Edited 8/1/07

Chapter 12 makes 3 chapters in quick succession. The plot bunny has bitten me…finally, I might add. Lol. Anyway, I would really really like reviews, if anything to know that people are still reading this and I'm not writing for no one. PLEASE REVIEW! That's all I ask of you… (Phantom of the Opera:))

AmayaSora

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I didn't sleep a wink that night. Despite that fact, the instant Verina woke up, I pounced. Hey, Verina, you know how I can read your thoughts? Do you think it's possible for me to read other people's thoughts as well?

What happened to 'good morning?' she replied groggily. I felt her shake the sleep out of her mind. Well, of course it would be possible. I think. No, no, I know. Wait…if I'm wrong, don't be mad at me.

Verina! I'm not going to be mad at you. Sheesh. The sleep deprivation had made me irritable.

Sorry, she huffed. But, yes, I do think you, or rather, we, can. And I also think you should have been resting last night as opposed to gallivanting about. What were you doing?

I raised my arm and exposed the pack, which had been my pillow as I lay down. She jerked her head back. Penelope that was an extremely reckless decision.

I know, I know.

I apologize for yelling at you, but I must convey my feelings towards that action. It seems very poorly planned. You could have gotten captured or worse! And you did not inform me of your escapade either! I couldn't have protected you if you needed it! That caused me tremendous pain as it made me feel as if you do not trust me.

At this pause in her rant, I cut in. Verina, I see your point. It was ill-conceived. I felt horrible doing it. But, at least I got us food. And I now have a weapon. I briefly unsheathed Jeremy's dagger. The army is going to Kuasta, I learned that too.

How did you learn that? she asked suspiciously.

Verina, you'll never guess how. Jeremy! Jeremy was there!!

Who is this Jeremy?

My brother, Jeremy.

Verina was stunned. This is wonderful news, Penelope. I am so happy that he is well, for that makes you happy. She stopped suddenly. What does he know?

What does he know about what?

What does he know of you, your travels, of me?

Oh, well, I summarized major events that happened since I last spoke to him. But I didn't mention you at all. I was planning on asking your permission first, and then explaining to him in Kuasta.

He will be in Kuasta as well? How do you intend to find him? We can't walk right up to the barracks and announce our presence.

I snorted. Obviously. I'm meeting him in front of the armory.

Verina paused, and uncertainty emanated from her. Penelope, I- I do not think that is wise. He is working for the Empire, which is our enemy. It rings of a trap, and I am not at all comfortable with it.

I was indignant. Verina! This is my brother we're talking about here, my own flesh and blood. He wouldn't betray me! Besides, he hates the Empire with all his heart. He saw how they murdered my mother- Tears brimmed in my eyes, threatening to flow out, but I shoved them aside. He wouldn't give up his only sister to the same fate.

Verina was apologetic. You have always avoided the topic of your mother, until now. I am truly sorry, Penelope. She sent her condolences across the link, paused briefly to let it sink in, then continued, I have no doubt that your brother is an honorable person, for one such as yourself to speak so highly of him. However, that does not mean he cannot be manipulated or threatened into betraying you. The King's torture techniques are strong.

I was sure Jeremy could withstand anything they threw at him, but I let it go. I see your point, as always, wise Verina.

Was that sarcasm?

No…okay, but only a tiny bit. She playfully shoved me with her nose. Grinning, I grasped one of her pearly white spikes. Shall we be off, then?

Yes, little one, we shall.

As we rose into the air, I caught sight of the sea of people that was the Empire's army marching purposefully through the trees. I shuddered; another fifteen minutes and they would have seen us take off.

While we were so near, I decided to try the mind reading technique for myself, to see if it was actually a viable power. Maybe I could even use it t reach Jeremy. I started by reaching with my mind, as I did to find the link to Verina. She fixed her big black eye on me. What are you doing?

I'm testing something, and I need to concentrate, I snapped. A heartbeat later, Sorry, that was sharper than I intended. But it does take concentration.

Verina was confused, but said nothing more. I reached further, extending my reach as far as I could. When I was at the furthest point I could reach –and also on the verge of exhaustion, though I wouldn't admit it to anyone but Verina- I was able to catch a very faint snippet of…something. It wasn't really a thought, more of a general feeling of discontent.

