Dear Readers,

The beginning of this story is under reconstruction. When you read a chapter that has nothing at all to do with what you have just read, please keep in mind that is the previous version of the story and I am redoing it as quickly as I can. I apologize for the inconveniance. I am not trying to confuse you! Later on, after chapter 28, things mostly fit together with the revised chapters of the story.

This is Chapter 19, revised.

Thank you and enjoy!

DragonRider2000

"Are you sure you must go?" Mrs. Silwona asked worriedly as Sasha and Raya retrieved their cloaks from the hall by the front door. "It is still storming, and you will be completely drenched by the time you get home!"

"Yes, Mrs. Silwona, we must go. We promised Taya that we would not be too late, and we do leave early in the morning. Thank you so much for inviting us to dinner, it was absolutely lovely." Sasha said, trying her best to act nonchalant. Yet Kabarak's words filled her mind and left her numb.

He found her.

Colt and Dierik's father put his arm around his wife's shoulders and smiled at the two girls.

"It was a pleasure meeting you both. Please give our regards to your cousin, and we hope she is feeling better. When you come through Dras'leona again, please don't hesitate to stop and visit us."

"Elrin! You are just going to let the two of them go out there in that storm?"

"Well, Maira, they are determined to go, and I see no way of stopping them. Besides, they are young and don't mind a little drenching."

"And they won't be going alone." Colt said determinedly, smirking at Sasha. It was all she could do to keep from protesting, because she didn't want them to go with, but then she did at the same time because they would be wonderful company and protection. Just as long as they did not want to go inside or try insisting on seeing Taya, she would enjoy their company…

Maira Silwona frowned, but then sighed in defeat. "Alright, if you boys go. Just come home right away. And let's hope that the storm does not worsen. It was lovely meeting you two, and as Elrin said, don't hesitate to stop and visit us again."

Maira gave each of them a hug and the girls quickly picked up their cloaks and with Colt and Dierik following they ran to the barn.

"Sorry about our mother. She's a little protective." Colt grinned as he led his horse out and began tacking it. "But we love her to death."

"She was wonderful!" Raya exclaimed. "I can see almost anyone not wanting us to go out in that." She gestured up just as there was a loud thunderclap.

Once they were all mounted they rode out into the rain, walking their horses because the street was muddy. They rode close enough to talk and to hear one another, and Sasha noticed that Dierik was strangely silent. She wondered at his silence, but she couldn't come up with a reason for it so she dismissed it.

Sure enough they were drenched only minutes after leaving the stables, but the rain felt good. Its soothing effect helped Sasha calm down, at least until they reached the inn and then she became very on edge.

"Thanks for riding with us, Colt, Dierik. I appreciate it." Sasha said as she and Raya dismounted under the barns awning.

"Certainly, Sasha." Dierik replied, speaking for the first time since they'd left the Silwona's house. "It wouldn't have been gentlemanlike to let you ride home in the rain without company. We'll be back by in the morning to see you off." He said it as a fact, and Sasha inwardly cringed. She found herself unable to tell them not to come in the morning, even though their departure counted on secrecy, especially now…

He found her.

"Goodbye, Colt, Dierik." Sasha replied with a slight smile, and the two young men turned their horses and disappeared into the rain. Sasha and Raya looked after them for a minute, and then looked at each other. Next moment they were racing to untack their horses and put them in their stalls, not even giving them hay before they ran inside the building. Bracing themselves for anything and trying to act composed, Sasha stuck her head into the kitchen, and then they both walked quickly to the stairs as softly as they could and then bounded up to the second level. They didn't see Niera look out of the kitchen after them with a curious and worried expression.

At Taya's door, Sasha reached out and touched Kabarak's mind, and he responded with his own touch, and she could feel how afraid and worried he was.

Are you alright, Kabarak? She couldn't help but ask, knowing it was a ridiculous question at such a time.

Kabarak did not respond immediately, but when he did his voice was laced with bitterness.

No, Sasha. I am not.

Did he… kill her?

Come in and see for yourself.

