The Path Less Taken

Chapter Two

Past Before the Present


"Tell me one more time, how did you get from Uru'baen to the Spine all by yourself?" The little old woman asked me, I hadn't bothered to remember her name really. All of them shot me condemning looks as if they knew about Dragon. But they couldn't have. She was hiding in a tree a long way from camp, and my gedwey ignasia was carefully hidden in an oversized glove.

I sighed and stretched my long arms above feeling every muscle contract in sweet agony. Needless to say, I was a little sore from my previous encounters. "I had no where to go. My family was murdered by the brute some call a king...and all I knew was that I had to get out. I don't know how I made it all the way here alive."

The lady nodded her head and walked away. That's all they did. Ask me about how I got here then ignore me, only to acknowledge my prescence by shooting me staress and glances when they thought I was ignorant. I wouldn't lie. It grit on my nerves a great deal.

Tell me Moonling, when are we going to get out of here?

Soon enough. My conversation with the dragon was cut short when the man who had helped us, now known to be Roran, entered the tent. He strode towards me and smiled slightly.

"So are you better now?" His gruff voice filled my senses.

"Mm...much, thank you. Though I think I might travel on my own from here," I mused.

"What?" He looked taken aback. Some of the villagers turned to stare our way, so he lead us outside. "You cannot travel on your own! Do you even have weapons?"

"Mm...not really. But if I kept my scent down and travelled through cities onl-"

"You are crazy! You cannot travel by yourself, much less with a newborn dragon!" The last part he hissed out in a whisper but my mind was reeling did he just cut me off?

"I was talking you brute!" His eyes widened. "Sorry, my dragon is just getting to me a little. Your people seem to not want me here at all and..."

"And?" He prompted.

"I feel like an outsider," I whispered.

"But you are!" he laughed. I growled.

"You're crazy, you and all of your friends, they are off their rockers!" I shot back at him.

"That may be so but if you leave and decide to travel on your own...well, that may just be another victory for Galbatorix," he shrugged and walked away.

He does have a point.

I grumbled.

How about we travel with them til I am big enough to carry you?

Can you even fly now?

...A little.

I laughed hard.

The dragon growled in my mind. So what? You couldn't even fly if you tried!

You still up in that tree?

Why yes, very uncomfortably so by the way.

I shook my head and made my way through the thicket about two yards from the encampment. The tree dragon was in was huge and had about a thousand birds she could eat, well probably minus four hundred after she slept there.

If you take me to a clearing of some sort I could show you. Excitement bubbled within my being.

Come meet me. Some branches bustled and my dragon poked her head out. She jumped out of the tree and landed straight on her rear when she jumped out. I bit my cheeks so hard to contain the laughter but it came out unfiltered, filling the forest. She grumbled and hobbled toward me.

I am happy to see I entertain you, she said sarcastically.

I smiled down at her and lifted her in my arms. Her snout nuzzled and face for a while before she began to wriggle restlessly. Had enough to eat?

She smiled baring all her sharp teeth and snorted.

We walked a little until we came upon a small clearing not far from the tree she was hiding in.

The village is packing up and moving now.

Hm...we will stay with them longer. Is there anone there that knows some sort of swordsmanship?

I...I am not too sure, you want me to learn?

Yes. You cannot rely on me to save your life all of the time. Sometimes I won't be there.

Hm. So how about a name?

You get to name me.

Oh, alright. How about..., I thought long and hard about this, it wasn't like everyday I named my dragon,...how about Moonling?

That's your name...

Fine. Henrietta?

The dragon snorted in disgust.

Hey! I like that name!

I don't.

By the way, you always call me Moonling, but never Kael, why?

Kael is a stupid name, the dragon laughed. I huffed.

Maybe I should name you Henrietta. Fine show me your amazing flying skills dragon. The green dragon looked back at me haughtily and flapped into the air. She was a bit lopsided and only about two feet off the ground, but my heart soared seeing her fly. I laughed. That's wonderful. Rachelle?

No.

Daphne?

No.

Daniella? Jasmine? Kristine?

They seem too human. Here the dragon cringed and shot me a smile. I shook my head.

How about...Lyriel?

Dragon seemed to contemplate this, her wings ruffled a bit. Lyriel... She smiled.

I smiled broad and laughed. Okay, so no more 'Dragon'?

I do have to admit that kind of sticks...But Lyriel it is.


"So we have decided to stay," I said to Roran.

He looked at me and smiled. "Well then it's good to have you on board. We are going to start travelling to Teirm," he said ruefully.

