The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

For the Love of a Princess

"I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing," I finally said before he could cut me off again. I didn't wait to hear his response; I just climbed up into Amera's saddle and let her catapult us off the ground. I was extremely grateful for that; I didn't know how much more I could take today. I had lost three people I cared about now, and I had a feeling I wasn't done destroying my life yet.

As the morning sun peeked over the horizon, Amera landed in a grove of trees just outside of the Varden's encampment. I jumped off her back and landed in the soft grass. The birds were just waking up and singing their daily songs as the first rays of daylight cut through the trees. If I didn't know what was going on out there in the world, I would have thought this was the most peaceful place. But I did know what was going on out there, and all I could think to do right now was cry. But I didn't. I had run away from my problems, for a short time, and I wasn't going to make it even worse by crying about them.

What are we going to do, Amera? I said desperately, plopping down in the grass.

We will do what we must, Tabby, she replied wisely, curling up behind me so that I could rest my back on her side. You did the right thing, though, by telling him the truth. In time, though he may not think it now, he will come to realize that you are really doing him a favor.

Am I though? I responded sardonically. Am I doing anyone a favor by alienating those that I care about? Or am I just hurting myself in the end?

The light-haired-two-leg was right when she said that it will be a long and lonely road to Urû'baen. But I think that it must be. The king will only use those that we love against us, and we can't let that happen. So we must distance ourselves, for their protection.

You are very wise beyond your years, Amera, I said, laying my head back against her scaly body. She grumbled a bit in the odd dragon-laugh that she had.

I am far older than you think, little one, she replied, nudging my shoulder slightly with her snout. My egg has been in existence far longer than my red brother and blue sister, and my consciousness has been there the whole time. I have seen much and more of this world than they have through the eyes of the sorceresses that cared for me inside my egg. And then there was that strange old man in the forest... His thoughts were quite odd, but I enjoyed the time that I was in his care. After all, he brought me to you, the one I have been waiting for my entire life. I placed a hand on her huge head and leaned into her.

I'm glad you waited for me, and I'm thankful to Asron as well. I am just happy that I have you with me to get through this, Amera. I don't think I could have done it alone. She hummed pleasantly, sending vibrations through my whole body, and nudged me again. We stayed like that for a long while, so long that I lost all track of time. The sun was mid-way through the sky before I stood up and stretched my arms over my head.

We'd best be getting back, Amera said, letting loose a ferocious yawn that bared her razor sharp teeth. They'll be wondering about us.

Yes, I suppose so, I agreed reluctantly. I wished with all my heart that we could just stay here in this peace and serenity, but that was just a ridiculous hope that I knew could never be. I climbed back up into Amera's saddle as she stretched out her massive wings, their scales and thin membranes glittering in the morning sunlight. Her powerful legs pushed off of the ground, and the mighty beat of her wings propelled us higher and higher into the air. The ground receded below us, until I could no longer make out any details of the trees or the grass, and we were enshrouded in the clouds. Everything is so beautiful up here, I mused softly, taking in the sight of the fluffy white clouds and the clear air above them. It was getting colder the further that Amera climbed, but I didn't really care.