For Alagaesia: 71. Euphoria of losing

He had thought that it was just another ordinary day until he heard her lilting laughter. The innocence and glee in her voice and face told him only one thing: search for a way to stop time from advancing and watch this moment over and over again till the green trees turn brown and the mountains are ground down to dust. It all started that day two weeks ago, when they left Silthrim. It was Saphira who suggested that they commence aerial combat training now that Indra and Arya had learned to fly together.

Eragon was so excited by the idea because he had not practised dragon back fighting ever since he was beaten black and blue time and time again by Glaedr and Oromis. The skirmishes with Thorn and Murtagh did not count because no matter what, a real battle fought with the intention of killing the opponent was no match for the pure contest of talent. But Arya seemed strangely reluctant to accept the proposal of air-borne training.

When they reached Ellesmera, the first thing Eragon did was to make a saddle for Indra – a proper one keeping his body shape and size in mind. He had read whole books about making saddles for dragons and he put the theory to good use.

‘For all your clumsiness you do have a nimble pair of hands little one.’ Saphira commented. ‘Although I wish you had put in as much interest and thought into making my saddle too.’

‘Well, this is going to a gift and I figured gifting the elven princess and her dearest companion with a badly made artefact would be disrespectful.’ Eragon replied cheekily.

‘If only you had the same respect for the comfort of your own dearest companion’

Eragon looked at her in mock frustration. Saphira peered back at him and made a funny face making him smile.

‘Come let us surprise them.’ Eragon called and mounted Saphira’s back.

‘I am not wearing the saddle.’ Saphira said incredulously. ‘Why are so stupid when it comes to that woman?’

‘I am not stupid.’ Eragon replied. ‘I am just excited.’

‘Yes you behave stupidly because you get excited whenever you think of her.’ Saphira said matter-of-factly.

‘Don’t overreact. I can handle myself without a saddle on for the ten minutes it is going to take us to reach Arya’s home.’

‘Oh, you think so puny human!’ Saphira said and rose into the air like an arrow released from the bow making Eragon hang onto Saphira’s neck spikes for dear life. When high in the air, she made a dangerous back flip causing Eragon to lose his balance and dangle in mid-air. He screamed out in terror and said to Saphira with both his mind and voice, “All right. All right. I accept. I made a mistake.”

‘Now there is a good boy.’ Saphira said and slowed down. She turned her head around to look at him and imitated a human smile showing off her dangerous teeth. Eragon glared at her and turned away sharply.

‘Oh, don’t get all annoyed. What will Arya think of you if you present her the saddle looking as if I forced you into doing it?’

For some reason Saphira was teasing him even more than the usual. He attested her mood to the day and a half long journey back from Silthrim alongside Indra. Saphira had not had the chance to fly with another dragon for so long a distance ever before. The one other time she had crossed the Du Weldenvarden with Glaedr, they had been going to battle and the thought of it had not let her enjoy it.

When they reached Arya’s tree house – which had until weeks ago been their home – they saw Indra circling it in a frenzy. When he saw them arrive, he came over to their side.

‘What is happening, Indra?’ Eragon asked looking over at the green dragon.

‘Nothing.’ Indra replied shortly and curtly whipping his head around to look at Eragon.

‘Nothing? Wait, let me guess. Arya asked you not to speak of whatever it is that is happening here. Hasn’t she?’ Saphira asked plainly.

Indra looked over at her but said nothing in return.

‘So it is true. I don’t know when the princess will learn not to keep secrets from us.’ Saphira said letting Arya hear her thoughts.

Indra growled at her and said, ‘It is nothing like that Saphira. Don’t accuse her of anything.’

‘Oh look here. The princess has got someone by her side as she embarks on her dark path of secrets.’ Saphira teased Indra.

‘This should bring it out.’ She commented to Eragon privately. Eragon had to struggle to stop the fit of laughter that threatened to break out at hearing Saphira.

‘Don’t judge her! She is just embarrassed to let you know that she still fails to make a decent saddle.’ Indra blurted out.

‘Ha! So that’s the secret!! The princess really has to change because we have the perfect solution for your problem.’ Saphira said as she landed on the teardrop opening to the tree house closely followed by Indra. The tree was so huge that it could still hold a dragon of Glaedr’s size.

