To Find a Rider

1 - Their Story

Eragon had just placed Glaedr’s heart-of-hearts back into the bag and slid it underneath his cot out of sight after conversing with him. He felt that his battle with Galbatorix to the death will be very soon and he wanted to ask some final questions before it begins. He tried to remember every single detail that he learned from Glaedr, the dragon of the deceased rider, Oromis.

(Flashback)

Master, do you really believe that I am ready? Eragon remembered asking. He had been lying down in his cot, the heart-of-hearts held in both his hands above him. He ignored the hustle and bustle of the Varden’s soldiers outside of his tent and Saphira’s snores as she laid lazily in the sun with the occasional flick of her tail.

Of course, after the training that we put you and Saphira through, there is no doubt, Glaedr had answered. Just remember everything that we taught you including Brom’s teachings. After all, he wasn’t just an old story teller; he was also a dragon rider.

Aye, Eragon sighed.

Glaedr heard this sigh, Young one, the question is not whether I think you’re ready, rather, it is whether you think you’re ready, he stated. Do you think you’re ready, Eragon?

Eragon had to contemplate this for a while.

Well? Do you?Glaedr asked again.

Eh, yes, Eragon answered unconvincingly. He began twirling the heart-of-hearts in his hands.

Don’t take me for an old fool, Eragon, I can tell that you are still not sure of how to take down Galbatorix. I am sure that you can find a way to bring him to his knees and kill him whether it is in the form of your sword or of your magic. I can tell that you are ready, you are strong, skilled in the art of magic, and you are almost as wise as Oromis, Glaedr said to reassure Eragon.

Almost as wise as Oromis? Eragon questioned. He then grinned as he continued twirling the golden stone in his hands as he sat up. Why not as wise as you?

Don’t be silly Eragon, I’m a dragon, my body may be gone but my mind sure isn’t, Glaedr retaliated back.

And? Humans can’t be as smart as dragons? Eragon’s grin spread wider.

Of course not, we dragons are the very essence of knowledge, why, to be as smart as a dragon you must be a dragon or have a head as big as…

…A dragon’s? Eragon interrupted with an even wider grin.

Precisely my point, Glaedr stated.

Eragon laughed a hearty laugh, it was loud enough to wake Saphira from her deep slumber. She raised her majestic head and opened her massive jaws to let off a mighty yawn. She poked her head through the flap in Eragon’s tent, Little one, why are you laughing? Some of us are trying to sleep here, she interjected.

Saphira, you’re the only being that is still asleep in the afternoon, Eragon stated when he stopped laughing; he still had a smile on his face.

Hmph, and I deserve it too after yesterday’s busy day.

What busy day? You were sleeping yesterday as well, what could you have possible been doing to qualify as being ‘busy’? Eragon asked.

I am a bigger being, Eragon, the bigger you are the more sleep you need, Saphira answered wittingly. Plus, I must store energy for the fight with Galbatorix and Shruikan.

Of course, Eragon said with sarcasm.

Well, laugh if you must, but please do so quietly. Saphira snaked her head back out of the tent and plopped her big bulk back on the ground with her wings folded against her sides and fell fast asleep again.

Eragon chuckled at the sight.

You’re laughing, that is good, Glaedr noted.

Why is it good, master? Eragon questioned.

When you laugh, you are relieving stress; you are throwing all of those worries that were in your head out and bringing in refreshing thoughts. Believe it or not, Eragon, but as you laugh, you are preparing for your battle by relinquishing any rational thoughts, Glaedr answered.

That makes perfect sense, Eragon said. He stared intently at the golden crystal in his hands and began to think. A wind came in gently lifting the flap of the tent bringing in some sunlight. Eragon enjoyed this brief warmth. Another grin was forming on his lips as he stared back at the heart-of-hearts. So you don’t think humans are as smart as dragons, eh? Eragon asked as he continued to twirl Glaedr’s golden stone in his hands as he sat back down in his bed.

