Curse of the Phoenix

Ch.2 -Misunderstanding

Eragon~

I strode into the clearing and sighed in boredom. Twenty long years...twenty, and not one of the eggs had hatched. Not even one! Arya had even made a trip to the island and switched the eggs I had given her for two different ones in the hopes that maybe they would hatch. But it was no use.

I checked in with her every two months by the use of scrying. Always the same report, always the same result. I had ended the spell in frustration, and decided to take a walk amongs the trees. Their ancient branches swayed in the wind. Saphira had come as well. She comforted me how she could, but it could not ease the impatience that sat inside my head, like a scab I wanted to pick at.

I cleared my thoughts and looked up at the sun. It shone brightly, it's warm rays penetrating the foliage and stopping at the ground, giving life to all of the ferns and other plants and animals. I was happy to be alive. If only this was all life was, enjoying the sun and being with Saphira. But it was not so. Saphira walked into the clearing behind me, moving the branches of an oak out of the way with no effort. She sniffed the air, and I felt her mood turn extremely cautious.

Eragon, there's something wrong.

I know! None of the eggs have hatched and no matter what we do nothing seems to-

Not that. Here, now. I smell the scent of a dragon.

She snarled and looked about. I took a step backward, and loosened Brisingr in it's sheath. I looked around, and closed my mind to everything except Saphira. Saphira took a step forward, and the ground shook. I heard a small whimper come from somewhere across the clearing. I turned, and started toward that side of the clearing. Saphira turned and carefully observed me, ready to come to my aid if necessary. I lowered my mental barriers and reached out with my consciousness. I felt the life force of everything within a league of the meadow.

Every plant and shrub, every insect and bird. And even...a human consciousness, towards the other side of the meadow. I opened my eyes and started to slowly go to where I knew they were.

Iara~

I stiffened. The blue dragon snarled, and I involuntarily whimpered. The person halted for a moment, and then began to slowly walk in my direction. What could I do? Grimm! He could save me.

Grimm!! Help me!!

I screamed with my thoughts. I felt his panic as he took off in flight.

I'm coming Iara hold on!!

I held on to the thought that he would be here. I prepared to jump out of the bush. The person -no, dragon rider- was thirty feet away. With that much of a headstart I could easily outrun him. I edged out of the bush, and started to slowly back away. Then once I was clear of the bush, I turned and ran.

As I took the first step I heard a voice call out "Wait! I'm not going to hurt you!" I stopped and cautiously turned to look at the stranger. He was tall, much taller than me. His hair was brown, like the bark of one of the leafy trees. His eyes were brown, like the bark of a pine tree. He wore no armor, but a sheathed sword was buckled on his hip, his left hip.

He must be right handed.

Grimm~

The hot-sticky-summer-sun-light beamed down upon my scales. Because of my black-scale-armor-hide, it made the sun that much more hot. But the sun didn't bother me. My partner-of-heart-and-mind, Iara, was in danger of some sort.

The reason I took her to this island was to get her away from all who wished to hurt her. Which seemed to be most of the figures from her past-life. But as always she managed to find predators who wished to eat her for a midday meal. And I would have them for a midday meal. I flapped my wings and soared in the sky. The sun beamed down upon me. I knew where Iara was, for I had felt her thoughts, but how to get to her...I snarled in frustration and thoughtlessly descended into a clearing close to where I had felt her presence. Before I smelled Iara. Before I saw the other dragon. Dragon..rider...Iara! The rider must have cornered her, for she had turned to face him. She could get away if he was distracted. A distraction, like pain from his bonded partner. I roared and tackled the blue.

Iara run!! I roared and yelled with my thoughts. I leaped at the blue.