New Legacy

Ch.12

Dear gosh, I am so torn right now. The perpetrator that had just attempted to murder Brom by thrown mace was a shaggy-furred and long-bearded anthro canine of indeterminate breed, but rich brown of fur and beard that stood no taller than 4 feet. His face was twisted into a snarl and his scale mail armor rattled with how much he shook with the fury that filled his amber eyes.

He’s both utterly terrifying yet positively adorable at the same time! “Orik! You just attempted to murder Brom! Certainly he must have reason to be in such a compromising position!” Another of the dwarves, sorry, wargs, snarled at his fellow short-statured and buff puppy. Omigosh I wanna pet and hug and snuggle and-!

“He was healing my saddle sores.” Diane answered with a swipe of the well-made mace from Brom’s magic and tossed it back at the brown warg, Orik, who caught it handily before holstering it on his waist with a huff.

“Apologies. I had assumed you were being assaulted. So, my rude attempted assault aside, we’re to be your guides through these ancient tunnels to Tronjheim.” Orik took one look at Saphira and I before he clapped his paws over his eyes. “By Urûr! Put on those clothes!”

“First, he attacks one of us, then he clearly cannot handle our nudity. I am not impressed.” Saphira huffed and I fought off a giggle at Orik’s incredibly gentlemanly behavior. First he tries to defend Diane, then he covers his eyes when he realizes sis and I are naked. Oh, wait, he also knows poetry and is rather philosophical if I remember.

“Be nice, sis. Besides, it’s refreshing to find a male who won’t just pervertedly ogle us, even if we don’t mind.” I couldn’t withhold a snicker at this and put away my clothes in my cleavage again. I didn’t even get to put them on because I jumped the gun in assuming we’d be traveling normally to these massive stone gates. I then transformed back and stretched. “I’m still naked, but you can gaze upon me now without feeling so rude about it.”

“It’s true! A second dragon!” One of the wargs gasped and the four-foot tall doggos all took on defensive postures, even if they didn’t draw their weapons. Oh, right. Dragons and wargs are ancient enemies, then there’s the fact they live in the Beor Mountains, which has dozens of species of megafauna to contend with.

“I apologize if I offended you, Lady Dragon. Our history states that your kind enjoys flattery. Would an honest appraisal of your pearly scales being akin to stars plucked from the ether quell your displeasure?” Orik quickly offered and I preened immediately at the praise.

“Why, yes. It would. Gaze all you like small shaggy one, for I do not mind if your eyes linger.” I declared proudly before Saphira transformed and nudged my cheek with her snout.

“Careful sister. You’re displaying that draconic pride you keep telling me is bad for my health.” Saphira playfully prodded me and I rolled my eyes even though I’d been caught in my hypocrisy. I’m still a woman and I enjoy flattery when it’s honest, damn it. “Now then, what about me? Are my scales not comparable to stars?”

“Hm, no. More rather like the reflection of stars on a still mirror-like lake. Beautiful and captivating.” Orik said and I shared a coo with my sister.

“Oo~. He’s good. Can we keep him?” Saphira asked everyone jokingly while Eragon threw on her saddle and I was pleased to feel Roran doing the same with me.

“No pets, no matter how cute and fuzzy they are.” Elrina giggled -when did she gender-switch again?!- and helped Twilight check the saddles for any other personal belongings. “Is this as far as you’re following, Princess?” Huh?! Princess?

“What? I’m not a princess. I’m just the court mage.” Twilight blinked in surprise and Elrina hissed through her teeth.

“Oo, yeah, sorry if I just...yeah. You’re an Alicorn Princess in many other universes and I just assumed…” Elrina admitted and Twilight’s brows scrunched.

“But...there hasn’t been an alicorn since before ponies came to Alagaesia. Our goddesses of Day and Night, Celestia and Luna, sent us north across the sea when a great calamity struck Equestria, destroying croplands and rendering it unable to sustain over half the population at the time.” Twilight muttered and Murtagh looked uncomfortable all of a sudden. “We just never bothered to return...I wonder if Equestria is still even there.”

“Ah, uh...right. If that’s the case, Elrina, then I need to talk to Twilight. Privately.” Murtagh insisted and practically dragged Twilight by the elbow away from us all and behind a tree. We stared while Saphira and I were saddled up until-.

“What?!” Twilight shrieked, then the bullboars vanished in a bright flash of violet light and Murtagh returned to us.

