Chapter one: Premonition

Christopher Paolini owns all of the characters. I claim no ownership over them.

Hey everyone! This is my first fanfiction so please be nice. I would be very grateful if you reviewed, it will help me write the other chapters. Ah god it feels so weird to have people reading this. I hope you guys enjoy it and that it isn't that bad

Eragon was on the border between what's real and tangible and the unknown imagination of his waking dreams. Vague and aimless memories wandered across his dreamscape, they combined to form strange sequences of what never was and never could be . He abruptly felt a shift and his dreams took on a preternaturally real aspect. He was standing on the top tower of a citadel looking down into a majestic city. Red tiled buildings went on as far as the eye could see. The architecture was unmistakably human in origin but was too graceful, too twining to be completely human. The sun was rising in the east and lent an unearthly feel to the city. Suddenly Eragon swooped down from the tower like a hawk, he felt no fear as the ground rushed towards him. He slowed before he hit the ground and landed lightly on the smooth cobblestones. He looked up and beheld the true beauty of the city. The houses were inlaid in silver and the people walking down the street wore finely made clothes. This city was dramatically different then the cities Eragon had visited in the Empire. Here there was no sign of poverty, no beggars traversing the streets. The vision turned back towards the citadel where Eragon beheld two dragons spiraling around the tower. One was blue and one was green, but he could faintly make out a black dragon. The black dragon was intangible and ghostly, as if was not truly there.

"All that you have seen will come to pass if you continue on your current path." The voice was rich and eccentric, but spoke as if lamenting the loss of a loved one. It was defiantly male and echoed abnormally long after it should have faded to silence. Eragon tried to look around for the source of the voice but he could not shift his gaze.

"Be forewarned however that you will pay in blood and suffering before this future will come to pass"

And with that the edges of Eragon's vision turned crimson and he was engulfed by darkness.

Pain, unbearable pain was upon Eragon, quickly followed by an uncontrollable rage. Eragon curled up in a mental equivalent of a ball as waves of bloodlust and self-loathing swept through his mind. Memories not his own flooded across his mind, Eragon was engulfed by the tide of slaughter, anguish, and blood. He could not remember who he was, there was only the unbearable pain.

Eragon woke up abruptly and jumped to his feet, hunting knife in hand. He was breathing hard and was soaked in sweat, his only thought was to escape the agony. Saphira was pressing against his mind concerned, she hissed as she felt his panic and his fear flood across their mental link. She pressed against his mind trying to comfort him.

Saphira's presence helped ease Eragon's panic, his breathing slowed as he realized that he was safe.

Eragon, are you alright? Eragon could feel Saphira's concern for him. It took him a second to respond as he forced his fear down, I've been better. What happened? You were sleeping peacefully when you cried out as if your were in pain, then you jumped up like a cornered wolf

I had a…dream the word felt inadequate for describing what he had seen and experienced, instead Eragon mentally sent her the memory. She was silent for a while as she deciphered the jumbled collection of memories. Finally she said, this vision is different from your other ones. The others weren't so painful, besides this voice is new.

Eragon mentally winced in remembrance of the pain. And that voice, I feel as if I had heard it from a half-forgotten dream. Eragon said haltingly

That's odd, I have never come across anything like his voice in your memories. Really? That is pretty strange, maybe…agh! I don't know. he sat down on the cot and rubbed his eyes

At least this future seemed promising, it seems as if in the vision Galbatorix has been overthrown and the Varden has won. I could not imagine anything like that city in the Empire. Neither could I agreed Saphira.

But don't forget the cost Saphira! You felt the pain, its even worse then the wound Durza gave me. Just from my brief experience I almost forgot who I was. I never want to feel pain like that again Saphira Eragon ranted

Little one, you know that I never would want you to get hurt like that again, but the voice said if you continue on this path this future will come to pass. Meaning that if you continue to fighting the Empire this will eventually come to pass Saphira said gently.

Saphira, that means if I continue to fight we will win at the expense of my mind. And who knows what I will become, I might become a greater threat to Alagaesia then Galbatorix.

Or you can leave the Varden and the Empire will annihilate the whole army, and he will eventually find you and you will be his greatest slave.

I am forced to choose the lesser of two evils, Eragon said grimly. At least it is obvious which one is the lesser evil, said Saphira

Oh, is it really so obvious? he said sarcastically. It is Eragon, think of it this way.

If you abandon the Varden Roran and Katrina will be killed. Also Nasuada, Orik, and Arya. Do you want them to die?

