Answers to reviews:
jharrell819: Who knows. I might have that happen.
Archangel Xireon Chaos God: He can still use the Thu'um. Jesus, just because he's got that power doesn't mean he has to use it like every second. I'll be sure to have Daemon speak in the Dovahzul, though it may be in human form that he does.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Inheritance Cycle or The Elder Scrolls series. They belong to Christopher Paolini and Bethesda Studios respectively.
When the group of four woke up the following morning, a tension filled the camp. But it didn't just come from the tension between Eragon and Brom after their spat the other night because of what Eragon did. No, the new tension came between Daemon and Saphira as when Saphira woke up, she gave Eragon her usual nuzzle and took off, not even giving Daemon the same affection, much less looking at him. This was not lost on Eragon and Brom who looked at Daemon but he ignored their stares.
Concerned now, Eragon sat beside his friend. "Did something happen between you two?" he asked, only to receive no reply as Daemon continued snapping a twig he'd randomly pick up. "Daemon, if something happened-"
"I don't want to talk about it, Eragon. So drop it." Daemon's words came out sharp and almost harsh, but enough to get the point across. He was not talking about it. Eragon huffed but knew better than to push Daemon so he got up and walked away to ready the horses for travelling. As Daemon continued to be lost in his thoughts, Brom took Eragon's spot and sighed.
"You know, talking rather than avoiding each other would help ease what's going on." Brom said knowingly and seriously, causing Daemon to pause in breaking another twig as he looked at the old man with a frown.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
Brom scoffed. "Don't try and fool me, Daemon. I know exactly what's going on between you and her. It was only a matter of time before it happened." he saw Daemon's eyes widen and spoke again. "Don't worry, I won't tell either of them. But you cannot continue to avoid this, trying to forget about it will only damage things between you two further."
Daemon sighed. "So you know what's happening."
"I made sure to note your reactions to each other, your dream that you spoke with me about, and then seeing the two of you coming back from your flight, unable to look each other in the eye... I knew what was happening right there and then." Brom said with a small smile.
Daemon ran a hand down his face. "This is so... stressing. Yeah, I can admit Saphira's quite... attractive, but I'm not sure whether it's just my newly awakened dragon instincts causing it all because she's a female. What's the point in trying to go along with something that may not even be real but just instincts demanding me to do something I shouldn't? I'm still getting used to this new side of me, and I don't think either of us are ready for... that kind of thing. Besides, there's more important matters to worry about than mine and Saphira's."
"I beg to differ." Brom growled. "You and Saphira are the only free dragons in the land right now, and possibly may be forever. Important as this venture is, as well as your desire to keep Eragon safe, the choices you two make will have consequences and repercussions." He gently grabbed the Dragonborn's shoulder, as a sign if support. "I know you don't want to hear it, but it has to be said. You must talk with her about this, get it all out, and ensure you both know where your stand in regards to each other. If you continue at the way it's going right now... there will be damage done that can never be fixed, and it will severely affect everything afterwards."
Daemon let out another sigh, running both hands down his face this time. "I just... I don't know how to bring it up to her." He glanced over to Eragon. "And how do I do so without Eragon being curious and wanting to find out what's going on?"
"Leave that to me. I'll keep him distracted." Brom said with a smirk. "It's best you don't tell him about what's going on right now." Daemon looked at him in surprise. "Eragon's got much to deal with right now, and I don't think adding on the stress of drama between his best friend and his dragon is a good idea to add onto his list of current worries. But this is between you and Saphira, not him. And yes, Eragon may eventually figure things out due to his connection with her, but this is an issue between you and her that needs to be resolved. No one, not even their Rider, can tell a dragon how she may or may not feel."
Daemon exhaled but nodded. It felt... nice to have someone to talk to, to get his problems off of his chest to someone who will listen and give good advice on what he should do... although part of him didn't want to hear it, the rest of him agreed it had to be done. It couldn't be ignored any longer.
"When I get a chance, I'll speak with her." Daemon promised, getting a nod from Brom, who then got up and walked off to get his horse ready for travelling. Daemon sighed and ran a hand down his face, muttering quietly. "Zu'u draal Zu'u vis lahvraan ahkrin wah hofkiin-tokaan komeyt wah ek. (I pray I can muster the courage to address the issue with her.)"
As they rode, Eragon brought up his scrying of the woman. Brom pondered this, and tugged at his beard. "You say she was imprisoned?"
