Deep in the forest sat a warrior unlike any you have ever seen. This warrior fought many foes in his long life, among many of them stood his most powerful foe named Galbatorix. Eragon fought to destroy the evil within Galbatorix, who ended up destroying himself in a failed attempt to destroy Eragon and his companions. Eragon now stood in the edge of a cliff with his dragon Saphira meditating, watching the world around him. It's been a century since he fought Galbatorix and his mind and body was just beginning to adjust to the serene calm around him. Arya visited him a few weeks ago which made him feel better. She told him things he already knew, that peace existed throughout the land and that Dorrin, Nasuada's son was ruling most eloquently and made both
Suruda and the Empire flourish. Nasuada had passed some years ago and since, Dorrin has proven himself more than capable of ruling, inheriting Nasuada’s persistence and love for her country. His visit with Arya put him in a good mood. He listened to the forest around him and watched a wolf stalked his prey, a deer youngling. He also watched a tree he'd been watching discover a new source of nutrition as it wormed its way through the dirt. He laughed as a chipmunk tried to steal nuts from a squirrel only to be caught in the act and chased away, forced to leave its nuts behind. The wolf attacked the young deer and Eragon grimaced as the young deer’s' life faded away. He spotted a new life appear and he touched its consciousness. The elf, for he knew an elven consciousness when he reached out to one,
attacked him in a furious attempt to best him. The elf, Freya, was very young and not yet strong enough to best Eragon but he liked her ferocity and allowed her to gain a slight advantage but he soon overtook her. Good, but not good enough he said to her as he withdrew meet me near the cliffs, we will begin there. And he withdrew completely. He then touched Saphira’s mind to rouse her from her morning nap.
What? She asked, yawning as she did.
Freya and Dourmoth are on their way. We are starting with a bit of rigmar and then some flight training. You will need to teach Dourmoth some stretching and balancing techniques as well, I can tell his balance is not as good as it could be. Saphira agreed and began compiling a schedule for the day, both rigmar and flying techniques.
Saphira had grown much in the last century but was nowhere near Shrukain’s bulk but she could still be mistaken for a mountain though Eragon doubted any traveler would mistake her for a mountain when she was as sparkling as she was. Her vanity had grown even more since Galbatorix was killed. She spent half the day grooming, though not so much now that they had a new dragon and rider to train.
Freya and Dourmoth arrived at the cliffs only to find that Eragon and Saphira had left. Little did she know that Eragon was watching her like prey, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Stealthy as a jungle cat, he was up in the tree, watching. He touched Freya’s' consciousness. If you can find me before I find you, I will let you choose any branch of magic you'd like to learn about. He knew she would find him eventually if he just stayed. Freya immediately started searching. Freya noticed Dourmoth getting ready to take off. Saphira must be getting right to the training, he thought. Freya searched with her mind but was unsuccessful. Eragon shielded his mind well from anyone who dared search for him. Freya is young but I cannot believe she hasn’t thought if looking through the eyes of the animals yet. Eragon learned that Freya was intelligent but when it came to logical thinking, she just didn't succeed very often. He found it ironic in a way. Freya must have thought of looking through the animals’ eyes because he noticed her footsteps getting closer and she began to walk at a more rapid pace. Eragon tried to hide himself in a different spot but as quick as he was, he was no match for an elf
when it came to speed. Freya caught him sitting on a branch high up in a tree.
"HA! I win! I'll think of a subject at a later time as I do not know what I would like to study at the moment." Freya said, feeling obviously accomplished at having bested Eragon.
"Very well. For now, let go back to the cliffs and do some rigmar before the flight and balance training. We will star…" Eragon stopped what he was saying as he felt a mind enter his own, Arya’s mind. He welcomed her minds touch. The gentle music of her mind joined his but the music abruptly stopped as a vision appeared.
A mystery man dressed in a cloak of black bear skin.
"Where is Eragon? I must speak with himm." The man asked, a deep voice, it resonated deep within Arya, as if she knew it somehow.
"I cannot tell you that else the dragons will be in danger. If you would tell me your name, perhaps I can contact him much later as he is many leagues away and the only people who know his location are his students." Arya said. Eragon noticed as she did as the man shifted and the bear skin uncovered the hilt of his sword for a fraction of a second. At first the hilt only looked like a normal hilt but upon further inspection, she noticed that it was no normal sword, it was in fact, Zar'rocs' hilt. She knew it well. And it could not be mistaken. If it was who she thought it was, then something was very wrong and she knew he would not reveal his face. The only way to find out who he is was through a match. "However, if you continue to refuse to tell me who you are and if you truly want to speak with Eragon, you will have to match me." Arya said. The man shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to do.
