Eragon was looking at his pupil with a single raised eyebrow, Ronan grinned sheepishly as one of the Shrrg puppies he was holding in his arms started to bite at his ear.
Eragon turned around to Bjartkoü who had the rest of the five puppies on his back. His eyebrow was still raised as he saw the puppies playing on the massive dragon's back.
Saphira snorted in laughter as she saw the misery on her fellow dragons face. One of the puppies, a midnight black wolf, was chewing on one of Bjartkoü's neck spikes. A brindle colored wolf had jumped off the white dragon's back and was stalking slowly towards Bjartkoü's waving tail. The puppy leapt in the air and chomped down on the dragon's tail making him growl at the puppy.
The other two puppies saw their pack mate in trouble and jumped off the dragon's back before coming up to Bjartkoü's face growling. A brave feat seeing as Bjartkoü's claw was probably as big as them.
"So you're telling me," Eragon finally spoke, "that since you were the first being they had seen so they," he gestured towards the puppies," think of you as their mother?"
"Uhmm yeah I guess." Ronan said as the puppy he was holding, a dark grey and silver pup, whined at Ronan who sighed. "Okay." He set the pup down and reached into his backpack and pulled out a small piece of the Narga he had slain. He chewed it up until it was tender enough for the puppy to eat so it wouldn't choke and gave it to the silver pup who eagerly gobbled it down.
The other five puppies seeing their pack mate eating food immediately rushed away from the relieved Bjartkoü and sat down around Ronan and opened their mouths and doing the puppy dog look.
Ronan sighed and gave them all meat, now that they were full the puppies yawned before falling asleep at Ronan's feet.
Eragon chuckled before glancing at Saphira, "and you said I always found trouble."
Saphira snorted, well at least you never adopted five pups that would become the size of a horse.
"Also some good came out of the trip," Ronan offered, "I did it master, I felt the life around me, I understood it. It was amazing, we're so different but still so much alike, and of course," he gestured to Bjartkoü who raised his head proudly to the sky and large white flames erupted from his maw.
Eragon was grinning ear to ear, while Saphira walked up to the massive white dragon and nuzzled him affectionately for his accomplishment.
Ronan sniggered at Bjartkoü's expression and his wild thoughts that flashed through his head, "can we keep them?" he asked Eragon, "you did say we needed people to our cause." He stated as he remembered when Eragon had said the two were going to make their own side of the war.
Flashback
"Our own side?" Ronan questioned his friend and mentor, "how are we to do that? I mean sure we're Dragon Riders but there are only two of us, unless you count the Eldunarì but they can't fight."
Eragon nodded his head at his words, "I know that, so we must find allies, men who will fight with us. We can defeat small towns on our own but we need help for large cities to help us conquer and help keep it under our rule."
Ronan smirked as he understood, "we're going to make an army?"
Eragon smirked as well, "correct my student. But we have to keep your identity a secret as you well know-"
"But I can help!" Ronan angrily said, "yeah so I'm new to this but I can still help you-"
"I wasn't finished Ronan, you are still going to help, just not as a Rider."
Ronan looked at him curiously, "I am going to travel through the Empire to gain something that will help us enormously," he brought out a large scroll of paper from the void where he kept his stuff, Ronan saw that it was the map of Alagaesia he had seen earlier but there were highlighted areas both in major cities and small towns, he immediately noticed the word on each highlight, Eldunarì.
"Those are the king's Eldunari that he gave to his servants," Ronan understood, "we're going to steal them?"
"I am," seeing Ronan about to protest Eragon continued on, "you may help me later on but until then you shall train, but while I free the Eldunarì you will work on another project, you're going to find us spies."
"Spies? But I don't know the first thing there is to that!"
"Just go to the black market, every city has one. Maybe do an odd favor and get in with some of the powerful people there, they can help us out and maybe get us supplies for our army." Eragon advised.
