I do not own the Inheritance Cycle.

This is a repeated side story left over from the overhaul I did. I don't want to delete chapters and mess too much up. I'm on filling it with something new.


Riding

He stared at the object in his hand, he couldn't seem to take his eyes off of it. Next to him, Rose hurried Shadowless forth, and then turned in the saddle and gave him a teasing smile. For a moment she didn't seem to have dirt smudged near her nose, as her eyes glistened, and her clothing was not quite so worn. "So I've died," she said, "have I?"

He tucked the wooden deer away. "That's what the King wishes the Courts to believe. Dead or taken prisoner by the Varden."

To his surprise she laughed quietly, almost nervously. He hadn't thought that she would be joyful about hearing the news of her supposed death. "Not quite, though that is close to truth," said she slowing the horse to match his pace. "My being dead might work to my benefit."

"How so?"

She grinned at him quite guardedly, as if she were the keeper of the world's secrets. "It is a very rare thing for the dead to travel through the Gates and into the land of the living," she said. "I don't believe I've ever witnessed such a sight, nor will I."

Ilbert grinned and looked over the land before them, ahead of them rode a sole traveler coming their way. "I wouldn't wish you to."

They rode for a time in silence as the traveler passed them. It was a lone man, likely a farmer. Ilbert paid him no mind.

"How is your family, Ilbert?" she asked, guiding them off the road. "Ilem's wife was with child, the last I've heard, and Ilona affianced."

"Ilem's wife has bought an heir for our family," he said, making a face. "Ilona is putout about her engagement, and Ilisa is wishing she were in her sister's place. My mother is same as she always has been as is my father, though they are older and much sullener for it."

Rose laughed, and then looked at him and her smile faded. "Ilisa is a romantic," she said sullenly.

"That's not always a bad thing."

Rose turned and away from him. "No, it's not," she said, stopping Shadowless at the bottom of a hill. "This is where we part." Biting her lip, she rubbed the grand horse's neck before jumping off of him and kissing his peach colored snout. "Do take care of him," she said. She was avoiding his gaze looking instead at the horse's black mane.

Ilbert looked away, not being able to continue looking at her. He didn't see any person, nor horse, nothing that meant she would get to her companion safely. Even if she did get to her friend where would she end up? "I said I would," he said. "I don't see this ride of yours."

"He won't come until you leave."

He raised an eyebrow inquiringly at her, his eyes downcast. "No?"

"No," said Rose with a shake of her head.

Ilbert slid down from his horse, and to his own surprise he embraced her, she was stiff for a time then slowly she relaxed. They stood for a long moment, until she pushed him away. She handed him the reigns to Shadowless, and looked up at him. "I do not like this," he said in truth. "You leaving doesn't sit well with me."

"Nor me," she said, stepping away from him. "But I must go, as must you."

Ilbert nodded, fingering the leather reigns. He still could not believe that Tornac was dead. It seemed impossible that such a lively man could not be living. He wanted to know what had happened, how he had died, but he couldn't, not at this moment. "May the gods guide you," he said, causing her to smile.

"Farewell, Ilbert," was all she said, before pulling her hand from his, and walking away. "Be mindful if you return to Urû'baen."

Ilbert looked at her in confusion. Why would he have to careful in Urû'baen, it was perhaps the safest place he could go. "Be mindful, yourself," he said. "If you ever change your mind, you are welcome here."

She smiled and shook her head. "Farewell," she said again, looking away from him towards the sky.

Knowing that he would get no more from her, Ilbert mounted his horse, and guiding Shadowless, he rode away. Halfway up the hill, he turned around and looked down towards Rose. She stood still, in the same place, her back facing him. He continued forward, stopping only once more when he reach the crest of the hill. He steered the horses to a brush, and fastened them to a branch. He needed to know who Rose was meeting. Tornac was no longer there to protect her, and despite what she had said, Ilbert doubted that she was safe. She couldn't be, not when she was traveling about so…

He had been worried about her over the last years, though knowing he shouldn't be, she had had Tornac and Tornac had always kept her safe. It seemed to him as if she were slowly distancing herself from him. But his worry was born from a deep friendship, and regard for her, something that can only be formed after years of trail and amity.

And so, he crouched down in the bushes and watch as a large bird flew down from the sky and land near Rose. But, he realized it was not a bird at all. It was far too large to be a bird, and birds certainly didn't glisten with red scales.

Staggering back, and nearly falling over, he understood what it was that he was looking at. He watched as she went to the dragon and rubbed its neck before climbing onto its back, as if it were something she had done countless of times before. He remained watching as the dragon flew away with her, and sometime later he had yet to move, froze still in shock. He shook himself then and ran to the horses, he needed to get back to his uncle and quickly. Turning the horse sharply, he forced the creature into a full gallop. Dust rose up in billowing clouds behind him.