The Name of Names

~Eleven: Leaving~

The next day dawned promising, and Vanya awoke early to the smell of fresh air. 

Kaldar had already awoken, and had left to hunt in the forest surrounding Elesmera, so Vanya stood up, took a bath, and changed into fresh clothes. She wore a forest green tunic, black pants, and a brown belt around her waist.

She strapped her sword to her waist, and the topic of her sword came up again. As much as she loved her sword, she knew she needed a Rider's one. From what she knew, at the end of the war of Galbatorix, many Riders' swords had been recovered, and she assumed had been taken with Eragon when he left.

Setting the matter aside for the moment, she stretched her legs, and began to fake spar with her 'opponent', ducking, lunging, slashing, parrying, until she heard the whoosh of wings, signaling Kaldar's approaching.

She sheathed her sword, and smiled as he became bigger the closer he got.

He landed, and Vanya went over to him. Today we leave.

Today we leave, he agreed, his back legs folding so that he was in a sitting position.

I found some Fireweed in the forest today, he said.

Good! Vanya rubbed his snout, recalling the dragon's love for Fireweed, as it helped with indigestion, as well as bad breath. From what I remember, you needed a bit of help with that last part.

Kaldar bumped his snout into her, sending her practically flying back a few paces, where she catch herself with her hands.

Hey there, she said, standing up again.

I didn't mean for it to be so hard, Kaldar apologized.

It's alright. Vanya smiled, and there was a pause in the conversation.

We should probably go see the queen, and see what she needs for us to do, and for instructions. 

Agreed. Without further notice, Vanya climbed on Kaldar's back, and they flew to Tialdari hall, where the elves made room for him to lands.

Arya was already waiting there, and this time with her dragon, Firnen.

"Atra esteldi ono thelduin," Vanya bowed her head respectively to both the queen and her dragon.

After finishing the verse, Arya spoke. "I was wondering when you would come here."

Vanya nodded, and Arya continued, "from what I heard from Eragon, there are many islands in between here and Evarinya. Kaldar would do wise to rest on each one, at least for a couple minutes, for it may not be known when the next one comes into sight."

Kaldar stored this information away, while Vanya kept listening. "As he told you, he will meet you where his instructions end."

"May I ask when I will get my Rider's sword?" Vanya asked, wanting to discuss the matter before they left.

"Eragon has a store at Evarinya. If you cannot find one there, then you may return and ask Rhunon to forge you a new one." Arya explained. "And I hope you packed some food, in the case there is no island nearby, you may eat on his back. Dragons may go longer without eating than elves or humans."

Vanya nodded, and Arya lifted a hand, "Farewell, then, Shur'tugal."

"Farewell, Arya Drottning."

Kaldar launched from the stone courtyard, flying into the air.

Go to the bakers. Vanya said, we still need a few loaves, just in case there isn't anything edible along the road.

Kaldar landed, where Vanya climbed off his back and approached Yvan, the bread maker. He had an apron on, and as he spoke the first line of the elvish greeting, he wiped his floury hands on it.

"I came here to buy some bread," Vanya said, pulling some coins out of the pouch resting on her belt.

Yvan nodded, "Leaving now? Because if you aren't, I would suggest waiting until you do to buy the bread. It may grow stale or old sooner then."

Vanya smiled, "We are leaving now." 

"Very well, then. I will go get you some." After taking the coins Vanya had extended, he ducked into the shop before returning out, handing three warm loaves of bread. "They came out of the oven just a few minutes ago."

Taking them, Vanya tucked them into her satchel, which was slung over her arm, "Thank you very much, Yvan."

Yvan nodded, "May the stars watch over you, Shur'tugal."

"And you, Yvan."

Kaldar leaped into the sky, expanding his wings to catch the air as he flew upwards. I assume there is nothing else that needs doing?

No. We fly to the horizon and beyond. Vanya leaned backwards in the saddle that Arya had given her, and which had been made by a leatherworker in a human village.

That sounded very poetic, Kaldar commented, flapping his wings.

I suppose so, Vanya laughed, sitting back upright.

They flew in silence, just appreciating the air as well as the presence of each other. After several hours of flight, the forest still didn't seem to want to end, and eventually Kaldar had to stop in the middle, a few miles away from the city of Osilian.

Vanya pulled out her map as they rested, studying where they were. She had been here, of course, but it was interesting to look at her own map to see where they were. Pulling out the other map, she compared them, before sticking both away.

I'll watch. You can rest.

Vanya could sense that Kaldar was tired, and also that he was grateful for her offer.

I will. His grey eyes closed, and Vanya crossed her legs, her eyes adjusting to the growing darkness. The night passed uneventfully, and in the morning Kaldar awoke to hunt. While Kaldar hunted, Vanya walked through the forest, collecting greens to eat. Might as well save the bread as long as possible. She thought to herself, returning to where they had camped for the night and beginning to eat.

When Kalda returned, Vanya climbed into the saddle—which they had left on all night—and they began their second day of journey.

They flew high over Osilian that day, where a few elves noticed, calling out words of greeting to them.

Kaldar continued flying, and Vanya consulted the map. We shouldn't be that far from the forest's edge. She told him, and she could sense that now he wouldn't stop until he had reached it.

When they did, Vanya suggested, We can rest here tonight, unless you wish to keep going. Dusk had just began to fall, and she dangled her feet over his side as he replied.

I can keep going while I still have energy. He said, passing the border of the trees. Stumps of trees were scattered by the border, and Vanya's heart saddened at the loss of the beautiful trees. But, as she looked closer, she could see new growth beginning to spring up, and as they passed, Vanya whispered a word of magic to the sprouts, which boosted them slightly in their growth.

Sometime after the night had passed, Kaldar did have to stop and sleep in the middle of a grassy plain.

You rest now, and I'll keep watch. I can sleep in the saddle tomorrow. Vanya unsheathed her sword, laying it across her lap.

Thank you. My wings are sore from travelling this far already. I will sleep now. Kaldar's eyelids closed, and Vanya was left alone, watching in the night.

While most of Galbaorix's supporters had been rounded up by the vigilance of Nasuada, the current queen of Alagaesia, Vanya knew better than to rest without a watch.