Age of the Dragon 3: The Eye of the Storm

Chapter 9

Once Eragon left, Fallyn glanced up towards the setting sun.

"You think of your mother," Fang stated.

"I had not thought to hear the name Isana here again," Fallyn answered. "Mother once had an amulet, which she used to mimic the song of lyrium. She called it Isana's Song, and any who heard it thought it was she who sang."

"And then we took it back to Thedas after your mother's passing," Fang said.

"Indeed, but perhaps Eragon's questions surrounding Kamirth has sparked in me an idea," Fallyn grinned up at the dragon. "What if the old dragon was to be sighted - always just out of reach, the song of Isana drawing all to it and driving them mad?"

"You suggest trickery to dealing with Galbatorix?" Fang curled her lip in mild distaste.

"I suggest trickery to give us an advantage," Fallyn agreed. "I doubt the ruse would last too long - I cannot mimic the touch of mother's mind, nor can you become Kamirth. Without his Eldunari, the ruse would fall apart very quickly. I suspect it might work in Thedas, but not here."

"Enough to keep him off balance then?"

"Yes," Fallyn touched the large dragon's foreleg. "Oromis wished to speak with us, so we'd best return to him now."

Fang hummed in agreement and waited for Fallyn to return after leaving Wyrda in its hidden place. Once the elf returned, the two took to the sky again and returned to where the old elf and dragon waited.

"It would seem time waits for us no longer," Oromis said as Fallyn strode over to him. "You know that even with the power of Isana, we need to be careful not to tip our hand too soon."

"You speak of Alrahd and Shehar," Fallyn took her seat again.

"Yes," he sighed. "I know that the Queen will be most unhappy, but I think you would do best roaming apart from us."

"Oh?"

"You will show yourself alongside Glaedr and myself, but then once revealed, fly somewhere the battles have not reached," Oromis said.

"Why?" Fallyn frowned, confused.

"To draw Galbatorix's attention in three directions," Glaedr explained. "It will give him no time to consider the fourth."

Fallyn's mouth popped open into a small surprised "o" as she considered this suggestion.

"What if the worst should happen?" Fang questioned. "And the two of you should fall? Would it not be better for us to remain close so that we might assist you in battle?"

"I am not so fragile that I need to be watched over like a hatchling," Glaedr growled.

"No one would dare suggest as much, Glaedr-ebrithil," Fallyn soothed. "We merely suggest that Oromis's disability might require our vigilance."

Oromis smiled wryly. "I have set wards and made preparations to circumvent that problem," he said. "You needn't worry about that."

"If you are certain," Fang was dissatisfied. "But that would still render us alone. Would Galbatorix not see that as an opportunity to strike?"

"One dragon alone is not a simple capture," Glaedr assured. "You least of all, Fang. Few can match your clever stealth - even the naturally talented Saphira would be hard-pressed to catch your tail in battle."

"Besides which," Oromis leaned forward, "without the Eldunari, Galbatorix and Murtagh are powerless against Fallyn alone. Isana grants you many more advantages than you think, Fang."

"You think we send you far from the battle," Glaedr hummed as Fang puffed smoke into the air. "But in truth, we ask that you do all that you can to force Galbatorix to remain off-balance - whether he chooses to come after you personally, or send Murtagh to do so, you must remain a threat enough that he is forced to try to deal with."

"You ask me to raid villages?" Fang's tail whipped dangerously, as smoke billowed from her nostrils.

"Fang, peace," Fallyn soothed. "I will not harm innocents."

"Then don't," Oromis inclined his head towards her. "Simply present yourself as a threat to Galbatorix - rumours of Isana should be plenty to rile him. As soon as Eragon leaves, rumours of the "return of Isana" will be spread and your appearance is meant to drive that closer to Galbatorix. Then, it is only a matter of a long game of cat and mouse with him."

Fallyn released a long breath.

"I don't like this," Fang said.

"I know, but they make a good point," Fallyn responded. "We need to do everything in our power to keep Galbatorix from noticing the return of my siblings - and we can only do that by pulling his attention in three directions. Oromis will be with the elves, Eragon with the Varden - with them attacking from two fronts, a rogue dragon and her Rider striking randomly throughout the Empire forces him to spread his forces and supplies thinner than ever and will make the overall battle easier."

Fang's tail thumped like an angry cat, as the smoke became thin tendrils. "I understand. We will do this, then."

"My thanks, Fang," Oromis bowed his head gratefully. "Now I suggest the two of you make whatever preparations you must. There is less and less time as we linger - speak of this to no one. If Islanzadí was to know of this, she would surely try to stop you. Once Eragon has made a decision on what he will do for a sword, leave immediately for the edge of Du Weldenvarden, and wait there for Glaedr and I."

Fallyn nodded and bid farewell to the older elf and the two of them returned to her home - it was time to prepare for war.