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--
The captain spat onto the ground. His men were hungry and thirsty, damn the King to the depths of Hell for sending them to fight again.
"Captain!" a soldier ran up to him.
"Yes?" he snapped.
"Bolloth has found some water over there. It's enough for us to refill!"
The captain smiled grimly. "Good. Take me there."
--
Illera sat a tree stump, meditating. It always helped her calm herself down, and remember what she had to do.
Eragon examined the piece of memory in his mind, probing it for any lies, deceit or false information. Nothing. Murtagh clearly loved her enough that he told Eragon, even at risk of the secret being let out, to keep her safe. Do you think he knew I would do it? Eragon asked Saphira. I believe he did what he thought would keep her safe. Would you try and keep her out of danger? Yes. But I would not have her oblivious to the face Murtagh has told us. Is it so shocking? Somewhat. It makes sense however.
He stood up and walked the league or so to Illera's tree stump.
She opened her eyes, sensing him coming.
"Yes?" she asked.
Eragon was unsure of how to say what was on his mind.
"Um, well…Murtagh told me," he blurted out.
She raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"About…well…the two of you."
She nodded slowly. "I was wondering when you would find out," Illera looked off into the horizon, her eyes thinking.
"I'll keep it between the three of us. It'll do no good for the Varden's spirits if they find out you two are…lovers. However…I ask permission to tell Arya. Such things I cannot keep secret from her for long."
Illera turned her attention back on him. "You may tell Arya…but no one else. It has to be this way…at least until the end of the war."
"Thanks."
"Mhm. Is Katrina alright?" she asked.
"Yeah. Arya and Roran are taking care of her now," he responded.
She nodded. "And Eragon?"
"Yes?" he turned around, facing her.
"Could you tell Arya…when we're flying? I don't want…anyone else to find out."
Understanding flooded his gaze and he nodded. "Ok."
"We fly soon," he added. "Just so you know."
"Ok," she murmured and followed him back to camp.
--
Silently, in the dark shadows of the night, line after line of soldiers marched quietly past, the chain mail of their armor clinking softly. After awhile, the commander called them to a halt, and they set up their camp. Tomorrow would be just another day closer to attacking the rebels that had forced them on this hellish journey in the first place. Everyone looked forward to it.
--
Murtagh thrashed about in burning chains on the slimy dungeon floor. On the other side of the thick, damp gray stone wall, Thorn howled as he felt his Rider's pain. Galbatorix had already left, deciding he had better things to do even to watch his servant's torture. Murtagh let out a fast breath and sucked another one in raggedly. Galbatorix really did seem determined to kill him, or come damn close to it.
Breathe…in…out…AHHHHH! A new blaze of pain burned throughout his body until he felt like he was drowning in it. It just went on…and on…and on…
--
Eragon was trying to get everything packed and onto the dragons. As well as trying to forget about his brother's romance with someone he considered close to becoming his sister.
"Eragon you look stressed," Arya said worriedly, sitting down beside him. "Is anything wrong?"
"I'll tell you later…" Eragon said distractedly.
Arya looked troubled. "Alright."
He met her gaze and said, "I'm obligated to tell you only when we're flying, otherwise I'd tell you now."
She smiled softly. "Ok. Then we should fly soon shouldn't we?"
"Yes exactly." Eragon got Vanir, Roran and Katrina around to climb onto the dragons.
Oof bit heavy, Amira said teasingly. Whose gained weight? Illera's lips curved into a smile. We just added one thin person! And you say it's heavy? Maybe you need to work out more! Of course little one…no dragon has rolls of fat… Hell yeah, all humans do…Illera laughed. I missed this, when we could joke around without getting killed. Me too little one. Life seemed much easier then. What was easy for you was still hard for me. You hatched in times of hardship…and I was born when there was peace. Times were tense…but peaceful. Well said.
The party took off. After a few moments, Illera felt Eragon's mind rub against hers as he talked to Arya. She winced. Here it comes… Eragon talked to Arya for a couple more minutes then withdrew, going back to his own body. You could almost see the elf's shock.
As she tried to compose herself, Illera just felt like jumping off Amira's back. Seriously.
Illera is this true? Arya's incredulous voice reverberated throughout her mind. Yes.
How did this happen!? This… Arya berated Illera, who waited it out.
Yes it did happen, outside of the elves' control. I believe I am my own person. She couldn't hide her annoyance but kept as calm as she could. There was nothing anyone could have done.
HOW Illera! This sets back the Varden greatly!
How so? Tell me.
