Chapter 30

I glanced around as I entered the hold and made my way to them then laid in front of them. The moment I stretched out my left paw to her, Angela accepted the offer to sit immediately.

"I am surprised to see you here. I hope you weren't waiting long."

Angela waved her hand dismissively and Solembum clambered up onto my paw behind her. "Not at all. I had planned to remain hiding in our room and ask Solembum to come fetch you but then I realized your head wouldn't even fit. I also have a few brews going and having you poke your snout in could cause me an endless amount of trouble."

I laid my head down in front of her so a single eye could see her and hummed as she started stroking my snout at the same time I felt mother's connection strengthening, giving a pulse of embarrassment when she spoke to me.

"I am sorry little one. I suppose I felt safe enough where I am that I didn't pay attention to what was going on in the hold. Had I, I would've alerted you of her presence." I sent her reassuring thoughts, letting her know I didn't mind.

"Speaking of brew, did you manage to get back to your store before your experiment could gain sentience back then? We heard no rumors of a blob monster in Teirm so I assumed you did."

Angela tittered. "I did! And you know what? Whole thing was a complete failure. Not even a sizzle or whoosh! Ah but enough about my failures, why don't you tell me about your travels! I heard it got hard close to you arriving here." Her voice got softer and her smile held hints of sympathy in it. So I told her all of what happened. I kept a few secrets to myself but mainly recounted everything. Angela was a great audience; exclaiming at wild parts, laughing when I recalled the antics of the others and the fooling then disposal of the Ra'zac. When I got to Gil'ead, she paused her petting and a deep thoughtful frown formed on her face.

"To wipe out an entire city in minutes... Granted they were fools to use wood, but it took the king years to complete it. Yet you erased it and every soldier stationed there from this world while tossing the strongest and perhaps oldest shade around like a doll without taking a scratch…"

I sighed and closed my eyes, giving a sullen reply. "No physical ones at least.."

She resumed her petting at that, even going as far as to scratch along my eye ridge like she did back in Teirm.

"Such power to be wielded by a dragon is unheard of. Hmmm... although I remember a rumor long ago of another. He was a wild dragon, like you, but didn't have the same abilities. Everyone was said to fear him, even the Order. I personally never saw him or knew what came of him after the Fall."

My eyes snapped wide open as I stared at her while I felt a pulse of surprise and sadness from mother. Before I could ask her if she knew of this other dragon, Angela switched topics.

"I heard you and that dragoness you traveled with finally settled things though. I knew it was bound to happen and yet you told me it wasn't like that."

I just snorted smoke and did my best to give her a deadpan stare. I guess it worked because her chuckling renewed and I received a pat on my muzzle while I answered.

"It wasn't… It seems she was the one chasing me and I suppose she got tired of being patient."

She openly laughed at that. "Oh yes, the whole city knows of your confrontation. Many expected a brawl to break out when it happened… but I do think how you dealt with it and the story you let slip changed how some see you now, Jason Maxton."

I let out a loud groan and covered my head with my free paw, wanting nothing more than to disappear.

"That was a slip of the tongue in a heated moment for her and I honestly won't hold it against her. I'm just glad I planned for such a leak."

With a more tame giggle she shook her head. "I am surprised you told her the truth. Many in your position would take such a secret to their grave… then again, for your new kind, that would be a long time away." She paused for a moment then continued. "I wonder what your dragon mentor said to that? Has to be an unknown one, because it surely wasn't…" She trailed off as I turned and stared blankly at her.

"Oh don't be like that. Who else to teach someone how to be a dragon than another dragon? Certainly wasn't that poor wretch under the king's control nor was it that golden one up north because you aren't being shadowed by elves."

I hesitated for a moment but a reassuring pulse from mother made me feel better about answering.

"She was there the moment I arrived so she knew of it right from the start… She was the one he came to, to pull me here and the one to tell me of him after he... I didn't freely tell Saphira. She accidentally stumbled upon me fiddling with a device I brought from my world." Her smile was once more saddened from remembering her loss but it wasn't as deep as it was in Teirm, letting me know she was slowly getting over it.

"Oh poor child. That must have been a hard moment, but she seemed to accept it and keep it to herself. Does her rider know? With their bond it must be very hard to keep secrets from him."

