Disclaimer: Sorry that I didn't update like I said that I would, but I had Subdistricts for FFA Wedsday night and I had to prepare for that. Anyway, next week is Spring Break and I will be able to catch up with everything during that week.
Eragon sat on the floor with his back against the wall. "How do you supose that we take this new pupil to Du Weldenvarden?" he asked Arya, who stood at the window of the room that Tasha had given them while she prepared everything to leave. "We can't expect the Empire's new queen to leave them in further tourmoil."
"I will have Galzra fly and tell Nasuada of our current situation," sighed Arya. "We won't be able to leave for a few days."
I don't like the idea of leaving, said Galzra.
I know, Galzra, replied Arya. But what choice do we have? She turned to Eragon and looked old and worn. "Is this how you felt when you found out that you and Saphira had to train Galzra and me?" she asked him.
Eragon smiled as those happy memories filled him. "The situation was different then," he answered. "You were already skilled with magic and blade. We only had to wait for Galzra to grow to a size that you could ride him in combat. Alas, I did feel trapped that the fate of all this land depended on how well trained you and Galzra were. Now the Shur'tugal are able to return once again. This is what Brom and Oromis both fought for and I will see to it that everything does not go amiss."
"I don't trust this girl," said Arya in the ancient language.
"Neither do I," agreed Eragon. He too spoke in the ancient tongue. "However, she is a rider now and we must train her. I will keep a close eye on her."
Arya sighed. "I wonder what Nasuada will do," she said.
"I am sure that she will take action on the matter," replied Eragon softly. "Who do you think should rule over this land?"
"I don't know," answered Arya. She bit her lower lip.
How about Roran? asked Saphira.
"I know that Nasuada has no mind to rule," said Eragon. Why Roran?
He has the ability to lead people, answered Saphira. And he will permit Shur'tugal to live in peace and to stop hiding.
Eragon grinned at the thought. He repeated Saphira's suggestion to Arya. "What do you think?" he asked.
"Well--I supose that we could set Roran on the throne," said Arya. "But, what if he denies this offer?"
"Then we're in a very bad situation," said Eragon.
Galzra, go to Nasuada and request that she comes and brings Roran and Katrina with her, ordered Arya. Stay hidden as best as you can.
Take care of yourself, Arya, said Galzra.
She felt her dragon take to the air and fly away. She sat next to Eragon and rested her head on his shoulder. He placed his arm around her and pulled her close. "The light has finally come forth from the darkness that has plagued us for a hundred years," said Eragon. "A new, more bright era of Shur'tugal have come. Now, we can rebuild the land that Galbatorix's black hand has destroyed. Now I can spend my life with you, my love." He rested his nose on her dark head and inhaled her scent.
She curled up to him and rested in his arms. His warmth radiated from his skin. "Eragon--what do you think will become of the Varden now?" she asked softly.
"I do not know, Arya," he answered. "Perhaps they will find a place to live to call their home." He kissed her lightly on her brow. "Now we can live peaceful lives. How does that sound, love?"
Arya smiled. "I have waited many lifetimes for peace," she replied softly.
A soft, timid knock echoed throughout the room. Eragon sighed heavily and looked up. "Who is it?" he called loudly.
"Queen Tasha requests that Lord Eragon and Lady Arya dine with Her Majesty tonight in her chambers," answered one of the young serving woman through the door.
Some food does sound nice, said Arya.
Eragon nodded and smiled. He led Arya to the door and opened it. A young girl, not much older than Tasha stood there, timid and shrinking away from them. "Follow me," she said curtly. "I will lead you to the Queen's chamber." The two followed the serving woman. She stopped outside Tasha's door and knocked. "Lord Eragon and Lady Arya are here, Milady."
The door opened. Tasha stood there dressed in a fine crimson embroidered gown. She looked them over carefully. "Thank you, Jarabiah," she said coolly. Jarabiah bowed and hurried away. Tasha beckoned Eragon and Arya into her room and shut the door.
The violet dragon stared at them with a piercing gaze. It squaked at them and tilted his head. Eragon smiled fondly at the young dragon. "You have done an exceptionate job so far in raising your dragon," he commented kindly. "I remember when Saphira hatched for me, I had to raise her on my own in secret. Luckily you don't have to."
