Chapter 29
The first to wake this time was Fiori, and a gentle croon from her within my mind had me stirring as the second to wake. I lifted my head from next to Saphira's and gave a wide yawn. I took a moment to watch the other two sleep but what surprised me was the third laid against my side. At some point in the night, Murtagh had come in and fell asleep against my chest and between my forelegs almost like Eragon who was tucked between Saph's and her neck. I thought he looked tired yesterday, it seems he either had nightmares or didn't feel safe in his quarters. Knowing who his father was and the life he had, it could very well be both. I gave him a gentle nudge with my snout until he started to stir then watched as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and began to look around. Once he realized where he was and that I was looking at him curiously, he stiffened and averted his eyes to anywhere but mine. I remained silent, waiting for him to be ready to talk. I didn't have to wait long, with the sagging of his shoulders, Murtagh tapped his head with a finger, his invitation for me. I laid my head next to him for him to whisper as I reached out to him, the moment I did, I gently asked.
"Not feeling comfortable in your room?"
He shook his head. "It's more that I feel like at any moment everyone will learn who I am, come for me and I am in a room with only one way out and nowhere to hide…"
I let off a low hum. "I could create a concealed hidden tunnel that only you know or simply form a golem and have it stand in front of your door within your room with it having the command to dissolve at your touch."
His eyes snapped to my large left eye. "You'd do that for me?"
With a light rumble of acknowledgement from me, he shook his head. "The tunnel might make it appear I'm doing something suspicious… but the golem would be nice."
I chuckled within his head. "So why did you seek me out instead of finding an abandoned room? There are countless and no one would be able to find you."
He hesitantly put a hand on my muzzle and gave a brief stroke. "You were the only one besides my mother or Tornac to really care for me despite knowing who I am, and… and when I was younger, my father's dragon would let me hide in his den when my father was in one of his moods. He couldn't speak but he always felt safe. Not once did I feel in danger and I guess I grew used to the idea that dragons were beings of comfort."
I thought of that for a moment, The banishing of names was meant to strip the dragons of the Forsworn of their names and identities but they were still beings and like the wolves I stayed with while in the spine, beasts can show their own emotions in their own ways without having the high intellect humans and us modern dragon do. Morzan's dragon could've very well been similar. I gave a mental sigh. Time was running out, I needed to tell him what will happen to him and if he wants to help or not. My time unfortunately ran out due to the infamous duo starting to stir.
I sent Saphira a 'Good morning' as she yawned and I received a lick in return which made me freeze momentarily. Still getting used to affection it seems. Murtagh, seeing them stir himself, stood up to greet her and Eragon. Putting our conversation on hold for the time being, everyone took their time getting up and stretching. Both Eragon and Murtagh laughed when I yelped from Saphira giving my left flank a bite near the base of my tail during my own stretch. As the boys left for the mess hall for breakfast. They passed Orik, Kyra and a small troop of dwarves bringing a large stone platter filled with meat for Saphira and I. After a brief conversation stating Saphira was going along with me, the dwarf left with the boys. The others of his kin didn't stay long, filing out of the hold the moment they sat the platter down. Kyra stood off to the side with a smile, watching as Saph and I dug in to our own breakfast for a moment before speaking up.
"I have good news, Great One."
I paused mid bite, turning my head towards her with my head tilted curiously.
"My betrothed has agreed to show you the forges. I think he is excited to see if dragonbreath can improve the metals."
I grinned at that thought and resumed eating as I responded. This was one thing I loved about being a dragon: I had the ability to hold conversations while still stuffing myself.
"That is great news! I look forward to testing it as well. Where I come from, metallurgy has grown less hands-on. It allowed for large amounts of things to be made but I find the methods of this land to be more personal. I want to witness it myself."
