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 45, things mostly fit together with the revised chapters of the story.

This is Chapter 41, revised.

Thank you and enjoy!

DragonRider2000

The crowd followed them all the way to the castle, where men clad in full armor stood arrayed around the castle courtyard. A tent had been erected above the castle doors to block the sun, and beneath the tent stood an entourage of people dressed in fine colors.

The courtyard was very crowded with the two dragons, so not many of the crowd from the city were able or allowed inside the castle gates. But their shouts and cheers did not subside for a long time.

Eragon jumped from Saphira to the ground, and Taya gracefully dismounted Chester at the same moment. A young man came forward and Taya handed him her reins.

"His name is Chester. Treat him well, please." She said, patting the horse's neck as the young man nodded and led the horse away.

Raya wrapped her arm around Taya's, and they turned their attention to the tent where Eragon had immediately gone to. Taya examined the entourage, and her gaze was held by a man with a gold circlet set on his head. He was standing by a dark skinned lady in an elegant purple gown, and it was to her that Eragon had went.

King Orrin of Surda and Lady Nasuada of the Varden, without a doubt. Taya said to Kabarak, who agreed. Sasha came to stand on her other side, and she looked slightly overwhelmed. But she returned Taya's smile. Sacar had stationed himself a little behind them, and he was watching everything in the courtyard with keen eyes.

Eragon had knelt on one knee before Lady Nasuada, and then stood. The Varden leader looked at him with shining eyes.

"Welcome back to Aberon, Eragon, Saphira, Arya and Roran. We have sorely missed you here." The woman's voice was clear, but trembling, and Taya saw her eyes shift towards her and Kabarak. "You were gone longer than we expected you to be, and we were worried. We would have not stood a chance if Galbatorix had struck at us while you were away. But a congratulations is in order, for your mission to Dras'leona was a complete success… and…" Her eyes locked with Taya's, and the two women stared at each other for a very long minute.

"We realized that our continued absence could be dangerous, but if we had not sidetracked we would have lost something we had only ever dreamed of." Eragon glanced at Vanira, who smiled crookedly, and then he continued. "We also gained intelligence about an army of Galbatorix's directed by Murtagh that is coming here, and they are not far behind us."

It was clear to Taya from Nasuada's eyes that she already knew about the army, but the lady was pleased with Eragon.

"We are aware of the army. A man arrived four days ago on a weary horse. He had encountered the army and was given a plan of the army's forces. But anything new you can give us will be invaluable. Preparations are already underway for a counterattack and the towns are being alerted to the danger as we speak. But, Eragon…" Nasuada's voice trailed off, and she gestured to Kabarak. Eragon motioned Taya forward, and the others went with her. Vanira hid her smile as Taya, with her family, stopped before Lady Nasuada and seemed to match her in everything except dress.

"Lady Nasuada, King Orrin, may I introduce Lady Rider Taya Corsallen and Kabarak Authamir. With them are Raya Corsallen, Sasha Tatanya their cousin, and Sacar Liastrin, a traveling companion."

The little group bowed. There were whispers from the people gathered around; they were nobles, councilors and soldiers alike. And they were not only humans.

"Welcome." There were tears in the Varden leader's eyes, but she did not act as if she noticed them. "Welcome, Taya and Kabarak. My joy, our joy, at seeing you here is indescribable."

"It is with great pleasure, as King of Surda, that I welcome you to Aberon, Taya and Kabarak. Your arrival here is like to a spring breeze after a hard winter. You could not have appeared at a time less expected." The king bowed his head, to which Taya and Kabarak returned in kind.

"We thank you, Lady Nasuada of the Varden and King Orrin of Surda, for your warm welcome. We have travelled far and through many perils to stand before you today. We have great hopes that we will be able to aid you in the downfall of Galbatorix, our greatest foe." Taya replied, holding her head high with dignity.

