Disclaimer: If you've seen it somewhere else, I don't own it.
A/N: Someone has correctly guessed the identity of the Neomorph's enemy. For those of you who may have not figured it out yet, read the author's note in the first chapter, then the Traveler sections, that should help you out.
Enjoy!
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The night came and went far quicker than Ryan had hoped, the first rays of sunshine creeping above the horizon far too quickly for his taste. He still hadn't quite figured out how he was going to explain the entire situation with the Eldunarí to Yamula, so he had just decided to wing it...which usually seemed to go well when the young Rider had done it before. This was Yamula that he was talking about though, so Ryan certainly expected a far amount of scolding and definitely a glare or two. He could deal with that. What he couldn't figure out was what in the world he was going to do with the dragon that they had found in the Eldunarí that was currently inside its bag and attached to the shoulder strap of his duffle bag.
Hopefully Oromis and Glaedr can figure out what to do with him because I'm not entirely certain if he'll be…well…intact enough to help, or even if he will want to help, since he could just ask for me to smash his Eldunarí . Ryan mused as the small group mounted and started off for yet another monotonous day of traveling, even if it would be a bit more 'lively' than normal. Yamula wasted no time pulling up next to the Rider and, with a glare to ward off the other two members of the group, began to question him as to last night's events.
"So what was so important and secret that it had to wait until now?", Yamula asked with a irritated glare.
"I'm sure you remember the…", Ryan began to explain.
"Get to the point, youngling.", Yamula snapped.
"I found that the abilities of the men we faced were fueled by magic, more specifically by an Eldunarí that the leader had in his possession, which I happened to pick up before I collapsed and is now in my possession.", Ryan said with a hint of irritation.
It seemed to take Yamula a moment to digest the information before she exclaimed, "What? How do you know of the Eldunarí?".
"Quiet!", Ryan hissed, "Burell and Pallin are right there and they cannot overhear our conversation!" Yamula instantly quieted, however, her eyes still revealed her evident surprise. "How I know of the Eldunarya is neither your concern nor is it important to this conversation, so I will not answer that question."
"Another one of your 'secrets'?", Yamula sarcastically asked.
"You know nothing of me, elf," Ryan snapped, "do you want answers or not?"
"I know exactly what you are, a young, brash human male who has put himself way in over his head. Just like the rest of your race, impatient, impulsive, and weak.", Yamula said dismissively.
"And we know what you are, elf. You are an arrogant, prideful youngling who knows neither her limits nor the humility that most others in Alagëasia have been forced to swallow. Do not presume to insult us, Yamula, otherwise you will find yourself in a very uncomfortable position beneath my claws!", Samanya replied, anger dripping off her to Yamula in massive waves. Yamula looked away from Ryan for a moment, stung by the dragon's words, and took a few deep breaths to calm herself down before turning back to continue.
"The man had it on him?", she finally asked.
"Yes," Ryan said with a nod.
"Then it serves the Empire and cannot be trusted! What were you thinking? That Eldunarí could be giving our location away to the Empire for all we know!", she said with evident suspicion.
"Even if he still served the Empire, elf, I would not abandon one of the caged ones to the cruelty of Urû'baen. Besides, Yamula, he no longer is bound to the black king and his wretched cause, Ryan and I have made sure of that…albeit in an accidental manner.", Samanya added more calmly than before.
"What does that mean?", Yamula asked heatedly
"Samanya and I somehow broke the oaths that the bound the Eldunarí and the dragon within to Galbatorix. He is free to choose his own fate now.", Ryan calmly replied.
"And how did you manage to do that? Oaths in the ancient language cannot be broken!", Yamula asked. Ryan glanced up at the dot in the sky where Samanya drifted lazily above them for a moment before replying.
"Samanya somehow managed to access her dragon magic to do it. I assisted her, but to what extent I did, I am not sure. The results do not lie though, I personally searched for any remaining oaths after the incident and I couldn't find any." Ryan said. Yamula remained silent for several moments after he spoke, looking as if she was mulling over the entire situation in detail. Ryan breathed a small sigh of relief, the hardest part of the conversation was over and Yamula hadn't decided to kill him yet…he took that as a sign that this may end on a good note for once.
"May I speak with him?", Yamula finally asked.
