Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I have news for you all. Your eyes do not deceive you, for this is the sixth chapter of Twisted Realities: Part One. I have done quite a lot of thinking over the past week or so, and I have decided that I will update my two stories bi-weekly.
Yep. Weekly updates, but they'll be every other week. So, for example, I update Twisted Realities this Friday, that means that next Friday I will update Silver Hearts. I had to find some way to give back to you all for the holiday season coming up, so why not give back with this?
That said, this is a much longer chapter than others in this story so far. I'm going all out here and I hope you all appreciate it.
Well, I think you've heard enough of me yapping here, so I'll leave you to it.
Welcome, to the sixth chapter of Twisted Realities.
Enjoy.
(WARNING: SEXUAL TEASING AT SOME POINT IN THIS CHAPTER! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED SO DON'T FLAME ME!)
Chapter Six
Stargazer was about at his wit's end with this hatchling of a dragoness and no one would assist him or relieve him of his suffering.
And it was only the third day into their travels.
When he had asked Brom to get Eragon, or what the crystal dragon had taken to calling him "The Burden", or simply "Burden", to tell his dragoness to leave him alone, the old man had only grinned.
"Put her in her place." The former Rider had spoken in a hushed tone on their second night in the wild.
And how would I go about doing such a thing, wise one? Stargazer huffed, his annoyance clear in his mind.
He received a mere shrug in response, the teasing grin never leaving the old man's face. The dragon sighed and flopped his head down, releasing a great exhale. A hand gently patted his shoulder, and one great indigo eye turned to see the old man giving him a knowing look.
"Tell me, tell me truly; what are your true feelings toward her?" Brom inquired sincerely, his eyes never straying from the dragon's before him.
There was a pregnant pause as Stargazer mulled over the question before answering. I will not deny that she is beautiful. Brom merely nodded, not interrupting. But she is young, untried, and naive to the world around her. I must nurture her and guide her to those who would be greater than I could ever be at teaching her the ways she must know. Both as a dragon, and as part of an Order now nearly extinct by the actions of one individual. The former Rider glanced away, but the dragon was not done speaking. I cannot teach her to harness her fire, nor could I awaken the inner flame within her. I do not possess that which she has. Brom's eyebrows rose at that and Stargazer unveiled more information. I am of the winds and storms, Brom. Wild and free. Unrestrained and unpredictable. Powerful and swift. But I do not yet know how to harness or control that which is mine by inheritance. Everything that may happen around me, whether it be lightning or wind, I do uncontrollably. Call it instinctually for now. They are not conscious decisions or actions. I am sorry, Brom, but I cannot tell you more. That is for me to know and no one else. As for how I feel toward Saphira… there is nothing there at the moment.
The old storyteller was quiet after learning of this, processing the information given. He then spoke tentatively. "And if you do end up developing feelings toward her, what will you do?"
Stargazer's voice turned dark as he spoke in the ancient language, spilling forth an oath that shocked Brom.
I will not form a relationship with Saphira until I deem the world around us suitable for such a bond. I will reject and fight off her advances until I see this world as a beacon of light, not a shadow of decay.
The dragon's voice lightened, the familiar thundering undertones present once more as he continued speaking to a thoroughly stunned Brom.
And if you have a problem with this, then make it known to me now. For I will say this once: I do not care what anyone thinks of me. Not even her. Nothing will happen between this young dragoness and myself until I know the world around us is safe for us. The crystal dragon was now glaring at the aged human who was gazing at him with a resigned look on his face.
Brom only nodded solemnly, voicing nothing of his thoughts and the dragon huffed, curling his bulk around the storyteller.
Get some rest. We all need it.
So why must we stop at this village called Therinsford again?
"We need horses and supplies." Brom replied to the crystal dragon's question. The dragon hummed lowly, showing his displeasure, but otherwise kept his words and thoughts to himself. The old human sighed. "We need to stop there so we can remain self-sufficient. I don't think you want to hunt for four, no?"
