CHAPTER 8: Frozen

Blödgharm frowned as Eragon told him of Kilvari and the sealed envelope.

"It is… intriguing. But also disturbing that this should come into your hands. The Silver Heights is a mythical place mentioned in a well known story among our people. It does not exist."

Without knowing why, the hairs on the nape of Eragon's neck stood up. "Why was it included among the piles given to me?"

The blue elf shrugged. "I do not know, but it certainly needs investigation."

"That it does. Come, I will show you the envelope."

The two climbed the steps up to Eragon's office.

As they did, Eragon thought to ask: "Blödhgarm… has… Arya Drottning said anything of her departure to you?"

The wolf-like Master gave him a sideways glance. "Yes, she has indeed."

"Did she tell you she is leaving Firnen?"

Blödhgarm's eyes flickered. "It was not a wise decision. But I can only respect her wishes."

"I do not understand it."

There was a long pause before Blödhgarm replied. "As she is our Queen and I am under her command, it is not my place to interfere in such personal matters. However," he said, choosing his words carefully. "I agree that she may not be fully competent to make the decision."

"What do you mean?"

"For the years I have known her, Arya has proved herself a worthy leader. She has never made a decision that would endanger or unnecessarily displease her people. She reasons well. This time… it makes me question her state of mind. One cannot go through so much without coming out unscathed… even the most well- wrought of swords will, in time, bear nicks and scrapes like any other."

Eragon nodded. "Still… I cannot imagine what would affect her to leave Firnen this way."

"And you, if I am not mistaken," said the elf.

Eragon hoped he wasn't blushing.

Blödhgarm cocked his head, yellow eyes glinting. "You need not fear, Ebrithil. I shall not spill this secret to the world. However, you would do well to keep it discreet. Rumours can spread like wildfire."

"That matters no more. She is to leave me for good."

Blödhgarm raised both eyebrows. "I apologize, Eragon. It must be a painful time for you."

"Yes," was the only answer he could muster. They turned the corner of the corridor and stopped in their tracks.

"Ebrithil. Blödhgarm," echoed a smooth, deceptively neutral voice. The tall visitor turned around to face the two. "To where do you go in such a hurry?"

Eragon frowned in irritation. He did not have the capacity for this. "To my chamber Kedvar, where else?" he said, annoyed.

Kedvar gave a small smile, which failed to reach his eyes. He clasped his hands behind his back, taking slow steps around the area, as if pondering something.

"Where indeed?" he asked, white teeth bared.

Something about the elf's manner perturbed him.

Kedvar continued to pace, circling the two like a hawk, his gaze fixed ahead.

"The Council wishes to know… who you are electing for Overseer of Benheil."

Benheil was a neighbouring city that was fast increasing. In these matters, Eragon was ever reluctant to participate in, for the elves were rather ambitious. Ever since the dwarves had joined their ranks, he noticed a growing tension between the two races.

He wants me to play the game.

Eragon drew himself up, looking Kedvar directly in the eye.

"And who would you like me to elect?" he asked, deliberately using "you" instead of the Council.

A dangerous light flashed in the elf's eyes. Then it disappeared as soon as it had appeared. A lazy smile stretched the thin lips.

"Why, one of my brethren of course."

You mean you would recommend yourself.

Blödhgarm's face was studiously blank but his ears twitched.

I would advise caution, Ebrithil, he warned. He is testing the ground.

It took some time for Eragon to form the answer he wanted, considering the way Kedvar left little room for him to manoeuvre. A slight smile reached his lips as he was reminded of Islanzadi.

"I agree that a notable elf would possess skills and qualities we require to facilitate its growth. It is no small responsibility… and this leader I elect must be someone I can trust."

"Do you mean to question our loyalty?"

It was a challenge, a trap set to trip him over. "Not at all," Eragon replied calmly. "But I would question whether his or her mind is set on the same goals as I. We cannot afford discord between us."

"No, we cannot."

"Therefore… I recommend that Lord Rimir take the position."

Kedvar's head snapped up, ice blue eyes brewing a hailstorm. "So… that is your final say?"

"It is my final word."

A long pause stretched between them. Eragon could almost feel the shards of ice thrown at him.

The dark elf regarded him a long while before inclining his head. "Very well." He swept his cloak around with his long arm, and turned to leave.

Eragon exchanged looks with Blödhgarm. There was no need to verbalize their thoughts- the worry on each of their faces spoke well enough. Without a word, the two finally entered Eragon's chamber. He reached the desk, unlocked the drawer on the right and drew out the envelope. Blödhgarm took it from his hand and examined both sides of it. His brows angled down.

"It is not a mark I have seen before."

"Nor I."

