Curse of the Phoenix

Ch.21 -The City On The Sea

~Iara

It was nightfall when we landed. The torches and other sources of light made the city easily visible. We landed outside of the city, I didn't know why. Then Eragon left us, to go and check in the city. Saphira remained with us.

"Where did Eragon go?"

"To the city. I don't know why." Said Murtagh.

"Okay." We sort of sat in silence, Grimm angled so that he cast his shadow over me, as well as shielding me from Thorn and Murtagh.

Why?

I don't trust them.

They've given you no reason not to trust them.

They haven't given me a reason to either.

Well Eragon seems to trust them.

Eragon is different.

Not really.

Do you even really know him that well?

Of course I do, he's my best friend other than you.

You sure?

Of course i'm sure.

Well i'm not.

Why? We've been with them for so long.

I know but....time is slower for dragons.

See! You can't even come up with a good reason!

I just don't, alright! I don't need a reason. You humans just need a reason to explain everything, from why the sun goes east to west and to why you're even here.

Likewise....

Dragon are here. Dragons are the best creatures, the top predators.

No need to show off.

So you admit i'm right?

Yes you win..

Good. We all looked up as an outline appeared in the sky. It was Saphira, and she was slowly flying her way to us. With news, maybe. She finally came, but Eragon didn't hop off. Instead he remained atop her.

"So what's the story?" Said Murtagh.

"Change of plans. They left for Narda a couple days ago, apparently Arya tried to scry but it didn't get through."

"Where's Narda?" I asked.

"It's a smaller city, but it's closer to Vroengard than Teirm. We should have just gone there in the first place." Murtagh seemed annoyed at the delay. Him and Eragon were nothing alike. Well, they were almost exactly alike in reality, but until I really came to knew Murtagh I wouldn't be able to tell. They acted the same way, but reacted differently. All this I had found out in the short time I had known Murtagh.

"Well, when do we leave?" I asked.

"Tomorrow, whenever we like. There's no rush, but i'd like to get there as soon as possible."

We should wait a bit, at least. said Grimm. All this traveling is getting tiring.

We barely even went anywhere!

You barely even went anywhere. The whole time you were up on my back. I was doing all the work.

Still.....

See, i'm right again!

It's not like I care. C'mon, we're leaving in the morning.

Are you excited to see them all again?

Of curse I am, are you? Grimm hesitated before answering. I began to feel guilty, I hadn't even asked him before I made the decision. I probably should have.

You didn't have to ask me. It's high time you started making your own decisions.

But isn't that why you're here, so that we can do things together?

I have no idea why i'm here, but I know you're my rider, and that' it's about time for you to go to bed. We have another long journey tomorrow.

Youhave another long journey tomorrow.

Well, yes, as I am doing all the work. Eragon slid off Saphira, and all of the dragons curled up together, sheltering the three of us, and the fire that Eragon was trying to start. Murtagh was rifling around in his own bag, trying to find something. Nobody seemed to need me, so I leaned against Grimm and watched, trying not to get in the way.

By nightfall we had a dinner going, mostly just some bread and fish that the dragons pawed out of the surf. It was warm, and filling. It was also a good way to go to sleep: warm food in your belly, the stars above you, and maybe a few snores and the soft breathing of the dragons.