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 inconvenience. I am not trying to confuse you! Later on, after chapter 40, things mostly fit together with the revised chapters of the story.

This is Chapter 36, revised.

Thank you and enjoy!

DragonRider2000

Raya was away… She was safe… She knew how little time they had. Taya was relieved.

She had beaten unbeatable odds before. She knew that she could do so again. She just had to hang on.

The burning glade began to change, and Taya closed her eyes and she let herself be pulled into the memory… it wasn't a happy memory. Strength was her ally.

Rain pelted the tower, while magnificent bolts of lightning tore through the heavens, illuminating the angry, swollen clouds that covered the earth. The booms of thunder tore at the eardrums of the inhabitants of the city, and the sound was enough to send children running to their parents for comfort and safety from the storm.

Taya leaned out the window of the tower and let the cool, refreshing rain drench her face and dampen her hair. It was the rainiest season of the year, when it rained more often than the sun would shine. It was her favorite season in Uru'baen, for when it rained she felt safe and peaceful. The rain seemed to wash away the troubles of the world, cleansing it before the next new season.

Lightning split the sky again, and with a sigh Taya rested her head on her hands and stared through the torrents of rain, her mind wandering back to earlier in the week when she'd been called to dine with her father. He had been in a good mood… which the 17-year-old knew did not bode well for someone out there. Her inquiry into his mood earned her a short laugh, and he replied that he had some wonderful news from a couple of his spies. They had captured one of his lost quarries, and were coming themselves to deliver him within the week.

There was only one person that Taya could think of that Galbatorix would be so happy to have back.

It had been a year and a half since she had helped Murtagh escape. Her part had been small to play, but he had managed. She hoped she was wrong and it wasn't him. That sort of defeat to him would be unbearable. And Galbatorix would be insufferable.

In a lull in the storm Taya's sharp ears caught a sound unnatural to the storm and she looked toward the west gate of the castle. She strained her eyes, and in the dull grey she made out the light of torches and lanterns at the gate and dark shapes that were probably horses.

Taya straightened, her eyes narrowing as the rain lightened even more, and she made out two bald heads. She turned swiftly and descended the steps of the tower.

"Well there she is!" Zen exclaimed. "We were beginning to wonder if you'd fallen out of the window."

"Today is not a great day for flying, so no jumping out of windows for me." She smiled a little, but she was worried, and the three bodyguards could see it.

Melcar stepped up close to her, his eyes questioning.

"What is it, Taya?" Kell asked sharply.

"The Twins are here." It was all she needed to say, and the men scowled.

"What are those foul bald-heads doing here? I thought they were stationed with the Varden." Zen wondered grimly. Taya nodded once.

"They were. But they must be the spies with the 'lost quarry' Galbatorix is so happy about."

"Who did he lose that would be with the Varden?" Kell frowned as he spoke.

Melcar looked closely at Taya's face, and then said softly,

"You think it is Murtagh, don't you?"

"Who else?"

"Murtagh. With the Varden. I find that highly unlikely." Zen scoffed.

"Not if you take into account that resistance to Galbatorix originates from the Varden. He may have gone close to them and had no choice but to continue on. We will see soon enough, any matter. The King will undoubtedly send for me to see his prize." Taya replied, staring at the wall as she spoke.

"Well let's get back to your room so Kyra can make you look presentable. Not that you really care, but…"
Melcar paused, and grinned.

They started walking at a somewhat leisurely pace, the three bodyguards trying hard to lighten Taya's gloomy mood. They succeeded, and by the time they made it to Taya's room she was bantering easily back and forth with them. They found Raneck and Larel at their posts on either side of the door to Taya's room.

"Well it's about time." Larel drawled, crossing his arms.

"We weren't gone that long, Larel." Zen rolled his eyes at the other bodyguard, who made a face.

"What, you call almost three hours 'not that long?' Who are you kidding?"

"You, of course. Three hours isn't all that long." Zen replied coolly, and Larel shook his head.

"Alright you two, quit bickering." Melcar growled, although he was clearly amused. "We have a bit of a surprise, so we will have to keep our eyes and ears sharp. Have either of you seen Shad?" He was of course referring to Larton Zax.

