first question." An elderly man asked sharply looking at Eragon. "Who is it you fight for? Is it the Empire, the Varden or the Elves?" At this last word the man gestured at Caleb.
"We fight for Alagaesia." Murtagh said rather more bluntly then perhaps Caleb would have liked however it seemed to be the answer the older man was looking for because he smirked.
"You don't see intelligence like that in most people." The man nodded.
"We'll be honest with you." Caleb spoke up and instantly had everybody's attention. "You all know who Morzan was."
Eragon sighed. "Murtagh and I are Morzan's sons, our mother was from Carvahall and gave me to Garrow to raise."
There was almost complete uproar at this but they'd all agreed before coming here that if they couldn't persuade people with the truth then the case was lost anyway. "And we should trust you?"
"My parents were ambushed by Urgals and my mother was captured by the Empire when they killed the Urgals. I was born in Uru-baen and put into Morzan's care until his death where Murtagh and I were taken to the city to live as the King's wards." Caleb said quietly silencing the muttering once again. "Our Dragons however were not raised by Morzan or the King yet they chose us and we come here now to bring word from Islanzadi Drottningu."
"Who?" A man asked in confusion.
"You moronic whelp." The elderly man snorted in amusement. "The Queen of the Elves."
Caleb had to raise his hands to quiet the room that time. "Already the Elven army is moving on Ceunon and before the week is out we will join them there and start pushing the Empire back towards Gilead."
"The Elves are returning?" The Elderly man asked in awe.
"To fight from the north as the Dwarves, Surdans and the Varden push up from the south." Murtagh announced. "The fall of the Empire is nearing."
"And you assume that what will follow will be better?" A woman asked from the second level of the barn.
"That we can't promise but we can give you the chance to make you own contribution to that end." Caleb said directly at her. "It's past time where you can sit in Therinsford and silently hate the Empire and you cannot claim that the Empire can't reach you here. Not ten miles away sits the ruins of Carvahall because they refused to be enslaved by the Empire."
"And that got them all killed!" A man yelled from the back.
"My cousin and most of Carvahall even now resides in Dauth in Surda." Eragon countered easily. "They have made the decision to stand up to the Empire and now this is your chance."
"What would you suggest we do?" The miller asked. "What can we do against the Empire? We are only traders, hunters and farmers."
"The Elven army will travel south across the plains from Ceunon to Yazuac. If you wish to aid them then travel there." Caleb told them. "It won't be an easy fight but you will be able to have your hand in reshaping Alagaesia. The Queen has already declared that any who wish to join her army are welcome to do so and they are willing to train any who wish to fight alongside them."
"A chance to fight alongside an Elf." The Elderly man sighed. "I wish I was just a decade younger."
Caleb couldn't help but chuckle. "Any are welcome to come whether they wish to fight or merely seek the protection of the Elven army at this time. If you wish to bring your children they will be protected."
"You have an honest face." The Elderly man nodded. "I believe we can trust your words."
"He's an Elf!" A woman laughed. "That's the only reason you trust him."
"How do we know that the Elves can even protect us from the Empire?" A man asked almost quietly from the far right. He was clearly a hunter and had a wise look about him.
Caleb half turned to glance at the three Dragons. "Even without them?" Caleb asked and the man nodded abruptly. "Have you ever seen an Elf fight?"
"Of course not!" He grunted.
"Proving that we are advanced fighters may ease your suspicions but what you really want to know is if the Elves can be as good with magic as the myths suggest." Caleb nodded and without needing to be asked Eragon and Murtagh moved away from him. Caleb spoke aloud so they could understand just how knowledgeable in the Ancient language the Elves were and pulled up his magic. Straw began to rise throughout the room and though that was easy for even a human magician he took it further. It began spiralling towards him and gathered into a large revolving ball in front of him.
A sharp word in Ancient had the straw rippling and suddenly before them was a ball of water revolving around. As a last show he heated the water beyond boiling point and it disappeared into the air as a column of steam that they could feel against their skin, proving it wasn't just an illusion. Caleb was a little tired after transmutating that much but he'd be fully recovered within the hour.
