AN: And we're back to third person. Isn't this fun? By the by, I have a serious case of writer's block. I'd go as far as to call it crippling writer's block. So this chapter is terrible, you may as well just skip the whole thing and wait for Chapter 36, which promises to be better because, let's be honest, it can't get much worse. That is all.
As the setting sun cast its fiery rays over the barren land of the Hadarac desert, Obsidian and Saphira began their descent towards earth. Neither had stopped once during the day, despite their thirst and fatigue, for neither one was willing to show the other any weakness, a sentiment quietly shared by their Riders.
"This is where we're stopping for the night?" Katharean dropped nimbly to her feet as Obsidian skidded to a halt on the dry ground. She paced forwards, turning slowly as she examined their surroundings. "We have no shelter here. We are completely exposed, and that is never a good thing, especially this far into the Empire."
"We're in the middle of a desert, Kate, what do you expect? A luxury inn?" Eragon replied, frowning.
"I know. We should have stayed with the river." She muttered, kicking a rock in quiet frustration.
"That would have added at least half a day onto our journey, and that is time we cannot afford to waste." Eragon pointed out.
"You will not think of it was wasted time if we are ambushed in our sleep." She grumbled, but with an air of resignation. "What do you have to eat that doesn't have to be cooked? I'm ravenous."
They ate a sizeable meal of seasoned boar which they gratefully washed down with the Dwarves' finest mead, both courtesy of King Orik. While they ate, Obsidian and Saphira left to hunt whatever they could find in the surrounding desert, though Katharean suspected they would return hungry. The barren, inhospitable land did not boast any signs of life that she could see. She sighed, uncomfortably full of the delicious meat, and crossed her legs under her as Eragon stretched himself out contentedly across from her with his tankard. In the absence of the blazing sun, the air was bitingly cold, and she waited impatiently for the return of her personal heat source, wanting nothing more than to curl up on Obsidian's warm underbelly.
"Are we doing the right thing, do you think?" Eragon asked, suddenly.
"Yes, yes, you were right; it would take far too long to fly all the way to the Edda now." Katharean grumbled, reluctantly.
"The Edda?" Eragon asked in confusion.
"The river." She explained curtly, jerking her head to the west. The day's flight and the evening chill had sapped her energy and put her in a foul mood. Eragon nodded in understanding but flashed her a wary look which she did not miss. She rolled her eyes at him.
"Yes, I'm horrible, I know, I can't help it. Anyway, I would have thought you were rather used to spending time around moody females."
Eragon chuckled, taking a swig of mead.
"Don't let Saphira hear you say that." He grinned. "And besides, I meant do you think we're doing the right thing by going to Ellesmera when the Varden are so close to battle?"
"Well it's a bit late to be having second thoughts now! We're just over a day away!" She snapped in exasperation.
"Well I know that! I was only asking your opinion, that's all. If you're going to be like that then I just won't bother." He grumbled back.
"Fine!"
"Fine."
The uncomfortable silence which followed their curt exchange was broken by the premature return of rustling wings as the dragons returned. Obsidian stalked towards her and collapsed to the dry earth, sighing with exhaustion. She braced herself for the resulting shudder as the ground all but shattered under his weight. Saphira lay down with considerably more grace and absent-mindedly curled her long tail around Eragon in a subconsciously protective gesture.
Well? Katharean asked, studying her dragon's face. He snorted in annoyance. I thought as much. I am sorry I had not the foresight to save some of my meal for you.
Obsidian sighed, resignedly.
I would not have taken your food. You need all the sustenance you can get, and more. He replied, examining her with a critical eye.
Well, I would not go so far as to say that. She muttered, defensively, feeling self-conscious under his probing gaze. I mean...well, I suppose it is true that I am not at my optimum weight at the moment, but I have hardly been starving myself.
You are skin and bone. If you do not build your body back up, our enemies will simply snap you like a dry twig, and that will be the end of it. He snapped, irritably. She bit back a hasty rebuttal, aware that he was hungry and exhausted, and also that he did have a point. Speaking of our enemies, what did you really see in that vision last night?
Hmm…was I that unconvincing? She cringed.
Only to me. Obsidian assured her.
Well…it's difficult to explain. I'm not even sure why I lied to Eragon, it's just…talking to him about Murtagh just makes me feel…uncomfortable. Does that make sense?
Uncomfortable? In what way?
I don't know, I just get this knot in my stomach whenever I mention Murtagh to him…he gets this strange look on his face…almost like he's in pain. She sighed. I know I'm not imagining it. I suppose it's understandable…they are brothers, despite it all.
I…suppose. Obsidian agreed, although he hesitated for a moment. Katharean frowned, as his train of thought flashed through her mind and disappeared before she could make any sense of it. She started to ask him about it when, once more, he pressed her about her vision. So, what did you see?