"Ii doo not tthhink that iss vvery neecesssary, I meean no harrm." the man said. Arya noticed the man spoke this a little slower, as if unsure of what to say. Or maybe he was not used to speaking to creatures who walk on two legs.
“Well then I have no choice but to decline and ask that you leave Ellesmera.” Arya said, hoping she would not have to do so. The man was still for a moment then he took off his cloak but kept the bear’s head on, shielding his head from view.
“Fine thenn. But it musst be quick. What Ii need to tell Eragon is ooff grreat importance.” The man unsheathed his sword from its sheath. Arya was taken aback for a brief moment but unsheathed her sword and took her position. Surely it can only be him, he has a rider’s sword she thought. The man took the first move, aiming for her side, it’s precision like that of an unused but perfect technique, a bit rusty from disuse. She effortlessly blocked him and aimed to strike his side. He sloppily blocked her and aimed for her neck but changed his sword’s path to her side. Arya quickly blocked the blow. They went like this for a few minutes but the man began to gain an advantage as his muscles began to remember the fine techniques he was once taught. They both soon began to gain no ground and they were both gasping for breath when the man yelled “STOP!” and he collapsed to the ground, fighting to get enough air into his system. Arya did likewise. She had known only one person who could keep themselves that long against an elf. Only an old rider could hold themselves against an elf.
“Please, sir, take off your bear head and show me your face. I would like to know who would make such an excellent opponent.” The man was still for a while and then got up and shook his head.
“As you wishh, but we must go ssomewhere more privvate than this.” Arya thought for a moment. Where else could I go? I certainly don’t want this man near my home, the Menoa tree is surely occupied. Then she thought of a place, the pond towards the north, hardly anyone went there as there wasn’t much to look at. It was the place she and Eragon had first had a worthy conversation, and also where he had confessed his lo... no, no I can’t think about him now! “Follow me.” Arya said to the man. She led him to the pond, which took her a few extra minutes as the man was slower than she was.
“Can you asssure mee that no one can hear oorr see us?” The man asked. Arya placed a spell to hide and silence and nodded. The man nodded back and took off the bear head. Arya couldn’t believe her eyes. She now knew for a fact that the man in front of her was who she suspected it was. His face was more refined. Strikingly similar to the way Eragon’s face but less handsome in her eyes, for Murtaugh looked more like his father, Morzan.
“Murtaugh! What are you doing here?!” Arya asked as Murtaugh placed the bear head on the ground next to him.
“There iss ssome troublle inn the west. I need to speak with Eragon. Where is he?” Murtaugh asked.
“One moment.” Arya tilted her head down and the vision ended
Arya’s voice sounded in Eragon’s mind. What would you have me do Eragon? Should I have him wait for you or shall I escort him to your location? She asked. Eragon thought for a moment.
I cannot leave right this moment as I am with Freya. You can escort him up here. I feel like that would be best. Eragon replied back. Arya responded with a mental nod and an apology for interrupting a student’s lesson and Eragon forgave her since it was of a great importance. Overall the whole conversation took about five minutes to complete but Freya was obviously concerned as Eragon found her kneeling above him.
“Ebrithil, are you alright. Were you under attack?” Freya asked urgently. She looked like she was about ready to call out to Dourmoth if she hadn’t already.
“I am fine.” Eragon said in the ancient language. Saphira, are you about done?
I am. Saphira replied back. She was concluding Dourmoth’s lesson by reviewing the day’s happenings. Much like what Glaedr did with her when she had taught him. Eragon let the two be and finished up his own lesson with Freya by doing some rigmar. By the time they had finished Freya had decided what branch of magic she wanted to study.
“How would you efficiently collect water say in the Hadarac Desert?” She asked.
“How would you collect water?” Eragon asked her. He wanted to see if she could figure it out herself.
“Well, one could use the air and compress it to gather water.” Freya said.
“Yes, that is one way but it’s hardly efficient when you’re in the desert.” Eragon said. He searched the ground nearby for a pocket of water. He soon found one. “Come with me and I will show you a conservative way.” He walked over to the pocket of water. “What do you feel?” he asked
Freya closed her eyes and began searching. “I can feel lots of insects and animals.” She said.
