The Light at the End of the Tunnel (Quetzal)

[David Lightningsword]

It was a typical rule as an Eldunari, that you had no physical feelings, and this was no exception to the rule. However, even Heralda, locked away deep inside Galbatorix's castle, was able to stretch her mind out to know the Varden had finally begun their invasion. Her rescue was close, she knew the Varden would win. At least, she hoped they would.. it was all the kept her going. She swept the minds of all the varden, ocassionaly taking control of their body to have them block a blow that would be fatal.. but her hold was weak. She was deep underground..and she was sure Galbatorix had placed some wards that prevented her from doing much. She began to find it harder and harder to survey the battle, but she was able to help Eragon and his Eldunari to their battle against The twisted Eldunari..and even added her own memories in his spell that lead to Galbatorix's death.

She expected to be rescued with in the hour..but time passed..and no one came. She was weakened from the battle, and her strength took a long time to gather so far under ground. She was unable to contact anyone, and began to retreat inside herself again, prepared to settle in for a long wait. She did not even opened her mind enough to know that she had finally been found.. a week after the battle had been won.

(sorry if this isn't the best starter Quetzal..)

[Quetzal]

None of the Varden knew the layout of the castle. There were a few among them who remembered it from when Uru'baen had been named Iliria, but Galbatorix had changed the castle to suit his own wishes. Most of it was unchanged aside from the addition of traps, but its vaults and dungeons had all changed. Additional protection had been added. Very few people knew anything about the location of Galbatorix's most precious items.

It was only sensible that the entire castle be searched. Every room and beyond had to be checked. Spellcasters combed the walls for any sign of hidden spells concealing secrets there. Many had been unearthed. People had begun to make preparations for the new occupants of the castle, whoever that might be, and already dozens of the most powerful members of the Varden had made their home in the chambers that had been cleared of all harmful magic to the satisfaction of all the spellcasters. Great care was taken.

When something big was found, someone of import was summoned. Nasuada was around a lot, as were many of the more respected Riders. Eragon had been shown countless secrets of the castle. Mostly it turned out to be very little; some old armour here, a ruined scroll there. Once or twice there had been a Rider blade, an Eldunari, something far more valuable. The recovered Eldunari were all broken. Saphira and Glaedr spent long hours trying to interact with these, the ones who had shut themselves away as they became nothing more than energy farms for Galbatorix, as they responded far better to the minds of other dragons than to anything else. It upset them to see their kind in such a state.

The room Eragon was currently investigating had been discovered by one of Blodgharm's elven spellcasters. The spell had been woven in so neatly it was near impossible to detect. The spellcasters never let their concentration dip, so even that slight amount of magic had been found. Once masterfully undone, he had found a passage leading deep into the earth. There were more spells down there, and something else. He could sense a huge amount of energy. Not wanting to risk going down there alone and blasting himself to kingdom come on some massive unseen spell, and suspicious something of interest may lie in the depths of the tunnel, he had summoned Eragon.

Eragon now crept as silently down the tunnel as he could, hearing his breath and footsteps echo around him. He was alone. Saphira was with him in his mind, Glaedr too though the older dragon was not paying full attention, only there in case something happened that required his assistance or that might interest him. The tunnel was so small Eragon was feeling claustrophobic, his head bumping the uneven roof from time to time. It was far too small for Saphira to even think about following him down.

The energy the spellcaster had felt was near, but it wasn't a spell. That much was clear. It was a mind. One that was firmly shut off. Draconic, he could tell both from the feel of the barriers and from his experience with other Eldunari that had been discovered. He knew exactly what to expect now. Another Edlunari, the dragon within maddened by decades of Galbatorix's cruelty, their enslavement, loneliness, and confinement. He braced himself for what was to come. If the Eldunari remained shut off, as was usually the case, it would be emotionally painful to see something as great as a dragon reduced to a scared, half-dead, half-mad mind in a crystal. If not, as had not happened to him but he had heard of, he would need to struggle to fight off the crazed dragon. In his mind, he could feel Saphira growing anxious and Glaedr paying more attention.

He finally reached a small room in which lay a small steel box with no apparent opening. He worked at the spells protecting it, which he only managed to break with Glaedr's help. The box swung open. He stared at the Eldunari inside. The mind was still so shut off he could not even touch it. He pressed against it, as did Saphira and Glaedr, doing their best to make it at least aware of their presence. A shift in the barrier was all they needed to know the poor thing wasn't completely lost. However long it took them, they would save this soul as they would all the others. Doubting it would help much, Eragon grabbed the Eldunari in both hands and lifted it up to his face. It was about the same size as his head. He stared right into the middle of the black crystal as if he thought something might look back. "Efa ai frikai un Shur'tugal," he spoke the words without realising he was saying them - 'I am a Rider and a friend', in the Ancient Language. Perhaps if the Eldunari had closed off its mind it might still hear something happening around it. Words like that, words that could not be a lie, must get its attention.

