Paying the price...

[Tismri]

Elva followed Elaine through the castle, walking as if in a dream. She felt other miseries nearby, and if they were close enough, she helped them as best she could, letting the magic within her take over as she thought of Jeriah. I told her there would be a price...but I never expected this! She's dead. I still can't believe it. She arrived at Nasuada's study just in time to hear Elaine begin explaining what she saw to Nasuada.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeriah didn't know what she expected death to be like, but it wasn't this. Her eyes slowly regained focus and sounds once agaon reached her ears. She looked around, slightly dazed. She found herself in a forested region, obviously in a mountainous area. Before her was a tree that was larger than most, and it was oddly shaped. After gazing at it for a long time, Jeriah finally recognized it.
"It's...it's my home! The one Lathem made for me!" She reached out and touched it, to make sure it was really real. As she stretched out her left hand, she noticed her engagment ring was still on her finger. That's strange, she thought. She never imaginged that a possession of life could be carried with her after death. She looked down to see what else she was wearing.
Jeriah nearly gasped. She was wearing a long, flowing gown of a rich amber color, exactly the shad Oranthor's scales had been. About her waist was a gold belt to which was attached a long orange sword. She drew the sword slowly. It felt as if it was made for her. The hilt fit her had perfectly, and it was wonderfully balanced.
Sheathing the weapon, Jeriah started to mout the stairs of her treehome, when a voice called out from behind her.
"Hello, there," said a wisened old man. He was garbed in shining mail and a sapphire blue tunic, with a matching sword at his side. Beside him was a beautiful blue dragon. The old man smiled at her. Jeriah gave him a slight smile back, with a little confusion in her eyes.
"Hello," she said, "What...what am I doing here?"
"How do you mean?" the dragon asked her, "Do you mean what are you doing here, in the Spine, at this house? Or are you wondering why you're not back wherever you were before you got here?"
"Both," Jeriah answered, "The last thing I remember, I was being tortured to death. Then everything kind of faded away, and I was here."
"You are at this house," the man explained, "because in the world of the living, this is where your heart is set. You see, you have just died."
Jeriah looked around the sunny forest. "I don't know. This isn't exactly how I always imagined death."
"Well, if you were still alive, then why are you not still in pain from your torture you said just happened? Test it yourself. Is your heart still beating? Does blood still flow through your veins?" Jeriah reached up to her neck. There was no pulse.
"Okay," she said, "If I'm dead, then who are you two?"
"I'm Saphira," the dragon told her, blue eyes sparkling.
"And I am Brom," the old man said.
"Brom?" Jeriah asked, startled, "You mean Brom who started the Varden? Brom who killed Morzan' the Forsworn? Brom who trained Eragon? You're that Brom?" Brom just nodded his head, smiling. The faintest flicker of regret passed through his eyes when she mentioned Morzan, but it was gone when she mentioned Eragon.
"Yes, I am he," Brom answered. He noticed the orange sword at her side. "You are a Rider?" he asked, slightly amazed.
"Yes, I was. I separated from Oranthor so he wouldn't die with me. There was no need for others besides myself to dith." Her mind turned to Lathem. She was happy that he was now free from Galbatorix, but she was also lonely.
"Why do you feel you had to die?" Saphira asked.
"It was the only way to free my love from Galbatorix. Someone had to die, and I willingly paid that price."
"You died for love," Brom smiled. "There is no other way more honorable than that to die. But tell me, do you have any regrets about ot?"
"Just one," Jeriah answered, "I regret that by dying, I had to leave him." Saphira and Brom looked at each other thoughtfully.
"If you had a chance to go back to him, now that he is freed, would you want to?" Saphira asked her.
Jeriah nearly shouted for joy at the thought.
"Yes! Yes I would!" she cried.
"Then sit back and concentrate. Concentrate on life and your love and everything that means anything to you." Jeriah did that. She concentrated hard on Lathem and Oranthor and Caleb and the Varden. As she concentrated, Brom and Saphira and everything around her once again grew dim. Still, she concentrated on everything that mattered to her.
Brom and Saphira watched as Jeriah's form faded from veiw. From farther in the forest, a man, a large red dragon, and two women emrged and watched her go.
"Do you think she will be all right, Morzan?" Brom asked, taking Selena's hand. Morzan stared at the spot where Jeriah no longer stood.
"I should think so. It would be a pity to send her back, only to have her here again before she could turn around." He put his arm around Gloriana, the elf-maid smiling up at him. They turned and left the place.
"Besides," Morzan's dragon cut in, "We have given her a gift as she left that may allow her to live longer. She can now protect those she loves from Galbatorix's madness." Saphira nodded as the others wondered what he meant.
Jeriah's eyes came back into focus and she found herself staring up at a starry sky. She found she was lying on the ground and sat up quickly. As she did, a burning pain erupted in her chest. She hadn't felt any pain while she was dead, so it was a bit of a shock. She found she was wearing the same Varden uniform that Kalri had tortured her in, the shirt torn open to expose her heart, blood covering it. She looked at the skin over her heart. She nearly retched at the sight. A huge scar was over it, in the shape of a Y. It was big and red and hot. It was grotesque to look at. Every beat of her heart sent her a fresh wave of pain-not unbearable, but enough to remind her that it was there and why. She stood and felt an unexpected weight at her side. Looking down, she was surprised to see the orange sword at her side. She looked at her left hand and was relieved to see her ring was still there. She looked around and saw nearby Caleb was sitting with his back to her. She grinned.
"Hey, Caleb! You wanna spar?" she asked, still grinning.