"No Magician in the Empire can do that yet I doubt any Spellcaster in the Elven army isn't capable of something similar." Caleb told the man before looking at them all again. "Join the Elven army, to fight or for protection, and you'll see plenty of reasons to stay."
Caleb stepped back towards Lucus who nuzzled at his neck for a moment while the crowd began talking together. Over the next few hours Caleb found himself talking to over a hundred different people and he shared tales with the elderly man, Rupert, about the Elven culture. Food was brought for them and then fruit and bread when Eragon and Caleb refused the meat.
It would be several hours before the storm passed and when the three made to leave they were told by a select few spokesmen that the final decision would be left up to the individual families but a few, including Rupert and the hunter from before, told them they would take up the offer.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
A few days later
The three brothers, their Dragons and Solembum rested that evening just out of sight of Yazuac before visiting the newly returned occupants of the small town and then Daret before finally heading east along the towns against the Lake Isenstar before finally turning back towards the Elven camp following the trail the army left as it moved west towards Ceunon. Caleb left Murtagh and Eragon to sink down into the army before he flew off to the west to scout out the area ahead of them. The Elven army would reach the city just before noon the next day and as the sun set on the day Caleb was high enough in the air to see both the city and the army on different horizons.
The Elven army was an impressive sight to see on the move. Human armies went for flair while the Elven armies uniforms were personal without only a uniformity between Spellcasters, archers and swordsmen. They walked rather than rode though they were followed by herds of the Elven horses that would have volunteered to aid their friends in the battles.
Ceunon on the other side was the northernmost outpost of the Empire and as such the city walls were covered with banners of the baron set their by the King. By noon the next day the city would be surrounded by the Elven army and Caleb knew that the Baron wouldn't retreat back to Gilead. To lose Ceunon would be his death, it was how the Empire worked.
Caleb took one turn around the city itself seeing all the activity even as sunset approached. He easily took in five thousand minds within the city but against the twenty thousand of the Elven army not to mention three Dragons it was already a lost case. The Council and Islanzadi had already agreed that they'd try to conserve their own strengths and this battle would rest on the Dragons and on their archers and Spellcasters rather than with hand to hand combat.
Caleb let Lucus roar out once before he nudged his bonded back towards the Elven army so they could land before the sunset reached the camp. They landed gently within the army as it came to a halt and spread out in a large horseshoe shape with the opening at the rear, leaving a solid edge towards the city. Caleb had seen a few horse borne scouts in the hills between them and the city but they wouldn't dare attack the army at night when the Elven senses allowed them to cope better with the dark than the humans could.
"Guess who showed up." Eragon grinned at him as he jumped to the ground and started helping three Elves to take Lucus' saddle and chainmail off. "Your horse, Jet, arrived with Tornac and Snowfire this morning. Seems to be rather a smart horse, Tornac and Snowfire followed him right up through the Empire."
Caleb blinked but laughed. "It will be useful to have him around." True to word he found Jet eating grass outside of his tent and when the horse saw him he trotted over and pushed his nose into Caleb's chest in greeting. "Hello to you too, Jet." Caleb kissed the top of his head. He spent almost an hour grooming Jet before searching out Islanzadi to learn the strategies of the attack they had planned.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Ceunon – noon
With the sun barely peaking through the cloudy remains of the storm that had hit the Spine Caleb rode forwards at a gentle run. He'd had trouble getting Jet to stop playing as soon as Caleb had sat in the saddle but he was a trained warhorse and as soon as Ceunon had gotten close enough to see the figures on the top of the walls he had become more serious, holding his head up with his gaze searching for threats.
He was one of the four Elves chosen to ride forwards to offer the citizens of Ceunon with surrender. Eragon and Murtagh had remained behind with their Dragons and if anything turned sour they'd be the first in the air to rescue them. To his right was Maestin and a Master Spellcaster who would probably outdo any of the Elves in magic baring possibly Caleb who's sheer power outstripped any others. To his left was one of the Captains of the Archers with his bow over his shoulder yet ready for action. Between them they had all the arts of war covered.
