The Princess Rider ch3

Evarinya sat on Briam's saddle as Arya led them through camp towards the training field. When they arrived, Eragon and Saphira were there already, along with Nasuada and Blodgharm. Evarinya jumped off of Briam and walked over. Briam followed. As Evarinya walked beside Briam, Evarinya kept her hand on his giant foreleg.

Oh Eragon! Look how his scales sparkle in the sun!

If you do decide to act, make sure that you do when this is all over and done, Saphira.

Are we really having this discussion again?

Eragon gave no response.

The flying test went really well, of course, as did magic. But everyone present knew that they were just formalities. At last, it was time for the arms test. Arya and Evarinya moved to the center of the arena and blocked their swords. They faced each other, neither daring to move.

Evarinya slashed. Arya stepped nimbly back. Arya spun around and hacked at Evarinya's side. Just in time, Evarinya lowered her sword, Domia, and their swords clashed at the hilt. They fell over and jumped up again.

They spun and their swords clashed again, this time mid-blade. The force involved propelled them apart again. Evarinya swung Domia in a criss cross pattern. At just the right time, Arya thrust her sword out and knocked Domia out of Evarinya's hand.

Evarinya dropped to the ground and tripped Arya with her ankles. Arya landed heavily. Evarinya scrambled up and grabbed Domia just in time to block a strike from Arya. Evarinya lunged and Arya jumped back.

Arya charged forward, and Evarinya stood her ground. Right before Arya hit her, Evarinya spun to the side. As she passed, they were a hair's breadth apart. They stood separately again, each breathing heavily. They ran at each other. Just as they were about to collide, Arya tried to trip Evarinya. Just as quickly, Evarinya jumped up, dodging the attempt at tripping.

And so it went on for another twenty minutes, until Arya fell backwards. Evarinya touched Domia to Arya's collarbone. Evarinya helped her up. They removed the blocks on their swords and sheathed them. The two walked over to Nasuada, Eragon and Blodgharm.

Eragon looked at them with awe. "That was some of the best swordselfship I've ever seen!"

Evarinya laughed. "Swordselfship?" Soon, the others joined in. After a minute, they stopped.

Nasuada approached Evarinya. "You may leave now, if you wish. Briam's saddlebags have already been packed."

Evarinya clasped Nasuada's shoulders. "You are generous and wise. Be safe, Lady Nasuada."

Nasuada looked at her right in the eye. "I'll try."

Just before they took off, Evarinya checked the saddlebags. Her bow, arrows, quiver were there. Everything else was too-- everything that she'd need for a long voyage. "All there." Evarinya mounted Briam. Just before takeoff, Arya came over.

"Sister!" called Arya.

Wait. "Yes?" she called back.

Arya spoke a line in the Ancient Language. "May you return to our ancestral home swiftly and safely."

"And may you stay safe within the ranks of the Varden," replied Evarinya in the Ancient Language.

Briam took off and leveled out really high up, where the air was thin and of a farmer happened to glance up and see them, they'd be mistaken for a hawk. It was freezing up there and Evarinya was glad she'd layered her clothes before she went.

You know where we're going, Little One?

Keep flying north. Evarinya wiggled in the saddle. Oooh, I can't wait!

For?

I think you know perfectly well what for.

True. Briam flapped his wings a little harder.

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By the end of the second day, the two had skirted the Capital, and were just north of Bullridge, south of Gil'ead. That night, they landed near Osilon. Briam was exhausted, so he stayed in a clearing about five miles away from the town. Evarinya strapped on her belt and sheath and hugged Briam's neck. I'll be back for you soon. Get some rest.

I will. You can be sure of that.

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It didn't take long to find the elves' camp. The guard saw Evarinya running at top speed for the camp. She saw how fast Evarinya was, and knew that she, the approaching figure, was an elf. After all, no one can run as fast as an elf.

Evarinya arrived. Onoma didn't recognize Evarinya, as she was of a younger generation of elves, born after the Fall. Evarinya touched her fingers to her lips. "Atra esterní ono thelduin."

Onoma responded. "Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr."

Continuing in the Ancient Language, Evarinya told Onoma that she needed to see the queen. After some persuasion, Onoma led Evarinya there. She walked in and motioned for Evarinya to follow her inside.

The queen and the ten elven lords and ladies all looked up. Islanzadí and Evarinya locked eyes. No one spoke for a long moment. "Leave us. All of you," the queen finally said. No one dared talk back. When the last elf had gone, Islanzadí came over to where Evarinya still stood. She grabbed her daughter's shoulders. A single tear ran down her pale cheek. She held Evarinya tightly. In the Ancient Language, she said, "Oh my daughter, I have missed you so."

Responding in the same language, Evarinya replied. "I never stopped thinking of you for a second." She returned her mother's hug.

"Oh, my daughter…" Islanzadí pulled back, but kept a hold on Evarinya's shoulders. She whispered, "Where were you?"

