FATE'S PROBE

The rain fell, putting out the fumes of the Burning Plains, even if for a short while. Eragon's nostrils flared, still unaccustomed to the stench emitted from the wasteland.

Calm yourself, little one. Everything will work out, don't think such thoughts. Saphira mentally soothed Eragon.

Unconvinced, Eragon continued to brood, thinking of his father. His father, Morzan. He hated and would forever hate his father. He swore in the ancient language, and kicked the dirt floor of his tent.

Rain seeped in through the seams of the tent. They landed in Eragon's lap. He looked up; a drop fell on his nose. Perhaps some flying would be good. He whispered to Sahpira.

Yes, but is such weather? I am not sure I could keep air.

Eragon sigh, he knew she could not, but what else was there to do.

He lay on his cot, too tired to do anything, and he went numb, to all feeling, to all thoughts, and he embraced this time away from the haunting memories Murtagh had left him with after the battle. And he drifted into unconsciousness.

Saphira woke him. Little one, the rain has stopped.

Eragon took the meaning in Saphira's words and stepped out of his tent. He combed his disheveled hair with his fingers and climbed onto Saphira.

She was wearing the saddle Brom had made. Eragon fingered the leather edge, sadness flooding into Saphira through their mental link.

I miss him. Eragon said.

Yes, as do I, but today we fly to leave these thoughts on the ground. A new perspective is what we all need sometimes. Saphira replied.

Eragon tightened the straps of the crude leather saddle, and Saphira launched herself into the still moist air.

Eragon hugged her around her neck; he could just barely touch his fingers on the other side. Thank you. He sigh, I don't know what I would do without you.

I suppose you would live like everyone else.

Saphira! Eragon wined, you know what I mean.

Saphira chuckled, Yes; you would be lost without me, a nobody.

Me? And what of you, would you live fine without me?

I love you.

Eragon repeated himself.

I love you; you know what I would be without you. Saphira said.

What? Eragon inquired.

Well if I hadn't known you, I would still be in my egg, oblivious to the world.

Then we need each other. He paused, Don't ever leave me.

Never. Saphira promised.

They flew in silence for a time, glad to have each other, glad to be in each other's presence.

We should go back. Eragon decided.

Yes. Saphira agreed; they had been flying for over an hour.

Saphira dropped, a good hundred feet, clouds still below them.

A probe entered Eragon's mind, causing him to jerk and thrash about in the saddle, this was not a human probe, rather fate's own probe.

Eragon! But Saphira's worried cry never reached him, he was plummeting down towards the earth, unaware of his surroundings.