I do not own The Inheritance Cycle.
So this is and isn't a side story- I don't know what this is...
Enjoy,


A Duty in Truth and Lies

They arrived in the homely valley in the late afternoon, just as the high blue of the winter sky was beginning to darken toward a hazy, moonless evening. The sight of the yellow walls in the distance, glimmering under the halo of sunlight that burned huge and still in the clear sky, made Ailis' heart beat painfully in her chest.

When she had left this manor just over thirteen years ago, she had thought that she might never see it again. To be in this place after all their hard journeying was for Ailis the best part of bliss, it held a special place in her heart. It was here that she had first found what it mean to be something more a history of mistakes, rediscovered the meaning of human kindness. And it was here that she began to overcome the worst of her grief for her lost child.

Though it was winter beyond the high peaks of the Spine here the air was warm and stifling, filled with the scents of spring and it early blossoms fell from the trees like snow. Ailis couldn't get to the gate quick enough, and when she did she pulled the weaving vines from the entanglement of the worn, wooden gate and swung it open. The sound of its familiar creaking brought a smile to her face. She felt as if she were in a dream and had no desire to awake to the cruel world she had been living in the past months, and turned around to glance at Rose.

The young woman stood, halfway off her horse, glancing at the surrounding blossoming trees and valley of untamed flower with a look of unhidden, childlike wonder but then she shook herself and a mask-like blankness covered her emotions. Ailis sighed, she doubted Rose would ever willing show her thoughts, not after the years of told that she should not.

Ailis knew all too well of the Daughters of the Crown who wore stiff gowns and forced smiles, policing theirselves so stringently, whittling each other down with cutting remarks or holding back from greatness with harnesses woven of fears and shame and longing. Being told that they are not worthy of the privilege of choice, they drown their hunger for freedom with weak tea, trying hard to make themselves fit into a narrow world as they are desperately afraid their blinder might slip and show then what they've to see, chosen to think would no longer be there. She knew because once she had tried so hard to fit into that narrow world to be that part of it as she should, but then she had grander ideas. Fantasies, really, silly little things, that lead her to heartbreak.

Rose was there in that place, where Ailis had once been years ago, where her blinders were failing and her world was toppling, all that she had been told was being called into question. Her doubt was written clear as day on her face and it had been for years, though no one had seen it. That place scared Ailis as it surely scared Rose who was still likely clinging desperately to those blinders, a fight she is losing. The young lady's battle showed in many ways, her hesitation to say what was on her mind in biting her lip or ringing her hands before a sharp comment, the stiffness in her shoulders when she was asked a question, the anger she tries hides behind closed eyes, an outburst of violence toward the nearest tree or loose stone. When Ailis had meet her, though it had taken her months to see it, Rose had been at the time, and she still was, when one misstep could lead to disaster and her life had been on the line, her mind wavering on what was wrong and what was right, and with the right influence here and a little guidance over there, she could become anything. Ailis had the feeling that the King Galbatorix had known what was happening for a time and was kneading it, as the dwarves do to clay, to shape and fit into his own wants.

Like a cold bucket of water it came over her and the dream faded, she awoke looking again at the world as it was. Ailis hadn't the time for high spirits and merry mischief, not so long as she had the dragon egg with her in a place so far from the safety of the Varden. She could retreat to the haven of the elves, she knew, but they would not welcome her, and with Rose and Thorn, well, she didn't want a single elf near them. It would be too much of an influence for them, and for as long she could Ailis was determined to protect that girl. She had to. It was no longer a choice it had never been a choice, simply something that she had to do.

A silky petal brushed against her cheek and she brushed it away, looking again towards the haven, as it was that if only for a few days. She passed through the gate and continued forward, it would such a relief to relax and enjoy well prepared meals and to sleep in a bed surrounded by cushions and blankets and not to waken to dripping branching and cold fingers and toes. Suddenly she couldn't reach the doors fast enough and she hastened her step to a slow jog.

