Disclaimer – Don't own Naruto or any other reference story or music

The Last Rider

Chapter - 05 – The Suicide Plan

Play Music – Spirit Of Champions – Two Steps From Hell - Dynasty

Eragon woke the next day to either the best or worst night sleep ever. Falling asleep had been easy staying asleep not so much, with the arches and pains from yesterdays spars mostly Koinzell. Add his strange dream and you get a combination for misfortune.

Though the pain unwelcome it was the dream that keep him from sleeping. It started simply enough Eragon was walking through an forest with very tall, thick and old trees, in the distance Eragon heard singing but it wasn't in a language he could comprehend.

As Eragon continued to walk Eragon keep wondering why Saphira wasn't with him for some reason he didn't understand. Eragon after on foot for an unknown amount of time came out of the forest into a immense clearing where a raised ledge overlooking what seem to a vast valley with no bottom.

When Eragon approach the edge of the cliff face he could see thick white mist spanning out from the cliff and far below. He heard waves in the distance that seem to calm him, then like a whisper on the wind Eragon heard a call.

Though he knew it was in dragon tongue and couldn't or shouldn't understand he knew that it was calling out to him telling him to come, to go to Ellesmera.

The voice then became louder and was soon a mighty roar of a dragon calling another and Eragon could see a dragon through the mist and heard Saphira roaring as if to answer the call. When Eragon awoke he was sweating profusely and gasping for air.

Just before the dream ended taking a step towards the edge when he was pushed over, turning around as he fell Eragon could just make out Koinzell two crimson eyes and a large black shadowy figure behind him as Eragon fell into the mist and awoke.

Eragon had no idea why Koinzell was in his dream but knew somehow what the dream meant. It was a call of a rider, a summoning for Eragon to go to that place that he knew of but had never been. Eragon tried to remember the name of the place but lost it when he woke up. Though Eragon knew he'd end up going their sooner or later.

Why'll Eragon slept a change in destiny had happened, in addition to a new tale was being made.

- Previous Night Arya Quarters -

Play Music – Men Of Honor – Two Steps From Hell – Heaven

"Why did you help Eragon or save him and Murtagh from the Urgal or even lead them to the Varden for that Matter." Arya ask desperately before asking another question not even waiting for answer

"I fought you I know how skill you really are regardless of how well you hide it, I don't know truthfully how strong you really are. Although I do know that someone as skilled as you are doesn't do such a thing without a reason." Arya cries out almost rambling, demanding, needing to know why Koinzell is their when he doesn't need to be or should be.

The whole time Arya never letting her eyes stray from his. In almost a whisper Arya asks the real question that had been on her mind since that night in the cave while she drifted between life and death. "Why did you save me?"

Koinzell doesn't answer tight away just continues to lock eyes with Arya. It's been more than twenty year since he did anything as impulsive as this. He blames Bruenor for that, his quick to anger and action and faster to grab his axe and run into danger to save and protect his friends.

Damn dwarf is going to be the death of him one of these days, too much like his old self for his own good. But for the first time in a long time Koinzell wonders if it's time to act and stop just reacting.

All this trouble because two humans, a she-elf and a fledgling dragon stop by his fire needing help. Seem there is a part of his old self Naruto Uzumaki still in him after all.

When the stupid dwarf hears about all the trouble I got myself in will probably never let me live it down. Either that or complain I didn't call for him and took all the fun for myself. Thinking back Bruenor is so never going to let me live this down.

Stupid dwarf sighing Koinzell is the first to break eye contact. Sitting down Koinzell locks eyes with Arya and change is instantly noticeable.

Play Music – Forever More – Two Steps From Hell – Heaven

The once cold empty eyes now had a spark of life in their crimson deeps, beneath that endless sea of loneliness that seem to swallow Arya in and pull at her heart.

"It's been a long awhile since anyone asked me that before almost twenty year since I met a rather stubborn dwarf in a frozen and forsaken land." Turning facing to the north, as if Koinzell could see through the rock and stone of the mountain, before looking back at Arya

"There really wasn't much of a reason why I choose to save you from the poison or carry you all the way here to the Varden. At the same time as for saving the two misfits brothers well that about not letting you die after slowing the poison and those two seem to attract more trouble than I did we I was their age and that's saying something."

