AN: Just a note to say if you're wondering why there's so much conversation in this chapter it's because A: They're still travelling and there's not much else to do, as there was no such thing as a Nintendo DSi back then (although I think they might have had the old Gameboys...not the Gameboy Colours but the old, old grey brick-like things that you could play tetris on (check this)). And B: I wanted to tie up a few loose ends that the last chapter left dangling because it sucked. But I'm not tying up ALL loose ends right now because some things just take more time before they're revealed, so please be patient with me :) happy reading! Hopefully...
Come on! Just one more game!
No!
Please, Kate.
Eragon!
Please?
Fine! One more. Katharean sighed in defeat.
Okay. I spy with my dragon eyes, something beginning with...R.
Gee, I don't know...could it be...rock?
...Yeah.
Katharean and Obsidian rolled their eyes in unison. For the last two hours, she and Eragon had been playing what he called Advanced Eye Spy, merging their vision with their dragons' so that they could see every detail on the ground below. It had the potential, Katharean thought, to be a good way to pass the time...if they had not been flying over the most barren stretch of land in all of Alagaesia where all that could be spied was the occasional rock.
Your turn! Eragon grinned.
Eragon, would you... She started, before a flash of green on the horizon made her grin. Okay. I spy with my dragon eyes, something beginning with D.
Dirt. He grinned, triumphantly.
Nope.
He frowned in confusion, scanning the ground.
What then?
Eyes forward, Shadeslayer. She grinned. He looked up, slowly, and the instant he saw it, his spirits rose so high that Katharean felt his emotions hit her like a wave of warmth through their open mental connection.
Du Weldenvarden! He cried, excitedly.
Finally, Katharean muttered, sharing his relief. I thought we'd never get there.
Beside her, Saphira banked to the left and picked up speed, roaring happily. At the same time, she felt a jolt as Obsidian propelled himself forward, and she allowed herself a small smile at the silent competition between the two dragons. Just like their Riders. She thought, glancing over at Eragon who was grinning widely.
Katharean...before we reach Ellesmera, I need to speak with you. Obsidian said suddenly, in a heavy voice which brought her crashing back to earth. She frowned, nervously. She had been expecting something like this. Her mental bond with Eragon had grown stronger over the past few days. Probably, she theorised, because of the frequency with which they had used their internal voices to converse while in flight. He had done a surprisingly good job of keeping her out at first, but she had known that there was something on his mind that he was holding back from her, and throughout the morning she had caught glimpses of what he was thinking whenever he failed to bring his mental walls down fast enough.
I know you and Eragon were talking about me last night. She confessed before he could say anything else. She tried to keep her tone light and even, but in her internal voice she could not hide the resentment that she felt, and the strange pang of jealousy. Obsidian had been talking about her to Eragon! Behind her back! She couldn't help but feel a little betrayed.
We are worried about you. He replied, apologetically. I am worried about you. He amended, a little sheepishly.
Why? Because of these visions? Katharean asked. Because if that's it, then there's no need to worry, Sid. Eragon said that there's someone in Ellesmera that can help. I'm not worried...
It's not just the visions...specifically. Obsidian said, carefully. He sighed. Katharean...these dreams you've been having...
She stiffened slightly. What had she dreamt about? Murtagh, mostly. Murtagh smiling, kissing her, whispering his love to her...Murtagh laughing, embracing Eragon like the brother he should have been... Murtagh reaching out for her, bloodied and broken, gasping for air on the cold, hard ground...She shuddered, thrusting the images out of her mind, and Obsidian felt her.
What about my dreams? They're just dreams, Obsidian. She said, firmly.
I am not so sure of that, Katharean. And what's more, I do not think you are either.
I am. She argued, frowning.
How can you be? He pressed, not unkindly, but she felt her defences rise. She thought for a moment, trying to figure out how best to explain herself properly.
Because some of the dreams I've been having are simply too good to ever come true. She started, and, as if to prove her point, visions of her and Murtagh smiling and flirting together slipped past her guard before she could stop them. And others are so bad that, if they did come to pass, the world would not be worth living in. And I cannot believe that they are anything more than shadows of my imagination...my greatest wishes and my darkest fears haunting me in my sleep. I can't believe that they are anything more than dreams, Obsidian. I just can't. She said, fiercely.
