The pounding of the battering Ram filled the air. "Move aside, you fool.", shouted Angela over the pounding as she pushed a foot soldier out of the way of a large stone. He was saved; but the stone which fell harmlessly on the ground rolled fast and hit the leg of another soldier breaking it. Eragon watched this with a depressing feeling. They had laid siege on Belatona just that morning. But the people of the city were very well prepared for the attack. They had fortified the gate even stronger than at Feinster. Nothing could enter the city. They knew so well that they couldn't use the method they did at Feinster because a simple mental probe suggested that the magicians of Feinster had done more than creating a shade; they had contacted the magicians at Belatona and briefed them about how the Varden broke into their gates. Thus the area behind the gate was swarming with soldiers. So the Varden couldn't afford to send any of the elves or Eragon into the city walls. Further the soldiers of this city were much more equipped with all their devices of war. Saphira and Eragon had flown over the city walls four-five times. Each time, volleys of arrows and javelins were aimed at them. Although they had succeeded in breaking more than 15 trebuchets and numerous small catapults and had killed some 100 or so archers, it hardly helped. And they were getting tired of this business. The Varden soldiers were dying in hundreds.Saphira had gone off to take some rest because she was hardly needed to do this siege. Eragon had stationed himself under the command of Roran. But the commander did not even matter because there was not much to do do than try and break the gates. Eragon in his free time concentrated on reinforcing the wards he had placed on Saphira, Roran, Nasuada, Angela and Arya because he was wary of the stones, javelins and arrows flying around from the walls. Just as he resumed killing the soldiers on the walls using his sung wood bow, a messenger arrived and informed him that Nasuada had called him for a meeting. The messenger was wary of his surroundings as he was just a boy of 12 attested by his rolling and wide eyeballs. And his wariness was not some invalid fear of a little boy because Eragon had to shield him from an oncoming arrow just after he delivered his message. Eragon was overcome with anger seeing this atrocity and sent a fizzing fireball toward the soldier who released the arrow with a wild cry of "Brisingr". The messenger was terrified at this display of ferocity and moved slightly away from Eragon. Eragon didn't notice the boy's fear and asked him quite harshly, "Who sent you?" for which the boy replied with a shaky voice, "Lady Nasuada, my lord!" Eragon ignored the 'lord' term that he didn't like to attach with his name in his anger and told the boy, "Stay close to me." But then he found that he would be considerably slowed down by the boy and so lifted the boy up ignoring his mild protests that were muffled by the boy's fear.
Eragon stormed into Nasuada's pavilion with great force that everybody in the tent looked up sharply. He ignored everybody and looked only at Nasuada as he asked, "Why did you send a little into the battle field?". She was nearly dumb struck because Eragon had never spoken to her as such. Slowing gathering herself, Nasuada asked, "What?". Eragon simply said, "The messenger. Why did you send a little boy?" in a biting voice. Nasuada said, "Oh, that. I didn't have any other means at the time, Eragon." "You could have sent Saphira to fetch me or asked Arya to contact me." "None was with me then, Eragon. And it was important.", Nasuada said. Eragon took a deep breath in and said, "You must apologize" for which Nasuada replied, "I know what did was wrong, Eragon. But it was needed at that time. Anyway, I apologize." Eragon said, "Not to me. To the boy. He was almost killed and he is terrified." Nasuada let small smile through her lips. "You are a very good person, Eragon. But this is war. You have seen its atrocities already." Eragon too cooled down a little, "Maybe, my lady. But we must not commit those atrocities." "We have no other choice, Eragon. You know that." said Nasuada, but quickly added, "But in this case I will surely ask for the boy's forgiveness after this battle." Then in a stern and authoritative tone she continued, "Time is running out, Eragon. I called this meeting so that we may find an alternative way to break those gates."
