23 Chapter 23

Saphira's displeasure was predictable—it seemed she hadn't anticipated his request. Nevertheless, after a bit of bargaining, an agreement was reached. She would provide Cedric with blood and nothing else. She'd pushed for less, but Cedric couldn't make do with only a few scales.

Their parley ended a few hours before dawn, separating while nursing their thoughts. After explaining the ancient language's ability to enforce oaths - and encouraging her to confirm the matter with Brom – Saphira was no less eager to seal the deal than he.

Cedric went so far as to propose a different exchange: knowledge of the ancient language in exchange for his own. Once Saphira had persuaded Brom to teach her. Given who and what she was, he was confident she'd have the old rider wrapped around her talon before month's end.

Already, he could barely suppress his eagerness. This partnership was shaping up to be very beneficial…

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The next day, the party of four resumed their travels, the township of Daret being their next destination. Until reaching Woadark Lake, their journey would correspond with the novel's.

It was no surprise—there really was only one way to reach Teirm from Carvahall, unless one traversed the Spine. The terrain was far too treacherous for that, and the journey too long and wearying.

Cedric immediately noticed Brom's poorly concealed suspicion, directed at him. Evidently, he'd anticipated to wake up and find his apprentice missing. Fortunately for him, or perhaps unfortunately, he wouldn't have to worry about that—not for the foreseeable future.

As was their habit, they spoke little during their trek. Eragon was on Saphira, circling behind, and without him to liven the atmosphere, it was somber.

Cedric supposed Brom was considering yesterday's events; how he'd been exposed. Powerless and vulnerable as he was, the old storyteller was unlikely to share his remaining secrets, or relinquish his last shred of control.

Before, this would've incensed the young mage, but now he was entirely calm. Whether Brom taught him or not, it didn't matter. He'd get what he needed from Saphira, and given their past conflict, the old coot would never suspect a thing.

The irony was rather amusing.

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Later that day, they stopped to rest. Eragon and Saphira also joined, after scouting ahead and determining it safe. Apparently, there were no signs of habitation along the Ninor river, nor the plains.

Usually, the young rider would attempt to liven the atmosphere, but not this time. He too seemed brooding, and lost in his own thoughts.

Cedric hoped things weren't as he thought. He'd explicitly told Saphira to keep the deal between them, unless Eragon noticed something. But that didn't seem plausible—it was near impossible to observe telepathic communication between others.

Bored and curious, he brought it up.

"What's the matter? It's not like you, to mope around. That's Brom's job."

Eragon snapped out of his daze, eyes flitting between Cedric and Brom. Seeing the old storyteller's disgruntled expression, he chuckled awkwardly.

"Apologies. I didn't mean to worry you. It's… it's nothing, really."

Cedric was having none of it. He'd heard that line plenty of times in his past life, and it always meant the opposite.

"Come now, spit it out. Unless it's some kind of rash from flying all day. In that case, feel free to keep it to yourself."

Eragon shook his head, exasperated.

"Hah, no, it's nothing personal. It's just… I've been having a recurring dream, and I'm not sure what to make of it…"

Hearing that, Cedric's eyes flickered, barely managing to hide his surprise. Already? Wasn't this supposed to happen after leaving Teirm?

"…it's about a woman. Not like that, before you get any ideas. She's in a cell—it's the strangest thing—chained up, and I think she's injured. It all feels very… ominous. Vivid, like it's… I don't know, real. Though, I'm sure I've never seen her before."

As he continued recounting, Brom also started showing signs of interest. Given his past, as well as Cedric's own vision, he was no stranger to this kind of thing. He certainly wouldn't make light of it.

He opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Cedric cut him off.

"Haha, yes, it is strange. But those things tend to happen sometimes. Think back a bit, if you ate or drank anything funny Perhaps from Brom's silver flask? Sneaking a few sips when he wasn't looking, hmm?"

Damn it, he wasn't dealing with this right now! There was no way he'd run into the enemy's lair, chasing after the damned elf! Durza and his urgals were there, alongside gods knew how many of Galbatorix's soldiers and mages.

To make matters worse, the Ra'zac's whereabouts were unknown after departing Carvahall. Cedric didn't trust his luck, and Brom's even less. There was simply no reason for him to take the risk.

Was he being cruel, leaving Arya to her fate? Perhaps, but if the situations were reversed, he was certain she'd do the same. He couldn't see her, or any elf for that matter, running head-first into danger to rescue some human kid.

"I don't know whether to scold you for being ignorant or arrogant, boy. You are not uniquely capable of visions, nor is the phenomenon that uncommon. Certainly not when riders are involved."

While Cedric was freaking out, Brom spoke absentmindedly, fixing Eragon with his stare. By the young rider's look of surprise, he clearly understood the implication.

"You mean my dream… could be real? But, who is she? And is she currently in danger, or is it some kind of… prophecy?"

Brom grunted, habitually stroking his beard.

"I don't have answers to any of your questions. If we want to unravel this mystery, you'll need to provide more information. Did you notice any other details about her, or where she might be jailed?"

Eragon's face scrunched up, evidently thinking about it before shaking his head.

