A/N: Hope you enjoy this new story. I love Eragon, not so much the other books (I can't seem to get through Eldest... so boring) so I wanted to make a multi-chapter (hopefully a short one I'm never good with long ones) fic with my own OC! You'll like my OC, she's real nice :D and the main heart throb is Vrael O_o but he's young in this so it's all good :D

Enjoy!

Background info on how old Biorn is:

10 human years = 25 elf years = 18 human/elf years

1 year = 1.8 / year

Arget

Prologue

Ilirea and Gil'ead, at this time, were run by the Riders and inhabited by elves and riders alike. Humans were new to the land of Alagaësia. The Golden Age of the Dragon Riders had ended with 'The Palancar Crisis' and the humans were still treated with caution.

The Broddring Kingdom was established with Thanebrand many villages and towns, even a city or two and the Elves lived alongside them in peace with most of their kin living in the forests of Du Weldenvarden where the humans were forbidden to go. The

Doru Areaba within the island of Vroengard was established by the Riders as their capital after they made Humans part of the Blood-Oath. Elves were not happy about the decision and so Rider Anurin moved the Riders.

And so, this semi-peace continued. Rider Anurin ruled from Doru Areaba and Utgard and in total there were more Riders than anyone could count. Every year two or three dragon eggs would travel from the dragons in the Hadarac desert and through all of Alagaësia in search of the next generation of Riders. Sometimes it would take years for all of the eggs to find their Rider and it also wasn't unusual for an egg to exceed that time. One egg, dark grey in colour with silvery white veins running along its surface, had been waiting for over three hundred years for its Rider, the oldest of the eggs that the present Dragon Rider's have in their possession and the biggest mystery.

A baby girl was born to Isilda and Biornulfr the Fisherman in the village of Bullridge and she is where this story begins. The girl's name is Biorn.

Chapter 1 – Beautiful Scales

The year: 7350 AC. Bullridge was a small village situated on the west side of Ramr River and equal distance from both Gil'ead and Ilirea. The town was famous for its fresh water fish which was the most booming industry in the area at the time.

The sun lit the early morning with cold light and the wind was slow and scarce. The perfect day for fishing.

Bullridge was only a mile from the river and my house half a mile away. The river swelled into what could have been a large lake but the river lead off at either end of it making it the Ramr. Father and I had built a wooden pier with a roof which reached about a quarter of the way into the swell. Under the pier was a metal box hidden from view from travellers and thieves alike. I reached down under the pier to bring the box up and flipped it open. I retrieved a large woven net and placed the box back under the pier quickly.

I glanced back toward the house across the grass lands. Bullridge bordered a wooded area that could hardly be called a forest. Game was sort after and meat was hard to come by. The only way a hunter could find food would be to travel to the Spine and even then it was fraught with danger and the journey was long and arduous.

I smiled when I saw my father trotting toward her on his horse. I cupped a hand around my mouth and called to him, "Come on, father! By the time you reach the pier all the fish will have swum up river!" I laughed.

Biornulfr, my father, reached the pier with an amused smile on his face. "You know very well that mother will not let me leave unless I'm riding Winter, Biorn."

I rolled my eyes, "of course, it's because of your obvious ill health." I teased slinging the net over both my shoulders.

Father dismounted and went under the pier for the box, "don't tease me too much, Biorn, I get enough of that from your mother in the morning."

"I am sorry, father." I said with a smirking glancing out over the crystal blue waters. "I will punish myself for my insolence later."

"That's my girl." He said with a smirk of his own. He had another dark grey woven net around his neck much like mine. "I think a few lengths of the Ramr will suffice."

I chuckled as we made our way down the pier, "What a tyrannical father I have. Oh, how will I cope?"

"I'm sure you'll find a way," Father chuckled ruffling my already messy auburn hair. "You know, your mother is going to be furious when she sees you haven't brushed your hair, especially with our trip to Ilirea so close."

I shrugged as we reached the end of the pier and threw our nets into the boat tethered to the end. "I'm sure she'll be fine once I give in to wearing a dress."

As we steadied the boat my father looked at me sceptically, "wear a dress? I must admit that will certainly put her in high spirits but what has caused such a change in attitude, might I ask?"

I tapped my nose with a fore finger and grinned at my clueless father, "it's a big day, father! Think of all the people to impress! Like the Riders for instance."

Father chuckled a little, "oh, I see. So are your mother and I to receive a happy announcement after the ceremony?"

