Chapter 17- Surda

Flying through the skies, Tenbun was on the move. The dragon carried his rider and a small boy on his back, heading south. He kept higher than normal to avoid suspicion. The night before, they were almost found by a group of soldiers. Now, they were long gone. Chise still decided to keep going. Passing plains, she could see small encampments. Looking to her west she noticed a city right on the ocean.

"What about Surda? How do we know we're in the country? Seriously, I don't think there would be a huge sign saying, Welcome to Surda!" She quoted, with a faint smile. Chise added out loud, "What about that town over there?" She pointed at the ocean. "Uh, they might know where the borderline is located."

True, but there's one ahead of us. Chise, you should go there and get some information. She agreed to his statement. Tenbun continued to the south. Chise thought for a moment, "But were still in the empire, it might not be safe. I think we should fly to the mountains, but go south first. We might come across more towns." Tenbun stayed quiet, as he maneuvered in many directions-keeping the wind on his side. The dragon, snorted going east from the town.

After a few hours, they didn't exchange any words. She kept her ideas to herself. Tenbun lowered down in the altitude, Chise, I see another town south from here. He broke her train in thought, Yeah, there's a lake east in our direction. She replied. Shaking his head, Tenbun turned south flying towards the town.

Close to the village, Chise scanned the people. Watching them, she realized that the soldier's armor was different than the empire's. She sighed in relief, leaning back a little bit. Keeping hold of Ehlen, Chise made sure the boy didn't slip. You know, I have an idea. Tenbun spoke up. Chise, it might be a good thing that you use your ability.

Huh?

I don't want you to get caught by these people, so instead transform. Say that you want to go to the capital, and speak to the King. Demand it, adding that you're a Goddess; well an Angel. Tenbun continued, It's almost night, it might be a little more scary in the dark

Chise laughed, as the dragon landed only a few miles away from the town. She got off, looking at Tenbun in the face. Raising an eyebrow, she shook her head. Walking a foot or so away, Chise turned around. So, I'm going to demand them to tell me where the capital is? What if they don't tell me?

The dragon did not reply, he cocked his head, Shouldn't you be getting a move on? Chise looked at the village, "Oh yeah!" Tenbun laughed, looking at the childish facial expression she had. You're oblivious today. She ignored his statement, running some- little ways, as wings came from her back. Chise took off into the dark sky, flying towards the town.

She made herself known in the town, circling around, she caught many of the people's attentions. Descending from the sky, Chise acted like an Angel. When she landed, some of the town's folk went to check what was up.

Opening her eyes, she blinked. Oops. . . . I forgot what I could say. Thinking fast, she spoke up, "Where is your king?" Demanding, she watched the warriors that were approaching.

"Depends, who's asking?"One replied

"I'm asking because I want to join the Varden." Chise stated, crossing her arms, "I do not want to cause any trouble, I just want to know where the Varden is."

The soldiers looked at her, "You look like the Angel of Death we were told about. How can we trust you? You might be here to kill our king!" She sighed, walking away. It's no use, they won't believe me. It is best that I find it myself.

"If you won't help me, or even trust . . . I'll go search for it."Chise started to fly upward again. She suddenly stopped when the captain approached, Chise landed.

"Wait! I'll offer you a deal."

"What?" She sneered.

"There have been sightings of Imperials near the border. If you meet up with the post men, who's going to take them out, help our soldiers kill them. Yet, if you don't, we'll either kill you or good luck finding the Varden." The captain explained, arms crossed and a sly grin on his face.

Chise shrugged looking at him, "If that's what will make you satisfied." She walked away from them. "Damn, idiots! Do they really think that's a way to gain trust? Honestly, they' ll probably try to kill me when I come back. It can' t be helped . . . I guess."

Waking past some houses, women looked in fear. Children backed away from the streets. Chise really felt unwelcome and was getting the cold shoulder. Leaving, she heard some bad slurs about her, "Wow, to them I did do some bad things." Chise thought to herself. "I should make up for what I've done."

Exiting the town, she took to the skies again. Passing Tenbun she told him, I have to do something to gain their damn trust. She went passed the border a short ways, when she came across a small camp, near a huge lake, of Surda's soldiers. Landing, the men looked at her in total sock or amusement. Some were even puzzled, confused. She looked at them, as her wings vanished.

"I'm supposed to help you," Chise told them, as one of the soldiers walked over to her. They gave her a good look over. The man stepped back, nodding at the others.