Murtagh…well, obviously. He was in a small, dark room, the same one as before. He was angry. She ran a hand through her hair, thoughtfully. No, not angry…he was furious. I think it's something I've done…or something he thinks I've done. He was muttering to himself, or to me…or about me…and he was re-reading the note I left him the night we escaped from Dras Leona.
Well, it is unsurprising that he still feels some resentment towards us for giving Galbatorix cause to punish him. Obsidian mused. She shook her head.
No, I don't think that was it. I mean, that was my first thought, but then he shouted something like, "How could you have left me here if you knew?" and he threw Selena's ring across the room! I don't know what to make of it. It just doesn't add up. What do I know that has him so upset? Or what does he think I know?
Obsidian did not answer, and Katharean looked up at him.
Any thoughts?
Plenty. Each one more unlikely than the last.
I thought as much. She mumbled. It's just so frustrating!
"What are you two talking about?" Eragon asked, curiously.
"Nothing." Katharean shrugged, nonchalantly. "Just discussing our day, that's all."
"Uh huh…I don't believe you." He replied.
"Why should I lie?" She asked, with an expression of wide-eyed innocence. Eragon narrowed his eyes.
"You may be a gifted liar, Katharean Athem, but Obsidian's left ear has been twitching for the last five minutes, something I've noticed he does when he's deep in thought or, more often than not, worrying about you." He said, folding his arms smugly.
"Can't a Rider have a quiet word with her Dragon anymore?" She replied, quickly changing tact. Eragon stared her out for a few seconds, challengingly, before shrugging.
"Okay. If you want to keep secrets from me, that's your prerogative." He said, quietly. She sighed, shaking her head.
"I'm not keeping secrets from you. I should not have to explain the privacy of the thoughts exchanged between Rider and Dragon to you, Eragon." She replied, in a small but firm voice. Eragon nodded, slowly.
"That is fair. I'm sorry if I was intruding. Just…know that if there's ever anything bothering you, you can come to me, no matter what it is."
Katharean smiled, gratefully.
"I know. You're a good friend, Eragon. I don't know where I would be without you." She admitted.
"Likewise." He grinned, all previous tension between the two of them forgotten. "Who would have thought all those months ago when we first met, that we would be as close as we are now?"
"We didn't meet, Eragon. You attacked us, remember?" She grinned, and Saphira and Obsidian chortled at the memory.
"You would have done exactly the same if the shoe had been on the other foot." He insisted, smiling.
"I most certainly would not! I use my words like a big girl. I don't attack first and ask questions later."
"Maybe you should. If you had done so when you first met Murtagh, things would have gone very differently." He replied, light-heartedly, although Katharean sensed that he was only half-joking.
"Okay, you make a good point." She admitted, grinning.
"Thank you. And besides, our friendship has not suffered from the fact that I held my sword to your throat before I even knew your name." He replied, teasingly. She started to laugh, but stopped abruptly.
"Oh!" She exclaimed. "Your sword!"
"What about my sword?" He asked, watching in puzzlement as she jumped to her feet and approached her travel-pack.
"I have it here!" She said, rummaging around the large sack, blindly feeling for the cold metal of the weapon.
"No you don't, it's right here." Eragon replied, tapping the sheath attached to his belt.
"Not that sword." She grinned, as she found what she was looking for. She unsheathed the magnificent, ruby-red blade and turned around to face him. "I thought it was about time Zar'roc was returned to you."
Eragon leapt to his feet, his mouth hanging open in shock.
"What did you...I don't …Katharean Athem, how do you do it?" He asked, his voice sounding vaguely distant.
"Which is precisely what I intend to name my autobiography one day. Katharean Athem: How does she do it?" She grinned, tossing Zar'roc to a stunned Eragon who, despite his state of shock, caught it easily.
"This is perfect." He sighed. "I've missed having a real Rider's sword." He swung the blade through the air a few times, twirling it complicatedly before sheathing it. "Thank you, Kate. I owe you for this."
"Don't worry about it. If you happen to find another Rider's sword lying around somewhere, you just let me know." She said, with a small smile.
"You'll be the first person I think of." He replied, with a wink. She started to thank him, but instead of words, a yawn escaped her mouth. Eragon smirked, good-naturedly. "Tired?"
She nodded, rubbing her eyes.
"I'm dead on my feet. Flying really takes it out of you." She said, shaking her head as she yawned again. Obsidian snorted.
Oh yes, flying really takes it out of you. He muttered, rolling his eyes. She ignored him, lowering herself back down to rest against his stomach again.
