I recently had another TOXIC reviewer

yay

It is an amusement that some people lack such self-confidence that the only way they can feel better is by smashing someone else down. This was special; I was told to

"kill yourself"

For those who are reading my story, thank you for your support. But I had to inform people what was posted so the site admin adequately reports and deals with this troll. Check my reviews so you can report him.

To

Spedyalarm

Yes, Leonde has created a few of his own shouts. They are limited in number, and I am loathed to just throw out combinations of words. The One thing the Thu'um and the Ancient Languages have in common is thought-given form. So just stringing words together to form shouts is not gonna work; he has to choose what effect he wants to achieve, then choose three words to best reflect his shout.

As Brom said, "A master magician can say water and produce a gem because he can draw a link between the word water and the final product. The same is true of the Thu'um."

Miraak was the only one who knew how to make a four-word shout, and that he learned in the Lost Libraries of Hermaious Mora, Leonde never pursued it.

Rise of the Dragons

Chapter 9

The Journey of Discovery Begins.

Revealing the Instant Fortress had surprised them as he opened the doors mentally, as they decided to follow him inside. "You have such wonders in your lands?"

"As far as I know, this is unique, Lifaen. A relic of a bygone age. You may come in but do not touch anything. There are dangerous things on display that can kill you just by touching them." As they reached the main entrance, he decided to take them on a tour of the fortress. Heading to the right, he said,

"Here is the kitchen area; there is a storage closet in there, and the containers can keep food preserved indefinably until needed." It was a small kitchen area with a large stone oven, a fireplace where one could cook any number of things, and a set of shelves containing bottles of Wine, plates, bowls, and silverware. There was even a small table on the other side of the shelves.

Beyond it were the forging area, a large smelter, an anvil, and tools to work the fiery forge. Opening up a container on the wall, Leonde said, "Like the Fortress, it is bigger inside; this is where I hold all of my forging materials. Pulling out several ingots of steel, iron, and even the bronze Dwarven ingots. I keep unrefined ores on the other side, near the smelter."

He showed off the workbench, grinding stone, tanning rack, and beyond it, the doors as he pushed them open and said, "Technically, these are servants' Quarters, but since there are three beds close to the exit, Eragon, Murtagh, and Arya can share these quarters."

"I believe it would be inappropriate for male riders to share barracks with a female rider," Arya said, making Leonde take note of her as he glanced at Eragon and Murtagh.

"Very well," He realized that Eragon had a slight blush on his cheeks, indicating he was at that age. "We can sleep inside it and use it to transport any materials or supplies we find or bring with us easily."

"It would be wiser to only use the Fortress once we are past the city of Silthrim." Lifaen said, "Even though the forest would obscure it visually, the smoke from the tower's chimney could be seen."

"Very well," Beyond it, he showed them three mannequins decked out in complete sets of armor. The Middle one gleamed in shiny black plate armor with gold inlay. The one to the right was lighter tighter, and more form-fitting, including a hood; the one to the left was a set of robes with an armored set of boots and gauntlets. At first glance, they appeared normal, But on closer inspection, they could see the armor was damaged; the chain mail on the Black plate armor had been breached and had holes in it and blood stains covered with a clear resin to seal and preserve it.

"These were worn by my most trusted friends. Bikhai, Nanak, and Sariq. Three of my most trusted friends were butchered by the Thalmor when they attempted to capture my wife and children."

He wasn't sure just how long he stared at the armor his friends wore on that fateful day. But even now, fresh tears ran down his cheeks as he slowly moved to show them the bathroom. Demonstrating the shower and, of course, the Dwarven toilet was also fun.

He showed them the main room and led them to the guest room where Eragon and Murtagh could stay. Though the Elves were more interested in the numerous books, he had on the shelves. This took them past several locked cases as they noted the Gauntlets, Hammer, and Dagger inside.

It caught their attention as he said, "Remember what I said about things able to kill you just by a touch? The Dagger and Hammer will kill you by touching them with your bare hand. Unless you wear the Wraithguard Gauntlets, they inflict a mortal wound just by touching them."

"Did you make them?" Murtagh asked.

"No, they were created by the same person who built this fortress. Kagranac, they were made to tap into the Heart of Lorkhan."

"The Heart of Lorkhan?" Arya asked.

"Yes, the heart of a dead god." Leonde said

"I have to admit that I find it difficult the believe that such could exsist." Lifaen said.

Halting midstep, he slowly turned to look at Lifaen, "I can understand that your people do not believe in gods or similar beings. I may disagree with your beliefs, but I respect them, so I ask that you respect my beliefs. For the record," That was all he could say when Nasuada spoke up, clearing her threat.

"For the record, we are here to retrieve the items that I asked for and that you asked me to deliver to the King Orrin of Surda. Are we not?"

Looking at her, he inhaled through his nose, feeling the animosity for the elf building, and then he said. "Indeed, my apologies as your host Lifaen. I have let past experiences influence my conduct. It will not happen again."

