The Return

Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon or Eldest, just Arianna and Nolan

Chapter 2: First Warning

Arianna and Eragon noticed something different about Nolan this morning, he wasn't being himself. Even Murtagh had noticed and had said something, which neither rider wanted to. The elder rider seemed to be able to read his mind and panicked. Murtagh looked up at them again.

"Someone's coming. And they're a lot stronger than they look." He said, looking around.

"Then we have to fight don't we?" Eragon replied.

"Not this time, Eragon. If he's right, we won't be able to win." Arianna said.

Someone's shadow walked out of the rising sun now, wearing black from head to toe. It was woman who looked up at them and made a simple gesture, making Nolan take a lunge at both of them. Neither had the choice but to fight, Arianna moved to the side quickly narrowly dodging the attack. Codas had picked up their captive and put him on his back. Eragon had started throwing fire at the woman, oblivious to the fact that their third member would be taking the damage. The spell she had cast was powerful.

"Eragon, don't. You're burning him instead of her." Arianna said. "I'll go up against her, and that should break it."

Arianna didn't rush, she had learned not to do that from the last two battles. She strode up to the woman, who she figured was a sorceress judging from the intensity of the spell. Taking out her blade, she took a step at a time waiting to strike. But the woman had seen her coming and sent an unnatural gust of wind at her, sending her back. This time she ran straight at her and got her in the side but a cost of herself and brother. She hissed for a moment as she pulled the blade out.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"No one that you know, silver palm." The woman said. "But I am a seithr, a witch as you would call it."

"Then I suggest you break the spell." She replied. "And tell this to Galbitorix, when we get to Uru'baen, he will die this time at The Varden's hand."

She took off the spell and Arianna rushed back to where her brother was. She had already taken care of herself but her brother was burnt and bleeding, he needed her attention right now. Arianna dragged him under Codas's wings as a storm brewed with Eragon joining them. As she started, the tension seemed to rise as Eragon looked at anyone other than Murtagh. She understood then that something happened between them, and that they were connected somehow. Brothers? No, neither of looked alike. Half? That made more sense. But her energy needed to be focused elsewhere, she put out her marked palm and muttered 'Weise heil" under her breath. The wounds slowly healed but the fact that he was unconscious made her worry.

"We have to keep going." Arianna said, stopping herself from falling. "I think I've gotten him in a stable condition enough to travel."

"How are you going to keep on a dragon? You can't support his weight alone." Eragon replied. "Codas can't even support three people."

"Murtagh's riding on Thorn again. But just to let you know, I did place a little enchanment on that pendant you're wearing." Arianna said, looking at him. "You follow where we follow, no breaking off."

He nodded begrudgingly and saw Thorn coming. He got before either of them and watched them get on quickly. They all flew quickly staying in a near-perfect formation and he took an interest in the youngest rider who hadn't take much interest in what was occuring. She also looked bothered, as maybe, her scar burned her. Or she had been reckless with magic and just exhausted herself. The king's men had been posted in the town where they were supposed to stop for supplies and Murtagh had counted on stopping there. But the others had decided against it and found a secluded part in a valley.

They still had a long journey ahead.

A/N: How bad was this chapter? The slow updating was my fault, I had finals.

Next chapter is what's going on in The Varden.