Eragon got off Saphira’s back and landed in the space reserved for dragons in the house. Arya came down from the study where she had obviously been trying to make the saddle with a cold expression etched on her face.

She glared at Indra at first making him cower behind Saphira. She then turned her attention to Saphira and said, “You would make a good politician, I see,” in an angry voice.

‘Well, I have a good politician to teach me the nuances of the art. I believe my teacher is the daughter to the elven queen herself.’ Saphira replied cheerfully.

Arya sighed and relaxed from her hard stance. “So what brings you here?” She asked them in general.

“We have brought you a gift.” Eragon answered stepping forward.

Arya lifted her eye brows and looked at him curiously. “You seem to bring gifts to me quite often.”

It was Eragon’s turn to raise his eyebrows. “The last one was from your mother for becoming a rider. This one is from me for helping Katrina when I wasn’t around.”

Arya frowned at him and said, “I did not help her expecting gifts.”

Eragon stepped forward hastily and corrected himself, “I didn’t mean it that way. I… I know you helped because you… because…” He struggled to find words.

‘What he means is that since you seem incapable of making a saddle by yourself, you could use some help.’ Saphira said relieving Eragon of his misery.

But when he saw Arya's reaction, he realised that Saphira had only made matters worse with her tongue-in-the-cheek reply.

Arya stood tall and looking almost disdainfully at Saphira said, “I do not need anyone's help.”

Saphira looked back at Arya intensely and the two of them held each other's stare for a long while. Eragon was not sure if anyone in the entirety of Alagaesia could have managed such a feat against either of the females. Somehow Eragon got a feeling that this staring contest was part of a larger and much older argument between the two females. From Indra's expression, he discerned that similar thoughts were running in the green dragon's mind too.

Still holding eye contact, Saphira replied, ‘Not everything can be done alone Arya.’

Arya's look became even fiercer at hearing Saphira. “I have done everything alone in my life for a hundred years. What makes you think I can't do that now?” She challenged Saphira.

To Eragon's surprise and shock, mirth bubbled up in Saphira's mind at hearing Arya. 'Have you now?' She asked Arya.

If Arya were a dragon Eragon was sure that Saphira would be dead by now, burnt down by the fire spitting from the princess's eyes. Eragon had never seen Arya being openly hostile towards Saphira and he thought maybe the immense anger that the princess showed would dissuade Saphira from furthering her playful taunts. But the thoughts that formed in Saphira's mind told Eragon that she was not going to leave Arya alone. Having seen Saphira's mood from the morning, Eragon decided to intervene.

“I think you both have the right to hold your own views on this matter. But please do not hurt each other by thrusting your view on the other.” He said trying to sound calm and diplomatic.

Arya turned her attention to him and he found himself being the object of her anger. Like Saphira he could not ignore it. The eyes that he had come to associate with the cool shades of Du Weldenvarden were burning him now like a pair of green embers. He edged back a step instinctively and looked to Indra for help. The young dragon understood his signal and pitched in by saying, 'I back Eragon in this. The two of you are acting like children.'

Arya's eyes fell on Indra and yet the intensity of her anger seemed not to reduce. Eragon felt Saphira planning something rather rash but before he could stop her, she leapt forward and picked Arya up in her talons gingerly and flew out of the tree house ignoring the shocked whimper that Arya let out.

As she flew out she said to Eragon, 'Saddle up Indra and ask him to fly out below me.' Though her wording was vague Eragon understood her plan quite clearly having access to her thoughts. He advanced towards Indra who stood shell shocked. Seeing Eragon come towards him, Indra snapped out of his stupor and screamed, 'What on Alagaesia is she doing?'

“Trying to reduce Arya's anger, I think.” Eragon replied still dumbfounded that Saphira would do something so thoughtless.

'How?' Indra asked in a disbelieving tone.

“She wants you to wear the new saddle we have made and fly under her.” Eragon explained.

'And?' Indra asked doubtfully.

“And she would drop Arya into the saddle.” Eragon said calmly.

'What!!?' Indra bellowed. 'Is she mad?'

“Trust me Indra. She is good at these kinds of things.” Eragon said with a slight smile, Saphira's strange enthusiasm spreading in his mind.

'And if she fails?' Indra asked angrily.

“She won't.” Eragon assured. “If she does I will stop Arya from falling.”

'I can't do this. I am afraid.' Indra admitted.

