"What did I ever do to you?" he whispered in Nasuada's ear, his voice icy and chilling. "Tell me that. What did I ever do to you!" Tenga lifted one crooked finger to her cheek and
ran it along her skin. Murtagh's fury was visible in his eyes, but he appeared to be just as immobile as Eragon.
Tenga turned a casual eye on Murtagh. "Feeling a bit helpless, are we, Your Highness? Well, you are. Powerless. Just a regular man now. No magical abilities whatsoever. As it
should be. No man or woman should have their otherwise mundane life vaulted to that of near invincibility by having a dragon hatch for them. Like gods, you are. Think you're so
strong, so wise. Well, I haven't lived for centuries on borrowed ability. I have only imitated that trait within the past week, for it was necessary in the fulfillment of my plan, which I
have now successfully implemented."
Tenga barked a cold, humorless laugh completely opposite his nervous tittering of moments before. Then he continued in a cunning tone, "But you should also be grateful, Your Majesty, Your Highness, for part of that plan was the murder of the high queen. It seemed only right after she ruined my peaceful, unobtrusive life. I never hurt anyone, never
planned to. Yes, I'm powerful, but I had no intention of using that to injure anyone. Was that enough? No, indeed."
Then Tenga turned to Lena. His face filled with what could only be described as lust, though it seemed very rusty and hesitant. "But my new form of revenge is much more to my
liking. I'm not a killer. Not deep down. So I decided to take your oldest daughter. Ironic, don't you think? The crown princess of Alagaёsia will now be a slave to the most powerful
force in the land. Never fear. I shan't harm her. And if she behaves, I will even be kind. She may prove more useful than a scullery maid or servant girl. Perhaps she will provide
old Tenga with greater pleasure than food and drink brought on a silver platter." Another jumpy titter escaped his throat, apparently without his conscious awareness.
Lena also appeared to be frozen in whatever spell Tenga had restrained the rest with. Her eyes, which had until that moment been defiant and disdainful, betrayed the first trace of
fear at his final words, but Tenga didn't notice. He turned his attention back to Murtagh.
"But never forget, young man," he menacingly breathed. "I wanted to kill your wife. And I would have. Oh, I could, true enough. I could kill you all. But where would be the fun in
that? It's so much more delightful imagining you all here, struggling to survive without the magic and dragons you've come to rely on so heavily. Just normal humans, dwarves, and
Urgals now. The elves could use magic before bonding with the dragons, so they could, and so they will be able to still. But not as powerfully, and that ability may fade as time
goes on, for it initially sprang up after that race formed the bond with the dragons so many millennia ago. And will any of you even have a desire to live? We shall see. But I'll be
far from here, leaving you to your misery. We shall just see what comes of Alagaёsia without the royal family and the Dragon Riders around."
Tenga turned to the others, raising a hand to close around Lena's arm. Eragon, who had been observing the scene with growing dread and hopelessness, happened to notice that
Lena now wore a golden ring on her left hand's third finger. Will must have proposed, but cruel, cruel fate had separated them at the most agonizing moment. Eragon's eyes filled
with tears as Lena looked at her father with apologetic, pleading despair. Help me, she seemed to say. And Murtagh's wordless reply was equally as devastating. I can't.
Tenga, who was oblivious to this silent exchange between father and daughter, smiled brightly and offered a cheery wave. "Ta ta!" he breezily cried. "Do enjoy yourselves, dear
friends. For I certainly shall, now that I need no longer fear the Dragon Riders interfering in affairs that ought not to concern them." And with that, he suddenly seemed to
disappear, though Eragon's sharp eyes noticed that he actually just departed at such a dizzying speed that it simply mimicked an abrupt disappearance.
When the old wizard had put sufficient distance between himself and the island, the spell holding everyone in place dissolved. Eragon forced himself to kneel slowly so as not to
harm Arya, though his body wanted to crumple to the ground and curl up into a tight ball. He raised his head when Murtagh let out a strangled cry of protest, jogging unsteadily
down the beach and several steps into the water.
Over a month after her confrontation with Bid'Daum, life hadn't changed much for Lena. She still served as Tenga's personal cook and housekeeper. As she continued to make him
the finest foods she could with what little was available to her, he rarely pressed her for details about her free time activities.
Tenga frequently left Vroengard on trips to the mainland, which always concerned Lena. He never brought up the incident of finding her ring or how her deception had affected him,
though she knew he was one to retaliate in dramatic ways when pushed far enough. Maybe she hadn't yet provoked him beyond his tolerance level. But Lena worried that he and
Trianna were plotting something dreadful for her friends to face and she felt completely helpless to prevent such a fate.
Yet she knew that Bid'Daum was doing something to fulfill his end of the agreement they had made. Tenga occasionally attempted to repeat the encounter leading up to her ring's
discovery by visiting her room late at night. At times such as these, Tenga would always get a puzzled expression on his face as he approached her bed and absently excuse
himself, muttering about having pressing business to attend to.
Lena was inexpressibly grateful for Bid'Daum's interference. And as she had ample opportunity to continue sneaking supplies to Iduna and Nёya, Lena saw that he was upholding yet
another condition of their pact by sustaining the Caretakers' lives. The elven twin sisters no longer appeared as skeletons with skin and hair over their bones.