[David Lightningsword]

'He will be a formidable dragon Heralda.. I promise you that. judging from his sire and mother, he will only choose the best as his rider. Him and his rider, whomever that will be, will grow to be the highest caliber there can be" Krono murmured in Heralda's mind  oh so many years ago. Heralda touched the egg with her nose once more, feeling pride and love for the dragon with in. "That I hope they will" She murmured back as one of the other riders took the egg, with gloved hands, and placed it in their vault of eggs. She looked forward to one day teaching her own son, to flying and fighting along side him.

it was this memory that was replaying in her mind, probably for the hundredth time. It was one of the few that really stuck out in her life, especially now. She knew her rescue would happen now..and she was desperate to know two things.. what has happened to Zeus Kronosson, and if the egg she bore for the Riders was still alive..hatched or not. She figured it would be at least a week or two more before she had enough strength to stretch her mind out to the world above to let them know she was here.. that was until she felt minds press against hers.. 3 to be exact. She panicked, wondering if some of Galbatorix's Riders had come back for her. She retreated further into herself, to gather the energy for a counter attack.

That was until she heard those words 'Efa ai frikai un Shur'tugal,' She forze before her counter attack. Those were spoken in the language where no lies could be told.. the language elves held dear. Elves..and Riders. Obviously this one was a Rider.. she was unsure of the other presences she felt, so when she opened her mind, it was only to the Rider who was her 'friend'. "Who are you, and who do you serve" her monotone voice said, her not letting any emotion in, still reserved.. and in truth, still grieving.

[Quetzal]

To Eragon's intense surprise, the Eldunari actually responded and did not attack. That was a first. This one had yet to have its mind entirely broken. It was female, and all emotions were hidden from him. There were any number of reasons why that might be. Fear was the main suspect. She didn't seem happy, but she might be disguising that along will all the other emotions she was holding back. He wouldn't expect her to be happy. Perhaps glad if she realised she was being rescued. Whatever Galbatorix had done to her made it unlikely she was familiar with the feeling of happiness any more.

The Eldunari opening up to him was a huge step that could not be wasted having happened so soon. Eragon wondered how many other Eldunari there were in Galbatorix's possession that were still able and willing to speak to others. He could feel that Saphira and Glaedr were excluded from this conversation, but that didn't matter much. The fact that the Eldunari was letting anyone speak to her at all was more than any of them had dreamed.

"My name is Eragon, Rider of Saphira. I have other names: Shadeslayer; Argetlam; the Bane of the Ra'zac; the Last Free Rider; Firesword; the Varden's Champion. I don't expect you to recognise any of them," he introduced himself.

"Galbatorix's Eldunari are most likely all dragons killed before the Fall. She may have heard of your father from those days," Glaedr thought.

Eragon agreed, Glaedr's was a good idea. He had caused the Empire enough problems to make himself a household name throughout all Alagaesia, hope to most, a nuisance to those who sided with the Empire. While everyone knew his name, he was unsure if the news had reached the Eldunari. They may have been neglected, only used as energy sources, not allowed to know what was happening. Unless of course they were able to reach out and observe for themselves, but he didn't know if that was possible for them. He didn't want to presume anything. "I don't know how old you are, but perhaps you heard of my father. He was around at the time of the Fall. His name was Brom, and he rode a blue dragon named Saphira just as my dragon is, and fought against the Forsworn. With me in my mind right now is my own Saphira, and a dragon named Glaedr. He was born centuries before the Fall. A gold dragon, with a Rider named Oromis. Did you know them? They survived the Fall, but Oromis died a year ago along with Glaedr's body. He's in his Eldunari now," he explained, introducing the other two minds present. They did not force themselves onto the Eldunari, not wanting to frighten her and make her withdraw. This might be a delicate situation, they did not know.

"As for who we serve..." Eragon paused. Who did he serve? He didn't really serve Nasuada now the Varden had won and it was all over. "I sided with the Varden if that's what you mean. I serve Alagaesia and its people. I serve the Riders and the dragons. Saphira and Glaedr do too," he said firmly. There were a lot of questions he wanted to ask the Eldunari in return. None of Galbatorix's captured dragon minds had spoken yet. There was so much this one could tell them, so much to be learned. They might even find out something more about the Fall, or about the Empire's workings. It was important to find out as much about events as close as possible to the time they happened, in Eragon's opinion, so they could be recorded so they were not lost for future historians. Lessons could be learned whose importance was not clear now but might be very significant in a year, or a decade, or a century. Instead he decided to test the ice by seeing how much the Eldunari knew about the outside world, how much she might need or want to learn from him. "How long have you been here? How much of recent events have you been able to see? An awful lot has happened in the past few days. What would you like to be filled in on?" he asked.

((Has David found Zeus at this point?))