When she got the atrium, Ailis nearly tripped as she pulled the bell lever and fell onto the bench. Every part of her body ached and her head was pounding with relief. They had made it this far, and they were all safe.

The atrium was a peaceful place filled with the bubbling music of a fountain and the smell of spring's foliage. Tornac and Rose stood under arch, she looking around with mild interest and he with an eerie tiredness, his face was still pale and withdrawn from his illness.

Ailis waved them over. "Sit down," she told them. "Someone will come in a moment."

Tornac moved first. "I thought you said they were farmers," said he sitting down beside her.

She saw Rose perk up a bit and cast about a look of uncertainty, likely thinking the same as he was. "Padern and his wife are. I thought the same thing as you when I first came here." That was a lie, when she first came here she knew what she was coming into, she had been told that they were prosperous from many generations of good crops and rich noble blood, and she had detested them for it. At this moment though Rose couldn't know that, she would distrust these people if she knew the truth. She would distrust Ailis. "I've learned in time that their fortune is as old as their blood and as deep as their compassion," she said this in truth. Padern and Voirrey were very kindhearted and vigorous people, and perhaps that was why they had cared for her as they had, and why she came to respect them. They had taught her that kindness does not equate to weakness, and that was a lesson she held onto dearly as if it were her own breath.

The sound of a door opening made her look up. Voirrey stood there in the doorway half frozen in astonishment and the she met Ailis' eyes and came forward, her arms held out as if to embrace her. Ailis looked away swiftly, because right now kindness would make her weep and did not wish to weep here and so instead she stood, extending her hand in greeting. "Voirrey," she said. "Greetings."

"Ailis?" The name came stiffly from her as her face dropped with disappointment. "Is that you?"

"The same," she said. Ailis studied Voirrey for a short moment, feeling suddenly giddy as if she were young girl about to get a forbidden treat. "How good it is to see you!" Please don't ask any questions, my friend, she thought to say, not now, not here, not in front of her.

"And good to see you, my friend. I've missed you," said Voirrey remaining formal. A staid smile flickered across her lips, surely catching onto Ailis' warning looks. "But it has been too long since your path has led this way."

Ailis narrowed her eyes just slightly at her hoping that her friend would say no more about where she has and has not been. "Far too long," she agreed.

"What has brought you to this side of the world?" There it was the question Ailis hoped Voirrey would not ask, not until they were alone, at least. She gave her head a slight shake and Voirrey glance behind her at Tornac and Rose and behind them at the horses. Realization dawned on her face. "But that can wait," she said. "Please let us get out of this heat before we talk. Come, we must attend to the beasts first." She led walked past Ailis with a curious glance, and continued to the horses allowing them to untie them from the posting and lead them into the sables.

The sables were a low set of stone buildings built on from every few generations as the farm grew and more animals were in needed to keep the farm stable. The first thing Ailis noticed was the calming smell of horses and all that came with it; the hay, slight moldy from the chilled nights, and the stinking musky scent of the horses themselves.

They mutely unburdened the steeds and brushed away the sweat sticking in their coat before stabling them and returning to the atrium and moments later into the house itself. The halls were still cool from the remaining chill of winter and the travelers relished in its coolness as they slipped off their cloaks from the morning rain and hung them, moving stiffly from layers of sticking sweat. The stone thick walls inside the house the plain, with simple golden embellishments, and all the more elegant for its simplicity. A lovely silver lamp hung down from the ceiling infusing a soft golden light over everything it touched.

"Well!" Voirrey exclaimed loudly, pulling Ailis out of her surveying. The woman was studying Rose and Tornac with interest, wondering no doubt as to why they were here and who they were. "Who are these two?"