Without Bid'Daum's timely aid, Lena was sure the Caretakers would have died within a week. But now they were beginning to recover. They could both see and hear again, as well
as move around and leave the vault at night if they wanted. Lena was now hopeful that the twins would survive to see the Dragon Rider pact reinstated, so long as Bid'Daum
continued his efforts. And if her friends could find her, succeed in defeating Tenga, and return her safely to the Isle where such a spell would surely be most effective.
Though she never mentioned this to Bid'Daum, who remained nearly as aloof and uncaring as before, Lena also secretly hoped that she would somehow be able to use his power to
protect all of the Eldunarí from ever again being coerced into serving evil purposes. This unfortunate circumstance was, after all, responsible for most of the tragedy and war in
Alagaёsia for the last century. Lena had long felt her unique contribution to improving the land would be to find a way to prevent unscrupulous or powerhungry magicians from
improperly using the Eldunarí's strength.
But Lena knew attempting to discuss the matter with Bid'Daum would be pointless. The dragon was indifferent when Tenga borrowed his vitality and magical might to sustain or
augment his own capabilities.
This fact was confirmed one morning when Lena went to the Vault of Souls. Bid'Daum had distracted Tenga during one of his unwelcome visits the previous night, and Lena made
her way to the underground hiding place intending to thank the dragon.
When she arrived in the stifling cavern, however, Bid'Daum was gone. Only Swiftpaw, Iduna, and Nёya were present. The elves looked better than ever since their deterioration had
begun. Though Nёya's black hair was still interspersed with streaks of gray, it was no longer entirely white. And Iduna's silver tresses now appeared almost as they had when Lena
<
br /> first met her, though she imagined that the silver hid the remaining white and gray.
But Lena was shocked by the emptiness of the vast open chamber without the mountainous white Eldunarí filling it.
"Where is Bid'Daum?" she asked the two elves as she dropped down in front of them, her words echoing around the bare space.
"Tenga came late last night and took him," Iduna informed. "He barely spared a second glance toward us, as harried and rushed as he looked."
"He didn't notice or care that you're still alive?" Lena exclaimed.
"Evidently not," Nёya verified.
"Why would he have taken the dragon after all these months of leaving him here?" Lena wondered.
"We do not know, Lena," Iduna answered. "We can attempt to learn that from Bid'Daum when he returns."
"If he returns," Lena tremulously corrected. What if Tenga had somehow learned of her plotting and had removed Bid'Daum as a coconspirator? "Tenga might not bring him back."
"I doubt a magician as intelligent and selfish as Tenga would risk letting Bid'Daum fall into anyone else's possession," Nёya comforted. "This vault is likely the best hiding place for
an object of such immense vitality and power."
"I hope you are right," Lena said. "I suppose I had better not be here if and when Tenga returns. I'll bring you more food when I can. You two look remarkably improved."
"Thank you, Lena," Iduna replied. "We are grateful you somehow managed to reach Bid'Daum after all of our fruitless efforts. We never would have considered resorting to
tantrums, screaming, and insults. But for nothing less, apparently, would the dragon abandon his mourning."
"True, though I now worry that such tactics were unwise. Bid'Daum is still very distant and unfeeling. I wonder if there was a way I could have made a better first impression. But maybe not. As you said, he might never have responded to anything less vehement. However, it does make me nervous that he feels almost like an enemy."
Lena could say no more regarding this particular dilemma, for she had indeed sworn an oath in the ancient language that she would not reveal her part of the contract until it was
time to destroy the dragon's Eldunarí. Therefore, the elves were operating under the assumption that Bid'Daum had merely agreed to help them out of the goodness of his heart of
hearts.
As if to second that notion, Nёya reassured, "You need not feel such distress, Lena. Bid'Daum offered to assist us and has been true to his word. Iduna and I are slowly regaining
our former strength. The dragon even informed us of his intention to help you thwart Tenga by allowing your friends to find you. We believe we have come up with a way to prevent
Tenga from taking you off this island should he ever attempt to do so."
"Really?" Lena cried. "Well, that's good news! But I really worry that I shouldn't be down here any longer. Tell me about it next time, won't you? And hopefully Bid'Daum will be back
and willing to share where he went."
The elven sisters agreed, and Lena rushed out of the Vault of Souls so Tenga wouldn't find her there.
When next she returned, Bid'Daum was indeed back, much to Lena's relief. She asked him about his temporary absence, and he apathetically told her that Tenga had taken him to
borrow his energy in creating some type of obstacle outside of Ilirea. Beyond that, Bid'Daum didn't know—or wouldn't share—more details.
Lena was furious. "You helped Tenga! Again! How could you, Bid'Daum? That obstacle, whatever it was, was most likely intended to hinder or kill my friends! If that happens, they'll
never find me and I'll never—" Her words abruptly cut off as she almost voiced her promise aloud for the elven sisters to hear.
Careful, child, the dragon derisively cautioned, addressing only Lena. You really are a spiteful little wench.
