The Name of Names

~37: In the Winds~

Saphira and Kaldar flapped their wings, heading towards the cove Eragon had described. Vanya felt like rocks were in her stomach, and eventually, she had to make peace with the fact that she could die here.

I wonder what happens when you die. Vanya said to Kaldar, looking ahead with blank eyes. Do you just... Not exist anymore? Or is there life after death?

I suppose you will never know. Kaldar said, and the flapping of his wings beat steadily. And you may never find out. However, if we both do not make it out of this... I want you to know that I am glad to have hatched for you.

Vanya smiled, and rested a hand on Kaldar's shoulder, I am glad you did too.

The rest of the flight was silent, and as the cove was near the sea, they had a long way to go, although the trip went faster due to the fact that they were riding on dragons.

They took short breaks for the dragons, mainly Kaldar, to rest their wings, but these breaks were no more than ten minutes, as they wished to arrive quickly.

Sometime around the next day, at lunch, Eragon reached out with his mind to make sure Ismira was still there. His heart gave a jolt when he realized that he either couldn't sense her presence, or she was gone. Using mental probes, he searched around, suddenly a poorly concealed group flying towards Evarinya.

Eragon's eyes suddenly shot open, and he stood, turning to Begnaz, "Get out of here. Now. Scry Vanya and the others and explain what's happening."

"What is happening?" his gravelly voice asked, sensing the alarm in Eragon's posture.

"She's coming here." Was all Eragon said before closing his eyes, and beginning to mutter non-stop in the ancient language, casting spells over the hundreds of dragon eggs and Eldunari. The dragon's minds encased inside the Eldunari began to join minds with him, helping in the process, and speeding it up. Several times, Eragon spoke the word that reverberated inside the Urgal's mind, but left again without a trace; the true name of the ancient language.

Without waiting any longer, Begnaz turned, starting to run to the forest, his heavy footsteps thudding on the ground. He ran a few paces before his dragon, Arucane, burst out of the open roof on one of the buildings and flew low beside him, matching his speed easily.

With a mighty leap, the Urgal grabbed onto the gold dragon's shoulder and swung onto her back.

As soon as Begnaz was firmly on, Arucane strained her wings to gain altitude as she sped to a separate part of the island.

Down here, the Urgal thumped on Arucane's shoulder, communicating his message through his mind as well.

Tucking her wings partially, the gold dragon dove towards the forest, leveling her wings to land. With a big crash, her feet impacted with the ground, but Begnaz was ready, and jumped, landing roughly on the ground.

"Adurna, risa," he barked out, and water instantly rose from inside of the ground to the top, forming a puddle. Barking out another spell, and envisioning Vanya, the Urgal watched as colors swirled, forming a picture. A moving picture, showing Vanya where she was currently. Vanya had set up a mirror on her pack, in case they should need to contact her, and Begnaz assumed that was where he was appearing now.

"Vanya," He growled to get her attention.

Vanya whirling around to face the sound of the noise, her hand instinctively going to Wyrda's hilt. When she saw the Urgal, she relaxed somewhat, "Ah, it's just you. We're almost to the place where Eragon sensed her with magic, but—"

The Urgal's brow creased, and he interrupted her, "Shadeslayer needs you here. Now." Vanya's features became confused, and Begnaz could see her motion for Murtagh and Saphira to stop. They didn't have to wait long before Begnaz explained, "She is coming here. To Evarinya."

Shock registered on Vanya's face, and Begnaz could see her turn to Murtagh, who was riding on Saphira.

"We'll change courses immediately." Vanya spoke quickly, and Begnaz heard the stress in her voice.

Vanya watched as Benaz's face disappeared, and it was once more just Saphira, Murtagh, Kaldar, and herself. Kaldar and Saphira were changing directions, and increasing their speed. Even so, Vanya felt the decreasing energy within Kaldar. Slowly, she started feeding him energy through their link until she knew it would be unwise to do so.

Her eyes trailed down at the grass, plants, and animals beneath their flight. It is necessary. She finally conceded, and reached out with her mind towards them, taking only as much energy as they could spare. Still, however, sometimes she misjudged, and felt the death of the plant take its toll.

She continued to give Kaldar energy, enough for him to keep his speed up with some energy to spare so he didn't feel exhausted.

The sea approached rapidly, and Saphira and Kaldar strained their wings to gain altitude. The temperature dropped noticeably, and Murtagh cast a spell to keep their body heat in. The trip seemed endless, and Vanya could tell they were all growing impatient.

Saphira increased her speed, and Kaldar matched hers, but Vanya no longer had any sources to take energy from, and his energy dropped rapidly until he started to lag behind. Still, he kept beating his wings, pushing on until Vanya knew it would be dangerous to continue like this.

"Saphira!" she yelled through the wind. "Kaldar needs rest."

Saphira slowed her wing beats, and Vanya could tell she was impatient. Very well. Next stop we take a short rest. We have to arrive there quickly, tired or not.

"But we won't be any use to him exhausted!" Vanya protested.

Saphira didn't respond, but next island they came across, they landed. As Kaldar rested, Vanya slipped Aiden's necklace out of her pocket and clasped it around her neck. The emerald was beautifully and elegantly carved, and Vanya immediately began looking for energy to store inside of it. She felt a creature nearby her, and the thought occurred to her that it would be quicker if she just took all of the energy that was inside of it.

Gritting her teeth, she knew it would be the quickest way, and took as much energy as was inside of it, storing it in the gem. The amount was surprisingly large, but as Vanya felt the death like it was her own, she knew she would never do it again unless in dire circumstances.

We need to move on. Saphira announced, a few minutes after they had landed. Both dragons launched into the air, with Murtagh and Vanya now both on Saphira's back, so that Kaldar could go longer. Vanya gave him small amounts of energy at a time to keep him breathing well.

I hope we arrive there soon enough.