"Yes, he zipped by earlier, saying something about checking out the castle gates. He said he'd heard rumors from the guards that some important spies were maybe coming in today. I take it that the rumors were true?"

"Yes, sadly they are. And it's the Twins no less, unless Taya's eyes tricked her." Melcar replied to Raneck. "Good, I'm glad he's on the prowl. Hopefully he will be back soon with some news." He looked at Taya, and then opened the door for her. "Off you go." He said, grinning, and she swept into her room to find Kyra, her maid, folding clothes on her bed.

"Taya!" The other woman exclaimed. "How was the storm?"

"Beautiful and relaxing as always." Taya said as she unclasped her cloak and tossed it over a couch. "But it was ruined by the arrival of the Twins… unless I am lucky and my eyes did deceive me. But I doubt that."

Kyra's eyes were wide. "Why would they be here?" She wondered thickly. None of them were fond of the Twins.

"Galbatorix's lost quarry. What else would be so important to take them from their posts with the Varden?" Taya replied, moving to her wardrobe. She eyed the different dresses, and picked a deep green dress that was floor length, with a V-neck and long sleeves. She quickly changed from her casual attire, and then Kyra did her half wet hair up so it looked presentable, and then Taya put on her lace up boots and grabbed her long grey cloak.

Kyra watched her carefully as she clasped the cloak about her neck, and then she handed her a black belt with a sheath and dagger.

"You are still thinking it is Murtagh?" Kyra asked softly, and Taya nodded. "Then be extra careful, Taya, I beg you. This is not a good mix. I know I don't have to warn you, but make sure you don't show any feelings in front of the King. Say whatever you want, just do not give him the satisfaction of your heartfelt feelings."

Taya took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "Thank you, Kyra. I will try my hardest to follow your advice. It would be wise to keep my cool, I suppose."

Kyra smiled a little. "Yes, I suppose. Go on, and come back safely."

"Yes ma'am." Taya replied, and exited her room. She found herself immersed in a huddle of bodyguards.

"Hello Taya." Sade Feist said as she paused, looking rather surprised.

"Hello Sade. What is this?" She asked, and Melcar replied,

"Sade and Xackzan came to replace Raneck and Larel, Shad just came up, and Weston and Ayda came to see what the clamor was about."

"Goodness, we're only missing Marthl and Izaak!" She laughed. "What does Larton have to tell?"

The stealthy bodyguard came to stand beside her. He was very wet.

"It is the Twins, alright. Melcar told me that you saw them. I couldn't get a good look at their prisoner, but it looks like he's in pretty bad shape. The guards who got him off the horse almost had to carry him into the castle."

"Poor fellow. He probably won't get a breather between the ride and the throne room." Zen said, and they all knew that he was probably right.

"Zen, Weston and I are taking Taya to the throne room." Melcar stated, speaking as the captain. "Shad, you go and change into warm clothes and meet us at the throne room, as another pair of eyes. Everyone else, besides Sade and Xackzan, can find themselves something to do."

"Melcar," Ayda began, but the captain held up his hand. "My final decision, Ayda. It's better this way, especially before the King."

Ayda complied grudgingly, and everyone who was extra left.

"Be careful." Ayda told them sternly before she went off, and then a servant walked quickly up to Taya just after Ayda disappeared.

"His Highness the King requests your presence in the throne room immediately, princess." The servant said, bowing low.

"Thank you." Taya replied graciously, and the servant departed.

"Let's go." Melcar said quietly, and the four of them moved off down the hall. They travelled in silence, deep in their own thoughts. Thunder clapped, and Taya shuddered as they neared the throne room. What would face her beyond those doors?

Larton Zax fell into step beside Weston just before they reached the throne room, his appearance heralded only by the whisper of his cloak and the soft tread of another set of boots which could barely be heard apart from the others. Taya gave him a stiff smile, and braced herself.

The guards at the doors bowed and opened the double doors for them to enter. At the end of the great hall was a raised platform and in the center of it was a black marble throne. At the foot of the stairs were two bald headed men, and behind them two guards were holding a bent figure on his knees.