“Me too.” Eragon confessed. “But we have no other option. Saphira is in some mood today.”

So saying Eragon took out the saddle from his back pack and began working on saddling Indra. The dragon did not protest indicating his acceptance to Saphira's mad scheme. When Eragon was done, Indra asked, 'Am I really saddled? I can hardly feel it.'

“Thank you for the compliment. Now fly.” Eragon said and began descending the stairs. He had complete faith in Saphira but still he feared for Arya. When he reached the ground, he found that Saphira was still circling the area high above him carrying Arya who was screaming and cursing incoherently in a voice mixed with anger, shock and embarrassment. Indra was flying right under Saphira although he could not guess if Arya would land in the saddle if dropped.

He contacted Saphira and shared his view from the ground with her. Saphira let out a mental sigh and said, ‘You know I was thinking I would never drop Arya at all and would be circling this tree for eternity. I was afraid that I would miss.’

‘You should probably bring her back down.’ Eragon advised.

‘And what? Face her wrath? She may curse me for real if I bring her down now. Don’t worry. I won’t let your woman die that easily.’ Saphira replied.

Eragon bit his lip in tensed anticipation of what was to come. ‘Trust me Eragon. I have got this now.’ Saphira said. She sounded more confident now. He kept his eyes trained on Arya ready to use magic if anything untoward were to happen.

Saphira let Arya go and Eragon raised his hand at the same moment as if to catch the princess but he only had air to hold for Arya was seated comfortably in Indra’s saddle, a dazed look plastered on her face. It was so funny looking at Arya like this for he was accustomed to her being in control of the situation always.

‘Take her on a trip around Ellesmera.’  Saphira said to Indra.

‘You are the best, Saphira!’ Indra screamed in their minds and roared joyously making Eragon laugh hysterically. He could see Arya looking down at him from atop Indra’s saddle with burning eyes. But he cared not. Arya had always defied being played with and she had watched Saphira making fun of him far too often that the sight of her being the object of Saphira’s – in fact, his, Indra’s and Saphira’s – game filled his mind with glee.

‘Come on, Eragon. Let us join them.’ Saphira called and came down to the ground. Eragon raised himself onto Saphira’s back holding her neck spike for support for she was not wearing any saddle. ‘Please don’t do that again.’ He pleaded with her.

‘Why would I? You learnt your lesson the last time.’ Saphira said. ‘Besides I have a more morose being to taunt now.’

In mere minutes they were flying alongside Indra and Arya. The newest dragon rider was looking intently at some distant spot while her dragon was letting puffs of smoke curl out of his nostrils. They seemed to have made peace finally.

‘So how is the saddle that my rider made for you?’ Saphira asked.

Arya snapped her head around to look at Saphira as if she had not noticed her at first. She opened her mouth to say something but then closed it and narrowing her eye, looked at Eragon instead. Her eyes seemed to talk to him – to accuse him of wronging her. He looked at Saphira as if to say that it was not him but Saphira who did it. Arya turned away from him sharply not accepting his explanation.

Eragon felt a strange closeness towards her at that moment. He extended his mind and touched hers gently prodding her to let him in. She resisted him for a while but budged finally and let him in her mind. Her thoughts were so jumbled that he could not guess what her mood was. He called her; she did not respond, but she did not push him out of her mind either.

‘It was Saphira’s idea. I had nothing to do with it.’ He explained.

‘Oh, you didn’t? You laughed from the ground as if you loved seeing me being used for Saphira’s games.’ She accused.

‘We did it only to calm you down Arya.’ Eragon said.

‘We? See. You accept that you were involved.’

‘Of course, I was involved. It was Saphira’s plan and I will take responsibility for it whatever the result is.’

Arya eyed him angrily and said nothing in return. She closed her mind off from him and resumed looking out at the horizon. Eragon noticed that she had fastened her legs with the saddle straps. He sighed. ‘Maybe we made a mistake.’ He told Saphira.

‘I don’t think so. Arya needs someone to do such kinds things to her. Maybe she and you don’t know it. But this has crossed my mind more than once.’ Saphira replied calmly. ‘Just relax and enjoy flying with them little one. Everything will be fine.’

Eragon remembered Saphira’s words from before: ‘Not everything can be done alone.’

‘So,’ he concluded, ‘there is something going on between them.’

