Chapter 11- A Dark Truth

For the next two days, Chise stayed around the castle. Her wound was starting to mend and wasn't as trouble some. It was still there, so she had to take it easy. Chise mainly walked around the halls talking among the people, and watch Kreis train with the other soldiers. She hadn't heard any news from anything or anyone.

Chise woke up to a thud against the floor. Tenbun had fallen off the bed, his hard scales hitting the floor. He wobbled a little bit to get back up on his feet. She pulled her legs over the bed, looking down at him. The small dragon, she had noticed, had grown about two inches since he hatched. Chise got up to put her uniform on, which was fixed up nicely. She walked over to the door, opening it wide. Going out into the hall, Tenbun jumped out sniffing the air.

The baby dragon didn't go very far, staying just a few feet to her. Chise had noticed that since last night, with the dragon encounter, Tenbun has been really quiet and nervous. He didn't seem very energetic as usual. Walking down the hall, she thought about how she could take him flying. Thinking that it'd be a real good idea, to get the dragon's mind off things. When she got outside. She walked down to the training field, it was very early, and so no soldiers were out.

Staring at the trees, she noticed something moving. Flying upward, she flew around the forest. Tenbun glided up behind her, Chise couldn't fly very fast or she would end up leaving him behind. The dragon already had a hard time catching up to her. Looking at the forest floor, Chise realized that the things that were moving were really Urgals. She sneered in disgust, watching the ugly creatures.

Convincing Tenbun to keep flying, Chise flew down into the woods landing in front of one. The creature looked at her, stunned, drawing his weapon. She couldn't believe that they would show their nasty face near the palace. Behind her, more Urgals appeared from the other side of the trees.

"What brings you to disturb us, young goddess?" The one in front of her asked, she quickly looked at him in astonishment. "Well that's what you are, isn't it?"

"Y-yes," Chise stuttered, he growled softly.

"Then why do you work for Galbatorix? He's a foul, unpromising man." He growled, "Shouldn't you before helping the people?"

"Shut up!!" She shouted, "Why on earth should I believe you?! I saw what you did to those people back in that village! Durza told me that you all are savage creatures!"

"Is that what you think? Foolish girl, we work for the King himself. Yet, he hasn't fulfilled his agreement. We asked Galbatorix for land where we can live, and in return we would work for him. For Durza he's a shade, as the elves say never trust the shade." The Urgal explained, "You do not know the true history of the Dragon Riders."

"I still don't believe you," Chise crossed her arms looking at the creature. "That's not enough to convince me to trust you Urgals."

"Then believe what you see."

She turned to leave, flying up into the sky. Chise watched the ground carefully, when she found it. There was Durza with a few Urgals and soldiers. "He was right." She mumbled to herself. "I can't seem not to think that I didn't expect anything. I've been really foolish; I should have known that Galbatorix can't be trusted." Chise made up her mind, "What if Durza had something to do with the slaughter in that town?" Tenbun finally caught up to her, she looked at him with a sad, confused sigh, "What am I going to do? How-how do I get out of this mess?" Chise took s hold of the dragon flying fast towards the north, "I've made up my mind. I'm going to leave the empire!" She stopped in mid-air when she came across that town. Landing, Chise dropped to her knees letting Tenbun go.

"What on God's green earth could have done this? All these people, killed probably in painful, merciless ways." She thought aloud, looking around at the abandoned houses. Chise sighed, glancing at Tenbun. The little creature looked sad and upset, as if mourning the loss of someone. Standing up, Chise walked around the ghost town. Everything was silent even the wind was barely blowing. "Damn if I'm not going back, where should I hide? Should I go to the Varden? Probably not, they might not trust me. Since I've killed any of them."

Chise kept circling around the buildings, at time she could smell something nasty. Tenbun glided from roof to roof, watching his master from above. She thought that her decision she made was thought too quickly. It seemed as if no one has been to the town. Looking up, Chise spied a few birds flying high above Yazuac. The town itself was ruined, deserted nothing left for anyone. "I should have thought of it sooner. . . . Who knows, maybe those Ra'zac also work for Galbatorix?" Chise kicked up dirt, "Maybe I should try to find Eragon, and those two might be able to help me. I guess going home will have to wait. I've got to help make up for everything I have caused."

Tenbun landed beside her, following her carefully. Picking him up, Chise flew up and went in another direction. She kept going until she was tired. Chise knew that someone had to know something was wrong. It was late in the day, as the sun was getting lower in the horizon as the sky was tinted orange. Something caught her attention in the east. It was shining against the rays of the sun. It looked almost diamond.

When she landed near it, Chise walked up to whatever it was. Getting a closer look, she realized that it was a tomb. Inside, she could see a person. "It's that one guy. The one who was with Eragon, Brom that's what his name was. So he has passed on." She looked onward at the descending sun. Chise went down the rocky slope in to a cave. "Now, I have to find Eragon. Wherever that Rider went."

Chise stayed in one of the caves where nothing could see her. Deep inside she started a small fire. Tenbun curled up beside her, his head resting on Chise's hand. Rubbing under his chin, she could feel his throat move time to time. Lazily looking at the fire, she sighed. "I'm back to level one. Hmm, now that I think about it. I might be able to get by; I am very dangerous here in Alagaësia. Being in a class by of my own might be a good thing."

"Yet, I feel so alone here. I miss you, Shuji." She lowered down, leaning against the cave wall. Chise glanced out into the darkness, slowly drifting off to sleep.

Chapter 11, honestly I did not think I'd make it this far. Low expectations here. . . -.- Chise has finally left the Empire, but doesn't know what to do. Since, she dealt a lot of damage to the Varden. Alternatively, maybe hide in Carvahall for a short while. Chapter 12: The Desperate Choice.

Little Bitty