Disclaimer: The Inheritance Cycle is not mine.

It's the day after Christmas and I'm baaaaack! Here's to hoping you guys had a great holiday! :D

Chapter 10: Among the Dwarves of Tarnag

When the dwarven servant fetched the Riders once more, it was merely an hour or so past noon. Even if it was the case, the sun was already concealed by the looming peaks, plunging the city into a premature dusk that made it seem more ethereal. The dwarven lanterns bathed the streets with unwavering white light that made the whole valley glow.

Eragon found them beautiful, and found himself wondering about the state of his home in Palancar Valley.

Undin and the other dwarves were waiting for them in the courtyard, with the six dragons taking places on one side of a table. Nobody was interested in disputing their choices. Eragon rushed towards Saphira, who was seated between Firnen and Thorn.

Has anything happened? He asked.

Undin had the gates barred with extra warriors. I believe that he's concerned about the possibility of attack from those queer kin of his.

"Riders, please join me," Undin said. He gestured to the seats to his right. The Riders seated themselves and the clan chief did so too, seating himself right beside Eragon. The rest of the group hurried to follow them. Orik beside Nasuada at the end of the group, and Faolin sat across the table from Arya, who was sitting beside Eragon. The elven and dwarven ambassadors both looked very uncomfortable and very worried. Before anyone could talk, Undin slapped the table and yelled, "Ignh az voth!"

Servants began to stream out of the hall with platters of beaten gold, piled with various meat, pies and fruit. They divided into columns for each table and laid the dishes gracefully. The feast was amazing. Soups, stews, roasts, bread and cakes were presented first, beside eel, trout and urns of cheese. There was a swan set on each table, surrounded by stuffed partridges, geese and ducks. Mushrooms were cooked in every imaginable manner possible – broiled strips, adorning a bird's head, carved as castles, and so much more. There were numerous varieties in all sorts of colors.

Eragon's eyes widened as they revealed the centerpiece of the feast – a massive roasted boar that glistened with sauce. It was a massive one though, with a carcass as large as a horse. It seemed equally heavy as six dwarves were needed to carry it. Its ivory tusks were longer than Eragon's forearms, its snout as wide as his head. The strong, appetizing smell that accompanied it was mouth-watering.

"Nagra, or giant boar," explained Orik. "You must truly be honored, young Riders, for only the bravest of our men dare to hunt Nagran. Therefore, it is only served to those who have great valor – and it may be a gesture that he will support you over Durgrimst Nagra."

"Is this an animal native to the beors?" Arya asked. "What are the rest?"

"We have forest wolves that are big enough to prey on Nagra, and have the speed to catch Feldunost. We've got cave bears calle Urzhadn – which the elves call the Beorn – who have lent their names to these peaks even if we do not use that name ourselves. The names of these mountains remain a secret which we share with no race."

"Smer voth," Undin commanded with a placid smile.

Servants moved forward, small curved knives drawn. They cut portions of the Nagra and set them on everyone's plates – except Faolin's – and even gave weighty pieces to the dragons. With a smile, Undin took a dagger and sliced a bit of his meat. Orik gave the Riders a look that stopped them from reaching for their knives. Undin chewed slowly and exaggeratedly, rolling his eyes and nodding as he swallowed. "Ilf gauhnith!"

"Now," Orik said, turning to his meal as conversation began throughout the table.

Eragon was surprised. He had never tasted anything that came close to the boar – juicy, soft and oddly spicy, as if it was soaked in honey and cider. It was enhanced further by the mint flavoring. Eragon caught Saphira's eye. I wonder how they managed to cook something so large…

Saphira began to nibble on her Nagra. Very slowly. Else the inside won't be cooked properly.

Since when did you learn about cooking?

Your memories, naturally.

Orik began to explain between bites. "It is custom stretching back from the days when poisoning often happened among clans, for the host to taste the food and declare it safe for his guests to eat."

Aside from sampling the numerous dishes, Eragon spent his time conversing with the other Riders, Orik, Faolin and the numerous dwarves farther down the table. Due to the size of the feast, hours passed by quickly and it was late afternoon by the time it ended. As servants filed in to remove the tableware, Undin turned to the Riders. "The meal pleased you, yes?"

The Riders expressed their gratitude and awe of the delicious meal, pleasing their host.

"Your words gladden me." Undin's eyes focused on one Rider after the other. "I had the tables moved outside yesterday so that your dragons may dine with all of us."

Eragon felt himself grow cold. He knew not if it was intentional, but Undin treated the dragons as nothing but mere beasts. He intended to ask about the veiled dwarves in private but out of a desire to unnerve Undin, he cleared his throat. "On behalf of the other Riders and our dragons, I thank you." He paused. "Sir, why did they throw the ring at us?"

A painful silence crept over the entire courtyard as Orik winced. Faolin smiled mischievously at him and inclined his head in understanding.

Undin set his dagger down with a scowl. "Those knurlagn you met came from a tragic clan. They were among the oldest and richest families in our kingdom before the fall of the Riders. They made two mistakes that sealed their doom, though. They lived right in the western of the Beors and volunteered their greatest warriors to serve Vrael." His voice cracked with anger. "Galbatorix and his cursed, vile Forsworn slaughtered them in the city you now call Uru'baen and flew upon us. Many died that day. Only Grimstcarvlorss Anhuin and her guards survived from their clan, and she soon died of grief. Her men took on the name Az Sweldn rak Anhuin – or The Tears of Anhuin – and covered their faces as a reminder of their loss and the desire for revenge."