He noticed there was some form of a quick glance at Arya as he said, "As your guest, I apologize for challenging your beliefs, I will be more respectful."

Coming into his private area, he moved over to where his master bedroom was opened up, moving through to a gated door to the left and into his treasure room.

Walking over, he looked at the chest on the Floor, kneeling and searching through it. It wasn't hard to find what he needed pulling out the small box that held two rings, an amulet, and a circle. Then pulled out a second box as he came to show it to Nasuada. Allowing her to see the Gold and Diamond Circlet, the Gold Ruby Amulet, the Gold and Emerald Ring, and its Sapphire counterpart.

"This is for King Orrin of Surda. Please apologize to his highness for my being being unable to present them in person." He said, and she took hold of the box before thanking him

"Not to question your craftsmen of intentions, but Arya, would you please inspect them? Just so that I can truthfully tell him they are safe."

Arya nodded and inspected them before confirming that they were safe. Then he presented her set to Nasuada, With a Ruby circlet, Diamond Amulet, and matching rings.

Allowing those to be inspected as well, they finally departed the fortress. It seemed that Snowfire and Tornac would be returned to Farthen Dur and Surda to await their return. Leonde, however, loathed to part with Paarthurnax.

Approaching him, Lifaen said, "We will be taking boats across the lake; you won't be able to bring him." Leonde walked him out to the water surprising the elves that he was standing on the water's surface.

"You will no doubt also encounter elves on the lakes in boats, while you also have invisibility spells. I promise you Paarthurnax will be treated and cared for, Dragonheart." Nasuada said.

He could summon a Daedric horse and Blaze of Eventide but was loathed to part with his steed. Finally, he petted his steed's nose and said. "You be good, understand." and finally started to take off the Daedric Barding. He smiled slowly, getting him down to just his under armor.

"Nasuada, Paarthurnax is bred for cold weather, so he will need special care when the days get hot. Second, make sure you keep his horseshoes when he needs reshoeing; they hold his water-walking enchantments, don't tell anyone that."

"You don't want Galbatorix's spies attempting to steal them to try and find out how to make such items." She said he started putting the armor inside his fortress while they put their supplies down so they would not be loaded with heavy packs. Even with the handy haversacks, it could only hold so much. They would need extra supplies until they got far enough away from Silthrim and could use the fortress.

Once everything was put away and stored, they began, Nasuada said to Leonde. "Father most likely won't be happy when you come to Surda; I will do my best to temper his anger."

"I appreciate it, but if you fail I can handle him."

At Arya's advice, he changed out of his armor into some traveling clothes, just in case they encountered any elves, before getting into the boats and heading up the river. He spent that time rowing beside Eragon, explaining his form of magic to him and the others; the main difference they discovered was that magic spoken by the ancient language was far more versatile but at the cost of using one's stamina and life force. His magic was more systematic and structured but more limited in functionality. Still, it did not endanger one's life if they overextended themselves.

Eragon was eager to learn more; it would have made crossing the Ramr River easier. As Leonde passed, Eragon said, "That water-walking spell of yours would have been of great help when Murtagh and I were crossing the Ramr River." In fact, many of his spells would make fighting Galbatorix forces much more effective.

Several days would pass. Saphira had pointed out to Eragon that Leonde had taken a keen interest in the elves' behavior. When asked about it, he said, "I am making a mental chart of them and comparing them to the Thalmor, they are definitely not the same people. In fact they appear to be the opposite side of the coin."

"Oh, please explain," Lifaen said.

"In the Empire, the name "High Elves" is given to the Altmer, with the word "High" being used to describe the Altmer as tall, proud, and culturally snobbish. The Altmer consider themselves the perfect race, those raised outside the Summerset isles are not as extreme, but they have that air about them. Thalmor took it to the extreme, barely showing emotions. Referring to men as dogs and the elves as their masters, with elven supremacy being the only truth, and like with the Bosmer and Dunmer elves of Valenwood and Morrowind, they would view your people as a lesser elven race."

"Counter to that, the elves of Alagaesia seem very emotional, and expressive. Laughing, smiling, singing, and in the presence of the dragons, praising them with wonderful names of flattery."

Lifaen had expressed sorrow that his kin in distant lands was so reserved and restrained. He voiced how "Life is to be enjoyed and relished."

When Eragon found when he tried to speak with them, they would use roundabout expressions and aphorisms that left him more confused than when he started. Leonde said privately, "I am sure that it is a test of your intellect to help it grow, but also some part of it had to be for personal amusement."

Other times they would remain silent, and if Eragon or Orik attempted conversations, they would barely get one or two words as they watched the beauty around them, an expression of peaceful rapture on their faces. It made Eragon appreciate how direct and forthright Arya had been with him.

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Finally reaching Eldor Lake and making camp for the night, Eragon had taken to the stretching exercises Leonde had taught them, Murtagh beside him with Arya. With five tiers of stretching, as expected he expected Arya was able to perform all five with relative ease. However, seeing her move was hard for him because she was behind Murtagh, who was off to his side. Leonde himself said he always had trouble with the fifth tier.