"I'd give him to you if he could speak to you, unfortunately whatever we did seems to have put him into some sort of sleep-like state. He's still there, but it seems like he's just resting from the affects of our magic. I'll be sure to ask him as soon as I can.", Ryan responded respectfully. Yamula only nodded in reply.
"One last thing, when you and Samanya used you magic last night your eyes both seemed to glow slightly and I saw the mark on Samanya's chest light up. What is the meaning of that?", Yamula asked, her tone neutral.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Yamula. I frankly have no clue why that happened. That has occurred once before, but neither Samanya nor I have any clue as to what it means.", Ryan replied.
"Very well, that is all I have to ask.", Yamula finished before nudging her horse forward to take her place at the head of the group. Pallin drifted back upon seeing this, his face showing a concerned expression.
"How'd it go?", he asked.
"About as well as could be expected, Yamula probably wants to chew my head off, but I think I'll survive.", Ryan said with a smirk.
"I don't doubt it.", Pallin responded with obvious contempt. "By Angvard that elf woman is going to be the death of us, mark my words."
"Well then I hope you're good at praying, Pallin, because we're stuck with her, at least until we get to Ellesméra. After that, I hope to never have to deal with her again", Ryan said with a shake of his head.
"Agreed.", Samanya added.
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And so the group pushed onward towards their final destination, half praying that the Empire would not catch up to them. Days passed as the group pressed on, everyday bringing them closer to their goal, closer to the safety of the elven forest. They rode hard each day, stopping only when they absolutely had to and even then, only for a few minutes. The mountain of Marna soon passed by them after nearly a week of more hard riding. Both the group and their animals were fast approaching their breaking point, exhaustion permeated every cell in their bodies as they pushed forward. Sleep became a luxury they could ill afford after they were nearly found by several Imperial patrols, who were well armed, equipped, and some even bore the dragon head and dagger symbol of Andlát Datia. Yamula pressed them as far as they could go, farther than even they thought they could as the group found strength from whatever source they could. Only a few days after passing Marna and reaching a reasonably sized patch of forest within sight of the edge of Du Weldenvarden did Yamula finally allow them any sort of significant rest.
Samanya had continued to grow as they traveled, her size easily triple that of the group's warhorses. Her wings grew large and powerful, growing to support Samanya's rapidly developing form in the sky. Her legs and torso were now laced with muscle and her scales rippled in the sunlight. Ryan wondered how long she would have left before she was large enough to ride, or even breathe fire, considering how rapidly she was maturing. Ryan, meanwhile, looked to be in a much worse state, lacking his partner's ease of traveling on a wing. His eyes were now bloodshot from exhaustion. Any action other than sitting on his horse seemed to require much more energy than the Rider felt he could spare. He spoke sparingly and only when absolutely necessary, even mental speech sometimes felt beyond his reach. His clothes stuck to his skin, fastened to it by sweat from the long periods where he wore them continuously. His face and body were covered in dust and dirt from the long journey. He almost never sparred or did any other sort of training after the group stopped for the night. The exhaustion that they all felt leading them to collapse into a deep sleep almost as soon as their feet touched the ground.
The Eldunarí had yet to show any signs of awakening from its slumber and Ryan was beginning to think that the dragon within would not wake up at all. Ryan and Samanya had yet to try to contact it again, figuring that it would be more respectful to let the dragon wake on its own time.
Nothing could describe the sheer feelings of relief that came from all of the group as they set up camp within sight of the edges of the famed elven forest. If Ryan had the energy, he would surely have whooped for joy, but he contented himself with Samanya's exclamation of happiness at the fact that the end was in sight. The group quickly set up camp for the night and settled down for what they hoped to be their last night inside the Empire.
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Unfortunately for Ryan…sleep did not come as easily as he hoped. Even as the others around him passed into the realm of dreams, he remained awake as he lay concealed underneath Samanya's large wing. He tried everything, even counting sheep, to lull himself off to sleep. It annoyed Ryan immensely that, even with the nearly constant aches and pains that predominated everywhere on his body and near total exhaustion, he couldn't fall asleep. Finally Ryan relegated himself to staring at the maroon red Eldunarí that they had recovered, spinning it around in his hands as he stared into the small flicker of light in its depths.
"If you wouldn't mind, young one, I would prefer to not be twirled around like some child's toy.", an old and wise sounding mental voice suddenly said. A moment of panic overcame the Rider for a moment in his exhausted state before he squelched it and stopped spinning the stone in his hands, staring harder into its depths.
