Sasha didn't walk far before she stopped and stared across the vast expanse of land before her, shadowed by a half moon and lighted by the stars.
How could she blame Eragon Shadeslayer for her cousin's condition? He had not even known who she was, had no idea that she had such ties to Galbatorix and to Murtagh, and his
business was nothing that had to do with them. It was chance that had brought him to The Tempest's Shelter, and chance that Taya had even recognized him for who he was. She
could not judge him for leaving when he had. She could not even judge him for his reaction to Taya's refusal to accompany him and his companions to the Varden.
Yet why had she?
Sasha hugged herself, closing her eyes tightly. She knew the answer. Because she had left Taya to herself when she had known something was wrong. Sasha blamed herself for
what had happened. But one does not easily blame oneself in situations like the one Sasha found herself in, and so she was trying to outwardly lay the blame on someone else,
someone close and important but wholly unrelated to it all.
Sasha opened her eyes as a new thought came to her, and she shuddered. Memories were a powerful thing. Losing Taya reminded her of someone else she had lost, and she
remembered clearly the blame she had laid on herself during the following weeks and months. Only, she had not lost Taya completely…
'She is counting on us to get her to the Varden'. Kabarak's words echoed through her mind, and Sasha knew what she had to do. She had the ability, the strength to save her cousin
when she had previously failed her. She could take the blame she was putting on herself and use that resolve to do everything she had to do to get Taya to safety, to healing hands.
Taya trusted her, and was trusting that she would act as the adult, not the petty child. Sasha had to make sure she kept that trust and did not fail her cousin again… did not fail
those she loved again.
Sasha turned and walked back to the fire, and Raya sat up on her elbows when she heard her approach.
"Are you ok?" The younger girl asked concernedly, and to her surprise Sasha smiled.
"Now I am. After a little soul searching, I realized what my problem was and figured out how to change it. Go to sleep, Raya. I'm right behind you."
Raya raised an eyebrow, then shrugged her shoulders and lay back down. Sasha looked over at Kabarak, who had not moved from his position next to Taya. His eyes were closed,
and he seemed to be asleep, so she didn't disturb him. Sasha followed Raya's example and laid down on her bedroll, closing her eyes and quickly falling asleep.
After a few minutes Kabarak opened his eyes and looked over at Sasha, noticing her even breathing. Satisfied that she was asleep, he stood and edged out of camp to hunt again.
He had his own 'soulsearching' to do, and that was best done by flying and hunting.
Three days later they came in sight of the town of Belatona, a day or two earlier than they had thought they would. Raya rode by herself into the town to get a few supplies, while
Sasha rode around the town as far from it as she could. Kabarak kept a clear mental connection with Raya throughout the day, making sure nothing happened to her. The risk of
sending Raya into the town was small and Raya had grudgingly admitted that she had been in Belatona before and she remembered the different streets. Besides that, she knew
how to be careful.
Sasha and Kabarak had only been in their hiding spot on the other side of the town for a little over an hour when Raya rode up.
"Well, there isn't anything on the town boards that I found about Taya, or us. Eragon and Roran Stronghammer's posters are still up, with a higher reward. A man I talked to while I
purchased the supplies said he hadn't heard of any movement from the Empire or the Varden armies in a while. This seemed to worry him, and I can't say I blame him. So, if his
intelligence is correct, our adventure should be fairly uneventful." Raya looked at her sister, who was still situated in front of Sasha.
"How is she?" Raya asked, causing Sasha to sigh.
"As I told you before you went into Belatona, she is the same. The mark where he choked her is getting darker, which I am guessing means the poison is working. Other than that,
nothing is different."
"Well, let's go then. We can get a few more miles in before we have to stop again." Raya turned Shacour and rode off at a trot. Before Sasha followed her, Kabarak extricated
himself from his travelling box and alighted on Gypsie's back, on top of the packs. The mare turned her head to look back at the dragon curiously, but Kabarak had done this before
so she didn't seem to mind. All of the horses had become used Kabarak flitting around, landing on them, running around them and so forth, so hopefully if a tense situation was to
arise the humans would not have to worry about the horses spooking at the dragon.
If we continue to make such good time, we may be able to make it to the Varden with a few days to spare. Kabarak said, but Sasha noticed his halfhearted tone and questioned
him on it.
I may try to be positive, but I am noticing something different through my link with Taya. It is… darker. The poison is burning inside of her, this I can feel easily. She is blocked
from me, yes, but there are still things that I can sense… for how long, I do not know. I wish we knew how long the poison takes to kill its victim.
"We'll get through this, Kabarak. Try not to worry about it."
You're speaking to the King's court. The dragon retorted, catching her by surprise. Sasha didn't reply, knowing what he was going through and knowing that comforting words would
be useless. Who knew if they really were going to make it through this? They were all miserable, especially when they thought about the end of the road, because they didn't know
where it would really end. But Sasha could almost sense something else driving them forward. Their journey revolved around urgency… to save the life of one they loved.
"Love is a powerful thing. Sometimes it drives you to do things you never thought you could. There is more to it than we will ever understand. It is not something you give lightly.
