Part 11 – Beats of a Heart
Khariaya accaosionaly looked back to the direction of the village, it had long dissapeared from their sight but she still glanced back a few times wondering when she would be able to return. "Khariaya. You know you can always come home and find refuge here when ever you need it." Damion's words achoed in her head and she sighed even though she knew she could come back, but at what price? If she came back before they defeated Galbatroix she would put the village in danger. With only the few men who accompanied them to the elven city of Osilon, when Khariaya heard that's was their destination she grew giddy with delight.
When she was a young girl living in the temple she saw some elves a few times as they came to the temple to see the head priest. They normally came when they were planning assaults on the Empire and were needed to help, with magic or other means. Khariaya distinctly remembered one elf that stayed in the temple for a month, Khariaya use to follow her around the temple. The elf was kind to her showed her many things about herbs and magic that she never forgot, and by time that the elf had to leave Khariaya's eyes were brim of tears as she watched her leave. The elf told her before she left, "When you've grown, come to Osilon and see me, ask around for the Carula healer."
She knew that once they got there she would go find her; she scratched her head trying to remember the elf's name. She gave up a moment later. The priestess looked up and saw Eragon walked ahead talking with his cousin, Roran. She felt her cheeks heat up and looked away quickly not wanting Eragon to look back and see her like that.
Eviothx felt a nudge of her feeling through their connection and stepped ahead from Saphira, who he had been busily talking too. The black dragon told the sapphire one that something had come up with her and Saphira nodded as he stepped up to his Rider.
Something is troubling you perhaps? Eviothx asked her as he walked along with her, Khariaya glanced over at her dragon and shook her head. She glanced forward at Eragon again holding her gaze there for a moment and then looked away again. Eviothx snickered seeing this and grinned devilishly.
He draws your affections doesn't he? He asked her, seeing her head snap to look at him with wide eyes and a mouth open wide, as his answer. Eviothx laughed mentally, and Khariaya sighed crossing her arms her cheeks flaming with embarrassment.
You forget I'm apart of the pretty head of yours. Eviothx said looking back at the priestess. Khariaya just sighed once again and glanced back at him.
So what if I am attracted to Eragon? She asked quickly staring at Eviothx intensely. The dragon was quiet for a moment thinking it over, a few times glancing at Eragon while he did.
Well I wouldn't blame you, his very handsome for a human. But, it what your heart tells you that is the point, attraction is one thing but do you feel for him? Eviothx asked her after a few moments consideration, the dragon then turned back to join Saphira once more leaving Khariaya to ponder what he said. The priestess looked back to Eragon, her mind started to think it over.
Do I care for him? My hearts beats faster when he is near, and I feel that my heart would rip in two if he should be hurt. I do care for him, but is that what he would want from me? She wondered to herself still staring at Eragon's back side. Eragon looked back at her and smiled to her before turning back to talk once again with Roran, Khariaya smiled back and blushed and deep red once again. She lowered her head to hide it, but unknown to her a pair of deep brown male eyes had been watching her the entire time.
They set up camp for the night about a days walk from Osilon, Khariaya sat by the fire started at the flames as they reached up and licked the night air. Arya walked over to her and tapped her shoulder with a long graceful finger. The priestess looked to the elf and smiled. Arya motioned her to follow her and headed over to the other side of the camp, Eviothx came with them as they went to a small clearing within view of the campsite.
In the clearing waiting for them was Eragon and Saphira, Eragon was sitting on a log and looked up as they approached. Khariaya smiled to him as they came closer then turned to Arya.
"What's going on?" she asked the elf, Arya turned to her and gazed straight at her.
"We need to see how accomplished your magic is I have an idea but I need to see it for myself." Arya replied to her question. Khariaya nodded and sat down Eviothx lay beside her ready to get started. Arya tossed her a pebble and Khariaya caught it in her hand.
"Lift it into the air." Arya told her, and Khariaya nodded. She placed the pebble in the palm of her hand and called on the magic inside her.
"Stenr reisa." She said softly and the stone glided effortlessly into the air. She even moved in around in a small pattern for fun. Arya nodded quickly and Khariaya placed the pebble back in her hand. The elf than handed her a stick and told her to light it, again Khariaya took it and preformed the task with ease. The task become more and more complicated as they went but Khariaya went on performed most with some if little difficulty. When they were done Arya turned to Eragon and smiled.
"All we need to do is to teach her how to fight." Arya said happily, Eragon looked at her confused. It had taken him a long time to get to the point the Khariaya was at in her ability with magic. Sensing his confusion Arya answer that for him.
"True she is close to the level of magic ability as you are, but she had an advantage over you. Being a priestess on the Temple of Castimonia she had been taught since a young age to learn magic. Seeing as she was raised to be the next head priestess she learned more than a regular priest or priestess." Arya explained to Eragon, Khariaya just nodded in agreement and looked to Eragon.
"But I fail in sword fighting, the only weapon I'm good with is a bow and arrow that I used for hunting and protection." she added in. Eragon nodded to her and smiled.
"I'll help you with that." He offered up smiling, Khariaya smiled back thankful for the night cover over her face because she felt her cheeks heat up. Little did she know Eragon was almost in the same state as she was in.
"Well we best head back." Arya said staring off for the camp site. Eragon and Khariaya watched her walk off and looked to each other. They looked away quickly and both their dragons groaned to their Riders and each gave a hint of advice.
"I know I'm far behind you but I'll try my best to learn to fight." Khariaya said and looked back to him and smiled. Eragon looked back at her too and nodded with a grin.
"Don't worry we all have to start somewhere. I'm glad you won't be starting at the beginning like I was. It'll be easier for you that way." He said and Khariaya winced mentally thinking of how he must have struggled to gain control of magic and learn to fight while fleeing the empire. She stepped forward and cautiously took his hand gently.
"Don't worry all that's behind you, your strong. Inside and out, I just hope I can do the same." She said smiling with a bit of nervousness. Eragon gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Don't worry I'll be there to help you. I won't let you fall behind." He told her and Khariaya felt her heart give a leap. She smiled at him and whispered a 'thank you' to him and lead him back to camp, breaking their hold on each others hand as they walked into camp.
Author's Note: Gah, I'm so tried writing this chapter, I was out helpin my friend deliever some papers and I'm tried. but i finnsihed the chapter! I'm so glad how things are turning out and thanks for all the reviews it means so much to me. Here are some answers to your questions;
alsdssg : As much as I like the Eragon/Arya pairing, I wanted to do something different, because I wanted to spice it up. When I'm gone this one I might do a Eragon/Arya pairing fic. But I'm not sure at the moment.
kool man: Don't worry that's coming up, I am trying to fit everything together to it's flows perfectly. But don't worry I haven't forgotten anything! Also I never said she was more powerfull, but she is very strong, almost as powerfull.
mOOnlite-dUSk: Well she kissed him didn't she? . You should find out as the chapters go how Khariaya feels for Eragon.