New Path

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

Chapter 5: The Shortest Time

By dawn's break, Codas and his riders were in the Haderac Desert and seeing that the troops hadn't gotten close enough yet. That relieved them but at the same time, stress ate at their insides and when they landed near the camp, no one greeting them except for soldiers holding spears to their throats. Codas growled, seeming angry at them thinking that they were intruders. They had left Ellesmera three days before, when Lady Nausauda had said that the army was approaching closer. But before they had left, Rhunon had made Arianna's rider blade, which she called mor'ranr.

"Take it easy, we're not the ones you should attack." Arianna said stepping back.

Although it was dark, Nausauda approached with unequal elegance and the soldiers eased their spears away from them. Her face was grim and the two of them exchanged glances. They followed her to her tent where she had put maps of the desert down. She sighed and looked up at them.

"We have the shortest amount of time and our men dwindle." She said.

Arianna let her jaw drop for a moment. "What happened?"

"The king's men killed them off like rabbits. Half of our forces are dead." Nausauda replied, passion and sorrow in her voice. "Eragon was nearly killed himself."

"So Codas and I are..." Arianna said, an uproar in her throat.

"Partially, Eragon will be fine. But you and Codas are vital." Nausauda said comtemplating as she turned to Nolan. "Can you and Arianna handle your own troops, general?"

He nodded while Arianna said her thanks but didn't have an idea of what to do. Nausauda went on speaking.

"I could use both of you in a time like this. We need to come up with a plan of action." She said, indicating the maps. "Now Arianna, you do have advantage on Codas which means you can protect them from any threats."

"What about Murtagh and Thorn? They have the same advantage as I do." Arianna replied.

"I've considered that and Codas is larger and faster. He's more focused on Eragon than anyone else." She said, now indicating his position. "He's around here. You will be on the other side."

"So we're approaching the other way, so we can attack them from behind." Arianna replied, looking at the map. "I would still be too close for comfort to Murtagh."

"We will have you farther behind then. Nolan can be near if there's any need." She said, reassuringly. "But I think you will be fine on your own."

"I'm sorry, I just-I just have a bad feeling about all this. Galbitorix is attacking us for what? Doing the right thing?" Arianna replied. "His rule has put Alagaesia in a state of ruin."

"I have to agree, he is ruthless and cold. He has no regard to who dies here and on his side." Nolan said, anger subtle. "I've seen it first-hand."

"Some would disagree with you but you are not alone here at least." She replied. "Now go get some rest. Arianna we've moved next to Eragon, so you're much closer. Nolan, you're in the adjacent tent."

They both nodded and left for their new quarters. Arianna was staring intently at Codas who had a livid expression in his eyes until Arianna looked down and his eyes settled. Nolan could only wonder what they spoke about in the silence but she said they spoke telepathically. It was better sometimes that they did, enemies would never know what they said. At times, the silence was helpful. She smiled at something.

"You know Codas considers you one of his riders." She said, with a small smile. "He's never taken to anyone like that."

"Not even Eragon?" Nolan asked.

"He considers him a friend along with Saphira." She replied.

"Speaking of, we should peek in on him." Nolan said.

"Let's wait until he's ready." She replied, going into her tent. "Like Lady Nausauda said, we need to rest."

"Right. Have a good rest, Ari." Nolan said.

She nodded and went in fully, her shadow laying on a cot of some sort. When she did, he peeked into Eragon's tent seeing something unexpected. He was as pale as snow, with dark bruises all over his body. His breathing was heavy and labored. Someone entered the doorway and he saw Arianna smirking.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist. He must've been poisoned." Arianna said grimly. "This is just a..."

Angela entered as she was about to finish and she looked up at her.

"It's good to see you again, Arianna." She said. "You're looking more like an elf. Your ears, they're a tiny bit more pointed."

A little girl entered at this point, with the palest skin and wide violet eyes with the blackest hair Arianna had seen. She looked up at her, with the same look of 'I expected more' as many of the others did.

"I don't believe you got the chance to meet Elva." Angela said, taking her to the side. "Can you do me a favor. She's severed her alliance with us and we need her, so can you..."

"I'm willing to but I warn you I can't make her change her mind." Arianna replied.


A/N: This wasn't originally meant to be chapter 5 but I accidentally deleted it. Anyways, Merry Christmas.

~jrockonhigh~