Age of the Dragon 1: Return of the Riders

Chapter 16

Fallyn woke from her sleep, feeling more rested than she had in months. But she was also aware of the wetness on her cheeks.

Yet another dream, of all those she had lost. Her talk with Murtagh had reminded her of her father and also Sulevin.

And her mother.

Washing away the evidence of her dreams, Fallyn considered what she could possibly do at this point. No doubt Eragon would need to begin his instruction, but Fallyn had never considered herself a particularly good teacher. Not after... no, it did not do to dwell on the past.

Murtagh would be safe enough, so long as he did not attempt to escape.

Arya would recover. She simply needed time.

With a sigh, Fallyn stepped out of her room and spotted an old friend who caused her lips to curl up into a smile.

"Angela!"

"Fallyn!"

The two embraced and immediately began walking together.

"It's been far too long," Angela commented. "You know, the last time I saw you, you were bleeding from that scar."

"When you put it like that, you do make it sound like a very long time, Asha'bellanar," Fallyn chuckled. "I assume Solembum is about?"

"Oh, you know how he wanders," Angela shrugged. "Come, I must hear about everything that has happened since that scar. In fact, I don't think you told me how you got it."

"It's a very long story," Fallyn warned. "And probably not one that should be spoken aloud."

"Ah, I see," Angela said. "Then perhaps this will have to do?"

"It would be faster for one," Fallyn agreed, laughing aloud.

In this fashion, Fallyn conveyed to Angela all the things that had happened. How she got the scar, what she did after escaping back to Ellesméra, what prompted her to leave, how she met Eragon - she cautiously mentioned Murtagh without giving a specific name to him, simply calling him "the other boy". Angela was aware that Fallyn was hiding something but only pried a little before acknowledging a promise had been made.

Then she told about their mad dash here and the indignity she had been forced to endure at the hands of the foolish little bald man.

"To think he let himself into your mind!" Angela said indignantly.

"The other boy's life was at risk," Fallyn shrugged. "If I had protested too much, he might have killed him. That would have prompted Eragon to do something foolish and probably get himself killed."

"You're not wrong there," Angela agreed.

Fallyn examined the various plants that grew about in Angela's room. 

"Ah! Elfroot," she said, touching one of the leaves. "How were you able to get it to grow?"

"The dried plant you gave me that last time," Angela explained. "I was able to revive it, and from it, cultivate new plants. The healing properties of it are extraordinary. Unfortunate name, however."

Fallyn chuckled. "I'm told it's because the leaves look like elf ears. Yet, the only part that is used in potions, is the root."

"Still unfortunate," Angela insisted.

Around that time, the door opened and Solembum slinked in.

"Hello, old friend," Fallyn greeted the cat, who rubbed against her and purred.