Striding through the encampment she could hear everything, from the animals that scurried away from the thunder of moving soldiers, to the children screaming and chasing each other around their tents knocking over pots and pans, to the water rushing over the riverbed leagues away. She could hear the rustle of fabric as men walked and the scrape of wooden spoons on bowls as dinner was eaten across the camp. She had, had a good meal of oats and celery with malt mead and a slice of blackberry pie, with the round berries picked just hours before in a nearby forest. Graceful and beautiful in its own way, though dull like coal to a diamond when she compared it to her birthplace, Ellesméra.
It was once her home, but not for many years had she resided there for any length of time. Automatically walking between the tents and lines of armour to be repaired Arya thought back to those long days caught in the far reaches of time before she had left, wincing at the memory of the painful goodbye and the even more tense reunion, she turned her memories to the long peaceful days of carrying Saphira between the Varden and the place she had once called home. Enjoying these memories she waded through them not bothering to consciously watch where she was walking.
A soft caress on her cheek abruptly brought her out of her revive, with a hissing blade and automatic defensive couch, stepping backward she brought her blade around, to find a fern branch in her path. She had walked into the forest edge, leading toward the small rise that faced the oncoming sunset. Cresting the hill she lowered herself to the ground and gently extended her mental barriers to encase the world of life around her. As she felt the flow of life and energy of the beings she was among she started to relax a little, the first time since she had learnt from the mouth of Eragon the demise of her masters, Oromis and Glaedr. She softly brushed her way through the minds of the animals she was monitoring, watching the comings and goings of the smaller creatures like the ants and worms. She could feel the fear of the larger ones, the ones who could understand and feel that there was a change happening in the world around them. Recoiling suddenly she felt something much bigger and much closer than she expected.
As her eyes flew open to the setting sun she saw the big hulking silhouette of a stag surrounded in the golden wash of light that was fading. Watching the stag carefully, in one fluid slow motion she rose to her feet. As the stag turned its thrice dozen pointed antlers in her direction she froze. Slowly she edged her mind out, to swirl on the edge of its conscious, surprisingly it had a thin wall protecting its thoughts. Withdrawing from this approach she eased herself slowly forward as it watched her. When she was but a arms reach away, she slowed to a stop and lowered herself slightly, so as to become less threatening. At the same time she lowered her minds barriers, to let it feel though her, though she kept herself ready in case of mental assault from any sentient being. As the noble beast sensed this strong and proud but hurt mind he pawed his feet in discomfort and then took a hesitant step forward to nudge against her. The stags soft, velvet nose brushed along her jaw line and his warm shoulder pressed lightly on hers, Arya let out a long sigh, feeling some of her internal pain lessen and her inner turmoil lesson.
Leaning against the stag she began to sing softly to him, recalling deep from within the rusty sections of her memories. The lullaby was light and happy, one of the many songs her father used to sing for her. Thought this particular song held deeper meaning than she let herself dwell upon. Feeling the air around her stir and shift Arya sang to the trees, ferns, birds, mammals, bugs and beetles, her soft, musical voice carrying on the still air to the beings around her. The dieing radiance of the sun was captured and clung to those within hearing distance of the elf's life song. Gold, red and orange pulsed in the clearing around her and shimmered along the silhouettes of every being that began to answer Arya's song. Seemingly on its own the gold rolled towards the stag, quivering he allowed the shimmering dust to settle over his now golden hide. Tendrils of gold ribboned through the dust from the forest, lager, wider bands coming from the trees and bigger animals, the small threads coming from the birds and other small creatures. Encasing the stag in a dancing halo of gold, a brilliance even the dragon Glaedr would have difficulty competing against, the stag was shielded from view. Arya closed her eyes as her song ended, the last notes echoing eerie in the calm glade.
When silence ensures the forest Arya opened her eyes and lazily looked at the stag. Her eyes flew open and she straightened in shock.
Flexing brilliant silver wings a proud, obviously thinking creature stood looking down at her. Golden hide was stretched over muscled cat like rear legs, flowing seamlessly into glowing fore legs and up to a humanoid torso with longer arms and toned chest. Looking over at her, he bowed his glorious head, his antlers subtle but majestic silver in the setting sun. As intelligent eyes sparkled at her she gasped at what she had done. A deep honeyed voice echoed out around her mind at the same time she saw and heard his mouth move. "Thank you, Broken One. You have done an unrealised kindness here today and I shall someday repay it to you, thank you and farewell." His voice echo faded and he turned into the final rays of the sun, capturing their faint luminosity on his hide. With two mighty steps forward he launched his body into the air and with three more glorious wing strokes was above the trees and soaring away.