Just then, Saphira contacted Eragon and he lowered his mental defenses. 'Where are you little one?', she asked. 'I am with Nasuada. But where are you? You said you were going to rest for a while.', said Eragon. Saphira said, 'I think I have found a way into the city. But I have to explore it thoroughly. Don't say anything to anyone to give hope. It is a fragile way.' Eragon became wary, 'Be careful, Saphira.' 'I am high, Eragon. Don't worry.', She said and cut-off the connection. As he came back to his surroundings, he noticed that the tent flaps were disturbed and Orrin walked in. Eragon bowed to him from where he was standing, a slight tilt of the head. Only now did Eragon turn his attention to the people in the tent. There was Nar Garzhvog of the Kull and Narheim of the Dwaves. Nasuada started to speak again, so he barely had time to greet them, "As I was saying we must find another way to break the city gates." Then she added in way of explaining to Eragon, "The only suggestion that has come till now is that we may drill a hole in the wall and increase its size by magic." "Narheim suggested so.", she added in a lower tone. "I wanted to know if it will be workable, Eragon?", she asked him. Eragon who had listened to her intently said, "It won't be of much use because we have already tried using magic on the walls" He stopped there as he saw that the tent flaps were pushed again. Arya entered through it. He nodded to her. Only then did the others notice her arrival and everyone greeted her in various ways hastily. Then Eragon continued, "They have certain simple wards in place too. We can break the wards. But the wall is too thick. Further somebody is bound to see it before we can finish our work. So it is risky and costly to attempt." "But what if we do it far away from the gates?", Nasuada asked. This time Arya spoke, "Eragon is absolutely correct and I have checked certain places away from the gates and there are men stationed on the walls everywhere." This seemed to drain the energy out of the people in the tent. Eragon was too affected and he tried contacting Saphira by mildly prodding her mind and whispering, 'Saphira?'. She dismissed him with a flick of her mind.
Their meeting had so many more theories brought up and dismissed and slowly the desperation was showing through on everybody's face. Arya was deep in thought. But her face suggested that she was getting restless too. Nasuada was simply tired of all suggestions being made at her that she seemed to stifle a yawn. Orrin who always seems to have energy flowing through looked weak and forlorn. Garzhvog looked like he would storm out just then and break the gates with his bare hands. Narheim shifted himself from his position and looked like he wanted to speak something. Eragon himself was diving into a great ocean of hopelessness. At that instant, Saphira presence entered his mind filled with refreshing thoughts. She flooded his mind with various images like a river flowing out of the city walls, Saphira diving straight down from high above the castle of the city and Elves getting in and out of the river. None other than Eragon would have understood what they meant. But Eragon being completely sure of Saphira's mind got what she meant perfectly well. And all too suddenly, he cut off Narheim who was just making a start to his latest suggestion. "I have a plan that might work actually!", he nearly exulted and then controlled himself and said in a smooth courtly tone that he had somewhat copied from Arya, "Umm... Saphira has found a solution. It is risky but it will work. Basically, it is just that the Jiet river which flows from the Leona lake passes through a part of the city. We get into the city through the river." Everybody was staring at him but from their expressions he knew that most weren't convinced. Nasuada summed up everyone's doubt, "But Eragon the river is fast flowing. We can't use boats in it. We don't even have boats. Further before we reach in, the soldiers will be waiting for us." Eragon made an expression that simply showed that he dismissed her doubt absolutely and said, "Perhaps, I have to make it clear. It is not a route for all of us. It is one for the elves and me." "What? How can you...", Nasuada started to protest then remembered that they were capable of such rare feats and so thought about it quickly and she came across another gaping hole in the theory, "Even if you get in, what difference would it make? You can't open the gates anyway." This time it was Arya who spoke and from her clear and precise answer it was evident that she had got Saphira's plan, "Because we are not going to let you in by opening the gates." Nasuada was clearly mortified, "That would be suicidal. No you are not doing it." "Hardly. You haven't heard the whole scheme yet, Nasuada. Yes, there are risks. But if we don't take them then half of the Varden will be dead by the next sunrise." Nasuada started to protest, but Eragon cut her off saying, "Hear it in full first. We will go deep into the city where there is hardly any protection by being hidden by the river. Then from there we will attack the castle which doesn't have as much protection as the outside gates. Further there will be the element of surprise as well and we will capture the city's lord." Everyone in the tent were as silent and as still as rocks. Nasuada asked, "But how can you remain in the river hidden for that long." "Leave that to us, my lady.", Eragon said. "We will surely fine tune the plan and recheck the facts before acting on it.", he assured her. Then Eragon and Arya went out of the tent to discuss the matter with the elves. Saphira too joined them soon.
