Hello again!

I appreciate the comments and reviews from everyone! It's really encouraging to see so many people gripped and waiting for more! Hopefully I can satisfy the increasing demands of your hungry minds... a lot of you are like pros here, so I'll admit I'm a little intimidated by my audience! All the better for me to feel the need to write at my best, I suppose.

Anyways, here it is! The result of a far-too-relaxing weekend! Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Catching Up

"Or should I call you Grand Master Eragon?" asked Nasuada with a mocking smile.

"That will not be necessary, Your Highness," said Eragon anxiously. He loathed the title that he was expected to bear as head of the Dragon Rider Order. It implied age, wisdom, and experience – three things he felt he most certainly lacked in comparison to many of the others inhabiting Dragon Haven.

"Then, Eragon, I think it only fair that you continue to call me by my given name as well," she said, her smile fading from her dark face as she prepared herself for a long and serious discussion. Upon her short, thick black hair rested a sparkling crown of gold, inlaid with small pebble-sized gems of varying colours – the foremost a large octagonal ruby. A large golden circle hung from each earlobe. She wore a simple but elegant dress of deep purple lined with golden lace, overtop what appeared to be a white gown-like undergarment. Its short sleeves gracefully split open to her bare forearms which were lined with gruesome scars, a testament to her commitment to duty.

"Are you aware that it has been just over a year since you left? No one has heard from you nor anyone with you since left the land I govern. And yet you look well-established… might I ask why we were left to wonder as to your fate for so long?" Her voice was stern and her words deliberate.

Eragon had expected this much, yet he knew he had no answer that would satisfy her. It was increasingly apparent to him that his avoidance had likely caused a great deal of concern and confusion to the people he trusted most. He could try to justify it with their need to construct and settle and organize, however this and any excuses he could come up with melted away like ice before an inferno.

Solemnly, he said, "I apologize, Nasuada. In our efforts to build our new homes here and prepare for the Riders, I did not find it pressing to contact you. It was my belief that your estimations of my powers would allow you some comfort for a time. I believed that until there was something to show for our time and efforts away from Alagaësia, contacting anyone could wait."

He paused for a minute, letting her accept his words. She frowned and cocked an eyebrow. "Eragon, in all your wisdom, I would have expected you to report in sooner, regardless of your progress – what is this new land you have settled in? Even that much information would have appeased many of your friends; myself included." He was relieved to hear her use the word 'friend', for he suddenly feared that his stubbornness had diminished his bonds with some of his most important allies.

"You may not be under my jurisdiction, Eragon, but I do not understand why you would keep yourself from us for so long…" she pressed, her tone hinting that she suspected other reasons.

He looked towards the ground, ashamed at his childishness. "Our farewells were peaceful, but painful. I… could not bring myself to contact anyone about such seemingly small things, for fear that it would be too painful looking out at any of you… to see you so close but know you are so far away… I'm sorry, Nasuada. I wanted the farewells to be as real and final as they seemed at the time. A foolish notion."

She was silent, her lips stretched in a stern frown, but he thought he saw a gleam in her eyes as he mentioned their farewells. "Indeed, but here you are… let us discuss what we have to discuss, I shall guilt you no longer. How far away are you, exactly?"

"It was a seven day journey aboard the Talíta before we spotted this island a couple leagues off the coast." As he said this he noticed that the shadows in Nasuada's room were particularly lengthy, as if the sun had only risen an hour ago. It was already nearly afternoon in Dragon Haven. "It's… well, it's perfect. Mountains, forests, plains, hills, beach, some small snowy valleys in the northern mountains and some drier valleys in the southern ones. You have to see it for yourself, really – it's unbelievable! Saphira helped name the island – Dragon Haven." Suddenly relieved, he felt himself beaming broadly as he described it.

"An appropriate name for what I'm sure is a lovely place. Have there been any signs of magic or any hostile beings?" Nasuada asked, sounding strangely tense.

"No, although there are herds of wolves and other common predatory animals… they have yet to bother any of us, however. As for magic, I have not sensed any other presences save for the elves', if that is what you mean," he replied, a sensation of suspiciousness feathering his spine. "How fares the control of magic in Alagaësia?"

She sighed bitterly, appeared relieved to have the opportunity to relate to him recent events. "It has not been an easy year in that regard, Eragon. Without your assistance it has proven an unusual challenge to attempt to place control over the magic-users of Alagaësia. Many of the elves agreed, although there were some who fought the idea very passionately. Do you remember Laufin and Uthinarë?" He nodded, a recollection of two of his former spellweaver guards mixing with the memory of Yaela's pleading eyes. Nasuada continued:

"It was with their aid that we built the Magician's Collective, and they held two of the nine seats of the Collective Council – along with another elf, two dwarves, two humans, an Urgal, and the werecat Yelloweyes. To be blunt, their presence was a good idea that was simply not well received by many magic-users across the continent. There have been confrontations and other incidences that have… kept the land's apparent thirst for blood sated, if you will.