Of course not, oh, and Eragon? Glaedr called.

Yes, what is it master?

Please stop twirling me in your hands, I am getting a little sick.

Yes master, sorry master. Eragon smirked as he put him away.

(End Flashback)

Eragon looked out at his sleeping dragon as the wind slightly opened the tent’s flaps revealing the large blue scaled body of Saphira. She has the right idea, Eragon thought. He stood back up and sat down on the cot once again remembering every single detail and information he learned of Galbatorix’s and Shruikan’s past. Who would have thought that they were such different people back then?

He laid down back in his bed and took a small nap, wondering of the yet-to-come battle.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Eragon was enjoying the cool wind on his face and the warmth of the sun on his back as he and Saphira flew high up over the Varden’s camp in Surda. He was reminiscing of the moment when he, Saphira, and Roran flew to Helgrind to save Katrina from the clutches of the ra’zak. He chuckled when he remembered Katrina’s first reaction to Saphira. He looked down as Saphira lazily glided through a thermal. He saw all of the Varden’s tents throughout the large encampment. There were people busy carrying out their jobs whether it be sharpening swords, cooking food, or tending to others. They were all preparing for the confrontation with Galbatorix for they have received word that Galbatorix is on his way.

I can’t believe that it is finally happening, Eragon said. Galbatorix is finally coming to fight me.

Yes, but it shall turn out to be a grave mistake for he and his men for they will all be shredded to pieces when I am through with them. It will all be a great blue blur to them, Saphira stated.

More than a blue bur, it will be a blue wind, Eragon added. That is if we win of course.

If we win? Of course we are going to win, we are rider and dragon, a team, nothing in the world is going to break us apart, not even the gods, Saphira assured. You do not sound sure of our abilities, why?

Because we are fighting the most powerful man and dragon in all of Alagaesia. How can a mere seventeen year old boy and his two year old dragon fight someone with probably as much magic as a god?!

We can fight them because we are a team, must I repeat this again and again?  It is getting quite tiresome really, Saphira added.

I believe you, I know that we are practically inseparable, but, so are they.

No they are not, remember, Shruikan is not Galbatorix’s real dragon, he is a mere puppet controlled by a greedy being. I feel bad for him and his rider, his real rider.

What if he does the same to us? Eragon asks, a bit apprehensive of the situation now.

Saphira became speechless as they flew through a lone cloud as white as snow. When they flew out of this cloud there were small water droplets all over Eragon and Saphira bringing out the true beauty of her scales by magnifying their brilliance many times.

Are we truly inseparable, Saphira? Eragon asked.

Suddenly, horns cried in the distance. Eragon looked north of the Varden encampment and saw a small mass of soldiers, probably one to two-hundred; this would have been no problem for the Varden. As Eragon looked over the mass of soldiers he noticed two flying creatures. One was a fiery red while the other, which was twice maybe even three times the size of the red one, was as black as night. They were dragons.

Let’s find out, shall we? Saphira asked as she curled her wings inward to race towards the dragons like a bullet. Are we truly together, Eragon?

Eragon stared out at the soldiers and noticed the Varden soldiers quickly forming a circle around the encampment and began rushing towards the Empire’s soldiers. He saw women in the encampment cradling crying children and ushering toddlers inside the inner-most tents of the camp. He also saw older boys that were still younger than Eragon running out as soldiers of the Varden protecting their loved ones and their freedom.

Well, are we, Eragon? Saphira asked again. She was gaining speed now hurtling towards the ground, the wind whipping and lashing at them.

We are, now and forevermore, Eragon said as he pulled out his sword and pointing it towards the heavens. "Brisingr!"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The two dragons landed on a plateau outside of the Varden camp, the same plateau where Eragon and Murtagh first fought and where Eragon first found out that Murtagh had become a Dragon Rider.

“Stay out of my fight,” Galbatorix ordered Murtagh and Thorn as he noticed Eragon and Saphira soming in for a landing.

