The Alarming Sound

[Trinn]

Without further conversation, Elaine curled up against Eridor's side and let her head fall against his warm hide. She didn't bother taking out a bedroll. Sleeping on the ground had become familiar enough to her that it wasn't bothersome, especially with Eridor near her. The gray dragon made himself comfortable and extended one wing over his rider, covering her possessively and protectively. Carefully he curled himself around Elaine, his scales slithering dryly against the mossy ground. His stony eyes remained open for a few minutes, until he deemed the area safe enough that he could rest. Sighing, he closed his eyes and drifted into slumber.
***

There they are Cherilyn said, peering over Cordelia's side, into a clearing containing to glinting specs of larger dragons. She patted her own dragon's side, congratulating her on the long and successful flight. Now, land silently near them heart. Cherilyn said, clenching her hands together in nervous anticipation. They cannot refuse our company now, after we've come so far. They must let us join their search. Cordelia suddenly dipped in the sky, catching Cherilyn's breath, and dove down gracefully towards their allies. Being of a smaller size, Cordelia was able to land lightly and silently near Eridor and Serenity, both asleep. Cherilyn held her breath for a moment, hoping they wouldn't wake quite yet. When neither stirred, she dismounted and sat against Cordelia's side. Although they intended to stay awake, the long and stealthy flight took it's toll on them, and they both succumbed to sleep.

[Tismri]

Diana curled on the ground next to Serenity, staying close to the dragon's side for comfort. Serenity placed one wing over her and closed her eyes, half-asleep, her conscious influence flowing over the quiet world, making it at peace.
***
The day passed unknown to Diana, who slept soundly. By the time she woke, the sun was nearing the horizon, the gleaming reflection on the sea brilliantly shimmering.
Good evening, Di, Serenity greeted her, raising the wing fully so Diana could stand and stretch. I have some news for you. I believe we were followed from the Varden camp.
"What?" Diana asked. "What do you mean? Who followed us?" Serenity prompted her in a direction, encouraging Diana to spread her mind. She walked in that direction until she came upon a deep blue dragon and her Rider. Diana shook her head incredulously.
"Just what do you think you are doing here?" she asked.

[Trinn]

Cordelia awoke first to Diana's voice. She blinked her oceanic eyes and prodded Cherilyn's mind awake. The girl felt a rush of panic to find her elder standing over her, but her reason for coming far outweighed any sense of guilt for overriding rules. Getting to her feet, Cherilyn made the proper greeting to Diana, bowing to her. Although she and Stefan's training was all but complete, elders Tismri and Trinn had yet to commemorate them as full fledged dragon riders. "Forgive me, shurtugal Diana, for following you. I did so because I feel that I can be of assistance in your search in Narda. I've been ordered to do nothing and wait for news of our missing comrade, Stefan. It's just, I think I'll go mad if I do nothing. I-I must do something." Cherilyn's blue eyes were misty, threatening tears. Her lower lip quivered from emotion. Cordelia lowered her head a bit, feeling the misery that her rider felt. Hearing footsteps, they both looked up to find Elaine approaching. Stormwings rider looked stern, just as much as Diana. Cherilyn felt a new surge of shame at the disappointed looks of her elders.

[Tismri]

Diana's stern expression did not waver, though Cherilyn's pleading did tear at her heart a little. She knew what it was like to want to save a friend.
"Cherilyn, I understand your need to do something, but this is possibly a dangerous mission we're performing here, and we can't afford any mistakes." She glanced over at Elaine, her expression slightly exasperated.

[Trinn]

Elaine had heard Cherilyn's pleading, and it took some effort to keep her face hard. Crossing her arms, she regarded the girl's plaintive expression. Even the young dragon looked morose. She nodded her head a little at Diana's response. "The two of you shall stay here with Eridor and Serenity while Diana and I move into Narda. It will be safe for you. We cannot afford to have another of our young riders go missing." Cherilyn's expression grew frustrated.

"I shall not be in your way!" She insisted, looking from Elaine to Diana. "I am well skilled in the art of magic, though I am young and lack the sort of experience gained in battle. Not only that, but, if this even in Narda has anything to do with Stefan... I'll know it. I know him, and his style. I will be able to recognize it." The certainty in Cherilyn's voice was hard to deny. If they could find a lead on Stefan here, it would be a hopeful thing for the Varden.