"Ah, that's better. Now, who might you be?", the voice asked calmly. Ryan's mind stumbled over an answer for a moment before he responded.
"I am Ryan Williamsson, Elder, Rider of the dragoness, Samanya.", Ryan said respectfully, his tone still displaying some remaining disbelief.
"So you were the one the hatchling referred to…", the voice said, showing no evidence of the fear that had gripped it before, which was replaced by a strong, masculine voice that seemed to hold centuries of experience, "but I digress, I believe we haven't been properly introduced, Ryan Rider of Samanya, I am Istalri, dragon of Timer Shiftarrow and former member of the Shur'tugalar Council of Elders." Ryan's mind screeched to a halt in shock at the revelation.
"A pleasure to meet you, Istalri.", Ryan said after a few moments.
"It's Elder to you, youngling, I may not have a body any longer, but I still possess far more knowledge and experience than you, understood?", Istalri responded in a tone that sounded of one who had dedicated much of his life to teaching.
"I understand, Elder.", Ryan replied respectfully.
"Good…" the voice began before dropping into a more mournful keel, "I wish to thank you, Ryan…you and your dragon have done me a great service. Nothing I can give can ever equal the gift that you both have bestowed on me. Words cannot describe the torment that those who fell into Galbatorix's hands have endured. I thank you for saving me from returning to his wretched hands and releasing the bonds that held me to him."
"Think nothing of it, Elder. Samanya and I did not intend to do what we did and her dragon magic did most of the work, so thank her if anyone.", Ryan said, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
"Intentional or not, you both still deserve my gratitude, though I have never met a pair like you both before.", Istalri said before drifting off into thought once more. "Something feels familiar about you two, but I just can't put my claw on it…Before I forget to ask, where are we headed?"
"Ellesméra," Ryan answered, "we are currently only a half or so days journey from the edge of the forest."
"Excellent…I presume that you seek training there?"
"Yes.", Ryan responded, making sure that Samanya had remained asleep even through the conversation that was now raging in her Rider's head.
"Do you know who will be your trainers?", the old dragon asked.
"…No…", Ryan tried to lie.
"Do not presume to deceive me, youngling.", Istalri said, scolding the young Rider. "Now who are your trainers going to be? I must know because I must assist them in your training if they are only elves."
Ryan, feeling appropriately reproached, responded by saying, "I do not wish to deceive you, Elder, but there are some things of which I have knowledge of that I should not and I am trying to keep the fact that I know secret."
"And why would you need to do that?", Istalri asked. Ryan sighed, believing that it would be appropriate to answer the elder dragon's question.
"The identity of my teachers is only supposed to be known by the elves and another Rider and dragon pair who trained under them, whose names are Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Brightscales. I, however, am privy to that information because of events that occurred outside my control."
"How, then, did you come by that information, and what are the names of your trainers?", Istalri asked, his voice becoming slightly impatient.
"Their names are Oromis and Glaedr…"
If the elder dragon still had a body, he would have smiled as he said, "I'm glad to hear that they made it." Ryan gave a small nod at his words before continuing.
"As to how I know about them…I cannot say, not here, not while were still in danger of being attacked by the Empire.", he said in as respectful a tone as he could manage.
"What do you consider so important that you could not tell me now?", Istarli asked gently.
"No offense, elder, but if you were not a Rider's dragon, I would not tell you anything at all. As to how important the information is…both Samanya and I have structured our minds in such a way that we can destroy them and effectively kill ourselves in the process, so as to deny that information to the Empire." The old dragon seemed to mull over Ryan's words for a few moments, as if judging whether he should press the issue or not.
"…If the information is as precious as you say," he began, "then I understand your reluctance to share it, however, once we are safely in Du Weldenvarden I expect an answer."
Ryan nodded in reply, "And you will get one, but you must wait until I can explain it to Oromis and Glaedr as well, as I'd rather not have to explain things twice as the entire thing is a rather long story."
"Very well.", Istalri agreed. Silence reigned for a few moments as Ryan mused over whether he should approach the issue of whether the old dragon wished to stay to help or if he wanted his life to end.
"Elder…" Ryan hesitantly began, "may I ask you something?"
"You may."
"Will you help us?", Ryan asked.
"I assume you mean whether I wish to remain here to help topple Galbatorix or if I wish for you to smash this last remnant of myself so I can join my Rider in the void?", Istarli said, sounding assured of his conclusion.