Eragon stormed into Nasuada's pavilion with great force that everybody in the tent looked up sharply. He ignored everybody and looked only at Nasuada as he asked, "Why did you send a little into the battle field?". She was nearly dumb struck because Eragon had never spoken to her as such. Slowing gathering herself, Nasuada asked, "What?". Eragon simply said, "The messenger. Why did you send a little boy?" in a biting voice. Nasuada said, "Oh, that. I didn't have any other means at the time, Eragon." "You could have sent Saphira to fetch me or asked Arya to contact me." "None was with me then, Eragon. And it was important.", Nasuada said. Eragon took a deep breath in and said, "You must apologize" for which Nasuada replied, "I know what did was wrong, Eragon. But it was needed at that time. Anyway, I apologize." Eragon said, "Not to me. To the boy. He was almost killed and he is terrified." Nasuada let small smile through her lips. "You are a very good person, Eragon. But this is war. You have seen its atrocities already." Eragon too cooled down a little, "Maybe, my lady. But we must not commit those atrocities." "We have no other choice, Eragon. You know that." said Nasuada, but quickly added, "But in this case I will surely ask for the boy's forgiveness after this battle." Then in a stern and authoritative tone she continued, "Time is running out, Eragon. I called this meeting so that we may find an alternative way to break those gates."
Just then, Saphira contacted Eragon and he lowered his mental defenses. 'Where are you little one?', she asked. 'I am with Nasuada. But where are you? You said you were going to rest for a while.', said Eragon. Saphira said, 'I think I have found a way into the city. But I have to explore it thoroughly. Don't say anything to anyone to give hope. It is a fragile way.' Eragon became wary, 'Be careful, Saphira.' 'I am high, Eragon. Don't worry.', She said and cut-off the connection. As he came back to his surroundings, he noticed that the tent flaps were disturbed and Orrin walked in. Eragon bowed to him from where he was standing, a slight tilt of the head. Only now did Eragon turn his attention to the people in the tent. There was Nar Garzhvog of the Kull and Narheim of the Dwaves. Nasuada started to speak again, so he barely had time to greet them, "As I was saying we must find another way to break the city gates." Then she added in way of explaining to Eragon, "The only suggestion that has come till now is that we may drill a hole in the wall and increase its size by magic." "Narheim suggested so.", she added in a lower tone. "I wanted to know if it will be workable, Eragon?", she asked him. Eragon who had listened to her intently said, "It won't be of much use because we have already tried using magic on the walls" He stopped there as he saw that the tent flaps were pushed again. Arya entered through it. He nodded to her. Only then did the others notice her arrival and everyone greeted her in various ways hastily. Then Eragon continued, "They have certain simple wards in place too. We can break the wards. But the wall is too thick. Further somebody is bound to see it before we can finish our work. So it is risky and costly to attempt." "But what if we do it far away from the gates?", Nasuada asked. This time Arya spoke, "Eragon is absolutely correct and I have checked certain places away from the gates and there are men stationed on the walls everywhere." This seemed to drain the energy out of the people in the tent. Eragon was too affected and he tried contacting Saphira by mildly prodding her mind and whispering, 'Saphira?'. She dismissed him with a flick of her mind.
