Disclaimer: own nothing.

Chapter2

New allies

Cherish P.O.V

We started out just before the sun rose, and by the time the sun was at its highest I was feeling awful. My head eyes and stomach wouldn't stop hurting. Even worse, I'd started to crave. It wouldn't be so bad, except everyone around me was human. I was a threat to them and anyone else we passed, in more ways than one. But I resigned myself to the pain. I could and would deal with it.

Two days later we came upon the small town of Yazuc. I pulled my horse to a stop and held up my arm to get the attention of the others. Something was dreadfully wrong.

"What is it?" Arthur inquired.

"Death is close by," I said slowly.

"Draw swords men." Uther commanded.

The knights did and then we entered the town. When we reached the town centre we saw what was wrong, and I felt like throwing up. The town's people were all dead, their bodies stacked one on top of the other, and at the very top was a baby, with a black arrow sticking out of its chest.

"Who would do this?" Uther asked.

"From the looks of that arrow, Urgals. Though I wouldn't be surprised if the king ordered it to be done and framed on them."

"From what you've told us about him I wouldn't be surprised either." Merlin muttered. "The man's a murderous raving lunatic."

"Couldn't agree with you more. Lets get out of here; there could be other Urgals around." I said.

We headed out of the other set of gates and cantered away from Yazuc. That night we decided to rest among a large, thick cluster of trees. I got my horse settled and went slightly away from the others for more room.

"What are you doing?" Gwen asked as I went into a stance.

"Tai Chi," I replied, "it is a type of meditation when preformed in slow motion, but when sped up, it can be deadly."

"Really?" Gaius asked.

"Yes," I replied, going through the moves, "but I tend to use it only in meditation. I don't really want to cause anyone harm."

They left me to it then, but I knew they were still watching me, but so was someone else. For a while i had to let my senses wander, but then I pinpointed where the unknown observer was.

"I'll be back in a sec." I said, and I walked into the trees, on the opposite side to whoever was watching. Then I circled round and came up behind them. It was a boy, with light curly hair. From what I could see of his height, he was around my age.

I snuck up behind him and twisted his right wrist behind his back sharply, causing him to gasp and arch his back. I pushed him forward into the clearing, everyone but Gwen had a weapon drawn.

"Who are you, and why were you watching us?" I demanded.

"My names Eragon! I was just curious! It's been years since I saw one of your people! The king killed the last two I knew!"

It was then that I saw the mark on his palm.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" I asked running a finger over it.

"I'm a farmer; I hurt myself on the equipment. I've had that mark for years."

"Do not insult my intelligence. I know what this mark means. It means you're not a simple farmer, are you? Rider!"

I released him and he whipped round to face me, taking a step back. "So what if I am? We're on the same side aren't we?" Eragon asked.

"That depends. Do you work for the king?" I questioned.

Then a voice came from behind me, answering in the ancient language (which I had learnt last year, "We do not work for Galbatorix."

I turned to see an older man with greying hair step into the clearing. "That's good to know." I replied in English.

"What's good to know?" Uther asked.

"They don't work for the king. He said so in the ancient language. No one can lie in the ancient language." I said.

Uther motioned to the others and they put away the weapons. Even Gaius had had a knife out!

"Who are you?" Uther asked.

"I am Brom, and this is Eragon." The older man explained, "We are looking for two creatures called the Ra'zac."

"Why?" Arthur asked.

"Because they killed my uncle." Eragon explained.

"Oh." Arthur said.

Brom looked at my mark and then at the others. "Please tell me your mentor is hunting. Or somewhere else in prayer, but still close by." He said.

I shook my head, "Louisa is back in Swansea."

"But all your companions are human!" Brom said.

"Don't you think I knew that?" I hissed angrily. Then I strode over to my horse and started stroking her sleek black coat.

"Cherish, is he saying you're not human?" Arthur asked.

"I'm a vampyre fledgling, but I am still humane."

"You mean they didn't know?" Brom asked

"I'm not suicidal." I replied.

"Yet you came here on your own." Brom stated at the same time as Uther said, "You were afraid of me."

"I didn't choose to come here. It just happened. I don't know why I'm here all right?"

"When were you going to tell them what was going to happen?" Brom asked.

"I wasn't. I was hoping that I'd be able to get home in time, or find a full vampyre. Was it wrong of me to hold onto hope?" I challenged him angrily.

"What's going on?" Merlin asked, "What are you two talking about?"

"She's dying." Brom stated bluntly.

I wiped a tear away from my eye. "Be blunt about it why don't you?" I turned and once again walked to the edge of the clearing. "I'm going for a walk; I'll explain things when I come back." And then I walked away from the large group.

Gwen P.O.V

I gave Cherish a minute and then I followed her, leaving the others in a stunned silence. I wanted to make sure my friend was all right.

When I found her she was on her knees between two trees, tears streaming down her face, and her eyes were closed. I wanted to go to her but something was holding me back. Suddenly Merlin and Arthur were on either side of me. Just then Cherish started to speak.

"Why am I here Nyx? Why did I get pulled here alone? Did I do something wrong? No, that wouldn't be it; you're not like that, are you? You're a forgiving Goddess. But why must I die now? I have never known any kind of love. My father hated me, my mother left; I've never even had a friend. Well not until now. And I've never known what it was like to love a man. Or be loved in return. It's all I've ever wanted, a family I mean. I thought I might find it when I got marked and entered the House of Night. But then everyone there knew instantly that I was different. Even though I hid them, as you told me to in the dream, everyone knew that I had been uniquely gifted by you. They looked on me as something different, something they could never get close to. I never wanted that. I wanted to belong, yet they wouldn't let me. Especially after they found out about my visions and one of my affinities. Was one true friend who knew everything too much to ask for Goddess? I would have been happy with one friend, really. It didn't have to be a group, just the one. Why will I die alone? All the others who reject the change have other vampyres with them. I won't. Yes the others will be here, but not even Brom or Eragon, who know about us, can begin to understand the pain that will come before my death. I don't even have the potion that was made to ease the pain of death." Cherish broke down completely then, sobs raking her body.

I ran over to her and hugged her. "Hey, don't cry everything's going to be fine."

"Don't worry Cherish, we'll find a way to help you." Arthur promised.

"I'm sure Gaius could think of something." Merlin offered.

"It's no point." She whispered brokenly through her sobs, "They've been trying for centuries."

"Why don't we go back to the others, and see if we can try and change that ay?" Arthur asked kindly, his face covered in worry for the girl that had already wormed her way into the hearts of his entire party, even his father.

"All right." Cherish sniffed. Then they all stood from where they were kneeling or crouching on the floor and together they walked back to the others.

A/N: sorry it's so short but I'm a little pressed for time.