When The Sun Sets (Closed until further notice)

[Nepherion]

Uruale, like Freyja had packed his things and along the journey walked side by side with her. He didn't normally feel so attached to someone, but as of late he had been having conflicting feelings and wasn't really sure on how he felt at all. Truthfully he had hated feeling that way, and his own thoughts and arguments with the sensation had made most of their trip go by rather quickly.

It was the sound of the mighty Torak River that brought him from his thoughts. The ocean, forever moving and furious brushed against the unmoving stones that dared challenge him. This though sparked a smile on Uruale's face as he looked at them. " Atleast I'm not the only one willing to deny fate. " he said to himself with closed eyes. The beauty of The Spine was said to be ghastly and that much was true. In a sense it did hold beauty, but The Spine was of a different aspect of beauty. It was a mystery and a taboo to the world. One that would always be alluring.

Uruale turned to look at Freyja once she had started talking, really it was the first time he had met her eyes today. He had almost forgotten how her eyes betrayed her persona. They were strong and determined. Like the ocean and rivers they yielded for no one and yet...she was so much different from them. It confounded him, for he was always told that a person's eyes was a mirror to their soul.

Her words seemed filled with lament or sadness, and her smile looked to be no more than a means of escape from its pain. Uruale honestly wanted to know why ? Why had she been so hurt ? He knew he could get the answer and it had needed to be done anyway. He guess now would be a better time than any.

Uruale waited for her to finish and once she did he stepped closer to her, his motives probably unknown to her. He stopped a foot or so from her and placed the palm of his hand against her pale cheek. " You're not as foolish as you might think. Their are alot of things that humans fail to see in this world. If your eyes pierce the lies than you should count yourself lucky. That just means you will not fall to a enemy that is usually unseen. " his voice was even and steeled and yet the placement of his hand would lead to another feeling. But of course as usual he had an ulterior motive behind this touch of gentleness. He wasn't sure if she would notice this,but just to get a better grasp of her and to know if his safety was in any shape or form in jeopardy; he let his mind gently caress hers. He invaded it softly at first and if at anytime he felt her guard rise he would recede, if not than he would proceed to discover her being. Carefully yet quickly.

[Freyja]

Freyja was surprised by both Uruale’s words and his gesture. She was slightly taken aback and for a moment, all she could do was slightly part her lips as she tried in vain to think about something to reply. She hated to admit but the touch of Uruale’s hand brought more than mere heat to her cold cheek. She could feel the sensation grow in the pit of her stomach, much like the feeling right before she’d dive of a high rock into the ocean or she’d shoot a spear at a whale. The fluttering in her stomach seemed to travel down to her knees which weakened and threatened to buckle at any moment.

Fearing being overwhelmed by the strangely familiar growing in her guts, Freyja averted her eyes from Uruale’s with the intentions of turning her head so his hand would gently slide of off her cheek. But that’s when she felt it. It was like a soft breeze caressed her mind, sending a small chill of unknown and undetermined emotions down her soul. The slight touch seemed to lightly press on her thoughts, causing a sort of pressure against her flow of consciousness without hindering its progress or it’s speed. It was simply a foreign presence with no malign or malicious intent as much as Freyja could gather. But the ‘foreign presence’ wasn’t as alien as Freyja thought it to be.

No, this had happened to her before. The more she thought back, the more the strange sensation pressing up against her mind was something she recalled from days of old. Why was that feeling suddenly feeling somewhat familiar? Just as the face of the man who broke more than her heart was about to emerge from the mist of forceful forgetfulness and pain, Freyja finally turned her head and looked away, leaving Uruale’s fingers trail lightly against her cheek before they lost contact with her skin completely.

“I am sorry to disappoint but I have already been struck in the back by an unseen enemy.” She said with a bitter smile as she was plagued by an image of the man.

