For Alagaesia: 28. Tackling the lion's den

Every wing-beat, a mixture of joy and fear, Saphira flew out of Du Weldenvarden. It was early in the morning now. But she wasn't feeling the usual activeness that comes with the morning. In fact, she felt worse than she did at night when she had been in Du Weldenvarden. The mystic-forest-of-elves had a calming effect on her. But now that she was back in the open air, she was feeling more and more that their doom was near. But ever since, she had started off from Ellesmera, the immense worry that she had been feeling for five days had left her. It indicated only one thing: the danger that Eragon was facing was gone. His life wasn't threatened atleast for now. That one thought gave her the strength to face every adversity that lay ahead of her.

Nobody spoke after leaving Du Weldenvarden. It was as if each one of the three travellers-herself, Arya and Glaedr were feeling the same way. They had discussed how best to execute their plans until they were in the elf-forest, but now each one left the other to their own devices, choosing to be calm; waiting for the impending danger. However bad Saphira felt about going to Uru'baen, she didn't reduce her speed. The pleasure at finally rescuing Eragon from the clutches of the evil king was much more prominent in her mind than the fear of facing the dark city and probably the dark king.

She kept on flying through the plains and before the sun was overhead they had reached the desert. This was the most straight forward route she had ever taken. She had flown straight from Ellesmera in the direction of Uru'baen and was racing towards the city without waiting even once. In an hour they crossed the minor stirp of desert and were back in the plains. The terrain sported trees that were large-enough-to-rest-under. She knew what this meant: they were nearing the Ramr river. Across the river lay Uru'baen, within two hours flying.

Soon the Ramr river came into view. Breaking the icy silence that had settled over them, Arya said, "Land, Saphira. We have to make the final arrangements and contact Blodhgarm to know his status" Her voice held steel. Saphira knew from it that whatever happened Arya would save Eragon from prison or die trying. Obliging, Saphira landed in between the thick cover of trees. Arya went to the banks of the Ramr and taking some water from it went on to contact Blodhgarm.

Glaedr asked Saphira to revise all lessons of flying, he had given her. Saphira, although not so much interested  in the circumstances to revise flight lessons, did as she was ordered because she knew it was to prepare her for the sternest test she had ever faced. She had to work like a wild dragon now. Soon Arya came back and said that Blodhgarm and his companions would be in place in another three hours. Arya tied Naegling securely to Saphira's saddle and cast wards so that the bonds connecting Naegling to Saphira would not give away. Then she checked her own wards.

After that they decided to rest their travel worn bodies before taking the last leg of their journey. The stay was not only to give their bodies rest but also to buy time for Blodhgarm and his company to settle in their position. Arya climbed a tree and lay on one of its huge branches looking at the green around her. Saphira chose to stay on the ground not because she didn't like seeing the skies where she belonged but because the trees were too small to hold her weight. She lay curled under the tree on which Arya rested. After hours when the sun was red in the west, Arya jumped down from her perch and adjusted her sword belt to a more comfortable position. Saphira followed suit by flaring her wings open and beating them twice in succession in preparation for the long and arduous journey they were about to embark on.

Glaedr opened his mind to both of them acting as a bridge between them just as he did during the defense of Belatona. Arya mounted Saphira in a swift graceful motion and settled in the saddle. Saphira, anxious suddenly to meet with Eragon as soon as possible, took off without any further delay. She didn't have any doubts now whatsoever. She would face any adversary for Eragon even if it was the black king himself riding against her. She revelled in the independence she had at last in rescuing the partner-of-her-mind-and-heart and a bout of fire escaped her jaws.

A hour's brisk flying brought into view the city of Uru'baen. It was the first time she had laid eyes upon the city. And from the interest with which Arya surveyed the city showed her that it was the first time for Arya too.

'Send me an image of the city', Glaedr said quite unexpectedly. Saphira hurried to do so. 'The city has changed a lot on the outside. Many elegant buildings are missing. But the basic architecture remains. It is a modified form of Illeria. A terrible form. Illeria has lost all its glory. It was the capital city of the humans once. As glorious as Tronjheim and Ellesmera.', said Glaedr in a reminiscing way. After a short interval, he said, 'Fine. Children. Now find a safe place to drop Arya.'