Ronan nodded his head in understanding as Eragon went on, "but we will not do this for awhile for two reasons. One, we still need a base for us, this desert won't due for an army and we are bound to be found out soon. I already know where we shall have our base so that is our top priority, the next is getting the gold to pay the men."
Ronan's eyes widened, "and you thinking what I'm thinking?" he gestured towards the desert and Eragon nodded.
"The Wandering Tribes are very well known as being great craftsmen, you could even compare them to the dwarves, they are also very wealthy, some of them are allied with the Varden," Ronan scowled at the name, "but there has been tension between the two, so lets take that into our advantage. You work in some of the cities, I trust you'll stay out of trouble, or at least not enough to alert Galbatorix. I on the hand, will find the tribes and ask for their support. They hate the king as much as anybody, they would defiantly want us as their allies."
Ronan suddenly realized something and sighed, "we have so much work to do, don't we?"
Eragon laughed before nodding making the younger teen look at the floor dejectedly.
Flashback End
"Think about it, how awesome would it be if we had a whole pack of Shrrg fighting with us? I know they would make even the most bloodthirsty imperial wet their pants and beg for mercy!"
Eragon chuckled, "fine but you're going to have to take care of them, I'll be gone for a few days, try to not destroy the mountain when I'm gone. Or set anyone on fire."
"I told you that was an accident!"
"Still, I'd rather not be set on fire again, not the best of memories."
Ronan mumbled, "stupid ebrithil."
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
Eragon rolled his eyes before saddling Saphira, he turned towards Bjartkoü, "you're in charge Bjartkoü, make sure Ronan doesn't do anything stupid."
I'll try, Bjartkoü replied with humor.
Ronan pointed at the gigantic dragon accusingly, "hey you're supposed to be on my side!"
Saphira took off and after circling the mountains headed towards wherever they could find one of the tribes. Ronan still yelling at Bjartkoü for not taking his side.
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"You sense anything Saphira?" Eragon asked his companion as they flew high in the sky.
Only the desert creatures, are you sure they are around here? You're not the best with directions.
"Jeez what is this, scold a Rider day?" Eragon mumbled crossly.
Everyday is scold a Rider day for you, Young One.
"True."Eragon admitted as he spread his conscious further and further, wait, I sense something. I sense a camp, over there by the horizon.
Saphira quickly turned direction and headed towards the source of life, they soon saw a small yet thriving camp, and it must be one of the larger Tribes.
The Wandering Tribe of Atrahasha was a prominent tribe of the Hadarac desert. They were one of the larger tribes, with easily over two hundred people.
They were all dark skinned thanks to years under the glaring sun, but despite living in what many considered a wasteland they were a proud and rich people. Gold was everywhere in this desert, of course if you know where to look, and living in the desert for the entire lives, not to mention their ancestors knowledge, they knew how to live in the harsh desert.
Of course no one knew what to do when a dragon suddenly appeared above them, the men went for their weapons while the children screamed as their mothers or sisters grabbed them and ran to the tents. Even though they knew a thin fabric tent would do nothing against a dragon it would help quiet the children, and hopefully the dragon would not notice them.
The men got into their armor and grabbed their spears and swords, they were surprised when a man got off the dragon, they immediately realized that he was a Rider.
Now even though the Atrahasha had not been one of the few tribes to give support to the Varden they were not aligned to the Empire either, because of this they did not know as much as other Tribes. But even they knew who rode on a blue dragon. Eragon Shadeslayer.
Eragon held up his hands showing that he had no weapons and was not here for a fight, the group of warriors parted as a single man strode forward.
It was obvious he was the leader. His armor was adorned with gold trimming while the main part shinning steel. His chest plate was encrusted with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and countless other precious gems. His sword was steel whilst the hilt was gold, probably solid gold two, on the hilt of the sword was a diamond probably the size of a walnut. His neck was completely covered in gold rings, and on his head was a gigantic crown encrusted with every known gem. Eragon wondered how the man managed to keep his head up, the crown looked heavy.