Taya steeled herself for the worst and floated across the empty space, ascending the steps to the throne where her father was seated, watching her. His dark eyes were cold, but he stood and greeted her fairly.

"Welcome, daughter. Your timely arrival pleases me."

Taya curtsied slowly. "To please you, father." She said, keeping her voice light. She glanced to the side at the Twins and the prisoner.

"You see, Taya dear, that runaways cannot hide long from me?" The King's eyes glittered with malice, and Taya merely stared back at him without emotion.

Galbatorix turned away and descended the steps. The Twins parted for him, and the King stopped directly in front of the prisoner's bowed head.

"You know that only too well, don't you boy?" Galbatorix snarled, and he grabbed the prisoner's hair and wrenched his head back so that he had to look at the King.

There was only one young man that Galbatorix would be so pleased to get back and gloat in his face. Taya held herself perfectly still as she looked at him and he looked back. He was older, more worn and dark since he'd escaped. But the same black eyes stared up at her and Taya's heart began to break.

Murtagh's freedom had come with a price, and that was time.

"Look at me, boy!" Galbatorix jerked at Murtagh's head, and the young man looked at him.

"You repay my years of kindness to you by flying and joining with my most bitter enemies? We will have to work on how you show your gratefulness to me in the coming days." He let go of Murtagh's hair, but the young man managed to hold his head up to watch Galbatorix… and Taya.

The King turned to the Twins, the cold gleam in his eyes deepening. The two men bowed very low before him.

"You've done well in bringing Morzan's son back to me… but he is hardly a dragon and a dragon rider who are barely trained!" His voice boomed and echoed in the great room, and to Taya's disgust the Twins bowed again.

"We did try, O Great King." One of them sniveled. "But when Durza failed we had a very difficult time getting close to the young rider. Durza dealt him a brutal blow, and he is maimed. We were barely able capture this one and disguise our escape. This fool has continually tried to resist our power."

"Did you expect anything less from one so stubborn and strong?" Galbatorix drawled. "Now I must find a use for the two of you here. Get out of my sight and do not leave this castle or come back to me until I have sent for you."

The two men bowed again and were almost gone when Galbatorix cleared his throat and they froze.

"My daughter?" He said matter-of-factly, and the Twins grudgingly turned and bowed low to Taya, who merely glared at them. Then they departed swiftly and there was complete silence in the room.

Taya felt as if she was barely breathing, and she forced herself to take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Murtagh's punishment would not be light. They all knew that from experience.

"Let the wretch support himself." Galbatorix said to the guards, who let go their hold on Murtagh, who barely caught himself with his hands before he hit the floor.

"You certainly have done a fair job of eluding me and causing damage to the Empire, Murtagh." The King said softly, watching the trembling figure on his hands and knees. "I believe you would be still if it had not been for those two worms. But nonetheless you will come to see things my way… they always do."

Murtagh's head came up slowly and he looked first at Galbatorix and then at Taya. She knew what he was thinking. In his absence Taya had bent to Galbatorix's will. Taya stayed silent and still where she stood by the throne, looking back at him.

Galbatorix lashed out, slapping Murtagh across the face.

"Your eyes on me." He growled, and when Murtagh opened his eyes again, he looked at Galbatorix.

"Good, good. What do you think we should do with him, Taya dear? I cannot let his actions go unpunished. Perhaps the stocks? Or the deepest dungeons…" Galbatorix, even though he mentioned Taya, was thinking to himself. Still Taya remained silent, watching Murtagh. The Hljodhr's beside her were extremely tense.

But to everyone's surprise Galbatorix turned and ascended the steps to his throne and sat. The cold gleam in his eyes had still only intensified, and Taya knew that he was puzzling over the cruelest way to crush Murtagh. She cringed at the thought.

"You two see him to a cell." They could have all breathed a sigh of relief, but, "I will be by to… visit, soon. After all, Murtagh is surely tired from his journey. A rest would be beneficial, would it not?"

The guards picked Murtagh up again, and this time he tried to support much of his own weight. His eyes locked with Taya's for a brief moment, and then he was gone.