The man, whom she refused to even think about his name, was of tall build with narrow hips and muscular shoulders. What she remembered most was his face and his hauntingly dark eyes that mirrored some foreign horror Freyja sometimes glimpsed at with frightened eyes, like he had seen unnameable nightmares come true and still bore scars in the cradle of his mind. A fine scar stretched out from the middle of his nose bridge to under his right ear and though Freyja had wondered many times how he could’ve gotten such a mark, she had never dared asked him about it.

Freyja slightly shook her head as if to rid herself of such memories. Just as she was about to face Uruale again, Valeo strongly nudged her back, making her stumble forward slightly. A small smile dawned on her face as she turned and stared with caring eyes at her steed, gently rubbing his cheek with affection.

“Thankfully, I’ve learned to get back on my feet on my own.” She added in afterthought in a whisper she was unsure Uruale heard.

She turned her gaze to Uruale and, erasing forcefully any residual traces of pain or melancholy from her features, forwarded the sweetness she had shown to her steed to her traveling companion. She didn’t let her stare linger on Uruale though part of her wanted to. Instead she focused her attention to the skies above. A slight frown shadowed her face as she squinted while looking at the clouds up above.

“Looks like there’s a storm brewing over the Spine… If things continue this way, we’ll be forced to stop in a cave if we don’t want to be caught under the freezing rain.” She said none too cheerfully.

She sighed before leading the way down the path they had mapped out previously; though she was still processing what had happened, she knew it would be foolish to tarry around needlessly. She stole one last glance back at Uruale’s storm grey eyes and as a feverish shiver ran down the back of her legs, she knew things wouldn’t be easy if she wanted to keep herself from continuing down a path she swore never to tread ever again. The pain she was sure to find down that road was far too great for her to relive and encompass.

"We should reach the Spine in a couple of hours or so if we keep at this pace. If we're lucky, we'll outrun the storm and arrive in Fasaloft before the downpour but I highly doubt it. Does that sit right with you?" She said, turning to face him as she waited for his answer.

[Nepherion]

Uruale appeared neither affectionate or bothered by his own actions; only the cold even stare of a hardened man laid on his face. His eyes were filled with a calm storm-like presence as Freyja gently rejected his warm grasp. His eyes settling on her with a low gaze, his warm and unyielding stare clashing with her hurting sapphire eyes.

Her words ended up answering his question and yet his probing had filled in the blank spaces with remnants of a face. Obviously the man had been several years older than both he and her. That face, along with a feeling of intense fear was all that he could gather from her; though it wasn't exactly what he wanted, he was sure now that Freyja was harmless traveler and nothing more.

While Freya attended to Valeo, Uruale was stuck in his own thoughts. " This still doesn't answer my questions... Why does the King want her ? She must be some kind of important. " No sooner than he had thought that, feeling of air caressing large breast-bones and wings flapping softly against the wind leapt upon him. " Maybe she is his long lost daughter or something. " added Flare as she flew high above them, hidden from sight. " That impossible. The King hasn't had a child in the century he has ruled. I doubt he has any children at all. " he responded thoughtfully.

As his thoughts rambled on Uruale was brought back by Freyja commenting on the weather. " You know she's right. Would you like it if I staid in the air ? " Flare asked, genuine in her question. Uruale had known the predicament he was putting himself in and the danger he was putting Flare in. It was either keep Flare high in the sky, in range of the storm's wrath or reveal his Dragon Rider origins. A small grimace decorated his face as the thought of jeopardizing the plan played through his mind.

" Let's wait awhile... I'll inform you of my decision when we reach the Spine, until then stay out of sight. " he told her not unkindly. With a deep breathe Uruale returned his attention to Freyja. He was almost certain that the short time he had spent speaking with Flare would had bothered Freyja. Instead of acknowledging the slight pause he decided to continue with the conversation. " Well than we best get moving... " he said, following suite after Freyja as she lead them down the mapped road.

