The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Death's Call

*Tabatha's POV*

When I opened my eyes the sun was shining and I lay on the ground. I had a splitting headache and there was excruciating pain coming from the right side of my torso. I tried to move but that only made the pain worsen. I placed my hand on the spot where the pain was coming from and when I drew back my hand to look, it was completely covered in bright, crimson blood. I cried out and clenched my side as I suddenly remembered what happened earlier this morning; at least, I thought it was this morning. I had no idea what time or day it was. I had been trekking through the Spine but I'd gone the wrong way and had found myself back at the road. There, I saw two strangers dressed in all black. Their voices were strange to my ears, like the hissing of snakes, but I heard them talking about Saphira's egg. They were going to attack Garrow's farm! I quickly stole away from their camp and ran as fast as I could to the farm, but I had been too late. The strangers had already come and planted their strange weapons and the farm had been razed to the ground. As I watched in horror, an explosion suddenly rocked the barn. It knocked me off my feet and sent me flying backwards. A bolt of pain went through my side and I found that I was unable to walk. I crawled away from the flames and eventually passed out amongst the trees.

I could see black pillars of smoke rising not too far away. The blast must have blown me farther than I thought, for I hadn't crawled that far, at least I didn't think that I had. I tried to turn over but I found that my side hurt even more before it had touched the ground. Oh gods, now I realized what had happened. I looked down and saw that there was a large piece of wood stuck in my side. It must have hit me with the blast from the barn. I screamed out in pain as I touched the piece of shrapnel, the pain ripping through my side and my muscles twitching in agony. I thought I may have sprained my ankle as well for it was throbbing with pain.

I braved another look down at my side and grimaced in disgust. The piece of wood looked like it was black with rot and it was covered in my own blood. There were at least four inches of wood sticking out of me and most likely another two embedded in my side. The pure, white snow all around me had been stained with a shock of crimson blood.

The pain became almost unbearable, and I nearly passed out a couple of times. Hot tears stung my eyes and rolled down my cheeks as I continued to cry out, hoping that someone, anyone, would hear me. I lay there, writhing in pain in a pool of my own blood. When it seemed that I would die right there in the freezing cold, alone and helpless, a dark shadow passed overhead. I looked up and saw a sparkling, blue mass flying through the air. "Saphira!" I called out, the pain obvious in my voice. She circled a few times and finally alighted on the ground in the clearing I was lying in.

'Tabatha!' I heard her call inside my head. It felt strange, for I had never communicated with her before, but the pain was so overwhelming that I really didn't pay attention, as long as she was here.

"Help!" I called out, still clutching my side. She quickly came over and sniffed at my wound, her head recoiling in shock and a low hiss emanating from her throat.

'You're hurt badly, Tabatha. I must get you to Carvahall,' she said. I shook my head as the tears continued to flow.

"I don't think I'll be able to make it there. I can't walk," I cried, looking up into her great, sapphire eyes.

'I can fly you to the outskirts of town. I won't be seen,' she said, pleading with me.

"No. I can't move," I replied, groaning in pain.

'You must!' she snapped, gnashing her teeth together, the snapping sound reverberating in the quiet of the clearing. 'You will die if you stay here, and Eragon would never forgive me if I let that happen! Get on my back!' She didn't have to tell me twice after that, the anger in her voice was so frightening. Saphira angled her back so it would be easier for me to climb on. I slowly crawled over to her and the pain was absolutely excruciating. I cried out every time the pain shot through my side, but I pushed forward, knowing this was the only way.