Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle.

Why didn't we go with them?

Mellary complained as a group, including the other rider and the blue dragon, waited by the west gate. They were watching the torches of the hunting party move slowly across the plains toward them. Embrald was perched on the wall above them. Mellary was lounging across his neck. Anything would be better than staying here and politicking.

She had been going out of her way to avoid both the elf and the other Rider. Patrolling along the wall at odd hours, flying in the dark of the plains, cleaning up the dead, something she knew the elf wouldn't touch and the Rider was still too weak for.

Now they were waiting on the wall for the hunting party to return. She could see the pool of light a bunch of torches created around one of the holes into the tunnels.

Embrald tensed and Mellary sat up. She merged with her dragon, looking through his eyes and focusing on the tunnel entrance. She could see the small group climbing out of the hole. A number of dwarves climbed out as well. Ajihad raised up a hand and the group formed ranks and began moving towards them.

Something's not right. Embrald said.

Before Mellary had time to ask exactly what was wrong, there was afroth of motion around the deserted tunnel entrance. Mellary, looking through Embrald's eyes, didn't have to see more than a rough shield and s set of horns to know exactly who the intruders were.

Embrald crouched and leapt off the wall, snapping out his wings as below Eragon called out. "Urgals!" Embrlad was already moving, gaining speed faster than he ever had before. Mellary didn't turn around to see Saphira rising into the air behind them. The blue dragon, strong as she was, was rapidly falling behind.

The wind stung Mellary's eyes as he leaned lower on her dragon's neck, using his head plates as a air block. Her mind was still intertwined with her dragon. She could clearly see the glint of moving metal. She frowned as the fog began to form. Embrald could smell the stench of magic in the air.

Mellary raised a hand above her head. Glaring light flew from her fingers and landed close the fight. White light blazed out, shredding through the mist.

Even though Mellary had acted with instantaneous reflexes, most of the guards had vanished, leaving the magic workers called the Twins, Ajihad, and some fellow called Murtagh. The Urgals pounced.

Embrald streamlined his form and shot the remaining distance like an arrow, just as the group began to retreat toward the tunnel. Mellary vaulted off her dragon's back, swords flashing, as Embrald opened his jaws and roared. His head shot forward and he snatched an Urgal from the group. Mellary killed a second as the group vanished down the tunnels.

She didn't hesitate for an instant and followed them down into the darkness. The same word as before made the tunnel walls blaze with white light. Mellary swung her swords, catching a third Urgal. She could see the bright light reflecting off the Twins bald heads and a shock of briwn hair that didn't belong to any Urgal.

An Urgal turned back, raising a battle axe high with a roar. Movement flickered in the corner of her eye. One of the twins had turned around and she could see his lips moving. Then her light spell shattered, plunging them into complete darkness.

Instinct took over. Mellary crossed her swords and swung them up in front of her head, catching the battle axe where the blades crossed. Mellary pushed the axe aside with one sword and stabbed into the darkness with the other. She heard the Urgal grunt, then her sword was wrenched from her hand. Mellary took the split second to call the light up again.

Her memory and aim were good; she had killed the Urgal. Her sword was stuck in the body. And the tunnel behind the Urgal was empty. Mellary swore and darted down. The light moved along the wall, keeping pace with her.

Ajihad's alive, but not for long. Embrald told her. She sensed his decision to stay on the surface, where he could spread his wings if he had too.

Mellary sent another bolt of light flying down the tunnel, hoping to catch a glimpse of something. Halfway down it's intended path, the bolt was snuffed out. Mellary smiled grimly. Got you.

Be careful. Embrald warned. Oh, and Ajihad managed to share a few words with our friend Eragon. He related the conversation.

He right. All the furies of chaos will break loose once word gets out. Another good reason to get out of here. Mellary said.

Oh, and the elf's coming after you. Embrald warned. Mellary sighed and twisted her magic, putting a string of white light into the intricate coil of her braind and letting it trail down her back. That way Arya hopefully wouldn't stab her when she came barreling down the tunnel.

Mellary shot another bolt down the tunnel and was dismayed to see that it went out farther forward than it had before. Her lungs were burning; she was running full tilt down the tunnel. The constant magic was also draining her already low reserves.

A fourth bolt splashed against a fork in the tunnels. Mellary tested each tunnel with light and cam up empty handed. She had no idea which way the Urgal procession had gone.

There was a glint of emerald light behind her and Arya came into the sphere of Mellary's white light. She had two swords in her hands. One was hers. The other was Mellary's.

" I don't know which way." Mellary said breathlessly, skipping the pleasentries.

"Then we shall split. You take the right left passage, I shall go right." The elf said. Mellary noticed the change in her tone. The Arya she remembered had been shyer, more inclined to let others take the lead. Now she stood tall and commanding.

Mellary held out a hand and Arya gave her the twin sword. Mellary nodded her thanks, noticing how Arya's gaze lingered on the metal. The elf met her eyes then turned, running smoothly down the right tunnel. Mellary took a deep breath and went left.

A few hours later she emerged from the tunnel, covered in dust. She had though she was on the right path when she came across a rock slide, dust still hanging in the air. Mellary had been forced to remove the slide to continue, eating up precious time and energy. Her tunnel had continued until it reached the edge of a chasm that disappeared down into darkness. There was a small path that wound down the side of the cliff onto a lower path. Mellary paused, and saw Arya appear out of a round hole in the wall, running down the path. The elf paused on the edge of the cliff and picked something up by the edge.

Mellary pulsed her light causing the elf to look up. Mellary waved, then pointed back the way she had come. The elf nodded and Began to run along the cliff, vanishing into another tunnel at the other side of the cave.

When she climbed back into the torch light it was a relief to finally let the light die. Embrald was waiting for her, crouched next to the tunnel opening. Mellary climbed up onto his back, gratefully leaning against the sturdy muscles of his neck.

Nothing? Embrald asked as he took off.

Nothing. Mellary said, closing her eyes as they flew over the plains. She slowly sank into unconsciousness.

I know I left off at a crucial part. I guess it gives you something to look forward too.

Horray for politics. This will be fun.

You know the drill by now. Reviewreviewreview.

Please.

Pretty please with a cherry on top.