Chapter 10- Return to the Capital

The rain didn't stop, it kept pouring. People ran for cover to get out of it, staying off the road. Chise silently, walked down the bare path. She kept to herself looking towards the ground. Her body was still in the state where it looked like a weapon. The townsfolk gazed in utter confusion or fear. Chise's mind was unstable, having no idea what was going to happen. The rain seemed welcome to her, as the cold droplets of water hit her skin. Staring at the ground, Chise thought she heard something.

Looking up, she was only a few yards away from the temple. Behind the huge door, she noticed that something was there. Turning around, Chise ignored it as her body reverted to its normal appearance. She walked down the street, until she stopped in front of an Inn that said, "Golden Globe." Going inside the Golden Globe, she went into the room they gave her.

The place was small and bare with a mattress against the wall. She threw her torn jacket onto the bed, leaving shutting the door behind her. In the tavern, Chise sat at the bar. Many of the men were looking at her, some in an odd way or nasty snickers. Crossing her arms, she glanced around. Taken back, Chise looked to her right. Sitting at a table it was Eragon with that Brom guy. They had not noticed her yet, eating and drinking beer. It puzzled her, wondering why they were in this disturbing place.

"It's really pouring out there. You're soaked to the bone, Miss." The bartender spoke up. Chise looked up to see a bald headed man, he was brawn but not very big. He wore a long black tunic with gray pants. His eyes were of question and curiosity. "Ma'am, your shirt is torn on the right arm and the behind. The men can see your bare back clearly and say you have two massive scars."

"Oh! I-uh," Chise snapped out of her thoughts sitting straight up. She slumped down again, "If my clothes get repaired, it'll only happen again."

"Well, you wear different clothes then from around here." He looked over towards the right. "Do you know that, that man has been staring at you for the past few minutes."

She glanced over seeing that he was right, "Damn, does he know it is me? Or is that old man too drunk?" Chise lowered her head with a sigh. "That's just what I need. . . ."

"Pardon?"

"Oh, it's nothing I'm just mumbling to myself." She replied when he sat a cup down in front of her. It was tea not beer, she nodded in thanks. Picking the cup up, Chise swirled the liquid around a bit before taking a sip. Setting it down, she looked at the diffused oval on her left palm. Tracing a finger over it, Chise didn't notice Brom and Eragon go back to their room. "This world . . . will be easy to take care of myself in, and I can protect others easily."

She stood up going back to her room. It was already late, and she was exhausted. Taking her jacket, Chise rolled it up using it as a pillow. Laying on her back, she looked up at the ceiling, "Heh, I wonder when I go home, if I do, what will happen to Tenbun? Will the little guy be the only mythical creature walking my world?" She thought, dozing off to sleep.

Chise slept well past mid-morning, waking up she lazily got out of bed. Not to mention she was in pain. Picking her jacket up, she left the room walking down the hallway. Down in the tavern there were people saying how two people fled earlier in the morning and how the Galbatorix showed up only a few moments ago. Also mentioning that he arrived with his big black dragon that only a few got to see. Walking out of the Golden Globe, there were a few palace guards approaching her. They stopped only feet from her.

"Chise, King Galbatorix has dismissed you from this mission. He wanted me to tell you that he realized that it wasn't safe for you." The guard in the front stated, "You are to go back to the castle." They left for the castle. Chise went the opposite direction.

Going back to the entrance, she stopped when Ehlen approached her, "Morning Chise!" He smiled, warmly.

"Good morning Ehlen," Chise patted him on the head, "I'm going back home today."

"What? But you just got here."

"Yeah, I know but my orders were changed. I'm sorry Ehlen, I promise to come see you when I can. I'd take you with me if I could." Chise smiled, looking at the small boy.

"You promise?" Ehlen stated with a sigh, "Okay! But you better come to see me!"

"I promise," She couldn't help a small laugh. Chise took the boy's hand, "I'll come back." She let go walking away from him, "Bye Ehlen."

"Bye Chise!" He shouted, waving his hand back and forth. She smiled, turning away going to the huge gates.

Taking a deep breath, Chise started to run as fast as she could. Wings of metal appearing from her back. When she made it to the end of the town, Chise took off into the sky heading towards the east. Flying faster than anything in Alagaësia it didn't take her very long to get back to Urû'baen. Going past the city, she landed behind the castle in the training fields.

