Disclaimer: I don't own anything remotely familiar in this chapter.
So, I end up sicker than sick and busy doing some "in between two jobs" things, so this horrendously short chapter is really late. I'm so sorry, guys!
Chapter 19: Separation
The morning dawned, cold and crisp. Murtagh rose the earliest, excited for the new wonders that another day in Du Weldenvarden would bring. He learned so many things from the elves, and yet it felt like his brain could still soak up more.
"Good morning," Nari called out from above, standing on the bough of a pine tree. His golden hair shimmered in the sunlight. He leapt from branch to branch gracefully and dropped to the ground alongside the red Rider. "It is a good day for travel."
"We have been keeping watch." Lifaen emerged from the branch of another pine, and leapt down to land nearby.
Murtagh frowned. "But isn't Du Weldenvarden safe? For elves and their allies, I mean."
"Not exactly," Faolin said, dropping from another tree. "I mean, yes, it is supposed to be safe, but it contains many mysteries and dangers – even for Riders such as you. My race has lived here for thousands upon thousands of years, and our old spells still linger in unexpected places, in the air, the water and the earth itself. It even affects the animals, turns them into strange – and not exactly friendly – creatures."
Murtagh was about to reply when his gedwey ignasia began to tingle. The hammer-shaped silver pendant he received from Gannel was something he didn't give much thought about, but now that it suddenly grew hot against his chest, he was alarmed. The spell on the amulet began to draw upon his strength.
It only meant one thing. Someone was attempting to scry him, and it might not be an ally. He clutched the necklace and pulled it out of his tunic. It might sap him of too much strength. He spotted a glint of red, and Thorn rushed to his side. With a flick of his thoughts, he shared his energy.
Is it Galbatorix? Thorn asked.
I don't know.
Seconds later, the heat faded from the hammer. Murtagh glanced at Thorn and tucked his amulet back in his tunic. He could feel the elves staring at him.
Our enemies must be searching for us, Thorn mused.
Murtagh shuddered. But can't it be one of our allies?
I don't think so. I believe Hrothgar would have informed them of Gannel's gifts. It might have been the idea of Brom or Melikir – or both of them. Murtagh put a hand on Thorn's side. But this does not bode well.
A few seconds later, Eragon stumbled into the clearing, followed closely by Roran and Nasuada. They all had worried look on their faces. "Did you get scryed too?" Roran asked.
Murtagh nodded. "I think it's the king, or one of his men. Maybe even the Forsworn."
"What is going on?" Faolin asked. "I do hope you would mind explaining. It would save you so much trouble."
"Well, remember the amulets from Gannel?" Nasuada asked. Even worried, she looked like someone who could easily be in command. "Someone tried to scry us in succession, I believe."
The elf frowned and crossed his arms. "This means that we must reach Ellesmera as quick as we can. Your training must resume immediately. The events in Alagaesia are brewing faster, and you might not have enough time to study well."
Nari nodded. "We must leave camp."
They have been drifting up the Gaena River for at least an hour when it began to grow wider and deeper. A raging waterfall met them, filling the forest of Du Weldenvarden with its powerful rushing rumble. It was at least a hundred feet tall, tumbling down a stone cliff that would have been impossible to climb.
Murtagh leaned forward, feeling the water spraying coolly on his face. "How will we get past that?"
Lifaen pointed to the left shore, which was quite far from the falls. There was a worn-out trail up the steep ridge. "We will have to carry our supplies and the canoes to that place before the river clears. It is at least half a league away."
The group untied their supply bundles from between the canoe seats and divided their supplies. They piled these things up and placed them in their packs. Murtagh hefted his load worriedly. It was twice as heavy as what he carried when traveling on foot.
"Askanir says that they could carry our supplies and fly them upstream for us," Roran said.
Lifaen looked horrified. "We would never dream of using dragons as beasts of burden. It is a great dishonor to dragons and Shur'tugalar, and it will shame our hospitality."
That is ridiculous, Thorn commented.
Saphira moved forward with a snort, a plume of blue fire shooting out of her nostrils. Steam erupted from the vaporized surface of the river. She hooked her talons through the shoulder straps of some packs, and Askanir picked up the rest. The two of them took off.
Catch us if you can, the blue dragon announced in glee.
Faolin laughed. "My friends, it seems like you have a lot to learn about the ways of a dragon. You cannot simply tell them about what they may or may not do."
"But it is a dishonor…" Nari murmured.
"Do not worry. It is not a dishonor if the dragons do it of their own free will," Arya added. "Now let us go. I do not wish to waste any more time."
Murtagh picked up his canoe with Lifaen and the two of them fit it over their shoulders. Faolin and Eragon picked up another, while Roran and Nari carried the third. The elves led the way through the trail, and Murtagh had to rely on Lifaen to guide the two of them. He could barely see the ground beneath his feet.
Thorn spread his wings and took off, following the other dragons. The trees are too close for me to scout.
I do not think that we will need scouting, Murtagh told him. But it is appreciated.
These elves unsettle me. They are unlike our friends.
They managed to climb the ridge and hike past the dangerous falls after an hour. They reached a spot where the Gaena River was calm and glassy once more. The dragons awaited, with Saphira and Luneria boredly trying to catch fishes in the shallows by jabbing their triangular heads into the shallow water. The male dragons were curled up together, talking about the wild animals in the forest. Solaris stood by the river, peering at the schools of fish passing by.
