Evalyn sat perfectly still, following Eragon's instruction. The elf had been impressed with his suggestion of meditation, which allowed the mind to clear and promoted patience. Evalyn had taken to it surprisingly well, letting her body flow into nature and letting her mind empty. She felt three dragons at the edge of her consciousness, as well as Eragon, but didn't focus on them solely.
The little break from the camp lasted about a week, before Blodhgarm started growing antsy from lack of information and Eragon decided it was time to return. Evalyn, he could feel, was conflicted. She wanted to stay, continue her secret nightly rides with Shruikan, who refused to tell her what he and Saphira had spoken about. Likewise, Saphira told Eragon he would most likely find it uninteresting and kept the conversation to herself. Silicis, as she made known every opportunity she got, had been rudely rejected from the conversation. You can stay if you wish. Eragon said as he packed his saddlebags. Evalyn sighed. I am torn. I wish to return to the excitement of your Varden, but I do not wish to leave Shru. Likewise, I would like to remain with you, but your duties call you away. She said. Shruikan, who always acted as if Eragon was not listening, snorted. One last ride, little one. One last ride before you abandon me again. Evalyn glanced at Blodhgarm, who seemed content to staring at Silicis. One more, friend. Though brief it must be, it is better than leaving without seeing you. Evalyn agreed. She stood and, though she knew the elf was watching her, walked straight into the thick forest without a glance back. She felt Eragon's unease at the situation, and appreciated his lack of opinion.
Evalyn smiled when she saw Shruikan, noticing at once how his black scales seemed a bit brighter. The sunlight does you good. She said, rubbing her hands over the scales of his neck. Perhaps your healing touch has some effect as well. Shruikan replied. Evalyn smiled and wrapped her arms around his face. I do not wish you to feel I am abandoning you. I want more than anything to spend the rest of eternity on your back. But I want other things as well. I want Eragon there, flying next to us, and Silicis, looping around us in her energetic way. I want a rainbow of dragons to accompany the sky above and below us, and I want peace in the minds of everyone. I want Galbatorix punished for what he did to us, and what he does to others. I want my mother alive and human, with smiles and hugs to share, the way Murtagh remembers her. I want to see Murtagh smile, the way he remembers doing, and I want you to be at peace with your past. Evalyn finished. Shruikan let a puff of scorching air escape his mouth. And you think, that by staying with these humans, all that will be accomplished? Shruikan questioned. Evalyn pulled back and gazed into his dark eyes. I do. She replied. Shruikan nodded his great head. Then I will question you no longer. But you must promise me something. Shruikan said. Evalyn nodded. You must promise that one day, just you and I will go out, fly over the Beor mountains, and see what lies beyond them. Evalyn nodded. I promise. She said. Shruikan blew her hair from her face. Well then, what are you waiting for? Get on.
Evalyn ran, catching up easily with Blodhgarm. The three others had left without her, and in Evalyn's arms she cradled Silicis. "I thought you wished no one to know of your dragon's existence?" Blodhgarm commented. Evalyn shrugged.
"Ah, but see, this isn't a dragon. She is a dog, or a horse, or a plant. She is whatever I disguise her to be." Blodhgarm remained emotionless. "What are you thinking?" Evalyn asked, curiosity besting her dislike for the man.
"I am thinking it is a shame. There are three remaining dragons in the world that we know of, and two of them are female. I doubt Thorn can be saved, which means either his death or the death of his rider, but the two go hand in hand. It seems dragons are an extinct species." He said with a disheartened sigh. Evalyn smiled.
"You forget one. Shruikan, what of him?" Evalyn asked. Blodhgarm stiffened.
"I think his death is inevitable. Letting him live would be the same as letting Galbatorix live." Blodhgarm said angrily. Evalyn laughed.
"You know nothing. Dragons are not evil in nature. Thorn cannot help his thirst for blood, in fact you could even say he detests it." Evalyn thought back to the brief glimpse she had caught of the red dragon, the disdain and almost hate he felt for what he had done. "It is the rider that corrupts the relationship. When Galbatorix is killed, Thorn and Murtagh will be released from his grip, and Shruikan will be a free dragon." Evalyn said. Blodhgarm thought this over.
