Chapter 13- A Simple Life of Battle an Tragedy
During the last four months, Chise stayed in the small village of Carvahall. She was with Horst, since he offered that she could stay at his place. Many of the villagers got along well with her, telling stories and past lives. Katrina, who was younger than Chise, got along well with her. The two were good friends. Although, Sloan didn't appreciate her. The old small man didn't trust her at all.
Now, Tenbun has grown. He was now a marvelous size, taller than his rider. The green dragon kept to the Spine, he couldn't risk any suspicion. Tenbun watched for any creatures, such as Urgals, so he could kill them. He and Chise communicated with one another.
Walking around the village, Chise was talking to Katrina. The young woman asked about many things. She really enjoyed the company, since she was used to soldiers and old maids talking with her. "You have been lucky, this village hasn't seen any soldiers or Urgals." She spoke up.
"Yeah," Katrina replied, "But some villagers have seen some things."
"Really? Like what?"
"Quimby said that a long while ago, he saw something he never saw before. Many of the villagers seen it, but he got a closer look somehow." She began, "It was just after dark, he told us that what he saw was an angel. As a trader called that there have been signs and sighting of the Angel of Death. Quimby explained that it was a young girl with wings of metal, and she could fly very fast, faster than any animal. My father didn't believe him, but when you mysteriously showed up he began to think twice."
"Huh, weird I'm not anything like that." Chise lied through her teeth. "Though, it would be scary to meet her."
"But I feel sorry for you, Chise you had a terrible tragedy. You have lost almost everything.."Katrina said sympathetically.
Chise nodded in reply, she looked down to the ground, How foolish I was, I thought everything would turn out fine. . . . Damn it! Next time I come across anything that works for the Empire I will kill them myself.
Don't be so rash, Chise. Many things happen but that don't mean we allow them to. Tenbun's deep rich voice rang in her head. I'd like to find them too.
What do we do now? I mean the empire's looking for us probably, and we're in this isolated mountain town.
Tenbun chuckled, I wouldn't be so sure of that. When I was out flying I spotted soldiers and two Ra'zac headed to Carvahall. They'll be here in the matter of days, but not for us, I don't think. Eragon came from this place, they might be looking for information.
"Why do you think Garrow was killed, the way you all say he seemed to be a good man." Chise brought the subject up, as they walked past the butcher's shop. Katrina looked at the building then at Chise.
"I'm not sure, but my father told me that it has to do with the stone Eragon had. Even he disappeared one day. Horst said there were huge monster tracks in the snow at the farm." She replied, "kind to think of it, there were these strange people here that night before. They kept their faces hidden from view. Even Brom disappeared."
The Ra'zac, so they've been here. I guess we're going to fight when they show up. I won't let them get away. . . .No they'll die. I'm not showing any mercy towards those dastardly creatures. Chise growled, when she saw Horst in the distance. His two sons were with him.
"You know, Horst kind of treats you like a daughter." She heard Katrina speak up.
Saying their goodbyes, the two went separate ways. Katrina went back home, as Chise went towards Horst. No one in the family spoke of where she came from. When they got to the house, Elain-Horst's wife- had dinner already ready. He went to leave again, as Chise went inside. She sat down, and really didn't feel like eating.
"You're real quiet." Elain came in the room, sitting down in the other chair. "You okay?"
Chise nodded at her question, keeping to her thoughts. Her dragon spoke up now and then, but she seldom said a word. She made her mind up, Chise decided not to leave Carvahall but instead stand and fight. When Horst came back, another boy was with him. Chise was taken back when she saw him.
He looked a little like Eragon, but more sturdy and muscular. The young man looked clouded with emotions. His gaze fell upon her, as he gave a quizzical look. At that moment, she felt something drip onto her hand. Looking down, she saw it was blood. Jumping up, she covered her nose with her hand. Damn! What's next? She heard Tenbun laugh at her. A deep pain hit her back. Chise started to lose her vision. She blanked out, hitting the floor. Elain gasped as her son Albriech went over to her.
"Roran, that's Chise she's staying her for a while. The poor girl has had many problems," Horst told the boy. Elain went up stairs behind her son. After a while they came back down. They looked in utter confusion at them. Sitting at the table Horst looked at Albriech and his wife, "What's wrong with her?" The smith asked them. "I've never seen her blank out like that, it can't be good."
"We don't know. When I touched her, she was ice cold as if she were dead. Chise did respond, but only a little." He replied, as Roran listened intently.
"Maybe, she's cursed." He brought up, as the others looked at him. Roran was careful about not saying anything suspicious or wrong. "Just a suggestion, she might be fine after she rests a bit." After finishing his sentence, Horst was about to speak up when there was a knock at his door. Standing up, he pushed his chair out walking past the table. Going to the front door, he opened it carefully.