All three present females giggled at the excitement in my mental voice though only two were heard vocally. Once our breakfast was finished, Saphira and I followed Kyra through the city. I ended up having to leave mother behind once again, only this time it was due to the risk of the intense heat. I did offer her to look through my eyes to make up for it since she was interested in it as well. We traveled for well over an hour, having to go by the way of cargo passages. It made sense having corridors dedicated to wagons of ore, the waste materials, and the finished products instead of trying to go through high civilian traffic. However, because it had a direct path to the Western outer gate, minus a few winding gentle ramps to go deeper, there had to be several heavy bound inner gates in case the city was ever besieged. So we ended up having to go out the North gate then around to the West. There were, of course, doors within the city that led into it, but they were all meant for the two-legged. Saph could probably squeeze through one, but it would be impossible for me. The moment I began to feel the temperature rising, so too did my excitement. My gait gained a slight bounce that had Saphira and Kyra giggling off to my left but I didn't care. When we made the final turn, I froze with my eyes wide and maw gaping. For the first time in a long time I felt like a newborn again and I knew I wasn't the only one. Saphira and Fiori were as stunned as I. The passage opened into a natural looking cave. The scale was so large, both Saph and I could easily fly around here, but what had our attention was the gate before us. Made of extremely dark wood and bound with what looked like iron bands about two feet thick, I think even Shruikan would feel small. The entire surface was covered in a scene of several groups of dwarves made of silver, each group performing different tasks. Mining, smelting, forging, inspecting gems, hauling ore, and more, their various tools made of gold. Above them in the center was a hammer surrounded with twelve stars. I was snapped out of my dazed staring by a boisterous laugh and when I pulled my eyes down, there was a burly bald and beardless man wearing a heavy apron coming towards us, behind him a smaller door hung open set into the bottom next to more of different sizes I didn't notice. A soft smile found its way to my muzzle as Kyra rushed to meet the man's open arms and they embraced each other. Saphira came up to my side, nuzzling my shoulder while I draped my wing over her as we watched them briefly kiss then head our way with Kyra pulling her betrothed. I subtly watched his face as he drew closer and he hid his nervousness well behind that smile. I decided to lay down to put him at ease, and with slight pressure from my wing and a quick mental word from me, Saphira followed suit.
"Lady Saphira, Great One, I want to introduce you to Namar, my husband-to-be. Namar, the fierce blue dragoness is Lady Saphira, she's Argetlam Eragon's partner. The regal and fearsome dragon next to her Is the Great One, Earthrender, the Silver Wraith, Lord Wrathion. He has no partner and is now Saphira's mate. It is him who Ajihad had assigned me as a guide to."
Saphira puffed out her chest in pride at that and the praise, turning her head to nuzzle my neck while I simply snorted with amusement.
He remained next to Kyra and gave us each a polite bow.
"Well, it's an honor to meet ya two, uh… ah take it yer rider is doin' his own explorin', Lady Saphira?"
After getting a simple nod from her he then turned to me, though when he looked up he hesitated.
"Kyra spoke of ya, uh.. Not much but ah reckon it's because she just became yer guide. Hope she ain't givin' ya too much hassle."
I grinned as Kyra gave him a shove along with a roll of her eyes but he ignored it to continue.
"She mentioned ya had an interest in what we do down here, is that right? Well me an' the boys wanna see what dragon fire can do… that is if ya don't mind lendin' us a few puffs that is."
The toothy grin I gave with my nod only unsettled him a little.
Before we left the girls, I had Kyra ask him if I could talk to him in his mind and it took her a bit to reassure him it was nothing like the twins do as it was completely painless and that I wouldn't go through his memories but he eventually gave permission. Peoples' reaction to hearing a dragon speak will never cease to amuse me. With that sorted, we left the girls on their own, I had to wait for Namar to enter through his door and get others to unbar a bigger one for me but afterwards I was led further in by a mixed group of humans and dwarves, all thinking of ways to try improving their craftsmanship with my inner fire.
Saphira
She watched her mate get led into the room she felt all that heat come from. Her mate. Those words sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. She turned her head to look at the human girl Kyra, taking interest in the girl's expression. The blue dragoness turned her eyes back to the massive gate and her thoughts to the drake. Would she and Wrath show that much joy at seeing each other? While it is true their bond is new, Wrath has been hesitant to show affection. Yes he nuzzled her but she felt him second guessing the action each time whereas she did so at every opportunity and without reservation. The only thing he seemed really confident about was when he'd use a wing to pull her close against him. Maybe she forced the advance too soon. Maybe she should have just talked about her feelings instead of backing him into a corner to accept her. Saphira felt a snarl form on her muzzle. Why did the two-legs require such complicated emotions and interactions? A dragon would simply bite their chosen on their tail, and after a fight to see if they were worthy, declare them their mates and that would be the end of it. Just as it fully formed, the snarl left only to be replaced with a wistful expression. A dragon wouldn't do everything he's done. It was his two-legged half that made her choose him and she felt her resolve to understand it all and perhaps even surprise him. The question is how to get him to-
"A copper for your thoughts?"
Saphira was snapped out of her thoughts and she whipped her head to the voice. Kyra the human girl was looking up at her.
Saphira let out a resigned huff.
"It is complicated."
