Chapter 2: A Costly Desire

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Eragon but I do for everything else in the rest of this fanfic that is...well, fictional from the book (plot, characters, etc.) Ok, I don't have to keep putting this on right?Hehe, btw, in case there are those of you who'd notice this...the title (save me from my solitude) I took from a song in Phantom of the Opera- sorry I couldn't help but doing so. I don't own that either. :-)

A/N: Thanks for R&Ring!

The night became darker. The air grew colder.

Evelyn didn't stop running. Her thighs and calves were getting tired and her breath nearly diminishing. Once she was positive that she was far out of the city's parameters, she slowed her pace and swerved around, her hair whipping in the air.

Yes! , She cried under her breath. The city of Uru'baen was far behind her. Her mind settled and her body loosened and became less tensed.

Exhausted, Eve rested her sweaty palms on her knees taking slow, deep breaths. She stood up looking around, shivering. Despite the fact that she was free, she still had chills running up her spine, fearing the fact she was on this all alone…But she had to go on. Once she finished reassuring herself she kept continuing on her way but on a slower pace- she was tired but she didn't want to risk anything.

It wasn't long before she spotted a lone horse standing afar from where Eve was. Relieved she started running again, cautiously though. Whenever she was nervous, Eve couldn't bear have any thoughts cross her mind…she always remained focus until things got better- Wow!

The horse was one beauty.

It was a fine horse with a toned build. It had a smooth, sleek coat of black with a bright white mark on the forehead. Eve slowly approached gently reaching out her hand. Wow, she thought to herself again. Tornac had given her a few pointers in riding horses but they barely got the chance to practice it.

A sturdy leather saddle was already set, its reins tied to a tree branch. Up in the tree, Eve spotted the belongings her friend left her. Never climbed a tree in her whole life, Eve rubbed her gloved hands together and grasped the branches.

She elevated a few steps quickly but she couldn't reach her arm high enough to grab the next branch. From attempting to do so, she was left with holding onto one branch.

"Damn…" said Eve. She started climbing up the tree with her legs in order to reach the last branch. Once she hooked her legs onto it, she used all of her stomach to lift herself up…her arm couldn't hang on so she leaned over the bags and…

"Aagh!" yelped Eve as the bag slid down the tree bringing Eve down as well. Fortunately, the lone tree was rather stout! Moaning, she got up with more bruises to worry about the next morning. At least she got her bags…In them contained a few extra clothes, a dagger, leather pouch of water, some other necessities, but of course, her own sword!

Excited, Evelyn grabbed the sword out of its sheath and marveled at its radiance, with her reflection glowing on one facet. She started practicing some moves Tornac taught her. Thrilled that she's finally on her own, she soon snapped back into reality.

Once things were packed and ready, she launched herself on top of the horse with the reins untied. She needed to name the horse…whom she figured out was a male. "Lamont, is what you'll be named…" she said quietly, in remembrance of her father. Eve then took a breath and cantered the horse. She was surprised by its tameness and obviously overestimated the difficulty of driving a horse.
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Evelyn misjudged how tedious this journey was. Days were long and tiresome- yes, she had much to think about but her mind remained dreary. What was she going to do once she reached Tierm? How was she going to earn money? What was the point of her existence?

It was as if Eve was having one of those "middle-life crisis" yet she was only fifteen. She sighed. She felt lonelier than she felt working in the city. At least there, she was actually surrounded by other people.

It's been a few days since she escaped, and she was pass the bend of the Ramr River. Eve could still see its fierce waves crashing violently in the distance.

Bored, she pulled out her map and tried to point out where she must be.

I must be pretty near Dras-Leona…she thought. She remembered her plan to avoid the city, and changed direction with Lamont nickering.

A week later…

"Yes! Almost there, almost there!" shouted Evelyn. After several more days of riding, Eve and Lamont were only some yards away from Leona Lake. The water skin was almost empty and the traveling duos haven't been exposed to any other source of water since the Ramr.

Quickly, Eve leaped off of Lamont, tying the reins to a nearby tree. Astonished, Eve eyed the clear, smooth, sheet of water that glistened like diamonds under the beaming sun. This was the second body of water she had seen in her life. A hell lot different from the Ramr River, she thought.

She leaned over and ran her slender fingers over the cool crests. To her amazement, the whole lake was clear like shattered glass whereas the ripples acted like cracks.

Studying the water for a few minutes, and confirming it safe, Eve immediately went back a few steps. Then, hooting, she charged towards the lake and launched herself in the air in a cannonball, anticipating the icy "façade" that waited and the cool rush of waves that will soon engulf her.

In just a few seconds, Eve was twisting and turning in the clear liquid until she ran out of breath and broke through the surface. Thrilled by the sensation, she whipped her damp hair from side to side, sending gems of water all around.

Seeing Lamont busy grazing on some grass and left alone to her own amusement, she grew curious about the bottom of the lake. The lake was pretty deep, but she convinced herself that she could manage.

Maybe I can find something…valuable? She thought

Again, she dived under the surface and began to descend towards the bottom, hoping she would find something of interest. By the time she reached the bottom, she still had plenty of breath and had a good sense despite her limited vision.

As she scanned the ground, nothing was seen except for the typical. Just when she was about to end her search, something caught her eye and immediately, she halted and swam back a few paces.

At first, Eve couldn't see anything, but she knew something was there…like a force dragging her over. She went further down to get a better look- out of strange instinct, she started digging beneath some plants, rocks, pebbles… Then there it was!

Evelyn couldn't see it very clearly…but it was a lustrous aquamarine color. She stroked the half buried object it and shocked, it was perfectly smooth. Excited, she started digging furiously, mauling away rocks and dirt while forgetting about her shortage of air.

Finally, she gave one last tug. Again it wouldn't budge and again she started digging with her worn-out hands. As she got deeper into the burrow, she felt a thin but a terribly strong vine tangled onto the stone. Once she got her hands on it, she gave her best shot in ripping it…the attempt resulted fruitless. The vine seemed so fragile yet it stayed put. Figure!

Without hesitation, she slipped out her dagger and sliced the vine apart. Alas, the stone was loose! Eve marveled at the perfect, oval-shaped gem. It was rather large, but surprisingly light.

Scanning the area, she snapped back to reality- her lungs were hollering for air and felt like bursting. She had no idea why she was so desperate for this thing but she only knew she had to…!

What have I done? Eve cried to herself.

Damned stone! She then cursed. Her body felt limp, weak, and numb as her consciousness grew hazy. She can't breathe! She can't move!

Something! Someone! She pleaded, with all her heart she wished for a miracle. If only she wasn't alone, if only there was someone with her that can save her, save her from her solitude…

As if her prayers were answered, unknown arms wrapped around Evelyn's waist, slowly bringing her to the surface…

But Eve didn't notice this; she was too busy clinging on to her last breath for her dear life…

What life… she thought, and she knew no more.