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 39, revised.
Thank you and enjoy!
DragonRider2000
It was a strange feeling, death.
Taya felt herself slowly slipping as if she was holding onto a cliffs ledge and her fingers were starting to sweat and her grasp was slipping…
She tried with all her might to hold on, but it was as if something was pulling at her from below.
She suddenly felt a wave of heat through her whole body, and she stared up at a fire that seemed to be raging towards her. She braced herself, but the fire parted around her and passed her by.
Standing in the burning glade and seeming to be falling off the edge of the cliff, Taya noticed how clear everything was becoming. She could see every detail in the flames surrounding her, every blade of grass, every scorch mark on the trees… soon there were open spots in the fiery circle.
She heard whispers around her and as Taya stood still listening, she felt the temperature around her cool.
The ground beneath her feet was suddenly soft and pleasant instead of course and burned. The air around her felt open and airy, instead of close and smoky.
With one last grasp at the cliff, she plunged into a waiting abyss and found herself no longer in a burning glade, but a beautiful field of waving wheat.
She wasn't scared. There was no need to be. There was a wonderful breeze and it played with her hair and she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, smiling.
Suddenly the whispers around her became words, as if someone was yelling in her ear. She started, and her eyes snapped open as she realized what the words meant. Someone was trying to bring her back! Someone was trying to help her hold on to the cliff… and climb.
This wasn't right; this meadow wasn't where she was supposed to be.
Taya grabbed at the cliff.
Everything around her became blurry, as if she was suddenly enveloped in a mist. She was holding…
But then she slipped again. She took a deep breath, determined not to let it out.
The chanting of the ancient language slowly subsided and came to a stop. Taya found it somewhat easy to hold her breath… at least for a time.
She stared around her, gazing at mountains in the distance, and she slowly let the breath out when she could hold it no longer. She watched as everything around her became crystal clear; every stock of wheat, every piece of bark on the scattered trees, every leaf and needle.
Everything started to grow… trees, bushes blossomed, and flowers began to spring up around her. It was all so beautiful and so captivating… it was so real.
Taya strode forward, barefoot, through the wheat and flowers, her green eyes wide with wonder. She let her hand brush against the wheat. It felt like paradise. She walked past tall pine and evergreen trees until she came to a lush green meadow and rolling hills. Wild flowers were everywhere. Taya smiled and then her gaze was turned away from the meadow and she saw in the far distance what looked like an ocean. She started walking in that direction and time seemed to not exist as she walked.
She stopped suddenly and found that she was standing on the edge of a cliff, looking out across a vast terrain of mountains, plains, desert and ocean. It was such a sight as she had never seen before, and she realized that the picture had stolen her breath away. Slowly she looked down over the cliff's edge, but there was nothing but complete blackness and the cliff plunged straight down into an abyss of nothing.
Yet the height did not scare her. Her toes were curled over the grassy edge of the cliff, even. She imagined herself jumping… she wondered how far the ground was... if there was a ground. Taya looked up again at the land before her, beyond the blackness of the cliff, and from behind her came a soft, cool wind that blew her long copper hair gently about her shoulders. She sighed, and closed her eyes for a moment.
She stood there for what seemed like what should have been hours, silently watching everything around her but mostly the world beyond her. Soon the sun began to set behind the mountains and the sunset cast rays of pink, orange, blue and purple across the sky.
She froze as she heard a voice lift up in song behind her, and the haunting notes sent shivers up her spine. It faded and then began again, much closer. Taya didn't turn. When the song faded again it was just behind her and for a moment there was complete silence.
"It is beautiful, is it not?" A soft, sweet voice chimed from behind her. It rang like a bell in her memory, but Taya still didn't move. Her senses were so attuned that she could hear the breath of the woman and the soft rustle of fabric from her clothes.
"It is." Taya breathed. "I do not think that I have ever seen anything so glorious."
Taya started at the sound of her own voice. It didn't seem to be her voice that she remembered. Its tone was alien to her. It was far too light and airy to be her voice. She frowned, and footsteps warned her that the stranger was moving closer, until she stopped alongside Taya.
The landscape still held Taya's gaze, and she was in no hurry to evaluate the stranger beside her.
Minutes of calm silence passed, until a quiet sigh escaped the lips of the strange woman. Only then did Taya turn her head to look at her.
Taya could almost feel her blood turn to ice as she stared into the emerald eyes of the woman who could have been her twin; the woman whom she had been devoted to as a young girl. She stood very still, watching Taya closely. A soft, sweet smile played at her lips.
Her face was pale, and her high cheekbones, shapely nose and full lips were elegantly outlined by her long, wavy red hair. Her deep eyes were full of love and concern as she looked at Taya. Taya remembered her face as if she had never been gone, and her eyes clouded with tears.
The woman's dress was white cotton, and the many folds of the v-neck dress blew slightly in the wind, and revealed her small bare feet.
Around her neck was a jewel of 5 off-set emeralds inlaid with silver, and on her left hand was a simple gold band. Upon her head was a small tiara, which sparkled and glistened in the sunsets light.
Taya didn't move or speak.
What was this trickery? Was this dream somehow still another link to Galbatorix, the last test before the end?
No… Galbatorix could not make anything so beautiful compared to her beloved mother. But then…
"Mother?" Taya whispered, her voice thick with her wonder and confusion. A dazzling smile lit up Lenya Corsan's face, as it was indeed Lenya Corsan, the past Queen of Alagaesia.
"Hello dearest Taya." The red haired woman replied softly, holding out her pale, delicate hand. Dazed, Taya took her mother's hand in hers, noticing that it felt colder than her own. The simple touch brought back hundreds of memories to her, and Taya drew her mother into a desperate embrace, almost fearing that she would disappear in her arms.
But Lenya remained, holding onto her daughter with the same fervor, tears running freely down her face.
They stood there like that for a long time, but they couldn't make up for 7 years in one embrace.
"How?" Taya asked in amazement, finally loosening her hold on Lenya, and she searched her mother's face intently for an answer.
Lenya's voice sent a shiver down Taya's back and the nearly forgotten ring of her voice made Taya's heart beat slightly faster.
"You were sent here when your body lost its strength to make a decision. I have come to help you make sure it is the right one."
"What… does that mean exactly? I'm dead, but still alive? That makes no sense!"
"It does and it doesn't. You are here because of the poison used against you, the energy you acquired from the King, Shruikan, Murtagh and Thorn, and the way the elf Arya worded her spell and used the energy of all those around her to save your life. It means that she wasn't in time to heal your body completely, but the amassed energy was and is so great that your heart could actually start beating again. That is the choice you have to make."
Taya's eyes widened. "You mean I could go back?"
"Yes." Lenya watched her carefully, and Taya looked around, suddenly caught by how truly beautiful and peaceful that place was.
"What do you think of this place?" Lenya asked cautiously, looking around as well. It seemed to be a test as well as a question.
"It is… so magnificent. I can hardly comprehend it. Everything is so clear, so real. But it feels like a dream."