“Yes, anything else?” Freya was silent for a moment. Her eyes opened. “Not much else unless you want me to include the trees.”
“Yes, trees need water do they not? So there must be water somewhere else besides the air. Search the ground here and you’ll find that not too far down there is a small pocket of water.” Freya looked doubtful.
“I checked. I didn’t see any water-life in the earth.”
“You’re too focused on one thing. If you had broadened your mind you would have easily seen the water itself and not just life-forms.” He summoned the water from below into a ball of water. Freya looked with wonder at the ball as it froze into an elegant looking ball of ice. Freya reached out to touch it but as soon as she touched it the ball melted and fell back to the earth.
“I see. So you would search for pockets of water and summon them to the surface?” She asked.
“Yes. But you do not want to needlessly use energy by holding it up in the air.”
“So you would have to dig a shallow hole to hold it in?”
“Yes. But you do not want to be greedy. The Hadarac Desert is dry enough without us taking all of its water. Only use it if you have a real need for it and once you do acquire it, drink it sparingly.” Eragon said.
“Yes Ebrithil.” Freya said as she bowed. Just then Saphira became visible with Dourmoth. It was striking to look at. While Saphira was a brilliant blue, Dourmoth was a brilliant combination of light browns and gold. A striking resemblance to his rider Freya who was different in almost every elven way. Her hair was brown, lighter on the top and darker on the bottom, she had a heart-shaped face and long limbs. She was also taller than Eragon by a few inches. Eragon always considered making himself taller but he was quite content with his height.
After a short flying lesson Freya headed off back to her home in Osilon. Because of how far away Freya lived, she only visited him once or twice a week and Eragon tested her on her on her homework, which was quite lengthy, when she did visit him.
Eragon went back to his hut and sat down. He thought about Arya and Murtaugh. He was anxious to see his brother again, more so than he was to see Arya. I wonder what went wrong. Eragon spent the rest of the day sitting on a stump and watching the forest around him. Oromis would be proud of all he had achieved. Not just his defeat of Galbatorix. No, Oromis had expected that. What Oromis would be proud of was how wise Eragon had become. He mourned Oromis, his wisdom was unmatched and Eragon was proud to be taught by him. He would be proud of you. Said Glaedr. The old dragon hardly ever spoke since Galbatorix’s defeat. Elrun ono. (Thank you) Eragon said. He was about to say more when his thoughts were interrupted by Blödhgarm who came into his hut and bowed.
”I came to bid you a good night and a farewell. I will not be back for a few weeks. Atra du evar” Blödhgarm said.
Suruda and the Empire flourish. Nasuada had passed some years ago and since, Dorrin has proven himself more than capable of ruling, inheriting Nasuada’s persistence and love for her country. His visit with Arya put him in a good mood. He listened to the forest around him and watched a wolf stalked his prey, a deer youngling. He also watched a tree he'd been watching discover a new source of nutrition as it wormed its way through the dirt. He laughed as a chipmunk tried to steal nuts from a squirrel only to be caught in the act and chased away, forced to leave its nuts behind. The wolf attacked the young deer and Eragon grimaced as the young deer’s' life faded away. He spotted a new life appear and he touched its consciousness. The elf, for he knew an elven consciousness when he reached out to one,
attacked him in a furious attempt to best him. The elf, Freya, was very young and not yet strong enough to best Eragon but he liked her ferocity and allowed her to gain a slight advantage but he soon overtook her. Good, but not good enough he said to her as he withdrew meet me near the cliffs, we will begin there. And he withdrew completely. He then touched Saphira’s mind to rouse her from her morning nap.
What? She asked, yawning as she did.
Freya and Dourmoth are on their way. We are starting with a bit of rigmar and then some flight training. You will need to teach Dourmoth some stretching and balancing techniques as well, I can tell his balance is not as good as it could be. Saphira agreed and began compiling a schedule for the day, both rigmar and flying techniques.
Saphira had grown much in the last century but was nowhere near Shrukain’s bulk but she could still be mistaken for a mountain though Eragon doubted any traveler would mistake her for a mountain when she was as sparkling as she was. Her vanity had grown even more since Galbatorix was killed. She spent half the day grooming, though not so much now that they had a new dragon and rider to train.
