ookkkeeeyyyy, sorry its been so long, but I've been waayyy busy glares evily at math homework

so, yeah, enjoy this chapter, they finally get to meet the varden (yey!!) and just to clear some things up, this is after Eldest, sorry if that wasn't clear in the other chapters :D

claimer:I own everything that is not familiar to you :D

26.-Tunnels of secrets

The shimmering waterfall cascaded down the sleek moss-covered rocks in the half light, the suns early rays reflecting off the crystalline water and casting glimmering rainbows over the mountainside.

Arya had led us here, the mysterious Varden having disappeared the moment we had exited the cavern, although Dorran was sure he could hear them, rustles of the branches, almost inaudible footsteps in the damp soil, yet they were near invisible in the fading darkness. I carried the emerald egg in my mouth, the surface of it seeming to give out a light of its own in the premature dawn.

Dorran and I did not communicate between ourselves, not for fear of someone breaking into our thoughts, but for it to seem to the Varden that we were to be mistrusted and were at that current second plotting their downfall. Arya had not said anything either in our laborious trek across the mountaintop, she had just walked in silence, lost in her own thoughts.

Now before us was a pool of crystal clear water, the surface being reflected upon by the brilliant red sunrise. Smooth pebbles were crushed under our talons as we made our way to the falling water, following Arya.

I stole a glance at Dorran, his sleek onyx scales shining in the growing light. His reptilian face was impassive, but I could feel the wonder radiating from him, he was just as curious as to where we were going as I was.

This is the lake Kostha-merna, is acts as the entrance to where the Varden lay; it is secret, so tell no one of its location. Arya's wind chime voice echoed in our heads, the tone slightly bitter for some unknown reason.

We will tell no one, I replied, intrigued as to what was about to happen.

Arya nodded and waded into the crystalline depths, the icy water coming up to her waist. I saw her lean towards the rock off to the side of the waterfall, and saw her lips move, but her words were silent from where we were standing.

Then after a few seconds the rock seemed to shudder, the whole mountainside moving to the side beneath the falling water on invisible hinges revealing a large and grotesque entranceway that was carved out of the rock. Then, barely visible in the growing light stood a row of soldiers, their rugged armor gleaming, reflecting the water droplets that were spraying them.

Arya nodded to them, then waded even deeper into the icy depths, the black leather she was wearing quickly becoming water-logged and heavy. I followed, the slime-covered pebbles crunching under my feet. The water was glacial to touch and goose pimples ran the length of my limbs underneath my heavily armored skin.

Dorran strode beside me, showing no emotion as he entered the freezing liquid, his onyx scales gleaming from the moisture that had started rising in the early morning. The rock-strew floor sloped down steeply and I found myself swimming, my wings plastered to my sides and the chill seeping deep between my scales. The dark rocks loomed before me and I clambered up the side after Dorran, my talons scraping deep into the slick stones.

Dripping wet we came to a halt in front of the guard, their eyes staring disbelieving at our monstrous forms. I glanced warily at Dorran, and he, sensing my unease, connected his black eyes with mine and the end of his long mouth turned up in what I took to be a reassuring smile.

A beautiful woman with amazingly dark skin came up to us, her expression guarded as she turned to Arya, yet I saw that out of the corner of her eye she was scrutinizing us, her dark brown eyes flitting over every scale on our forms.

"Arya, thank you for sending Jarsha ahead to tell the news, this is indeed exceedingly important and may even aid us in over throwing the empire once and for all!" as she said this, her musical voice echoing off the cliff walls, the armor-clad men surrounding us all cheered, their uproar so intense that rocks fell loose from the ceiling and cascaded down.

"And of course Queen Islanzadi will want to hear of this information, so if you would permit me Nasuada, I would like to travel to Ellesmera before the sun had fully risen." Arya's voice resounded above the din, her tone one of command and authority.

Nasuada nodded, her black hair tumbling over her dazzling face. "Of course you may go, give my best to the queen." she replied.

"Of course." Arya responded, and then disappeared into the lamp lit tunnels, her form merging with the darkness.