"I suppose then, that there is hope." He said. The two ran on in silence, Evalyn pushing herself to keep up with the ancient elf without the aid of magic. It was difficult, and by the time night fell and she came running into the camp with a fern clutched tightly in her arms, her breath was coming in short gasps and she stumbled to a stop. "It takes a lot to keep up with an elf. I do admire your perseverance." Blodhgarm said before walking off. Ten elves materialized beside him, and the group of eleven glided off, most likely to share information. Evalyn saw Saphira's rear end hanging out of Eragon's tent, but as she approached she heard arguing. She walked into the tent, still in the form of a woman, and met Arya's gaze evenly. Silicis chirped from her arms, and Arya's eyes widened.
"Nasuada wishes to see you both." Arya said angrily, storming out passed Evalyn. Evalyn watched the elf go, then plopped down on the pallet. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, allowing her muscles to relax and lungs to fill.
"Sorry about leaving you. Blodhgarm was getting curious, so I figured it was best time to leave." Eragon said. Evalyn waved her hand to show it was no big deal.
"Have you squeezed it out of Saphira yet?" Evalyn asked once she could breath normally.
"No. She is steadfast in her silence. It is curious though, that both Shruikan and Saphira refuse to tell. I have a feeling it is something to do about us." Eragon said with a sidelong glance at Saphira, who was snoring gently.
"Or, perhaps it is just they are relishing the fact they now have a dragon to talk to. It must be lonely, able to communicate only to one person for so long. We have other humans to talk to, where they can communicate only to us. Perhaps it is best to let them have their secrets. Soon I'm sure they will grow tired of the effort it takes to hide it, and let us in on it." Evalyn said. Silicis chirruped from her lap. I will never keep secrets, love. I wish to share everything with you. Evalyn smiled and rubbed her forehead against the petit dragons. Sometimes, Sil, I wish you would keep some things to yourself. Silicis dragged her rough tongue across Evalyn's cheek, leaving minute scratches against the sensitive skin. Then she curled up, wings tucked tightly against her body, and buried into Evalyn's lap, fast asleep before another breath was drawn. Evalyn's smile faded slightly.
"Shruikan is right. The time to attack is now, when Galbatorix is feeling the loss he has recently faced. But how to communicate that we know of Shruikan's absence?" Evalyn asked. Eragon pondered it as well. Perhaps it is time for another prophetic dream? Saphira suggested, one eye cracked open. Eragon sighed.
"Then they will know it is a lie. I don't think it is good to lead them on that we know where Shruikan is." Evalyn sighed.
"It is a problem for another night. I, for one, am too tired to think. That elf has me on my toes. I was not aware how proud I was until he insulted me." Evalyn said, yawning. "Now I feel I have something to prove to him, it is very agitating." Eragon smirked.
"'Tis the way of the elves, alright." He said. "But we have to go to Nasuada. If she summons us, it is probably important." Eragon said. Evalyn shrugged.
"It is you who are bound to her. Perhaps I will go to her in the morning, but I am tired, and wish to sleep now." She said. Eragon considered arguing, but decided not to force his decision to vow his loyalty to the Varden on her. After all, it could be a trying loyalty. He left Evalyn to sleep and flew Saphira into the city.
"Where is the child?" Nasuada asked when Eragon entered alone.
"She was worn out from our journey back and is sleeping." He replied. Nasuada seemed almost taken aback.
"You are aware that I requested the audience of you both?" Eragon nodded.
"It was her choice to stay. I felt it better not to force her to come, she can be quite stubborn." He added. Nasuada pondered this.
"I asked you both here to see how the training goes. From what Blodhgarm has told me, she knows much more than the average fledgling rider." Eragon hesitated, then nodded.
"It is true, but you have to consider that she grew up in a castle full of dark magic. She may be new to riding, but she is not new to the concept. She had access to the largest collection of ancient language known to even the elves. But, as Blodhgarm must also have told you, she is quite juvenile in the usage of most words. Her spells are sloppy and forced and, as some words have multiple meanings, sometimes ineffective. She will need training in the proper use of most words, but she will be most useful in a fight, even if her dragon is yet too young to fly." Eragon said. Nasuada nodded.
"Good. There are confirmed reports of forces gathering at Melian. We fear the nearby forest may be hiding a formidable army, and we are counting down the time it will be before it attacks. The blacksmiths have been informed and are working overtime, and already every available man is reinforcing Feinster. The camp will be moved behind its walls, the city large enough to hold even the Varden's forces. What I asked you here for is to help wherever you are needed. Unfortunately this means the girl's lessons are to be halted." Nasuada said commandingly. Eragon nodded.
