People usually left her alone. Usually.

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That afternoon Kai watched as the mourning dwarves carried away the massive form of their king. The air was humid and thick as she bowed respectively from her far off perch. Kai preferred to stay away from the majority of the people. And even so, some still found her weather on purpose or not.

"Their leaving." Kai said to her present company. Eragon looked up from where he was sitting to watch the young woman gaze out across the fields.

"Who?" he asked standing and joining her at the top most point of the hill. He gazed in wonderment as he could see out and across where the battle occurred. He never knew about the great view the hill provided.

"The Empire's soldiers." She said pointing across from the Varden's mass of tents. He followed her pointing arm and watched the sluggish band along with her.

So she was right. The pitiful band of soldiers were marching out with their wounded at a slow pace in the direction of Uru'baen. They had won.

"Perhaps, its good news." Eragon said a little unsure and trying to look on the bright side. Surely, they had won.

"I doubt it." Kai told him bluntly watching as they marched out. Eragon didn't know, but she had already started her duties to the Varden, Nasuada had her creep into their camp last night and removed the few magic wielders left. In addition Kai stayed all night watching them and when they sent out a small party to carry news to Uru'baen…. She stopped their process. Early that morning they had found the passed party and were -as a group- now moving out back hoping to bring the news. She had forced them to retreat.

"Leaving means they give up…."Eragon said still gazing out at the small band moving across the barren land. " We've won." He stated.

"This time." Kai told him silently slipping from beside him and sauntering down the rocky hill. "This is only the beginning… there's more to see." Kai said already halfway down the rocky incline. Eragon quickly turned after hearing her so far away; he could have sworn she was right next to him. Quickly following suit, Eragon slid down the side and caught up with Kai as she walked into the camp towards the larger tents. He guessed to Nasuada's to tell of the news. He had to speak to the Varden leader as well; he had promised his cousin something and wasn't planning to put it off. At least they wouldn't need him for a while.

The Rider shows much interest in you. Suoh commented to Kai as she waited to be called into Nasuada's tent. I always see him around you.

Kai sent an annoyed wave of emotion at Suoh through the small connection he had formed between them and walked into the tent with Eragon.

Nasuada was busy but still greeted the two and told them to proceed.

"The Empire's soldiers have backed down and are marching out as we speak." Kai said formally. Satisfaction crossed the leaders face as she stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Kai.

"We can leave now and go back to that castle." She seemed relieved as she spoke. "Eragon? What did you have to say?" she said going back to her bustle but with better things to do with Kai's news.

"I made a promise, before any of this started." His voice was a little low like he wasn't sure he should be saying as much as he was. "None of this would have happened if I hadn't had made that promise. But now I have to fulfill it, Rowan and I are leaving." He finally said looking to Nasuada for her reaction.

The Varden leader was quiet for a moment looking from Kai to Eragon.

"You both can leave, I'll contact you if you're needed or there's trouble." She sounded so formal as she spoke her few words. She swept out of the tent and smiled to her guards as she planned to share the good news with her people.

"You're leaving too?" Eragon asked surprised turning to Kai after Nasuada left, his full attention was on the mystery with him.

"All I have to offer is fighting experience; I don't plan to sit around the Varden unless I'm needed." She said sweeping the room with her eyes and lingering on an unfinished lace but then finding Eragon's eyes. "And Suoh wishes to see more of this land." She added nodding to Eragon and making her way to the tents flap.

Eragon hurried out after her and stood stunned as she was face to face with him.

"It was nice to meet you, Argetlam." Her face wasn't passive like he normally saw it and her eyes weren't distant as she starred at him, he had her attention and all he could do was stare wide eyed. He sputtered a few noises but nothing comprehendible. The pressure she could create by just looking at him.

Kai smiled at the stunned boy and leaned up and kissed his cheek. She smiled further as his cheek grew in temperature. He was blushing.

"Until we meet again." She said vaguely and walked off. A little ways away in the rows of dirty tents the great white dragon emerged with a gleaming white sword limply hanging from his jaws.

Kai approached the intimidating beast and removed the sword and rested a hand on his massive snout as an affectionate touch. Eragon could here the content hum of the best even at the distance and unknown to him a grin graced his elfish face as he laid a hand over his cheek. She had kissed him. Kai kissed him. Him!

"Bye." He finally managed as the two strangers walked out of the packing camp and disappeared.

That's it. That's the end.

Review please.

-BS