Disclaimer: After this week, I am not sure when I will be able to update, but I promise that chapters will be in progress. I do not own anything.
Tasha woke with a start in the middle of the night. She looked around, and realized that she was alone in her room. A cold sweat drenched her face. She slowed her breathing with an exercise that Arya had taught her.
Tasha, what happened? Amestat sounded worried and afraid.
Nothing, just a bad dream, replied Tasha. She released a long breath.
Would you mind talking about it?
I just got this choking feeling, murmured Tasha. It was just a dream, Amestat. Go back to sleep.
--
Arya's eyes burst open. She looked at Eragon, who was sleeping next to her, or so he appeared. Her eyes narrowed at the ceiling above her. Something big had just happened. She could feel it in the air. And that something could be the doom of them all. She tried to relax enough to go back to sleep, but just felt restless.
You felt it too? Galzra stated in her mind.
Yea, answered Arya. Galzra, something terrible is about to happen.
We have months yet before this could turn into any sort of threat, replied Galzra. In any case, you are hardly fit to go into battle. For now at least, you should just rest and keep your strength up for when you will really need it.
There aren't supposed to be others though, murmured Arya in a worry-filled tone.
Amestat was not supposed to exist, replied Galzra calmly. Yet he does. I believe that there is a reason for his existence.
Aye, but if Tasha decides to go rogue on us, Amestat will surely join her, said Arya. And lets not forget what Trianna said.
You honestly believe the rubbish that traitor has come up with, growled Galzra. And yet I thought you were smart.
Arya could hear her dragon laughing in the back of her mind. Galzra, this isn't funny. And what about when Tasha tried to kill me?
She wants Eragon for herself, replied Galzra.
Arya rolled over, annoyed. She felt Eragon stir beside her.
Is something wrong? He rested on his elbow and wrapped his other arm around Arya's waist, rested his hand on her swollen stomach.
The elf sighed heavily. Eragon somehow always knew when something was troubling her, even if she did not want to admit it. She rolled over and cuddled up next to him, taking comfort in his presence. Something is going to happen, she confided, I can feel it, and so does Galzra.
Eragon frowned. His grip tightened. I know…Saphira and I felt it too. This war is going to be longer than I thought.
What are we going to do? Arya asked. I don't want our child to grow up knowing nothing but war and famine…that's all that I grew up with.
Nothing bad will happen to our child, murmured Eragon. I can assure you that. He kissed her on the nape of her neck.
Arya relaxed slightly. She closed her eyes and drifted off into a light sleep. Wake me in the morning…I think that we should alert the other leaders.
Eragon sighed. Not more politics, he wined.
Arya chuckled mentally. They should at least now of the possibility.
--
That day went by slowly for the three Riders. Arya leaned against Galzra's stomach as she watched Eragon instruct Tasha on how to raise a stone with magic. Amestat and Saphira were off flying around; Saphira instructing Amestat on flying maneuvers to use in storms and combat. Nasuada sat in the grass, holding Murtagh close to her.
Tasha growled in frustration. The highest that she could thus far raise the stone was an inch. She threw the stone to the ground. "This is pointless!" she yelled at Eragon.
"You will show some respect!" growled Eragon sternly. "Now try again!"
"Forget it! I'm finished!" Tasha stomped past him, knocking into him as she went. Amestat, we're leaving! The purple dragon landed and waited as his Rider climbed onto his back. He launched himself into the air as soon as she was on.
Arya struggled to stand. She could only imagine how difficult it would be for her to move when the next few months progressed. Islanzandí had told her stories of when Arya was in the womb and how the late elf queen had had difficulty just moving in the last four months of pregnancy; and Arya's thin frame would just make moving worse. "Should I go after her?" she asked.
Nasuada looked on with a worried expression. "Eragon?" she whimpered.
"I will wait," growled Eragon. "She's just frustrated that she cannot yet successfully raise the stone." He sighed. Saphira, follow them, but keep your distance…and close your mind off from them.
They watched as Saphira flew after them. Eragon came up behind Arya and kissed her jaw line from behind. Training her is the hardest task I have had to complete so far, he said.