Koinzell remarks with a small chuckle, "Saving your life, well just seem to be my lot in life to be saving people and helping those in need, no matter how much I may try to prevent it."

With a shrug "I always seem to be at the right time when mu help is needed, not to mention that their usually a beautiful woman involved which is just a bonus in my book." Koinzell says with a small smirk

Arya didn't know what to say to that, here was a guy that just saved her life just because he was there and couldn't let her died knowing he could prevent it all without any thought for himself or for a reward.

"Who are you Koinzell the Blade Master, you speak with wisdom beyond your youthful appearance would suggest. Just who are you really Koinzell?"

For the first time since his rebirth Koinzell let down his empty façade and a small fox like grin was on his face, while his voice was the same monotone, there was mischievousness to it.

And though his face was mostly devoid of emotion even with the grin but it was Koinzell eyes that were truly different they danced with fire and held an unfathomable inferno of emotion that his body has forgotten but his eyes remember all too well.

It was the first time Arya understood the meaning that the eyes were the window to the soul. "If you want to know who I am you'll have to know who I was, to that end you will have to give me something in return."

Arya was lost in the emotions in his crimson eyes and barely registered the question before answering like in a trance. "What do you want?"

Leaning closer so their faces were inches apart, Koinzell move forward as if to kiss Arya before tilting to the side and whispering in Arya ear. "A kiss…"

Play Music – Heart – Two Steps From Hell – Heaven

Arya Awoke refreshed after a good night's rest before remembering the night before and a light blush cover her cheeks whether in embarrassed or anger even she didn't know which.

Arya could recall staring at Koinzell in shock at the request, he wanted a kiss, and Koinzell wanted her to kiss him as payment for the knowledge about his past. Arya could still hear him laughing though lightly as it was and that damn smirk she knew was there as she kicked him out of her room.

Arya buried her head in her pillow trying and failing to forget his small smile on his face behind his mask as Koinzell left her room. She was about to fall back asleep hoping to wake later and the night before was a really bad dream, only for a knock on her door and a call for her.

Recognizing the voice as Trianna waiting for her permission to enter with a quick enter from Arya, Trianna entered. Trianna had medium length back hair and blue eyes and a wry mouth, what many believe was from always looking so smug about everything.

Arya was already seating on the side of the bed and in no mode to chat. Arya plainly ask what this was about not truly liking or disliking the human woman but can think of many things batter to do like knocking a smirk off a certain silver hair nomad.

Trianna seeing Arya indifference, Trianna promptly explained that a war council was being assembled to organize their defense before leaving not wanting to aggravate the elf anymore then she already may have.

After Trianna left Arya swiftly changed before heading to the meeting hall. That was just a bulky room, with an outsized table, and a map of the city and tunnels covering it.

Play Music – Hope – Two Steps From Hell – Heaven

Arya it seems wasn't the last though nor was she the first seeing silver hair, black facemask Koinzell stand next to and behind Hrother as Ajihad began the overview of what they were up against.

"The Kull (Urgal) forces are estimated to be more than ten thousand strong not counting any Ra'zac or other minions Durza may have with him." Ajihad states grimly yet sternly not liking the odds one bit

"Why most of their forces focus is heavy close range brawlers, there are archers, crossbow and spears users as well. They don't have horses though that would matter little in our defense."

With a resolute express on his face, "Even with all the Varden forces and the dwarves out combined force is barely half theirs."

With a nod from Hrother to acknowledge the estimated number of their battle strength Ajihad explained the battle plan. "Hrother and I have gone over the map of the city and mines and agreed to collapse all but three main tunnels leading to the city."

Eragon deciding to give his input raise his voice to be heard, "Why not just collapse all the tunnels so we need only have to fight them in the main chamber?"

