The Lands Beyond (Inheritance Cycle Book 6)

Chapter 2: Flight

The sun appeared between the mountains as its rays brought warmth to the Dragon city. A dragon's roar could be heard, welcoming the new day, as it flew around the giant library that was built when Eragon found the city. The sunlight shone on the white beautiful walls of the city and Elves, dwarves, humans and urgals slowly appeared on the roads as they began their everyday work.

Baldur opened his eyes, and saw Blödhrir's eyes looking at him closely.

"Good morning!" Baldur greeted him.

"You were moving in your sleep. You are anxious!" Blödhrir stated.

"Of course. Anxious and excited!." Baldur responded.

"Let's go and eat something. It will help with your anxiety." Blödhrir suggested.

"Food is not the answer to everything Blödhrir!" Baldur said laughing.

"Well it certainly helps!" Blödhrir stated matter of factly. As if to emphasise his point, his stomach growled.

Baldur could only smile as he had a bath and got dressed. It was a sunny day, a good day for flying with the partner of his heart and mind. He was anxious for the whole endeavour to begin. He always liked travelling and was curious to see his dragon rider training being tested outside of the training ground, in the real world.

He had always wanted to know of what lied beyond the sea and liked to imagine the mythical creatures that would live there. Now he would have the chance to experience it first hand. He could not believe his luck.

He took one last breath, looking at the room that had been his for all his life, engraving it in his memory, then turned around and ran towards where Sigurd and the others were sure to be waiting.

He saw Salador and Alaina holding hands and waved to them.

"Hello! Nice day for flying ain't it?" Salador said and smiled.

"It sure is!" Baldur replied. "Good to see you too Alaina!" Baldur said in greeting.

Alaina greeted him back and smiled. After a bit of small talk, Baldur excused himself and left. There was something he needed from the library. It was a scroll from the section of the library that contained the rarest books that were from before Eragon became lead rider. It contained a list of spells that could be useful for the trip ahead.

***

Sigurd sat next to his dragon Iris as he ate his breakfast, a bowl of apples, pears and strawberries. He could hear Iris munching on a bone, her sharp teeth cracking it with ease.

He was happy that his father had agreed to the trip. They had dreamed with Baldur of this moment for a long time. He was also sad that he was leaving his home, his father, his mother and some of the people he cared for behind.

"I can do this. Me and Iris can do anything when we set a goal." he told himself.

As if to emphasise his point a small growl escaped Iris.

He was glad Thrain was coming with them. Of all the riders, he liked the sturdy dwarf most. He remembered Thrain's late drunk nights, telling them stories of the war against Galbatorix.

He named all the dwarven heroes by name, putting Sigurd to sleep with the long catalogue of names but some of the achievements described were unimaginable.

With a long sigh he stood up. "Its now or never Iris" he said with a yawn and jumped on her saddle.

***

Six dragons and their riders stood on the cliff, ready to take off. Saddlebags had been filled with provisions and water skins and all was ready for the start of the long journey that awaited them.

Two more dragons landed on the cliff. Saphira, with Eragon, and Fírnen with Arya. The two riders dismounted and hugged Baldur and Sigurd.

An expression of great pride was on Eragon's face for what his sons had become and tears filled Arya's eyes as she told her goodbye to her sons.

"Be careful out there. Don't get involved in any unnecessary fighting." Eragon warned them.

"Yes father. We will" Baldur responded while Sigurd nodded.

"I love you both" Arya said as she kissed her sons.

"You too Ismira. Be careful. Roran will walk all the way to find you if he has to, if you get in trouble." Eragon stated with a smile.

Ismira hugged Eragon and her dragon Magnus nodded with emphasis in response.

All riders were now on their saddles and the dragons took off. As the two remaining dragons on the cliff slowly faded away, two roars echoed. Eragon waved to them from a distance.

They entered the white clouds and flew above them. Baldur patted Blödhrir's side as he adjusted his sword's position and he saw Sigurd slowly drifting off to sleep. His brother could never get enough sleep while he was the complete opposite. For twins, they were similar only in appearance and bravery.

Ismira smiled to Baldur and Sigurd as she then shared a joke with Magnus.

Salador and Alaina flew upon their dragons. They were the largest of the group. A yellow dragon and a silver dragon. 

They made a fearsome party Baldur thought. Salador and Gadaroth, Alaina and Arget, Thrain and Sphinx, his cousin Ismira riding Magnus while his brother rode Iris.

He could feel Blödhrir's muscles moving and for a moment Baldur molded his consciousness with his dragon, feeling the air that was pushing on his wings on his hands and seeing through his dragon's eyes.

They flew over the giant forest that was located east of the Dragon city,  over the trees, and following the small stream of water that flowed between them, like a small river. Birds flew scared by the group of dragons, and he could sense with his mind deer and other prey also running from the group of dragons. 

By the end of the day, the dragons flew high in the sky as they passed over the last known land and finally flew over the calm  blue-green sea, to the unknown. Far behind them, three large white ships began their journey too, carrying the elven magicians that were sent for their protection and more provisions, while providing a place for the dragons to rest, in case they did not find any land.

The moon rose in the sky, lighting the sea with a yellow-silver color and bearing witness to the thunder of dragons flying over the sea.