“Then what do you wish for me to do my lord?” Murtagh asked.

“Right now, I want you and your sad excuse for a dragon to stay out of my fight, you two will just stand there and watch,” Galbatorix demanded. Eragon and Saphira were now getting closer to the ground.

“Then why did you bring us?”

“You two will serve as my protection, should I seem to be losing energy during the fight, you two will pour your energy into me,” he stated.

Murtagh scowled at Galbatorix when he turned his back to look at the descending dragoness. He noticed how the sun seemed to make Saphira’s scales look alive as the reflected light danced all around her.

Just like Alarila, Galbatorix thought. He then quickly shook his head and took out his deadly sword. The deadly weapon was so dark that the sun would not reflect its warm light upon it, it seemed as it would not even touch the blade.

Saphira descended lower and lower over the plateau. She then flared her wings to slow herself down ten feet above the ground. Before she even landed, Eragon jumped down from her back with his brilliant blue sword already unleashed. He quickly assessed his surroundings while Saphira set her heavy bulk behind him lightly shaking the ground from the massive weight. He noted how Murtagh and Thorn were on the edge of the plateau behind Galbatorix. Galbatorix stepped forward in front of Eragon with his sword un-sheaved. Saphira stood proudly behind Eragon and growled when she looked at Shruikan who was giving Saphira a deadly look. If looks could kill…, Saphira thought.

“Well, if it isn’t the wannabe rider and his dragon,” Galbatorix smirked. His voice seemed so cold that if there was water, he could have turned it into ice instantly with just one word.

Eragon frowned at the comment. “Well if it isn’t the wannabe king and his giant puppet,” Eragon retorted. Shruikan hissed at the comment, smoke began billowing out of his flaring nostrils.

“You will eat those words by the end of this battle.” Galbatorix scowled as he walked around the young rider, then, he began walking around Saphira taking in every detail.

“Is your dragon always so…tense when she knows that you both are going to either die or serve me and the Empire?” Galbatorix asked as he saw Saphira’s tail twitch and her claws clench, gouging out a small trench in the earth.

Saphira growled at Galbatorix and lowered her head to his eyelevel. Only when I am impatient to feel your blood on my claws and your head crushed between my jaws to taste the blood of a fallen tyrant, she hissed in his mind.

Galbatorix smirked when he heard her, “My, what an image your words paint in my head.” He looked deep into her saphire eyes and then whispered “But that is all they will be, images.”

Saphira roared and stood on her hind legs to appear taller and look threatening in front of Galbatorix, but he wasn’t nervous, in fact, he seemed quite the opposite. He began laughing. “Ah, Saphira,” he began, “You still have much to learn, but I can teach you and your rider the proper way, not like those old fools who just taught you how to be truthful and pointless little magic tricks.”

“Those fools are many times wiser than you will ever be!” Eragon yelled as he stepped forward, his sword still out.

A drop of water fell on Eragon’s head, he looked up and noticed the skies begin to get darker as clouds were rolling in above the plateau and above the battle field. Then another, and another. Soon, the clouds were dumping all the water they held onto the thirsty ground below.

Eragon looked at Galbatorix who seemed to enjoy the storm. A clap of thunder erupted across the heavens above and a flash of lightning struck nearby, setting a tree on fire.

“Enough of this banter,” Galbatorix said, “Let’s fight and determine who will be the victor once and for all.”

“I was just about to say the same thing,” Eragon agreed as he took a step forward with his sword at the ready. He and Galbatorix circled around each other, waiting for the other to strike first as Saphira and Shruikan took off for the rain-pounding skies above to battle each other.

Suddenly, Galbatorix attacked first swinging out his sword to Eragon’s left knee to knock him off balance and fall but Eragon parried it and sent an attack of his own aiming at Galbatorix’s chest but he blocked it off as well. Blow after blow passed but neither would give up for they are not just battling for the land, they are also battling for their lives. Eragon is also battling for the lives of his friends and family and for revenge for those who have fallen.

