Edited 6/21/07: I edited for consistency.
Chapter 7 and 8 could have been made into one long chapter, but I didn't want to have it be really long. Also, I just love the cliffies:P So, anyway, chapter 8:
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As the wind began to howl louder, my sobbing ceased. I wiped my face with my sleeve, but it was so cold that the tears were frozen on my cheeks. With this realization the resolve that had got me through so many lonely nights in the Hadarac Desert broke through my grief, stronger than ever.
No! I am not going to die here on this mountain. No, I'm not. And neither is Verina. She's going to be okay. I'm going to be okay. Do you hear me, Verina? I said we're going to be okay.
But Verina didn't respond. She was still shaking, even harder now, and her head had flopped back down to the snow-covered ground. She also had some snow settling on her back, so I carefully climbed up and began to brush the snow off. Her scales felt even colder than the snow. I shuddered.
With that done, I said, Now isn't that better? But again I got no response. I was getting into a whole new level of worry now. What was wrong with her?
I decided that the best course of action would be to try to make a fire to give Verina and myself some warmth. Verina, I'm going to get us firewood now, okay? I didn't really expect an answer, but it comforted me to talk to her.
My search for firewood took a lot longer than I expected. Most of the kindling was wet with snow, and so I had to go deep into the forest to find dry branches. And it certainly didn't help that a lot of pain shot up my legs every time I took a step. As a result, my hands and fingers were numb by the time I got back.
Shivering with cold and fatigue, I painstakingly cleared an area of snow and placed my sticks down for a fire. I then produced the rocks I had procured to start the fire. I struck against each other again and again, hoping to get a spark. I rubbed them together faster and faster, hoping to get friction to light the fire. But to no avail; nothing was working.
I looked back over at Verina. Her shaking had stopped, but her only movements were shallow breaths. I redoubled my efforts. She couldn't die, not here! We had come so far. My fingers were so frostbitten they were on the verge of falling off. But still I persisted, getting more and more desperate.
Soon I was screaming, "We're going to be okay, Verina!! YOU HEAR ME?! WE'RE GONNA BE OKAY!" Tears began streaming down anew, fresh and salty, but they too froze on my face. I barely noticed. My only thought was that we couldn't die, not now. We had a mission, we had an important message. Verina couldn't die. I won't let her.
"I WON'T LET HER!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, the shear power of my emotions overflowing out of me. But, as it did, a purple-colored fire erupted from my hand. The gedwëy ignasia glowed as bright as the sun, and suddenly the fire was lit, roaring high into the sky. A smile touched my lips as I saw this magnificent fire, and I tumbled into unconsciousness.
I didn't know how long I was passed out. All I did know was that when I woke up, all my injuries were healed, completely and utterly. And the fire was crackling merrily over the tinder, although none of its purple color remained.
I sat up slowly, my head feeling very heavy. The gedwëy ignasia was back to normal, no longer glowing. But it tingled pleasantly, and the silvery color reminded me of the ring my brother used to wear.
In a heartbeat I remembered Verina. In another I was by her side, running my hands down her flanks. They moved easier with her breath, and felt a lot warmer than before. I breathed a small sigh. She seemed to be doing better.
Just then, I heard a soft crunching sound behind me. I whirled around, desperately wishing I had my dagger. I found myself looking at a cat-like creature stalking towards me. Its shoulders looked powerful, and its paws were huge, bigger than normal cat paws. It had a rough, angular face surrounded by a mane, and its mouth had sharp white fangs sticking out of it. The flicking ears had tufts of black fur on the ends, and it surveyed me with piercing red eyes.
I backed away. I had never seen a creature like this, and had no idea what it was capable of. I remembered my brother's lesson on wild animals and decided to try talking to it. Assuming a calm, yet firm, voice, I told it, "It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you. And you don't want to hurt me, see, I'm bigger than you are. I'm dangerous."
I highly doubt that. I stumbled back even more as I felt a strange consciousness in my head.
"Is- is that you doing that?" I asked the cat.
I don't see anyone else here, do you?
"I-" It gave me an odd look, so I decided to use the mind-speak technique. No, I suppose not. But who are you? I said, a little too forcefully.