Ailis waved her hand to each of them in turn. "They're Tornac and Rose," she said watching Voirrey's reaction as she studied them even more closely. Suddenly Voirrey eyes seemed to be able to pierce through ice as her gaze fell onto Rose and she looked taken aback. Ailis watched as Rose bowed her head politely and Voirrey after a moment hesitation did the same. Luckily Voirrey said nothing and Ailis relax into her heels, she hadn't known how nervous she was. "Tornac, Rose, this is Voirrey, an old and dear friend of mine."

Voirrey glanced at Ailis questioningly, she knew what the woman wished to ask and Ailis nodded her head. Her hazel eyes widened, and she flinched just ever so slightly. "You and your friends are always welcome here. My husband will no doubt wish for you to join us for dinner, he is occupied at the moment," she said in a way that meant something almost completely different. "In the meantime I will arrange rooms, and I expect you want to refresh yourselves and rest." That was a warning, not a suggestion. Ailis was going to have hell to pay for bringing Rose here without so much of a warning, the shock of her being here still made Ailis tremble.

As Voirrey shepherded them down the hallway Ailis matched her pace to the woman's long strides, it was unfair how tall Voirrey was compared to Ailis. She felt a stab of jealousy. "How have you been?"

Voirrey glanced down at her and smiled a true smile. "I've been well enough. Many things have changed since you've been here," she said, with a glance behind her. "And I can see that many things have changed for you as well. There is an interesting story to be told for sure but that can wait for another time." She paused at the staircase, there was pounding thumps as a set of children's feet fled up them, she saw a flash of red curls and heard a girlish giggle. Ailis shot her an ironic look and suddenly Voirrey became brisk. "I think the both of us need something to drink. Or at least I do. I'm pretty sure we can find some wine in this house somewhere…"

She continued up the stairway and after rousing a maid from her dusting to prepare three chambers for them and show the chambers and washroom, to Rose and Tornac who both were togging behind tiredly, Voirrey went into the music room. There a table by the window where a full carafe filled with golden liquid stood next to some glasses, and she poured the wine into two glasses. She handed a glass to Ailis, lifted hers in salute, and took a long draft.

"It has been a hard last few years, Ailis," she said. "And we've have had our discoveries and losses. But I doubt that times have been as hard as yours. You are welcome as you know to remain here if you wish to."

"I know I could," said Ailis, "and you know I wish to and that I cannot. Tell me about what has happened here."

Voirrey sighed, and looked down at her wine, swirling it thoughtfully in her glass. "We lost Neacal," she said, naming her first born child.

Ailis drew in her breath, remembering the witty boy. "How?"

"There had been an illness that swept throughout this region, it began well over six years ago and ended not long ago, perhaps it continues still though I've heard no word of it. Many children and men and women had passed from this due it, young adults mainly, it targets those in their prime who are readily prepared to bring in the next generation. Neacal went south to learn sell our trades, with many of our men when they came in contact with a woman with the disease and she passed it to him. It spread through his veins like a quick poison and he did not return." There was a catch in Voirrey's voice and she sighed. "We miss him sorely. I am beginning to understand some of your pain but," she paused and looked at Ailis sideways, "I am also beginning to think that not all is as it seems."

Ailis stared down at the wine and knitted her lips together with distaste, she lifted the glass to her lips and took a long drink. "So it seems."

"How is it so?" she asked.

"I'd rather not talk about this," she said looking meaningfully at the woman.

Finally the woman nodded. "You're playing a dangerous game, don't you think?"

"Voirrey, please," she said. She was begging now but she did not care. "I cannot talk about this."

"I'm only trying to look out for you."

"I know," said Ailis. She hunted for something to say that might change the direction of the conversation. "Who is the girl?" she said at last.

"Breaca," Voirrey said smiling around the name with a slow shake of her head. "She can be quite a sprightly child. Hasn't been still since the moment she came here."

"How did she come here?"

Voirrey shook her head. "You cannot be willing to talk about one child and be so unwilling to talk about the other. Go and rest, we can talk more over dinner. Caitriona arranged it, so its sure to be good," she said before shooing Ailis away with a humored laugh.