Eragon looked passed Galbatorix at Murtagh and Thorn who were watching intently at the battle. For whom they wanted to win he did not know. Eragon struck again at Galbatorix at his hip but he stepped in a puddle and slipped a bit giving Galbatorix an open area to strike.

Eragon! Saphira yelled. Are you all right?

I am, it is just a scratch, just concentrate on your fight with Shruikan and don’t worry, I’ll be fine, Eragon assured.

Fine but if I later find out that the ‘scratch’ is longer that four finger-widths then I will personally destroy Galbatorix and strap you on my back for all eternity, Saphira argued.

Eragon chuckled lightly as he parried another blow by Galbatorix and looked at his scratch. As he fought with one hand he used the fingers of his other hand to measure the scratch on his left shoulder, first with four fingers and then with five. Definitely longer than four finger-widths, maybe even longer than six.

What was that, Eragon? Saphira asked as she took another bite at Shruikan.

Nothing, Saphira, nothing, Eragon said but deep down he knew he was in trouble with Saphira later after the fight. He knew that she heard.

I know what you said, Eragon, and I will remember this after the fight, Saphira announced after dodging an attack by Shruikan. I meant what I said.

Eragon tried his best to ignore this and fight Galbatorix. He was watching for any weak spots but couldn’t find any. His vital organs were well protected under the suit of armor he was wearing and by the quick parries and blows delivered by Galbatorix. There has to be a weak spot, everybody has a weak spot, but where? Eragon thought.

Eragon! Someone called in Eragon’s mind.

Arya? Eragon asked. Is that you? I don’t mean to sound rude but I am rather occupied at the moment, can this wait?

No, it can’t, Arya answered. Besides, I am rather occupied as well, I am fighting three people at the moment, the Varden is not faring so well, we may be in some trouble. But I digress, Eragon, it is about your cousin.

Roran? What happened? Eragon asked as he parried yet another blow by Galbatorix and delivered an attack to Galbatorix’s shin knocking him down. He was about to deliver the killing blow but Galbatorix jumped up and gave out another blow which Eragon blocked once again. Is he hurt?

He will be, Eragon, Roran left, he found out that you and Galbatorix are fighting on the plateau, that is where he is going, he wants revenge for what Galbatorix did to his Katrina, he left about ten minutes ago, sorry I could not tell you sooner but I was busy trying to defeat these soldiers.

What?! Eragon shouted. Galbatorix is going to murder him!

I know, good luck Eragon. Arya left Eragon’s mind and let him focus more on the battle at hand once again.

I need to kill Galbatorix once and for all really soon, Eragon thought as he parried yet another blow. Eragon was using a lot of his energy and the energy stored in the pommel in his sword, he feared that he is going to run out soon and he would not dare draw out energy out of Saphira. Galbatorix, however, had practically an unlimited source of energy stored in his sword, Shruikan, Murtagh and Thorn. He looked to Murtagh and Thorn once again. He could tell that they were running out of energy as they were sitting on the ground and began to look sick. Murtagh lifted his head up to look at Eragon, his eyes were pleading for Eragon to finish this battle once and for all or else he will die.

The clouds continued letting out water in buckets. Lightning flashed everywhere and the thunder refused to stop as well as the rain. Eragon knew he was in trouble. He looked at Murtagh and Thorn once again and noticed a third person that was sneaking up behind Galbatorix.

Roran! Eragon shouted into his mind but Roran ignored him as he took out his hammer and prepared to strike Galbatorix. He seemed fearce and determined to kill the man who harmed his wife. He raised up his hammer, Murtagh and Thorn were about to stop him but couldn’t because of the spell that Galbatorix put on them.

