The Inheritance Cycle: Anghelm

Chapter One: Home

Eragon awoke suddenly to an intense pressure on his mind. Panicked, he quickly raised his defenses. Yet still the pressure remained, as intense as before. He had never endured a mental attack of this strength, not even when confronting Galbatorix. The attack was so strong that it roused Saphira through their connection, and they joined minds to combat it. Eragon expanded his mind cautiously through his defenses, searching for the malevolent presence that sought to overwhelm him, yet could detect nothing apart from the elves and two other Riders that had journeyed across the sea. As quickly as the attack had come on, it abated and he was able to think clearly.

Saphira stuck her head in from outside his room, where she slept. Little one, she said. Are you okay? He nodded mutely, and got out of bed, agitated. That was like nothing I've ever encountered! thought Eragon as he walked out, towards the courtyard in the middle of the village that they had created. Puzzled, he again expanded his mind searching for that unmistakeable presence – it was pure evil, and even as an elf's mind sang with the sweet music of trees and nature, this mind created a cacophony of pure chaos. Yet as he searched, he still detected nothing.

Troubled, Eragon reflected upon the attack as he gazed out upon their new home, breoal skulblaka – which loosely translated to house of dragons. It had been a year and a half since they had defeated Galbatorix, and as far as he knew, Alagaësia had moved forward from the Mad King's tyrannical reign. Mere months ago, he had received the first of the next generation of Riders, sent from Ellesmera after Arya had deemed them properly trained for crossing the vast sea.

Feeling Umaroth's consciousness reach out for his mind, he lowered his barriers. Saphira must have told them about the attack. Eragon, why did you not rouse us when attacked? We could have assisted! The old dragon grumbled. Eragon considered his answer before replying: Because, Umaroth-elda, I was given no time to think. Saphira only woke because of how intricately linked our minds are, as you are no doubt aware. It matters not at this stage. Do any of the Eldunari know what that was? Umaroth hesitated before replying, which did nothing to help Eragon's nerves. No. Whatever it was, it must have had an immense amount of power to pose a challenge to both yourself and Saphira. We Eldunari will search for this power in the same manner we oversaw events in Alagaesia from the Vault of Souls; it is unlikely that it will escape us. In the meantime, you should scout out the surrounding area in case this threat is still around, and once you return, contact the elves to see if they have felt any disturbances.

With that, Umaroth fell into silence. Saphira, having listened to the conversation, flew over to the battlement he stood upon. These days they often left her saddle on for the sake of convenience, as both of them often had more free time now that there was no war to fight and for the various lessons they had with their pupils throughout the day. Climbing up and strapping his legs in, Eragon clung to the neck spike in front of him as Saphira leapt from the battlement and began a steep ascent.

As they flew, Eragon expanded his mind once again in search of the presence, yet felt nothing. Nor could Saphira's eyes spot any oddities on the ground – although that was usual, given that there was nothing but trees and mountains for hundreds of leagues after their home – they had both made sure of this before deciding to settle there. There was nothing in the world quite like riding a dragon, thought Eragon as Saphira dove towards the lake that they had discovered shortly after arriving in this new land. It was part of the reason they chose this place for raising and training the Riders – an excess of clean drinking water was necessary for keeping the dragons healthy as much as it was for putting out the inevitable fires that would break out. It was a pleasant morning, so Eragon said "We should stay a while. We could both use the relaxation." Saphira replied by starting to hum, which he took as an affirmative.

And so, as he had in the glade past Oromis' hut more times than he could count, he extended his mind and began to take in all that went on around him.

An hour passed before Saphira interrupted him from his reverie: Little one, she said gently. We should return now; the younglings will begin to wonder where we have gone, and you still have to contact the elves. Although he could've happily sat there listening to all new life forms that he was still discovering in this new land, he knew she was right, and climbed up onto the saddle as Saphira settled on her haunches, preparing to spring into the air.

Sitting in front of the mirror that was his only remaining link to the friends and family he had left behind in Alagaësia, Eragon spoke Arya's name, creating the connection between the identical mirror that he had given her, Roran, Nasuada and Orik so that they may stay in touch. The mirror stayed blank for a few seconds, and then, as though she were standing right in front of him was Arya. She smiled at him, and he felt a pang deep in his chest. "Atra esterni ono thelduin, Eragon-finiarel" He smiled in return and replied "Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr, Arya Dröttning." With the formalities done, they both relaxed and Arya said with a hint of annoyance: "You know better than most how I hate to be called by my formal title. To you, I am just Arya!" With a quick grin, Eragon retorted "And you know better than most that I will continue to call you by your proper title, for I know it irritates you so." She could not help but smile at that. "However, I have not made contact simply for the pleasure of talking to you." He explained what had happened that morning, and her smile quickly dropped into a frown. "You are certain you have never had contact with this mind before?" To which Eragon nodded firmly and replied "And what's more, there is nothing for miles and miles around us – we are as secluded as can be. Saphira and I scouted the immediate area and found nothing." Arya's frown deepened, and she said "I will consult amongst our elders, for I am still young by elven standards. In the meantime, you should keep on your guard. I suggest you have the Eldunari keep watch over not only the minds of you and Saphira, but also of Valkor, Niriyen, Samantha and Morias." For the second time that day, the mention of his pupils tore Eragon out of his state as he remembered that, as every other day, he had a responsibility to teach them. "Barzûl!" He cursed. "Forgive me Arya, but I must go! Today is the day I decided to begin to teach them the concept of gramarye without the ancient language, and I have wasted much of the day!" Arya burst out laughing, a tinkling peal which Eragon counted among his favourite sounds in the world, and bid him farewell as he sprinted out to the courtyard where his students awaited.

Author's Note: I was really happy with this chapter as the first one in our adventures together! I hope you guys (if anyone even reads this) liked it as much as I did. Please let me know what you think, and any suggestions are more than welcome!