"Yes, Elder…but if you have not…", Ryan respectfully said before being interrupted by the Eldunarí in his hands.
"I made that decision long before I spoke to you, young one. I shall help you to overcome the traitor king and his minions. In this I shall honor my Rider's memory and avenge those who were unjustly slaughtered by his hands. Only after I have accomplished this will I consider reuniting with my Timur.", Istalri responded forcefully, as if a great fire had awoken within him.
Soon after the elder dragon spoke those last words Ryan felt a small amount of energy flow into him, returning to him some of the precious strength that he had lost over the previous several days. Ryan's eyes began to droop, his eyelids feeling a thousand pounds heavier. Ryan finally began to drift off into his slumber, quickly replacing the Eldunarí back in its bag until and only one last sound reaching his fading consciousness.
"My gift, young one," Istalri's voice whispered, "so that you may find the rest that you are so desperately lacking. Sleep well, Rider, for you will need every bit of strength you have left for tomorrow."
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Ryan sensed nothing until the following morning as he woke to the sounds of animals and insects in the forest around him, feeling as if someone was trying to shake him awake. He slowly opened his eyes to see a figure standing over him, shaking him vigorously as it tried to wake him. Ryan then noticed that Samanya's warm side was no longer surrounding him.
"Alright…Alright I'm up.", Ryan grumbled as he brushed the figure's hands away. He rubbed his eyes to clear his vision to see that most of the camp had already been packed away for the trip and everyone else was almost ready to go although Samanya's presence was conspicuously absent. Ryan slowly pushed himself to his feet with a grunt of effort before walking over to where Yamula stood packing the last few bits of their food supplies.
"Here,"Yamula said as she heard the Rider approach and tossed him a loaf of bread and an apple without even turning around, "have breakfast, considering that you and Samanya slept through it."
"Where is she?", Ryan asked wearily.
"She went hunting and said that she'd only be gone for an hour or two before joining back up with us before we reach the border of the forest.", Yamula replied in monotone. The Rider only nodded before slinking off to down his small breakfast and pack his things. The process didn't take long, the constant travel providing him the experience needed to complete the entire process with ease. Lastly he buckled on his sword and pistol before glancing over at the others, who all sat on their horses, waiting only on him mount before they started off.
Ryan quickly mounted his own horse, eager to be off and finish this hellish trip. He looked out towards the border of Du Weldenvarden, which was clear except for a couple areas where groups of large rocks broke up the otherwise grassy landscape. It seemed the others wanted to leave as quickly as he did, as the group turned and immediately trotted off the second the Rider was mounted. Their expressions appeared lighter than they had been the past several days, the prospects of the rest and safety that was so near at hand calming their minds.
Ryan took the opportunity to finally relax, dropping his guard and staring into the calm blue sky above. He let his mind wander aimlessly in whatever direction it wished, grateful for the change of pace. Istarli also seemed to sense the Rider's mood and touched the young man's mind.
"Beautiful isn't it?", Istarli said serenely.
"Aye, it is.", Ryan responded. "I wish every day could be like this, without a care or harm in the world." The elder dragon gave the Rider's words a small chuckle.
"If only," he said wishfully. "I spoke with Samanya earlier this morning…"
"You did?", Ryan said with some worry in his tone. "How'd it go?"
"It went well. I think she's happy to have another of her kind around that she can speak to. I believe, though, that she was a little annoyed at the fact that you neglected to inform her of my awakening.", Istarli said, amusement creeping into his tone.
"Yeah…sounds like her. In my defense, I didn't want to wake her, she gets testy when she's tired."
"In my experience dragonesses are much alike in that regard. I may not have had a mate, but I've heard stories about a dragoness' legendary temper, which can send most any creature running to the hills.", the old dragon chuckled before changing his tone to one far more serious. "You're lucky to have one such as her, young one. I have seen many dragon and Rider pairs that have had less than…positive relationships."
"I'm not complaining," Ryan began, "we both have our quirks and that just happens to be hers. I love her for who she is. The details don't matter, besides, how could I not love an individual who is, essentially, half my very soul?"
"You would be surprised, young one, at how many Rider pairs held grudges against one another, or started to grow distant over time. There weren't many, but they certainly did exist.", Istarli said, his tone sounding as if he spoke from experience.