Of course not, but what if I am the one who kills them? Saphira snorted. I would stop you from hurting anyone that you cared about

She stopped for a second then asked confused Eragon why do you argue so? You know in your heart that this is the right thing to do

Easy for you to say! You aren't the one destined to lose his mind to anger and bloodlust! Saphira recoiled from his mind as if she had been struck.

Eragon! You know I care about you more than anyone in Alagaesia, and you would do well to remember that She said accusingly. There was a silence between them for while, Eragon reached and touched her mind tentatively. Saphira? he said apologetically. There was no answer. Saphira, I am sorry that I yelled at you. My fear got the better of me and made me act shamefully

Yes it did Eragon flinched from the angry response. Eragon, I forgive you. Just remember in the future that I am trying to help you

I will Eragon said relieved. Eragon got up and stretched, his sore muscles flared painfully. Eragon grimaced, he was still sore from the siege of Feinster. He peaked outside the tent and saw the first rays of the sun coming over the horizon. He looked toward Feinster, there was still smoke from yesterdays siege. Eragon had hoped that he would sleep on an actual bed that night but Nasuada had everyone important outside of the city. She feared that someone in the city might try to assassinate her subjects.

Eragon looked towards the city and suddenly had an urge to see the city in greater detail. Saphira?

What is it Eragon? she answered yawning and stretching like a cat, then she started to clean her paw Do we have anything were supposed to so today? he asked. No, Nasuada wanted you have to recover before you do anything. Saphira paused in her licking why do ask little one? she said confused

Do you want to explore Feinster? He said excitedly. We don't have anything else to do. So we might as well, she said indifferently. Don't get too excited, he said sarcastically. Saphira looked at him oddly, Eragon sighed. He went back into the tent and pulled on his boots and strapped Brisingr on. Then he walked out of the tent, and noticed that the sun had risen noticeably. Eragon nodded to Saphira and got on her back, she took off and circled once before turning toward the city. Eragon noticed that she was moving her wings as little as possible and her movements were a little more brusque then normal. He was not the only one who was worn out from the battle

The city looked much the same as when he first saw it yesterday. Except that there was no battle beneath him, although there was still fires burning in the city. Eragon spotted a large courtyard in the east portion of the city. Eragon pointed it out to Saphira and she angled towards it. As she was landing her tail accidentally clipped a turret on a mansion and knocked off a couple tiles and broke a window. "Saphira" he said mortified. oops she said surprised, my tail is a little more stiff then usual. "Letta" he intoned and the pieces of glass and the tiles stopped midair. "Ganga aptr", the pieces flew back to their original spots. "Brisingr" he said and the pieces of glass melted together and the tiles sealed back into place. Eragon realized his mistake just after he said the word. There was a muffled "thump" and flames shot out of Brisingr's sheath, setting his shirt on fire. Eragon yelped and quickly cut off the energy need to sustain the unnatural blaze.

Looks like I am not the only one making mistakes Saphira said smugly. "Saphira!" Eragon said shocked and swatted her on the side. Saphira laughed and after a little hesitation Eragon joined in.

Wiping the tears from his eyes Eragon looked up at the mansion and noted how artfully made it was. It had looked like a small castle, it even had a moat and a drawbridge. However they were merely decretive and would serve little purpose in a real battle. Eragon noticed that parts of the building were inlaid with silver, he remembered his dream in a flash. His smile faded a little, at the thought of the future. Cheer up he told himself, it probably won't even happen. However the thought lacked conviction.

"Shade slayer!" The shout startled him and he jumped a little. He looked up and saw Jarsha, he nearly forgot about his vision, almost. "Jarsha, what are doing here?" I have a message for you Shade slayer! Its from Nasuada!"

"What's the message?" asked Eragon. "Lady Nasuada wants you to see her as quickly as possible, she says it's urgent."

"Where is she?" he asked interested. "Nasuada is in the keep, and if you don't mind me saying I think you should hurry".

"Thanks Jarsha" said Eragon gratefully as he mounted Saphira, she took off quickly and headed straight for the keep.

I wonder what she wants us for that's so urgent Eragon said perplexed. She had never sent for him in this manner before.

Something important has happened Eragon. Prepare yourself this is going change everything.

She was certain, how do you know? she shook her head and said I don't know, I just can feel it. Eragon felt a surge of trepidation at her words, he closed his eyes and hoped that if there was any change in their future it would be for the better.

Hello all of you how actually read the story! Thanks for reading this, I spent a lot of time doing the storyline and such. Btw dont worry about the black dragon, thats for another story. Plz review so that I can write better in the future, just keep it civilized. I hope I didn't bore you guys. Next chapter will be out in a week or so, depends on if I get any reviews. Have a nice day (or night)!