THE DARKEST OF BLUE SKIES

Authors Note: I do not own these characters; I own only my own ideas and my own characters. The rest is property of the awesome Christopher Poilini.- I think that's how you spell it.

Chapter 1: When the Wind Whispers

Eragon stomped angrily through the overgrown forest. Never again would he face that horrible woman. All she did was complain and complain. Eragon slammed his foot down on a toadstool that blocked his path. I am tired so tired of this, he thought, as branches whipped at his ankles and wrists, slicing them open with little cuts. She tests my nerves to the extreme and I'm so tired…

"Eragon"

Eragon stopped, dead in his tracks.

"Eragon"

A spasm of terror erupted inside of him. Eragon lashed around looking for the source of the voice. The eerie voice still rang in his ears. Vibrating and not stopping. The voice got louder and louder. Eragon ran. He dashed through the trees, his arms flailing wildly. The voice still echoed in his mind, trapping him, there was no escape.

Eragon cried out, and fell to his knees in the dirt. He held his head like he was trying to rip it off, rocking back and forth like a baby in sleep.

"Eragon"

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Eragon woke drenched in a cold sweat. He tried to open his eyes but they stung in a salty mess. He fumbled around for his bed sheets and found them on the floor. Wiping his eyes he got up and stretched his cramped muscles. He was in his small tent; it was a dark blue tarp propped up with sticks. Roran was sleeping in the corner and Saphira was sleeping outside apparently unaware of Eragon's night frights. Eragon shuttered as he remembered the horrid voice from his dreams. It had sounded so real, so true. Eragon shook his head; it was just the aftermath of the battle, he told himself, as he walked towards the water basin in the corner. He dunked his head into the basin, and breathed out long and hard. He needed to compose himself. He was a rider; he could not be bothered by silly nightmares. But nevertheless Eragon shook as he reached for the towel.

"What is wrong with me?" He murmured to himself as he threw a shirt on.

" You have changed, cousin." Roran's deep voice whispered from the shadows.

Astoundingly, Eragon did not jump in surprise at hearing his cousin's voice.

"Aye." Eragon responded a little louder than he wanted.

"I'm worried," Roran started, "Katrina is gone and you are the only one who can help me get her back. But I don't know… you have all this other stuff to do and, well I don't think I even want your help."

Eragon swayed, extremely surprised at his cousin. "But…"

Arya barged into the room. "Eragon, we need you, now."