Streaming from the right of each of their saddles was a long white banner to symbolise peace and as they ran in a line across the grass and towards the main gate the four banners streamed out behind them. Maestin pulled them to a stop just out of human arrowshot and Jet, slightly larger and far less calm than the Elven horses rutted his right hoof into the ground. "Calm yourself Jet." Caleb leant forwards slightly in his seat and stroked his friend's nose.
"A nervous horse." The Archer, Tunin, on his left commented as he sat ramrod straight on the back of his own horse.
"He's trained for battle." Caleb told him rather more sharply than was entirely necessary. "He worries about my safety."
"They come." Maestin announced drawing the two younger Elves' attention back to the gate as they opened only just enough for four riders to exit before they closed behind them. Even so Caleb, and probably the others too, had seen the fifty or so riders ready behind the gate.
As the riders approached Caleb recognised the one at the head. "The Baron, Sir Giles Farley, he's a favourite member of the King's inner circle." Caleb told them all. "He'll have several tricks up his sleeves and he'll undoubtedly try to trick us now. But his ultimate goal will be to capture somebody important enough to make his defeat here excusable back in Uru-baen."
"You are sure?" Maestin asked.
"I was introduced to him shortly before I tried to escape but I'd seen him several times from afar and Murtagh and I knew of his reputation." Caleb explained. "Be on your guard for treachery."
"What of the others?" Maestin asked.
"I don't recognise any of them however if we get names I may know their military commander's reputation." Caleb told them before they were interrupted as a mind reached out aimed directly at Caleb. Caleb met it as it reached him and to be polite merely formed a weak shield to ask it to stop. It changed its angle of attack and tried to slam through his mind. Caleb slammed it straight out of his mind and was attacking the magician's mind even as it tried to hide behind its own shields. Caleb backed off as soon as it was away from him and turned to look at Maestin and Tolbev, the Spellcaster. "A minor nuisance. Should it try again I will kill the magician as a warning."
They were saved from responding when the riders drew up in front of them. Farley stopped in front of Maestin while the three others stopped in front of Caleb, Tolbev and Tunin. The one of the far right wore robes of a magician yet he wasn't the one to have attacked Caleb whereas the ones in front of Caleb and Tunin were soldiers.
"We have come to negotiate the surrender of the Imperial city of Ceunon and all of its citizens. Does one among you have the authority to treat with me?" Maestin spoke formally.
"I have authority over all the lands north of the River Ninor and East of the Spine." Farley told them. "I am Baron Farley. Now tell me how you would dare to invade my lands and to have the audacity to approach my city armed as you are."
"I am Maestin Stenrin, high Council to the Queen of the Elves, Islanzadi Drottningu." Maestin told him. "I have the authority to agree to terms of your surrender. If your military force surrenders and lays down arms the civilians..."
"Enough!" Farley shouted.
"You were always quick to lose your temper, Giles Farley." Caleb spoke up and Jet took a step forwards at the sound of his rider's voice. "I trust your ego hasn't pushed out the knowledge of who I am? Or more importantly perhaps, what I am?"
"The King's ward?" Farley narrowed his eyes hatefully at Caleb and his hand strayed to his side. Tonin reacted impossibly fast and his bow was drawn and an arrow aimed across the two metre gap before any of the humans could see the movement.
"We have a sizeable force of Elves at our backs as well as four Dragons and their Riders, do you really believe that attacking me here will do you any good. Not even all of your magicians within Ceunon could hope to overcome our defences." Caleb told him harshly. "I know what sort of man you are, Farley, and we will not treat with you if you cannot contain your irrational need to inflate your ego."
"How dare...!" Farley started but the man opposite Caleb spoke up.
"I am Captain Arland, commander of the troops behind this wall." Arland spoke up and although his words were pleasant his mind was locked firmly behind a shield. "If the force you bring is as large as you say it is then perhaps we may discuss our options at length. I would however prefer to do such a thing to the leader of your army. If the Queen of Elves would permit a visit I will guarantee her safety."