Unthinkingly Uruale held a gaze on the back of Freyja's head. His gating, prideful and of importance as he followed. Her voice soon sounded back to him, telling him or their current predicament in comparison to the storm. Without halting or even stealing a glance at her, Uruale continued pass her. " Sounds perfect. " he answered, walking forwards and feeling the dried texture of the dirt under his boots. " Though if we'll have any chances I'd say we refrain from stopping. " He had little time to waste, considering his dragon was high above them. His worry for her had plague his mind and he knew she would not leave him alone; so his only choice was to outrun the storm. Of course he could have done so if not for Freyja but he could do little about her, so he would have no choice but to continue forwards and hope for the best.

[Freyja]

Freyja nodded at Uruale’s response and doubled her walking speed. Valeo followed her obediently, bobbing his head rhythmically as he elongated his strides to keep up with his master. Freyja could feel the energy of the oncoming storm in the air around her, almost as if it sent shivers running along the tip of her fingers and toes.

Freyja walked in silence with her gaze turned down towards the cold grey ground, only raising her eyes to gage how much time they had left before the storm would hit the mountain range. At the speed they were going, Freyja estimated that they would most probably reach Fasaloft before the heart of the downpour reached them but that didn’t mean the road would be pleasant. It was the kind of tempest that started with a never-ending icy gale that would continue on throughout most of the rainstorm.

After a few hours, both companions were at the roots of the Spine. Freyja gritted her teeth and tightened her cap around her shoulders; the winds were growing fiercer by the minute and though she hated to think about it, she feared that it would start to hail at any given time. The skies were an alarmingly dark shade of gray and the blocked-out sun proved to be another difficulty for Freyja seeing as she had a reduced visibility.

The rocks adorning the ground were pointy and sharp, making Freyja nervous that Valeo would injure one of his soles on one of them. To add to the general discomfort, a sort of illness clung to the air, pressing down on both Freyja’s shoulders and spirits. Everything seemed foreboding, from the leafless twisted trees, to the screeching black ravens, looking down on Uruale and Freyja with a malevolent hunger in their eyes. Freyja did her best to ignore them and focused herself on getting as fast as possible to Fasaloft before the storm got any worst. Much like Uruale, she didn’t want to stop before reaching their destination, though her reasons for wanting such a thing were different; Freyja was afraid of the Spine and didn’t want to spend a night stuck in a cavern in the cursed mountain range.

She could feel Valeo was tense next to her as the went deeper and deeper into the mountain and she would lie if she said she didn’t feel the same way. The air didn’t feel right and the place didn’t look right either. Everything seemed off, as if the reality of the mountain was only a couple of inches off, making it impossible to align with the logic of the rest of the world. Freyja felt like she was stuck in some sort of limbo: she wasn’t in a nightmare nor was she in real life. Even though the voyagers were still following the Toark river into the mountain, the air felt tight and stuffy, as if it was the same one for hundreds of years.

They had made remarkable progress and with the speed they kept up, Freyja knew they weren’t too far away from Fasaloft and a warm meal waiting for them in an inn. Just as Freyja started forgetting the ominous feeling of the dark mountain, a curtain of freezing rain beat down on both companions with such force and speed that Freyja’s knees buckled and Valeo let out a neigh of surprise as he slightly reared, pained by the glacial water on his back. Freyja could feel her whole body being consumed by the cold and though she knew stopping to wait out the storm was still an option, she wanted to press on and reach Fasaloft at all cost.
“If we both get on Valeo’s back, we could get to the village faster and avoid staying under this ill weather any longer than we have to.” She said as she turned to face Uruale, one hand gripping at the side of her hood to keep it from flapping against her face because of the wind.
She knew Valeo still hadn’t recovered from his earlier sprint through the forest, but staying under the cold water would also affect him and Freyja knew full well that a few more days spent at Fasaloft waiting for him to recover his strength wasn’t as bad as if he’s catch a virus from being out in the cold too long.