No I'm not! Lena defied, automatically resorting to thinking her response for Bid'Daum to sense so the other inhabitants of the vault wouldn't be privy to this discussion.
eventempered, selfless person, unlike you! But you wouldn't respond to such reasonable measures, would you? Nor will you now. You practically require one to interact in this manner if they ever hope to get through to you!
Be that as it may, the dragon condescendingly replied, I never promised not to help Tenga again, now did I?
Yes you . . . Lena began to argue, trailing off as she realized that Bid'Daum was right. That hadn't been one of her stipulations.
And can you possibly think why refusing to help him now might not be in our best interest? the dragon patronizingly continued. You did once brag about your own intelligence.
Lena rolled her eyes at the Eldunarí, grateful he had no sensory organs to perceive the expression. Yes, I can, she sullenly thought. Tenga would immediately suspect something was amiss and might try to coerce you into serving him. Whereas now, so long as he continues to believe nothing has changed, he will be helpless to prevent you from closing
yourself off to him when it matters most.
Precisely, girl, Bid'Daum mockingly congratulated. So do not question me. I will fulfill our treaty per our terms only based on my expectation that you will do likewise. And you
already know the consequence if you fail. Your previous experience with dragons obviously did not prepare you to deal with me. One ought not to trifle with a dragon seeking death.
"So it seems," Lena faintly agreed, once again sensing the danger of her situation. Bid'Daum laughed contemptuously and promptly withdrew into his heart, leaving Lena to her
troubled musings.
The setbacks Nefin had feared after the pull from Will's ring changed direction did not fail to eventually make an appearance. The nine youth following the enchantment experienced
what seemed every conceivable delay.
They left Frederick's inn at the beginning of the year's final month. Though still quite early in the winter, the weather only worsened the farther north they traveled. Endless
blizzards, which they suspected might be a result of the Shade's magical effort, assailed them and prevented their steeds from finding adequate grazing opportunities each night
when they stopped to camp.
Consequently, the youth quickly ran out of feed for the horses and were forced to stop at every village to replenish such supplies. This course deviated from the draw exerted by
Will's ring, but the group had no other choice if they wanted their animals to stay healthy.
On the way to Feinster, while they were still riding through a relatively unpopulated area, Brom addressed the group during breakfast one morning.
"I've been wanting to try something," he began. "I'm anticipating that the farther north we go, the more we will see effects of what has been going on in Ilirea. We may run into
situations where we need to communicate mentally. Nefin, Hanna, Zadí, and I can still do this because we learned how with our elven inheritance. But the rest of you former
Dragon Riders lost that ability with your bonds, though you would be able to hear our thoughts if we spoke them into your minds. However, I've been thinking of a spell that might
serve to link all of our minds so we could quickly converse in this manner if the circumstances called for it. Would anyone object if I experiment right now?"
Of course no one did, so Brom cast the spell nonverbally and it worked just as he hoped, connecting the minds of all eight of his friends.
"We won't hear every thought anyone thinks while I'm doing this," he explained. "Just those we intentionally think as communication. But we're all familiar with how one another's minds feel from before Tenga's curse, so can everyone identify the others?"
His eight companions nodded. Just then Brom noticed an additional spark of life flickering in his awareness. He honed in on it and looked at Zadí in surprise when he realized it was
coming from her.
"Zadí!" he exclaimed. "What's that extra light?"
"A
baby," she casually answered.
"A baby!" Brom repeated. "You're pregnant!"
"Mmhmm," Zadí confirmed. "I wondered when you would notice."
Brom laughed and ran over to give her an exuberant embrace. "Congratulations! Did you know, Var?"
"Yes," his friend verified. "Zadí told me that first night after we left Frederick's village. She had just learned for sure. We're really excited."
"That's wonderful!" Brom cried. "I'll be an uncle!"
The others then offered similar words of happiness or anticipation before they set off in high spirits.
The snow picked up before they even reached Feinster, where the southern coastal residents were jubilant about weather conditions so unlike what they were accustomed to. Here
the youth restocked their oats and also obtained some hay, since it looked like their mounts might not have many options for eating grass.
They had borrowed nine of Frederick's ten horses, but the group was now obliged to double up in some of the saddles so the riderless animals could carry all of the needed supplies.
Brom, Nefin, and Hanna—and even Will, Var, and Brin, to a certain extent—were able to run alongside the horses for great distances, and this they frequently did to reach the Jiet
River.
They followed the river northward toward Belatona, often stopping at villages along the water to continue replacing their diminished provisions. Though the friends journeyed as
quickly as they could, the blinding snow or driving rain sometimes slowed their pace to barely more than a walk. Thus it took them an entire month to reach Belatona, where they
decided to stay for few days to recover from the demands of their travels.
From Belatona they set out along the shore of Leona Lake toward DrasLeona. Citizens of Alagaёsia were generally grim and aloof, never voluntarily interacting with the youth as
they had once been wont to do, which change the friends speculated was evidence of the Shade's terrorizing rule.
Whenever any of the young adults attempted to obtain information about the Shade or what was happening in Ilirea, without fail the person dealing with them would stop speaking,
The Black Morass Page 15