Gaping at what she had done she slowly lowered herself and slid down the trunk of a tree, to rest on the soft musty earth at its feet. Her thoughts all seemed to clamour for her attention and then recoil, leaving her in a daze. Finally the haze subsided and Arya's bind was blank as a slate, though clear and calm. Feeling the unguarded and strong thoughts of a messenger Arya forced herself to awaken. Rising fluidly to her feet she drifted out of the forest, her fingertips brushing against the soft ferns and the course bark of trees. The sun had long set and light from the ocean of stars filtered down through the canopy of trees, giving the forests gloom a ghostly look. I rather like it, Arya thought herself as she halted on the edge of the forest, able to see the messenger blanch at the thought of searching for her alone in there. An owl hooted and Arya saw the man jump and curse. Slinking to the edge of the shadows, her silhouette barley visible against the forest behind her she asked, "What do you want?" though not unkindly. The messenger jumped and his hand went to his blade, his grip turning white from the pressure of his grasp. Taking a deep breath he peered into the gloom, trying to find her. "Arya Shadeslayer." He said formerly, an underlying note of awe in his voice. "Lady Nasuada requests your presence at her command barracks." Arya sighed and rolled her shoulders, Nasuada, again. The Varden's Leaders continuous "request" of her presence was becoming taxing. If Nasuada really wished to speak to her she could come out and find her. Stepping out of the forest she was the messengers' eyes widen as he saw her appear seemingly from nowhere out of a tree. She walked towards him, keeping her small satisfied smirk from view; he was keeping his eyes firmly locked on her face. Briefly scanning his mind she found word of her threat to Nasuada's Nighthawk had gotten around, and only those who now would dare let their eyes roam over her body were either very brave or very stupid. As she drifted across the grass in lithe graceful steps he gulped. "She said to inform you the reading of Oromis's Will will begin once My Lady is present." Arya flinched before quickly composing herself. Thanking the messenger she strode with confident strides towards Feinster annoyingly aware of the way awe touched the messengers eyes as they kissed the contours of her body, thinking she wouldn't know because she had turned around. Deciding Oromis's Will was more important than the reprimand of a human she continued and let the human follow her drooling.
Moving fluidly down the woven tracks and paths that the Varden used she wove her way into the city Feinster. Heading for where she had been told to meet Nasuada and Eragon, not the normal command room. She shrewdly sidetracked guards and made her way through the great wooden doors. Eragon sat sprawled on a chair, his hair unkempt and dishevelled. His blue tunic he adorned after the battle for Feinster four days ago was creased and folded. He had deep rings under his eyes and his face saw pale and sullen, a scatter of stubble hung from his face and he looked as though he had not eaten since the battle. He glanced up as she walked in and met her gaze with a nod before resuming to his own pondering. Nasuada, the only other occupant in the room looked up at her surprised, her dark green dress hugging her curves comfortably. The long sleeves were open at the forearm baring the white cloth that covered her wounds. As she steeped further into the room Nasuada exclaimed. "And where have you been?" Arya felt a flash of annoyance; she was not a child to be commanded by a human. "Never mind," Nasuada said returning her attention to the scroll on her desk, "the will must be read before the spell wears and it is once again teleported back to Islanzadí." Arya's eyes flashed at the mention of her mother but she kept her expression calm as the doors swung shut behind her.
Blinking Eragon shook himself and murmured numerous to prevent scrying or eavesdroppers. Staring at him she realised Glaedr and Oromis's deaths were taking a heavy toll on the last free rider. Arya frowned, that didn't sound right. Yes, Eragon was the last rider but, even that felt wrong. Wincing Arya out a hand to her head to cease the throbbing that accompanied her thinking about another Rider.