[Nepherion]

Uruale walked on ahead after his decision. He had little time to think on Freyja's safety and at that point the King's orders were still binding him but that was the furthest thing from his mind. Right then all he had wanted was for Flare to be safe. As his boots traversed the rocky terrain of the oncoming Spine, Uruale connected his mind with Flare's. His thoughts expressed his affection and hidden worry, though his voice expressed his calm and hardened heart. " How are you ? "

Connected with Flare, Uraule could tell several things. For one, he could tell that she was cold, a spine chilling shiver was the first thing that crawled down his body. The second was her increased heart beat, she was straining to keep high in the air, ensuring that she was out of sight. And the third was the worry in heart for him. Her sense of smell had long since told her on the longing danger approaching them. " I'am fine Uruale. Though I could do without the scale chilling winds. " she joked.

Uruale tracked up behind Freyja, his mind in one place and his body in another. " I shall keep you company Flare. I would hate enduring such winds by myself and without a friend. " he told her. " Well aren't you the gentleman today. " she pointed out while spearing through the wind. She then returned with a more appreciative and loving tone. " Why, thank you my Rider. I would have done the same for you any day. " Hearing her say that had actually sparked a genuine grin on his face. Though it was small, it still held a great amount feeling in it.

After a couple of hours of small talk, awkward silences, and earnest exchanges of worry, Uruale finally came to a standstill. Uruale raised his hand over his brows, shielding his eyes from the veils of the ice cold wind. " This is alot more troublesome than I first thought. " he admitted to himself. His sense of smell, enhanced by magic and the bond was telling him the same as Flare. They would need to find shelter soon. He looked back at Freyja, always staying a step or two ahead of her. He was beginning to grow worried that she wouldn't fair to well in the approaching cloudburst. Still though, she had no choice. He could have used magic but The Spine was too dangerous to risk it. Who knew when they would run into trouble.

" Flare. " Uruale called, grasping her attentions from her chilling woes. " Yes.." She responded, sounding almost chilled to the bone. " Go on ahead. Meet us at Fasaloft and I'll carry Freyja the rest of the way. I don't want you in the cold... and if worse comes to worse then I'll use the Hearts of Hearts. " he informed her, his expression - though she couldn't see it- was quite serious. Uruale could feel a bit of argument rousing within her but he quickly snuffed it out with his feeling of confidence in the situation.

With a deep sigh and warning " If I sense even the slightest hint of danger I'm coming back and I don't care if that woman sees me. " Uruale closed his eyes in agreement and let the feeling reach her. " Understood."

His eyes lifted and so had his attention. He looked to Freyja and noticed her speaking. The rain hitting his head and body with frozen fury. " No. " he answered to her, his mind already made up on carrying her. " Your steed would do better without having to carry us. Leave it to me. " he assured her before walking up to Valeo. Touching the steed on its side, Uruale threw his mind at Vaelo's cautiously and In the ancient language he spoke. " Its okay, just follow me. " he told him.

Then afterwards he stepped towards Freyja and turning his back to her bent down; his arms curled so that he could grip her thighs. The rain was still splashing him with freezing drops as he bent down, urging him to stand back up. " Hop on Freyja, you've seen how fast I can go. " he told her, his gaze cool and his tone stern; -even with the freezing rain-

[Freyja]

Freyja looked hesitantly at her horse. She could see the pain in his eyes from the freezing shower that was cruelly crashing down on his back and head and, though she had some reluctance, decided that Uruale’s idea was the best one. She gave him the slightest of nod and before she could figure out what happened or how Uruale had managed to do so, she was on his back as he ran at an inhuman speed down the rocky path. The scenery seemed to fly past, a blur of dark greys and monstrous shadows casted by sparks of fierce lightning. After a deafeningly loud crack of thunder, she tightened her grip on Uruale’s strong shoulders. It was strange; she had a newfound fright for the thunderstorm. She had always braved the mightiest of tempest when she was out at sea and had, more than once, killed the greatest of whales in terrible conditions thanks to her unwavering focus even when lightning bolts struck at the ship’s masts.

But this was the Spine… Everything was different. She had a foreboding feeling deep in her gut that something terrible was lurking in the shadows that seemed stick to everything even when the sun shone blankly in the grey skies, those unnatural shadows that Freyja always looked on with mistrust and dread shinning in the depths of her sea-blue eyes.

