Finding the Varden

[Niniel]

The rest of the journey to Aberon was quite uneventful for Niniel and Sarias, other than the fact that they slowly got to know each other more and more, and gradually, their trust for each other grew as well. When they arrived at the city gates of Aberon, a broad smile crossed Niniel's lips; hopefully her search was finally over.

She glanced over at Sarias, trying to find out whether or not he was excited as well, "You ready?" She asked.

She had finally reached it, after so much searching: the home of the Varden. She could barely contain her excitment as she waited for Sarias to enter with her; excited to start a new life as a member of the Varden, and much more excited that she might finally find her brother, the reason that she had originally left her home.

[booklover]

"You ready?"

Sarias laughed a little. "No, I can hardly breathe, I'm so excited. Yeah, let's go." He noticed with a grin that her emotionless was suddenly replaced by an extremely audible excitement, something he only saw in elves when he'd left Du Weldenvarden. Tarrack nudged Sarias' shoulder, looking at him with big, hopeful eyes. "Fine, I guess it's safer in here than anywhere for you." He declared, while he walked up to the guards at the gate.

"Oy! What ah you doin' here, an' why?" One of the two guards asked. The guard possessed an ugly looking red beard that he scratched at far too often. Noticing this, Sarias had to try hard to mask his disgust. He did, however, roll his eyes at the guard's redundant question.

"If you meant to ask who I was, my name is Sarias Hounto. And the elf," He motioned to Niniel, "Is Niniel, and we're both searching for a position with the Varden."

[Niniel]

"Oy! What ah you doin' here, an' why?" One of the two guards asked as they approached.

Sarias spoke first, "If you meant to ask who I was, my name is Sarias Hounto. And the elf," He motioned to Niniel, "Is Niniel, and we're both searching for a position with the Varden," he said leaving Niniel slightly confused at his boldness. It seemed a rather strange thing to out-right tell the guards of the city that you sought a position in the Varden; after all, not everyone was sympathetic to their cause. She also didn't like the fact that he announced her as an elf; if people didn't notice what she was, it was all the more safe for her.

Lucky for them, the guards seemed to agree with the views of the Varden, for they let them pass without any trouble. Niniel's eyes roamed around her surroundings inside the city, and she felt a familiarity of sorts.

She looked over to Sarias, "So where do we go? I don't suppose they have signs that direct people to where the Varden are," she said jokingly; her mood was lighter than it had been in a long time.

[booklover]

"Actually, there are lots of signs pointing in the direction of the palace. One of them," Sarias said, pointing ahead, "is right there. Hmm... the palace. Well, should we be off?" He smiled optimistically, and held out his arm in a gentlemanly fashion, something he wasn't accustomed to doing, but he was in a good mood at the moment. Some kids were looking out of their windows at them both, and the stableboy kept muttering something about "A man and an elf," to his employer. A dragon flew overhead, a red one. "Whoa..."

[Niniel]

"Actually, there are lots of signs pointing in the direction of the palace. One of them," Sarias said, pointing ahead, "is right there. Hmm... the palace. Well, should we be off?" He smiled and held out his arm in a gentlemanly fashion.

Niniel smiled at the sign, almost in disbelief. She turned back to Sarias and laughed a little, then took his arm. She felt a little shock run through her body as their skin touched, but she thought nothing of it, "Lead on, good sir," she said.

It was then that the dragon flew over head, "Whoa," was all that she heard Sarias say. Niniel stayed silent, but her mind was a blizzard of activity as she stared after the dragon.

Finally she broke her stare and tugged at Sarias' arm, "Let's go,"

[booklover]

"You got it.." He said slowly, walking, and shaking his head as if trying to get rid of a thought. When she touched his arm, a tiny thrill went through his body, which he discarded within seconds. "I guess that was one of the Dragon Riders working for the Varden. Or rather, working with the Varden." He said hopefully. "If not, I don't think we'll be here long. Now, let's find the leader of this city."

He picked up the pace by a miniscule amount, and led her down the main street. Nobody noticed the shadowed, almost invisible eyes looking at them through a crack in the wall of a two story building. "Sir," said the person watching to his superior behind him. "I see them, sir. The man is with an elf," he said in a small voice.