"No, he doesn't know as of yet. Nor did Brom or our other friend. I do intend to tell Eragon once it is all over however. Speaking of our young rider... I have a favor to ask."

I could feel her curiosity so I hoped she'd accept.

"Tomorrow, Eragon will have his test to see how proficient he is. Ajihad wanted to have the twins test his magic but earlier today they both learned how insignificant they truly were when they earned my ire. Thus they are now… indisposed until I deem it otherwise. I would feel greatly relieved if you would test him instead."

Angela looked thoughtful for a moment.

"And have you asked Ajihad before now? I suppose it was you then that made the entire city appear to grow angry. Every dwarf is in a tizzy thinking one of their gods is now upset at them. What did they do this time?"

I sent her the memory of the confrontation with the little rats and she promptly laughed at their punishment while I replied to her question.

"Aye, I contacted him at the moment of their sentencing. He was not happy, but he accepted it and was simply grateful I did not kill them. He then stated he'd trust your judgment should you accept the request." That was an understatement but telling him they attempted to invade my mind made him hesitant to request I resend their punishment. Another point towards being a dragon: no one wants to argue with you. With her agreeing to my request and me letting her know when and where, our conversation turned into random things and time passed. Eventually Eragon entered by himself, looking puzzled at only finding me present, which only doubled at spotting Angela and the Werecat.

"Angela? Solembum? When did you get here? And Wrathion, where is Saphira? She isn't answering me."

I gave a rumbling grumble. "Nor is she answering me. I had left her with Kyra and they went off to do something. I did try contacting her, but she hurriedly blocked me."

He frowned as he came over to lean against me.

"Well you don't seem to be worried and Saphira would contact us if she ever needed help."

I gave a draconic laugh as I responded. "Oh I am definitely worried, make no mistake. Although it's not from her being in potential danger. Eragon, females left to their own thoughts is never a safe thing for us males, no matter the species. Especially when they group up together. I learned that from all the humans I watched over the years. More so when they try to hide it. It would be best if we just let it be." That earned me a swat from Angela but the giggle and smile made it clear it was a playful one. With the reassurance that everything was fine, the young rider started a conversation with the herbalist, telling the story all over again from his point of view. After that, Angela gave him a few words of encouragement, then she and Solembum took their leave. With it growing late, I retrieved mother from the sealed cavern then settled in my hold for the night. With Saphira still out, Eragon joined me and was soon fast asleep.

It was late and I could feel the city begin to fall asleep itself when I heard the sound of wingbeats and the rush of air as something large entered a dive. A moment later my night vision picked out the sapphire dragoness as she arrested her fall and alighted on the gem without a sound. I watched as she looked around and upon spotting me, padded over. Once she drew close I felt her consciousness reach for mine and when I welcomed her within my mind I felt a mixture of nervousness, excitement, eagerness and a sense of contentment from her end. I was so relieved she was back that I didn't even realize I had nuzzled along her cheek and upper neck until I was already pulling back from the surprised 'ness.

"You seem to have enjoyed time with Kyra."

She gave a nod and a happy hum as she entered and settled next to me, her head turning to the sleeping Eragon over in the bed meant for riders as her mental voice was soft in answering.

"I did. Kyra took me to some of her friends. At first they were scared but once we started talking about… certain things, they relaxed. I learned so much about your former kind, and I know these two-legs are different from yours but they are so much alike too."

I simply chuckled in our connection instead of out loud and draped a wing over her once she settled.

"There are going to be a few more similarities in the future. I shared a few things from my world with the smiths they took a liking to, nothing like my music player though. Simply new shield designs to go with a new training regiment, a new way to forge metals.., and a way to fly."

Her head snapped to me from where she was nuzzling my neck. Her expression was priceless.

"What?"

I laughed in her mind.

"Fear not, it is nothing to take the skies away from us dragons. It will forever belong to us. These will be large, slow things but they will allow important cargo to go directly to its destination instead of having to follow roads and be at risk of bandits. I am also altering their designs so that we dragons will still be needed. If they want quicker travel then they may have one of our kin tow it. They get to their destination quicker and the dragon gets a chance to become stronger since the craft will be for cargo only."