His response scared her, and she hesitantly put her hand on the doorknob and it turned easily under the hand. They entered and Sasha quickly shut the door and locked it, and then a sight she had not expected met her eyes. Raya was frozen to the ground, staring at Taya's motionless form on the bed, and Kabarak was staring at them with sad green eyes from where he lay by Taya's head.

Sasha looked around, not sure what she had been expecting. More blood, more signs of a struggle, Taya's crumpled form lifeless in the middle of the room…

There was no struggle. She would not have, but she also could not. The combined power of Murtagh and Galbatorix with their dragons was enough to crush her weak resistance. Galbatorix did not kill her… at least not outright. He poisoned her.

"What do you mean,' she would not have'?" Sasha asked as she stepped forward and knelt beside Taya, reaching out and feeling for a pulse and looking at Kabarak.

The dragon growled. She believed that if Murtagh found her that he would kill her or mortally wound her, and then leave. She did not want him to find me, or you two. The consequences of that were terrible. So she let herself fall into his grasp, and he did exactly as she thought he would. Now it is our job to get her to the Varden as soon as possible, and they will undoubtedly be able to heal her.

The girls were speechless.

"Had she known this was going to happen when we left?" Understanding flooded Sasha, and her first and strongest emotion was anger. She'd promised herself that she would stand beside her cousin no matter what, through any trial Galbatorix put them through, and now Taya had thwarted her so easily… that Sasha had actually trusted her when she had said she only needed some rest… never again, and never so easily.

She did. She realized that the closer Murtagh came to her the worse she was. She was certain he would come today.

"How could you let her do this, Kabarak? What would have happened if he had killed her?" Sasha asked angrily, glaring at the dragon.

Kabarak narrowed his eyes and growled again, very softly.

Do you think I had a choice? Taya had made up her mind, and there was nothing you or I could have done to make her change her decision. If you think I could have, I beg you to think again. She did what she did to save us, to give us a chance. And we will never know what would have happened, nor should we dwell on it. Blame me if you wish, but you both believed her even when the signs were clear. Argue with me if you like, but that will not change anything that has happened.

Sasha looked down at her cousin, seeing the strange, discolored lines on her face and neck, but she also recognized that Murtagh had been thoughtful, perhaps even remorseful, and put Taya where she was instead of leaving her where she'd fallen. What had passed between them, if anything? If Taya lived would she ever forgive him for trying to kill her?

She looked out the window as there was a flash of lightning, thinking apprehensively of the road ahead of them. Would anything be easy? How would they even survive without Taya, who was the instigator of the whole adventure?

"I hope she's happy." Raya grumbled, drawing curious looks from Kabarak and Sasha.

Explain, Raya, if you would.

"Well, because of her little plan, she's now a burden and a liability to us, and we are going to worry ten times more now and not be able to travel as fast. I hope she's happy. But, and I hate to admit it, we are safe and alive because of what she did. Now we have more important things to do. It's going to be difficult to hide her from your parents, Sasha."

Sasha cringed. "And we have to leave earlier tomorrow, to avoid a confrontation with Colt and Dierik."

The latter is indeed what we must do, but as to the former, we should not hide what has happened from Nacar and Niera. Nor can we. They will be important in our departure. And they have a right to know about everything.

"…Everything?" Raya asked incredulously. "But Kabarak… even about you?"

The dragon nodded his head once.

Especially about me. Sasha, you must bring them here.

"Now?"

Now.

She hesitated, looking at the door. Not sure if she was doing the right thing, she turned and reached for the door knob, and jumped back when there was a knock.

"Yes?" She asked in a shaky voice, her heart pounding rapidly.

"Sasha, can I come in? Are you all in there? I want to ask you something." Her mother's voice replied. Sasha quickly opened the door and stepped out into the hall, surprising Niera.

"Mother, something has occurred, and we are all going to need yours and fathers help, now more than ever." Sasha's tone was completely serious, and Niera paled slightly. "I need you to get father before I tell you. None of this will be easy… those days are gone."

