Disclaimer: School is now in full swing. I'm taking mostly easy classes this semester. Advanced P.E., Jazz Band, Psychology, Creative Writing, Washington State History, and CWP-Civics. So writing might be a bit slow…but I have internet access most of the time now.
That morning was full of energy as the elves mounted horses, gathered their weapons and armor. Eragon strapped the saddle onto Saphira before cladding himself in armor and belting his sword. The saddle isn't too tight, is it? He patted her leg.
Not at all, little one, answered Saphira. She nuzzled him in the shoulder.
He looked over at Arya, who was already in her armor and tightening Galzra's saddle. Over the last six months, she had added a smaller saddle so that she could travel with Trinity and Murtagh.
"Is it really necessary to take them along?" asked Eragon. "The battle is no place for babies."
"I am going to leave them with Katrina," explained Arya as she got the children into the saddle.
Eragon nodded. "That's fine," he murmured. He mounted Saphira.
Joed ran up to them. "The elves are ready to leave, Eragon!" he called.
"As are we," replied Eragon. "Mount your horse…and try and keep up. I cannot afford to hold back if you are lagging behind."
They marched through the trees of Du Weldenvarden, leaving all that is dear to them behind, unsure if they would live to see it again. Galzra and Saphira walked next to each other at the front of the faction.
Tasha frowned as she kneeled in front of Trianna. Amestat snarled next to her and bared his teeth at the silver dragon standing behind their leader and now mentor. A man stood guard next to the dragon. His left hand glowed with the gedwëy ignasia, the symbol that meant whoever wore it was a Shur'tugal.
"You called for us, Queen Trianna?" Tasha dared to look up.
"Your training with me is complete…you are now more powerful than both Shadeslayer and his mate combined," stated Trianna. "And the Empire's forces are gathering for war…if it's war they want, then its war they'll get. You and Gloned are going to go into the Spine and slaughter the Kull."
Tasha's frown grew. "Do I have to work with Gloned?"
"Yes," answered Trianna. "We want the Kull to think that Shadeslayer has gone back on his word. But leave a few alive so that they can hunt down our cursed Shur'tugal. Now leave!"
Tasha and Gloned bowed and marched away with their dragons behind them. "You really are getting tiresome, Gloned," growled Tasha.
"Oh, because Blade hatched for me?" guessed Gloned, mocking his fellow Rider. "And you are no longer Queen Trianna's favorite."
"Don't push it," grumbled Tasha.
"Lets just get our job over with so that we can get back here…I just don't see why we have to do this…Urgals are simple creatures to slay."
That kind of attitude is what got the Riders of Old killed in the first place, growled Galbatorix in Tasha's head.
Tasha grimaced. Not again, she groaned.
We will have to see about getting that to stop, said Amestat.
It will never stop, laughed Galbatorix. And soon, my rein will start again.
I refuse to be some tool of yours, Galby, snarled Tasha.
You have no choice in the matter, Galbatorix chuckled.
"Sure you're up to slaying a few Urgals?" taunted Gloned.
"I would ask you the same thing…you look more gaunt than usual…is it because you know that Trianna is going to kill you first chance she's got?" Tasha sneered. She mounted Amestat.
Gloned followed suit with Blade. "You hold the same fate," he replied as the dragons took to the air.
No…I'm too important for her to let me die, corrected Tasha.
Would you two quit bickering? We have a job to do, Blade growled, sounding irritated.
Yea…yea…yea, grumbled Tasha. She leaned with Amestat, laughing as Gloned struggled to stay on Blade. You really should learn how to ride your dragon, Gloned.
Shut up, growled Gloned. Before I have Blade burn you and your dragon to a crisp.
Oh, is that a threat? Tasha sneered. You had better be careful, Gloned. That statement could be taken as treason.
Tasha, stop while you're ahead, advised Amestat. Blade is right…we have a job to do…and your arguing with Gloned is giving me a headache.
I don't see how Blade even hatched for Gloned…he's a disgrace to the human race, muttered Tasha, solely to Amestat.
Blade must have had his reasons, replied Amestat. Now get your head on our job. He tilted slightly to the right to avoid a jet of flame. He snapped his jaws warningly at Blade.
Do that again, and I will personally kill you, he snarled. I see what you mean, he added to Tasha. Both of them are a disgrace to both of our races.
Hopefully Shadeslayer can kill them for us, replied Tasha. She glared back at Gloned.
Eragon helped set up camp that night in a clearing. He knew that the elves could continue longer, but the horses needed rest. And so did Joed. He started a fire mundanely. Joed came to sit by him. He held Trinity while Arya fed Murtagh. Saphira and Galzra curled up around them, talking with passing elves that came solely to admire the return of the Shur'tugal. His daughter stared up at Saphira and reached toward the blue dragon with her tiny hands. Saphira bent down and allowed the babe to pat her scales. Trinity laughed.