"That isn't possible." Maestin told them simply. "It is against our customs to put our Queen at risk. As I said previously I am able to come to terms with you."
"We won't deal with any but the Queen." Farley stated simply. Caleb struck out with his mind at a single prompting touch on the arm from Maestin and slammed straight through Farley's mind. He felt minds attacking his as he sought out what he wanted but Maestin and Tolbev beat them back with ease to protect Caleb even as Lucus' mind shielded Caleb from harm. Caleb retreated as soon as he had what he wanted without taking the opportunity to do permanent damage to him.
"A rather simple trick to ambush the Queen and her party as soon as she enters the castle." Caleb told Maestin in Ancient even as Farley collapsed in his saddle trying to regain his breath.
"How dare you attack the Baron!" The Magician spat at Caleb.
"Your magicians tried to get through my shielding not five minutes ago." Caleb pointed out. "I was merely ascertaining whether peace could be decided here. It seems it cannot."
The Captain twisted in his saddle and his horse turned on command followed by the other horses and with a sharp shout the four horses launched forwards towards the castle even as the gates began to open. Obviously the Magician had sent a message since almost as soon as the gate was open enough the riders within began surging forwards.
"Do you wish me to kill the Baron now?" Caleb asked Maestin simply, none of them had turned their horses to flee yet, they still had a few seconds and the Elven horses were far superior in speed and agility to their counterparts.
"It is not our way to attack as they flee." Maestin told him in common. "Call the Dragons but order them to only attack the riders, leave the castle alone for now."
Caleb nodded and reached out with his mind. Lucus was already winging into the air and as he met Murtagh's and Eragon's minds he knew they were following Lucus without prompting. The human riders had only covered half the ground before the sound of wing thuds was heard followed by the roar of a Dragon. The riders slowed slightly in confusion but sped on as the Captain and his associate wheeled around to join them in the charge.
It took only five seconds before Lucus burst across the sky from the right of the field, he dipped his wings to turn sharply parallel to the road and flames leapt from his open mouth and sliced a line straight across the charging riders burning a dozen in one pass. He twisted elegantly and circled back towards Caleb and landed softly before the four horses and reared up just as Saphira and Thorn flew over all of them and sent twin lances of flames to strike through the charge burning even more.
Lucus dropped down onto his forepaws and a sheet of fire leapt from his mouth and slammed straight through the Captain and the front of the charge making the rest of the charge fall apart. The archers and magicians on the walls finally came into the fight even as their horse-borne counterparts fled in the face of the three Dragons. Arrows and spells leapt up from the walls but Murtagh and Eragon countered the spells with ease and the few arrows that Saphira and Thorn didn't simply dodge clattered off of strong wards cast by teams of Elven Spellcasters.
Saphira and Thorn didn't stay near the walls for long before banking away from the city. Lucus, after a prompt from Caleb, leapt into the air again and joined his fellow Dragons and with a last look at the city, Caleb, Maestin, Tolbev and Tunin turned their horses and started back to the Elven camp at a trot.
Before the day was out the Elven army would have completely surrounded the city of Ceunon and the battle would start as soon as the sun went down.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
That night
Caleb, Murtagh, Eragon and even Solembum crouched together at the base of the wall to the city. They'd been there almost twenty minutes already and slowly more and more Elven swordsmen slipped unseen up to the wall hidden by the cloudy night. Solembum was pressed against his side but Caleb could feel the small shaking of excitement coming from the seemingly seventeen year old young man and knew it was because Solembum was pleased about the fact Caleb had let him join the fight. Really Caleb couldn't argue with him, he'd already admitted to being older than Islanzadi.
From where Caleb was crouching he could just about make out Elves for about twenty metres in either direction along the wall but only because of his eyesight. They were all wearing dulled colours and their weapons were away and it made them almost invisible.