With a nod, Niera turned and disappeared down the stairs, and Sasha only had to wait a minute before she returned with Nacar right behind her.

"Alright, Sasha. What's going on?" Nacar asked quietly.

"Something has happened, to Taya. She had a visitor while we were gone. Did you see anyone out of the ordinary this evening?"

Niera's face paled even more, and Sasha knew she was thinking of the worst.

"I never did, and I was back and forth between the eating room and the kitchen all evening." Niera replied shakily. Nacar frowned.

"No one ever stabled their horse or left one standing outside. It's been quiet with the storm."

"He wouldn't have had a horse."

"Who is 'he'? And why would he walk?"

"'He' is the Red Rider. He finally found Taya."

Niera gasped and covered her mouth, as Nacar asked hesitantly,

"Is she…?"

"Come in, but I beg you not to make a sound. There is something else which we have hidden from you for all our safety. I am not even sure if this is the right thing to do, but I have no say in the matter." Sasha opened the door and followed her parents inside, closing the door and nearly turning around into her mother, who had stopped in her tracks and clung to Nacar in fear as they stared at the small green dragon that was perched on top of a motionless Taya.

Kabarak's tail twitched back and forth as he watched the Tatanya's with intelligent eyes, his gaze intense upon the two.

To everyone's surprise, Nacar began to chuckle. "I should have guessed as much. All the signs make sense now."

"What do you mean?" Sasha was aghast that they had slipped in being secretive about Kabarak. The thing was she couldn't figure out how they had.

"You'd think with all of the meat in the house disappearing that we had more than one extra mouth to feed. That or we had a thief, and I will admit that I have sat by the kitchen door and waited for a few hours just to see. It seems though that we did indeed have an extra mouth. When did he hatch?"

Sasha stared at her father for a moment, and then began laughing at herself. Of course he wasn't blind! Naturally he would notice something as important as meat disappearing. And they'd all thought that they were being clever and not taking too much. Hah.

"It was about two weeks after she arrived."

"Well, I didn't notice something was strange until a few weeks ago, so you did a fine job of hiding it until he began growing. I always wondered if she'd managed to grab the last dragon egg during her escape. Being who she is and all… although her being the last rider is a surprise."

"What's his name?" Niera asked hesitantly.

"His name is Kabarak." Raya said quickly, and Kabarak bowed his head in greeting.

"Well met, Kabarak. It is an honor to meet you, and to see you hatched." Nacar stepped forward, and looked down at Taya, frowning. "But I wish it was under better circumstances. What happened here?"

Murtagh, the Red Rider, was able to locate her when she blocked my existence from his dragon Thorn over a week ago. She is not dead. He poisoned her to make her suffer longer than just killing her outright. But we must leave and get her to the Varden before the poison does kill her, because she did not know what it was and there is very likely no specific antidote. Magic is what most likely can heal her.

"What can we do?" Nacar asked.

"We have to be out of the gates at dawn, just as the gates open. Our departure must be swift and unnoticed. Dierik and Colt said that they would come to see us off, but with Taya like this that is out of the question. They cannot know." Sasha looked at her mother, who made a face at her.

"I understand the need for secrecy, Sasha dear. It is not as if I would tell Colt and Dierik everything that transpired in our family… I just hate to see you leave them like that, but I know it must be done."

"Yes, it must. I see that Taya readied everything, so it will take very little time for you to pack everything and leave. We will assist in every way possible, and for your sakes I will ready your horses in the morning. You have a long journey ahead of you, and after tonight's events it will be even more difficult… this I am sure you already know." Nacar turned and picked up the bags Taya had set by the door and turned back to the others.

"My advice to all of us is to get some sleep. Rest is what you need, and I expect it of you. Niera or I will wake you when it is time, unless you do so yourselves." He looked at Kabarak for a moment and smiled ever so slightly. "Do not worry too much. There is always hope, and nothing is certain. I will say though that Galbatorix's side in this is looking rather bleak now. Goodnight, you three."