"How can that happen?", Ryan asked astonished.
"Bad experiences, arguments, mates that one part of the pair loves while the other becomes jealous of the other's attentions on that person or dragon, though usually the dragon was the cause of the resentment. Most of the distancing really was just caused by grudges or jealousy, it was a tragedy every time it occurred and was almost always solvable if the pair wished to repair their relationship. Unfortunately that occurred far less often than my Rider and I would have liked.", Istarli replied, his tone sad.
"I didn't even think that was possible.", Ryan said incredulous.
"Neither did my Rider and I, until we served on the Council, where it became part of our duties to deal with such matters."
"What else did you do as a member of the Council?", Ryan asked, his eyebrows instinctively raising to express his curiosity.
"Oh, I had many duties, youngling. One of the most fun was…", the dragon started to explain with a small chuckle.
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And so went the next hour of the trip to the edge of the elven forest, Ryan was curious to the point of obsession of how a Dragon Rider's life was in the days before the Fall. Questions flowed from the Rider like water from a river that has risen over its banks. The young Rider asked so many questions so fast that Istarli had to tell him to calm down several times, after which Ryan felt slightly embarrassed and slowed down his speech, amusing the old dragon immensely.
Samanya had yet to return to them, although she had contacted him to say that she was on her way back. The rest of the group looked as relaxed as Ryan did, with Burell and Pallin joking with each other as they talked to pass the time. Ryan smiled at the sight, happy to see Burell finally loosing his irritable demeanor that he had had over the past several days, his trademark smile plastered back on his face.
Finally the last league before the forest, the end seemed in sight. The group was only a few minutes from the safety of the great forest before them. Ryan pumped his fist in the air and shouted his relief and excitement. Burell and Pallin soon joined him. Even Yamula cracked a smile at the forest before her and the antics of her companions….
It was not to last…
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The first of many arrows launched themselves towards the small group, not aiming for them, but for the horses on which they rode. All four horses toppled to the ground, lifeless, in the first volley. The group responded quickly though, and swiftly grabbed their weapons, including two bows and quivers of arrows that Burell and Pallin had as equipment. A deafening amount of war cries sounded out from around them as over a hundred mounted Imperial troops appeared from their hiding places in the rock formations that dotted the countryside. Burell and Pallin quickly loosed their first arrows with pinpoint accuracy as the group ran towards the nearest rock formation for cover, weapons drawn.
A group of five Imperials rode towards them from the group of rocks in front of them while arrows from almost every direction deflected off the wards that had been placed around each member of the group. The first two fell to Burell and Pallin's arrows, with another dropping with a single shot of Ryan's pistol. The other two approached too fast for another volley of arrows. Ryan and Yamula ran in front of the other two soldiers, twirling to the side and slicing the legs of the men's horses out from under them as they charged. The two Imperials died instantly, crushed under the weight of their mounts as they rolled to the ground.
The four rushed past the dead men and reached the group of large rocks in good health. They swiftly took up positions among the great stones, which blocked the Imperial horsemen from following them in, Burell and Pallin climbing to higher ground to make better use of their bows, while Ryan and Yamula stood on the ground to keep the Imperials at bay.
"Overkill much!", Ryan exclaimed as he carved through his seventeenth man of the day. Another man approached, his sword held above his head as he bellowed a war cry. The sound was abruptly silenced as Ryan brought up his pistol and fired a single round into the man, a new hole appearing just above his heart.
"Samanya! Where are you?", Ryan mentally yelled.
"I'll be there as soon as I can! Just hang on!", came her anxious reply. Ryan then refocused his attention on the present threat of instant death as three more Imperial soldiers dismounted from their horses and charged him. Ryan deflected the first blow to the side before kicking him back into one of his companions. The third man stabbed towards his midsection. Ryan quickly twirled out of the way and stabbed through the side of his neck, killing him instantly. The remaining two soon regained their feet and rushed towards him, more cautiously this time.
Great, Ryan thought, the last thing I need…an enemy with a brain. The first blow fell quickly and was easily blocked by Garzjla. The man didn't relent, however, striking as fast as he could, trying to keep the Rider off balance and keep himself alive as well. His luck ran out when Ryan tired of the game and killed the man with a single round from his pistol. Ryan smirked in satisfaction for a moment before realizing that the second man was nowhere to be seen. A sudden rustle of footsteps suddenly sounded behind him. Ryan spun around just in time to block the blow aimed for the back of his legs. The man's face showed surprise before Ryan knocked his sword aside and slashed open his throat.