You won't fight him, and he will fight you! Do you even know, he has to fight you, Eragon and Ryan at any cost, no matter how much pain it does him! Though you would refuse wouldn't you? Galbatorix is at his height of strength- she continued on this vein for some time.
Illera tuned her out.
When she finally stopped, Illera said icily, Are you done?
Yes.
Good. I would have you know I know everything you have just said, and I have a plan for it. Arya do you remember how you were when you were in love with Faolin? Do you?
I do.
Are you not in love with Eragon now? Do you not think that your romance with his is forbidden?
I am. And I do believe that, or at least…I did.
Then let me be. Please. I don't need your disapproval on top of everyone else's when they find out.
Is this why you would not accept Vanir?
Partly. I feel nothing for him Arya, except for those as a friend. I think you know this.
I do but you cannot deny his heartbreak. He does not need this.
Arya I'm not going to change my mind. Guilt tripping me isn't going to work.
I understand.
Please don't tell anyone.
I won't. But Illera, this does not have my approval.
Arya left her mind to brood on it.
Please Amira…please fly faster…I want to get off and away from this…We will be there. Not soon but just as well. It will take us a day and a half with this wind, Amira tilted slightly, so the wind would help her glide. Of course…if this wind stops…it will take longer. Damn. I feel something bad is about to happen…like a black cloud on an otherwise perfect day, off in the distance. You're so dramatic. Thank you. I feel it befits the occasion. Of course you did.
For the first time in a long time, both Dragon and Rider were carefree. Partially, at least.
--
Over on Saphira, Eragon remained worried. Vanir and Roran both hadn't spoken for sometime, leaving each man to think. I was right in telling Arya was I not? Illera had told me I could…and yet what must she be facing? Contempt, shock? His stomach twisted. Was I right Saphira? I believe it was the best thing you could have done. Illera had told you that you could tell Arya, and with Illera's approval you just needed to tell her. I don't know, I just wish…I could have, I don't know, softened the blow or something. I mean, of course it was going to be a shock! The Rider we were just learning to accept turns out to be having a love affair with our enemy. But Murtagh cannot truly be evil if Illera loves him right? I feel that...I trust Illera. And you trust Murtagh do you not? His actions at Helgrind, asking us to protect Illera was enough to prove he still cares. He also spared us. That all is true. I hope Arya is taking it well. But of course. It is Arya. She must be taking it well.
That was probably the most ironic sentence Eragon had ever uttered in his life.
--
Back at the Varden sometime later, Ryan rubbed his temples as he sat in his chair in the Council. Since Eragon, Illera and Arya were gone; his opinion was the one that mattered most. Out of all the Riders, it was Ryan the Varden trusted most because he had been in the fighting for some time before he became Rider.
Nasuada shuffled some papers around and read off of one, "Scouts have seen some smoke coming from near a village northeast of the border. Elves have also reported marching. We have dispatched more scouts to scope it out. So far, we have no information on this. Opinions?" she looked up.
"Perhaps some people are joining us!" someone called out from further down.
Nasuada didn't look moved. "Perhaps. Any others?"
Ryan decided to offer something. "It may be more troops, from the Empire."
I doubt that, Spitfire snorted. The Empire just lost. I doubt it too. I just needed to look more involved.
Spitfire chuckled quietly. I see.
A roar shook the room. Outside, it was mass confusion. Jormundur was interrupted and everyone rushed outside. WE ARE UNDER ATTACK. WE ARE UNDER FUCKING ATTACK!! YES I KNOW BLOCKHEAD! ARE YOU READY? WE HAVE TO TIME FOR ARMOR! JUST WARDS and FIRE! UNDERSTAND? YES I DO NOW HURRY UP!
Ryan ran into his tent, pulling the heavy armor onto him and muttered the smooth, heavy words of the ancient language and watched as clear panes of magic encased him and Spitfire. He felt at his side. Good. Gulai was in it's sheath. You do realize if you don't change my color or something, if there are survivors they'll know about us? Yes! We'll have to change to blue. Sorry you'll have to be Saphira, but don't think you'll mind and Eragon's a guy. Like me. So easier. Alright.
The lean teen concentrated and almost forgot the word for blue. " S'dil du Skulblaka eon…" his voice faltered.
LAPIS!!!!!!!
"S'dil du Skulblaka eon lapis."
At once, the emerald green of Spitfire turned from teal, to blue-green, then blue.
Ready? Ryan asked, leaping onto his back. Yes. Let's go kick some royal ass!!
--
End of another chapter! Sorry to keep you guys waiting, -hides in shame.-
1Change this dragon to blue.
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