Hello Everyone! Sorry this is a pretty short chapter... you'll see why later :)
Thank you, my wonderful reviewers! You are awesome. And thank you readers for sticking with me!
Enjoy!
When the reinforcements from Aberon arrived in Lithgow 3 and a half weeks after they started out from the capitol city, there was great confusion, and among certain parties, worry.
Many of the women and children of Lithgow, having been warned about the impending attack, had already begun moving out of the city. The Surdan border town, Petrovya, had been warned of the attack as well and offered to take all who left Lithgow, and send some of their own soldiers to aid Lithgow.
Lithgow was one of the largest Surdan towns, which made it seem like a good place for the empire to enter and hold a position against the other Surdan towns and the Varden. A surprise attack might have worked, or at least done a lot of damage. Luckily for the Varden and the Surdan's, there had been many mistakes made by the Empire.
If only the secret attack might have actually worked. Taya thought wryly and with amusement as she watched Lithgow's battlements being fortified. There were workers everywhere around the city strategically placing machinery and making sure the town would not be easily captured.
As Taya and the others filed through the main gate of Lithgow and made their way carefully in the direction of the castle, Taya had to admire the construction of the town. It had been built for defensive and offensive purposes, and the people defending the town would have a great many advantages over those outside the walls. It would be hard for an attacking force not to lose more than the average number of soldiers trying to break their way into the town, as they had absolutely no cover, and there seemed to be pockets inside the wall for archers at man level to shoot anyone who came forward with a battering ram. The only thing that could really do damage was a dragon, and magic. Taya thought of this instantly, as she could feel the insane amount of wards that had been woven about the gates and the walls. The magic reminded her of Uru'baen.
The town was a mess of confused rushing, everyone doing their best to move all materials from the street or stables, people leaving the town for safety, and reinforcements coming into the town. There were soldiers everywhere you looked doing this and that in groups, helping people keep moving or building a defensive perimeter.
The main movements outside the walls had been previously explained to Taya by King Orrin, whom she had ridden beside a few days earlier and the King had gone over how the towns perimeter was going to be reinforced. Massive trenches were being dug while spikes, caltrops, and other such deadly objects were placed in sections around the city, with wide margins between each to that everyone knew where those things were. It was still hazardous for the Varden and the Surdan troops as well as the Empire, but the main sections of the obstacles would be aimed directly towards impeding the Empires oncoming army.
Taya winced at the thought of Chester possibly being lamed by a caltrop. The thought hurt, and it added to the fact she didn't really want to ride the horse into battle…
Kabarak, her dragon, her other half, had completely disappeared. He had not contacted her since they'd left Aberon, and Taya's nerves were starting to get to her. On top of that, no one had neither seen nor heard from Vanira Dacoryn, which had caused Taya to be suspicious from the beginning. Why would both elf and dragon come up missing the day they were marching out? It made no sense, just like the emotions that were coming from Kabarak's link.
Taya was worried. And everyone knew it.
When they finally reached the gate to the town's castle, they were instantly admitted and guards came to hold their horses as they dismounted. One man stood a little bit a part, waiting for them to be firmly on the ground, and then he came forward and saluted Taya. The rider returned in like form.
"Rider Corsallen, it is an honor. I am Colonel Graffen. Lady Nasuada informed me that you would be along and that I was to wait for you and escort you to the council chamber. If you will all follow me?"
Taya nodded, and with the other three beside her, she followed the colonel into the castle.
Raya leaned in close to her and whispered,
"What do you think we are needed in the council chamber for? Don't we already know the plan?"
"I sure hope we do." Taya whispered back, watching Colonel Graffen's back. "Otherwise this whole fight is going to be a massacre on both sides. But, things are liable to change at the last minute. That's the funny thing about war."
Colonel Graffen led them into a large foyer, and then knocked on a wooden door with iron bars supporting it. The door opened, revealing a burly Urgal, who let them enter with a second glance at Taya. Inside the door was a long, rectangular room with a low ceiling, with long and skinny windows with protruding window ledges. There were candles lining the walls, and the only thing that could catch fire in the room was the table and the maps and papers spread out on it.
