New World

Ch. 8

(Midlands)

The pain from the Agiel caused Eragon to clench his teeth and shut his eyes hard. He produced more sweat, that had mixed in with blood and made his fresh wounds sting. Eragon breathed hard, not wanting to open his eyes again. A force unknown to himself made him open them anyway.

The MordS'ith walked in front of him. Her anger quickly reaching to the surface.

"You should have been trained by now! Why!" she shouted and slapped him hard, furious.

Eragon couldnt help but give a small grin once he had recovered from the slap. He watched as her red haired braid flew this way and that furiously.

"I told you. I wouldn't know," he told her, tiredly.

She made to slap him again, even harder, but she was interrupted half way.

"Mistress Nya, we have found the pregnant woman," a D' Haran soldier announced.

The smile faded from Eragons face immediately. Nya lowered her hand and smiled at Eragon.

Without glancing at the soldier she ordered, "Bring her in."

Another D' Haran soldier brought Phoenix in, handling her roughly. He held her Dragon Ryder sword in his other hand. Eragon felt her presence in his mind almost immediately.

Ive made contact with the dragons and I have met some new friends that are gonna help get us out of here, she reassured him quickly.

Eragon wanted to relax his features, but knew he couldnt. He remained non-responsive in front of Nya. The Mord'Sith, smiled in satisfaction. She turned and faced Phoenix.

The two other guards are Confessed, Kahlan told Phoenix through the new link.

Wait for my signal, The female Dragon Rider told the Mother Confessor. Phoenix then told her husband, Just follow my lead.

Phoenix was forced down to the ground, kneeling before Mistress Nya. The Mord'Sith waved her Agiel slowly in front of the pregnant woman. Eragon struggled against the chains that bind him and growled angrily. Nya ignored him.

"Perhaps now we my get some answers," she said. Nya ordered the Confessed D' Haran soldier, "Put her sword with the other one," She waved her Agiel slowly back an forth as she asked the Rider, "Who are you?"

"I would tell you. But then I would have to kill you," Phoenix told her in a fake pleasant manner.

Nya jabbed her Agiel in the womans arm. Phoenix straightened and yelled out in pain. Eragon copied the same exact motion. The Mord'Sith turned around quickly and stared at him for a moment.

She walked over to him and jabbed him in the stomach. Phoenix wailed in pain as Eragon did the same. However, he could feel something in her mind that was protecting her from the Agiels pain. Just as an unknown presence was doing the same for him.

"How very interesting," Mistress Nya stated, an evil grin spreading across her face.

Whats happening? Richards voice demanded in her head. I just felt an Agiel stab me in the arm!

Sorry, Phoenix apologized quickly. Side effect of the mind link. That should wear off after awhile. Just dont move from your positions until I say otherwise!

Nya went to stab Eragon again.

"Stop!" Phoenix demanded, trying to sound like she was begging. She wasn't too sure if she did or not.

Mistress Nya stopped.

"My name is Phoenix Shadeslayer. My husband is only a hard working farmer and I am an Inn Keeper," she told her.

"A farmer and an Inn Keeper?" Nya laughed darkly. "Then where did you get those exquisite swords?"

The Mord'Sith jabbed Eragon in the back. His spine glowed white hot from the contact with the Agiel. Eragon have yelled and half growled as he withered in pain. Nya looked over at Phoenix, hoping for the same reaction.

The pregnant woman gave a yelp from the pain and sweat began to drip from her forehead, trying to fight the pain. When Phoenix forced her head up, to look at Nya and Eragon, her eyes glowed the same white hot color.

I believe we've had enough, my dear. It is time to call in the reinforcements, Eragon told her calmly through their link.

I quite agree, husband, she replied, just as calmly. She then asked, Saphira and Aiedail, are you ready to take on a few more passengers?

We are, little one, Aiedail answered.

Good, she said and then ordered Kahlan and Richard, Now!

The only two doors in the room flew open. Richard burst into the room with two Confessed soldiers. Kahlan did the same, with tow more Confessed men. The D' Haran soldier Kahlan had Confessed earlier threw Phoenix her sword. She caught it expertly and then proceeded to stab the only non-confessed D' Haran. He withered to the ground and was soon covered in vines.

We'll get Eragon. You take care of the Mord'Sith, Richard said to Phoenix through the link.

My pleasure, she told him, raising her sword at Nya.

Richard looked over at Kahlan and she nodded in understanding. The two went over to Eragon and unhooked him while Phoenix faced Nya.

The Mord'Sith held up her hand and seemed to be struggling with something. The pregnant woman didnt know what, and she didnt care. As she inched closer to the red head, the MordSith back away from the other woman. Until she collided with the stone wall behind her.

Without speaking a single word or thought, Phoenix stabbed Nya squarely in the abdomen. Blood trickled down the side of the Mord'Sith's mouth, her empty gaze now starring at Phoenix. The pregnant woman slid her sword out and let the vines overcome and swallow u[ the dead woman now lying on the floor. She turned to her friends as banging filled the room.

"More D' Haran's," Kahlan said.

"Time to go!" Zedd shouted through the window.

Richard had Eragon wrap his arms tightly around him as he climbed down and onto the back of the green dragon. Phoenix grabbed Eragons sword and put hers away. She turned to the Confessed D' Haran's.

"I'm sorry. But the dragons have enough weight to carry," she told the men.

"If you live through this, that go back to your homes and families and do honest good work," Kahlan ordered them.

"Yes, Mother Confessor," they all chorused.

The two woman helped each other climb down an onto the blur dragon. They heard doors slam open and swords being drawn as they flew away from the temple.

Lets fly as far from here as we can, Richard said through the link.

They all nodded in agreement as they flew further and further to safety.

To be continued . . .