"From where we are standing we are looking at Alagaesia. You see the world as it would look like from dragon back… farther from any settlement known to nearly all Alagaesian's."
Taya sensed a riddle, but she couldn't fathom what it was.
"I know that Alagaesia is beautiful, but this is fantastic." She looked back at Lenya, who laughed softly.
"I know, but keep it in your thoughts that this place is in your mind, and not all you see is completely real."
"I know we're in my mind… or I guessed it. After the events previous to this I believe I know my mind quite well. Are you only a figment of my mind or are you real, mother?"
Lenya's smile accented the worry in her eyes. "I understand what you are asking. It is very complicated, and there is much you won't understand and that I cannot tell you. But to be perfectly honest, I'm not really supposed to be here with you. I'm supposed to let you decide yourself to go or to stay, but I was afraid that you would fall in love with this." She swept her arm around at their surroundings. "I had to let you know what would happen if you decided to stay in this place."
Taya was surprised and skeptical. "You aren't 'supposed' to be here?"
"No, not really. Too much was and is at stake, though."
"I hadn't known that I had a choice to stay or go back."
"That is exactly why I had to be here."
Taya frowned. "All you had to say was 'you have a choice to go back' and I'd be gone already. The choice isn't even a hard one."
Lenya laughed again, tears welling up in her eyes, and she hugged her daughter again.
"Oh Taya." She whispered. "There is so much that I'm longing to tell you… how incredibly proud I am of you for everything you've done; of the woman you've become. My heart is glad at your answer. But you've had to go through some things I could have prevented if I had just told you… yet I didn't out of fear. You were so young!"
"I'm starting to just be confused, mother dear, but continue. You can rest easy that if I had the choice to go back to Sasha, Raya and Kabarak that I would… even over you." Taya pulled her mother away. "Although you are the most beautiful thing I've seen in seven years."
Lenya swiped Taya's hair out of her face and smiled. "I had always hoped to see you again. But now I have something important to tell you about… or someone, rather."
Taya tried not to act surprised, but she was yet again. She decided there was no point in hiding it.
"Who?" She asked, and Lenya looked out towards Alagaesia far away, and then back at Taya.
"She is an elf. But there is no elf like her in this world. Her name is Vanira Dacoryn. She has hair the color of chestnuts, blue eyes like the sky. She is an elf, but at times she resembles a human."
"Very odd." Taya said lightly. Where was this going?
Lenya smiled. "Generations ago one of her grandmothers was human. She had a gift that allowed her to sense impending danger. Just sense it, and know who or what it revolved around. Vanira was born of that line looking like a human child, and only a slight tip to her ears could have linked to her the elven race. The elves were horrified, and her parents took her away and left her in the forest. They didn't want to, and they went back to look for her the next day but she was gone, and she was only a baby. They suspected the worst and were dragged down by sorrow. Theirs is a sad ending.
But Vanira was found and taken in and raised by a hermit by the name of Myn.
From a young age, Taya, Vanira has seen you. She can see the future, or bits of it; pictures, scenes, thoughts. Most are out of context, and she is very cautious with this ability. She found her way to the elves later in her life, and they took one of her visions and prepared themselves for what they thought would happen… not what did. Vanira lost her best friend in the catastrophe that took place. For years she locked away her ability out of fear, but she's seeing too many things now to ignore it.
Only a few elves know of her ability anymore, and even fewer know her story. She's an ambassador between the elves and humans, and now she is travelling with Arya, Eragon and Roran, and she aided them in their attempt to revive you. She is an important piece of the puzzle, and your life."
"Does she know what choice I will make?" Taya asked, narrowing her eyes.
Lenya shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose so. But she might not know when you will make it. She is not all knowing, by far."
"That's a comfort. But my choice is not a hard one, as I've said, since I have a choice at all." Taya looked out over the great, magical expanse of the world, thinking about what her mother had just told her.
Lenya watched her for a time, and then asked softly,
"Are you angry with me for keeping Raya's existence a secret from you?"
Taya shook her head. "No, not at all. There was no call for me to be. You did what you thought to be right, and somehow I found her anyways. But she's too young in the ways of the outside world, since all she's known is slavery. She is strong like you were, kind and funny… but there's still a lingering anger and resentment towards the world."
"I am so happy you found her and freed her." Lenya breathed, and she sighed. "I never forgave myself for losing her. And I never stopped searching; never. Your… well, you were meant to find her."
Taya caught her mother's hesitation and asked, "'Your' what?"
Lenya widened her eyes in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"You were going to say something else but you caught yourself."
"Ahh, yes, but if there's ever a time for you to know if or what I was going to say, now is not that time." Lenya replied smoothly, and Taya frowned.
"No, Taya dear, there is no point for you to push it. There are many things that I long to tell you, but I cannot. Please understand. The diary I gave you holds more secrets than you know, and when you have enough knowledge so you can understand it all, the words written in it will aid you greatly. But you still have a ways to go yet before then. "
Taya simmered for a minute and then with resignation she shrugged it off. There was no point in pushing it, as Lenya said. It was a mystery that must wait. "Thank you, mother, even though it irks me."
Lenya laughed, and kissed her on her cheek. "You're welcome, darling. You will understand what it all means, in time."
Taya hugged her, not wanting to let go. But she had to. She looked back at the other world, and the horizon was a brilliant orange, magenta and blue.
"I think, mother, it is time for me to go."
Lenya nodded sadly. "It is, as it is almost dawn there. If you do not go soon it will be too late. Taya, I want you to know that I am so, so proud of you. You have grown into such a beautiful young lady. And you've been so strong and brave, especially for your family. And a rider, no less. I never even dreamed of that happening. You… are the first of your lineage. Trust in Kabarak with all your heart and neither of you will ever falter. Give my love to Raya and Sasha, and Kabarak. I know you will take good care of all of them. And do not let your emotions rule you, Taya. They would be your downfall."
"Thank you, mother." Tears sprang into her eyes, but she didn't care.
"I love you, Taya." Lenya whispered.
"I love you too, mother." Taya whispered back.
They parted, Lenya stepping back and Taya turning to the cliff's edge. She found herself standing on the very edge of the mountain again. A heavy wind blew up from below, whipping her hair about her in a frenzy. Below her was utter blackness. Behind her was light.
From there you must make your choice.
Taya was only slightly startled by her mother's voice in her mind.
If you suddenly turn back, you will stay here in this place and watch what happens to Alagaesia. If you step forward, you will become who you are meant to be.
Choose with your heart… but you already know the right road.
"My heart says forward… who am I to sit back and watch? My decision is forward." Taya said softly, but her voice seemed to echo across the vast expanse around her. She could picture Lenya standing behind her, smiling at her.
Then go, daughter of light and darkness, and do not look back.
Taya never felt herself step forward or fall, she just remembered feeling suddenly lost and enveloped by a formidable darkness before everything around her disappeared and her mind went blank.
"Melcar?"