[David Lightningsword]

(They would have just left with velathan and his newborn Auran on their mission today. So i would say it has almost been a week since Zeus hatched for David.. although Zeus does not have his name yet)

Heralda listened to the man as he told her his many names. Argetlam.. that was a word the dwarves often used for Riders. Shinning palm in the ancient language. The last Free Rider, Firesword and the Vardens champion were not that impressive. Yet Bane of the Ra'zac, Shadeslayer and more importantly, Eragon, were impressive names. She would love to hear the tail of how he slayed a Shade.. and killed off the relentless Ra'zac.. but she figured he had more to say, so she said nothing.

Next he spoke of Brom and the original Saphira. Of course Heralda knew Brom, for it was he who convinced Kronos to ride back into battle upon Heralda's back for the Varden. Of course it had been to their downfall, but they had at least done some good for the first time in 50 years..aside for the few times they had defended Surda from the forsworn. Saphira she had mat once or twice. She was a young dragon, and fell during the fall. Now this Eragon rode her namesake..and was Brom's son. She did not miss the tense of words, and knew Brom had fallen.. That was one of the few things Galbatorix had mentioned to try and break her.

Next he mentioned Glaedr, and that truly caught her by surprise. Joy filled her, her mentors had survived the war. She was about to search for their minds when Eragon dropped the bombshell. They were really dead.. save for Glaedr in his Eldunari.. like her. They had both lost their riders. In truth, Heralda did not see how Glaedr could function so soon after the loss.. it took her nearly 50 years before Galbatorix even attempted to touch her mind.

When Eragon mentioned that they worked for the Varden, Heralda was finally at ease. These people were truly her allies. She was finally Free! Something she had not been for over 50 years. When Eragon asked her a few questions, she decided to finally speak on previous events. "Those are names to be proud of, Eragon Bromsson. To have the name of the first Rider is a privilege few every have. To be one of the three people to ever slay a Shade, impressive. To learn of the Ra'zac's fall gladden me." She paused before continuing

"I am Heralda, Dragon to Kronos, a human Rider who fell along side me 50 years ago.. to the blade of Morzan and the tooth and claw of his red dragon. I do indeed know your father. We fought along side eachother during the fall..and he was the one who convinced Kronos to join the varden and fly out to meet the forsworn in battle once again. As for Glaedr.. I know him. He and Oromis were our mentors 200 years ago. Tell him I am sorry for his loss, and that I know how he feels. Both your Saphira and his have permission to enter my mind, now that I know you are not of the empire."

She then answered Eragon's questions "I have been here for 50 years. The only reason I am not under Glabarotix's control is my grief. Even he could not bear to enter my mind until about a year ago, when I finally surfaced. I know of Brom's fall, and a few other bits and pieces of information, basically anything Galbatorix could use to break me... except Oromis's fall. That is news to me. I also know how you defeated the egg breaker, because I helped in your spell. I also helped other varden in the battle..in small ways. But after that spell, I did not have any energy left, so I know nothing of what happened after that."

She then finished off by saying "I have one question that I have wondered about for 50 years.. what became of Kronos's son, Zeus? When we left, he was just a newborn hatch-ling. Does the blood of my Rider survive in Zeus?"

(I think we would have reason for Eragon to know of Zeus and how he fell, and little bits and pieces about David.. like how he was Zeus's son, how he earned his name lightningsword, and of course of how a male black dragon hatched for him just after the battle, since Eragon was there for that one)

[Quetzal]

Eragon was glad for the praise and more glad to hear Heralda had met his father. Meeting anyone who had met Brom was a great privilege to him. There was a large part of his father he had never been allowed to see, the part that wasa Rider and the founder of the Varden, and as such he knew there must be so much about him he did not know. He wished often that Brom had been more open with him about his past earlier on, but supposed he must have been planning on waiting to explain all that without realising he would never survive to see the time Eragon would have been ready to hear it.

Feeling a shift in Heralda's mental defences, Saphira and Glaedr joined the conversation, listening to what she had to say. Glaedr recognised her mind once he was allowed in, pleasantly surprised to hear her voice again. He had assumed she was dead and had not known she had given up her Eldunari in time. He recognised too her grief. However she tried to hide it, it was an emotion her felt near constantly, and was far too familiar with him to miss. He would expect to detect such a feeling in any Eldunari that had lost its Rider besides. Once she was done speaking, he spoke to her. "Heralda. It is so good to hear you speak again. So many of us were lost, and so few survived, I assumed yours was one of the many minds that had ceased to be. I am sorry to hear about Kronos. He was a good Rider. I thank you also for your help in the battle. We needed all the help we could get. It was bloody," he offered his condolences, not that sympathy could do anything to ebb the pain of a lost Rider.

A flicker of recognition ran through Eragon's head. "I know the name Zeus. He is... yes, that's it! I know a man named David Zeusson, this Zeus must have been his father. Unless of course it's another man named Zeus who are talking about," he didn't want to give the Eldunari false hope about the wrong man.

"No, it has to be the right one. I'm fairly certain David has mentioned before that he was related in some way to a Rider," Saphira recalled. She tended to remember when people she knew had any connection to dragons and Riders.