[Backabuth]

Voices. That's all he heard. Mostly Galbatorix's, when he told Lathem to swear to him in the ancient language. Voices. That's all he heard. Jeriah's was sticking out. Her last words. "I love you, Lathem." Voices. That's all he heard. A strange elf's words. "Lathem, I blame you for this. You don't know who I am, but we'll meet soon enough." Voices. That's all he heard. His own. "I swear that I will die before I ever betray you, oh mighty king. I will be your greatest vessel that you have ever had." Voices. That's all he heard. His mother's. "Lathem! Don't spill your porridge!" Voices. That's all he heard. His father's. "I love ya, boy. Don't forget it." Voices. That's all he heard. His brother's. "Hey, Lathem. Wanna go spar or something?" Voices. That's all he heard. Zamah's. I love you, little one. Voices. They were gone. Everything was gone. Invisible hands ripped him open and tore out the person inside. He was gone. He looked down and saw a heart. Still beating. Blood dripped down the sides of his hands. He looked around. White. He was standing in nothing. He could feel Jeriah's presence. The heart. She was still there. He took out his dagger and cut his heart out of his chest, just at the torturer had done to Jeriah. He took out his heart and stabbed his dagger through it, letting it fall to the ground. He took Jeriah's still beating heart and stuck it in his chest, the only thing that he had left of her. He closed his torn open body and fell to the ground, the whiteness disappearing and letting reality come back. Blood. All around him. The Voices.

[Max452]

ooc: I only have one thing to say to that post: EW! lol

[micaylah]

Kalri beamed at the words of her father. She watched as he turned his attention to the boy, still holding the beating heart of his dead lover. Her eyes narrowed and the evil smile crept over her lips as the blackness in her soul danced joyfully at her deeds. She watched her father release the boy from his vow and then as the elf came into the window steeling her trophy.

Anger flooded through her as she let out a blood curdling scream. "Daddy! When are you going to fix that damn window!?" Then just as she finished her short rant, the boy cut out his heart. She watched as he placed Jeriah's heart into his chest. Walking slowly to Lathem, slumped to the ground, she spat the words at him. "If that is what you wanted my love I would have been more than happy to oblige you!" As she saw her father, momentarily weakened by releasing the boy from his vow, her fury erupted within her. Standing in the middle of the throne room, the black tendrils of her magic writhed out from her fingers, wrapping itself around her entire form. She had the appearance of a woman, encircled by thousand of black snakes. As her temper rose, she yelled out "Enough of this!" She threw forth her arms as the black magic spilled forth like a huge black wave towards all those left in the throne room. The force hurled towards them as she scream "OUT NOW!" casting forth to the throne rooms doors, blowing them off their hinges and sending them flying out into the hall.