"Yes."
"Did you see her face?" asked Brom intently.
"Not very clearly. The lighting was bad, yet I could tell that she was beautiful. It's strange; I didn't have any problem seeing her eyes. And she did look at me."
Brom shook his head. "As far as I know, it's impossible for anyone to know if they're being scryed upon."
"Do you know who she might be?" asked Eragon, surprised by the eagerness in his own voice.
"Not really," admitted Brom. "If pressed, I suppose I could come up with a few guesses, but none of them would be very likely. This dream of yours is peculiar. Somehow you managed to scry in your sleep something that you'd never seen before—without saying the words of power. Dreams do occasionally touch the spirit realm, but this is different."
"Perhaps to understand this we should search every prison and dungeon until we find the woman," bantered Eragon. He actually thought it would be a good idea. He got a laugh out of his companions as Daemon looked at him.
"Yeah, and Saphira will stay true to her word in ensuring we're clutched in her claws wherever we go."
Brom's strict training filled nearly every hour as the days slowly blended into weeks. Because of his splint, Eragon was forced to use his left hand whenever they sparred. Before long he could duel as well with his left hand as he had with his right.
By the time they crossed the Spine and came to the plains, spring had crept over Alagaësia, summoning a multitude of flowers. The bare deciduous trees were russet with buds, while new blades of grass began to push up between last year's dead stalks. Birds returned from their winter absence to mate and build nests.
The travelers followed the Toark River southeast, along the edge of the Spine. It grew steadily as tributaries flowed into it from every side, feeding its bulging girth. When the river was over a league wide, Brom pointed at the silt islands that dotted the water. "We're close to Leona Lake now," he said. "It's only about two leagues away."
"Do you think we can get there before nightfall?" asked Eragon.
"We can try."
"Perhaps another set of eyes can help out." Daemon said before he got off Shadowmere. Eragon frowned at him but shrugged, figuring he just wanted to be in dragon form again. Brom sent Daemon a knowing look, getting a subtle nod from Daemon, and Brom quickly began distracting Eragon with any topic that came to mind as Daemon transformed and took off into the air.
Dusk soon made the trail hard to follow, but the sound of the river at their side guided them. When the moon rose, the bright disk provided enough light to see what lay ahead.
Leona Lake looked like a thin sheet of silver beaten over the land. The water was so calm and smooth it did not even seem to be liquid. Aside from a bright strip of moonlight reflecting off the surface, it was indistinguishable from the ground.
As Brom and Eragon set up camp, Brom kept Eragon focused on the topic of battle situations, which would give the dragons privacy. Saphira was watching them when she felt a mental prod from Daemon and lifted her head to see him standing at the treeline, gesturing for her to walk with him. A nervous pit formed in her stomach as she had a feeling she knew what this was about, but got up and followed him. Eragon noticed but was brought back to Brom grilling him with questions.
Saphira followed after Daemon until they came to a place far from the camp, near the lake. The shimmer waters were reflecting the moonlight, the whole area bathed in its glow that was truly a beauty to behold. Daemon sat on his haunches and stared at his reflection, not speaking until Saphira had come up beside him and joined him in staring at their reflections on the shimmering waters.
Finally, after a moment of silence, Daemon spoke. We need to talk, Saphira.
Saphira turned to face him, a small space between them. Yes... we do.
Let's just go ahead and accept it, things have changed between us. Daemon stated more than asked.
Indeed. Saphira nodded.
Daemon hummed and continued staring at his reflection before snorting and he looked at her now. I'm not even going to try denying what these feelings and emotions are, I know... but I do not know if they are real and genuine, or just created because of my instincts and you being a female.
You're not the only one with similar thoughts. Saphira said with a dry laugh. I've been conflicted with what to think since that day in Teirm. So... what do we do now?
Daemon was silent. Contemplating. The truth was best to be spoken, a truth without the emotions clouding his judgement. He looked her in the eye and said. Saphira, I like you. You're a really great friend who helped me in my time of need when I had become a dragon for the first time, helped me learn how to be a dragon, to adjust to it, and I really enjoy spending time with you... but I don't want to destroy our friendship.
Saphira swallowed a lump in her throat as her heart gave a flip. I feel the same way about you, Daemon. I have come to see you as I do my Eragon; you are a part of me. Nothing will change that. She looked at the ground. These feelings... I know what they are, what they mean, there is no point in ignoring it or hoping that avoiding the issue will make it go away. I just... She lifted her head to look him in the eye. I'm not sure I'm ready for that.