"Yes, I think so. Your Kronos' blood does not survive in Zeus, but it does live on in David. Zeus was a brilliant magician and but died fighting urgals with David. David, your Rider's grandson, fought alongside the Varden in the battle. He's a good soldier, and I can tell you now he takes after Kronos in one way at least," Eragon was excited to break the news to Heralda, excited himself about the recent event, "David is a Rider. I saw his dragon hatch for him. A week ago, we recovered some Empire dragon eggs. Some hatched. David's hatchling is doing well, and his scales are black, just as I'm guessing yours were."

Saphira was pleased to see her Rider so happy. "David and his hatchling left on a mission today with another new Rider and his new dragon, but I'm sure they would love to meet you when they get back." It was a shame Heralda had just missed her Rider's grandson, but they could meet soon.

[David Lightningsword]

Heralda mentally bowed her head when her old master entered her mind "Ebithril, I am gladdened to hear your voice after so long of being locked away under tons of rock. As your thoughts are with my Kronos, mine are with your Oromis. many great riders have been lost in this war, and they were two of the best." Of all the bonds she had wanted to share with her master, this was the one she least wanted... dreaded in fact.

The fallen Dragon listened as they debated if they had heard of the blood of her rider. They said some David lived, and was the Son of Zeus, but how Zeus had fallen. Heralda felt a new wave of grief at first when she learned she would never be able to teach Zeus of his father, as they had left when he was only a hatchling, but then Eragon continued. He told her that David was a Rider! Whats more, they had found a black egg in Galbatorix's store. "Tell me, this is very important. Did the egg have a red shape on it? Forming some sort of weird line?" She asked excitedly. Could the egg she had given the Riders have survived, and hatched for Krono's grandson? could both her blood and her riders live in the new generation of riders?

Next they told her they had left on a mission that very day. She was disappointed and murmured "It may be law that Riders and Dragons do not learn of Eldunari's true purpose until they are ready to become Rider and Dragon in full, but I wish i could have left with them. To help them on their journey to becoming Rider and Dragon in full. Like Glaedr does for you Eragon and you Saphira." She hoped no harm befell the young rider and hatchling on their mission for the Varden

[Quetzal]

Eragon was interested to know why Heralda had asked after the red mark on the egg. For her to have known such a thing, she clearly had prior knowledge of a black dragon's egg in the Empire's possession. With her this excited, and the Eldunari in his hands being black in colour, it was not unreasonable for him to guess David's hatchling might be a relative of hers. It was not unheard of for Riders to be related to other Riders, since they would be raised to have similar values, even when they were not directly raised by their Rider relatives - himself, Murtagh, and Rerukusu were all examples he could think of there. The odds of a Rider's grandson bonding with his dragon's offspring may have been higher before the Fall, but now were so slim it seemed incredible to Eragon that were was even a suggestion here that Heralda might be a relation of the dragon bonded to the young man who might be her Rider's grandson.

"Yes, it did, in fact. I rescued a lot of the eggs myself, so I was there when it hatched. The hatchling is black with red eyes, and a red marking on its back." He explained. Saphira had a better idea than just describing the hatchling. Heralda probably would only recognise the egg anyway rather than the young dragon even if she had seen it before.

The blue dragon sent an image of David's hatchling's egg as she had seen it before it had hatched. "Here, is this familiar? How is it you think you know this egg?" she asked curiously.

Glaedr had his suspicions based on what he had known when he had known Heralda before the Fall, but left her to reveal information for herself. The story was hers to tell, and his ideas might have still been incorrect. "Indeed, an Endunari can help young Riders reach their full potential as valuable teachers. Especially these days, when we are the precious few who still remember the workings of the Rider Order from before the Fall. If we want the Riders to continue to help dragons and both of them help Alagaesia, we must work hard in sharing what we know," he voiced his thoughts. Were the Riders to have to start again from scratch, things could get rough quickly. It was far better for them to have someone with them who remembered the mistakes of the old Riders so they would not be repeated. Things did not have to be exactly the same as before, but neither did they have to struggle to find their place now Galbatorix had been taken down. "Without Galbatorix, you Eldunari are free to do what you please, to aid who you like just as I chose to aid Eragon and Saphira. However, you are the first of the Empire's Eldunari we have actually been able to talk with. The others shut themselves off too tightly, attack, or have been driven mad," he informed Heralda of something he thought she probably already knew sadly.

[David Lightningsword]

Heralda was not convinced at first of Eragon's answer. The Dragon whom hatched for David may have been another black or red dragon's egg. Then Saphira sent her an image of the egg. Heralda recognized it at once. Of course she would, as it was something that came up in her mind quite a lot. "I do know this egg Saphira. For it was I who bore it and gave it to the Riders just over 100 years ago. My Mate was against giving any to the Riders, as he was wild, but i insisted. As it seems.. it paid off." She was slightly smug, as it was well known that for a Riders dragon to mate with a wild one was a great honor.

When her old master spoke, Heralda agreed with what he said, and asked "How many Dragons and Riders still survive from before the fall... there must be some correct?" She wondered if any survived to help lead the new generation of riders on the right path. Plus she also wondered how many old acquaintances were still alive. How many old Dragons she knew who still had their wings.

