The Rise: Eldunari

Chapter 9- Angela

"Eragon." Angela smiled. "May I come in?"
"Weren't you going to anyway?"
"Still as arrogant as ever aren't you."
"Only when you're here," replied Eragon. She strode in casually before sitting on the couch.
"Why have you come, Angela. Unless this is a cordial visit, then I should better ask, how did you know I was here?"
"Haven't you known me long enough to know that I have my sources?"
"Fair enough, then I go back to my earlier question."
"Eragon, the enemy you are about to face is unlike any before. We knew Galbatorix for many years, but the beast that you face now hide in the shadows and in the darkest recesses of your mind and of this land. You would do well to protect those whom you love, for they will be the first target."
"Thank you. Angela, am I wrong in saying that you know more than you are letting on about these creatures of the dark?"
"Quick as always, Eragon. I can tell you that they spawn from a distant land far from Alagaesia, and are led by the one called the King of the North. Their souls are as black as night. They care not about land, wealth or titles. All they want is the destruction of this world and all who live in it. Their armies are vast, and their arrows are plentiful that the sky darkens with them during war. They have kept a secret life, choosing for other lands east and west of Alagaesia, but finally, their attention has been drawn here. Word of the resurgence of the Riders has piqued their curiosity and their bloodlust. The ones that attacked you at Vroengard were the ones they call 'The Masters'- the elite of their corps. They ride of black steeds in the air, fast as lightning but as strong as a mountain. But there are others. Others that they have possessed, enslaved or recruited to join their ranks. Their numbers are plentiful. For everyone you kill, it is said that three more spawn from the depths of the hell that they live in. They feast on the blood and flesh of innocence, needless to say that captives never survive more than a day. Even with the joined arms of the elves, urgals, dwarves, men and Riders, I am not sure if we will be able to vanquish them."
Stunned, Eragon said "How... How do we stop such a foe?"
"If I knew, I would have done it long ago. But Eragon, believe me when I say that there is a way. There will be a great war, with greater casualties than any in existence. You will experience immense loss, and when the time comes, you will have to choose between what is right and what is easy. You have been guided by your morales for a long time, but there will come a time when those morales will serve you no longer, and all that will be left is carnage. The rest is silence." Angela rose elegantly, kissed Eragon on the cheek and stalked towards the door. She turned before leaving and said. "The voice that you hear in your head when you sleep, I know where it comes from, but you must find out for yourself. Look for the wolves."
Her words resonated in Eragon's mind, before he too chose to retire.

