"Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it."

--- Terry Pratchett

"Then I shall go," Arya cursed her previous words out loud. The everlasting forest seemed to clutch her tightly in its thickening darkness. Shivering, she pulled her cloak tighter around her slim figure, hoping to become invisible to whatever evil

lurked amongst the same trees. The mare snorted uneasily while she sidestepped around a hidden stump. Elves could see clearly on all but the darkest of nights; Arya admitted to herself that this was one of those dark nights. Go on, Arya

encouraged to the mares' conscience; becoming too unnerved to speak aloud again.

A stray branch cracked, causing Arya to nearly leap out of her seat. Relax, , it was just the horse.

A lone owl hooted in the distance, answered in a whisper by another, even farther away. Then came a sound so eerie, it had Arya praying for protection fiercely. Whispering, high pitched and low seemed to swarm around her. Sweat broke out

upon her brow; she started shaking. The mare pranced in place; sweat lathering its neck and chest, sensing the apprehension of her rider. "Ganga!" Arya begged the horse aloud. The horse, from deep within its soul, knew the true meaning of the

ancient language in its heart, even though it had never heard the words before. The white mares mane and tail streamed behind her as she sped and weaved through the dense forest… fear almost blinding both horse and rider.

Eragon…

Four days filled with apprehension and fear, and still, no word from Arya. Eragon could not see her in the Dream Stare any longer.

He could do three things: Blame this on Nasuada. Go after her. Pretend that everything is fine and continue with the battle plans. Eragon felt like choosing option one, but he knew the second was more practical.

You know what she would want. Saphira butted in, referring to Arya.

Arya, Eragon said tensely, gripping the sick he had been poking the fire with, has sacrificed too much on our behalf. Referring to her torture in Gil'ead. The stick in his hand snapped in two, taking the brunt of his anger.

Arya can handle herself. Saphira seemed impatient, she does not need our help, and she is most likely fine.

Enraged, Eragon's true anger showed itself, you are just jealous! You were always jealous of my feelings for Arya. From the beginning you were always against it. You just want me for yourself! Fuming, Eragon blushed and sank down on the cot. After he

regained his breath, he realized what he had just said to his best friend, his one constant. I-I, he stuttered, shocked.

Do you truly want me to answer that? Saphira questioned, trying to cover her hurt.

Yes! I mean no! I mean… Saphira I did not mean that in the least. Eragon stumbled, desperate, coming over the edge.

I know, Saphira laid her head down on the ground, closing her eyes. The tension is breaking all of us.

Let Arya be safe. Eragon prayed, a silent tear splashed onto his pillow. Please be okay. He whispered to just Arya.

Arya…

The dawn was rising; light was coming. More snapping branches came from behind the fleeing horse and rider. Fram! Ganga! Arya willed the tiring horse. They had been running half the night from a mysterious force. A branch whipped across her

face, blood seeping from the wound. The whispering came again; the thing was close. Arya did not dare look behind her. Drottningu… Drottningu…Drottningu. The whispers pummeled around her.

Arya was shocked; this thing knew her. Jierda! The rock Arya concentrated on flew behind her, hitting something solid. The things footsteps were heavy; it's breathing disgusting and ragged. "No!" Arya cried out. The horse could simply not keep up;

it slowed, heaving. Arya jabbed her heels into the mare's sides; but no progress was made. The normal bred horse was spent, dying. Before Arya could leap off something grabbed the horse, making the poor mare scream bloody murder. Arya was

thrown backwards and slammed into something hard and hot… her world went black.

I don't know, I think it's time you guys finally got a good cliffhanger. I have a HUGE double dual wrestling match in an hour, so I don't have time to continue until I kick a** on the mat and get back late tonight. Until then, Misty