Chapter 12- A Desperate Choice

The next morning, Chise watched the sun peak over the horizon. She didn't sleep; in fact she was afraid to. Sitting at the edge of the cave, Chise looked downward into the woods. At points during the night, she noticed sounds and movement down below. Sighing she stood up, looking back into the cave. Tenbun was still sleeping, the small dragon stayed up at points with his rider.

"Damn, what can I do now?" She mingled in her thoughts, "Galbatorix must know something's up, he might send out soldiers to find me. It seems I have two choices, both risky. My best bet is to find the Varden, well Eragon, so I can set things straight."

Chise walked back into the cave, picking the dragon up. Tenbun woke up, jumping from her arms. He shook his body, making a high-pitched twerp. She smiled at him, with a slight laugh. The emerald scaled creature, glided to outside of the cave flying around the entrance. Following him, she looked down to see a few Urgals. She motioned him to come back, but it was too late.

"Crap," She cursed under her breath. The monsters saw her, and started to climb the rocky ledges. "Tenbun, stay here." Chise transformed, flying down meeting the Urgals head on. Firing her weapon, she took one off the cliff. The others looked at her in shock or fear. Flying back over towards the others, she drew her sword. Spinning around in a circle, Chise severed in Urgal's arm from its body.

Driving forward, she took two more creatures down. Flying back up to the sky, Chise used the suns rays to her advantage. Free falling to the ground, she dived headfirst sword pointing towards the ground. Turning feet first, she aimed the blade down into an Urgal's skull ripping it back out.

"I think I'm getting the hang of this," She watched the dead thing fall to the ground. Turning to face the other Urgal that was left, Chise decided not to kill it. Looking at it on the face, she sneered. "You can send a message, can you not?" She asked, slyly. "Tell Galbatorix, that I'm not coming back to the empire."

Shocked the creature didn't speak, but nodded in reply. It went back into the forest. A deep sigh escaped her lips, as she watched it leave. Tenbun glided down to greet her. Looking down at him, she shook her head.

"Did I go too far?" She asked, "But I told the truth, I'm not going back to Empire." Chise sheathed her sword; "I'm lucky that I brought this with me. My true power will be a last resort here." Flying back up, Chise went north again. She passed a huge forest, and then came across an out of the way village. None of the village noticed her, so she kept going until she reached a burned down house.

Landing, she looked around it had been a while since the place was set a flame. "What happened here?" Chise wondered, Tenbun wobbled not to far behind. As she walked further away from the demolished farm, she came across a road. Keeping on it, Chise thought that it should lead her to the village. It was cold as the wind howled at points. Tenbun slightly being pushed by the wind.

Slowing down, Chise began to blank out, "Whoa," She stood in place, "Why don't I feel good all of a sudden?" She questioned herself. Continuing to progress down the road, Chise feel to her knees then fell over; she fainted. Tenbun nudged her, trying to get her going.

"It was tragic what happened to Garrow," Tenbun looked down the road, as her heard voices.

"Yeah, even Eragon has disappeared," Another person added. Flying up into a tree, the baby dragon watched carefully. Two men came up the road; each carried a back on their back. The man in front was dark haired as the boy, who was like him, had similar features. "I wonder where he went."

"Who knows?" The older man replied, "He probably was taken by that creature, or those things that got Garrow." He looked up the road, when he noticed something; "There's someone in the road!"

The other person, looked where he was pointing. Rushing up to where Chise collapsed. "It's young woman." He stated, "How long has she been here?"

"Not very long, she isn't very cold," He noticed the sword at her side, "Maybe she's from the Empire." Picking her up, the man started off in the direction he came, "She needs help, it wouldn't be right to just leave her here." The young man nodded, following him. When the two were at a distance, Tenbun jumped from the tree. The dragon slowly and quietly followed them.

When Chise came to, she was in someone's room. Sitting up, there was somebody sitting in a wooden chair beside the bed she was in. There was a stand with herbs and other medicines along with bandages on it. Pulling her feet over the bed, Chise started to get up. Looking over the person was awake and looking at her. Gasping, she sat back down. Desperately, Chise avoided eye contact.

They did not say anything, but gave her a good look over her. "You feel better?" The older man asked, "Gertrude told me about the wound on your belly. She says it's similar to the one Garrow sustained with that oil."

"Garrow?" She asked looking at him with a confused expression. "Who is he? And where is this?"

"He was the one who owned the farm that was recently burnt down to the ground." He replied, "And you are in Carvahall."

"Carvahall? That's the town I was going to before Durza found me." She thought. "Who burnt his place down?"

"I'm not sure Miss. We found you not to far away from there. Tell me, what are you doing in the woods, alone?"

"Honestly, I was running away."

"From what?"

"I don't want to talk about it." She looked down to the ground, "Wait where's Tenbun!" Chise looked around, standing up she quickly sat down. "Damn, I'm still in pain. . . ."

"You might want to take it easy, your body's strained." He stated, "As far as I know, you're welcome here and can stay as long as you need too. My name's Horst, what is yours?"

"Mines Chise," She replied, standing up Chise walked down the stairs to outside. Walking around the town, something caught her attention. Tenbun was up in the tree closest to Horst's house. She smiled looking up at him, "If I stay here too long Tenbun will get bigger and cause problems."

Walking a little ways from the village, Tenbun greeted her. He flew down landing before her. The little creature perched up on her shoulder, "You can't stay there, not now anyway." She sat down, leaning against the tree. "Better yet, this town is isolated and the empire doesn't come here often. Maybe this place is safe to lay low for a while. At least until you get bigger." Chise looked at Tenbun, "Huh, I wonder how long that would take."