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Wings of a Dream:

Chapter Seventeen:

We left Brom's hilltop memorial in silence, making our way back to camp.  No-one said anything for the longest time, the silence was broken by Murtagh.

“That was the Brom wasn't it, the last of the living Riders, outside of you and the king.”  He directed the question at Eragon.

“Yeah, he taught me most of what I know.  It will be hard to go on without him.”

I sighed, But we must, no matter the cost.

Camp was packed up in relative silence, everyone was downtrodden about loosing such a valuable friend and ally.

We left the cave, Saphira and I on wing, with Eragon and Murtagh riding beneath us.

Saphira, keep your eyes open, the king will be intent on capturing us now.

She nodded as we winged our way higher, constantly vigilant.

As we neared Gil'lead I started feeling uneasy, I grew restless in my actions and it was apparent to everyone when we stopped just outside of town.

“You okay Fayathon?”  I jumped, and looked for who had asked me the question, it was Eragon.

I've got a bad feeling, I don't like being this close to any Imperial city, especially one outfitted like this one.  It's not a city, it's a fortress, most of the people here are soldiers, not civilians.  I nervously clawed at the ground with my forepaws.

Murtagh sat there, quiet for a moment, then spoke.  “I think it would be wise for you to stay here Eragon, I have contacts in the city that I can talk to to get the information that we need to proceed.”

“What if you get caught?”

It's better than you getting caught Eragon, besides, you could probably escape easily couldn't you Murtagh?

“That I could, especially since I would be under much lighter guard than you would Eragon.”

Eragon slumped in defeat.  “You still can't get the information, I need to show Dormnad my hand to convince him to show us the way to the Varden.”

Saphira closed her eyes in thought.   I think I know how to convince him without you being there, I agree with Fayathon it's far to dangerous for you to go in Eragon.

She relayed a set of lines for Murtagh to repeat to  Dormnad when they met, to convince him of the honesty of the visit.  Murtagh took a minute to commit them to memory.

“I'll head down now, with any luck I'll be back well before sundown.”

He saddled his horse and rode off.

I settled down, trying to ease my tensions, to little avail.  I sighed, a plum of smoke trailing out of my nose.

He'll be fine, stop worrying.

I sighed again, It's not that Saphira, I've just got a bad feeling, and it just won't go away, I think something bad is going to happen soon.  Of course it could just be the hundreds of soldiers that are in that city making me nervous.

I scanned the area, mainly watching for Murtagh to return, when my gaze fell on Eragon, he seemed out of it, like his mind was wandering.

What's got you so intently staring into nothing?

He snapped out of his reverie.  “Just a dream, a very odd dream that I've been having.”

I shifted and asked, What's so odd about it?

“It's got a woman, one I've never seen before, and she's in a prison.  Something tells me that she is not only real, but in danger too.”

I rested my head on my forepaws.  That sounds like scrying, but I've never heard of anyone doing that in their sleep...  It was my turn to mull things over.  Eragon was an oddity, I had learned much from Oromis about the Riders, and magic in general, what I had just been told didn't make any sense, especially for one so young as Eragon.  I spent the next few hours wondering what else this young Rider would surprise me with.

I sighed, Murtagh had been gone most of the day, it was getting dark, and we needed to be on our way again.

Where is he!?  I growled irritably.

I was watching the gates, but nothing had passed through them for the last few hours and I was getting restless.  I was surprised as a lone horseman shot out of the gates.  It looked like he was running from the whole Imperial army.  He looped around and headed straight for our camp.  I touched his mind, finding that it was Murtagh I released some of my pent-up tension.  He rode into camp, his horse was lathered in sweat, and he was breathing hard.

What happened to you?

“I was spotted by someone I know.”  He motioned towards Eragon, who passed him a waterskin.

Will he talk, or is he trustworthy?

He finished his draught on the skin, and snorted.

“It's not if he will talk, it's to who.”  He choked out.

I growled. That's not good.  Did you at least talk to Dormnad?

