Egg Stealing runs in the Family

[Quetzal]

Isyrdia smiled as she saw the capital of the Empire come closer. On Arlyn's back, she had been able to see it from a long way off, but they were almost there now. "Reru is Galbatorix's son, so he's bound to be there," she, or at least the spirits occupying her body, told the spirit possessing her dragon's body. Arlyn growled softly in response. The spirits possessing the Rider and dragon worked well together, but did not quite have the same natural harmony as the pair had when in their own minds. They argued about what they should do, but this task had been easy to agree on. Arlyn's first memory after seeing Isrydia was of two Riders arriving. Both from the Empire, one had shown cruelty to their own dragon, and they had learned that this dragon was merely a vessel in preparation for returning his dead dragon. To bring back the dead, he needed that dragon's soul and body as well as the live of an egg. The entire thing was too inhumane for the spirits to resist. They could do all sorts of things to aid the witches of the north later, but right now they could have some fun.

Everything Isrydia and Arlyn knew, the spirits knew as well. They knew all their allies, enemies and secret. They knew she was neither affiliated with the Varden or the Empire, which made her perfect as both sides could potentially trust her. They doubted Reru would turn down an offer of getting a step closer to bringing back his old dragon, so here was a good way to get their trust without swearing anything to anyone.

Arlyn landed in Uru'baen, outside the gates to Galbatorix's fortress. Isrydia knew they would not be recognised as Empire Riders and they had been friendly with the Varden, but there was no way they were sneaking around. They'd only get caught if they did. "I need to see Rerukusu immediately! It's a matter of great interest to him!" she called up at the guards. They were surprised by her sudden appearance, but scrambled off. A few citizens were staring at them, as would be expected of people who'd just seen a small dragon randomly land in front of them. Arlyn bared his teeth at them, snarling until they fled.

[Emiryal ♕]

Reru had just finished a round of training with a few of the other empire riders. Kami was resting in the courtyard not wanting much to do with him as usual. The prince had returned to his room after a servant had drawn a bath for him. He bathed and dressed, there was a formal dinner tonight and he was required to be there and look his part. It was easier to get ready now a bit than be late or in a hurry. "Kami?" he called to his dragon. No answer. "Fine you don't have to answer just listen okay? We won't be training tomorrow with the others. Thorn is going to teach you some combat moves separate from the main group," he said. "They weren't impressed with how you were doing today, you need to do better." Still no reply but he knew she'd heard him. It wasn't unusual that she wouldn't speak to him, he wasn't very nice to her after all. "Stubborn dragon," he complained.

There was a knock on his door. Reru was just fastening his sword on his belt. "Come in," he said. The guard walked in. "Sorry to bother you prince Reru but there is a dragon rider at the front requesting your presence," he said. "Do you know who it is?" Reru asked. "No I don't, but she said it was a matter of great interest to you," he said. Reru shrugged. "Alright, I'll be right there," he said putting on his shoes.

Moments later Reru was at the front gate. The guards there opened it enough to let him out. He glanced at the dragon and rider. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia leaned against Arlyn's side casually, one arm reaching up behind and a little above her shoulders to rest behind the possessed dragon's neck. She was surprised at how short a time Reru made her wait. That was good to see. She smiled when she saw him, standing up straight and moving towards him. "Don't remember me, do you?" Ragdar had wiped Isrydia and Arlyn's memory of the event, but he had recently restored it. The witches controlling her recognised the mad Rider's face from the memory. Isrydia and Arlyn, a hatchling of a few hours old at the time, had been horrified by Reru then, but now it was a different story.

"When Arlyn first hatched you found us in the Spine, disappointed you'd lost the chance of stealing a dragon's egg. I know Brenton and Sir William and others of high import to the Varden, and you made me an offer to aid you in stealing another dragon's egg from them. It's been a while, but I've come to take you up on that offer," she did the talking as Arlyn didn't want to give Reru even the light brush of his mind required for communication. This man was insane in every sense of the word, and they were taking no risks. It seemed likely enough that his desperation to restore his old dragon would make him lower his guard to them, but they still didn't want to assume they could predict this guy.

[Emiryal ♕]

Reru nodded. "Yes, I do remember you. But you didn't want to help me then, why the change of heart suddenly?" he asked sounding skeptical. If there was one thing about living in the empire it was to be careful who you trusted. There was always danger around. He could call for the other riders at any minute and drive them out or capture them. "Besides, what do you want for helping me? What's the price?" he asked. There had to be a catch, something they wanted for helping him get an egg. Treasure? Power? It could be anything but surely they wouldn't offer to help for no reason at all, even he wouldn't do that.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia was pleased to hear Reru sounding skeptical. He still had some sense left, at least. That bode well if they were to work together on this. There was no way she would tell him outright that she was some witch in the far north possessing the young Rider so she would have to think of another reason for a change of heart. Reasons for wanting to help, too. Trust from within the Empire would be nice, although too much of that and she might be asked to make a vow. Seeing the chaos and madness the crazed Rider would experience and bring once he revived his dragon was a large motive. Somehow she doubted that would be a very good one.