"I can imagine that your story is an exotic one, Lady Corsallen." King Orrin said, making eye contact with her. "It was believed impossible to retrieve the last egg from Galbatorix's clutches. I would dearly care to hear how you accomplished such a feat."

Their eye contact intrigued both of them, and Taya replied smoothly,

"There is much to that story that I think you will find impossible and exotic, your majesty. My story is not an easy one to explain, and the outcome of it… well, it is hard yet to tell what you will think of it." Taya looked at Vanira then, who nodded.

"Should we retire inside, then?" One of the nobles asked, and King Orrin looked at Taya, who shook her head.

"I would prefer to remain outside, so that I may be closer to Kabarak… if that is acceptable to you, of course, King Orrin and Lady Nasuada."

"Yes, of course." Nasuada said, and attendants were dispatched to bring chairs and refreshments. When the chairs were brought and set out, the newcomers were placed opposite of the rulers. Vanira sat behind Taya, and the latter noticed how those around them seemed very wary of the elfin ambassador. Nasuada and Orrin acknowledged her presence, but their attention was occupied with Taya and her companions. When everyone seemed refreshed and comfortable, Taya began with an explanation.

"First of all, I stole Kabarak's egg with the intention of giving it to the Varden. I never imagined that he would hatch for me."

"But he did." King Orrin said, and Taya nodded once.

"And now it is our plan to aid the Varden in whatever way we can. As a pre-explanation so you understand my story a little better, Raya, my sister, was kidnapped when she was three years old and I knew nothing about her. I grew up as an only child. Please, do not ask questions for I will explain more in depth. I learned of my little sister's existence through my mother's diary, which I was charged not to read until I knew I was ready. My life has not been a simple one."

"Please, start at the beginning." Nasuada said cordially, leaning back in her chair, curiosity in her eyes. "As King Orrin pointed out, you stole the most precious possession of Galbatorix's. That is not an easy feat for even the most powerful in this world."

Taya smiled a little. "It helps to be someone that suspicion does not fall easily onto."

Stop it, Taya. You've sparked their curiosity enough. Kabarak snorted, causing a few people around him to jump in surprise. Taya put her thoughts in order and complied with his request.

"My home is Uru'baen castle. My mother was a slave of the King, and I grew up beside Murtagh, the son of Morzan, as we are similar in age. We grew up together in seclusion, with no other friends but my mother, the servants and our teachers. As Murtagh's friend I was taught many boyish things, such as the art of fighting and war.
My father, a man of incredible rank, cared little for me and pretended I didn't exist for many years. When my mother was killed when I was twelve, he had to acknowledge my presence, so he placed two men to watch over me in my mother's stead. He proceeded to ignore me, and I did mostly what I wanted with my young life. I admit that I was a rebellious child.
Murtagh and I grew up together in the King's court, though we were never apart of anything, as our identities were not well known. There I had a full education in politics and matters of state.

I helped Murtagh escape the castle and Galbatorix's clutches when we were 17, as the King was starting to pay him more attention and impress upon him his rule and power. We knew that was bad, as neither of us agreed with the King, so I helped him get away. I stayed behind for many reasons, but mainly for his safety. We did have help getting him out of the city, but that man died not telling the King of my involvement. Now, I must make something clear." Taya adopted a darker tone of voice and she made eye contact with both leaders.

"I have never liked King Galbatorix. All my life I have known that he is evil, and that never showed more than around the time of my mother's death, and then Murtagh's capture, torture, and enslavement." She paused for effect, and then continued with her story.

"I helped a number of people during my older years in the castle, mostly aiding them in escaping death at the King's hands. Many were smart men, condemned because they saw past the King's lies. They and a few others became a part of a bodyguard unit, called the Hljodhr Evarinya," Taya saw Eragon straighten and pay more attention to her, and she continued a little more slowly, watching his reaction carefully, "charged with the protection of the King's rumored daughter. She is not a rumor."