The table itself was long and rectangular, and on closer inspection it was cut into two sections, but it was hard to see. At one end of the room was a stone shelf the width of the wall, with little square ledges protruding filling the wall almost up to the ceiling, and on each ledge was a lit candle. It was a strange sight, because if you looked at it a certain way, it almost looked like the candles were suspended in midair.
On the shelf was the usual assortment of maps usually found in a council of war room, but there were also little objects scattered on the shelf that from the distance from the door, none of them could make out what they were.
Standing by the shelf examining one of the objects was King Orrin, again wearing his golden circlet crown, while Lady Nasuada and a man dressed in military garb were heatedly discussing something with other military leaders around an assortment of paper on the table.
When Taya, Raya, Sacar and Sasha entered, however, all conversation stopped, and all those whom Taya had never seen before turned to stare at the woman who was the last Dragon Rider.
"Taya, I am glad you made it here." Nasuada detached herself from the group and took Taya's arm, then addressed the military man who had been beside her.
"Lord Carick, may I introduce Lady Rider Taya Corsallen? Taya, this is Vesteir Carick, Lord and military commander of Lithgow."
Carick bowed low, and then saluted. Taya nodded her head and saluted back, and then Carick spoke. His voice was deep and slightly grave, but she found it was a pleasant voice.
"It truly is an honor to meet the last rider, though I am sorry it is under these stressful circumstances. Let me say, Rider Corsallen, that you and your dragon are a hope that we nearly gave up on. Your appearance has changed the way we look at this war, and has given us the ability to continue on."
Taya bowed, touched by what he said.
I hope you are hearing this, Kabarak, she growled, because this is as much of a compliment to you as to me! Her mood dropped a little when there was still silence, and suddenly Taya wondered for the first time if he was coming back at all.
Kabarak, I'm counting on you! She hissed, and then concentrated on finding the right words to say in reply to Carick.
"We are honored to stand beside you and the Varden, Lord Carick, and I am very glad we are on your side… the battle readiness of this town and its equipment, what I have seen of it, is quite formidable."
Carick acknowledged her praise with a dip of his head, and then replied,
"Let us hope it is formidable and strong enough to defend and repel this oncoming force."
"Speaking of which, Taya that force is only days away from here." Nasuada turned towards her, her expression puzzled and anxious. "They have been moving faster that we thought they would. Our battle plans will take effect immediately, and all of you will take your stations sooner than expected. We will be fighting sooner than we expected." She paused for a breath, and then continued, "Report here to me tomorrow, and I will give you an update. In the meantime, I suggest you all familiarize yourselves with the layout of the town, in case the fight comes inside the walls."
Taya nodded. "We will do that, Lady Nasuada. Do you know if all of Du Vangr Gata has arrived?"
"They should have. Trianna was by me the whole time. They have a practice field not far from here, if you are meaning to work with them before the battle."
"It would be wise if I did. This is a town that is strange to all of us, and the wards are different."
"Very good. Thank you, Taya."
With a bow to Nasuada and Lord Carick, Taya and the others turned and exited the room. Once the door was closed and they were out of earshot, Taya let out a deep sigh of relief, as did Raya and Sacar.
"I'm glad to be out of there." She commented dryly. "There was something off about that room. Maybe it was the structure and the absence of very much sunlight, but it was still strange."
"I felt as if everyone except Lady Nasuada and Lord Carick were trying to push their way into my mind, or at least see right through me." Raya exclaimed. "I wonder what that was about."
"And it's hard to believe that Murtagh's army is that close! I know we've been on the road for weeks, but I thought they were farther behind us?" Sacar crossed his arms over his chest, looking to Taya for an answer. In turn, she sighed again.
"Either they didn't expect him to move very quickly or we moved very slowly. We thought we'd at least have a week or two. Now we have only days. But it wouldn't surprise me if Murtagh has been pushing his men very hard. Now it's obvious his objective is to try to put a dent in our forces. His men are being driven like pigs to a slaughter house."
And the Hljodhr's are right in the middle of the drive. She thought bitterly, frustrated.
"Those people back there don't think we gave them faulty information on Murtagh's army, do they?" Sasha suddenly spoke up, also looking at Taya. The rider looked at her skeptically.