Shame filled Eragon. He felt himself flush, and did his best to keep his face calm and neutral.

"And so, they rebuilt the clan throughout the decades. They waited and hunted for the justice they wanted. You and your brother now come with other Riders, the two of you bearing the mark of Hrothgar's clan. It is the biggest insult that can ever be done to them. Your feats back in Farthen Dur does not matter to them. The ring they threw is the ultimate challenge. It means that the entire Durgrimst Az Sweldn rak Anhuin will forever oppose you with every resources they have in every single matter, be it big or small. They are your blood enemies, set against you fully and without hesitation. As your companions, this extends to all six Riders and your dragons."

"Do they mean us bodily harm?" asked Murtagh. He shared a worried look with Thorn.

Undin's gaze momentarily faltered as he gave Gannel a long look. He shook his head and laughed gruffly. "Of course not, young Shadeslayer! Nobody – not even they – would ever think of daring to hurt a guest, even if this guest is a blood enemy. It is forbidden in the laws of every race, is it not? They only want you gone, gone, gone. Let us have no more talk of these matters. Gannel and I have offered you all with food and mead, as a symbol of our friendship. That is what matters, yes?"

"It is appreciated."

Eragon glanced at Saphira. What?

They're afraid and resentful, little one. Saphira's eyes grew solemn as she shuffled closer to Eragon. They have been forced to accept the assistance of Riders.

They fight with us. Not for us.

Murtagh woke up early, unable to sleep more. He was plagued with fitful dreams that involved dwarves wearing purple veils, and he did not like it one bit. He found himself pacing his room restlessly as the dawn – concealed by the mountains surrounding Tarnag – was beginning to break. He was already dressed for the day, Eldsvard hanging from his belt. The sheathed red blade made him feel more secure for some reason.

We are never safe until this war is over, said Thorn. The dragon was lounging in the courtyard, eyes lazily trained on the sleeping Solaris.

I know, Murtagh replied. This helps for now, though.

Those purple dwarves may be as small as the rest of their race but they might be dangerous enemies – as dangerous as Galbatorix and the Forsworn.

True. They did not even give us a chance to talk and explain.

They have made themselves enemies to our group, and we won't take that lying down. Right?

We can't risk offending the dwarves. Murtagh sat on his bed, and the two lapsed into companionable silence.

When he arrived in Undin's main hall that morning, the clan chief was there with Orik. The two were talking in Dwarvish and broke off as he approached. Undin smiled. "Shadeslayer. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes."

"Oh, good." Undin gestured to Orik. "We were discussing about the possibility of your departure. We were hoping that you might be able to spend more time with us, yet the circumstances are against us. It might be best if you were to resume your journey tomorrow morning, in an early time where few are in the streets."

"They are already seeing to it that we have supplies and transportation. Hrothgar has decreed that we must fly swiftly to Ceris." Orik glanced to the north with uneasy eyes.

"What will we be doing for the meantime?" asked Murtagh.

Undin shrugged. "I hoped that I could show you the wonders of Tarnag, but Grimstborith Gannel has invited you to Celbedeil for the day. Accept if you wish, some of your friends are already there. You will be safe with him." It seemed like he forgot what he said the previous day – that Az Sweldn rak Anhuin will never mean them any harm as guests."

"Thank you. I will be on my way," Murtagh said. He turned and left the hall, followed by Orik. They stopped once they were out of Undin's earshot. "Please, tell me the truth. How serious is this feud?"

"Your brother asked me the same question earlier," noted Orik. He paused for a moment. "Blood feuds endured for generations most of the time in our past. Many families were driven extinct due to this. Az Sweldn rak Anhuin has been very rash if they turned to invoking the old ways. Nothing like this has ever happened since the last of the clan wars. You must guard yourself against their treachery, whether it is for a year or a century – until they withdraw their oath. I am truly sorry that your friendship with my uncle and his adoption has caused this. You are not alone. The entire Durgrimst Ingeitum will stand with you, your brother and the other Riders who are also our allies."

Once they were outside the hall, Murtagh parted ways with Orik and approached Thorn, who was still coiled in the courtyard. The other dragons were flying around the city, no doubt terrifying and unsettling many of the residents. Murtagh put a hand on his partner's head. Hey, do you mind if I visit Celbedeil?

Go if you want to, Thorn replied lazily. Just stay armed and ready.

Murtagh relayed his conversation with Orik, adding, I know that Hrothgar meant well by inducting us to his clan but it has caused a lot of trouble for us – even those that have not been adopted by him.

No good thing goes unpunished, Murtagh.

Murtagh averted his eyes. I know. I couldn't have declined. It would offend Hrothgar. Besides, it truly is an honor.

Never doubt your decisions. They might save your life someday. Besides, those veiled dwarves might still hate you enough to cause a blood feud, even if you did not join the Ingeitum. That's worse. The ruby dragon opened one eye and let out a mighty yawn. We have many enemies, even among the people that our allies belong to.

A short chapter? Sorry, I really am bent on updating twice before New Year's Eve, during which we will be busy cooking, cooking, cooking (and visiting the entire extended family from both parents).

Don't you just feel uncomfortable when someone peeks on your PC and laptop monitor? -.-

We'll be having our tour of Celbedeil next chapter! Which pairing needs more action? Tell me, and you just might see them next chapter!

Read and review, as always! :3