That is when Eragon was able to knock Galbatorix to the ground and knock his sword out of his hands. He was badly bruised and seemed to be weakened. Galbatorix saw that he was about to die from Eragon’s sword and called Shruikan back to the ground to help him. He quickly began thinking of another way to defeat Eragon, he looked truly desperate and he even showed a hint of fear in his eyes. But that quickly went away when he saw Roran behind him, he produced a ball of energy in one hand and grabbed Roran and brought him down with him and held the ball of energy in front of his face.

“One more movement towards me will force me to kill him, Eragon, don’t test me because I will do it,” Galbatorix ordered. His eyes went blank for a moment, then he grinned. “So, this young man here is your cousin, is he? That makes things even more interesting.”

There was a huge tremor on the ground as Shruikan landed behind Eragon. Eragon quickly looked behind him at Shruikan and instantly became nervous for underneath Shruikan, pinned to the ground was a sapphire blue dragon. Saphira!

Don’t worry about me Eragon, I’m okay, just…a bit… tired…is all, Saphira said as she closed her eyes.

No, Saphira! He looked at her body; there were bruises and bite marks everywhere. Please, don’t die.

She didn’t respond.

“Foolish boy, did you really think that you would win,” Galbatorix smirked as he brought the orb of energy closer to Roran’s body. “I have your cousin and your dragon and can kill both of them easily.”

Eragon did not like the situation now. What was once a sword fight has turned into a double hostage situation. “And, as if I don’t know, what do I have to do to ensure their safety?” Eragon asked, trying to buy more time to think of a new strategy.

“You will join me and your brother, Murtagh and announce your loyalty to the Empire.”

Eragon continued thinking, he cannot let them die at the hands of his worst enemy and he absolutely refuses to join him and the Empire. What do I do? Then that is when he finally figured it out. He may not be able to stab Galbatorix, but he can still attack his heart without the use of a sword or magic, in fact he would not even have to move.

“No, I refuse to join you,” Eragon announced.

Galbatorix seemed surprised, as if he was not expecting this at all. “You do realize that I have the lives of your cousin and your dragon practically in my fingertips, do you not?”

Eragon nodded.

“Fine, but if I may ask, why?” Galbatorix asked.

Eragon looked straight into Galbatorix’s eyes and ignored the falling rain, the thunder, and the lightning as well as his cousin. He had a new strategy.

“Because,” Eragon began, “I know everything about you.”

Galbatoric furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, then he snarled, “You know nothing about me.”

“Ah, but I do,” Eragon began. “You loved her very much, didn’t you?”

“Love, hah!” Galbatorix laughed, “I never loved anyone.” He spat at the ground in front of Eragon.

“But you did, and still do too, that is why you have killed hundreds, perhaps even thousands of people. It is your deceased dragoness I am talking about, Alarila.”

Eragon stared at Galbatorix for any signs of recollection. At first, there was none, but then Eragon stared him in the eye and saw a whole different world, one filled with sadness. He stared back at Murtagh and Thorn, they were looking at Eragon, eyes full of interest, they have never heard of Galbatorix’s past.

“Yes, she was a beautiful dragoness, so caring and wise, like the mother you never had,” Eragon noted. “Her scales reflected that of the sun at sunrise, daytime, and sunset. It is as if she was the sun. You told her everything for you trusted her very much with your secrets and everything else. Like me and Saphira.”

Galbatorix said nothing.

“You two also flew everywhere, practically the whole world. You two were inseparable, as if you were one. But then came that dark night, she became ill, could not fly anymore or walk for a long period of time, soon she couldn’t even move. You stayed by her side day and night, snow and rain, no matter how hot or cold it was, you didn’t care. You just wanted to make sure she was alright and will be well soon. But she never became better for it was not a normal sickness, was it?”

“No, it wasn’t,” Galbatorix said. He looked down to avoid Eragon’s intense gaze.

I’m actually doing it, Eragon thought, amazed at himself, I’m hurting the king from the inside. Eragon heard a noise to his side; he turned his head and noticed that it was Arya and Nasuada. He held up his hand to stop them from coming further and ruining his strategy.