"How could we have? Eragon, Arya, Vanira and Roran were with us when Murtagh found us, and they told the council the exact same thing we told them, at separate times. Unless they think that we somehowbrainwashed them, they shouldn't think that. They should know Murtagh well enough to guess that he wouldn't go easy on his army. Or rather, that Galbatorix wouldn't go easy on Murtagh and so Murtagh wouldn't go easy on his army."
"I suppose we should at least consider that they might still not entirely trust us." Sasha mused as they stepped outside the castle and mounted their horses. "After all, we've only been with the Varden for a little while."
"But still!" Raya argued. "We marched with them here, and we've gotten to know quite a few people. At this rate, if they don't trust us now, will they ever?"
Everyone was silent for a long moment, thinking about it. Then Taya said softly,
"They will trust you three sooner than you think… as for me it is a gamble if they will ever really trust me. Because of who I am I have a feeling that trusting me will not be easy for them, even if I am the last rider."
The others tried to protest, but she only shook her head, smiling sadly. They might not believe her, but she was sure she was right. Even Nasuada might try to protest if Taya voiced such an opinion to her, but the fact remained that Taya Corsallen was the daughter of their greatest, most hated enemy. They would not forget it, and she could not.
As Nasuada suggested, they prowled around the town to be properly acquainted with the different buildings and streets, finding their way around easily enough. The town was simply laid out, but built for strong defense against an attack. From her studies in Uru'baen, Taya had a great admiration for the constructors of Lithgow, and would have more if the city and the Varden made it through the battle.
Taya led the way back towards the castle, but turned abruptly off the street into an alley, confusing her companions. She was silent as she guided them, and she looked like she was searching for something, something she'd never seen before. Still she guided them expertly around dark buildings and down less traveled streets until she stopped in front of what looked like a small grain store.
"What are we doing here?" Raya asked skeptically, eyeing the building with growing distaste. "The place looks deserted."
"It is deserted." Taya's voice sounded eerie in the stillness, and she spoke in a low tone, as if she didn't want anyone else to hear, to know that they were there. Her eyes were distant as she stared at the building, as if remembering something, or someone. "It has been for a long time."
"Then…" Raya's question trailed off as her eyes landed on a faded sign that was leaning against the steps of the building. Hesitantly she stepped her horse forward, peering cautiously at the sign.
"Hey, Taya." She called softly, and her sister rode up beside her. "That name on the sign. It sounds familiar?"
Taya nodded slowly, the strange feeling she had had since she had suddenly remembered this place making the air feel close around them, as if a shadow hung over the building. "'Duven Supply and Grain Store'" She read aloud to Raya and to herself. "Marthl Duven's family owned this store. He grew up here, in Lithgow."
"Oh." Was all Raya could say in reply, and she looked back up at the building. Now she knew why Taya was all of a sudden acting strange. One of her family was coming home, but fighting on a different side and with the possibility that he might die before he could see his home again.
"He never told me what happened to his family." Taya mused, and without another word she turned Chester around and walked away from the old store, closely followed by the others.
The oppressive feeling had spread to Raya, who could not get the picture of the vacant windows staring at her out of her mind, and Taya's final words sounded like a gong in her head. She knew there was some sad story behind that building and the family that had lived there, but it was a complete mystery. She shivered.
Raya explained to Sacar and Sasha what they had and had not heard, and she told Sacar what little she knew about Marthl Duven. But she kept Taya's musing and her own feeling of dread to herself.
Inside the castle of Lithgow, Lady Nasuada of the Varden stood staring out a narrow window in the council chamber. Beside her stood Lord Carick, who held a map in his hands.
"I do not understand this." The lord was saying as he puzzled over the map. "How could this army be moving so quickly? I believed they had farther to travel than you, Lady Nasuada, and yet they are upon us shortly after you arrive. This makes no sense."
"It makes sense if you are dealing with Galbatorix and the Red Rider." Nasuada said bitterly. The thought of Murtagh new loyalties still cut her like a knife.
Lord Carick eyed her for a moment, as if trying to see something in her face, but he apparently found nothing.
"Indeed." He murmured, looking back down at the map. "Or the information given to you was faulty."
