Author note: please keep in mind as you read that I have not read the final book, so anything from that will not correspond with this!(sorry) therefore I consider this as kind of an alternative to the last book. even though some parts contradict the timeline a bit i tried to keep it correlating with the original books as much as possible! hopefully you can follow it and enjoy it!

Saphira! Eragon cried out in fright with his mind as well as his voice.

I'm coming little one! She replied failing to hide her concern as she abruptly abandoned her hunt to return to Eragon. The huge monstrosities were nearly upon Eragon as Saphira came into view, flapping her wings madly through the stormy grey sky.

I can't overpower them, there are simply too many! Eragon informed her as he struggled to fight of the relentless beasts.

Roaring with anger Saphira lunged at Eragon's attackers, flames spewing from her gaping mouth. No one harms my Eragon while I'm around. She said it with such strong anger, it nearly overwhelmed Eragon to feel it. Saphira dropped with talons outstretched ready to crush the barbaric beasts as soon as she had hold of them. Just as her massive claws were to make contact with one of the attacker's helm she was thrust back by an unseen force. Saphira let loose a rumble mixed with a yelp of pain and surprise. Through their connection Eragon could feel the immensity of which the wards had cast her away and was amazed by the magnitude of it.

Saphira no! Eragon shouted as she began to prepare for another attack on the group. It's not going to work, their wards are far too strong for us to penetrate, and it's only weakening us! He quickly said to her as she was once again thrust away with no contact on her prey.

Letting loose another deafening roar she growled, No one harms my rider, and NO ONE denies me my prey! You will pay for this, and if you so much as lay one grimy finger upon Eragon there will be no peace until I have had my way with you! The ferocity of which she declared her fierce words were such that Eragon was almost convinced they had to have been audible to everyone within ten miles of the site.

As Saphira wriggled and writhed to right herself once again upon the dry earth a loud peal of thunder broke out sending streaking light throughout the skies above. Droplets began to fall and within a matter of seconds the light droplets morphed into a full-fledged downpour, soaking everything in sight, as well as dousing the fire to a mere pile of coal.

Weakened by the toll Saphira's attempts at the wards had taken on him, Eragon pleaded to Saphira, Please, don't try it again it isn't going to do anything! He continued to slash his sword attempting to fend off the attackers as he was slowly being pushed closer and closer towards the side of the valley, as well as the towering wall of rock and granite covering it. In the meantime Eragon relentlessly racked his brain, searching for a possible way to penetrate the wards through means of magic. However every time he thought of something that could work he had to abandon the spell when he found it was only draining his energy exponentially more than his opponents'.

I can't let them harm you! She replied viciously, still enraged. She crouched near to the ground, looking as a cat ready to pounce, her wings drawn up behind her.

We can't take another blow like that Saphira, please listen to me! Think of a way to get me out rather than just killing everything in between! Eragon pleaded once again. Eragon slowly became aware of an emotion; one he thought he had long since forgotten. He was a rider now, and with his heightened skills from the agaeti blohdren he had had hardly a reason to fear anything as of late. However this situation had awoken that emotion once again. The creatures, the likes of which he had never seen before, except possibly in one of Oromis's scrolls, however the memory was so faint he was not sure he really had or not. They were massive, and would have towered over even the tallest of urgals. His view of them was not clear as his vision was obscured by the darkness of the skies and the torrent of rain pouring from within them. What he knew however was that their eyes glowed an unnatural shade of deep yellow and the breath which emanated from the rows of jagged rotted teeth was nearly as foul as the razac, making him want to vomit at the smell. They were monstrous even aside from their height, as they were just as thick around, one leg being as wide around as Eragon's whole torso.

The group had come seemingly out of nowhere, surprising Eragon as he had not even sensed them approaching. He had been leisurely relaxing by the fire propped against his saddle bag, reflecting on the past months, his eyes resting closed. Saphira was off not far away looking for a snack of some sort. One moment he was envisioning Roran and the rest of Carvahall, and the next a gang of four bloodthirsty savages was upon him, leaving him hardly enough time to unsheathed Brisingr and gain his surroundings as he stood ready to defend himself. It seemed to him as though they had simply appeared out of thin air; however he still chided himself for not noticing their presence sooner, which would have prevented the dangerous predicament he found himself in at the moment.

Magic won't penetrate the wards, Eragon continued. Or at least I can't happen upon the right spell. He was now mere steps from the cliff walls, his mind racing like a rabbit being intently pursued.

The only option I can fathom is to obliterate the foul lot of them! Saphira said fueled by rage.

Saphira please, we have no chance fighting them simply by physical strength! Don't you understand you'll only be killing us both! Eragon cried out still searching for the perfect pairing and arranging of words to end the attack.

And magic isn't helping us either, so what do you suggest we do? Saphira vehemently replied, her tone exuding the frustration she felt.

I don't know! Eragon shouted in return, just as frustrated and as on edge as she was.

Just as Eragon was going to scream out of pure anger, confusion and frustration he heard a whistling, which he quickly identified as an arrow soaring through the air. Throwing his mind into the vicinity, still blocked from the monsters' minds, he soon identified a stranger hiding in a clump of trees. Before he could investigate more a piercing squeal emanated from the mouth of one of the beasts as he slowly swung his arm around to find the wound at the base of the back of his neck. He laboriously yanked the shaft from his flesh. To Eragon's surprise the head of the arrow glowed a turquoise light blue, fading as the injured victim inspected it. The other three beasts had paused their attacks to stare at their injured comrade with surprise, and what Eragon and Saphira perceived as disbelief. However one still managed to grab hold of Eragon with its huge palms, keeping him from escaping. With a painful groan the beast that had been struck lumbered a few steps then slowly fell to his knees and continued until he was lying flat on his side in a cloudy puddle on the rain soaked ground, the arrow still in its clasped hand.