The girl smiled and shook her head.
"If it has to do with you and him…" She gestured to the gate. "Then it will always be complicated. I am just surprised dragons can be complicated."
Saphira snorted and shook her head.
"We're not. We're direct. To the point. Always knowing if we want something we just take it, but Wrath-"
"Wrath?"
"What I call him and he calls me S-Saphy.. He says it is a nickname. Something close friends call each other."
Kyra giggled. "That is true but it is also something humans do."
Saphira mentally sent a groan of frustration to the girl.
"That is why it is so complicated.. Since he hatched, he was raised by humans. It is hard to tell but he lived with humans for nineteen of your 'years'. All that time he witnessed and was taught the ways of your kind. Your beliefs, mannerisms, rituals… a-and attractions are now his. N-not that it is a bad thing! He's done things for me and allowed me to do things no dragon would. Comforted and shielded me after a terrible night when any other would call me weak. Sang to me to help me sleep. Went out of his way to make sure I had food before himself. And when we had to share, he'd give me the larger portion even though he's nearly three times my size. He even allowed me to ride him… what is so funny?"
She looked on in confusion as Kyra started to laugh.
"Y-you rode him, hm? Was it good?"
Saphira blinked, still confused. "Yes. It put me to sleep."
She huffed in annoyance as the girl started to howl in laughter, holding her sides. It was when she started to growl that the human started to regain control of herself.
"I… I'm sorry Lady Saphira, I don't mean to laugh. it's just what you said and the way you phrased it can mean something different for my kind."
At the confusion still on the dragoness's muzzle, Kyra gestured for her to lower her head. Saphira, curious, did so and felt the girl draw close to whisper into her ear. At first she didn't understand, but as Kyra explained, her eyes widened in shock and her entire body began to heat up. Smoke began to flow from her snout in wisps and her tail flicked erratically. The moment the girl finished, Saphira reared her head back to stare at her.
"That wasn't what I meant! I rode on his back!"
She did her best to calm herself from the implications the girl told her.
"I know. I know what you meant. Calm down. You act like you haven't done it yet."
She tilted her head quizzically "Done it?"
The girl stared up at her then slowly began to shake her head. "You poor, poor girl. No wonder you are so tense and snappy. You haven't had an outlet yet. I'm talking about, in your terms, mating."
Instantly Saphira's body immediately heated back up at that.
"W-we agreed to not mate until the king is gone, We don't want the risk of our eggs falling into his grasp.."
The girl shook her head then made a 'tsk' sound. "I don't mean doing it for children, I meant for fun, to feel good, pleasure."
Saphira's embarrassment turned into curiosity. "There's other reasons to mate? Is this a human thing?"
Kyra giggled and gestured for the dragoness to follow as she turned to head back the way they came. "Oh yes. There are also many ways to have that pleasure than just by 'mating'. Let's go meet some of my friends and we can teach you all we know."
Saphira happily nodded as she followed the girl, bouncing with the same excitement Wrathion did coming down.
Murtagh
With a lack of anything better to do after breakfast, Murtagh decided to go with Eragon to Tronjheim's library when the dwarf Orik offered to show them to it. The lure of stories no one in the Empire had heard of spiked his curiosity and the prospect of reading such things drove his worries from his mind. Now, both he and Eragon stood gaping at the vast forest of shelves made of black marble.
"You will never find another like this room before you humans. These shelves hold a history even older than the elves and within them you will find the complete history of my kin and that of the elves and your own. Unaltered and beyond the touch of the mad king. Every recorded act in history, tales, songs, and poetry is open to you. If you should need me, I will be over by those tables. Come to me if you have any questions." Both boys followed where he pointed and nodded. When Eragon asked how long they could stay, Murtagh and him both grinned at each other as the dwarf replied with "As long as you want." With a nod to each other, they split up, Eragon swiftly making his way deeper in while Murtagh sought the content at the far end while remaining within view of the exit. Coincidentally, the section he chose happened to be poetry from the kingdom before Galbartorix. With a shake of his head, he perused the titles on the spines. It wasn't that he hated poetry, but like everything else the black king made sure only the style that was made during his reign were permitted and his favorite, a type called Attenwrack, after its creator Atten the Red. The Earl wasn't as bland as the self praising history being taught, but it wasn't something Murtagh himself enjoyed. He had hoped he'd find something here that he felt was better. Thus time seemed to fade and, as he let himself sink into each of the works he pulled from the shelves, so did his worries.
"Excuse me, I hope I'm not intruding."
