A magical place

[taran]

Taran looked up at the bolt of lightening, frowning.
"Elyria, will we be able to fly in this weather?"

[micaylah]

"If we had to we could chance it though it would be treacherous. I would think it better to wait out the storm. We can leave after it passes." She looked to Jeriah, sopping wet from the rain. "Is there someplace on the island where we can get out of the rain?"

She watched as the lightening flashed across the skies. "We really should get out from under these trees!"

[Tismri]

Jeriah nodded to the two of them and led them back to the ruined city.
"Most of these buildings are treacherous and falling apart, but some of them are still sturdy enough to go in and they provide enough shelter." She looked up at the sky and felt the rain falling on her face like tears. She smiled and began to twirl around, enjoying the rainfall as lightning continued to streak across the sky.

[taran]

Taran held Adurthil over his head, the dragon spreading his wings to block out the rain. Taran smiled at the other two.
"Good thing about having a young dragon," he said, laughing.

[micaylah]

Elyria started laughing watching Jeriah and Taran as he held Adurthil above his head blocking the rain. "Yes she said but this is good as well." As she followed the Domia walked beside her with his mighty wing outstretched over her giving her shelter from the rain.

[Tismri]

Jeriah continued to dance in the rain, smiling as she spun and lept. She was soaked through, but she didn't care. Forgetting all her troubles, she lost herself in her dance.

[taran]

Taran smiled as Jeriah danced in the rain. They soon reached a suitable covering out of the rain.

[micaylah]

Elyria followed them into the shelter. "Jeriah? What is that dance that you do? I have seen it twice now and each time I feel differently when you dance?"

[Tismri]

Jeriah sighed and stared up at the darkening sky, drops of rain gently touching her face and mixing with the small tears that lightly trailed down her cheeks.
"Somehow, whenever I dance, it seems to stir up emotions within myself that I never knew I had. It's one of the ways I express my feelings. Sometimes it's more powerful than other times, such as when you found me in the forest before. A...magic just seems to take over me and expresses my deepest feelings at that moment in dance and song, and neither of which I can control. It effects everything around me. If anyone is close enough, they may begin dancing and singing with me, fully understanding exactly how I am feeling at that moment." She smiled, recalling the first time it had happened, with Lathem.
I miss him, Oranthor, she told her dragon.
I know, small one, I know.
***
After several days, Jeriah stood looking upon the beach. Her heart was heavy, her mind still full of questions. She was lost in her thoughts when Oranthor spotted something swimming to the beach. A familiar white ball of fur, quite wet and bedraggled now, lay down exhausted on the sand. Jeriah ran toward it.
"Jahag?" she asked, wondering if it really was the werecat. Jahag stood and shook himself, flinging water everywhere.
Yes, Jeriah. It is me. He was tired, but the main sensation coming from him was complete sadness.
"What--Where is Lathem?" she asked hesitantly.
In Uru'baen, he said. Jeriah gasped and started shaking. I saw him with my own eyes declare that he would fight for Galbatorix. He gave a mournful yowl.
"No..." NO!!!!! Jeriah's mind screamed at her, denying what Jahag was saying. Lathem would never fight for Galbatorix! How could Jahag say such a thing? "Lathem!" Her heart screamed out for the man she loved. She fell on the sand, still damp with the recent rain. Her tears made it wetter. She couldn't move, couldn't think. She could only focus on one image: the gray-haired, red-eyed boy who had stolen her heart.
***
Hours later, she had cried her last possible tear, numb exhaustion creeping over her. Oranthor stood by, comforting her. Jahag was near as well.
Small one... Oranthor said softly. She barely acknowledged him. You have a decision to make. What will you do now? Jeriah was silent for so long, he almost repeated the question.
I will join the Varden, she finally said, the thought so quiet and herself so still, Oranthor could almost have missed it. Maybe if I do, Lathem will see Galbatorix is evil...I can only hope...

STORY CONTINUED ON "A DECISION MADE"