Obsidian hummed, comfortingly, but she felt a pang of worry reach her across their mental bond. I don't know what hurts the most, she admitted, her internal voice cracking slightly with emotion. The bad dreams...or the good ones. The dreams where Murtagh's with me, and we're happy...those are the worst. Because I know that they are only shadows, and that when I wake up, he won't be there and...I can hardly bear it. I feel my heart break a little each time. At least, when the nightmares end, reality comes as a relief. But when the good ones end...I just feel empty. And so alone.
Obsidian snorted, indignantly, but she brushed off his insecurities.
You know what I mean. It's a different kind of loneliness. You know how much I love you, Obsidian. I don't know what I would do without you. You are such a huge part of me that it does not bear thinking about. But without Murtagh...I just don't feel...whole. Does that make any sense? No. She answered herself before he could reply. I know it doesn't. But that doesn't stop it from being true. She sighed. What a mess.
Indeed. Obsidian agreed, darkly, mulling over what his Rider had just told him. She felt his anxiety over her heartache, but somewhere along with his sympathy came a wave of relief. She frowned to herself. What terrible things had he expected her to tell him that made her admission of feeling mentally tortured a cause for celebration?
Anyway, she sighed, let's not talk about such things now. We're going to Ellesmera! It's quite an achievement. Other than Eragon, Saphira and Orik, we are probably the first outsiders to be allowed into the city in about a hundred years. She said, in her best attempt at sounding cheerful.
How exciting. Obsidian grumbled. Katharean smiled wryly, understanding his lack of enthusiasm. Eragon and Saphira had shared some of their memories of Ellesmera with them, and she could tell that Obsidian did not care much for the Elves' sycophantic worshipping of his fellow dragon. He did not like to be fussed over: she had learned as much from their short time spent amongst the dwarves. However, they had not shared all of their friends' memories...both Katharean and Obsidian sensed they had been holding something back. Something very important, and very secret, and Obsidian's perked up a little when Katharean reminded him of this. She wondered what it could be...
Kate, we need to land soon. Eragon's voice interrupted her speculation, and she whipped around to look at him.
Why? I thought you said we still had a ways to travel to Ellesmera after we reach Du Weldenvarden?
Yes, I did say that. But if we don't land by the time we reach the tree-line, we shall all fall to our deaths. Nobody can enter the realm of the elves using magic, and dragons use magic to fly...
And who would be left to save the world then? She grinned.
Exactly. Eragon frowned, thoughtfully, and Katharean's smile vanished as she studied his expression...she thought she knew what he was thinking. What would happen if something terrible were to happen to them? Who would take their place in the fight against Galbatorix? She knew the answer. Without the two Riders and their Dragons, the free world would fall in the blink of an eye. The only thing keeping the Empire's armies from sweeping across Surda, burning villages and murdering innocents, was the King's fear of the unknown. If the Riders were taken out of the picture...nothing would stand in his way. She glanced at Eragon, who was studying her pensively, and she shuddered. What kind of divine power would place the future of an entire world in the hands of two naïve teenagers? She almost laughed at the absurdity of it, and of the length of time it had taken for this reality to finally hit her. Obsidian followed her thoughts with quiet interest.
Why did I not realise the severity of this situation before now? She asked him, flabbergasted.
You have been preoccupied with...other things. He was careful not to say Murtagh's name, but it was still left hanging there in the air between them. Katharean was quick to close her mind to thoughts of Murtagh, afraid that they would trigger another vision, and she did not think she could stand another episode of waking up to see Eragon's worried face gazing down at her. She also felt a pang of guilt at Obsidian's words. Here they all were, on the front lines of the greatest struggle that Alagaesia had seen in an age, and she was struggling to see past her own rotten love life when there was an entire world at stake. Obsidian listened to her thoughts but said nothing, and his silence confirmed what Katharean already knew. She had been so wrapped up in herself that the rest of the world had simply paled into the background. When did I become that girl? She asked Obsidian, her internal voice reflecting how perfectly wretched she felt. When did I become so selfish? I mean...have I always been like this? Is it my upbringing? Obsidian hesitated in his reply and Katharean groaned. I'm a terrible person.
Of course you're not. Obsidian said, sternly. You' have just been...preoccupied.
There's that word again. Preoccupied. Katharean echoed.