"Stay here." Elaine said to Cherilyn, then gestured for Diana to follow her. She moved back towards Eridor, out of earshot of the younglings. "Well, this is an unexpected turn of events." she said to Diana, shaking her head. "I'm half convinced to let her come with us. I'm just not so sure this attack in Narda has anything to do with Stefan."

[Tismri]

Diana frowned at Cherilyn's insistance to come along, not liking the idea. She didn't want the girl to be in any sort of danger waiting for them there. The only thing that made her consider letting her come along would be her insistance that she would recognize Stefan's style. She walked away with Elaine to discuss.
"What a bind," she muttered to Elaine when they were out of earshot. "I can't believe she followed us all that way and we didn't notice." When Elaine mentioned perhaps letting them come, Diana protested, "And what if it was Stefan? How would she feel?" She sighed. "Though I would almost rather her with us just to make sure she doesn't get into any sort of trouble."

[Trinn]

"If it was Stefan's doing, then at least she'll know he's alive. That will give her hope." Elaine said, tapping her chin in thought. "Well then, let's take her along. We're both skilled enough to get out of a tough situation. And besides, with Eridor and Serenity, there's no doubt they would tear down the whole village of Narda to get us out." Eridor grunted from his spot nearby, as if affirming what Elaine said.
***

The bloody blade sparkled grimly in the morning sunlight as Vana twirled it skillfully around her body. It moved so fluidly and gracefully servants stopped to stare, transfixed. Her speed picked up, and the blade become a blur of red. Vana's face held no emotion, no hint of concentration. In fact, she wasn't even thinking about the weapon in her hand. She was thinking about Stefan, anticipating his arrival and their training. The dragon court was relatively empty, except for Viel who was crouched in a corner, watching with catty eyes.

[Tismri]

Diana sighed and nodded in agreement with Elaine. She turned and gestured to Cherilyn, then glanced out at the setting sun, by now halfway down the horizon.
"We should probably move out soon. It'll be dark soon." She felt a little uneasy something, but couldn't quite pinpoint what.
Keep a watch out, she told Serenity.
~~~~~
Stefan stood and left the room, knowing what was expected of him. As much as he hated giving them the satisfaction of his compliance, he had to in order to keep living and fighting.
He entered the courtyard slowly, where he saw the infamous Red Rider waiting.
"So," he said in his empty voice, "how do you plan to go about training me?"

[Trinn]

Raising her voice, Elaine shouted at the girl, "Cherilyn! Come on. Time to test your training, I suppose." The girl suddenly looked a lot less depressed as she bounded over to them. Elaine glanced over at Eridor, who was watching the scene passively. Keep in an eye on Cordelia.

Of course. he said, twitching the tip of his tail and scarring the bark of a tree in the process. Be careful in Narda. I would not like to destroy a village today. They wrapped up their goodbyes, and Elaine led the small group into the dusky woods.

They walked silently, and lightly. Even Cherilyn made little noise, though occasionally she snapped a twig. Her inexperience wasn't hampering them yet, and Elaine hoped it wouldn't in Narda. The woods eventually grew completely dark, but with the heigtened senses gained by the bond, Elaine and Diana needed no light. However, being young, Cherilyn's gifts had yet to develop. Fortunately the moon was full, and it lit the empty spaces between tree branches, falling down to the forest floor to give dim illumination. The group passed in hour in silent travel before the woods thinned and they were upon Narda. Pausing, Elaine turned to look at Diana and Cherilyn. "Ready?" The question was more directed towards the young girl. Her eyes were wide and she had a nervous breathlessness about her. But she nodded, and a firm determination settled in her face.
***

When Stefan came to a halt in front of her, Vana twirled Domia one last time before sheathing it. The metalic sound of the action carried for a few seconds, foreboding. "Good morning to you too, Rider Stefan.

[Tismri]

Diana walked through the nighttime forest with ease, seeing just as well as if it was daytime. She heard Cherilyn make a little noise, but she supposed she couldn't blame the girl, who hadn't been bonded nearly as long as she and Elaine had.
When they arrived before Narda, Diana tightened her sword belt, making sure Ilumeo was secure at her side, then nodded to Elaine. She glanced over at the nervous Cherilyn.
"If something happens, and we get separated, we'll head immediately back to the dragons as soon as it's safe. Cherilyn, try to at least stay close to one of us." Diana didn't like to think that something might happen in Narda, but it was always a good idead to have a plan.
~~~~~
Stefan hardly reacted to Vana's action of sheathing her blade, or to her words. He waited a moment or two.
"Whatever I am called and however I am treated here," he said after a moment, "I am still a prisoner, and being a prisoner does not put me in a good disposition toward you. So you will forgive me if I do not exchange pleasantries."