At his door were Quimby and Sloan, the two seemed to be concerned. He gave them a blank stare. "What is it?" He asked intently. Quimby was about to say something when Sloan interrupted.
"You didn't hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"That roar," Quimby answered, "I heard something roar, as if in pain, in the forest. It was loud, and many of the others heard it."
Horst shook his head and sighed, "It's probably a wild animal or something." He went outside, shutting the door behind him. Elain was talking to Roran and the other two in the main room.
"How did Chise end up here?"Roran asked, "Who is she?"
"Horst found her wounded on the road to your father's. She was in pretty bad shape. Chise hasn't seen anything at ease like this town, so she says." Elain stated, "She's a good kid."
He nodded at her statement, when Horst came inside. He looked a little annoyed about something. Horst sat down, "Sloan and Quimby heard something in the forest. They believe it's not a regular animal." He laughed, "What could it be. . . ."He paused.
Chise was dreaming, she was surrounded by nothing. Everything was on fire, buildings burning to the ground. She was standing on bodies of her friends and family from her world. Chise, herself, was in her weapon form covered in blood. Looking up to the sky, the clouds were a light gray color as droplets of rain hit her face. She was alone, no one was there, not a living soul. Destined to walk the world alone.
Chise, she heard a voice echo in her mind; Chise, wake up! She heard it again, slowly Chise opened her eyes. Blinking to see clearly she saw Elain come in the room. The older woman looked at her with a small smile.
"You were crying in your sleep."She walked over to her. Chise sighed, I hope that was just a dream . . . She thought, sitting up right. "Are you feeling okay? Chise you passed put last night."
"I'm okay," Chise replied, looking at her. She got up, walking down stairs. Horst and the other boys were gone. Stopping, she felt Tenbun touch her mind. Don't come to me today, there's villagers in the area. They must have heard me roar last night; I felt your pain. Chise didn't reply to him, she sat outside leaning against the house. She stretched her legs outward, watching the others doing daily chores.
Down the road something caught her attention, it was two soldiers. They made it to Carvahall, standing back up she went back inside. Chise cursed under her breath when she heard Horst. He explained that the soldiers and the other two were after Roran. They intended to wait until he got back. She hit her back against the wall and slid down, Chise sighed. If a fight breaks lose, I'm going to get involved Tenbun. She warned him, he grunted in response.
It has been six days since the soldiers arrived in Carvahall, but some of the villagers ran them off. Chise hasn't been outside since. Walking around the village she saw the people preparing for an attack. Horst was sharping some weapons, while others were doing other things. Roran played a big role gaining the others trust and determination to fight. Bridget was one since the Ra'zac killed and ate Quimby.
Squirt, are you sure this is the right idea? You're going to fight them, but what if you show your true self? Tenbun asked her, seriously,
Well then, Tenbun you might want to show yourself, She replied, harshly. Chise had her sword at her side. The men in the village glanced at her, then went on working. Sloan came across her, he had knives all around his belt. He looked at her in a mocking tone. Chise narrowed her eyes, "You have no idea what those bastards did to me." She walked past him, hitting his shoulder. He looked back at her, then kept on walking. "It's still early, they won't show until night. We'd best be on our guard."
"Maybe the Angel of Death might with them!"One of the villagers shouted, "What then, We'll all be killed!"
"Maybe so, but do these soldiers have the right to take our homes and then burn them to the ground?"Roran asked, "do you want to become a slave?"
"And who knows? The Angel might turn to our side." Another man added. Chise smiled a bit, as Katrina approached her.
"You Know, you're the only female who's going to fight with the men" She stated.
"I guess so, but I have my reasons like everyone else does. It's a shame that Quimby died, those creatures are sick." Chise clenched her fist, "Man-eaters . . . Anyway, where can I get the proper outfit to wear? I'm not going to wear a dress."
Katrina blinked, "Hmm, ask around you might something. Horst is your best bet with leather." Chise nodded at her response, walking back towards the smithy.
Going inside, she came across an idea, "Why not wear my army uniform? Its as best as any, even if it's with a skirt. It shows my dignity as being a soldier." She turned to leave to his place. Up in the room she was staying in, Chise put on every garment that was hers. The jacket was nicely fixed, as she placed the medals above the left pocket. Buttoning it, Chise looked at the sword on the bed. Slipping boots on, she grabbed the belt; that had the sword's sheathe attached to it, around her waist.
Walking out the door, she stopped to see Albriech getting ready to come in. He smiled, "What's with the get up? I've never seen clothes like yours." Chise looked at him, with a blank expression.
"This is my uniform,"She began, "It's important to me in a way. This outfit is the only thing I have left personal from my home." Chise passed him, walking down the road she couldn't wait to get a hold of the Ra'zac. She wanted them to pay. Most of the men were armed with axes or pitchforks. There weren't very many swords, but they managed. Biting her lip, Chise kept a hand on her sword's pommel.