.

Dinner was a tasty as Voirrey promised: roasted wild duck with almond oil and butter and stuffed with fresh herbs and nuts, salty wedges of sharp cheeses, bowls of carrots flavored with honey and rosemary, and thick mussels and flavorful fish, or in the least that was what Ailis had noticed of it. The meal was followed by a creamy apricot latticed pie that made Ailis' mouth water, and she savored every bite.

Padern had come from a large family and many of his relatives lived in the house with him and his family, helping with the corps and enjoying its wealth in turn, and often joined him for dinner as they did that night. It was by an unspoken consent, they spoke about distance or pleasant things- memories of Padern's or his brother's youth or funny stories Voirrey remembered from her childhood in a manor nearby, or arguments of about merits of different plants- until they had finished eating. At last the large group broke apart to do as they pleased, and Ailis watched as Rose retreated to the library and Tornac retired to bed to return to the sleep he had been awoken up from.

Tornac had put much effort to appear recovered from his passing illness, to hide it from her and Rose as their continuing traveling as it hadn't allowed him the chance to properly heal, going so far as to join them in the practice of swordcraft. He had done a decent job and Ailis had been fooled until they had gone swimming the other night when he said the water was very cold when in fact it merely cooling and then when her hand brushed against his blistering hot skin. Ailis watched him leave worriedly, before she returned to her own chambers to rest for a time.

She spent very little time in her chamber before throwing on her robe and padding down to the corridor to the bathroom. She was addicted to baths and every chance she got she ensured that she that she took one. A window was open letting in the cooling night air and with it a light breeze. She filled up the tiled bathing tub and allowed herself to soak, losing herself to the growing warmth but when a breeze caught the stray pieces of her hair, her mind perked and her thoughts began to wander, she dipped her head under the water's surface and held her breath for as long as she could, before getting out of the water.

Then she returned to her chambers and shuffled quietly through her bags until she drew out the remaining dragon egg. Its green glow caught in the light and shimmered a light silver in the glowing light. She ran her fingers over its smooth, veiny surface and returned it to its casing, double bagging it and then hiding the bag under the gap beneath her mattress and the floor. She muttered a spell to insure its protection. There would be no more chances, no more risks, no more hatchlings, she had decided this after Thorn had hatched for Rose.

If there was a matter that bothered Ailis endlessly, it was that; Rose becoming a Dragon Rider, something the girl clearly did not wish for. Ailis had been afraid when she found out that Thorn had hatched for Rose, that she become more like her father than she unknowingly was, but this was not the case. The two of them together was completely unlike what she had thought would happen. A slow trust had built up from a set of runes and it now towered high, though neither dragon or Rider acknowledged it. There was an eerie calmness about Rose whenever the dragon was near, as if some of her fears had left her and she was beginning to be able to pick up the pieces left behind, to collect herself. Ailis found it both enlightening and haunting, and she was never able to watch the two of them for long before she had to turn away.

Ailis had been keeping close tabs on Rose for well over three years ,as soon as she had heard of Rose, she looked into the girl's existence. And when it had come time for Ailis to go to Urû'baen, it was no rare chance that she was stated under caring for Rose. She had worked quite hard to ensure her position there, almost cruel deeds that the woman would never admit to the girl for fear she might grow to hate her. It was a shock on both how cautiously and how quickly Rose took to Ailis. She had been starved from maternal affection, Ailis came to know, and had more fears than what was a right for a girl of her age and standing should have, but it was the fear of become something like her parents that troubled Ailis the most.

