The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

After Eragon and Saphira were gone, I rejoined the others where they stood upon the bank. Katrina gave me a half embrace with one arm, as the other was occupied holding Ismira. And then Roran embraced me as well. We didn't say anything; we didn't have to. Arya looked at me, and we shared a look of sympathy between us. Both of us knew how much Eragon meant to the other, and surprisingly, I found that my jealousy of her was gone completely.

"What now?" Katrina finally asked, looking up at Roran where he had his arm around her shoulder.

"We continue on," he replied, still staring down the river, as though they might reappear at any moment. "As we always have. We will return to Ilirea, and then we'll take the villagers back to Palancar Valley; start over new."

"I wish you all well," Arya said to them. "Fírnen and I must return to Ellesméra, but I am sure we will meet again."

"And what about you, Tabby?" Katrina asked me. I looked between the three of them, weighing my answer.

"I will go with you to Carvahall," I finally said. "We'll do what we can to help you rebuild, and then return to Ilirea to begin our duties as dragon and Rider."

"Your help will be much appreciated," Roran said with a smile, looking between Amera and me.

"Well then," Katrina said, "shall we?" I nodded quickly and then turned to Arya.

"Safe travels to you both," I said, extending a hand towards her. She took it without hesitation, and clasped my forearm tightly.

"We will keep in contact," she said. "As soon as an egg hatches, we will come to you so you may ferry them to Eragon." I nodded sharply, and then turned to my own dragon as she turned to hers.

Roran was already helping Katrina up into Amera's saddle, and then he was quickly up behind her. I turned and waved to Arya and Fírnen one last time, and then they were gone as well. The dwarf host was already packing up to make their journey back to Farthen Dûr. Soon, this place would be as empty as it was only a few days ago, without a trace of the heartache that had just happened.

Let us leave this place, Tabatha, Amera said somberly as I looked around one last time.

Yes, let's get going. It's a long flight back to Ilirea. I climbed up her foreleg and swung into the saddle in front of Katrina and the baby. For the whole of our flight, they were utterly silent, but I did not blame them. It would take us all a long time to come to terms with their absence.

***

Evening fell before Ilirea came into our sights, its many lights shining like a beacon that called us back home. Amera landed swiftly in the quadrangle, trying to remain as quiet as possible. I helped Katrina by taking Ismira in my arms and cradling her while her mother got down from the saddle. By some miracle, the girl was asleep, though she hadn't been earlier this afternoon when she was screaming in my ear. Katrina thanked me, as did Roran.

"When will you leave?" I asked him as I handed Ismira back to her mother.

"On the morrow, I think," he replied. "We have stayed here too long as it is. It's time to get back to our lives, though they'll never be what they once were."

"I think that is wise," I said, smiling at the two of them. We wished each other a good night, and then the little family departed for the Great Hall to get some much needed rest. As for me, I was wide awake without a thought of sleep.

I don't know how you are not exhausted, but I am, Amera complained.

Well, I'm not the one who flew across almost the whole country today, I teased. Go to the dragon hold, Amera, and sleep. We will depart in the morning.