Verina, check this out, I said, mentally directing her to the thought that I struggled to maintain. As we flew further away it became dimmer and dimmer, eventually fading away entirely. I also faded, collapsing down onto Verina's back.

When I awoke it must have been hours later. I was dangling precariously from Verina's front left paw. Verina, I'm okay. You can put me back now.

You should get more sleep, she chastised gently as she allowed me to resume my usual position between her shoulders. But, then it wasn't entirely your fault, the first time touching other minds is always rough.

I stopped for a moment, wondering. I didn't want to offend her, but I felt like I needed to know. If you don't mind me asking, Verina, how do you know all of this?

I am never bothered by your questions, Penelope. We are dragon and Rider and should have no secrets. She paused, and I could feel her puzzled thoughts. However, the answer to this particular one… these insights seem to just appear in my thoughts. I have no control over when this happens; it just occurs at odd intervals. So, I do not know.

We landed as close to Kuasta as we dared. Verina and I agreed to go to the far side of the city to throw the soldiers off. It also seemed safer if we needed to make a hasty escape.

Because of this, it was nearly dark when we landed. Verina caught a scraggly young doe for supper, and I ate another bite of bread and a tart. Verina, to her great embarrassment, drained half of the canteen in one sip. I took a meager portion to even things out.

The next day I decided to venture into town. Although it pained me to do so, I took all of the supplies Jeremy had given me out of the pack, which I cut up to make into a very crude cloak. Sewing was never my forte, but at least it was something to disguise my identity.

At noon the soldiers were only just arriving. I stuck to back alleys and hugged the shadows much of the day. I did, however, get to practice my mind-reading. It felt very wrong at first, invading others' privacy as I was, but I reasoned that it may just save Verina and my lives one day. By the time the troops got settled into their quarters I could now pinpoint a mind, enter it, and sift through a few thoughts that lay just below the surface.

On one of these searches I found a mind protected by a sturdy brick wall. Intrigued, I determined its location and made my way there. I found myself in front of a small, obscure weapons shop on the outskirts of town.

Solembum had mentioned that I should get a weapon, so I figured this was as good a place as any. I opened the door slowly to reveal a dusty, cobweb-filled room adorned with shelves of swords, armor, and, curiously, books. No one appeared to be inside, so I was preparing to leave when suddenly a curly-haired woman emerged from the shadows. "Yes? How may I help you?"

Too late I remembered that I had no money. "I'm just looking, ma'am. Sorry to disturb you."

The woman looked at me oddly. I smiled uncertainly, and she returned it with one so full I thought her mouth might open up to eat me.

"Hello, dear! You must be Penelope, correct? I thought Solembum was off chasing moonbeams all those weeks, but he returned and said he was with you. I suppose he's never just chasing moonbeams, though, is he? He's the one that put me onto my toad idea."

I was utterly bewildered. This strange woman knew my name, claimed to know a werecat, and was now spouting something about toads. I smiled weakly. "Um, n-nice to meet you…?"

"Angela, dear. Ah, here he is," she said as Solembum waltzed into the room.

There you are. I had wondered if you were actually coming.

Why wouldn't I? I grinned. I didn't know you were a pet.

He bristled, eyes glowing. I resent that. I am no more Angela's pet than Verina is yours. I just enjoy her company, he finished smugly.

I'm sorry. Turning to Angela, I said, "This is quite a shop you have here."

"No, it's not much at all. I'm only here for a few more days, than I'm off for Surda again. The Varden keeps me so busy. But I just had to come and meet the new Rider for myself."

"You know that I'm a Rider?" My hand unconsciously tightened around my dagger, concealed in my sleeve.

"Of course."

Of course, echoed Solembum. I know things, and Angela's not too dumb, either. Speaking of knowing things…

He trailed off, conferring mind-to-mind with Angela, who told me, "Wait here for just a moment."

She hurried off into the very back of the shop and returned with a thick book. The leather was so faded I couldn't even make out the title. Pages were falling out, and the film of dust covering it made me think this book was very old. Angela laid it flat on the counter and flipped through the pages, mouthing words as she went. The speed at which she flipped made me worried that the pages would rip.

She stopped on a page very near the back. "Here we are, dear, come take a look."