"I am sure it pains you to see your dear friend again under such circumstances." Galbatorix said thoughtfully, not looking at her. "To be betrayed and left behind by one so dear cannot be easy on you, daughter. You may visit him, if you please, even though he betrayed us. I believe you would go to him even without my permission. I will send a messenger to you when I will allow you to see him this evening."

It was a clear dismissal, and Taya was ready for it.

"Father." She said, curtseying again, and with short bows the Hljodhr's turned with her and they quickly departed, leaving the King to simmer on his throne.

"Is it just me or did Galbatorix not beat Murtagh to a pulp then and there because of you, Taya?" Zen asked softly when they were almost halfway back to her room. Taya jumped slightly, pulled from her own thoughts.

"Yes and no. He has another idea, something that he thinks will be worse on both of us. I think Galbatorix was trying to convey to Murtagh that I am his, to try Murtagh's resolve."

"There's a reason he wants you to go visit him later." Melcar said quietly. "That much is obvious."

"Hopefully Murtagh keeps his head and waits to see what you say this evening." Zen commented lightly, but Taya shook her head.

"But Murtagh does not know that I will come to him. Galbatorix might even say that I don't care about him anymore." She paused, and then continued and there was grim satisfaction in her tone. "But Galbatorix has not counted on my own 'stubbornness and strength.' I am not wholly the silly young girl he sometimes takes me for, to be cowed by a little bit of blood and sinister words."

"That is true." Melcar said, looking sideways at her. They were very close to her room now. "But his plan does deeper than we know. He has had more time to puzzle and ponder. That is never a good thing. Very few, if any holes are left open and unguarded when he has fit the puzzle together himself."

What he said was absolutely right. Taya was not taking the situation lightly.

"And my own mind will be able to puzzle and ponder until the messenger comes this evening." She replied, looking at Melcar with a slight smile on her face. Deep down Taya was shaken, because Murtagh had been caught. She'd helped him escape, and while that had been successful, their hopes of absolute freedom were dashed. Murtagh was chained now, and Taya was bound to stay until the time for escape and running came to her.

"Two master minds competing over one issue." Weston said with a grin, trying to lighten the mood somewhat.

"We will see if anyone actually comes out on top." Zen added, and Melcar put a hand on Taya's shoulder. His black and gold eyes seemed to dance.

"I don't have to tell you to be careful when playing with fire, Taya." He said. "Not that you'll ever be playing with it alone. I'll go with you tonight, if you'll have me."

"And me." Zen cut in. "You're not going anywhere without me."

"Unless I say otherwise." Melcar glanced at him, but the blond man waved it off.

"You just said that she'd never be alone when playing with fire. And there's no way I'm letting you two play with fire alone without me."

"Well, you're impossible today!" Taya cried, for the moment distracted. "Soon enough everyone will be saying exactly what you did and the whole Hljodhr Evarinya will be going to visit Murtagh."

"That's-" Zen started enthusiastically but Melcar cut him off with a horrified look.

"A terrible idea." He said firmly. The exchange was hysterical, and they succeeded in making Taya laugh.

"Thank you, guys." She said very softly as her room came into view, with Sade and Xackzan standing resolutely on either side.

"Playing with fire, Taya. Playing with fire." Zen grinned, and Melcar shook his head at him.

"That's sure exactly what you're doing, Zen." Weston said sarcastically, smacking his friend over the head.

Taya laughed again, and then she sobered when she saw Murtagh's face again in her memory. What would the evening bring for the two of them?

Fire was coursing through her veins. How many days had it been? Two? Three? Ten? Was she ever going to meet her end?

For Taya it felt like the fire of the burning glade had finally reached her, and the edges of her clothes were smoldering. But when she looked down, her clothes were not smoldering and there was no fire licking at her.

Taya was fidgeting, unable to sit still. Her flashbacks were becoming more and more vivid, and the memories were coming in order, as if leading up to something.

Where were her companions? How fast were they riding? Did Kabarak feel that they were no longer mentally linked? She wished in her last moments that she could have answers.

