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[Trinn]

A pair of deep brown eyes gazed across the great room, which appeared to be more of a throne room. Chunks of marble ruble littered the tiled floor and a layer of dust covered the rest. Each step Elaine took raised a clould of the dark powder. Directly across from her, smashed onto its side, lay the throne itself. A metalic clink came now and then from behind. Elaine glanced over her shoulder to check on Eridor. The steely dragon was walking around a marble pillar, the only one that remained nearly whole. What is it? she asked. Eridor looked at her with one large gray eye.

I'm not sure. There's a scent around this pillar that intrigues me. I beleive it is that of another dragon. Elaine nodded.

That's possible. I'm sure many dragons have been within the throne room before. Dragon and rider both gave a mental shrug, then continued the search of the varden's first headquarters. General Will had sent Elaine and Eridor on a search trip to the beor mountains. He was interested in the state it would be in now, and if there were any enemy within. However, the whole place held nothing. It was empty. Of course, it could never be used again, not now that the Empire new its whereabouts. At the thought, Elaine was touched by a slight melancholy. It would have been a wonderful place to live in. Beautiful and vast. But such thoughts were useless, and so she shook the out of her head. Where to next Eridor? The dragon lowered his head as he thought a moment.

We have been everywhere. The cellars, the auditorium, the graves, the dwarf chambers, the library. The only place left is above us. The dragon holds and the training fields.

Alright then, lets go to the dragon holds first.. Elaine walked over to Eridor, then swung up in his saddle. It was a bit hard to do as all of the saddle bags were bulging with books, books they had salvaged from the library. Maybe there would be something useful in one of them. Elaine smiled hopefully as she patted one of Eridors gray scales. Lets go. Rising to his full height, Eridor ambled out of the throne room, the flared his wings and leapt up. Soon he was flying in tight circles ever higher.

Eventually they reached the dragon hold. Elaine looked at all the recesses in awe. To think that these had probably all been filled once with dragons. Eridor was of a similiar mind, and she could feel a sadness within him. Don't worry, Eridor, someday there will be this many dragons again. I know it. Eridor dipped his head in aknowledgment. He then leapt up into one of the small nithces. Elaine slid off the saddle and began to explore.

[adrian6912]

'Hmm...a rider,' thought Gerald. 'This is certainly a nice change of events. Maybe I can approach them. Then again, they might work for the Empire...Oh well, it's a risk that might need taking.'

He hopped off his little outpost. He knew there was no way of detecting him, not because he was staying to the shadows, but because he could block out his mind very well. He crept up a few feet behind them and said,"Rider!" He could only pray that they wouldn't tear him limb from limb.

[Trinn]

Elaine nearly jumped a foot when a voice suddenly hailed her. She had not been expecting anyway but herself and Eridor to be in these ruins. Recovering swiftly from her fright, Elaine spun around and unsheathed her sword. Simultaneously, Eridor leapt over Elaine and landed directly before the man. His lips curled back over lethal teeth, and a monstrous snarl rippled from his throat. Eridor! Calm yourself. I don't think this man means harm, or else he wouldn't have bothered telling me he was here! Back down. Eridor snarled once more, but then backed away from the stranger, so that he stood beside Elaine. She patted his side reassuringly before stepping forward to address the man.

"You, who are you who would sneak upon us so?" Elaine quickly assessed the situation. The man was armed, but the weapons weren't drawn. In answer to this, she quickly sheathed her own rapier.

[adrian6912]

Gerald cowered before the massive dragon before him. When it calmed itself, he noticed the rider again. Since they didn't attack him, he assumed they didn't work for the Empire. He knelt down before the rider and dragon. "I am Dragon-Fang, mercenary. I do not work for the Empire, so do not fear that I mean you harm." Like I could actually mean THEM harm, he thought to himself." I did not mean to frighten you. I only meant to get your attention. See, I am in need of assistance. The Empire has sent many spies everywhere in search of the other dragon eggs. It is my duty to take 'care' of them. I was wondering if you would agree to help with these...'people.'

He waited for a reply. He hoped they wouldn't decide to just kill him instead. Most people aren't very fond of mercs.

[Trinn]

A blush flared across Elaine's cheeks as the mercanery kneeled before her. That was one thing about being a rider that was hard to get used to, the constant awe and reverance. Elaine inclined her head in return to the gesture. The general at Abernon had instructed her that, as a rider, the only people she had to bow to were royalty. Other people deserved only a tilt of the head. The rule was awkward for Elaine, but she complied to make the general happy. "Please, no need to kneel." A growl sounded from beside her. Eridor was of a different opinion. Ignoring him, Elaine continued. "I'm Elaine, and the brute beside me is Eridor." She paused to consider his message. A mercenary, eh. He doesn't strike me as the mercenary type. He seems too honest. Eridors voice sounded in her mind.

Although I dislike how he frightened you, I will admit that he seems trustworthy. But when he says he needs to take "care" of these spies, I beleive he means to kill them. Elaine frowned.

That is what it sounds like. I'll help him find them, but thats it. "Allright, Dragon Fang, we have decided to aid you in your quest. However, when you say you must take care of them, what preciesly do you imply? And why hesitate on the word people?" Niether she nor Eridor had missed the change in tone when he said the word.