Nasuada's gaze rested on us, her lips quirking into a smile. "Greetings dragons, I am Nasuada, leader of the Varden. As long as you stay within our stronghold, you will be protected by our most experienced warriors. If you would follow me I will take you to the dragon hold where you may sleep and recover from your travels." I did not know how to respond to that, it was as if she were telling us that we had no choice but to stay there in the mountain.

I dipped my head in thanks, that is very generous of you, I told her in her mind, talking as a normal dragon would.

She nodded and turned, signaling to the shining tin soldiers to follow her and she led us deep into the mountain, the heavy rock doors sliding shut on a mechanism behind us, closing us in from the outside world.

The tunnels were lit by a strange dim red light, the source of which was unknown to me as I made my way through the labyrinth, only the sounds of mine and Dorran's talons clicking and the clashing of the warriors' armor accompanied by the squeak of their leather belts that supported their weapons.

We encountered very few people in the dark passageways, but when we did they looked tired and worn. Then when they saw us they bowed low, muttering something and astonishment plastered on their dirty faces.

Their actions made me uneasy, the confined space just adding to that sensation and claustrophobic feeling. Dorran, sensing my distress brushed his wing against mine, reassuring me that I was not alone, which made me feel slightly better at least.

Then suddenly the tunnel started to widen, the light growing in brightness almost to the point of looking like the world above. There were more people here, their filthy rags dragging in the earth as they walked by, then, on seeing us, stopped and bowed, again muttering words that made no sense to me.

Among these people were shorter, stubbier people, mostly men wielding war axes and helms with the emblem of six stars surrounding a war hammer.

Who are those people Dorran? I whispered to him, which was unnecessary seeing as I was talking within our minds, but it just seemed to match the atmosphere.

They are dwarves, and why are you whispering? I growled, annoyed at his question, then registered what he had said. Dwarves! I thought those were only in myths! But then, if I thought about it, dragons and werewolves were meant to be mythical too, so it did not surprise me to suddenly find out about a new race that had remained hidden from the world for unaccountable years.

Dorran smiled, his reptilian face seeming to brighten, then turned grim once again. The first chance I get, I am turning human and simply going to marvel in the fact that I have clothes on, he said, and I could not help but laugh, the sound causing the armored men to jump a foot in the air and look around wildly.

I grinned sheepishly at them and they turned and continued walking, bemused expressions on their faces. I glared at Dorran, only to receive a wide grin and a slight thrust in the side, causing me to stumble a few steps, narrowly avoiding stepping on passing people. I hissed and trod on one of his clawed hands with all my strength, but it seemed to have no affect whatsoever on him. I growled, annoyed and looked straight ahead, ignoring his deep chuckles.

Nasuada had ended up leading us to a wide open space completely swathed in people. I looked up and saw a huge gaping hole in the ceiling that seemed to lead to clear blue sky above. The urge to just jump up and fly, never to come back was overpowering, but I restrained myself with difficulty, turning my head regrettably towards the leader of the Varden. The dark woman saw the expression on my face and laughed, gesturing upwards.

"You may go into the dragon hold, I expect you are tired and are in need of some food. If you choose to you may also exit through the roof and if you are in need of any further aid, do not hesitate to ask." She smiled to us and then turned to go, leaving us to soar through the skylight.

We leapt without further instruction, snapping our wings out at the last second, surging upwards towards the bright sky. Gasps from the onlookers echoed around us, but we paid no heed and continued ascending.

Caves constructed out of marble lined the walls, varying in sizes. I rose past them, eager to escape the underground headquarters. But before I could reach the exit something sapphire, scales shining magnificently in the sunlight, obscured my vision. It was Saphira, that I was sure of, and I could just make out her rider astride her, his face murderous.

Pick a cave; we need to talk, NOW.

Oh joy.

gee, wonder what Eragons gonna talk to them about...or yell...or scream, whichever :D

hope you like it, next chappie will be up as soon as i can write it, having writers block here, way too many ideas are crammed in my brain right now...so, yeah

PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!! -cries ppllleeaasseee???

-Firesilk:D