Caleb felt a signal resonate through the minds of all the Elves, it was subtle and undetectable for any but the best of the Empire's magicians and almost without pause Caleb heard the multiple twangs of Elven bows and the almost silent flight of arrows. He stepped away from the wall along with one in every four of the Elves against the wall and with ease launched a grapple up to the top of the wall even as the arrows landed along the wall taking out the hundreds of wall guards placed on sentry for that night to watch the Elven army.
Caleb tested his rope before he jumped vertically to latched onto it before heaving himself up the rope and over the battlements. He drew his sword and stayed low even amongst the three bodies already on the walls with arrows in their chests. So far their attack had gone unnoticed even though they'd just cleared the walls of sentries. As Caleb waited, Eragon, Solembum and finally Murtagh slipped over the wall and soon the entire wall was filled with Elves. Just over a thousand Elves already within the wall while the enemy was clueless. Caleb stood and walked to the edge of the wall before dropping down onto the alleyways and streets below.
Out of the thousand Elves they'd split up into teams spread evenly around. Around a fifth would clear the towers of guards before opening the gate and guarding it while three fifths would begin clearing the barracks. Caleb's friends and the last fifth would head straight for the Keep and with three Dragon Riders, a werecat and around two hundred Elves they'd attack it as silently as possible and they aimed to have the cities surrender before half of the citizens knew of the attack.
The Elven army would send in reinforcements if they called for them once the main gate was open and guarded but Caleb thought that with the element of surprise they could do serious damage without heavy losses.
Caleb, Murtagh, Eragon and Solembum met a few street guards on the way but with the odd Elf pacing the walls in the torchlight the inner guards hadn't yet noticed anything was wrong. Once or twice Caleb's fine hearing heard a cry of alarm but it was always quickly cut off and sounded to humans like random noise.
They were almost at the gates to the Keep when Caleb felt a Magician's mind sweeping the city for intruders, just a routine sweep but it became alarmed rather quickly as it sensed so many carefully closed minds, there was simply no way of hiding that many and the Elves had already known it would probably be that which gave them off.
Caleb, Eragon and Murtagh all lashed out almost instantly and they were joined by perhaps a dozen others as they linked together and smashed through the Wizards mind. He tried to put up a fight but succumbed to their power and was killed without too much trouble. He hadn't been able to raise an alarm but it wouldn't take long before somebody found his body and sent out a warning.
Caleb, Eragon, Murtagh and Solembum met up with the other Elves in the alleys opposite the Keep walls that protected the courtyard and Caleb and Eragon drew their bows even as another small team did the same. Caleb could sense the waiting minds of the two hundred Elves nearby and sent out a subtle signal. Within a second he'd aimed up at the top of the wall and fired an arrow into the chest of one of the guards who toppled out of sight just as all the others along the wall did. This wouldn't be as subtle though since anybody within the Keep cold look out of a window and see it. Eragon ran forwards with Murtagh and they launched another grapple over the wall in tandem with the other Elves under the watching eyes of their Archers and soon a repeat of before had Caleb and his friends on the top of the wall.
A bell struck out across the city from the northern section and a few Magician's minds struck out across the city trying to find somebody to attack but when they found so many invaders their attention turned on calling out the alarm. Within moments the city was alive with activity but as Caleb glanced over the city he knew that the barracks on the southern and eastern sides were already wiped out. There'd be no resistance from them at all.
Caleb followed Murtagh as he headed across a stretch of wall and Eragon unlocked the small door to let them inside. They filed inside along with a dozen or so Archers and Swordsmen and they headed for their objective. The Baron.
Caleb could hear fighting in the lower parts of the Keep but now that the Elves were spread over all of the city it was rather one sided. The Elves already held both the city and the keep gate's as well as the walls. The only two places putting up a resistance was the keep barracks and the northern sector.
The Magicians had either fled or gone into hiding after the first few attempted to attack the Elves and the soldiers were left with little to no magical protection thus tipping the battle firmly in the Elves favour. Caleb led his team directly into the Baron's antechamber were a half dozen soldiers tried to put up a fight only to be knocked aside by the other Elves. The Baron was fully armoured this time and he squared off against Caleb with a glare on his face.
