Chapter 1

I

was dreaming. Or at least I think I was … all I know is that I was falling deeper and deeper into oblivion. The world made no sense to me anymore. Cats were dogs, mom was actually dad, and I was no longer Andrea Shepherd. I was a fairy, fluttering in the sparkling branches of a huge Maple tree. Except that this was no ordinary Maple tree … its trunk was purple, and its leaves were bright orange. Oh, it was magnificent! The sun was shining down on me, except that when I glared right back, it did not hurt my sharp, blue eyes. What a beauty it was! I never appreciated the sun as much as I did in that moment. Probably because, come to think of it, I've never really looked …

As I examined my pointed fairy wings, the atmosphere changed. Suddenly, it was very cold. The shining sun was gone and the trees were brown and green once more. I shivered involuntarily as I gazed around me. I was confused and frustrated. I wanted to stay as that fairy. Life was so simple and perfect. What happened to it? And just as I took a step in a random direction, there was a loud popping noise and suddenly there was smoke everywhere. Without realizing it, I was on the ground coughing and spluttering. I got up slowly and waved my hand in the air to clear it. Then I saw it … it was giant; as big as my head. I walked over to it and lifted it up. Gasp! It was the most beautiful stone I had ever seen! It was oval and smooth, deep blue, like sapphire, with tiny vein-like designs embedded in it. What was more surprising however, was its weight. It hardly weighed a pound, when it should really have weighed more like ten! I felt the deep texture in amazement. What was I going to do with it? I couldn't possibly just leave it here. As I pondered this, I heard a noise which startled me. It was coming from the bushes.

"Who's there?" I asked nervously. Surely I should know, this was my dream after all! But I didn't know, so I waited for a reply. Instead, a boy, around my age I guessed, with honey blonde hair hesitantly walked out from behind the trees. We stared at each other for a while. It was strange, this felt so familiar. Too familiar …

"Um, hi there," he said. I waited. "My name is Eragon," he muttered uncertainly. It was obvious that he wanted that rock, which would explain why he stole longing glances at it.

"Eragon?!" I exclaimed in amazement. Of course! I was in his story! Actually living in his life! This was not a rock at all! How foolish I was to even think so. It was an egg; Saphira's egg, to be exact. Eragon was suppose to find it, and once it hatched, he would have a magnificent sapphire dragon, and become the first dragon-rider to walk free in Alagaesia since the rise of the evil king, Galbatorix.

"H-Have we met?" he asked uncertainly.

"No, no. Your name just surprised me, that's all." I replied hastily. He seemed unconvinced, but he didn't press me. At that moment, I saw him tear his suspicious gaze from my face once more and lay his eyes on the egg I now cradled in my arms.

"Where did you find that?" Eragon asked me.

"Um, right here actually." I said. "Didn't you hear that loud booming noise as well?" I asked.

"Yeah, there was smoke everywhere … then I saw you in the clearing holding that rock." He said, pointing to it.

"Yes, well I really think that you should have it. I don't think I need any pretty rocks at the moment." I told him, keeping my tone light. At this suggestion his face lit up.

"Well, thanks … this'll buy me a week's load of meat." He said cheerily. I chuckled nervously. I was still weary to let him take the egg to Sloan to trade for meat. Even though I knew the butcher wouldn't accept it, I always grew uneasy at this part in the book. "Well, here you go then." I said, handing him the egg.

"Thanks! Hey, would you like join me and my family for supper? It's the least I can do to thank you." He asked. I didn't know what to say. I tried frantically to make a decision in my head. If I went to the butcher shop with him, what's the worst that can happen? Seeing his cousin Roran and his uncle Garrow would be nice too … And why not? This was a just dream after all…

"Sure, why not?" I replied with a smile. And with that said, we trudged off in the direction I assumed was out of the woods, which by now I realized was actually called the Spine. (The Spine was a forbidden forest to the folks living in Carvahall, who claimed it was cursed.)

Once we made it into the village, I was able to see the butcher shop. It was a broad, thick-beamed building with black smoke seeping out of the chimney-top. Eragon pushed open the heavy door and held it out for me to enter. The shop was warm and well lit by a fire crackling in the fireplace. Everything was impressively clean, but this did not seem out of character, for reading the entire book gave me a good sense of what the butcher was like. Behind the counter stood Sloan. Yes, he was just like I had always pictured him. He was small with a sallow, pockmarked face gazing suspiciously at anyone who came too near. He sneered at Eragon, not seeming to notice me hovering in the corner. He began to mock Eragon on yet another failed hunt. But Eragon ignored Sloan's sourness and brought out the egg (which he thought was just a rock) to show him.

