A small wooden vessel set off from the city of Feinster, into the cool, blue water. The boat had a large white sail, with a purple and red sun upon it, and within the sun was a black flame, very unlike that of King Galbatorix. Curiously, no one was maintaining the boat. It set off in a straight, angled line, and did not waver. The wind did not change it. On the deck, a pale, crimson-haired woman and a maliciously grinning maiden sat.

“Water,” spat Yane in disgust. “Above all things, I hate water.”

“I know, I hate it too,” conceded Asmana. “But if we’re to reach Nia anytime soon, boat is the only way to travel.”

The red-haired were-cat grumbled. “You know how conscious I am of your duty, Asmana, I place that highest of all. But why on earth couldn’t we use magic to get there?”

“Because,” Asmana growled, irritated, “Nia is strongly guarded. If I were to pop up in the middle of the island, I would be slain on the spot.”

“Stupid paranoid islanders,” Yane snarled. “They’ve lived outside the Empire thus far, why so cautious?”

“It’s there caution that keeps them outside Galbatorix’s control, and outside of death. In addition, on that island lies the treasure all the islanders of the area strive to protect.”

“What is it?” Yane nearly purred. Finally, a reason for the madness. Her emerald eyes, slanted and glowing as a cat’s even in her human form, nearly laughed. “Some large gem, I suppose. Do they worship it?” she murmured sarcastically.

“The treasure,” Asmana said in a whisper, “is a large, gemmed weapon. The blade is said to be made of pure gold, but does not loose its shape. The handle is silver, but so covered in multi-colored diamonds that the metal is not visible. Within these gems, is a small portion of energy from every Dragon Rider who has ever lived. When a Rider completed their training, they and their dragon would fly to Nia and place some of their energy within a diamond they would mine themselves. It was a tradition laid down by Eragon I, whose sister forged the blade.”

“So, what does the message have to do with any of that?”

“I must warn Nia’s chieftain. Someone is going to try to steal the blade, the Treasure of Nia.”

Essana sat upon the ship, eager to reach shore. "Land ahoy!" Shouted somebody, excited, Essana gathered all her possetions and was at the front of the ship in five minutes waiting for the ship to dock. The ship rumbled and all of a second a beam of light appeared, Essana was thrown from the ship, along with the others on deck. Bloodied, she swam to shore herself, turning around to see the ship exploding behind her, leaving her to get the treasure of Nia alone...

OOC: Yay! We have a villian.

IC:

The ship landed in on the shore of Nia, in the port city De-Ryon. Yane and Asmana disembarked, and paid a man several pieces of gold to dock the ship. Asmana kept muttering to herself over and over, as if trying to memorize something. She and Yane walked through the town, ignoring the cries of, "A Shade!" and "Death bringer!"

Asmana went to a small, unihabited house and opened the door. It was empty, save for a few neccessities. Out of the sleeves of her robe, she produced a new, fancier outfit. After she had changed, she was wearing a silk and velvet gown. The crimson bodice was short and stiff with golden embroidery. The skirt started above Asmana's hips and ended below her ankles. The grey silk itself seemed to float about her, and matched the trailing bell-sleeves of the gown. Asmana let her flaming red hair loose of its tail and it tumbled upon her shoulders. Rubies, diamonds, and amethysts glittered with gold from her ears, neck, arms and fingers. Lastly, she took her garnet pendant, strung it upon a golden chain, and hung it from her neck.

My, my. Aren't we looking fancy? Rin, or Yane, remarked, back in her tabby-cat form. Who are you going to see, a village leader or a king?

"The chieftain is of the most royal blood, the family itself ruling all the surrounding islands for many years. I want to show my respect, I know my place." Asmana said icily. "If you're coming, you'd do well to make yourself presentable."

No thanks. Rin said. I am going to see this blade you told me of. If what you say is true, one of us should be gaurding it.

"As you wish." Asmana said. She fastened one of her daggers to her waist on a heavy golden chain, filling the compartment with a more potent poison.

What's that for? You can take most with just magic. Rin asked.

"Whoever has been sent to steal the sword is obviously well trained. I plan to find out who it is and kill them quietly." She smiled at the prospect of death. "In addition, before I go to the blade itself I will change into armor, and bring my sword." She gestured towards the black and purple Claymore leaned against the corner.

As you wish. I am off. Tail twisting, Rin gracefully stalked outside, towards the center of town and the Treasure of Nia.

A moment later, dressed in her finery, Asmana departed for the northern island capital. "I hope I am not too late," she murmered. "The treasure is much too precious to loose."

Upon the North shore, Essana left the sea for the last time that night. She could find no survivers but she was able to salvage supplies such as food, clothes and a delightfully heavy money bag. She looked up at the sky and her surroundings, surveying it with caution, as if another attack could come at any second. Seeing nothing of interest but a town about a league away she camped for the night, making herself confortable and rested for the following morning.

The next day she entered the large town with scared and fearful stares. Figuring she should find out what happened she entered a small and cozy inn at the corner of the street she was on. After nudging a few people into talking someone revealed that strangers had entered the town yesterday, and that they were demons. Essana quickly thanked the person, throwing a small coin before leaving the inn, she could not be beaten in this race.

Rin sat at the base of a large white marbel stone, baking in the sun. The villagers stared at her fearfully, their eyes widening every time she looked up or shifted position. "Demon beast," "Witch cat," and "Sun stalker," were all names and taunts Rin had heard before. She could take it, this was her duty. Her red-orange fur bristled as a chilling sea wind blew through the town square. Rin winked open one emmense emerald eye, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. She tilted her head to look once more at the blade.

The golden shaft stood out it the sun, reflecting the glare in a sparkle of light. The grip was covered in gems, each the color of the given Rider's dragon. On each side of the sword was a large fairth, as big as the sword and its pedastal, a good six feet high. On the right was Eragon, the First Rider, bestowing his energy into a perfect white diamond and setting into the pommel of the sword, as his magnificent white dragon watched. To the left was a female elf with long, silver hair falling to her ankles. Her willowy amber robe blew around her, and with one pale, elegant hand, she lifted the Treasure of Nia, before any jewels had been placed within it. The sword was three and a half feet long, and weighed more than any human sword, but Eragon's sister, the forger of the blade, could lift it with out struggle. Her eyes sparked like a blue flame as she looked out at the town. Her name was Nianor, for whom the island was named.

Rin sat on the stone, waiting for Asmana's arrival. An hour passed, then two, then four. Finally, as the sun was setting, a furious Shade tore through the square to the blade. Her purple eyes blazing, her scarlet hair tumbling behind her, she was the incarnation of rage. "That dim-witted, moron of a leader!" She screamed.

What happened? Rin asked.

"I wait two hours to see the leader of the village, and when I finally do, he and his elders refuse to belive my message! I am the Messenger, how can I speak an untruth? That idiotic human refused to protect the sword more. How am I supposed to save it when he will not comply?"

I wouldn't know. Perhaps we'll have to stay here and protect the Treasure ourselves. In truth, Rin enjoyed being near the sword. The magic in the air around it nourished her and she thrived on the spark in the wind.

"Fine. I hope the theif kills the chieftain first, because he is undeserving of a free life. I'm going to go get my weapons." Asmana stalked off, sulking. Rin was left alone again, to watch the blade as the sun set.


OOC: I had the image of the swords and fairths in my mind for the longest time, doodling and tweeking it when I should have been doing geometry homework. What do you think of the way I described it?

I realize its been over a month. Is this story dead? I liked it.