Each tier was designed for a single profession; the first tier was for warriors and front-line fighters, people who moved in heavy armor. The Second Tier was for skirmishers, the third for archers, the fourth for scouts, and the final for infiltrators. But attempting to complete them all was the goal of Imperial Legion Soldiers.

Murtagh could perform the third tier without trouble, and Eragon struggled with the third. As a result, Leonde had Eragon remain at the second tier while allowing Murtagh the third tier.

This would get them used to stretching and flexing their bodies without overdoing things, getting them used and ready for the next strength tier. Arya had commented while the movements were different. It reminded her of the Dance of Snake and Crane. Explaining elves used it in ancient days as preparation for war. Still, they use it in general to maintain physical health and exercise. She found Leonde's exercises an enjoyable variation to it. He was surprised when Lifean, Nari, and Sindri also joined in. Orik abstained, claiming. Dwarves were not meant to bend in such ways without breaking.

Saphira, Thorn, and Firnen were not exempt either. It had taken a while for him to come up with some exercises for them, stretching, to keep them limber. Odahviing was of no help, even asking the great dragon; he did not seem too interested in assisting the pet dragons. It really offended them that Odahviing referred to them as pets, but they didn't have the size or strength to argue the point. With everyone settling down for the night, Leonde finally got some much-needed rest. His attitude had improved as well. Eragon hoping to learn more about Leonde,

"Can I ask you some questions about your Thu'um?"

"Of course."

"We noticed that you haven't mentioned anything about its structure or how to use it. Are you willing to teach it to us?"

Watching Eragon as he closed his eyes, sitting up from the log he was leaning against before, he said, "That is a very good question, but to understand it, we must start with Alduin's Dragon Cult. But first, there are parts to this explanation you and your friends are not ready to learn. I will tell you what I can, but some parts I must omit."

Leonde noticed that the rest of them were coming close to listen as he said. "As you have learned, Alduin's Dragon Cult ruled through cruelty and terror, but not all Dragons were as cruel as Alduin or Kavohziin. The Goddess Kynareth called upon the Paarthurnax, who pitied mankind, to teach them the Thu'um and overthrow their dragon overlords. Eventually, they did defeat Alduin."

"How did they defeat him?" Lifaen asked.

"With the Dragonrend shout and an Elder Scroll." Looking to Lifaen, he said, "The Elder Scrolls are fragments of the forces that created the world, very powerful, extremely dangerous, and not to be treated with anything short of the highest level of caution."

"The Elder Scrolls are not without danger, and those dangers are well known. To the untrained, the price for screwing around with them can be your sight, which renders you blind or drives you insane, sometimes both. To those who are trained they can be used to forsee the future."

"They can see the future?" Lifaen asked as he seemed primarily amused.

Looking at the elf, he said, "That is an understatement of what they do. You come to a fork in the road. You have to decide which path to take; you decide to take the path on your right. What the Elder Scroll does, Lifaen, is it foretells what will happen no matter your choice. It lays out the consequences of what will happen by the path you take while at the same time showing what would have happened had you taken the left path and what would have happened if you chose to go back the way you came. It shows every possible future, but it also shows the actual future, And divining that requires specialized training, the insight which can take a lifetime to complete a single scroll."

"I find your claims very difficult to belief." Lifaen said as Leonde had anticipated that as he reached into his pack, slowly pulling out the Golden Scroll.

"Would you like to put what I have claimed to the test? Remember, the price will be your sight, sanity, or both."

Eragon shivered as he could feel the power from the Scroll much more acutely. He actually stood up, backing away; he could feel it. Something ancient but new simultaneously, something at the edge of all his senses, power beyond what he could consider power. A primal fear that reminded him of what happens when one touches fire.

Lifaen looked at the Scroll as he pulled back, and glancing at Leonde, he swallowed hard. "I will not deny that I find your claims less difficult to believe, nor will I deny that I feel incredible power from this... Elder Scroll. I will leave its study to others older and wiser."

Pulling back, Leonde slowly returned the Scroll to his pack and said. "So how did they use the Scroll to defeat Alduin?" Murtagh asked before Leonde relaxed.

"Even crippled with Dragonrend, Al Du In could not be defeated; they used the Elder Scroll to shatter time. Casting him adrift on the currents of time. All Dovah felt time shatter." Odahviing said, "Thousands of years later, Alduin emerged from the Time-Wound, and hmmm, rallied us to once more take our places as masters of the Mortal races. Until the Dovahkiin defeated him not once but twice. The second time he was struck down for good."

Listening to Odaviing, Eragon looked at him; the look on his face reminded him of someone telling only part of the truth.

"Before you ask, the elder scrolls are not weapons. Tapping into their power is extremely dangerous; using them to travel to Alagaesia was the border on the line between sheer stupidity and insanity."

"You were speaking of the Thu'um?" Murtagh asked, reminding them of their original conversation.

