Saphira slowly landed outside the clearing where her cave was, Eragon jumped off of the saddle, he didn't look at her. During the flight back to their current home Saphira had explained. Everything. She told his about the Eldunarì and the power they held, the power that gave Galbatorix such strength. He currently contained 10 of them himself, five in each bag.
"Why didn't you tell me!" Eragon suddenly rounded on her, "was it to protect me! I don't need protection, you should have told me! I'm not a fool Saphira I can handle things like this!"
Saphira's head dipped in agreement, "I know Eragon, but Glaedr and Oromis made me swear in the Ancient Language to not to tell a living soul, not even you. Unless you either chanced upon one yourself or you needed to know dearly."
"Are you hiding anything else from me?"
Saphira didn't say anything. She merely walked into the cave. With a scowl Eragon set out after her and found her lying down with the egg in her paws. He decided not to pester her. She was only trying to protect him, even if he didn't need protecting anymore.
He unsaddled the saddle from Saphira and grabbed a bag that held five of the ten Eldunarì.
"Dragons are really in there?" Eragon muttered in awe.
Yes… my kind lives on through there. Saphira growled, used by the Egg Breaker as energy for his dark crimes!
Eragon paid no heed to the murderous thoughts of Saphira still staring at the bag. He placed his strongest wards in his mind along with Saphira's before opening the bag all the way. Despite the wards the strength of ten Eldunarì found themselves in their heads, albeit quieter.
Acting fast Eragon grabbed one of the Eldunarì and got it out of the bag before zipping it shut. Now there was only one voice yelling in his head, it went silent when it realized its Eldunarì brethren were no longer with it.
Eragon finally got a first look of an Eldunarì, it was around the size Saphira's egg had been and was dark purple with light purple tendrils extending throughout the Eldunarì. It was glowing softly in the dimness of the cave, Eragon watched entranced at the swirling lights that were in the center, like millions of stars moving as one.
Eragon along with Saphira cautiously extended a tendril of their thoughts towards the glowing object.
"Uhm hello?" Eragon asked timidly.
"Death! Murder! Endless slaughter! Eggs broken! Hatchlings dead! Humans, Dwarfs, Elves, all dead! Dark magic, so much destruction! So many dead! Why is it so dark! Where's Raik!" A deep male's voice roared through the duo's head.
"Peace, there are no dead ones here, brother. You are safe." Saphira spoke calmly hoping to calm down the crazed dragon.
"Raik is that you! Raik! Why is your voice so high-pitched?" the dragon spoke again.
"I'm not Raik. I'm Saphira, I'm one of the last free dragons alive."
"Where's Raik!"
"Was Raik your Rider?" Eragon asked the Eldunarì, immediately a great wave of anger came from the Eldunarì.
"IS! Raik is my Rider! Where is he? I know… he's… he's probably hiding from me like he did when I was a hatchling. He always told me that I had to search for him. I have to find him!"
"What is your name?" Saphira asked.
The Eldunarì was silent before answering, "Uznov… who are you?"
"I told you, I'm Saphira. I'm one of the last free dragons left alive. I'm sorry Uznov but your Rider is dead."
A wail of sorrow echoed through their minds, "NO! You lie! Raik isn't dead! He's… He's just playing hide and seek like we always did!"
"Uznov do you remember? The war? Galbatorix and the Forsworn?"
"I…. I remember! The war, oh so many dragons and Riders dead! Eggs shattered, humans, dwarfs, and elves alike slain by the Mad Man! And Raik… he... was killed by that Kilaìndi! Where is he! I want to rip him apart!" Uznov roared in hatred and sorrow.
"Kilaìndi is already dead, he along with the Forsworn. Its only Galbatorix left." Eragon spoke.
"You! Who are you!?"
"I'm Eragon. I'm the Rider of Saphira… And the last free Rider fighting the war."
Uznov snarled, "You lie! You're like that Red Dragon and his Rider! You are slaves of the king, sent to punish me and take my energy!"
"I would never serve the king! Let me show you who I am Uznov, so you may know what type of person I am." Eragon sent him memories of his childhood spent on his farm and Carvahall. He showed him hunting for food and the time spent with his family and friends. He showed him finding Saphira's egg and her hatching for him. Of him raising her and finally the Raz'ac attacking. He showed him his adventures until he found himself in the Dwarf Capitol, he showed him being betrayed by the Varden. He showed him of him finding the last free dragon egg. He showed him his plans for the war.
Uznov was silent, pondering on what he had seen. "You're like Raik." He finally said, "you have that same big heart of his, and the ability to find trouble from anywhere." He laughed slightly, "I've seen enough Eragon. You've saved me from myself, I am in your debt. I want to help you to kill the King. For my kin killed, the Riders slaughtered, for the people we protected butchered… And for Raik. I want to help you."
