Torn Between Two

Chapter 5

Eragon rushed through the encampment to Lady Nasuada's tent. A messenger had just informed him about Reilyn and what she had done, and had told Eragon he should hurry.

What in the hell was she thinking? Healing him like that, she needed to conserve her power in case of an attack! he thought furiously.

You would have done the same thing, Little one, Saphira said.

That's different!

How? She knows how seeing him hurt wounds you and you know how she hates to see others in pain. No matter who they are or what they've done! His dragon had a harsh tone.

She could have died, Saphira! he argued, already giving up the fight.

But she didn't, she said, because of Murtagh. Enough arguing, inform me of her condition later. She broke the connection with him, leaving him to his thoughts.

Murtagh saved her? A week ago he tried to kill her! he thought.

"What were you thinking Reilyn!?" Nasuada's voice came through the tent. Eragon burst into the tent, panting.

"Eragon!" Nasuada's face showed surprise at his arrival.

"Lady Nasuada," he bowed, "I came as soon as I was told."

"So I've gathered." Nasuada was standing in front of Reilyn, her dark arms crossed tightly over her chest, and her whole figure showing her rage.

Eragon took his place to the left of Reilyn and studied his best friend, his guardian. She had her haw set defiantly, her hands at her sides, her back perfectly straight, and her eyes showed how she really felt: weak and angry. She hated being punished, when she had first come to the Varden a year ago she would flinch if yelled at.

What happened to cause you to be like this? he wondered, looking at her rigid body.

"You could have killed yourself!" Nasuada hissed, continuing with her lecture.

Reilyn said nothing, but avoided the woman's eyes. Pain filled her face, Eragon inched closer to his friend.

"We can't risk losing the only one strong enough to guard our Rider!" Nasuada continued, ignoring the hurt in the girls eyes. "Now, I have tolerated the fact that you won't tell us where exactly you come from, how you learned to fight so well, where you learned to fight like you do, or why you are so strong," she closed in on the girl, "but I will not tolerate things like this!"

Reilyn blinked, tears starting to flow, but stayed silent. Eragon gently took her hand in his, trying to offer strength and comfort.

"Do you understand how strong that man is? Do you know what he could have done to you?"

Reilyn's grip tightened on Eragon's hand, he gripped back telling her to stay calm.

"First, you untie him!" Nasuada started pacing.

What? Eragon was stunned. She untied him?

"You threatened the guard and unlocked the cage, disobeying my orders, and untied that monster!"

Reilyn's patience broke.

"That guard is a ruthless bastard! He treated the prisoner like a dog! Beat him for fun!" she pulled free from Eragon's hand. "He tortured that boy and he enjoyed it!"

Nasuada spun, surprised to hear Reilyn's voice, and she moved in on her until their faces were just inches apart.

"Dogon was doing his job!" she snapped.

"And what is that?" Reilyn's voice rose, "To inflict pain? I thought the Varden was about bringing peace to this land, not torturing the bad guys!"

Rage and pain filled both women's eyes, Eragon watched in horror as Lady Nasuada rose her hand and slapped Reilyn across the face.

Reilyn looked up slowly and flicked her tongue to the blood on her lip, anger taking over, she started to move forward.

"Wait!" Eragon shouted, moving between the tow before the guard in the back even processed what was happening.

"Eragon, move!" growled Reilyn.

Ignoring her, he looked at Nasuada. Her face had lost its anger and now showed disbelief at what she had just done.

"Lady Nasuada," he pleaded, "please, let me speak with Reilyn in our tent!"

"As you wish," she whispered. "Dismissed!" she waved her hand at them.

"Come," Eragon commanded his friend. He turned the older girl toward the door flap and kept her moving.

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Reilyn objected going to the tent to talk, so Eragon offered something he felt she would accept.

"How about we go see Saphira then? She can talk to us too."

Eragon? Saphira sounded concerned. What's wrong?

Hang on, Saphira.

"Well?" he gently asked again, touching Reilyn's pale shoulder.

Fine! she snapped with her mind. She pulled away from his touch and started toward where the dragons were kept.

He jogged to keep up with her quick pace and was startled when she broke into a run.

"Hey!" he yelled after her.

You've always been slow on the ground! her voice filled his mind. He smiled at the tone, she was feeling some better. He broke into a run, quickly gaining on the older girl.

Slow? Really? he taunted, coming up neck and neck with her. Maybe you're losing touch then?

Her laugh exhilarated him, as it always did, and soon he laughed with her.

I'm not losing anything, Rider Eragon! But you are! She suddenly put on a burst of speed and pulled very far ahead in a matter of seconds. He admired her; her strength, her power, her agility, her speed, her heart, and how silent she could be. Even running at the speed she was, her feet only whispered on the ground.

Cheater! he jested, pushing himself to the limit.

I would never! she replied, turning to see him. He had closed only a small distance, he knew he'd never catch her, he has never caught her.

Stop when you reach Saphira.

As always! You're not even trying anymore?

I'm pushing it as it is!

Should I slow?

No! Run! Be free!

He slowed to a jog as he watched her tear across the desert ground, feeling slightly envious of more than her strength and speed.

She got to touch Murtagh, he thought weakly.