Disclaimer: Well, I got third at districts in Public Speaking and Ag. Issues for FFA. My chapter is in the third district in the state and so I will be going to State in May. Anyway, this week I am on Spring Break so updates will be a little more frequent for a couple weeks before the second part of the WASL which is Math and Science.
Roran checked over the provisions he and Katrina would be taking for their journey. "Why do you think that our presence has been required?" asked Katrina.
"I do not know," answered Roran softly. "We'd better be prepared for everything though."
The door opened, revealing Nasuada. "I'm sorry that I didn't knock first, but we must be leaving. We'll travel by horse and Galzra will carry our bags. Only bring a small amount of food for the journey while riding. Roran, have your hammar at hand. I do not know what the roads will be like at this time." She spoke quickly to hide her sarrow.
Roran nodded and shouldered his and Katrina's luggage. The three of them walked outside and Roran helped a couple of elves saddle Galzra with the needed provisions. Three horses were brought to them; one a brilliant white that illuminated the forest, the second a high spirited chestnut, and the last a satin mare. Katrina gaped at them. She took the satin horse.
"Her name is Jarganot," said a very kind elf. Katrina remembered that this elf had helped her recover after being brought here from Helgrind.
She smiled. "Thank you, kinswoman," she replied.
Roran took the chestnut and calmly mounted him. "What is his name?" he asked.
"Royand," answered the same elf who had introduced Katrina to her horse. She turned to the white horse that Nasuada had already mounted. "I have named him Lucius."
Nasuada nodded curtly. "Lucius seems to suit him nicely." She turned to her companions. "Are we ready?" Katrina mounted Jarganot and nodded. Nasuada smiled and urged her horse foward, leading them through the city. Galzra took flight over them.
Do you know where to go? asked Galzra.
I am certain that the horses can find their way out of this maze, replied Nasuada. How long will this trip take us?
At the rate you're going, a month, answered Galzra.
Once we get out, we'll be able to gallop, said a very irritable Nasuada.
The quickest way is through Osilon, informed Galzra. We can stop there if we need to to stock up on whatever we need.
The first two days passed by slowly. They stopped only for sleep and to let the horses eat and drink. Galzra hunted during the day. On the third day, they came to Osilon and restocked on food and water. They spent a couple days resting before setting off again.
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Eragon sat on the opposite end of the desk from Tasha. He watched her carefully as she signed a stack of diplomatic papers that had been brought to her attention. When will Nasuada arrive with Roran and Katrina? he asked Arya.
Galzra says that they just left the capitol, answered Arya. It will be a while yet. They're traveling by horses and the forest is too thick to gallop, but once they get out, their pace should be quicker.
Those trees aren't too thick! cried Eragon in protest.
Not for us, but you must remember that your cousin, his mate, and Nasuada are all human and Nasuada is pregnant, said Arya calmly. If it were you or I, we'd be out of there in a day, even on horseback.
Eragon sighed irritably. We need to get Tasha to Du Weldenvarden so that her real training may begin, he said.
But we can't leave the Empire leaderless, said Arya. That would be suicide for us. Remember that the Empire wants your head because of Galbatorix's death.
I know, groaned Eragon. But I hate just sitting here.
At least we aren't in the middle of a war, said Arya.
Glonned and Orik are getting restless, Little one, warned Saphira.
Calm them! ordered Eragon. We may be here for a long period of time. Damn Galbatorix for putting such a high price on our lives!
No good will come of cursing the dead to damnation, said Arya. Saphira, keep them occupied as best as you can for now. I will see what I can do to speed things up.
Tasha looked up at her newly named master and tutor. "Eragon-e'da," she said softly, remembering Arya's lesson on the proper ways to address the different ranks.
"Yes, Tasha?" replied Eragon coolly, returning from his private conversation.
"Is somet'ing w'ong?" she asked. "You 'ooked 's t'ough you were 'n 'eep 'ain."
Eragon smiled at her concern and innocence of the question. "No, I was only conversing with Arya svit-kona and Saphira," he answered. Forgive me Arya.
You are only inforcing the way that she is to address me, said Arya softly.
"When will we be able ta 'eave?" she asked. "And when 'an I see Sa'hi'a?"