He waved dismissively.  “That was easy, Saphira's words convinced him that I was legitimate.  There's a problem though, he wants to leave in the morning, and I couldn't convince him otherwise.”

We'll have to wait then, there isn't much choice.  We'll just have to be very careful, I wouldn't be surprised to see patrols all over this area for the next little while, hopefully your friend doesn't tell anyone of an importance...  I trailed off, this situation didn't sit well with me.

That night we didn't bother with a fire, it was to likely to get us spotted.  The air was heavy, and it looked like a storm was rolling in.

I glanced up at the gather clouds.  Great, I just love getting a downpour on my head.

The others looked skyward.  “Hopefully it passes us by.”

“I doubt that Eragon, it's gathering right above us.”

The air already smelled heavily of fresh rain, it drowned out everything that wasn't right in our camp.

I really don't like this, I can't smell anything beyond the camp.

Saphira sniffed the air.  I can't smell anything eith-  She cut off.

What is it?

She sniffed again,  I don't know, it seems familiar, but I can't place it...

I heard a 'crunch' behind me and swung my head around. URGALS!  We're surrounded!

I snarled, looking for an opening, somewhere that Murtagh and Eragon could get through to flee.

I swung my tail around, battering some of the Urgals, knocking them off of their feet.

Run!  I will try to keep the path clear.  Eragon and Murtagh nodded, and mounted their horses.

They rode for their lives, while I whipped my tail around, clearing the area of Urgals, hoping to stall them long enough to make good on our escape.  I was elated when Murtagh was able to break free and head into the brush.  I turned my attention to Eragon, who was quickly being surrounded by the Urgals that had regained their composure.  Saphira and I roared, and charged, managing to get their attention, hoping to drive them away from Eragon.  They responded with spears, making it so we couldn't get to him.  He was doing fairly well on his own, and was almost free when one of the Urgals leapt from the bushes besides him, brandishing a club.  I saw it coming, and shouted a warning, one that came to late, the blow connected, sending Eragon from his saddle.  We watched in horror as the Urgal hauled him off over one shoulder, handing him over to a lone figure that had come out during the fight.  The figure turned and started back towards Gil'lead.

I heard Eragon's mental plea before he passed out, Run, they won't kill me, but this fight is lost.

Saphira roared in defiance of the order, but both she and I relented opting to return and save him with Murtagh's help.

TWICE!  This is TWICE that I've failed!

I thrashed my tail in agitation, smoke billowing from my nostrils.

Saphira and I had met up with Murtagh after the fight had concluded.  He was going over a rescue plan.

“Easy, at least he's alive. We can rescue him still.”  Murtagh grabbed a small stick and began drawing in the dirt.  “Here's the basic layout of the city, and here” he marked the spot with and 'x' “is where the jail is, he'll be held there.  I would suggest that we wait until around midnight when they change the guards, then a quick strike and we can flee while they are confused.  I'll sneak in, but I need a quick escape route, that's where you two come in.”

I nodded, and he laid out a path that would lead us right to the jail with minimal encounters with the guards.

I think that a distraction will improve the odds of success here, I will provide it, just let me know when you want to make your move, I'll start raising hell in there.

“Don't do anything stupid, the last thing that we need is to have to rescue you too.”

I snorted, If I get caught don't bother, my life isn't worth Eragon's or Saphira's, but I will be careful.

Murtagh went over some of the specifics of the building and where Saphira was to meet him when he had liberated Eragon, I was content to learn where the main sections that the guards were located, to keep their numbers divided.

We waited until nightfall, that's when Murtagh made his way into town.  “I'll let you guys know when to start, timing is key here.”

We nodded, and settled in to wait.

I was tense, nervously kneading the ground with my claws.  I wanted to get this over with as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Calm down, you're going to make a mistake if you don't.

I snorted, I don't think I could screw up what I've got planned.

And what's that?

You'll see when it's time.

Alright, another chapter down.  Minor note here, Brisingr kinda screwed with my storyline, so I'll probably be taking more artistic freedoms now, as I really don't want to completely overhaul the whole story.  Other than that R&R, and remember concrit is always welcome.

