The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

"No, absolutely not," Eragon said defiantly, crossing his muscular arms over his chest, a stern look fixed firmly on his elfen features.

"Well," I snapped impatiently, "it's really not up to you, is it?" I glanced over at Nasuada and found a smirk playing at the corner of her mouth, though she had enough grace to not laugh at him openly.

"She's right," Arya chimed in, much to my surprise. She seemed to constantly be wearing a mask of disapproval, so her agreement caught me a bit off guard.

"Um...thank you," I mumbled, unsure of how to fill in the silence. Eragon looked desperately between Arya and Nasuada, but he found no support there. In this tent full of strong-willed women, he was completely outnumbered. He hung his head, shaking it slightly back and forth. When he raised his head once again, I saw a slight smile plastered there, his eyes crinkled at the corners in amusement.

"It's been so long, Tabby, since we've spent any real time together. But you haven't changed a bit, have you?" I looked at him, feeling the tears welling in my eyes, and I fought viciously to hold them back.

"No, I suppose not," I finally replied. There weren't any words that needed to be said between us. We'd been through so much together; there was no doubt that our friendship was a lasting one; one that could survive anything.

"Well, it looks like I'm outnumbered," he said, throwing his hands up in defeat. "So you better tell us exactly what this plan of yours looks like."

I could hear Amera and Saphira rustling around outside the tent, and the edge of a blue-scaled snout peeked under the fabric. I knew that they were both listening, but I wanted Amera to be right here beside me. Her presence brought me comfort and gave me confidence. "Amera and I...we're different, as you all know," I started out, eyes downcast and taking a deep breath to strengthen my resolve. "We aren't like any other Rider and dragon that's ever been. We have certain...powers. I just discovered this the other day, but we can change our appearance, to make it seem as though we are someone else. If we could utilize this power to sneak in and out of Dras-Leona, it would give us a significant advantage. We'd be able to find other ways in and out, and possibly even open the gates from the inside. What do you think?" I was met with silence and wide eyes, though Nasuada looked more contemplative than anything. It was she who spoke first.

"This is a very dangerous plan, Tabatha," she spoke quietly. After a brief pause that I thought meant she was forbidding me to do it, she continued. "But it could make the difference for us here. I don't see how we can say no." Eragon let out a breath of air and rubbed his eyes wearily.

"I agree," Arya quipped shortly. I didn't expect to get anything out of her, let alone agreement. Her emerald eyes reflected fiercely in the firelight, the shadows lending a stark contrast to her sharp features. She looked almost feline, and the effect was startling. She turned her lion-like eyes towards me and I saw the affirmation there, like she was behind me one-hundred percent. I gave her a small nod, hesitant to have any type of interaction with her. Although I hadn't seen her in ages, there was still a lingering of my dislike for her; I now realized that it was just jealousy at the way Eragon fawned over her when he'd never treated me like that, though he claimed to have the same feelings for me. But I was a different woman now. Urû 'baen had changed me, in more ways than one, and the petty jealousy I once had for her didn't seem to matter anymore. None of it did. Becoming a Rider made me into an entirely different person. Even my feelings for Murtagh were starting to fade into the background in the shadow of the great task that lay before me.

I have to kill Galbatorix.

There was no other option now. He had to die, or I did. I wouldn't live to become his puppet, and the world couldn't survive with him in power much longer. Eragon and I could do it together, I just knew it. Murtagh would be the only obstacle we would have to overcome before getting to Galbatorix. I loved him, more than I know how to express, but as long as he was enslaved to the king, he was a liability. If I could find a way to free him, I would do whatever it takes. But if I couldn't...