Chapter 4

Thanks to Boomshock5678 for reviewing the last chapter.

(Rya)

In the closet was a whole armoury. Rya was amazed at how Zenith had managed to fit so many things inside it. There was an armour set, two crossbows; which could hold up to twenty bolts at once and could be reloaded by simply pulling the crossfire mark back until it ran out of bolts, a belt full of gems, six battle axes, four war-hammers; including her ancestor, Roran's, hammer, a belt with small hatchets attached; which were used as throwing knives but more brutal, a belt with a bag of throwing knives, a bow and a large quiver of arrows and a retractable blade made to be worn on the arm just above the wrists.

There was also a moderately thick book which contained a dictionary of the ancient language along with a wide variety of spells. Along with all of this, there was a thick travelling coat and a small bag which Zenith had told her he had enchanted for extra space.

Rya was quite shocked at how many weapons Zenith had stored and began to take what she needed. She took the belt of twelve gems and the crossbow. She took the armour off the stand and put it on. It seemed to fit quite well. It consisted of a helmet, a chainmail breastplate, chainmail greaves and gauntlets which were flexible enough for her to move around comfortably, chainmail leggings and leather boots. Each piece was lighter than it looked and it fit her more or less perfectly. She then looked back inside the closet and took out the belt with the hatchets and the belt with the inside. She took a small battle axe which was light enough for her to carry without too much of a problem. She was about to leave but then decided to take the retractable blades. They would be hidden inside her gauntlets and would prove to be useful if and when she needed them. She also took the larger quiver of arrows, filling it up with the ones from her own one.

After she was satisfied, she took the book and the bag. Inside it, was a month's worth of provisions and plenty of coins. Rya intended on taking a flint and steel but changed her mind. She could use magic for a fire. She didn't need a sword because she had both of Zenith's swords and her own one as a backup.

She took the travelling cloak and left the castle. The cloak had a hood so it would help if she needed to be anonymous.

She decided to spend the rest of the day helping the townspeople, and would leave at first light the next day. She didn't have a horse so she would have to travel on foot, which wouldn't be a problem considering how light her items were. Perhaps they were enchanted as well.

She arrived at Carvahall a little before sunset. Preparing for the journey had taken longer than she had anticipated.

'Oy! Oy you! Who are you?' someone called out in her direction. She turned around and saw Harlan: the smith of the town. He was a broad and muscular man with sharp facial features and a short, neatly trimmed beard.

He continued, 'You! Yeah you! Come over here and identify yourself!'

Rya quickly pulled the hood off from her head and looked at Harlan. He immediately cringed after seeing her, which amused her. Even the toughest men fear me, she thought to herself.

'Forgive me Lady Rya. I didn't know it was you.'

'It's OK. I'm not going to execute you just because you couldn't recognize me,' she replied.

'I'm sorry but… you seem… bulkier than usual. I mean no offense by it, but you look like you've gained a few pounds,' he stated nervously.

'Hmm… well, I am in possession of a crossbow and a few other things. They're all hidden under my cloak. I'm going out of town for a while, so I'm carrying a lot of things.'

'Where are you going?' he asked.

'Ilirea. Then I will hunt down the Riders and make even what they have done here.'

'When will you leave? Do you have enough provisions? Regardless of how many things you are carrying, I doubt it is enough to get all the way to the capital.'

'I have enough. It will last me to my destination but it would have been easier if I had a horse. I don't have one and so, I will walk for now.'

'Would you like one?' he offered.

'I would, yes but, I don't think anyone would give me theirs at the price I would offer them. I have enough to buy one in Therinsford. Until then, I'll walk,' she replied.

'Do you want mine?' he inquired.

'No, I'll be Ok. Thank you for the offer, nevertheless,' she rejected kindly, 'I'll be leaving at first light.'

'Will you go to the tavern?'

'Yes. Why so many questions?' she asked.

He shrugged. 'I don't know. Anyway, farewell. May good fortune smile upon you.'

'Farewell,' she responded, and with that, she made her way towards Carvahall's tavern.

(Eragon)

He tried to move but Arya's grip on him wouldn't loosen.

How can her grip be that strong? He wondered to himself.

Arya had moved towards him and got him in an iron-grip embrace. He had spent nigh over two hours trying to escape and at the same time, try his best not to wake her up. A horrible thought came to his mind, what will she think when she finds herself like this in the morning?

Dread crept through Eragon but he tried to remain calm.

This is, by far, the longest night I have ever had…

(Murtagh)

Thorn was flying towards Du Weldenvarden at a neck breaking pace. They had received news that it had been attacked by Riders. He saw the forest come into his field of vision and Thorn sped up.

Calm down Thorn! At this speed, you'll be exhausted by the time we reach Ellesméra.

No Murtagh. I will be fine. Our friends have been attacked and you expect me to travel at a leisurely speed? You are wrong. I will not stop or slow down from now until we reach Ellesméra.

Ok fine take it easy. That's all I'm asking of you.

Thorn simply grunted in disapproval and carried on even faster.

Murtagh grew angry but could do nothing about it. Trying to stop a dragon from doing what it wanted was as hard as trying to kill a fanghur with his fists. He decided to drop the situation.

They arrived at Ellesméra that night. All Murtagh cared about was the queen. Arya was a friend to him. She had confided in him by contacting him and now he wanted to see her more than anything else. They landed in a clearing and waited for something to happen. He had never been here but Galbatorix had shown him the layout of the forest from his memories of training there.