"Teirm? Through the Spine?" i asked horrified. While running from the kingdom I had passed through the dreadful Spine. It was filled with thorns and horrid creatures. I did not even know how I made it out alive.

"Yes. Look, I know the Spine is dangerous and all of that, but we can't risk travelling through the cities with the king's men hunting us down. And from the likes of what you told me, the King knows you and travelling through the city would warrant unwanted detection."

I sighed and crossed my arms. My head was starting to hurt. I didn't ask for any of this!

"May I ask you something?"

"You just did..."

"How were you in the kingdom? And how did you get that egg?" His curiosity bubbled through his skin.

"Maybe that is a story for another time," I whispered. I couldn't tell him anything. I couldn't tell anyone anything.

"I am helping you the least you could do is tell me," I felt guilty and disgusting but I looked up into his face and closed my eyes.

"I was taken from my family when I was about ten years old to be a servant of Galbatorix. After about five years the king took interest in me and decided he would bed me when he wanted," here I took a deep breath trying to expel the horrid images and pain I had felt for the years spent with the King and began talking rapidly hoping to finish quickly, " He grew close to me and allowed me to see the egg. I touched it and it began to shake, as if it was hatching. I don't know what happened but I begged it to stop and it did. But Galbatorix already knew I was to be the next rider and he was overjoyed. That very night I decided I had to escape...and take the egg with me to the Varden. I was chased and hunted by Ra'zac for about two weeks, relying on old wives' tales about keeping my scent down and tracking skills I had acquired from my father to keep out of harm's way. Then, well then I met you," I struggled out. Tears were clouding my vision as I struggled to stay calm. "If you will excuse me."

I turned away and ran. The tears poured from my eyes as memories I had suppressed began to resurface. "Wait!" Roran cried catching up to me. He pulled me into his arms and began whispering, " I am sorry. I should not have asked. But you were blunt honest with me, and I admire that. It is only fair that I tell you something of my past. My father was killed and my only blood relative, my cousin has disappeared. For some reason the king has sent Ra'zac to torment our village. many have died and I have killed far more than I wanted to, but it was a price I was willing to pay to protect the ones I loved, my Katrina... We were to be wed, but the Ra'zac..." he choked on a sob, and I realized I was now the one comforting him, " they took her away."

My heart constricted for him. I held onto him as he wept. By now we were far away from the tents and closer to where Lyriel was.

Are you okay?

Yes, I think so...

Lyriel jumped from the tree, this time landing gracefully at our feet. Roran and I sat by the foot of the tree, drying our eyes and wiping away the memories. The little dragon clobbered her way onto me and curled up, sniffing my worn shirt.

What are you doing?

You and I share a bond. Your scent comforts me Moonling.

I smiled down at her. At least I had Lyriel to help me overcome the emotions that roiled within. Roran...he only had himself... "If you want we could talk about her..."

"No. Let us not," he said gruffly. I sighed and nodded, leaning against the tree like he was doing. "We should get back to the camp...to help them clear up," he said after a long while.

"Hm.." I stretched and stood up lending him a hand to stand as well.

Get into my pack Lyriel.

I'd rather not...

We have to leave.

Fine...

Lyriel had walked onto Roran by the time and was busy ruffling his hair. He laughed at her and pet her head, trying to make her stop. I giggled at the sight. By the time Lyriel was on his head we were both in fits of laughter.

"Tell me, have you named her yet?" He asked after we had sobered.

"Lyriel."

"What?"

"Her name, it's Lyriel," I laughed.

"Oh," he smiled and scratched his beard. "Well hello Lyriel."


We walked back in silence both of us unsure about how to talk about what we both had revealed. By the time we made it back to camp the villagers were almost finished with the packing. And I, only being here from yesterday had nothing but my sack to hold. Putting my best foot forward I trudged toward a woman who was holding alot of bags.

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

"Oh! Hello dear, actually m'boys could carry these quite easily. The name's Birgit by 'er way."

"Okay, I'm Kael."

"Yes, I heard about ye. Mind you, a lot of the villagers aren't happy that you joinin us, but bless ur soul, you seem like a lovely young woman. Nolfavrell! Are ye comin?" The woman turned and called to someone. I shrugged and walked away. I could imagine that some of the villagers would not like me, I was always the black sheep wherever I went. I tried to keep in mind that these people were traumatised and a lot had lost loved ones in the Ra'zac attack. My blood crawled at the mere thought of the slimy creatures.