"Good, so they're already here. Why don't you double back behind the castle, and meet up with the others. Tell them to surround the city." And with that, the man left the room to make arrangements of his own. "Sarias.... this will be one visit you'll never forget." He said, lacking the imagination to say anything creative. Meanwhile, Sarias' thoughts strayed to Niniel for a reason unknown to him.

[Niniel]

"You got it.." He said slowly, "I guess that was one of the Dragon Riders working for the Varden. Or rather, working with the Varden." He said, "If not, I don't think we'll be here long. Now, let's find the leader of this city."

Niniel smiled at the remark, "Yes, lets hope that they're for the Varden. I'm already tired of the trouble that I seem to get into when I'm with you," she said as she scanned the different shops. There were people looking at her and Sarias with great curiousity apparent on their faces, and Niniel took notice. She looked down at their linked arms, and realized what people must have been thinking.

She shook her head, almost laughing at the absurdity of the idea. Her with a human.. she thought about it for a moment and her smile slowly faded.. her with a human. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and so she casually removed her arm from Sarias', and fiddled with one of her daggers.

Trying to draw attention away from what she had just done she spoke, "So when we arrive at the Varden, will you request a position of command? Or just ask to become a soldier for them?"

[booklover]

"I'm tired of the trouble I seem to get into when I'm with you," He repeated those words in his minds, words she had said, and they made him smile. They seemed to have warmed up quickly, unnaturally quickly in the few hours they had traveled together. He had only gotten her into trouble once, anyway. Well... no... twice, actually. Then she removed her arm from his, and he looked at her, slightly curious as she fiddled with her daggers, wondering what was wrong. Looking around, he saw all the people staring at them, gossiping to each other, and it became clear. All right, he thought to himself. His arm suddenly felt cold, and he didn't know why. He wished that she'd link her arm with his again, just to see if he would still be as cold.

Finally they neared an enormous staircase, leading into a column-lined entrance, no doubt the palace. "So when we arrive at the Varden, will you request a position of command? Or just ask to become a soldier for them?" Niniel asked. He shrugged slightly, and thought about the question for a moment. "I'd prefer to do important things for them, unless there is somebody more qualified. I guess I'd just be a soldier, I don't know if they'll even take me in yet, so..." He didn't finish.

He got the feeling that he was being watched for some reason. But that was no surprise, their were bound to be people gazing at them from inside the palace. He scanned the windows, but didn't see any eyes. He looked at Niniel for a second, then began to climb the stairs to the entrance, wondering why he was here. Then, he realized that somewhere, Maria was looking for the Varden, too.

[Niniel]

She felt him looking at her after she removed her arm and hoped that he would stop looking at her soon because she didn't enjoy the new feeling that she was getting in her stomach. He pondered her question for a moment then answered, "I'd prefer to do important things for them, unless there is somebody more qualified. I guess I'd just be a soldier, I don't know if they'll even take me in yet, so..." then he stopped and scanned the palace.

Niniel looked at the windows as well trying to find what he was looking at, "Something wrong?" she asked him.

[booklover]

"What's wrong?" Came Niniel's voice from beside him. "Nothing," He returned, "Just felt like someone was watching us. Shall we?" He ascended up the hundred or so stairs, not waiting to see if Niniel was following him. He suddenly felt very uncomfortable in her presence. He wanted to run up the stairs, and go every far away until he could control himself.

Taking deep breaths, and wondering if he was sick, he finally reached the top of the stairs. Here, he waited for Niniel, not wanting her to come up, but at the same time anxious for the time that he would be by her again. He shook his head, as if trying to knock his brain into the right position. "What is wrong with me....?" He whispered to himself.

[Niniel]

"Nothing," He returned, "Just felt like someone was watching us. Shall we?" He said then took off up the stairs.

Niniel stood at the bottom of the stairs for a moment staring after him, wondering what was wrong with him. She thought about how their arms had been linked, and it made her smile, but she shook her head to clear her mind. This was absurd. She set her face determinedly and started up the stairs. Soon enough Sarias came into view, then she reached him, and without a glance at him she continued upward. The best thing to do right now would be to discourage any feelings that either he or even she might have at the moment.

