Chapter 1

Eragon looked up from his spot. A few yards away stood the deer that he had been hunting week for many days. He was hiding behind a tree in the thick underbrush, and was hidden from sight. He silently cocked an arrow and drew the string back on his bow. He slowed down his breathing and lined up the shot. Just as he let go, an explosion was heard throughout the forest that scared the deer away just before his arrow hit it.

"Crap… that was my best arrow…" Eragon got up from his spot and looked around. "I wonder what that noise was from…" As he looked, Eragon noticed a circle of black, about 10 yards in diameter, and a blue stone in the center. He slowly walked towards the stone, as he cocked an arrow that was pointed at the stone. When he was close enough to the stone, he gently pushed it with his foot, and jumped back.

While Eragon was exploring the stone, Eragon was unaware of the ghostly shadow behind him. As silent as the wind, the shadow crept up behind Eragon slowly. Then leaned inhaled, and stood right behind his ear.

"BOO!" The shout was yelled into Eragon's that echoed throughout the forest. Eragon himself let go of the stung bow, letting the arrow impale itself into a tree. Meanwhile, the girl, for the shadow was a girl, was rolling on the ground laughing.

"Alex! Why do you insist on scaring the living crap out of me?" Eragon quickly got up from the ground, dusted off his pants, and looked at his lifelong friend. He had meet Alex while going to the market with his Aunt one day. He remembered it like it was yesterday…

He was walking in front of his Aunt, carrying the new leathers she had just bought. He looked back at her and smiled, not notice the girl running towards him. When he turned back around, Eragon and the girl hit each other with a loud SMACK! He laid there on the ground when he saw a girl's face, with long brown hair and green eyes, entered his view.

"Are you okay?" The girl looked at him with concern in her eyes. She stood up and held out a hand for Eragon. He took it, and she said, "That was for running over you, I'm really sorry by the way…" She looked at the ground in embarrassment. Eragon looked at her and replied, "Its okay, I wasn't looking where I was going, I'm Eragon by the way." She looked back at him, "But I should have been paying attention…." She was suddenly let cut off by another girl running towards her. "Alex! I found you!" The girl then hugged Alex.

"Yes Kendra, you did." Alex looked back at Eragon, "Well, as this little squirt just told you, I am Alex." Alex ruffled Kendra's hair. Eragon was about to say hi to Kendra, but he had heard his Aunt calling his name. "Well, I guess I have to go, it was nice meeting you Kendra, and I guess I'll see you around Alex." He quickly gathered up his dropped leather, and then ran over to his Aunt.

… Eragon looked back at Alex and sighed. "Well? Are you going to sit their laughing all day, or are you going to help me get my arrows back?"

Alex got up, and she was trying to hold back a giggle. "See Eragon? This is why you need me around, your just too boring!" Alex quickly ran over to help him. "What were you looking at anyway?"

"I'm not really sure; it seems to be a stone." Eragon picked up his bow then raised his eyebrow at Alex, "How long have you been following me anyway Alex?"

"Uhh… a few days I think…, since you left Garrow's house I know that." Alex looked up at him and smiled. Sneaking around was always a habit of hers, and it was no secret to anyone in the town. "I find it hard to believe that the "Mighty Hunter" and with of off his skills would miss me while I followed him in his own domain." Alex looked towards Eragon, and laughed at the look she got from him.

"'Mighty Hunter" huh? What does that make you then Alex?" Eragon quickly threw a stone at Alex, which she dogged with ease. Alex just stuck her tongue out at Eragon. After sitting there for a minute or two, Alex got off Eragon, and looked around.

"Well, you going to just lay there, or are we going to find out what this thing is?" Alex looked around as Eragon got up. "So, what exactly happen here?"

"I'm not really sure what happened…. All I know is what you know, after all, you saw what I say, remember?" Eragon picked up his bow, and retrieved his arrows. "So, you want to find out what this is?"

Alex nodded at Eragon then walked over to the stone. "So, you want to pick this up, or should I?"

Eragon looked over at Alex, then walked over and picked it up. "It looks like a stone, but who knows? It was obvious sent here by magic or something…, plus, it perfectly smooth."

"Well, we could take it back into town and see if it's worth something…, or you could trade it for food, considering you lost your kill because of it." Alex looked at Eragon, "If it's not worth anything, I could buy the food for you, I know how your Uncle doesn't like charity, but you know he considers me family now."

"Yea Alex, you are the VERY annoying sister I never had." To his comment, Eragon got a punch in the shoulder. He cried out in mock pain, and held his shoulder.

"Watch it "brother", or I might hurt you some more…" Alex laughed at Eragon. "Well, we had better start heading back, or if you want to just hang out in the woods all day…"