Hi. I am NOT CP, I only own Tania and Ophelia.

In Tania's willful opinion, three days was far too long to think of a plan, ready for it, and then even take the first step towards executing it. She agitatedly plucked the bowstring to check, for the millionth time in the past six minutes, that it was indeed strung taut. Tania felt Saphira fidgeting nervously beside her, and could sense worry emanating from Ophelia as well.

Tania didn't bother to tell the color-shifting dragon once again that they would be fine, or anything of that sort. Ophelia knew. But, being the loyal friend that many would die for, she worried. It was the thing to do in these dangerous times, thought Tania.

Finally, they were ready to set out. Tania and Murtagh mounted Saphira, who took off immediately, aiming for the low-hanging clouds. They reached Gil'ead quickly, and Saphira dived below the clouds, unnoticed in the air. It was only when they landed atop the main building's tower that soldiers started shouting and alarm horns started blaring. Murtagh slid out of the saddle, rolling when he hit the ground, and started towards the dungeons.

Saphira leapt back into the air and Tania drew her bow, planning to stave off soldiers who might try to enter as reinforcements while Saphira ravaged the stronghold.

It was several minutes before Tania could see Murtagh up in the destroyed part of the tower, with Eragon and what looked like an unconscious woman. Suddenly, a figure burst into the room as Saphira veered towards the tower. All Tania could see was red hair and—somehow—gleaming red eyes, even from this distance. Murtagh loosed an arrow at it, and hitting the creature's—she knew it couldn't be human—forehead.

Saphira alighted on the tower's partly destroyed walls, stone and rubble crumbling underneath her weight. Eragon looked up in relief. "Tania!"

"Evening." Then Tania frowned. "Saphira won't be able to carry all of us, if we're taking the elf." She could just see the pointed ears, and the fine, leaf-like weapons they had with them—most definitely elf-make.

Saphira gave a soft growl. I agree, but I will have to.

No, you don't. The most important thing is to get Eragon out of here, and I don't think we should leave the elf behind. You carried two of us just fine, and I don't think three will be much of a problem—especially since that elf looks like she hasn't been properly fed for months, now—but four will be too much. I'll get out on foot.

Eragon looked startled. "Tania, no!"

But Tania had already dismounted. "I'll meet you back at camp," she said. She saw Saphira narrow her eyes.

Alright. Just… don't die. I don't want Ophelia after me for letting you go on your own.

Eragon looked at Saphira in indignation. "You're just going to let her go?!" Turning to Tania, he said, "How are you going to get out without them seeing you?"

Tania raised an eyebrow. "Rooftops. The moon is hidden, and it's hardly a crescent anyway. I'll be fine." Besides, she told him mentally, if worst comes to worst, Ophelia is waiting just behind the clouds.

Eragon glared at her, then rolled his eyes. "Fine." Then he muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like more stubborn than a dragoness.

I heard that, said Saphira.

Tania grinned and started for the walls. Looking down, she could see that the nearest rooftop wasn't too far of a drop. She jumped down, rolling to her feet as she landed, then took off running. When there came a gap in the buildings, she leapt it with the ease of someone who had spent their free time jumping from tree to tree like a squirrel.

As she neared the wall, Tania drew her bow, knowing she probably wouldn't be missed by the guards. Sure enough, the moment she clambered over the edge of the wall—it was a bit higher than the roof she had just been on—someone yelled, and she saw five soldiers sprinting towards her. Tania smirked and stepped onto the parapet.

The walls were high, but that didn't bother her. For the second time that night, she jumped, rolling again, and then leapt to her feet—again. Tania sprinted towards the forest, dodging arrows and crossbow bolts and stones. The moment she was within good cover of the trees, she stopped.

Around her, there were three pines, two spruce trees and five beeches. Tania picked one of the twiggier pines, climbing as high as she dared. Then, glancing back at Gil'ead only briefly, she set off towards camp.

Alright, I am REALLY sorry she's turning out to be kind of OP. But this is how she grew up: running from her previous home in a village, and normally doing so via tree. Hard to track footprints when there aren't any, if you know what I mean.

PLEASE REVIEW!

Falcon