Coming to stand in front of Nasuada Arya glanced out the window and bowed to Saphira, whose great Sapphire eye blinked in response. Placed in the centre of Nasuada's grand desk was a thick, faded and sealed scroll and an ornate quicksilver edged flask. Glowing in the light illuminating the room the tear drop shaped glass flask appeared to emit its own silver light gently pulsing outwards from it. Leaning down Nasuada whispered the words "Speak of what you would so that those who hear can fulfil your last will." When nothing happened she blinked embarrassed. Speaking in a louder voice she repeated the incantation. Sighing Arya reached to her side and pulled a blade free, ignoring Nasuada's weary look and Eragon's shift in his chair. Without a sound she bought the dagger upon her arm, the steel caressing her skin and leaving a sliver of blood behind it. Shifting the dagger she allowed the blood to dribble down the blade and onto the crystal imbedded in the scroll. The diamond slowly turned a deep blood red as the flow of Arya's blood was sustained. Leaning over Arya whispered into the crystal, softly that Nasuada strained to here what was being said. " By my blood, as heir of the seat of elves I pledge my honour in service of your will, Master." With a click the clasp on the scroll opened and Arya leaned back. Eying Nasuada she slid her dagger back into its sheath, ignoring the blood trickling down her arm. Folding her arms she waited, internally battling for control of her emotions.
Clearing her throat Nasuada began to read the words at the top of the scroll, stating that Oromis wanted his and Glaedr's bodies burned and turned to ash, the blood in the diamond slowly leached away. Glancing at the page Arya blinked, surely the blood wasn't there before. Arya watched fascinated as Nasuada finished with another verse and Oromis's voice began to fill the room. The blood slowly began to take shape on the page, glancing up Arya saw that neither Eragon nor Nasuada noticed it or could see it. Whispering the words under her breath Arya nearly jerked in surprise when a voice identical to the one speaking slowly began to worm its way into her head.
"I am sorry, for all that has happened, for all those you have loved, those you have lost in love and what is to come." Eyes darting around the room Arya confirmed that she was the only one to hear these words. "Though you may not yet know, you will have to find your own path, not that of which others have set out for you. You shall leave all those you know, you care for, turn your back on them and find your past once more." Puzzled, Arya looked around the room again and confirmed that none other could hear these cryptic words. "Goodbye Broken One, till we meet again, for we shall if you find your past." Oromis's final words had a faint tone of danger and ill fate.
Stiffening as memories from the past rose unbidden to the surface Arya turned and fled. A single tear tracing its way down her face to glisten before falling as she ran, a diamond on the floor. Opening the wooden doors she ran down the corridor past the maids and soldiers who stared after her in puzzlement, briefly seeing tears streaking across her face. Shutting her mind from any contact Arya through herself over the rubble of house walls, over carts holding dead and ran silent and light through the city like a shadow.
Flinging herself at a seemingly unscathed wall she perched silently on it, searching for a way to land without attracting attention. Landing softly she made her way across the courtyard and hugged the wall of the Lord or Lady's house that was Nasuada's command centre and her living quarters. Stopping below an open window she scaled the wall and balanced as she used her blade to flick open the latch. The window swung open without a sound. Slipping inside Nasuada's personal sleeping quarters she looked around her with interest. There was a bed, with green sheets and a stand next to the right hand side. A stand mirroring the one on the right held a lamp that was half full. There was a closet in the far corner and a shelf of books scattered with dust in the other. A simple desk with parchment and an ink well leaned against the far wall. Stepping softly she walked across the carpet and slipped out into the hall having checked for any minds near. Running lightly her feet barely kissing the carpet she moved forward until she stood before Nasuada's command room. Frowning she opened the door and quickly let herself in, closing the door softly. Clenching her jaw she moved over to the golden mirror that Nasuada used for meetings and positioned herself in front of the mirror. Whispering the words for scrying she carefully schooled her reflection into an expressionless mask and hurriedly wiped any remaining tears away.
As her mothers face swam into view she blurted out "Who was Oromis?" ignoring proper etiquette. Rage flashed across hers mothers face as she scolded back "So you have lost your sanity, I heard just now about your behaviour at the reading of the will." Gasping Arya quickly replied "What?" "When it was announced that his sword was to go to Eragon you stormed out crying, Nasuada has just informed me." Chagrin washing her face Arya spoke carefully "That was not meant, I was spoken to separately, I was surprised by those words not that the sword is to go to Eragon." Speaking sharply her mother replied "And so it should, him being the only Rider that values life left."
"I'm not so sure about that" Whispered Arya loosing herself in the memory of the cryptic words spoken to her earlier she drifted away from the mirror till the spell broke itself and she felt her legs bump the windowsill, her body tipped back and she fell. As the ground rushed up to meet her she became aware in time to bend her knees and roll into the impact of the short fall, rising gracefully to her feet she slipped into the shadows thinking of the peace she could soon find in the forest. Every since she was young when she was upset or distressed her father would find her sheltering in the far reaches of the greatest trees in Ellesméra and he would sit with her in silence until all her pain faded away.
Authors Note: I, personally did not write this chapter. My friend did.