Curse of the Phoenix

Painful Reminders -pt. 2

Eragon~

Iara turned back around. Whatever had just happened was beyond me. The entire episode reminded me of my own, previous affliction. I looked up at her, and she held my gaze.

"Iara?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you alright?"

"At the moment."

"You sure?" She paused before answering me.

"No."

"What happened?" She didn't even answer me this time, just stood there with a strange look on her face. As if she was sad and desperate at the same time. To my surprise, she didn't speak. Rather, Grimm did. Iara had sat down on the warm grass, and he curled his tail around her protectively. Then he turned his rather massive head towards me, focusing his amber gaze.

Eragon. He began.

Grimm. What is it? I had only felt his mental voice once before, and this time he was a bit more open with me, allowing me to get a better glimpse of his character. The nobility to him surprised me. I noticed the earlier strength I had felt, as well as the teeny bits of instinct that made him withdrawn. I noticed it had been about a minute. He hadn't replied yet. Rather, he was wondering what the heck I was doing. I slightly withdrew from the contact. His mind unsettled me. Maybe that's why Saphira was the one who hatched for me. Not him.

Eragon, i'd ask of you to not remind her of what we left behind.

I don't even know what happened. Can you explain to me?

She had.....an attack, of sorts. A very, very vivid flashback.

A flashback of what?

If she wants to tell you, she can. It's not my past to be told.

Can you tell me yours then? It's a bit strange that you two suddenly show up on an island hundreds of miles from the main continent.

That is something I can tell you.

Then...

Iara was in danger for her life. We had....assistance, from friends. They heard talk of another rider, riders, actually. A blue dragon, a red dragon, and a green. They wanted to go to the elves, but I did not. Our friends left us to go to them. I brought Iara here. End of story.

Who are your friends?

Iara can tell you if she wishes.

How did you learn of the other riders?

Plainly asking, of course. Talk to any human from coast to coast and you'll hear of the great dragon war, the heroic blue and her rider killing the king.

Sometimes....people exagarate.

So it seems. Is that enough of an explanation for you? I would like a good night's sleep instead of having to stay up and protect her all night.

That was fine.

Grimm got to his feet, pausing as Iara stood. I climbed on top of Saphira; she had to leave first in order for Grimm to have enough room to even take flight. I glanced back at Grimm once. He was silently following as Iara clung to him. I wanted to help, to make her better, but I didn't know how. When we got back to the castle we went inside silently.