"The battles over, Baron." Caleb pointed out. "The city is already overrun and your soldiers are beginning to surrender. Lay down your sword and you and your family will be allowed to ride out of here at dawn and return to Gilead or Urubaen."
It didn't surprise him when the angry look on Farley's face turned to madness and he raised his sword and threw himself towards Caleb. Caleb struck out silently with his magic and raised his hand. His first spell froze Farley mid leap while the second sent a blast of orange light straight into his chest, stopping his heart and sending him sprawling backwards as Caleb's first spell was released.
Farley was dead before his body came to a halt at the bottom of his desk. Caleb turned to Eragon and Murtagh. "That wasn't pleasant." Caleb sighed before sending a prearranged mental signal to all the elves to tell them that the Baron was dead.
Murtagh led the way up the nearest flight of stairs and they soon came out onto the flat roof. At the sight of the dozen or more Elves the three soldiers dropped their swords and fell to their knees. Caleb ignored them as he pulled down the Empire's flag from the pole and fixed on the Elven banner. A long white pennant with a green tree at the start. It caught the wind as soon as he raised it.
He nodded at one of the Archers who lifted a horn to his lips and blew out a long steady call that stretched all the way out to the Elven camp and was repeated throughout the city. Caleb sent out a call for Lucus and together the three Dragons responded to their calls and came down out from the cloud appearing only briefly before they landed. Lucus landed on the northern wall and Thorn on the south whereas Saphira, the larger of the three, landed on the keep roof just behind them. Eragon went over to her.
There was no doubt now who was in command of the city now yet it took most of the rest of the night to find and capture the last vestiges of the soldiers and especially the Magicians. Several sets of people were captured trying to escape, either onto the lake or through the Elven army. They had a better chance of swimming.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
As the sun came up over the eastern horizon Caleb was standing with Lucus on top of the keep watching as a procession entered the city from the main gates. Around a thousand elves in front and behind Islanzadi and the Council and Thorn and Saphira guarding them carefully.
Lucus had volunteered to contact the Varden with news of the attack and he settled down on the stone floor with Solembum's seventeen year old head in his lap as he muttered the dream spell reaching out to Arya with his mind.
He found her mind easily and she didn't fight the unnatural sleep that overcame her. Caleb found himself in a tent filled with wooden chairs, it was clearly a planning room but the tables and boards were empty.
"Caleb-Vor." She greeted as she saw him. Caleb had felt her force his appearance so there was proof who he was.
"Arya." Caleb saluted and she did the same. "Atra esterni ono thelduin." Caleb started the greeting as was polite as he was in her mind.
"Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr." She responded with a nod.
"I located you just north of Dauth. Are you still in camp?" Caleb asked.
"The army is still camped and the Elven Spellcasters under my control have remained with the army to prevent saboteurs." Arya told him. "How is my mother?"
"She is fine. We have solved the strains in our relationship." Caleb told her. "She seems to be a much happier person."
"She took me aside when I was in Du Weldenvarden to try to convince me of your worth. She told me that she saw me as a son." Arya spoke quietly. "I was angry at the time but I admit I do not hate the idea after some thought."
Caleb smiled rather than respond. "Eragon is okay too by the way." He smirked when she rolled her eyes at him. "Perhaps as sister and brother you can admit to me you have feelings for him. Even Saphira sees it."
"I think as the older sister I can tell you to keep your nose out of it." Arya snapped lightly. Caleb laughed. "Now, is there a reason you have contacted me. I did warn Trianna what was happening but I have just fallen to sleep at the strategy table."
Caleb chuckled. "Open me a door and I'll give the news to all at the table."
"Doing such magic isn't technically within the boundaries of what we wish to show the human magicians." Arya frowned.
"What are the chances of Trianna being able to even come close to copying it?" Caleb raised an eyebrow.
"You have a point." Arya looked off to the side briefly before nodding. "Give me a minute to briefly explain what they will experience and then seek me out again. I will have the door ready for you."