Description
Wings of a Dream:

Chapter Seventeen:

We left Brom's hilltop memorial in silence, making our way back to camp.  No-one said anything for the longest time, the silence was broken by Murtagh.

“That was the Brom wasn't it, the last of the living Riders, outside of you and the king.”  He directed the question at Eragon.

“Yeah, he taught me most of what I know.  It will be hard to go on without him.”

I sighed, But we must, no matter the cost.

Camp was packed up in relative silence, everyone was downtrodden about loosing such a valuable friend and ally.

We left the cave, Saphira and I on wing, with Eragon and Murtagh riding beneath us.

Saphira, keep your eyes open, the king will be intent on capturing us now.

She nodded as we winged our way higher, constantly vigilant.

As we neared Gil'lead I started feeling uneasy, I grew restless in my actions and it was apparent to everyone when we stopped just outside of town.

“You okay Fayathon?”  I jumped, and looked for who had asked me the question, it was Eragon.

I've got a bad feeling, I don't like being this close to any Imperial city, especially one outfitted like this one.  It's not a city, it's a fortress, most of the people here are soldiers, not civilians.  I nervously clawed at the ground with my forepaws.

Murtagh sat there, quiet for a moment, then spoke.  “I think it would be wise for you to stay here Eragon, I have contacts in the city that I can talk to to get the information that we need to proceed.”

“What if you get caught?”

It's better than you getting caught Eragon, besides, you could probably escape easily couldn't you Murtagh?

“That I could, especially since I would be under much lighter guard than you would Eragon.”

Eragon slumped in defeat.  “You still can't get the information, I need to show Dormnad my hand to convince him to show us the way to the Varden.”

Saphira closed her eyes in thought.   I think I know how to convince him without you being there, I agree with Fayathon it's far to dangerous for you to go in Eragon.

She relayed a set of lines for Murtagh to repeat to  Dormnad when they met, to convince him of the honesty of the visit.  Murtagh took a minute to commit them to memory.

“I'll head down now, with any luck I'll be back well before sundown.”

He saddled his horse and rode off.

I settled down, trying to ease my tensions, to little avail.  I sighed, a plum of smoke trailing out of my nose.

He'll be fine, stop worrying.

I sighed again, It's not that Saphira, I've just got a bad feeling, and it just won't go away, I think something bad is going to happen soon.  Of course it could just be the hundreds of soldiers that are in that city making me nervous.

I scanned the area, mainly watching for Murtagh to return, when my gaze fell on Eragon, he seemed out of it, like his mind was wandering.

What's got you so intently staring into nothing?

He snapped out of his reverie.  “Just a dream, a very odd dream that I've been having.”

I shifted and asked, What's so odd about it?

“It's got a woman, one I've never seen before, and she's in a prison.  Something tells me that she is not only real, but in danger too.”

I rested my head on my forepaws.  That sounds like scrying, but I've never heard of anyone doing that in their sleep...  It was my turn to mull things over.  Eragon was an oddity, I had learned much from Oromis about the Riders, and magic in general, what I had just been told didn't make any sense, especially for one so young as Eragon.  I spent the next few hours wondering what else this young Rider would surprise me with.

I sighed, Murtagh had been gone most of the day, it was getting dark, and we needed to be on our way again.

Where is he!?  I growled irritably.

I was watching the gates, but nothing had passed through them for the last few hours and I was getting restless.  I was surprised as a lone horseman shot out of the gates.  It looked like he was running from the whole Imperial army.  He looped around and headed straight for our camp.  I touched his mind, finding that it was Murtagh I released some of my pent-up tension.  He rode into camp, his horse was lathered in sweat, and he was breathing hard.

What happened to you?

“I was spotted by someone I know.”  He motioned towards Eragon, who passed him a waterskin.

Will he talk, or is he trustworthy?

He finished his draught on the skin, and snorted.

“It's not if he will talk, it's to who.”  He choked out.

I growled. That's not good.  Did you at least talk to Dormnad?