She's like you, Eragon, murmured Arya. She's stubborn, headstrong, and impatient.
Eragon suppressed a chuckle. But I never stormed away from my lessons.
Did you notice that she seemed distressed today? Arya asked.
Do you think that she sensed it? Eragon replied.
It is possible, said Arya softly, she is…though poor, a Shur'tugal. Regardless if she knew what it was.
Should we tell her? Eragon asked.
I don't trust her, murmured Arya.
Eragon sighed. He looked at Nasuada and his nephew in her arms. His grip around his mate tightened. He had so much to protect and so much that he could lose. I can't lose my family, he told Saphira.
I know, little one, replied Saphira.
Nasuada stepped forward. "Eragon…is everything alright?" she asked timidly.
"No," murmured Eragon. He turned to Nasuada. "Lady Nasuada, there is a slim possibility that there could be another dragon egg. And there's a chance that it has hatched."
"Then go and find the Rider," said Nasuada.
"It isn't that simple," murmured Arya.
"Why?" asked Nasuada.
"This new Rider…most likely whoever it is will be confused," answered Eragon. "When Saphira first hatched for me, I had no idea what to do. It was months before Brom found me, by which time I could have easily pledged allegiance to Galbatorix if that had been the case. But we cannot let Trianna find this possible Rider."
"No, we can't," agreed Nasuada softly. "Shall I tell King Orrin?"
Eragon nodded. "At dinner," he said.
Saphira landed with a struggling Amestat. The younger dragon snarled and snapped at her neck. Galzra was quick to help Saphira pin him down. Tasha struggled to get herself out of the saddle. "Can't you take a hint?" she yelled. "I don't want to train under you anymore!"
"You have no choice," replied Eragon calmly.
Tasha began walking away. Nasuada stood in her way, blocking her path. "No, I won't let you go," she said.
"Nasuada…no," cried Eragon quickly. He stepped forward. "Tasha…think this through. If you leave now, no one can help you."
"I don't need any of your help," snarled Tasha. Amestat, we're leaving.
Tasha, murmured Amestat. He struggled against the two dragons holding him down.
Do not question me, Amestat…get up.
Let them go, ordered Eragon grudgingly. He turned and stormed off into the castle. Saphira and Galzra allowed Amestat back to his feet. The purple dragon followed his Rider.
Where are we going to go? He asked.
Tasha mounted him. Away from here, she answered. And we are not going to join Trainna either. Amestat launched himself into the air.
Arya watched, too shocked to do anything. Galzra nuzzled her shoulder gently. She patted his scaly snout. Great, was all that she could say to him.
"Arya…will Eragon be ok?" asked Nasuada worriedly.
He will find a way to deal with this, Saphira provided when Arya did not answer. He probably figures that Tasha and Amestat will return.
"Do you think that they will?" Nasuada asked. Her voice revealed her uncertainty.
"Nothing is certain." They all turned around. Angela walked up to them with Solembum at her heels. "So, the Rider has left…I would be weary of her anyways…she holds dark and dreadful secrets."
Arya sighed. She felt so powerless, and that made her uncomfortable. "Nasuada…when are you leaving?" she asked.
"I will wait until you have had your child," answered Nasuada.
"Good," murmured Arya. "I am going to check on Eragon…make sure that he does not do anything stupid."
"Don't hold your breath," sighed Angela. "He's a bonehead."
Arya glared at the witch. "That may be true," she replied coldly. "But he is also my lover." She walked away. Nasuada followed her.
"Saphira…there is a dark storm ahead," whispered Angela. "Your fate will soon be realized."
Then I will face it with pride and without fear, said Saphira. She took flight. Galzra followed her.
Disclaimer: Ok, I can honestly say that I did not see that coming until I typed it out. I know exactly how I'm going to end With a Whisper and it will probably take me about ten or so chapters to do so. There probably won't be another update from me for a couple weeks because the chapters are going to get really long and in depth so that I can begin to wrap things up with still giving the characters and story justice. Once again, I do not own anything…apart from this particular fan fiction. I am not Christopher Paolini…last I checked I was a woman…not a man.