When Destiny Burns, Ep. 2 A Halo and Inheritance Cycle Crossover [Discontinued]

Chapter 15.2 Their Emotions

Then, he heard a voice. 'Spartan, you must wake yourself. You are required."

He jumped to his feet and marched towards the normal entry of the building, where Daenlith stood with her arms crossed over her chest. She carried a haunted expression and Maine could instantly see that she was restless.

"What?" He asked.

"I am to escort you to the queen and the princess, for they have something important to share with the riders."

"Right." He walked past the elf –she quickly stepped aside once he came close- and circumvented having to climb down the ruined stairs by simply jumping the twenty feet. Once he heard Daenlith doing similar, he asked: "What do they want now?"

She didn't answer.

~0~

"Something is going on that they haven't told us about. I'm not sure what they want from you, but it's important. Islanzadí's as tense as a cornered wolf...I thought I'd warn you beforehand."

"Thank you Orik. I would not have liked to meet them unprepared if they are like that."

The two of them descended by way of the stairs, while Saphira glided to the earth. They were met on the ground by Islanzadí, dressed in a mantle of ruffled swan feathers that appeared like a winter snow heaped upon a cardinal's breast.

The elf greeted them. "Follow me," she then quietly added and walked away without checking if they were really following them. Of course, Eragon dared not even think of disobeying the queen. Their wending course took the group to the edge of Ellesméra, where the buildings were scarce and the paths were faint from disuse. Spartan and Aeraleth were already waiting for them there; the dragon was resting on the ground and the rider was standing at rigid attention. Eragon knew that if he were to poke the Spartan, he would jump out of his armor. And then throttle Eragon to death.

At the base of the wooded knoll, Islanzadí stopped and said in a serious voice: "Before we go any farther, the five of you must swear to me, in the ancient language, that you will never speak to outsiders of what you are about to see. Not without permission from me, my daughter, or whoever may succeed us to the throne."

"Why should I gag myself?" Orik demanded.

'Why indeed?' Saphira asked. 'Do you not trust us?'

"It is not a matter of trust, but of safety. We must protect this knowledge at all costs –it is our greatest advantage over Galbatorix- and if you are bound by the ancient language, you will never willingly reveal our secret. You came to supervise Eragon's training, Orik-vodhr. Unless you will give me your word, you may as well return to Farthen Dûr."

"What if you possessed biological or chemical weapons?" Spartan asked, using strange words that would probably only make sense to the queen. "When my people arrive here, I cannot risk not telling them of such a major threat."

"A weapon against Galbatorix?" Eragon said, shuddering at the mere thought. "It sounds too dangerous to be kept a secret."

"Rest easy Spartan, Eragon, when I say that you need not worry. No harm shall come as a result of this secret, I promise so."

At last, Orik said: "I believe that you mean no harm to dwarves or to the Varden, lese I would never agree. And I hold you to the honor of your hall and clan that this isn't a ploy to deceive us. Tell me what I need to say."

While the queen tutored Orik in the correct pronunciation of the desire phrase, Eragon asked Saphira what to do.

'Do we have a choice?' The dragon replied.