She went back to Horst's smithy, he was still working on a few projects. Taking a break from his work, he looked up at her. He was careful with his movements, watching Chise. The blacksmith spoke up, "You seem fit for battle, more or less prepared than most of us." She swallowed hard, thinking on what to say. Chise sighed looking at the spears and other weapons.
"So, you don't seem to mind that I fight as well?" She asked carefully, looking at him. A knot formed in her gut, as his facial expression hardened.
"Well, some of the men don't think it's right for a woman to fight in a battle. Yet, you seem to be comfortable with the idea. How well can you use that sword?" Horst asked with a stern face.
She sighed, shutting her eyes, "I can wield a sword like a soldier can." Chise opened her eyes, looking at him seriously, "That won't slow me down." He nodded in agreement, with a confused, yet understandable look.
"I can't argue there. You must really hate the Empire and Galbatorix." Horst went back to work. Chise sat down, crossing her legs and arms. She observed him making regular tools and other equipment. Hitting a hammer against the hot metal, he brought up, "You don't have anything to lose, do you?" Horst laughed, a little, "That's the worst type of person to come across in battle." She didn't reply, but only gazed outside waiting for the dark.
It has been four months since I left the empire. Chise sneered, disgusted over many things. When they show, I'll cut them all down. The old Chise died.
Aren't you being too rash on yourself? Tenbun asked, I understand you want revenge, but did it really kill who you are? You can't help what happened to you.
I should have been more careful! She barked at his statement.
That maybe true, but there's another way to think about it. Would you have left the empire? Tenbun replied, wisely. I feel your pain.
Chise didn't reply, she stated silent listening to her surroundings. She heard some villagers babble, or others discuss important things. As Horst finished, he walked outside. She trailed behind him. Kicking her feet in the dirt, Chise was staring out the ground, If I do get into trouble. Will you come to help me, Tenbun? I just want to know, are you with me?
I will and I must come to help. You are my rider, and what kind of dragon would I be? Tenbun the coward, I don't like the sound of it. A small laugh escaped him. Chise smiled, when Katrina came up to her. The girl seemed to be pleased about something.
"You know, you're really brave." She spoke up, then added, "Good luck tonight, it might not turn out well."
Chise nodded, putting her hands behind her head, It might not be so bad, but my power is a last resort, She thought. Good idea, Tenbun agreed with her statement. Katrina left for her house, as evening slowly crept up. It was getting dark, as the men readied their positions.
Looking into the distance, Chise could hear and see the enemy. She wanted to charge but waited, when a horse caught her attention. For sitting on the creature was the Ra'zac. Hunching over, Chise drew her sword as the others looked at her. At that moment, the soldiers came into the village. The Ra'zac came into view, it had its sword drawn.
The creature looked at her, "I sssee you're still alive." It growled, "We thoughts you dead."
"Yeah, and waiting for you!"Chise shouted back at the monster, "This time you won't get away!" Some of the men looked between them with utter confusion. Changing her focus to the soldiers, Chise saw a familiar person. Kreis was with them, he was suited up in armor with a sword at his side. He didn't seem pleased. When he saw Chise, his face saddened. "Damn, what's going to happen?"
The army slowly crept closer to them. The battle started. Chise watched the Ra'zac when a blade crossed hers. Kreis was in front of her, his strength pushing her back. She forced her weight into the sword. Their swords were locked against each others. His face hardened with anger, and concern. "Why? Why did you betray the empire?"He asked softly.
"Because, everything they told me was a lie." Chise pushed him back, he stopped lowering his sword. "Why are you still with Galbatorix?"
"I swore an oath to him. I cannot leave the empire!"He stated. Horst looked at them, raising an eyebrow. Kreis shook his head, "I'd leave, but I can't! For a while I didn't believe Galbatorix, he said you died."
Chise looked at her sword, then threw it to his side. It slid across the ground. She sighed, "I don't want to do this! But the empire is going to pay!" Before she could finish, a sword struck his side. Behind him, the Ra'zac looked at her.
"He says too much." The beaked monster shrieked. It tossed Kreis to the ground, he was still alive-holding his injury. Chise watched the Ra'zac, it made a high pitch screech.
She clenched her fist and teeth, "Go to hell." Chise uttered as her body started to glow a pale color. Her eyes turned darker around the pupil, "In fact, I'll send you there." Her voice changed. Wings of metal came out of her back as they grew out. Chise looked at the Ra'zac evilly, with a smirk. She caught some of the men's attention. Sloan looked at her, he didn't seem even a bit surprised.
