"The dwarves are aiding us in battle by taking Furnost. And the elves are headed towards Bullridge. They both will meet us at Uru'baen after we take Dras Leona." Nasuada told Ayiana and Kveykva before the battle started.
"Kveykva and I will head to Uru'baen to try and learn more about the activity of the green egg, and we will try to free it if it hasn't yet hatched. We will most likely miss the battle at Dras Leona. Once we have the egg, if it didn't hatch, we will try to find whom it will hatch for and train them in battle quickly. But we will, most likely, leave them and the young dragon in Du Weldenvarden until they are strong enough to fight another rider." Ayiana replied.
"Understood. If Galbatorix manages to get the egg to hatch before it is safely in our hands, then he wins the war. You and Eragon will be outnumbered."
"Nasuada, as long as I fight alongside Eragon and Saphira, we will never be outnumbered by Galbatorix. For I know much better than Eragon how to take on many riders at once and live."
"Alright. Then I shall see you in Belatona then, Argetlam." Nasuada said, taking a step back.
"See you in Belatona, Nasuada." Ayiana said as Kveykva took off and flew towards the approaching army.
Ayiana and Kveykva flew towards Belatonas' army from the east, Eragon and Saphira from the west. Arrows from the army bounced off Kveykva and Ayianas diamond armor while the rest were deflected by carefully placed wards. In unison, the two dragons dropped altitude and made a line of fire, tinted black and blue, across Belatonas armies' path, halting their approach. But before long the enemy magicians doused the flames and they continued forward. Ayiana and Kveykva reached out with their minds to locate and kill the magicians. While they searched and killed they noticed Eragon and Saphira doing the same across from them.
'They are doing a good job.' Kveykva commented.
'I agree, now let's finish with these wizards and break down the gates.' Ayiana replied.
Kveykva released a small chuckle as she and Ayiana weeded out the remaining magicians on the battlefield with Eragon and Saphira.
"Looks like we don't have to open the gates." Eragon yelled to Ayiana as they flew past each other.
Ayiana looked over to the city and saw the Varden rushing into the city. Closing her eyes Ayiana reached into the city with her mind to locate any magicians. Instead she found a shade.
'Eragon, a shade! Stay out here, I'll go after him.' Ayiana called to Eragon mentally.
'Be careful.' Was his reply.
Kveykva flew low over the city and Ayiana jumped down onto a roof. The large dragon spun around and rejoined Eragon and Saphira in the fray outside of the walls. Jumping to the ground Ayiana spotted Nasuada and ran to her as she galloped forward on her charger.
"Nasuada! Do not attack the main citadel until you hear from either me, Kveykva, Eragon, Saphira, or Arya!" she yelled over the sound of metal on metal.
"Why?" came Nasuadas' reply.
"A shade waits in ambush behind the main doors for you!" she yelled back as she turned and ran off to the center of the city.
Drawing her sword, Sundavar, as she reached the citadel, Ayiana yelled, "Jierda!" to break open the doors. As a thunderous boom echoed across the city and the empty halls, Ayiana stepped through the dust into the main entrance of the castle, keeping her sences on high alert for the shade.
A low chuckle from behind her made Ayiana spin around and raise her sword in preparation for an attack.
"Not the leader of the Varden, nor the rider my King wishes but I suppose you shall be enough, Riderslayer." A smooth voice said through the dust filled air.
"What do you know of me shade? That you dare even think to capture me alive?" Ayiana asked to the hidden shade.
"You slew fifteen riders, but then went missing for a hundred years, so your strength is much depleted now." The shade said as he walked into view.
His build was thatlike most other shades; blood red hair and eyes, pale white skin that made him appeaer much weaker than he truly is, long fingernails filed to a point, and feral teeth, also filed to a point, filled his mouth. Everything about him was deciving.
"Galbatorix thinks you returned to kill Eragon and Saphira and the rest of the remaining riders and the sole remaining egg." The shade said as he circled her.
Not letting her guard down Ayiana replied, "Then your so called king has told you lies. Not that it surprises me at all."
"Watch who you insult."
"Why? Because Galbatorix is more suited to be king of the pigs than Riders? Because his sence of justice is evil and cruel, while the shades who serve him are just pathetic?"
"You'll pay for that one!" the shade yelled as he charged at her.
Sidestepping the shades charge, Ayiana easily blocked the attack. Again and again the shade charged her. And again and again she blocked the attacks. Before long the shade gained control of his anger and started a more intricate attack, faking and attacking in an almost simoulaneaous fashion. But Ayiana managed to remain unscathed in the fight. After what felt like hours the shade hesitated on an attack, seeming to ponder if it would work or not. At that moment Ayiana took her sword and pierced his heart while muttering, "Sundavar." Her sword seemed to come alive with what looked like black fire as it slid into the shades chest.
Ayiana stepped back as she watched the shade reach into the air and release a blood curtling scream as he was wrenched in two by the evil spirits that controled him. With an echoing clatter her sword fell on top of a red stain on the floor, all that was left of the shade. Reaching out with her mind, Ayiana searched the rest of the citadel and deemed it safe for the Varden.
'It is now safe to enter.' She mentally told Nasuada. Within moments Nasuada was in the main entance and before the hour was over the Varden had control over Belatona.
"Now what shall we do?" Nasuada asked Ayiana after battle.
"We decide that after we bury the dead, but soon Kveykva and I leave for Uru'baen."