"Yes, using the Power of the Thu'um, or voice, after the defeat of Alduin and the Dragon Cult, the Nords of Skyrim used it for conquest and war. Culminating in what was the Battle of Red Mountain where the Nords had a massive army with many, many masters of the voice."

"What happned?" Orik asked.

"The Nord army, along with the majority of the Thu'um users, were annihilated." He said, leaving Orik surprised, as even Arya was shocked.

"I have seen the power of your Thu'um, the voice of Odahviing and Durnehviir."

"Who is Durnehviir?" Blinking at Lifaen's question, Leonde answered.

"Durnehviir was a Dragon that sought mastery of forbidden magic called Necromancy." The realization and horror of what Leonde was suggesting sickened them.

"Durnehviir sought out a realm my people call the Soul Cairn. Inhabited by lost souls and the undead, the walking dead, all trapped but with the right magics, you can summon them. He sought to bargain with the Masters of this place, The Ideal Masters. They gave him the ability to summon legions of the undead, and in return, they asked him to guard a woman until her death. They neglected to mention she was a Vampire. One of the undead, and thus immortal."

"Bloody monster that thing is." Orik said as even Eragon and the dragons were disturbed.

"You mean he is..." Sindri asked; she was the only other female elf in the group.

"Cursed with Undeath. Yes, one of the undead." Looking at the horror on Lifaen's face, Leonde asked, "Would you like me to summon him so you can ask him these questions yourself?"

That got everyone, the riders, the dragons, and Orik, to say "NO!"

"Are you sure?" Leonde asked with mock innocence. "It's absolutely no trouble to me..."

"Leonde, Please no," Arya asked. "I would prefer you not to summon him anymore. Especially when we reach Ellsemera." She almost pleaded. Her voice was very strained as Leonde clicked his tongue in the roof of his mouth.

"I agree," He said, lifting a hand and finger up. "Conditionally. I will not summon him while within Du Weldenvarden or Ellsemera. However, if we can not break the curse upon Eragon's back, I will need the help of Valerica and Serana, her daughter. The only two ways I know to reach them are by constructing a portal to the Soul Cairn, which I don't know how to construct, or having Durnehviir himself bring the pair of them here to Alagaesia."

Arya swallowed; she realized he would offer no more than that. "Very well. I will ask for no more. Now how was the Nord army destroyed?

"That was what Jurgen Windcaller, a Great War leader and master of the voice, also wondered. So he spent many years pondering the meaning of that terrible defeat until he came to realize that the gods had punished the Nords for their arrogant and blasphemous misuse of the voice. He was the first to understand that the voice should be used solely for the glory and worship of the gods, not the glory of men."

"If that is the case, why do you use it?" Sindri asked.

"I will answer that in a moment. But when Jurgen proclaimed this, seventeen of the strongest voice masters challenged him. In an attempt to prove him wrong, they unleashed the full power of their Thu'um on him for three days and for three nights. He endured all their shouts; at the end, they lay exhausted and unable to speak. Jurgen Windcaller stood before them unscathed. Thus, the Way of the Voice was born; it is used for enlightenment and the glory and worship of the gods. It is used only in true need. Thus if I were to teach you the Thu'um Eragon, you would be bound to these rules, and even using the Thu'um to save your life may not constitute a true need."

To answer your question, Sindri, "Arya explained to you, I am Dragonborn, a Dragonborn is not simply a dragonslayer born with incredible power. The Dragonblood is a gift of the gods; if I were to teach you a simple Thu'um, even if I shared my knowledge with you, it would take you years, if not decades, to unlock its power. As Dragonborn, I can learn and harness this language and power almost without effort."

"If you do not believe me, I will teach you a simple Thu'um and share my knowledge with you of this Thu'um. You will find it much more difficult to use than you believe it."

"A question of Durnehviir, Why is he in the Soul Cairn?"

Leonde explained, "Durnehviir eventually became bound to the Soul Cairn. He can never leave it permanently, or he will truly die in exchange for the few hours of freedom I can grant him; he has sworn to be my ally." The tone of Leonde's Voice was dark and had tricky, sharp pronunciation.

Nari spoke, "It sounds as if you do not trust him."

"Durnehviir is as evil as any shade, but I am the only one who can open the portal between here and the Soul Cairn for him to cross over. If he had someone like Galbatorix find away to allow Durnehviir to come and go as he pleases. He would betray me in a heartbeat, if he had one. Thus I keep his leash very short."

Leonde closing his eyes, said, "Now there is something I need to explain to you, Eragon concerning Ajihad and Nasuada, I am a stranger from a strange land very powerful. On my arrival and the ensuing chaos, I took charge and command of the proceeding events. I manipulated you, Eragon into protecting Murtagh, they have every reason to not trust me, And you can thank those twin traitors for it."

"Indeed, they had brought up enough conflict to cause strife," Arya said.

"It was enough to cause fear to spread, and concern. More so when Leonde refused to allow me to inspect his memories, and exposed them as traitors, They have every right to consider you a threat."

"Which is one reason I wanted Nasuada to return to her father," Leonde explained. "I need you six able to focus on what I teach you with an objective mind. Not reporting to her everything I teach you and then her twisting it someway to suit her ends."