The captain looked up from the map he was inspecting to Weston, who was standing in the entrance of the command tent. It was just at dawn, and the camp was just beginning to stir. Orders to eat and begin packing up the camp had been given, and Melcar was the last commander to be in the tent.
"Yes, Weston?" He asked, coming around the table that the map was on.
Weston looked as if he was both worried and reluctant. "It's Zen… I know, but something is very wrong."
Melcar sighed heavily. "I agree. What else should I do, Wes? We've been through this before."
"That's not what I meant, Melcar." Weston's expression was pained. "Something else is the matter. He won't come out of his tent, and he won't wake up. It's like he's stuck in a dream."
"With my luck he would come out of it immediately and try to kill me, as is usual these days." Melcar replied shortly, but he really was alarmed.
"If you don't check on him, Sen is going to have a fit. I've already had to tell him twice that Zen's not well." The look on Weston's face made up the captain's mind.
"I will come, but don't expect me to be anything of a help. He might wake up just to try to kill me."
Weston didn't bother responding to that.
Of course Melcar was over-exaggerating. But all things concerning Zen since Melcar had dismissed him from the Hljodhr Evarinya had been strained. He suppressed a shudder when he thought about that night. Never had he thought that he would have to face such a horrible and difficult situation. Especially not with a person who was like his brother.
{Flashback}
About a month after Taya's disappearance a rumor began circulating that there was a King's man investigating the disappearance of the princess, and that he was using uncouth methods to extract information. Melcar's suspicion had already fallen on Zen, and he told that to the others. Weston protested strongly, Raneck Katifa backing him. The others didn't say anything, but they didn't have to. Marthl Duven had even trailed Zen half-heartedly a couple of times, but he never got anywhere.
One night Melcar stuck behind Zen and never let him set one foot out of sight.
They ended up at a small tavern, where Zen met with a man sitting in a corner. The man pointed to a group of men drinking heavily at one of the tables.
Melcar watched as Zen picked out one of the men with his eyes, and then he settled down to wait until his man left.
When the man did leave, he was not overly intoxicated and tried his best to remain wary. Melcar went quickly to the table with the remaining men as soon as Zen left. Almost everyone had noticed the cloaked man with a sword at his side who had followed the other man out.
"Your friend is in great danger." Melcar said softly, saying it to all or one. "Only if he's very lucky will he survive. All are under suspicion, and spies and supporters of the Varden are in very grave danger." His black and gold eyes bored through the men, and they stared at him incredulously.
"But we are loyal servants to His Majesty, the King!" One of them cried indignantly, and the others raised their mugs and cheered.
Melcar smiled grimly. An ordinary man who did not know how to read faces would have had no cause to suspect them, as their expressions were genuine. But Melcar was no 'ordinary' man. There was fear behind their eyes.
"Indeed." He spoke softly again. "But one of your own is being hunted and any of you will be next. I know the man who hunts him, and he will not stop until he has each and every one of you and you've told him what he wants to know. And then you will face death. My advice to you is to leave this city and not return for a fair time. Unless you leave now, he will never stop hunting you and he will find you. It is my duty to see that no man dies in this, but I cannot keep him in check." He paused, and added in an even lower tone, "Besides, there are two human kings in Alagaesia."
"What side are you on, son?" One man, who was a bit more lucid than the others, asked.
Melcar stared directly at him. "I am giving you advice to stay alive, and I sincerely hope you will take it."
The man's eyes narrowed. "So you are neither Varden nor of the Empire?"
It was Melcar's turn to narrow his eyes.
"I may be all or none." He said cryptically. "I just do not like to see good men die or fall into corruption."
The man relaxed a little. "Alright. We will go. Thank you… the one who left earlier... he's my son."
'So that is the real cause of the worry in your eyes.' Melcar thought, and he bowed his head.
"I will do what I can for him. Not many can match his hunter… I am one of those few."
With that he turned and left. He saw a figure down the street, far down the way, and then another figure off to the side.
He followed.
It was not usually wise to travel in that part of the city alone and at night, even if you were a man. The area was teaming with robbers, pick-pockets, and cut-throats.
Zen would use this man's un-thoughtfulness to his advantage.
Melcar was sickened by the fact that it was Zen that he was trailing.
A startled yelp broke the silence of the darkness but it was suddenly cut off, and Melcar hurried forward. He was very close to the castle's south gate, and Melcar understood then that Zen had been driving the man in that direction. He paused and watched in the almost complete darkness as Zen tossed a limp form onto his waiting horse, and he swung into the saddle. He didn't bother to hide the man. The guards at the gate could think what they wished.
Melcar slipped in behind Zen's horse, and entered the castle over the wall to avoid the guards at the gate.
Zen tied his horse by the stables and dragged his prisoner into the castle.
As Melcar continued to follow Zen into and through the castle, he was strongly reminded of a similar story of a man much like Zen… he had been called Lavon Karr. He had been in Galbatorix's service, and not even the current warped guards could compare to that man's kind of evil. He was said to have kidnapped young women away from their homes to present them to the king, and if he did not approve of them, they were sold into slavery...
He had been completely twisted… or so the stories said.
He had disappeared right after Queen Lenya was found dead and no one knew what had happened to him. No one wanted to know either.
To Melcar's dismay, he found that Zen had escaped him. Melcar could no longer hear his footsteps, and on stretching out his mind he could not even find him that way. Zen knew how to block his mind, after all.
Annoyed at himself, Melcar broke into a jog, going to the dungeons, and with a thought he called for the other Hljodhr's. He travelled down a couple dungeon floors, and the door guards let him by without a word. He knew this was the way Zen had come, he just didn't know where he was going to stop.
He froze, having thought he heard a whimper or a cry of pain. He found himself in a long hallway that sloped down, and he was glad that he'd stopped suddenly. He had no want to venture further into the deepest dungeon levels of the King, which were daunting and full of evil mystery. He and Taya had gone down there only once, to rescue a Varden spy, and they would never willingly go down there again.
He stood and listened carefully, and walked silently up and down the hallway while passing his hand along the wall. His eyes were closed, and his face was taught with concentration.
He thought that he could hear muffled voices, and he searched for a handle or lever for a secret door.
He heard a troop of footsteps coming from up the hall and he knew it was the Hljodhr's. Suddenly angry, he muttered a spell and slammed his palm against the wall and it crumbled beneath the blow, making a hole large enough for 4 men to walk abreast and a tall man to pass through without ducking his head. Dust billowed up, but Melcar stepped over the broken pieces of stone, through the dust and his menacing black-gold eyes caught and held Zen Drayson.
The man was facing him, having whirled around when the wall crumbled. The mix of emotions on his face was hard to read, but he was somewhat afraid and recognizing Melcar made him even more so. His sword was drawn, and in the light of three lanterns Melcar could see blood on the sword's tip.
He could imagine the way that the interrogation had begun.
"So this is how you've come to spend your nights, Zen." Melcar said evenly, but his eyes spoke his anger.
Zen was still startled by having been found, but Melcar knew it would not last long.