Their meeting had so many more theories brought up and dismissed and slowly the desperation was showing through on everybody's face. Arya was deep in thought. But her face suggested that she was getting restless too. Nasuada was simply tired of all suggestions being made at her that she seemed to stifle a yawn. Orrin who always seems to have energy flowing through looked weak and forlorn. Garzhvog looked like he would storm out just then and break the gates with his bare hands. Narheim shifted himself from his position and looked like he wanted to speak something. Eragon himself was diving into a great ocean of hopelessness. At that instant, Saphira presence entered his mind filled with refreshing thoughts. She flooded his mind with various images like a river flowing out of the city walls, Saphira diving straight down from high above the castle of the city and Elves getting in and out of the river. None other than Eragon would have understood what they meant. But Eragon being completely sure of Saphira's mind got what she meant perfectly well. And all too suddenly, he cut off Narheim who was just making a start to his latest suggestion. "I have a plan that might work actually!", he nearly exulted and then controlled himself and said in a smooth courtly tone that he had somewhat copied from Arya, "Umm... Saphira has found a solution. It is risky but it will work. Basically, it is just that the Jiet river which flows from the Leona lake passes through a part of the city. We get into the city through the river." Everybody was staring at him but from their expressions he knew that most weren't convinced. Nasuada summed up everyone's doubt, "But Eragon the river is fast flowing. We can't use boats in it. We don't even have boats. Further before we reach in, the soldiers will be waiting for us." Eragon made an expression that simply showed that he dismissed her doubt absolutely and said, "Perhaps, I have to make it clear. It is not a route for all of us. It is one for the elves and me." "What? How can you...", Nasuada started to protest then remembered that they were capable of such rare feats and so thought about it quickly and she came across another gaping hole in the theory, "Even if you get in, what difference would it make? You can't open the gates anyway." This time it was Arya who spoke and from her clear and precise answer it was evident that she had got Saphira's plan, "Because we are not going to let you in by opening the gates." Nasuada was clearly mortified, "That would be suicidal. No you are not doing it." "Hardly. You haven't heard the whole scheme yet, Nasuada. Yes, there are risks. But if we don't take them then half of the Varden will be dead by the next sunrise." Nasuada started to protest, but Eragon cut her off saying, "Hear it in full first. We will go deep into the city where there is hardly any protection by being hidden by the river. Then from there we will attack the castle which doesn't have as much protection as the outside gates. Further there will be the element of surprise as well and we will capture the city's lord." Everyone in the tent were as silent and as still as rocks. Nasuada asked, "But how can you remain in the river hidden for that long." "Leave that to us, my lady.", Eragon said. "We will surely fine tune the plan and recheck the facts before acting on it.", he assured her. Then Eragon and Arya went out of the tent to discuss the matter with the elves. Saphira too joined them soon.
* * * * * * * *
Eragon got on Saphira and pulled the saddle straps around his legs. He turned to see Arya and told her with a pinch of his love for her showing through, "Be careful, Arya. There are soldiers on the walls near the river's banks and at random places in the city. Come above the water only after I give you the signal." She nodded at him and turned away quickly. Then she mouthed a long and complex spell that they had devised and tested thoroughly which would give them air to breath under water. The elves followed and then they all jumped into the river. Saphira looked into the river for a time before she launched herself from there with the flapping of her powerful wings. Saphira flew high above the land so as to conceal herself from view. Eragon and Saphira kept watch of the happenings on the ground and conveyed them regularly to Arya. After about fifteen minutes of swimming Arya said, 'Eragon, the current is heavy. We are losing our energy fast. Hasn't the point come yet?' 'A little more, Arya. About four more minutes will suffice', replied Eragon. And he was almost correct: in about twenty minutes after the start of their brave endeavour the elves came out of the water. They were somewhat tired though. Arya had some Faelnirv with her and she drank some of it and gave the rest away to the other elves. Then they started their run toward the castle. Eragon supervised their direction so that they didn't come against any soldiers and led them to the street where the castle stood. It was dusk time and so they easily avoided detection by the few soldiers who patrolled that street by hiding in the shadows. When finally they had to go near the door of the castle, Saphira flew down from the sky on the top of the castle thus attracting the soldier's attention to her. Before the soldiers could know what descended on them four of them had died out of the fire from Saphira. On the ground Arya's sword made quick work of the three soldiers who guarded the door. The 12 elves who had been running on her flanks killed about twenty soldiers who were stationed at various positions using their swords and bows. Eragon climbed into the castle through a window on the top floor. The elves went on to break the wards around the door of the castle. Saphira stood guard before them. When the elves had finished their work and were ready to go into the castle Saphira prodded Arya's mind and asked her to get on the saddle. Arya obliged. Then Saphira took off and let Arya down on the floor where Eragon had entered the castle.