A half hour later they landed in front of Arya’s tree house. Arya still had a hard look on her face and she refused to speak with Saphira.

‘Did you like it?’ Indra asked her excitedly.

Arya threw him a livid look and replied, “Yes, I did. How can I not when you schemed with others to embarrass me before all of Ellesmera?”, in a sarcastic tone.

'They are not others. They are our very own Saphira and Eragon.' Indra replied assertively.

Arya glared daggers at Indra making Eragon uneasy. Did she not approve Indra's claim that Eragon and Saphira were their very own? Did she consider them outsiders? Those thoughts brought a throbbing ache to his heart.

Indra contacted Saphira and him privately and said in the ancient language, 'She loved your little prank. I can feel it in her mind, but she is reluctant to accept it.'

'Reluctant, embarrassed, unwilling, afraid, reserved. When will you learn to open up to us?' Saphira asked Arya.

Arya raised her eye brows at Saphira and looked back at Indra. He looked down unable to hold his rider's gaze.

'Anyway, now that you have learned to fly well together, we will begin aerial combat training from tomorrow.' Saphira said to Indra and Arya in general. None objected her and so she addressed Eragon, 'Come little one, let us leave them in peace to ponder over... things.'

Eragon, although reluctant to leave without seeking and gaining forgiveness from Arya, found no way to ask for it because he realised that he was not really guilty about having gone ahead with Saphira's plan. Maybe it was as Saphira said: maybe a day's pondering on Arya's part would trivialise the whole issue. After all, all they had done was have a laugh at her expense. He was so used to being the object of his dear ones laughter that it did not at all seem to be a matter of concern. Maybe Arya was different; but as Saphira said she needed someone to do this to her. If not them then who?

**********************************

The next day dawned with a warm sun lighting up the sky. The weather was fast changing in this part of the world: the winter was going away making space for spring to take hold. Saphira pushed Eragon to get ready for their duel with Arya and Indra. But he was wary, the experience with Arya the day before weighing on his mind.

'Don't let that silly matter stop you. Come on.' Saphira prodded.

Eragon didn’t have much choice. Saphira’s enthusiasm was uncontrollable and trying to rein it in for his misgivings seemed unfair. So he obliged to her request and suited up. He wore his dwarven armour and strapped Brisingr to the belt of Beloth the wise. He also decided to bring his bow and quiver. The air borne training would be nothing like sparring. It would require the use of arrows more often than the sword. Besides there was the matter of handling Indra in all his fury. Eragon was sure that the young dragon would come down hard on them wanting to prove his worth against Saphira whom he openly admired. Hence the extensive preparations.

Before flying Saphira briefed Glaedr about what she had planned for Indra during the day and the elder dragon advised her to change certain things. ‘Don’t take it hard on him. He is just about four months old and has no training whatsoever in flying with his rider.’ He said.

‘I will heed your advice Ebrithil.’ Saphira replied as politely as she could. She was bubbling with excitement about all the things she had planned to put Indra through and was in no mood to actually pay heed to Glaedr’s advice.

‘Your excitement about him clouds your judgement hatchling. He will lose confidence if you showcase your entire range of skillset to him now. Take it one step at a time.’ Glaedr said in an amused tone. He had caught the underlying tone of defiance in Saphira’s polite response.

‘I understand.’ Saphira said, this time actually realising Glaedr’s intentions.

‘Train him Saphira. Train him so that he grows up to be the greatest dragon that has ever lived.’ Glaedr blessed.

‘I will master. With you to guide he will be the greatest dragon one day.’ Saphira said and flew towards Indra’s home.

Once there, they found Indra and Arya waiting for them. Arya wore her usual black leather outfit and had her long tresses pulled back and tied down by a black leather band. She had Shatiyastra sheathed and strapped to her belt. She too, like Eragon, wore her quiver and held her bow in her hands. When she looked up at him, Eragon feared that she would show hostility because of the events that occurred the day before. But she looked peaceful and even allowed herself a small smile.

“So are you ready to face the might of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjarstkular?” Eragon asked jovially.

‘Are you ready to face the might of Arya Shadeslayer and Vanendra Loptkonungr?’ Indra asked back. He seemed quite serious.

‘Alright. He is all fired up. It is good.’ Saphira said to Eragon.

