A/N- I'm so bad. I left the story to hang twice, and I probably will a third time too. I'm trying to update now, but I barely remember my story, or Eldest. This will mean that a lot of things in this chapter will be inaccurate, as a result of me remembering incorrectly. Oh well, it's my own fault.
In response to a lot of reviewers, my story is a lot like the actual book Eragon. I've tried to make it different, but a lot of things I was planning to write actually happened in Eldest. So bear with me if it's too similar, or if I'm delayed, alright? Thanks.
Chapter Fifteen
The dwarf ushered Kairin through the tunnel, past statues of animals and people that Kairin had never seen before. Faeria stayed close to Kairin, so that her silver scales brushed her arm with every step.
"We shouldn't let our guard down. These may be the Varden, but we still don't know everything about them."
"I understand."
They walked for a long while. It took Kairin a time to find her voice.
"We really must hurry. I need to meet with Ajihad immediately, we're in a bad situation. You see, I-"
"Ajihad is dead. He died months ago. His daughter Nasuada rules the Varden now. Her first act as ruler was to send the Varden out of Farthen Dur. They live in Surda now."
His words stunned Kairin. In his short summary all that she had known was obliterated.
"Then where are you bringing me?" she stammered, suddenly suspicious.
"We dwarves are not your enemies. Leaire needs our help, and we shall give it. You however, shall not stay in Farthen Dur, your lady Nasuada needs you." He refused to say any more. At the end of the tunnel was a door flanked by two more dwarves. The first one addressed the guards in their own language and they took Leaire's limp body off of Faeria's back. They carried her through the door, leaving Kairin and Faeria alone with the dwarf. He gestured to another door.
"That way leads out of here. Fly directly to the Burning Plains, near Jiet River. There you shall find your lady, and Shadeslayer." Kairin didn't know who Shadeslayer was, but didn't want to waste time. Weariness already tugged at her eyelids. "You're elf friend Leaire will be safe with us. We will send her after you when she is healed." The dwarf brought his fist to his chest and made a short bow before following the guards through the door. Kairin rushed to the door, and headed into the sunlight. As the door closed behind her, she turned to look and saw that the entrance was completely invisible from the outside.
"We should make haste, Little One. The dwarf had an air of urgency."
"Aye. Fly as fast as possible, Faeria, no time to waste. We are both too exhausted to defend ourselves."
In the air, Kairin pondered the new situation they were in. Although Kairin never knew Ajihad, she had heard tales from Leaire. This new ruler Nasuada was a total mystery. She seemed very bold, making such an obvious act against Galbatorix. The move to Surda was a threat, no doubt.
"Leaire never told us of someone named Shadeslayer."
"Perhaps he is a noble? We shall soon see. Our position is-!" Kairin broke off as she saw what lay on the earth ahead of them.
A great battlefield covered in bodies and ruin stretched for miles below. Pillars of smoke billowed off of smoldering piles of debris. Every so often pillars of flame would leap from the ground, charring the corpses around them. On the Jiet River, a massive battleship was run aground. It was a tragic sight.
A cry from the ground pulled Kairin's attention away from the plains. Sentries posted around a large circle of tents had spotted them. Kairin reached out with her mind, but it was too late; a volley of arrows rained upon them. Kairin and Faeria were too weak to avoid them. Shafts punctured Faeria's silvery wings and she let out a roar of pain. Kairin was hit in her right shoulder and thigh, and she bit back a scream as she pulled them out.
"Stop!" But they were too far away. Another shower of arrows flew at them, and they left more wounds in Faeria's thin wings, despite her attempt at evasion. They began to drop to the ground as the last of Faeria's strength left her. Kairin began to lose consciousness, but before she did she felt a mind much more powerful than her own touch hers. It radiated power and authority, and before she slipped away, she heard a voice in her mind say, "Shur'tugal."
