Joining the War for Alagaesia

[Brenton]

It had been awhile since Brenton had last seen true combat but the shade attack just outside Dras Leona had made him realize what the country was up against. Even in the forest, the elves were in danger of being eradicated. Long ago there had been people who would march to war with their monarch and now the king hoped that was still true for he was tired of sitting by idly and allowing that tyrant of a king to take control of Alagaesia. So when Brenton walked out onto the Crags he knew exactly where he was going and what he was going to do with his time. By this point Grazael was two months old and there were times where the dragon would astound him with his knowledge and strength. Already the partner was large enough to ride for great distances and that meant it was time for Brenton to show the dragon how to train in aerial combat for the time when the world would need the elven dragon riders to help them in this war. Brenton remembered the last time he had spoken with Feanaro on this very spot about how the rider and Jarkore were going to go out and explore the world because they had no desire to stay in the forest but now the former mentor was wishing that he could see them and get them to help him.

Trees surrounded Brenton as he climbed down the rock wall and landed lightly upon the ground to see that the valley was just like the last time he had been here, well besides the path for the way to get to the training ground. But that path was very overgrown and no one had been down here for awhile already. The king looked up at the sky to see Grazael flying around him and the elven monarch knew what to do. With his strength at full, Brenton recited a spell and soon he was running at twice the speed of an elf through areas that not even a professional runner would enter. Soon enough he was at the training ground, a large area of trees that when he neared bent over and formed an arch for him to enter. As soon as he entered the trees unbent and it was almost as if the training grounds weren't there anymore. Brenton called up to Grazael mentally and the canopy parted to allow the two month old golden dragon to pass through before closing again. Why are we here, Brenton? I know you created this area but what is the point of being here? Brenton sighed and looked out over the training ground before sprinting forward and doing a bunch of sprints, ducks, flips, and wall runs to get through the obstacle course that had so many pitfalls and traps it wasn't even funny. This is where Vaentr and I trained our first students. It is also where the energy is stored in crystals as well as all of your races eldunari and eggs that reside in the forest. Even the riders weren't so stupid as to rely upon the Rock of Kuthian for just that purpose.

Brenton walked over to the rock wall and spoke his true name while holding his two palms up so the Gedwey Ignasias showed. Both palms lit up bright white and then the rock wall crumbled to form a set of two caves where there were supplies and a home in the one side and a bunch of rider's belongings. In the cave with all of the supplies Brenton still had his original weapons from before he had become a rider as well as his full armor. Quckly he walked in there and grabbed that while donning the armor. Then he put the saddle on Grazael and sheathed his three swords and two knives. He strapped his quiver to his back and put the bow in the case. Brenton walked to the other cave and strapped on a bag that had four gems in it as well as some weird crystalline objects that he still hadn't figured out what was.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Empire. Varden. Ellesmera. Politics. War. Death.

Why was it that the land must be plagued by it. Emiryal didn't like any of it, the former Empire Rider had sought refuge in Ellesmera after he'd escaped. His arrival had been met with some distrust, but over the few months he'd been here that had changed. The elf didn't want to take any side in the war though. He certainly didn't want to fight for the Empire any more and he didn't want to fight for the Varden who had caused him much grief while he was in the Empire. He wondered how long it would be before the elves were dragged into the war. He didn't want to take part in the war but if King Brenton ordered him he'd do so out of loyalty. Ellesmera was and always would be him home.

Emiryal had heard of the result of the Dras Leona battle but the Varden were fighting a hopeless cause. A minor victory wouldn't win the war. These thoughts and others plagued his mind as he sat in the saddle on Firern's back. The black dragon looked like a miniature replica of Shruikan, not exactly a great thing for him. They'd been attacked by the Varden once under the assumption they were Shruikan and Galbatorix. It was amazing how fear could cause so much disruption yet they had managed to fire most of their weapons on them out of fear.

"Isn't that Brenton and Grazael?" Firern asked interrupting Emiryal's thoughts. The elf saw the canopy closing and the figure of a dragon but he couldn't spot the smaller form of his king at this height. Although he'd been here a few months he had not ever heard of this training ground. Emiryal and Firern circled for a short while waiting to see if the pair would reappear. "Well I suppose it wouldn't hurt to go see what they are up to," he said. He reached out to his magic and cast a spell to analyze the area and any magic affecting it, he didn't spend long as he was only after one thing. How to get in, it was a simple enough spell to open it and he did so. When the opening was large enough Firern dove and landed abruptly. The maneuver seemed tricky and somewhat military as it allowed little time for anyone on the ground to prepare for his sudden landing.

Emiryal and Firern had landed just as Brenton was strapping his quiver to his back. Firern had landed rather close to them so Emiryal only had to drop from his back and walk a short distance less than half Firern's wingspan. "Atra esterní ono thelduin, your majesty," he said performing the typical elven greeting and having spoken first to show respect. "Pardon our sudden appearance, if you wish will we leave. I wanted to ask you something though if you have a moment," he said.