It cocked its head. You haven't figured it out? Here, maybe this will help… Before my eyes, the cat seemed to become transparent, almost disappearing. The outline wavered, and the transparency reversed itself, but instead of the cat, I was looking at the weird scraggly-haired boy from Daret, and again in the Spine near the cavern.
What?? You're- you're a- a werecat?! I remembered a story my brother told me when I was little involving a werecat. They were very elusive creatures, only appearing to a select few people.
The boy smiled. "You catch on quick, for a human."
"What- what's your name?"
He shrugged. "I go by many names. The one you may use is Solembum." And then Solembum reverted back to his werecat cat body.
So, Solembum, why are you here? Have you been stalking me this entire time?!
He laughed, and danced a little closer. Aren't you the rude one? What happened to 'how are you doing, Solembum?' or 'what wisdom would you like to impart to me, oh mighty Solembum?' He moved closer still, and I saw his eyes twinkling with amusement. That was very impressive magic there, Penelope. Especially for your first time.
I was amazed. I had done magic? It made sense now, that it was magic. How else could I have lit the fire and healed my injuries? Solembum, I was wondering, what do you know about dragons? I mean, is Verina going to be okay?
Dragons are immortal, unless they are killed by man, elf, or dwarf. So, no, Verina will not die. But you, on the other hand, are highly susceptible to cold. One of the drawbacks of being a human. They're one of the least robust of all the races.
So… you're suggesting I… find some shelter? Maybe a cave or something?
Solembum began to purr. Very good, he said, satisfied. Most humans can't take hints. I knew there was something special about you. He walked up to me and twined himself around my legs.
I… thank you, I guess?
No need. I was simply stating my opinion, which as opinions go is as close to a fact as any opinion can be.
…what?
Nothing, nothing, said Solembum, bemused. But, anyway, I wanted to impart some wisdom. Go to Kuasta, get some weapons.
That's it?
Yes. And the part about the cave, but you figured that out on your own, so it's not really advice.
Solembum, before you go, I have a question.
Humans always have questions, most of which can be answered without asking if they look the right way.
I was confused again, but decided to venture, Why are you helping me?
He turned his glowing red eyes right into my own, and his gaze was so sharp I almost felt like he would attack. But when he answered, his voice was gentle. That is one of those questions that can be answered by the asker. But, I suppose you won't truly know why until the time when the reason becomes clear.
He had just stated the obvious, but did it in a way that managed to confuse me. I was over thinking, trying to find some hidden meaning where their most likely wasn't one.
In the midst of these thoughts Verina stirred, rolling loudly onto her feet and letting out a huff. I turned around to look at her, and really let out my breath. She was awake. I returned my attention back to Solembum. Thank you, I really… appreciate… it… I trailed off, finding Solembum gone. I shook my head in wonder. That creature was an enigma, I'd give him that.
Penelope? I heard Verina say tentatively.
I hurried to her side. Yes, I'm here, Verina. How are you feeling?
I…I am feeling ashamed. And weak.
You flew thirty miles flat out. You're allowed to feel weak. And why are you ashamed? You acted in the best way you knew how. There's nothing to be ashamed of.
No, Penelope, you don't understand. I'm ashamed that I- I violated your trust and friendship. I practically kidnapped you.
Verina, you acted in the way you thought was most appropriate. There's no reason to be ashamed. I was struggling to find something to say to comfort her. Suddenly I remembered my earlier thought about how dragon-like she'd acted, and relayed that to her.
She was silent for a few moments, and then began to rumble, radiating gratitude. Penelope, your praise has touched my heart. You truly are the best Rider I could have asked for.
Thank you, Verina. I smiled momentarily, until a gust of wind chilled me to the bone. Shivering, I said, I think that we should get out of the cold, Verina. I'm not made to handle it.
I believe I know of a very appropriate place. And so we set off, moving higher into the Spine.
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This was harder to write than I thought, though only the ending. I was re-reading Eragon and Eldest and got new ideas for my own plot, just tiny little snippets Paolini put in there that I think would be very beneficial to my story. So, all in all, the delay was worthwhile.