'Let me contact Eragon', Saphira said. 'No. Don't', Glaedr's response was rather quick.
'Why master? I could easily evade other minds. I can find Eragon so easily that none will notice me. Not even Galbatorix. And its been so long since I have spoken to Eragon. I want to talk to him'
'And what Saphira? Make him afraid for you? Or give him a false hope of escape? If we succeed toady you will have all of eternity to speak to him. But if he knows that you died just because you tried to save him, he will lose all will to live and may even break to Galbatorix' Glaedr's answer was blunt. But Saphira knew he was right. So she restrained her wish.

"Drop me by those trees", Arya said after a careful examination of the ground.

'It is too far from the city. You will have to walk a long way', Saphira said not wanting to let Arya go separately any more than necessary.

"If we go any further, people are bound to see you lowering and doubts will arise. I can take care of myself, Saphira", Arya said kindly. Saphira thought about it for some time and found that Arya had a very much valid point. Arya would be in far more greater dangers if she was somehow sighted with Saphira. So Saphira lowered herself into the thicket of trees that Arya pointed.

Arya got down from the saddle as soon as Saphira landed. She hastily looked around. When she was sure that nobody was near, she relaxed. Then slowly, she extended her mind around the area. There was not a person for a league around them. "None knows of our arrival. I will go now", she said and started running out of the tree covered area hiding Brisingr in her dress.

Saphira looked at Arya running into the most-dangerous-area-in-all-land just for saving Eragon. She took a swift step forward and put her next leg on Arya's back pinning her to the ground. Arya turned her head around terrified but on seeing Saphira relaxed and started asking, "Why did.." But Saphira cut her off with a growl and said, 'Be careful' pouring in all the affection she felt for Arya into the words. Arya looked surprised for a second and the next she wore an extremely uncomfortable expression on her face.

Saphira fearing she had annoyed Arya lifted her leg from Arya's back allowing her to stand. Arya turned around but didn't get up. Saphira extended her neck down and faced Arya in the eye. Arya extended her hand and stroked Saphira on the snout and said, "You too, Saphira" in a loving and kind voice. The next moment though, she was up on her feet and running towards the city.

Saphira waited in the thick cover of trees, for her time-to-work come. Through Glaedr she followed Arya's progress. Arya had mingled with a group of peasants returning from work from the fields. Her clothing had been taken care of even before they left Ellesmera to look like that of a common human woman and so nobody doubted her.

As she neared the gates to the city, she noticed four soldiers checking each person arriving into the city. So she built up reasons and names that sounded acceptable enough to let her into the city. When she was close enough, to see what the interrogation consisted of, she was mortified. They were not speaking even a word. Every thing was done by reading minds.

'Turn back, Arya. We shall find another entrance into the city', Saphira said hastily.

'No. If I turn back now, they will notice. Further, there aren't any other entrance into the city, you know that well', Arya replied calmly. Saphira couldn't fathom how Arya was calm even in such dire situations.

'Because she has made up her mind to face everything', said Glaedr in response to her thoughts. Arya commented not about the remark. But after a few minutes, she said, 'I will try to break into the city and if I can't I will tell you and it will be a good enough time for you to act as planned but in advance' Saphira thought for sometime about the arrangement and felt it to be acceptable. 'Fine, so be it', she said and both Glaedr and Saphira listened in on Arya's thoughts keenly.

Looking from the bearing of the magicians, it was clear they were tired of looking the same kind of miserable life of the peasants. It was an advantage for her. They were unprepared to tackle her. She waited patiently in the slow movement of the queue in which she stood. She had taken care of her appearance, yet she knew problems may arise just as it did in Eastcroft, so she pulled her hood a little higher so as to hide her appearance. When her chance finally came, the magician who tested her extended a tendril into her mind. It was all the prompting she needed. She struck back as fast as possible and overpowered the man in seconds. Then she made him say, "You may pass" The word that she had seen each of the magician use to allow people into the city. As she went in, she slowly burnt the memory of their encounter from the man's mind during which time she knew he would have stood like a fool with a faraway gaze.

Saphira let out a sigh of relief when Arya entered the city. 'The king has forgotten the powers of the elves. That man was so easy to overcome', Arya commented.

'So it seems'. Glaedr said. Saphira and Glaedr watched the city through Arya as she carefully moved through the various streets in search of the spot she had specifically chosen to enter the moat.