Nor do I. Daemon turned his head away from her. He sent her warm feelings of them laying together. Not to say that I don't want to possibly think of you in that regard, but with everything that's going on... it's best that we just be close friends.
Out of everything he was expecting Saphira to feel after his words, relief was not one of them. I agree. She said in a more happier tone. Just close friends and then... maybe we can see where to go from there.
Besides, nobody can push us to decide things right away.
Indeed. Saphira chuckled, sending him feelings of happiness, and even a little familial love, feelings he returned as their deep bond of kinship solidified itself. However, Saphira paused, a small knot forming in her stomach. But… Daemon? Saphira asked, hesitating. She didn't want to push things, but she couldn't help herself. Her feelings and emotions for him were too strong to ignore. Do you think that we could still be... close? She shuffled shyly, fearing what he would say. I mean... if that's okay with you?
She stared down at the ground, not wanting to see his reaction to her words, to her request, fearing he would say no and try to keep things formal between them. She was stunned, shocked, relived and happy when he leaned forward and brushed the end of his snout against her neck, giving a soft, comforting growl.
Of course, Saphira. I would not have it any other way. He said softly to her. Saphira sighed in content and growled back just as softly as they stayed like that, softly nuzzling each other and sending waves of warm feelings and affection across their link. They soon decided to go back to camp, and did so side-by-side, much closer than they had before.
Eragon felt like nodding off as he laid in his bedroll, waiting for the dragons to come back from wherever they had gone to. He had tried questioning Brom about it, but the old man was vague and cryptic in his responses which didn't really help in giving Eragon the answer he was looking for. However, he was soon reassured when he felt Saphira's mind brush against his to signal her arrival.
He saw them enter the camp and extended his mind to theirs, only to be met with nothing but feelings of happiness between them and he felt relieved and happy to see them looking quite close again. He had been worried about the state of things between them these past couple of days, the tension between them. Whatever it was, they had sorted it out and were back to normal. Saphira gave him a warm nuzzle as they passed him and laid down together. Eragon watched as Saphira laid right next to Daemon, that their sides touched. Saphira laid her head down on her crossed front legs, before letting it roll onto Daemon's forelegs to which he didn't seem to mind as he laid his head down next to hers, both of them closing their eyes for a peaceful sleep. Eragon smiled warmly at the sight, then his eyebrows shot up when Daemon's wing draped itself over Saphira's back and she snuggled deeper into his side with a content hum.
Eragon stared in wonder as this was a totally new development between them, but he soon felt tired himself and settled in for the night. Across the camp, Brom rolled over with an almost imperceptible sigh,
"It's about time..."
At dawn, Eragon eagerly rushed out to see the lake in daylight. A whitecapped expanse of water rippled with fan-shaped patterns where wind brushed it. The pure size of it delighted him. He whooped and ran to the water. Saphira, Daemon, where are you? Let's have some fun!
The dragons hadn't moved from their position at all during the night, remaining as they had fallen asleep like. Saphira opened her eyes and greeted her Rider warmly before getting to her feet, causing Daemon's wing to slide off her back and onto the ground. The silver dragon merely snorted in his sleep and rolled onto his side. Eragon walked over and patted him on the nose, getting another snort in response.
Go away. Came the tired response.
Come on, Daemon! Rise and shine! Saphira said eagerly as she came over and nudged her silver-scaled companion. Let's go swimming.
No... water's cold... here is warmth...
Eragon just shook his head in amusement and was about to suggest they just let him sleep, when a mischievous idea came from Saphira, one she had gotten from seeing a similar thing in Daemon's memories during his childhood, a prank his younger brother once pulled on him. Eragon stepped back, grinning widely as Saphira picked up a handful of wet mud in her left paw, came back over to Daemon and carefully placed it into his left paw, which was sprawled out.
Leaning down, Saphira gently ran her tongue across his cheek, causing him to bat at her with his right paw weakly. She then poked his cheek with her claw, getting a sharp snort and another wave of his paw to push her claw away. Leaning down again, she softly nuzzled his cheek and darted her head away in time to avoid Daemon's right leg slamming the wet mud onto his face, fully waking him up.
As Eragon and Saphira laughed, Daemon gave them death glares. I hate you both.