"Alright." He replied.
"And I wish to speak with Evalyn as soon as possible." Nasuada added. Eragon, glad that she accepted that Evalyn would not bow to her will, nodded and left. He spent most of the night clearing rubble and repairing houses that had been destroyed when the Varden invaded. It was daybreak when Evalyn suddenly appeared at his side, bright and smiling. He grimaced, aching to the bone and grumpy from lack of sleep. Evalyn, sensing his irritation, disappeared again only to reappear with a steaming up of cider. Eragon could feel the magic in it, but gulped it down anyways. Instantly his mood lightened as his aches and pains diminished until they were barely noticeable, and his tiredness disintegrated. "Better?" Evalyn asked. Eragon smiled.
"Yeah, thanks. Nasuada said she wants to talk with you." Eragon said. Evalyn sighed.
"Why put a damper on a good moment?" She asked, helping Eragon lift bricks from a broken chimney into a wheelbarrow. The two worked in silence for a bit, enjoying the company and peaceful silence as well. Evalyn lifted the last of the rubble and dumped it in the barrow, then sat beside Eragon in the shade. "It feels like a calm before the storm, doesn't it?" She mused, more to herself than Eragon. He agreed though, and for a moment the two sat beside each other. Then Evalyn stood. "It seems to me they have this pickup bricks thing under control. I think our talents would be better used planning an escape." Eragon was startled.
"What?" He asked. Evalyn pushed her finger into the dirt, testing how packed it was.
"We overcame this city because it has one entrance, and thus one exit. What we need is a secret exit, in case the city is breached. Something that faces the sea, so we cannot be attacked from the other end while we flee. Something large enough that crowds can run without trampling each other, and yet not obvious enough for the enemy to recognize it as an escape route." Evalyn mused. She ran her hands along the wall, tapping the thick stone as she did so. "How good are you at creating an illusion?" She asked, mind racing. Eragon stood.
"I think I see what you're getting at…" Nasuada walked through the crowds, commending people on their work as she did so. The city was no completely cleared, and slowly the Varden was moving in. The only things that stayed behind were the forges and the smiths working them. Stacks of debris was being brought up to the surrounding wall, and trenches were being dug far in from of the city, only to be hidden again with branches and dirt. Her main purpose, however, was not to admire her followers work, but rather find Eragon and Evalyn. She wished to see the girl at work, hopefully without her knowing, and yet Nasuada could find neither Eragon nor Evalyn anywhere. The two had seemingly vanished from the city. Garzhvog, the second Kull in Nasuada's guard of six, was particularly anxious to find the girl. For a human, he much liked her company, though it was only twice he had the chance to enjoy it. He did not know what drew him to her, but he did know his curiosity was driving him to spot her among the many members of the Varden hard at work.
Nasuada was walking down an oddly empty street when she heard Eragon shouting something in the ancient language. Quickly her guard tightened around her, and after a moment Evalyn came flying through the closest wall. She landed roughly on the ground and stood, laughing. At first it appeared as if she'd gone mad, and Eragon was at once attacking, but after a moment Eragon too came leaping through the stone wall as if a ghost, a smile on his face as he helped Evalyn up. As soon as she was standing, however, a string of words poured from her mouth and she aimed her fist at Eragon, who twisted his body out of the way. A visible ball of silver air shot out towards Nasuada, only to be blocked by a dwarf, who instantly fell to the ground giggling. Eragon straightened up when he saw the seven, a sheepish smile on his face. "Nasuada." He said with a small bow. Evalyn walked over and brushed off the dwarf.
"Sorry about that. We were ah… throwing some ideas around." She explained, grinning. Nasuada worried a little that Evalyn was in her adult form, a child's tunic stretched tight against her fully developed body, laces precariously loose. It was less her worry that the woman would burst from her tight outfit at any moment, that six men who had previously seen her in child form were now gaping at the unarguably beautiful woman.
"Gentlemen, please let me introduce you to Evalyn, Eragon's sister." The six men quickly averted their eyes.