Murtagh Piped up. "You can lead a horse to water but can't make them drink." The comment from Murtagh made Eragon question it. As Nari was about to explain, Leonde lifted his hand and said.

"Let him puzzle it out. He grew up on a farm, rather uneducated. If you give him the answer, you will deny him educational growth." Leonde said firmly as it annoyed Eragon. He could feel Saphira's amusement as Leonde said, "No help Saphira." Eragon thought about it and recalled Leonde had told them several times he had no desire to rule, yet they didn't trust him, and then it came into focus as he smiled and said.

"In this case, you can tell her the truth. But she doesn't have to believe you?" Eragon asked.

"Exactly," Leonde said, pleased. It was at this point a more serious thought crossed his mind. And he had to ask.

Swallowing hard, he asked. "What if they order me to kill you when this war is over?"

Leonde turned more serious. "Then you have a choice to make. Follow their orders, which I won't hold against you. Or refuse your orders. Both have their consequences. If you refuse their orders, Ajihad as your Liege lord, King Hrothgar as your adoptive father and king. You will be an oath breaker. Your word of honor will have no meaning. And it is a mark you will carry for a very long time."

/~And if Eragon and I follow those Orders?~/

Leaning back against a tree, Leonde says. "First of all, your honor for following Ajihad's orders would be intact. But the more you follow his orders like that, no matter regardless of if you feel they are Moral and Just. It will become apparent that you and Saphira are just puppets dancing to the tune of the strings he pulls. And I don't take threats to kill me lightly. I would respond... by killing those who issue the orders."

Murtagh then spoke up at this point. "At which point you would be honor bound to Avenge your king, or liege lord."

At this point, the color in Eragon's face began to drain. "Eragon" Leonde said. "I have no desire to hurt you; I have no desire to harm Saphira. By the time we reach Ellsemera. We will all be fully versed in the ancient language. Anything I teach you, Murtagh and Arya, will be taught. Orik will also be more than welcome to watch; he can make his report to King Hrothgar, and if you have concerns, voice them to me, Orik. When I am done teaching you, Eragon, you will be well-schooled in Politics, Justice, and more."

"Why are you doing this?" Murtagh asked sharply. "Why are you helping us? Eragon, Me..."

"You, Murtagh, are not the only one here to be scorned and cursed because of the sins of your father. My mother was married to an imperial Legion officer. At one point, she got the news he had been killed in a terrible storm at sea. In pain and anguish, my mother went out and got herself more than a little drunk. An old friend was in town, and she took him to bed. He was gone the next day; two weeks later, her husband returned. Having survived the storm and washed up on shore, she was already in morning sickness. I grew up being called Bastard Son of an Adultress. I know how it is cursed for the sin of a parent. Now... no one will dare say that about me."

Murtagh opened his eyes wide as Leonde continued. "Like Eragon, you have the potential for greatness. I won't let that be wasted, the two of you will reach your full potential."

With a smile, "And I will make sure you get there, even if I have to pound it into your thick skulls. However, having said that there are three things you have to remember. I am under no oath, order or obligation to show you anything, much less everything that I know. Two I am not showing you anything that could potentially bite me in the ass later. This means I will not show you anything I can't counter. Three I will only show you what I believe that you are capable of handling."

"I have said enough for the night. I am tired and want to sleep. We will speak more tomorrow." Leonde was firm and final as he stood up to head for his bedroll.

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It had been a few days or two since they stopped near Sílthrim; Eragon was comforting Saphira; she was near an emotional catastrophe. Her pride had been severely damaged, as well as an overwhelming sense of shame at what she was willing to let happen.

Thinking back to the last day they spent on the lake. It had been smooth enough, but there were some tension spots. Arya had requested the dragons hide in the forest and come to them only at night.

Odahviing was less than happy with the idea of hiding. The great dragon had scoffed at the thought of hiding, even when Arya had explained that if he was seen, the elves would assume the worst and possibly attack him, or it would cause great harm.

Odahviing scoffed at the idea and welcomed their foolishness to attack him; Leonde had asked him. "Odahviing, After the defeat of Alduin, You spent all your time, save the times you went to eat, at the peak of the Throat of the World. Why?"

Odahviing's response was delayed, as he said. "To avoid being attacked by the mortal fools and knowing that my reprisals would eventually earn your wrath."

"Then please for that sake. Remain out of sight. These elves have lived with the fear of Galbatorix attacking them and no doubt have prepared their defenses for such an eventuality."

It was enough to make Odahviing reply, "If the Dovahkiin calls for my aid, I will answer. Even if he is in the heart of the city. I will come..." At that point, Odahviing took to the air and moved deeper into the forest. At Arya's suggestion, he wore his cloak, as did Eragon and Murtagh, with their hoods up so no one would see their rounded ears.

To Eragon's astonishment, the lake was smooth, so smooth it was as if he was looking into a mirror.