[adrian6912]

Dragon-Fang rose in answer to her queries. He looked directly into the rider's eyes and spoke strongly and curtly. "I mean of course to kill them. If they work for the Empire, they are the enemy. I just thought that a rider might be interested in this...cleansing, I suppose you could say. I know that I must look foolish to ask for assistance from a being as great as yourself. Well, beings. Excuse me, dragon, for my ignorance. I have never been around dragons before." He paused to take a drink from his flask.

"I suppose you are wondering why I'm in these ruins. See, my searches lead me here. I was trailing a spy that had been evading me for several days. I put him out of his misery a few days ago, in one of the tunnels that leads to the outside world. Don't try to find the body, I buried it in the tunnel."

He looked from the dragon to the rider, waiting to see how they would respond. He took another nervous drink from his flask, letting the liquid burn down his throat.'I hope they don't mind me drinking....,' he thought to himself, then awaited their response.

[Trinn]

"I see." Elaine paused again, once more considering the mercenaries message. "I suppose you don't know, but riders, at least riders of the varden, value the life of all. That means even spies for the emperor. However, I will compromise. When we find them, I will take them captive to Surda. They will be prisoners there until the end of this war." Falling silent, she waited patiently for his respone. Her eyes strayed to the flask in his hand. Was there whiskey in there? Or maybe just water? Whatever it was, he drank from it nervously. For some reason, Eridor was laughing. What is so funny?

I was just laughing about something you said. "we 'riders' value life... and so on. You do realize the only riders in the varden are yourself and the rider Eragon. Elaine frowned.

True. However, you must remeber there are twenty eggs lost in the wild. Who knows how many have hatched and are comine to join us. Eridor began to speak again, but Elaine stopped him. I know, they could be headed for Galbatorix as well. The thought left her in a dark mood.

[adrian6912]

Dragon Fang considered the option. His employer gave him orders to kill the spies. 'I guess letting them live and interrogating them would be wiser,' he thought to himself. "Very well, Rider, I think that it would be best to let them live and interrogate them instead. Who knows? We could get valuable information from them."

Dragon Fang noticed the rider's eyes on the flask."Oh, excuse me for drinking in your presence. It is a little vulgar, don't you think? I will refrain from doing that again. Now, may I ask your name, as well as the dragon's? I did not know that there were other riders, besides the mighty Eragon. I'm sorry to press you, but we must hurry. The deadline for the spies is in one week."
He waited for a response and thought,'I hope I didn't offend them somehow. I hear that dragons can be quite...moody, I suppose.'

[Trinn]

Elaine nodded, accepting Dragon Fang's words. "Of course, I understand that time is of the greatest import. We will leave at once." Turning to Eridor, she placed a hand on his side. "His name is Eridor, and I am Elaine. Besides Eragon, I believe I am the only other rider. For the Varden. It is rumored that, besides Murtagh and the evil kind himself, another rider has joined the ranks of the empire. That leaves us outnumbered." Elaine fell silent. She hadn't meant to go on a rant about who had what riders. "Sorry for rambling on. Lets get going shall we?" Eridor, are you up to carrying two?

Eridor snorted. Of course. I could probably carry three. Elaine rolled her eyes at the dragon, then turned back to Dragon Fang. "Have you ever flown before? Eridor can carry us both, that way we could make excellent time."

[adrian6912]

Dragon Fang shifted on his feet. He was terrified of heights. "Well, I guess we could. Just please don't go to fast. I don't do well with heights. Anyways, I got news from another mercenary concerning the location of a spy. He told me it was in Ura'Bean. It will be a long flight, but we could cross the Hadarac Desert."

Dragon Fang knew dragons could go great lengths of time flying, but he doubted that Eridor could fly that far. It was worth a try though. He put away his flask, in case it did offend them. Then said,"When shall we depart? I can go as soon as possible. So tell me when you are ready. Wait...may I ask what you were doing here? I was hunted the spy, but what were you doing?" Dragon Fang now got suspicious. He eyed them with this suspicion, and maybe a little bit of fear as well.

[Trinn]

Eridor growled. Who is he to question us? Elaine, you do not need to answer. His rider glared at him.

I don't blame him for asking. He probably just wants to make sure we are really on his side. You shouldn't be so stiff, Eridor. Eridor said no more, but glared at Dragon Fang. Ignoring him, Elaine told the mercenary, "We were sent here to investigate these ruins. To see if they were still infested with urgal. Clearly, its completely deserted. I hope that puts you at ease." Elaine turned to face Eridor's side. Reaching up, she grabbed the side of the saddle. There were no stirrups, only the leg straps. How are we going to do this? In answer, Eridor sank lower to the floor, creating a step with his leg.

The mercenary can clime into the saddle this way. I suggest you let him wear the leg straps. You are already accustomed to flight, so I don't think you will need them. Especially since I will have to go slower than usual. Elained patted his side.

