AN: Wow, this story now has over 100 reviews so far! Thank you to everyone who takes the time to review. It really means a lot to me. Anyway, I hope this long chapter makes up for how short chapter 11 was. Enjoy!
Alianna awoke the next morning, having gotten a full night sleep for the first time in weeks. She yawned and slowly got out of bed. Argus was still in his chair, but he got up when he saw that Alianna was awake.
"Good morning," Alianna said.
"Good morning," replied Argus, "It's good to see that you've finally gotten some sleep."
Alianna nodded, "You look like you're the one who could use some sleep."
"There'll be time for that later. Somebody has to make sure that you're safe."
Alianna went behind her screen and changed out of her nightgown. When she came back out, her breakfast was waiting for her on the small table near her bed. Her guard that worked the morning shift had entered the room as well.
"I guess I'll see you tonight Argus." Alianna said, "Thank you."
"I'll leave as soon as I see you eat something."
"What?"
"I mean it. You didn't eat last night. You must be hungry."
"I'll eat in a little while."
Argus gave Alianna a look that said he knew she was lying.
Alianna sighed. She went over to the table, picked up an apple and took a bite out of it, "Happy?"
Argus nodded, "I'll see you tonight. Please stay out of trouble until then."
"I'll try to," Alianna said, "But I can't make any promises."
Argus smiled slightly and then left the room. Alianna finished her apple, and then looked around for a book to read. When she realized she didn't have any, Alianna asked to be taken to the library.
"As you wish my lady." said the guard coldly. He wasn't nearly as friendly as Argus.
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When Alianna arrived at the library, she saw that there were very few people there. She was grateful for that and began walking up and down the aisles looking for a book on scrying. She had been mean to learn how to scry for awhile now. Once she did, Alianna could find out how Murtagh was doing. Although Alianna could sense that he was still alive, she wanted to see for herself to be sure. After a few minutes, she found the book she was looking for. She sat down and began to read-
In order to scry, you have to know what you're looking at and where to direct your power… You can only observe places, people, and things you've already seen… It's easier to project an image on a mirror or water… The words needed to do this are draumr kopa (dream stare).
Alianna decided that she would try to scry Murtagh that night, when it was Argus' shift and she had a few minutes alone. She closed the book and stood up.
"I found what I was looking for." Alianna said to her guard.
The guard nodded as he walked with Alianna out of the library. As they walked down the hall, they ran into Lavina.
"Well, look who it is." Lavina said with a mean tone in her voice.
Alianna rolled her eyes, "Lavina. I thought you would've learned your lesson given what happened the last time we saw each other."
Lavina replied, "That little trick of yours ruined my best dress! What are you doing here anyway? I thought you never left your chambers anymore."
Alianna's guard stepped forward and shouted, "How dare you show such disrespect towards the Princess! I'll-"
Alianna interrupted, "It's alright, I can handle this."
Lavina continued, "What's the matter Princess Alianna? Are you still upset because Murtagh left you?"
"You don't know what you're talking about!" Alianna said as she felt the anger inside of her rise, "You weren't there that night!"
"I can imagine what happened." Lavina said, "Murtagh couldn't stand you and ditched you the first chance he got."
"That's not true!"
"Isn't it?" Lavina asked, "What kind of man just up and leaves his wife? Obviously one who's wife doesn't keep him satisfied. Face it Princess, Murtagh didn't want you anymore. He wouldn't want you now either. Look at you. I doubt Murtagh would want a cripple for a wife!"
It took all the strength Alianna had in her not to pound Lavina into the ground right then and there.
"I won't allow you to speak to me that way!" Alianna said.
"What are you going to do?" Lavina asked, "Drench me in water again? Kill me?"
"Believe me, I'm tempted." Alianna said to her, "But I won't. Instead I'll do this- you're no longer a member of the royal court and any privileges you may have had because of it, will be taken away immediately. And you're never allowed to step foot in this castle again."
Lavina was shocked, "You can't do that!"
"I just did." Alianna said, "And if you dare say another word, I'll see to it that you spend the rest of your miserable life in Gil'ead." She turned to her guard, "I want Lavina out of here immediately."
"Yes my lady," the guard said. He signaled towards another group of guards and they escorted Lavina out of the castle.