You give it to those you trust, those you care about strongly. It is rooted by the deepest friendship, and bursts forth in beautiful colors to light up your life. There is happiness there
that no evil can grasp and shatter. Love is a journey, and it only grows stronger. It starts as something small, and then becomes something so much bigger.
Two days after their arrival at and departure from Dras'leona, Murtagh and Thorn were back in Uru'baen. The deed that they had been sent to do lay heavy on them, causing
Murtagh to remain silent towards everyone he came across.
Immediately on their arrival Murtagh returned the vial of poison to Galbatorix, wanting to get the thing as far away from himself, wanting no more part of it. The pleasure on
Galbatorix's face made him sick, and he only nodded his head in response to his master's praise.
"For once you have not failed me, Murtagh." Galbatorix said, in an almost pleasant tone. "She will die slowly and in great pain. Fire will consume her mind, and all the while she will
be utterly helpless. Well done, Murtagh. Let this be a part of a lesson. Those who defy me will be punished accordingly."
Murtagh went away from the throne room in pain, whipped, when he should have left unscathed. He tried to tell himself that he could have done nothing, but that only increased the
pain by reminding him of his servitude to Galbatorix and how easily he could be controlled. His hunger for power fought against his love for Taya, causing his mind to be turmoil of
thoughts and emotions.
As he wandered the halls of Uru'baen, he found that his wandering had led him towards Taya's wing of the castle, and he stopped, wanting no part of the Hljodhr Evarinya.
they se
emed to be following him everywhere and watching him like hawks, as they appeared to be now. As he stopped, two cloaked figures stepped around a corner ahead of him,
and they were instantly recognizable as Captain Melcar Di'Acor and Lieutenant Larton Zax. The two stopped immediately, and after surveying the situation, Melcar raised an
eyebrow at him.
"You're back." He said, looking genuinely surprised.
"Yes, I am." Murtagh growled. "And I would prefer to be left alone."
"Ahh, so no social visiting." Zax said softly, and Melcar snapped at him.
"Enough!" The captain turned to Murtagh. "Does that mean we still do not have a departure time?"
Murtagh narrowed his eyes, disliking the situation and especially Zax's comment, although he and Zax had never gotten along quite well. They only tolerated each other, so his
comment wasn't too unexpected. "I have only just returned. I will inform you when we will depart." With that, he turned abruptly and stalked off, leaving the two Hljodhr Evarinya
behind. He didn't see them exchange curious looks, nor did he care if they did.
To escape from people, Murtagh left the inside of the castle and retreated to the sparring fields. The sky was overcast and the air smelled of rain, but the weather fit his mood and
so he found comfort outside, if only a little.
There were a few people on the main field, and they stopped when they saw him stalking towards them. But he passed them by and went to the secondary field, which was half
hidden by buildings and a few trees.
He stopped by the back wall and sat down with his back against the wall, sighing heavily. He looked up at the castle, and was staring directly at Taya's wing and the balcony to her
room. There was a garden separating the sparring field from the castle, and the garden was hers and it was where her two dogs still resided.
When they were younger, Murtagh had used to spar with Tornac in the secondary field, and was often observed by Taya from her balcony. Thinking that, he thought back to the most memorable time that had happened, which had been on her 16th birthday, and at that moment he felt the weight of her pendant he was wearing around his neck.
*Flashback*
"Move your feet, Murtagh! You are being slow today!" Tornac yelled at Murtagh, swiping at his legs. Murtagh barely blocked his trainer, and he growled back.
"You're going faster today!"
"I'm not being lazy, like you are." Tornac shot back, successfully causing Murtagh to retaliate furiously. After a moment of blows they both stepped away and circled each other.
"It looks like your sweetheart is watching you from her balcony today, Murtagh." Tornac said evenly. Murtagh rolled his eyes but failed to look away from Tornac. He'd fallen for
that trick too many times.
He and Tornac were training on the secondary field, which was behind Taya Corsallen's wing of the castle, and she had a perfect view of the field from her balcony. Murtagh had a
feeling that she stood there sometimes to attempt to distract him from his sparring, and that feeling included the thought that she and Tornac had some sort of deal. He only
thought that because Tornac never stopped her or got angry. He just reprimanded Murtagh's focus severely.
"Isn't it her birthday today?" Tornac asked as he struck at Murtagh, who in turn struck back at him.
"Yes, it is."
"Are you doing anything special for her?"
"I got her something."
"When are you going to give it to her?"
"When we are finished today."
"Ahh"
Murtagh narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
"I just wanted to make sure it wasn't too late. She looks pretty anxious up there."
Murtagh's head snapped up and his eyes locked on the figure up on the balcony, pacing back and forth. She paused when she saw him looking, and then Murtagh whirled to block
Tornac just in time and deliver a surprising blow to Tornac's hip.
"Well," Tornac said dryly, "maybe you should look up at her more often when she is there. That was the best reflex action I've gotten from you in a while."
Murtagh cocked an eyebrow and then shifted his sword, knowing another bout was inevitable. "Let's just get this over with."