'Come on someone help! I can only do so much… they can only do so much.' But who was out there that could possibly help? Weren't they alone, on their own? Why had she told Raya that there was help out there, somewhere? How did she know that?

Was there still hope for her?

Yes.

Determination rushed through her, like a heavy rain quenching a fire. Everything grew cool around her, and Taya tilted her head back and closed her eyes, imagining that she was standing on the tallest tower in Uru'baen and raindrops were falling on her face.

A soft, clear and melodious voice echoed gently in her mind.

There is always hope… for a Phyro.

Hope was fading fast.
The little group was camped outside of Dauth late at night on the third day after leaving Kuntar Liastrin's home. By Taya's own estimation, she was supposed to be dead… but she was not yet. She was barely clinging to life, but she was not giving up.

Raya sat watch over Taya that night, but none of them slept well.

There was an odd, empty feeling inside Kabarak that seemed to grow… as if in a way Taya was already gone.

Early the next morning Sasha saddled Mirax and rode into Dauth, to search for something, someone who might be able to help them. Her doubts were high, and she was uneasy. She felt like a criminal, trying to sneak into and through the town as inconspicuously as possible. To her relief she must have been acting calmly enough because no one gave her a second glance. She bought a few extra supplies for show, keeping her eyes and ears open. The best place to look for the 'help' Taya had told Raya about, would be at an inn or even the castle of Dauth. She entered two inns and looked around the common room, but nothing caught her eyes.

By the time she paused in front of a large, homely looking inn with four horses tied out front, Sasha was becoming extra nervous. She had been away from her companions long, as it was now late morning. She was worried that Taya might slip away when she was gone.

Grudgingly Sasha dismounted and tied Mirax beside the other horses and she entered the common room. It was bright and roomy, and a young woman smiled at her from behind the bar. For a beautiful, late sunny morning there were quite a few people gathered, and Sasha did not stand out as she moved through the room to the bar and ordered a small glass of ale.

By the conversations floating to her ears, she found that the main body of the congregation was made up of travelers. Her ears were pricked by the talk of the men at the bar beside her.

"They say that there is an army heading this way. And invisible army at most times. A new curse of Galbatorix's." One man said grimly.

"Pshaw." Another man scoffed. "An invisible army? You cannot hide an army, even with magic. I can't imagine the amount of power that would take to accomplish."

The first man glared at him. "This is Galbatorix we are speaking of, remember? I would not scoff at this magic."

"He's right." Another man said. "And it is said that the Red Rider is also accompanying the army, and he's searching for an escapee of the King's. Leading him on a merry chase, by the look of things, at least that is what the scouts are saying."

The group laughed.

"At least someone can ruffle his feathers." Someone put in heartily.

"Agreed. Do we know if there is any indication that this escapee is running to the Varden?" The first man inquired.

"There's no doubt. And here's someone else… the man I got this intelligence from says that it is no man that the Red Rider is hunting. It is a woman."

There was a shocked silence. Sasha felt a little chill run up her spine. How did the scouts know that? Did they know anything else?

"No, unless… that's just insane! How could a woman escape the Red Rider and Galbatorix for so long? Who is she?"

Sasha held her breath.

The man with the information looked rather miffed. "I don't know anything more, so stop asking questions. I don't think the scout knew who she was. And how would I know how someone had managed to send Galbatorix into a frenzy and his rider to hunt her across the wilderness with a whole army at his back? Maybe she's a magician. Or a spy who's cover slipped. I don't know. I just hope she makes it."

So do I. Sasha thought grimly. She finished her ale and laid down her payment, and as she turned around to leave, she paused, her attention catching on a group of four sitting and talking quietly in a corner. She tried not to stare, but… there were two men and two women. And they looked somewhat familiar.
Both women were very fair to look at, one with long raven locks and the other with chestnut.
The two men were dark haired, one more than the other. They were all dressed in plain travelling clothes, and swords were buckled to the men's sides. Sasha couldn't see if the women had any weapons.

Her heart seemed to skip a beat as the darker haired man suddenly looked up and their eyes locked. She looked away quickly, startled, so she did not see the recognition in his eyes, or the chestnut haired woman follow his gaze and her eyes light up.

