CHAPTER FOUR: In Danger

"What I've done, I'll face myself

To cross out what I've become

Erase myself and let go of

What I've done."

- What I've Done, Linkin Park

Delia lifted her chin and observed the party. Arya was looking at her with shock in her green eyes, but everyone else had nothing but anticipation on their faces. A small smile curved the elf's lips.

"I was once a Rider."

There was a commotion at this. Oromis was one thing – but another Rider who had chosen to hide themselves? Eragon looked upon Delia with new eyes. He pitied her…he could guess why she spoke in past tense, why her dragon wasn't with her.

"Once?" Nasuada asked tentatively.

Delia nodded once. "My dragon was killed. After the war, of course, because I am too young to have participated in that. She was the last egg free of Galbatorix's clutches and she chose me. When the king found…well. I managed to survive and I escaped to Du Weldenvarden. I was trained by Oromis, in the hope that even without a dragon, I could someday pose a threat to Galbatorix. I left his training ten years past. Ever since, I have been a nomad…but I have been waiting for chance. With my old master dead, I didn't think I'd ever be able to stand against Galbatorix."

Arya was observing Delia with fascinated horror, as if she hadn't really expected her fellow elf to confess the truth. Eragon supposed it made sense – Oromis had been the only other elf Rider, and besides, Delia was the first female Rider he'd heard about.

"You're willing to teach Tristan what you know?" Arya asked.

Delia inclined her head. "He needs to learn magic. He and Fafnir must learn the ways of the Rider and the dragon. They must embrace their heritage and harness their powers if they can ever hope to defeat Galbatorix."

Tristan felt bitter. He'd never asked for any of this. He hated that all the attention had suddenly turned upon him and Fafnir. If only Ashen had been the Rider and not him. It would have made matters so much easier.

You would forsake me that easily? Fafnir asked within the depths of his mind. You don't trust my judgment? I chose you, Tristan, not your sister.

Tristan couldn't help but smile. The bond he'd formed with his dragon was unbreakable and despite the burden that being a Rider would bring, he wouldn't forsake it for anything.

Of course not. I'm just wallowing in self-pity.

You've been doing that for a few days now. I think it's time we embraced what we are.

"Do you agree to this, Tristan? Fafnir?" Arya turned to look at the pair of them. "It is your choice to make."

Fafnir was right. Tristan had to stop running, stop trying to hide. He may not have asked for the responsibilities that had been pushed onto him, but they were there anyway. He couldn't change it. He was going to accept that he was a Rider. He nodded vehemently.

"I will go with Delia to Du Weldenvarden to undergo training."

PARAGRAPH

"What?" Ashen blinked, unable to believe what she was hearing. Her brother was leaving her. She'd already lost Colton and now it felt like she was going to lose Tristan as well. "How long, Tristan?"

Tristan shrugged. Now that Ashen looked at him, he was different. More serious than he had been. Fafnir stood by him, large green eyes solemn. Ashen looked down at the dragon, the dragon that Tristan had always thought would belong to her.

"Months, maybe. I'm sorry, Ashen." Tristan averted his eyes. "You know I never wanted this. But Delia has agreed to train me and I think it wise if I know what I'm doing. If I don't, we may never win this war against Galbatorix."

Ashen agreed with her brother, but she still felt that she was going to be all alone now. It had always been her and Tristan. She remembered once when Colton and Tristan had stolen her clothes when she was bathing and she'd raced after them in her towel, screaming and cursing as they laughed wickedly. That seemed like so long ago, when they'd all been whole, when they'd been a family.

She found that she was crying now and she cursed herself for being such a child. Tristan wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. Her tears seeped into the fabric of his shirt as his chin rested on her head.

"I don't want you to go," Ashen choked, "I know it's stupid, but I don't want to be by myself."

Tristan didn't want to leave his sister either. He was going to miss her terribly.

The pain will go away, Fafnir convinced him, You will miss her, but there is much you have yet to learn. The same for me.

Ashen offered her brother a smile and despite the tears in her eyes, her smile was strong.

"When you come back, you'll be powerful." Her tone then turned teasing. "I'll watch the girls chasing you around then. Now that you're a Rider they'll take an interest indefinitely."

Tristan flushed as Ashen knew he would. He embraced his little sister fiercely once more, but he knew he couldn't stay. Delia would grow impatient. She was young and although wise, not as mature as Arya.

"Chin up, Ashen." He reminded her, as he always had after Colton had died. Whenever she'd got upset, he'd used those words and she'd calmed down. "May your sword stay sharp."

Ashen nodded vigorously. She had to be brave now. As Tristan took a deep breath and turned to leave her, with Fafnir gliding along beside him, she stepped forward, having one last thing to say.

"Tristan!"

He turned to face her. There was something grim in her eyes.

"Stay alive."

PARAGRAPH

Murtagh was feeling sour. He knew that Galbatorix was not going to be pleased at all with him. He also knew that it wasn't his fault. He'd done everything Galbatorix had asked. How was he supposed to know that Tristan had vanished?

Calm down, Murtagh. Thorn sounded a bit concerned. We can't face the king when you're agitated.

I wonder why, Murtagh snarled, then immediately regretted it, I'm sorry, Thorn. I just don't want to go through this again.

Galbatorix watched the young Rider through narrowed eyes as he entered the throne room. He'd known about Murtagh's failure the moment that he'd set foot back in Uru'baen. There was a bitter look about the young man's face.