I blushed awfully red, "father, don't say such things! I'm not interested in a Rider being interested in me! I just want to meet one of there dragons briefly. Imagine it, father! Me meeting a Rider and their dragon! I can hardly believe we're going to the ceremony!" I clapped my hands excitedly as father rowed us out into the swell a little more.

"Of course we're going." My father said sounding affronted, "your grandfather was taken to visit Ilirea at the time of the new Riders by his father when he was just a little older than yourself."

The excitement for the day was growing and I could hardly believe that in just two short day's time father and I would be sitting in the grand palace in Ilirea and witnessing the choosing of the Riders by their dragons. It was such an honour and a privilege. "I can't wait to go!"

"I know, Biorn, I know. And just think, once we've finished today's work we'll be a whole day closer to the ceremony and seeing the Riders." Father winked at me sneakily and I feigned indifference.

"Well, then," I said haughtily as we reached a rock outcropping in the centre of the swell. I climbed atop it and threw my net into the river. "Let's get working."

"Cheeky little girl." Father muttered with a smile as he rowed down river.

I placed the cord end of the net under my feet as I sat on the rock and waited. Fishing was very much a waiting game and it required patience my mother didn't possess.

Once again I began thinking of the dragons. The Dragon Riders would most likely fly over Bullridge on their way from Gil'ead to Ilirea. The Elder Dragon Riders would visit the different Kingdoms of men to keep the peace and make sure the humans weren't threatening it. Once the ceremony to choose the new Dragon Riders came all nobles gathered to the grand palace hall of the late King Thanebrand and all the nobles sons would be presented to the eggs to see which would hatch, if any. I'd always wanted to be a Rider, ever since I was little but I knew it was impossible. The best I could do was to make connections with the Riders and then I would be able to mix with the dragons. That was my true wish, my dream. Women were not allowed to be shown to the eggs. It was the human custom. Human Riders were always men, it had been so since we joined the Blood-Oath a hundred and forty one years ago and the tradition has not changed. Among the Elder Riders there are seven elves and three men. Of course I felt cheated that women were not allowed to be presented to the eggs but even if women were allowed my low status and inferior birth would be enough to make me an unsuitable Dragon Rider. Unless you were of noble birth or rich you couldn't go within the palace walls during the ceremony. But even with this rule many would travel from far and wide to glimpse the Riders and the eggs as they parade through the streets in celebration. The whole day is one enormous festival and because it only happens once every fifty years people make the most of it. It is just short enough that at least every person can celebrate it in their lifetime and just long enough that it makes everyone very excited.

I felt movement from the cord leading to the net and I smiled. It felt like a million tiny vibrations but I knew that the more little twitches there were the more fish had been caught.

I glanced into the sky to see if I could spot a dragon stretching its wings. It was midday so the Elder Riders should have reached Gil'ead by now and would probably be meeting with the Gil'ead city Council which ran Gil'ead while the King was in Ilirea. I spotted a dark shape flit across the sky in the clouds above and I gasped and dropped my net unexpectedly. I watched as the obvious form of a dragon looped twice then took off again in the direction of Gil'ead. I stood with a grin blossoming onto my face and cupped my hand around my mouth like earlier, "father! Father did you see that?" I called behind me, "a dragon! That was a dragon, wasn't it?"

"Biorn, your net!" My father shouted back.

"Oh, carp! My net!" I gasped and plunged head first into the depths of the Ramr. I scooped up every corner of the net and swam back to the pier. I grappled with the edge of the pier and hoisted myself onto it, my hair dripping down to my sides. I lifted the net, now a sack shape, and plonked it down onto the pier beside me.

"Sorry, father!" I called to him still panting a little. I turned to my catch only to see I'd caught two. That was just pathetic. "What have you got?"

I could see my father laughing from his boat as he hoisted his catch onto it. My mouth opened in shock. "All your catch I'm assuming!" He shouted over to me. But there were far more fish than I'd caught and I felt a little stab of jealousy.

"That's not fair, if most of that was mine!" I called annoyed, more at myself than him.

"You know the rules, Biorn." My father called, he was rowing closer now he had enough fish to sell to the traders and gypsies. "Your catch, your money."

I pouted childishly when my father reached the pier. "Yes, I know."

I placed my feet on the side of the boat as he pulled it up alongside the pier. I threw the two fish into his teeming net and jumped back into the boat. Father looked at me questioningly from the shore and I answered, "I need the money because I want to get something nice from the traders later."