Eragon continued, “So what did kill Alarila?”

Galbatorix did not answer and kept staring on the ground, the ball of energy becoming smaller, Roran began to relax.

“I’m sure you remember, it was poison, someone intentionally poisoned your dragon, making her death a long and painful one. Yes, long indeed, it took three weeks were her to finally die with a final message: “Make me proud, I am always watching.” When she died, the man who killed her took away your friend, your companion, your sanity!”

“Shut up,” Galbatorix demanded.

“You were so upset that Alarila died, you blamed it on the whole world. To attempt to seal up that broken hole in your heart, you asked the elders for another dragon, but they refused and blamed you for her death. To retaliate, you killed every damn rider in existence!”

“I said stop!” Galbatorix once again demanded. He looked up and stared up at Eragon, the ball of energy getting bigger.

“When killing all the riders in existence wasn’t good enough, you decided to put yourself in the throne of Alagaesia and started a whole war!”

“Stop talking!”

“And what did all of that accomplish? Thousands of people dead and families torn apart, ripped to shreds!” Eragon yelled. “But you didn’t care, all you wanted was to somehow get Alarila back, that’s why you went to the vault of souls, but it did not work. That further fueled your anger. Then, when you heard of another rider in existence, you wanted him gone, you wanted me gone! You felt that if you cannot get a dragon, then no one can! You don’t care; all you care about is yourself!”

“Shruikan stop him!” Galbatorix ordered as he covered his ears with one hand, still holding Roran who started to sweat again.

Eragon whipped around and pointed his sword at Shruikan. “And you!” he began, “Yes, that’s right, I know your story too!”

How can you, an insignificant little brat, know my story? Shruikan asked as he made himself look taller by standing on his hind legs and placing a massive foot on Saphira to appear dominant and spreading out his wings.

“I know that you were very close to your rider as well, but again, there was an accident,” Eragon began, “Her name was Akarli, it was another great day and you two decided to go out for a flight. There was an unexpected storm and she fell from your back into the ocean below. You flew after her but you were not fast enough, she slammed into the water and began sinking. You dove into the water after her and grabbed her and flew back out.”

Damn you, stop talking! Shruikan roared placing more weight on Saphira about to crush her, there was a flash of thunder behind him making him seem more intimidating as the rain refused to stop.

“You brought her to the nearest beach to help her but she would not wake, you thought she was dead because it seemed she wasn’t breathing, you were still alive so you figured that she broke the connection before she died because she hated that you let her fall!”

It was my fault that I let her go.

“Exactly my point, you kept blaming yourself and eventually you met Mr. Genius here,” Eragon pointed to Galbatorix who was sulking, “He convinced you that it was not your fault, that you should blame the world, so you agreed to join him and left your rider to die.”

She was dead anyway, it was my fault that she died, Shruikan argued. <i>And now I shall kill your dragon! He began putting his full weight on Saphira.

“But that’s the thing, she did not break your connection to her, so how are you still alive?” Eragon asked, “You’re alive because she’s alive!”

Shruikan froze as did everyone else, there was another clap of thunder and a bolt of lightning.

Wha…what did you say?

“I said that your rider is still alive, she is living elsewhere wondering where her dragon is, why has he left,” Eragon answered.

Shruikan removed his foot from Saphira and got on all fours again. He walked in front of Eragon and lowered his head. Where is she? He asked slowly, his voice softening up.

“She lives north of Alagaesia,” Eragon answered, “We can help you look for her, really, we can. Saphira and I will forgive you, we know that you did not kill anyone and we are willing to look past our differences. I promise”

Arya and Nasuada stepped forward; they heard everything that Eragon had said. “We forgive you also,” Arya said, placing her hand on Shruikan’s muzzle.

“I will allow you to look for your rider,” Nasuada said, “As long as you promise to join the Varden with your rider, we will give you the freedom that you deserve.”

