Erys: An Eragon Fanfiction - (Under Editing)

Chapter Fifteen

Though their need was dire, it took Erys some time to build the courage to reach for magic.  Enneniya's commands rang in her mind; she certainly didn't feel ready, but she told herself she was; she knew the words and the need was great.  She prepared herself and reached.  When she breached the magical barrier in her mind, its power overwhelmed her as it had in Du Weldenvarden. A wall of sheer power battered her mind.  It raged through her-the intensity lasted only as long as she could bear to hold onto the magic.  Then it slipped away. Though she'd only just touched it, the sensation pulsed through her body.  After several attempts, she withdrew from the touch of magic completely.  She took deep, steadying breaths and turned to Keilith.

"I can't," she whispered.  Her breath came in ragged gasps which she fought to keep quiet. "I'm not ready.  I'm too weak."

She shivered, though not from the cold.

"Try again."

"I can't."

Shouts carried through the dungeons. The air was filled with fear and death.  The building and yard no doubt swarmed with the enemy.  It was only a matter of time before anyone checked the sewers and they were caught.

"Can't you maintain a spell for two or three minutes?"

"I can't even hold onto it."

"How did you manage last time?" he demanded.

"My dragons.  But they're too weak now."

A pang of regret surged through her.  She soothed her dragons across their mental link as she struggled for a solution.

Keilith sneered and pushed his head against the wall.  He cursed under his breath as quietly as his anger would allow.  "Shit!"  He gritted his teeth. "Damn it!  We're stuck."

Though he tried to hide it, fear was clear in his expression.

"There has to be another way out!" Erys pleaded.

"This was your fucking idea!" he growled turning on her.  "I don't hear you giving out any great ideas!"

Erys surveyed their confining space.  Panic began to set in, destroying her sense and wit.  Her breathing became rapid.

As she scanned their new prison cell and walls seemed to press on them, her eyes rested on a misplaced brick. The crumbling wall gave her an idea.

"There!" she whispered excitedly.

Keilith handed Thalia off to Erys and examined the area.

"This must not have always been here.  This tunnel was blocked off," he whispered.

"Can we get out?"

He gazed through a hole and smiled.

"It leads to the other side!" he said.  "But once we go, if they discover this hole, they'll know where we've been hiding.  It'll only be a matter of time."

"How long?" Erys asked.

"To be safe we should leave tonight. I'll try to make the proper arrangements."

Keilith began working at the wall as quietly as the situation allowed. Only the commotion above hid what noise he made. He couldn't help but flinch at every sound he made; he froze when noises drew to close. 

Despite the pace at which he worked, the stones would not budge. He sat back, defeated.

"We're still stuck."

Erys chewed on the inside of her cheek as she thought. Finally she waded forward.

"I can't maintain a spell for long, but maybe only a few seconds is all we need."