The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Facing My Fate

"How odd," he whispered to himself, inspecting my hand. "I don't know what to say. This is more than I—or anyone else, for that matter—could have hoped for. We have a fighting chance against Galbatorix now."

"But the question still remains: will she be able to put aside her personal feelings for Murtagh?" Arya suddenly blurted out. I glared at her intensely across the fire; my hate for her was reaching an all-time high.

"Arya," Eragon warned. But it was too late; she'd already opened her mouth again.

"It's a valid question," she continued, her green eyes shining menacingly and her full lips set into a snarl. "Will you be able to put aside your feelings if the time ever comes when you'll have to fight him?"

As I sprang to my feet, Amera growled behind me and Eragon lunged for my arm, grasping it firmly and holding me back from jumping across the flames to throttle her thin, porcelain neck. "How dare you question my loyalties?" I spat across the flames, which now seemed hotter than ever. Of course, I knew where her doubts were coming from. I myself had been questioning the very subject before I even chose to become a Rider. "I will do what is necessary if and when the time comes." My voice sounded braver than I felt.

She slowly got to her feet and wiped the dirt off her breeches. "That is all I wanted to know," she said, her voice infuriatingly calm. Then she turned and stalked off towards the camp. I wrenched my arm out of Eragon's grasp and walked back to Amera's side.

"I'm sorry, Tabatha," Eragon said. "I know Arya is just concerned with protecting the Varden, but it was wrong of her to say such things."

I gave myself a moment to calm down, and now I could think clearly. "No," I said quietly, turning back to face him, "she was well within her rights to ask. I would have done the same had our positions been reversed. I just lost my head, that's all."

Eragon eyed me for a moment. "You really have changed a lot, Tabby."

"I know," I replied. "I can't say if it's for the better though." This last part I said more to myself than to anyone else. I glanced up at the sky, and saw that the first rays of the sun were peeking over the horizon. Soon, Amera and I would have to reveal ourselves to the world, and I was dreading it.

Nasuada must have sensed my discomfort, for she said, "Don't worry, Tabatha, I'll take care of it. We'll give you a proper introduction and then you can reveal yourselves."

"Thank you," I said, genuinely meaning it. She headed back to the camp, leaving Eragon, Saphira, Amera, and me alone together.

"You don't know how long I've wanted this," Eragon said quietly.

"What?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Another Rider to talk to." He smiled, but there was a tint of sadness to it. "No one else understands what I go through. Nobody knows how hard it is or the kind of pressure that's put on me. But now you will, Tabby. It will be hard, that I can promise you, but I can also promise you that I will help you as much as I can." I couldn't help the wave of gladness that suddenly rushed over me, so I wrapped him in a hug, having to get up on my tiptoes to encircle his neck with my arms. After everything that had happened to me—after all the hell I'd been through—I just needed a friend to hold me and comfort me. Eragon was what I needed. And in that moment, I realized that Eragon was what I would always need. We were bound to each other now, through the bonds of friendship and unity, and would never be parted again.

I pulled slightly away to look him in the eye. "Eragon," I began, choking back the tears that I could feel coming, "I'm so sorry. I am sorry for everything. When I said that we shouldn't see each other again, I didn't mean it. I never did."

"I know, Tabby," he whispered. "It's all right; I know why you said it. None of that seems to matter anymore."

"I suppose we were never destined to be apart," I said, laughing slightly to myself. "I'm going to need you more than ever now, to help me get through this."

"Do you remember," he continued, "when we were in Carvahall, what you said to me that night you discovered Saphira? It was so long ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday."

"What did I say?" I asked him, smiling fondly at the memories of a time that had been much simpler than now.

"I had so unwisely claimed that I realized that great task that lay before me," he said, snorting at his own ignorance. "And then you told me that I could not possibly imagine what would happen to me. You were right, Tabby. You were so right."

"And now I am in the same position," I said, a great wash of melancholy suddenly coming over me.

Eragon glanced over at the camp and I followed his gaze, noticing that a great mass of people were gathering in the center of the camp, outside Nasuada's pavilion. "We'd best go," he said. "You two wouldn't want to miss your big entrance." He gave me a small half-smile, but it didn't do much to lighten my mood. We headed back to the camp, going the roundabout way behind the tents so as not to be seen. It was easy enough for Amera to hide behind Saphira's larger form.

I like this Rider, Amera said as we walked in the dim, dawn light, and Saphira is kind. She has said she will show me everything she knows about flying and combat.

That's wonderful, Amera, I replied. I was overjoyed that she would have someone to show her the ropes, and I felt that it would be good for Saphira as well to have an eager student. When we finally came around the back of Nasuada's pavilion, all we could do was wait. It wouldn't be long now.

"...reason I've called you all here this morning," I heard Nasuada saying to the waiting crowd. They must have been very confused as to why they'd been roused from their beds so early. "Today is, in fact, a glorious day for the Varden." I heard muttering and shuffling from the gathered group. "We have just learned that there is another Rider in Alagaesia. I present her to you now." A hushed awe settled over the crowd.

That's our cue, I said, climbing up into the saddle. Are you ready?

Of course, Amera said triumphantly. She vaulted into the sky and soared over the tent and the waiting crowd beyond. A chorus of cheers erupted such as I have never heard before; it was nearly deafening. Amera let out a roar to please the crowd, eliciting even more cheers from the Varden. I held Manin aloft over my head as Amera circled back around to land in front of the red pavilion. Eragon and Saphira were already waiting next to Nasuada, and Arya stood close by, arms crossed over her chest.

"Tonight, we shall feast in honor of our newest allies! Tabatha and Amera!" They all cheered again and I couldn't help the smile that came over my face. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all...

***

It was later that day, after Amera and I had gotten settled into our own tent and while we walked around the edge of the camp, that I saw a sight which made my heart lurch forward, feeling like it would pop out of my chest at any moment.

Thorn.

He was draped over the wall of the city, looking peaceful as he slept there. Why hadn't Eragon told me that Murtagh was here? I knew I was a little sensitive about that subject right now, but that was a piece of information I had a right to know. I should have guessed that he would be here, but I had hoped against it fervently. Perhaps I'd have to confront them sooner than I'd thought.

I have mixed feelings about him, Amera said as she gazed at his glittering, crimson form.

It's because I have mixed feelings about Murtagh, I admitted. I am sorry.

There is no need to apologize, she said. I understand.

At that moment, I saw a form walk along the wall and sit down next to the great red dragon. I could only guess as to whom it was, but my heart told me I was correct: Murtagh. Well, he'd probably seen us by now; there would be no more hiding. My heart skipped a couple of beats as I looked at him. Although I hated to admit it, Arya was right. If we ever were to meet in battle—which would likely be very soon—I'd be hard pressed to put these feelings aside. But I could not allow them to hinder my judgment and stop me from doing what I must. As we stood there, I continued to stare up at the wall, gazing at my fate, and also very likely, my doom.