New Path

Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon or Eldest, just Arianna and Nolan

Chapter 2: True Bonds

Today was a new day for Arianna, Codas, and Nolan. Arianna had gotten her new blade, vindr. Codas had started breathing fire, which he was proud of but Arianna and Nolan had been alert. Nolan had no idea what was next. Ellesmera was within their sights and both seemed excited but that excitement faded when they found out the king's troops were getting very close to the Haderac Desert. Earlier that morning, Arianna had contemplated on going back but she had decided otherwise, saying that getting stronger would be the only way to help them. Arya had gone ahead.

They were further down the path when the all too familiar sound of soldiers and a dragon's mighty wings flapping. They both got in a ditch and waited fourty long minutes but they didn't seem to keep moving.

"Someone's down there." One of them said.

"You're imagining things." Another said.

They would have to come out sometime but they wouldn't risk it now. The soldiers and dragon finally moved and they got up but soldiers surrounded them. Arianna and Nolan were far from Ayra and both were exhausted. Arianna threw her sword and speared one of the men in the chest, killing him. The others reacted quickly, but most of them were dealt with. The last two left standing, overpowered them easily. Taking their swords and leaving deep cuts. Now, they approached them and tried to capture them. But as if fate spared one of them, Codas came with great speed and picked his rider up with a vast amount of strength. They were off once again.

Arianna stared down as the forest became smaller and smaller. Her wounds bled steadily but in all her anger, she barely noticed.

You should try and repair those wounds, Arianna.

No, I'll be fine.

If you insist. Sometimes you can be so stubborn.

Yet you never realized that before.

You're going to find him aren't you?

The elves are expecting both of us to show. And I think they'll understand.

Will you be able to find him?

Maybe. Those soldiers can't get far.

So what are you planning on doing, Arianna?

I have a general idea where the soldiers went and it's not far from here. Get to Ellesmera and tell Ayra.

Arianna got off Codas as soon as he landed and walked straight down a path while he took off with reluctance. She disappeared into the woods where her instict seemed to take over. A bird jetted across the trees, another growled. Soon, she heard the drunkened laughter of men and knew that they had disappeared there. Someone was dying in the background and she closed her eyes. It's not time to attack, I have to wait until nightfall. Then she sat there, waiting for night to come and give her the opportunity to strike. Now, she could feel her wounds bleed and her body ache. She muttered a simple spell and felt everything relaxed and closed her eyes for a moment. The quietness of where she was kept her calm, as though someone had tuned out the world. She liked it.

The soldiers on the other side thought they had heard someone but they left it to their imagination. The Rider they ran into earlier had left soon after they had injured her.

"What do you reckon her name was?" One of them asked.

"Arianna I suppose. The lad keeps saying it." The other replied. "Wonder if they're related at all."

"Maybe they are. They look alike don't they?" One said, his words slurring. "Perhaps we'll see her again."

"Who knows, mate." The other replied, his words slurring as well.

Soon after their make-shift fire was put out and the men snored heavily, leaving Arianna basking in the silence longer. Then she made her way over to the camp.