Evalin took Eragon through the city, navigating it like she had walked the path a thousand times over. When they reached the city border, Eragon hesitated, resting a hand on Saphira, who had followed without protest from Evalin. Well Eragon? She asked him, peering down through lidded blue eyes. Evalin didn't notice the two stop, and kept going through the unguarded gate and into the nearby forest. Do you think it is safe? He asked. Saphira chuckled. Is anything safe? She retorted. Eragon took a deep breath and followed Evalin.
He caught up with her resting in a peach grove, nibbling on the ripe fruit. In the blink of an eye, suddenly the little girl was the woman from his dream, or as Eragon was beginning to see it, premonition. "How did you...?" Evalin smiled at him.
"I find people trust me much more if I take the form of a young child. I've been told i look formidable as a woman." Indeed it was true, her seemingly baggy clothing now tight fitting against a well-proportioned body, a stern face that looked to have seen much grief was almost childish with the hopeful smile on it.
"How old are you?" Eragon couldn't help but ask. Though her body looked to be that of a late teenager, her eyes seemed wiser.
"Nearly 18. Do you swear to hear me out, then? No judging, no stopping me. If you do not trust me by the end, I will leave willingly, and you will never hear from me again. I swear." The last part was spoken in the ancient language. Eragon nodded. Evalin took a seat against a tree, motioning for Eragon to take a seat next to her. He did so, and Saphira settled down with her head in his lap, smoke curling gently from her nostrils as she hummed quietly to herself. Evalin took Eragon's hand in hers, closed her eyes, and in a rush, Eragon was inserted into her memories.
"You stay here. Understand? No wandering around. Heatha will watch you until i get back." Orders from a blac king, Galbatorix himself. A little girl bowed her head.
"Yes father." Heatha stood in the corner, a woman, no, a shade, a painfully familiar shade, glaring down at her. Next, pain searing the child's body as thick layers of magic were forced into her very being, altering her person. Beauty, lust, strength, hostility, obedience. Images of the young child growing up with weaponry, swords, arrows, axe's, magic. She even slayed the shade that cared for her at the age of ten. Lesson after lesson in torture, forced both to endure and practice. Glimpses of a dark shadow, a dragon, sulking in corners, rebelling with small fires. It was when she saw Murtagh though, that Eragon felt the shift in the girl. She saw him fighting with every fiber of his being, slowly he caved, lost his spirit, his freedom, and his name. Then the determination started. She saw Thorn and the crystal egg brought to Murtagh, saw the dragon hatch, watched her father put the remaining egg back. Eragon watched as the youthful woman snuck through halls, through trapdoors, through forbidden rooms until at last she came to Galbatorix' bed chambers. He was out, as she knew he would be, and the egg was sitting, unguarded. She barely even touched it when the creature hatched, revealing the tiny opaque female dragon Eragon had seen as an adult in his dreams. It was then that Evalin heard the snarl of another dragon, when she turned and came face to face with Shruikan, eyes blazing. However as soon as Evalin's hand touched his scales, the fire in his eyes dissipitated and he knelt, scooping the girl on his back and taking off. The memory skimmed over the uneventful flight, to pick up again outside the city gates before it dissolved.
"You... you're Galbatorix' daughter?" Eragon asked. Saphira hissed, her tail snapping and ready for a fight.
"Yes, in a way. More his creation. Borne from him and a shade." Evalin said hesitantly. Eragon could tell she was nervous about wha he would say next.
"And the shade. Was her name... it's name, Selena?" Evalin watched Eragon through hooded eyes.
"That had been her human name, yes. Before she was invaded with spirits." Eragon closed his eyes. His mother, a shade. After a shaky breath, Eragon persisted with his questions.
"And his dragon, Shruikan. How did you break the magic holding him to Galbatorix?" Evalin smiled.
"Father slipped up. He bound him by his blood, never imagining he would sire a child. I am of his blood, and therefore I to have full control of Shruikan. And, also..." Evalin hesitated before holding out her left palm. "He marked me with the argetlam. It gave me enough power to get him far away from father, where he has less control." Eragon sook his head.