I smiled as I watched her think it over for a moment before she looked back up to me to voice her question.

"Why would any dragon care to do so? We are proud beings Wrath and those bonded will have their own duties."

A snort of amusement escaped me before I could restrain it and we both snapped over to Eragon. With no sign of stirring, we both breathed a sigh of relief in our connection.

"We would be the ones to teach and nurture our race Saph. They may instinctively refuse the idea, but if mentioned as a good way to get stronger, then they will accept it. Moving heavy things for long distances is how I got so strong and I am sure you remember me starting you out doing the same back in that desert." I grinned even as she flinched at the memory but she did reluctantly agree and with that we both slipped off to sleep.

The next morning we woke to find a message on a plate along with food for Eragon, and two small freshly butchered animals for Saphira and I. I quite enjoyed watching Eragon trying to pry about what had kept her so late and her always replying with "I'll tell you when you are older" was hilarious.

Once Eragon had saddled then climbed on Saphira, we took to the air and soared down to the northern gate where Orik, Kyra and Murtagh stood, waiting. The moment we landed, the dwarf hurried over. What I certainly did not expect was when he stopped briefly in front of me and bowed before moving on to greet Eragon who had now dismounted.

"Good good you are here. Ready to settle Ajihad's request then Eragon?"

Said boy grinned and nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be, the last two days did me good so might as well get it over with. I take it we are to go over to the training field?"

With a slap to Eragon's back and a chuckle, Orik gave an "Aye." and started to lead us there followed by Eragon, Murtagh, and Kyra… who had an odd grin on her face. Before I could ask what had her in a good mood however, Saphira moved past me to follow. As she did, she lifted her tail, the end of it trailing up my neck and under my chin. I felt my head stretch out to try and prolong the strange feeling making me shiver, my own tail flicking as if I stuck a claw in an electrical outlet. I felt my body heat up and smoke started to curl from my nose and the corners of my maw. I noticed her look back at me with her eyes half closed and a peculiar expression I didn't know yet somehow my body did as my wings unfurled and I felt the bone crest on my neck lift and spread making me look as if I had more of a plated mane. Something I didn't know it could even do. She chose then to speak and by the way Orik laughed, Kyra and Murtagh smirked and Eragon was blushing, it was broadcasted to all.

"Come along Wrath... We mustn't keep everyone waiting."

I was moving before I even realized I was. The tone she used made me feel quite strange and in my mind I was puzzled as to what exactly these strange feelings were. They were far from bad and a part of me wanted more. Then as I followed, my attention was drawn to how she was moving. Before she had a sort of a waddle but now each step was measured, poised and fluid while her hips seemed to roll and sway along with her tail in a rhythm I soon found myself lost in. So lost was I that I never noticed the rising clatter of metal on metal, the shouts of soldiers, nor the snickers of my companions until my chest bumped into her back when she stopped and sat down. Giving my head a shake and a brief puzzled look to a satisfied looking dragoness, I wrestled my wings closed and gave a growl along with a snarl to any of the soldiers paying attention. Thankfully they took the warning and scurried off about the time this huge man with an equally large blade came over to our group and I knew without a doubt this had to be Fredric, the Varden's Weaponsmaster.

"Ho there! Well, Knurla Orik, who all did you bring this time? Oho! The famous Rider I've been hearing about! A pleasure to finally meet you boy!" He laughed, giving Eragon a slap on his back like Orik did but unlike the dwarf's, this one made our rider stumble.

"Aye, Ajihad wanted to test the boy. Honestly I believe he's only requesting it to appease that bloody council. Eragon is experienced enough to survive evading the entire Empire and the king's accursed dogs. He is to be tested in magic, swordsmanship, and literacy."

Fredric hm'd as he stroked his beard.

"Easy enough to test his mastery with the blade, but I do not deal with magic, you know this. Who does Ajihad want to do it? Better not be those infernal twins, I will not have them here."

I grinned as the unnoticed new addition to our group spoke up causing a myriad of yelps, cries, and curses to fly from mouths and voices.

"Well that would be me. Those brats were his choice but they are currently… taking inventory. I hope that I am welcome here."

