FicWad

Later that day, Eragon was heading out to the training fields to practice with his falchion, a blur of clothing and purplish red hair almost knocked him over.
Eragon stumbled back, surprised that he hadn’t noticed the presence sooner.
“Sorry!”
Eragon looked to the left of him and saw Caprice standing there, her face flushed with a ruddy color up in her cheeks.
Suddenly Niyol soared overhead towards the training fields and Caprice’s face lit up in a smile.
Before she could take off, Eragon called to her.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
She turned to look at him, a half smile crossing her face.
“Getting away from the Varden, and enjoying myself at the same time.” She said, gesturing behind him before taking off again, running about as fast as an elf, before jumping and grabbing Niyol’s tail.
With a flick, Niyol flipped her up and Caprice flipped through the air, laughing hysterically.
Eragon ran, afraid for the fact that she would plummet to the ground and meet an untimely end.
Instead, she landed quite gracefully on the back of Niyol, her face still flushed with red.
Everyone on the training fields had stopped what they were doing to look up at her, the awe clear in their faces.
Eragon!
Eragon looked up to see Saphira hovering above him, before landing in front, causing the earth to shake slightly under him.
Saphira, I was heading to practice at the training fields, and then Caprice and Niyol came out of nowhere. Eragon said, flicking his gaze back to the two of them, still hovering about the training fields.
Did you just see that move they just did? We should practice that sometime! Saphira said, her mind excited.
Eragon chuckled.
You forget Saphira, I have something she doesn’t that could impair my judgment and thought if I landed too hard.
He felt Saphira sober.
Oh, yes, your right. We wouldn’t want anything bad to happen. She said with the undertone of amusement.
Niyol landed, and Caprice climbed off, scratching behind the scales of Niyol’s jaw. He let out a humming sound of contentment until Caprice walked over to Eragon.
“The Varden is after us. After all the questioning we did and the mind probe, when they had their attention to other things, I just snuck away.” She said, answering the question Eragon no doubt had on his face.
Eragon frowned.
“You know, you should listen to whatever they have in mind for you. This is no longer play and games Caprice. Nasuada needs you to cooperate so that we can rid Galbatorix from the throne that much sooner. Your cooperation would be much appreciated. Why don’t you head back? I’ll escort you.” Eragon said.
Caprice rolled her eyes, but her mouth was quirked up in a smile.
“I feel like a child, being escorted home by my ear with my mother if I did something to annoy her.” Caprice muttered under her breath as Eragon walked near her side, leading her through the Varden’s gray tents to the maroon pavilion that was Nasuada’s.
She was standing outside, looking annoyed.
“Eragon, thank you for escorting her back. I don’t know why she ran off.” She said.
Now it was Caprice who was serious.
“Excuse me Lady, but with everything you pressured onto me, can you not think that I would need some fresh air? I am not accustomed to being hammered by question with hours on end. I must get used to it, yes, but you can’t confine me to be inside while you question me about all the matters of my life.” Caprice said.
Nasuada looked taken aback by her polite words and logic.
“Well, I’m sure we could give you intervals of breaks in between. But please, until that designated time, please don’t leave me here to explain your absence to others who do not appreciate it.” She said, holding aside the flaps so that Caprice would walk in.
When she was gone, Nasuada turned her ebony eyes on Eragon.
“Thank you Eragon, for escorting her back. I know that it must have taken away from things you want to do in order to prepare.” She said.
Eragon shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t have much planned for today.” Eragon said, and it was true.
Nasuada’s eyes sparkled.
“If you wouldn’t mind then, would you come and join us in our discussion and questioning? I’m sure Caprice would be more . . . comfortable if another Dragon Rider were present. It would help us a great deal.” Nasuada said.
Eragon turned to Saphira who had followed him to camp.
I think you should do it Eragon. I know how much you appreciated Murtagh being there, and I’m sure Caprice feels very unsure of herself and of how to answer with so many people older and pressing down on her.
Saphira, how would you know this?
Saphira shrugged her big shoulders sheepishly.
I checked into her mind just to make sure she was okay.
Eragon shook his head at her, but then turned back to Nasuada.
“Of course, I’ll stay.” He said.
I appreciate you staying Shadeslayer.
Eragon looked around to see Niyol peering a great eye into the pavilion as he spoke to him.
Your welcome. Eragon said back.
As he stepped in, he saw how Caprice was situated. She was sitting in a large chair before Nasuada’s chair with generals, various Varden government and the Elders looming down on her.
Caprice looked up when he walked in, and he could see the relief that flooded her features.
Eragon stood off to the side as the questioning began anew, and was surprised when Caprice answered with the eloquence of someone many more than her years. She couldn’t be more than a year younger than Eragon, yet she had the vocabulary of Islanzadi and others twenty years her senior.
Finally, when the sun dipped low behind the horizon and everyone was looking thoroughly exhausted, the questions ceased.
“Gentleman and ladies, no matter how many questions you have to ask, I’m afraid they’ll have to wait until tomorrow. All of us are thoroughly exhausted and I would appreciate not falling asleep while we continue to question late into the night. Caprice, I’m sure is just as tired as I am, what with her long trip from Belatona, and I would appreciate if she didn’t fall asleep either during the questioning. So, I’m sorry, but this is coming to a close. Thank you, and goodnight.” Nasuada said.
All of the political advisers looked between each other, then filed slowly out of the room, muttering quietly amongst each other.
When everyone else was gone, Caprice slumped in her chair and rubbed the bridge nose between her thumb and forefinger.
Nasuada smiled tiredly at both of them.
“I appreciate both of you staying for as long as you did. It’s been quite a tiring day. You may both leave and get some rest.”
Caprice stood with a tired smile and turned to Eragon.
“I thank you Eragon for staying. It was quite uncomfortable being here surrounded by all these political figures. It felt better with another Dragon Rider around who’s not persisting me with mindless propaganda.” She said.
Eragon grinned.
“It was my pleasure.” He said.
Caprice sighed and exited the tent, Eragon following close behind as soon as he saw that Niyol was no longer with them
“I compare political debates to burlap sacks.” Caprice said.
Eragon gave her a questioning look as they continued to head toward her tent, which was given to her temporarily until it was determined if she would be a help or a hinder to the Varden.
“Why do you say that?” Eragon asked as they stopped in front of her tent.
Caprice smiled at him, her brilliant eyes flashing with a hint of amusement.
“I would rather not to be in either. Have a good night Shadeslayer.” She said, giving a slight bow before disappearing into her tent with a flourish.
Eragon was left there with a smile before Saphira swooped down beside him, her eyes sparkling.
Quite witty she is, is she not? Saphira asked.
Eragon rolled his eyes, but the goofy smile on his face stayed plastered in place.
Yes, playing word tricks just like Angela. Saphira, where have you been? He asked.
He could almost see a flicker of embarrassment in Saphira’s eye.
Where I’ve been is with Niyol. She said, sniffing with an almost proper air.
Saphira! What have the two of you been doing? He asked.
We’ve been flying together. What’s so wrong about that? I haven’t had a flying companion for a long time, since you seem to be busy at all hours. I thought that since both you and Caprice were busy, we’d go for a short flight, nothing more. Don’t let your silly mind jump to conclusions you yourself have barely been able to think of. She said.
Eragon shook his head, but spoke no more.