[Trinn]

OOC: lol, Jeriah, I was at work and couldn't finish my post with Vana, that's why it ended so oddly. But it's ok, we'll just keep it that way

Nodding her head, Cherilyn readily agreed with Diana's plan, and to her advice on staying close. She didn't want to run into a skirmish with empire soldiers. Although she was trained in weaponry and better skilled now, the thought of killing another person made her feel queasy. "In and out." she said in a whisper, attempting a reasurring smile. The faces of her elders were somber, calm. Elaine gestured for them to continue on, and Cherilyn stuck close on the heels of Diana. They entered Narda without notice, sticking to shadows and allies, they made their way uneventfully to the Varden's secret base. After checking to make sure no one was watching, they entered the building as silent shadows.

The darkness within the building was thick, and it took Cherilyn more than a few seconds for her eyes to adjust. When at last they did, she nearly gagged at what she could make out. Bodies lay everywhere, slain mercilessley. The smell struck her next, and she fought to keep herself from retching where she stood.
~~~

Vana shrugged and turned her back on Stefan. "Viel, bring our new ally his companion. I'm sure they've missed the sight of each other." Without hesitation, Viel leaped into the sky in one powerful bound, wings unfurling in the same instant. She disappeared around a castle tower. Vana watched in her minds eye as her bond landed in another courtyard, where the young Jeuru was held captive. Viel lunged over so that she could clamp one taloned paw over Jeuru's neck. A soldier, a dragon slayer to be specific, came forward to unlock the chains of the dragon. When he withdrew, Viel snarled at the youngling, warning him, Vana knew, not to do anything careless. Viel released him, but her burning eyes remained fixed on him.

[Tismri]

Diana entered the Varden based with the others, knowing what to expect. The sight was still shocking, however. It was obvious the attack was completely unexpected for the soldiers stationed here. Their faces were twisted death masks, and she was was sure she didn't want to know what was in their minds before they died. Her eyes swept the room for any possible survivors, but knew even before she did that she would find none.
"Even the magicians," she said a bit sadly. "He was ruthless, and I'm not sure he was entirely alone." She glanced back at Cherilyn. The poor girl looked sick, and Diana was certain she had never seen so much death before.
She should never have had to see this, she thought bitterly, her anger at Galbatorix and this blasted war growing.
"Well, Cherilyn," she said, a bit gently, "is this Stefan's work?"
~~~~~
Stefan waited until Jueru was in sight, watched carefully by the great red dragon. Jueru growled at Viel, but moved over to Stefan.
You scared me yesterday, he told his Rider, looking him straight in the eye. You really were going to take on Vana and intend to die.
I know. I'm sorry, Jueru. His face softened from its blank mask as he leaned his forehead against the dragon's snout. But I know better now. I have to live, and find a way out of this, before Galbatorix finds your name as well. He sighed, shuddering to remember the lives he took, of his own comrades, everyone of them he had been apologizing to in his mind.

[Trinn]

Keeping her mind focused on the task at hand was difficult for Cherilyn when not only the smell of the room but the sight made her want to gag. The grisly scene left her feeling sick. Think of Stefan Cordelia said, brushing against Cherilyn's mind soothingly. With the help from her bond,she moved about the room, inspecting the dead bodies and the way in which they perished. The stab wounds were of the most help. She knew Stefan's blade as well as his own face. The size of the punctures would match up identically with that blade. But was that good enough evidence to be able to claim this as Stefan's work. And why would he commit such a heinous act? There were even women slaughtered here. Seeing their horrified, gaunt faces made her stomach roll uncomfortably. She began breathing through her mouth, hoping to ignore the smell that way. Her eyes flicked around the dim room, looking from face to face. Everyone was surprised. Why surprise? Because their murderer had been someone they knew, perhaps even trusted. At Diana's question, Cherilyn looked up to her comrade with watery eyes. "Yes." she said softly, nodding, "I believe so."

