Disclaimer: I own nothing, and most of you readers will probably kill me by the end of this chapter.
Tasha fought the voice in her head. She yelled out in pain. She doubled over and grabbed her head, wishing that it would all end soon.
Amestat flinched as the pain reached him through their shared mental link. Tasha, he cried out, but could not get through to her. Galzra . . .warn—
Tasha kicked her dragon in the jaw with such force that Amestat was sent flying to the wall. "You will warn no one," she hissed. Amestat fell unconscious. Tasha strode out of the room and through the long corridors. She raced out to the orchard where Arya and Galzra stood waiting.
"That was fast," commented Arya coldly. "Where is Amestat?"
"He will be staying," answered Tasha. "He cannot yet fly fast enough to keep up with Galzra, and we must make haste."
"Call your dragon," ordered Arya, glaring at the young girl.
She can't, informed Galzra. Amestat is unconscious.
What?! Arya cried angrily.
He tried to warn me about something, Galzra continued. We should be weary of Tasha right now. She does not seem like herself.
'Arya-ebrithil, please help me,' Tasha cried out with her mind.
She cannot hear you, Tasha, laughed that same voice that had originally caused her pain. And did you not want her dead and out of the way so that you could have Eragon's affection?
'I did not want it this way,' cried Tasha pitifully. 'I did not wish harm to Arya . . .only to steal Eragon from her . . ..'
"We must hurry," urged Tasha. "If we want to win this battle, we must prepare the elves for battle."
What do you suppose we do now, Galzra?
Play along and let everything unfold, answered Galzra. But be cautious.
"Let's go then," murmured Arya. She mounted Galzra, and found that she had not lost her grace and agility. Tasha mounted behind and gripped Arya's shoulders. Galzra took flight and quickly ascended above the midnight clouds. The crescent moon shined brightly from behind them.
Galzra gained speed and by sunrise, they reached the forest edge.
Kill her now, Tasha. Remove her from Eragon's affection. Get her out of your way.
Tasha quickly took Zar'roc and threw Arya off of Galzra. The elf clenched her jaw as she fell off the side. She grabbed the stirrup of the saddle. "What is wrong with you, Tasha?!" she cried angrily.
"You are in the way," answered Tasha coldly. She stepped on Arya's fingers, however the elf did not let go.
Galzra, land quickly!
He cannot.
Galbatorix, growled Arya. You died! Shruikan killed you!
Or so you think, laughed Galbatorix. By allowing this girl to live, I was also allowed to live. If you want me dead, you are going to have to kill her.
"I will not allow it," growled Arya. She used all of her remaining strength to swing up and kick Tasha in the jaw. The young girl grunted and fell over. Grab her in your claws Galzra! She swung back into the saddle and panted heavily. 'This pregnancy is taking more out of me than I expected . . ..'
Galzra caught Tasha in his claws. I do not see why we are saving her, he growled in protest to Arya. She tried to kill you!
If she could have, then I would be dead by now, murmured Arya. She's possessed by Galbatorix.
But how?
I do not know, answered Arya. But I am sure that some of the older elves might have a clue. I really wish that Oromis-elda was still alive right now.
You should warn Eragon, suggested Galzra.
Arya shook her head. No, he has too much to worry about right now as it is.
Tasha opened her eyes. She jumped out of Galzra's claws and landed on all four on the forest floor.
After her!
Yes, kill her Arya, Galbatorix encouraged her. She is trying to take your love away from you. She deserves to die.
Galzra circled above the treetops, scanning for any sign of the young Rider. I don't see how anyone can survive that fall, he admitted.
She's down there, assured Arya. I can feel her aura. She's probably running to Eragon right now.
She won't reach him then, replied Galzra. It is too far away!
Not on dragon back, informed Arya, determined. We need to get to Eragon first!
This is madness, Arya, cried Galzra. If we leave Tasha, she dies.
A moment ago, you wanted me to leave her for dead instead of saving her!
Galzra growled and flapped his wings south. He gained speed. Arya angled herself perfectly so that they would be more aerodynamic.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tasha looked up through the thick trees. The darkness of night in that forest made it nearly impossible to see. She managed to catch a glimpse of Galzra circling overhead. She stepped into the shadow of a tree to avoid being seen. There, she waited for Galzra to fly away. 'He's flying south,' she thought, but found that thought was not her own.
The young Rider ran through the trees, knowing that it would be useless to keep up with the dragon. You failed me, Tasha, roared Galbatorix furiously. I do not reward failures. I kill them.
A sudden sense of fear flooded through Tasha's consciousness. Her legs gave out from under her and she buckled under her weight. It felt as though her heart was being squeezed in her chest cavity.
A yell of pain echoed throughout the forest. Tasha felt everything ebbing away, including her life. She collapsed on the forest floor and knew no more of the world around her.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eragon and Saphira glided above Roran's army. The soldiers marched tirelessly. How long do you suppose they can keep this up? Eragon asked Saphira.
They are marching off to war, replied Saphira. She smirked maliciously.
What is it? Eragon asked, wondering if he should ask in the first place.
Are you tired little one?
No! Its not that . . .I just do not want the soldiers to march into battle while they are tired like this, answered Eragon quickly. Its suicide to march the soldiers like this . . ..
Tell that to Roran then, replied Saphira.
Eragon frowned and remained silent. He angled his body perfectly with Saphira's movements. His thoughts wondered to the battle ahead of them. These are supposed to be peaceful times, he complained to Saphira.
Did you honestly expect the switch to come easily? Saphira asked rhetorically. There were people who were very loyal to Galbatorix. They were bound to fight back . . .but why would they fight the dwarves?
Eragon thought, though only for a minute. Because Galbatorix was trying to get rid of them, he answered. Galbatorix was obsessed with ridding Alegaesia of dwarves and elves. He stopped, suddenly afraid.
Saphira sensed this in him through their mental link. What is it little one?
It could be a trap, Eragon murmured. Dip down low . . .I must warn Roran of the possibility.
Saphira angled right and descended. She landed and walked alongside Roran and his guard. "Eragon, what is it?" Roran asked, alarmed.
"Roran . . .there's a possibility of this being a trap," answered Eragon quickly. "Allow me to take a small scout with me to the Beor Mountains to be sure."
"I cannot allow Alegaesia's best fighter go alone with only a few soldiers!" replied Roran, surprised that his cousin would suggest such a thing.
"I can contact Saphira and tell you if it is safe," explained Eragon calmly. "And even at this rate, most of the dwarves would be wiped out if they are fighting. Roran . . .they know their caves and tunnels better than anyone. King Orik would have them escape by now."
Roran frowned. "What if you are captured?" he asked.
Eragon smirked. An evil glint caught in his eye. "What if I am, cousin?" he replied. "I know how to use magic. Remember that."
The newly crowned king sighed. "I will send my personal guard then," he said. "Come back, Eragon Shadeslayer, my cousin and brother."
Eragon dismounted. Watch over them Saphira, he ordered calmly.
Be careful little one, growled Saphira. She nuzzled him before taking flight once more.
"Bring the horses!" ordered Roran with authority. Several men brought up ten black horses. Nine men from Roran's guard mounted. "Ride with haste."
Eragon nodded as he mounted the last horse. "See you in a few days, Roran," he murmured in farewell. He galloped his horse into the far horizon. The other men followed him.
Disclaimer: Well, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. I know that some of the characters were a bit out of character, but that will all change soon.