"I couldn't get a clear look. She seemed… tall? And her hair was dark, as I said. I got the impression she was beautiful…"

Having recovered from his stupor, Cedric listened to Eragon rambling with mild relief. As things stood, his telling was far too vague to draw conclusions. The only issue was Brom—that he'd put two-and-two together, having worked alongside Arya in the past, as well as the egg's disappearance and reappearance…

Fuck, there was no way he'd miss the connection. It was way too obvious. That being said, actually finding the captive princess was a different story.

"…as for her cell, I don't remember anything special. I saw three stone walls a small, barred window, big enough for a cat to squeeze through. Aside from that, there was her bed—a wooden frame, with a rotten blanket over it. Nothing else."

Brom's expression remained stoic, but the lines of his face seemed to harden. From that alone, Cedric drew a conclusion—the old rider was all but certain of the captive's identity.

Eventually, he took a slow breath, his blue eyes icy.

"For now, it seems we can't do anything. If the dream reappears, and if anything changes, or you notice more details, tell me immediately."

Eragon nodded, face pale and eyes wide. Evidently, he realized the situation might be dire.

Cedric pursed his lips, his fingertips digging into the bridge of his nose.

"Are we sure this isn't an overreaction? How do we know it isn't just a dream?"

Brom folded his arms, grumbling impatiently.

"We don't. However, remaining vigilant costs us nothing."

"'Vigilant'? Of what, exactly? I'm sure the tyrant king has countless poor waifs locked up, subjected to gods know what torment. However, we can hardly rescue them all. What makes this one any different?"

Eragon showed shock, as well as outrage.

"Cedric! If someone's in need, we should help them! How could you say otherwise?"

The young mage bit back a venomous retort. Once again, he found himself outnumbered. Besides, if he did present a sound argument, it would make no difference. Brom wouldn't abandon Arya, Eragon was too much of a boy-scout, and Saphira would side with her rider.

His lips curving into a not-smile, Cedric shrugged with forced casualness.

"Fine, you two go ahead and do what you want. Just treat it as if I hadn't said anything."

With that, he promptly got up before storming off, out into the plains. As for being the bigger man, managing his emotions, not throwing a tantrum or acting like an adult—he couldn't give less of a shit!

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The sun was getting low, yet Cedric hadn't returned.

With the rainy weather, it'd taken him a while to find a dry spot inside a giant, hollowed out trunk. With a goat-hide under him, he dozed in tranquility, listening as the wind rustled the tall grass outside while the light dimmed.

However, before sleep found him, he felt a presence against his mind—familiar, despite its weirdness. It was Saphira.

'Will you continue being childish?'

Cedric barely restrained himself from telling her to go suck a cock. Not his, of course. Her sharp teeth and barbed tongue would make it distinctly unpleasant.

If not his words, then his feelings at least managed to get some kind of message across. The dragon withdrew somewhat, but didn't leave.

'You are keeping secrets.'

Indignation flashed in Cedric's chest, seeping into his mind and through their communication-channel.

'And you aren't?'

He wasn't referring to their deal, but her covering for Brom, keeping his past hidden.

'…'

His remark seemed to have an effect, judging by Saphira's own emotions, briefly becoming unstable.

'Your attempt at misdirecting has failed. Speak the truth—you know the woman in Eragon's vision.'

Cedric's immediate reaction was astonishment and disbelief. How did she even come to that conclusion?

'Dragons as a species possess excellent intuition. Come, tell me her identity.'

The young mage didn't even try to hide his disdain. Was she being serious? To him, knowledge and information were invaluable. He'd made it abundantly clear he wasn't the type to do things for free, and neither was she.

'Your opinion of me bespeaks your own willful ignorance. Never did I expect your charity—in return, I will reveal some of the secrets you crave.'

Cedric was stunned. She'd spill the beans on Brom? How… why…? Wasn't that just plain betrayal?

'It is not. He requested I do not speak of certain things to Eragon, but you were never mentioned during that discussion, fire-hair.'

What absurd reasoning!

That clause wasn't included because the old fart never thought the two of them would become partners in crime! Until yesterday, they barely exchanged a handful of thoughts, and quite frankly, Cedric still didn't get along with the dragon.

'I am no thief, and the reason for our quarrel is your own lack of respect! Agree to my proposition, or do not, so I may leave!'

His lack of respect? That was a two-way-… Never mind, why was she so adamant about this anyway?

'What reason could I have, other than Eragon's safety? If this female is so significant as to appear in his visions, any quest related to her is bound to be full of complications!'

Yes, there she went again, going on and on about boy-scout's safety. However, her current actions, as well as past secret-keeping were hardly evidence of her concern for him, certainly not in an emotional sense-…

'What I do, I do for Eragon! Though, I am not surprised by your reaction. One as self-centered as you would never understand!'

Her thoughts washed over Cedric's mind like a wave, giving him a pounding headache. Communicating with this darn dragon was going to drive him insane. Besides, Brom had the information she wanted. She should could just go ask the old coot and leave him to his rest.

'Do you think I'm ignorant of his suspicious behavior today? However, he is not as forthcoming with his secrets as you might imagine-…'

Well, that's something he and Cedric had in common. Tired and fed up, the young mage shoved Saphira away, throwing up walls around his mind. Further punctuating his point, he rolled over, pulling his shaggy blanket over his head.

He really needed some alone time. One evening, at least.

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