The Age of the Dragon 4: On Silver Wings

Chapter 7

Fang flew lazily overhead, mildly frustrated with the pace of the horses, though the beasts were being pushed fairly hard for the journey. Fallyn expressed her amusement to the black dragon, but otherwise, they simply revelled in each others company. They discussed anything that came to mind, though the focus tended to return to when they thought Alrahd and Shehar would arrive.

After a few days of travel and much overhead circling, they finally arrived with the Varden. There was much fanfare, as Roran was welcomed back as a hero. It was also a celebration as a second Dragon Rider and dragon made themselves known. But Fang did not roar in challenge nor did she acknowledge the red dragon that stirred at their approach. Instead, she greeted Saphira with a nudge of her snout against the younger dragon's snout, and a puff of warm air through the hair of Eragon. Fallyn climbed down swiftly, greeting the elves assigned to Eragon with their traditional greeting, and warmly greeting Orik who arrived to see her.

Once the group were greeted by Nasuada, Fallyn excused herself while Roran gave an account of his capture of Aroughs. Though Fallyn could tell Nasuada wished for her to stay, Fallyn had other concerns.

She relayed her message to Arya, who would pass it on to Nasuada later.

For now, Fallyn sought rest for what was to come.

After all, what could a black dragon do better than most? Hide in the darkness. Scout during the night. Make enemies nervous when they vanished into the night. But for now, Fallyn and Fang would feign disinterest in the city.

They would bide their time.

Or that was the hope when they heard Thorn roar loudly towards them. Fang lifted her head, while Saphira snarled back.

"Impudent little hatchling," Fang commented with some amusement.

"He does it because you don't give him attention," Fallyn joked as she swung up into Fang's saddle. "Saphira keeps reacting to him, and you just pretend not to hear him."

Fang's nonchalant reaction to the challenge seemed to hearten the Varden, who took it as a sign that Fang was far stronger than the red dragon.

"I don't pretend to not hear him," Fang retorted. "I simply see no reason to respond to such an ill-thought challenge."

"Maybe you need to show him that it's ill-thought," Fallyn suggested as the black dragon leapt into the sky to fly towards where they would find food.

"If he were not Galbatorix's pet, maybe I would," Fang responded.

There was some commotion, and Fallyn turned her gaze towards the city where she saw Thorn had spread his wings, as if to give chase.

"I'd recommend at least telling him off before they do something stupid," Fallyn suggested.

In response, Fang puffed smoke from her nostrils, then turned in the air to face the red dragon. Opening her maw wide, she roared back at him.

Not a challenge.

A warning.

The red dragon's wings lowered, and a stream of smoke trailed from his nostrils, but otherwise, he made no other attempt to move towards the camp. He was watching more carefully, however.

Fallyn's thoughts turned to Glaedr, whose mind she had briefly brushed against when she had arrived. She thought of his loss. And then she thought about how Murtagh had gotten into his situation... when Galbatorix had threatened Thorn's young life.

"Fang..."

"I will not allow anything to happen to you," Fang said fiercely.

"I fear that might be your undoing," Fallyn said calmly. "You know I am not helpless. If I should find myself in the prisons of Urû'baen, I ask that you do nothing, no matter what, until the others arrive."

"You would have me leave you?" Fang asked in disbelief.

"I'm asking you to trust me," Fallyn said gently. "The plan is to not be captured. But if it should happen, you can avoid both of our downfalls, by promising not to rescue me."

"No."

"Then not to rescue me immediately," Fallyn pressed. "At least, if you plan to rescue me, bring Alhrad, Revas, Shehar, and Suledin with you."

There was silence as Fang turned into a loose dive towards the food tent as she mulled it over.

"Very well," Fang gave in, speaking in the Ancient Language, so Fallyn would know that Fang would not go back on her word. "If you should become a prisoner of Galbatorix, I will only come when I have those four at my back."

"Thank you, ma vhenan."