Like a shadow, Emerald sprinted through the forest, making sure to keep her companions within range of hearing. Emerald was an elf, so was able to follow at quite a distance with her sharp senses. Her mission was simple; follow Arya and her company as they ferried the egg from Farthen Dur to Ellesmera. Her purpose was to remain invisible to any possible enemies until such a time as Arya needed backup.
Therefore, Emerald ran light-footed beneath the stars. Her midnight locks flowed behind her as her lithe form escaped even the notice of the hunting wolves. Her glowing eyes reflected her name in the darkness of the woods.
A distant cry caught her attention and she recognised it as that of Faolin. Emerald cursed under her breath and sped up, managing to evade the low-hanging branches. Her heart pounded painfully when silence met her swift approach and she feared the worst. Out of the corner of her eye, Emerald caught a brief flash of light and deftly changed course. At the edge of the clearing, she paused to survey the scene before her.
The Shade, Durza, stood tall and fierce in the circle of flames that sprang from the damp earth at his call. His presence left an intense sense of foreboding in Emerald's heart. That Galbatorix had sent his Shade to intercept the egg could be their undoing.
Durza's hand was outstretched towards Arya, who was pinned to the ground by his magic. Emerald could feel the waves of energy pour off the Shade like an angry wind. Fighting back the shudder that involuntarily ran down her spine, Emerald leapt forth and passed through Durza's flames without fear of pain. The Shade's attention was now on her; his maroon eyes alive with demonic energy.
"I will end you, Shade," Emerald spat, determined to at least save Arya and the egg, if not destroy Durza as she promised.
Durza laughed manically, releasing Arya from his spell, "You are no match for me, little girl."
"We shall see," Emerald shot Arya a look that insisted that she leave in haste. Arya hesitated, fearing for Emerald's life but was stared down by the younger elf until she obeyed and fled.
"A fair trade; one elf for another," Durza smirked, clearly excited by the situation that presented itself to him.
Emerald did not grant him a response, instead opting to begin their duel. With her elven speed, she drew her blade and delivered a series of complex moves, which Durza matched aptly. Throughout their duel, Emerald and Durza exchanged spells. Durza hurled an invisible force towards her, which Emerald dodged before returning a whirlwind of leaves to distract him long enough to pierce his black heart. Durza merely waved his hand and the leaves were incinerated, leaving a breeze that tossed his blood-red hair about but did not disturb him otherwise.
The Shade smirked at her and she hated him for it. Emerald fought with more fury, always so close to stabbing his black heart but never succeeding. Flames leapt from the ground all around her and closing in fast.
"Adurna risa!" Emerald countered and moisture rose from beneath the ground to douse the flames, leaving them ankle-deep in muddy water.
Durza hurled branches of various size at her, which Emerald deftly avoided. She threw an invisible force at him, along with another smaller one that she hoped would escape his notice. The Shade countered the first wave, only to be caught on the shoulder by the second, knocking him off balance.
Her plan had succeeded. Without a second thought, Emerald leapt forth, blade in hand. She plunged the sword into where his chest ought to have been, only to be met by empty air. She had a brief second to realise what had occurred before utter agony ripped through her chest.
The pain was paralysing and she couldn't breathe or think. Looking down, she saw the tip of a blade protruding from her chest. It was dripping with blood; her blood. She tried to breathe but only a wet choking noise left her lips and warm blood leaked from the corner of her mouth. There was a rough movement and more pain before Emerald felt the hilt of the sword firmly on her back and Durza's hot breath on her ear.
"Promises, promises," he murmured in her ear before darkness took her.