Once they rode far enough they slowed down, Serena had found riding with Murtagh pretty much the same as riding with Eragon, but she felt different at the same time, the horses stopped and Serena looked around nervously "We have to go by foot from here" Murtagh explained, he jumped down from the horse and turned to Serena who had swung her leg over and was sat with both legs on one side "How was the ride elemental?"
he asked taking hold of her waist, she smiled and he helped her down "Not bad" she replied, he picked up his bow and they started walking, Seren looked up to see them inbetween two mountains "We have to run, the Urgals are close behind" Eragon said, they nodded and Serena lifted her skirt and cloak to make it easier to run,
they eventually reached a waterfall and stopped running, Eragon watched the water in thought and Serena glanced behind nervously, an' Urgal attempted to attack them but Murtagh noticed and grabbed Eragon's sword slashing it across the stomach, it fell dead at their feet and Serena's eyes widened "Thanks, again"
Eragon said now more trusting of him "Don't mention it" Murtagh replied handing Eragon zar'roc, they both stared at the waterfall "Tell me your vision looks something like this" Murtagh said, Eragon noticed a gold plate on the inside and nodded "C'mon" he said before jumping into the water,
he swam underneath the waterfall despite the current moving agains't him, Serena took of her white cloak and held it tight in one hand, she jumped into the water and felt relaxed, but she guessed it was because of the elemental powers and the fact her main element was water, Serena held out her palm and eased the current of the water until it wasn't there making it easier for her to swim through, once she felt the waterfall stop hitting her back she lifted her head above the water,
Eragon and Murtagh popped up a few seconds after and she sighed in relief "That was easy" Murtagh said expecting the water to be more powerfull agains't them "Only because I stopped the current" Serena admitted, they swam until they hit ground and they held onto it, Serena dropped her mothers cloak onto the ledge and began pulling herself up when a spear was shoved near her face, they all looked up to see 4 soldier type men with spears, they all knew they had reached the Varden
"Who are you?" one of them asked "I am a dragon rider and I wish to speak with the leader of the Varden" Eragon said panting from the water, the man spared glances at each other before pulling the trio out of the water "Follow us" one demanded, they did and another man ran through the cave,
Serena noticed fire torches around her and knew she would use it if necessary, they finally stopped and another group of men were opposite them "Which one of you is the rider?" a man asked, Eragon stepped forward "I am, my name is Eragon" he said, the man turned to him skeptically
"I am Ajihad, leader of the Varden, if you are the rider then call your beat inside" he said "If it attacks you will die first" the man next to said looking at Eragon, Serena found it a bit unfair but she held back the urge to say so, Eragon told Saphira to enter and seconds later she entered through the waterfall, the soldiers cleared back but some stayed where they were out of surprise, Eragon walked around Saphira to where Arya was lying, he sighed and turned to Ajihad
"She's been poisoned, by a shade" he explained "Our hero's will make her well" Ajihad replied nodding "Watch over Arya" Eragon said to Saphira, she agreed and slowly followed a few soldiers that led her away "Urgals are scowring the mountains as we speek" a man said "Time is short, I must know if your with us, we'll be grately outnumbered"
Ajihad pleaded, Eragon turned his head to look at Murtagh who nodded slightly while trying to keep his face hidden, Eragon then turned to Serena who also nodded "We've come to join you" he said facing Ajihad, Ajihad smiled slightly in relief and glanced at Murtagh, his smile suddenly fell and he slowly recognized him, Eragon and Serena had confused looks on their faces "Seize him" Ajihad demanded, two guards took hold of Murtagh's arms and Serena snapped,
she held her palm out to the flames and a large ball of it flew into her hand while her blue eyes turned bright orange, Eragon pulled out zar'roc and Saphira roared, everyone paused and Ajihad looked around nervously "He's with me, he saved my life" Eragon said, Serena nodded "And mine" she snapped "He is the son of Morzan, the traitor"
Ajihad explained glancing at Serena, he wasn't sure if he was more scared of her or the dragon, Eragon remembered the story Brom had told him about how his dragon was killed, he slowly lowered his sword and faced Murtagh, Serena did the same but the ball had dissapeared so now the flames appeared to be coming from her hand "Is it true?" Eragon asked, Serena's blinked and her eyes became blue while the flame shot back into the torch
"A son doesn't choose his father" Murtagh replied bitterly, he shook off the guards and lifted his shirt revealing the larg scar on his side "This was the only thing he gave me, I hated that man until the day he died" he said, Serena felt sympathetic for him, he was being judged for his father's actions and she didn't find it fair "Lock him up, if he tries to escape kill him" Ajihad said loudly, the soldiers dragged Murtagh away and he turned to Serena as they did "I'm not a traitor Serena!"
he shouted before being dragged around the corner, she sighed "The urgals presence here can only mean that the kings men are not far behind" Ajihad said, he faced Serena who looked in thought "You are an' Elemental?" he asked, she nodded "With your help we shall easily defeat the kings men" he said, she nodded again and looked up at him
"I will help on one condition" she said, he nodded as a sign to continue "I get to visit Murtagh whenever I want, I will not set him free I promise you that" she said, he gave her a nervous look but he knew that they need would need her powers in the war "Permission granted, follow me and I will lead you to our guest rooms" he said, Eragon nodded and they followed Ajihad through the caves.