Eragon tried to stop the images that ran rampart through his mind but he couldn't.
He saw his own home on fire, saw his uncles still form and the burns on his body. He remembered his last night in Palincar Valley.
His Uncle had died and Eragon had run. Scared of what would happen if he stayed and scared of what he might do if he left.
But he left anyway, he wanted revenge. He remembered how Brom had caught him before he could leave. He had insisted on going with him. He remembered how Brom had died.
Tears trailed down Eragon's face as the images slowly vanished.
"Keeva?" He yelled but there was no answer.
"Saphira, I need you! Bring as much water as you can carry!" Eragon yelled both through his mind and out loud.
"Keeva? Can you hear me?" Eragon asked running towards the door she had left open.
He went in and nearly tripped over Keeva. Eragon dropped to his knees.
"Oh God, help! Keeva can you hear me?" Eragon asked as he picked her up and carried her to the front yard.
As soon as Eragon reached the lawn the entire house caved in causing burning embers to jump towards the dry grass and trees.
Just before they had a chance to ignite Saphira dropped a load of water on the house and yard. As soon as she had finished she flew away.
"I'll wait for you in the forest. If you need me, call." Saphira said as she left.
"Keeva! Please, if you die, I'll never forgive myself." Eragon said as he laid her down.
Arya stood back unable to move, Aradan crying hysterically in her arms.
Eragon took his canteen of water and drizzled some on Keeva's face. Keeva winced but slowly regained consciousness.
"Eragon?" She asked hoarsely.
"Yeah, I'm right here. Just relax I'm right here." He said unable to hide the emotion in his voice.
"Is Aradan okay?" Keeva asked after drinking some of the water Eragon held to her parched lips.
"Yes, he's fine. Just scared." Arya answered when Eragon could not.
"Waíse Heill" Eragon said holding his palm towards the wounds on Keeva's hands.
Keeva moaned as the process took place.
Second later the blisters on her hands became nothing but fresh skin. Both remained where they were, exhausted.
After a few minutes Keeva stood up, tears running unchallenged down her face.
"There could still be hope," Eragon said rising
"They might have escaped." He laid a hand gently on Keeva's shoulder.
"Hope..." Keeva said her mind spinning.
"Lord help! I cant think!" Keeva cried out looking up at the sky.
An image of her and Searsha came to mind. They were playing hide-and-seek, Keeva had found a tunnel in the cellar.
"The tunnel!" Keeva said and broke into a run towards the forest.
"Keeva, slow down. What are you talking about?" Eragon yelled as he and Arya followed her.
"There was a tunnel that my sister, Searsha knew about. It leads into the forest, they might have escaped through it!" Keeva yelled as she ran.
She reached the covered entrance and began shoving the fallen leaves and branches away from the trap door.
She lifted it and ran down the stairs.
"Mother? Searsha?" She called, but there was no answer.
Taking the lamp that hung from the ceiling beam, she lit it.
No one was in the room.
She followed the tunnel until she reached the cellar entrance.
She could feel the heat from the fire through the door.
No sign of her family could be seen.
She went back to the secret room and looked around, nothing.
Keeva sighed and climbed the stairs, tears once again trailing down her face.
Without saying a word, she took Aradan and walked back to the house.
She stood a moment and watched her home burn to the ground, not knowing if she would ever see her family again.
She put Aradan in his pack and mounted up.
Without saying anything Eragon and Arya followed.
Eragon took the lead, drawing her farther and farther from the life that she had once known.
Keeva knew not how long she was silent, talking to Aradan was all she could do.
She tried to keep herself busy, but it was impossible to not think about her family.
"Were they really gone?"
Keeva shook her head and drove the question back into the deepest corner of her mind.
"I will not think such thoughts! The Lord will provide... Oh Lord, I need Your help!"
Again that deep voice answered. "Keep going, don't give up. You know that my plans for you are good. Trust me as you did in the Dragons Lair. I love you, I will never lead you astray."
Keeva forced herself to breath.
The camp was silent, everyone but her was asleep.
Keeva used to long for the darkness of night, she loved to stare up at the stars and imagine seeing God hanging them there! It was all to much for her brain to comprehend!
But now?
She couldn't go a day without worrying, whether it was about Aradan or her family, she worried.
"Lord, I'm sorry for worrying. Please help me to not worry, I know that your plan for me is for good and not evil, but right now its easy to forget. I'm scared Lord."
Keeva took a deep breath and waited for her Savior, the creator of the universe, to answer.