"Do you know the princess personally?" Nasuada asked, leaning forward eagerly, and Taya watched Eragon's eyes widen then narrow.

Taya nodded, her eyes flashing. "I do. And I will only say that she was of more use as a pawn to her father than a daughter to him." She let that sink in, and then continued again.

"When Murtagh was brought back to Uru'baen, I knew I wasn't safe. The King would undoubtedly learn from Murtagh of all the things I'd done over the years to spite the King. But when Murtagh became a rider, the King began to try to use him against me, to try to convince me to serve the King. I resolved to escape and try my luck with the Varden. Being so close to the King's councils, I knew I could provide you with all sorts of information. But to the point. The King had traveled to Dras'leona, and I disappeared the day before he returned to the castle. That was also not long after Murtagh returned from the Burning Plains. As I was leaving, though, I stumbled upon the egg chamber. It had not been a part of my plan to take the egg, but I took the chance given to me. It was one of the largest wounds I could inflict on him. I rode with all haste in glory to Dras'leona, where I stopped for a night at an inn. To shorten that lengthy story, the owners of the inn turned out to be my aunt and uncle. Sasha is their daughter. In their keeping was a slave girl named Raina, who was my lost sister, Raya. I stayed there for a long while at their request, and after two weeks Kabarak hatched for me. Things became a bit more complicated after that. Then, in disguise, Eragon, Arya, and Roran stayed at that inn, but knew me by a different name. They did not know I was a rider, as I blocked Kabarak's presence from anyone with magical abilities. After they left, something happened and I knew my time was short, that Galbatorix knew where I was and he had sent Murtagh to find me… or kill me. I hid Kabarak and any evidence that I was a rider. But when Murtagh found me, he used a poison made by my father, locking me into my mind and incapacitating my body instead of killing me outright. Sasha and Raya left the next day, setting out with me in tow for the Varden, which was my only chance at survival."

"So, your father is a potion master?" King Orrin asked. "Did he know that his poison would be used on you?"

"Oh yes." Taya replied easily. "He knew. That was his intention."

"Just to be clear… your father and the King are close?" Nasuada inquired, and Taya looked at Eragon as he looked at her sharply.

"Yes, Lady Nasuada." Taya said quietly, looking sadly at them.

It was as if a delayed shockwave hit them, and King Orrin turned white and Nasuada gripped the arms of her chair. Taya watched their reactions, and then locked gazes with Eragon, and she nodded.

"Yes, because my father and the King are one in the same." Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, and she said the fateful words, "I am Taya Corsallen, Princess of Alagaesia… daughter of Galbatorix."

In their silence she found no comfort, so she added,

"What I told you of my life was true. My mother was the Queen, a slave to Galbatorix. She was kidnapped off the streets of Uru'baen when she was a teenager, and her spirit intrigued him. She was forced to marry him. He was disappointed when I was born, as I was not a boy, and he ignored me. My mother had Raya in secret and gave her to her maid, who had just miscarried. But after Raya was kidnapped my mother changed, and started supplying the Varden with information. A letter of hers was intercepted and taken to the King, who reacted by stabbing her to death in her own garden.
No one knew who did it of course, but to me as a twelve year old my father didn't seem sad enough, so I hated him for that, and I think in my heart I knew that he'd done it. My mother had overheard Galbatorix telling Morzan that he would end her life, and she wrote down all that she'd heard in her diary and gave it to me the night before she was killed, charging me not to read it until I knew that I was ready. I knew I was ready when I stayed the night in Dras'leona, when Sasha's mother, my aunt, mistook me fore Lenya, her sister. The Hljodhr Evarinya are my bodyguards, and they started watching over me after my mother's death, starting with just two men, which grew to a total of nine over the years, as I saved a couple of their lives, as I already explained. But as the daughter of the King, suspicion did not easily fall on me.
So, now you know my story, with only extreme details left out. Now it is up to you, King Orrin and Lady Nasuada, whether to put your trust in me or throw me in your dungeons and forcefully break the bond between Kabarak and me, which could kill either or both of us, and then you would be doing Galbatorix a favor in doing what he failed to do.
My place is fighting against him." Her last words were sharp, and she met their gazes squarely, without fear or shame. She was who she was, but that did not mean that she was evil too. Taya knew that that mentality would be hard for them to accept… but they had to. For the sake of Alagaesia, they had to accept her for who she was, and not who her father was.