Deciding not to hide anything, Evarinya answered. "I was training. After the Battle of Gil'ead, Briam and I flew as far west as we could. I think we landed in Alalea." The queen's eyes grew wide. "While we were there, we found our teachers-- the Lost Ones." Evarinya took a deep breath. "We were there for one hundred years, constantly training. They taught us so much…I scryed you and Arya as often as I could. After a time, I knew it was time to act, so the four of us flew back." Evarinya coughed.

The queen's reply was barely audible. "Where are they now?"

Evarinya closed her eyes and turned her head away. "Gone."

"How?"

"We flew by Helgrind and as we were eating, four cloaked strangers attacked us. Arya tells me they're called the Ra'zac." Evarinya's head was still turned. The queen stayed silent, paralyzed in fear. "Briam and I buried them. From there, we flew to Farthen Dur and King Hrothgar told us where the Varden is, so we flew there." She turned her head back. "We've decided to fight with them. We came back to see you and one other person." Evarinya felt her cheeks redden slightly.

"You're leaving?" Islanzadí stared at Evarinya tearfully and incredulously. "So soon after we've been reunited?"

"I'm sorry, Mother."

Islanzadí's arms dropped to her sides. "Go." She turned away. "Go. See whoever it is and leave."

"But--"

"GO!" Islanzadí turned rapidly, her eyes wild, hair slightly disheveled.

Evarinya whispered. "Stay safe." She walked out of the tent. She wandered the camp, wondering where he'd be. She searched her memories of him for a clue. One in particular stood out.

Evarinya had finished her training for the day. She had some free time, so she decided to go to his favorite clearing in Du Weldenvarden. It was perfect-- it was a great size, it was enclosed, quiet and great for meditation or the occasional duel with a friend, even archery.

He was there with his cousin Munal, who could keep secrets. The two were dueling and it looked like it was a fierce one. Evarinya stood to the side, basket of fruit and bred in hand and observed, not wanting to disturb them. Looks like this is starting to wind down.

She came into the clearing. Munal, only seeing her sparring partner, lunged. The blade smacked Evarinya's shoulder hard-- even though the edge was blocked, it was still hard enough to shatter Evarinya's right arm. Both female elves cried out-- Munal in shock, Evarinya in pain. The two collapsed on the ground.

He immediately threw his still blocked sword to the ground and ran over. He acted quickly. "I can fix the shirt when I'm done." He took out a small knife and cut off the sleeve, careful not to injure his love any further. He winced. The injury looked terrible.

He put his hands together and chanted. It was quite a long incantation. When he finished, he collapsed next to Evarinya. Wordlessly, Munal had been gathering the fruit and bread from the ground. She handed Evarinya the basket, murmured a quick apology, and left the clearing.

He ate gratefully, and Evarinya gathered his head in her lap. She smiled down and he smiled back as he finished his last few bites. Evarinya leaned down for a long kiss.

Evarinya wasn't watching where she was going. She was jolted out of her reverie when she ran into someone who was dueling his opponent. The traditional greeting was exchanged. "I'm sorry I backed into you."

"No, that's all right. I wasn't watching where I was going," said Evarinya.

The other elf smiled.

"I'm looking for someone. Could you help me find him?"

"It's the least I can do." Evarinya told him who she was looking for. The elf looked around. "He's over there." The elf, whose name Evarinya still didn't know, led her over to where he was.

The elf Evarinya was seeking turned in his duel and saw Evarinya. He walked over, blocked blade still in hand. He removed the block and sheathed his blade. He reached out and put a hand on Evarinya's shoulder. Evarinya reciprocated the movement. "Is it you?"

Evarinya said nothing, but nodded. His hand dropped to hers and he held it. He turned to his sparring partner. "Daer, I have to go." He bowed and led Evarinya out of the sparring area to a deserted clearing. They sat down and said nothing for a long while. He took her hands in his own. He pulled Evarinya in gently and rested his forehead against her. His brown eyes, full of wonder and joy, bored into her blue ones. He angled his mouth and kissed her. He stopped and they went forehead to forehead again.

He whispered so tenderly, it made Evarinya's heart melt. "I'm coming with you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," replied Evarinya in that same whisper. Those were the first words that he'd heard from Evarinya in one hundred years.

The two stood up and went to Islanzadí's tent. He wrote out a quick message for her, handed it to a guard, and told the guard who it was for. Then he and Evarinya left camp. They ran at full speed to Briam's clearing. They arrived in no time. When they did, however, the two stopped just outside of the clearing out of breath.

Evarinya contacted Briam through the mind touch. Are you awake?

I am now.

We're here. Night was beginning to fall. Do you want to leave at day break?

I don't see you.

We're just outside the clearing.

Well, come over here.

Evarinya chuckled. Ok. "He's a little grumpy that we woke him up." She ushered him through the trees. Briam wordlessly opened his wing.

The male elf sent a questioning glance to Evarinya, who replied, "We can use Briam's wing as a tent."

The two lay down together against Briam's thigh. A pane of green covered what they could see of the night sky.