Book Two: Prophecy (Erys: An Eragon Fanfiction - Slow Updates)

A Synopsis of Erys

Since Eragon's departure into the West, a terrible regime—the Riders' Republic—seized control of power within Alagaësia; anyone not burdened with the fortune or else misfortune of the status of Rider was no better than a slave.  Slavers, once eradicated under Eragon, flourished under the baleful regime.  There were few who could oppose them, among them Carvahall—saved by the belief Eragon protected them—and the few Riders who remained free of their control, hidden somewhere within the vast Empire.

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It began with the slave raid that ended Erys' quiet life on the run from the dangerous secret her family kept—her brother's death.  He was slain by a barbaric Rider, under the protection of the Republic, who'd tried to rape her. Instead of facing charges for treason thus inviting death in accusing the Rider—an offense harshly condemned by the Republic—they hid his death and fled to a village where no questions would follow. When Erys' village was raided, she assumed the identity of her slain brother to avoid the fate of a whore, a fate her mother and the other women and children could not escape.  She was forced to watch as her father was brutally executed with the rest of the men of the village.

Erys escaped detection as a woman but was taken hostage to be sold as a slave in Gilead.  With the arrival of a mysterious magician in camp, she learned she was to be take to Doru Areaba to face an unknown fate, as a result of her lineage. With the aid of Eirdain, Erys escaped the slavers, stealing an egg in the process and upon narrowly escaping into Du Weldenvarden, eventually becoming the Rider, Shur'tugal abr Thirr, the Rider of Three. Her dragon, or rather dragons, were one of legendary power, an anomaly rarely seen, and an error in the order of the Riders. The three headed dragon gave her unprecedented strength, both a gift and a curse. 

She learned quickly she would be killed or used for her power if she failed to guard herself.  After entering the forest, she and Eidain were attacked by an elf, Enneniya, tasked with guarding the border into Du Weldenvarden.  Although under orders to execute Shur'tugal abr Thirr should they ever arise, Enneniya spared her life and Eirdain's.  She then revealed a secret imperative to their survival, yet dangerous all the same.  Erys' use of magic would go far beyond that of an ordinary Rider. It was her greatest asset, and perhaps, her greater vulnerability, for should she fail to control it, it would cost her life.

Erys utilised her newfound ability to hide her and her companions in their attempt to reach Carvahall, but they were herded into a city teeming with danger: Ceunon. Facing an army at their backs, they had little choice but to smuggle themselves into the city with the aid of an unwitting father and daughter. But their flight into the city endangered one and killed another; Thalia was arrested and her father murdered. Guilt wracked at the cruel murder and imprisonment of the family, Erys swore to aid the girl before she dared leave the city, putting her own freedom at risk.

In gathering information about the girl and where she may be held, Erys and Eirdain took a young soldier hostage, forcing him to desert and join them. Erys learned that though he cooperated, it was only for his own gain and he could not be trusted. Though he proved himself worthy in aiding them free Thalia, Erys quickly began to doubt him after he discovered her true identity and threatened to reveal her.  Though their attempt at rescue was successful, Thalia was mortally wounded on the doorstep of sanctuary as they neared Carvahall, the only known haven in Alagaësia.  The people of Carvahall attempted to save her, but failed, her wounds too great even for magic to heal.  Erys considered her her first failure and swore she would not see the same outcome with her mother.

Erys and her remaining companions were surprised to find the line of Stronghammer endured. They offered them their home and protection in a village that was not the haven they expected; a Rider known as Ythari kept them on a short leash under close watch, refusing to let the trio leave, even when they'd recovered.  She revealed terrible truths to Erys about the true nature of the village since Eragon's departure.  They worshiped Eragon and Saphira as deities and executed anyone who deviated from their principles in cruel ways.  After witnessing the  atrocities  of  the village, namely the execution two twins burned alive, she began plotting her escape.