Freya and Dourmoth arrived at the cliffs only to find that Eragon and Saphira had left. Little did she know that Eragon was watching her like prey, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Stealthy as a jungle cat, he was up in the tree, watching. He touched Freya’s' consciousness. If you can find me before I find you, I will let you choose any branch of magic you'd like to learn about. He knew she would find him eventually if he just stayed. Freya immediately started searching. Freya noticed Dourmoth getting ready to take off. Saphira must be getting right to the training, he thought. Freya searched with her mind but was unsuccessful. Eragon shielded his mind well from anyone who dared search for him. Freya is young but I cannot believe she hasn’t thought if looking through the eyes of the animals yet. Eragon learned that Freya was intelligent but when it came to logical thinking, she just didn't succeed very often. He found it ironic in a way. Freya must have thought of looking through the animals’ eyes because he noticed her footsteps getting closer and she began to walk at a more rapid pace. Eragon tried to hide himself in a different spot but as quick as he was, he was no match for an elf
when it came to speed. Freya caught him sitting on a branch high up in a tree.
"HA! I win! I'll think of a subject at a later time as I do not know what I would like to study at the moment." Freya said, feeling obviously accomplished at having bested Eragon.
"Very well. For now, let go back to the cliffs and do some rigmar before the flight and balance training. We will star…" Eragon stopped what he was saying as he felt a mind enter his own, Arya’s mind. He welcomed her minds touch. The gentle music of her mind joined his but the music abruptly stopped as a vision appeared.
A mystery man dressed in a cloak of black bear skin.
"Where is Eragon? I must speak with himm." The man asked, a deep voice, it resonated deep within Arya, as if she knew it somehow.
"I cannot tell you that else the dragons will be in danger. If you would tell me your name, perhaps I can contact him much later as he is many leagues away and the only people who know his location are his students." Arya said. Eragon noticed as she did as the man shifted and the bear skin uncovered the hilt of his sword for a fraction of a second. At first the hilt only looked like a normal hilt but upon further inspection, she noticed that it was no normal sword, it was in fact, Zar'rocs' hilt. She knew it well. And it could not be mistaken. If it was who she thought it was, then something was very wrong and she knew he would not reveal his face. The only way to find out who he is was through a match. "However, if you continue to refuse to tell me who you are and if you truly want to speak with Eragon, you will have to match me." Arya said. The man shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to do.
"Ii doo not tthhink that iss vvery neecesssary, I meean no harrm." the man said. Arya noticed the man spoke this a little slower, as if unsure of what to say. Or maybe he was not used to speaking to creatures who walk on two legs.
“Well then I have no choice but to decline and ask that you leave Ellesmera.” Arya said, hoping she would not have to do so. The man was still for a moment then he took off his cloak but kept the bear’s head on, shielding his head from view.
“Fine thenn. But it musst be quick. What Ii need to tell Eragon is ooff grreat importance.” The man unsheathed his sword from its sheath. Arya was taken aback for a brief moment but unsheathed her sword and took her position. Surely it can only be him, he has a rider’s sword she thought. The man took the first move, aiming for her side, it’s precision like that of an unused but perfect technique, a bit rusty from disuse. She effortlessly blocked him and aimed to strike his side. He sloppily blocked her and aimed for her neck but changed his sword’s path to her side. Arya quickly blocked the blow. They went like this for a few minutes but the man began to gain an advantage as his muscles began to remember the fine techniques he was once taught. They both soon began to gain no ground and they were both gasping for breath when the man yelled “STOP!” and he collapsed to the ground, fighting to get enough air into his system. Arya did likewise. She had known only one person who could keep themselves that long against an elf. Only an old rider could hold themselves against an elf.
“Please, sir, take off your bear head and show me your face. I would like to know who would make such an excellent opponent.” The man was still for a while and then got up and shook his head.
“As you wishh, but we must go ssomewhere more privvate than this.” Arya thought for a moment. Where else could I go? I certainly don’t want this man near my home, the Menoa tree is surely occupied. Then she thought of a place, the pond towards the north, hardly anyone went there as there wasn’t much to look at. It was the place she and Eragon had first had a worthy conversation, and also where he had confessed his lo... no, no I can’t think about him now! “Follow me.” Arya said to the man. She led him to the pond, which took her a few extra minutes as the man was slower than she was.
“Can you asssure mee that no one can hear oorr see us?” The man asked. Arya placed a spell to hide and silence and nodded. The man nodded back and took off the bear head. Arya couldn’t believe her eyes. She now knew for a fact that the man in front of her was who she suspected it was. His face was more refined. Strikingly similar to the way Eragon’s face but less handsome in her eyes, for Murtaugh looked more like his father, Morzan.