"You there? Hey, woman.. What are you doing by the king's castle?", a starkly authoritative voice called her from behind.

'Its nothing, sir. I lost my chain when I was cleaning these premises the other day. I am looking for it", Arya said the most believable story of all that sprang in her mind.

"You are a sweeper then. I haven't seen you here in all these days. What is your name?"

Arya didn't like the way the conversation was going. She knew this was leading her into trouble. Particularly because the man seemed one of a rank far higher than that of a common soldier because of the five obviously high ranking officers who stood behind him politely. "You may have missed sire. I am Dhivya"

"Dhivya...hmmm... You can have other jobs than being a street sweeper Dhivya", the man said. She didn't like the tone the man used one bit. But she wanted to maintain her identity and so played along, "Another job sire? You are too generous. Who will gimme another job?"

"I will. You can come with me even now, Dhivya. I have a high paying job waiting for you"

She was now disgusted. She wanted nothing but to kill this man. But her position stopped her from doing so.

Saphira knew it was now time for her to act. She consulted with Glaedr and he approved. She didn't ask Arya because she knew Arya would probably say that she could manage. But Saphira would never allow harm befall Arya because of her inaction and so sprang into action. As she raised into the air, she listened in Arya's conversation again.

"I am Captain Rotab, the king's right hand man. I could give you riches. Perhaps you have heard about me from your friends, Dhivya", the man said, his eyes darting around unwanted places.

"But sire...", Arya started but was cut off brusquely by Rotab, "Shut it girl. You are coming with me now"

Arya had had enough.

Arya contacted Glaedr, 'Glaedr Elda, could you stop these fools from contacting anyone outside?'

'We are on our way to the city, Arya. Soon we will become visible', he answered.

'What? Why? I could have managed him. Further the entrance into the moats is near.', Arya protested.

'We know you can't convince that beast of a man, Princess. And it is impossible to enter the moat without being noticed with such heavy patrol on the castle walls. You need assistance.', Glaedr said.

'Fine. How much time till you become visible?', Arya asked giving in.

'May be five or ten more minutes', Saphira answered.

She scanned her surroundings. There weren't many people around except for a few soldiers who were on patrol duty. She put her hand around Brisingr's concealed hilt and stood as if afraid of Rotab.

"Sire, Please understand that I have a home to go to.", she said.

"You peasants. You are all our slaves. You will do what you are ordered"

Her dislike towards the man increased many fold. 'Saphira, could you be a little faster? I am losing patience', she said to Saphira maintaining an afraid look on her face.

'I am coming, Arya. Give me one minute', Saphira said her own anger at Rotab increasing. 'Calm down, children. Focus on our work', Glaedr said to them.

Rotab brought his hand up towards Arya's shoulder. But before he could do so she brought her hand up as fast as she could and caught his hand in a vice-like grip. Confusion coloured the man's face.

'I am here, Arya', Saphira said as soon as she realised that she had become visible to the residents of the city. Gasps of surprise from the city reached her ears.

'Be safe, Saphira', Arya warned her.

Arya let go of Rotab's hand as she saw that he too noticed Saphira hovering above the city sending out bouts of fire. She tried to slip away in the confusion. She had walked a few steps when, a hand gripped hers. She whipped around as fast as she could to see Rotab with a dirty look on his face standing in front of her. "I am not letting you go that easily, girl" She looked around her. Everybody had eyes only for Saphira.

'Be careful. They are preparing to fire arrows', she said to Saphira and turned to Rotab.

"Fine, sire. Can you come with me?", she asked.

'What are you doing?', Saphira asked concerned. 'I want to teach him a lesson', Arya replied. 'Fine. Be careful though', Saphira replied and started to look out for any dragons coming from the city-red or black-towards her.

"If somebody else asked this of me, I would have cut their throat the next instant. But to get you willingly, I will" Disgust for the beast rising to a new high, Arya led him through the castle grounds until finally she reached her chosen part. She scanned the area with her mind to assure that there was nobody around. When she was confident that they were alone, she assumed her normal bearing putting away the afraid look of a sweeping-maid. "Before you die, know who is to kill you. I am Arya, princess of the elves, here to rescue Eragon Shadeslayer."