She was brought back to reality when Uruale leaped from a rock to lower grounds. The shock jolted her and her jaw clanked painfully. She could feel her grip slipping from Uruale’s wet shoulders and wrapped her arms around him, bringing her closer to him. Her legs tightened around his waist, pressing her torso against his back. Through her soaked clothes, she could feel heat emanate from him and warming her trembling body, bringing a spark of emotions she though were dead. Her head, almost against her will, seemed to drop down close to Uruale’s neck on which she could see a vein throb from the effort. His distinct perfume filled again her nostrils, enchanting her and, for only a moment, seemed to transport her elsewhere, in a land without pain or fear. She could see herself on the shores of a white beach with a soft summer breeze carrying that distinct musk scent tangled in her light auburn hair. She could feel strong arms draped around her waist as lips whispered unheard words into her ear. She was about to turn her head, ready to receive lips on hers, when a brutal thunder echoed deafeningly in the valley and brought her out of her reverie in the most disturbing way. There was no white shores or warm wind, only the unforgiving landscape of the Spine, the most hated location in all of the empire. Even with Uruale’s heat seeping through her clothes, a long shudder rolled feverishly down her back, making her wish they would reach Fasaloft even faster.
Even though she could hear Valeo’s hoofs clobber at the rocky terrain, she turned her head until she could see her steed in her peripheral vision so to be sure he truly was behind her. A particularly strong gust of wind struck at them from the front, forcing Freyja to close her eyes shut and rest her forehead on Uruale’s shoulder to shield her face. Her hood was thrown back and as rain beat down on her naked head, she felt another shiver overtake her. When the gale seemed to lose some strength, she prepped her head up and looked at the direction they were heading. The storm was getting worst and the skies, as if commanded to, were darkening frighteningly fast. It seemed like it was the middle of a starless and moonless night, but Freyja knew in her bones that the sun hadn’t set yet. Though storm clouds made it almost impossible to decipher anything and only the occasional lightning bolt printed in her eyes a brutal and savage view of her surroundings, Uruale marched on without hesitation, as if he had some invisible hand guiding him through the darkness.

The rain was getting worst and Freyja felt more than once a couple of hailstones the size of hazelnuts strike at her from the maddened heavens. She was starting to worry about Uruale. She knew she wasn’t the lightest of girls and he had been running very fast for long in terrible conditions. She had an innate feeling that he was stronger than any men she had ever met but it was starting to seem like he almost magic woven in his flesh and laced in his blood. Just as she was about to make a comment about this, she saw, not too far in the horizon, a shining lantern that called to her like a beacon of hope.
“Fasaloft!” she whispered, relieved.
She hadn’t realised how close her lips were to Uruale’s ear when she murmured the next phrase.
“Praise the gods…” she said, eyes closed, with a hint of liberation and strain.
Her head dropped down on Uruale’s shoulder as she felt heavy shadows press against her eyelids and forcing her to fall into a strange and disturbed slumber that wasn’t natural or from her own body’s biding.

[Nepherion]

Uruale's arms tightened around Freyja's waist. He stood up, embracing the hail as it pounded his head and body. The man's eyes never faltered or lowered, they remained steeled even in the midst of such a storm. This was the resolution of a man who inspired to be King one day, this was a King's strength. Uruale released a deep breathe to calm his mind and pace his body, for he knew this trip wouldn't be a easy one. Of course that could had changed, but by the looks of the weather it wasn't very likely. He looked up for awhile, feeling a little bad for having Freyja wait but he couldn't shake the feeling that all was going according to some plan. And he didn't particularly enjoy being manipulated.