As Sasha was contemplating what she should do, whether she should leave or face him, the man stood and walked silently up behind her. She froze, feeling his presence close to her.

"Sasha?" His tenor voice resounded in her mind. She turned slowly, meeting his eyes again, and that she and he were both astonished was an understatement.

"Er… Eric?" She stuttered, almost calling him Eragon. "What are you doing here?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing." He replied, eyeing her. "I thought you would have been farther behind us."

Sasha was mute as her old anger at him flared up as she thought of Taya, dying. But she shoved it away with an effort, and she shrugged her shoulders.

"Our plans changed."

He had seen the indecision and conflict flit across her face, and he felt his own well up inside him as he thought of his confrontation with Tanyel. But what had changed, and why? Sasha looked worn, and something was eating at her.

"Are you in Dauth alone?" He asked instead of asking about what exactly she meant.

Sasha's expression darkened. "Yes. The others are camped away from the city. I should be getting back to them." She stood, and paused next to him.

Eragon stiffened. Something was wrong.

"Goodbye, Eric." She said softly, but as she took a step away from him his hand reached out and caught her by her arm. She stared at his hand in surprise and then up at his face.

"Tell me what it is, Sasha." He said quietly. "There is something that you cannot hide."

She stared at him, anger building up inside her, and then they were both startled by a new, insistent voice.

"We should take this outside, shouldn't we?"

It was the chestnut haired woman from Eragon's group. She was smiling at them, and her blue eyes seemed to dance. She was taller than Sasha, and very regal. There was something in her expression that Sasha had a hard time determining. Excitement? Why?

"A good idea." Eragon said, and with his hand still gripping her arm they left the inn and walked to where the horses were standing. Aryana and Randen followed them out as well. Sasha glared at Eric and jerked her arm out of his grip.

"I don't know what you're looking for, Eric," She growled, but the chestnut haired woman interjected,

"Don't you?"

Sasha jerked, hearing a different question in her mind.

Don't you know what you're looking for?

Eragon Shadeslayer. He was a magician. Aryana was an elf, or so Taya had thought. They could help… but that would mean revealing Taya's true identity and Kabarak's as well.

Wouldn't they have to do that in the end? What else could she do?

"Yes, indeed I do know what you're looking for, Eragon Shadeslayer." She said softly, so only he could hear. But by Aryana and the chestnut haired woman's expressions, they had heard also. Eragon didn't seem fazed, but on the inside he was astounded.

"How do you know that? He asked calmly, and her eyes narrowed.

"She knew the moment you left the room the night you talked to her." Sasha replied.

This time he could not hide his surprise, and Sasha was content.

"She did?" Eragon breathed, and he looked at the others of his group. "How did she know?" He took her by the shoulders, rather roughly, but Sasha merely stared at him coolly.

"You reminded her of someone she knew back home. And there is only one and a half of him." She replied cryptically.

"What does that mean?" Randen asked in annoyance, but Eragon drew back a little.

"But that revelation did little to save her." Sasha blurted, finally unable to contain herself.

There was a pause, and Eragon asked quietly,

"What has happened to your cousin, Sasha?"

"She… Murtagh. Murtagh came one night and poisoned her. She's almost gone. We've been chased by a dragon, a demented rider, scary creatures, soldiers, sand and rainstorms, and had to search for food and water where none is to be had. And on top of that I have had the ultimate responsibility of two teenagers and a comatose woman. I stopped in Dauth for a reason, but I did not find what I as searching for." Her heart was beating excruciatingly fast. Half of her said she was being stupid, the other half was saying she needed to get back to Taya. Sasha backed away from Eragon, and untied Mirax.

"Didn't you?" The chestnut haired woman asked matter-of-factly, and Sasha stopped with her foot in the stirrup.

Didn't you find the help you were looking for?

"Sasha, we can help!" Eragon said, taking a hold of Mirax's bridle. "Why are you running?"

"I…" Her foot slipped from the stirrup and she stood there staring at him, bewildered.

"How much longer does your cousin have to live?" Aryana asked sharply, and Sasha looked down.