His head snapped up from a verse he was reading to look at the speaker. There standing before him was a young woman with ebony skin, dark hair done up in an elegant yet simple style and wore a blue dress. When her almond shaped eyes saw she had his attention, she curtsied.
"Forgive me but are you 'Tornac'?"
Murtagh hastily stood up and gave a polite bow back. The way she said his false name put him on edge.
"I am. May I ask your name, M'lady?"
It was a habit of his to fall back to courtly behavior when dealing with unknowns.
She gave him a charming smile. "I am Nasuada. My father, Ajihad spoke of you and I hoped to meet you. I.. I know my father once served someone similar to yours and I'd like to hear your story if you care to share it. Truthfully it is hard to talk to others due to who my father is and I hope you wouldn't be afraid to speak with me."
He let himself relax some. Now that he knew who she was, Murtagh could see the resemblance and indeed she even had the Varden leader's air of command about her. He gave her a hesitant smile and gave a nod then offered her a seat, which she took, and sat back down himself. If Ajihad trusted his daughter with the truth, then she had to be like her father.
"I'm surprised you wanted to talk to me instead of Eragon. He's here too… somewhere."
She shook her head, her eyes never leaving him.
"Everyone is talking about him or has talked to him. Everyone seems to know about him yet no one really speaks of the man who arrived with him. There are rumors, of course, but no one really knows. There are a few within the Varden who know that this 'Tornac' individual is from the Empire, but they don't even know what he looks like!"
She rushed her last words when she watched Murtagh swallow nervously and go a few shades paler.
"T-that's good… and the rumors?"
She rolled her eyes. "That you are a mercenary hired as his bodyguard. The Rider's teacher in the art of swordsmanship. A childhood friend that chose to follow the Rider. A family member… The secret rider to that terrifying dragon that came here with you."
Murtagh gave a relieved smile that turned slowly into a chuckle then actual laughter at the last rumor brought a giggle out of her.
"Ha! Wrathion sure looks scary and for any survivors of Gil'ead they'd think he was death itself. But despite being a wild born dragon, he's extremely kind and gentle. He.. he was the first one to know who I was and didn't judge me at all. Brom, when he saw me, even tried attacking me because he knew who I was but Wrathion stepped in to my defense. He had no reason to and being a dragon, defending the son of a slayer of his kind, he had every right to try eating me but he didn't."
Nasuada eyed him from across the table, her gaze softened as she spoke softly. "Made an impression on you, didn't he? I heard from others who watched you arrive that you stayed close to his side and he didn't seem to mind. That's what started the rumors of you being a secret rider."
Murtagh laughed. "He might appear reasonable but I doubt he'd allow anyone on his back. He is still a wild dragon and their pride wouldn't allow it. Still, he protected us all. defeated both of the Ra'zac in mere seconds. When Brom fell at Gil'ead, he saw to it we reached here. Despite the brutal pace he set, he provided for us and even gave us a few lessons. He really could've just followed and left Eragon and I to lead the way but he didn't."
From there, conversation shifted between a myriad of subjects. What court of the empire was like, how she was born to the desert tribes then came here with her father when he joined the Varden, to her own teachings and even her misadventures. They seemed to ignore time passing around them. That is until the entire city appeared to shudder and a loud, low growl seemingly issued from the walls. Both leapt to their feet, Nasuada reaching for the dagger tied to her hip and concealed by her dress, and Murtagh partially drawing his sword. Nasuada looked around while he was only partially on guard, recognizing the growl.
"What was that?!"
"Relax, we're safe. That was Wrathion. Seems someone had gotten him angry."
She looked at him in shock.
"I was told he is down in the forge! How can we hear and feel him way up here?!"
He just chuckled. "He isn't just some normal dragon. He's a dragon that can freely use magic. At least a certain type. The world itself answers to him."
She just stared at him in shock and horror. To hear of such… such monstrous power spoken of like it was an ordinary thing, left her speechless. Soon they heard new sounds steadily drawing closer. Murtagh shifted so he stood in front of her, when out of the forest of shelves came the fast moving forms of the twins. Yet there seemed something off about their behavior. They were both on their hands and knees, scurrying as fast as they could for the exit. Neither seemed really aware of their surroundings, even with their heads swiveling every which direction and both were squeaking loudly like mice or rats. Both Murtagh and Nasuada watched until the twins disappeared out of the library, then looked at each other and started to laugh. They could see a dwarf on his back and rolling doing the same.