At his next words, Heralda was gladdened "I wish to help you three in any way I can, I do however wish to go and remain with my child and his rider. They shall need my guidance and power in the hard days to come." Her mood saddened though as Glaedr finished what he was saying "I am the only one who remained free from his control, if He had succeeded in breaking me in time, I would be just as mad as the other Eldunari. I am afraid some of them may never be well again. The egg breaker deserves more than death for what he has done" I slight growl crept into her voice near the end. For as she knew her Mates Eldunari could easily be one of the mad ones, and she did crave to hear his voice one more time.

[Quetzal]

Eragon smiled in the dark chamber as he learned that he held in his hands the mother of David's hatchling. This was such a rare thing. It was unheard of these days for a dragon to still have living relatives from before the Fall. If two currently living dragons were related, they would not be aware of it since there was no parent to tell them. He had often wondered at Saphira's parentage, pondering whether she may be related to a living dragon or hidden egg unbeknownst to them. It seemed unlikely. "That hatchling is the only dragon I know of with a living relative. If any Eldunari are related to living dragons, they are one of the mad ones." He said. He could be wrong, but it was hard to say with almost the entire dragon population wiped out and hunted for the past hundred years. Information about dragons was precious and scarce.

"There are some, yes. Not many, but some. Most went into hiding, and are still plenty of Rider and dragons who were unaccounted for and presumed dead who may still be lying low. There was myself and Oromis, and Eragon's father, Brom. Brom only died a couple of years ago, slain by the Ra'zac as he led Eragon and Saphira towards the Varden for the first time. Then there is Clarissa, daughter of Galbatorix, who was born during the Fall and whose dragon Vervada is still a hatchling. Rerukusu, son of Galbatorix, born shortly before the Fall, was driven mad after Brom killed his dragon Avendel during the Fall. He revived Avendel last year using... disgusting methods. I don't fully understand them, but they involved killing another poor tortured dragon and an egg. I doubt those two will help the new Riders on the right path. Kelocias and Istven live on, as does Rakio and Entas. Emiryal was born before the Fall although his dragon, Firern, was not. There are some others born before the Fall still alive - elves, dwarves, dragon spirits, werecats. They might have valuable wisdom to impart," he listed all he knew. The list was short, and shorter still when you considered only those from before the Fall who were still sane and not driven to cruelty and evil.

Saphira was sad to hear that Heralda was the only Eldunari not to be driven to madness. There had to be some way to recover the damaged minds, and she hoped they would be more responsive once they realised they were no longer being tortured or used as energy mines. Some she knew would never recover. Their fates were hard to determine. Was it kind to leave them suffering all alone with not even a body to use to see or hear or feel the world around them? Only their thoughts, their crazed desperate thoughts would keep them company. It was a terrible fate. She knew of no ways to put them out of their misery, nor even if putting them out of their misery was what they wanted. "We will recover them all and hope some may return to us given time to heal. You should guide your child when they and their Rider return from their mission. That hatchling is extremely lucky to have a parent to teach them. And the worst thing we could do to Galbatorix was give him death. What happens to him now is in the hands of the gods and the afterlife, or whatever it is that happens when you die," she said.

[David Lightningsword]

Heralda was still saddened about that "Unfortunately, that is true Eragon. For All I know, my mates Eldunari is amongst the mad ones, or one of my other hatchlings not given to the riders. Maybe one day they can be saved, but I suspect it will take centuries to get through to every single one of them. And that is only if the Riders do not have to contend with any more global threats." She sighed mentally, picturing a day when Dragons and Riders once again populated the skies, and peace reigned through out all of Alagaesia.

She then listened as Glaedr told her of the People who remained from before the fall. Most of them she did not know, only The two Riders and Dragons she knew of were still alive. Kelocias and Istven and Rakio and Entas. She had not been close to those two bonded pairs as she and Kronos had been Oromis and Glaedr. She spoke with certainty when she said "They will all be needed if we are to avoid the same mistakes we made 100 years ago."

Next the Fallen Dragon spoke to Saphira. "There are things worse than death." She knew Glaedr would understand better than anyone else what she meant. If to weren't for the fact of David and her Hatch-ling, Heralda would want death, as to live on without her Rider or any purpose, nor a Body, was worse than just ending it all. She then spoke again, in a more kinder tone "As it may be quite a while until David and my Hatchling returns, if you would do me the Honor, I would like to stay with you three. I have been trapped under ground too long, and I shudder to think of being stuck in one place much longer" She then added in a more wistful tone "I would like to see the sky again."

[Quetzal]

Eragon wondered what the fate of Heralda's mate had been. They may never know for sure. He might be one of the Eldunari here, but most of them he suspected were the dragons of Riders lost in the Fall. There were too few dragons around for him to know for certain, but he thought wild dragons must leave Eldunari on far fewer occasions to Rider's dragons, since they wouldn't have anyone to give them to to carry them around places, although they might be attracted by the idea of surviving body death anyway. There had to be some. It was possible Heralda's mate and other children were there somewhere.