"The Angel of Death, I was right." He said aloud to the other villagers. Chise looked at him, then back at her opponent. She started to walk towards it, picking her sword up. Hovering in the air, sword pointed forward Chise went towards the Ra'zac. She stabbed it in the shoulder, the creature roared with pain.
Chise cut down many soldiers in her path. They suffered heavy injuries, dying almost instantly. A single arrow pierced her shoulder, she looked back at the man who did it. Turning around, her arm changed into a gray array gun with green markings. Lifting it up towards him, she fired. When the dust cleared, he was gone. Facing more soldiers, Chise waited for the villagers to move. It only took a few minutes to take out many men. They were pushing the army back. Some soldiers were behind her, as another managed to slash her between the shoulder blades.
Holding her shoulder with her good arm, Chise groaned in pain, Tenbun, I need help. They're surrounding me, and I don't want to use my full power. Shutting her eyes, she sighed. A roar filled the air. Soldiers looked around, when an emerald colored dragon slammed into the ground. It picked a soldier up by his head, with its mouth. Tenbun swung him away, and tossed the others with his tail. Smoke floated above his nostrils, he looked at them in hate. Roran and some of the others looked in astonishment. Tenbun roared again, moving carefully watching the soldiers. Orange lights came from Chise's back, they lit up the sky around Carvahall.
When the imperials retreated from the town, the men sighed in relief. They won, but at the cost of many lives. Chise went over to Kreis, who was barely breathing. She sat down, resting his head on her lap. He opened his eyes, looking up at her. Her clothes were torn in almost to pieces. The upper part was nearly gone, as only straps of the white shirt kept it up. She was back to normal. Tenbun was sitting behind her, "I'm sorry." Chise spoke up. "The Ra'zac only did it to get to me. I shouldn't have fought with you."
"It's okay it wasn't your fault, Chise." Kreis spoke up barely, and smiled "I was probably going to die sometime anyway. At least I got to see you again, Chise." He didn't say anything else. Chise waited for the last of his heartbeats to fade away. She picked his hands up, getting his blood on hers. She put them up at his chest, one over the other. Gently laying his head on the ground, Chise stood up. Wiping the tears away, she looked up to the sky.
"I'm going to the Varden." She made an oath to herself. "I'll go wherever fate leads me, even if it's my demise." Tenbun looked at her with his soft emerald eyes. Chise started to walk away from Kreis' body. She was heading for the entrance to Carvahall, Chise intended to leave. Tenbun followed behind her.
"Chise!" Albriech shouted, "Where are you going?" She turned around to face the villagers. Tears were steaming down her face.
Tenbun looked at her, I don't think you should leave. I know you're upset, Kreis was my friend too. He stated, in a sad tone. Tenbun, Chise walked up to the dragon, hugging him around his neck.
Sloan walked a little closer. "See? The Angel of Death was among us. I was right the whole entire time." He crossed his arms in anger, "They say she works for the king."
"Yeah, an angel who just saved us." Horst argued, "and why would she fight against them?"
"I left the empire," Chise looked at them, "They wronged me, in so many ways."
"Shouldn't you have known that they were evil?" Sloan asked.
She cocked her head, "Shut up. I just wanted to go home, back to the small island of Japan. Now, that doesn't seem possible. I lost everything, and now my first friend in this damn world." Chise walked over to him, Sloan backed away a few feet, "I won't harm any of you, neither will Tenbun."
"Tenbun?"
"My dragon," She stated, as Tenbun lowered his head to Sloan's face. He blew smoke out at him. Roran walked up to the creature. He looked Tenbun over a few times.
"So have you seen my cousin? His name's Eragon." He asked cautiously. Tenbun looked to Chise.
"Yeah, I've met him a couple of time. He's one of the first two people I met in Alagaësia." Chise replied, "He's a Dragon Rider too."
Yes, the other Rider who doesn't work for the king. Tenbun's voice rang in their heads.
"He talks?" Horst asked out loud. Tenbun smiled, showing his pearl white fangs. He laughed a little bit, I'm an intelligent creature, He answered Horst's question.
Chise looked at them, "You're not angry?" She asked in a bashful way. Looking at the children and women approach them. The kids looked at Tenbun with wide eyes.
"For what?"
"I lied, about certain things. Like not being the Angel of Death." She lowered to bow, "I'm sorry for that."
"Don't worry about that," Horst stated, "You saved us from a bloody battle, but I must ask. You are a god right?"
"Yeah, a machine-like god."She replied, "I'm immortal, and have many, some destructive, powers."
"Will you stay here and fight with us?"
"Yes, I will. I no longer believe anything from the empire. Can I ask a small favor?"
"What is it?" Horst raised an eyebrow, with interest.
"He's been a real help to me, and very kind." Chise began, looking back behind her, "I want to give a proper burial for my friend. Kreis. . . ."