21. Grintuk

Back on the Isle of the Eldunarí, where it was nearly dawn, Grintuk couldn't sleep, as had often been the case since the night he and Varhog had spoken in the Cave of the Eldunarí. The haunting voice of the anguished Eldunarí echoed in his mind again, and he sprang out of bed, calling back to his dragon as he jogged out of his room, Don't worry about me, Kuldr. I'm going to find Blödhgarm.

Grintuk wasn't sure where to find the elf. Blödhgarm was often as nocturnal as the beasts his appearance imitated. To save himself time, Grintuk risked searching for Blödhgarm with his mind. The elf knew the feel of every Rider's mind, but they didn't often communicate mentally with the elves because of how foreign and eerie their minds were. He quickly found Blödhgarm and said, It's Grintuk. Would you be willing to meet me at the Cave of the Eldunarí, please? I had a most unusual experience some weeks back and hope you'll be able to help me.

Blödhgarm agreed and since they could both move so swiftly, they arrived at the large mouth of the Cave only a few minutes later. When Grintuk began walking into the Cave, the elf followed.

"Thank you, Blödhgarm," Grintuk said. "I'm sorry to so rudely intrude on your thoughts, but I had no idea where to find you."

"It is no matter, Grintuk," Blödhgarm replied. "You would have been hard-pressed to find me so it is most likely for the best. So long as your mind remains intact after the contact, I will not prevent it. You know I could easily crush you, if I wanted."

Grintuk grinned. "Aye. That you could, which reminds me of the importance of caution whenever I do what I did. I hope you'll agree this is a matter of some urgency once I've had the chance to explain."

"I am curious," Blödhgarm admitted.

Grintuk wasted no time. "Before the other Riders left several weeks ago, Varhog found me out here in the Cave teaching the next dragon destined for the Urgralgra our language. He sought me for advice on his dilemma with Willow. Our discussion turned to the predicament presented by the Urgal King Kulkarvek. Do you know of him?"

"Only his name," Blödhgarm said. "That we elves know so little of him is evidence of his mysterious, secluded nature."

"Indeed. And for decades that has been the best way to describe his reign. But in more recent years, he has grown more restless, especially since dragons began hatching for the Urgralgra and more human Dragon Riders have been chosen. He hates humans and dragons with a fiery, burning passion and wants to wipe them all off the face of the land, much like Galbatorix wanted to do with our race. But no one really knows the reason why. After Varhog left, one of the Eldunarí unexpectedly spoke to me and said, 'Beware Kulkarvek. He is a formidable threat to a dragon. I died, that is, my flesh body was killed, at his hand, and for many years thereafter, I was a prisoner to his wicked will.' I was stunned and asked the dragon's name, but she didn't respond again. It has been nagging me ever since. I've come here on several occasions to attempt to learn the dragon's identity, but she has never opened up again. I know you are more familiar with the Eldunarí than anyone so I hoped you would be able to shed some light on this. I can't help but feel that knowing what she meant will be important, for some reason."

"Undoubtedly," Blödhgarm agreed. "Would you share with me your memory of the dragon's words so I can hear her voice? That might be enough for me to tell you her name. You didn't recognize her then?"

"No, not at all. She wasn't one of the Eldunarí that usually interact with and train the Riders, and she sounded like some of the other dragons who were held hostage by Galbatorix."

"Interesting." Blödhgarm was silent while Grintuk quickly shared the brief message of the Eldunarí. The elf stiffened, incredulously shaking his head. "I believe that was Jarnunvösk, Galbatorix's first dragon, who was killed by Urgals."

"Truly?" Grintuk said in astonishment. "She was killed by Kulkarvek?"

"So it would appear," Blödhgarm said. "I wonder what this could mean. She mentioned she was a prisoner to Kulkarvek's wicked will for many years after, but we found her in Galbatorix's stash."

"It helps explain why Kulkarvek hated Galbatorix so much," Grintuk mused. "At least, it partly does. I'm assuming Galbatorix sought some sort of revenge for the death of his first dragon, and the Urgal king has long appeared to be possessed by demons of past tragedies so painful as to be paralyzing."

"Does Kulkarvek have abilities with magic?" Blödhgarm asked.

"He does," Grintuk verified, "and it's how he made himself grow so huge. Perhaps it's also why he's so old, but he doesn't seem to want to live. I've never come across a more miserable being than King Kulkarvek."

"I will try to communicate with Jarnunvösk," Blödhgarm said. "Perhaps she will shed more light on this situation. Right now it feels as if we've merely unearthed far more questions than answers." He mentally reached toward Jarnunvösk's consciousness, including Grintuk in his effort, but was met only with stern silence. Since he knew which Eldunarí he was attempting to converse with, Blödhgarm went over to the ladder, climbed up to the second tier of shelves, and walked along the narrow ledge in front of the depressions in the cave wall. He stopped at the appropriate location and reached out a hand, gently resting it on the surface of the dim heart of hearts and trying once again. Jarnunvösk. It is I, Blödhgarm. Will you not speak with me, wise one?

There was no response from the Eldunarí, not even the vaguest acknowledgement.

"Perhaps it would help if I leave," Grintuk suggested. "I am of the same race as her murderer after all. Maybe she doesn't like that I'm here."

"It wouldn't hurt," Blödhgarm agreed. "Though she did initiate a mental message with you before. Wait for me at the mouth of the Cave. I'll be out if or when I learn something useful."

Grintuk turned to leave, and when he emerged, he sat across from the opening to the Cave with his back to a tree. He clasped his hands to keep himself from wringing them, but he didn't have much time to organize his confused thoughts before Blödhgarm exited the Cave.

Grintuk quickly stood, asking, "Anything?"

"Nothing," Blödhgarm replied. "She barely has any will to live. I'm sorry I did not prove more helpful."

"You actually did," Grintuk said. "It's true there are many more questions now than before, but at least we know Kulkarvek was responsible for the death of Galbatorix's first dragon. I think I should make the others aware of this. I know Firesword intended to visit Carvahall during their trip, and that's one of the closest human villages to Anghelm. If several dragons suddenly show up in such close proximity to Kulkarvek, it could mean far more trouble than it's worth."

"I agree. Will you scry them?"

"Yes, later today even. I suppose I ought to wait until a decent hour, since it's much earlier where they are, so far west of us. And I should also take into account that Firesword might be otherwise occupied until midafternoon." Grintuk chuckled, and Blödhgarm joined him with an amused growl. "Perhaps I'll try to get some sleep and scry them before I go to bed this evening. That should be plenty of time. Thank you, Blödhgarm."

"Not at all, Grintuk. Farewell." The elf loped off into the darkness, and Grintuk slowly returned to his room. Though his mind was not any easier than before, at least one mystery was solved, and he was finally able to drift off into an exhausted, fitful sleep.

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A/N: The following chapter contains mature discussion and/or description of intimacy.