Arya giggled at the sight. "It's good to see that the next generation has a chance to grow up with dragons," she commented.
"We have to win the war first," grumbled Joed grumpily.
Arya shot him a glare. "We will win…and I will personally see to it that Trianna gets what she deserves."
For Elvira, she added.
For Elvira, repeated Eragon, Saphira, and Galzra together in the ancient language.
Joed shrugged. He threw a stick into the crackling fire. "Should you not be staying out of this battle? You only just had Trinity a half year ago."
Galzra snapped his jaws loudly. He curled his upper lip up in a snarl. Never insult my Rider! The force of his voice could be heard by all the elves.
"I am not one of your human women," replied Arya coldly. "I will fight with my people, and if I die, I shall do so proudly."
Eragon sighed. "Joed, elves have different customs than humans."
"I noticed with the lack of meat," grumbled Joed.
"Well, in any case, you should simply keep your mouth shut on matters that concern elves," replied Eragon. He looked up at Arya apologetically. Please forgive him, love…he does not know what he's talking about.
Hours later, Trinity and Murtagh were asleep and the dragons curled around them protectively. Even Joed was sleeping.
Eragon looked up at the full moon. Arya rested peacefully in his arms. "It is a beautiful night," he whispered.
"It is," agreed Arya softly.
"But not as beautiful as you," chuckled Eragon.
Arya sighed. "Will you ever change?"
"Probably not. One thing that will never change is my love for you." He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Arya's shoulder. He inhaled her scent. "You smell lovely as always, my Queen."
He suddenly went rigid. His breathing came in sharp gasps, as though he were in pain.
"Eragon? Eragon! ERAGON!" cried Arya. She laid him on the ground. Saphira, what's wrong?
I don't know…he's blocking me, answered Saphira quickly.
He swam in a pearly white nothingness. Everything seemed peaceful…too peaceful from what he was just experiencing a moment ago. He squinted in the bright light. Everything suddenly became much clearer.
Brom. Brom stood there, looking worried. "Eragon," he rasped.
"Brom…what?—" Eragon began to ask.
Then another face that he did not expect. Oromis and Glaedr standing behind Brom. It was then that Eragon noticed the others standing there. Brom's dragon, Saphira, Murtagh, Thorn, Islanzadi, Erador, and so many others that had probably died during Galbatorix's reign.
Eragon knelt down and touched his left hand to his sternum. "I—I don't understand…last time you appeared to me was right after Galbatorix was killed."
"Eragon, use your head, boy," snapped Oromis, not unkindly.
Brom smiled slightly. "This war has become more complicated than any of us had ever anticipated. Trianna wants to resurrect the Forsworn along with Galbatorix himself. Shruikan has agreed to help us…well…help you to resurrect us in hopes that we can help you defeat Galbatorix once and for all."
Eragon gaped at his old mentor stupidly. "How could this happen?"
That does not matter. Shruikan stepped forward. What matters is what we are going to do about it now. Go to the Vault of Souls. Speak your true name like you did when you first gained the power to destroy Galbatorix. From there I will give you the rest of the directions. Good luck, Shadeslayer.
"We are all counting on you," added Brom.
Eragon nodded. "I shall go," he promised.
"Let's get these vermin out of my ancestors' homes," growled Hrothgar.
Eragon opened his eyes. Arya's worried face swam into focus. "How long?" was all he asked.
"Only a few minutes," sighed Arya.
What happened? Saphira asked.
The most amazing and scary thing, answered Eragon. He shared his memories with her.
That is indeed interesting, murmured Saphira. It would be nice to see our friends again.
Aye…and from what Brom said, we're going to need their help, added Eragon.
"What happened?" Arya repeated Saphira's thoughts.
"I need to go to the Vault of Souls again," informed Eragon.
Arya's eyes widened. "I trust your judgment, Shadeslayer," she murmured. "Good luck, and may the stars watch over you."
"I will meet you in battle, Queen Arya," replied Eragon seriously. He sat up and as he did, Saphira landed next to him. Most of the elves were watching them, whispering amongst themselves. He mounted his dragon and together they took to the air.
Disclaimer: Any spoilers are unintentional. I've had this chapter planned since BEFORE Brisingr came out. And I REFUSE to read that book until I am done here. I do not plan on making a sequel, so any of you hoping to see a lot of action from the kids, forget it. I do however plan on making this war do a lot of time skips, so you might see them enter the last bit of the battle. I own nothing.