"The Ardwen Lake is ahead. It's just beyond the next curve. Silthrim is upon its western shore." Faolin smiled wistfully. "It is one of our greatest cities, a place of knowledge and culture. I have been there a few times with Father. A great expanse of the forest still separates us from Ellesmera once we get past it, and many elves may be encountered around Silthrim. It would still not be wise for you to be seen until we speak with the queen."
But why? Thorn asked.
"Because your mere presence represents a great, terrible change for our kingdom. Unless handled with care, it might be dangerous. The queen must meet you first and foremost. Her authority and wisdom will help us with this transition."
"You speek highly of your queen," Eragon noted.
Nari and Lifaen fell quiet, watching Faolin and Arya with guarded expressions. The elven Rider spoke first. "She has led us well," she mumbled. "She does everything to make sure that she can give our people the best that she can."
Faolin nodded in agreement. "Your hooded capes from Tronjheim must be worn and cover your faces until we are free from possible observers. None must see your rounded ears and know that you are human. My dear dragons, you must keep yourselves concealed during the day and catch up with us at night. I believe it is what you did back in the Empire."
It wasn't… pleasant, Askanir growled.
"It is only for today and tomorrow," Faolin promised, putting a hand on the dragon's side momentarily. He shot Roran an apologetic look. "We shall be far from Silthrim by then, and we will not encounter anyone of consequence again."
"I hope you are right," said Katrina. She glanced at Luneria with a silent conversation.
After escaping the Empire, we swore to stay close enough to protect our Riders, Thorn said. Whenever we leave you, bad things happen. It doesn't matter where, it always does.
I know, Murtagh told him. I trust Arya, Faolin and the others to keep us safe. Don't you?
Thorn glanced at the elves. I trust Arya and Faolin.
After a while, the dragons consented. Arya smiled sadly and let Firnen nuzzle her. "I detest it as much as you do," she murmured. "I am a Rider too."
Nasuada chuckled. Her lovely features lit up. Not that it appealed to Murtagh or anything. He just noted it. "Of course you are."
Oh, Murtagh. Please stop mooning over the pretty human Rider and just tell her that you pine for her, Thorn grunted.
I am not mooning over her!
Sure you are not.
"You will have to be careful about flying after dark," Faolin warned the dragons. "Elves can see clearly on all but the blackest nights. If they sight you, even by chance, they might attack you with magic."
Oh, how wonderful, Luneria told everyone.
Orik and the male elves worked together in repacking the boats, while the Riders and their dragons explored the forest, looking for a suitable hiding place. Hiding one dragon might be simple. Hiding six was quite a challenge. They found a massive dry hollow that was surrounded by crumbling rocks and layered with soft pine needles.
Saphira and Firnen tested the place before curling up together. Eragon snorted. "Oh, I could see the two of you mating," he said. Saphira hissed at him irritably. "Very well, I was just joking."
The Riders hugged their dragons' necks, and took care not to get hurt by their sharp spines. With reluctant goodbyes, they headed off, glancing backward sadly. The five humans donned their capes. They resumed their journey on the canoes, their group strangely quiet without the dragons hovering or swimming around them.
There was no breath of wind once they reached Ardwen Lake, and the massive body of water lay smooth and flat, like a sheet of green-blue glass. It mirrored the trees and the clouds above them, like a window to another world. Murtagh shuddered and caught Eragon's eyes gazing at him from the canoe to the left. What's the matter?
Eragon frowned. It feels like I could fall off into that reflection, he said.
Murtagh nodded. I understand that. It feels the same for me.
Boats of birch bark were visible in the hazy distance. They glided along both shores, urged on with swiftness that can only be brought about by the elves' strength. Murtagh ducked his head and lowered the edge of his hood, doing his best to conceal his face.
Sadness led to frustration as Murtagh's link with Thorn grew smaller and smaller as the distance between them grew larger. The two could barely feel each other's presence, even if they strained their minds. Du Weldenvarden felt more lonely and desolate as a result. The gloom deepened, and soon they saw a cluster of white lights placed among the trees. They were at least a mile ahead, glowing like a silvery full moon.
"That is Silthrim," Lifaen said.
A dark boat passed them from the opposite direction. "Kvetha Fricai," the steering elf called out, and the elves from the group replied in kind.
"We will have to stop here tonight," announced Faolin.
With that, they camped at a distance from the Ardwen Lake, making sure that the land was dry. Faolin was irritated by the droves of mosquitoes and casted a protective spell to keep them away while the group tucked into their dinner.
So anyway, I'm thinking that each of the Riders have their own skills or something. Like Eragon being good with on-the-spot plans and coordinating his friends, Arya being fast and dexterous, and Katrina being really good at magic (smashing Isidar Mithrim is no easy feat). I also think that Murtagh is pretty strong both physically and mentally (even stronger after the transformation, and is great in calculating long-term things) but I don't know what Nasuada and Roran will be good at. Urgh.
Ellesmera is close by, along with the Dagshelgr Invocation. I think I might compress a lot of chapters in the next one if I can.
I promise to update longer and faster once this hectic, hectic week is over!
Read and review, as always!