The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

How are you feeling? Amera's voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I stared up at the sky. The stars above twinkled brightly, countless in their numbers. Her great violet head was suddenly looming over me and she snorted softly, a small puff of smoke clouding over my face. The smoke choked me momentarily and I was wracked with coughs, trying to clear it away.

Amera! I complained. Why must you do that?

You weren't paying attention to me, she replied simply, nudging me softly with her snout. I scratched under her jaw and then leaned up against her broad shoulder. So how are you feeling? I sighed heavily and resumed looking up at the sky.

I don't know what you mean.

I think you do. She growled deeply in her throat and I knew she was laughing at me. It amused me to try and lie to her, even though I knew I never could. When we fought my-red-brother and his Rider today, I could feel your confliction. I wanted to make sure you're doing alright.

I'm fine, Amera. Thank you for your concern. I'm going to have to do it again soon, so there's no use in fretting about it. She snorted again and leaned into me, laying prone on the ground and groaning in content.

Have you thought of how we might free them yet? she asked.

Murtagh says that Galbatorix bound them using the magic of their true names, I contemplated slowly. Do you think it's possible that someone's true name could change?

I suppose anything is possible, isn't it?

We should ask Eragon what he thinks. If their true names changed, then my father would no longer have control over them.

It's a good idea, Tabby, Amera replied, but it all depends on them. They are the only ones that can change their true names.

I don't see any other way. My heart felt like it was growing heavier with every breath, and I buried my face in my hands. Amera nudged my leg slightly.

Let us join the festivities, Tabby. We gained a great victory today; you should be celebrating with the others. She clicked her teeth together slightly and pushed up off the ground. I glanced up to marvel at just how big she had grown and smiled a bit.

You go, Amera, I said softly. Celebrate with Saphira. I think I'll just turn in for the night early.

If you wish, she replied. I patted her once more on her thick foreleg before she lumbered off towards the gathering of people. I could hear them laughing raucously and knew that the ale, mead, and faelnirv were flowing freely. But right now, I didn't feel like losing myself in drink. What I really wanted was to be alone. I got up off the soft grass and headed back through the camp, to my own tent. I snapped my fingers and the lantern burst alight, filling the tent with a warm orange glow. The light flickered in the slight breeze, casting shadows over everything. And my cot looked too inviting to ignore. Perhaps sleep would be the best thing for me right now; at least that way I wouldn't have to think about the path that lay before me.

***

I awoke to the cold steel of a blade pressed against my throat. The lantern had gone out; I knew not how long it had been since I'd come to my tent, but the sounds of celebration could still be heard floating across the night air. I tried to keep my breathing even, but my eyes flew about wildly, searching through the darkness to find my assailant. I could just make out their silhouette in the blackness, and my body tensed up. If I moved too quickly, my throat would be cut. But how could I get the knife away?