Chapter 1: The village

A/N: This is my version of the third book. I couldn't think of a good title that began with an e. So I used on responsibility if your wondering where the heck Encumbrance came from. I chose to have it after Eragon and Roran rescued Katrina because of reasons I'll explain later.

Eragon lay in the tent that he shared with his cousin, Roran, fast asleep. That was spoiled however when he felt someone shake him awake.

Eragon groaned and opened his eyes to find Arya looming over him.

"What is it?" Eragon mumbled wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"Apparently Galbatorix's men ran low on supplies on their way back to Uru'bean," Arya said solemnly. "They ransacked a village not far from here. We have to go and search for survivors."

Eragon sighed and pulled on his boots. Saphira, are you there?

Yes, little one. The dragon replied, Arya has already told me of the village. I'm on my way.

Great. You know, you'd think they'd lay off the pillaging for a while. I mean the battle was only week ago. Eragon stood up with a grunt. Three days after the battle Eragon and Roran had gone to Helgrind to retrieve his fiancée Katrina. Adding that to the physical exertion of the battle on the Burning Planes Eragon had yet to get his full strength back.

Cruelty does not take the day off, little one.

I know, but I can dream can't I?"

Murtagh looked around the demolished town.

If you must go to a village leave no survivors. Those had been the king's exact words and looking around Murtagh was sure he wouldn't find any. When the men had been let loose on the village they had raided the houses killing men, women and children.

Murtagh knew he had better double check. Galbatorix would be mad enough when he found out that his brother was still alive. The last thing he needed was a survivor looking to avenge his home.

Thorn, Murtagh called out with his mind. Do you sense any survivors?

One, Thorn replied hesitantly. A little girl, around three or four, is in the woods just outside the village.

Murtagh suddenly understood Thorn's reluctance. The rider and his dragon had many things in common, including a surprising partialness for children.

Murtagh sighed, he had not been able to stop the men before they had killed the children and he just didn't have it in him to let another child die. Leave the girl. I'll tell her to stay hidden.

Good, was all he got back.

Murtagh reached out to the girl with his mind. Can you hear me, little one?

How come I'm hearing voices in my head? A small voice squeaked in his head.

It's all right, sweetie. I'm Murtagh. How did you get in the woods?

My Mommy sent me to get some water and on my way back I heard people screaming so I hid.

Murtagh was at a loss of words. From the air he had seen that the nearest river had been a little under a mile away and this girl sounded to be only four-years-old. However he simply told himself to think of the girl. Clearly the Varden would come soon to survey the damage.

All right, just stay where you are. Sometime after these men leave some people will come and get you.

With that Murtagh saddled Thorn and ordered the men to head off.

Eragon looked around at the dismal remains of the village around him. The pouring rain had put out the burning buildings, but the wood still steamed clouding the air with so much smoke it was like a gray fog.

"There are no survivors," Eragon repeated what Arya had just told him.

"Not one." Arya whispered looking at one of the many bodies scattered on the road.

"Try to sense someone in the woods." Eragon sounded determined. "There's no way they could have wiped out this entire village."

Arya knew it was hopeless but tried anyway. What happened when she did surprised her.

"Eragon?" Arya opened her eyes that were now glowing with urgency.

"I know." Eragon replied.

Together they raced to the forest at the northern end of the village. For both of them had sensed the same thing, a human presence so faint that it could only mean that death would soon claim the village's sole survivor.

Arya and Eragon began to search the forest floor for the presence they had felt.

"Eragon!" Eragon went to Arya's side.

There on the forest floor was a little girl around four-years-old. Her clothes and body were soaked through, her skin pale and her lips blue.

Arya immediately took the girl into her arms, on the verge of tears. Children were sacred to elves.

The little girl opened her eyes and gazed at Eragon through Arya's rain soaked hair.

She smiled. "I knew you'd come. He said you would."

With that the girl closed her eyes and slumped in Arya's arms.

A/N: Who is this girl? Will she live? Is she already dead? You'll find out in the next chapter. As soon as I get at least one review that is.