Walking past the archers, Chise noticed Kreis was with Tenbun. He was watching the little dragon. She smiled as the tiny creature wobbled over to her. The green dragon crackled cutely deep in its throat. He climbed up on her shoulder, as she passed him. The guard caught up with her. Roaming the hallways, Chise went to get her wound re-dressed. The others waited outside.

When the nurse came in, she cleaned and re-dressed her wound. The old woman gave her a through look over. When Chise sat up, the woman sat down in a chair. She seemed convinced about something, as she began. "Chise, your wound is mending very well." The nurse paused,"Let's get your clothes repaired; you don't want to walk around like that."

She gave her an outfit and left the room. After about five minutes, Chise came out. She was garbed in a white silk dress that went straight down, with sleeves like a tank top. A red sash went around her waist. Kreis and Tenbun looked at her.

"What did she say?" He asked as Tenbun perched up on her shoulder. They started to walk back down the hallway. Kreis didn't push her for an answer, but just waited.

"She said that my injury is healing nicely," Chise replied, she realized that she felt really relieved and happy about the news, "I'm grateful," Tenbun touched the side of her face, nudging her gently. Chise rubbed his neck, "Did you miss me?" The little gentle-dragon hummed softly.

"I imagined he did, the little guy looked for you every time he went out." Kreis spoke up, "That's good news, I agree, hoping everything will turn out okay."

Saying their byes for now, they went down separate hallways. Chise walked slowly, as she began to feel dizzy and sick. Pressing against the wall, she stopped hunching over. She started to sweat a little. Tenbun glided to the floor, gazing up at her. "I need to lie down," Chise thought, starting to walk again. Opening her bedroom door, she went over to the bed. Lying down, the dragon crawled under her arm laying his head on her shoulder. Tenbun shut his eyes, as the baby creature fell asleep.

She softly rubbed the side of his neck, as the little fellow hummed. Chise turned her head the other way looking at the wall. Slowly, her eyelids began to lower, but opened when she blinked, "I don't think it would hurt to take a nap. I don't feel very well." Chise thought, turning on her side where Tenbun curled up against her belly. She could feel his body heat against her stomach. After ten minutes or so, Chise finally fell asleep.

Chise was abruptly woken up when Tenbun growled at her playfully. Shooting up, she glanced around to see emerald colored eyes locked on her. She could not help smile at him, since the little dragon wagged his tail slightly turning its head in curiosity. Chise started talking to him, in a deep conversation. Tenbun listened intently, shaking his head at times.

Realizing, Chise stopped and looked at him. "You really do seem to understand me. I wonder what I'll discover as you grow and get older." She petted his head, gently, "at least I have someone to talk to who won't go tell." Tenbun purred, as he looked at her tilting his head. Chise found the dragon as an equal, not a creature that was oblivious to everything. "I wonder, do dragons have different personalities than others? That blue dragon, I think he called her Saphira; I am not sure how to put her. I thought she was going to kill me, when I met her at the lake." Tenbun squeaked, as a small cloud of smoke rose from his nostrils. "What?" She sighed, sitting back up.

Opening the door, Chise looked out peeking down the dark hall. Walking out, she noticed that there were people roaming the halls. The small dragon followed behind her. It was still a little early, as she noticed that the sun was low in the west. Heading down the corridor, she went outside. Staying behind the palace, she explored some of the gardens and training field. All of a sudden, Chise felt Tenbun get underneath her. Looking down, he was staring up.

A great distance from her, a massive black dragon was flying towards the palace. It made Tenbun look like a small ant. Chise backed off, staying in the huge doorframe. The huge animal flew past the castle landing on the other side. Walking back out, she looked over the castle. The onyx dragon did not appear to notice her. Tenbun stayed by her not daring to stray even a few feet away.

"Was-was that Galbatorix's dragon?" Chise pondered, "If that was it, then. . . . Tenbun, you'd probably be that big when you're older." She noticed her dragon, "You're scared of it? Huh, well I would probably be scared too. That dragon is huge, bigger than any other animal I have ever seen."

She went back inside the palace, going back to her room. Tenbun glided onto the bed. He laid down, head on his paws looking at her. His emerald green eyes stared at her, watching her as Chise moved. She jumped on the bed, as it shook. Chise could not help but laugh at the dragon as it tried to keep its balance. Tenbun rolled on his back, still looking at her. "You know dragons are pretty cool. There's nothing like you guys were I come form, so it's pretty interesting."

"Chise, the dragon rider," She added, "I guess that's what I am now, since I've got little Tenbun here. I might be able to get out of the empire."