Hrother snort at the idea, "Bah that may seem like a good idea to you young rider till ten thousand Kull roll over the mountain pass with that foul wizard right behind them, may as well surrender the city, be far less foolish then to face them all at once."

Countering Eragon poor battle plan, "You may be able to fly away with that dragon if it get to tough but this be are home and we have no where run boy." Hrother countered before Ajihad continued as Eragon sneer at the jab that he would run

"We will split our forces with five hundred dwarves and two hundred men for each tunnel and then have the remaining fifteen hundred dwarves covering the two lower passes, with five hundred men backing either side if need be in reserve."

Ajihad silence for a few moments letting those their processes the plan before continuing, "The remaining Varden numbering just over fifteen hundred along with all our archers, cavalry and the rider and Saphira will over the main chamber at the surface."

As Ajihad finished and look to everyone seeing the grim look Ajihad felt that this may just be the end of the resistance, "That strategy will fail and you'll all die."

Spoke an empty monotone Koinzell behind Hrother leaning against the wall drawing everyone attention to him. Ajihad both angry and frustrated that someone was questioning his will plan out strategy, most of all Koinzell.

Since Ajihad didn't want the man here since he wasn't involved in neither this matter nor their defense. It wasn't his fight and although thankful to him for bringing the new rider Eragon and Arya safely to the Varden.

Koinzell was at best a wild card and at worst a distraction that the Varden didn't need right now with the upcoming battle, "And what prey tell would a outsider, an nomad know about defending a city let alone why my combat approach will fail?"

Play Music – Starvation – Two Steps From Hell – Illusions

Ajihad remarked evenly with a hint of anger at being call out looking to Hrother to silence his guest. Koinzell turned to Ajihad after briefly catching Arya stare.

"Splitting your forces is good and all however what will you do if only three thousand enter the tunnels and more than seventy-five thousand storm through the pass into the heart of the city."

"With a mere thousand or so holding the choke points at five hundred on each side and a little over one thousand Varden and five hundred archers and calvary against the full force of Durza's Kull horde?"

With his monotone voice most now got a full picture of just how grave the situation really was and the weight with Koinzell straight forward breaking apart Ajihad defense plan and just how outnumbered they were.

Even Eragon and Saphira who was listening through Ajihad thought Ajihad plan seem sound till Koinzell literally tore it apart what Ajihad strategy foretold for them.

Ajihad himself was losing his composure as he heard Koinzell basically reword his defense plan but knew that was the only plan they had seeing as they couldn't pull men back from the tunnels without leaving them exposed if a large force does come through them.

"Then what would you have us do then, after all it's not like you have a better plan let alone are even involved, this isn't even your fight." Koinzell scrutinize over and around the room seeing varies reactions to Ajihad statement before sighing and rising up so he was no longer leaning against the wall.

Standing in a loose stance Koinzell scans the room looking at Eragon, then resting on Arya. Eragon was like his younger self mixed with Sasuke all in one, with the drive to prove himself to everyone, to show how strong he was and bent on revenge against Durza and the King.

Murtagh acted more like Sasuke as a whole, and the act he portrayed more indifference and less empathy though it was buried by his painful past that he was trying to run away from and leave behind at the same time.

Eragon's was more directed at his jaded view of the world that everything was either good or evil. Like he had been native to everything when he was younger, however he carries Sasuke's thrive for vengeance and dislike for those he views as a threat or shown that they are stronger than him believing it should be his.

Arya was both easier and harder to read at the same time. Arya held a desire to see world outside her home. And prove that not all elves were alike, cold and indifferent to the world. She also carries a strong desire to prove to herself that she is more than her birthright.

Koinzell knew this because he'd seen it in another princess that wanted to prove she was more than just a figurehead. Returning Ajihad hard look, with one of indifference

"If you don't want me here that fine by me I'll leave only to return many years later to place a marker on your tombstone." Koinzell said with little thought or reaction

"Life hard for most and easier for others, furthermore like I told Eragon then Arya I dislike letting and watching others dying in front of me when I can prevent it." Looking between the two

"If you don't want my help just saw so and I'll leave now seeing I rather not watch you all get slaughtered or enslaved."

