Sja Fram [Inheritance Cycle | Eragon Fanfiction]

Chapter XXXIII: Farthen Dûr

Chapter XXXIII: Farthen Dûr

I awoke to Saphira's growls. I pushed myself upright. I stretched, testing the range of each joint and checking for any injuries. Aside from the bruises I had gained from the waterfall, I was fine. I yawned, and spotted Murtagh lying down in the far corner.

He had his eyes closed. "Morning," he muttered softly.

"If you say it is," I replied tiredly. "I take it you didn't sleep that well either?"

"It's not like the floors that comfortable," Murtagh replied with a smirk. There was a yawn from on the other side of Saphira, and Eragon greeted us.

"How long have you guys been awake for?" Eragon asked in a hushed voice.

"I just woke up."

"Awhile," Murtagh replied, "I'm surprised Saphira didn't wake either of you up sooner."

"I was tired enough to sleep through a thunderstorm," Eragon responded wryly. He sat down next to Murtagh, leaning against the wall, and I did the same. "Do you know what time it is?"

"It's impossible to tell in here," I stated.

"Has anyone come to see us?" Eragon then asked.

"Not yet."

The door opened sometime later, and a dozen warriors marched inside. They were followed by Orik and the bald man. "You have been summoned to Ajihad, leader of the Varden. If you must eat, do so while we march," the bald man declared.

Murtagh and I stood up together, walking over to where Eragon was standing. "Where are our horses?" I asked, and the bald dwarf scowled at me.

"And can we have our weapons back?" Eragon questioned.

"Your weapons will be returned to you when Ajihad sees fit, not before," the bald man said distastefully. "As for your horses, they await you in the tunnel. Now come!"

As he turned to leave, Ergon quickly asked, "How is Arya?"

The bald man hesitated. "I do not know. The healers are still with her." He exited the room, accompanied by Orik.

One of the warriors motioned. "You go first." Eragon went through the doorway, followed by Murtagh and me, and lastly Saphira. We followed the same path we had yesterday, returning to the tunnel where we had first entered the mountain. The bald man was waiting with Orik, who held Tornac and Snowfire's reins, with Istal behind held by another warrior. Istal neighed loudly when he saw me, tossing his head. The bald man scowled.

"You will ride single file down the centre of the tunnel," the bald man instructed. "If you attempt to go anywhere else, you will be stopped."

I took Istal's reins, while the robed man found another reason to yell at Eragon. Istal nudged me with his nose and I took comfort in the stallion. I checked Istal's girth before mounting.

Have you been treated all right? I asked.

Yes, they expect me to be nothing else than a normal horse. They don't believe I am a warhorse either, Istal said, sounding quite annoyed.

You do look a bit ragged, I teased, do you have any information for me, though?

Everyone is confused about who you are, it's all quite hush-hush. They believe Eragon will save them; they aren't sure what to make of you and Murtagh.

That's alright, less attention on us can only be a good thing, I responded.

Is it? Or does it make it easier for us to disappear?