They had arrived shortly before dusk as they began to set up camp. Where Arya had started to further their education in the Ancient language, Eragon thoroughly enjoyed it. It was as if some cloud over his eyes had been lifted; he was always asking questions and eager to learn more. Unfortunately, their first night was fraught with hardship,

Arya had miscalculated the days and arrived the night of the Dagshelgr Invocation; the profound effect left Saphira highly agitated.

The elves made the Invocation to strengthen and promote growth in the forests. It also forced animals to seek out mates to propagate their species. This devastated Thorn and Firnen; the two males had undergone a massive growth spurt. Within an hour, they had arrived at the campsite where Saphira had come. They were not smaller than her. In fact, both Firnen and Thorn were now as large as Saphira. The two were about to attack each other like a couple of Elk bulls in full rut. And the two instantly began to posture and act aggressively toward each other. Courting and competing for the affection of Saphira.

The situation had escalated rapidly beyond the control of Murtagh and Arya. Fighting against extinction, the two were willing to kill each other to win the right of courtship. Unable to tame them, Leonde had to handle the situation, Which resorted to extreme measures. The events of that night were vivid and clear. It still terrified him.

Arya had cast a spell around Leonde, Orik, and Eragon to shield them from the music of the Dagshelgr Invocation. With the magic permeating everything, Saphira fell out of the sky and landed hard;/~My blood burns, like yours for Arya. I understand now!~/ she said as Leonde looked at her and said,

"By the Nine... If it's affecting her like this... What's happening to Firnen and Thorn?!" Instantly that answer came in the sound of two roars as they dove from the sky. The Red and Green dragons landed, crashing through the trees. Both snarled and roared at each other, baring their teeth and flexing their claws. Thorn snapped his jaws half, lunging at Firnen.

"Thorn, stop it!" Murtagh screamed,

"I can't feel his mind, he's shut me out..." Arya cried.

Seeing Firnen and Thorn circling the area like a pair of half-rapid dogs ready to tear each other to pieces. And yet, for some reason, it excited Eragon. Then to his horror, he realized it wasn't his excitement... but Saphira's. She was eager to watch them tear each other apart; just as Firnen and Thorn lunged at each other at that instant, thunder ripped through the air as two lightning bolts erupted from the darkness. One from each of Leonde's two hands. The bolts impacted Thorn and Firnen's heads, sending them recoiling in pain as they were knocked to the ground roaring in pain as their bodies twitched and jerked uncontrollably.

Leonde was battle-ready; Lifaen and Nari had drawn their swords, almost ready to attack and kill him, when Sindri and Arya had stopped them, "No, he won't kill them, but if he doesn't stop them, they'll kill each other for the right to mate with Saphira."

Arya said as everyone moved back; Orik held his axe ready. Even he was concerned as Leonde now had the full attention of not two but three Dragons. Saphira had begun to approach as Leonde took notice of her and began to back away. Eragon was terrified. Unable to do anything knowing that Leonde was a Dragonslayer and could kill Saphira quickly.

"If Odahviing was here, his presence might be enough to keep Thorn and Firnen in line," she said as Leonde moved back as all three dragons approached him once Thorn and Firnen had recovered. Watching the trio as Leonde stood there, getting them all together and focused on him.

What was he doing? Then, Firnen, Saphira, and Thorn unleashed their fire in one movement. Blue, red, and green fire spewed from their maws as the forest flared in a terrible multicolored light. The flame engulfed, whipping around Leonde as his body was obscured and wrapped in Dragonfire. Lifaen and Nari were almost sure that Leonde had been killed. But the others knew better. From the center of the flame erupted a burst of energy following three words.

"MUL QAH DIIV" his form was wrapped up in Eldrich armor as waves of power emanated from him; the armor made him look like a man-sized dragon standing on two legs as two golden fiery wings moved behind him as a tail lashed side to side in agitation. The waves of energy magical energy that came off Leonde only made Lifaen and Nari edgier as the three dragons suddenly attempted to lunge at Leonde.

Three more words erupted from his voice as a wave of energy erupted from Leonde that impacted all three dragons.

GOL HAH DOV

As the wave of energy hit the dragons, they instantly recoiled with shock as their faces contorted with horror and shock. At that moment, Eragon could feel it, as if something had forced its way into Saphira's mind and was wrestling with her instincts and sense; in short order, Saphira, like Thorn and Firnen, lost the battle of wills as Leonde, exerted his control and domination. Words left him in a deep bass tone, making the ground tremble and shake.

"You three will submit to my will." He commanded as Eragon could feel Saphira unable to resist his power as he commanded her... "Now settle down."

As he held out his hands as if he intended to claw someone with his hands, all three dragons began to settle down as Leonde curled his fingers. It appeared he was struggling to command them as all three dragons, with trembling limbs and eyes wide, he was forcing them to lay down on their bellies.