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Alianna spent the rest of the day reading. By late afternoon she had finished the book about scrying and decided to take a nap before dinner. When she awoke, she saw Argus standing at the foot of her bed. He had just entered Alianna's chambers to start his shift. As Alianna got up, she noticed Argus giving her an odd look.
"What?" she asked.
Argus shook his head and said, "I thought you said you were going to stay out of trouble."
"I said I would try." Alianna told him, "It just didn't work out."
"Apparently not," Argus said, "What happened exactly?"
Alianna told Argus the whole story, including that Lavina called her a cripple.
"I'm so sorry." Argus said, "That was a very cruel thing for her to say."
"I know. But at least Lavina will never be able to bother me again."
"This is true."
"Does my father know about this?"
"Not that I'm aware of my lady. He's been very busy lately."
"So I've noticed. Whatever it is, it has something to do with the blue dragon egg. I even heard my father has the Ra'zac involved now."
Alianna shuddered to think of them. The Ra'zac were such hideous things. She tried to distance herself from them, Durza, the Urgals, and any other evil creature her father was involved with, as much as she could.
"How do you know about all this?" Argus asked.
"I've overheard him talking a few times." Alianna admitted.
"When was this? When I allow you to be by yourself for awhile?"
"Yes," Alianna said.
Argus sighed, "My lady, you've got to be careful. If the king finds out you're wondering around without a guard, we'll both be in trouble. But it's you I'm worried most about."
"He can't do anything worse than what he's already done." Alianna said, "And if I somehow do get caught, I'll take all the blame. I promise that you won't be punished."
Argus smiled, "You're very kind my lady. It's so hard to believe that you're Galbatorix's daughter."
"I've heard that many times."
Just then a servant walked in with Alianna's dinner. Alianna saw that it was seasoned chicken and potatoes.
"My favorite," she said.
"I know," Argus replied, "I had the cooks make it for you in the hopes that you would actually eat."
"You're never going to drop it are you?" Alianna asked.
Argus replied, "Somebody has to worry about you."
Alianna turned away sadly.
"I'm sorry," Argus said, "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, you didn't. It's just…"
"Just what?"
"I don't know." Alianna said.
"It's Murtagh isn't it? I know how much you miss him. But I'm sure he's alright."
"I know."
Alianna thought about telling Argus about her plans to scry Murtagh, but decided against it. While Argus was the only one who was kind to her these days, she didn't fell like she could really talk to him the way she had with Emma and Murtagh. At least, not yet anyway.
"Let's not talk about it anymore." Alianna said as she sat down to eat.
"As you wish my lady." Argus replied.
Alianna shook her head and said, "Argus, you don't always have to call me my lady. When we're not in public, you can call me Alianna."
"I've always called you my lady." Argus said, "Even when you were a child."
"Really? Argus, how long have you been my guard?"
"Since you were about two years old." Argus told her, "I was 18 at the time. So, it's been 15 years. Why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering, if you've known me that long, then you must've known my mother."
"I'm afraid I didn't." Argus said, "Believe me, if I had, I would tell you. Infact, until I was hired, I had no idea that you existed."
Alianna was surprised, "Really?"
Argus nodded, "Yes. Which is strange, since before I was your guard, I was in the king's army and had lived in Uru'baen all my life. So you'd think I would know if Galbatorix had a child."
Alianna thought that it was strange indeed, but decided not to dwell on it. Instead, she began to eat her dinner. But Alianna only managed to eat half of it.
"It's a start." Argus said as he got up. Usually after dinner was when Argus gave Alianna some time to herself, "I'll be back in a little while. Please be careful."
"I will be." Alianna said.
As soon as Argus left, Alianna got up. She went over to her bed and pulled out the scrying book from underneath a pillow. Alianna skimmed through the book again. It said it was easier to project an image on a mirror or water. Alianna decided to do it on water. She looked all around her room for a bowl to put the water in. When Alianna couldn't find one, she walked out of her room and into the hallway. Luckily there appeared to be no one else around. Alianna searched all over until she finally found a large bowl in a storage closet near the kitchen.
"This'll do," Alianna said to herself. She turned around and froze. Two soldiers were standing in the doorway.
"Princess Alianna!" one of the soldiers said, "What are you doing? You're not allowed to walk around by yourself!"
Alianna quickly shouted, "Thrysta aptr!"