A new gleam shined in Sloan's eyes as he gazed at the egg. Eragon explained that he found it while hunting, but Sloan muttered something like "stole it is more likely." But Eragon simply ignored the comment and asked if that will be enough for the meat. This was the part in the book where Sloan asked about the egg's value, and Eragon was unsure. He then proceeded to attempt to offer ten times less than what it might be worth in Eragon's opinion. After a hasty moment's pause, which I knew was giving Eragon time to make the decision to accept his greedy bargain, he finally snapped "fine, I accept." Sloan looked immensely pleased with himself.

Then the moment I was anticipating happened. Sloan asked Eragon where he got the "rock" anyway, and Eragon replied with no hesitation, "the Spine." Everything after that happened in a blur. Sloan started cursing and frantically yelling. He even cut himself with one of his butcher knives, but didn't even seem to notice. I saw Eragon hurriedly gather the egg to protect it from Sloan's wrath. As this went on, Eragon quickly turned around and threw me an apologetic look, as if trying to excuse Sloan's bad behaviour around me. But just then, the heavy door slammed open and in came a large hulky man. I knew this must be Horst, the town's smith. After a quick scuffle between the smith and the butcher, Horst ended up paying for Eragon's meat in return for Eragon's help during the summer season since his own son will no longer be able to help out. Eragon accepted willingly enough, but little did he know that he would be on an epic adventure long before the summer rolled in…

Once everything was more settled down and Eragon followed Horst outside, I followed reluctantly. When I stepped outside, only then did Horst actually notice my presence. "Oh, who's this Eragon?" he asked curiously.

"Well this is … um… actually; I don't think you've even mentioned your name." Eragon told me with an encouraging smile. I was nervous to speak in front of Horst, who looked like he could snap my body in half if he wanted to. "I-I'm Andrea. Just Andrea." I said shakily. But the questions weren't over yet.

"Andrea? What an odd sort of name. You're not from these parts by the looks of you. Where're you from lass?" Horst asked.

Oh God! Think of something Andy! What was that other country I read about in the book? Um, Gildrid? No, uh, Gileed, no no! Oh! I remember!

"I am from Gil'ead." I replied confidently. But somehow, Horst didn't seem overly satisfied. "Ah well, good day to you Eragon!" as he turned to walk away, Eragon seemed to quickly remember something and called him back. He looked slightly embarrassed as he gave me a sidelong look and beckoned for Horst to crouch down so he could whisper something in his ear.

I turned away slightly. Of course I already knew what he was saying. He was giving Horst a message from his cousin Roran so that Horst could pass it on to Katrina, who happened to be the Butcher's daughter, and the young woman who Roran was in love with. He was saying how Roran would come and fetch her soon and something about her being the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on; also that she is all he thinks about …

After Eragon was done, Horst broke into a broad grin, slapped Eragon on the back good-naturedly but said nothing, probably since I was standing right there. Instead of saying anything, he winked at Eragon, nodded towards me and strolled away. Eragon cut in before, he assumed, I could ask any questions about the encounter.

"Alright, let's get home then. It's getting dark." He said, glancing up at the sky and beckoned me to follow.

As we walked along the narrow winding path up the road towards Palancar Valley where his house rested, he started asking quite uncomfortable questions about me.

"So, where do you live now?"

"Where is your family?"

"How did you get to be in Carvahall?"

I managed to shrug off most of his questions by using the safest lies.

"I camp out in the woods."

"I walked from Gil'ead to Carvahall without even having a real destination in mind."

"I am orphaned after both my parents were attacked by Urgals last year." At this comment, Eragon's face twisted in sympathized pain. He even related by stating that he didn't have parents either. I nodded and kept quiet. Of course I knew that the old storyteller in the village, Brom, whom Eragon has actually known his entire life, is his real biological father in disguise.

When I didn't reply he peered over at me. He could only make out my silhouette now that the sun was just setting.