The rain poured and Uruale raced down the mountainous terrain like a race horse, his speed was dazzling and yet he was capable of dodging even the smallest of hazards. Even in the darkening sky and skin-numbing cold he could feel Freyja's warmth. On his back, her bosom pressed up against him and her inner thighs heated him as well, it was a sensation that was weirdly pushed to the back of his head; stored for further investigation later. A flash of lightening brightened the sky and Urale leaped to a lower patch of pebbled earth. His knees bent low, for a moment he froze, then a moment later he dashed off into his sprint again. On his back, Freyja was launched forwards then back, but Uruale's grip would not allow her to go any further. Her drenched arms wrapped around his neck and her breast was pressed even more against him. The feeling had overwhelmed his mind for a moment causing him to gulp down a bit of nervousness and re-steel himself.

The rain was beginning to chill to even colder temperatures and even he wasn't immune to mother nature. The cold sent shivers through his broad shoulders and athletic frame. The collar of his black shirt was raised up to his chin and the gold trimming was barely visible in the now dark sky, it was a noble look that Galbatorix had funded himself, though he doubted he looked too noble now.

Uruale twisted suddenly on his toes, barely missing a dead branch that had threaten to clothes line him, after that he leaned his torso forward and raced even faster through the storm. He wasn't sure how much he could take but he was beginning to think that Flare would be needed for this. His head was beginning to feel irritated and his body was taking a beating.

" Do not give up yet Uruale ! I can see the flames of a nearby village.. " she told him, sharing the image of lanterns lighting a village's entrace. With their minds connect he could feel just how cold and wet she had been herself. Her breathing was slightly irregular, and her blood was cold. Though now he knew that she had made it out the storm, so he felt a little better then he had previously. " Thanks Flare, Now hide. I'll be out soon. "

His breathing was loud as he pushed through the final stretch. An hour later and the two had made it far pass the storm but for some reason Uruale hadn't ceased running until he had reached the gates of the town and fire was vibrant from a open lantern. His arms loosened and he let Freyja's leg drop to the ground and his arms go limp. The feeling in his bones was pain-stakingly numb, he was beginning to feel that this was what it was like to have them grubs barreling through your veins. Looking up at the now clear, but ominous sky Uruale could tell he was running on empty. Normally the traverse would had been a walk in the park, but it seemed The Spine was capable of breaking even the magically enchanted. " Are you okay Uruale ? Your heart beat is slowing ! " Her worry and fear was apparent in her voice. Though his vision wavered, Uruale still found a way to rip the buttons off his shirt and toss it to the floor, it was wet and ultimately draining him of what little energy he had left. " I'm okay, once inside I'll use the Eldunaris to heal myself. You just stay put. " he ordered, feeling her want to be next to him.

Stormy eyes looked back at Freyja as his drenched hair hung in wavy strands and dripped on the ground. He straightened his posture up, albeit his arms still limp and numb. " Are you okay, Freyja ? How is Valeo ? " Even through such a storm Uruale seemed to had maintained his calm and strong tone, though it was obvious through the multiple bruises on his torso and arms that he had suffered a brutal torture by traveling in the storm.

[Freyja]

It took Freyja a couple of seconds before her frozen and throbbing brain processed Uruale’s question. Her eyes darted in many directions as she tried to find Valeo. Her steed was standing not too far behind Uruale, his head hanging low and his eyes looking as if he hadn’t slept for days. From where Freyja stood, she could clearly see Valeo was trembling and he would need a warm and dry place for the night. Though the freak storm seemed to have vanished, night wasn’t far away and the dying rays of the sun seeped over the snow-covered mountain tops with difficulty, giving the sky a haunting shade of burgundy and violet.

“He’ll get sick if I don’t tend to him. We need to find an inn for both his health and ours; we need to rest too.” She replied as she started looking around.

The town was small and, by the looks of it, it was mostly a resting area for passing travelers. From the outskirts of the village, Freyja could already spot a few establishments with thick grey smoke rising from big stone chimneys.

“Let’s not waste any time; night is about to fall and I don’t want to be outside when it does.” She said darkly as she grabbed onto her steed’s reins and started guiding him down the large dirt road and into Fasaloft.