But as minutes passed, Taya watched their expressions, especially Eragon's, with growing fear. She rightly guessed that what happened to her next depended on him, the Rider. So what did Eragon think?

How, Saphira? Why?!

Is it so shocking to you, little one? You nearly saw it, not long ago.

But I never dreamed this… He paused, and watched as a dream from a few nights before came back to him.

A red haired lady with a crown on her head was facing away from him, facing a black throne.

'You will do as I command, or I will kill him." A terrible voice rumbled, but an airy voice replied mockingly.

'Never. You took all I had. There's nothing left for me except to aid in your downfall, which is coming, father.' The last word was spat out in disgust. 'All that you can take from me now is my life, and that isn't worth much, now.' She held up a pale hand… except it was blotched and dark lines crisscrossed all the way up her arm.

'Do you speak so to your father and your king?' The terrible voice answered, matching her mocking tone.

A laugh split the darkness.

'A father you have never been, from the day I was born. My mother's bodyguard was more of a father and all he did was stand by us. And as for my king… I have no king… yet. That day may come, but there are things that stand between us that I would not see go away.'

'What is your riddle?'

'There is a new rule, and a new ruler, Galbatorix.'

Eragon's breath caught.

I didn't remember that… she was so obviously Taya.

You did not remember it because I did not let you. Taya and Kabarak had good reasons for concealing their identity until now, because little one, they wanted us to trust them, for who they are, not who Taya's father is. Don't let the Varden and the Surdan's do what they did to Murtagh.

Eragon was silent, his insides squirming with apprehension. Nasuada and Taya were watching him, and he knew what he said next would either doom Taya or save her.

She fought for her life for so long… I cannot take that away from her. They cannot take that away from her. I will not see one so noble chained and imprisoned for her blood. I should know.

"I trust you, Taya Corsallen." Eragon said, surprising most of those gathered. There were titters from those who were afraid, and someone tried to protest but was cut off abruptly.

"I have traveled with you and your companions, and I have seen what Galbatorix did to you to stop you from arriving here. I thought I saw you die… but it seems you will not stop fighting him, even in death. You, Kabarak, and the others have been friends to me since I met you. I now know why you could not leave with us from Dras'leona, Taya, and I understand."

You have grown since the first days that you were my Rider, little one.

War seems to do that to people.

"I will not go against the judgment of my Rider." Nasuada said slowly, looking at King Orrin, who nodded. "But we insist that all your memories be searched, for any sign of deception. I trust Eragon to not let his personal feelings cloud his judgment." She said it pointedly, and Eragon bowed his head.

"Rider to Rider." He said to Taya, who looked relieved, shaken and exhausted. Eragon was worried for her, but did not voice it out loud. He knew that her show of strength and poise had its purpose.

Taya nodded in response, and her eyes thanked him.

There was more apprehension in the air as both Riders closed their eyes, and all was still.

I wonder what he will find there… who he will find there. And I wonder if he will ever tell me of Lady Taya Corsallen's life.

Eragon reached out with his mind to Taya's, and he flinched as fire seemed to consume him. A voice from the flames called out to him, a soft voice filled with respect and full of strength.

Come, Eragon. Come. Enter my world, and see who I am. My life is not a fairy tale; it is not filled only with comfort, but with pain and sorrow also. Whatever you wish to see, I will lead you to. Come through the fire, Eragon. Do not let it daunt you, Rider. Because you will soon learn that fire is my life.

Enter my world.