Rose hardly knew the people that were called her parents, what they were like, what they had truly looked like without the brush strokes. The girl had a portrait of her father and mother hidden in the depths of her wardrobe in Urû'baen, Ailis had seen it and shoved it aside with an effort not to rip it to shreds, perhaps it the only way Rose knew what her parents had looked like and that's why she keep it. She had been far too young to remember the man and woman properly, though she had undoubtedly heard tales. The tales of a ruthless, betraying, hateful past of deeds, but none of the shame or guilt or regret, those tales were well hidden but findable if one looked for them. But she did not look or even seem to care and in this way Rose had put up her own blinders, these were stronger that one forced onto her, and would refuse to hear of the truths because in their life and their death her parents had hurt her, and continued to hurt her. How they not have? Just by their memory she had been chased down countless times in a place she should have been able to have called home, twice lay one her deathbed, been tortured by the threat after threat of death, lost her chance to enjoy her season as every young girl should, and then plagued under the belief of losing her freedom to the King, all because of them.

And Ailis had been a part of all of it, the guilt weighed down on her endless. Had she of known what might have come perhaps she would have been able to change something. But she did not and now she had to do what she could to put things back to their rights.

She shook her head, clearing her thoughts, then picked up a golden, slightly wrinkled pear out the bowl on the table and stepped outside her room and down the halls to the gardens outside. The shadows were now almost complete and the stars sparkled brightly above. Ailis walked barefoot out onto the cool grass and sat in the shade of a trellis overgrown with pale-yellow roses. She ate the pear slowly, letting its sweet juice fill her mouth, her head empty of thought, utterly content. Somewhere an unseen bird burbled in the bushes, but it was otherwise completely quiet.

.

It was in the late hours of night when Ailis returned inside the house, she was tired but could not find it in herself to sleep not just yet. By some undecided whim, she was standing outside Rose's door the light spilled underneath the doorway, golden on the checkered flooring. Her hand acted on its own accord as she opened the door and peaked inside, hoping that the girl was asleep and had simply left her lamp on. It was not so.

She was seated on the window seat staring unseeingly out the window, her head tilted just slightly to the side, deep in thought. Ailis had seen it many times while in Urû'baen acting as a maid and seeing it now concerned her. Scratching her leg with her bare foot, Ailis thought to close the door but when she did this, Rose looked at her startled. She stepped on her toes and opened the door. "Rose!" she said walking inside the room, "You're awake. Have you been spending your time well?"

Rose nodded, silently saying that she had in fact had a decent evening. Ailis believed that she had, as her viol was resting beside her and she undoubtedly finished playing some time ago. The woman had never heard Rose play and she doubted she ever would, it seemed something that the young lady considered to be a private thing, sacred for only her ears or perhaps those she trusted the most. Rose wouldn't ever trust Ailis enough to play for her, no doubt. Ailis bit her tongue sadly and shook herself, it hardly mattered. Rose had trusted her enough to leave Urû'baen with her unknowing why or where they would go, that should be enough for Ailis. But it wasn't.

"Is all well?"

Ailis only barely heard the words and she shook herself out of her self-pity. "Hmm?" What had she asked? If all was well? No, not all was well. "Oh, yes, of course," she said. Another lie, how many more lies would she have tell her? "Do you mind me brushing your hair? It has been over long since your hair has had a decent combing, I think." That was hardly the case, brushing hair, rather horse or human, had always been a way that Ailis had calmed herself. She was being purely selfish in asking to do so but her hands were twitching and she needed something to calm her unraveled nerves.

Rose bit her lip. It was a nasty habit of hers and Ailis hated having to look at the uncertainty on her face. Finally, she nodded and Ailis shoved her into a chair with a little more force than she should have. Slowly Ailis began to untangle the braiding in Rose's hair, it was slightly messy as the girl had done it herself and her hands were inexperienced but its darkness hid the loops and places she had missed.

As Ailis worked Rose sunk back onto her, making it near impossible to much of anything. More than once she had pushed the girl forward thinking that perhaps she had fallen asleep but she had not, she would mutter an apology almost unconsciously and straighten herself into a stiff uncomfortable position, her shoulders too firm and her back unbending. After a time of brushing her hair and all of the many tangles were out, her hair fell down her back still damp from her earlier bath, Ailis allowed her out the chair. She was tired at this point and she thought that at last she would be able to fall asleep.