Despite the power he had, Leonde was shaking and trembling. He held his position as if he constantly struggled against the dragons. Helping to suppress the urge to fight for Saphira. Watching the strain on Leonde as he actually went to one knee working. At this point, Arya came over slowly, placing her hand on his armor pauldron; she began to focus. At this point, Lifean, Nari, and Sindri also came over, channeling their energy into Leonde to help alleviate his strain. Now, all that energy was being used to dominate and bring the dragons under control.

For Eragon he was haunted by the look on Saphira's face; her eyes, once so expressive, now had pinpoint pupils as they were devoid of all emotion and thought. Murtagh stood up and motioned to Leonde as he and his brother went over to help link their energy to the group.

At this point, Eragon could feel it filtered through the elves, what Leonde was battling and suppressing. Emotions were as violent as what he could describe as the worse storm he could see. Raw power and instinct. The drive to fight against oblivion and extinction. The passion, desire, and need to propagate. A force, unlike anything Eragon could comprehend, a desire to survive at any cost... and Leonde was holding the storm back. Barely holding it back, as he spoke in a harsh choking voice... "Akatosh... grant me... the strength..."

Time seemed to drag on as soon as Eragon and Murtagh had exhausted themselves. While they lasted longer, even Arya and the other elves were quickly exhausted, leaving Leonde alone to subdue the raging storm. In the faint hours of the morning... the Invocation finally ended. And as the desire and fire in their body faded, Leonde's control was finally released. Dropping to his knees and hands, blood flowed from his eyes and nose; Leonde collapsed at that point as Saphira began to be removed from his control, as were Thorn and Firnen. Sindri and Nari ran over to Leonde; Lifaen had his blade drawn as Arya stood before him.

"How can any mortal man have such power?" He asked as Arya said.

"I do not know. But I intend to find out." Leonde appeared near death as Eragon went to tend to Saphira, who was shaking. Thorn and Firnen were also remaining on guard, unlike Saphira; the pair had their teeth bared as the sound of a significant branch breaking was heard as Odahviing moved, pushing between the trees. Baring his teeth and issuing a deep growl, the look on his face warned them, Challenge me are your own peril.

Moving off to join Saphira, she moved with Eragon as he asked. "How are you..." He could feel her emotions, shame, humiliation, and weakness. And An emotion he rarely felt. Fear.

/~I couldn't fight him... I have never felt that powerless before. Not even on the plains when I fought against the winds. It was as if my will, the only thoughts I had were to submit and obey him. ~/ she said, trembling... Placing his hand on her side, she turned away and admitted. /~I was excited... Watching Thorn and Firnen... I was eager to see them tear each other apart... to kill each other. If he..."

Eragon could feel her conflicted emotions as the realization that Firnen and Thorn could have given each other mortal wounds fighting over her. Resulting in both their deaths, denying her a mate. Attempting to comfort her.

"It's why he did what he did... He did it to protect you all," he said as Leonde began to recover groans from him as Eragon and Saphira came over. As Leonde was about to get up, Lifaen drew his sword and commanded.

"Explain yourself..." With the blade at Leonde's throat... "You will explain yourself, or I will take your life."

Seeing this, Odahviing began to growl and approach Lifaen, scolding, "Is this how you have control over Odahviing? You made him your slave?" the Rage in Odahviing's Voice was barely contained,

"Release him or I will burn your nearest city to the ground and kill every adult and child... of every city."

Turning to look at Odahviing, who had made a terrible threat against Sílthrim, Lifaen left himself exposed as Leonde reacted. Words left his mouth, "Wuld," In that instant, Leonde and Lifaen were gone, as the words could be heard where Leonde had been. "Nah Kest."

And the sound of an impact attracted his attention as Leonde held Lifaen's sword arm. Bone breaking could be heard as Leonde twisted his arm to snap Lifaen's arm with such force. Leonde's right hand was tightly wrapped around Lifaen's throat as the Elf was being choked by Leonde. His glove-covered hand held tightly as the Elf struggled in vain as Leonde absorbed the blows made by his fist and legs.

Holding Lifaen, he said, "I hold many titles... Elf Killer is one of them. Would you like to see why?" People could see Leonde choking the Elf-lord's life as his mouth gasped and struggled. There was a tensing of Lifaen, and then a wave of force washed over Leonde. At this point, Eragon realized that he had Lifaen had used magic without words. Trying to knock Leonde away. And while it had battered him, making him cringe and shudder due to the power. Yet Leonde held firm as the elf began to honestly struggle now.

Realizing that Leonde was about to kill Lifaen, Eragon rushed up, and he grabbed Leonde's arm that was strangling the elf as he used his other to try and push on his chest to push them away.

"THAT IS ENOUGH, BOTH OF YOU!" he roared... Struggling against them, Leonde simply let go as he stepped back, allowing Eragon to get between the two combatants. Hoping to use his status as a Rider to make Lifaen back down.

"Enough..." And looking at Lifaen, who was coughing and gasping, Eragon said, "I mean it. Enough... Both of you." he said as Lifaen looked at Leonde with anger and revulsion. The two settled down. As Leonde backed away, he said.