[Brenton]

The sky was clear blue but there shouldn't have been time for Brenton to see it, or the black blot against it. Still he wasn't exactly surprised when Firnen landed right next to where Grazael was so the king nodded and finished the elven greeting with as much dignity as he could before turning to face Emiryal to see what the rider was wishing to ask. Certainly, Emiryal, as long as it has nothing to do with the Empire or why I left so suddenly. Brenton had been the first rider in awhile who had been able to break the oaths on himself so there was some suspicion but what had actually happened was Brenton had come to accept he was not perfect and that even without liking his mother much she was still family and had been right. The elven king of course had no reason to believe that was why the former Empire rider was here but he was certain it was going to be bad at this rate if he didn't find out soon enough.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal considered finishing the greeting with the third phrase but decided against it. It wasn't exactly required and he'd already shown respect by speaking first. "Your doings are your own, I'm not here to question you on them," he said to dismiss what seemed to be a worry for the king. Even if he had intended to ask about that he would've forgone the question as Brenton had requested. If anything his time in the Empire had ingrained in him to respect those who were either more powerful than you or those who were in leadership. "I wanted to know what you are planning to do. The Varden I'm sure will eventually try to take Uru'baen. Are we to get involved in their affairs? I will do so if you order me, but I hold no love for the Varden and do not plan on joining the war of my own will," he said.

Firern remained where he was his black scales seeming to reflect no light, probably due to the fact they were in dappled lighting from the canopy. He felt nervous with the tree's over head leaving him little room to escape if they had to. Being in the Empire had kept both him and his rider on their toes always ready for the least expected.

[Brenton]

Brenton sighed as he thought about his answer to the question since he was already in full armor and had all of his weapons on that he could find. He had even gathered enough energy to make sure he could go for awhile with this fight. The elven king wasn't a friend of the Varden for he could tell that Nasuada was only respectful to him and his race for she needed their help with the war against Galbatorix. If it weren't for the fact that his half brother Eragon were there and Arya was somewhere with them he wouldn't have cared much who ruled Alagaesia but it was true that the king was worried about Galbatorix for the tyrant wasn't one to accept he had strong neighbors. So Brenton was ready to fight and he was willing to accept help but the king of the elves wouldn't order someone to do something if they were unwilling to because he wasn't willing to be like the Empire king.

"One day you will be just like you mother and father and you will rule like the tyrant king. No one can be different if they are gifted with such power and you were given more power than you deserve. Prince Brenton, if you ever escape from the Empire your people will distrust you and you will be an outcast. Enjoy you freedom but you won't find true acceptance. The words had been spoken by an old Empire servant, the weapons master, right before he was killed for treason. Still Brenton could hear them and knew that the words had been true at the time but now the king did everything he could to be better.

I will not order you to join me in my fight, Emiryal, for I realize you do not wish to fight for either side but I still have to do this. The Varden has done me no favors except be kind to my brother and follow the beliefs my father set in place. If it were not for them then I would allow the Varden to die for their ignorance but for now I must be a good king and aid our people. Besides Galbatorix will turn his attention from them and to us if they die and so I must do what I can to stop that. So in short I do not fight for either side but for my family and friends who without all the aid they can get they would surely perish in fire and pain. Emiryal if you wish to aid me for these reasons then I will accept it but I will not order you to do anything because that is something the tyrant would do and I have more respect for you than that.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal was somewhat surprised by the reply but was relieved to hear it. He was used to the Empire and being forced to do whatever Galbatorix said. He had half expected Brenton to be the same way. Or in the least see he needed all the strength he could get and demand aid. Perhaps he'd estimated Brenton wrong, he didn't seem to be like any King or leader he'd known before.

The elf didn't answer immediately and seemed to be dwelling on his own thoughts. An observer might have taken his silence for talking to his dragon, but Firern was silent. They had spoke of this more than enough to not need further conversation. Finally he shifted his stance slightly and spoke. "Thank you, I feel I owe the Varden no loyalties, I have no connection to them only pain from waring with them in the name of my former liege. Had you ordered me to join you I would've resented you. But you aren't the kind of king most men would be. For that reason, I trust you. I will follow you into battle and lend you what aid I can. You are my king and have my loyalty," he said.

[Brenton]

The light returned to the area as Brenton nodded and walked over to Grazael with his mind already whirling about with the possibilities. He had half expected Emiryal to deny him help and go to do whatever else he liked to do but that was only because Brenton had been in the Empire and like he'd said, most kings would order their troops. Still Brenton tried to be different and that meant he would request aid and only order if it was absolutely necessary in this situation. I feel I must warn you that Uruale will probably be there in the Empire's ranks and if he is then the rider will surely try and kill me. I have already sworn an oath in the Ancient Language to kill that rider if he ran across me again and I plan on it so if you hold any care or respect for Uruale or his dragon then you should know that either they die or I die.