"Whe' 'ill we be 'eaving?" asked Tasha in her heavy accent.
"Shortly, I'm hoping," answered Eragon. "We have to wait for Lady Nasuada. In the mean time, Arya and I will educate you as best as we can with our limitted resources."
She'll need to learn how to talk properly before we present her to the council, informed Arya.
I agree, said Eragon. He turned to Tasha. "What do you know of the Dragon Riders of old?" he asked her.
"Ve'y 'ittle," she responded.
Arya sighed impatiently. "Before we even think about training you in the arts of becoming a Shur'tugal, you must learn to rid yourself of that accent. We do not want the council I surround myself with to think that you are a stupid farm girl!"
I was only a farm boy when I found Saphira! Eragon protested.
But you didn't have this horrible accent! replied Arya. This girl has a lot of hard work ahead of her and years of training.
And we have time, said Eragon. We are not in the middle of a war anymore.
"You were 'ept in Ga'bato'i's dun'eon, weren't you?" asked Tasha.
Arya frowned. "I was," she answered coldly. "And so were you."
Tasha nodded and shuddered. "'e gave me a drago' egg and i' 'atched fer me," she said. "T'at is 'hen 'e named me 'is 'eir."
"Would you mind me looking into your memories then?" asked Arya. Tasha shook her head. Arya walked foward and placed her right hand on the young girl's brow. "Relax now," she said softly. "This won't hurt unless you resist." She closed her eyes and composed her face.
She saw the young maiden at the age of eleven given over to Ajihad's command when her father died in the war; all the years spent training in the fields with the men for combat, and they all jested her; Brom and herself--Arya on a visit to the Varden, and Brom giving her hope; Ajihad's death and funeral; Nasuada comming to power and Eragon proclaiming his allegiance to Nasuada; Nasuada giving her the mission to steal the last dragon egg from Galbatorix's court after Murtagh and Thorn made themselves known; sucessfully taking Galzra's egg to Nasuada, whom gave it to Arya; Tasha gettting captured by one of Galbatorix's soldiers during battle; and finally her imprisonment and the torture she had to endure. Arya opened her eyes and found the young girl shuddering uncontrolably. She quickly wrapped her arms around the young girl and pulled her into a tight and comforting embrace. Tasha sobbed softly in Arya's shoulder.
What happened? asked Eragon, his voice full of concern. What did you see?
This girl has been through more than can ever be known, said Arya sadly. The reason why she speaks the way she does is the torture that she went through during her imprisonment here. I owe this young maiden everything I have. She is the reason that I recieved Galzra's egg.
Then we do owe her homage, said Galzra in the back of her mind.
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Several days passed. Nasuada sat on the bed that had been kindly provided to her. She stared up at the clear blue sky. The elves all danced around and sang merrily, but she did not feel much like making merry. The child in her womb would have no father--and all because of one man's ambition. She cursed Galbatorix a thousand lifetimes of Hell for tearing Murtagh away from her. Tears poored from the corners of her eyes. They burned her face like fire.
A loud thud from outside pulled her out of her trance. She wiped away the tears quickly and ran out to the forest ground. Galzra stood there. His brilliant emerald eyes gazed into her soul. "G--Galzra!" she studdered, surprised at the sight of him. "Where is Arya then?"
She is with Eragon and the new queen and rider, answered Galzra. Arya and Shadeslayer request that you, Roran, and Katrina come with me to them.
Why should Roran and Katrina be required to come? asked Nasuada.
Unless you would like to rule the old Empire, I suggest you listen to me, he growled.
Nasuada sighed. Angela walked over to her. "Angela, would you summon Roran and Katrina for me?" she asked kindly.
Angela nodded. "As you wish it, Lady Nasuada," she said and walked away.
Minutes later, Roran and his bride-to-be, Katrina were in front of Nasuada. "You asked for us, Lady Nasuada," stated Roran, bowing.
"I did," replied Nasuada. "Galzra has just informed me that Eragon and Arya require our pressence. Go now and pack whatever provisions you will need."
They bowed and hurried away to their room.
Disclaimer: I will update again by next weekend. This week will be too hectic to type up anything.