Everyone turned to the herbalist now seemingly amongst us who continued on and ignored their glares. I found it amusing how everyone jumped at that.

"In any case I do hope you do not mind if I start his tests off, I have a few projects boiling back in my room. You don't? Good! Over here Eragon dear." I chuckled as she took advantage of their stunned states to begin. She led Eragon a short distance away and began to instruct him. Watching them made me really glad I chose her. Not only did she not judge him but also challenged him to complete certain trials in creative ways. Minutes passed by and the tasks gradually got harder until at the half hour mark, she deemed him as passed and of having a very sharp and open mind. After giving a look to Jörmundur, who joined us halfway through, making sure he noted her verdict, she gave a short pat to Eragon's cheek and hurried off. Then Fredric led him out to a sparring ring drawn on the ground where he tested him through what he knew, then had the young rider face off against anywhere from one to several opponents at once and then some with different weapons. As time passed, many of the soldiers stopped what they were doing to watch and I couldn't blame them. Every man that was facing Eragon was breathing hard and sweating profusely and yet not a single one could get close to the boy while he in contrast was breathing slow measured breaths, only looking flushed and had left numerous bruises on his opponents. Eventually Fredric called a halt and with a laugh, went up to Eragon and gave him another clap on the back, praising him while the men facing the rider stumbled out the ring and into their welcoming friends' embraces with praises of their own.

"Amazing! That was quite a show, but unfortunately as good as it was, this was meant to see the best you can do and yet you hardly seemed to struggle. As much as I have great pride in these men, we simply have no one to give you a proper test."

That's when a melodious voice wrung out from the crowd, and the group of spectators to our left started to part.

"Then allow me to face him, Weapons Master, perhaps then we can see the extent of his abilities." Arya strode calmly out of the crowd, her face set in a calm yet serious expression. That is until her eyes landed on Saphira and I. My great vision was able to see the slight upward twitch at the corners of her mouth at seeing Saphira. When her eyes saw me, it wasn't hard to notice her eyes widening, nor the near unnoticeable stiffness to her posture or hitch in her breath. She was close enough now that I could sense a very faint wave of fear from her as she moved past us and into the ring, my eyes following her. Seems I left an impression on her last night.

Last night

I had left the forge moments ago and now all I could think of was getting this soot off, it was dulling my scales. I had just turned into an unfamiliar corridor when Eragon contacted me for help. Feeling tired, dirty, and now annoyed that the insects were bothering my friend, I growled loudly. My annoyance made the runes and my eyes flare and let power fuel my growl. The entire city shook and as I was berating the twins, there was a flurry of activity behind a door to my left. A moment later it was yanked open and there stood a hastily dressed and partially bandaged elf with what I assumed were the healers trying to keep her from leaving. They needn't be bothered, the moment her eyes landed on my single one she locked up. We remained staring for several seconds until I snorted a brief stream of my silvery-black flame and the spell broke. I watched as her eyes turned glassy before they closed and she collapsed into the arms of the healers. I could tell they wanted to glare at me but were afraid to and decided to just slam the door shut.

Present

Shaking my head out of my memory, I caught Eragon's mouth open and I knew he was about to stick his foot in it.

"Eragon, I would not voice that thought if I were you. She is not like human females. She is an elf. Even at her weakest, she will win any duel with you. Neither should you hold back. It would insult her and taint her first impressions. Face her and give it your all."

He didn't say anything back to me, but instead he surprised Arya when he started the traditional elven greeting. Afterwards he told her he'd be happy to test his abilities against her and the duel began. The two competitors were a blur of trading blows, neither landing a hit. Eragon had a grin on his face as sweat finally began to form on him. To everyone else it appeared that the she-elf had a stern expression but to mine and Saph's eyes we could see how bright Arya's eyes were getting. The ferocity and grace of the two seemed to awe everyone as everyone had stopped to witness the feat. It was clear to me and possibly Eragon that Arya was playing with him, But I could see the corners of her mouth twitching when he blocked her blows. All good things must come to an end however and this was no different after four hours of nonstop activity. With a sudden shift, Arya had disarmed Eragon and flicked the tip of her blade to his neck. At first all that was heard was their heavy breaths then the spell was broken when she lowered her blade and said.