Brenton knew that this wasn't exactly important to most people but Emiryal should know that Uruale was a strong rider and that if a fight broke out between the two then it would be like the fight between Murtagh and Eragon on the plains by Surda. So if the elf rider remembered about his former ally then Emiryal would know why the king told him this and that Brenton was ready to kill him for it. Many times the elf king had laid awake in his bed with nothing to concentrate upon but how he would go about taking the tyrant king off his throne and destroying his one main enemy in the Empire. So now that it was upon him, Brenton looked at Emiryal with respect in his gaze. Most people would've ran for the hills if they didn't want to join a fight and were given a choice.

Thank you Emiryal for joining me in this war for the elves. If we die then I am grateful it was with a strong ally by my side. Brenton looked over at Firnen and nodded as the canopy pulled away and the arched doorway reappeared on the other side of the obstacle course. Now they could exit either straight into the sky or out into the trees. The second option was how Brenton was going to leave but that was because he felt like walking instead of riding back to Ellesmera.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal wasn't at all eager to go fight in the war, nor knowing it would be alongside the Varden. However, the cause was just and if the Varden fell there was no doubt Ellesmera would eventually be attacked. He wasn't sure they had much of a chance but he'd rather go down in a fight that had a worthy cause than die of old age hiding in the forest for the rest of his life. If there was one thing Emiryal was not he was not a coward.

"And I as well. I don't know how much of a chance we have of winning this but I'd rather go down fighting," he said. Firern glanced up as the canopy opened. He unfurled his wings slightly but waited to see if Emiryal was coming with him. The elf waved him off, he'd walk back with Brenton. The black dragon took off and exited through the canopy. Emiryal felt him circling above them waiting to follow him.

"I hold no loyalty towards any of the Empire Riders. Uruale is dangerous but then any of them are. If I can aid you against Uruale to give you the upper hand I will," Emiryal said. He knew Brenton was every bit as capable a fighter as any but the winds of chance could change the tide of any battle and he would rather not see the elf king killed if he could intervene. "I'll have plenty of enemies on the battlefield myself. I'm a fugitive as far as they are concerned and they will probably either try to kill me or break me again and turn me against you. If I fail and they break me don't hesitate to kill me as well as Uruale," he said. It was a grim thought but he knew the Empire would use all his strength for their cause and force him to turn on Brenton.

[Brenton]

Brenton nodded grimly and pulled out his sword, Undbitr, the very one that had taken so many lives from so many riders. It was sad that this sword had actually not been lost but hidden in the house where Brom had lived at one point. He knew that this was the blade meant to rid the country of so many more riders and so Brenton was ready to kill more if need be but he wouldn't kill his friends with the blade. I will use this blade to kill you if you become another Empire rider but if you are injured to much to fight on and are going to die anyhow then I will take your life with my ceremonial blade for that is how an elf should be dead, with the care of their race and the respect of their monarch. When I kill with Argetadurna it is because I respect the person and they are friends to the elven race. Let's hope it doesn't come to that though. Already Brenton was trying to figure out a way to protect his ally in the fight. If he wanted he could give enough strength to him but that would leave the rest of them defenseless. So the elven king swore to himself that no matter what happened he would find a way to honor Emiryal's wishes.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal nodded and seemed satisfied with Brenton's words. "Thank you, I hope it doesn't come to that either," he said. He knew if he fell to the Empire's side he would have to fight Brenton, his kin and the Varden with all his strength. He couldn't show them any mercy and because of that he would rather he be slain than lay waste to his King and kin. Fighting against the Empire was risky for him knowing they'd try to take him back but he would not let his King fight alone. "If we die, we die honorably. You know I will fight always by your side," Firern said to his rider. "I know, thank you," Emiryal responded.

"What now are the plans to mobilize?" he asked. Wondering if Firern and he needed to play any part of this or when they'd join the Varden.

[Brenton]

((Sorry for taking so long to post here...it was just one of those times where I forgot))

Brenton sighed and looked out at the forest before smiling to himself and looking over at Grazael who was still by him with his head over Brenton's. There were many things he could do to mobilize this race into battle but he wasn't sure how many more people would join him of their own will. Already Brenton had gotten approval from his military commanders but they were sworn to do as he wished and now that Emiryal agreed, Brenton wanted to wait until some more people could join. How about we mobilize in one month unless word comes sooner and we are forced to go then. It gives us all time to get everything in place and will allow Grazael to grow another month so he might be able to breathe fire then and will stand more of a chance in battle against a dragon. Brenton moved so that Argetadurna and Undbitr were both in place and not hurting him anymore.