"Yamula!" Ryan cried.
"What!", came Yamula's irritable reply.
"What are we going to do? We can't just stay out here and try to kill them all! There are too many and they undoubtedly have some members of Andlat Datia supporting them!", Ryan explained.
"We can't go out there! There are too many arrows for our wards to stop! We'll be overwhelmed and cut down!", she yelled, her tone sounding preoccupied.
"Well we have a better chance doing that than just staying here! This is suicide and you know it!", Ryan replied as he shot two more Imperial soldiers as they came through the gap in the rocks in front of him.
"…I'm open to suggestions.", Yamula responded reluctantly, sounding incredibly displeased with herself for not coming up with the solution to their troubles.
"Elder?", Ryan said, his mind stretching out towards Istarli.
"Yes?", came the dragon's reply.
"May I have use of your energy to bolster our wards?", Ryan asked respectfully.
"Of course, young one, I just waited for you to ask.", Istarli said as his energy flowed through him and, from him, to the others, reinforcing their magical shields.
Now, maybe, we can get out of this mess. Ryan thought with a small smile.
"Not to rain on anyone's parade, but how in the world are we supposed to reach the forest without getting overwhelmed and how are we going to be able to escape once we reach the forest?", Burell asked, yelling over the din of battle. "A bunch of trees doesn't exactly prevent the Imperial from dismounting and following us in."
"Once we reach the interior of the forest, we just keep running until we come near where the wards that shield Du Weldenvarden from trespassers begin. If we can reach those wards, I can get us inside without any problems. The arrows the Imperals will fire at us, though, will still prove a large problem, along with the horsemen. I still don't know how we'll make it without getting killed", Yamula answered.
"You won't make it without help…", Burell began as Ryan glanced over to find him and Pallin exchanging a knowing glance. "We'll do it.", he finally said, his tone forlorn.
"What! No! You can't! We can all get out of here, Burell!", Ryan pleaded as he cut down three more soldiers.
"We all know that once we make a break for it the Imperials will be all over us. Some of us must stay behind, buy the others enough time to make it to the tree line. The horses can't follow you easily in there, you'll be safe…", Burell closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again, "and that's all that matters."
"We can!...", Ryan began to argue before being cut off.
"Burell is right, Williamsson. We won't make it to the tree line without being overwhelmed unless some of us remain behind.", Yamula said calmly.
"B…but…", Ryan stuttered.
"There's no time to argue! Everyone on this journey knew what they were getting into when we left on this trip! The only person that really matters in this group is you! So whether you like it or not, we're getting you to safety!", Yamula scolded. Suddenly Ryan felt Samanya touch his consciousness.
"Little one, if you wish to leave, it must be now. More Imperial forces are approaching and I can see several members of Andlat Datia among them.", she said. Ryan bowed his head for a moment, his brows furrowed in concentration as he thought of any other solution. He could find none and bringing Samanya in wouldn't do much good, considering how she young she was.
"What do I need to do?...", Ryan asked, his tone mournful and monotone.
"Once we give you the signal, you and Yamula break for the forest, don't stop for anything, we'll give you cover for as long as we can!", Burell answered. Ryan only nodded in response.
"Ready!...", Burell began. Ryan sheathed his sword and placed both hands on his pistol.
"Set!...", Ryan's feet spread, ready to sprint on order.
"Go!...", came the signal. Ryan immediately jumped off and started running as fast as he could. The forest lay only a couple hundred yards away...and every inch was a blur. Ryan only felt his breathing and the buck of his pistol in his left hand as he downed two more soldiers that got too close. Ryan spotted Yamula in the right corner of his vision, her gait leaving her several yards ahead of the Rider. Arrows flooded towards him and Yamula then halted in midair and dropped harmlessly, courtesy of Istarli's energy reinforcing their wards. The energy drain from the arrows, however, was immense, so large were the swarms that flew towards them. Another horseman appeared to Ryan's left side and was immediately downed by an arrow to the chest, falling to the ground with a heavy plop.
Yamula reached the tree line first, stopping and waving to the Rider, urging him to move faster. Ryan's gate sped up as he ran faster than he thought possible, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Ryan arrived at her side in what felt like a few seconds but was probably a minute or two later.
