Curse of the Phoenix

Ch.48 -Visitors

Iara~

We all sat at the table, in silence. Nobody knew what to do. Marumen had a bandage on his head, he hit the corner of the table when he fell. My throat didn't burn anymore, but it was sore, as if i had a cold. After I had gone to sleep Eragon managed to take me into the kitchen, where me and Marumen had rested until we woke.

"Maybe it was the tea?" Marumen suggested.

"Dude, don't be stupid. I've been using the same recipe for six years. Plus it started before we drank the tea. Remember?"

"Alright alright, sorry...any other ideas?" He asked. Eragon was busy leafing through a huge book on different ailments. He didn't pay any attention to us whatsoever.

The phoenix. I said.

Are you sure Iara?

Of course I am, we both saw it. I need to talk to Dru, soon.

Why don't we try scrying again?

First let's reassure Eragon that we aren't sick somehow.

"So...Eragon." I began. He looked up from the book for a second.

"What is it?"

"Could I go see Dru and the others in Ellesmera?"

"Actually. that reminds me. You don't have to. Everyone is coming here, they'll be arriving within a few days time. Thanks for reminding me." They were coming here? So soon? It had only been a few months since their last trip, and that was only Alice and Dru. Why were all five of them coming?

"Is it just them, or is Arya and Murtagh coming as well?"

"Arya isn't, we need another rider in the city if any other eggs happen to hatch. But Murtagh and Thorn are coming."

"It's going to be a lot of mouths to feed.....nine people, nine dragons.." Marumen said. It was funny how food was the first thing that came to his mind. Well, he was my brother, of all people.

"Yes, it certainly will."

~

The next three days were spent preparing, mostly getting another few rooms ready and saving up food. Dragons ate a lot, I mean, Grimm was barely fourteen years old, and he ate around five deer or snalgi at any given meal.

Saphira and Thorn were both around thirty five. Saphira didn't eat often, but when she did she ate enough to feed Virtue and Grimm both. All of the dragons would undoubtedly be hungry after such a long flight, unless they hunted along the way. Which was again unlikely, as it seemed that they wanted to get here as soon as possible, for a reason withheld from Eragon. Apparently it was important.

~

I was standing on top of the castle when first I saw them. The top of the castle was made of stone, like the building. It was a small slope, like a normal building. The stone was a light grey color, and veins of green and brown webber through. Vines creeped over the edges, bearing beautiful blossoms. Grimm was on the roof as well. The space made him seem small.

Then, over the sea, a glint. Faint. A speck of gold. Then it grew, and more appeared, red, orange, purple, the dragons. I heard a faint roar. Grimm got up upon his hind legs, and roared a reply. Soon they were here, circling above the castle.

I smiled and stepped off the side, catching myself with magic before I totally broke every bone in my body. The dragons landed in the clearing, taking up the entire thing. Grimm remained on top of the castle, draping a leg over the side. The first person I saw was Mikael, who crushed me in a hug.

"Gah, don't kill me now!"

"Haha, sorry it's been soo long!"

Alice came over and smiled, waving. I smiled back and freed myself from Mikael to hug her from behind.

"Alice! Didn't think you could get away from me, did you?"

"Course not." I sensed something in her voice.

"What's wrong?"

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked back to see Dru.

"We need to talk, soon. Where's your brother?"

"Which one?" I grinned. "Alright alright, he's inside with Eragon. We might as well talk over dinner." Dru nodded, and I looked back at the door. Alice walked inside, and I followed, the sets of footsteps behind me.