Chapter 1
[starts as soon as Inheritance ends]
Eragon looked back at what was never meant to be. Feelings of melancholy filled him. He looked back a Arya, pondering her words. She had said that since humans often quickly change their minds, she would not have him. She had, however, hinted that if he would not change his mind after a while, she might consider having him as what he speculated to be: her mate. If that were the case, then how would he ever get a chance to be with her if his fate was destined to make him leave Alagaësia and never return? Arya was complicated in manners as such.
Eragon's thoughts strayed as the direction of the river changed. He thought of Nasuada, Orik, Roran, Murtagh, and all of the others he would leave behind in Alagaësia. He would likely never see any of them again after he was gone from his home, his land, the place he held so dear to his heart: Alagaësia. They were the people who made his life worth living for. But yet, he was abandoning everything he had ever known. He was venturing off into the unknown lands.
"Little one", came Saphira's booming mental voice. "Dwelling on such thoughts will only make you go as senile as the slayed king. It will only tear you apart on the inside."
"Yes, Saphira.", was Eragon's reply. You needn't chide me as if I am a small child.
Saphira's only response was a low, rumbling chuckle.
Eragon then voiced a question to Saphira. "Why? Why must we leave?"
Saphira waited a while before responding. She kept her thoughts concealed from Eragon, making him think that she had abandoned the subject. Catching him off guard, she responded: "You know as well as I, Eragon. We must remain impartial to all of the races of Alagaësia: the urgralgra, the dwarves, the elves, and the humans. We must not have any conflict between the races. The wild dragons would all leave Alagaësia without any animals. After all, you know we can have quite the appetite. Besides, danger would imposed upon the eggs and Eldunarí if we were to stay."
"No, little one. We must raise the new generation of the dragon riders elsewhere.
"Too bad there is no place in Alagaësia...", commented Eragon.
The shadeslayer-king-killer sat slumped in the boat. He glanced at the elf, Blödhgarm, who was sleeping. Out of nowhere, an idea formed in his head.
Unexpectedly, Blödhgarm opened his eyes, and said, "Shadeslayer... you seem to be of great jubilance all of a sudden. May inquire why?
Taken aback by Blödhgarm's sudden return to consciousness, Eragon stuttered for a moment before saying, "Stop the boat. Turn around!"
The other eves looked startled at Eragon's sudden outburst, but yet, the boat stopped.
"Shadeslayer?"