Good idea. "Allright Dragon Fang, lets go." She pointed to Eridors folded leg. "Just use his leg as a step and climb into the saddle. Once you're seated, I'll strap you in. Don't worry about the heights. As long as you are securely seated, there is no way you can fall off." She smiled widely to encourage him.

[adrian6912]

Dragon Fang shrugged. He had never heard of a rider falling to his death. He climbed onto the massive beast awkwardly and sat down. It was very rough, and he feared it would rip the flesh from his legs after only a few hours of flight. He decided to question this. "Will not the dragon's scales destroy the flesh on my legs? It is very rough." He waited for the rider to strap him in and answer his questions.

He couldn't control the urge to take a long drink from his flask. He shuddered nervously and prepared for the long ride. "Before we depart, Elaine, could I ask where we are going? I'm just curious as to the terrain...," he trailed off. Hopefully she would answer both questions.

[Trinn]

Once Dragon Fang was securely in the saddle, and the leg straps fastned tightly, Ealine answered his questions. "No, Eridor's scales won't hurt you. The saddle is made especially for dragonback, to protect such things as that. You'll be perfectly safe." A thought from Eridor disrupted Ealine. He feels wrong. Too bulky and clumsy.. Elaine ignored him for the moment and answered Dragon Fangs next questions.

"Well, you said the spy was in Uru'baen. I plan to head there. Once we get near the city, we will have to walk a bit, as I don't want Eridor to be seen anywhere near there." Elaine shuddered at the thought and a ripple of fear (for his rider) and anger flashed down Eridor's spine. "Anyways, the terrain should be pretty easy. Just air." She smiled at that. "Eridor will be taking it slow, so the wind shouldn't be too hard." Allright Eridor, lets go. As Eridor began to rise to his full height, Elaine leapt up swiftly to land behind Dragon Fang. She quietly gave thanks that she had made the saddle large enough to fit them both. "You can hold on to one of Eridor's neck spikes. They pretty much act as a pommel would on a saddle." Alright Eridor. Lets get to the sky!

Raising his large bulk further, Eridor walked to the edge of the dragon hold with a clatter of talons. His wings unfurled with a rustle as he crouched, bunched the muscles in his legs, and then leapt forth, driving himself upwards with a downward swipe of his massive wings. Four mour wingflaps had him out of the hold and into open sky. Elaine's voice cautioned him to take it easy. Slowing his pace, Eridor angled towards the haddarac desert, which could be barely seen as a line of tan.

Eridor's slow pace reduced the wind turmoil to a minimum, allowing speech. Leaning forward, Elaine asked Dragon Fang, "How are you doing?"

[adrian6912]

Dragon Fang felt like his insides were going to spew out of his mouth. The sudden altitude gain made his ears hurt, and he was instantly cold. It felt as though the temperature had changed in a matter of seconds. He had never felt anything so exhilarating yet so terrifying. After the dragon Eridor had slowed the pace, he decided to answer the rider's question.

"At first it felt like I was going to die," he shouted over the wind. "Now it's kind of peaceful. To be this high and impenetrable, it's almost like heaven. I'm sure if we went higher, we would eventually find it. The air is so clean and crisp, it's like running when it's snowing. Your lungs are filled with the spirit of the land, and that's how I'm feeling now. Do you have the same feeling?"

He didn't dare look down, for fear of falling. He gripped the spike in front of him a little tighter, then looked out across the land. It was just a barren stretch of land on the horizon. The Hadarac Desert. He hated that place of terror. He was also scared of the desert. It was endless and terrifying.

[Trinn]

For a moment Elaine was speechless. Dragon Fang had described the feeling of flight amazingly. It was almost even poetic. He has a way with words. Eridor commented. Elaine agreed wholeheartedly. "Wow Dragon Fang, thats pretty much exaclty how I feel wheny I fly with Eridor. You described it wonderfully." She fell silent, allowing him to get used to the feel of riding a dragon. How are you coming along Eridor?

Wonderful, my rider. I could go for many miles yet. Satisfied, Elained watched the approaching dessert. A few hours passed, and the haddarac was now below them. The sun, which had been distant in the mountains, now seemed oddly close. The heat washed down in waves, scorching everything and giving Eridor's gray scales a luminous glow. Eridor loved the heat of the dessert. Elaine could stand it, but it was much too hot for her. Thankfully, the sun was beginning to set, and the heat dulling. Leaning forward, Elaine spoke to Dragon Fang, "In a few more hours we'll land and make camp. By that time we should be partly through the haddarac. By tomorrow night we should be through it." Am I right, Eridor?

Of course. You know my flight as well as I do. By tomorrow night, we should be through this wonderful place. Elaine rolled her eyes, but smiled. Only to a dragon would the haddarac be a wonderful place.

Another few hours later, Eridor was gliding downwards in slow, lazy cirlces. He alighted upon a dune gently, hardly jarring the passengers on his back. Bending his knees, he crouched low to the earth and layed down his wings. Jumping out of the saddle, Elaine landed lightly on the crest of the dune. "Can you get the leg straps?" She asked Dragon Fang. When she had first started flying the Eridor, she hated the leg straps. There were so many buckles it was hard to get used to. Thankfully, she could slip them on and off with ease now.