The Name of Names

~15: Lost~

You know, we are probably already off the map. If we were close to Vroengard then, we are probably past it now. Kaldar eventually said, after several moments of silence. Which means you should review Eragon's instructions. They might help you more than the map can.

Vanya closed her eyes, thinking through his instructions, "There should be an island, a very small one, about three feet square. Once you get there, keep flying straight, and after a while you will see a tall rock structure. Fly to it, and I'll meet you there." she quoted his words, before adding, "Although those were his instructions once we get to Vroengard."

Alright. But we do not know where Vroengard is. Kaldar reminded her, And we do not want to get lost.

We already are lost. But how about this, we fly back to the island. I'll stay there, while you look around for Vroengard. If you find it, then come back, get me, and we'll go there. If not, then come back, and we'll figure something out.

Vanya, I would not trust that island at all. Kaldar said uneasily. He had stopped flying, and he was only flapping his wings to keep above the ocean floor.

I can protect myself. Vanya reminded him. Kaldar was silent, and Vanya knew he wasn't liking either prospect. Suddenly, he seemed to have an idea, Can you scry Eragon?

I think so, if I can get his appearance right. She said, Although we would need a still bowl of water. Or a mirror. Which we didn't pack either.

You could use magic, correct?

Probably.

Looking down at the water, she pointed a finger, saying authoritatively, "Adurna, risa."

An orb of water separated from the rest, rising in the air towards them. She commanded a few more words in the ancient language, and the water stilled.

"Draumr Kopa." she said, concentrating on the water, and fixing an image of Eragon in her mind. It wasn't easy, as she had only seen him once, but it managed to suffice, and the picture was painted. Vanya added a few words, and then spoke, "Eragon?"

Eragon turned, and saw Vanya's reflection in a mirror he had set up, "Yes?"

Vanya ground her teeth, hating to admit they had gotten lost. "Where is the island you were talking about?"

Tell him we got lost, Kaldar growled at her.

"We... may have lost our way. Our map was stolen." Vanya added, a bit reluctant.

Eragon's eyebrow raised up a hair, "Are you at Vroengard?"

"No." Vanya restrained from adding that if they were at Vroengard, they wouldn't be lost. "We should be somewhere around it. Did you encounter another island near Vroengard?"

Eragon shook his head, "Not that I remember. I would suggest you try to find Vroengard, and go from there."

But won't we get lost? Kaldar asked, using Vanya to relay his message.

"Use magic to take whatever you are seeing me in now with you. I may be able to help. Is there anything around you that could be a landmark?" Eragon asked, and Vanya thought she saw something blue move behind him in the background.

Vanya looked around, "No. Just plain ocean."

Eragon thought, and he seemed out of it for a moment before saying, "Saphira and I will come find you. I don't think you are too far away."

Eragon left the mirror, and Vanya ended the spell. This is humiliating.

Kaldar didn't answer, but instead, flapped to keep above the waves.

Kaldar, let's at least try to find Vroengard. Vanya concentrated, trying to picture the map. The island we were on, was most likely in the way of Vroengard. So if we turn right, and fly that way, we may be able to find it.

Vanya, if this is about how we are going to look when they come...

Can we at least try it?

Kaldar seemed to sigh, Alright.

He turned to his right, and began flying as Vanya looking for Vroengard, or at least the island to guide them. Nothing appeared for quite some time, and Vanya was beginning to lose hope when a small speck came into view far in the distance.

Kaldar increased his speed, and Vanya hoped it was Vroengard. They flew closer, and more land appeared, looking like long fingers jutting out from the main body of land.

We're here! Vanya grinned, and Kaldar increased his speed to reach it. True enough, it was Vroengard and Kaldar turned towards the sun once he reached it, looking for their next landmark.

The sun seemed to shine brighter as they flew, and Vanya had a thought about what Eragon would do when they weren't over there, but she shrugged it off. The island came eventually, after much flying, and Kaldar landed on it to rest his wings.

Looking around, Vanya could barely see the rock structure, and pointed it out to Kaldar. We're almost there!

Kaldar took off into the air, startling Vanya, and started towards the rock structure.

You know, I have half a mind to turn around. He commented.

Why? Vanya looked a bit confused, which she was. They had found Vroengard, and were almost to the original meeting place.

When Kaldar refused to answer, Vanya tried to study the problem from all angles. After a moment, she thought she had it. Is it because I didn't want Eragon to find us stranded?

Kaldar said nothing, his wings beating in the air.

Kaldar... Vanya trailed off as she saw a blue blob to their right. Fly faster. Please. She added a second later, watching the blue get closer.

Why?

I just want it to be a race. Please? For a moment, Vanya smiled, realizing she was begging her dragon to try racing against a dragon much bigger.

Alright. Kaldar agreed, and suddenly tucked in his wings, diving towards the water surface.

Kaldar! Vanya yelled, and he seemed a little smug as he pulled his wings up speeding across the water's surface towards the rock.

Vanya glanced behind them and to the left, and noted with alarm how big Saphira was getting the closer they came.

"Come on, come on...." she muttered aloud, not wanting to bother Kaldar.

The rock had drawn closer after several minutes, but Saphira and Eragon also had. Kaldar seemed to realize this, and stopped, flapping just to get higher in the air.

Saphira was huge. Her wings extended far to each side, and her scales shone like beautiful blue gemstones. Eragon sat, saddleless—as Vanya noticed—his sword, Brisingr at his hip. He wore a dark brown leather tunic, with tan pants tucked into leather boots.

Vanya urged Kaldar to rise a little higher to be on their level, and realized he was panting. Quickly, she reached into the energy stored in her gem, and poured some into Kaldar to refresh him.