Going over to the water's edge with them, Daemon watched as Eragon hopped onto Saphira's back and she rose into the air. Daemon merely shook his head before he leaped and dove into the water until his tail sank beneath it. Saphira grinned wolfishly. Hold on! She locked her wings and sank to the waves, clipping the crests with her claws. The water sparkled in the sunlight as they sailed over it. Eragon whooped again.
Suddenly, Daemon burst out of the water, taking Saphira and Eragon by surprise, and he grabbed his female companion tightly. My turn! He said with mischief before he leaned back and dove straight into the water again, taking Saphira and Eragon down with him, The water hit Eragon like an icy wall, knocking out his breath and threw him off Saphira's back, forcing him to swim to the surface. As he broke through, Saphira did the same next to him while Daemon floated on his back, laughing. Have a nice swim?
Saphira growled as water dripped off her head and she pounced on him. Not funny! She dragged him back underwater ad they wrestled playfully beneath the liquid, creating waves that made Eragon laughed as he was swept up in them, before the dragons broke the surface with Daemon slamming his tail down to splash Saphira with more water, much to her unamusement. Eragon swam over and gripped one of Daemon's spines, climbing up until he was seated on his back where he would be on Saphira's back. Ever since Daemon became a dragon, Eragon wondered what it would be like riding on his back, and Daemon obliged with his wishes and allowed him the chance to find out.
Pushing himself out the water with a flap of his powerful wings, he waited for Saphira to join them and the two playfully raced in the air. Eragon whopped and laughed as he held onto one of Daemon's back spines. Daemon then turned his head to look at Eragon. Ready?
Eragon nodded and took a deep breath, tightening his arms. This time they slid gently under the water. They could see for yards through the unclouded liquid. Daemon twisted and turned in fantastic shapes, slipping through the water like an eel. Eragon felt as if he were riding a sea serpent of legend.
Just as Eragon's lungs started to cry for air, Daemon arched his back and pointed his head upward. An explosion of droplets haloed them as he leapt into the air, wings snapping open. With two powerful flaps he gained altitude and came up to where Saphira had waited and watched.
Wow! That was fantastic, exclaimed Eragon.
Hope you're not trying to drown my Rider. Saphira said playfully.
Daemon scoffed. Perish the thought.
After a while of playing in the water, Eragon asked Daemon to let him down at camp and the silver dragon did so. However, Saphira soon dragged him back into the water and they started to wrestle playfully, diving in and out of the water while Eragon and Brom saddled the horses and started around Leona Lake in high spirits.
Before dinner, Eragon blocked Zar'roc's edge in preparation for their usual sparring. Neither he nor Brom moved as they waited for the other to strike first. Eragon inspected their surroundings for anything that might give him an advantage. A stick near the fire caught his attention.
Eragon swooped down, grabbed the stick, and hurled it at Brom. The splint got in his way, though, and Brom easily sidestepped the piece of wood. The old man rushed forward, swinging his sword. Eragon ducked just as the blade whistled over his head. He growled and tackled Brom ferociously.
They pitched to the ground, each struggling to stay on top. Eragon rolled to the side and swept Zar'roc over the ground at Brom's shins. Brom parried the blow with the hilt of his sword, then jumped to his feet. Twisting as he stood, Eragon attacked again, guiding Zar'roc through a complex pattern. Sparks danced from their blades as they struck again and again. Brom blocked each blow, his face tight with concentration. But Eragon could tell that he was tiring. The relentless hammering continued as each sought an opening in the other's defenses.
Then Eragon felt the battle change. Blow by blow he gained advantage; Brom's parries slowed and he lost ground. Eragon easily blocked a stab from Brom. Veins pulsed on the old man's forehead and cords bulged in his neck from the effort.
Suddenly confident, Eragon swung Zar'roc faster than ever, weaving a web of steel around Brom's sword. With a burst of speed, he smashed the flat of his blade against Brom's guard and knocked the sword to the ground. Before Brom could react, Eragon flicked Zar'roc up to his throat.
They stood panting, the red sword tip resting on Brom's collarbone. Eragon slowly lowered his arm and backed away. It was the first time he had bested Brom without resorting to trickery. Brom picked up his sword and sheathed it. Still breathing hard, he said, "We're done for today."
"But we just started," said Eragon, startled.