Eragon and Saphira smiled, happy that the Eldunarì had found a small amount of peace, the mood turned somber when Uznov continued, "but I alone can't help change the tides of war. You must help my fellow Eldunarì, none of us are exactly sane at the moment. And even then ten Eldunarì won't be enough to kill Galbatorix." The mood was somber until Uznov continued, "But! You have something the King does not have! A goal, a passion, a sense of duty. You want to free your people from his cruelty, and a man with a goal worth dying for and coming right back to fight again is a dangerous man… And you have your brother who is not loyal to Galbatorix… and one other thing."
Eragon turned his gaze towards the white Dragon Egg and swore that he saw it glow faintly moonlight like a beacon. And it was a beacon, a beacon of hope.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
Eragon had a small smile on his face as he pounded away at a broken horseshoe. It was easy to fix it, with his superior elf-strength it was easier to fix things, of course he did have to be careful he could easily break the hammer if he hit too hard.
The reason for his smiling was because of the joy that was radiating from Uznov's Eldunarì as he experienced flight again. Saphira allowed him into her mindscape and from there, Uznov was able to feel the winds touching Saphira's wings, the currents carrying her to wherever she pleased. The scent of the pine trees and the musky scent of the animals below them. And above all being able to see again, he got to see again for the first time in centuries. If he had an actual body Eragon bet he would have cried in joy.
Uznov's mentality had been steadily improving, there were still times when he was overcome with grief with Raik's death and would howl his sorrow but with Saphira and Eragon he was steadily improving knowing Raik would be angry that he would muck around in sorrow.
They had yet to open the bag again, as it had only been a week since they had returned and meeting Uznov. They hoped that Uznov could help them with healing his fellow Eldunarì, they were going to contact an Eldunarì that Uznov had known when he was alive. Hopefully Uznov could help with that.
When he had returned to the forge Ronan had eagerly asked about his trip to Therisford. Eragon told him about the town, which he had visited for supplies. The two joked around while working before night settled and Ronan returned to his home and Eragon returned to the Inn.
Some of towns people crowded around him as he told a hilarious tale of Heric the Unlucky Warrior. A tale about a simple farmer becoming a warrior and going off on quests that always seemed to end in hilarious unfortunate outcomes.
As Eragon counted the coins given to him he noticed with slight surprise that Avor had sat down across from him.
"Avor." He nodded his head in acknowledgment.
"Rulf." Avor exhaled a puff of smoke from his pipe, "listen I've 'preaciated you helping 'round the forge and all but that's not what I wanna talk to you about." He took the pipe out of his mouth, "it's about Ronan."
"What's wrong? Is he hurt?" Eragon asked in concern.
Avor waved away his question "no, Ronan's fine. Its just that I noticed when you come by the forge he always comes to you and listen to your stories and experiences. I don't care about that, good for the boy to learn of things outside his village." Avor took a swig of his ale. "Ronan looks up to you Rulf."
Eragon blinked and raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Ronan looks up to you, pretty self explanatory. Albrich isn't exactly a man of words, he's a thinker and Ronan is more of a doer. You seem to be like Ronan, both of you are more of the adventurous type. And being all 'round the entire world he looks up to you more an' I understand that he's the type that doesn't want to live in the village where he grows up just fixing ol' horseshoes and nails. I want him to become a master smith in a big city, where everyone goes to get their weapons fixed and their fancy objects made. If he were to leave and you could help him I'd appreciate it." And before Eragon could reply Avor got up and left the Inn.
Eragon looked at the closing door with a confused look, "what just happened?"
"Hmm, seems the father thinks that his son see's you as another elder brother though more like him in interests." Uzovsaid in his mind.
"But I can't be a brother figure to someone right now! I'm currently trying to figure out how to fight the King without a single man helping me at the moment!"
"We'll figure it out later, you should return little one." Saphira said.
Eragon mentally nodded before heading up to his room making sure everyone see him leave. As soon as he reached the room he quickly jumped out of the window and dashed across the town, the night covering his movements. In the course of five minutes running as fast as good, his feet barely making a sound even in the Spine, he reached the cave.
His improved eyes could make out the outline of Saphira, Uznov's Eldunarì was glowing faintly in the cave.
Eragon leaned against Saphira's leg as he cradled Uznov's Eldunarì in the crook of one arm. He grabbed Unbitr and slowly channeled all of his available energy into the flawless sapphire. Even before he started adding his energy to the gem it was filled with Brom's old energy. But his project would need every ounce of energy he had.