Confused, I stepped forward as Angela turned the book to face me. The dim light allowed in the shop was not making reading the page at all possible, but before I could say anything Angela took a powdery substance from inside her waist pouch and threw it on a lantern. It immediately lit up.

I jerked back, startled. "You're a witch, aren't you?"

"I prefer the term 'herbalist'"

She's on your side, Solembum put in. You'd know if she wasn't, trust me.

"So, you can do magic? Could you teach me how?" I asked, suddenly enthused by the possibility of magic lessons once more.

She shook her head. "You seem to be doing fine on your own, from what Solembum's told me. Besides, a Rider should be tutored by a Rider."

"Do you think Eragon would teach me?"

"Of course he will, Penelope. Now, how about this book?" she tapped the page with her finger.

I returned my gaze to the page. Instead of paragraphs and sentences all I saw was a single picture. It showed a brilliant purple dragon rearing on its hind legs, belting a magnificent stream of fire into the air. On its back rode a noble-looking man, who held his hands above his head. At the dragon's feet multitudes of creatures were depicted bowing.

I ran my hand over the dragon's body. This didn't make any sense; none of the dragon eggs I had found had been purple. But perhaps there had been purple dragons in the olden days; it was just that none of the purple dragon eggs made it into the chamber. Still, I couldn't help but wonder why that was.

"There's never been a caption for this picture," Angela said in an odd voice. "And, as far as I know, this is the only copy of it that still exists. Galbatorix burned the only other copy when he destroyed Doru Araeba."

I was confused again, until Solembum offered, In the last great battle Galbatorix and the Forsworn fought the Riders in their fortress. It was a bloody battle, and it was this victory that allowed the King to ascend to the throne. I would think as a Rider you'd know their history. Oh well, I always overestimate humans.

Well, it didn't help the king burned all the records of those tails, I replied sourly. Didn't you say I was to get a weapon in Kuasta? That's why I came in, you know.

Solembum began to purr. Well, what kind of sword would you like?

I looked around and saw a very beautiful sword decorated with emeralds sitting on the shelf. "That one's nice."

"That one is 324 coins," Angela supplied, taking it down.

"Um, ah, I don't really have any um, money, with me." To Solembum, I inquired, How am I to get a sword if I don't have the money to buy one?

Solembum's tail twitched in amusement. He and Angela both disappeared into the shelves this time. I sat uncomfortably where I was, fingering the dragon's back spikes. It was a magnificent creature, very strong, and you could see the intelligent light shining behind its black eyes.

A dim light flared up from the book, and suddenly a caption did appear. It was only one word: Blessed. I remembered how the cavern that held the eggs made references to "the Blessed." Perhaps this was the same person.

Just as suddenly as it had appeared the word vanished, leaving no trace of its existence on the page.

I was bored, so I began flipping pages, frowning as I did so. The entire book was blank! Why would someone fill a book with this many blank pages?

Angela and Solembum returned, the former carrying a wrapped parcel. She peeled back the covering to reveal the pommel of a sword. I grasped it and removed it entirely from the cloth. It was very plain, the only decoration adorning it being a cloudy piece of quartz.

"There you are, dear, a fine sword. It was made by the elves, you know."

"No, I didn't," I swung the sword around a few times. It was surprisingly easy to use. "Thank you, but how can I ever repay you?"

Angela smiled knowingly. "There's no need for payment, Penelope. All you must do is fulfilling your destiny, and that will be more than enough."

I was bewildered for the hundredth time. The pair seemed to have a knack for confusing me. "Thank you very much. I am honored to have such a rare sword." I stopped for a moment, and then continued sheepishly, "But, I don't exactly know anything of swordplay."

"You'll know how to wield this sword," Angela said matter-of-factly.

Aye, that you will, said Solembum, jumping to the floor from the countertop. He blinked up at me. That sword wasn't really made by elves, you know.

Really? I gazed at him, wide-eyed.

He purred in amusement and began entwining himself around my legs. Yes, really. No mortal knows its true origins.

This sword was more valuable than I had realized. Are you sure you should entrust something this valuable to me?

Quite sure, Penelope. He stopped his rubbing and gazed up at me. Besides, you're going to need it sooner than you think.

The remark sent shivers down my spine.

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So, there you go. Another chapter completed. Could you find it in your heart to review??