Chapter 7- Doubts

Chise woke up early in the morning; she did not feel like budging. Her wound was still mending, very slowly, making it difficult to move. She felt like lying there not doing anything, but that was impossible for her. Nudging her arm, Tenbun was already up, pestering Chise to get going. Its big green eyes stared at her, as he touched her face with his nose. She turned over placing her hand on the dragon's neck, gently patting him. Lazily she watched smoke lift upward from his nostrils. Tenbun curled up beside her laying his neck on her arm.

Sitting up, Chise glanced around; she could not tell what time of day it actually was. She stood up walking over to the door, opening it a slight bit Chise peeked through the break. Nobody was roaming the hallways, indicating it was still early. Tenbun raised his head looking at her with interest, spreading his wings, the small dragon glided down to the floor. He stumbled over to her, rubbing against her legs. Bending down, she gently picked the dragon up, Tenbun perched up on her shoulder.

Walking out of the room, Chise went down the hallway. To her surprise, there were guards about. They nodded to her as she passed, but mainly at the dragon that was on her. Yet, the small creature did not pay any interest in them. It watched the hallway ahead, swishing its tail. Passing the corridor, they both heard a slight growl. Ignoring it, Chise kept pushing onward. When they came across a window, outside it was still a little dark, but the sun was coming up very soon.

Tenbun, to Chise, seemed to be a little clumsy. The emerald dragon bumped into things often at times. To her it reminded her of herself, back at home being that way. Smiling to herself, Chise watched him drop to the floor sniffing around. He wobbled around a bit keeping close to his master. Moving around Chise felt the scabs of her wound crack slightly, but not enough to bleed.

"I wish I could heal faster," She looked to the ground as Tenbun looked up to her, tilting his head. Chise sat down against the wall, "As small as you are, you seem to understand." She laughed a bit. The dragon hopped into her lap, still looking at her. "What?"

Scratching just behind his head, Tenbun seemed to like it a lot. Stretching his neck outward, as he hummed. He moved his tail back and forth, cooing lowly. Chise smiled at the baby dragon. Standing up, she started back down the hall. Opening the door too outside, Chise walked out to the courtyard. Turning to the east she could she the sun over the horizon. To her this world was much different from her own, "At least the sky's still the same." She watched two birds fly around in the sky. Tenbun tried to catch one, but failed landing on the ground. Smoke rose from his nostrils in frustration.

He made a slight squeak, looking upward, Tenbun turned around. Following his nose the small dragon appeared to be tracking. The dragon scented both ground and air, curious about the place. She was watching the little fellow, it seemed to be noisy. "I wonder, if Galbatorix is really that bad? I mean he does not seem like it to me, yet he can put on. I should be aware if anything is suspicious." Tenbun turned his attention towards her, "What about you? What how does Galbatorix appear in your eyes?"

The dragon growled a bit, shaking his body. "So you don't like him?" Tenbun growled again, as if agreeing. "I wish I could understand you better, and then I would know why." A faint humorous laugh escaped her. "It just might be that I did get screwed up in the matter."

Tenbun watched Chise sit down, he crawled over to her. He kept balance on her legs, then falling in between them lying down. The dragon looked at her in a concerned way; he let out soft sound from deep in his neck. She looked down at him placing a hand on the back of Tenbun's head, "I think I should take the matters into my own hands...but how?" Chise sighed. "This place is nothing like my world, and I'm in no condition to really do anything. Yet, I will not let the Ra'zac get away with what they did to me." Her voice slightly changed, due to anger.

She stayed outside, when the sun was sitting in the sky, some of the people started to come out of the castle. Servants walked the courtyard trying to get to their destination. They paid her no mind, even guards patrolled the area was not bothered with her presence. The castle appeared to be well protected, Chise thought about how the Varden managed to get inside. In thought, she did not notice that Kreis was standing over her.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked, "Shouldn't you be resting?"

"That's kind of hard with this little guy." Chise looked at him pointing at the dragon. "Tenbun woke me up before the sun was out."

"Tenbun?"

"That's his name," She said quietly, "It means destiny."

Kreis nodded at her statement, after a slight pause he spoke up. "I think the king wants to see you, Chise. He has an errand that needs to be sought to."

Chise looked up at him, in thought. "Does this mean I'm going to be ambushed again?" She sighed. "Okay I'll go see, but what about Durza? Can't he do it?"

"He's all tied up in Gil'ead, on a mission."

She nodded looking into the distance. Chise stood up walking back inside the doors into the hallways. Tenbun followed her, catching up quickly while he flew. Treading the foyer, she turned down another passage, heading towards the throne room. She walked at a steady pace, taking her time. Standing before the doors, she pushed them open. It was a lot harder than she thought. Galbatorix was standing a few yards from the door; he was suited up in red, black clad armor. Resting at his side was a sheathed long sword. He was holding a helmet in his left hand.

He seemed well pleased to she her, "I have a favor to ask of you," Galbatorix stated, calmly, "Would you accompany me to the city of Dras-Leona? I have business there that I need to attend to."

Chise bowed down, "Yes, I will." She kept her arm against her belly.

"Then would you leave ahead of me? I have a matter that I have to fix."

"When do I leave?"

"As soon as you are able, and leave your dragon here. We can't afford to out him in danger."

She bowed again backing away; soon she turned around leaving the room. Her mind, was again, mingled in thoughts as she wandered the halls. "Dras-Leona? Where's that?" Chise watched Tenbun, who stared behind him looking displeased. The dragon grunted a couple of time, turning his neck towards her.

He did not approve of her going on this mission. Tenbun did not trust King Galbatorix at all. Chise noticed that the dragon glared at him during the brief meeting.

She noticed the dragon's eyes were full of concern and worry. His nose touched her cheek, he sounded as if he was purring.

"I guess we both have our doubts…" Chise sighed, "But I can't help think that something might really happen. But I have to get home."

Not a very long chapter. I wanted to put where Chise thinks that the king is not what he acts like. She is slowly starting to realize that she might have done the wrong thing siding with him. Also believing it is the only way home. Next chapter, can Chise put up with the horrors she's about to see in Dras-Leona?

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Little Bitty