It was Arlyn who quickly threw some lies into her mind for her to speak. "Maybe you hadn't heard, but King Brenton had feelings for me. It was fine at first, but he after he returned when we thought he'd died, he was pushing me more and more to join the Varden. I didn't want to, and a whole bunch of them insisted I fought more instead of studying, and began attacking me as 'practice'. They won't be harming anyone any more," a hand brushed the hilt of her sword in case it was unclear what she meant. The blade was not as keen as the witch would have liked, but it would do. It was mostly a lie, too. Isrydia had never killed anyone and she hadn't entered the forest while possessed either.

"After escaping Ellesmera I remembered your offer. As for a price... some trust from the Empire would be nice for a start," she began, thinking of all the things they could gain from this. "There's something more important to me, though. Money is not so important, although removing any great treasure from the Varden will be a nice touch of revenge. It's the knowledge I want more. There are so many books held there, unsorted, unread, filled with lost knowledge. If we could steal some of their most precious books of ancient magic, that would be most pleasing," she smiled. That fit in well. Isrydia might be a knight, but she had a great love of learning. Those books could teach her and the other north-dwellers much to increase their power, too.

[Emiryal ♕]

Reru listened but didn't seem completely convinced. "You must have made Brenton pretty upset about turning on them," he said seeming amused almost delighted with the story. He knew Brenton from when he'd been part of the Empire, and the elf king regardless of feelings was sure to have been upset at her turning on them like that. In a way that would make her an enemy of the elves now, and the Varden were never far behind on siding with them.

"Trust from the Empire isn't mine to give really," he said. While he had some sway in the Empire it was ultimately Galbatorix who ran things. He wanted to change that. His father he thought was going about it all the wrong way. He was sure the Empire had more books than the Varden on ancient lore, he'd read the ones the Empire had himself, the Varden couldn't have had too many but perhaps they had some. "You know if we did this you'd be as much an enemy to the Varden as I am. If that's what you want it seems would could both benefit from this. However, if you are lying and have another motive you could be just putting me in a lot of danger for nothing. I want that egg badly as you know but I'm not careless," he said. He knew if he wasn't careful in obtaining it he wouldn't be able to revive Avendel, especially if he were dead himself. "In the ancient language I want to hear you swear you won't double cross me in this. Meet that requirement and I'll make sure you get those books and scrolls while we are there," he said.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia could see Reru musing over her claims. She and Arlyn could see that he was tempted by the chance to get his hands on this egg, but it was plain he was sensible enough not to trust two strangers whom he had believed to be on the opposing side to him while venturing deep into enemy territory. There wasn't much the pair could do to convince him other than let him decide what would persuade him they weren't going to harm him.

An oath in the Ancient Language would serve well. They hadn't planned on double-crossing Reru but it had been an option to resort to if they were discovered. Losing it wouldn't be ideal but it was better than forgetting about those books altogether. It would prove there was no chance they could turn on him. Of course, the real Isrydia and Arlyn wouldn't be the ones saying the words so technically they would be able to go against them. The spirits doubted they would be losing control any time soon. The Rider and dragon were untrained and weak compared to their finely honed power. "I swear we will not double-cross you," Isrydia said in the Ancient Language in unison. "Is that satisfactory?" Isrydia asked in the common tongue, eager to get going.

[Emiryal ♕]

"For now it is," Reru said. Any number of things could happen during this, but it was the only chance he had right now. And Isrydia had sworn in the ancient language. He knew he couldn't have asked them to swear loyalty or anything but to ensure that he wouldn't have them as an enemy was useful. "When should we leave?" he asked. "I can't go until tomorrow at the earliest," he said. He had training to cancel as well as a few other details. For this he was sure he could get out of his responsibilities, he could pull a few strings.

Kami had flown around the castle now and perched on a spire watching Reru and Isrydia. She let out an audible growl hearing what they were doing. She didn't like this at all, but she couldn't do anything about it and surely Reru would make her help them.

[Quetzal]

Excellent, Reru had accepted her offer. Isrydia was relieved. That was one step out the way, now all that was left was the dangerous bit. The actual sneaking through the Varden would be difficult. She could get them past guards by claiming to be there on behalf of Brenton or William, but if they were seen taking a dragon egg or searching through old scrolls usually kept under lock and key suspicions would rise and the consequences would be dire. She had chosen a strong body, quick and full of magic as any Rider, but it would be four against the Varden. Those odds weren't favourable.

"Tomorrow would be best, but I'm in no hurry," Isrydia knew she was asking a lot of Reru just be requesting his trust; it would be unwise to push that further by demanding a time to leave. He should have the last say in that. Kami was too high up on her spire for Arlyn to hear, but he could sense her all the same. His sapphire eyes beheld her with no sign of caring for her in the slightest. The real Arlyn had been greatly saddened by her condition and liked her as she had protected and comforted him when he was just a hatchling, but this impostor was completely indifferent.