"Come on! Get inside!", Yamula yelled as she beckoned him into the trees. Ryan halted for a moment, turning back to look upon where Burell and Pallin still held out in the rocks. He stretched his mind out to them in a parting word, one that he had hoped never to make.
"It has been an honor knowing you both.", Ryan said slowly and with respect.
"The honor has been ours.", came the two men's simultaneous reply. "Now get out of here before they overwhelm us!" Ryan slowly nodded his head an turned back to Yamula, looking as if the weight of the world lay on his shoulders.
"Let's go…", he mumbled. Yamula instantly shoved him forward at his words, following only a few feet behind. Ryan could hear the heavy clatter of horse hooves as they reached where the two had been standing only a few moments before. The sounds stopped, then the pounding of footsteps and loud warcries were heard, marking their enemy's pursuit.
"How much further?", Ryan yelled between panting breaths as he ran.
"Not far, the border should only be a hundred or so yards ahead!", Yamula replied as she glanced back to find several members of Andlat Datia keeping pace several yards behind them.
Come on…Come on! Ryan desperately thought as he heard the footsteps of the Imperials as they started to close the gap.
"We should be only a couple yards from the border! I'll say the counterspells to get us through that should hopefully be enough!", Yamula suddenly said. All Ryan could do was pray as he and Yamula ran the last few yards to the border. Ryan glanced back to see the elf silently mouthing the words for her counterspell, her brows furrowed in concentration,…and the fourteen Death Mists that remained close on their heels.
"Wait! Stop!", Yamula suddenly yelled. Ryan's eyes instantly went wide in panic as he skidded to a halt.
"What?", he said as his head jerked around and he drew his sword. Yamula skidded to a halt next to him.
"The counterspells must have been changed since we left. I can't get us inside without triggering the wards and killing us both.", she said as she drew her own sword and both stood ready to face the Imperials in front of them.
"So," one of the Death Mists said with an arrogant smirk, "you finally decided to stop running like cowards and face us like warriors. I almost thought you didn't have it in you. Now, put down your weapons and come quietly, and we will allow you to live."
"Go to hell!", Ryan snapped back. The man only laughed at the Rider before replying.
"Very well then…", he began as he gestured to his men before pointing at the two in front of him, "kill them." Ryan closed his eyes for a moment, preparing for what could be the battle for his very life. Istarli did his best to assist, giving the two what little energy remained in him. Nothing caused them to expect, or hope for, what happened next…
Over a hundred arrows suddenly flooded out of the trees towards the Imperials, whose wards only deflected a few before succumbing to them. The Imperials dropped like stones, each one sporting over ten arrows in various parts of their bodies. Ryan just stared slack jawed at the sight, while a hundred elven warriors filtered out of their hiding places in the trees, bows drawn as they advanced in the direction Ryan and Yamula had come from.
Yamula only stared at them a moment before saying with a small smirk, to one who appeared more ornately armored than the others, "What took you so long?" The other elf smiled at her.
"Nice to see you as well Yamula elda.", he said with a soft yet cold tone. The elf then turned his gaze to Ryan. "Is this him?", he asked with a hint of disdain.
"Yes, we need to get him to Ellesméra as soon as possible.", Yamula replied.
"I assumed as much," the elf said looking back at Yamula as Ryan started drifting around in the clearing, his sword returned to its sheath. "As soon as we are done eliminating these Imperials we will…."
Nothing presaged the surprise that whistled its way towards the young Rider as he half-listened to the elves conversation. He felt nothing until the first of two throwing blades entered into his upper back, puncturing his left lung. The second followed a moment later, burying itself next to his spine. The Rider dropped with a sickening plop as blood began to seep from his mouth. Ryan felt the world growing colder as his vision began to dim. He tried to move, to shout, anything; his body wouldn't respond to his demands. He heard echoes of frantic yells as two figures appeared at his side. A large blast of air and a thump preceded a loud, vengeful roar from nearby.
"Samanya…" Ryan projected weakly. Then the world faded to black…
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Shade smirked as he admired his handiwork from his hiding place in the trees. The blades had landed right where he wished them to, and both were coated in a poison that should end the Rider's life before the elves could even figure out what it was.
After all, he thought, if we can't have him…no one will. Shade then silently dropped from the trees, darting back from whence he came, where a horse and a small guard awaited him…
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Hope I didn't disappoint!
R&R!