"You've trained well. You have passed this trial."

The crowd erupted into cheers and my sharp eyes caught more than a few exchange coins and good natured insults to the winners of bets even as Arya seemed to melt into group swarming to congratulate Eragon and to praise him. Beside me Saphira hummed her happiness and she projected her pride in her rider and it made me smile. In the back of my mind I approved how much better this turned out and after preparing myself to move my plans forward, joined in on congratulating the boy.

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Gil'ead, the day after its destruction

Three figures wearing black cloaks emerged from the shadows of what remained of the forest surrounding the destruction. Cries of exclamation could be heard but to anyone else the three only spoke gibberish. After looking warily around, the one in the lead lowered its hood revealing its braided blonde hair and the pointed ears to the world. The male elf frowned at the scene. Where the city once stood proudly was nothing but a vast stretch of barren dirt. His companion on his left knelt and with a few words of power, tried to get grass to grow but it was no good, the land was completely dead. They let out a gasp from the effort to get anything to grow, revealing this one to be a female.

"I do not understand, It is as if all potential life here was removed. What could've done this?" While their leader pondered, the companion that was to his right had also pulled their hood back revealing another male. He was now cautiously walking among the ruins, a bow drawn and arrow notched. In several places he noticed large footprints seared permanently into the ground and he called to the others. Speaking low once they were close.

"These look like prints Glaedr-elda make only smaller but they seem to be burned into the ground as they were made."

The elf in charge frowned again, this time looking closer as they all followed the tracks. There were deep tears in the earth and molten rock was both actively still bubbling and hardened in various places.

"I am sure there was a dragon here during this place's end, wasn't the king's but.."

The lead elf turned to see what made his friend pause to follow his eyes to several prints that dwarfed any they have ever seen. He finished the thought now going through all their minds. "..The king was here. Perhaps he too saw the same pillar of light."

"Who couldn't see that?" their female companion remarked.

They were contemplating that when there was the snap of a twig and a rustle of brush to the right and in front of them. With ease borne from centuries of training the female and the male with the bow moved instantly. A moment later a dirty man with torn and scorched armor that still had a portion of the mad king's sigil came crashing out. He quickly got on his knees with both hands up even as the two elves followed him out and placed a blade on each of his shoulders. "W-wait! P-please! I'm unarmed!"

The lead elf took in the soldier's appearance then the ruins, finally he addressed the man. "This was your post, wasn't it, did you see what did all this?"

The ex soldier nodded and cried out. "Y-y-yes! It was the silver demon! T-the shade doomed us! He provoked the Wraith and the world came alive! S-spirits of past dragons rose from the ground and slaughtered all! We are all doomed!"

The two elves keeping the man pinned looked uneasy at each other then their leader as the man started gibbering nonsense sounds while tears ran freely down his face.

Feeling that asking questions wasn't helping any, the lead elf decided to invade the man's mind to view the memory directly. What he saw was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. And once he deemed he saw enough, he pulled his mind from their prisoner and gave a silent nod to the other two. Without hesitation, they drew both of their blades across the man's throat and let the corpse fall, joining their leader as he made his way back to where they hid their canoes.

"What did you see, father?"

The lead elf looked at the female with a grim expression.

"A dragon did indeed attack this place, Naölin. Fárli I want you to ride to the capital as soon as we return to tell them we bring grave warnings. Go to Oromis and Glaedr-elda first, we will follow close behind once we request replacements for the outpost.

"Of course, Tiálon-vor, I'll stop without rest."

Tiálon smiled at his old friend as the darkness of the forest swallowed them once more.

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A/N

Heh, was a fun chapter to write…If I don't count the number of times RL tried to delay it. So I hope you enjoy it, were a few changes I decided to make to get this out, namely glossing over Angela's testing Eragon. Had planned to have her set a task to him and have him solve it with what spells and words he knew but eh RL being its stubborn self as always.

The "I's" have it: seems quite a few of you want to see exactly what our favorite Dragoness got up to so I will work on that scene as well then post it to Lemons of DAW due to its nature.

Since I never gave my betas a heads up, I will post this then update it after they look it over so do pardon the mess.

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Thank you to my betas for putting up with me.

Merry Christmas to you all!