Until Oromis had died, Glaedr had never been able to fully understand how an event could be worse than death. In his long life he had seen many horrible things, and known too many dragons and Riders to live on after their partners had died. Their pain had been enormous, and he shared an identical bond with Oromis that could make him go through exactly what they were, but all the same he could never truly imagine a pain so terrible. The Fall had come close. Almost every dragon and Rider he had ever known had died. All his closest friends died. He was left as one of the around five members of his species remaining alive. For a long time he had wished he and Oromis had been killed as well, but his knowledge of being one of so few dragons remaining kept him going for the sake of his species and the Riders of the future he was so determined would come into being. He had to believe that Riders would make a comeback; if he didn't have that hope, he would not have gone on. When Eragon had revealed himself, he had been overjoyed. When Oromis had fallen, and his body killed, he had finally felt that nothing could be worse. He had wanted to die then, but wanted it so much more. The pain was unbearable. Heralda's comment took him back to that feeling for a moment - it was something he knew he could never get over - and his mind went quiet.

A smile spread across Eragon's face at the prospect of spending more time with a dragon from before the Fall, while Saphira nudged at Glaedr's mind to jump him back to the present. "Of course, we would love that! Your wisdom from before the Fall is invaluable, and Glaedr rarely gets the chance to speak with anyone from his time," he agreed with delight. "You can see the sky very soon. Here, let's get out of this place." He promised, giving the room a last check both with his eyes and with his mind in case anything was hidden, then turned and walked back up the passage he had come from. It was a few minutes' walking out the castle through the maze of passageways.

While Eragon began his walk out the dark dungeons, Saphira had an idea and stretched her wings where she stood just outside the castle. "I can do one better than just seeing the sky. How about we fly together once Eragon reaches me? You can use my eyes to see the world from above and feel the sun on your wings if you would like," she offered.

[David Lightningsword]

Heralda was gladdened when Eragon accepted her offer to accompany them. the female dragon was flattered by the way Eragon had said it in a way that Heralda was doing him a favor by joining them, when it truth she thought it the other way around. The Rider was giving her the honor of finally being able to travel the outside world, something she had not done for many, many years. Heralda thanked them "My thanks, Eragon Shadeslayer." while she could not see with her own eyes, not did she have physical feelings, she knew when Eragon had finally left the room with her with him. She had spent too long in it, and part of her.. granted a very small part, felt a pang of grief. It had been her home since Kronos and her fall. It would be impossible not to feel something when leaving it for the final time.

Heralda's heart leapt with joy at Saphira's offer. One thing Heralda had always enjoyed had been flying. She was a natural after all. While she had been gladdened that the blood of her rider survived in David, and almost truly joyed at the fact her hatchling survived and had paired with David, this was joy she had not felt in many years. "I would be honored To fly with you Saphira" She said joyfully, really looking forward to feeling something she truly thought she would never feel again.

[Quetzal]

Eragon picked his way up the still unfamiliar passageways of the castle. The roughly cut hidden path to the chamber where Heralda's Eldunari had been kept turned to a neatly paved corridor as he left the secret place, passing by the spellcaster who had discovered it. He had remained there to ensure Eragon's safety. He nodded respectfully, smiling at the sight of another recovered Eldunari. Eragon hesitated, unsure whether it was wise to spread the word of a mentally stable Eldunari, then decided against it. He would wait until things were more certain. Nasuada and the older, wiser Riders should be told first. They would be able to advise him on what to do next. Heralda's wishes had to be taken into account too. He could sense Glaedr's wariness at letting too many people know about their discovery as well. Heralda was a valuable ally and to steal her was bound to tempt more than a few daring thieves.

The routes around the castle may one day be more familiar. Today he had to remember the path he had taken to get there, struggling with a couple of doors that looked identical to others he had seen. Finally he found an area he had been in a few more times, from which he had little difficulty finding his way out.

Saphira walked toward him immediately. She was stood in a large courtyard garden. She lowered her head to Eragon and touched her muzzle to the Eldunari, feeling the draconic mind within with glee. Another of her species. Lacking a body, but at least still possessing a mind and, possibly the most valuable thing the Riders of today could hope for, knowledge of the Rider Order from before the Fall.

She wore her saddle since it was easier for her to wear it most of the time with the frequency she and Eragon flew together. He climbed up to sit on her back, gripping Heralda tightly with one hand and the spike in front of him with the other. Concerned he might accidentally drop her, he cast a quick spell to set up an invisible spherical barrier in a small radius around his hand that would catch the Eldunari should he let go. "Whenever you are ready, look through my eyes," Saphira told Heralda, bending her legs and jumping into the air. Her wings beat down powerfully, bringing her higher into the air. Soon she was gliding low over the castle in lazy circles. She opened her mind to the Eldunari. Her thoughts and memories she kept private to herself. Everything her nerves and sensory organs were detecting - sight, sound, smell, taste, the warmth of the sun, the wind, how her muscles and wings felt as they adjusted to stay aloft - she left open to Heralda to join in experiencing.