"The next time you threaten my life. It will be the last mistake you ever make." Leonde said with cold, calculating anger. Lifaen was about to comment harshly when Eragon elbowed him in the stomach hard enough to make the words gasp. Lifaen looked at Eragon as if he was crazy.

"You threatened his life, And you seem to neglect that Thorn and Firnen would have torn each other apart trying to win courtship rights with Saphira. What would have happened if the pair gave each other mortal wounds? You would have one dragon and one rider. And two dragon-less riders."

Eragon said he did all he could to project confidence and authority. It made it seem as if he was in control and in charge. He wasn't sure if Lifaen was accepting it, but Eragon reached down to grab and hold his blade. "Do not challenge my position and authority as a Rider. I may be in training... but one day I will have the authority responsibilities, and more importantly, the power of any rider who has passed all his tests."

Eragon moved away with every step. He could feel Lifaen's eyes on him as he walked past Leonde. The last thing Leonde said made Eragon smile inwardly. "When that young man gets some serious experience under his belt. He's going to be a force to be reckoned with. Both politically and physically."

With Eragon holding Lifaen's blade, things had been tense as Arya had insisted that they all settle down. They would discuss the issue of Leonde's power after Lifaen had returned from Sílthrim with steeds. She also gave him explicit orders to tell no one of Leonde and Odahviing. At Leonde's suggestion, she also gave him strict orders to come only with the steeds and no one else. Leaving no room to interpret her wishes any other way. After his arm was healed. Lifaen, with some reluctance, agreed. And took some convincing for Eragon to return his blade to him.

With Leonde still recovering from the events of last night, Eragon looked over at him nervously. Summing up his courage as he approached Leonde, who was still in a nasty mood from the event with Lifaen. Eragon knew he could be playing with fire, but he approached Leonde as Saphira came beside him. "We need answers."

Looking at everyone there as Leonde was drinking something from a bottle and coughing, he took long deep breaths, Leaning back as his temper cooled out. "I will reply when that Elf returns; until then, I will rest," he said. This was the first time Eragon had seen Leonde so drained. As if something had sucked the power right out of him. Then he realized just how much of a storm he held in check, How powerful it was.

Approaching Saphira, Eragon once more comforted. Looking to Thorn and Firnen. He was amazed they were so massive, so fast. Arya and Murtagh were comforting them as if they did not look at each other out of shame. That they had allowed themselves to be consumed with animal instincts.

Hours had passed before Lifaen returned. Leonde had significantly improved as his strength returned. With several elven steeds as Eragon turned to address Leonde. "Now." Leonde stood up as he walked over to his stallion, and as he did, he walked past Lifaen, to whom Leonde looked at the look on his face, daring the elf to threaten him again. "You want answers to my power?"

Turning to adjust the barding on his steed, he said, "I could tell you the source of my power, but you would not believe me." he said.

Turning to face Lifaen, "The problem is with you. If you reject my explanation as nonsense or a fabrication. You would be within your right to take my life. For all I know, en route to fetch the horses, you may have taken an oath in the ancient language. That, if I do not give you a satisfactory answer, you will kill me." Lifaen pulled back as the area was silent. Leonde turned to walk away as Eragon saw him looking at him, then at Arya.

Eragon thought as he asked, "Lifaen. If Ayra considers his explanation acceptable." While Eragon wasn't sure, he would understand, having seen how Lifaen and the other Elves seemed to respect Arya without question or reserve. He took a gamble that they would also respect her judgment.

"If Arya does accept his explanation. I will abide by her judgment," he said.

Murtagh said, "Even if you personally do not believe him?"

Having called him out, Lifaen looked incensed. But he said. "I will restrain myself." Remember what Arya said about how elves could hold grudges for decades and centuries. Eragon thoughts about that and looked to Murtagh for help. For once, he was unsure how to resolve this issue.

"Leonde stood against Durza in one on one combat. I know this, if I choose to fight against Galbatorix. If we succeed, if we kill him. I know I am not going stand against Leonde."

Thorn stood and rose as he said, projecting his thoughts. /~Nor will I. I will not challenge him even if the leaders of the Varden, Dwarves, Elves, and our teachers in Ellsemera order us to. I will not challenge his power.~/

"Put simply I do not want to, and will not be his enemy." Murtagh said finally.

Lifaen's emotions had become unreadable as Odahviin Spoke, "Dovahkiin, allow me to explain the truth."

"As you wish my friend."

Odahviing moved forward as he stood before Lifaen, lowering his head, teeth bared as he spoke.

"The Dovahkiin is not controlling me, nor is he, my master. He is my friend and my ally. I gladly and willingly acknowledged the strength of his Thu'um, his voice. His voice is greater than even Al Du In, and for many years no Dovah could match the Firstborn. I followed him because of his strength and power; he has never treated me as Al Du In. The Dovahkiin has always treated me with respect and admiration, and he has earned my respect and friendship."

Looking up at Odahviing, The Great Dragon bared his teeth, lifting his head before he asked, "And do you believe my words, elf?"

"I do." was all Lifaen could say to the apparent challenge.