The Age of the Dragon 4: On Silver Wings

Chapter 3

When the city appeared in the distance, Fallyn noted the horsemen spilling out of the city, and saw through Fang's eyes how empty the camp was.

"This is not right," she wondered. "Nasuada mentioned eight hundred... this is not eight hundred."

"Perhaps we can learn more from Stronghammer, once we have broken these fools," Fang snarled, smoke trailing from her nostrils in anticipation of a fight.

A smirk touched Fallyn's lips, and she raised her staff high into the air. Soundlessly, her lips moved in a strange chant, as the lyrium in her skin hummed to life, glowing brightly as the clouds gathered around in a dark swirl. Fallyn entrusted herself to Fang, completely, as she gave herself over to the storm.

Far below, Roran was in the midst of a heated argument with Brigman, when a clap of thunder stilled their words. Turning their gaze upwards, they saw the swirl of dark clouds, as an unnatural storm brewed. Bursting from the centre of the storm, with a mighty roar, was an enormous black dragon.

"Stormrider!" the men cheered, as word had already reached them that a second dragon Rider had appeared, and was allied with the Varden.

They only knew that the Rider was called "Stormrider" and would appear as if riding a storm.

Fang unleashed her flames upon the now panicking forces, even as Fallyn guided lightning towards the earth through her chants.

A thrill of savage joy sent her blood thrumming through her as she snatched a rider and his horse into her jaws, climbing higher into the sky before dropping them with a mighty roar. With a scrabble of confused yelling and terror, the horsemen turned their steeds and made their way back to the city, with Fang harrying them all the way back, pulling back as a host of arrows came towards her. Fallyn made a final motion, and the storm moved forward, gaining true strength and form over the city, as thunder and lightning and powerful winds battered the soldiers. Fang turned back towards the Varden camp, circling overhead as she waited for Fallyn to restore herself with a lyrium potion.

"I am well again," Fallyn said.

The sensation of someone trying to touch their minds put them back on guard, and the two threw up their defences before lowering them slightly.

"Who are you? Be you friend or foe?" Fallyn demanded.

"I am Carn, a magician with the Varden," came the response, strained as it was. "Roran Stronghammer would speak with his timely rescuers."

"We will land momentarily," Fallyn responded, before closing her mind off to him and Fang tucked her wings in to land.

It didn't take long for curious soldiers to begin gathering, while Fallyn cast her eyes over them. Most of them appeared to be wounded, but it was a bearded man with a hammer at his hip that caught her eye. Nimbly climbing down off Fang's back, Fallyn left her staff where it was.

"Ho there Stormrider," the bearded man called, raising his hand in greeting.

"Aneth ara, Stronghammer," she responded, curtsying slightly in greeting. "I am Fallyn, and this is Fang. I gather Nasuada has sent forth word of our arrival, else I doubt we would have been greeted so kindly."

"Aye, so I've just learned," he cast a critical eye over her, his gaze flickering to the storm raging over the city. "How long will that storm last?"

"Another hour at least," she shrugged. "After that, the magic sustaining it will fail and the storm will rage or calm as nature dictates."

A thin human peered around Roran at her. "How are you able to produce something on that scale? I've seen Eragon perform acts of wonder, but something on that scale would kill him!"

A smile touched her lips. "Eragon and I are very different. Such magic is beyond all but perhaps Galbatorix himself, and even then it would leave him weak. The magic you've seen this day is not something a magician can command. You merely command the world as you see it, I bend it to my vision."

Fang shifted behind them.

"But we did not come here to debate my prowess in magic," Fallyn clasped her hands before her. "We came to conquer. I am eager to return to the bulk of the forces, so that we may reach Galbatorix sooner."

A wide grin broke out on Stronghammer's face.

"My lady, you may have just changed our odds of success," he said. "Come with me a moment, I would learn what I can of your skills and inform both of you on the plans we have."

"Of course," Fallyn smiled. "We are, for the time, at your command."