Just as she had expected, the man's first reaction was trying to contact somebody in the castle. But she had anticipated his move and blocked his mind. He looked terrified for a second but the next he smirked at her and took out his sword from the sheath. Arya though had expected him to do this and had no difficulty in blocking his attempted swipe at her neck with Brisingr. But she was surprised to find a rider's sword with him, a murky brown one. It only increased her anger and she slashed hard at the man's ribs. He brought down his sword at the last moment to block the blow. But the force of her attack jarred his arm and he dropped the sword in pain.

"Atleast be true to what you do. Your work as Galbatorix's right hand man was worse enough to warrant your death. But you crossed your limits with me", she said to him even as he tried to run away. She put Brisingr under the sword and flicked it back up towards him.

"Fight me, you coward", she said. But he wasn't stopping. So she said, "Letta" and Rotab was stopped in his tracks. "You can't run. Fight me", she said again. He took the sword and with a loud cry tried to hit at Arya's head. She blocked him with ease and waited for his next move. He tried to attack her shoulder next and she flicked his sword away.

He tried to impose a fierceness into his attack by grunting at each blow he tried to deal her. But his eyes spoke for him: he was terrified. Having given him enough opportunities, Arya went into the offensive again, in a speed he couldn't even notice let alone block and plunged Brisingr through his heart killing him. The fight hadn't even lasted for two minutes. 'Galbatorix has really forgotten the elves if he keeps such lowly people as his right hand men.', she said to Glaedr as she jumped into the moat when none noticed bracing herself for the impact because of the depth of the moat.

'Galbatorix's perception of right hand man will be so different from ours', Glaedr said to Arya. Saphira sent out another bout of fire at the soldiers even as their arrows flew harmlessly around her. She acted as if she wanted to get into the city to create the impression that she was the one trying to save Eragon rather than Arya who had gone into the sewers-that-led-into-dungeons through the moat.

The red-runt-Thorn rose from the castle with his rider Murtagh on his back. It was what she had been waiting for all this time and when Thorn was high in the air, she flew fast towards him but turned away in the last moment denying any chance for Murtagh to injure her.

'Provoke him further, Saphira', Glaedr said to her.

'Don't get hurt. Twenty leagues from here towards Belatona, Saphira, remember', Arya said to her.

Thorn tried to attack her flanks and yet again she evaded him. He growled at her and tried to attack her again. This time, she retaliated with a quick dig of her talons into his skin with the help of a backward dive. He roared in pain. 'Go now', said Glaedr and Saphira started drifting away from the city. As they had expected he chased them. 'Good. Fly fast.', Glaedr said and Saphira increased her speed.

She had flown just for a minute before Murtagh cast the spell to make the air before her dense. But she had energy from Naegling and she used it to power her flight.

When only a wisp of though connected her and Glaedr with Arya she said to her, 'Be safe. I will meet you soon' The connection with Arya was lost soon because of the distance between them. That meant that they were atleast four to five leagues away from the city.

'You are doing well Saphira, Keep flying. Don't let Thorn near you', Glaedr encouraged her. She kept on flying even though her wings started paining her. After a while it was too much and she slowed down. Thorn was catching up with her fast. She tried to increase her speed but found that with her aching flight muscles, she could only go at a slower speed even though she could use energy from Naegling.

'Master, that slave-dragon has closed up the distance. What shall I do?', she asked Glaedr.

'How much distance have you left to cover?'

'Nearly six or seven more leagues master'

'Fine. Keep flying and let us trust Rhunon's wards', Glaedr said in an uncertain voice.Saphira just nodded her head although Glaedr couldn't see it and kept flying.

Thorn was so near that Saphira now had to evade him. When he tired to crash into her back, she dived down swiftly to avoid being hit. Nevertheless, she didn't stop moving forward and kept on flying. But due to Thorn's continued annoyance, she couldn't move straight ahead as before. She had to backtrack in order to escape Thorn's ferocious attacks. But Thorn was no match to her and so he could only inflict small cuts on her body whereas she had dealt him with two or three severe gashes.

Murtagh who had curiously restrained his actions to just looking the fight till then, removed his sword, Zar'roc from its sheath and brandished it after Saphira had hurt Thorn.

