"You want me to what?!" Shouted Nírna to the Rider Commander. Eragon sighed, he'd expected he might get this reaction from the Elder Rider, but he'd hung onto the hope that she might take her new position without throwing a fit,

"After the attacks on last year's eggs I want them to be well protected. You are the best, Nírna. I know I can trust you," Eragon told the headstrong elf. Maybe if he tried a bit of flattery she'd agree to shepherd the eggs through Alagaёsia. The problem was that more and more thieves were trying to steal eggs to sell for a quick profit.

"Why can't you just send Belenos? He'd like it and he's an Elder Rider too," complained Nírna making a face.

I told you this would happen, said Saphira in Eragon's head. Nírna obviously hadn't heard because she didn't say anything, Perhaps you could threaten her with an even worse job, the dragon continued. It was a good idea, but wasn't he above threatening people to do things?

I couldn't do that, Saphira, he said, You know why not.

Well I could, replied Saphira. Eragon groaned before Saphira announced, If you dread leaving so much then I'm sure Eragon would love to have some more help training the apprentices. Nírna's face paled at the thought,

"You couldn't do that!" Eragon said nothing. Even if he was opposed to forcing Nírna to take the position she didn't want, he needed her to protect the eggs.

"Fine," cried Nírna standing and throwing her long, black hair over her shoulder, "I'll do it! But only because I want to see the eggs protected!" Eragon wished the entire situation wasn't necessary. He'd thought that Riders and magic would be enough to protect the eggs, but somehow every two or three years an egg would be taken and there would be one less dragon.

Nírna left the room throwing a fit the entire way. She had a bit of a temper, but she was one of the oldest Riders and Eragon knew she was a good person. Nírna had been born just before Galbatorix's fall on the outskirts of Du Weldenvarden. When she was just sixteen she'd been presented to the dragon eggs and had been chosen by her white dragon, Evarínya, or star. She was one of five Elders.

I'm hungry, complained Saphira, Fly with me while I hunt.

Very well, but you know I will not eat anything, replied Eragon.

I gave up trying to cure you of your habits decades ago, said Saphira, Soon you will stop eating grass because it is alive.

I'm coming! said Eragon and true to his word began outside from the main building of Mor'ranr, or peace. Since Eragon had come here a bit more than a century ago, the city had grown up. Modeled after Doru Araeba, Mor'ranr was the most beautiful city in the world in Eragon's opinion. No one lived there except for Riders and those invited by Eragon or one of the Elders. The city's towers and buildings had all been created by magic. It was placed inside a large valley with many dragons and Riders living in the surrounding mountains where there were plenty of caves.

Outside it was a beautiful day made more glorious by Saphira. Saphira had grown to be as large as the house where Eragon had grown up in and was the largest dragon Eragon knew (perhaps excluding Thorn). Saphira had already forced some Rider to saddle her so all Eragon had to do was jump on. Eragon whispered a word and leapt through the air higher than any man or elf could jump without magic.

Is it not a wonderful day today? hummed Saphira flying around the twisting spires that rose from the city. Eragon smiled and nodded, but he could not stop the sliver of worries about egg-thieves from making it across their link.


Karin slunk through the back ways of Teirm. The city-state that appeared so rich had slums just like any other large, human city in the Empire. Teirm had more autonomy than most cities in the Empire, but it was still ruled by High King Dalimil. Teirm, as a port city, was one of the most wealthy cities in Alagaёsia making it perfect for thieves like Karin.

Karin was currently working on an incredibly ambitious job. Today the Riders came to Teirm with their eggs hoping one might hatch. Karin, at seventeen, could pretend to present herself to the eggs and grab one instead. She knew plenty of people who would pay well to get a dragon egg. There was no way a dragon would hatch for a thief like Karin, so the plan was pretty much foolproof if she could get away from the Riders. Her accomplice would try to create a distraction so that the Riders wouldn't pay her any attention.

Looking up at the sun Karin realized that it was almost noon. Quietly she sped on her way hoping no one would notice her. The square was completely packed for the presentation of the eggs. Anybody who wanted to touch the eggs lined up from youngest to oldest. On a raised platform in the center of the square were six Riders; two humans, one dwarf, an Urgal, and two elves. One of the elves who was young-looking and had black hair stood in front of the others as though she was in charge. On her forehead were tattoos that seemed to be dragons circling around each other in a beautiful pattern. On a table to her side sat the eggs.

There were three eggs which surprised Karin because there were usually five or six. All of the eggs were the most beautiful thing Karin had ever seen. The seemed to glimmer with jewels. On the near side was an egg of bright green that was almost yellow. It almost hurt Karin's eyes just looking at it. There was no way she could steal something that seemed so… bright. Next to it sat an egg of sky blue. It had small inlays of white running through it that made the egg even more beautiful. The last egg was Karin's favorite. Jet black with streaks of silver the egg seemed to call Karin towards it.

Looking at the eggs Karin began to worry for the first time, What if they don't let me try? What if I get caught? Her head seemed to ask. In the end an even worse thought popped into her head, What if a dragon hatches for me? With that thought the ceremony began.

The elf Karin had noticed earlier began speaking. Karin could hear what she was saying, but didn't really care about it. Slowly the line began to move forwards. Karin hoped that by the time she got to the front no Riders would be watching as carefully.

When Karin was next in line a loud sound originating in the slums began to be heard, That must be Olaf, thought Karin. In the end the dwarvish Rider and one of the elven Riders went to investigate. As the girl in front of her exited the platform Karin's hands began sweating, What am I sweating for? Karin asked herself, It's just a simple grab job. But Karin knew that there was nothing simple about stealing a dragon eggs with four Riders watching.

Karin walked confidently onto the platform and brushed her fingertips lightly against the yellow dragon egg and then the blue one. Nothing happened. It's not as though you were expecting anything, Karin told herself. Finally she stroked the black egg and prepared to take it when, CRACK, the egg began tilting back and forth with tiny crack appearing in it,

"It's hatching!" said one of the human Riders, "Soon you will meet your dragon." Karin watched fascinated as the dragon slowly emerged from its egg. It took about half an hour for the dragon to fully emerge and Karin began having doubts when the small, clumsy dragon wobbled out of its encasement,

"Are you sure it was hatching for me?" whispered Karin, "Maybe it was hatching for the girl in front of me."

"Only one way to be certain," said the remaining elf. She took Karin's hand and put it on the dragon's maw,

"Aaaaghh!" screamed Karin as an icy, tingling fire crept up her hand, "What are you doing?" But even as she asked the pain stopped. Karin looked down and saw her palm light up with an unknown light. It seemed that without trying Karin had become a Rider.