"You can see Saphira when we leave this place and begin your training," answered Eragon. "We will leave when Lady Nasuada arrives with my cousin and his fiance." He smiled at her fondly. "How old are you, Tasha?" he asked.
"Thirteen," answered Tasha.
Eragon already recognized an improvement in her speaking abilities. However, the accent still remained, causing for miscomunication between the two. He sighed deeply. He knew already that this pupil would be difficult to train in all the arts of becoming a Shur'tugal and that it would take her years to master her power. At least we still have time before her little dragon is fully grown and ready to be ridden to have her trained enough to ride.
You were the same way four years ago, Little one, reminded Saphira.
Eragon hid his surprise behind an emotionless mask. It's been that long?!
It has, confirmed Saphira.
"You are young, even for a rider," said Eragon softly. "Saphira hatched for me when I was fifteen and now I am close to my nineteenth year."
"You are you'g too," said Tasha. "E'pe'ially fer my tutor."
"If Oromis-elda hadn't died in the war, you would be learning from him instead," replied Eragon sadly. "But I will do everything I can to teach you what I have learned from his training." And Brom's.
The door opened. Arya stepped in and closed the door behind her. "Eragon, word got around about Tasha and her dragon!" she cried. "There's an angry mob of comon folk outside!"
Eragon cursed under his breath. We can't leave until Roran's control has been established!
I know, said Arya. Damn which guard let this information slip!
"There's an underground way out," said Tasha.
Arya turned to face her, surprised that she could speak normal and without the accent. She nodded, understanding. Galzra, urge them to speed their travel, she ordered with calmness.
Saphira, go and intercept them as soon as you can and fly with speed! ordered Eragon forcefully.
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We have to go faster, warned Galzra.
Nasuada relayed the message to Roran and Katrina. The three riders galloped their horses and left Osilon. The two day gallop out of Du Weldenvarden proved to be trechorous and tiring. They spent only two hours resting for sleep and continued their fleeing. "I think that there's a dragon flying toward us!" cried Katrina frightfully.
Roran took his hammar, preparing for a fight. He growled as he always did before battle.
Put it away, human, growled Galzra. It is only Saphira.
We must hurry! cried Saphira. Get off of those damned horses and prepare to fly! Nasuada, Roran, and Katrina complied with their order. After they dismounted, they sent the horses back into the forest. Shortly after, Galzra and Saphira landed next to them. Get on, quick! Roran helped Nasuada onto Galzra and tightened the straps so that she would not fall. He then helped Katrina mount Saphira before getting on himself. He tightened the straps to his arms and held on tightly to his fiance. Hold on. Saphira and Galzra both took flight. All three of them screamed from the sudden sensation of flying.
They flew through the night. Katrina lay asleep under Roran. His eyes burned from the cold, crisp autumn air. He looked to the right where Galzra flew next to Saphira. Nasuada also had fallen asleep. So, you're still awake, huh? said Galzra smugly.
That is what you call being alert, replied Roran.
The rest of the flight was filled with silence. The morning dawned with a bright red sun to greet them. Both dragons landed next to Orik and Glonned and both woke with a start. "Did you have to go and do that?" yelled Orik.
Katrina and Nasuada lazily opened their eyes and looked around. "Where are we?" asked Katrina.
"Your new home," answered Nasuada. "Here, you will rule over the Empire and reign with peace."
"Rule? Here?" Roran gaped at the castle only a three hundred yards ahead of them.
"Yes, here," replied Nasuada coldly. "Eragon and Arya have found that the new queen is not fit to rule here and have requested that I bring you here so that you can live a peaceful life and give these people the peace that they did not have while Galbatorix ruled. Glonned, you are now to guard these two with your life and obey any order they may give to you."
"Yes, milady," grunted Glonned.
The three new arivals dismounted the two dragons. They walked with Orik, Glonned, Saphira, and Galzra to the castle.
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"They have just arrived," informed Arya.
Eragon and Tasha both turned to her. Eragon kept eye contact for a moment before returning to his own thoughts.
Disclaimer: Sorry it took so damned long to get this chapter out to you guys. I'm on Spring Break now and so I should have more time to type up chapters.