The two dragons rose high into the sky, Saphira leading the way. She led Indra out of the city so as not to cause the residents of Ellesmera any discomfort. They flew for close to an hour before Saphira turned around and roared a challenge to Indra.

The young green dragon let out a roar of his own just as fierce as Saphira. Even Arya seemed charged up for the fight looking as she brandished Shatiyastra above her head.

‘Keep Glaedr’s advice in mind.’ Eragon reminded Saphira.

Saphira grunted and flew towards Indra. She waited for the green dragon to make his move. She expected him to behave rashly in his excitement and make a wrong decision which she could use to her advantage. But as it was Indra was circling her with a wary look over his face, Arya’s sense of reason – no doubt – keeping him in check.

She knew he would never attack unless he found an opening. So she created one for him. It was a test of sorts – identifying an opportunity when it presents itself. It was one of the first lessons in any combat. Indra took the bait. He attacked with a ferocious growl snapping at Saphira’s exposed underbelly.

Saphira and Eragon were indeed surprised by the ferocity of the attack. Although Saphira had done it on purpose, she could not avoid being attacked. A long scratch was made across her belly. Indra bellowed triumphantly.

‘He is certainly not in a level at which Glaedr expects him to be.’ Saphira commented. Eragon agreed.

So Saphira went into the offensive this time, holding only a little back. Indra fought back valiantly almost matching Saphira strike for strike. Whenever he could Eragon let loose an arrow – that was blunted of course – aimed at Arya. The princess for her part did the same with Eragon, even catching him off guard once with an arrow aimed right at his eye. Fortunately, his wards protected him from the painful day that would have surely followed if he had been hit.

The realisation that they had been nearly defeated by a dragon and rider who had bonded but four months ago gave Saphira and Eragon the inspiration they wanted. They fought with all they had for the next several minutes and that meant only one thing: the defeat of their opponents.

In a final desperate attempt Arya jumped wildly out of her saddle trying to slash at Eragon’s neck. Saphira saw her do it and veered away at the last moment. Arya fell towards the ground in a speed that would break her bones if she hit the floor.

Fear gripped Eragon’s mind and his instincts took over – he uttered the spell to hold Arya in mid-air. It was a crudely worded spell from which there was no going back unless Arya had some other support. But he cared not about the implications. Arya was safe and that was all he needed.

Indra who had almost come to a standstill at seeing the scene unfolding before him snapped out of his stupor when he saw Arya hanging in the air as if suspended by a string and scrambled down towards her like an arrow. Only when Arya’s weight was supported by Indra did the flow of energy from Eragon’s body stop. His head lolled forward in tiredness.

‘Why did you attempt such a thing in a training exercise?’ Saphira screamed at Arya once they were all safely back on the ground. Arya did not answer her but rather looked away at some non-existent object.

‘You owe me an explanation, Princess, seeing as my rider nearly died trying to stop you from falling to your death.’ Saphira insisted.

Eragon sent soothing thoughts to Saphira’s mind asking her to calm down. He did not want Arya to be angry at them again.

“He did not have to do it.” Arya said coldly.

“No, Arya. I had to.” Eragon said. He did not feel like elaborating on it any further. Because if he were to then he would have to invoke his love for her.

‘You cannot walk away without explaining this time.’ Saphira said resolutely.

Arya looked at her annoyed. “I hate to lose.” She said shortly and walked away. Indra glanced back and forth between the other three beings not able to decide what to do. Eragon motioned him to follow Arya but not before appreciating his valour. “You fought bravely and your skill speaks for itself.”

For the next few days, nothing changed in their duels with Eragon and Saphira consistently beating Arya and Indra although the fights began to veer towards advanced manoeuvres like break-from-path, barrel roll, zoom climb and roll-off-the-top. Indra exceled in all of them, although he could not yet beat Saphira in tactical acumen. Arya grew increasingly frustrated following each day’s loss. It was clear from her face. The princess simply hated losing just as she had admitted.

A week after their first duel, Arya came to visit him and Saphira in the Crags of Telnair as the sun rose above the tree line. After the initial pleasantries, Arya began speaking. “I am sorry for getting angry at the two of you on that day when you presented me with the saddle. I… I should not have lost my control like that because it was not some stranger who had pulled that prank on me. It was you – the best of my friends – and you have all the rights to do so. It’s just… just that I am not used to these kinds of things. Give me time. I… I will…” She struggled to continue.