Murtagh waited for a minute but when nothing came out of the dense tree line, Thorn took off and continued his flight towards Ellesméra. Later that night, just before the sun rose, they were at Ellesméra. Murtagh could see the hall that Galbatorix had described as Tialdari hall and got off Thorn. He ran inside and looked for Arya.

Dammit. How could I be so stupid? She would be asleep.

He looked around for an elf. He found one and asked where Arya was. The elf told him where her personal chambers were and he sprinted off in that direction.

The elves had come to trust Murtagh after Arya had explained what he had done in the last battle against Galbatorix and how it was due to him the world was rid of the tyrant.

He found her door and tried to open it but found it locked. He knocked slightly. He heard sounds from inside and some groaning before the door opened. Eragon!?

(Eragon)

Eragon had develop bags on his eyes and he kept trying to go to sleep but he couldn't.

He jumped when he heard a voice.

'Why don't you go to sleep?'

Eragon began to panic. Arya was awake! How long had she been acting like this for?

'I- I- find it hard to sleep on some nights,' he said awkwardly.

'Hmm…' she thought for a moment before continuing.

'Is it because I'm here?' she asked.

He stiffened. What was she doing? She never acted like this.

A knock on the door saved him from having to answer. He tried to get up to open it, but Arya still had her iron grip on him. She groaned in disappointment before she let him go. Eragon relaxed himself before going to the door and unlocking it. He could finally breathe properly. His relief was short lived when he saw Murtagh standing in the doorway.

Dammit! What will he think with me inside her room?

'Eragon?' Murtagh blurted out in surprise.

'Brother? What are you doing here?' he asked.

'I could ask the same. Actually, what are you doing in there?'

Dammit! I was right.

'I sleep here,' he replied simply.

'Is Arya there?'

Arya replied for him. 'Yes Murtagh, I'm in here.'

'Are the two of you… you know… mates?' the surprise in his voice was evident.

'No!' Eragon replied. His voice had been unintentionally disgusted.

He looked back and saw an offended expression on Arya's face.

Dammit again!

Murtagh continued his interrogation, causing Eragon to look back at his half-brother.

'Then why are you sleeping in the same bed?'

Dammit!

'I… we…' he couldn't finish his sentence and trailed off, looking like a fool.

Dammit!

Arya saved him. 'That, we will keep to ourselves if you don't mind.'

Eragon noticed a sort of venom in her statement.

Dammit! What if it is because of me? She seemed offended when I denied any relationship with her.

Murtagh stayed silent. He had heard it too. He changed the topic.

'Forgive me Arya Dröttning. I didn't mean to be so rude. I left my dwelling as soon as I received your message.'

'I have something for you to do. Fly west, towards the spine and gather information regarding the dragons. Everything you can from every town, village, city and any farmer or person who lives between here and the sea. Then travel to Ilirea and inform the king there to prepare for an attack.'

Murtagh seemed surprised.

'Aren't you going to inform me as to what happened?' Murtagh asked.

'No,' came Arya's abrupt reply, 'now do as I told you.'

Her voice still contained the coldness from before.

'Yes Dröttning,' and with that he left.

Dammit! Now I'm alone with her.

'Arya…'

'Yes Eragon?'

Eragon jumped in surprise. Her voice returned to the playful, calm voice she seemed to reserve just for him.

She chuckled at his reaction. His face became filled with heat.

'When I… denied… us being… mates… I looked at you and you seemed… offended.'

She jerked her neck up towards him, which caused him to jump as she stared at him with her piercing, emerald eyes. She sighed before laying back down.

She didn't answer but instead motioned for him to go back to the bed. He did so and she wrapped her arms around him, causing him to stiffen.

'Eragon, just relax. Go to sleep. I'll explain in the morning.'

Eragon remained stiff. How could he relax? Was it possible when the beautiful elf that lay next to him was acting so strange?

He heard Arya sigh, then say his true name. He shivered. She didn't stop there. She then told him to relax in the ancient language.

Eragon's body seemed to forcibly calm down.

Uh Oh. She can control me like this.

However, Arya didn't stop there. She then told him to go to sleep. His eyes widened as he realised she wanted him to go to sleep. He remained awake for a few more moments before his true name overpowered him.

(Murtagh)

A week had gone by since his visit to Ellesméra. He and Thorn had left for Osilon the next day. They had gone to Ceunon, Carvahall, Therinsford and Narda. All of them had been attacked. The only difference was the numbers described in Ceunon, then Carvahall. The townspeople in Ceunon had said twenty, while the townspeople from Carvahall had said twenty two. None of the soldiers in either village or town had the skill to kill two Riders on their own, so he had taken that into account too. He had set out for the capital once he reached Narda.

They had just flew over Daret and were heading towards Gil'ead. Suddenly Thorn roared in pain.

Thorn! What's wrong?

My right wing has been pierced.

Murtagh looked towards the right and, sure enough, there was blood falling from underneath Thorn's wing. He couldn't see what it was, but when he stood up in the saddle and tried to get a better look, he saw a crossbow bolt embedded in Thorn's wing. He used magic to take it out and heal it before realising something.

My wards should have stopped it!

Maybe it was enchanted. If it was, then we need to land and take care of this.

Ok.

Thorn descended quickly and Murtagh dismounted. He looked around and saw a young woman with a crossbow aimed at his head…

Leave a review on how I can improve.

I will be gone on holiday for the next two days so I may not be able to update again for the next day or so. Anyway, thanks for reading.