"But that crystal egg hatched for you!" Evalin held out right palm, also marked with a silver scar.
"Desperate times, these are. It is true that Silicis, my dragon, hatched for me, but she doesn't mind sharing for awhile. As long as it brings father's reign to an end. After all, Shruikan should have hatched a free dragon, not half of a rider pair." Eragon winced.
"Please don't call him that." Eragon said. Evalin nodded.
"You do believe me, right? I skimmed some details, but i focused on what I thought was important. I have no secrets from you." Evalin said firmly. Eragon gazed at her steadily, remembering the last time he had trusted a child of the Forsworn.
"I could turn right around and tell Nasuada to kill you." Eragon said. Evalin's smile faded.
"If that is what you think is best." She muttered, utterly put out. Eragon sighed, pushing Saphira's cheers of agreement out of his head.
"Why are you so willing to trust me?" He asked. Evalin gave him a small smile.
"You are Eragon. The only one Fa-... er, Galbatorix fears. If I were to trust anyone, I think it would be you, don't you agree? Besides I sort of always thought of us as... well... It's not really the same, but we sort of have the same mother." Evalin ended,watching for Eragon's reaction. He leaned against Saphira, debating his options. It was true, he could feel her conscious against his, wide open and willing to show anything and everything that had ever happened to her. She seemed earnest, but then she could just be a very good liar.
"I will think about it. Until then, I want you to stay away from the city. I don't want to hear of any mishaps, or I will give the order to kill you. Eragon said. Evalin nodded earnestly, and Eragon was reminded of the little girl she had pretended to be. "Stay out of sight. When I've made up my mind, I'll look for you." Eragon stood and climbed aboard Saphira, straddling her girth. Saphira blew a puff of scourching smoke towards Evalin before tking ff wih a mighty leap, quickly dissapearing from sight. Evalin sighed sadly and walked away from the city, deeper into the woods. Well? Shruikan asked, tail twitching in agitation as a medium sized dragon continued to try and pounce on it. He said he had to think about it. Shruikan snorted. This is useless, waiting for him. We are free now. We should leave this place, girl. While we still can. Shruikan said. A plume of black smoke rose from his open jaws in response to Silicis finally catching his tail. I like it here. Can't we stay just a little longer, Shru? I like Eragon. He makes me feel safe. Shruikan let out a low growl. He makes Eve feel safe. You need to learn t differentiate your emotions from your rider's. The blak dragon scolded. Evalin wrapped her arms around Shruikan's snout. And you, my friend, need to learn to be more open to my emotions. Just let the calm wash over you, love. We should sleep, it's been a long few days. Evalin started to hum, a calming song of healing, and let the feel of the forest surround her, merging her conciousness with the earth and revitalizing her body and strength. Beside her two dragons curled in a protective circle around the petit girl, their minds merged with their rider's, letting soft images of rainbows and lazy shadows fill her dreams.
Eragon had much to think about. He wanted dearly to tell Arya, but knowing her she would snap into action, arresting and possibly killing Evalin. It was that, or send her to the Elves for intensive training. Either way didn't seem right to Eragon, but what was most important was that Arya know the last egg had hatched. But how to tell her without giving away Evalin? He drew up a plan in his head, making sure it was solid and foolproof with the help of Saphira before calling Arya to his makeshift chambers, an old armory, the second largest building in the city and the only other one besides Nasuada's new throne room that Saphira could fit in comfortably.
"What is it?" Arya asked. Eragon's words caught in his throat when he saw Arya, clad in a dress made from elven silk with her hair pulled back in a loose braid.
"The last dragon egg has hatched." He said bluntly, forcing the words through his clogged throat and practically screaming them to her. Arya was very taken aback, her mouth slightly open and shock widening her eyes.
"How can you... are you sure?" She asked, both panicked and excited.
"Yes. I had a dream about it. She is hatched." Arya's face remained shocked.
"Who? Who is thenew dragon rider, where are they? Are they on the side of the varden?" Arya asked. Eragon chose to ignore the first two questions and only answer the last.
"I'm not sure. All I know for certain is she is hatched." Eragon said. Arya nodded, eyes bright.
"She's hatched..."
