"Hello" Angela waved as she reached the group.
Hello!" They chimed back. The four Riders stood in a group, joined by Nausada, Roran and Katrina.
"Whose turn is it this time then?" Angela asked, grinning mischievously.
"Mine." Murtagh growled, scuffing the floor with his boot.
"He's not that bad!"
"There's a reason we take it in turns, Angela."
The Riders would fly to different parts of Alagäesia, making sure that everything was in order. It was Murtagh's turn to fly to the Surdan border. Orrin was always there, wanting to know everything. So they began to take this patrol in turns, so no one was stuck with him all the time.
"He hates me, you know that!" Murtagh continued.
"You shouldn't have called him an arrogant... what was it again?"
"An arrogant, self-important, long-winded git. I don't see why you all got so annoyed!"
"Because you could have started a war!" Nasuada shouted.
"You disagree?" Murtagh asked.
"We've been holding our tongues for years." Arya muttered.
"She's right. You should hear Saphira's thoughts when he talks!" Eragon added. "Alright, let's go"
The dragons beat their wings, but hesitated.
"The air's cold!" Eléa, a young elf with a silver dragon was the first to mention it. It was summer.
Angela laughed.
"It's been two-hundred and fifty years"
"What are you talking about?" Murtagh had never had much patience for Angela's cryptic statements.
"Arya?" Angela smiled.
"They're just stories, surely?" She ansewered.
"Have any of you been alive for two hundred and fifty years? No? Well then. It's all true."
"WHAT? What's true?" Murtagh was getting really annoyed now.
"According to legend, every 250 years those who are dead can return to this world, for one week." Arya explained.
The colour drained from Murtagh's face.
"But only those deemed worthy by the other side. The Forsworn cannot return. Only the good can." Eléa added.
"And only those who have died since the last time. They can only return once." Angela finished.
Eragon leaned close to Arya. "You don't believe it, do you, Arya?" It took her a moment to compose herself.
"I don't see how it's possible." She answered, hoping no-one had noticed.
Angela had, of course. But she left it alone.
"Not by the laws of magic as we know them, but Spirits don't abide by our rules." Angela smiled, obviously intending to confuse everyone. Murtagh growled and stalked off to Thorn's side before climbing into the saddle.
"Better get this over with" He groaned. Theothers laughed. Even Arya allowed herself a small smile.