"It appears," said Nasuada"that you are worthy of the title shade slayer as well"

Eragon had told her of what Arya had done.

"Not really, I couldn't have done it without Eragons assistance. "Replied Arya

"My lady, what do you plan to do next? "Inquired Eragon

Nasuada was silent for a moment before she answered.

"We shall march into Belatona, and if all goes well, Dras-leona too. "

Eragon froze with a piece of apple halfway to his mouth.

"Both of them! I thought we only needed to take one. "

"If we only destroy one city, the other could join forces at uru'baen to overpower us. " Nasuada explained "Now, if we have no other matters to discuss, it would be best if you both returned to your tents. You cannot afford to be tired."

Arya turned and marched out of the tent, her tall slim body moving effortlessly across the ground. Eragon watched her until she disappeared behind a tent.

"Put your eyes back in your head, little one" said Saphira sarcastically. Then: "Nasuada's plan seems to be very good"

"Yes, since I first met her, she has matured at a remarkable rate. I wonder what Angela thinks of this?"

"We should ask her" suggested Saphira.

They found Angela sitting outside her green tent, talking with Solembum. Eragon coughed and she looked up.

"Shadeslayer, I was wondering when you would visit. I am sorry about your teacher…..Oromis wasn't it? I never met him but I'm sure he was a very nice person."

"Actually I think you have met him. When I told him about you and Solembum he said you reminded him of a human spell caster he met in Ellesmera with a wit as sharp as it is odd." Said Eragon

"Oh yes, now I remember. In that case, he was a very fine man…I mean elf. But I did not know he was a rider."

"Not many people did, only the elves and few others…………………Speak of the devil."

Arya had just appeared behind Angela.

"What an honour," declared Angela "two Shadeslayers here at once

"Indeed" said Arya blankly

"Why does she seem so…….tense?" Eragon asked Saphira

"The last elvish rider has just died, she's upset "Came the answer

"Angela, would you please try to read my future?"

"Yes, yes of course, but I must find my bones first" she answered, rummaging inside her tent. "Eragon, it has been lovely speaking to you but this is for Arya's ears only. Begone!"

"Eragon shur'tugal may stay if he wishes" Announced Arya

"Oh, ok then." Angela stared at her suspiciously.

Angela was holding the same, worn leather pouch that Eragon remembered.

"Manin! Wyrda! Hugin!" Came the ancient words

Angela studied the bones for a long while and the spoke,

"The first one is so obvious that I shouldn't even read it, Infinity or long life. Then the next one says there is an epic romance for you in the near future and the last one is, unfortunately…..leaving alagaesia, never to return again. This is VERY similar to another reading I've done before." As she finished speaking, she glanced at Eragon.

"Whose reading was it?" muttered Arya

"Mine" Answered Eragon

If Arya was shocked, she did not show it, she merely shrugged her shoulders.

"I must be off" Said Arya quickly and she walked away.

"Does she seem a bit tense to you? Remarked Angela