"What makes you think I'll let you go anytime soon after that move?
Murtagh motioned towards the castle with his head. "She does seem pretty anxious." He said calmly.
Tornac laughed, and lowered his sword, grinning at Murtagh's confusion.
"We've been at this for a while. I think we'll end it on a good note today."
"That I don't believe." Murtagh stared at his trainer in amazement.
"Believe it, kid. I told her that I wouldn't keep you too, too long today… What are you still standing there for?!"
Murtagh rolled his eyes at his trainer, but picked up his scabbard and belted it on, sheathing his sword quickly.
"Thanks, Tornac." He said as he turned and jogged towards the castle.
"I won't be so easy on you next time!" Tornac yelled after him, but Murtagh chose not to reply.
Yes, yes Tornac. I'm sure you will. He thought to himself with a grin.
Murtagh entered Taya's garden through a door that was rather well hidden by ivy, and was greeted loudly by Taya's two longlegged and scrawny pups, Danva and Shollana. Their
chorus of yelps surely made his arrival known, but when he looked up at Taya's balcony she was no longer standing there.
He made his way through the iron gate leading from the garden into the castle, and took the steps up two at a time. His muscles protested after being worked on the sparring
fields, but that was the last thing on his mind. He rounded a corner and had gone only a little ways when ahead of him one of Taya's bodyguards appeared. Murtagh could tell it was
one of the Hljodhr Evarinya by the cloak and the barely visible crest on the man's left collarbone.
"Hello Murtagh." The man greeted, and Murtagh recognized the voice of Zen Drayson.
"Hello Zen." He replied evenly, not surprised by his escort. Murtagh thought that out of all her bodyguards, Zen was the most protective. This could be for a number of reasons, he
knew. One more than the others always came to mind, though.
"I haven't seen you in a few days." Zen commented goodnaturedly as he fell into step beside Murtagh. "We were beginning to wonder what had happened to you."
Murtagh raised an eyebrow at him, but Zen didn't seem to notice.
"Training time has doubled apparently, at the king's request."
"So how were you able to get away so soon today?"
Murtagh frowned ever so slightly at Zen's question, and then realized that Taya must not have told him about her deal with Tornac. He decided not to be the one to tell the
bodyguard.
"I can imagine Tornac had an ulterior motive." He said casually, immediately following the statement with a question. "Has anything been going on the last couple of days?"
If Zen thought anything of his reply, he did not show it.
"Well, besides the news that Galbatorix is picking some new 'personal guards', and news of the King's invitation to two influential lords to come to the castle for some special meeting, Taya has been rather reclusive and secretive. I am thoroughly stumped as to what she is doing, because we can hear her doing something in her room and she's gone to
find some very random tools, but she hasn't told us what she's doing or let us investigate."
"That is odd. She usually can't keep a secret, not when it is really important." Murtagh said, more to himself than Zen.
Zen laughed and commented dryly. "I think she has a few secrets yet untold."
"You know what I meant." Murtagh growled, and to his relief they approached Taya's quarters, so Zen didn't have a chance to reply. But he did look rather perturbed. Luckily they were friends… sort of.
Before Zen could even knock, the door opened and
Taya stood framed in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear.
"I was wondering how long it was going to take you to get here." She said matteroffactly, looking at Murtagh. "I was afraid you had gotten lost!"
Murtagh merely stared at her in amusement, and she chuckled. "Just kidding. Come in!" She motioned them in, and Zen followed Murtagh closely and then stepped off to the side
and positioned himself by Taya's desk. Murtagh looked around her spacious room, trying to see if she'd left any trace of her secret activity Zen had mentioned. The only things
different that he noticed in the room was that her large table by her double bookshelves was covered with stuff, the curtains of the double doors to her balcony were a different
color, and all around the room on the walls and on her desk were strange candle lights, which were shaded by a deep emerald colored glass. Regular candles burned too, but the
green ones were very peculiar. He looked from Taya to the light on her desk and back to her, his expression asking his question. Again, Taya grinned.
"It's called the Emara Light." Taya walked to her desk and gently flicked the glass of the candle, and it emitted a strange hum as the flame flickered higher for a split second and
then returned to normal. "The glass came from Kuasta, and is rather rare. The Light supposedly flickers higher when there is danger." There was a twinkle in her eyes as she
looked from Zen to Murtagh as she spoke.
"So how did you come by such fascinating decorations?" Murtagh asked curiously.
"The glass and candles came from Lady Elrina Vertila, who remembered, somehow, my love for the color, and as she knows who I am, I guess she thought that they might be
somewhat useful."
"Do they work?" Zen asked.
"Well, usually it makes a funky sound like it just did." Taya shrugged, but Murtagh noticed that the twinkle in her eyes seemed to brighten, especially when Zen's expression
hardened. "But I have come to think it only does that with contact to the glass. I only got it to make noise without me touching it once."
"How?"
Taya motioned to one of the lights on the wall, and the two of them noticed a little spot an inch or so away from the light. "I threw a knife at the wall." She said simply.
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