Niera gave Sasha and Raya a hug and the two adults left quickly, slipping out the door quietly. After a moment, Raya left to gather extra blankets, and when she returned they spread the things on the floor and even though it was hardly comfortable, they felt better about being there with Taya and Kabarak.

Outside the storm still raged and it showed no signs of moving on, but only the dragon noticed because the two young ladies were soon asleep, leaving him awake and watchful.

There IS always hope, and nothing is certain. Kabarak thought to himself as he rested his head on Taya's arm. We can only hope that the most certain thing is Galbatorix's downfall and Taya to be healed. We shall see.

I didn't want to do it, Thorn.

I know, Murtagh. But in this we did not have a choice.

Would she see it that way?

What do you think?

There was a pause before Murtagh responded, and when he did itwas very softly.

I would hope that she would not blame me, and might someday forgive me. She still has a chance.

Thorn snorted, enveloping Murtagh in a plume of smoke which quickly dissipated in the wind.

Slight, Murtagh. Very very slight. The poison is unlike anything we have learned about. You know this. She does not have much time.

Murtagh looked up at the stars, flexing his hand. Instead of seeing the stars, he saw her expression when Galbatorix had released him. He had a feeling that expression would haunt him forever.

We can only hope in the impossible, then.

Sasha awoke with a start, having heard Kabarak growl, and she quickly sat up and listened. There was a soft tap at the door, and her mother's muffled voice barely filtered through to her.

"Sasha? Raya? I have breakfast for you. It is before dawn."

"Alright. Thank you." Sasha replied, just loud enough to be heard, and then she nudged Raya.

"Time to wake up, Raya. Mother has breakfast, and we have to move quickly."

To her surprise, Raya practically jumped off the floor, and the younger girl searched around until she found the candle on Taya's desk and lit it.

"How are you so awake?" Sasha demanded quietly as she stood and gathered up the blankets. Raya widened her eyes at Sasha.

"Awake? Hardly. I barely slept. I was just waiting for you to 'wake me up' to actually get up. My mind has been moving too fast."

"I know what you mean." Sasha mumbled, shaking her head. She hadn't slept well either, having dreams right and left about Taya and a shadow figure who was chasing them. It had not been her best night.

They quickly slipped downstairs into the kitchen, and felt a little more wake when the aroma of food hit them. Niera was standing by the stove when they went in, and she was alone.

"Good morning girls. Nacar is still seeing to the horses. Here." She handed them each a large plate of food and they all sat down at the table. Raya looked at the pile of food in front of her, and then at Niera.

"Aunt Niera, it's too early for this big of a breakfast! I hardly eat breakfast anyways."

Niera narrowed her eyes at both of them. "Eat all you can, and I mean all you can. I think you will find yourself hungrier than you thought. You have a long road ahead of you, and I plan to send you on your way quite satisfied."

Sure enough, Niera was right and soon there was nothing left on either plate. Sasha looked up at her mother and asked,

"Will you be alright, mother?"

Niera took a deep breath and stood, gathering up the dishes. As she turned away she said,

"I will. Now, go get yourselves ready. Your father will be up soon to help."

Without another word the two complied and they slipped back upstairs, Sasha with a plate of food for Kabarak. Just as the girls had, the dragon hesitated before eating, but not for long. When he had finished they had each just grabbed up their last bag when there was another knock, and this time it was Nacar, asking to enter. Sasha let him in, and after giving his daughter and niece each a hug, he went over to Taya. When he reached down for her, Kabarak growled out of reflex, and Nacar eyed him warily.

"Do you think I would hurt her?" He asked almost humorously, and Kabarak merely stared at him, but then allowed him to pick Taya up. Then Kabarak crawled into his travelling compartment, which Sasha picked up. Raya led the way out, opening and closing doors for them.

Once out in the stable they found Taya's horses and Shacour tacked and ready. Most of their gear was packed on Gypsie, with Chester and Shacour carrying saddlebags too. To Sasha's relief, Jerdan was not yet awake. When she asked her father about the stable hand, Nacar merely raised an eyebrow at her as if the answer was obvious.