Father nodded and smiled, "alright then. I'll bring you out some lunch and we'll leave for the traders after supper."

I nodded with a smile and waved him off, "go on then. I have to dry off in the sun and I'd prefer to do it alone."

Father bowed mockingly and threw the catch over his shoulder, "good luck."

I rowed out down stream a little to see if I could get the same catch as my father. Under the blistering sun my clothes dried and so did my hair. I lay across the seats and stared up at the clouds while my net stayed tethered to the boat. I felt the boat move a little closer to the pier and realised I'd caught something. I slipped carefully into the water again. Opening my eyes I let them adjust to the murky waters before I could find the edges of the net. I carefully pulled down the edge of the net that allowed the fish to swim in and there was mass panic inside the net. Letting out a few bubbles of frustration I swum under the net in order to meet the other side and seal the net. Some fish escaped but they always did when I fished this way. Most of the net would be on the river bed and there would only be an arch of about an two to four inches in the netting available for the fish to venture into. It worked most of the time and it got my lungs used to holding my breath and gave me swimming time. I clasped my hands around the neck of the net-sack I'd made and smiled widely at the fish inside. There were many and would fetch a good price. There were even some salmon in there!

I looked up just in time to see something large and shadowed snake through the water toward me. By now my lungs were beginning to scream for air but I refused them letting out another stream of bubbles. The creature stopped short and I noticed its long neck was craned so it could better see me.

I was terrified.

Could it be a sea serpent? I thought in wonder as the beast swam closer. Suddenly I let out a large stream of bubbles in the form of a gasp when the creature became a large, blue dragon in my vision. I stared in awe at its shimmering scales from the light of the sun and the dragon snaked its head directly in front of my face. Face to face with this magnificent beast I almost forgot I had to breathe but reality came crashing down when I opened my mouth – to breathe or say something I wasn't sure. The dragon's eyes darted from the sack of fish swimming frantically in my hands back to my eyes and I immediately understood. I let a few carp and a trout wiggle out of the bottle neck I'd made and they tried to swim away. They didn't get far. With a great snap of its steely jaws the dragon had all three fish securely in its mouth. It lifted its head and I saw its neck bulge slightly as it swallowed the fish. The dragon raced toward the surface and I did the same.

I gasped when my head breached the surface of the river and I swam over to the boat, which had drifted slightly downstream. I threw the fish in before me and clambered into the boat. I desperately looked around the riverbank searching for the blue dragon but it was no where to be found. Defeated my shoulders slumped and I tied the sack with numb fingers. What an incredible experience though! I thought but with a tinge of disappointment, I should be grateful and happy that I've finally seen a dragon up close but I'm still disappointed I couldn't have seen it fly.

With a heavy heart and a heavier fish burden I casually glanced to the Eastern riverbank. My heart stopped. Sitting on the riverbank, larger than anything I'd seen, was the most magnificent creature I'd ever seen. The dragon's scales glinted in the sunlight and its pale grey eyes staring directly into mine. With a nod of the dragons head it beckoned me forward. I was almost too mesmerised to move but I rowed the boat a little way down the bank and walked the rest of the way to where it was. The magnificent creature bowed its head in greeting and turned its body until it faced me completely. The dragon was the width of a fat hill and as tall as a mountain. I was hyper aware of the size difference between the two of us as we stared at each other.

I decided to break the silence. "I suppose your Rider is in Gil'ead?" I asked clasping my hands behind my back politely.

The dragon nodded slowly with a swing of its glorious white head.

I nodded, "so are you hunting around here?"

Another nod from the dragon, its eyes twinkled with amusement in the daylight.

"I'm sorry but there isn't much game around here. I suppose that's why you were after the fish. Would you like some more?" I asked already reaching for the sack.

The great dragon shook its head, long and slow strokes.

"Right, I see." Silence fell as the dragon continued to stare down at me. I had absolutely no idea what the dragon wanted but I waited, just in case something happened.

When I was sure nothing was going to happen I asked, "Was there anything in particular that you wanted?"

Thank you.

I blinked, dazed and took a step back in confusion. What on Earth just happened? I thought, completely confused.

The dragon lowered itself to lie on the floor in front of me and then lowered its head still further until we were on eye level with each other.

I said thank you, child.

The confusion suddenly changed to terrified awe. You're speaking to me in my mind?

The dragon nodded, I wanted to speak with you but I didn't know how protected your mind was, I now know it was not.

I nodded slowly eyes still as wide as saucers, oh I see.