He motioned to the man who was bound and huddled against the opposite wall. "Undoubtedly he has denied knowing anything about Taya. After a time, wouldn't you be inclined to believe him? Why don't you go to the Varden yourself and ask them of her fate. Why would someone so insignificant as this man know about someone the likes of the Princess of Alagaesia?"
"At least I am trying, while you and the others cower in corners, afraid to go out for fear of being recognized." Zen spat and drew himself up, and his sapphire eyes seemed somehow to be tinged with orange. "I have nothing to fear." His voice was edged, like the steel in his hand.
"Not even death? We all fear that, even a little. It will not be easy for you to stem Taya's wrath when she gets her hands on you, you know."
The comment seemed to catch Zen off guard, and he had to puzzle his thoughts out, and then he growled,
"Her wrath? I will be the one to find her and she will reward me for saving her!"
"She'll 'reward' you with indescribable anger!" Melcar raised his voice and it echoed in the room and the hallway behind him. "She's where she wants to be. Leave well enough alone, and break away from Galbatorix… from Karees."
Zen's expression darkened and he shook his head deliberately.
"Galbatorix." He spat in disgust. "Karees. What have they to do with this? This is about Taya. They don't care any more about her than you do. This is between him and me." Zen pointed his sword at the man against the wall, who was staring with wide and frightened eyes at the two of them. "Your option is to walk away, Melcar."
"I don't walk away from an innocent man who is being tortured, Zen. You should know that."
"You mock me!" Zen burst out, so obviously wanting to strike at Melcar, but the captain kept his expression reserved and he did not move.
"How can I mock you?" He asked sincerely.
"Stop playing your word games with me, Melcar. This is my business, not yours!" Zen growled.
"Would you kill this man?"
"He knows where they have taken her!" Zen yelled, and Melcar managed to hold his ground, although he was tempted to take a step back. "The Varden took her, Melcar. They took her and they ransomed her like a piece of property… but then they killed her before the ransom could be made! They slaughtered her like an animal. A princess in blood and beauty… A woman whose word was law and love was priceless. I will find the ones who did that, and I will rip their hearts out. It is the least I can do for her."
Melcar's heart was moved with pity as he stared at the wild shadow of a man before him. Behind him he heard an intake of breath.
"Zen, listen to yourself! You said that she was alive and that you would find her. Then you tell me that she is dead and your reasons for what you are doing are aimed at a choice few? Which story do you follow? Or do you even follow one?"
Zen realized his grave mistake, but he hissed through clenched teeth,
"Every member of the Varden, supporters or suppliers, must die."
Melcar's pity melted away and his anger surfaced two-fold.
"Then you will have to try to kill me where I stand, Zen; Taya as well, and many or all of those who you call family. How many must die before the end to satisfy you and your want for pain and revenge? No Hljodhr Evarinya ever tortures for no cause. What you're doing isn't right, Zen. End it now."
"Do not preach to me, Melcar. Leave it alone."
"No, not until you answer my question."
"What question? How many people? Is that supposed to addle my brain? I will find those who killed her and make them suffer."
"My people do not harm others for their own gain."
"I am not one of your people, Melcar. You have shown yourself to be unfit to lead anyone, or to protect anyone. You never cared for her safety or for the others anyways. You've thought only of yourself!"
There was a gasp from behind Melcar, and suddenly the bodyguard captain's demeanor changed, becoming calm and cool. He stared unrelenting into the blazing eyes of a man he no longer knew. Zen's life was in his own hands then, and the other man realized that the captain would not be taunted or moved to physical violence, and his change in demeanor shook him… he didn't know what Melcar would do next.
"No Silent Star renounces his charge or breaks the code he was given to keep without punishment. Both have you done, Zen Drayson, and you are not above the consequences." It tore at his heart to say it, but Melcar knew he had no choice. It was this, or constant pain for the bodyguards and ultimately it would lead to their downfall.
Zen's face suddenly paled and there was something of the old, caring, care-free Zen in his eyes.
"No." He whispered, pleading with his eyes. His hands were trembling.
Melcar continued coolly, never taking his eyes from Zen's.
"As Captain of the Hljodhr Evarinya of Princess Taya Corsallen, I release you, Zen Drayson from my command and my protection. You have chosen to follow a road that I cannot take or allow you to pull the others of the Hljodhr Evarinya with you. You are no longer a part of the Silent Stars. But I will tell you this; you will never find the woman you are searching for, because she is an illusion of your mind. Taya Corsallen will find you and I hope to be there to help her bring you back. But before then, I will do all that is in my power to keep you from harming anyone else on your search. We will protect others from you.
Go. Get out of my sight." His voice snapped, full of conviction, his eyes blazing with command and an iron will that Zen could never break.
Zen's expression changed drastically. He seemed to falter, and he stumbled forward. He swung his sword in defiance at Melcar, but a body slipped up beside him and caught his arms, and the sword dropped from Zen's hand to the ground with a clang.
Zen looked in rage that melted into surprise at Weston, his longtime friend and partner on the field. Weston's face was grim and sad, and his eyes seemed to ask Zen, 'why?'
Zen seemed to melt before those eyes and he broke away and fled. The Hljodhr's parted to let him pass, and then he was gone.
Melcar watched him go, feeling even more burdened than he had before he'd had to dismiss Zen.
He'd never wanted to have to do that to anyone, but he'd never dreamed that it would be Zen Drayson. He could almost feel that he would retreat inside himself to fend off the pain of really losing such a friend.
He saw Weston watching him. They all were, but he felt Weston's gaze the keenest.
Izaak took a step forward and picked up Zen's sword, and his look at it was one of disgust. But Melcar held Weston's gaze, and as Ayda went to the man against the wall, Weston said to Melcar quietly,
"You did what you had to, Captain. I know that. I was too blind to see what was really happening to him… as our captain, you are bound to keep us together as a whole, and you cannot make an exception for someone who would have brought us only pain and destruction before the end."
Hearing that, Melcar felt relieved. It had been Weston's opinion of his actions that Melcar had felt so heavy about.
He laid a hand on Weston's shoulder.
"But we will not abandon him, and I will never give him up as completely lost. There's always hope, for everyone. I will never give up on him."
Weston smiled slightly. "Just as you will never give up on Taya."
Melcar nodded, and his dark eyes shone. "Until the day I see her grave or her body laid in repose before me, I will not believe that she is gone. She will find us or we will find her. We just have to be patient, and watch."
Weston nodded and laid his own hand on Melcar's shoulder." We will be with you every step, Captain."
"That I know." Melcar nodded, and the shadow that had fallen over him passed, for a little while at least. He looked over at Ayda and Marthl, who had untied the supposed Varden spy and were helping him stand.
"Zen's sword sheath has the Hljodhr Evarinya crest on it." Izaak growled. "It shouldn't stay that way."
Melcar looked at the young man sharply, thoughtfully.
