Eragon ( Riders of the Lands across the Sea )

- Chapter 20 - Returning

Eragon smiled warmly, 'Shur'tgal means, a Dragon Rider. It is used as a symbol of respect and awe to all those who knows of the Elven tongue.' He remembered the first time he too asked such questions to Brom. He had to be taught almost everything by those he met along the way. In some sense, he was lucky than most others. He spoke softly to Sarah as he beckoned her to stand up and properly greet their nightly visitors. 

After some polite introduction, the rest of the party was fussing over both Illiea and Saphira praising their marvelous scales and magnificent beauty. Sarah joined them, having a good time being in the center of their attention. She was a princess after all. Blodhgarm and his small party had brought along some fine wine and meat, unsure as to how to greet the newcomers. They spotted the fine dot growing larger in the skies that evening and assumed it to be Saphira, nobody else knew much about this place, so it was hardly possible for anyone new to appear here. Still, they had to be cautious, so a party of four fighters were selected to venture out and seek these newcomers. Although he had assumed that it would be Eragon, he was not one to take chances. 

 'I trust the Alzurri is complete?' Eragon turned to his side to speak with Blodhgarm. He waited for the tired elf to speak. 'Yes, Shur'tgal. We had to sing and wove the magic for nearly four days without stopping. All the eldunari were exhausted save for the 30 that was excluded due to other duties. Everyone present was worn out, so they are resting. I only came because the outposts reported seeing a speck of dust growing larger as the day went on,' Blodhgarm replied. 'We assumed it was a dragon, judging by the speed it was growing in size, and only you and the Queen had dragons in all of Agleasia that we know off. I was still not ready to assume it, so we had to come prepared,' he nodded to a differently coloured pouch and gripped his sword. Eragon understood immediately, they would poison the newcomers if they posed a threat to the valley and end the skirmish before it even began. He shuddered at Blodhgarm's ruthlessness, but said nothing. It was a necessary evil to keep the residents of the valley safe. 

'Burn the poisoned meat in the fire, we don't want the two new pair accidentally eating it,' Eragon instructed. 'As you say, Shur'tgal,' Blodhgarm replied. 'By the way Shur'tgal, where is your guardian magician? You told me she was a powerful sorceress, capable of protecting you while you travelled to and from Surda,' Blodhgarm inquired. 'He was probably pestered around by his elven friends and even Arya as she tried to contact me,' Eragon thought to himself. 'Wait, did I forget to bring Elva back? Oh, no! I'd never live this down with that women. She would use this as an excuse for the rest of my life to torment me,' Eragon's eyes widened with realisation. 'She.. um.. she had to travel west from Surda for some other business,' Eragon replied with a tinge of guilt in his voice. 'This new Shur'tgal, should I inform the Queen?' Blodhgram silently asked in a low voice. 'Let it be a surprise, we will finally have more than 2 capable riders that this land can call upon,' Eragon replied smiling. He intentionally excluded Murtagh as the other rider had made it clear he was done trying to fight for the sake of others. It goes against the code of the riders, so Eragon dully accepted that it was no use trying to force him to accept this new role. He had sent some letters, and magical transmissions to Murtagh to invite him to the opening ceremony of the Valley of Hope, but got no reply yet. 

Eragon pushed those thoughts aside and spoke. 'Let's get some rest for now. We will continue tomorrow,' Eragon said to the whole group. Everyone took turns to rest while a pair of them took turns at night watch. It never hurts to be too careful. Sunrise was always beautiful in the valley. The bright orange light pierced through the darkness of the night, gently raising the veil. It glowed warmly giving off a sense of harmony as it glinted in on the dews hanging from grass they laid at.  The valley loomed grimly as it was still shrouded in darkness when Eragon and his team set off towards it. They would reach the Valley by noon on their dragons. Illiea carried two more passengers without a complaint. Saphira hummed along without a care in the world. The added weight was negligible in her own words, and they were close to their destinations anyway...