Dislcaimer: Sorry that the updates are so far apart. I have my laptop now, so I can resume typing them when I have time. After the middle of July though, I won't update again until school starts again . . .but by then I will have a job lined up for me. I own nothing.
Arya walked through Elesmera with Amestat behind her. All the while, she wondered how Triana had gotten into Elesmera. The thought disturbed her. The fetus kicked her. Her hand went for her stomach, as if a reminder of the life that she held within her.
Are you okay, Arya-ebrithil? asked Amestat.
"Yes Amestat," sighed Arya irritably, as she was in no mood for others to be concerned over her. "Thank you though," she added kindly.
They walked silently until they had reached the Menoa Tree. Galzra and Tasha stood waiting for them. Have you told Eragon about Triana? Galzra asked.
No, he has enough to worry about right now as it is, answered Arya. She turned her gaze to Tasha. "What I'm about to teach you is very important, so pay attention," she said very sternly. "Probably one of the most important things that a Shur'tugal can ever know," she added.
Step by step, Arya went though the steps of making a dragon saddle. When she finished making the saddle, she approached Galzra and removed his saddle and set it down. "This saddle may be used by Amestat until he outgrows it," she said. "Now—for this journey, I will travel on horse back as my pregnancy will make it difficult as it is to travel. You will fly on Amestat." Tasha nodded. Keep an eye on her, Galzra, she ordered.
I will keep both eyes on her, replied Galzra.
"Arya-ebrithil?" Tasha looked at Arya timidly.
"Yes Tasha?" replied Arya.
"Why are we leaving in such a hurry?" asked Tasha.
Arya sighed. Something that all human Riders seemed to have in common was their fascination of questions. A smirk at the thought twisted her face. "Because Trianna—for whatever reasons is after you," she answered truthfully. "And as your training is no where near complete, and my pregnancy prevents me from protecting you, we must temporarily go into hiding. We leave for Surda, where Nasuada lives. There you can safely continue your training."
Tasha nodded, satisfied with the answer. She heaved the saddle onto Amestat's back. She strapped the saddle down and got irritated when Arya corrected her. "What if we encounter Urgals . . .Arya-ebrithil?"
"The Kull are our allies," answered Arya. "As for the other clans of Urgals . . .it would be best if we avoid conflict with them."
"But Urgals are brutal killers!" exclaimed Tasha furiously.
Arya sighed. She had to admit that Tasha was showing improvement in all aspects of her training. "We will talk more on this topic later in your training . . .perhaps when we reach Surda. Get on Amestat." She watched as Tasha climbed on her dragon. She turned to the trees and sant in the Ancient Language:
"Fanir, I need you! I must get to Surda!"
Tasha wondered what Arya had said. She understood only a few words. Her question was answered when a satin stallion, as dark as Arya's hair came trotting through the trees. It would be a faster journey if she rode Galzra-ebrithil, she grumbled to Amestat.
Aye, agreed Amestat.
And she says that Trianna is a threat! Bah!
Arya mounted the horse with ease and grace. Her green eyes gazed at Amestat. "Take flight!" she ordered. She watched as the purple dragon struggled to gain altitude, and Tasha struggling to stay on. Guide them, Galzra. Galzra flew after them. "Follow them, Fanir!" she cried in the Ancient Language.
Eragon looked around him as Roran's soldiers scurried to prepare for battle. Orik and his surviving kin had escaped from the mountains and had joined them. Eragon strapped on his armor. This is going to be a bloody battle, he told Saphira.
So it will be, she agreed. She stood behind him, fully armored. This armor grows too small for me, little one.
Shall I have King Orik craft new armor for you, Saphira? Eragon teased her.
Lets hope that we will never need armor again, replied Saphira.
Aye, agreed Eragon solemnly.
"Shadeslayer," greeted Orik, clasping Eragon's arm. "Thank you for coming to our aid. I know how hard it must be for you to leave Arya behind."
"Aye, leaving her in Elesmera is hard for me," replied Eragon. "But she will be safe with Galzra protecting her." He smiled grimly at the dwarf king. "Are you ready to get rid of those loyal to Galbatorix and remove them from your mountains so that you may return home?"
Orik nodded. "Aye, that would be acceptable."
"Shadeslayer!" cried Roran. Eragon ran to his cousin. "My men have spotted an army marching this way."
"Do you want Saphira and myself to check it out?" asked Eragon. "They could be elves."
Roran nodded. "Don't take very long."
Eragon nodded. He ran to Saphira and mounted her with his inhuman speed. Fly Saphira! A low growl escaped Saphira's mouth. She pushed them into the air. Eragon smiled at the sensation of the wind ripping against his face. He looked down and saw an army of elves marching below them. They hailed him and Saphira. Lets lead them to Roran. Saphira tilted on her wings.
When Saphira landed, the elves were not far behind. Eragon dismounted and patted Saphira's side. Vanír approached them an they exchanged their formal greetings. Many of the human soldiers were bewildered by this.
"We have come on Queen Arya's orders to aid Eragon Shadeslayer," announced Vanir.
"You are always welcome among us, Vanir-elda," said Roran.
Vanir raised his eyebrows. I gave him a small introduction on the formalities of elves, explained Eragon. Vanir nodded.
"Thank you, King Roran," the elf replied. He turned back to Eragon. "I have brought with me two friends that you have not seen since the Agaetí Blödhren." As if on que, Lifaen and Narí came forward.
Eragon exchanged the proper greetings with them before they began dancing and laughing around him; much like the same manner that they had done to Arya on their journey into Du Weldenvarden. They looked so different clad in armor.
Then they turned to Saphira. "An honor once again to serve you, Bjartskular," sang Nari.
Well met, Nari-elda, replied Saphira.
"There is a second force of elves assembled in the North to block any escape route of our enemy," informed Vanir.
"And my people can work on caving in the tunnels," added Orik roughly.
"Good, they'll be well in the open," said Vanir. "King Orik, can you give us some sort of signal when your tunnels are all caved in?"
"I can go with him and then inform Saphira," offered Eragon. "We do not want to alert our enemies."
"We will need you here, Eragon-elda," replied Vanir.
"But I am part of the Ingeitum, though not formally . . .King Orik and I are clan brothers by Hrothgar's will!"
Vanir observed him for a moment, then said, "Sé onr scardor sitja hvass!"
"Vel eïnradhin iet aí Shur'tugal," murmured Eragon.
Orik shouted at his kin in dwarvish. They all assembled behind their king. Eragon marched with them, beside Orik.