“What was that about?” Arya asked suspiciously, still not fully trusting Murtagh Morzanson despite all of our time together and his professed hatred of his father. He would’ve tried to declare himself a bastard, but Brom denied him that, stating that Morzan, while a monster, was still a respectable warrior who was quite successful even if he was an asshole.

Besides, Zar’roc was sheathed at his waist, his birthright rightfully claimed. “I’ll speak of it later once we are in a secure place. Specifically with the leaders of the Varden involved too, since Elrina’s little flub there has caused me to realize a rather disturbing matter.” Murtagh nodded at Elrina, who sheepishly scratched the back of her neck.

“You’re still better than Kalameet. She wouldn’t shut up about how great things in your world are, at least you only answered questions when they came up.” Eragon huffed and looked at the Wargs since our saddles were secured. “Alright, good wargs, lead us on. We appreciate your guidance.” Eragon bowed and everyone politely followed his example, including me.

I had to nip Saphira to get her to dip her head though, prideful girl my sister be. “The honor is ours, Riders and companions. Come now, while day and night are almost relative underground, it’s best if we do not let too much daylight burn. The critters hereabouts get more active when the moon is out and they wake up to leave the tunnels to hunt. The sooner we reach areas near towns before nightfall, the safer it will be to rest.” Orik then about-faced and led his fellows in a steady jog, which we promptly matched.

🥚

So...heavy...so...tired… “You can do it, Shimmer.” I know, I know. I can...carry you and a few of the others. J-just fine. It’s just, our guides have been steadily jogging continuously for hours! They haven’t slowed down at all! How can they keep moving like this?! They’re only four feet tall and are wearing metal scale mail! “Keep it together, Shimmer. You know from reading about them that wargs have inhuman stamina and endurance.”

I did remember that. It still astounded me that such small people could have such incredible reserves of energy and durability. Then there’s the fact that it seems dwarves, even in iterations such as this, are just perfectly at home underground and able to navigate in near complete darkness with an ease that’s just unfair to other folks. Hey, for all I know, these guys ripped a page from D&D and have Darkvision or something.

“Alright, we’re nearing Narram, a small mining village halfway between Surda and old Orthíad. We’ll be resting the night there.” Orik called back to us and I almost wept with joy from the relief. Wait, Orthíad?

“Isn’t that the previous capital of the wargs? A grand underground city only surpassed by Tronjheim?” I questioned the wargs, uneasiness and a spike of fear filling me.

“Yes? How do you know this, dragon? It is rare for any information about the Beors to leave our lands.” One of the other four wargs questioned in a mixture of surprise and suspicion.

“We cannot-! We need to warn Narram!” I looked over at Saphira’s back at Brom and he cursed before he jumped down and with an uttered word in the Ancient Language and boosted by his more easily channeled magic, he sped up to reach our escort.

“Gentlewargs, I’m afraid my news comes perhaps a bit late, but the Yaks, impelled by a Shade at the order of Sombra, are marching their way here. They plan to use Orthíad, which they’ve renamed Ithrö Zhâda or ‘Rebel Doom’ in Yakkish, as their muster point before marching east to Tronjheim.” Brom informed everyone and since he’d kept much of my confided input secret, aside from me, they were all shocked.

“N-no! We must hurry! Herfil, run with all haste to Tronjheim! Tell all settlements you pass the grim news! Everyone else, with me! We hurry to Narram! They’re slightly out of the way!” Orik and the other wargs suddenly went faster and I keened in despair before straining myself.

Thankfully, Narram was a short distance on the left fork in the tunnel while Herfil ran down the right fork. Our rush was thankfully not met with immediate battle, no, instead it was the surprised exclamations of civilian wargs in the large carved out cavern we entered. “Oh, thank gosh they’re alright.” Katrina sighed and I cringed at her invoking Murphy.

“Citizens! Pack only the essentials! A Yak invasion has been reported mustering at old Orthíad! Make haste east! While Tronjheim is their goal, it is our mightiest city. If you have family in cities or other settlements, head there, but if you do not, Tronjheim is still your safest bet!” Orik declared with a bellowing voice, followed by an echoing howl that pierced through the cavern.

This spurred all of the citizens into motion, frantically yet ably scurrying while local guards went to another tunnel and howled down it with different pitches and patterns. Their own howl-based version of morse code! That’s both ingenious and adorable! My exhaustion is almost falling away at the sight of so many doggo-folks coordinating like this.