"Greetings Rider," the leader said in the common tongue as he doubted the Rider in front of him spoke the language the Tribes used.
"Greetings," Eragon said, surprising everyone since he was speaking in their native language.
"You speak our tongue?" the leader asked intrigued.
Eragon nodded, "I find it important to speak the languages of all tongues, easier to speak with a stranger if you can speak their language."
The man nodded warily, "why are you here Rider, we've heard rumors you had deserted so why are you here?"
"I came looking for aid," Eragon said seriously, seeing the confused faces he spoke, "perhaps we should talk in private? I have a proposition for you and your people."
The leader hesitated slightly but decided that if the man wanted to he and his dragon could easily destroy him and his people, he decided not to anger the teen in front of him, "very well, follow me."
Once they were in the leader's tent the man sat down in his ornate chair and leaned his arms on his desk, both pieces were actually quite light seeing as they had to move around so much. Eragon took the seat in front of the desk, the was a shuffling of the tarp before Saphira's eyes and snout appeared in the entrance.
"As you may know, my name is Eragon Shadeslayer." Eragon formally introduced himself.
The leader nodded his head, "Quator," he said as he held out his hand, which Eragon shook firmly. Eragon took note that while Quator seemed to live in luxury he had a strong grip and callouses, signs of a warrior and hard worker.
"Why are you here, and for aid none the less?"
"As you know I've deserted the Varden because of some…. Circumstances. The reason for which I will tell you at a later time, but I have a proposition Quator, Leader of the Atrahasha." Eragon smiled at the man who looked interested, which was a good sign. "I won't delay the answer, I'm just going to cut to the chase. I am going to build an army and I need some supporters."
Quator's eyes widened but otherwise remained impassive, "go on."
"I understand you hold no allegiance to the Empire nor the Varden."
"And for good reason too!" Quator said, "while we are not cowards we are not bloodthirsty fools who would dash off to fight, we'd be destroyed and our ancient Tribe no more. We prefer to remain on neither side."
Eragon nodded his head, "I respect your concern for your people and I knew that was one of the reasons you have not chosen a side."
Quator looked at the young Rider in front of him, "then why have you come to my camp? If you know I was going to refuse you?"
"Oh I don't think you will refuse me."
Quator's eyes flashed dangerously, "are you threatening me!"
"No," Eragon said calmly, "I am no enemy, I am merely a friend looking for help. What I meant was because of what I have to offer. I understand that your tribe is the greatest maker of necklaces, correct?"
Quator smiled at the praise, "of course we are! You will never find a more beautiful jewelry if it was not made by our Tribe!"
"Yes you are a rich people, but you could do so much better," Eragon saw that he held the man's interest, "but since you have not chosen a side you cannot sell your products in either Surda or the Empire, they see you as an enemy or a threat and would not buy your products, you are stuck here in the desert with only other Tribes to buy your jewelry."
"That may be true but I will not endanger the lives of my men just to gain a little more gold, I am not a greedy man."
"I never said that, I was merely pointing out that you are confined in this desert, while it is your homeland I'm sure many of your people wish to see what lies outside of these dunes, what types of people and places there are to see, can't you see? Galbatorix merely sees you as stragglers, that you are nothing but dirt underneath his feet. He has made your image of great crafters and rich men and twisted it into wandering nomads without a penny to their name, second class, pests." Eragon looked at the man with honesty, "if you do not believe me I will tell you this, I was born and raised in the Empire, I will not lie. And I had never known until I had fled the Empire that you were actually a proud people with wealth rivaling kings."
Quator's bodyguards were trembling in rage at how they were imaged in the Empire because of the King, this wasn't about negotiations anymore. It was a matter of pride.
The leader's face was flushed red under his dark skin, "while that is indeed some news there is still the matter of what we get for aiding you, if we fully show our alliance to you than we will not be welcomed in either Empire or Surda." He pointed out.
"That is true," Eragon said,"but the Varden doesn't have a Dragon Rider do they?"
"No."