"Taya gave him that, Izaak, and it will stay with him unless he himself throws it away. It will be a reminder to him of his old self, unless he forgets his whole life. While he is no longer a part of the Hljodhr's, he always will be one. Therefore our duty now is to watch him, to protect others from him if we must, and also to protect him from himself. Do you understand, Izaak?"
There was a moment of conflict in the young man's eyes, but he relaxed a little and nodded slowly.
"Yes, sir. I do understand, and I will follow you."
"Good." Melcar slapped his shoulder gently. "We do not give up on or forget those who are one of us. Now, let's see to our man here, and do what we must to keep this from happening again.
{END FLASHBACK}
It did nothing to dwell on the memory, but it still cut at Melcar. Ever since that night the Hljodhr's had watched Zen. It gave them something to do instead of continuing the rather boring life of sparring, caring for their horses, talking, reading and sleeping. Since Taya's disappearance, and excluding the two weeks of mayhem after her disappearance, that fairly summed up the life of the Hljodhr Evarinya.
Ayda and Larel were standing outside of Zen's tent, and Ayda touched Melcar on his arm as he brushed by her and entered the tent. He gave her a quick, grim smile.
Inside the tent, Zen was lying still on his bedroll. Frowning, Melcar knelt on one knee beside him and watched his face. His eyes were moving beneath his eyelids, and suddenly he moaned and Melcar stiffened.
"It's not over."
"Zen?" Melcar whispered quietly, but to his relief and worry nothing happened.
He turned to asked Weston something, and froze when Zen's hand shot out and grasped his wrist. Melcar slowly looked back at him, and met Zen's clear blue eyes. What he saw there was pain, and fear.
"Zen?"
"Melcar…" Zen took a deep breath, and tightened his grasp. "It's not over, Melcar. It's going to get worse. I'm lost. I'm sorry."
"Why, Zen? What's happened?"
The young man's eyes closed and he whispered, "There's no way to stop it."
Melcar touched Zen's forehead, almost feeling his fever rising. "Stop what, Zen?"
"Him."
Melcar furrowed his brow, and then looked down at Zen's hand, holding onto him.
His grip tightened even more, and Melcar suddenly felt as if Zen was trying to squeeze something out of existence. A shiver went up his spine, and he knew Zen had opened his eyes again but Melcar didn't know what he would find when he looked back up.
"What are you doing here?" A voice that was not Zen's growled, and Melcar narrowed his eyes and looked sharply up… into the eyes of a man who was not Zen Drayson. The pain and fear was gone; the blue eyes were rimmed with orange, and his face was contorted in a snarl. Melcar recognized his tortured expression, and he snapped a reply,
"Making sure that you're fit for duty, Lieutenant. Our orders are to march; you're not marching. Get up and pack your gear. We leave in less than an hour." He jerked his hand out of Zen's grip and stood, turning on his heel sharply and exiting the tent, as tense as a drawn bow. He stopped and put a finger to his lips to hush the others, and he listened.
But all he heard was an annoyed growl, and Zen moving about his tent. Melcar was about to leave when he heard Zen say in a mocking tone,
" 'Making sure you're fit for duty'. Hah. More likely he was about to slit my throat. Don't worry, Captain. I'll march, and when we get to our destination, I'll show you what I can do without your help. All I want is blood. And that's what I'll get. And when I've avenged her, I'll turn on him and make him pay for all he's done. That will not be hard. He might think it will be easy to get rid of me, but he made me as I am, and this is not over… not by a longshot. I'll show them all."
Melcar started walking quickly, Larel, Ayda, and Weston right behind them. They'd heard what Zen had said too, and it bothered them. Only when Melcar was back at the command tent did he stop and turn to the others, and they saw his grim expression.
"It's bad, isn't it?" Weston asked softly, and Melcar nodded once.
"Very. The Zen we know is gone, somehow suppressed by some devilry of Galbatorix's, more than likely. Or just taken over by hate. He had a moment of clarity, shall we say, where he told me that 'it's not over.' And 'it's going to get worse. I'm lost. I'm sorry.' and 'there's no way to stop it.' And then something in him snapped. It's like something bad took over his mind. Something is not right here. I've felt it for a while. Murtagh is off on some sort of mission, and I have a feeling that it ties into what's going on with Zen, and it all has to do with Taya. But as Zen said… it's not over. Keep your eyes open."
Sensory perception flooded back to Taya as she took in a deep, welcome breath. Cool air flooded into her lungs, and she let it out slowly. Around her there was silence, but that was a relief to her. There were no more whispers.
Her eyes opened as she thought about that, and she found herself staring at a dark ceiling of rock. Her eyes widened. She was no longer in the burning glade. Had that been only a dream? No, it hadn't. It was too vivid.
She shivered, and tried to move. Her whole body ached, and she suddenly felt as if she would retch. She stopped trying to move and instead extended her senses, and managed to turn her head slightly. She was in a cave, and it was ever so slightly grey, meaning she had awoken at the first light of the world. Around her were bare rock walls, and she wondered wistfully why she was here. It was also freezing cold. Taya's fingers tightened around something, and she looked down to see her sword clasped tightly in both hands. She was distinctly aware of the somewhat hard object her head was resting on.
Suddenly Taya bolted upright, fear coursing through her as she felt a lurking presence touch her mind, but it was just as quickly gone. She was breathing hard, staring at the unsheathed sword in her hands.
They thought she was dead. Her family thought she was dead. She was dead to them.
The fear washed away and the troubled expression on her face was replaced with a smile. Wouldn't they be in for a surprise. But… where were they?
She couldn't stay here in the cave. They could have gone on without her, leaving her there. She doubted it. How long had she been lying in the cave, though? She had to find them... but then, she didn't want to face anyone in her weak state. Not yet.
How long had it been since her legs supported her? How long had it been since she stood? She tried, and nearly fell to the ground.
It had been a long time.
She knew she had the strength to stand, to walk and run and fight, but it was just getting her body to respond to the newfound strength. So instead of standing, she decided to see what her head had been laid on, and found that it was her bag of personal belongings. She was happy to see that, and she rummaged through it and found a new change of clothes, and then her mother's diary which she held for a long time, simply staring at the plain cover. Then she put it aside and rummaged deeper.
Feeling began to return to her legs, and her muscle memory started to come back. Taya could have laughed with excitement, but she refrained from doing so, silence seeming best. And she was content with it. There were no more strange whispers.
Finally, she braced herself against the wall and stood on somewhat shaky legs, and used the wall for support to walk back and forth a little. A sudden burst of energy hit her, and she felt jittery. All she wanted to do was run. And why not? Quickly, almost with a purpose, Taya sheathed her sword and belted it around her waist. She slung her bag over her shoulders and stepped lightly to the mouth of the cave. It was still only very slightly grey, and there were clouds covering the sky. She took another deep breath, closing her eyes and smiling.
She was back.
And she ran. The path split ways, and she went to the left, feeling energy coursing through her. At first she ran slowly, because she knew that she was horribly out of shape, but she wasn't in a hurry. Why be? The morning was still very young.