Oh, wait. That’s Roran using the moment to magically refresh me using mana he’d been storing in a quartz he’d obtained in Teirm with his hard-earned gold crowns that weren’t spent on food and board. “Thank you, Roran. I wish you didn’t feel the need to use your carefully stored mana on me like this.” He stored mana in it to the point of exhaustion every night before bed. It must have enough for a fairly impressive feat of magic by now.

“We’re partners, Shimmer. You’ve also been struggling to carry Katrina, Arya, Elrina and I. Besides, I sense we have a long night of travel ahead instead of rest.” Roran logically deduced and I mewled in despair.

🥚

“I wish I could breathe fire right now~!” I mentally wailed since I was left with filling the tunnel behind us with smoke to blind the Yak archers. Not long after Narram evacuated and the tunnels leading towards Orthíad were collapsed, did a war party of hulking, fluffy, curled-horned terrifying anthros come charging at us from the direction we’d come!

They chased us like demons, hell-bent on killing us. They were faster than us on foot, but Brom and Arya’s magic combined with Orik and his team’s knowledge of the tunnels kept us ahead of our pursuers. It still rankled to feel arrows bouncing off of my scales though. They’re ruining my pearly hide~!

“Here! Cause a detonation here! This section of tunnel is made to be collapsed for just such an occasion!” One of the wargs shouted and Arya shouted with a pointing finger at the ceiling. Said spot promptly exploded and the tunnel caved in cleanly without spreading further towards us as we continued to flee.

“Good shot Lady Elk! That’ll buy us plenty of time from that group, but we’d best carry on! Do you believe it will be safe to go to the surface and travel along the Beartooth River, Brom?” Orik asked through his panting breaths. The latest stretch of frantic full-speed running had taken an awful toll on us all.

“Considering that is likely the route the yaks will use to reach Tronjheim, unlikely. However, if we’re willing to split up, we’d be able to fly several of us through the open space through the valley much faster than if we tried to follow the tunnels down to Dalgon.” Brom looked between us all. “I vote that the Riders, their dragons, myself, Murtagh and Orik take the expedient route. I’m afraid it’s our best bet. If our Riders arrive without myself and one of your party, then it is more than likely something risky will occur.”

“But that would leave Katrina and-!” Roran was hushed by Katrina slapping his back loud enough to be heard over our panting breaths and the rumbling of two dragons running through a tunnel.

“I and the rest will be fine! You need to get the Varden! All of our suffering will be for naught if you don’t make it there in time to rally them!” Katrina shouted into his ear harshly and Roran wordlessly nodded while feelings of utter terror filled him and I felt amusement fill me in turn at him already experiencing marriage before the fact.

“Worry not! They’ll be guided down to Dalgon then up to Tronjheim. I doubt the yaks will head too far south if they plan to strike at the heart of our kingdom.” Orik slowed down and the rest of us followed his example. “Alright...we’ll be splitting up shortly up ahead. Yudmel, you lead the rest of the party to Tronjheim by Dalgon-way. I’ll take them to the surface and find out why our ancestors were so envious of the elves and ponies.”

“Be safe, Orik.” The warg named Yudmel patted his shoulder. I watched him and the remaining two wargs help Elrina, Arya, Katrina and Diane from our backs before they all jogged along the tunnel that turned right while Orik guided the rest of us left.

“Mind me if I go blind. I haven’t properly been on the surface without shade in years.” Orik half-joked before he whispered something at the wall, which promptly slid open with the rasping of stone to reveal a staircase. “Don’t let anyone know I revealed a whispering door to you. I’d be hung from my pinky toes by my clan for revealing such a secret.”

“Hmph, it isn’t that secret, Orik. I’ll be sure to let everyone know if it’s found out that you had little choice.” Brom kindly told the warg and I groaned at each step I climbed. All this exercise better make me super-strong or fast or something. I know this isn’t a movie or cartoon, but please let a training montage make me powerful.

“Sister. I know it’s...exhausting. Please maintain dignity.” Saphira chided me, since she had quietly bore the struggle this whole time while I’d whined and complained even if mostly to myself. I’d respond, but I’m too tired to dignify that slight on my dignity. I’ll be as pathetic as I want to be, damn you!