"Okay then, you seem truthful . . . We're going to the empire and take out a few regiments. They might pose a threat for the Varden and Surda." He explained. "I'm the captain, Guilm. We have only a handful of soldiers, it'd be nice to have another sword-hand. The one over there is our magician, Carn."

"How many for the empire?" Chise asked, without thinking it through. "Would we be out numbered? Plus, it's in the empire's territory, isn't that not a bad thing?"

Some of the men walked over to see what was going on. Guilm looked slightly annoyed; Staring at Chise. "It's our order, and we will follow them. We might be out numbered, can't say for sure."

"Okay then, how far away?"

"You like to ask questions. Your name?"

"Chise."

"Chise, an unusual name. They should be around Melian by now." Guilm explained, "We're not to far from there, so about a two day ride."

"They're leaving back to the capital, right? Why go after them?" Chise asked, curiously. Thinking she gasped, "Never mind! All I really want to know is, how long will it take if we rode non-stop?"

"But we need to be ready to fight."

"Just leave that to me," Chise grinned, "It won't be a problem."

"No, I have a better idea. This seems important to you, I'll do this." Guilm looked over at the men. "Carn, come over here." He motioned his head back. The thin man walked over to him, with drooping eyes. "I want you to go with her." Carn nodded at his orders. "You leave as soon as you're ready. You two will be scouts-me and my men will not be too far behind."

A short moment later, Carn mounted a horse as Chise looked at him. "You riding?" He asked obviously thinking it's the fastest way. "Yeah." She nodded, jumping on a pure black horse. Well, this suits me . . . The Angel of Death, black horse, heh. Chise thought, with a quiet laugh. Kicking the animals in the sides, the horses jolted off. Leaving the post, Chise could feel Tenbun again. I' m going to prove myself, as they see fit. Please stay close by, I doubt there will be enough men.

Okay Chise, I'll keep Ehlen with me until you need my aid. Tenbun replied. She sighed in relief looking up ahead.

"You know, Guilm sent us out during the night." Carn spoke up, looking at her. "There haven't been many soldiers that are women. You must be pretty good at fighting."

"Maybe he wanted us to get a head start. We're already in the empire anyway. The post was right at the lake." She tried to lead him away from that she could fight.

"You must be the Angel of Death, no human could fly." He stated, "Yet, the captain doesn't see any harm about you." Chise's expression saddened, as she looked to the ground. "What's the matter?"

"It's just, I've done many wrong things, but I left the empire. I probably couldn't look at Galbatorix. I made my stand in Carvahall." She sighed, when she pulled back on the reins as the horse stopped. "Did you know there were soldiers coming this way?" Chise looked into the distance, as her body started to glow. "It was going to be an ambush, late in the night."

"How do you know?"

"I can sense it, there's about ten total; maybe a little less." Chise shifted her head back and forth, as she added, "I've confirmed the position where the targets are." Carn turned his attention to her. "Seventy-five degrees, ninety minutes, thirty point five seconds, North. Targets are moving 13.8 degrees to the southeast. If we move in that direction, we'll make contact in about forty-five minutes." Carn was shocked at her statement, "One knows magic, no doubt."

He nodded, as they just sat there and waited Chise was very easy to see, since she was glowing a pale color. Turning her head, she growled. "There's four to our west. The captain hasn't left, we're in trouble. . . ." Chise jumped off the horse "I'm going to take the larger group out first." Looking to the north, two small missiles flew up out of her back. Heading in the direction of the targets, only a few seconds later the sky lit with a bright red light. The explosion could be seen for many miles out. Chise flew off to see of any survived.

Carn watched his surrounding carefully when he heard the nay of another horse. Chise heard it as well, turning back she saw three horses getting ever so close to Carn. Their lanterns were dim. Tenbun! Help him, I got the others. She watched him take out two of the Imperials.

Carn was getting ready to strike the last one, when the forth soldier appeared behind him. Slicing through the one in front of him, he was getting ready to turn around. The soldier was getting ready to strike him, when fire went between them. Tenbun grabbed the man with his huge fangs, swinging him away. The horse took off running in the opposite direction.

He could see the dragon in front of them. Tugging on the reins, he tried to get the horse to back up. Chise landed beside him, "He won't hurt you Carn. Tenbun is my dragon."