Brom shook his head. "I can teach you nothing more of the sword. Of all the fighters I've met, only three of them could have defeated me like that, and I doubt any of them could have done it with their left hand." He smiled ruefully. "I may not be as young as I used to be, but I can tell that you're a talented and rare swordsman."
"Does this mean we're not going to spar every night?" asked Eragon.
"Oh, you're not getting out of it," laughed Brom. "But we'll go easier now. It's not as important if we miss a night here or there. Besides, you'll have Daemon to spar with now and he can teach you what he knows." He wiped his brow. "Just remember, if you ever have the misfortune to fight an elf—trained or not, female or male—expect to lose. They, along with dragons and other creatures of magic, are many times stronger than nature intended. Even the weakest elf could easily overpower you. The same goes for the Ra'zac—they are not human and tire much more slowly than we do."
"Is there a way to become their equal?" Eragon asked as he settled next to Saphira and Daemon, the dragoness curling her tail around him.
You fought well. She hummed.
He smiled.
Brom seated himself with a shrug. "There are a few, but none are available to you now. Magic will let you defeat all but the strongest enemies. For those you'll need Saphira's help, and with Daemon being part dragon himself, his own power and link to the two of you, the three of you linking minds could make you a formidable force indeed."
"How do you fight with magic?" asked Eragon.
"What do you mean?"
"Well," he said, leaning on an elbow. "Suppose I was attacked by a Shade. How could I block his magic? Most spells take place instantaneously, which makes it impossible to react in time. And even if I could, how would I nullify an enemy's magic? It seems I would have to know my opponent's intention before he acted." He paused. "I just don't see how it can be done. Whoever attacked first would win."
Brom sighed. "What you are talking about—a 'wizards' duel,' if you will—is extremely dangerous. Haven't you ever wondered how Galbatorix was able to defeat all of the Riders with the help of only a dozen or so traitors?"
"I never thought about it," acknowledged Eragon.
"There are several ways. Some you'll learn about later, but the main one is that Galbatorix was, and still is, a master of breaking into people's minds. You see, in a wizards' duel there are strict rules that each side must observe or else both contestants will die. To begin with, no one uses magic until one of the participants gains access to the other's mind."
Saphira curled her tail comfortably around Eragon and asked, Why wait? By the time an enemy realizes that you've attacked, it will be too late for him to act. Eragon repeated the question out loud.
Brom shook his head. "No, it won't. If I were to suddenly use my power against you, Eragon, you would surely die, but in the brief moment before you were destroyed, there would be time for a counterattack. Therefore, unless one combatant has a death wish, neither side attacks until one of them has breached the other's defenses."
"Then what happens?" Eragon inquired.
Brom shrugged and said, "Once you're inside your enemy's mind, it's easy enough to anticipate what he will do and prevent it. Even with that advantage, it's still possible to lose if you don't know how to counteract spells."
He filled and lit his pipe. "And that requires extraordinarily quick thinking. Before you can defend yourself, you have to understand the exact nature of the forces directed at you. If you're being attacked with heat, you have to know whether it is being conveyed to you through air, fire, light, or some other medium. Only once that's known can you combat the magic by, for instance, chilling the heated material."
"It sounds difficult."
"Extremely," confirmed Brom. A plume of smoke rose from his pipe. "Seldom can people survive such a duel for more than a few seconds. The enormous amount of effort and skill required condemns anyone without the proper training to a quick death. Once you've progressed, I'll start teaching you the necessary methods. In the meantime, if you ever find yourself facing a wizards' duel, I suggest you run away as fast as you can."
Declaring that they should settle for the night, everyone started to turn in for some sleep. Daemon and Eragon leaned against Saphira's side and the dragoness curled around her boys, her tail coming to rest on Daemon's lap.
I'm so glad that you and Daemon worked out whatever was going on between you. Eragon told Saphira.
Saphira gave him a lick on the cheek. As are we, little one. Daemon and I have sorted it out, so don't worry about us. Daemon nodded in agreement and gave her a scratch under her chin, much to her delight. They hadn't told Eragon anything about their talk, or the truth behind the tension that hung between them before, only that they sorted out their problem with each other. And seeing as they weren't doing what their instincts were suggesting they do, there was no real reason to tell him yet. But they both agreed that if, if, anything changes between them, then Eragon would be the first to know.
Saphira laid her head down close to Daemon and she hummed when feeling a hand rub her snout before sleep claimed her.
And another chapter bites the dust. Let me know what you think in the reviews, please.