"You wanted your departure to be in secret." He said matter-of-factly, and with a little bit of effort and Sasha's help, he lifted Taya onto Chester's back. The horse looked back, as if wondering what was wrong with his rider. Taya slumped forward, causing Sasha and Raya to flinch. They then fastened Kabarak's rig to Shacour's saddle, and once they had their last things on Gypsie, it was time for goodbyes. Sasha stared at the building she had called home for a long time as Nacar gave Raya a strong hug and a kiss on the forehead, and Sasha had to fight the emotions building inside of her. It was not as easy as she thought it would be, leaving home.

Niera came out of the building then and went to Raya, while Sasha and Nacar faced each other and stood silently for a moment. Then Sasha embraced him, and he whispered,

"I love you, my darling. No matter what becomes of us all, know that. I know that you must leave and become your own person. Just be careful, and keep going when you think you cannot go any further. You are a blessing, Sasha. All three of you are. All four of you."

Sasha smiled, and hugged him tighter. "I love you, father. I always will."

They released each other and Niera wrapped her arms around her, tears streaming down her face. "Be safe, my dear. Come back to me, one day. I love you."

"I love you too, mother dear." Sasha said, and she couldn't think of anything else to say. At that, her mother released her and with Nacar's help they led the horses outside the stable and Sasha mounted first, behind Taya on Chester. While Raya mounted Shacour and took Gypsie's rope from Nacar, Sasha did her best to position her unconscious cousin in front of her. She realized quickly that adjustments would have to be made along the way, but for the time being she said nothing, especially to her parents. They had enough to worry about, as did Raya. And it would certainly look awkward if they tied Taya over a saddle, and it surely wouldn't due her any good. So Sasha would bear the uncomfortable arrangements as long as she could.

Nacar put a hand on her bridle and looked up at her, then at Raya and back.

"May you reach your destination in safety, all of you. The road before you is dangerous, and you are not experienced in the games of the outside world. Stay cautious, every moment. Never turn your back, and do not trust anyone. Anyone at all. I know you discussed all this with Taya, so all I need say now is good luck, and speed to your horses. Goodbye, girls. Our love goes with you."

Sasha nodded, unable to speak because she was doing her best to combat the tears. Raya, who was beside her, put a hand on her shoulder and smiled ever so slightly at Nacar and Niera, even though they could barely see their faces,

"Thank you, for everything." She whispered. "Goodbye."

Raya turned Shacour around and led the way, riding tall in the saddle. Sasha had her arms wrapped around Taya, to hold her in place and to hold onto the reins. Luckily Chester was the best horse she had ever ridden, and he seemed to know that something was very off, as he was quite calm and almost lazy, which she had never seem him be like.

Sasha looked back once, as the Sun began to peak ever so slightly over the horizon, and she saw the outlines of her parents, standing by the stable door, her father's arm wrapped around her mother's shoulders. She could only imagine what they were thinking, or what they were saying to each other. She could not wave, so she turned back forwards and followed Raya, and her emotions hardened once again as she contemplated the road ahead.

It would be difficult. She knew that they knew hardly about anything that they were getting into, but this was their choice, and she felt that they would pull through it… all of them. She looked down at Taya's hanging head and frowned. They had little time.

They reached Dras'leona's gate just a little before it opened, and they had to wait a few minutes with a gathering number of people until a horn sounded, resounding through the city, and the iron gate began to rise, and the wooden outer doors swung open. There were eight guards total, four on the inside of the gate and four on the outside, not including the men on the wall. Luckily by the time they began moving, there were many people leaving the city, and Sasha only received a funny look from three of the guards, which she returned with a raised eyebrow, almost daring them to question her. But she thought she knew what they were thinking, or she could imagine how they saw her, with Taya slumped before her.

Thankfully they were not stopped, and almost immediately the road began to clear as people went different directions, out to different farms and estates, or adventures of their own. Once a little ways away, Raya picked the pace up to an easy jog, and once they were a good way from the city and there were only a few people and houses in sight, Sasha was able to breath freely again.

They were out, and the first part of their journey to the Varden had just begun.