“Murtaugh! What are you doing here?!” Arya asked as Murtaugh placed the bear head on the ground next to him.
“There iss ssome troublle inn the west. I need to speak with Eragon. Where is he?” Murtaugh asked.
“One moment.” Arya tilted her head down and the vision ended
Arya’s voice sounded in Eragon’s mind. What would you have me do Eragon? Should I have him wait for you or shall I escort him to your location? She asked. Eragon thought for a moment.
I cannot leave right this moment as I am with Freya. You can escort him up here. I feel like that would be best. Eragon replied back. Arya responded with a mental nod and an apology for interrupting a student’s lesson and Eragon forgave her since it was of a great importance. Overall the whole conversation took about five minutes to complete but Freya was obviously concerned as Eragon found her kneeling above him.
“Ebrithil, are you alright. Were you under attack?” Freya asked urgently. She looked like she was about ready to call out to Dourmoth if she hadn’t already.
“I am fine.” Eragon said in the ancient language. Saphira, are you about done?
I am. Saphira replied back. She was concluding Dourmoth’s lesson by reviewing the day’s happenings. Much like what Glaedr did with her when she had taught him. Eragon let the two be and finished up his own lesson with Freya by doing some rigmar. By the time they had finished Freya had decided what branch of magic she wanted to study.
“How would you efficiently collect water say in the Hadarac Desert?” She asked.
“How would you collect water?” Eragon asked her. He wanted to see if she could figure it out herself.
“Well, one could use the air and compress it to gather water.” Freya said.
“Yes, that is one way but it’s hardly efficient when you’re in the desert.” Eragon said. He searched the ground nearby for a pocket of water. He soon found one. “Come with me and I will show you a conservative way.” He walked over to the pocket of water. “What do you feel?” he asked
Freya closed her eyes and began searching. “I can feel lots of insects and animals.” She said.
“Yes, anything else?” Freya was silent for a moment. Her eyes opened. “Not much else unless you want me to include the trees.”
“Yes, trees need water do they not? So there must be water somewhere else besides the air. Search the ground here and you’ll find that not too far down there is a small pocket of water.” Freya looked doubtful.
“I checked. I didn’t see any water-life in the earth.”
“You’re too focused on one thing. If you had broadened your mind you would have easily seen the water itself and not just life-forms.” He summoned the water from below into a ball of water. Freya looked with wonder at the ball as it froze into an elegant looking ball of ice. Freya reached out to touch it but as soon as she touched it the ball melted and fell back to the earth.
“I see. So you would search for pockets of water and summon them to the surface?” She asked.
“Yes. But you do not want to needlessly use energy by holding it up in the air.”
“So you would have to dig a shallow hole to hold it in?”
“Yes. But you do not want to be greedy. The Hadarac Desert is dry enough without us taking all of its water. Only use it if you have a real need for it and once you do acquire it, drink it sparingly.” Eragon said.
“Yes Ebrithil.” Freya said as she bowed. Just then Saphira became visible with Dourmoth. It was striking to look at. While Saphira was a brilliant blue, Dourmoth was a brilliant combination of light browns and gold. A striking resemblance to his rider Freya who was different in almost every elven way. Her hair was brown, lighter on the top and darker on the bottom, she had a heart-shaped face and long limbs. She was also taller than Eragon by a few inches. Eragon always considered making himself taller but he was quite content with his height.
After a short flying lesson Freya headed off back to her home in Osilon. Because of how far away Freya lived, she only visited him once or twice a week and Eragon tested her on her on her homework, which was quite lengthy, when she did visit him.
Eragon went back to his hut and sat down. He thought about Arya and Murtaugh. He was anxious to see his brother again, more so than he was to see Arya. I wonder what went wrong. Eragon spent the rest of the day sitting on a stump and watching the forest around him. Oromis would be proud of all he had achieved. Not just his defeat of Galbatorix. No, Oromis had expected that. What Oromis would be proud of was how wise Eragon had become. He mourned Oromis, his wisdom was unmatched and Eragon was proud to be taught by him. He would be proud of you. Said Glaedr. The old dragon hardly ever spoke since Galbatorix’s defeat. Elrun ono. (Thank you) Eragon said. He was about to say more when his thoughts were interrupted by Blödhgarm who came into his hut and bowed.
”I came to bid you a good night and a farewell. I will not be back for a few weeks. Atra du evar” Blödhgarm said.