Eragon 5 Fanfiction: The Bane of The Riders

Prologue

Cold winds blew through the plains of Alaglaesia. Peasants huddled together inside their wooden houses hoping to find some respite against the bitter cold. The first winter snow had killed the last remnants of the harvest. No matter who ruled, it seemed not even the most benevolent ruler could prevent the devastation caused by the elements.  Some of the less fortunate villagers who had not prepared properly for the long winter, could sometimes be seen, lying frozen in the fields, hoping against all odds to find a potato that had survived the snowy tundra. The winds continued across the country, blowing through the old trees of the Spine continuing on north until it was met by eight ships sailing south, sailing south towards Alaglaesia, sailing towards Palancar Valley, the birthplace of the legendary dragon rider Eragon.

A lone man stood shivering against the rails of a large galleon. However it was not the cold that he was shivering from, but rather the anticipation, the joy of bringing another realm to yield. Even as the wind ruffled his long black hair, Akimi felt nothing. For it had been years since he felt the bitter sting of the cold. He stared with his dark eyes at the large white mast depicting a golden scale, perfectly balanced with a sword in one arm and a human brain in the other. Akimi observed as the wind battered against the mast, trying with all its might to slow the ship but it was pointless for the ship seemed to be an unmovable object, unperturbed by the battering of the wind.  "How fitting"  thought Akimi, " that not even the might of elements will slow the inevitable" . Akimi felt another bout of joy spring in him as he imagined all these retched lost souls been brought under rule and order,  that they now have a chance to serve a purpose much greater then themselves. Yes, indeed they should rejoice he was their savior, a vassal used to channel the purpose of a much higher power. Akimi took a deep breath of the salty air, he had long prepared for this campaign and now it was at the finishing stages. He had studied his prey, learned their weaknesses, and was ready to free them. Except for the Elves, all of them would be slaughtered. Of all the realms he had traveled to, he had found that he had a special hatred for Elves and their wastefulness of  immortality. He gazed into the dark ocean and cast his conscious miles across, like a chandelier falling from a ceiling, the shards of his consciousness scattered across the lands. Yes, there was nothing of strength, nothing that could oppose him......except....he had done this countless times on his voyage and had found that there was one particular spot that seemed immune to his probing. It bothered him that he had a blind spot. But no matter, it was but a small island, nothing of consequence which would be concerned by the breaking of the continent.  He had heard tales of dragons, and men and elves who rode them, he had heard myths of Elves, Men and Dwarves speaking words from a strange language causing the world to bend to their will. He had heard legends of men who stood eight feet tall with goat horns and limbs the size of tree trunks. But no matter, he had encountered far more stranger and perilous creatures and magic to be unsettled, they had all bowed to him as such was the nature of thing. Every  creature and breathing thing, no matter the realm, always secretly a craved a master, someone for guidance, something to control them. And finally the cries of Alaglaesia had been heard and here was Akimi ready to answer their prayers. "My lord" an overly patronizing female voice called, Akimi annoyed at the disturbance turned around and gazed upon a tall blonde woman. Her long straight hair framed her face, she had a regal appearance, almost as if a painter had painted her features to look so royal. Her blue eyes met his and he felt the distinct urge to look away, instead he compromised and lowered his gaze ever so slightly towards her red lips, he even chanced a glance at her ample bussom, which was ever so complimented by the corset which she donned. "Have you finished with the cabin boy already Berrylin?" sneered Akimi. " I should've thought that his young lungs would've kept him going at least another hour" he followed up. Berrylin composure never changed, it was almost as if she did not hear him. Of all the seekers he was entrapped with, it had to be Berrylin, for it was her years ago who identified him as the chosen one. It was her who brought him to the great lord, and allowed him to become a vassal of power. And of all the creatures in all the realms, she was the only being who terrified him.

Berrylin stared at Akimi, he tried to disguise him discomfort but to know avail as she noticed his quick drop of the eyes towards her bussom. "No matter how powerful men are, they are all the same" she mused to herself. Akimi was a handsome man, to handsome for her liking. His shoulder length hair and his dark eyes contrasted by his pale skin and his strong jaw had often made women act like fools around him. Although there was the matter of his beard, she was never to fond of beards . She heard Akimi's smooth voice but paid no attention to the words they conveyed, for more often than not Akimi tended to lash out with insults, "probably to mask his fear" she thought. No matter how juvenile he was however, in her millenniums of existence never  had she met a vassal with the ability to transfer so much power. Yes, his predecessors had more blood-lust but Akimi was more "calculative" she decided. "The raiding parties are set, we will harass until they meet us in battle" reported Berrylin. Akini regarded her for a moment and then smilied and spoke, " yes, bring the sheep to the slaughter". "If I may my Lord" started Berrylin, "perhaps it would be prudent for you to remain on the sidelines and observe the prowess of our....sheep before  you engage them, as weak as they are, something about this land...unsettles me" . Akimi scowled at her until he curtly nodded his head. "Until tomorrow my Lord" she said, as she turned to go she regarded him one last time. His muscular frame was certainly.....aesthetically pleasing to look at. She entertained the idea of inviting him to her bed chambers, it would not be the first time she had taken him there. "No" she thought to herself. Akimi did not look like he would accept the invitation, and rejection was something that she had always despised. Berrylin turned and left leaving Akimi alone lost in his thoughts of conquest and glory.