Shruikan nodded his large head. The rain seemed to be getting lighter and there was no more thunder or lightning. The ground was drenched and the battle between the soldiers was over.

“Thorn, do you feel that?”

Eragon turned around and saw that it was Murtagh who had said that.

Indeed, I do, young one, Thorn answered.

“What do you feel?” Eragon asked as he walked towards Murtagh and Thorn.

“Our hold by Galbatorix, it’s lifting,” Murtagh answered.

Eragon turned around to face Galbatorix again, he was mumbling to himself, he let go of Roran who ran towards Eragon. Galbatorix did not stop him, he looked at the ball of energy that was still suspended in his hand.

“Alarila,” Galbatorix whispered.

Era…Eragon? Where are you? A weak voice asked. It was Saphira.

Saphira, I am right here, Eragon answered, he was by Saphira’s side in an instant, he noticed a life threatening gash in her side and he attempted to heal it. “Weise Heil,” Eragon commanded, he felt energy leave his body, he knew that he did not enough. Then, suddenly he felt a large pool of energy jumping into him and into his spell until the large gash was completely healed. He ended the spell and turned around to find Shruikan behind him.

I just wanted to fix my mistakes, Shruikan answered.

“Thank you.”

Eragon noticed that Arya and Nasuada were talking with Murtagh and Thorn as was Roran. Eragon smiled, it seemed that everything was going to be the way it should. He felt something nudge his back, it was Saphira.

Thank you, Eragon, she said, her voice seemed like the normal sweet, motherly voice that Eragon loved. You did a great job, I heard everything you said. She continued nuzzling him and hummed in contempt.

“Alarila!”

Everyone turned around, it was Galbatorix. He thrusted the orb of energy into his chest, killing him instantly.

“No!” Eragon shouted, but it was too late, Galbatorix is dead.

Little one, it’s okay, he is now, once again, with his dragon. You did a kind thing by reminding him of her and bringing him back to his senses, Saphira said, soothing him. He’s in a better place now, with Alarila.

The rain had finally stopped, all was quiet and calm. The Varden had won the war.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Varden began packing all the tents up to move back home. Eragon was in a hurry, heading to Murtagh’s tent.

Need a lift? Saphira asked as she swooped down from the snow-white clouds of a new day. She picked up Eragon in her talons and flew him to the tent. She set him on the ground and landed in front of Thorn who was lying down in the sunlight.

“Hey, brother, what are you doing here?” Murtagh asked as he stepped out of the tent.

“I came here to tell you something important”

“Don’t bother, I already know, Brom was your father, Saphira already told me,” Murtagh stated. “But we’re still brothers, right?”

“Of course,” Eragon said.

The ground shook hard suddenly as Shruikan landed.

Blasted tiny things, he said.

“What happened to you?” Murtagh asked with a smirk.

So far, I have stepped on three food carts and blew aside four tents all in one day, he argued, and the children, they will not stop climbing to the top of my head and sliding down my back to my tail, one little girl even plucked a scale off of my finger. But that’s not why I am here.

“What do you want?” Eragon asked.

It is about the promise you made, I want to find Akarli.

Saphira nudged Eragon, Did you ever tell him about Akarli yet? She asked privately.

No, I never got a chance yet; I think he should find out for himself. He then talked to Shruikan, Of course I’ll help you.

As will I and Murtagh, Thorn said as he walked beside his rider.

And I, Arya agreed as she walked over to the group.

Great, another sleepless adventure, Saphira complained. She then perked up and laid a paw on Eragon, pushing him to the ground. Oh Eragon, she called, I seem to remember a certain incident involving a certain scratch longer than four finger-widths. She smirked as she picked him up and placed him in the saddle. Strap yourself in, you’re gonna be there for a long time. She then took off towards the sky, flying passed the sun and doing loops and twirls while Eragon screamed the whole time. Oh little one, you have much to learn.