Author's note at the end of the chapter.
Chapter Eleven
Eragon.
Said boy paused in his packing and turned around to look up into Stargazer's eyes.
When you enter that city, you will see things that will disgust you. The dragon began, concern in his voice. I will tell you now, if you can trust me even a little, then heed my next words: do nothing.
The young Rider blinked in confusion. "What do you mean 'do nothing?'"
Some wars cannot be fought by one person. The crystal dragon replied while turning away, beginning his path toward Saphira. You must do nothing and say nothing because you alone cannot do a thing about it.
And with those words, the dragon faded into the trees.
Brom walked up to the youth, seeing him deeply puzzled. "What's on your mind?"
Shaking himself from his thoughts, Eragon forced a smile before responding. "Nothing. Let's go."
The storyteller had his suspicions as to what the dragon told Eragon, but he only nodded and the duo made their way into Dras Leona.
-x-
What did you tell him? Saphira asked her draconic companion as he laid down next to her.
Giving the dragoness a sideways look, he replied. I told him to do nothing about the vile acts he will encounter within those walls.
And those are…?
Stargazer sighed, laying his head down on the soft grass. Slavery, human auctions, homelessness, must I continue?
Appalled, Saphira was stunned speechless before she whispered. No… no. I think that is quite enough.
Relax, Saphira. The male dragon said in an upbeat voice. Look at it this way: if things go sideways, I can always tear down the buildings and rip apart their soldiers while the boys escape. The dragon chuckled. And to think you'd be one to miss that light show? Where's the Saphira I know?
Said dragoness gave him a fanged grin, a chuckle rumbling in her chest, before laying down near him to take a nap under the warm sun.
-x-
Shi- They've been found.
What?! I'm going in there!
Stargazer snarled, slapping his tail against the ground and meeting Saphira's fierce expression with a glare that froze her.
No. You will stay here as I tear them asunder. You are no match for those foul beasts and we both know it. His glare softened then. You are far more valuable than I am, Saphira. Revealing yourself now would only have dire consequences in the future.
Launching himself into the sky, the male dragon swiftly became nothing more than a speck before disappearing entirely.
Alarms rang out in the city as Eragon and Brom made their way to the front gate, the Ra'zac hot on their heels. The pair blended in rather well with the crowds, pushing and shoving their way through.
Until they heard the roar.
"DRAGON!"
After the cry was heard, an enormous, bright blue sphere screamed from the heavens and struck the gates the duo were making their way toward. A massive dome of crackling purple and blue energy exploded outward upon impact, sending bodies flying in every direction. The gate was literally reduced to splinters that flew through the air. Yells and screams filled the air as the dragon, whom Eragon and Brom identified as Stargazer, began tearing into both soldiers and citizens alike without mercy or prejudice.
Vicious snarls and enraged roars echoed throughout the city, the ground shaking beneath their feet as the dragon let loose as only a dragon could.
Brom! Eragon! MOVE IT!
His voice heard in their minds, the pair quickened their pace, exiting the remains of the destroyed gate area and into the fields beyond.
As soon as the two humans left the city perimeter and into the treeline, Stargazer spread his wings and took to the air, leaving the death and destruction he caused to burn itself into the memory of the survivors.
-x-
Stargazer POV
You have got to be kidding me. I grumbled to myself, not quite believing what Saphira had just told me.
The Ra'zac had the trio tied up and at their mercy… and I was not exactly nearby or at full strength.
Honestly! I couldn't leave these people alone for more than five minutes without them messing things up.
Now I understand that old saying "no rest for the weary."
I just can't seem to catch a break man!
Reaching out to Saphira once more, I gave her a response. I'll be there soon. Do not eat anything they offer, it will muddle your thoughts and dull the senses.
I felt a pulse of acknowledgement from her before spreading my wings…
… and freezing at the sound of a bowstring being pulled back.
Whipping my head around, I locked my focus on a human who I knew immediately from the books.
Murtagh.
Ah, so this is where he was before coming across the group. Good. He'll be coming with me, willingly or not.