Eragon
Eragon felt overwhelmed looking at the countless books and scrolls on shelves that seemed to stretch on forever. Never did he ever think that he would have the means to understand the runes that fill their pages and he sent a silent thank you to Brom then to the silver dragon who continued to teach him. He skipped from book to book, slowly working his way deeper into the vast hoard of knowledge and history before settling on a translated poem written by the tenth dwarf king, Dóndar.
At some point, he heard unknown footsteps that startled him out of his reading only for him to berate himself for being silly, he should've remembered he couldn't be the only ones in here. Even so, he kept his senses alert and decided to move on, remembering too many times he was ambushed and when he heard the footsteps again but with two steps this time, he tried to remember the way back to Orik. Unfortunately, in his haste to get back to the dwarf, he ran into the owners of the footsteps. It was the Twins. Immediately, he reached out to both Saphira and Wrathion, but the only one to answer was Wrathion, the silver dragon's mind connecting to him. He felt the bond with Saphira but she had her mind closed. He had thought to press for her attention but he held off. His partner was giving off several intense emotions at the moment… emotions that he really didn't want to experience, so he let her be and chose to focus on Wrathion. From a curious inquiry from the drake, Eragon quickly told him who cornered him in the library. The moment the twins were mentioned, he felt the drake's mind grow dark and a rumble that sounded like thunder echoed over the link.
"Proceed with caution Eragon, and be warned: they may insult you to simply get your temper up and make you do something foolish."
Ergon sent him his acknowledgement right when the twins, standing shoulder to shoulder, bowed in a way that they were clearly meaning to insult him. Following the drake's advice, he kept a calm expression.
"We have been searching for you." The left one spoke first and Eragon shivered, his voice reminding him of the Ra'zac.
He swallowed down the uncomfortable feeling to ask. "What for?"
"Ever since your meeting with Ajihad, we have wanted to… apologize for our behavior towards you and your company."
He fought to keep a scowl from his face. The words the right one spoke were mocking and they clearly didn't mean it. The two even bowed a second time when the left one said.
"We have come to pay homage to you."
An idea came to him that had Wrathion rumbling his approval and with a smile he gave his own bow, trying to copy their own insulting bow.
"Nay. It is I who should pay homage to you. You are the strongest magicians the Varden have and are trusted with their safety."
When Wrathion made mention he felt the irritation from the twins, he allowed himself a inwardly smile even as they responded with. "We are honored that one so…important…as yourself thinks so highly of us. We are in your debt for your kind words."
Instead of letting them get the last word, Eragon decided to do as he saw Brom once did. He adopted a bashful expression and gave a dismissive wave, acting as if to him their words were sincere and he was flattered by them. "Please stop, your praise is too much. Was there anything else you came looking for?"
For a second time, Eragon relished the looks of indignation and wrong-footness on the twins' face.
"Er.. yes. The few magic users who live in Tronjheim have formed a group. We call ourselves Du Vrangr Gata or the-" the right one had stopped and was looking nonplussed as Eragon started to laugh. The boy could tell Wrathion was feeling humored as well and Eragon sent him a heartfelt thank you for his lessons in the ancient language or he wouldn't realize how little these magicians knew of it. When he saw they were close to exploding, he managed to get control of himself.
"Sorry, truly, it's just that If you meant to mean 'The wandering path' then you misworded it in the ancient language. Properly, it'd be Du Gata Vrangr. Regardless, if you came to recruit me then I must decline. I have no intention to be under your control or let you know what words I know." Eragon faced them with a neutral expression, having realized exactly what they wanted. The twins had an identical snarl on their faces as they advanced on him. All niceties thrown out.
"You have no choice boy! We'll be the ones who will test you on your magic proficiency!"
They halted when Wrath reached out to converse with them as well.
"I think not. There are several beings here far better suited and trusted than you insects. I will not have pretenders who are so far absorbed in their fantasy for power, gain knowledge that both Brom and I taught him. The fact you made such an obvious mistake in naming your childish group speaks for your competence. I truly pity this world if we must suffer your presence and I go through great lengths to not tread where you have so as to not get struck with the plague of idiocy you have already spread."
Eragon could only watch in awe as both of the twins grew redder in the face with each insult Wrath seemed to put out. He was both hoping and dreading the moment they would snap.
"...In fact, that young sorceress in your group has a greater potential than the two of you combined. Is that why you are always seen together? With only one brain between the two of you, I can understand the great effort needed for you two to work separately. Look at the trouble you have speaking independently! Why-"
"ENOUGH! We will not stand here and listen to the drivel from an overgrown lizard who thinks they can be human! My brother and I have more than enough power to break into YOUR mind beast!"