"She had three days… four days ago." She replied weakly. "She may have even slipped away while I've been gone."

The chestnut haired woman's eyes were wide and she looked urgently at Aryana, who said,

"Take us to her, and I may yet be able to save her. I cannot promise it, but I can do my best."

Who was she to refuse?

"Saphira is in the air, Sasha. We would be able to follow you even if you said no." Eragon said, and that brought her head up.

"Then follow me." She snapped, and swung into the saddle and she trotted away.

Eragon looked at Vanira.

"I will go in and pay, you must get the horses ready. We have no time to lose. Fate has taken a hand in the course of today, and we must follow it or risk a great hurt to Alagaesia. Come, we must hurry. We have stayed here too long anyhow." She turned and disappeared into the inn, and the other three went to the stables to ready their horses.

Mirax splashed across the creek that ran beside the forest that they had made their camp in, and Sasha ducked under some low branches. She heard a sound from up ahead and called out,

"It's me!" And then she dismounted at the edge of the large clearing. It had been used as a camp many times before. The forest along the creek was a three mile ride from Dauth, if the ride was straight, and it was nestled in and over hilly terrain. There were tell-tale signs of water having flooded there, especially among the rocks scattered around. It was not an easy place to find.

Sacar rose from beside the low burning coals of the fire, his sheathed sword in his hand. It pleased Sasha that he was ready for anything. Raya and Kabarak looked up from beside Taya with anxious expressions. Sasha's relief was immense when she was reassured that her cousin had not passed on while she was gone.

"Did you bring help?" Raya questioned urgently, not standing up from beside her sister.

Sasha tied Mirax beside their other horses and started to untack her.

"Yes, they'll be along soon." She replied sharply. Sacar frowned at her tone of voice.

"Easy on the saddle, Sasha, it hasn't done anything to you." He joked seriously as she snapped the latigo strap undone.

"Who is it? How do you know that we can trust them?" Raya asked, oblivious to Sasha's mood.

Sasha turned towards her, though her eyes were on Taya's pale face. The mark on the side of her face and neck looked eerie against her parchment skin, and Sasha shuddered.

"I found Eragon and his companions, or we found each other, rather."

"Eragon Shadeslayer?" Sacar's eyes were wide with surprise. "The Varden Dragon Rider is coming here?"

"Yes, Sacar, and his dragon." Sasha snapped.

Sasha, enough. Kabarak growled, stopping Sasha's next retort. You have no cause to be so angry, least of all at Sacar. You should know that these people are exactly who we need. These people are some of the most powerful in Alagaesia, and they are not our enemies. You did well, Sasha. But our extra time is nearly spent. Taya is drifting. She will not give up for anything, but there is a point when she will have no power over whether she lives or dies, I think.

"How will they find us?" Raya asked softly, and Sasha, disciplined by Kabarak's wise words, walked over to her and squatted beside her and Taya.

"Eragon said that Saphira could follow me. She will guide them straight here. They will not be far behind me." She paused for a moment and looked at Kabarak.

"There is a woman with them now who was not with them before. She is… strange. Twice she spoke to me and I heard a different question in my mind. I do not know her name. It was as if she knew what I was thinking, or knew what I was going to do."

Sacar walked over and handed her a bowl of food and some of the bread from Kuntar.

"Here, Sasha." He said, and she took it gratefully.

"I'm sorry, Sacar, for being so short with you."

Sacar grinned at her, which told her that he wasn't dwelling on it.

Kabarak snorted in satisfaction at Sasha's apology, but when he did, a spout of flame shot from his nostrils and Sacar yelped in surprise. The right side of his pants was scorched and with his tunic he was able to put a tiny flame out.
There was silence in the clearing, and the smell of burnt fabric.
Sacar's expression caused Raya to laugh, which she had not done in four days. The sound caught them by surprise but relieved them, especially Sacar.

At least something as absurd as Sacar getting scorched could cause Raya to laugh. Sasha would have to remember that.

Sorry, Sacar. Kabarak apologized, nosing the young man's shoulder. He really was very fond of Sacar.