Morning came as quickly as night fell. The words still buzzing in Eragon's ears. He arose and found Saphira curled around his bed. Her neck had minor raw wounds from a fight she probably had gotten between her and Thorn. From the angle, size and depth of the scratch, Eragon concluded that Firen had not been the culprit. Through his time at Vroengard, he had learnt many things in the way of dragons. First and foremost: strength is respected and weakness is preyed upon. He smiled and scratched her forehead. She opened one eye at him then shut it again, falling back into her slumber. Roran and the other villagers would arrive at Ilirea today. It seemed odd to Eragon, that people all over Alagaesia would spend a month travelling through rigorous conditions, various weather patterns and vast distances just to celebrate a festival. Then it occurred to him that the oppression they had felt during the reign of the Mad King was tremendous in relation to any number of leagues travelled. It made this annual pilgrimage of sorts worth it. Festivities lasted one week, with men and dwarves taking part in a variety of rituals such as dances, plays mimicking Galbatorix's fall and stories of Riders of old. From his balcony, Eragon could hear the hustle and bustle of the crowds as stalls were set up in the marketplace to meet the influx of visitors to the city. It was a very profitable time for all those who were business savvy. He walked to peer over the balcony ledge as he noticed a slim figure on the ledge next to his. Arya looked as if she had been gazing at the city since dawn. She turned to face him, flashing her perfect white teeth, as he replied in similar fashion.
"Good morning, Your Majesty." Eragon said jokingly. Arya squinted her eyes giving him a look of mock disdain.
"Festivities are about to begin in full swing. Is the rest of Alagaesia to your liking?" Eragon continued.
"It is hard to compare with Ellesmera, but I must say that it is good to be back in the open."
It would be only a matter of time before the citizens of Ilirea noticed the two, maybe three dragon riders if Murtagh had not left, in their midst. Arya and Eragon agreed to enter fly out to the entrance and enter from there, so as to not arouse too many questions. Firen and Saphira awoke as Eragon casted an invisibility spell upon them. Together, they flew high into the clouds where the flapping of enormous wings could hardly be heard below. Reaching roughly half a league away from the city gates, they turned towards the entrance. As Eragon shut off the magic powering the spell, sentries from different posts along the city walls rushed into a scrambled formation. Eragon spoke into their minds, assuring them of his presence and commending them for their quick thinking. Their re-entrance was met with shouts of praise from below.
"Shadeslayer!" "Queen Arya!" Eragon and Arya waved at them before heading straight to the entrance of Nasuada's castle where she had agreed to meet them. They had staged it to make it appear as though their Queen had not kept a secret as big as the return of the Riders from them. As they landed, dozens of children, women and men rushed forward before being halted by two rows of Nasuada's guards. Arya waved them away, allowing her and Eragon to be embraced by the people. They were gentle, seeking more to bask in their presence rather than hassle them. Eragon could tell that their elation was key in the months, maybe even years to come. After an appropriate duration of time, they edged behind the wall of guards, away from the clambering hands of the people. With a final wave, Eragon, Arya and Nasuada disappeared behind castle doors.
"I take it the people were delighted with your appearance." Eragon smiled. They were silent for the duration of their walk back to Nasuada's chambers where a rectangular table had been set up. On it, a map of Alagaesia, and it's neighbours Vroengard and Beirland. Murtaugh was waiting for them with Thorn, Saphira and Firen. Surprisingly, the chamber was large enough to fit three fully grown dragons.
"At the north-most peak of Vroengard, my sentries were ambushed by The Masters. They-"
"The who?" Murtagh questioned.
"The Masters. Thats what they are called, or so I have found out." Nasuada looked at Eragon for an explanation but his eyes gave nothing away. She understood.
"After we had fended off multiple attacks, and Saphira and I had managed to secure the island temporarily, we questioned the sentries. They were shaken, but had both told me that The Masters had simply appeared from above, bombarding the three sentries with attacks, primed at maiming and decapitating, but not to kill. They were sending a message. Their numbers were substantial, slightly less than mine. The alarm was raised and it was a bloodbath. We had some success when we aimed to behead them, but other than that, their wounds only seemed to spur them on further. Their blood was black, corrosive and hot. They rode steeds of darkness, that flew fast as the wind. Our dragons had a match of their own. Finally, after rousing the Eldunari, with their help, we managed to fight them off.
They come from a land far north, but up until the restoration of the Riders, they did not see fit to come for Alagaesia. But now they have. They have other fighters as well. Ones that they have enslaved, possessed or have willingly chosen to fight for them. Their armies are vast, and they are led by the one called the King of the North. We will have to establish lookouts around the perimeter of the land, at Carvahall, Teirm, Aberon and probably Dras-Leona. Farmers and others in between there and here should be brought into major cities such as Ilirea, Belatona, Aroughs, Feinster. By drawing them back, we will be able to limit casualties, reducing their ability to use hostages against us. Ellesmera will have to be reinforced as they are most at risk, but I fear that they will choose to bypass them altogether, reserving the bulk of their strength for weaker towns. They will want to kill us slowly, city by city."
"What is impeding us is the desert. It is vast, and could be used as a temporary safe haven, but life there is unsustainable. I think it should not be ruled out completely though," suggested Nasuada.
"Preparations should be started as soon as the Rise is over. We will need emissaries asking for a meeting to be held by representatives of each race, preferably at Ilirea. I will be there to oversee it as well. How goes relations with King Orrin?"
"Cordial, to say the least Eragon. He is the same. King Orik and I are on great terms. Nar Garzhvog has been able to unite some Urgal clans to live under one banner, however the one true Urgal King Kulkarvek still lies in his dormant state in the Barrows of Anghelm."
"Send the emissaries out as soon as you can, we will need to convene. Should people ask reasons, I suggest you do it under the pretence of extending an invitation to celebrate the Rise together." Arya said.
"Very well, it shall be done." The four talked until the middle of the afternoon. People had started streaming into Ilirea by the thousands from all across the land. Eragon felt the presence of Roran, Katrina and Ismira, and felt excited. He asked for their meeting to be brought to a close so that they may experience the first night of festivities without worry.