He waved dismissively.  “That was easy, Saphira's words convinced him that I was legitimate.  There's a problem though, he wants to leave in the morning, and I couldn't convince him otherwise.”

We'll have to wait then, there isn't much choice.  We'll just have to be very careful, I wouldn't be surprised to see patrols all over this area for the next little while, hopefully your friend doesn't tell anyone of an importance...  I trailed off, this situation didn't sit well with me.

That night we didn't bother with a fire, it was to likely to get us spotted.  The air was heavy, and it looked like a storm was rolling in.

I glanced up at the gather clouds.  Great, I just love getting a downpour on my head.

The others looked skyward.  “Hopefully it passes us by.”

“I doubt that Eragon, it's gathering right above us.”

The air already smelled heavily of fresh rain, it drowned out everything that wasn't right in our camp.

I really don't like this, I can't smell anything beyond the camp.

Saphira sniffed the air.  I can't smell anything eith-  She cut off.

What is it?

She sniffed again,  I don't know, it seems familiar, but I can't place it...

I heard a 'crunch' behind me and swung my head around. URGALS!  We're surrounded!

I snarled, looking for an opening, somewhere that Murtagh and Eragon could get through to flee.

I swung my tail around, battering some of the Urgals, knocking them off of their feet.

Run!  I will try to keep the path clear.  Eragon and Murtagh nodded, and mounted their horses.

They rode for their lives, while I whipped my tail around, clearing the area of Urgals, hoping to stall them long enough to make good on our escape.  I was elated when Murtagh was able to break free and head into the brush.  I turned my attention to Eragon, who was quickly being surrounded by the Urgals that had regained their composure.  Saphira and I roared, and charged, managing to get their attention, hoping to drive them away from Eragon.  They responded with spears, making it so we couldn't get to him.  He was doing fairly well on his own, and was almost free when one of the Urgals leapt from the bushes besides him, brandishing a club.  I saw it coming, and shouted a warning, one that came to late, the blow connected, sending Eragon from his saddle.  We watched in horror as the Urgal hauled him off over one shoulder, handing him over to a lone figure that had come out during the fight.  The figure turned and started back towards Gil'lead.

I heard Eragon's mental plea before he passed out, Run, they won't kill me, but this fight is lost.

Saphira roared in defiance of the order, but both she and I relented opting to return and save him with Murtagh's help.

TWICE!  This is TWICE that I've failed!

I thrashed my tail in agitation, smoke billowing from my nostrils.

Saphira and I had met up with Murtagh after the fight had concluded.  He was going over a rescue plan.

“Easy, at least he's alive. We can rescue him still.”  Murtagh grabbed a small stick and began drawing in the dirt.  “Here's the basic layout of the city, and here” he marked the spot with and 'x' “is where the jail is, he'll be held there.  I would suggest that we wait until around midnight when they change the guards, then a quick strike and we can flee while they are confused.  I'll sneak in, but I need a quick escape route, that's where you two come in.”

I nodded, and he laid out a path that would lead us right to the jail with minimal encounters with the guards.

I think that a distraction will improve the odds of success here, I will provide it, just let me know when you want to make your move, I'll start raising hell in there.

“Don't do anything stupid, the last thing that we need is to have to rescue you too.”

I snorted, If I get caught don't bother, my life isn't worth Eragon's or Saphira's, but I will be careful.

Murtagh went over some of the specifics of the building and where Saphira was to meet him when he had liberated Eragon, I was content to learn where the main sections that the guards were located, to keep their numbers divided.

We waited until nightfall, that's when Murtagh made his way into town.  “I'll let you guys know when to start, timing is key here.”

We nodded, and settled in to wait.

I was tense, nervously kneading the ground with my claws.  I wanted to get this over with as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Calm down, you're going to make a mistake if you don't.

I snorted, I don't think I could screw up what I've got planned.

And what's that?

You'll see when it's time.

Alright, another chapter down.  Minor note here, Brisingr kinda screwed with my storyline, so I'll probably be taking more artistic freedoms now, as I really don't want to completely overhaul the whole story.  Other than that R&R, and remember concrit is always welcome.