You have very beautiful eyes. Silver isn't an eye colour I would freely associate with humans. The dragon commented with a mental chuckle. It was all very strange.

Oh, do I? I hadn't noticed really. I thought back to her with a little blush.

Yes. I should imagine you attract males constantly. The apparently innocent comment left me with burning cheeks which I wasn't sure would ever cool.

That's very blunt of you. I countered.

I'm very honest. The dragon commented with another chuckle, I'll take it as a compliment. My name is Umaroth. The dragon said. And yours?

I'm Biorn. I replied fiddling with the cord of my sack.

Umaroth bowed his head and I bowed in turn, still a little out of sorts. I'm delighted to make you're acquaintance Biorn. You don't hide much of your character from your thoughts. It is a nice change.

Um, thanks, I think. I said with a little nervous laugh.

Actually, Umaroth said licking his sharp teeth and glancing once more at the fish in my sack. I wouldn't mind another one or two, five if you could spare them.

"Of course!" I said going to grab some fish from the sack. I didn't check what I'd given him but I thought I saw a salmon in there. I winced a little when the pink fish disappeared into his mouth but didn't mention it.

After I'd fed him the fish I sat down and we chatted for a while. I asked him about his home and his Rider and he asked me about my upbringing and my family. It was a surreal but lovely conversation and I was saddened when Umaroth said he had to go.

When Vrael and I are flying over I will be sure to stop off here and see you again. I like you, Biorn, which should mean a lot more to you than anything else I've said. Vrael will be very interested to meet you.

I beamed a large smile at his sparkling eyes, you can't imagine how long I've wanted to see a dragon. I never imagined I'd be able to speak to one and you are far more delightful than I'd ever anticipated. You are beautiful too.

Umaroth lowered his head in acknowledgement, well done, young one. Flattery is the way to a dragon's heart.

I grinned at his retreating back and he took off with a farewell. His powerful wings carried him high and I couldn't help the wonderful fond swell in my heart. The sun shone through the membrane of his wings and I could see veins I hadn't know had been there. It was incredible. I felt a little faint.

"Biorn!" I heard the distant call of my father. I turned to see him galloping toward the Western riverbank with a little satchel attached to the side of Winter's saddle. "What are you doing over there?" He asked when he reached the riverbank, a frown firmly drawing his eyebrows together.

I cupped my hands around my mouth, "I'll tell you when I get over there. Hold on!"

I almost jumped into the boat I was so excited to tell father what had happened. When I reached the pier I tied up the boat so quickly it almost got carried away by the current. I snatched up the fish and ran to the opening of the pier. "You will never guess what just happened!" I squealed when father dismounted.

Father caught me just as I jumped up for a hug. "Oh, really? Did you see another dragon?"

I released him with a disappointed snort, "oh, so you can. Oh but it was much better than the other time! The dragon was swimming in the Ramr! And I was in the Ramr too and I gave her some fish and then we talked for ages and I gave her some more fish and then she said that when they are flying over Bullridge they're going to come and see me again!" I took a deep breath, panting a little at the far too long sentence.

Father's eyes widened, then narrowed, then closed completely with a sigh, "okay."

I let out a surprised laugh, "well, I wasn't expecting that response."

He opened his eyes and he looked worried, "dragons don't just talk to people. They only ever speak with their Rider. That is cause for concern."

My smile faded, "does that mean there is something wrong with me?"

Suddenly father's mood changed completely. He laughed loudly, breathlessly and hugged me tightly, "no! No of course not! It's just… I've never heard of a dragon to mind-link with anyone other than their Rider."

"Oh, I see." I said pulling away but still keeping a firm grip on his arms, "but that doesn't mean it's impossible, right? I mean, Umaroth wanted to thank me for giving him some fish. That's not bad, is it?"

Father tucked a small strand of hair behind my ear and smiled down at me fondly, "no, of course it isn't. But," He said his expression turned serious and firm, "I don't think you should tell anyone else about what happened, okay? Just to avoid any complications."

My shoulders slumped, "you mean people thinking I'm a freak."

Father sighed and pulled me in for another hug, this one comforting, "no, they'll ask questions. You're not a freak. If anyone asks we'll say that we know the Rider. Who is the Rider, by the way?"

"Vrael." I answered automatically.

"Ah," Father said quietly, "interesting."

"Interesting?" I asked against his chest. Hugs really were the best things in the world. People should sell them.