She wove in and out of the trees, and suddenly ran faster. She was only concentrating on running and not tripping, and making sure her sword didn't trip her.
It was wonderful.
After a long time she slowed and stopped, breathing hard. She eyed a tree close to her, and with amazing speed drew her sword and struck at it, and then danced away. Taya tossed aside her bag and began dancing around the trees, but in her mind's eye they were hundreds of enemies, and she was yet again fighting for survival.
But now her senses began to extend beyond herself, and she heard the birds chirping, and the wind in the grass beneath the trees. She heard the pattern her feet made on the firm ground, and in the distance she wondered if she heard hoof beats. There was a sense of urgency in the air as the greyness lightened, and the clouds seemed to disappear; unveiling her presence to the world.
Taya paused in her mock fight and smiled up at the clearing sky and hummed a little tune, which trailed off and stopped as her blood seemed to freeze as her ears caught what she thought to be a dragon's roar and a distant scream.
Taya's eyes narrowed and she looked at her sword, Istalae, and said quietly,
"Whose blade will you clash with today and what battle will we win?"
Calmly Taya picked up her bag and started walking quickly in the direction the two sounds had come from, and she knew who it was she would face. She wasn't afraid but she was worried that she was too weak in body to win by the sword.
She would only know when they fought.
Taya stopped by a large tree and felt the strange woman watching her from behind, and she turned and smiled slightly at the elf. She was tall and elegant, with chestnut hair and she was staring at Taya with wide, surprised blue eyes.
"Hello, Vanira Dacoryn." Taya said softly, turning fully towards her. "Surely you know me."
"I do, and while I have seen you and what is to come, I was unprepared to see you here… how do you know me?"
Taya laughed. "You were unprepared? Can you not feel me?"
The elf's eyes twinkled. "I cannot, Lady Rider. Your presence is hidden from my mind."
"Then I am invisible to Murtagh. Good, then my advantage will be greater over him, as he expects a body without life. Come, Lady Dacoryn. We will join the others before something happens that Murtagh will regret the rest of his life, and I will explain to you what has happened to me."
Vanira stepped up to her and they began walking side by side at a brisk pace.
"To answer your question, I don't honestly know how I came to know you… Somewhere at the end I was on a cliff overlooking the world, and my mother, who is dead to this world, came to me and among other things she told me of you. I do not know how that is possible, but it happened. In fact, I am still wondering how I am alive."
"Did your mother tell you why?" Vanira asked.
"I had a choice. I could use the energy stored within me by Arya and live, or ignore it and stay there on the cliff in that other place and watch what happened to the world from there. Once I knew that I had a choice, there was no choice at all. But I don't know how I was there, and then how I got here. Back to being me, I mean."
Vanira was silent for a long time as they walked, and Taya was content to let her think. Then Vanira said softly,
"I doubt it was even a choice at all. The decision was already made, that you would come back. I knew you would, because I had seen it. Although my foresight is not infallible – It could have been a possible future, but I knew it wasn't. There are just some things that you know. But when I went to the cave and you were not there, I hesitated because I thought that if you were alive I would have felt it, or Eragon or Arya, or even Kabarak would have felt it. None of us did, and I still can't."
"Where is Kabarak?"
Vanira's expression was one of confusion. "I don't know. He must have slipped away late last night. I can't feel him."
"Good, then that means Murtagh can't feel him either."
"Taya, why are we walking? Aren't you worried about the others?"
Taya paused mid-step, and thought about it. "Yes and no. Why am I walking? I don't know that either. Maybe it's because I don't want to rush speaking with you. Maybe I'm waiting for something. Maybe I don't want to rush speaking to Murtagh. I just don't feel like hurrying." Taya paused again, and then asked slowly,
"What was everyone's reaction when I… died?"
Vanira recounted the night before from when her own group joined Taya's. Taya listened with rapt attention, but wasn't too surprised by all that she was told. She did get a little emotional thinking about how close she'd come to leaving them all behind.
"I really do hate it when everything resolves itself at the last second. It only hurts worse." Taya grumbled, running her fingers through her hair, trying to get a few tangles out. Vanira only smiled.
There was a clash of swords ahead of them in the distance, and Taya's heart began to beat frantically as Vanira quickened her pace. Taya matched her stride, and then they were running… rather, Vanira was jogging and Taya was running. Her lungs were burning as she tried to breathe, and she smiled. It was good to be alive, and she was human so naturally she was slow compared to Vanira.
Vanira looked sidelong at her and slowed to a walk. Taya was gasping for air as she asked,
"Why did we slow down?"
"Because you were at your limit, and we are not far from the scene of the fighting. It would be better if you were not exhausted and that we were silent as we approached."
Taya gave her an appreciative smiled and then stopped and bent over, trying to get her breathing under control. She closed her eyes and tried to feel the emotions of everyone beyond the line of trees. It was an exercise she had practiced since she was a girl.
One, two, four, six, seven people… someone was hurt, Murtagh was raging mad and wounded, others were worried…
He lied! He said that he didn't want to kill anyone. No wonder he is hated and despised. His word means nothing!
The thought struck her like a wall, and it came from someone that she did not know; a young man. That would be Sacar. What was the context of his thought? What was going on?
Vanira, who was ahead at the edge of the trees, beckoned furiously to her and suddenly Taya felt dizzy, and snapped words tore at her heart as she straightened, listening.
"You're fighting hopelessly, girl. You'll die and I'll take her anyways. You can die knowing that…!"
Taya gasped.
"No." She whispered, and she raced forward, just as she heard someone yell her sister's name and then a scream that could have been Sasha's… she ran past Vanira and yelled with all her might, drawing her sword as she did,
"MURTAGH STOP!"
She was livid, and trying to keep herself calm. She didn't really care about her appearance. She had to keep herself from racing up to him and killing him right there.
He was standing over her little sister, his back to Taya, but she could see the blood on the steel of his sword. A young man took Raya in his arms, staring warily at Murtagh as he backed away. Arya, who'd run to intervene for Raya checked her direction and went to them.
But Murtagh was perfectly still. Taya couldn't have that.
"Murtagh!" She yelled again, and she was satisfied when he spun around to face her, and especially when he took a step back, all the color draining from his face in shock.
There was silence as everyone looked at her, and she could feel Vanira behind her, stepping out from the cover of the trees.
Her eyes bored into Murtagh's, and she did her best to keep her voice steady, mentally thanking Sacar for his thought.
"I thought you said that you did not want to kill anyone here, Firestone. You wanted me. And here I stand."
But you can't have me.
She saw his conflicting emotions, and knew there was a denial coming.
"No… you're…"
"Dead?" She laughed, and shook her head. "Yes, I am supposed to be dead. But there are things at work in this land that you or my father will never begin to understand. I never really died."
I did, but I didn't. "Though my heart stopped beating, I was never truly gone." How that's so, I don't care. I'm just glad of it. How dare you even think of killing her, Murtagh?! How heartless have you become?
