Chapter: One

A voice that sounded like it belonged to a young boy came from outside of Eragon's tent, "Shadeslayer?"

Eragon woke from his trance-like sleep slowly, sitting up on his cot. He rubbed his eyes, and then looked over to the entrance of his tent. He got up and grabbed his tunic, pulling it over his head, soon followed by the belt of Beloth the Wise. He strapped Brisingr to the belt, and after checking his appearance in his mirror stepped outside. Eragon looked down at Jarsha and smiled.

"Good morning Jarsha. Have a message for me?" Eragon asked.

Jarsha nodded curtly, "Yes, Shadeslayer. Nasuada has requested the presence of yourself, Saphira Brightscales, and Arya Shadeslayer in her tent right away."

At that moment Saphira lifted her head up, looking at Jarsha. She reached out with her mind to Eragon. Good morning, little one. Saphira gave a dragon's equivalent of a smile, that looked more hostile than friendly.

Eragon nodded to Jarsha, "Have you had the chance to contact Arya Shadeslayer to inform her of this?"

Jarsha shook his head, "Yes sir, her quarters are closer to Nasuada's than your own. She should be there already."

Eragon nodded once again, "You have delivered your message well, Jarsha, take pride in that."

With that Jarsha smiled and bowed quickly before turning and running off in the direction he came from.

Eragon sighed, rubbing his temples, It has only been two days since the Varden took Feinster, Oromis Ebrithil and Glaedr Ebrithil were killed by that murderer Galbatorix, and You, Arya, and myself had a close call with Varaug. Two days is hardly enough to cope.

The Varden need us more than ever, Eragon. We must be strong and push on. Saphira wiped away all of the pain and heartache that Eragon held gently with her mind, and sent waves of reassurance and love to her young rider. We will survive, Eragon. We must. For all of Alagaesia.

Eragon sighed, silently agreeing with her. He climbed up onto Saphira's back, inbetween the spikes located there. She thrust powerfully with her hind legs, propelling them into the air, and with two mighty thrusts of her wings, she was flying towards the Varden's ruler's tent. As they neared Eragon surveyed the Varden's camp, which was located outside of Feinster. The tents were arranged in no particular order, a straight path to anywhere was impossible to find in between the tents. After a moment or two of flight, Saphira had located the tents that belonged to Nasuada. It wasn't hard to spot, be it from the ground, or in the air. The tent was in between two and three times as large as the rest of the Varden's tents. Saphira landed with a dull thud, folding her wings carefully in order to prevent hitting anything. Eragon dismounted Saphira and landed with elven grace. Eragon stood at the entrance of the tent, waiting to be announced by one of the Nighthawks.

The Nighthawk closest to the entrance said in a loud voice, "Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Brightscales request an audience with you, lady Nasuada."

A brief moment later, a muffled reply could be heard from inside the tent, "You may admit them."

Eragon nodded to the Nighthawks, and entered the tent. He surveyed the room as he was making his way to an empty seat to the left of Nasuada, and directly infront of Arya. Saphira poked her head through a hole in large flap in the side of the tent, so that her head was directly behind Eragon. The flap had been cut especially for her.

Nasuada smiled at the two, "Ah, Eragon, Saphira, it is nice to see you both."

Eragon nodded, and Saphira hummed softly. "And you as well, Lady Nasuada." He then looked over at Arya, and smiled, "Greetings to you as well, Shadeslayer."

Arya's face lightened slightly, her lips twitched upwards enough so that only an elf or dragon could see her faint smile. She nodded, "Shadeslayer."

Nasuada's rich voice filled the room once more, "Queen Islanszadi contacted me yesterday evening." She paused, waiting to see their reaction. Eragon didn't react at all, only nodded. Arya, on the other hand, tensed visibly, and her eyes widened a hairs width. Nasuada then continued, "She has requested the presence of all three of you for Oromis, and Glaedr's funeral."

Arya relaxed visibly upon hearing the why her mother had contacted Nasuada.

Saphira spoke then for the first time since their arrival, What are your thoughts on having the three most powerful members of the Varden gone for a week? Possibly even two.

Nasuada looked over to Saphira, and then said grimly, "After listening to Islanszadi's reasoning behind her request, I have reluctantly agreed to let Eragon and Saphira leave the Varden to attend Oromis and Glaedr's funeral. She reasoned that Murtagh and Thorn have been nearly incapacitated in their fight with Oromis and Glaedr and their chances of returning to the fray as of right now are slim. But when it comes to Arya, I have no power over here, so my thoughts matter little when it comes to when or where she goes."

Saphira nodded slightly, I thank you then.

Nasuada looked up at Saphira with confuse written all over her face, "What should you be thanking me for, Saphira?" She asked.

A deep rumble could be heard as Saphira let out a deep, rumbling chuckle, For allowing us to go peacefully, we would have gone with, or without your consent.

Nasuada's eyes widened slightly, "Ah, I see. Well then you are welcome, Saphira Brightscales, and Eragon Shadeslayer."

Eragon smiled brightly at his dragon, he reached back and patted her on the nose affectionately. I love you, Saphira. More than you will ever know. He spoke through their mental bond.

Saphira purred like a cat as Eragon patted her, And I you, little one. She sent waves of love through their mental bond.

