Saphira chose to fly, and, as she wheeled against the blue backdrop of the sky, she said, There have been other petitioners who have come to seek an audience with you, but Blödhgarm and his spellcasters turned them away before they could disturb you. “Shadeslayer.”Īs Eragon walked through the camp, following Gull, the elves silently flitted among the tents at distances of ten and twenty yards. The man bobbed his head, his ponytail swinging beside his cheek. I promise nothing, except that if it is within my power to remove this growth, I will.” Please, Shadeslayer.”Įragon gestured at the two elves that held Gull, and they released him. When she dies, half the world will die for me. “I would not give up Signa any sooner than I have to. “No, but every moment is doubly precious because of it,” exclaimed Gull, his eyes fever bright. That is how the world works, and no amount of tears will change it.” You cannot avoid losing your wife forever, nor she you. “Death is inevitable for humans, if not now, then later. Please, Shadeslayer.”Įragon studied the knobs on his knuckles. You are the only one who might be able to save her now. She will die soon unless something is done. “Please, she hasn’t eaten for over three days. Then his tone shifted, becoming desperate again. They cast a spell to lessen the pain and gave us some herbs they claimed would ease her passage into the halls of Angvard, but other than that, nothing.” Gull spoke with the bitter anger that helplessness spawns. They said the growth had spread too far, that it was in her blood. But this growth is killing her just as surely as an arrow to the stomach.” They are so busy tending to the wounded, they have little time for those whose complaints are less urgent. “Yes, yes! We had to wait over two months before they would examine her. We are poor, but everything we have is yours if you can but help her.”Įragon considered, then said, “Have you taken her to see the healers of the Varden? They can cure most ailments.” I have come to ask you, to beg you, to do what you can for her. “My wife, sir, Signa, she has a growth in her belly that is killing her. I called to you yesterday, when you walked through the camp, but you did not hear my plea.”Īnguish contorted Gull’s face. “Please, My Lord-”įor a moment, the man faltered, but then he said, “Please, Shadeslayer. The man ceased fighting the elves and, with a stricken look, bowed as low as he could within their grip. I am here,” said Eragon as he walked forward. go!” Despite his titanic struggles, he failed to budge either the silver-haired elf maid to his left or the black-haired male elf to his right. “Let me go, you fiends! Curse you! Let me go! I have to talk with him! If I don’t, she will die! Let. “I have to speak with Eragon Shadeslayer!” he bellowed, cords bulging in his neck. And when he shouted, his voice carried the accent of one born and raised in the south of Alagaësia. His russet beard was cropped close, and his hair was tied in a long ponytail such as Eragon had seen was common among the archers from Petrøvya.
His clothes were rough, his brigandine scarred from battle, and he had a stained bandage wrapped round the upper part of his left arm. The man was neither young nor old Eragon judged him to be about thirty. Two elves were holding the arms of a thrashing man, while a third elf, Blödhgarm, stalked back and forth, remonstrating with the man to calm himself. Grabbing his hunting knife, he stuck it through his belt and hurried out of the tent. Eragon frowned when the shouts did not subside and were occasionally drowned out by the elves calling to each other in the ancient language.Įragon, I think you should be here, said Saphira. Then loud, angry shouts shattered the morning as the elves intercepted the runner.
A moment later, the rhythmic thud of boots striking the ground became audible. Eragon paused and listened, alert for trouble. It was just after dawn, and Eragon was sitting on his cot, oiling his mail hauberk, when he sensed the turbulent thoughts of a man fast approaching his tent.
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