This gave Alianna enough time to grab the bowl and get away from the soldiers. But because of her leg, Alianna was unable to run well, so the soldiers quickly caught up to her. Alianna panicked. What was she going to do? Finally, she thought of something.
"Malthinae! (to bind or hold in place)"
This held the soldiers in place long enough for Alianna to get back to her chambers. There, Argus was waiting for her. He had an angry, yet worried look on his face.
"Where have you been?" Argus asked.
"I had to look for something." Alianna said, "Two soldiers saw me…"
"I knew this would happen! Alianna, why must you-"
"Argus, please. I don't need a lecture from you right now, I-"
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door.
"That must be the soldiers. I guess the spell wore off."
"Your father is going to be furious."
Alianna drew her sword, "Argus, give me your arm."
Argus was confused, "Why?"
"Just trust me," Alianna said.
Argus reluctantly gave in. Alianna took her sword and made a long scratch on Argus' forearm.
"What are you doing?!!" Argus asked.
"Keeping my promise." Alianna told him. She put her sword back and opened the door. Sure enough, there were the two soldiers Alianna had encountered earlier.
"The King wishes to see you immediately." one of the soldiers said, He then looked at Argus, "Both of you."
Alianna and Argus slowly made their way to Galbatorix's chambers. When they arrived, Galbatorix spoke to Argus first.
"I thought I told you that my daughter is forbidden to be alone. How could you let this happen? You were suppose to be watching her!"
"I'm sorry my lord," Argus said, "I won't-"
Alianna interrupted, "Father, this is all my fault. Don't blame Argus. I wanted to go out on my own and Argus tried to stop me. So I attacked him with my sword and ran off."
Galbatorix looked at her like he didn't believe a word she just said.
"It's true. Look!" Alianna said as she showed him Argus' arm.
Galbatorix looked for a moment and then said to Argus, "See that it doesn't happen again. I don't want to be interrupted again by something so petty. I have more important things to do."
"Well, I'm sorry I'm such a burden to you Father." Alianna blurted out.
Galbatorix became angrier, "You've always been a burden. You disgust me!"
"Why do you hate me so much Father?" Alianna asked, tears forming in her eyes. Suddenly, she began getting an intense headache and fell to the ground.
Alianna got a vision of the horrible dream she had had just weeks earlier. It was the one where a woman was being murdered and a house being on fire. Only this time, Alianna saw a few more details. While the man and woman were arguing (and just moments before the woman was murdered) the woman suddenly turned her head and began shouting. It was almost as if there were someone else there that she was talking to. But Alianna couldn't make out what the woman was saying nor could she see her face. And then, the vision was gone.
Argus helped Alianna up, "Are you alright my lady?"
Alianna nodded and then turned her attention back to her father, "Answer me Father! Why do you hate me? Is it because I'm not the song you wanted? Or because I didn't turn out to be a Dragon Rider?"
"It's all those things and more!" Galbatorix said, "I had hoped you'd be a good warrior if you weren't going to be a Rider. That's why I had you trained and taught you magic. But that's never going to happen. Look at you! You're weak, pathetic, and now worst of all, a cripple!"
Alianna replied, "Even if I weren't crippled, I would never serve you! You're an evil man and someday I hope you pay for everything you've done!"
"Get out!!" Galbatorix shouted, "I don't have time for this. Get out of my sight!"
"Gladly," Alianna said as she and Argus left.
Alianna and Argus talked while they walked down the hall.
"Why did you try and take all the blame?" Argus asked, "You're lucky he didn't beat you again."
"Because," Alianna said, "I've already lost two people that I care about. I don't want to lose you too."
Argus just smiled slightly. They didn't speak another word to each other for the rest of the night. Later, when Alianna was alone in her bath chambers, she filled the bowl with water and began to scry Murtagh. It took several tries, but she was finally able to project an image of him. She saw Murtagh sitting down. He looked sad and very tired. Alianna couldn't tell where Murtagh was though since she could only scry things she had already seen (she had never been outside of Uru'baen). She was only able to project the image for a few seconds (she was very tired), but that was all she needed to put her mind at ease. Alianna breathed a sigh of relief. While she missed Murtagh terribly and hoped they'd be together again someday, at least for now Alianna new that he was alive. She dumped the water out of the bowl and began preparing to go to bed, feeling slightly happier then she had been in a long time.