"Think about it, you've heard of my feats of strength during battle, imagine what any rival Tribes will think, do you think they would dare provoke, much less attack you, if you had the aid of a Rider and dragon with them? I have no men yet, but I think many people, both of the Varden and the Empire, would come under my command."
Quator was silent as he pondered his options, both the cons and pros of being allies of the one (to them and pretty much the entire world) free dragon Rider.
"What will it be?" Eragon asked as he held out his hand as he stood up from his seat, "will you stay here, trapped, waiting for Galbatorix to crush you, or will you join me and show the Mad King just what the desert tribes are made of?"
Quator stood up, and with a grin he shook the Rider's hand, "we will fight!" he exclaimed as he looked at Eragon and Saphira with a light gleaming in his eye, "and we will win!"
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Ronan looked at the map of Alagaesia set before him with a frown on his face, he looked closer at a certain area before scowling and looking at another area of the map.
The cave trembled slightly as Bjartkoü landed and entered the gigantic cave, what are you doing? He asked his rider.
"I'm trying to think of where to go to gain favor," Ronan explained before throwing his hands up in defeat, "I give up! It's either too small of a city that there are no notable contacts or too big and I'd get caught!"
Perhaps you are over thinking it, Bjartkoü added in helpfully, I agree that some major cities are dangerous, I'd rather chop off my wings before allowing you to sneak into Urû'baen. But remember in a big city faces clash together, it's easy to forget a face when there are thousands of them. perhaps Teirm? It is one of the world's greatest trading cities, many strangers come and go. You'd blend right in, and there are many contacts to form in a place like Teirm.
Ronan nodded his head, he smiled as he rolled up the map, "alright, to Teirm it is!" he yelled.
Ronan immediately went to random places of the cave as he prepared for his travel. He grabbed one of the large knapsacks, enchanted so more larger things could fit, and started to fill it with clothes, food, the occasional knife or dagger.
Ronan sighed as he held a dagger eye level, "I need a weapon," he concluded, "a Rider's weapon, not this butter knife." He shrugged "I'll ask Master Eragon latter, maybe he knows more about them. His sword is defiantly not made of normal metal, that's for sure." He grabbed one of the spare swords that was littered on the ground before putting it on his belt sheath.
He grabbed Bjartkoü's saddle and in the range of a couple minutes Bjartkoü was ready to fly. Ronan quickly climbed on before holding onto one of his massive neck spikes, "let's fly!"
Bjartkoü snorted and rolled his large eyes at his Rider, aren't you forgetting something?
"Ehh?" Ronan then remembered and quickly grabbed a quill and a scrap of paper.
Master Eragon,
Uh so me and Bjartkoü are going to Teirm and get some contacts, so don't freak when you see I'm not here. Though then again by the time you get back I'll be halfway through the Empire, don't worry I know to stay above the clouds, guard my mind, blah blah yada yada.
A whine echoed through the cave and he saw the Shrrg pups looking at him confused.
Also, can you keep an eye on the pups? Can't really take them with me, its not that hard. Just give them some meat and be careful they don't rip your arm off while doing it, and if they gotta go and can't get outside then just clean it up, so yeah.
Ronan, Rider of the awesome Bjartkoü of the white flames, conqueror of all that is evil, the defender of the world.
Bjartkoü snorted, honestly… he muttered.
Ronan got back on the saddle, "alright, now lets fly!"
The dragon roared to the sky as he jumped off the high cliff, Ronan whopping as they headed towards the city of Teirm.
So another chapter done and I have a couple questions that I want to ask you guys that I've been thinking on and decided or still haven't so I decided to turn to you guys to help me decide. I was thinking of maybe doing a chapter on the siege of Argoughs, note neither Ronan nor Eragon will be in it. But Roran will be in it, he will be the POV, or would you rather just skip that? Also pairing has been decided, it is Eragon/Arya. I think some people were thinking that it may have been Orik/Arya, but no I meant they got closer as friends.