I love you all, but have been busy. I worked on this whenever I had time! I'm so sorry it's so short!


Mirella scrambled out of the monster's way, and reached for her knives. By the time she had unsheathed them, Murtagh had dived at the Ra'zac. She thought it strange the beast was here alone; they usually hunted in packs. Then, there was no time to think.

The creature lunged for her again and again, dodging Murtagh's sword and her thin blades. She knew they would tire before it would. She struck at its torso and it twisted away, just out of reach. It was maddening how she never could quite hit it.

She saw Murtagh swing his blade, the unnerving red slicing through the air, and when the creature rolled away she could have sworn it had laughed. She attacked again.

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Murtagh could already see the exhaustion in Mirella's slow, almost dragged out movements. He dodged a swipe from the brute, and slashed at its neck, drawing it away from Mirella. He looked at her as the Ra'zac dodged another blow and spoke within her mind.

Mirella, back away. I'm trying to lead it to me. Rest for a moment. He was slowing down himself, and started to draw upon his magic. Her reply came to him as he finally landed a stroke on the monster's shoulder.

No. We're in this together. Besides, I won't let you have all the glory. He saw her smirk and throw both her knives at the fiend's torso. One hit its mark, sticking in its stomach, the other landed in the ground at their feet.

The Ra'zac stopped for a moment to pull the knife out, and that was all Murtagh needed. He swung Zar'roc in a heavy arc and brought it down on the beast's neck. The sword stuck a few inches from completely severing its head, but at least it was dead. Murtagh saw Mirella bend to pick up her knives, swaying a little as she stood.

He told her to go back to camp, that he would finish hunting. She protested half-heartedly, and then went on her way. He planned to talk to her, and get to know her. As long as they were traveling together, why not know each other a little better? He didn't like digging through his past, but he wanted her trust. Besides, Nasuada and Eragon would not want him to be cold to her.

Nasuada. He missed her. He longed to hear her smooth and powerful voice, see her once again. He could speak with her through a spell, but knew as the new queen of Alagaësia she would be busy. Not to mention the magical wards around her were probably tripled. He walked away from the body, and into the darkening forest.

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Mirella collapsed on the ground near one of Thorn's giant forelegs. He didn't speak to her, and for that she was grateful. She was worn out from everything. She was deep in sleep before any sign of Murtagh had come.

The swirling tendrils of mist hung close to the ground. She stepped forward, the fog seeming to blot out most sounds. She heard a twig snap under something heavy.

"Nithîriel," a voice called from the gloomy trees. She seemed to turn in slow motion, only to have an arrow strike her.

She stumbled back and looked down at the weapon protruding from her shoulder. She didn't feel any pain, but the arrow was clearly piercing her shirt and shoulder. She looked back to the misty forest, and this time saw a shadow flit between the trees. She was starting to lose consciousness, but managed to make out a human shape.

Standing between two tall pines was a pale man with long brown hair, pulled back into a ponytail. He was tall, and when she looked closer, had pointed ears. An elf. He stepped closer and watched her fall to the ground, as her world faded to swimming shapes, then nothing at all.

Mirella woke slowly. She looked down at the shoulder an arrow had just pierced. It had just been a dream, nothing more. She sighed and looked around. Murtagh had still not returned. She started a fire, a sat back down, trying to forget the strange dream.


Alrighty, I just noticed that this was one of my longest chapters! I'm going to work in a little back story for Mirella soon! And I wouldn't mind if you clicked that little Review button down there. :3