Saphira started to channel all of her available energy into the gem as well. She didn't know what Eragon planned to do but from what she saw from the traces of the thoughts she knew he would need it, Uznov helped as well. He probably channeled the most energy as he had large amounts of energy at disposal.
"Are you going to tell us what you are planning, young Rider?" Uznov asked the young man.
Eragon shook his head, "if I told you you'd both call me a fool and that it was impossible, but I think we can do it!"
"That defiantly assures me Little One."
Eragon pouted slightly, "Trust me Saphira! I promise I'll tell you when we actually get there!"
Eragon closed his eyes. Draining energy sure did take a lot of him. He instantly fell asleep.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
Eragon woke up as the sound of birdcalls entered the cave, the sunlight was shining inside the cave. Saphira was still asleep, Eragon got up and went outside with his bow in his hands. He didn't have to go to the forge today so he decided to hunt.
During his time training under the tutelage of the elves Eragon had soon discarded the idea of eating meat, but during their flee from Surda he had no choice but to eat meat once again. He had soon gotten use to eating meat again, though he swore never to kill an animal for no reason or just for sport.
Eragon soon found himself following the twisting trails of various animals, he crouched down and saw fresh deer tracks.
He stealthily and silently followed the trail, nothing escaping his eyes. He noticed that the leaves were starting to change color, Fall was upon them and soon Winter would follow.
After around fifteen minutes of following the trail he came across a small clearing, inside it were a doe and a buck scavenging for anything to eat. With practiced ease Eragon silently grabbed and arrow and notched it, he aimed it at the buck, eyes looking directly at where his heart was. He released the arrow.
Thwak!
The arrow struck the buck directly in the heart, he fell to the ground. The doe reared in alarm and bolted, Eragon quickly notched another arrow and shot another arrow. The doe fell down.
Eragon walked up to the two deer, he quickly grabbed both and put them on his shoulder before heading back to the cave. He made it back in around ten minutes.
He got to work on skinning the doe, he cleaned the carcass and set the pelt out to dry, he then butchered everything before dumping any of the unwanted pieces out in the woods for the other animals to eat. He left the buck alone.
Saphira had awoken at the scent of blood, when she saw it was just a deer instead of Eragon she relaxed. She yawned and stretched like a cat, "morning Little One." She muttered sleepily.
"Morning Saphira." Eragon said cheerfully, "I think we should try and help Uznov's friend."
Uznov joined the conversation, "I agree, I don't like the idea of Dracan being stuck all alone, we need to help him."
Eragon opened up a bag, the voices immediately assaulted his mind but with the help of Uznov and Saphira he managed to push them back. He quickly looked around the bag before finding the Eldunarì he was looking for.
He quickly grabbed the one he was looking for. It was a dark green and was slightly larger than Uznov's Eldunarì. He zipped up the bag, he settled the Eldunarì on the ground, "ready?" he asked his dragon and Eldunarì who both agreed before all three entered the mind scape of the green Eldunarì.
Eragon found himself on some sort of plain filled with long wavy grass that was dark green and was blowing in a soft wind. He took a step forward and heard a crunch underneath his foot. He glanced down and saw a shattered orange dragon egg. The place shifted, it was still the same plain but the grass was now dead and on fire. Countless bodies of dragons and their Riders, elves and dwarfs, were everywhere. The soil was stained red with blood.
"Drakan!" Uznov roared, effectively shattering the plain. Eragon found himself back in the cave.
"Uznov?" a deep voice muttered.
"Its me Drakan. It's Uznov, you remember me right? We're hatch mates! Remember me brother!
"Its so dark Uznov, so dark. W-Where's Kara? Uznov where is Kara!" the voice yelled.
"She's gone Drakan… Like Raik. We're dead, as are our riders. Don't you remember the war? The years spent in servitude of the Oath Breaker?"
"No…. no your lying! Kara isn't dead! She's here I know it!" Drakan whispered in denial.
"I wish I were, Raik is dead as well. Everyone is dead Drakan. This boy and she-dragon are the last free Rider and Dragon left fighting the war."
"Hello Drakan, I'm Eragon and this is my dragon Saphira." Eragon greeted the second Eldunarì.
"She's gone." Drakan whimpered, "she can't be gone!"
"I'm sorry Drakan." Uznov said sadly, "don't give up! Eragon is the only Rider fighting the King, he needs all the help he can get! We can help him Drakan! We can avenge our masters, our fellow dragons and riders, and Raik and Kara, we can make things right!"
"I… don't know Uznov. I'm so scared. I want Kara. Why is it so dark here? I don't like it."