"Don't worry about it, dear." He said dismissively, "Here." He reached over with one arm to untie the bundle and brought it closer to me who was still firmly attached to him. "Lunch?"

I smiled up at him, "thanks, father."

He kissed my forehead affectionately and handed me the bundle. "No problem, Biorn. Now," He said pulling away and going to mount Winter. "I'll go and tell your mother that we expect a guest in the next two days and you can go sell your fish to Toric. Be quick though, I think he plans to close early today."

"Okay!" I called as father galloped away. He waved behind him and I hoisted my fish-sack onto my shoulder, ready for the trip into Bullridge.

It was getting dark by the time I reached the outskirts of Bullridge. The village was alive with people of all shapes and sizes. The tiny village was just a semi circle of houses and shops facing our house and the Ramr in the distance. In the centre of the Coronation Square in the middle of the semi circle of houses and shops was a large well with torches burning brightly on the roof of it. The woodland around the village was home to a few hunters' family houses but most either lived in the village itself or on farms that were close enough to the Ramr to have access to irrigation. As I approached the village I heard distant singing from a campfire surrounded by colourful gypsies. I turned to look at them. Their caravans were located just next to the last house of the semi circle on the right side and the gypsies were all sitting on makeshift seats around the fire either singing or dancing around the fire. I smiled a waved and they waved back with a few whistles and shouts of greeting. I turned away from them and jogged closer to the well. Gypsy caravans were common but I'd never seen so many. There were more campfires than the one I'd seen. There were some in between houses but most of them were just outside the village all packed together. The traders' caravans were separate from the gypsies and were placed by the well shielding most of the village from view. I slipped through a gap in between the ends of two caravans and stood in the Square. People were sitting on the well chattering happily and I waved to a few people I knew. I rounded the well without getting into any conversations, which was hard. All people kept doing were asking me questions and I had to dismiss them quickly because I could see Toric begin to close his shop. I ran full pelt toward him and just managed to stop before he close the door in my face.

"You're a bit late, Biorn. I'm closed." He crossed his muscled arms over his chest with a raised brow.

I gazed up at him imploringly. "Please, Toric! I lost my first catch to my father this morning! I need the money today."

He rolled his eyes, "I hate it when you use those eyes on me."

I grinned and followed him into the shop. It was only after the door closed behind me that I realised what he'd said. I blushed thinking back to what Umaroth had said to me, you have very beautiful eyes. I should imagine you attract males constantly.

It wasn't that difficult to disguise my heated face once inside the butcher's shop. "I caught some salmon today."

Toric looked up quickly, "Let me see?" I piled the fish into the snow filled container he'd placed on the floor in front of my and he whistled appreciatively. "That is a good catch."

"Yes, I think the dragon scared the fish downstream for me." I said distractedly thinking again of Umaroth's shining scales.

"Dragon?" Toric asked suddenly very serious, "you saw a dragon?"

"Hm?" I asked turning to see his almost suspicious face. "Oh! No, I just meant, dragons. Because I know the Rider's are in Gil'ead and, you know, the dragons… hunt."

Toric still looked suspicious but took the explanation. "Alright, then." He grunted with exertion as he picked up the large bucket of snow and fish. I followed him out into the back room covered from wall to floor with meats and fish and herbs.

"So, are you going to come to the well later? The gypsies and traders are still setting up their stalls." I asked standing at the doorway.

Toric dropped the bucket and looked up at me dusting off his hands, "yes, I think so. I'll have to convince Mari to come too." He winced and looked down.

I looked on at him with sympathy. Their mother had left them when they were no older than five and their father had been lost in the Spine when he was hunter a few years ago. They are still trying to come to terms with their losses. Toric ran the Butcher's shop in his father's stead while Mari worked with my mother sewing dresses and fixing clothes for the villagers and other travellers.

"I could speak to Mari for you, Toric." I said walking away from the door.

Toric looked up with a large smile, "would you? Thank you, Biorn. You're such a great friend." He turned and hugged me rather unexpectedly.

Caught off guard all I could manage was a small pat on his shoulder. "It's no trouble. Mari is my friend too. I'd like to help if I can."

He released me, "oh, yes, your money." I nodded and followed him out into the shop. He drew a leather pouch from under the counter and handed me ten crowns.

I stared wide eyed at the amount. "This is too much, Toric! I only brought two dozen fish!"

Toric smiled warmly and closed my fingers around the money, "take it. I know you're going to Ilirea in a few days and I know how much it means to you. Save some for the trip."

