Unexpected Ally - Eragon fanfiction

Chapter 8 - Du grind huildr!

They hurried back to the Golden Globes, quickly packed their belongings, (Ruth also destroyed the dress for it was already missing the skirt), saddled the horses and then led them into the street. Brom soon arrived, staff in hand, scowling dangerously. He swung onto Snowfire and asked "What happened?"

"We were in the cathedral when the Ra'zac just appeared behind us" said Eragon, climbing onto Cadoc sitting behind Ruth "We ran back as fast as possible, but they could be here any second. Saphira will join us after we've left."

"We'll have to get out of the city before the gates close otherwise it'll be nigh impossible to leave" Brom said

Ruth stiffened as ranks of soldiers marched down on one end of the street.

Brom cursed, and lashed Snowfire with his reins, and galloped away. Ruth bent forward and Eragon bent over her, with his arms wrapped around her waist; they followed Brom. They nearly crashed several times during the wild, hazardous ride, they plunged into the street which was clogged with people.

When they got close to the gates, Ruth pulled on the reins in dismay, they were almost already closed.

"They'll cut us to pieces!" Eragon exclaimed loudly in her ear, she turned and glared at him before turning her attention to Brom

"We have to try and make it" Brom nodded to Eragon "I'll deal with the men you must keep the gates open" Brom said, his expression hard, Eragon jerked his chin in affirmation. Ruth dug her heels into Cadoc and spurred him on.

They plowed toward the soldiers who lowered their pikes to the horse's chests, they snorted with fear but Ruth and Brom held them in their place. As they neared the sharp spikes Brom held his hand up and spoke; the words striking precision. The soldiers fell to the side as though their knees were cut beneath them.

Ruth watched as the gates neared the ground, her heartbeat quickened, she felt a power draw from within her. A surge of energy erupted from her as she yelled "Du grind huildr!"

A deep, grating sound emanated from the gates as they trembled then halted to a stop. Ruth was surprised by her use of magic. Brom stared at her wide-eyed.

The crowd gasped as did soldiers, who all stared with amazement.

The moment they were free from the city, Ruth let the new found magic within her retreat from where it came from. The moment she did a large sum of her strength depleted, her limbs instantly weakened and she felt fatigued. Her eyelids fluttered, then closed as she lost consciousness.

-Eragon-

Eragon grabbed Ruth's arm before she slid from the saddle, he was still shocked she had released magic. Brom watched her with concern. Eragon leaned over her body and took the reins, her body sagged forth and bounced with the continuous pace of the horses.

Their flight continued through the outskirts of Dras-Leona as alarm trumpets sounded on the city wall.

Saphira was waiting for them by the edge of the city, hidden within the trees. Her eyes burned; her tail whipped back and forth.

"Go ride her," said Brom "And this time stay in the air, no matter what happens to me. I'll head south. Fly nearby; I don't care if Saphira's seen."

Eragon quickly mounted Saphira "What of Ruth?" he asked surprised about his concern for her

"I'll take care of her" Brom assured

As the ground dwindled away from him, he watched Brom gallop along the road.

Are you alright? asked Saphira

Yes replied Eragon but only because Ruth helped us and we were extremely lucky

What happened?

She used magic to stop the gates closing on us but lost consciousness in the process

I'm glad she figured out magic but all this time we've spent looking for the Ra'zac was useless

I know

They flew low and fast over the road. Leona Lake receded far behind them; the land became dry and sandy, full with small, tough plants. Clouds darkened the sky. Lightning flashed in the distance. As the wind began to howl, Saphira glided down to Brom. When she did, Eragon noticed Ruth was awake but she looked barely alive; her skin was grey and pale and her eyes were half lidded. She was sat behind Brom, her body resting on his back.

Brom stopped the horses, "What's wrong?"

"The wind's too strong."

"It's not that bad" objected Brom

"It is up there" Eragon pointed to the sky

Brom swore and handed him Cadoc's reins. Ruth grumbled something so softly that Eragon didn't know what she said.

He looked at her "Are you okay?"

"No I'm exhausted" Ruth croaked in a hoarse voice

"I woke her with magic but she's barely awake" Brom said, turning his head to look at the girl

They trotted away with Saphira following on foot, though on the ground she had difficulty keeping up with the horses. The gale grew stronger, flinging dust through the air. They wrapped scarves around their head to protect their eyes. Brom's beard whipped around as if it had a life of its own while Brom's robe billowed behind him, Ruth wrapped her arms around the old man's waist and hid below the cape so it didn't hurt her.

Though it would make them miserable, Eragon hoped it would rain so it could cover their tracks.

Soon darkness forced them to stop. With only stars to guide them, they left the road and made camp behind two boulders. It was too dangerous to light a fire, so they ate cold food while Saphira protected them from the wind.

After the sparse dinner, Eragon asked bluntly "How did they find us?"

"One of the palace servants warned me there were spies among them. Somehow words of me and my question reached Tablor...and through him, the Ra'zac."

"We can't go back to Dras-Leona, can we?"

Brom shook his head "Not for a few years"

Ruth yawned loudly, Eragon looked at her concerned, she hadn't said anything for a while and seemed extremely fatigued.

Eragon held his head between his hands "Then should we draw the Ra'zac out? If we let Saphira be seen, they'll come running to wherever she is"

"And when they do, there will be fifty soldiers with them" Brom said "Now, this is not a time to talk, the Ra'zac will be hunting us in the dark, when they're strongest. We will have to trade watches until morning. Obviously we will let Ruth sleep, she won't be able to stay awake" Brom looked at her, she was already asleep, her chin resting on her collarbone area.

"Right," Eragon said, standing. He hesitated and squinted. His eyes caught a flicker of movement, a small patch of colour stood out on the nightscape. He stepped toward, trying to see it better.

"What is it?" asked Brom, unrolling his blankets.

Eragon turned back "I don't know, I thought I saw something but it must've been a bird or something" Pain erupted in the back of his head and Saphira roared. Then Eragon toppled to the ground unconscious.

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I won't be posting again today because I'm doing an escape room, read on

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