Chapter 1

Alena jumped over the little puddles of water, watching with a sense of boredom as the water rippled, changing her appearance. As the water returned to normal, her appearance reappeared in the surface. She looked up at the other girls, all jumping rope or gathered in small groups, squealing at the boys who kicked water at them. After a while, she clapped her hands loudly. The children then looked up at her reproachfully before scrambling towards her. She counted 20 children and horded them into the small building.

"Now children," she said, looking around at the eager faces. She couldn't help but smile. "Reading time."

The children whooped happily and rushed to the little baskets labeled with their names, pulling out blankets and toys. Once the children settled comfortably, she took out an ancient, leather-bound book.

"This story is about dragons," she said in a mesmerizing whisper, eyeing the children.

She looked around, just to make sure that the children were settled in comfortably. She told the story, her eyes sparkling as she wove an epic tale of brave and noble Riders and their dragons.

"Once, there was a Dragon Rider named Brom. He had a beautiful sapphire blue dragon named Saphira, the name of the great Shadeslayer's dragon. Rumor has it, that he named it after Brom's amazing dragon…." Her story went on until the children all fell asleep.

She closed the heavy book and set it back on the rickety shelf, among the other books. She looked at the children, sleeping so peacefully on the floor. She looked up and peeked out of the window, the bright sunlight blinding her for a short moment. As her vision returned, she found herself staring outside—an everyday sight. Villagers rambled on with their business, chattering noisily and walking hurriedly. She watched wistfully—how she wished she could stride out proudly and walk among the others. But she couldn't. She was absolutely terrified.

Terrified of the outside. Terrified of people.

Eragon sat perched on a black stone overlooking the sea. His dragon, Saphira was next to him, watching the sunset with a bored expression.

"Isn't beautiful?" he asked to no one in particular.

Saphira nodded her big blue head solemnly, her eyes following Eragon as he pushed himself off the ground.

"You know, Saphira, I've been hoping to go hunting in the Spine," declared Eragon.

The Spine?

Yes. It's been a while.

What happened to your rabbit food diet? asked Saphira with a satisfied smirk.

We've nothing to do, and we're close to the Spine.

All right. I shall enjoy the flight. It has been a while since you rode me.

Battles? suggested Eragon with a laugh.

No. Freely. Free, where we can glide through clouds, masters of the sky. Free, where none can bother our peaceful flight.

Poetic, he commented, leaping onto her back. Let's go.

Yes. Let us go, said Saphira, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Eragon grinned as Saphira sprang into the air, fighting gravity for a brief moment before shooting into the air. Saphira bugled her joy into the air, startling the camps below them. She went into a shallow dive, pulling up moments before hitting the ground. He whooped as the wind rushed past his face, ruffling his hair. Saphira twirled round and round, spinning dangerously close to the earth and then high into the air. They broke through clouds, shivering as the frigid water melted onto Eragon's skin, spinning wildly around astounded watchers. She then went straight into the air, her wings flapping with a smooth, rhythmic beat. They went far past the clouds, where Saphira hovered and looked back at Eragon.

Ready?

Ready, he replied enthusiastically, grabbing on even more tightly.

With a magnificent roar, Saphira dove straight down, gaining speed. He cried out wildly as he was almost blown off the saddle. About 3 feet before they could hit the ground, Saphira pulled her wings out, catching them in the air. For a short moment, they hovered, fighting to keep off the hard earth. She then shot about 10 feet into the air, performing a series of twirls and flips. With a final spin, Saphira rose above the marveling crowd with a smug look. Eragon waved enthusiastically before Saphira began to fly in a more calm way into the Spine. People cheered behind them, marveling at Saphira's glittering scales and amazing maneuvers.

I think they enjoyed that, said Eragon with a satisfied nod.

Yes. I think they did, she replied, pride coloring her voice.

Eragon looked around from Saphira's back, his eyes traveling the peaceful countryside. Not too far away, he could locate the Spine, the familiar purple-blue lumps in the distance he remembered so well. As they neared the Spine, Eragon cried out with surprise. Ranks of soldiers, dressed in blood red marched out of the Spine, firing arrows. Saphira went high into the clouds, clearly startled.

So much for hunting, thought Eragon bitterly. So much for "peace".

Come, little one. We must handle them.

But there were thousands of men! he cried out.

All of which we can handle. Roran killed 100 men with a hammer. I'm sure that a Dragon and her Rider can destroy 2000 men easily.

But 2000 men…?

You forget that we are masters of the sky! shouted Saphira, dropping into a shallow dive.

Alena stared wistfully out of the small crack in that window in sullen silence, wishing.

Perhaps tomorrow, you will be brave enough to go outside, she thought. Perhaps tomorrow, you will be brave enough to say hello to others.

With an exasperated sigh, she shut the little crack of light and moved further into the room, retreating into the shadows. The only sounds in the room were those of the children's quiet, peaceful breathing. She looked down with pride at the sleeping children—so carefree, so innocent.

She sat down, watching the children with a sense of love and the urge to protect these children. She was drifting into a drowsy nap when suddenly, the door banged open. She jumped out in fright, looking around at the children to make sure none of them had woken.

"W-who are you?" she demanded, her voice strained.

"A blue dragon appears from the horizon," said the voice. "Eragon Shadeslayer and his dragon Saphira Brightscales have decided to honor us with their presence. And they are being chased. By an army of 2000 men. Wake the children. Go into hiding."

Her mind flickered to the small safe quarters the village had set up for cases like this. It would be cramped and uncomfortable, smashed between… people. She recalled the last time the village had retreated into the hiding place. She had been 3 years old, dragged underground by her parents. Her memory faltered, and a cold sweat broke out on her.

"Wake up, everybody!" she called, clapping.

Her wavering voice made the sleeping children stir. They got up, rubbing their eyes and looking around with confusion.

"Children! We must go into hiding until it is safe!" she cried in a shrill voice.

The children got up, confused. They all got up, grabbing their blankets and toys. In three minutes, the 20 children that she took care of during church time were lined up in front of her, still not understanding completely that they were in danger.

Alena looked down as she felt a tug at her dress.

"Where are we going?" asked a three-year-old girl, clutching her pink blanket.

"Somewhere safe," she whispered, leading her out.

The girl looked up at her, clearly frightened and confused before following her friends out the door. Once outside, Alena looked around, trying to see the blue dragon and the soldiers. She gasped as she saw that the army and the dragon were arriving rapidly. She screamed for the children to rush into the shelter. They rushed underground, many of them crying. Moments before the door was finally closed, she caught glimpse of an icy blue eye staring at the closing door. Beside it was a magnificent dragon, roaring and shooting fire at the terrified soldiers. Reluctant to close the door completely, she lingered for a short moment, only to be dragged down by the village residents.

What a beautiful sight…

OK! You probably noticed that the name: Alena is the same :P Anyways, here's Chapter 1!