It didn’t take long before Freyja spotted a specific inn that looked decent. After dropping Valeo off at the stables and giving the groom strict instructions on how to take care of her horse, she made her way to the heavy oak door leading into the hostel. The wooden sign creaked in the wind as it swung at the end of the two rusty chains. The rust had trickled down the billboard and made two long brown-red streak across the engravings. In big green letters could be read “Sleeping Fox Inn” and under the inscriptions a small carving of the aforementioned animal with its white-tipped tail wrapped around him.

Freyja could smell beef broth and potatoes and hear the clattering of plates and the bustle of rambunctious conversation before she even entered the establishment. With one push of her sore arm, she opened the heavy door which whined on its cast iron hinges.

The lighting in the main area where Freyja currently stood was provided by a large fire roaring in a huge hearth that was in the middle of the packed room and some rare candles up on the walls or on the tables and counters. The room was littered with tables at which sat a majority of weathered man enjoying a dark-brewed ale or the meal of the day. Before Freyja could take another step, a hearty voice called out from the other side of the room.

“Lookin’ for somethin’ love? Meal o’ the day’s soupe and taters; a mug of ale is 5 crowns and a room is 10 crowns for the night, 15 if you ‘ave a horse in the stables.” Said a burly woman from behind a counter.

Freyja nodded to her as she waded through the occupied tables in order to get closer to the lady.

“We’ll take a room for the night. My horse is already in the stables so here is my fare.” She said as she took out the required amount from her pouch. “Do you have rooms with separate beds?”

Without hesitation the woman replied as she filled a mug of ale.
“Nah, we have 1 average sized bed per room. You can fit 3 kids or 2 adults in ‘em. If you want separate beds, get separate rooms.”

Freyja swallowed difficultly. She had enough money to pay for 2 rooms but if she did that, she wouldn’t have enough money left to buy provisions.

“We’ll take the one room.” She replied dryly, hoping Uruale wouldn’t mind.

The lady nodded, a smile now resting on her fat red lips.
“This way love. Were you caught by the storm? Nasty business those are. Most of the time you don’t know when they’ll hit or even how long they’ll last. I remember one summer, one second the sun was shining and the next… bomm! It hit out of nowhere! And the storm lasted for a whole week… A week! Can you believe it? Lucky you fellows weren’t caught in the Spine for too long in this horrible weather. The mountain keeps us on our toes, it does. The minute you think you know how the mountain works is the minute the mountain pulls a new trick on you. Lucky for us, down here in Fasaloft we don’t get it too bad.” She trailed as she led both Freyja and Uruale upstairs and down a narrow grey corridor with wooden floor and doors.

“You key.” The woman said as she handed to Freyja the little steel trinket. “If you need anythin’, call on me. The name’s Bria, I’m the owner of the Sleeping Fox Inn.” She said with a smile before she waddled down the corridor and the stair, vanishing in the smoke of the main hall.

Freyja opened the door and closed it behind Uruale. It was only then that she could truly see the extent of Uruale’s bruises and markings. He had removed his tunic, leaving only a small black linen shirt that was relatively tight covering his torso. She didn’t like the sight of them, didn’t like to think Uruale was hurt. With a worried look shinning in her blue eyes, Freyja walked over to Uruale.

“If you don’t mind, I can take care of those…” she said as she motioned to the contusions with a slight nod.

She placed a hand delicately on his shoulder, gently urging him to sit on the bed. She could feel her heart race from the proximity and the physical contact but she ignored it, trying to focus herself on the task ahead.

“I can make the pain go away and the bruise disappear faster if you let met. From where I come from, we are used to treating such wounds.” She said, her tone soothing.

She turned and faced him, finding suddenly the room too small for the both of them, forcing the travelers into intimacy. In her eyes could be read a single message, one she conveyed for the first time in her life after the incident back in Narda to a man “Will you let me help you?”.

[Nepherion]

Uruale nodded for once without resistance, his body had been burning, throbbing, almost wailing in pain from the bruises. He was tempted to draw on the eldunari to heal himself but that would only prove to distance him from Freyja. His vow wouldn't allow him until he was out of her sight and presence. He sighed, attempting to bring his numb arms from his side, but had little luck with it. With pure will he forced his arm down and his fingers to cringe in order to pick up his drenched shirt. Uruale held no qualms with walking around half-naked, but he doubted they would want to see the scars running up his right arm.