While the dwarf king was taken aback by the response, Ajihad was downright baffled taking a quick glance around to what was once looks or unrest and uneasiness by the Varden was now looks of understanding for the way he acted. The dwarves wore a mixture of awe and respect with looks of gratitude that Ajihad didn't comprehend.

What Ajihad didn't know was dwarves had a deep respect to do what right to them even if others saw it as foolish or reckless. If a band of humans or elves saw one of their own cut off, and vastly outnumbered they would fallback in belief that their sacrifice was worth it.

However dwarves would charge right in axes high, roaring and sing to their dwarven gods, for they rather live and die with them, then live in the shame of running and leaving them to die knowing they may have been able to prevent it.

For the one left behind was their friend and no dwarf would leave behind one of their own if they could help it. All dwarves stood a little straighter hearing his declaration some ready to call him out if Ajihad denied his help, Hrother included.

"And what would you want in return obviously you won't just help the Varden for nothing?" Smirking slightly Ajihad stares down Koinzell

"The Varden nothing at all, the dwarves well I don't think Bruenor would think too kindly of his friend letting his cousin and kin die to some smelly Kull." Koinzell states evenly

"However not that you mention it there is something I would like." Tensely Ajihad asks, "And that would be?"

Looking to Eragon and seeing him tense almost brings small smirk Koinzell in to a grin…almost, before he looks back at Ajihad

"After the battle once Eragon and Saphira are rested… you plan to have him go to learn with the elves deep into the Du Weldervarden in the woodland to the city of Ellesmera were none but the elves dwell." Receiving many wide eyed looks from most gathered about stuff a strange request.

Ajihad letting go of the breath that he didn't know he was holding, "Why would you even want to go there, not anything there meant for outsiders or non-elves?"

Koinzell smirked long gone behind his mask seem to lose what little emotion he was showing instantly like it was never there, "My business is my own… I would just ask for a guide there seeing as I know the direction well enough and could find my way there by myself but prefer not to overstay my welcome longer then need be in the Elven Lands."

Receiving nods all around at the simply but strange request Ajihad ask Koinzell to tell them his plan, "I have fought with the Kull before not just on the mountain and seeing that most Kull are between six to eight feet tall Durza won't waste his force and will only send his younger of his forces into the tunnels."

"Which is narrow and with a low ceiling, slowing their advance greatly. It also makes it hard for the Varden men and women who are not use to fight underground at a far bigger disadvantage then they already are." Spoken even and without any emotion like it was easy to see

"Have five hundred dwarves from the center passage split between the left and right passages, seven hundred and fifty battle harden dwarves shouldn't have any problem stopping the kill advance, more than likely have to spend weeks cleaning out the tunnels to clear out all the died Urgals." Causing many dwarves Hrother included to laugh in knowing how true that maybe

"What about the center passage then?" Ajihad questioned.

"Have the remaining the remaining dwarves hold the choke points seeing as they know this city inside and out, instead of supporting your forces below. Have the archers take up positions behind the dwarves overlooking the main battleground where they can offer better support."

"The cavalry will run a wedge through the middle of the Kull horde cutting a path and further dividing their forces. Saphira will spearhead the cavalries charge through the center then pull back to engage Durza once he shows himself." Koinzell finishes evenly turning to Ajihad

"As for the middle passage leave that to me base on the map and what I saw, the Kull will only be able to attack with at most three of them side by side shouldn't take me long at all." Ajihad, Eragon, Saphira, and the Varden wondered about his sanity

While the dwarves were practically roaring with laugher at the genius of the plan and how crazy Koinzell must be at just the idea of holding the center passage alone, let alone taking them all out.

Hrother was remembering a time hearing about Bruenor's and his great grandfather did something similar long ago. He was almost tempted to join him before remembering that he had a place to be in holding the choke points as if they fell the dwarves in the lower tunnels would be cut off and attacked from both sides.

Just than Hrother could have swore he saw a scared red breaded dwarf next to Koinzell reading to fight right beside him in the foolish quest, before shaking it off.