[David Lightningsword]

Heralda felt joy as Eragon made his way through her prison, She almost willed him to go faster, as she was eager to be in the sky once again.. or even just to be outside of the accursed castle. To have the sunlight beat down on her again, too feel the wind under her wings.. or at least feel what Saphira was feeling as she flew.. made her almost bounce with joy.. if she could of at least.

When she felt Saphira touch her with her nose, Heralda knew it was almost time. She mentally heard when Eragon cast the spell, and felt the flow of magic when he did, and gave a low chuckle "Don't drop me young one. The last thing I would want is to have my old wish granted the moment it is no longer my wish." She could not help but see how ironic and cruel it would be, to die the moment she no longer wanted to die. It would be the fates messing with her for sure. How cruel it would be of them indeed.

When Saphira gave Heralda the okay, Heralda entered her mind, and at once she was no longer in the black space of her Eldunari, but the body of a fit young female dragon. Heralda roared mentally with triumph, she could finally feel the joys of having a body again! The joys of flying. She was tempted for only a second to seize control of Saphira's body and fly truly, but the was basically because of the experience she was having, and nothing to do with the dragon she was. It was gone almost as quick as it had came. Heralda could never do that to any Dragon, because she knew what it was like to have her body robbed from her. Still.. The Old black dragon enjoyed the experience. "Thank you, Saphira."

[Quetzal]

Eragon smiled as they took to the skies. Breaking an Eldunari was one of the last things he planned on doing. Saphira watched the ground below and horizon ahead, fuelled by the joy she could feel in Heralda's mind. For the briefest of moments she felt a slight sense of an urge to take over her body. That worried her, but it was over in a flash. She knew the older dragon wouldn't do something like that to another of her species. The blue dragon roared out loud as the black one roared in her mind, feeling a new elation she hadn't felt before through the Eldunari. A few anxious eyes turned skyward in the sky below. They had nothing to worry about. Saphira and Eragon were easy to recognise and they knew they posed no threat to the city now the war was over.

"My pleasure, Heralda," Saphira replied. In truth she relished the chance to show off a bit, to give the older dragon a taste of the finer things of flying. She always was one to show off. Eragon studied the black crystalline structure in his hand thoughtfully. The odds of this dragon's offspring hatching for her Rider's grandson were astronomically small. That coupled with her still being sane made this occurrence very unlikely indeed. Despite everything, he thought Heralda lucky. As far as he was aware no living dragons had living children or parents, and Galbatorix had found the time to break all his other Eldunari.

Locked back there for all those years it was possible she'd ventured out with her mind and learned things about the Empire that were valuable to know. "Did you ever find out anything about the Empire we might like to now? Obviously anything to do with bringing them down doesn't matter any more. But are there any secrets in the castle we should know about? Anything about their Riders and dragons?" Eragon was curious about how the Empire had worked before its downfall. There were some things he reckoned would be lost and forgotten forever.

[David Lightningsword]

Heralda could sense a slight urge to show off to the black dragon. Heralda could already tell Saphira was built much in the same way Heralda had been built back in the day and was most likely capable of the same sort of tricks Heralda had been able to pull off when she had her own wings. So Heralda told the younger blue dragon "You fly well Saphira. If you want to learn some tricks I picked up in my day, let me know. I know Glaedr could not have taught you them, as he was a dragon built for the fight, and did not teach me these tricks himself." In truth Heralda would take any excuse to fly more often. Her hatchling would be months before he could fly with her himself, in fact would most likely a month or two before he even returned.

When Heralda was posed the question about the Empire from Eragon, she was silent for a while, trying to think of anything that would be of use to him. She finally settled for a couple details she could muster "I am sorry Eragon, but I do not know much. Whatever was told to me was information that could be used to break me.. the fall of Brom, the fall of other Riders and Dragons.. the breaking of other Eldunari. All I know is that there are still Eldunari whom Galbatorix never found, not including the ones you found. There is also a chamber in the Castle full of old Riders swords, my own Krono's included. I know you have found the egg room, And odds are you have found the sword room too." This was more information on what could help the Riders in the future.. Heralda knew, but she knew little of the ins and outs of the Empire, as she was in solitude most of the last 50 years. "I also know one other thing that you may or may not know of. Galbatorix has a daughter, who is a Rider now as well. Her Dragon..Vervada, is a newborn, so she was most likely not present in the battle. Her name is Clarissa" She then fell silent, not know anything else. Galbatorix and her daughter were the only ones to talk to her until Eragon had found her, and yet again, they didn't tell her much.

After a few more minutes of silent flying, she said quietly "I am sorry I can be of little use to you. I know you have high hopes since you have found a Eldunari whom is not mad who lived in the castle" She fell silent again, full of regret, wishing she could tell them more.