"I hope you all can keep a secret, because it seems we must explain ourselves." Eragon said, stepping forward and draping his cloak across Evalyn. It was then too, that he noticed how scantily Evalyn was dressed. Nasuada blinked. "About the wall, I mean." Eragon clarified, a blush slightly staining his already work-flushed cheeks. Evalyn spun around on her toes, then took a running leap through the wall. She disappeared, only to reappear behind Nasuada with a shout. Six men jumped, and six men covered it up with a cough or stretch. Evalyn laughed excitedly and took Garzhvog by his considerably larger hands, pulling him through the wall. They heard him gasp, and a second later he reappeared.
"It's an emergency escape, my idea!" Evalyn exclaimed, beaming.
"It leads to the sea." Garzhvog added, resuming his place protectively beside Nasuada. The woman had to admit she was greatly impressed.
"And you think an escape route is necessary?" She asked, placing a hand against the stone only to have it continue through.
"Evalyn noted that the main downfall of fortified cities is the lack of escape route. So she cleverly thought up one. It was simple magic, though it took time to place it on each individual stone." Eragon said. Saphira's head suddenly poked through the stone, her eyes blinking lazily. Do I smell food? She asked. Evalyn's stomach growled loudly as if to confirm the smell of roast in the air.
"Please, join me for supper. I would much like to speak with you, Evalyn." Nasuada said, motioning with a sleeved arm towards her tent. Evalyn hesitated, then glanced over her shoulder.
"If we are to dine alone." She finally answered, nodding towards the six guards. Nasuada nodded.
"They usually stay outside, if that is alright with you." Evalyn's shoulder's eased.
"Alright." She complied, turning and tucking something under her arm. The cloak Eragon draped over her hid the item from view, but Nasuada had a suspicion of what, or rather who, was hidden beneath the cloak.
Evalyn eyed the food placed in front of her, smelling it before taking a bite. Finding it suited her taste, quickly she cleaned her plate and a second one after it. Silicis, who Evalyn let wander the great room, entertained herself by climbing the jagged stone walls. Once she felt she was high enough, she would leap off and glide to Evalyn, only to race off and do it again. Nasuada watched with amusement for awhile, then brought her attention back to the female rider, who was staring bluntly at her. "As you probably know, an army is gathering a league away from here. I do not know when or even if they intend to march on us, but I would prefer we prepare for an attack now rather than later." Evalyn nodded.
"Smart move." She commented. Nasuada smiled, but Evalyn did not return the smile. It took Nasuada a moment to realize she was not being complimented, but rather made fun of.
"I need to be informed of your plans." Nasuada said a bit angrily. Evalyn glanced at Eragon, then followed her dragon with her eyes.
"My plan is to do what Eragon asks of me, I suppose. I am fair with a sword, though I must admit one on one is what I'm practiced most in. But I have a vast knowledge of the ancient language at my disposal to compensate. If he wants me to fight, I will. If he wants me to stay in the city walls and use my magic to help, then I shall. If he thinks knitting him a pair of mittens is best, that is what I'll do." Evalyn said firmly. Nasuada nodded.
"Eragon, where do you feel she will be most useful?" Nasuada asked. Eragon thought for a moment.
"I have yet to see her fighting skills, so I cannot make my decision." He said. Evalyn stood, and Silicis landed on her shoulder, digging talons into her skin to keep her hold.
"To your knowledge, will Murtagh be fighting?" She asked. Nasuada seemed startled by this question.
"Oh yes, I suppose he is your half brother as well. No, my spies have not seen any evidence of a dragon in the area." She said. Evalyn hid a smile. Her spies suck. She said snidely. Eragon coughed to avoid laughing.
"Good. I think I'll leave now." She said. Nasuada stood as well.
"It would greatly improve the moral of the Varden if you would allow me to announce your identity." Evalyn froze and turned slowly.
"No." She said, perhaps a little more forcefully than necessary. Nasuada looked as if she was going to say something more, but nodded.
"Very well then. I will respect your wishes and withhold your status." Evalyn scooped her dragon from her shoulder and tucked her under the cloak, before walking out. A seven-year-old girl walked from Nasuada's chambers and past six guards, to whom she smiled at.
"Shh. I think you can keep a secret, yes?" She asked, before skipping off, Eragon's cloak dragging on the ground behind her.
"I don't understand what's going on, but I sure hope it be in our good fortunes." A dwarf muttered.