"What?" Carn asked, when he felt the dragon cross touch his mind.

She's right, I won't. Chise doesn't want me to hurt anybody, unless they mean her harm I will. Even if she don't want me too. Tenbun stated, as Carn swallowed hard shaking his head. Well, you two are not hurt; things turned out for the best.

"Now I really believe you, you did leave the empire. Cause, there is no way you would be talking to me and fighting the Imperials" Carn looked at her. Chise nodded, looking at the bodies.

"I'd leave 'em." She spoke up, "To show the others we mean business" Tenbun laid down, as Chise sat against him, "It is okay that we rest, there are no more soldiers. Plus, people at the post and that town saw the explosion. They won't dare come here." Carn grunted, getting off the horse. He sat down across from Tenbun, and glanced at his shining emerald scales.

"Chise, why did you leave the empire? If I may ask." Carn spoke up, watching the fire that Tenbun started slowly burn out.

"The lies I found out, we fled to Carvahall. That was four months ago. During that time, we hid in secret. I found that they did work for the empire." Chise looked at her dragon who restarted the fire. "I still want to cry, but it's pointless." She wiped her eyes, "I'm not stopping till the empire and the Ra'zac are gone, even if I die." She looked up on Tenbun's back to see Ehlen sleeping. "I had to take him with me, he was going to be sacrificed to Helgrind, well those foul monsters. I didn't want him to have that fate."

Carn shook his head in agreement, "Well, there were lies about you." He picked up a small rock. Chise looked up at him.

"Really? Like what?"

"Well that you were terrifying and evil looking. With black wings, and sharp fangs. They also mentioned you had a metal pipe, like cannon-thing for an arm. I see that's wrong, you're not scary and you're cute." Carn explained, "Plus, you actually changed into a demon of some sort."

Chise laughed, "Some rumors, I can be very terrifying and deadly but that's when I have to be." She paused, glancing around. "If I do get in the Varden, and there's a battle. I'm going to see if I can go in the back of the Imperial army and destroy them. I' ll make it easier, Tenbun will help too. I lost two things to the empire; so I want them to pay."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"I had a guy tell me I'm one of those people who had nothing to lose. That has changed, I have to protect Ehlen." Chise said, with determination in her voice. "Even if it means I won't make it."

"You aren't kidding, I can tell." Carn added, "They probably allow you into the Varden. Yet, they'll read your mind." Don't worry about that Chise, I can hide the memories you don't want them to know. Tenbun laid his head against the ground, eyes looking up at her.

But what about the ones I can't recall? There are some things I don't remember due to being in weapon mode. Like, when I came here, my mind was real fuzzy. Chise laid down beside him, she looked up at the cloudless sky. Go to sleep Chise, you're tired. She heard Tenbun yawn. Turning over, facing him, Chise used her arm as a pillow.

It was still late in the night, into the early morning. The sun wasn't up yet either. Waking up to a growl, Chise opened her eyes. Tenbun was standing infront of her, as Ehlen was beside her-still sleeping. Looking up, she saw Guilm with his men. The captain was impressed, "You took care of the soldiers." He tried to approach when Tenbun stomped in front of him. The dragon growled in warning. "An you're a Dragon Rider." Chise sat up, It's okay Tenbun, he's Carn's captain.

Guilm carefully walked passed the dragon, showing no harm. He went over to Chise, "I don't think you're a spy. For our regiment, you're most welcome. The Varden leader would be pleased to have you." She looked at him, standing up. "You'd be a good ally."

"Thanks," Chise replied, simply.

"Curious, you worked for the empire didn't you?" Guilm put a hand on his chin, "That sword is way to well made, not to mention beautifully made, for a smith in Surda or the Varden."

"You know I did, and I'm not going to lie. I am a rebel. Trust me, I won't go back to the empire" She clenched her fist, holding them to her sides, "There's no way."

"You probably would if you were forced to swear an oath."

"I'll off myself if I'm that desperate." Chise argued, picking Ehlen up. She sat the boy back up on Tenbun. The captain looked at her.

"For a woman, no offense, you can put up an argument. So can Nasuada, the leader of the Varden-well that's what they say. You'll know soon enough, be warned you might be punished for what you done to the Varden back during your Empire days." Guilm started walking back down to the south, with the other men behind him.

I'm aware of that," Chise looked down to her right. She soon followed, as Tenbun took to the skies-flying just above them.