The dragon snorted before giving a low rumbling chuckle. No. I am an independent and shall always remain as free as the winds whipping across the vast open plains to the east.
This piqued Eragon's curiosity and he voiced a question. "Have you been there?"
Stargazer, whose strides were slow and methodical while easily keeping pace with the humans beside him, turned his head to glance at the young Rider before facing forward once more. I have memories from my ancestors, but no. I have not personally been there. I come from the lands to the far west, the Great Beyond. The Old Lands, as you would call them. The crystal dragon replied, though deep in his mind, behind the many dragon-strength reinforced mental barriers, he knew.
He was lying to them.
But thinking quickly, Stargazer found that he didn't care what they thought of him. He would rather die before revealing the truth to anyone.
What the dragon had said caused Brom to freeze in his tracks, staring at the male dragon in disbelief. Noticing the old man had fallen behind, the younger trio paused and turned to face the storyteller. The old man slowly turned his body and then raised his eyes to stare at Stargazer, who merely blinked.
"You… you came from the Old Lands?" He said slowly, as if unsure he had heard correctly.
The male dragon dipped his head slightly. Yes. A smirk grew on his muzzle. And I know my way around females quite well. My ancestors ensured I would be suited for these lands. Such as…
At this, he swung his head around so he faced Saphira, who blinked in surprise. His eyes held a fire of passion that she had never seen before, the swirling irises pulling her in deeper… drowning her within their endless depths. The dragoness gasped in both surprise and pleasure as the male's head darted forward, gently sliding across her left shoulder, and down her flank beneath her wing… which immediately rose in instinctual invitation and made her body freeze. Seeing her immobile, Stargazer nipped the dragoness's left hindquarter, causing her to flop onto her side with a pleased huff. The crystal dragon's face broke into a fanged grin as he looked at the slack-jawed humans.
They say the female wins every time… He looked back down at the female laid out flat before him and chuckled. Oh how wrong that is…
Brom had a few more questions for Stargazer after that little demonstration of his knowledge, but the dragon had deflected or ignored most questions.
Noticing the rising smoke from chimneys in the distance, Stargazer stopped the sapphire female with an outstretched wing and spoke to the humans. This is where we part ways until your business is concluded.
Eragon crossed his arms and leaned against a tree, smirking. "You sure it's from the business we must handle or does it have something to do with wanting alone time wi-"
The youth was cut off by the crystal dragon's tail obliterating the tree he was leaning on, passing over his head by a mere foot. Anger and annoyance at the boy's prodding bubbled in his mind as he glared at the young Rider.
If you even suggest that sort of topic happening between your dragoness and myself again, I will not hesitate to rip one of your arms off. His lip curled up slightly, revealing a slightly metallic white fang. Do not presume to know what it is that happens between dragons, boy. You will learn in time, but until then, keep your damn mouth shut.
Eragon nodded furiously, and scampered after Brom, who had just pick-pocketed the hag at the bridge. The male dragon sighed, his shoulders and wings slumping and his back slouching slightly. Saphira came up and watched as the stress ate away at her companion. She felt rather bad for him, she truly did. She loved her Rider, but his incessant teasing was pushing this dragon's patience… and she wanted them all to work together.
Stargazer rested his forehead against a thick tree and released an exhale, visibly showing how stressed he was. Saphira padded up to him and looked at his sorry state. She bumped his neck and a flicker of thought within her mind told her he was listening.
Come. There is a stream nearby. You're filthy and in desperate need of a bath.
There was a slight grumble, and the dragon's head slid lower on the tree's trunk, his scales audibly scraping against the bark. Saphira rolled her eyes and nipped his neck, earning her a grunt.
We are going to that stream. You will get cleaned up. Now, get to it before I start dragging you over there.
A rumbling laughing sound broke out of Stargazer's throat, scaring the wildlife in the resounding area before he stood up. He looked down at the female smirking in triumph and smiled slightly.
Lead the way then.
Well there it is. Chapter six. I hope you all enjoyed it! See you here in this story in two weeks.