The sounds of the raging battle beat against Eragon's sensitive ears and the smell of death and smoke nearly overwhelmed him. A large cloud of smoke floated upon the air, fogging Eragon's vision. Small fires randomly dotted the barren plains.
Eragon turned his head just in time to see one of Galbatorix's soldiers bringing his sword down to strike him. With little effort, Eragon took a step to the left and dodged the attack. Then, with one fluid movement, he thrust Zar'roc into the soldier's gut before pulling it back out and watching him fall lifeless to the ground.
Glancing up, Eragon saw the blur of blue that was Saphira streaking across the grey sky. Before he could even mover, though, the blue streak collided with a black streak. The sudden scream of a dragon in agony pierced the air and caused many soldiers, Varden, elven, and Galbatorix's in kind, to fall to their knees and clamp their hands over their ears.
Eragon's scream of horror and agony caused Saphira to awake, immediately taking a position to attack. Eragon sat up directly on the ground where he had been in his trance-like sleep. A cold sweat covered his body and dripped from his nose and brows. His breathing was heavy and pained.
What is it, Eragon? Saphira's worry seeped through Eragon by the link they shared.
For a few minutes, he simply sat there and stared at her with tear-filled eyes. Speech was currently eluding him. Finally, he managed to gasp before slowly saying, "A nightmare…A horrible nightmare." Then he told her what he had seen while 'asleep'.
Saphira stretched her neck toward him and nuzzled his cheek with her nose. Worry not, little one, she said with as much comfort in her tone as she could muster. I am still here. There is nothing to worry about.
Despite Saphira's words of comfort, Eragon could not get rid of the pain that still coursed through him. Saphira, it was so real. I've never had such a real nightmare before. A harsh shudder ran down his spine as he slowly lowered the upper half of his body back to the ground.
Saphira lowered her head, sad that she could not comfort him any better. You shouldn't ponder it, Eragon. It will not serve you.
Eragon lifted his gaze to meet hers again. I guess you're right, Saphira. But such a disturbing dream is hard to ignore.
Saphira nodded. Try to rest some more. You'll need your strength. She then moved closer to Eragon and curled herself around him, covering him with her wing.
Eragon relaxed against Saphira's side, but he could not find sleep. He lay awake, staring at the thin, blue membrane that formed Saphira's wings.