"As soon as the development of the Collective was common knowledge, a rebellious group of particularly tricky magic-users was formed. Laufin left several months ago to confront their leader, a man by the name of Tenga, but… those who were close enough to sense his life energy reported that it was brutally contorted before being snuffed out completely. Not long after, we recovered an unrecognizable elven head from the meeting location…" Nasuada's words slowed, and her brow furrowed in frustration. "It was Laufin's head. We could not find any other remains."

Eragon was silent.

This can't be. Tenga? That crazy old bat… how could he defeat Laufin? …Could he have discovered it after all his years of searching?

Nasuada composed herself and resumed: "Not long afterwards there were numerous reports of friendly magic-users going missing nationwide. Not only that, but several of our smaller villages have been sacked by small parties of rebel magic-users. They were all but defenseless, seeing as we have not sought to increase our military forces by much since my coronation." She appeared troubled. "I did not think it necessary to reinforce our borders after peace had been declared so widely. There were more pressing things to worry about… like the people in poverty, and those displaced by the war. We needed homes and homemakers, not home-wreckers."

Eragon remained silent, listening with an increasing sense of dread.

"Perhaps I have been unwise in doing so, as we have suffered many losses to these rebels. Not frequently, of course, but… when they strike, they leave no stone unturned. Laufin was to discuss diplomacy with Tenga, but it is clear they are not in it simply to disband the Collective. Their true objective remains a mystery, however it is clear it involves the use of magic for violence, and they already have a strong following amongst the four Rider races," she finished, heaving a great sigh as she sank into a simple chair behind her.

"What of Carvahall?" Eragon asked, tense.

"They have not attacked any of the northern villages as of yet, although I'm sure your cousin would put up a strong fight – and win – if they did."

"What of Arya and the Riders?"

"The dwarf began her training less than a month ago. Together she and Arya have been able to repel a select few attacks by the rebel magic-users, and it seems as if as long as they are present in my lands we are rarely, if ever, attacked. However, they must continue training so that the dwarf may join you and the Urgal."

"Urgal?" Eragon's face paled. Not only was his first student apparently to be an Urgal, but he was completely unaware of their existence. He was made even more tense and anxious by this revelation, despite the comforting knowledge that his adaptation to the pact with the dragons had worked. "We have received no sign of any Riders here as of yet."

Nasuada's eyes widened slightly, boring into his with worried pupils. "Voghdir… that was his name. He has not arrived at Dragon Haven? Did you not mark the way? He and his dragon left just over a month ago."

Alarms went off in Eragon's mind as he panicked silently. "Saphira and I will search for him immediately." Saphira's consciousness stirred at this, as although she had been listening through Eragon, she was still focused on cradling and singing to her blue-green egg.

"His dragon, Malugin, is a small, sandy-brown-scaled creature that blends in well in the Hadarac Desert… a trait that has come in handy more than once. If he was at all on the right path you should be able to see him against the plains."

Before Eragon could end the conversation, Saphira interrupted his thoughts. Remember to tell her about the egg… it is important that we tell her as much as possible before we leave for any amount of time.

"One last thing, Nasuada… if you could pass on this information to Arya and Fírnen I would be very thankful." If she wondered why he didn't try to contact them directly, she didn't show it. Instead, she nodded, puzzled. "We will be certain to teleport two more eggs to Ellésmera for distribution to the humans and elves at Arya's discretion. Additionally, Saphira would like Fírnen to know that she has produced a blue-green egg housing a male hatchling, who is destined to hatch for a Rider."

Nasuada's eyes widened once more, this time in excitement. "Is that so? My congratulations to Saphira. I have no doubt that her offspring will be a fierce and handsome hatchling." She smiled, her wide lips parting to show dazzling white teeth for a brief moment. "Now, I shall leave you to your search for Voghdir and Malugin. I trust that you will contact me as soon as you return, so that we may continue our briefings. Be safe, Grand Master." She smiled once more as she spoke his title with far more respect than he felt he deserved.

"Yes, Your Highness. We will find them." He bowed his head respectfully and prepared the words in his mind that would end the scrying spell.

"It was good to see you, Eragon," finished Nasuada.

"Likewise, Nasuada," he responded, with more sincerity than he would have earlier expected. He spoke the words that ended the spell and his own image swirled back into place, staring back at him and mimicking his every action.

He heard leaves rustling in the wind as Saphira flew overhead, and landed on the balcony. Let us make haste, little one. Our students await us.

