My Version of the Inheritance Cycle

testing and Talking

Maria's point of view

Maria wasn't entirely surprised when she received stares, glares and rude comments from some of the people she and Arya passed on their way to the training fields. She knew that even though Eragon had deemed her trustworthy it would take more than that for the varden to fully trust her. She just ignored them, it was obvious that the news of her arrival and who her father was had spread throughout the varden quickly. It wasn't hard to tell when they were getting close to the training fields; she started to hear the sound of weapons clashing and the sound of arrows hitting their targets.

When they reached the fields the crowd parted for them. They walked over to an empty portion of the field and Evarína landed nearby. They had known that evarína would only draw attention but she had insisted on coming with them. First Arya asked her how much she knew about magic. Maria explained that Her Father had taught her some magic, but he hadn't finished her training since she had found Evarína's egg and fled before he had finished. She might have tried to flee even if she hadn't found Evarína since she was sure that her training would have just ended in her being forced to serve him regardless of what she wanted.

Arya had her cast a few different spells just to find out what exactly she knew. As she did it quickly became evident that Maria still needed a lot of training.
Eventually Arya said, "let's move on why don't you show me your skill with swordplay."
Maria was shocked Arya expected to fight her! Maria knew she had no chance of beating the elf. She knew that elves were faster than a human could ever be, and just because her father was the most powerful person in Alegasia didn't mean that she was strong or fast enough to beat an elf in a sword fight.

Unfortunately, Maria knew she had no choice but to try. Arya had already gotten into her fighting stance she was just waiting for Maria to do the same. She did and as soon as she was in position the elf struck. Maria barely got her sword up in time to block the sword. Maria swung for the elf's side the elf stopped her sword. They didn't fight for long Maria spent most of the time trying to block the elf's sword, but it soon ended up under her chin.

Next Arya got her to shoot several of her arrows at a target. They all landed on or near the center.

After they had finished Arya led her to Nasuada's office. Arya told the guards who they were and the guards informed Nasuada of their arrival. Nasuada told them to come in.

When they entered the room Nasuada asked Arya "how did she do? How much does she still have to learn?"

Arya answered, "when it comes to the sword and bow, all she needs is to keep up her current level of skill. She still has much to learn when it comes to magic. she has a basic understanding of it, but there is still much she doesn't know,"

Nasuada said, "thank you, Arya you may go now."

After Arya left Nasuada said, "Maria tell me your story I would like to know more about you. Eragon just said that you were trustworthy and that you are the king's daughter."

Maria was slightly nervous about telling her story but once she started speaking she was fine.

She said, "I don't have any idea who my mother was. If I ever met her it was when I was a small child and I can't remember it. For all, I know she could still be alive somewhere or my father could have killed her. Knowing my father the second one sounds more likely."
My father never paid much attention to me, He hired a servant to teach me about the history of Alegasia and everything else a child learns while growing up. I learned that he had got his position by killing all the riders and dragons and then taking the throne for himself. I spoke to many of the servants and I could tell that none of them actually liked him they were just acting like they did so they wouldn't get hurt. When turned sixteen he came to me and taught me basic magic and said that if I would serve him he would teach me more.'

"I refused, and he said that he would give me a chance to reconsider my choice, which made me think that he hadn't really been giving me a choice in the first place. The day after that I was wandering through the castle and decided to go into a room I hadn't entered before. The room must have been a storage room I was about to leave when something caught my eye. I walked over to it to see what it was. At first, it just looked like a large diamond but when I picked it up and it shook I instantly knew what it was.

I ran up to my room and hurriedly packed some clothes and other supplies I also shoved Evarína's egg in the bag I ran to the stables and got my horse Misty and we raced out of Urû'baen before the guards could realize who I was. We never stopped that night. I had decided that if I stayed in the Empire I would eventually be caught, so I decided to go to Surda where I would find out how to find you hoping that I would be accepted regardless of who my father was.

All I want is for my father to be defeated, I don't want to take his place we don't need another immortal ruler. And now that I am a rider I hope to restore the riders to what they once were. When I escaped I already had a pretty good guess as to what he would send after me. I suspected that he would send soldiers, the ra'zac and possibly even urgals after me."

When I lived in the palace I had a bad habit of eavesdropping on his conversations with his servants. So I knew that he had sent the ra'zac to Carvahall, captured Arya, and that he had control over the Urgals as well. So I had a pretty good idea of what he would send after me. He never wanted me killed he wanted me captured, so he could force me to serve him. I am sure that is what he wanted. When I escaped I only ever faced soldiers but I prepared for the worst and was always careful because I knew he might send the ra'zac or urgals after me. 

My enemies may not have been fighting to kill, but I was. I never spared them for fear of them telling my father where I was and sending the ra'zac after me. As I travelled Evarína grew. it got to the point where she had to fly all the time so she wouldn't be seen. Now she is big enough to ride but I don't have a saddle for her. do you have someone here who could make one? If I ever have to fight from her back I will need one. Because now that I am here that is exactly what I intend to do fight, I will do whatever is necessary to defeat my father. As much as most of the varden may not like me due to who my father is, they will learn soon enough that I never intend to hurt them only help them however I can.' When she finished her story and speech she waited for Nasuada's reaction.

Nasuada smiled and said "Welcome to the varden I will be happy to have your help in the fight against your father. We can always use more magicians, and since you are a rider that is even better. We have Eragon but unless he becomes a lot more powerful he and Saphira most likely wouldn't stand a chance against your father, Even if we had the help of the elves. Before we face your father's forces you and Eragon need more training. As I discussed with Eragon earlier, I intend for the two of you to go to Ellesméra to get more training. And if it is alright with you, you will leave tomorrow morning."

Maria answered, "I have no problem with that I understand how powerful my father is and that we will have to be much more powerful than we are if we are going to defeat him." 

Nasuada continued. "It won't just be you and Eragon going, Arya will be going with you because she is the only person who will be able to convince them to assist us as they used to.

When she was captured they ceased helping us and refused all contact with us. So the elves don't know about Eragon and Saphira or that Arya is free once again. The dwarf King Hrothgar has also requested that a dwarf go along since your training affects their race as well." Maria wasn't going to argue and hadn't really gotten to know anyone yet, she didn't want to make a bad impression and have them turn on her. So she just said, "oh well we will have to travel by land, which will slow us down but I suppose it is necessary,"
Nasuada just nodded and said, "go now prepare your things you will leave at dawn tomorrow,"