[booklover]

Having an unreadable face, Sarias put all his being on ignoring the illness within him. He followed slowly after Niniel as she continued without comment. When they entered the first room, it was HUGE! The marble walls rolled up inot a slant, ending in a dome that captured all the suinlight possible, and shone in down with blinding radiance on the marble floor below. Many halls branched off from this room, and many more squires walked through them. "This is it..."

[Ragond]

((OOC: I deleated my posts as Alcane, since the charecter no longer exists.))

IC: Saphira's short flight was enjoyed by bolth dragon and rider. Though the flight was quick, just from the towertop to the courtyard, it was still enjoyable. Eragon slid down her side, landing lightly. He stood up and entered the magnificent hall. On the far end, the door to the council chambers stood. Eragon also noticed two travelers admiring the arcetecture.

[Metri]

The duo flew around for a few minutes but soon got bored. Draith flew through the city of Aberon with Jex on his back. Draith glided to the ground and landed gracefully. You have also improved. Jex said getting off of Draith's back. Thank you. Draith said cheerily.

"I can't wait until we go to Ellesmera. We will both improve greatly there."

Jex walked up to guard. They chatted for a couple minutes and Jex found out where Eragon had went. He walked into the building. He saw Eragon and Saphira along with a few travelers.

[dannylam4]

Forest flew through the sky, shooting through clouds and soaking the riders in moisture. He bit at clouds and chased birds as he flew over Aberon. Are we there yet? he asked them.

"No idear..." Pike said, scratching his head. "How long have we been riding? A few hours since we woke up?"

Probably... my wings are tired.

"You've flown longer and more then this before. Are you getting weak on me, old man?"

Forest growled and pushed forward faster, his wings flapping powerfully against the sky. Pike laughed and pet Forest's side. He stopped laughing a second later as they soon reached a city and the gates of Aberon. "Where are we? Have we made it?"

I would assume so... there goes another dragon, Forest said as he watched Saphria descend into the courtyard. Shall we have a looksee?

"Aye, that'd be wise," Pike said, and they soon flew down towards the city.

[Metri]

Jex removed his hood from his head. Look Eragon is right over there. I bet I could sneak up on him with my great training that I put myself through. He said walking a little quieter. Bet you can't. Draith said still walking next to him. Jex motioned for Draith to stop walking. He began to tip toe toward Eragon and Saphira. He picked up speed trying not to pick his feet up from the ground. Jex fell flat on his face sliding a couple feet across the floor.

"Hello Eragon."

He said rubbing some blood from his nose. He then stood up. Told ya. [/] Draith said walking up to them.

[Vardy]

"well, we made it. i think it would be best to go to the palace. thats probably where the varden are stationed. and if they're not, the council will tell us. maybe he's just suffereing from lack of sleep or something pike"
'or maybe he IS gettign old' 'eri, be nice' 'why?' 'because...........its nice!' 'very good argument lira' 'well.........' she was about to reply when she saw the palace. "look, there it is."

[Ragond]

Eragon laughed inside, but he remained calm outside, it was a trick he learned dealing with the Varden. He offered Jex help up, extending his hand. "You had better be more careful when you try to sneak, and thats somthing you probibly won't be using often. Somtimes your best tool can be the bluff. Riders are commenly overestimated." Eragon advised. He felt strangly atune to Jex, he was just like the young rider once. "Want me to heal that nosebleed?" He asked.

[Metri]

Jex took Eragon's hand.

"Thank you."

Jex looked over at Draith. Okay you were right. Jex said with regret. I know with you I’m right a majority of the time. Draith said with a small chuckle.

"A bluff? What if they call your bluff?"

Jex asked Eragon. A drop of blood ran down his nose. He wiped his sleeve against his nose and the blood was gone.

“That’s better I hope it’s done bleeding now.”

He said aloud to no one in particular.

[Ragond]

"I mean that sometimes its better to get your enemy to flee, than to fight. Risking your life if you don't have to is foolish. If somone calls your bluff, then you fight. Avoid entering any sort of confilict that you cannot win." Eragon explained. "Don't try to bluff to someone who is more powerful than you are, but somtimes it is best to just avoid a fight. Even outmatched, any opponent provides a threat to you."