"Drakan, what would Kara think if she saw you like this?"
"She'd yell at me for being a coward. But I'm not a coward I'm lonely."
"Drakan you have me, your brother! You have Eragon and Saphira and the other Eldunarì once when we help them, you're` not alone any more. We have each other, Kara wouldn't want you to hide, she'd want you to fight!
Drakan feelings started to show determination, "Kara would want that…. I'll help! You! Rider, show me why I should help you!"
Eragon showed Drakan the memories he had shown Uznov, the Eldunarì finally spoke after a few moments of pondering, "you are worthy of being a Rider. Going through so much in the course of a year, being betrayed by the ones whom you had fought for, and you don't even harbor any hatred towards them."
Eragon nodded his head, "I do not hate the entire Varden, the majority do not even know of that meeting. I won't go out of my way to destroy them, I already have the Empire to fight, but I won't join them again. Its up to them if we are true enemies or friends."
"You are indeed worthy to become the leader of the next order of the Riders." Uznov said.
Eragon looked at the purple Eldunarì with slight surprise, "I do not think I am worthy of such a position."
"Ah but you are Eragon, you have honor, a sense of duty to your people, a passion to keep your loved ones safe, and undying loyalty. You are a born leader." Uznov said.
Eragon bowed his head humbly, "I am honored that you think so much of me."
Uznov and Drakan laughed, "Oh I like him." Drakan said.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
Eragon watched as Saphira took off with the two Eldunarì in her claws, he went over to Saphira's make shift nest and grabbed the dragon egg before placing it into his pack. It had taken a lot to convince Saphira to agree with his plan, it was only after Uznov and Drakan had agreed did she reluctantly agree. He grabbed the buck and put it one his shoulder before heading back to Ursür, he sold the buck to the butcher. It would explain why he was not in town yesterday. He headed to the forge and greeted Albrich, Avor, and Ronan. He started to heat up iron ore for making a new plow. The day passed by until the sun was soon to set. As Albrich and Avor headed into the house Ronan made to follow but stopped when Rulf put a hand on his shoulder.
"What's wrong Rulf?" Ronan asked with a frown.
Rulf smiled, "Oh nothing, but I wanted you to hold on to something for me." He went over to his pack and pulled out a large white polished stone. Rulf handed it over to Ronan.
Ronan stared at the stone in shock and awe, marveling at the beauty of the stone. It was pure white with smaller and darker veins of white running through it like a spider web. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on. "Rulf what is-?"
"Just a stone I picked up during my many travels. Ronan that stone is very important to me, don't let anyone see you with it. Make sure you keep an eye on it. It'll only be for a little while."
Before Ronan could say anything else Rulf walked away leaving a gapping Ronan holding a large white stone.
Ronan shrugged and headed into the house, he made sure for his father and brother not to see it. He went to his room on the second floor. It was plain, with pine flooring and roofing. A nightstand was standing by a small bed, filled with different things he had found during his adventures either near the village or in the Spine. A simple red wool rug was on the floor, a window showed the countryside and the main road. Ronan placed the stone on his nightstand before crashing on his bed and falling asleep instantly.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
(Later that night)
The hatchling stirred from within his shell. He had sensed the large she-dragon and Rider talking. Some other deeps voices had come too. He didn't know what they looked like, being stuck in dark-shell. He remembered being buried in the underneath before being found. He felt the presence of his kind and some other being, like the pointy-ears and non-pointy ears, but mixed. Finally half-pointy-ear had given him to non-pointy ear. He immediately felt a connection with the non-pointy ear. He knew he was Chosen-Rider. The dark-shell, which had once felt so safe, now felt like a prison. He wanted to get out, to be with his Rider!
Outside of the shell Ronan was snoring, completely unaware of the shivering egg that was placed on his nightstand. The egg fell of the wool rug and started shaking and squeaking.
Ronan woke up with a jolt. He grabbed a hammer from besides his bed and stepped on the floor looking around for any intruders. Another squeak. Ronan looked at the ground and saw the stone was moving, he watched with fascination as a crack appeared. Then another. And another. A small piece of the shell broke off, and Ronan saw a small head poke off before the now known egg shattered.
Ronan just stood there, he dropped his hammer, eyes bulging, jaw dropped.
For right in front of him, its scales glinting in the pale moonshine, was a dragon hatchling.
Yep Ronan's the Rider, surprised? Eragon and Saphira have gained the help of two Eldunarì and are working to help the others. Review, you guys have no idea how much they help inspire me to write. I also accept constructive criticism, but no flames. Do the characters seem right, I know Murtagh is a little OC but I'll try and keep him like he is in the books.