I just hope we make it to the Varden soon.

So can't find a swordsman?

I haven't looked yet. Besides it's only about seven in the morning and everyone is packing their belongings.

Mm...oh well. Where's Roran?

You like him don't you?

He is a nice lad.

I just feel sorry for him is all...

I looked around at all the hustle and bustle going on around me and sighed. I needed to do something... I set out to find Roran. Lyriel clawed at my back in agitation.

What in five hells was that for?

I wanted to make sure you were still here?

What?

I seethed, but let it dragon seemed to be acting very mischievous ever since I left her in the tree. I just wanted to get something to do instead of looking at these people pack.

"Roran!" I called. He turned and beckoned me toward him. "I wanted to know if there was anything I could help with."

"I don't think the villagers would so much like your help, but you could walk around with me to make sure everyone's alright."

"So, you're like their leader?" I scrunched my brows.

"Not really...But during these hard times there must be one sane person to look out for the rest," he shrugged.

"That is very admirable you know?" I said in earnest. He just shrugged again.

"By the way, you know anyone that is a good swordsman in your village?" I asked after Lyriel pressed me.

"Carvahall, doesn't really...well we don't really fight if you know what I mean."

"Well, I am guessing now you are forced to."

"Yeah. But I don't know, you wanted to practice with someone?"

"I need to. i have no previous training whatsoever."

"My cousin and I...we used to play with wooden swords, I am no swordsman...But I could help you."

"Really! That would be wonderful!" Roran smiled at me. "I want you to know something. You're the only one here kind enough to help me, and as soon as I have the proper training, I promise you Roran I will find Katrina."

He looked down and sighed. "I just hope that's not too long to wait..."


When everyone was accounted for and ready to move it was close to midday. Lyriel was starting to be a little annoyance now as she only kept switching positions.

Well it's not my fault your bag is so small!

You are small Lyriel, just stay quiet people are starting to look! Do you want to travel alone?

The little dragon stayed quiet.

Good.

I smiled. The sky was artistically painted different shades of blue and the birds seemed to be in high spirits. The day was beautiful.

And then that god awful screeching filled the air.

"Ra'zac!" A man cried next to me. Fear erupted within me. Lyriel do not move.

Hide Kael! They must not find you!

I whimpered and looked for somewhere to hide. Yes! There was a huge tree just to the left of us. Thickets had grown all over providing a hollow hiding space that was only visible to the trained eye. My feet pounded toward it as I heard yet another screech. The villagers were all over, some of them trying to stay hidden among the bags and some bracing for battle. The cries of the Ra'zac told me it was only about two that were here. Thank god for that. As I stopped in my hiding place, a little snese of security washed over my being. But then my eyes landed on Birgit. The woman's ankle was twisted oddly and she was on the ground crying. An easy feast for the Ra'zac. I growled in my throat in frustration. Why wasn't anyone helping her?

Don't!

I must! they'll kill her! Stay here Lyriel please!

Without further ado I crouched and ran forward to the woman. Wails and keens of the dying were heard accompanied by the awful screeching of the Ra'zac. All in all it was a pretty dreadful atmosphere. My feet took me to the woman that was on the ground and I winced as I looked at her ankle. It wasn't just twisted, it was broken. "Come on, Birgit," I whispered to her.

She smiled at me, still beautiful despite her dilemma and whispered back, "Save yourself, maybe it's my time."

"Bullshit," I hissed. I grabbed her by the arms, careful not to hurt her ankle too much and made our way halfway there when a Ra'zac landed in front of us. I gulped. It seemed to snicker at me.

"The king hasss ssent usss to get you," it breathed in my face. Its clawed hands reached to my face and dug. I bit back my cry and looked him square in his ugly face.

"Tell him to go fuck himself." The Ra'zac laughed manically and grabbed my arm tightly. I only now felt the increasing burning sensation that was spreading from my cheek. I gasped as his grip on me tightened. Blood dripped from the cut that was on my cheek and onto the floor of the Spine like rain. the Ra'zac gripped me by the throat and lifted. My air supply was cut off, making my feet kick of their own accord. I gasped and sputtered against his hands.

"The king would not like that...he much more wantss to fuck you," Tears welled in my eyes at his word. My world was turning black. My feet were not kicking anymore. Then, a hammer came out of nowhere and thwacked the Ra'zac on its thick skull. Its grip on me loosened and I fell to the floor.

"Get the poison out!" someone bellowed, after that I fell away to the welcoming darkness.


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