Arya understanding Saphira's unsaid message went into the castle without anymore delay. Then Saphira went to the top floor once again and started breaking into the castle with her claws and teeth. Eragon had encountered two spell casters when he went in and was fighting them. He had broken into one's mind and learned where the Lord Bradburn, the lord of Belatona was and killed that magician. But the other one had already alerted the magicians at the gates. With Arya's arrival, they overpowered him too. Then they descended the stairs and Eragon contacted Blodhgarm to convey the location of the council room where Lord Bradburn was currently in. The elves, Eragon and Arya reached the council room almost at the same time and they killed the six guards who stood outside it. Then they entered the room. There it was already mayhem as the members of the council were wondering what was creating all those screeching noises. When Eragon entered the room a shaky voice asked, "Who are you and what are you doing in my council room?" Eragon almost pitied the state of the Lord but answered with authority, "We are part of the Varden and we have come to take you prisoner." Eragon heard the slithering sound of swords being removed from their scabbards. He knew he had no time to waste because the soldiers at the gate were fast approaching the castle. So he too took Brisingr in his hand in a flash. The elves were likewise equipped with their swords. Two of the council members jumped on Eragon. They were evidently good swordsmen, but were no match to his technique and speed. He blocked a stab aimed at his heart from one person and swayed away from the other's wild swing in a fluid motion. Regaining his ground in seconds, he went into offensive bringing his sword down in an arc and cut off the blades from the hilt. Before the councillors could come out of the shock of seeing their fine swords broken, Eragon decapitated them. When he looked up next, he saw Arya with her sword point held onto the neck of Lord Bradburn and fifteen more dead bodies around him and the elves. They then escorted Lord Bradburn out of his castle. The three spell casters from the gate had arrived outside the castle with a company 200 soldiers. On seeing their ruler in the custody of the enemy many soldiers swore loudly, but none attempted to attack them. But the spell casters were fuming as conveyed by their faces and launched a staunch mental attack on Arya who was holding Lord Bradburn on sword point. But Saphira was too quick for them protecting Arya from their attack herself never allowing Arya to confront them. They tried hard futilely and their faces screwed up in their attempt. They went too far in their anger and died. Seeing the death of the magicians seemingly of their own accord some soldiers laid down their weapons and surrendered. Some other sent out arrows in a futile attempt to kill any of the elves but were soon killed by the unerring aim of the elven bows. Soon the gates were ordered to be opened for the Varden and the city was secured.
* * * * * * * *
Nasuada came up to Saphira and bowed to her. Then: "Without your plan, we would all have perished outside these walls." Saphira bent down and touched Nasuada on her brow with her snout and said through Eragon, "Protecting the Varden of which Eragon is a part and that which was created by Eragon's father is my duty." Eragon then patted Saphira's flanks. And as Eragon watched, Nasuada then went to the Elves to thank them personally and Arya speaking for all of the Elves said, "Elves are part of the Varden as much as the human members of it are, Nasuada. You don't have to thank us." The confluence of the winners of the war was thus over and the next step to be taken was to be decided. But Nobody was willing to do anything more after such a tiring day, so they decided that they would speak of the arrangements to be done the next day and departed to their own tents. Eragon who had forgotten Glaedr in all these problems went to his tent and checked his eldunari. He was hardly out of his misery. He whispered comforting words to the eldunari as he had done everyday after the death of Oromis and explained the events of the day to the old dragon caught in his heart of hearts in the hope that his master would one day start paying heed to him. Then he went on to take a well deserved rest as the night air surrounded the land.
Author's Note:
So there it is. The first real action in the story. Hope you liked it. Read and Review please...
A promising masterpiece...
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