As she regained her control, she looked at Galbatorix with a sweet, innocent expression on her face. "Sorry Daddy. I couldn't help it." She walked to him, placing her arm around him and laid her head against his chest.

[Backabuth]

Sorry. lol I didn't mean to gross you guys out....

[Backabuth]

Lathem flew from the room, the force blasting him into a wall. He panicked. He got up again and ran throughout the corridors of the castle, trying to get out. He couldn't breathe. Too much agony. Too much....

[caleb]

Caleb was crying over the loss of his friend. Then all of a sudden, "Caleb you want to spar?" a voice said. "What the hell? Who's there?" Caleb screamed. Caleb turned around to see Jeriah sitting up, smiling her cute smile. "Jeriah!" Caleb yelled. He ran over to his friend and almost tore her in two with the force he was running with.

[Tismri]

Jeriah shook her head, still smiling.
"Easy there. I just came back to life. I don't feel like dying again just yet." She looked into his eyes. "Caleb, do you know where Lathem is? If he saw what happened, I'm afraid he may do something stupid." The worry was clear on her face.

[Trinn]

Slumped in his throne, Galbatorix watched Lathem proceed in knifing out his own heart. How odd, he thought, rather absently. I hope he dies. Suddenly, Kalri walked forth, her temper evident in the black magic twisting around her whole body. He sat up straighter, wondering what she was up to. With a push of her arms, she released the black magic in a tidal wave of fury. It swept across all present, hurling them backwards, out of the throne room. He would have been glad if Lathem hadn't also been thrown out.

"Kalri! Must I always warn you to keep your temper under control!" Grabbing her arms, he pulled her away from him. "Go get Lathem! If that boy is even the smallest bit alive, kill him!" Galbatorix's eyes burned with intensity. "I don't care if you play with him first, but don't let him escape!"

[micaylah]

Looking at her father, she bowed her head slightly to him. "Yes father as you wish." Turning she ran out of the throne room in pursuit of the boy, Lathem. She tracked the trail of blood he was leaving upon the castle floor. She knew the castle better than anyone with the exception of father and Einar. Seeing the boy up ahead she increased her speed as she reached out to grab him.

[Tismri]

Jeriah cried out suddenly. The scar on her heart was burning with even more intensity. She called for Oranthor. She could feel first his shock, then his joy at her being alive. He was there in seconds.
"Caleb, Lathem's in danger! I have to go to him!" She mounted Oranthor and together, they took off back for Uru'baen.
How do you plan to get in? Oranthor asked her.
I'm not sure, she replied, But I have to, nonetheless. He's in danger and I can't let him get hurt.
They arrived at the city in minutes. Thinking fast, Jeriah hopped off Oranthor's back.
I'll be back soon, she told him.
That's what you said last time, he growled. She nearly laughed. Accessing her magic, she transported herself to the throne room of the palace.
OOC: guess who, Kalri! lol!

[Backabuth]

Lathem could feel her. Whoever she was. He jumped to his right, jumping off the wall and landing behind her, his sword already ready to attack. Anger and fear mixed inside of him, Zamah trying to calm him, trying to keep him sane. "Please, whoever you are. I mean no harm. I just want to go. You've killed my only love. The only one who has loved me. I know why she did it and I wish she did not. But......but I can't change what happened. I can only beg of you to let me be, to grow up in the mountains and die old and young at the same time." He pleaded with her, tears streaming down his cheeks. He wiped them away, knowing she wouldn't let him go. They were going to have to fight, and he knew that his death was drawing near.