"You know, you really shouldn't be camping out in the Spine on your own." He told me, even though I could tell he sounded slightly impressed. I shrugged and looked away.

"I'm not afraid of what lurks in there. Nothing can hurt me…" which was true since this was only a dream and if I die, I'll just wake up. He however, didn't know this and still looked displeased.

"I thought you didn't mind being in the Spine either," I contested. "Didn't you just camp in the woods for a few days as well?"

He shrugged and said, "yeah, but I was armed, and I'm not a …" I raised my eyebrows. I could guess what he was just about to say.

"What, a girl? You think I'd be helpless without a 'strong man to protect me?'" I mocked. He turned slightly pink and looked away.

"You just don't come off as the tough, independent female type …" he drawled on. I rolled my eyes but came off it. To be honest, I was the complete opposite of a tough, independent female in reality. Wow, I really like this dream world. I can be anything I want here. The only annoying part was that even figments of my own imagination knew the truth of it. I was a weak, helpless sissy in real life. Even that unfortunate part of you will follow you into your dreams …

As it got darker, I could just make out the silhouette of a small, old cottage resting on a vast hill. Eragon led me right up to the door and called to his uncle.

"Uncle, it's me Eragon, let me in." Garrow responded by pushing open the door and standing back to face his nephew. After a brief greeting, he turned towards me skeptically.

"Who's this Eragon?" he asked. Eragon told him my name and that he found me wandering in the forest. Garrow looked displeased. He beckoned for Eragon to follow him into the tiny kitchen, putting his finger to his lips to signify silence.

"Roran's asleep," he explained to Eragon and me. Eragon nodded and told me quietly to wait where I was. I did not protest. Eragon and his uncle went through another set of doors which I assumed led into the rest of the house. As I waited for their return, I peered around me curiously. There was a lantern flickering on an old wood table that looked so ancient the grain stood up in tiny ridges like a giant fingerprint. Next to it there was a woodstove, with rows of cooking utensils hanging on the wall. I sat down in a chair and waited. I could already guess what they were discussing. Garrow was probably telling him that it was foolish to let me into their home when they don't even know who I am.

"She could be a thief for all we know…" I imagined Garrow spitting out.

As time passed on and still they did not return, I started to get curious. I stood up and quickly dashed to the second set of doors. I opened them just a crack and glanced through. They were huddled over a table, examining what I could only assume was the precious egg. I heard hushed whispering from Eragon that sounded like,

"Uncle, she found it in the woods. She offered to give it to us for nothing in return, what was I suppose to do? Offering her some shelter and food was the least I could do to thank her for her generosity…" I heard Garrow give an exaggerated exhale and examine the egg.

"Well, I s'pose one meal can't hurt. We will bring this stone with us to the next gathering of the traders in Carvahall. One of 'em is sure to know what this is worth," he said gesturing to the shimmering egg. Eragon agreed and carefully put it back into his sack. He then proceeded to walk into another room and came out without it.

I saw Garrow get up and accompany Eragon to the door which I was frantically closing. I rushed back to my seat at the table and waited for them to enter. Eragon came in first and sat next to me. Apparently Garrow had already prepared a meal and set it on the table.

After we ate, in silence, Garrow cleaned up the table and made an excuse that he was tired. He bid us both goodnight and disappeared into his room. Eragon and I sat in silence for a while, appreciating the quiet peaceful night, before he got up and held out his hand to help me stand.

"It's been a tiresome day, how 'bout we both try to get some rest?" I agreed and accepted his hand. He led me to the corner of the room right next to the fireplace. There were multiple blankets on top of each other with a single pillow.

"Sorry, it was all the spare sheets that we had left…" he said apologizing. But honestly, I couldn't have asked for anything better. It looked so cozy and warm that there was really nothing to complain about.

"Nonsense, it's perfect. Thank you Eragon, for everything." I told him sincerely, and crawled under the sheets. He smiled awkwardly, said goodnight and went into his room. I was left to stare up at the ceiling and think about all that had happened. This was starting to become a very vivid dream indeed. Was I supposed to be able to see all of the tiny grains etched in the wooden ceiling? Or the bright sparks that escaped the fireplace? I wasn't so sure. But I didn't question it. I was sure that once I fell asleep in the dream world, I would once again wake up in my own reality. With that reassuring thought, I drifted off to sleep …