Well you have been! Obsidian replied, defensively. And there is not as soul in Alagaesia who can blame you for that. You have been through an awful lot in the last year, Katharean, I do not think you realise just how much has changed. It is difficult to see a situation with clarity when you are right in the middle of it, and you have barely had a chance to catch your breath recently. Do not forget, Katharean, a little over a year ago you were a young noblewoman without a care in the world. In a relatively short period of time you have become a Dragon Rider, ran away from home, fell in love with a man, had your heart broken when he turned out to be the enemy, lead an army into battle against him and were forced into an enchanted, eleven-month-long slumber by him and, upon wakening, fell in love with him all over again, only to have to leave him, thereby breaking your own heart in the process and now you're having visions of him left, right and centre! It's hardly your typical boy-meets-girl scenario. You can certainly be forgiven for letting things get on top of you a little.
Well...I guess when you put it like that, it does sound rather dramatic. She agreed, reluctantly. But I am done feeling sorry for myself. We have a world to change, and sulking about my relationship with Murtagh is helping nobody. She said, determinedly. I cannot go backwards, and so I must move forwards, because otherwise I'll be stuck in one place, and that is rarely a good thing.
Good for you, Katharean. Obsidian purred, affectionately.
We're close. Eragon unknowingly interrupted their conversation, and Katharean signalled wordlessly to Obsidian that it was time to land.
Obsidian followed Saphira's line of shallow descent, banking away from her to the right to avoid a cluster of low-hanging clouds that would have soaked Katharean to the skin, and tucked his wings into his sides as he entered into a graceful dive towards the earth. Katharean braced herself, gripping the front of her saddle tightly and forcing herself to keep her eyes open. Landing was, in equal measures, both her favourite and least favourite part of any flight. She loved the speed and exhilaration of shooting through the air like a speeding arrow, but, although she trusted Obsidian with her life, she could not rid herself of the image of Obsidian overshooting the landing and crashing into the ground. The earth came rushing up to meet them and, as always, Obsidian executed a perfect landing which he transformed seamlessly into a steady gallop as he and Saphira closed the distance between them and the border of Du Weldenvarden in a few easy bounds.
They were only on the ground for a matter of seconds before they were enveloped in a world of lush greenery and vibrant life. Katharean marvelled at the stark contrast between the bare wasteland of the Hadarac desert and the beautiful, thriving forest of Du Weldenvarden. It was like stepping into a different world. Insects and birds signalled their alarm at the intrusion of the two large, powerful beasts who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, shattering the peace of the woodland scene. As soon as they had crossed the threshold, Saphira unfurled her large, glittering blue wings and launched herself into the air again. Obsidian followed suit, a little awkwardly as he tried to avoid damaging any of the surrounding trees in his ascent with his considerably larger wing-span.
Wow. Katharean grinned, catching Eragon's eye as he surveyed her reaction to her first glimpse of the elven realm.
It's really something, isn't it? Eragon asked, smiling.
Really. She agreed. I'm not sure if this really is the most breathtakingly beautiful place I have ever been, or if it only seems that way after days of travelling through the desert...I guess we'll never know.
And you have not even seen the best part yet. Eragon grinned, smugly. He seemed to be taking great pleasure in the fact that he knew something that she did not. I cannot wait to see your faces...
Saphira snorted her agreement, and Katharean and Obsidian exchanged a look of curiosity, mingled with resentment.
I have never cared much for surprises, Eragon. Why don't you just tell me? Katharean shook his head.
I would if I could, but I can't...so I shan't. He replied, in a sing-song voice. Katharean drew him a look.
You're loving this. She muttered.
I am just excited for you! He replied, brightly. I remember how I felt the first time I saw...but not to worry, all will become clear very soon. I promise.
He winked at her, and she raised her eyebrows at what she considered to be a rather crude gesture, and with a hearty laugh, Eragon urged Saphira onwards and upwards so that they were spiralling through the air several yards in front of Obsidian.
What do you suppose...? Obsidian started, but Katharean shook her head.
I don't know, but after the year I have had it's going to have to be pretty spectacular to shock me.
AN: So I'm going to leave it here, because I have no idea how I'm going to set the next chapter out, but we all know what the surprise is so it takes the pressure off a bit. As always, please review!
P.S. I know what you're thinking. PBR (that's my new nickname I just gave myself right there) PBR, did Eye Spy even exist in the olden timey days? Yes. Yes it did. And I forgive you for questioning my infinite knowledge.
P.P.S. Do you know in the 1500s the wealthy used pewter plates and sometimes the lead from the plates would leach into acidic food, particularly tomatoes, and cause lead-poisoning deaths, so for the next 400 years or so, everyone thought tomatoes were poisonous? How amazing is that? And no, it has no relevance to the story, but I just wanted to give something back. Because History is fascinating. So there you go. No need to thank me. That's free, that is.