[Trinn]

Once Kalri had left, Galbatorix sighed and relcined in the throne, closing his eyes. That Lathem was nothing but trouble, cursed boy. When he opened his eyes again, an odd sight met his eyes. The girl rider stood before him, in one peace. She had a gruesome scar to show for Kalri's play. "What trick is this!?" He asked, throwing the words at Jeriah. Standing to his feet, he marched off the dais the throne rested on and approached the girl. "Have you come back to haunt me?" He asked sarcastically. "I have ways to deal with phantoms."

[micaylah]

Kalri whirled around with great speed, sword in front of her ready for whatever Lathem had planned. She glared at him, her fathers words in her mind. Her brief outburst of temper in the throne room had left him angry with her and she sought to remedy that now. "I am afraid Father is not finished with you Lathem. You have two choices. Come with me willingly or I will take you by force!" The dark magic once again snaked its way around her, curling around her hand and the sword. "The choice is yours but fankly, I much prefer the second." She kept the magic under her restraint but readied herself to unleash it if needed.

[Tismri]

Jeriah stared into Galbatorix's face.
"I am not back to haunt you. I've simply come back to rescue my love. I can feel that Kalri intends to kill him right now. Now, I've come all the way back from the dead for love of him, and I'm not about to let him die just as I return." Just then she felt behind her that Lathem was in even greater danger than before. She whipped around and ran to the hall outside the throne room. There she saw Kalri about to kill Lathem. When she saw him, an odd thing happened to Jeriah. She began to shine. Literally, a light began to radiate off her skin and into the room. When she saw Kalri, Jeriah grew angry, and the light grew brighter and more intense. She drew her sword and rushed at Kalri, getting between her and Lathem.
"Let him be! Haven't you had enough fun yet?" A coy little smile crossed her face, "Or would you like to play with me some more? I had such fun last time." Fire danced in her eyes. "And now I think the game is a little more fair."
~~~~~
Marola shoved all the incidents of the evening from her mind and concentrated on her mission. For several weeks, she had been closely watching one of the guards. He had a very weak mind, and she had found out that he was working for both the Empire and the Varden, playing both sides against the middle. When she had informed the king of this, he was enraged. Her orders were now to kill this man, and quickly, before he leaked any vital information to the Varden. He had been one of the guards of the palace, so who knew how much he knew?
And now she was sitting with him in a resturant, on a date. He had no idea what she was planning to do to him. All the dumb idiot seemed to know was that he was on a date with a beautiful woman. Soon, Marola had lulled him into talking about his plans.
"So, you think the Varden might be right?" she asked him innocently.
"Hey, I don't know who's right or wrong. All I know is, I want to be on thw winning side when this war is finished. I'm on both sides."
"Hmm...that's very...interesting," Marola replied, disgusted inside, but not showing it at all.
He reached out and grabbed her hand. "Why don't you join me, Marola? I mean, just think of it! We could be on both sides and no one would ever know!"
"Oh, I don't know, Losson," Marola said, "It seems awfully dangerous." Rauthr laughed inside with her.
"This is war, babe. War is dangerous." By this time, they had finished their meal and were walking out the door. Losson put his arm around Marola, then, giving her a sly grin, pulled her down an abandoned alley. Marola knew what he was planning to do. Once they were in the shadows, the man leaned down and kissed her, over and over. Marola returned the kisses with as much passion as she could muster. At one point, Losson whispered, "I love you."
Love, Marola thought, Love's so overrated. In my experience, if you love someone, one of you usually ends up dead. She put on a fake smile, gave him one last kiss, then said, "I'm sure you do, but I have no room in my heart for traitors."
With that, Marola whipped out one of her daggers and drove it deep into his throat. He stood there, coughing and sputtering for air. She drew her sword and ran it through him before all the noise he was making attracted attention. Then she took back both of her weapon, cleaned them and sheathed them. She left his body there. Let everyone see what happens to those traitors.