Eragon decided to intervene and save her the trouble. “You don’t have to change yourself for us, Arya. We accept you as you are and we are proud that you consider us your deepest friends.”

Arya sighed in relief at hearing him. “And the other days: Please forgive me if I snapped at any of you after our duels. You see, I am not used to being defeated regularly. And your defeat of us gets to my nerves.”

‘Yes, I can see that.’ Saphira said brightly. ‘And I am looking forward to defeating you yet again today.’

Arya snorted at that. Their conversation then veered towards the Varden, Galbatorix and the war. They spoke of the ending of winter as if it were a bitter thing. They conversed about Roran, Katrina and Weldhena and also about the various ways in which a rider could be of use during an aerial combat between dragons. When the sun was high in the sky, Arya took leave after having a brief conversation with Glaedr.

The next week too passed in a very much similar way: Arya and Indra being defeated by Eragon and Saphira at each and every turn. Eragon, though he didn’t say it out loud, actually liked the feeling of defeating Arya. For far too long had he been the second best to her that he almost longed to defeat her with as much regularity with which she defeated him in swordplay. In fact, for a fortnight, Arya and Indra were continuously defeated while Arya defeated him in their sparring sessions only about ten times in fifteen attempts.

On the sixteenth day of their aerial duels, things took on a dramatic turn with Indra besting Saphira using a complex set of improvised manoeuvres. When Saphira was pinned down, Arya made quick work of Eragon, the Shantiyastra’s diamond edge resting against his throat. It was then that she laughed – joyous and triumphant yet pure and innocent making Eragon wish that time froze at that moment. It was rare for Arya to laugh heartily and he didn’t know if he would ever live to hear her laugh that way again. Maybe he didn’t have the power to stop the flow of time, but the image of her laughter became eternally etched in his heart – only to fade when he died.

But he could not revel in the moment for even a few seconds because right then, he felt a tingly feeling in his mind and he remembered Roran. His cousin was in need. He was calling using the ring. He could see Saphira tense too.

‘What? Ashamed of being defeated?’ Indra asked with a glint in his eyes.

“What is happening?” Arya who knew him better asked in a suspicious tone.

“It is Roran. He calls.” Eragon replied shortly. Arya lifted her blade away from Eragon’s throat and stood frowning.

‘Roran? Your cousin?’ Indra asked.

‘Yes, Indra. My cousin. He is in need.’

‘The ring?’

‘Yes. He has used the ring to summon us.’ Eragon said as he began digging the ground to scoop up water. Roran was not in immediate danger. That much was clear because the feeling would have been different in that case.

When the hole was filled with clear water, he uttered the scrying spell keeping Roran in mind. But all he could see was black. Alarm shot through his spine making him feel cold. The anti-scrying spells Eragon had placed on Roran would never have stopped him from contacting his cousin. So what was it that made it impossible for Eragon to contact Roran? The mere thought of the possibilities sent chills down his spine making him shiver.

Saphira soothed his mind with her calm presence and asked him to contact Blodhgarm instead. Eragon felt it to be the right course of action. He had charged the blue furred elf with Roran and Nasuada’s safety before his departure from the Varden. He scryed the elf and was able to make contact. Blodhgarm acknowledged him in a brittle tone making him wonder what had transpired.

“Your cousin wished to speak with you, Shadeslayer.” Blodhgarm said as soon as the traditional elven greeting was finished. Eragon raised his eye brow at this for he expected Blodhgarm to ask questions about their luck with Indra’s egg. In mere seconds Roran’s face came into his field of vision. He looked haggard to put it mildly.

“Is your health holding fine?” Eragon asked involuntarily at seeing Roran’s appearance.

Roran smiled mirthlessly at hearing this and said, “No, I am fine Eragon. At least my body is.”

“What has happened?” Eragon asked.

“When was the last time you spoke to Nasuada?” Roran said abruptly changing the subject.

Another wave of fear passed down Eragon’s spine. His cousin speaking about Nasuada before even taking up the matter of his wife and daughter was surely a matter of concern. So he asked warily, “What about her?”

Roran looked behind him and spoke mildly to Blodhgarm. ‘Eavesdrop’ was the only word he caught in the conversation. After a few seconds Roran turned back towards Eragon.

