Chapter 20 – Varden

Many weeks had passed since Chise, Guilm, and his soldiers set out for the Varden. She walked beside Tenbun, watching the sun pass over them. It was now midday, and they were on the foothills of the Varden. Chise could feel the knot in her stomach form, but kept quiet. Carn and Ehlen walked ahead of her, engaged in some sort of conversation.

Something wrong Chise? Tenbun brushed up against her mind. You haven't said much of anything. And here in the past few weeks you were pleasant to talk to. The dragon teased his rider.

No, I'm fine Tenbun. All I'm doing is merely thinking about what we could do in the Varden. Chise looked at the dragon, then ahead at the other soldiers. She smiled, looking at the flags in the distance. It was the Varden. They had made it to the rebels, the place they had been searching for.

At first, Chise was hesitant thinking about all the crimes she had commited against these people who are fighting for freedom from Galbatorix. "Well, it looks like we made it, we just have to see what we get for the things we've done...'Chise looked at her dragon.

"Hey, your punishment won't be so bad!" Carn looked back at her. "Nasuada would be crazy to get rid of you. You're one hell of an ally Chise, don't forget it either!"

Not to mention, I smell another dragon here as well. It's probably Eragon and Saphira. Tenbun stated, looking ahead.

When the group entered the Varden, the people looked them over carefully. Some of the soldiers looked at Chise with their hands on their blades. Even some of the women called their children to come in the tents. Yet, she did see familiar faces from Carvahall. Horst wore a big smile, looking at Chise. He waved at her. She also saw Roran and Katrina.

What mainly caught her attention was the pointed eared Eragon and his dragon approached them. Tenbun and Saphira exchanged calm expressions, but Chise remained quiet. Saphira is happy to see you well squirt, why won't you let her in your mind?

I don't want them to see my memories of what I've done here and my old home. Chise replied softly, her lips forming into a frown.

"Hello, Captain Guilm." Eragon greeted him, then looked at Chise. "It's been awhile 'Angel of Death'..." A grin formed on the Dragon Rider's face. "Brom was right, you did end up betraying the Empire huh?"

"Eragon..."Chise stated softly, looking at him. "I have my reasons."She looked at little Ehlen, who was standing beside her.

"I'm sure you do, but I'm afraid you're not allowed near Nasuada until I read you intentions here in the Varden. Is That clear?"

"Yes, Shadeslayer. Just please don't judge me for what i've done..."

Chise sighed, letting the barriers of her mind melt. She felt Eragon and Saphira enter her head. She couldn't say she approved, but what choice did she have? Chise watched their facial expressions sadden, and they quickly left her mind. I'm sorry little one... Saphira's voice in her head. My sympathy is with you.

"You pose no threat to the Varden.' Eragon stated sternly as the people listened. "You can meet Nasuada now." He took her to the Varden leader's tent. He walked in before Chise and stated. "Nasuada, the Angel of Death has wished to speak with you.."

"Eragon, leave." Nasuada spoke, looking Chise over. "I wish to speak with this Angel alone if you please." She looked at the Dragon Rider, and watched him leave. "Now, I've come to the understanding that you are no longer with the Empire correct Angel?"

"I have no desire to be within three feet of that bastard they call king."Chise honestly replied. "Please Lady of the Varden, call me Chise."

"Very well Chise..."She paused. "Our Dragon Rider approves of you, but you cannot go unpunished for the crimes you have committed against the Varden...I couldn't afford to lose a powerful alley, even if the Urgals are now on our side...So, i'll do this for you Chise. The punishment you receive shall not be death, but fifty lashings on the whipping post. Do I make myself clear, or do you disagree?"

"No ma'am, I do not disagree i'll take any punishment. I know what i've done, and I deserve what you gave me. I'm here now to pay back the lives I took, and help you in this war." Chise explained, bowing lightly before Nasuada. "I'm grateful that you didn't sentence me to death...nothing more."

A smile formed across Nasuada's lips. "Good. Now, your punishment will commence around dawn infront of everyone who watches. You are free to leave Chise..'

Chise bowed again before leaving the tent. Walking outside, Tenbun looked at her. Fifty lashings? That seems a little bit to handle don't you think Chise?

No, I've had worse. Besides, it gives the people a chance to see what's under this skin. The metal thats protecting my body. Chise stated, looking at Carn.

"So, what did you get? She didn't order your death, did she?" Carn looked at her asking multiple things.

"I was given fifty lashings with a whip tomorrow morning, that's it." Chise replied, heading to her own tent.

-Next Morning-

When the sun rose up, Chise had already been awake. She was pacing back and forth, waiting to get the lashings over with. She stepped outside, walking toward the whipping post. Chise kept quiet, passing Carn and Ehlen. She told Carn not to let the boy watch.

There were people already outside to watch the event. Some booing, and shouting nasty things toward Chise. She just brushed it off, walking to the platform. The man bond her hands together, and stuck a shirt into her mouth to keep from biting down on her tongue. He paused, giving Chise a second to breathe. The man suddenly ripped her shirt clean of-bra on- revealing the nasty scars she bore on her backs and the spider-like one on her chest. Some people gasped, mumbling. "Look at that..." "Poor girl.." and "What happened?"

Chise ignored them, closing her eyes as she braced for impact as the whip slammed against her bare skin. She grunted, opening her eyes again, only to shut them when the next lash hit her. Chise could feel the skin tear and sting at each hit. She looked up once to see the two dragons looking at her with sad faces. After the next few hits, the skin on her back had been ripped enough to show the metal that coursed through her body as a layer of skin. Some of the Varden member gasped at the sight.

Later on, after the lashings Chise sat down on the platform, feeling the blood run down her back and the wounds stinging when the wind hit them. She looked down at her feel kicking them lightly. "That hurt a little more than I expected..." She sighed, feeling a blanket fall on her shoulders. Tenbun laid beside her.

You know, the people actually felt sorry for you after seeing you being whipped that hard and so many times dear one.

Well, now they should know what I am huh? Chise looked at the dragon in a sarcastic manner. It wasn't that bad, yet it still did hurt... She watched the people pass by her with frowns of sympathy and guilt. "C'mon, i'm gonna head inside and rest. It's getting cold out here."

You should have those lashes looked at. Tenbun suggested.

"Na, they'll heal." Chise simply replied, going in her tent to lay down.

When she woke up, Chise noticed that someone had bandaged her wounds, and that Ehlen was sleeping by her side. Tenbun's head was also inside the tent; the dragon was also sleeping. She smiled, laying back down trying to keep off her back. Chise dozed back off to sleep.

Oblivion's Oathkeeper

Been awhile once again, but now I'm determined to finish this crossover. Oh, I also fixed some earlier chapters.