"Let me just explain," Murtagh said, not giving the king a chance to say anything, "I did everything you asked of me. I went, I searched for Tristan. He's not there. He's not in Surda. He's gone."

Once, this wouldn't have shocked Galbatorix. Now, however…it did. He couldn't have gone to train. Eragon was the only other free Rider and he doubted the boy would be training Tristan. Had Tristan fled, fearing the responsibilities and powers that being a Rider brought? He wouldn't be the first.

Galbatorix was clever. If Murtagh couldn't find Tristan, then the Rider was clearly aware of the danger he was in. He'd probably hidden from them. There were always other options and Galbatorix knew exactly how to lure Tristan out from wherever he was hiding. A devious smile curved his lips. He was in control. He was already winning this war.

"Your incompetence clearly knows no bounds," sighed Galbatorix. Murtagh's mouth twisted into a scowl and his eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. "You seem to have a problem with capturing other Riders, don't you? No matter. I'm sure you're aware that Tristan has a younger sister…Ashen, I believe her name is."

Murtagh felt dread hold him in its coils. He could see where this was going. No, please, no…he didn't want Ashen being brought into all of this. Would he undergo torture to make sure she wasn't hurt? He wasn't sure.

"The Rider has already lost his brother. He couldn't stand it if he lost his sister as well. I want you to bring her here, to Uru'baen. She will be your responsibility. Surely a sixteen-year-old girl isn't too hard for you to handle, Murtagh?"

Murtagh ignored the mocking in Galbatorix's tone. His hands were clenched into fists and he inclined his head, desperate to get out of the throne room before the king realised what he had missed. He turned to leave.

"Wait."

Murtagh's heart sank. He'd hoped in vain. He saw the evil smile on Galbatorix's face and knew.

"There have been too many slip-ups lately, Murtagh. Swear to me in the ancient language that you will bring the girl here."

PARAGRAPH

Zander followed Murtagh from the throne room. The young Rider tensed and whirled around to find the magician following him. He grabbed Zander and shoved him up against the wall, teeth bared.

"Why are you following me?" he snapped.

Zander laughed and held up his hands. "I mean you no harm, Rider. I'm just interested in knowing what sort of mission Galbatorix has got you on this time…after all, you failed to capture the Green Rider."

Murtagh ground his teeth. "If it was any of your concern, I'd let you know."

He turned to march off, aware that Zander was still watching him. The magician's green eyes narrowed dangerously.

"You know that I can force it out of you if I wanted to."

Murtagh whirled around. "Is that a threat?"

Zander shrugged. Murtagh could interpret it however he wanted. What the Rider wasn't aware of was that the magician already knew Murtagh's mission.

"You really thought Galbatorix hadn't told me?" Zander's tone was mocking. "I know you've been ordered after the girl. To tell the truth, I'm a little concerned, Murtagh. I don't think you can handle it."

Murtagh didn't say anything, so Zander smiled and continued.

"What you don't understand is what it would take to lure the Green Rider in. You'll have to torture her, which I don't think you could handle. To attract the Rider's attention you are going to have to hurt her."

Murtagh's eyebrows contracted into a frown.

What is he talking about, Thorn? I don't understand him.

He underestimates your ability. I am not sure what he wants, though.

"Your point being?"

Zander smirked.

"Give the girl to me," he insisted, "I'll be responsible for her. I know how conflicted you are, Murtagh. I can take the burden of having to harm her off your hands. I have no qualms about torturing a Varden rebel."

Murtagh knew he couldn't do that. Galbatorix would see him as weak and view Zander as being stronger if Murtagh shirked his duties and Zander stepped in. Also, if something happened to Ashen – if she escaped, if she died – Galbatorix would still blame him…because, as he would say, it should have been Murtagh watching her.

As if that wasn't enough of a reason, it was Ashen. There was no way he would give her, or any girl for that matter, to someone like Zander. He'd experienced the magician's torture first-hand. He wouldn't want anyone else to suffer something like that. Ashen's brother Colton had been tortured to death. It sickened Murtagh to know that if she was given to Zander, she might meet the same fate.

His eyes narrowed and he shook his head as he glared at Zander. The magician shrugged, looking a little disappointed.

"Oh, well. It was your choice, Rider."

PARAGRAPH

Tristan didn't like leaving the Varden. It had been his home for ten years. Not to mention that he despised having to leave Ashen by herself. Although she was more than capable of defending herself, he still worried about her.

Delia watched him half-amused, half-sympathetic.

"You miss your sister."

Tristan swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yes."

It was a long way to Du Weldenvarden. It was frightening to think that by the time Tristan was ready to go back to the Varden, Fafnir would be big enough for him to fly on. The young dragon observed his Rider.

I miss her, too. I didn't know her long, but because of the bond we share, my feelings for her will always be strong. She has a good heart.

Tristan remembered Ashen at the battle under Farthen Dur, which had participated in despite Ajihad and Tristan and practically everyone else telling her that she shouldn't. He remembered as she bared her teeth and slashed down enemy soldiers. He remembered the way her eyes burned when she saw Durza. He remembered afterwards how she'd cried, first for the shock and trauma of having killed, then because of the death of Ajihad – and apparently Murtagh.

Murtagh. The name made Tristan wary. He would probably have to fight the Red Rider someday. It wasn't a thought that appealed to him.

Hopefully, Fafnir said, tuning into Tristan's thoughts, That won't be for a long time yet.