Eragon looked at his cousin expectantly. Roran rolled his eyes once and screamed, “Blodhgarm is a fool of an elf!”

Eragon was shocked and confused too. Why would Roran say such a thing with Blodhgarm around? “Roran... you don’t make any sense.”

Roran blinked and turned back to see Blodhgarm who stood as if Roran had said nothing at all. “Sorry. I had to make sure that he will not hear our conversation.”

Eragon, Saphira, Indra and even Arya chuckled at hearing this. Roran was indeed a mad man. But then why would Roran want to keep their conversation hidden from even a trusted companion like Blodhgarm? This and Roran’s earlier question about Nasuada pricked like a thorn in Eragon’s mind. Further, Roran didn’t seem to take any pleasure from it, however hilarious it sounded to them.

“Eragon... answer me! When was the last time you spoke to Nasuada?”

Eragon thought. “Two days ago.” He said.

“Yesterday, a very unfortunate thing happened.” Roran said and went on to explain Nasuada’s decision to desert the Varden for Murtagh and Thorn.

After hearing the whole account, Eragon did not trust himself to say anything. Because with Arya around, the words that arose in his mind would seem inappropriate. After minutes of silence, during which even Indra did not say a word, Eragon asked, “Why didn’t you tell me when you discovered their friendship?”

“They made me promise.” Roran said miserably.

Eragon remained silent. He could not accept Roran’s explanation.

“I trusted her Eragon.” Roran said finally. “I trusted her to not do anything stupid.”

“And yet, you helped her when she did the stupidest thing possible.” Eragon retorted.

“What choice did we have?” Roran screamed. “That woman was not ready to heed any of us. Not me. Not Murtagh. Not even Thorn!”

“Did you say that they went to Morzan’s palace?” Eragon asked.

“Eragon. Don’t think of going there. It is of no use.” Roran cautioned.

“I could talk her into coming back.”

“Her last rites were performed yesterday, Eragon and a runner should reach you by the week’s end bringing news of Nasuada’s demise.”

“We could explain it as magic or something.” Eragon screamed in frustration and desperation. He was angry – so angry on everyone he loved: on Roran for not telling him about Nasuada’s friendship with Murtagh, on Nasuada for doing something utterly stupid, on Saphira for not stopping the unfortunate events from happening, on Arya for being so emotionless even in this circumstance, on Indra for having hatched in such gloomy times and on Orik for being a silent spectator of the worst times at the Varden. But more than on anybody else, he was angry on himself for having let this thing happen.

Arya placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed it lightly making him understand that she was with him in this.

“Take him somewhere else, Saphira.” Arya said to Saphira. “I will notify you of all the other things Roran has to say.”

Eragon tried to protest, but Saphira lifted him in her talons and flew away towards the Menoa tree. Indra followed them closely – most probably on Arya’s request. The green dragon tried to comfort them with confident and soothing words. Saphira turned around to look at him and said, ‘You don’t have to bear this, Indra. You can rest for the day somewhere else.’

‘Not when you both are distressed. Not when Arya is angry.’ He replied.

Saphira did not say anything more and they reached the Menoa tree in silence. Eragon extended his mind to touch the Menoa’s and tried hard to align his mental waves with that of the great pine tree’s. If something could act as a calming agent for him in this situation, it was the rhythmic flow of thoughts of the Menoa. Saphira contacted Glaedr and informed him of the happenings. He seemed to take in the news calmly although the mention of Thorn brought an irrational anger to his mind.

Arya returned after an hour or so and began explaining things to Saphira. Eragon did not care to listen to them for his mind was occupied with raging thoughts about Murtagh. His half-brother was the cause of nearly all his miseries in the recent past. And yet, when he thought of Nasuada developing a friendship with him and his dragon, it did not surprise him. In fact, he had known how close the two of them – Nasuada and Murtagh – had grown in the fortnight when Murtagh was in Tronjheim. And Murtagh had repaid that friendship by ruining Nasuada’s life once and for all.

“I am going to the Varden.” Eragon announced interrupting whatever Arya had been speaking.

Arya looked up at him sympathetically and nodded her head ever so slowly. It seemed that the princess herself was contemplating about paying a visit to the Varden. It was only natural because it was an organisation she had helped nurture from the days when it was founded by Brom.

