The Age of the Dragon 4: On Silver Wings

Chapter 8

Fallyn listened to the speculation of tunnels and sneak attacks as arguments threatened to spill over, she consulted with Fang. The room grew silent, very quickly, when Eragon volunteered to lead the sneaking force into the city and open the gates.

"Very well," Nasuada said eventually.

Almost immediately, arguments erupted as Arya and the kings rejected the plan. They feared that sending Eragon in would be handing him to the Empire.

But Nasuada stood firm, shaking her head. "None of Galbatorix's men would dare kill Eragon - not Murtagh, not the king's pet magicians, not even the lowest of soldiers -"

"How can you be so certain? King Orrin cut in. "That was one thing when Saphira was the last known female, but now Fang has revealed herself too!"

"Fang is an older, less amenable creature," Fallyn replied. "If I were in Galbatorix's position, and I had to choose between capturing Thorn or Shruikan, I would choose Thorn because of two reasons."

"And what are they?" the king questioned.

"First, Thorn is young and so is his Rider - that makes them easier to capture and force to submit in general," she responded.

"And the other?" Eragon questioned.

"Thorn would be easier to breed," she said. "Remember in this scenario, I am the villain, and Eragon my pet Rider. Shruikan would be useless to me because he and Fang share a sire."

A shocked silence rippled through the room.

"So then, while Galbatorix would no doubt desire you alive," King Orrin started, "he would prefer Saphira over Fang if his dream was to be realised."

Fallyn nodded. "Precisely. So Eragon is the one they absolutely cannot kill, while I am a little more expendable."

"Which is why we should take advantage of their reluctance to kill Eragon," Nasuada pressed. "Besides, Eragon is our strongest spellcaster, and it may require a great deal of strength to force open the gates. Of all of us, he has the best chance of success."

Fallyn's eyes became unfocused, as Fang reminded her of a skill she could use, but which the elf prefered to keep close in case of emergencies only. This was not yet an emergency in her eyes.

"What if he is captured, though? He can't hold his own against Murtagh, you know that!" Arya pressed.

"We have Fallyn now too," Nasuada reminded the other elf. "She can help us distract Murtagh and Thorn, and that will give Eragon the opportunity he needs."

"I dare say more than give him a chance," Jormunder threw in. "It's clear to anyone that Thorn is eager to battle with Fang, as he was more than prepared to fly over our camp to just to chase her."

Fallyn chuckled. "That is partially our fault," she said. "We've been playing a distraction since the fall of Gilead and the young dragon has grown frustrated that Fang will not answer his challenges and that we have escaped from them with ease every time."

A slight chuckle ran through the room, though Arya seemed unconvinced.

"Why would he give chase to one and not the other?" she said. "Why chase Fang but allow Saphira to do as she pleases, or vice versa?"

"Because Fang and I will depart before evening, making it appear to Murtagh and Thorn that we are on our way elsewhere," Fallyn explained. "We would fly as if making our way towards the elves. That way, it would appear as if we have a message that we are delivering, and our ambush would be all the more surprising."

"Ambush?" Arya pressed.

Fallyn only smiled in response, as Nasuada explained how she would have the elves create a phantom of Eragon that would take its place on Saphira's back, and they would keep the other two busy while Eragon snuck in.

It came to a point where finally, Arya accepted this. But only on the condition that she go with him.

More arguing followed, and Fallyn sighed internally.

Finally, Angela broke the arguing by offering to go with Eragon, Arya, and one of the elven spellcasters that were meant to be protecting Eragon. The infiltration team decided, Fallyn excused herself and went to Fang, who stirred from where she lay. Saphira had left to hunt, and Fang was eager to do the same - so they would hunt together.

Fang leapt into the air, with Fallyn in the saddle. The elf cast her golden eyes towards the city, where she saw Thorn lift his head at the sight of Fang taking to the sky.

After circling the camp for a while, Fang made a slight warbling noise then turned north of the city as if flying towards Du Weldenvarden and the elves. They flew until they were beyond the city limits - and Fallyn listened as Thorn gave a frustrated roar.

Yet again, Fang and her Rider had escaped his and his Rider's clutches.

Once far enough, Fang dropped off Fallyn who set about preparing herself mentally and physically for the battle to come. Fang assisted by allowing Fallyn to siphon the life force of her kills through her. Though it left Fallyn feeling slightly ill and melancholy, she recovered quickly enough.

Her nightmares were far worse than the relative peaceful embrace of death.