Nasuada smiled at the pair. As Eragon and Saphira turned their attention back to the other two, Nasuada spoke up, "You are free to leave, I have many things I must accomplish before the days out." Nasuada sighed as she motioned to the desk to her right, behind Arya, which was piled with paperwork.

Eragon and Arya stood in unison, but it was Arya that spoke, "I will go and prepare for travel." She looked over at Saphira, "Saphira, Will I be accompanying Eragon on your back?"

Saphira let out a deep, rumbling chuckle once more, Of course, Arya. You are as much a part of my family as Eragon is. Also, what would make you think that we would even allow you to run all the way?

Arya nodded, before making her way towards the tent, followed by Eragon, only to be stopped by Nasuada's voice. "Oh, and Arya, Saphira?" She called out.

Arya turned with an eyebrow raised questionably. "Yes?"

Saphira poked her head back through the flap, Yes?

Nasuada smiled brightly, "Keep Eragon out of trouble. It tends to follow him wherever he goes."

Arya let her beautiful laughter fill the tent, the sound sent a shiver down the length of Eragon's spine.

Together, Saphira and Arya replied, "We will do our best."

Saphira pulled her massive head back out of the tent. Arya turned and walked through the tent flap out into the sunlight, followed closely by Eragon. Arya turned back to fact Eragon, her eyes scanning over him slowly, starting at his feet, rising to meet his eyes.

"When do we leave, Eragon?" Arya asked.

"I would like to leave within an hour or two, I wish to spend as little time as possible away from the Varden." Eragon said.

She nodded, "I will go and pack my things. Until we meet again, Eragon." She turned and nodded at Saphira, "Saphira." And then she was gone, disappearing between the tents.

Eragon stood staring at the spot which she had last occupied, until he was nudged gently by Saphira's snout. We need to pack our things, and inform the Elves of our plans.

Eragon nodded in silent agreement. He bounded up Saphira's foreleg and into the saddle. She launched herself from the ground, and headed towards their tent.

Saphira? Did you notice Arya seemed somewhat distracted by something? Eragon asked while they flew towards their tent.

Saphira nodded mentally, She did seem a bit distant. What do you think could be bothering her?

Eragon thought for a moment, then sighed, I am unable to think of anything that would be bothering her other than Oromis and Glaedr's death. Do you think I should ask her about it while we are traveling towards Gil'ead?

Saphira nodded mentally once more, I believe that would be the best course of action. As they were talking, Saphira had began descending towards their tent. She landed with a dull thud, folding her wings carefully to avoid hitting anything. Eragon jumped from her back. Blodhgarm walked up to where Eragon and Saphira had landed.

The furry elf bowed deeply and twisted his fist over his sternum. "Atra esterní ono thelduin."

Eragon smiled, before bowing as well, "Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr."

Blodhgarm finished the greeting with, "Un du evarínya ono varda."

Eragon was the first to speak after the greeting, "Blodhgarm, I have come to inform you that Saphira, Arya, and myself are to travel to Gil'ead."

Blodhgarm nodded, "When will you be departing, Shadeslayer?"

"Within the hour. I must go pack mine and Saphira's belongings." Eragon stated.

Blodhgarm nodded once more, "I wish you luck on your journey, Shadeslayer, and Brightscales."

Thank you, Blodhgarm. I Trust that you will watch over the Varden in our absence. Saphira rumbled.

The furry elf smiled, "Of course, Brightscales. May the wind be at your back." And with that Blodhgarm and the other elfs departed to carry out their daily routines, leaving Eragon and Saphira to pack.

Eragon entered his tent, and gathered his belongings. Thirty minutes later, he had everything packed neatly into Saphira's saddlebags. He mounted Saphira. Saphira thrust off of the ground with her strong back legs. She thrust her wings mightily, and headed towards Arya's tent. They quickly landed, and Eragon got off of Saphira. Arya stepped out of her tent carrying a leather pack slung over her shoulder, she wore her raven hair up in a bun, with a feather through the center. She was garbed in her traditional black leather leggings, her elven sword swayed at her hip, her golden skin was bathed in the sunlight. The sight of her, along with her scent, that of crushed pine needles, caused Eragon's heart to explode in joy. But the joy quickly turned to the heartache that Eragon had grown so used to. He knew she would not have him.

Eragon heard Saphira thunder in his head, Stop standing there like a love struck bafoon, Eragon! Say something!

Eragon snapped back to reality, "Are you ready, Arya?" he managed to get out, the sight of her was just stunning to him.

Arya nodded, her face an impassive façade as always. "Are we ready to leave?" She asked.

Eragon nodded, he turned and re-mounted Saphira, strapping his legs into the saddle. Arya walked up to where Saphira crouched, she looked up at Eragon. Eragon reached down, and offered her his hand, even though he knew she wouldn't take it. But to his and Saphira's surprise, she did take his hand after a moment of contemplation. He pulled her up into the saddle behind him. He helped her strap her bag to the saddle and then strap her legs into the saddle as well. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed the inside of her thighs against his hips. Eragon flushed madly, but was glad she couldn't see his face.

Are you ready, little ones? Saphira's voice sounded in their heads.

Eragon looked back at Arya, who in turn nodded. At this, Saphira launched into the air, and headed into the direction of Gil'ead.