*Gasp!* Air~! Clean, fresh air~! I practically bowled the people in front of me over and spread my wings wide, relishing the cold night air as it blew across my body. The heat I had generated from my extreme activity was practically causing me to steam from the sharp cold air flowing over my scales. Saphira mirrored me nearby, clearly thankful for the crisp night air too.

“While you two cool down, let’s talk logistics. I’m assuming you and Orik will be riding Saphira while Eragon and I get to fly alongside the ladies?” Murtagh questioned Brom, who nodded at the arrangement.

“I’d suggest that Shimmer carry two, but her Rider is heavier than both of us combined and Eragon can fly by his own power.” Brom announced and I huffed proudly. My Rider is heavier than yours, sis! I bear the greater burden! No, wait, that sounds bad in hindsight.

“You’re not fat, Roran! You’re deliciously dense with muscle weight!” I hurriedly placated, horrified at the thought of even considering him a burden for barely a moment.

“Shimmer, I don’t hold illusions about my weight. I’m reminded regularly why you couldn’t fly as much as Saphira and Eragon when I’m with you. Don’t worry, you’re still a growing girl, you’ll be able to bear my weight soon enough.” Roran privately consoled me and I felt even worse~! I’m sorry Roran~! I’ll exercise more!

“Pardon if I grip you tightly, Brom. I’ve never left the ground before.” Orik politely warned the unicorn before climbing up onto Saphira with Eragon’s help due to his small stature. Huh, maybe that’s a major contributing factor to the wargs being excluded from the Rider Pact. Then again, it’s not something impossible to overcome with preparation and the bond between Rider and Dragon. “Alright, now, head directly east along the river until we reach the waterfall.”

“Understood.” Saphira and I chorused before taking to the air. Ah~ my wings were practically singing while the rest of my body throbbed in appreciation for a break. However, it wasn’t to be a peaceful flight.

The Yaks were already mobilizing from Orthíad, a gate further north in the mountains behind us was disgorging a steady stream of the burly horned barbarians headed east along the river. We performed a serpentine banking flight to avoid the many arrows, spears, stones and various other quarrels the invaders attempted to assault us with, but after about twenty minutes of evading the frankly obscene numbers of projectiles, we left the enemy march behind us.

“Ye gods, we may already be too late! Bregan Hold won’t last an hour against those numbers. We must hurry! It’s the only thing between Tronjheim and this invasion!” Orik stressed and we flew faster now that we didn’t have to waste energy evading projectiles. This was how we spent the rest of the night, which was only a couple of hours, before reaching the falls that fed the Beartooth River. “Land! We cannot enter the lands beyond due to natural and magic barriers.”

“Thank gosh. I haven’t flown this far this fast before in my life.” Murtagh panted in exhaustion and Eragon was doing better than him in that regard. Being a regular hunter in the Spine meant long flights for the young Rider.

“I know the words, I’ll get us in, you ladies don’t change yet. Your true forms will lend more weight. Also, you should rest and recover before transforming. The exhaustion being compressed into a smaller form would knock you unconscious immediately.” Brom warned us before he approached and whispered at the solid stone behind the waterfall. Of course they’ll keep that secret until eventually, if ever, we need to use this way again. Paranoid puppies.

“The warning is appreciated.” Sapphire huffed and barely avoided lying down to help Orik get off her...wait.

“Hold on. Orik. What were you doing on the border with Surda? I feel that you were supposed to be posted at this very door.” I admitted to the warg, who nodded in surprise.

“I was, but an urgent message from King Orrin’s court mage demanded that we have a trusted escort party meet you at the border. I’m the king’s nephew and I have the political clout despite my low ranking to be trusted with your passage and provide proof of your validity. Mind you, teleportation is not kind to the stomach, so we had spent the day and night awaiting your group recovering from the system shock.” Orik answered and I nodded in understanding.

Why should I expect the wargs to be any less hyper-political than the dwarves in canon? “Enter quickly! The lookouts from the valley have sent signal lights warning of invasion!” The dwarves inside the impossible-to-see gate shouted and we obeyed, promptly trudging in through the gates, which rasped shut and was promptly barricaded by sliding metal bolts.

“Hold! Arrest them! They need to be-!” A pasty-coated unicorn with an identical Twin -ew it’s them- ordered, only to be promptly shot in the back of the head along with his brother by two wargs. H-holy shit! W-what just happened?!