A Change Of Heart

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the inheritance cycle or Christopher Paolini's books. I get nothing from writing these stories on fan fiction apart from reading what people have to say about what I write.

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A New Goal

Freezing wind blew through the spine causing the trees to wave and creak in the misty dark night. As the moonlight breaks through the canopy, a lone man sits against a tall tree staring at the starry sky with deep maroon eyes in silence. Another gust of freezing wind blows past him, but he remains motionless because he doesn't feel the cold around him as others do. His bone white skin looked like it had the slightest tinge of blue in it, as the trees above swayed leaving a gap for the moonlight to engulf him momentarily. His crimson hair flowed down his back past his shoulders waving slightly in the breeze. Why? Why did I believe power was my only need? Durza thought to himself. Why did I help that little runt and let him take control of me? Why did I try and kill that rider? The only hope to restoring peace and order back to Alagaesia, Why? Why? "WHY!!" He shouted the last word his voice echoing through the trees.

Taking a deep breath he grasped his sword and looked at the wire thin scratch that ran down its length. I wonder, what would Ajihad say if he saw me now? He'd laugh at my confusion and misfortune and rightly so. I hope that rider Eror. No. Eragon. I hope he survived that cave in, and that he has recovered from the cut I implanted on his back. Still staring at the starry sky above deep in thought Durza whispered to himself "I must right this wrong". Grabbing his sword he rose to his feet while strapping his sword to his waste. I must assist the Varden, Dwarves and elves in removing this fraud from the Throne but first I need to catch up on past events. Walking briskly out of the clearing he paused on the edge, and then turned to look at the place he'd been reflexing his past wrongs over the past two years. "I know this is the correct path to take" he said to himself then he turned once more and ran into the depths of the spine.

Durza had lost count of how long he'd been running by the time he came to the edge of the wildest forest in Alagaesia. Standing on the top of a high cliff overlooking the planes below, Durza remained still as stone while extending his mind in all directions, to find a weak mind to grasp information from but to no avail. Breaking into a run again Durza looked at the world fly by him. With the speed of an elf his feet carried him faster than most, only as a shade he didn't tire as elves do, nor did he need sleep so he could run without pause forever if he wished. Spotting the town of Belatona he increased his speed, eager to find out what has changed in the past two years. Several hundred meters from the entrance Durza slowed to a walk, and crouched and made his way past the guards and past the walls into the town. Leaning against the wall of an inn he peered around the corner, careful not to let anyone spot him, because if they spotted him they'd identify him as a shade and warn others immediately. While peering around the corner he spotted a man selling robes, with hoods sowed onto them gloves and other clothing, Durza waited patiently for the man to have his back turned. Quickly glancing to make sure no one was looking he sprinted from the corner, and rushed past the stall snatching a black cape and gloves from the table and continued past. Standing well away from the stall, Durza tied the cape around his neck and pulled the hood over his head causing his appearance to be hidden. Glancing at the loose knot holding his cape on he frowned, murmuring the required words in the Ancient Language the knot turned into a single string which cannot tear.

Turning back Durza walked through the town as an equal, although people were watching him because of the hooded stranger walking through the town. Durza dare not reach out with his mind here in case someone had received training, Durza was sure that the guards had received training, to at least enough to know when another presence was in their mind. Heading to the inn he'd been hiding behind earlier Durza sat at the bar and lowered his head to hide his face. As he sat he listened to the conversations around him. Everyone was talking about the war; the latest rumours were of the Varden laying siege to Feinster which was under process now.

Just as he was about to leave and sprint to Feinster the bartender approached,

"Welcome stranger names Irick" he said smiling broadly. Durza paused maybe he can answer a few questions he thought to himself.

"Fredrick" Durza replied changing his voice slightly.

"Well what can I get you?" Irick said trying to see under the hood.

"Nothing thanks. However I've been away for a couple of years and have fallen behind on past events could you fill me in on what I've missed?" Durza replied.

Irick lent back and took a breath then lent forwards and placed his arms on the bench. "The invasion started only a few weeks ago, I've heard that the elves have taken Ceunon and will be advancing further toward Uru'bean soon. And now the Varden are taking Feinster ha! Looks like we'll be next and they've got that damned rider with them"

Durza nodded "well things have changed but what about the Dwarves?"

Irick looked at him with interest "why so curious?"

Durza didn't hesitate in answering "well I was under the impression that the Dwarves were allied with the elves and Varden"

Irick nodded "forgive me but I can't help but be suspicious." He looked around before continuing "the Dwarves King died in the battle of the Burning Planes and the Dwarves had to elect a new king which I've been told they have now done and apparently the new king has ordered the Dwarven nation to prepare for war against us"

Durza remained silent then abruptly stood and said "Thank you" and departed leaving the Barmen confused in the Inn.

Stepping outside Durza looked around and made his way out of the town once outside the walls; Durza looked at the sky once again "I've been gone too long". Lowering his eyes Durza looked at the path ahead, and in less than the blink of an eye was sprinting toward Feinster I must help the Varden but how will I convince them to trust me? He thought as he ran.