"Step away from them, Murtagh. You will not hurt anyone here again." Her tone dropped. "Step away, Firestone."
"This is impossible." Murtagh whispered, shaking his head in disbelief. "You can't…"
Taya raised her eyebrows, giving him a patronizing look. "Of course it is impossible. It is impossible because you believe it to be so. As for me, I see it as a gift. So many things have happened in this world that had been claimed to be 'impossible'."
They held each other's gaze for a long moment, and then she asked,
"Did you really come here expecting them to give me up without a fight? Would you have given me up without a fight, Murtagh?"
The red rider's eyes hardened a little, and she began walking calmly towards him. He stepped away from her.
Eragon, besides being taken by surprise at Taya's appearance, watched as Murtagh retreated from the lady, who seemed to be made of white hot fire. The look on the man's face was full of disbelief and terror, emotions Eragon had not thought Murtagh still possessed. What was going on through his mind? Was it only the fact that Taya still lived that struck Murtagh, or was there something more? Was there something deeper between them?
Taya stopped, standing only a few feet away from Murtagh, and she cocked her head to the side curiously. For the first time she looked around at the others in the clearing, quickly evaluating everyone. Sacar still held onto Raya, who was still dazed from her fight, but fully healed by Arya. Roran stood beside Sasha, who Arya had also healed. The elf had stopped beside Eragon, who had regained control over himself and was watching her acutely. Vanira was still behind her, and Taya could feel the elf's eyes on her.
Taya wasn't smiling. Her expression was grim, as she tried to figure out how she could drive Murtagh away without a long, drawn-out fight that would show her weakness. But everything she thought of always ended in a fight. She resigned herself to that, and gathered her thoughts.
Eragon kept a frown from his face. How had he not felt her? He still couldn't. He could feel a woman standing there, but there was nothing special about her. He had expected that if Taya survived that he would be hit with the same strange feeling he'd felt around her in Dras'leona, but there was nothing. How was she alive?
He did frown then. How was she alive? He'd seen her die. He'd seen her draw her last breath, felt her slip away from them.
But there was no denying that this woman was Taya Corsallen in the flesh.
But there are things at work in this land that you or my father will never begin to understand.
Did that hint to how she was alive and standing before them, facing off Murtagh? How did she have the strength?
Does she have the strength? He wondered to Saphira.
"This is not possible." Murtagh said, shaking his head. "You're an illusion of her. She cannot be alive." He took a step back and glared at her. "An illusion of magic is what you are! Go, and haunt me no longer!"
Taya watched him, not disappearing as he cast a spell that would have dissipated any magical illusion. Murtagh's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I am not an illusion, Murtagh." Taya said softly, stepping towards him again. This time he stayed still. "It is you that should go and leave this place. You can do nothing more here, and your errand is now irrelevant. You've almost caused enough damage for one day, don't drag it out."
"You do not feel like Taya." He growled. "She had more power than you. Even without a magical talent people could feel it within her. You are nothing."
"If this woman you speak of is so powerful, could she not use that power to hide it from you?"
"For what purpose?"
Taya smiled, though it was not a nice smile.
"For whatever purpose I or anyone else might think of, Murtagh. Why did you come alone, without Thorn? You are vulnerable without him."
"Not as vulnerable as you, phantom!" Murtagh suddenly lunged, and Taya blocked his strike and stepped away, twirling her sword as Murtagh whipped around to face her again. There was a mad fire dancing in his eyes, and Taya was wary.
"So I am a phantom now?" She scoffed softly, and they began to circle each other like two predators.
Taya could feel Vanira's eyes boring into her. The elf knew how weak she was…
You cannot fight him with your own strength, Taya, and without Kabarak you are far more vulnerable than Murtagh is. So I will help you. Use it wisely.
Taya felt energy pour into her from the elf, and she took a deep breath, feeling the new energy coursing through her limbs.
"What will it take for you to see me as I really am?" Taya asked him. "My death at your hands? We've been through that before, I would rather not do it again."
Murtagh barely winced, but she saw it.
"You remember of course. I didn't even try to fight you. I couldn't, anyways. But I tried to fight for you, to get you back and Galbatorix out. I was too weak, so I failed. We are linked together somehow, Murtagh. I knew my death was coming the moment you were given the order. I just never expected a chance to come back and continue on. When I realized that I had that chance, I snapped at it, and here I am."
"Riddles, lies, deceit." Murtagh growled, but she could tell that he was listening. "There is no cure for Corsent Solenta when it has completely spread through its victim's body. Believe me, I tried to find one."
Taya paused in her step for a moment, staring at him. She resumed her pace.
Eragon frowned again. He had not been expecting those words to come out of Murtagh's mouth.
"You have great knowledge, Murtagh." Taya's voice was low. "But the cure for Corsent Solenta was not among herbs or potions. It was strength and energy. I was stuck in a fiery prison for a very long time and I finally figured out why and how I could fight it. But by then it was too late. By the time I found the energy to survive I was hanging from a cliff between life and death. I thought for sure I would die, because I didn't have a choice. But I did. Someone showed me that choice and helped me back here. If you somehow think you can still take my body back to Galbatorix, you have to kill me here and now and then take me away. I can assure you that you will have some fierce opposition."
Murtagh looked sharply at Eragon and Arya, and then slowly at Vanira, whom he'd never seen before. Taya could only imagine the look Vanira was giving him. But when he looked back into Taya's eyes she could see that he still didn't believe that it was her.
Without warning Taya walked straight at him and with her free hand she reached out and rapped her knuckles against the stone at his throat.
"I didn't give that to you so that you could defy my memory, Firestone." She hissed, and their swords clashed as he struck at her.
Raya winced as Murtagh struck and struck again, and Taya met him every time, but she didn't strike back. She was on the defensive, but why?
"I'm not an illusion, I'm not a phantom, and I'm not a spirit!" Taya cried, and suddenly she lashed out, striking him on the arm, cutting through his wards. He gasped, and blood gushed from the wound. Taya followed with a hard blow to his knee with the flat side of her sword and slammed her foot against the spot, and Murtagh, stunned and furious, raised his hand and a black fire shot from his it at Taya.
There was a sound of a crash, and Murtagh found himself flat on his back, looking up at Taya, who was breathing hard but staring at him with hard edged eyes. Her hand lowered, and she 'tsked' at him.
"Fire, Murtagh." She said quietly. "It is not often that someone besides your master can defeat you with magic." She stuck her sword tip into the ground and leaned on it, trying to make her action look casual. Her counter spell had taken a toll on her and she knew that if Murtagh persisted, she would be forced to show her weakness. She hoped beyond hope that he now recognized her.
"It really is you, isn't it." He said quietly, and she nodded.
"Somehow I knew you were never gone." He continued. "I couldn't believe him when he said I was to bring your body back to him. I can't imagine you dead, but everything pointed towards it. I believed it. I won't be so blind next time."
"Have a little faith in me, Murtagh." Taya said, with a slight smile.