Suddenly filled with affection for Toric I hugged him across the counter. "Thank you, Toric!"

"No problem," He murmured into my hair, "now," He said pulling away, "if you could get Mari to come to the well we'll be even."

I grinned at him, "of course! It's as good as done."

I left Toric in the shop and jogged up the rickety wooden stairs to their rooms. I found Mari in her bedroom. The room was plain with wooden walls and flooring, a wooden working desk was in the right hand corner and her straw bed was placed against the left hand wall with a wooden chest with a lock on it at the foot of it. Mari sat on her knees in front of the chest. The lid was closed but the lock hung open on the latch. She held crumpled, brown paper in her hands. I knocked gently on the door and Mari's head snapped up to see me.

"Oh, Biorn! You scared me half to death!" She exclaimed clutching at her heart with one hand and the papers with the other.

"Sorry," I said coming into the room and sitting lightly on her bed. "How are you?" I asked gently.

Mari's chocolate coloured eyes left mine and focused once again on the parchment in front of her. "Not good I'm afraid."

And suddenly I realised what she held in her hand. They were letters from her father. This must have been the day he'd left for the hunt. "Oh, Mari," I whispered coming around to kneel beside her, "I didn't realise it was today." I said softly putting an arm around her shoulders.

Mari's head twitched in a fast nod and she sniffed. "I thought that this year might be different but it isn't. It's been three years but it feels like only yesterday."

I hugged her closer. "I know." I said, "I always feel like this on the day my grandfather died. It never gets better, Mari."

Mari let out a broken sob, "but I thought it was supposed to! Time heals all wounds, doesn't it?"

"Only the physical," I replied, "wounds of the heart never quite heal."

Mari nodded again jerkily and sighed, "I don't want to go out, Biorn."

"I know you don't." I said with a small smile, "but you must."

I stood and she looked up at me questioningly. "Why must I?"

"Because," I said tapping my nose with a wink, "I'm going to buy a scarf for our trip to Ilirea."

Mari stood suddenly with wide eyes, "what do you mean 'our' trip?"

"I mean," I said taking my friend's hands and smiling widely, "You, Father and I are going to Ilirea."

She smiled disbelievingly, "you're teasing me."

"I am not." I said with a blinding smile, "In fact, let's go and invite your brother. I'm sure he won't object to seeing an Elf for the first time."

Mari's eyes lit up, "we'll see elves! How incredible will it be?"

"And Dragons, don't forget the dragons." I said jumping a little in my excitement.

She rolled her eyes and punched me lightly on the arm, "you and your bloody dragons. I think they should just make you a Rider and be done with it."

I laughed, "yes, that's likely to happen." I said sarcastically.

"What are you two so excited about? Someone was bashing about so loudly the neighbours complained." I turned to see Toric leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed and an amused smile on his lips.

"Well," I said pulling Mari over to him, "Mari has just agreed to come with me to Ilirea in a few days." I said carefully afraid of his reaction. Toric was very protective of his sister and he might not approve of her going all the way to Ilirea.

As expected Toric's eyes hardened but his smile didn't falter, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Mari's smile did falter, "Biornulfr is taking us, Toric. You trust him, don't you?"

His eyes flickered to me and I dared him with my eyes to say otherwise. He swallowed, "Of course I trust him." He said finally, "I just don't want you getting hurt or worse. Ilirea is a big city and we're not really welcome there."

I rolled my eyes, "ordinarily we wouldn't be but it's the Blood-Oath festival! Everyone is welcome!"

"Well, apart from the dwarves." Mari said with a chuckle.

I snorted, "They wouldn't come even if they were invited! Look," I said turning back to Toric, "it will be so much fun plus you're invited too."

Toric frowned, "I don't know." He said, "Who will watch the shop? With all these gypsies about there are bound to be a few who decide to break in."

"That's a good point," Mari interjected.

I sighed in defeat, "alright then, so you won't come but Mari wouldn't be inconvenienced at all! She could even bring in some more work for mama!" And I really wanted him to come, I thought disappointed.

"Please, Toric!" Mari pleaded opening her eyes very wide.

Toric frowned even deeper, then sighed, "What is it with you women and your eyes?" He murmured to himself. "Alright, fine. You can go."

Mari squealed and I smiled wide, "good choice!" I said clapping him on the shoulder. He rolled his eyes and endured Mari's gripping hug.

"Now come on otherwise we'll miss the traders." Toric said extracting himself from Mari and pulling us toward the doorway. This was going to be a long night.

SO

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