Wow, finally I've gotten around to the next chapter. Yeah me!
hyperchica- thanks for reviewing! Also for the input for pairing. I've thought about what everyone wanted, and I think I've finally reached a decision. Whose going with who? You'll just have to keep reading to find out!
Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon. Anything familiar belongs to Christopher Paolini, but everything else belongs to me.
Chapter Thirteen
Tears numbly fell from Kaiya's pale cheeks as she left Murtagh and Eragon in embarrassment. Her tattered shoes kicked against a few stray pebbles as she trudged through the yellow grass towards the elves' tents. Rubaes slowly ambled beside her, his piercing scarlet eyes refusing to leave Kaiya's tear-streaked face.
Will anything I say comfort you, Kaiya? he asked with an unmistakable sigh.
Kaiya slowly shook her head, wiping away the dampness from her face and exhaling deeply. Trust me Rubaes, I just need time to sort through all of this. Rubaes nodded in agreement, ruffling his large wings.
Shall you speak to Haldin of our journeying with them? he grunted.
I suppose I shall, Rubaes. Kaiya regretfully watched Rubaes depart with a single flap of his wings. He circled overhead once, twice, his graceful red body gliding through the air like that of an eagle's. Then he rose to the point where he was a small dot in a mass of azure and white. Kaiya tore her eyes away from her dragon, ambling leisurely until she found herself in front of a white tent.
"Haldin?" She ducked under the flap to find Arya and Haldin in the midst of a discussion. The raven-haired elf had her arms crossed over her poised body, hair tucked behind an ear to reveal it elegantly sharpened.
The conversation abruptly stopped as they saw Kaiya enter the tent. Is it just me or is everybody making a habit of keeping me in the dark—keeping secrets from me? Her lips curved downward in slight annoyance, though she quickly erased all emotion of suspicion from her face.
"I shall go check on the Twins," Arya announced coolly, an air of music in her voice. She raised her perfectly slanted eyebrows to Haldin meaningfully, then turned and nodded briskly to Kaiya before leaving the tent. Haldin cleared his throat and watched as Arya departed.
"The two of us were discussing the issue of the remaining dragon egg and—,"
"—And me," Kaiya finished for him. Haldin nodded unashamed. "But what is the reason for meeting with me, Lady Kaiya?"
Lady Kaiya. The very words sounded indescribably foreign to her. How could he, an elf of Ellesméra with the top ranking of guiding Eragon to his kin, be addressing her so highly? She was the daughter of an innkeeper, that is, a thief and a woman of one of the Hadarac tribes. No, she could not possibly be worthy enough of such a title of nobility.
But Kaiya pushed aside Haldin's title for her at the moment to get straight to the point. "Rubaes and I," she started, choosing her words carefully, "have decided it best to travel with you and Eragon. We have no other place to turn to, especially with Galbatorix and his men hunting us."
"So you are, indeed, against the King of the Empire and all who associate with him?" Haldin inquired. Kaiya nodded instantly, blinking several times.
"Galbatorix is the reason of my father and brother's death, as well as the death of my dear friend and many others. Now he chooses to chase me down as if I am a mere deer waiting to be hunted. I will not allow this to happen; nor will I allow all of these deaths to be in vain. Galbatorix will pay for all the suffering he has caused," said Kaiya forcefully.
Haldin allowed a smile to cross his lips in satisfaction. "Very well, Lady Kaiya. In order to fight back against the Empire, you shall train along with Eragon in Ellesméra. Du Weldenvarden shall provide a sanctuary for you. All that needs to be done is to inform the Varden of your—complicating—arrival."
"Thank you, Haldin," Kaiya replied gratefully. She paused suddenly, wiping a bit of ebony hair from her eyes. "But, please, I do not deserve such a title as Lady Kaiya."
Haldin shook his head nonchalantly, "Nonsense. You are now a Dragon Rider, and ought to have a title deemed worthy of your status."
A tinge of red appeared across Kaiya's face in embarrassment, but she quickly turned away and exited the tent.
Rubaes, we are now set for the elves, she declared thoughtfully.
Though we have yet to conclude whether or not it is of our best concern, added Rubaes from the skies. Kaiya silently agreed to his wise words.
Saphira, what of her? asked Kaiya. I spoke only briefly to her, but she seemed like that of a wise dragon. You have talked to her, yes?
I have talked to her a bit, he admitted. And this Eragon boy, what of he?
He seems to pity me for my loss, but I can see that he is eager to have another Rider to accompany him. I am interested in finding out more about him. Kaiya murmured.
And the boy he travels with? Rubaes growled to her.
I do not know much about him, admitted Kaiya. He was taken captive by the Urgals, which makes me wonder if the King is interested in him. And for what reason he is against the Empire, I do not know. We have much to learn, Rubaes; it is not wise to be left without information in our situation. I suggest we learn as much as we can about our fellow travelers, and in the meantime I must start my training once more.