[Quetzal]

Saphira was always pleased to receive a compliment. The offer of learning from the old Eldunari was hardly one she could pass up on. "I would love to learn from you. Glaedr taught me much about aerial combat, but less of manoeuvres and tricks," she agreed. Learning to fly without other dragons around had been difficult. It was a natural, instinctual thing, but she had no one to watch to copy. All her tricks had been ones she had developed herself as the need arose. They were better now she had spent time around other dragons, but she was always open to improving her skills. Finding better ways of doing things was important. There may even be things Heralda knew that had been forgotten by everyone else over time. Such information was vital to pass on and spread to prevent it dying out altogether, something which had happened to a lot of useful things after the Fall.

"That's OK, I wasn't expecting Galbatorix to have allowed an Eldunari to learn much anyway. We have found the swords and eggs, but finding an unbroken Eldunari is a huge reward regardless of what they know," Eragon assured Heralda. He was pleased simply to have finally found a sane Eldunari. Anything more would have been a big bonus. "People more trusted in the Empire might be able to tell us more anyway. Plenty have come to our side now the oath is gone," he added. Murtagh and Thorn were his best hopes for that. Soldiers and even officers knew about military tactics but little else - Galbatorix had been very careful in telling anyone anything. Murtagh was the Empire's champion, closer to Galbatorix and so likely to know far more. His half-brother had to speak to them sometime, he knew he hadn't wanted to be a part of the Empire.

The final bit of information was a confirmation of something suspected. "There had been rumours... it's good to know for certain that Clarissa is Galbatorix's daughter. I'm surprised Vervada is a newborn, though. I saw her during the battle, and Isrydia fought her for a while, and she was just as big as a mature dragon. That must be the work of the Empire's growth spells they like to use on dragons. It's why Thorn is bigger than Saphira despite being younger."

He felt sorry for Heralda being so full of regret when she had brought so much hope and happiness to Eragon and Saphira at this discovery. "There's really no need to apologise. However much knowledge of the Empire you have, you have more valuable knowledge from before the Fall, and a sane Eldunari is better than anything we hoped to find."

[David Lightningsword]

Heralda gave Saphira a mental nod when she mentioned Glaedr teaching her more about aerial fighting than tricks. She knew it must have been hard for Saphira, having no dragons built like her to learn tricks from, and hoped her memories would be enough for the young dragon to learn the tricks Heralda had once been able to do with ease. They had saved her more than once in the war against the forsworn, and were the only reason her and Kronos had been able to survive their battle with Morzan so long. "It would be my pleasure to pass on my knowledge to a dragon as fine as you." she murmured.

Heralda was then silent through all of Eragon's talking. She had figured a lot of the empire's people had joined the Varden after Galbatorix's fall. Since she knew there was no one they were all there by choice. Plus she was happy she had at least given Eragon something worth while and actually helpful. She just wished after so many years of doing nothing that she could have been of more use. The first 50 years since the Fall Heralda spent protecting Surda from Forsworn attacks, which were rarer than one might think, and then after only a few short months back in the game, met her end and another 50 years useless. She still had one last question which she voiced "What happened to young Vervada and Clarissa?" She figured Clarissa and Vervada only fought for the Empire because they were forced to.. and even felt bad for how she had attacked her in their meeting.

[Quetzal]

((Sorry I haven't been posting in so long!))

Eragon and Saphira enjoyed the silence, allowing the comfortable moment to play out without hurrying any conversation. Their happiness at finding what they had not dared hoped to find, a sane Eldunari, was warming them. They felt perfectly good to just let the conversation go wherever it naturally went. Their good mood would be hard to spoil. Especially in light of the war's ending, nothing could bring them down for a long while.

The question asked them was not something they knew the answer to. All the most powerful members of the Empire had either claimed to be forced into doing what they had done or had gone into hiding. Those claiming force had had their minds thoroughly searched. A couple had been lying, trusting their ability to conceal things within their minds, and the rest had all passed inspection. Of Clarissa and Vervada's fates, though, he wasn't sure. In the past week so much had happened he hadn't kept tabs on many people. Focusing on the task of clearing up, he had neglected to follow what was happening with most of the former Empire members. He ought to catch up, really.

"I'm not actually sure. I know they were not forced to do what they did. Clarissa had a passion for toxins and poisoning. From what I've heard, she could be quite cruel. I expect they must have gone into hiding for fear of what those they wronged might do to them. No one's really sure what to do with the worst Empire members. Death's too good for them, and it's hard to see how much was actually them," he said, thinking through the situation.

After a pause, he added, "It's hard to imagine Galbatorix as being a father. Obviously he wasn't a good one. But someone being related to him... it can't be nice. I'm surprised dragons hatched for his children, too."

"Galbatorix was not always mad. Perhaps it was the same quality his first dragon saw in him that made the dragons hatch for his children," Saphira replied.

"Maybe, but they're both blatantly far from honourable. A dragon hatching for someone with the potential to end up like Galbatorix is taking a risk." He wasn't convinced.