Caleb nodded and severed the spell. He found himself briefly back in his own body in Ceunon and after explaining to Lucus what he was going to do he redid the spell but pulled Lucus through with him. He found a blank white space in Arya's mind broken only by a wooden door so he went through it and found himself in a white space surrounded by confused humans as well as Arya, Hrothgar and Orik. In this spell he had control of what they saw and he quickly visualised the top of the keep in Ceunon with the city laid out below them.
Caleb turned to look at the circle he was part of but left them all a moment to glance around. Apart from Arya on his right there was Nasuada, Hrothgar and Orrin as well as Joed, Trianna, Orik and a few faces he didn't know.
"This is a very strange way to deliver a message, Arya." Orrin turned to her. "You have brought all our minds here?"
"This is a shared dream." Caleb told him. "Your minds are in your own bodies, I have mere projected my mind into each of yours with Arya's help to guide me."
"Will this drain us?" Trianna asked nervously.
"If you tried the spell yourself it could kill you within minutes but the base spell isn't too draining. As it is now, only I am using magic to form the link and Arya is using a small amount to base the link to each of you." Caleb told him. "Even so I shall not keep you for long."
Caleb broke off as Lucus swooped up from below the battlements and landed on top of the wall with his wings outstretched to either side. Caleb turned back after glancing at him.
"Your Dragon is able to follow you?" Trianna asked in awe.
"His mind is meshed with my own, it takes no effort but if you treat him like an animal again I won't try to convince him you taste bad." Caleb told her dryly, baring pausing for the threat to sink in. "I bring word to you from Queen Islanzadi. We begun our siege of Ceunon during the night."
"I thought this place was familiar." Orrin announced tapping at his chin.
"How long till you conquer it?" Nasuada asked looking around at the fortifications. "Is this accurate?"
"It is a true representation of what I can see from where I stand." Caleb told her. "What remained of the city garrison surrendered two hours before dawn. At the moment Queen Islanzadi is talking to the townspeople about retaining their property after the army leaves."
"You've conquered it already?" Nasuada looked shocked.
"We slipped in under darkness and took the city." Caleb told them all simply. "They were unaware of the abilities we Elves possess. The Empire has constantly degraded the myths to make Elves seem inferior and it left them arrogant an unprepared."
"What of losses?" Arya asked.
"Fifteen on our side when taking the barracks but we took them by surprise. Losses on the Empire's side is close to four thousand." Caleb told him. "We only took around a thousand into the battle. We wanted a win such as this so that word spreads to the towns in the Empire so that they join with you or us. Murtagh, Eragon and I have already been around the northernmost towns spreading the word and I believe many will join the Elven army.
"What is your plan now?" Orrin asked.
"We'll leave one hundred or so Elves to guard the city but it will return to the local citizens. The army will leave tomorrow and strike down to the River Ninor before turning east to take Gilead." Caleb told him. "We expect a much bloodier fight there. They'll have been warned."
"Caleb-Vor." Arya turned to him. "We've discussed it and we believe that the King will do all in his power to kill one of the three of you."
"Be careful." Nasuada told him.
"We have figured as much." Caleb nodded. "And we are taking every precaution we can. After Gilead is taken we'll leave the army and head out on our own so that we can't be tracked. I'll train Eragon and Murtagh and rejoin your army for a time before you reach Uru-baen. Arya may call us at any time if you need us to fight with you."
"That's not a bad plan." Hrothgar nodded. "That'll be when the King becomes the most desperate and it would be best if his favoured target is out of sight."
"We thought as much." Caleb nodded. "Now I shall bid you goodbye and give you the regards of the Elven army."
"Please give our regards to the Queen and you fellow Elves." Orrin told him with a short bow. Caleb turned straight to Arya and saluted her with the normal fist over the collar bone before he severed the spell and returned his mind to Ceunon. He turned to look over the city and finally believed that one day he wouldn't have to worry about the safety of his brothers.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
End Chapter