Saphira met her emerald eyes with her own intense blue eyes and said, ‘Arya, see to it that Indra is safe and happy when we come back.’

‘Let us come with you.’ Indra protested.

“Your secrecy is now the most potent weapon – well, the only weapon – we have against Galbatorix. As much as we would like to have your reassuring presence while dealing with this unfortunate turn of events, we do not want to risk your discovery.” Eragon said sincerely to Indra.

Arya leaned against Indra and patted his cheeks. She seemed to be deep in thought. “I did not think that the girl would be such a fool.” She said all of a sudden startling Eragon and Saphira. Indra though, remained unmoved. But it seemed like he looked at Arya with pity.

‘It is not always duty that should come first.’ He said softly in a barely audible mental voice. Arya glared at Indra for saying as such.

Eragon knew why – for Arya duty came first and personal cravings did not at all matter for her. But she had taken the yawe, while Nasuada had not. If it were him, he thought he would have done as Nasuada had. But he did not voice his thoughts for he realised that Arya would consider him a weakling for speaking as such. But then, one needed a whole lot of courage to seek ones wishes against the established rule – especially when the person was good at heart and did not wish his or her choice to hurt the people who believed in them.

Arya sighed then as if understanding Indra’s point and said, “For me it always comes first.” Nobody wanted to say anything against her for they all knew it to be true. Right after taking the yawe, Arya had even denounced her mother and gone to the Varden where she thought she could serve her people the best. If following ones mental craving was hard, following ones duty against their beloved family’s wishes was even harder.

Indra tried to say something else but Arya breathed in sharply symbolising the end of that particular discussion. For the next several minutes, they all remained silent not knowing what to say or do; all of them cursing wyrda for being so cruel on them. Arya drew circles on her palm with her thumb. Eragon kept running his fingers through his hair and the two dragons puffed out plumes of smoke occasionally. Everyone seemed fidgety and none wanted to take the next step forward. But as always, Arya recovered from the anxious moments before the others and as if remembering something very important she turned towards Eragon sharply. “Don’t go to Morzan’s palace.” She warned. Her tone was more threatening than warning.

Eragon cast his eye down and replied, “We won’t.”

“Eragon... it is not the right course of action. I have spoken in depth with your cousin about the situation. I don’t think Nasuada will change her mind.” Arya said emphatically.

Eragon nodded but did not reply Arya. He did not want to make false promises to her. But Arya was not ready to let him go without promising. Eragon tried to skirt around Arya and reach Saphira so that they could leave. Indra leapt forward, pushed Eragon down and pinned him to the ground. Eragon struggled against Indra for a while and pleaded to be released but Indra would not listen.

‘Promise us that you won’t go to see Nasuada.’ Indra said.

Eragon looked helplessly at Saphira. She tilted her head sideways indicating that she won’t intervene in this matter. He then looked at Arya and she seemed to expect an answer from him. He grumbled incoherently and muttered, “I promise to not visit Nasuada.”

Indra let him go and said, ‘Come back safe to us.’

Eragon glared at the green dragon and raised himself onto Saphira’s saddle.

‘Be safe and continue practising. When I return you must be able to defeat me as often as I will be able to defeat you.’ Saphira said.

Indra dipped his head and so did Arya. Her eyes though were fixed on Eragon and they still seemed to threaten him of something. Eragon smiled at her unsurely, but before he could see her reaction, Saphira had taken him high into the air.

‘Go to Morzan’s palace.’ Eragon said.

‘Should we really?’ Saphira asked.

‘You know as well as me that I cannot rest until I vent my anger on my treacherous brother.’

‘What about your promise?’

‘I am not going to visit Nasuada. I am going to visit Murtagh.’

Saphira sighed. ‘I agree with them.’ She said softly. ‘Your anger does not qualify as a valid reason for us to visit a place that was every bit as loathsome as Uru’baen.’

‘My mother lived there.’ Eragon reasoned. ‘And anywhere where my mother managed to live, I can too.’

Author's Note:

The title is not really indicative of the last parts of the chapter. But rather to the first part where Eragon gets to see Arya's restraint-less laughter after losing to her. It takes him to a state of Euphoria. Sorry that it took long. Tamil Nadu is reeling under 16-18 hours of power cut and I don't like writing on a paper and then transferring it to the computer.