Disclaimer: I do not Alagaesia or anything previously written by Christopher Paolini. (The characters however, are mine).

Jade examined the soft dirt ahead of him with a trained eye. There were several deep impressions in the moist ground, likely from more than one source by the spread and weight of each print. The creature he pursued had a heavy footfall, and more than one branch or log had fallen afoul of its path. Upon closer inspection Jade could see the marks of a nail studded boot. The boot of an urgal. Urgals. Jade thought inwardly.

I'm coming! Growled a deep, disembodied voice in his head.

I'll be fine Stone; it's only one or two. Maybe four at the most. Jade replied.

The voice returned, growling once more. Never underestimate your opponent! Would you be so easy to forget what our masters taught us? The voice sounded angry, and perhaps for good reason.

Jade sighed. You're right…. Meet me here in a few minutes?

I'm already on my way.

Of course you are.

Jade pulled the elven bow off his shoulder and strung it with practiced ease, knocking a finely crafted arrow to the string. A burst of wind whipped through the glade and Jade looked up to the sky expecting to see his dragon, and surprised he had not noticed his presence. But there was no dragon, just a gust of wind. The elf shook his head, making his long hair bounce around his finely crafted features.

A branch cracked off Jade's right with a sharp retort. He swung around with his bow and aimed into the distant woods. Two dark shapes milled about at the edge of the clearing, shapes he could easily identify as urgals. They looked like urgals, but to Jade the beasts seemed to stand taller than any urgal he had seen before. He contacted Stone with his conscience. Unless my eyes deceive me, these beasts are nearly three feet taller than an average urgal.

Get out of there; you can lose them through the forest! Those are Kull, you idiot, have you forgotten your lessons again?

Jade gulped. Good idea. Jade spun on his heel and sprinted away from the two Kull towards the opposite side of the clearing, closer the direction Stone was approaching from. Three more Kull smashed their way through the bushes Jade was headed to, bearing long swords honed to a deadly point. Jade skidded to a stop and looked around. The five Kull were all spreading out, forming a circle around him, and getting closer all the while. Their scent was caught by the wind and passed by Jade. They smelt of old meat that had gone bad, and by the blood smeared on their cheeks, they had feasted recently.

It was time to choose a side, rather than be hemmed in. Jade lifted his bow to eye level and drew back his left arm across his chest, feeling his shoulder blades nearly touching and the soft tickle of the feathers from the arrow shaft upon his cheek. Jade drew a bead and in the one fluent motion, fired. The arrow took a Kull through the eye, dropping him to the ground. The other creatures lifted their heavy shields in defense and spread out wider to make up for their lost comrade, beginning a war chant while marching towards Jade. He shot two arrows in rapid succession at one enemy, one high and one low. The Kull caught the first missile on his shield and managed to deflect the second somewhat. It pierced his thigh and drew naught but a grunt and a wave of blood.

Jade was beginning to grow worried. Stone was still miles away and the Kull has begun to run, the injured one not even limping from the shaft embedded in its leg. Jade fired three more arrows, none of them hitting their intended target, before he was forced to drop his bow and draw the sword belted at his waist. The sword's emerald blade gleamed in the morning sun, reflecting rays of light in seemingly random directions. The sight of the blade brought up Jade's spirits, giving him a whole new level of confidence.

He was considered a remarkable swordsman for an elf of his age, but Jade was no more than a child among his people. Four Kull however, could take down a battalion of armored troops if they worked together. Together they were working at the moment, and Jade was no battalion of soldiers.

Sword high in the air, and a savage war cry on his lips, Jade rushed the wounded Kull, hoping to use the injury, though minor it seemed, to his advantage. The Kull's loincloth was soaked in blood on one side. At the sight of it Jade realized these must be renegades, otherwise they would be outfitted for war. The thought distracted him and nearly lost Jade his right arm. His sword flashed out in time to parry, but the awkward angle jarred his wrist and forearm. Gods, they are strong!

Stone's voice popped into his mind. Be careful! Brawn alone won't get you through this. I'll be there as fast as I can! Just hold on, please!

Jade didn't reply, but he knew Stone would understand.

Before the other Kull could reach them, Jade went into a complex attack with his blade, bringing it high and low, forward and backward. It flashed with green light every time he lifted it high enough for the sun to make it through a break in the tall trees on the edge of the clearing. The Kull slashed at his leg and Jade dropped his sword down, deflecting the blow rather than taking the brunt of it. The Kull was off balance, and this was his time to act. It brought its shield up to guard its head and neck but that attack was naught but a feint. Jade deftly turned his sword inside the reach of the shield at the last minute and cut deeply into the Kull's chest, tearing through a lung cleanly. The beast grunted in surprise and screamed.

A grim smile came onto Jade's face as he pulled the blade free, or tried to. The Kull dropped his shield and sword and grabbed the emerald sword in one hand, and Jade's arm in the other. It pulled Jade towards it and, letting go of the blade, punched him hard in the jaw. Jade fell backward, but managed to retain the hold on his sword. It ripped free bringing a fresh wave of blood with it that drenched Jade's tunic. The Kull fell to the ground, feeling death's cold embrace, and welcoming it with open arms. Instinct alone saved Jade and he rolled to the side. A long and rusted sword cut deep into the dirt beside him with a spray of grass and pebbles. The remaining three Kull had reached him.

Jade rolled backwards and pushed off with his hands, launching himself unsteadily onto his feet. He felt dizzy and dazed and his jaw stung from the Kull's brutal punch a moment ago.

As the three Kull approached him a thought came to Jade and he faced it with grim determination. He was going to die, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He was faster and stronger than a single Kull but against three he stood no chance. Stone understood what he was thinking and through the mental link came only a feeling of deep regret and sorrow. One Jade returned wholeheartedly. I love you. They both said at the same time. Jade smiled and the three Kull approaching him halted, wary of their adversary. Jade raised his sword above him one final time and charge. As he ran a word came unbidden to his mind. Something he had heard one of the elder riders say during a fight, but had forgotten all about. Jade has no idea what it meant but it sounded appropriate for the situation.

"Jierda!" He screamed with all the confidence and power he could muster. Jade felt his strength drain away and he stumbled into the dirt. As he fell he heard three sharp cracks and two muffled screams. He felt tired, but forced himself upright, using his sword as leverage. Shock hit him like a thunderbolt. The three urgals were on the ground. One with a broken neck, and two others clutching at their chests, heaving and coughing loudly, their faces contorted in grimaces of pain.

Thud.

Jade looked up to the sky in time to catch a gust of wind on the face.

Thud.

A dark shape shot through the sky and pulled up sharply overhead of Jade. He covered his eyes from the barrage of cold air that struck his face every time the dragon's wings flapped. The dragon, Stone, was covered in iridescent shades of green that shimmered across his body in small patches. One colour to each scale. Most scales were the same emerald green colour as Jade's sword but some others were shaded from the light and took on a dark green hue. Stone landed with a solid crash on the bodies of the two urgals, ending their pain instantly. He growled and roared towards the forest, then turned his attention to Jade.

It's okay Stone, they're dead.

I know. I was watching through your mind. I do not know what you did, but if I had to put a name to your revelation, it would be magic. Stone sounded surprised and a little curious as well.

Jade agreed. I can think of no other reason for what just happened. But I just can't see it. Me…. A magician.