"You had better get some sleep too, Eragon. We've got another long day of travelling ahead of us tomorrow, and the sooner we set off, the better." She pointed out. Eragon tore his eyes away from Zar'roc and nodded in agreement.
"You're right. I am pretty tired." He admitted, resuming his perch beside Saphira.
"Well…goodnight, then." Katharean sighed, sleepily, rolling onto her side.
"Goodnight, Kate." He replied, softly.
Sleep well, little heart. Obsidian sighed, nuzzling the top of her head with his snout. She reached up and drowsily patted his nose.
You too, Sid. Sweet dreams.She whispered, closing her eyes. Within minutes, her breathing became deep and even as she fell into an easy sleep. Obsidian smiled to himself as she snuggled closer to him with a small sigh of contentment. Moments later, Saphira's deep, growling snores filled the air.
"I don't know how she can sleep like that." Eragon whispered, thoughtfully, gazing at his fellow Rider. "So peacefully. To look at her now, you would think she did not have a care in the world."
She may look peaceful, but her dreams are nothing of the sort. Obsidian replied, softly. They keep me awake most nights. I never used to share her dreams, but ever since Dras Leona it's been different. Perhaps because her mental powers are so evolved now...perhaps it's all connected: The dreams, the visions, the strengthened abilities…I only get flashes…flickers of what she's seeing. But some of it…it's so disturbing it would make you never want to fallasleep again. It's the only place I can't protect her, Eragon. And she never mentions it.
Maybe she doesn't remember them. I very rarely remember my dreams. Eragon reasoned. Obsidian shook his head, gently, so as not to disturb her.
I know she does. Sometimes I'll catch her thinking about something she's seen during one of these night terrors, but as soon as she realises I'm in her mind, she changes her train of thought.
She probably doesn't want to worry you, unnecessarily. Eragon replied, trying to reassure the dragon, but Obsidian appeared unconvinced.
I'm not so sure. These visions she's been having…they started with a dream she and I both had about Murtagh. I don't think these dreams are just dreams.
What…you think she is having prophetic dreams as well as the visions? Eragon asked.
I do. And judging by what I have seen of these visions so far, the future does not look very bright for the Varden. Obsidian replied, darkly.
So whatever she's seeing…must be so terrible that she can't even bring herself to talk about it. Eragon muttered.
Maybe. Obsidian allowed. However, I have given this much thought during these last few sleepless nights and, knowing Katharean like I do, I'd say there is another, far more likely reason she has not told us of these visions.
Which is? Eragon prompted, curiously.
Whatever she's seeing must involve Murtagh. Perhaps she's seen him do something so terrible that she knows if she told either one of us, we would tear him apart. Obsidian suggested, ominously. Eragon frowned, pensively.
That would make sense. It is only Murtagh she has been seeing, after all. He mused. This doesn't bode well. If Murtagh is about to strike, and Kate knows…we have to ask her about it. Hundreds of lives could be saved if we just had advance warning of an attack.
Come now, Eragon. You know Kate would never endanger the lives of others so recklessly, even if it did mean betraying Murtagh. It would destroy her to do so, but she would do it. Do you think I would choose a Rider who would act any differently? No. He snapped, annoyed at the other Rider's assumption. Eragon apologised, silently, then threw him a worried look as the dragon's words started to make sense to him.
So what…you think she has seen Murtagh…hurting her? Obsidian, he wouldn't…I'm not his biggest fan, and that's no secret, but you don't honestly think that he would harm Kate?
I do…if he had no choice in the matter. And what other reason would she have to keep these visions to herself…without even telling me?
But…surely if that was the case, if she had seen a vision of Murtagh hurting her, she would warn us? Give us a chance to protect her? Eragon frowned.
You would think that. But then again, you have not seen how she is with Murtagh. She is in love with him, Eragon. She has felt such guilt over his punishment for letting her escape that she has vowed in her heart to do anything she can to keep him from suffering again. If that means sacrificing her own life…I believe she would.
Eragon was silent for a long time before he replied.
I…I did not realise she felt so strongly about my brother. He said, quietly.
I think you are missing the main issue here, Shadeslayer. Obsidian growled, pointedly.
Isn't that the main issue? That she is in love with the enemy? Eragon seethed. Ah, Kate. Why do you have to make things so complicated?
We cannot help who we fall in love with. Obsidian defended her, quietly.
No. Eragon agreed, miserably, gazing at the other Rider's sleeping face. No we cannot.
AN: Please review. Or don't. I'm quite a good critic, and I think it sucked, so I'm moving right ahead with the next one. I would delete this and start fresh, but you know that way when you just want to get on with the story and you LITERALLY cannot be ASSED going back and changing stuff when you've already written…2,802 words? 2,804. 2,805. I'm stopping now, cause that could go on forever.
2,815.