After Rose had turned to glance in the mirror, Ailis glanced around the room. A flash of light caught her eye and she walked up to the window, touching the strings to the viol so that they rung out a pleasing sound, and looked at the suspended bird. She stared blankly into the piebald bird shaped glass. The glass bird had been her one possession, the only thing she had, of her mother. It was small, fitting into the palm of her hand like an egg would, and a lovely ornament with a bronze loop with a chain fixed to it. One of her earliest memories was of her mother unwrapping the glass from a thick scrap of cloth, and holding it into the sunlight, as she and her brother had watched in merriment as rainbows of light flooded into the room. She touched it lightly and it swung towards the window. "I didn't think that Voirrey had kept this silly thing," she said. It was a not silly thing, it was dear to her heart but she had been silly to allow Voirrey to keep it. Perhaps she would ask for it back one day when life was not as peculiar, though Ailis doubted it ever would not be.

"Its not a glass I recognize," said Rose. It was her way of inquiring after it, as she had been tough that questions were seen as unbecoming, not that this stopped Rose from asking if she thought it be important.

Ailis looked away from the bird and studied Rose's face. The blank mask was there but her eyes shone with a surprising emotion as if she just broken out a deep, important thought. "I would think not." She had never seen that type of glass expect for that bird. A true treasure it was. Ailis smiled. "It is a piece I know very little about other that it was a gift to mother from my father. He went hungry for almost a year but he did not regret buying it, I think." Because it was beauty of the thing that made her mother notice his advances at last, before that her mother had been blind to his favor towards her. That had been her father favorite story about his wife and he had told it almost every night before she died, after that he was different, controlling where he had once been kind. "It was one of the reasons she married him."

Rose gave her a crucial look and her mask was replaced with a look of shy mischief. "Your mother married someone because they gave her a glass bird?" She was being far too literal.

Ailis couldn't hide her smile. "I suppose I ought to rephrase that," she said. "My mother fancied him because he showed such kindness and later loved him, and because of that love she married him." She looked over at Rose and covered a yawn with her hand. It was late, she was tired and now that her mind was calm she wanted to go to sleep. "And now, I suppose it is time we go to bed, yes?"

Her nod came automatically like a dog trained to sit on command. "Have a good night," said Rose.

Ailis glanced over at her sadly and then shook herself. Eventually she would have to tell her the truth, but not now when their friendship was so fresh. "And you too!" she said with more cheer than she felt, and then she left for bed.


Another character guide
Padern (meaning father)- The husband of Voirrey, son of Caitriona her husband. Father of Neacal, Jory and Daveth. Fosterfather to Breaca. Once met Selena or so he claims.
Voirrey (version of Mary)- Wife of Padern. Mother of Neacal, Jory and Daveth, and foster mother of Breaca. A friend of Ailis'.
Neacal- Viorrey's and Padern's deceased son.
Jory (version of George)- Son of Padern of Voirrey. Tormenter of his foster sister, Breaca.
Daveth (version of David)- Son of Padern and Voirrey. Likes to fish.
Caitriona (version of Catherine) – Padern's and Bearnard's mother. Her husband is died. Grandmother of Neacal, Jory and Daveth, and to Breaca.
Bearnard- Paderns' brother. Husband to Rohosia, and father of Gwilym. Known as 'Uncle Bean.'
Rohosia- Bearnard's wife.
Gwilym- Bearnard's and Rohosia's son. Is Rose's age.
Ten more unnamed People.
Breaca (meaning freckled)- the voluble young daughter of Nola and unnamed man, she was adopted by Padern and Voirrey.
Nola- Breaca's birth mother. She gave Breaca up the family so that she could have a better life. No one knows what happened to her.