"It's alright, Kabarak." Sacar chuckled. "Although I don't know how I'm going to explain this to anyone." He looked down at his blackened pants, and Sasha stifled her own laughter.

She looked down at Taya, and her laughter died.

If Taya died, who would they be? Who would they become? They would go back to being nobody's, probably… but there would always be a deep hole where that brave woman, sister, cousin, partner, friend, had once been. There was no going back home if Taya died. They would fight her fight even if no one wanted them.
Everything that Taya had built up… Raya from a slave girl, Sasha from a bar tender, Kabarak from an egg… Sasha knew that the picture was bigger than them but she couldn't bring herself to see past them. They would fall… wouldn't they?

Eragon, please hurry! She pleaded to the partly cloudy sky, and a tear slid down her cheek.

Only Sacar saw it. Even if he didn't understand it, he knew what it meant. On waking up that one day to find the pretty copper haired girl from town sleeping not far away from him, Sacar had told himself that he would protect her as best he could. He didn't know Taya personally, but a little bit of her showed through Raya, Sasha and especially Kabarak.
He didn't want her to die. If he could trade places with her, he would. Because he knew that if Taya died, Raya would be lost. He would stand beside her until the end, but he feared that the end wouldn't be too far off.
Kabarak had told him Raya's story in full. He knew about her life as a slave, as much as anyone else did. Raya had been a shell of a girl. He did not doubt that she would retreat to that shell when Taya died. How could he stop that? How could he make up for Taya?

Sacar was smart enough to know that there was little chance of Taya surviving, but he still carried a hope inside of him that they could defeat whatever odd were against them. He wasn't very powerful, he wasn't very strong, and he wasn't very wise. He was only 16-years-old.

What could he do?

Sacar looked at Taya and thought grimly,

Hold on, Taya. Help is on its way.

Never once did he think that she could hear him.

He turned and walked over to the horses to feed Mirax, not knowing the effects of his own thoughts.

What could he do?

Suddenly Kabarak jerked his head up and they all heard the sound of splashing water. Raya looked at Sasha in alarm, and Sasha looked at Kabarak but he had already spread his wings and was flying into the concealment of the trees around them.
Sasha stood and put her hand on her sword hilt while Sacar drew his, and Raya moved Sasha's bow and quiver of arrows closer to herself. Her other hand was on Taya's shoulder.

"Hail the camp! Sasha, it is Eragon!"

"Proceed!" Sasha called in return, her voice ringing in the clearing.

The newcomers came and stopped one by one at the edge of the clearing, surveying the camp and the ready group. The first to speak after a long minute was the unknown chestnut haired woman. Her tone was relieved.

"Perhaps we made it in time after all."

Thorn, what am I going to do if I succeed?

What are you going to do if you fail? You know that you cannot refuse him, Murtagh. I wish you could. I'm babysitting again.

That's not the answer I was looking for, Thorn. Murtagh growled.

It is the best that I can give, o mighty rider. It is the only thing left to be done. No more can be done to her after death. But be on your guard. Those who were with her will undoubtedly be loath to part with her.

I will do my best, Thorn.

Make sure that it is your best. I will not be there to protect you… why I don't understand. But remember what happened last time you hesitated.

Murtagh shivered. He did remember. He could still feel her throat being brushed by his fingers, her green eyes pleading to him to stop as the poison seeped into her. He remembered her whisper his name before she went limp in his grasp.

Go, Murtagh. Return swiftly, for all our sakes.

The rider kicked his horse in the direction of Dauth, not looking back.

Fear, love and pain were what he knew lay ahead of him. His orders were clear and simple… he was to capture the body of Taya Corsallen, even if he had to fight the Varden, Eragon, and a band of elves. He had to look into her pale, dead face and know that he had been the one to end her life. She had been so strong, no matter what the situation was; so beautiful, normally so wise. He had never wanted to see her death play out before his eyes, and yet… life was cruel. And she had chosen the way that led to destruction. She had not only defied Galbatorix by running away, but she had slammed her betrayal home by stealing the dragon egg, which was nowhere to be found.

Even in death, she still found a way to defy him.