Within the raised red circle lay a staff entangled in a thorny vine. The blue elf tried to pry it open with his hand but the material did not tear. Nor did it even crinkle.

"Tried that," Eragon could not resist commenting.

Blödhgarm raised an eyebrow at him. Then he gazed down at the envelope and murmured "Waise losnai fra vinyali."

He tried again to physically open it- to no avail. With spell after spell, Blödhgarm's frown became more pronounced until he was exhausted of all ideas. He shrugged his furry shoulders and handed it back to Eragon.

"I cannot think of any more ways. You will have to ask the other spellcasters. Perhaps they will pick up on something I have missed."

Though disappointed, Eragon nodded and placed it back in his drawer.

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Later, when the sun was highest in the sky, Eragon decided to walk the streets of Erondel. His list of jobs was endless, but the hollowness of his heart threatened to overwhelm him. He needed some time alone.

Eragon descended the steps and shivered involuntarily. It was only now after focussing so hard on work that Eragon noticed something unusual. The chill of the air seemed to conquer every corridor, chamber, stairway… every nook and cranny in the castle. He rubbed one arm to generate some heat.

Strange, he thought, going down the stairs. With the temperature this low, the caretaker should have started the fires by now.

Eragon reached the ground floor, and opened the door to the library. Though normally he would not have taken the stairs on the south east of the castle, it had been the quickest route on this particular day. Humans, dwarves, urgals and elves- especially the elves- were reading intently, their noses buried in the history of Du Fyrn abr Alagaesia or a tattered copy of Stenr, Evarinya, Et Sundav or in deep rumination of gramarye. The diligence and focus of every individual in the library impressed him. It was not often that he entered into such studious silence. Wary not to disturb the peace, Eragon took the rightmost aisle.

As he walked through it, Eragon spotted Caden in the last corner. The lad was not an avid reader, but he tried. For this, Eragon wished to commend him, especially as the boy was one of the most recent of those to join the Riders.

"Caden Joricsson, good to see you here at this hour."

The young Rider was too absorbed in the scroll to hear Eragon…

Or so it seemed.

The air suddenly felt colder than it was. A feeling of slight foreboding settled on Eragon, the feeling one had when entering a nightmare.

"Caden?"

There was still no response. Eragon picked up the pace now, reaching the boy and tapped him on the shoulder. Caden did not turn. Nor did he blink or breathe. Dread coursed through Eragon as he whirled around to check the other aisles.

No.

He sprinted, scanning aisle after aisle in the vast chamber. There was Sarina the elf, in mid conversation with Loring. Thedas by Issena's side, listening as she read (had been reading) a passage to him from a scroll. Close inspection would have revealed the Zarithan lily in Thedas' hand held behind him. And the Master Librarian, Nolfaen, scratching away at a piece of parchment with his quill. It was the same all throughout the library.

Everyone was frozen.

What force is at work here? He wondered in fear.

Then it occurred to him that the whole castle may be in the same state.

Then why am I not affected?

He hoped with all his might that Saphira was free from it. Saphira! He called out.

Eragon! Are you alright?

I'm fine. Thank goodness you can talk to me! I felt like I was the only one alive here.

As did I. I only just noticed people frozen in mid stride around the castle.

Just how many people have been affected?

I do not know. But I will fly around to check. You should see the rest of the castle to find anyone who is still moving.

With no time to waste, Eragon raced to the door, swung it open so fiercely in his haste that it broke the hinges.

I'll fix that later.

He ran around the ground floor with the speed of an elf and raced up the stairs till he reached the first chamber on the upper floor. Just as he was about to enter, a familiar voice called out to him.

"Ebrithil!"

Relief flooded him as he turned around. "Ciseron! Am I glad to hear you speak!"

The silver haired elf ran towards Eragon, his velvet cloak flying behind him. He slowed to a stop and nodded, his face grave. "Ebrithil, I am also glad to see you moving. I take it you have seen what has happened?"

"Aye. Everyone in the library is motionless. I have come up to see the rest of the castle."

Ciseron shook his head. "I'm afraid it is not just the castle, but the whole of Erondel!"

"You jest!"

"I wish I was, Shadeslayer."

The implications of this were too great. Some force was at work here. Indeed a force to contend with, if they had the whole of the city at their mercy. A foe worthy of replacing Galbatorix.

"And what of the Council? Are we alone in this?"

"I was on my way to them before I saw you."

Eragon nodded. "And what of Queen Arya? Is she…?" He could not fully suppress the panic that crept into his voice.

"I am sorry… I do not know."

His heart sank like a man prey to quicksand. But he knew that worrying would not help him here.

Eragon swallowed. "Then let us go to the Council."