"If any information was faulty, it was the information from your patrol." Nasuada tried to keep her voice even, but she barely succeeded. "I have the same information from 10 separate people, two of them are elves, two of them are dragon riders, and the other six came in direct contact with the Red Rider himself. We cannot, and will not, question my people."
"Of course not, Milady. I was merely observing someone might have been mistaken. I stand corrected. But the fact remains that we have only days to finish battle preparations… and as I understand it, Lady Rider Corsallen's dragon did not travel with you?"
Nasuada kept her face emotionless, but on the inside she cringed. The disappearance of Kabarak Authamir and Vanira Dacoryn was something she could not grasp. Taya had said nothing, and Nasuada could not comprehend her silence on the matter. Obviously others were worried besides herself. But with grace she was able to smooth the tension of the subject with Carick, whom she needed focused on winning the coming battle and not on a missing dragon.
"Kabarak Authamir indeed did not travel with us, but he will rejoin us before the battle. He has not had much in the way of training, and we knew he needed to be battle ready. So the decision was made that he would train on his way here. Because he can fly, he could get here very quickly."
"Training without his rider?" Carick questioned suspiciously, setting his map aside to give his full attention to Nasuada. "Who would he be able to train with, if not his rider?"
Slightly unsettled, Nasuada gave him the only idea that suddenly came into her mind.
"He is being assisted by the Elvin ambassador, Vanira Dacoryn. Taya Corsallen was especially needed on the march, and so she and Vanira agreed Vanira should follow with Kabarak. There is nothing to worry about, as they are not far behind us. This we know."
"I see. I had not known this, otherwise I would not have asked. One other thing Lady Nasuada, I wanted to be sure that Rider Corsallen and Kabarak Authamir have been placed as the leaders of our reinforcements?"
"They will be joint captains under General Anton. As they've never been in command of a large force, we thought it best someone made sure they did what they were supposed to. Not that we were worried, but it is better to be safe."
"It is good that they are a part of the reinforcements. I cannot say that I completely trust this Rider Corsallen yet, but their entering the battle later on will boost spirits and more than likely will surprise the Red Rider enough to make him falter a step or two. It will certainly cause the enemy to despair. At least, let us hope so."
Nasuada bowed her head in agreement. "That is something we are counting on. Rider Corsallen and Kabarak Authamir are one of our last hopes for winning this war."
"There is something about her, this Rider Corsallen, which I could not place. I want to say I have seen her before, but I know I have not. Lady Nasuada, this rider is a very, very strong person. There is something else that drives her here. To underestimate her would be… disastrous."
The Varden leader frowned slightly. The elegance of his words unsettled her. She did not know Carick well, but she did know that he was insightful in the art of reading people. That he was very intelligent she knew well. Underestimating him and Taya alike indeed would be disastrous.
"Taya Corsallen is a puzzle, Lord Carick. Her background is not well known, but she is to be trusted. I trust her well enough to believe that she will not back away from her duty as a Rider to the Varden, and that she will be a beacon of hope in this battle. As a pair, Rider and Dragon are formidable."
If only she could believe was she'd told him about Kabarak and Vanira. Not knowing what was going on, it seemed like a good, explainable scenario. She could only hope she was right and both, but especially Kabarak, would appear in the next day or two… he would be sorely needed in the battle.
To what she said, Carick nodded and agreed. What other thoughts or questions pertaining to the dragon and rider he kept to himself, something which Nasuada was grateful of. She did not know how much longer she could talk about the two and not display how little she did know of them.
Her thoughts slipped back to the oncoming fight, where most of her worries lay. So much could go wrong or right. Thinking about it and comparing it to the Battle of the Burning Plains and the battles since then, she realized much of the future depended on the outcome of this battle… and Rider Taya Corsallen and Kabarak Authamir. Since the battle under Farthen Dur, every battle they had counted on the strength of Eragon and Saphira. Now, they were counting on the will and power of their new rider and dragon.
The Varden and Surdan's were placing themselves in the hands of the unknown. They could only blindly trust and fight, hoping beyond all hope that they would survive a battle that could be a slaughter. This Nasuada knew, and this she was afraid of.