Blackout
It was almost dawn and Arya was still trying to process the events of the previous day. Human teleportation, that was the only explanation for what she was seen, but how? Arya knew how taxing teleportation could be; attempting to send Saphira's egg to Carahall had nearly killed her. Yet this man had teleported himself! Arya couldn't begin to understand how much energy that must have taken. Eldunarya, that was the only way it was possible. Looking back Arya had to reassess her judgement that the magician would have been no match for her and Blödhgarm, she didn't know exactly how many Eldunarya he must of possessed, but to teleport himself? Surely more than any two elves could handle alone.
Her musings were interrupted when Blödhgarm appeared beside her, "Arya Dröttningu," he said, using her official title, "some of the other elves are getting tired, I think it would be wise to rest".
Worried by the events in Bullridge, Arya had ordered the elves to continue running through out the night, she had also ordered an increase in speed. As a result they were only hours away from the capital Urû'baen.
"Fine," said Arya, slowing down and ordering those behind her to do the same, "but only until dawn, then we continue".
Once the group had pulled off into a small clearing on the side of the road Blödhgarm spoke again, "You are worried".
It wasn't a question but Arya answered anyway, "yes, the Varden's reputation is more important than you realise, we have to find a way to stop Galbotorixes lies from spreading, but I have no idea how to do so".
Blödhgarm opened his mouth to reply but before he could do so the faint sounds of marching reached their ears. Arya quickly signalled the other elves to be silent and retreat further off the path.
They waited in a tense silence as the sounds became louder and louder.
"How many do you think?" Blödhgarm whispered.
"Seventy?" Arya estimated.
"Imperial soldiers?" Another elf asked.
"I would think so," Blödhgarm said. "It is uncommon for humans to travel in large groups".
The elves grew silent as the army approached their hiding spot. Arya's estimation of about seventy soldiers proved accurate. Arya's breath caught in her throat as she recognized the human riding a horse at the rear of the group. A quick glance in Blödhgarm's direction confirmed he recognized him too. It was the magic user from Bullridge.
Arya quickly reinforced her mental defences, hoping against hope that the magician would pass them by. Time was moving impossibly slow as the soldiers marched directly in front of the elves.
Arya's attention was focussed on the magic user as he rode past. A faint consciousness brushed against hers and she saw the smirk that slowly made its way onto the magicians face.
"Halt," his cold commanding voice demanded the soldiers.
Arya watched as the magician dismantled his horse and started to walk towards their hiding place, the surrounding soldiers following behind, in slow motion. She could feel the steers of her fellow elves upon her, silently waiting for orders but she couldn't move. The cold confidence that the magician possessed remained her eerily of Durza and for the first time in her life Arya was paralysed with fear.
The cold emotionless eyes of the magician were fixated right on the spot where Arya was hiding.
"Arya Dröttningu," the magician spoke her name as if he were greeting an old friend, "well, aren't you a long way from home?"
The hands of the imperial solders went to their weapons but the elves were quicker, jumping out of their hiding place to defend their princess.
All around him Imperial soldiers were falling, overcome by the superior speed and strength of the elves, but the magician didn't seem to notice, he was too focused on Arya. Pull yourself together Arya, this isn't Durza, you will not be captured again, Arya scolded herself before strengthening her mental barrier. With a look of determination Arya stepped forward ready to challenge the magician to defend her people.
"You know I've never liked elves," he said. "Hiding away in their little forest while a war was going on, until now that is, but you, Arya Dröttningu, you are different". He looked her up and down with a appreciative smirk that made Arya feel sick to her stomach. "It must have taken a great deal of courage to disobey your mother the way you did, someone like you would be a great asset to the Empire".
"I will never follow Gallbatorix," Arya spat.
"That's a pity". Suddenly a force so great it almost brought Arya to her knees, slammed against her mental wall. She desperately tried to defend herself or cry for help, but the elves were busy, struggling against the larger Imperial force. She felt the cracks appear in her mind but she wasn't strong enough to reinforce them before the powerful presence forced its way in. She saw Blödhgarm turn and shout something in her direction, but she couldn't make out the words before the world tipped on its side and everything went black.