With a dignified and cool poise, Uruale followed Freyja on the other side of the tired Valeo. He had to admit that the horse had done a very admirable job keeping up with him. It was apparent that the bond between her and the horse was deep and nearly magical. With a lighthearted smirk, Uruale eased his mind over to Valeo's, thanking him in the ancient language for trusting him. The rest of the walk there was relatively silent, he had gone without speaking only because he was slowly numbing his pain with the stored magic in Reona's jewel.

As Freyja gave the stable caretaker a rather strict set of instructions on taking care of Valeo, Uruale sat outside, leaning against a column and taking the time to speak with Flare. " I know, I know.. " Uruale continued cooly and yet undeterred. Flare sent a jolt of displeasure before continuing. " You continue to repeat that but I have yet to see you actually trying to keep yourself safe. How do you expect me to lay low when you keep putting yourself in situations like that. " she lectured, her voice sounding rather annoying at that moment. " You have to trust me, " he reminded her. " Freyja is unaware of our world, if a giant pink dragon was to appear then she'd be freaked out and I'd have to restrain her to bring her back to Galbatorix. That would be most agitating for me. " He could sense Flare fidget in defeat on the large crag she had decided to roost on. " I can understand that but for both of our sakes please don't do anything reckless. Your body has undergone a good deal of damage. " Uruale smiled lightly at her words. The pain must had lowered the barriers on his emotions, cause he rarely smiled, even with Flare. Sensing Freyja's mind enter his small circle of surveillance he concluded his talk with Flare and pushed himself off the wall.

The next place was a rather decent looking Inn that she had led them too. He walked behind her this time, looking down at the beauty of her slightly wet and curled hair. When he caught himself, he tore his gaze away and looked around, reprimanding his manly urges. Many people appeared to have traveled there as well, he could feel the very real feeling of gloom in the room. Like they all had been worn both physically and emotionally. Apparently some had took the time to gawk at his bare chest, a couple of the men glanced in curiosity then went back to their drinks, while the few women that was there seemed to take more then second glances back to him. Uruale simply ignored their eyes, holding his shirt in his hand and bring his cloak around his body. When the voice of a more lively woman sounded out to them Uruale slowly followed suit after Freyja.

" One bed ! " Flare shouted, barging into his thoughts. " They only have one bed ! Should I come get you Uruale ? You can sleep with me tonight ! " It was apparent that she was uncomfortable with the thought. Uruale sighed and sent her an image of him shaking his head as her over protectiveness before shoving her to the back of his mind and placing a barrier between them. It was hard enough dealing with the thought himself. He didn't need Flare's overzealous feelings shrouding his own. Trying to keep his cool, Uruale looked to Freyja with a small flush of pink in his strong jaws, wondering if she was truly bothered by the ordeal.

It took only a couple of minutes more before the two were inside the room. Uruale walked to the middle of the room, his eyes roaming around its contents. As mentioned the single cot laid in the far corner of the room. A door was to his left, which he assumed was the lavatory. He let out a sigh and attempted to raise his hand to scratch an itch on his head when a series of jolts ran up his arms and quickly caused him to bring it back down. A groan of pain came from him before he looked to Freyja with eyes of restrained hurt. He locked with her sapphires again, knowing that his stormy eyes was portraying a kind of weakness that could only be dealt with by her at the moment. Another sigh came from him before he begrudgingly lowered his hunched shoulders. Uruale's voice was calm but within that was bit of a plea for help. " If you can Freyja, then please be of assistance. " Without thinking he lowered himself to the floor and crossed his legs, not knowing whether or not she would want him on the bed or not. Though he knew that mattered little at that point. With a routine flourishes of his left hand he unbuckled Reona from his waist and placed it on his side, then just as quickly undid his cloak and allowed his powerful, lean back to viewed. " Will this do ? " he asked politely.