Eragon ( Riders of the Lands across the Sea )

-Chapter 14- Friend or Foe ??

The young dragon and rider flew back to Surda at an alarming rate. The wind was picking up almost as though urging Illiea to push on harder. Soon, Surda came to view as a small dot on the ground, until eventually growing in size and details to reveal the Surda they both knew and loved. It truly was a majestic city even when seen from the back of a dragon. It felt like they were away for a lifetime. She missed all the action she got to do while playing the ghost. But most importantly she missed home.

The pair arrived little before midnight at the majestic gates of Surda. From far, Iliea had picked out coloured tents and many people rushing about doing something. Sarah had not anticipated anything of this scale as she openly stared, mouth agape at the crowd as they continuously moved around without looking up at the majestic beast and her rider. In a rare moment of pride, Sarah felt like a guardian over the people of Surda, and silently thanked the gods above for giving her Illiea. Both of them have redoubled the efforts she alone had taken to reduce the suffering of the poor in Surda before Illiea was born. The night was dark and without moon concealing their presences from immediate observation, a chilly air current was playfully whispering around, ruffling little boys' hair, tugging gently at the tent flaps as it passed by. Sarah hugged herself more tightly around her thick cloak as she watched in fascination from her dragon's back as work continuously progressed without any signs of slowing down. Nobody had time to even glance up though even if the looked up they wouldn't have seen her face as she had her 'Ghost' outfit on. She could not help but wonder what was going on down there, what are they preparing for until it is being continued till this late in the night. Her internal clock told her its well past midnight and only four hours before dawn breaks. Surely it has to be something really important, or her father would not rush the entire nation into action through the night.

Saphira woke with a start. Something large had disturbed her sleep. She wordlessly nudged Eragon with her mind as she did not dare to move. Eragon woke up from his sleep like trance and was on alert immediately. He silently unsheathed Bsinggr and stood up carefully as he scanned the room. He even muttered several precautionary spells to check the room for intruders. Upon finding none, he cautiously stood up and walked to Saphira," What is it Saphira? What woke you up?" he tenderly asked. She was silent. Saphira opened her mind expanding it further and further. She felt Eragon's mind as he waited patiently beside her. She felt the sleepy minds of the sentries outside their chambers, the minds of the palace servants, the king's mages, King Orin's mind at the dungeon, councilmen, even Elva's. The animals in the stable began to become restless as she slowly expanded her mind past them. Shushing them with a fierce picture of herself tearing the animals' limbs without mercy, she continued on. She internally smiled when she felt those animals shuddered in silence as they kept out of her way. Dragons are the kings of the food chain for a reason. No, she decided. She knew it was something far larger than those animals. She expanded her mind beyond the palace walls and notices the flurry of activities going on. The entire nation was preparing for the returning of their princess. Saphira noticed two heavily fortified minds in the midst of hundreds of unprotected mind. They both stood out like a flare on a dark night with no moon.

Like a moth attracted to heat of light lamps, Saphira got up and prepared to fly towards the two minds. Eragon hopped on her back into his usual position without much question. He trusted her with his life n she knows that too. Bsingr, was lying by his side as he spared a few moments to wonder at its unchallenged beauty. Saphira stood up easily as though Eragon's added weight meant nothing to her. Her majestic muscles and strength ensured that she can fly days with him and two others without stopping. Together they both flew out of the window into the cloudy night in search of the new individuals that managed to wake Saphira up. "Who do you think it is?" Eragon asked out loud to nobody in particular. Saphira chose to answer it, " I'm not sure little one, its been a few years before I have sensed such powerful minds, I'd say one of it should be a dragon's mind. But definitely to Firnen and Arya if that is what you are thinking. " "Thorn and Murtagh perhaps?" Eragon guessed. "Maybe," Saphira mussed. "Maybe its Ghost and his dragon. He was the favourite topic of the nation apart from the princess being a rider," Eragon kept on babbling lost in his thoughts. "I can smell them. Be careful, I don't want you to get hurt. If it wasn't this cloudy tonight, I might be able to pinpoint their excat location by now, Saphira broke his train of thoughts.

Eragon silently nodded and tightened his grip on Bsingr. He didn't know whether this new comers were a friend or their foe. He'd rather not take chances and risk both Saphira and him getting hurt. His face was grim as he mentally prepared for the worst. Past experiences has thought him to never underestimate an enemy or he could end up very dead. There is no second chances in fights like this. However, he was ready! This individual should he turn out to be an enemy shall know why the people of Agleasia call him Kingslayer.

"I have both of them in my sight, it seems like they are just howerring above the crowd like a silent guardian," Saphira spoke through their mind connection before withdrawing from his mind to set up her mental blocks. She was howerring above the pair. Her sheer size made the other dragon look like a new born cub. Eragon too set up his mental blocks before addressing both of the newcomers. "You there, who are you? What is your business here in Surda? Is that your dragon?" Eragon's voiced boomed out louder than he anticipated. He internally chuckled as the strangers looked around startled by his magically amplified voice. "Up here," he called to them again. They both looked up and saw a majestic beast howerring above their heads. Their eyes widened dramatically as their pupils dilated. To Eragon they both looked like a reindeer caught in front of a cart. "Answer me or I'll have both your heads rolling at this instant," Eragon spoke again calmly this time, but his silky voice was laced with venom. He smiled with satisfaction as he saw the other rider involuntarily shuddered.

The picture is to show you juz how big Saphira has grown
how was that?? i know i know its been long since my last update........... for that i am extremely sorry........ give me your opinions... Also, should i add something else??? Give me ur comments and ideas if u wanna see one or two of your ideas along the story, Give your suggestion on names for the other characters (please specify human, dragons, drawes, elves, urgals, werecats, shades, and even the rider's sword) and please comment something, it gives me something to think about when I work with this book, thank you..

.SPOILER!!!! be ready for a few special characters to emerge soon, will they be friends or a foe or maybe a double faced agent,?? Wanna know??? Keep reading..........

Njoy reading!!! take care.

This chapter was specially made for Autumn_Zoey_Athena_ thanks for your support.