Eragon watched, trying to keep his laughter from escaping him as both twins were heaving for breath, their masks of calm nowhere to be found in the pause. Then Wrath spoke up, his voice holding no anger, only a bored calm.
"Yet you still stand there, Is it that your mind simply can't focus on more than one task? Such a pity, I suppose if that is a common trouble for your kind then it's for the best I give up trying to be human. I have no worries about such limitations as I am now, and all know you lack the power to invade an ant's mind let alone one of my kin."
Well that did it, Eragon mused as both twins seemingly exploded with rage and dove at Wrathion's mind. Through his link with the drake he could feel the power the twins were throwing at him and yet… there was no response from Wrathion, no reaction save for that same bored calm he spoke with. It was when Eragon heard a disappointed sigh, that he felt Wrath not only deflect the twins attack but swept their defenses aside as well that left the young man stunned. He didn't see what Wrathion was finding in their minds but he could sense the dragon was being far from gentle in his invasion. Nothing the twins could do could even slow them and the boy could feel their terror as Wrathion took over their bodies and minds with ease. Witnessing that, reminded him of a memory when he once asked Brom what would happen if Wrathion got into a wizard's duel. Brom's reply of "Any fool who dares to invade a dragon's mind gets what they deserve, and if it is Wrathion, then his opponent should pray he'd be merciful." Eragon couldn't help to think Brom was right. The twins will have the biggest headache of the ages when they get free. For now his attention returned as the drake started to speak again, both magicians were now standing stiffly and pale-skinned.
"Woe is the fool who ignores the wisdom of their betters. The two of you were so far into your egos you lost contact with reality and now I have you at my mercy and all of your memories laid bare to me. I could even understand your names but take heart I will not use them. I dare not sully my mind with such names. Ah but since you wish to be rats, then rats you shall be until I release you, now off with you to the grain stores, once there, you will both count the grains, one at a time, with no magic. Begone."
Eragon watched as both of them dropped to their hands and knees and scurried off, squeaking like rodents. The moment they disappeared, Eragon surrendered and began to laugh; he had enough attention, though, to thank the silver dragon before he withdrew.
Wrathion
I was still chuckling along with mother as we left the forges, dealing with the pretenders was a great way to end what I felt was a good time. Namar and the rest quickly got me to work after a brief tour and explanation on what methods were used, at first they were all nervous but when I actively questioned and made and followed requests with no fuss, they relaxed. The Icebreaker was that the crew down here had a habit of ribbing each other, from cracking jokes to trading jokes so when a dwarf decided to make a wisecrack about my backside out of relaxed habit and I responded in kind the tension drained and I was welcomed as one of them. I did everything from pulling things straight from the forges with my claws, to pounding things with a fist, an anvil the only casualty of that. I did come to realize I had a shortcoming. Mainly a fine control of my flame to get thin streams of varying temperatures. The whole group was excited to teach a dragon something it seemed. Alas it appeared my flame doesn't improve something but everyone was entranced with it. Now I was on my way back to the hold after stopping by the bathing pools to remove the soot and ash from my scales. I did briefly check in with Saphira but a hurried and extremely flustered "busy" before she closed her mind from me was all I got. Clearly whatever she was getting into, she didn't want me to know. I just hope it doesn't end up causing trouble for us. I shook my head with a smile only to pause as I stepped within the hold in confusion. Standing there with both hands on her hips in the center of the hold was a familiar face.. Correction, two faces when a child came out from behind her.
"Angela? Solembum?"
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A/N: Ooof a beast of a chapter, This one really got away from me but I don't mind. Had a few hiccups that kept it from being done earlier.
There is a comment in my reviews That I need to address first and formost.
A guest, a recent one that complained about the same story but from Saphira's view.
Yes it is basically the same… It is also at the END of the main storyline. I'm not making you read it, you are. It's only there for those wondering what she thinks about events, and you really, really don't have to read it. It is purely your choice just skip it. It is at the end afterall.
Now then, you probably noticed quite a few deviations from the story been happening, fully intentional. By the second arc (book) very little will be like the original. Now, the next chapter is the whole test and duel and Arya's appearance. No pressure right? On that note, one thing to be clear: I will not be making her a slut or a bitch. You will just have to see.
I need a week break before writing next one, sorry ya'll
As usual, Thank you to the betas I been fortunate to have sticking with me, Jordan, Undead, and now Stargazer.