The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Attack On Dras-Leona

"I know how to separate my desires from my duty," I growled back. "Perhaps you would do well to remember that I could have chosen to stay in Urû'baen, with him. But I didn't. I chose to come back to you, to fight against my father and all the evils he has committed. I loved Murtagh, but I knew that the cause we fight for here today was more important than that."

She eyed me carefully for another moment or two, but my eyes never left her piercing gaze. If she thought she'd gained any ground, I saw no sign of it on her face. "Very well," she finally conceded.

"It's settled then," Nasuada breathed, clearly thankful we'd gotten that out of the way. "Eragon, Arya, Wyrden, Angela, and any other spellcasters you may see fit will go into the tunnels tonight. You will attack the guards at dawn tomorrow morning, and open the gates. We're going to take this city."

"And Tabatha?" Eragon questioned, looking slyly between Arya and me. His cautious looks did not go unnoticed by me though, nor did I think they escaped Arya's perception either.

"Amera and I will draw Murtagh away from the city," I continued, "towards the camp, while you all are working on the gates. By the time he realizes what's happening, it will be too late."

"This may just work," Eragon muttered, rubbing his eyes wearily with his fingers.

"Aye, that it might," I agreed, trying my best to reassure him. He'd grown so serious in the time that I'd been away. But I couldn't help but think we had been away from each other for quite a while longer than just the time I'd been held captive. We hadn't really been together for more than a few days since he'd left Farthen Dûr for Ellesméra. He'd been just a boy back then, and I was just a frightened little girl. It was amazing how much could change in such a short amount of time.

We all departed from one another after that, and I found Amera laying at the edge of the camp, her massive head resting upon her taloned paws.

Is everything alright, Amera? I asked her, sitting cross-legged next to her head.

She sighed heavily, a little whisper of smoke escaping from her nostrils. Amera grew larger every day, and she was nearly four months old now; it wouldn't be long before she could breathe fire. I feel so...confused, Tabby, she admitted sorrowfully. I know what it is we must do to defeat your father, and yet I am conflicted.

We are connected, I explained slowly, through heart and mind and soul. You are conflicted because I am still unsure of the best way to do this. We need to find a way to defeat Galbatorix and still save Murtagh and Thorn at the same time.

Yes, I know you're right. But knowing what the problem is doesn't always help in finding a solution.

We'll do it together, Amera, I said, trying to sound hopeful. She only snorted in response, gazing mournfully at the walls of Dras-Leona.

***

That night, I stood at the edge of camp with the party going into the sewers. Eragon seemed calm, which was strange to me. Usually, he was a bundle of nerves. But now... He seemed a man grown, fully trained as a warrior. This would take some getting used to...

"Do you remember the way that I told you to go?" I asked, my voice slightly concerned.

"Yes, Tabby," he replied in an exasperated manner.

"It's very easy to become lost down there," I continued. "Just keep to the...right and you'll be fine..."

"Tabatha, stop worrying. We'll be fine." He cocked an angled brow at me, dark eyes gleaming.