Just before dawn, Maya woke everyone with a soft, harsh whisper.
"I let you sleep as long as I could, but we must move. It is no longer a good idea to stay in one place for long." She said. The horses were saddled and there was a cold meal by the dim fire. They mumbled as they began eating. Once they were done and ready to go they mounted their horses and rode off.
After a month of hard riding, the small group came to Gil'ead. Over the course of time Maya and Murtagh became closer, fiercely protective of each other and the brains of the group. Garjzla and Eragon as well grew closer, unable to deal with Maya's authority they bound together to seek shelter from her rage.
They were camped around a very small fire while they made plans.
"I can get in and out without being seen. I'm not being chased after either." Maya said, eyeing Eragon and Garjzla, "It is safer for you to remain here with Saphira and Anurin. If anything happens, they can get the information from me to get you to the Varden."
"I agree with you, but it would be less conspicuous if we went together." Murtagh said, his eyes on the fire, "We could get in quick. Not that it matters that we aren't found. They will release us, but they would take you to Galbatorix in a heartbeat." Eragon opened his mouth to reply when Maya cut him off:
"True. Saphira! Anurin! What are your views?"
He stays with me. Saphira said, wrapping her tail around him.
Agreed. Garjzla will not be going either. Anurin said, wrapping his tail around the half-elf.
"Dragons win. You two stay here. We ride on Ava." She walked to her mare and swung herself up. Murtagh climbed up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, "Do not move, stay hidden, dose the fire." She spurred the black mare forward and the pair disappeared into the night. They rode up to the gates.
"Who are you?" One of the guards asked.
"No one you need to worry about. We are just travelers looking for shelter for the night." Maya said. The guard nodded and let them in. Maya cleared her head and let her mind touch those around her.
"Can you find him?" Murtagh whispered into her ear.
"Just did. Do you wish to go speak with him while I go rumor gathering?" She felt him nod as he slid off Ava.
"Meet you back here in 20." He walked off. Maya rode up to a bar and tethered Ava next to a pure white horse.
"Hey, beautiful." She whispered. The horse looked at her and whined, "Shhhhhh, I'm not going to hurt you." She placed her hand on the horse's neck and ran her hand down the his powerful neck, "So soft. You're a noble horse, I can feel it. Beautiful horse." She leaned forward to it's ear and whispered in the Ancient Language, "I will return for you. A noble such as yourself does not deservers this life." She kissed his nose and walked into the bar. She forcefully smiled at the bartender and sat down in a corner, her back to a wall but where she could see the whole place. She emptied her mind and let it flow over the room, picking out information she needed.
The Shade is here. He'll kill me if I don't get back to work.
Damn it. The shade is coming.
The elf can't take much more of this. She will die if no one stops him. But everyone is afraid of him.
That girl in the back, she looks similar to someone I meet in Uru'Baen. I wonder if it's the same girl. Maya opened her eyes and looked at the man that was walking towards her.
Maya! We leave now! Murtagh's frantic voice cried. She gentle stood up and walked to the bartender.
"The white horse out front, who does he belong to?" She asked.
"The gentleman behind you." He replied. She turned around and looked at him.
"What is the price for you noble steed?"
"100000 crowns." The man said. Maya lifted a bag from her pocket, "But for a beautiful lady like you, take him. He's a pain, he won't listen to anyone." She smiled at him.
"Thank you sir." She walked out of the bar just as Murtagh swung himself up into Ava's saddle. She pulled herself up on the white horse, used magic to untie them and spurred him forward. Ava was at his side, Murtagh bent low over her side.
"Who's horse?" He asked.
"Mine. His owner gave him to me, said he was too much of a pain to ride." They rode out of the city and across the small field to Eragon and Garjzla.
"Were we followed?" The older boy asked. Eragon shook his head.
"What happened?" The male rider asked.
"Someone recognized me." The older pair said.
"Both of you?" They nodded.
"Let me eat and I will tell you." Murtagh sat down next to the dim fire while Maya walked to Anurin and Garjzla.
A shade, an elf, an elven-bred stallion, me, and the general that meet me in Uru'Baen. She said. Garjzla's eyes widened slightly.
No need for alarm. We just be careful and cautious were we tread. Anurin said, blinking his eyes. Maya nodded and sat down between the base of his neck and his left foreleg. She placed her hand on his side and sighed.
No matter what happens, Garjzla, remain with Eragon. You have chosen a path I can not follow, for you have chosen his path.
"Why?" The brown-haired elf asked.
I am returning to Uru'Baen once they are safe. I can not go to the Varden. You are a free person, Garjzla. Do what you will, but I will not have you join me. The other opened her mouth to protest but was cut off, No. Do not say a word. Saphira, make sure she stays with you. Her story does not follow mine anymore. With that, Maya leaped up and disappeared into the night. She found herself walking towards the city once more.
I understand why you are doing this, but explain it to me. Anurin's baritone voice hissed.
Where we are going, Garjzla does not need to follow. We are walking the line between freedom and slavery, life and death even, and she does not need to walk this path again. You told me once that compassion and love are the strongest things I have.
You have grown up, little one.
I am becoming more obvious of where my story is going to end.
You have nothing to fear.
I have everything to fear. Let me know when they are asleep. I will return then. She stopped walking and sat down on the damp grass, her dark brown eyes scanning the area. A gentle smile broke over her as she watched the wind dance over the tall grass, casting an eerie glare under the pale sky. She remained sitting for a few hours, her peaceful state was ended abruptly when she heard Saphira roar and Anurin's voice commanding her to return. She jump up and ran back to them, bow out, strung, and an arrow drawn across it. She reached the camp, just as an Urgal swung a club at Eragon. She released the arrow and jumped back into the darkness. The group was over taken by Urgals, Saphira and Anurin flying off with Garjzla and Murtagh. Maya dodged trees as she ran to the horses, cutting the ties and commanding them to follow the dragons. She quickly turned around and slid to a stop.
A group of Urgals stood in front of her, sneering and pointing at her. They charged her, she swung her blades out and with a fierce cry, started to kill them. On and on they came, when she slew one, 5 came to replace it. She spun around, her eyes moving wildly around the attackers. From behind, one hit her side with a blunt blade, cutting her side. She hissed and killed it with a single word. It fell dead as a pale man with blood-red hair and the same colored eyes walked to her. Maya fell to her knees, leaning against one of her swords as he placed his hand on her cheek. Her brown eyes narrowed as she pushed herself up to attack him. He kicked her injured side, sending her to the ground with a painful cry. The last thing she heard was:
"Tie and drug her. Throw her into a cell opposite the other. She leaves in the morning. The king wants to integrate this one himself."