"We're on the wrong sides for that, Taya."
Her smile disappeared. "Are we?" She asked, and his eyes narrowed.
"You don't know all that has happened since you escaped." He said stiffly, and she lifted her sword and flicked it to his neck. He froze, and she said quietly as if just to him,
"If you mean what has happened to the Hljodhr Evarinya, you are mistaken. I was not idle in my prison. You should know that, Murtagh. They are strong… you should know that too. And Galbatorix will not win. His rule will end; already it begins to crumble."
He watched her with guarded eyes, and then he said softly,
"Things have changed closer to home."
Taya took the sword away from his neck and contemplated him for a moment.
Those who were watching wondered what he meant, and three of them also wondered what Taya meant by Hljodhr Evarinya. They seemed to be at a stalemate. There seemed to be some sort of unspoken conversation going on between them. What was going on?
"I hate being on the other side, Murtagh, but I hope that one day you will understand what I've done and why I have done it. I hope you will forgive me, some day." To everyone's surprise she reached out a hand to him, and hesitantly he took it and she pulled him to his feet, her sword between them. But Murtagh didn't try to harm her. He stared down into her eyes, and then he said,
"I was ordered to bring your body back to Uru'baen. That order is void, because you live. But he will order me after you again, and when that time comes I will have no choice but to bring you back, dead or alive. He will not be played for a fool again."
"Then we will fight again and we will see who wins." Taya replied simply. "I'll be ready for you. Do not underestimate what you do not know."
He looked as if he was going to say something else, but she shook her head slightly.
"Go, Firestone. Just go."
The rider turned and picked up his sword, which had flown from his hand when he'd fallen to the ground, and after he sheathed it he turned back to look at her, but only for a second. He walked away, tall and proud, and they watched as he flicked his wrist and a black smoke suddenly rose from the ground, obscuring him from view. A moment later they heard the sound of pounding hooves, and as the smoke dissipated they saw him riding swiftly away.
There was silence, except for the sounds of the forest behind them. The birds seemed to have come out of hiding, and somewhere a songbird lifted its voice high to greet the day… a little late.
Taya watched the sky, steeling herself for a reunion she never thought she'd have.
How long had she been comatose? There had been no night in the burning glade, only fire. She turned, and began walking slowly towards the group. They'd watched her die. They'd watched her suddenly reappear. From Vanira she had learned what had happened the night before, and her eyes fixed on Raya. Her sister broke away from Sacar, who had still been holding onto her even though she'd been healed. She walked towards Taya hesitantly, as if worried she might suddenly disappear.
Taya smiled and stabbed her sword into the ground and reached out her hands to Raya, who took them, gripping them tightly. Tears welled up in Taya's eyes, and she whispered,
"You've grown, sister dear."
Raya choked. "You're… it's…"
She launched herself into Taya's arms, hugging her so tightly Taya thought she might not be able to breathe, but she hugged Raya back just as tightly. Tears streamed down her face, and she almost laughed.
Thank you for the choice. Taya though to no one in particular.
Sasha wrapped her arms around them both, pressing her head against Taya's.
"I've missed you." She whispered, and Taya grinned.
"And I've missed you, cousin. I'll try not to let you down again."
"I'll never forgive you if you do." Sasha whispered back, and Taya lifted her eyes to Sacar, who was standing a little away from the Varden group, looking uncomfortable.
Even though he didn't know Taya, he felt like he did. He'd been a part of her group long enough to know Sasha and Raya fairly well, and by knowing them he had come to believe that he knew Taya as well. But now, seeing her alive and conscious was rather terrifying. He didn't know her. He didn't belong here.
Taya broke away from Sasha, but Raya was unwilling to let her go. Sasha understood, and Taya motioned Sacar forward. When he was close enough she wrapped her free arm around him in a friendly embrace. That he was startled was obvious, but he returned her embrace.
"Thank you for all you've done, Sacar. Without you, much would be different today. And not for the better, I think." She held him at arm's length and flashed him a brilliant smile, and he returned it, all his doubts washing away. How she knew who he was, he didn't know, but he wasn't too surprised. He'd learned by then to accept whatever happened with her group.
Sasha must have recognized something in his expression because she laughed at him.
"He's already getting used to you, Taya. He's had to go through so much in such a short time, I think it will be hard to faze him from now on."
Taya laughed too. "I would hope so. Things will only get more complicated from here on. But that he's managed to survive this long means that there is hope for him."
"The future doesn't look so bleak anymore." Sacar said seriously, and then cracked a smile.
Taya looked sharply at Vanira, but the future-seeing elf only smiled and shook her head slightly.
"Welcome back, Taya. We've missed you."
Taya looked up at the sky, a glint in her eyes. Not everything was perfect, not yet…
Where are you, my dragon? She asked.
In answer, a deafening roar shook the ground beneath their feet, and Raya and Sacar pressed their hands against their ears. Out of the sky hurtled a green fireball. Sun shone off of Kabarak's scales as he dropped towards the earth… towards his rider. A vast presence enveloped Taya's mind, and she closed her eyes, feeling herself being knit back together. She could almost feel sparks inside of her as the bonds she'd cut between the two of them snapped back together and the air seemed to hum with energy.
Only Taya did not jump back as Kabarak landed only a few feet from them, shaking the ground again.
His emerald eyes were filled with intelligence and sheer joy as he looked into the emerald eyes of his rider. Taya stepped forward until she was directly in front of his head, almost touching his nose. His massive body was quivering with excitement, the action causing his muscles to ripple.
Everyone stared in wonder at him. The dragon was the size of a medium sized house. Overnight, as he had lain in the cave beside Taya, he had begun to grow again. Late at night he had crept outside, with the feeling that he was going to die. He had awoken that morning not long after Taya had, many miles away, and he had immediately known what had truly happened to him.
Desperation had triggered the magic inside him and caused his growth spurt, which was far more effective and powerful than any normal dragon's growth rate. This magic was deeper than that which Galbatorix and Murtagh wielded; it was a magic that the elves had sought to understand and a magic that the dragons were only slightly familiar with.
For Taya, who had not watched Kabarak as he had grown, it was like seeing him for the first time. He had been so small when she'd been poisoned. It was hard to imagine that he'd ever been able to fit inside a bed mattress.
"Kabarak." She whispered for his ears alone. Her voice was like a shockwave.
She reached up with her right hand and pressed it against his nose. They both shivered at the touch, and he growled happily. Taya smiled.
It was as if nothing had ever happened. The past was momentarily forgotten, and Taya leaned her head against his, and he said in her mind,
I will not let you do that again, Taya. From now on we fight our fights together, not alone. We are not weak; we have each other. We are dragon and rider.
I will not ask you to do what you did again, Kabarak. What's done is done. Now we know that we can pass through the fire and survive. Come what may, we are one.
Always.
Out of the corner of her eyes she looked at the people standing around them, and her smile widened.
"Always." She whispered.
Murtagh had lost the battle over Taya Corsallen. Taya had won the war of survival.