Hidden Valor

Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon, Christopher Paolini does. (Sigh).

A/N: Just to warn you, I start school Thursday so updates will be weekly or every two weeks.

Chapter 3: The Town of Daret

Arianna and Nolan were still clinging to Codas's back as he flew towards the town of Daret. The winter air bit at them with a bitter nature, as though someone was holding a grudge against them. Maybe it was, maybe the white snow saw their actions. After all, white was the color of innocence. Both of them were feeling pain that had leeched its way into their hearts. Their uncle was gone, dead, no longer with them. Daret was still so far away and the air got colder and colder. What were they to do in Daret? It wasn't like they could purchase a weapon or anything. Nolan didn't think Arianna had her knife on hand.

"Arianna, do you still have the knife?" He asked.

"I do, do you need it?" She said.

"Uh, no, just asking." Nolan replied. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, just tired." Arianna said. "I couldn't sleep at all last night. I had to take care of you."

"What about Codas?" Nolan asked.

"He helped some. He can't breath fire but his wings were our shelter." Arianna said. "We should land for a bit, I'm sure Codas is tired."

The dragon started making the descend into another patch of forest. He landed gently and let his rider and her brother off. Get some rest, Codas, we'll fly in a couple hours, Arianna said. What about you? How can you stay warm?, he asked. Don't worry, I'll gather food. Watch my brother. She severed the connection and took out the knife. It was still sharp as the day Merritt had given it to her when she was thirteen. He had given it to her to hunt saying it has been passed down through their family for generations.

She was in the same position as the day she found Codas's egg, crouching behind some bushes with her bow and arrows, which had been saved after she knocked Nolan out. She only had a few left but all she needed was one to down the deer ahead of her. Like she had done those weeks ago, Arianna shot the deer killiing it instantly. Now, she had to worry about water. There was a stream but the water running there was low so taking it be a waste. Suddenly, she looked around her like someone was watching her but it was nothing, she thought, nothing but a bird.

A shade was in the bushes watching this girl but she had sensed his presense which was impossible. Magic ran through her veins so that was it, it was nothing more than that. The king would not be happy with his answer. The girl was going to the Varden along with her brother. He could not stop them but someone else could. Swiftly, he disappeared and went over to the spot where a boy with black hair and blue eyes sat with his red dragon.

"I need you to track someone." The shade said.

"Who do you need me to track?" The boy asked looking up at the shade.

"A girl, she is on her way the Varden as we speak." The shade replied. "She rides a green dragon."

"If I have to, but why would she be heading to the Varden?" The boy said. "This girl will be vital to us."

"Perhaps she wants to fight on the wrong side." The shade responded deep in his own anger. "Perhaps we need to persuade her."

"From what you say, this girl's stubborn. She won't give in easily." The boy said getting up and looking at the skies. "She is gone now, I'll go."

He got up on his dragon and flew up into the skies The red dragon stood out against the winter's skies but it meant the green one would stand out as well. The shade smiled to himself and disappeared from the spot. The king would be pleased now.

Up in the skies, Arianna and Nolan were still flying high. They were a short time from spring so they could fly safer than before, although Codas would be seen as a shadow. Arianna noticed something out of the corner of her eye, another dragonrider but he wasn't friendly. He was out for the capture and kill. Arianna was panicking in her mind. She had to think of something quick. They could land again but that would put them farther behind. She saw a hidden cave in a mountainside and steered Codas towards it careful to not lead the other rider to the spot. The girl made another turn which lead the boy into a patch of woods. Arianna flew up again and made the stop in the cave. She sighed in relief, they had evaded the clutches of him.

In the patch of woods, the boy muttered curses. The girl had escaped him, no one could escape him. Somehow she had managed to but it wouldn't happen again. Galbatorix wouldn't have it. What could he do from here? following them would be pointless. He looked up at his dragon and saw him look at a mountainside.

Thorn, do think it's them? The boy asked.

It is them, Murtagh. But she will not be easily caught. The dragon replied.

We will catch her another time. Murtagh said severing the connection.

The sun was setting over the woods and mountains and Murtagh sat there still wondering if the girl would come out or not. They wouldn't fly in broad daylight, not without good reason. Soon, he closed his eyes forgetting his mission. Arianna had taken that moment to fly with her brother in front. Codas seemed to trust him as much as he did her. Their bond grew stronger with everyday that passed. The dragon could trust them with his life, even though one was not his rider. He kept flying and soon Daret was in their sights. Arianna was growing tired and more tired. Codas landed in a field and let them off. They walked to the town which was dead. Someone was watching them, a boy with elf features but he didn't look it. He was human. He left and another watched, a boy with black hair and blue eyes. Arianna and Nolan felt his stare and went into a tent. It was lit with candles and a woman stepped out. Her dress was made with gold and silver which made a noise as she walked.

"What can Angela do for you?" The woman asked.

"We don't have any money." Nolan said.

"Angela didn't ask for money." The woman said. "She will read your fortune."

Angela brought out a bag of bones and poured them on the table. Her eyes were grey as she looked at them.

"This is difficult. Fate has brought us you, Arianna Strongwarrior, a dragonrider. And another, Nolan Merrittson, will be born. Battles lay before you." Angela said.

She got up quickly and brought a stone, gleaming gold. They said there were only three but there was another that king had no clue to.

"This is truely the last egg. It will hatch for you, Nolan Merrittson." Angela said.

"Wait! Why did you call me Strongwarrior?" Arianna piped in.

"Because Arianna, you will live up to that name. You are a sad girl but you will be strong, you must go." Angela said rushing them out.

They both got out. Arianna was in a bit of a daze and the boy with blue eyes held her by her throat. She struggled under his grip and Nolan tried to strike with his fist but the boy threw him down leaving him limp and with a stab to the shoulder. Arianna couldn't scream and felt black taking over. A sword went into her shoulder and she gasped in pain. She got out of his grip and looked desparately for a knife anything. She got out her knife and blocked blows. Cuts were forming on her arm and exhaustion was taking over. Fire burned in her.

"Brisingr!" She yelled. Her knife burned and she stabbed him in the shoulder. He yelled in pain then struck her in the other shoulder. Indeed she was strong but scared. He fled the scene when another came to the fight and Arianna called for Codas. Blood was pouring, she could feel the warm red flowing. Nolan had come to and saw how bad her injuries were. Tears flowing from her eyes.

"Arianna, are you okay?" Nolan asked touching one of her shoulders. He looked at her arm and saw the multiple cuts; they bled fiercely.

"I was afraid I was going to die." Arianna replied thick with tears. "I was so scared, so scared."

"It's okay, Ari." Nolan said letting her sob. "I know you were."

Soon, her dragon showed and Arianna blacked out. Everything had been sucked out of her, tension, energy, everything. He felt black take over and Nolan met the ground.