Thanks to Dr. Dani Suess, who finally reminded me that I had a story in desperate need of updating.
Isis the Sphinx – Sadly, I know what you mean. I'm not exactly a punctual author.
Coffee Grounds – I'm grateful for your reviews! I'm happy I'm writing that people respond to... for ONCE.
Emerald Tiara – To spot what?
Chapter Twenty-one
Kairin stood motionless in the middle of her tent, her mind blank.
"What exactly are you supposed to pack for an impossible mission?"
"A little luck, I would suppose."
"Helpful as always you are, Faeria..."
"Kairin, Roran's coming."
"Roran?"
She stepped out of the tent and blinked against the sunlight. She glanced at Faeria, who tossed her head towards a distant Roran approaching. Calmly, she folded her hands and waited for him to reach her. When he drew close, he halted and glared at Kairin, out of breath. He jabbed a finger in her direction.
"This is none of your business. This is between me and Eragon." Eragon half-ran up behind his cousin, looking slightly apologetic.
"Roran, don't be a fool!" Eragon began, but his cousin silenced him with a murderous glare.
"Helgrind is no place for you. It's none of your business," he repeated, still breathing heavily. Kairin stared calmly into his furious eyes.
"I only wish to help you, Stronghammer," she said, using the surname Nasuada had addressed him with earlier.
"I don't need help from another blasted Rider like you!" His voice rose in a childish tantrum. "Keep your nose out of this," he said, slowly and intimidating. Faeria drew herself to full height and growled at Roran, her eyes flashing dangerously.
"Don't."
"I won't allow the boy to speak to you in such a way."
"You said the same thing earlier, you know," Kairin chided, with a hint of a smile.
"If you really want to go to one of the most dangerous places in Alagaesia with only the backup of your cousin, go ahead, I'm not stopping you. Apparently 'family business' is more important to you than your life and the life of your loved ones. But if you want to throw away your blind pride, I'm sure that Faeria and I would be a sure asset to you."
Roran's face remained emotionless throughout her speech, his jaw working furiously.
"Fine," he spat, hating the word. "We leave tonight. Don't fall behind, girl." He turned on his heel and stormed away, kicking a box sitting by the dirt path furiously.
"Bundle of laughs, your cousin is," Kairin sang, turning to reenter her tent.
"I apologize," He said quickly, embarrassed and apologetic. "I should have stopped him from coming over here. He's really not like this. Ever since I left Caravahall..." He trailed off, and Kairin let him.
"You will speak to him about some kind of strategy?" She kept her back to him; she did not want him to see the tears in her eyes.
"Yes. I'll see you later." He followed his cousin, jogging slightly to catch up. Kairin ducked back under the canvas and filled her basin with cool water. As she splashed her face, Faeria sidled into the tent behind her with some difficulty.
"He upset you."
"No... No, it wasn't him," she said aloud, in a soft voice. "It's this world... This entire wretched place. It's ruined, miserable. How can one man be the cause such an evil?" Faeria did not answer. Instead, she heaved a sigh and lay on the dirt floor of the tent, smoke furling from her nostrils. Kairin sat in the curl of her neck, resting her cheek against her warm, scaly hide. The two sat alone in silence.
She did not know how long she was sitting before a soft knock came from outside. Startled, Kairin leapt to her feet and opened the flap. Faeria swerved her great head around to see. Eragon stepped in, his sword at his hip and a quiver on his back.
"Where is Roran?" she asked him. Her voice was quiet, tense.
"Outside. Are you ready?" Kairin realized that she hadn't packed a thing. Hurriedly, she strapped her sword to her belt and tied her hair back with a strip of leather from her bedside table.
"I suppose, yes. Are we going now?" Eragon nodded solemnly.
"This is too reckless. We're crazy, aren't we?" He smiled weakly. Kairin knew it had no emotion behind it.
"This is good. This is right. Don't worry." Feeling a bit awkward, she pushed past him out of the tent to find Roran staring at the sky. He too had a sword at his waist, but it looked unused. In a more prominent loop on his belt was a hammer. He spoke without looking down at her.
"Cloudy night," he said tersely.
"Good cover," she replied. The talk was meaningless.
Silence fell among them again. Kairin noticed Saphira sitting to Roran's left. Her long neck was curved in a majestic arc. Even through her tense anxiety, Kairin managed to be amazed yet again at dragons' unexpected beauty. Behind her, Eragon and Faeria had emerged.
"It will be dark when we get there, but we'll have to take a roundabout route. We can't afford anyone seeing us." With a spark, Kairin remembered.
"Leaire taught me a spell..." with a whisper, Kairin swept her hand around herself, and vanished. Eragon's brow furrowed.
"I never... Neither of my teachers taught me this spell."
"They must have wanted you to complete your stealth training without the assistance of magic." Eragon looked annoyed at this. Kairin glanced at the ground and muttered the counterspell.
"...Yes, well... Can you cover all of us?"
"Yes."
"Then... We're ready to fly." Eragon and smoothly mounted Saphira with an impressive ease. Kairin turned and tried to imitate his grace. Even on her much smaller dragon, she slipped slightly and had to seize Faeria's neck spike roughly to regain balance. She looked quickly over at Eragon and Roran. Eragon was tightening the straps on his legs, but Roran was looking over at her, his mouth taught and his eyes empty. Kairin quickly turned from his gaze and took off without another word. The sound of wings beating behind her told that Eragon was close behind.