Smashing through his mental defenses, I seized control of his body before speaking as he stared at me with wide, disbelieving eyes.
You will be coming with me, whether you want to or not. At his glare, I continued in the same stern, unwavering tone. I am part of the group you are searching for. When I release your body, you will climb onto my back and not ask any questions. Am I understood?
Murtagh's shoulders slumped and he gave a nod in defeat, allowing me to trust he won't flee or fight. Upon releasing him, the young man walked up to me as I laid down, stretching out a foreleg to allow him to clamber up to my back. Only when he was in the crook of where my neck met my upper torso did I spread my wings once more and take to the air.
How good of a shot are you while on the move with low visibility? I asked my passenger, seeing the campfire rapidly growing in size as we grew closer.
"I will admit, I am better with a sword, but I can hit them from above the treeline if that's what you're asking." Murtagh hollered in response to be heard above the wind. I mean, he didn't need to yell, us dragons have a-maz-ing hearing, so I would've heard him with relative ease.
Prepare for your first shot. I warned, angling myself slightly so he had a clearer sight picture. As the clearing came into view, I felt him adjust to comfortably pull back the bowstring fully. Upon seeing our targets, I heard the twang of the arrow being released.
Aiding his arrow with a gust of wind to give it more velocity and accuracy, the projectile sailed through the air and struck the smaller Ra'zac in the shoulder, causing it to recoil and squeal in pain. Its partner reeled an arm back, knife glinting in the firelight, and hurled a dagger at Eragon. I watched, helpless, as the event unfolded in front of my sharp eyes as I circled around for another pass before the creatures fled.
Brom jumped in front of his son, taking the knife in Eragon's stead, and collapsing as the boy blacked out.
Landing heavily, my eyes locked on the fallen form of the old man as my heart tugged within my chest. Almost as if it knew his life, his path, his story, was over.
I allowed Murtagh to slip down from my back to tend to the humans as I approached the dragoness. I could see her eyes wide, brimming with tears of both sorrow for her Rider and joy for seeing me here before her. Ripping off her restraints, she leaped at me and tackled me under a draconic hug, her quiet sobs shaking her body as she let loose her tears.
After several minutes of the waterworks, I noticed her deep, rhythmic breathing, and knew she was asleep. Slowly, I craned my neck and head around to look up at Murtagh.
Rest. Those creatures will not return anytime soon.
The son of Morzan looked as though he was going to argue, but seemed to think better of it and just simply nodded. He rolled out some blankets and curled up under them before drifting off.
I soon joined the group in the land of dreams after a few minutes of stargazing, Saphira gripped tightly in my grasp.
-x-
Ok, hear me out, I really wanted to get this chapter and the next chapter for Silver Hearts out on time, I really did. But I have been extremely sick for the past week with the flu.
Yeah.
Not fun. At all.
Zero out of ten.
So, until I get my ass back into it, I will be putting most of my focus into this story, Twisted Realities, since 70% of the events are already planned out with the books and all. That doesn't mean I'm ignoring Silver Hearts or something either. That's just a lesser priority right now seeing as most of my audience enjoys this story more. Speaking of this story and audiences… I have a bone to pick with a recent reviewer.
Phantom-Riot.
You have some nerve trying to scam me of all people. You really think I'm that stupid? That I can't see through your little lies? You should be ashamed of yourself, attempting to take advantage of people like that. But then again, you're probably just a shit person so I wouldn't put that past worthless trash like you. You're like those scam callers from India: no remorse or regret to be found as you scam thousands off of people and ruin their lives. Now, seeing as you're resorting to this site to scam, I will give you one chance to correct your actions by giving a formal, sincere apology in your next comment followed by good behavior in upcoming comments. Do that, and you'll escape my wrath. If not… I have my ways of punishing scammers. Friends, friends of friends, certain YouTubers…
You know the drill.
Anyway, to everyone else, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and again I am so sorry for the late upload.
Yours truly,
Stryker/Zek-Resh