Súndavar woke when the sun rose. He didn't move, enjoying the feeling of Rune's body against his, soft and warm. He ran his fingers through her hair. He knew she was beautiful, something Súndavar had never thought about a girl before.
Súndavar had known plenty of girls in his life. There was tough Kaitrin, the headstrong slave girl who had been sold in Yazuac. Sweet little Angel, the blonde girl Rune had seen the market at Melian. Spiteful Hanna, who thought she was the best because her father had been a merchant. But none of them were like Rune.
Rune stirred, arching her back like a cat. Her legs felt smooth and soft under the covers. Súndavar pulled away, kicking off the blankets and ending the blissful contact between their bodies. He stood up, shrugging his tunic back on.
Rune looked up at him, blinking sleep from her eyes. She yawned, before swinging her bare legs over the edge of the bed. Súndavar threw her pants at her, feeling strange and fluttery as he watched her slip into them.
She looked up to see him staring. She raised an eyebrow, then laughed. Her laugh sounded like a thousand chiming bells to Súndavar.
She flicked him in the back of the head on her way out the door, trotting down the steps briskly. He followed slowly, trying to work out his thoughts. He had only met Rune yesterday, but already he felt attached to her. And he had never felt attached to anyone; that was one thing you learned quickly when you were a slave. People came and went, died and were sold.
The bartender greeted them, raising his eyebrows at Súndavar's disheveled tunic and rumpled pants. "Quite a night, eh'?"
Súndavar frowned, then realized what he was implying and turned red. Rune turned around, narrowing her eyes at the man. Flicking her hair over he shoulder, she stomped out of the door. Súndavar saw her mount Eridor through the window. He darted out after her, knowing that she would very well ride off without him if it struck her fancy.
He jumped on the gray mare, riding quickly to catch up to her. "Were you going to leave me here?" he asked, accusingly.
She didn't look at him. "You know," she said, pacing expertly with her horse's stride, "Your mare needs a name. You can't continue to call her 'gray mare'."
Súndavar thought that calling her 'gray mare' was fine, but he didn't want Rune to think him stubborn. "How about Finna?"
Rune pursed her lips. "Peace? Well, alright. Finna it is then."
They rode for several minutes, before Rune completely forgave Súndavar for whatever wrong he had supposedly committed and started jabbering again.
Súndavar let her words fade, happy just to hear her voice. It grew dark quickly, and they stopped, making camp.
Rune laid on the ground next to Súndavar, looking up at the heavens. "I used to watch the stars from my window back home," she whispered, as if speaking out loud would break the moment. "I pretended that the first one I saw each night was really my mother, looking down at me from Safeguard and smiling."
"Safeguard?"
Rune looked at him, tearing her eyes from the glittering scene above. "Oh, it's just some imaginary place I made up. I used to tell myself stories about it. Flowers bloomed all year, even when it snowed, and no one ever hurt anyone else."
"Sounds like heaven."
Rune smiled sadly. "Yeah…" She moved closer, laying her head against his chest. Her legs brushed his. "'Night." She was asleep in moments.
Súndavar sighed. "Dream of Freedom." He wrapped his arms around her, tucking his nose in her hair. She smelled of fresh rain and moonlight.
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Eragon parried the blow, striking out with one of his own then drawing back at the last moment. His attacker fumbled, but recovered quick enough to block the downward swipe of Eragon's blade. Eragon made a move forwards, then pulled out and quickly forced in again, knocking the other person over.
Ready to end the battle, he brought his sword up. Suddenly the breath was forced from him, as his attacker planted a booted foot in his chest.
The other swordsperson flipped up, ramming the butt of his blade into Eragon's chest. The Rider fell over, sitting down hard on his rear. A cold, final blade was pressed to his neck.
"Point, Captain Shay!"
Shay flipped her—for Eragon's attacker was a she—hair over her shoulder, then helped Eragon to his feet. Pride shone in her open blue eyes. She grinned at him. "You're a remarkable swordsman, Argetlam."
Eragon wiped sweat from his brow, accepting water from a boy who had run up. He sipped deeply, then offered the flask to Shay. She drunk, then handed it back to the boy. She dusted her hands off, sheathing her blade.
On the edge of the training grounds, Saphira watched quietly.
Eragon sheathed his sword as well, a simple blade with no gem in the pummel. He had been offered first choice of any sword in the smith's shop, but none of them had felt right. Zar'roc was still his sword.
"Are you hungry, Shadeslayer?" the Captain asked. She was a few years older than Eragon, but in the past few weeks she had become a friend and ally.
Eragon shrugged. "Very well, Captain."
Shay pretended not to notice the envious looks some of the Varden girls gave her as she walked with Eragon towards the small inn. There was nothing between her and Eragon, and she was very sure it would stay that way. As the youngest captain—and the only female—there were numerous rumors circulating about her, most involving King Orrin. Eragon was one of the few people who looked past them.
They sat down at a table, Eragon ordering a salad and Shay a steak. The food came quickly, and both dug in.
Shay ran her fingers through her hair, which had been cropped short for the battle several weeks before. She missed her long tresses, but Eragon repeatedly assured her that she looked fine.
They chatted amiably over their food. Several of the people turned to stare at the Rider and his pretty companion, but none made any comments. Shay was glad for that, because if she had to explain to one more person that she in fact hadn't kissed Eragon, had no intention of becoming his lover, and didn't have any interest in him in that way, she was fairly sure she would scream.
Then the door of the inn burst open, shaking Shay from her reverie.
Eragon stood up, a hand on his sword. Trianna the sorceress stepped forward. "Ra'zac," she hissed, before collapsing. Shay rushed to her, Eragon a few steps behind.
"She'll be fine," Shay said, taking her pulse with two fingers. "Just shock. Her heart's going crazy."
Eragon nodded, running out the door. Saphira! He called with his mind, feeling the word echo through his head.
In seconds Saphira landed by his side. He hopped on her. He didn't tell her what they were looking for, but she seemed to know. Oh, little one.
Just go! He cried, not wanting to think about it. He dreaded what he would find along with the Ra'zac. Burning houses? Charred human remains? People screaming in agony? Would he be too late?
Just outside the city he spotted them. He couldn't tell what they were doing from his height. Land, Saphira.
The dragon spiraled out of the sky. Eragon got a clearer view of what was going on. The monsters were attacking a young man, probably only a year or so younger than Eragon. He was holding his own, but barely. A girl laid in the grass near him. She didn't move.
Egg crushers! Saphira screamed, Destroyers! She spewed fire at them, landing and swiping at them with her dangerous claws.
Noticing for the first time they were outmatched, the Ra'zac turned to Eragon with contempt. Their dark cloaks billowed around them like shadows.
"Gángir Helgrind!" one hissed.
In a flash of whirling smoke, the Ra'zac disappeared.
Eragon stared in shock. How did they do that? One moment they were there, and the next…
"Rune!"
It was the boy who yelled. He had dashed to the girl's side. He flipped her over.
Eragon moved quickly, nearly flying over the ground. He kneeled beside the boy, who was shaking his friend nervously. She didn't stir. Eragon saw the pitted wounds that laced her torso nervously. He bit his lip. Had he gotten there in time?Had Eragon failed?
Would she live? Or was she doomed?
Ancient Language:
Gángir Helgrind: To Helgrind! (literally 'To the Gates of Death')
Author's Note: I am soooooo sorry for not updating for a while. I was having computer problems. :D
Hearts to all, KittenofShadows