'Master, he is ready to use Zar'roc', Saphira said to Glaedr. Glaedr didn't react for a time and then said, 'Rhunon's wards would hold. I have faith in her' Saphira didn't reply but thought to herself, 'I hope they do'

Soon Thorn was back in attacking position. 'Be careful, Saphira. Never let Murtagh attack with Zar'roc', Glaedr said and closed his contact with Saphira saying, 'I will search Blodhgarm'

Thorn was nearing her with all his force and Murtagh held Zar'roc high above his head. Saphira decided that she would avoid Zar'roc at all costs and so dived down from Thorn's altitude so as to avoid Zar'roc. But it left her back accessible to Thron and he attacked her with his talons. Pain flooded her and she bit Thron's underside with her sharp teeth.

'I found him, Saphira. They are about three leagues from here right across the Ramr river and they are ready.', Glaedr said to her, a new vigour colouring his voice.

Thorn was upon her yet again as she focussed on moving forward towards where Blodhgarm was waiting with his companions. This time though, she was not so careful to avoid Murtagh's blade and so he was able to slash at her. But the force of the blow was greatly reduced and gave her just a minor scratch.

'Master, it is working. Rhunon's wards have held.', she said her confidence rising.

Saphira realised only then that it was just Murtagh and Thorn chasing them. Galbatorix hadn't come out to get her which meant he was in the castle. Her worry seeped through to Glaedr and he said, 'Don't worry, hatchling, if he hadn't come to get you by himself, he is occupied with something so important.'

Saphira didn't feel like leaving things to chance. 'What if that something is Eragon?'

'We should hope it is not for him that he didn't appear. Further, Arya isn't a fool to think she could take on Galbatorix solely. She will wait for her chance. We have to trust her.', Glaedr said yet again uncertain.

'I trust her with my life master. It is only that I am afraid'

'We can't do anything about it, Saphira. So we have to do what we can and hope that good things occur.', Glaedr said more like a saint. His influence calmed her to a certain degree and she focussed on flying again.

"Letta", Murtagh cast the spell to hold Saphira in place in mid air. But the influence of the spell was minimal on Saphira and she just had to exert more power into her flight to move on, Rhunon's wards coming to her help yet again. Saphira turned to see Murtagh pale in uncertainty. It seemed like he realised that some trickery was at play. But it was too late for him because, Blodhgarm and his company were now close enough to attack him.

Saphira knew well that Murtagh's energy reserves which were already depleted because of his spell to compress the air for twenty leagues on end couldn't match that of the combined strength of twenty elves, Saphira, Glaedr and the reserves in Naegling. She was now confident that they could finish off Murtagh and Thorn. It didn't give her any joy; only a satisfaction that she could end the life of ones who had hurt Eragon.

Saphira dived into the thick- tree-covered area where Blodhgarm and his companions waited hidden.

"You have to go back to Uru'baen, Bjartskular", Blodhgarm said as soon as she landed.

'What? why?', Saphira asked as she took cover under the huge trees so as to hide her from view of Thorn, 'I could help you defeat Murtagh.'

"Your offer is generous. But Drottningu had asked us to send you back as soon as we trap Murtagh"

'But how can you..', Saphira was cut off by Glaedr who spoke privately to her, 'Think Saphira. How will Arya and Eragon leave the city without you?' Saphira was reluctant to let the elves handle Murtagh and Thorn by themselves, but she realised how important it was to go back to Uru'baen, especially when Galbatorix was still in the city.

'How can I go without being noticed though?', Saphira asked.

"That can be taken care of, Bjartskular", Blodhgarm said and soon the elves sang mildly and a colored-shadow-of-me was created and it flew out towards Thorn-who-was-circling-above. The foolish-slave-dragon thought it was her and started chasing the shadow. Blodhgarm was quite talented and he sent the water-shadow-ghost-of-her in a series of complex aerobatics evading Thorn.

Thorn was pulled away from their hiding spot chasing the shadow-ghost and Saphira using the opening flew away back towards Uru'baen.

Glaedr maintained contact with Blodhgarm and through it Saphira saw Murtagh-who-was-tired preparing to attack the elves realising the ruse. But she was on her way to Uru'baen. To Eragon. A strange thrill came over her at the thought.

Author's Note:

Oh, great. This was the most time I took for writing a chapter...3 days. But it was not my mistake. I got lots work in between. And I won't say I loved this chapter. But I didn't hate it. It was okay. And will there be surprises?