This one's a bit shorter, but I promise the next chapter will have some more action :)
-Maka
My feet dragged in the sand, tough boot soles not enough to stop them being burned. From that I saw, looking back at Eragon and Snowfire, his were no better. All of us limped, a great difference from the past morning's triumphant ride away from the Ramr, waterskins full and horses rested. A parched, cracked voice sounded from in front of me. "Eragon, we need to stop. Tornac's breathing isn't good." The dappled flanks of the horse in question heaved, stallion barely able to plod along in the shadows of the dunes nearly tall enough to hide even Saphira.
We came to a grateful stop, Eragon nearly running into Eira's tail as he dragged forwards. The boy stopped, taking a deep breath. "I'll need a second to get ready. Krista, Murtagh, can you get the horses ready to drink? Saphira- I need your help to draw water. I've been searching, and it's further down than I expected. I won't be able to do it alone."
"So wait, you're telling me that this is the second day and you're already having trouble drawing water?" I interjected dryly. "I knew this wouldn't work." His face turned redder than even the blush already created by the sun.
"I can do it. I just need Saphira's help, and that was part of the plan." Eragon turned away, drawing a deep breath as the pale blue aura around him flared and a deep scoop in the sand formed.
Watch out, little one. You'll hurt yourself if you aren't careful. Saphira's cool voice broke into our minds, and she too hummed deeply in her throat, watching as crystalline water seeped out of the sand, filling the rough pool. Odd one, the waterskins first. I stepped to the pool carefully, dipping the nearly empty waterskins into the clear fluid, then making a cup with my curled hands and drinking, the cool water refreshing me.
I turned, stepping back as Murtagh led forwards Tornac and Snowfire, who drank deeply. Eragon's breathing became slightly ragged, his chest rising and falling out of rhythm. Saphira stretched out a silken wing, wrapping it around the boy and keeping him from stumbling. Suddenly, as if from an unspoken consent, her long neck arced forwards and she drank a few clear draughts. Eira nickered, and the dragon's head moved aside, allowing the horse to drink. Eragon stumbled to the makeshift waterhole, drinking and dunking his head into it before sighing deeply as the water sunk back into the ground, only a quickly-evaporating patch of wet sand where it had been.
I swung up onto Eira's broad back, whispering in her ear. She snorted once, and then cantered, proudly leading the way into the vast dunes. Despite the heat and endless sand, I was content. It felt good to be riding as hard as I could through the undulating dunes.
I began to lose myself in the feel of riding, and was jolted out of my musings when Saphira's voice sounded in my head. Odd one! Slow your horse; it's time for food. I jumped a little, then looked back to see Eragon and Murtagh flagging me down exasperatedly. Flushing, I reined in Eira until Murtagh could catch up and she and Tornac settled into a walk side by side.
"About time." Murtagh muttered as he passed me some bread from his pack. I hid my blush behind my hair as I took the bread. After swallowing a bite I spoke.
"How long were you trying to get my attention?" I asked. He gave a wry half smile before answering.
"A while. Finally Eragon got angry and told Saphira to get your attention. Eira's a magnificent horse; neither of us could catch up." I smiled proudly, patting Eira's neck. She tossed her mane as if acknowledging his praise.
"Sorry. It's been a while since I rode with anyone but Eira. I've gotten used to using these long rides to think." I took another bite of the bread, wishing I could afford to wash it down with a sip from my waterskin. But I knew the water was precious and I could do without it.
Murtagh cocked his head. "What do you think about?" He took a bite from his own bread, swallowing with evident difficulty.
"Everything and nothing." I struggled to find the words. "It's hard to explain. I start with whatever has occupied my thoughts last, and let my mind wander. It's like a complex spiderweb of thoughts, and I let my brain drift from strand to strand aimlessly until it drifts off the path completely. When my thoughts are no longer coherent, it's almost like I've opened myself to the world. It feels like I can sense everything around me, like I'm not myself, but an omniscient observer of the environment around me."
"You know, letting your thoughts wander like that is dangerous. An enemy could sneak up on you and you'd never know until it was too late." Murtagh reprimanded. I scowled.
"Spoilsport. I don't let my guard down you know." I stuck my tongue out at him, and he laughed. I felt my face heat up, but I ignored it and laughed with him. I kicked Eira's flank.
"Where are you going?" Murtagh called, kicking Tornac into action. I turned around and made a face at him and laughed again.
"To put myself in danger again!" I yelled, laughter in my voice. I turned to Eira. "Come on girl; you can outrun him!" I whispered into her mane. I felt her speed up, and soon we were leaving Murtagh behind. "Good girl. Don't push yourself too hard." I pulled back slightly to slow her pace. Playfully adjusting our speed, Eira and I let Murtagh just nearly catch up, then speed ahead. By the time we made camp, Murtagh was exasperated. I couldn't hold back a laugh, which only prompted him to stalk to Eragon leaving me to set up my tent alone. I smiled and patted Eira's flank. "Nice work, girl," I said into her mane, getting a sweet nicker and a nuzzle in response.
Later when we'd eaten, we sat around the dying embers of the fire that Murtagh had put out moments ago; "It's too dangerous to have a fire going". I sighed contentedly. "You have no idea how much I've missed warm food. That was probably the best meal I've had in months." Murtagh grinned.
"Why thank you. I had no idea my cooking was fine cuisine" He teased me. Laughing, I played along.
"It's not; I'm just used to gutter food." Everyone laughed; even Murtagh, after he'd fake pouted.
"You know, you were never this open with just the two of us," Eragon remarked when we'd settled.
"Eragon, you're not exactly charming," I retorted, grinning. Eragon faked being wounded then laughed.
"Yeah; she's more interesting than Tornac for sure." Murtagh added to my joke. We sat there joking and poking fun at one another until it began to get late.
"We should all try to get some rest. We have another long day ahead of us if we want to make progress. And I don't know how much longer Arya can last." I cast a worried glance towards the elf, and stood up to feel her brow. She felt fine, despite the poison raging inside her, and I felt a need to care for her. I spent another few moments fussing, making sure she was comfortable despite knowing she couldn't really feel it before going to my own tent.
Murtagh followed me, tracing my glance as I looked back towards Arya one more time. "She'll be fine you know. You and Eragon will get her to the Varden in time." He said soothingly. I almost smiled before catching his words.
"Me and Eragon? You mean you really aren't coming with us?" I asked despairingly.
He gave a tight smile that didn't reach anywhere near his eyes. "No. I told you; I can't." He muttered, looking down.
I gripped his arm. "Would you at least tell us why?" I begged. His eyes turned hard and he shrugged my arm off. I tried not to look hurt; I'd grown so close to him over the past five days it was hard to believe.
"Krista, I've respected your secrets. Now respect mine." He walked off without a word, and I climbed into my tent, deeply hurt. I'd seen him act brooding and sullen, but he'd never brushed me off like that before.
The coldness in his voice had been a painful reminder of what I'd run away from. Suddenly I found myself afraid; my father had started out a good man, until temper and drink had pervaded his life after my mother's death. From where I stood, it looked like Murtagh was entering the same cycle. Hard as it would be, I resolved that I'd leave the second it looked like he was following those footsteps. I absolutely refused to be subjected to that kind of pain, both emotional and physical, ever again, but neither would I abandon the people I now recognized as my only friends if I didn't have to.
With uneasy thoughts swirling in my head, I settled into a fitful sleep.