After preparing enough equipment to last them what might be another week-long journey, Eragon mentally probed the plateau for Blödhgarm's consciousness. He found the wolf-like elf focusing his mind on a particularly stubborn Eldunarí who had yet to recover from the years of corruption in Galbatorix's service, and had to wait several minutes before the barriers around the elf's mind shifted to allow him in. Saphira and I must depart the island in search of our first student, who has apparently been missing for some time now.

Very well. Take care, Shadeslayer. I will deal with the Council and make sure Renjin understands the gravity of the situation. How long will you be away from us for?

It is hard to say… it may be a day or it may be two weeks. Whenever we find him we will return immediately. Would you be able to send two of our eggs to Ellésmera?

It shall be done. Atra esterní ono thelduin, Eragon Shur'tugal.

Eragon buckled himself into the saddle atop Saphira's back and he wrapped his arms around the neck spike in front of him as she sprang upright, energized by the events of the morning. She flapped her wings and found a helpful pocket of air which aided their ascent towards what quickly appeared as a small ridge on the horizon.

An Urgal by the name of Voghdir with a small brown dragon named Malugin… this is quite remarkable, little one. But you do not seem eager to retrieve them, spoke Saphira pensively.

The wind blew through his uncovered brown hair and he was distracted as he constructed spells to keep his eyes from watering and the high altitude from chilling him and Saphira. I remain uncertain how to approach training a young Rider, let alone an Urgal. I do not fear them as I once did, but of the four Rider races would you not agree that they would likely be the most unstable?

She snorted, small puffs of smoke whistling out of her nose before the wind swept them away in the blink of an eye. All the better for us to learn how to teach as we teach how to learn. Satisfied with this statement she snorted once more with amusement.

Eragon was hesitant to agree, but nonetheless inspired by her wisdom. Then let us find this pair of students before they are lost beyond our reach. Such a loss would not go over well with the residents of Alagaësia, I'm sure.

The ridge of unpopulated Alagaësia that rose before them gradually began to resemble mountains once more as Dragon Haven shrunk into the distance, its green inner surface barely visible between the browns and whites of the mountains surrounding it. They rose through a thin layer of sparse clouds and could barely make out the shape of the island from there.

Not long after, the river valley the Talíta had traveled through became visible, and Eragon opened his mind. He probed for any signs of the magic he had woven into the air and mountains below one year earlier to mark their trail. A sense of unease formed in his gut as he sensed nothing but a vague hint of magic here or there – tiny remnants of what he knew were his own spells.

The trail has been nearly washed away… but how? I made sure these spells would be held in place, fed off of the energy of the immovable land below… could this be the work of another magician? I do not recall sensing any beings of magical capabilities on our journey out.

Saphira was silent, hearing his thoughts and only responding with a cautious anxiety.

Eragon could sense the earth and the creatures on and within from a great range, and yet he could not sense anything out of place. As they flew over the river valley in the middle of the mountain range, he thought he felt traces of his spells drifting south and towards the plains that lay to the west of the mountains, however the traces were so faint that he thought he could have been imagining them.

As the sun moved ahead of them and started interfering with their sight, they passed through the mountains and into the small foothills that gently guided the river through them. The plains were as green and untouched as he had last seen them, with only a few rolling hills or small clumps of brush and trees rising out of the long grasses. Once more only the slightest traces of his spells remained over the river, but he continued to notice a hint of displacement towards the south. Feeling as far as he could south with his mind, he continued sensing his magic dispersed incredibly thinly in the air.

Something is slowly drawing my magic to the south, Saphira. This may have led Voghdir and Malugin astray.

Then we had best follow the trail, she said as she veered away from the sun that lay directly ahead of them.

They had only been travelling south for a few minutes when Eragon felt a presence reaching out towards his mind. He quickly barricaded his mind while acknowledging the foreign being, trying to determine its alignment.

The presence felt primitive in nature and yet incredibly knowledgeable – as if a beast had been tamed and then taught the ways of its captors with a strict discipline. Only once Eragon and Saphira had ventured closer for a minute did Eragon realize it was the mind of an Urgal.

Voghdir?

The mind retreated slightly in surprised recognition of its given name before responding. Even Voghdir's thoughts sounded akin to the gravelly voices of the Urgals.

…Grand Master Shadeslayer. It is an honour to finally meet, even in thought prior to flesh.

Voghdir the first Urgal Rider is found! But where is he, and why has Eragon's magic led him astray? And what of Tenga and his mysterious order of magicians?

I had a hard time figuring out how to end this chapter... there were several good spots, but most made it either too short or too long. That is to say, I have a good head start on the next chapter as I wrap up my classes this week! But then... exams and stuff. You know how it goes.

Atra esterní ono thelduin, fricäya!

-kms