The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Dousing the Flames

"Hello, Uncle Horst. Hello, Mother," I said softly, closing the heavy door behind me.

"Tabatha," my mother said, reaching out a hand for me as I walked over to her. When I reached the place where she was sitting, I took her hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"How are you feeling today?" I asked, running a hand down the side of her face and inspecting the cuts that were there. They seemed to be healing nicely, though there would be scars.

"I'm... faring well. There is still some pain... and the memories do not come easily to me, but I am doing as well as I can be." I nodded at that and offered a small smile. I was thankful in this moment that Braeden had not mentioned it had been at my hand that her son was dead.

"I'm glad to hear it," I said softly. As I tried to search for the words to tell her, I found none would come to me.

My reluctance must have shown on my face, for she said, "What is it, Tabatha? Is something wrong?" I chanced a look up at my uncle, and he walked over to put a strong hand on my mother's shoulder.

Slowly, I knelt down so we were looking eye-to-eye. "I have been called away, Mother. Queen Nasuada has asked that Eragon and I help in quieting a few rebellions in the south. It will not take long, I promise. As soon as our task is finished, I will return."

Her eyes had gone wide, and I saw the fear in them. "You are leaving me?"

"Only for a time. I have responsibilities that I need to take care of, and Nasuada has promised she will look in on you while I am gone." My mother gripped my hand tighter, so that my knuckles turned white from the force.

"Adelaide," Horst said, his voice a deep rumble. "It will only be a few weeks." It took her another few moments, but she nodded slightly. When I saw the fear ebb away from her face, I let out a little sigh of relief. My worst fears had been avoided.

I stood again and then wrapped my arms around her neck, hugging her only as tightly as I dared. "I love you, Mother," I whispered. "I won't let anyone hurt you again."

***

The day of our departure arrived, and I found that I felt better than I had a couple days ago. Eragon seemed excited to be going as well. Up until this point, we hadn't had much opportunity to do the traditional duties of a Rider.

"All ready?" he asked as he fiddled with a few of the straps on Saphira's saddle.

"I believe so," I said, standing next to Amera as I had finished preparing nearly half an hour ago. Eragon gave me a sheepish grin and then closed up the last of his saddlebags. Although we'd both changed so much, I saw little glimmers of the farmboy every now and then. "Where are we headed first?"

"Dras-Leona," he replied, and I felt my heartbeat quicken in my chest. After all that had happened, I found myself hating that place in particular. "Galbatorix's hold was strongest there. Apparently there are many lords who are unhappy. I'm hoping that by releasing the spells, their ire will be calmed."

"We shall see," I muttered quietly to myself.

We departed quickly from the city, and headed north to the estate where the Eldunarí my father had kept under his control were being held. Eragon left half of the Eldunarí from Vroengard there with them. He hoped that those Eldunarí could aid the others in coming back to themselves. We departed from them after only an hour and went on to Dras-Leona.

The city still stank, but as the spires of its buildings came into our view, I couldn't help thinking it looked a little changed. Like a cloud had been lifted that had hung there for so long. I'd never realized how visible Galbatorix's hold on everything truly was. We did not linger for very long in Dras-Leona; only long enough for Eragon to release the people and the city from numerous spells while Amera and I acted the enforcers. With the presence of two dragons inside their walls, the citizens and lords were more than willing to cooperate. With the spells that had bound them gone, the people were happy to submit to Nasuada's new reign.