Eragon and Aillyira stood and watched as the last of her troops disappeared into the mountains. Eragon heard Aillyira let out a sigh of relief.
"We leave at dawn." She said.
"We must fly, it will be faster." Eragon said, he watched as a flash of fear crossed her face. But it was gone in the blink of an eye.
"I do not fly well." She stated.
"I won't let you fall." He said, watching her expression carefully. Lucky for her it remained neutral. "You need sleep. You have been awake for three days. You need your strength. This journey will be taxing." Aillyira nodded. She had begun to feel the exhaustion dragging down her body. She knew Eragon was right but she feared sleep. She feared what might happen is Galbatorix invaded her dreams. She wondered if she could keep the knowledge from him of her choice.
"Very well. I will retire." Aillyira said, heading back to her room.
We should watch over her. Saphira added. Eragon nodded.
Let her fall asleep first. I can sense that she is not one to admit a weakness or a fear. Eragon stated. Saphira nodded, she could sense it to.
Aillyira had put on a satin nightgown and braided her hair. She was just lying in bed watching the shadows that were created by the flames, dance across the ceiling. Lulling her into sleep. She could almost hear her mother humming a comforting tune. Aillyira closed her eyes as her body finally stopped fighting. The dreams were just that, dreams. She dreamt of the time before Galbatorix had killed her mother and taken her father.
The times of horse back riding through the countryside with her parents and Emeril. They were laughing and having the time of their lives. Suddenly there was a wounded animal in the way of where they were. Aillyira dismounted and walked up to the animal, who was whining. Her mother made a move to stop her but was halted by her father.
"Let her try," he whispered. They sat back on their horses and watched as the young Aillyira looked for the wound. Her hands hovering over the beast. She felt the warm tingling in her hands as she neared the wound. Claw marks in the belly and lower back. It was not like another animal to leave something bleeding and dying. Animals killed for food, not pleasure. Unless this was not another animals work. A light blue light flowed out of Aillyira's hands, mending the wounds right before her eyes. Even Aillyira's parents were impressed. It normally took years of training for someone to master that gift. The beast shook slightly as if shocked. The beast stood quickly. Aillyira just sat there, hands folded in her lap. The beast turned and everyone saw that the beast was a Unicorn. The oldest and most magickal creature known. The unicorn bowed in thanks and then took off into the forests. Aillyira watched as the green forest melted into ashes. She stood quickly. Expecting to find Galbatorix. But he was not in sight. She found herself in the Burning Forest once again. Aillyira stood very still, there was no telling what was going to happen now.
"Aillyira," came Galbatorix's voice, echoing off the burning trees. "How wonderful to see you again .By now I am sure you have discovered my insurance." He appeared in a puff of smoke in front of her. She did her best not to react.
"I have seen your troops camping on the outskirts of my land." She affirmed.
"Just protection, for my sake. I can not allow you or your people to align with the Dragon Rider." He said.
"You seem worried, Galbatorix. Why is that? Afraid to loose you rule of fear?" She asked, though provoking him was not the best idea. Sure enough, he backhanded her. Hard enough for her to fall to her knees. In a flash he was behind her, hand around her throat.
"I have been reading up on the little curse that you placed on me. All I have to do is stop your breathing and your beating heart for a moment and the curse in broken." He whispered in her ear, his hand tightening around her throat. Aillyira focused on breathing slowly through the restricted airway.
"I am not afraid of you, Galbatorix. I know you weakness, your fear. You should have thought about that before you had my mother killed." Aillyira tried to struggle. Galbatorix grabbed a hand full of her hair with his other hand and yanked up and back.
"Don't toy with me, child. I have more power than you think." He hissed, his hand tightening even more. In a flash, Aillyira saw something that would be etched in her memory. Her father, being re-programmed. "He was reluctant to forget you or your bitch of a mother. But once his will gave out, he was all mine." Aillyira felt the tears running down her face. She was loosing air, fast. She could not cry out for her father. She struggled again but Galbatorix had the advantage. His hand tightened again. "I can feel your life force waning as we speak. Your Elven training can help you now." Aillyira pooled all of her strength. She had to reach out to someone, someone who could help her.
Eragon! She called out in her mind, hoping that he could hear her. She felt his hands close around her arms as Galbatorix's hand tightened a little more.
"I must say, my dear. I am somewhat impressed. Your will to live is stronger than any I have encountered before." His voice sent shivers down her spine.
Aillyira! Wake up! Eragon's voice was slowly breaking through Galbatorix's hold on her. She struggled again, but it was no use. Galbatorix tighten his grip again, this time completely cutting off her air. She could feel the darkness creeping in on her.
ERAGON!! She cried out for in her head. She felt him shaking her physical form, she felt her saw being drawn back to him.
Aillyira shot up gasping for air. She gripped Eragon's shoulders, making sure she was actually back. She took in deep breaths, letting them out slowly.
"Let me take a look." Eragon tilted her chin up, watching as the bruise formed around her neck. He gently touched it.
"You saved me." She said, her voice rough.
"Not many people can pull me out of a dead sleep the way you did." He said. Aillyira looked around.
"You were sleeping in here?" she asked, motioning to the blankets on the fur by the fire. Eragon nodded.
"We figured that it would be easier for us to help if you needed it, if we were close." Eragon motioned to Saphira, who nodded.
"Thank you, both of you." Aillyira said. She looked out to the sky, the sun was just starting to colour the sky.
"At least you got a full nights rest." Eragon said.
We need to leave. Saphira said. Eragon nodded.
"We will leave you to get ready." Eragon got up and headed out the door. Aillyira sat there for a moment, then jumped into action. If they could get out before the sun was completely up, they would be safe until Galbatorix figured out that she had joined forces with the Varden. She grabbed the bags she had packs, put on a pair of black leather pants and a light blue shirt. She put on her combat boots and cloak. She grabbed her swords and daggers, putting them on. She walked out to the courtyard were Eragon was finishing loading the food. She handed him her bags, which he packed. She slowly climbed onto Saphira's back, Aillyira could feel her heart rate increase. She was not fond of flying. She felt Eragon climb up behind her. His arms snaked around her waist and grabbed the saddle horn.
Are we ready? Saphira asked.
"Ready?" Eragon asked. Aillyira nodded.
"As ready as I will ever be." She said. Saphira stood up, rocking them. Aillyira's hand instinctively grabbed the horn of the saddle over Eragon's.
"I've got you." He whispered, still her body refused to relax. Saphira took to flight and Aillyira resisted the urge to scream out in a pure panic. Instead she held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut. It was a few moments before she heard Eragon whisper in her ear. "You can open your eyes now." She did so slowly, not wanting to panic. The sky they were flying in was painted with reds, oranges, and yellows. It was breath taking. Aillyira just kept looking around, avoiding looking down. It was then that she realized that one of Eragon's arms was holding her tight around the waist, while the other held onto the horn.
"It should be three days ride to the Varden." Aillyira said. Eragon nodded, his chin brushing against her shoulder, making her jump. This was going to be a long three days.