"That would explain why these soldiers were caught so off guard." Elaine said, speaking up from another corner of the room. She stood before the scrying mirror, inspecting the splattered blood across it's glassy surface. "If only we could see through this mirrors eye the past." she muttered musingly. "So you're sure, Cherilyn, this was Stefan?" she asked, turning to look at the girl.

"Aye," Cherilyn said, standing slowly. She felt drained and sick. "The wounds inflicted upon these poor souls match the blade that Stefan wields. Not only that, but the manner of the wounds reflect the style he so often fought in. I sparred with him so often... I know it to be his work." She looked between Diana and Elaine. "There's only one explanation for why he would do this. His true name, Galbatorix has discovered it." These last words brought with them tears down Cherilyn's cheeks. Stefan was trapped in Uru'baen, unable to escape. He was just a puppet now. The thought was nearly unbearable.
***

"Alright, enough." Vana barked. "Stefan, withdraw your blade and show me what skill you have with it." She drew back to the center of the dragon court, while Viel leaped up to the ramparts to watch. "And don't bother dulling your blade. People learn the quickest when their are... painful consequences from their mistakes." At that she unsheathed Domia and settled into a defensive stance.

[Tismri]

Diana felt sorry for Cherilyn at the look of sorrow on the girl's face. To have found tangible evidance that Stefan was doing Galbatorix's work now was demoralizing news at best. And for Cherilyn, who was close friends with the man, it had to be heart-wrenching to have him torn away from her like that. Diana felt sympathy, going through a similar experience with Vana, though the circumstances were different. She sighed, looking away from the carnage.
"We should leave this place," she said. She was about to say more when she heard a noise--very soft, probably Cherilyn couldn't hear it. She had just enough time to turn around before the place exploded with Imperial soldiers.
"Stop right there, Varden scum!" the captain leading them said, pointing his sword along with the others. "You're under arrest." Diana looked at them for a moment, then glanced at Elaine.
Think we can take them? she asked through a mental connection.
~~~~~
Stefan withdrew from Jueru and faced Vana. As eager as he had been before to face her, he now wished he wouldn't have to. This would be nothing like sparring with Cherilyn had been; he had always been more instructing her than practicing. And since she had told him to not dull the blade, he was sure he would have more than a few cuts by the end of the day.
"How much abuse am I to take during this slavery?" he asked as he drew his sword. After all the torture Saenon had put him through, he wasn't sure he could take many more slices to his flesh. Still, he hardened himself, took a moment to breathe, then took a quick starting swing at Vana, aiming at her shoulder.

[Trinn]

At the sound of the stern voice, Elaine turned to face the men that spilled into the room, her hand moving instantly to the hilt of Celobra. She heard Cherilyn gasp in surprise, watched as terror and then resolve settle in the girls eyes. The only other option is to surrender. she said to Diana as she glanced across the men. We must fight, if only for Cherilyn's sake. Taking a deep breath, Elaine prepared herself for the fight. Cherilyn, if you're good with magic, now would be the time to use it. You did not, after all, take the time to bring a weapon. Indeed, the young rider carried no sort of defense, and Elaine cursed herself for not having thought to give her a weapon.

Aye. So, we fight? Cherilyn asked, her eyes flicking quickly from one imperial face to another.

We fight. Elaine said. There was a sudden stillness in the room, like the disappearance of the wind before a storm. Suddenly an imperial soldier yelped, and Elaine saw that his arms were suddenly bound to his sides. Cherilyn was indeed skilled in the art of magic. She hadn't even heard the girl utter any words. More soldiers made sounds of surprise as their limbs betrayed them. The rest of the soldiers shouted a loud war cry and surged towards the three riders. Elaine met them in a blur of motion. Lunging, she threw herself in front of Cherilyn, deflecting a sword blow as she did so. The man quickly fell wounded to her blade.
***

Vana didn't bother to lift her sword to parry Stefan's blow. She leaned sideways, letting the blade whistle past her shoulder. "Slow" she barked sternly, and in an instant was standing behind Stefan. She made no move to attack, not yet.