Chapter 1
Ten Years passed over Alagaësia, ten horrible years. After defeating the Riders in the Battle of Doru Araeba, Galbatorix tracked down and killed all of his former tutors, along with Vrail, the former leader of the Riders. Next he rid the plains of the Elves establishing an Empire stretching from Palancar Valley to the Boers, from the sea to the Hadarac Desert. Next he and the accursed Foresworn attacked the Dwarves driving them underground. The only bright point was the rise of a semi-stable kingdom in the south, that teetered on the edge of succession from the Empire.
Many Human's and Elves were forced to flee Galbatorix and the Foresworn, being categorized as enemies of the King. Many fled south into Surda, some north into Du Weldenvarden. Some were so desperate to escape they even fled directly into the blistering heat of the Hadarac Desert.
A strange sight could be found in the northern part of the Desert. While most groups that ventured in had horses and traveled in large groups, this group traveled on foot, and contained only three people: a tall man with streaks of dark and blond hair, the second man had dark hair and was actually an elf upon close inspection, and finally another elf, this one a woman with auburn hair.
They were refugees from the Empire. Their parents had been captured for being loyal to the Rider's, shortly following their execution the Empire had set out to capture the children of the traitors. They had fled the capital quickly after the decree was issued. Originally there had been over twelve people in their group. The harshness of the desert and occasional raids by the Foresworn however had whittled their number down to three.
"Kale, what is that?" The female elf asked pointing ahead at a looming structure.
The human looked up to where she was pointing and examined it. The structure looked safe, and with a quick check of the sun's position he turned back to her.
"Shelter." He answered.
The three quickly crossed the distance between themselves and the structure. As they approached the female elf spotted a cave about fifty feet up the side of the cliff.
"Aéron, can you lift us up there?" She asked.
Estimating the distance the male elf replied, "I think so, you first Aràzàdí." The elf, Aéron quickly set himself, then called out "Rísa!"
Immediately the female elf, Aràzàdí, rose into the air, straight for the edge of the cliff.
Once she was safely up, Aéron turned to the man, "You next, Rísa."
Kale shot skyward, slowly reaching the ledge, once he felt the last tendrils of Aéron's magic lift off, he stepped forward away from the ledge. As he did so a bright flash caught his eye, looking around for the source, he found nothing.
"Kale, I'll need your help, may I?" Aràzàdí asked.
"Ya." Kale answered lowering the barriers around his mind.
After a slight pause Aràzàdí muttered, "Rísa."
Kale felt the energy rush out of him as Aéron rose up toward them. Within a few seconds, he was up and the drain on his energy disappeared. The three walked silently toward the cave. They stopped a few feet in front of it while Aéron examined as much of it as he could, extending his consciousness out.
"There's nothing living in there." Aéron finally concluded sitting down.
Reaching for his bag, he pulled out a loaf of bread and pulled off a small chunk, and began eating. Aràzàdí also sat, while Kale moved around so he'd be in a better position. Again a bright flash blinded him temporarily as he looked around for the source.
This time he was able to find it, it was coming from a small alcove set into the side of the cave wall about waist high a single ray of light made it into the alcove because of the angle of the sun. In the alcove Kale could see a single long piece of metal which was reflecting the light back at him.
"What is that?" Kale asked, moving toward the alcove.
"I don't know" Aràzàdí replied.
Kale walked slowly toward the indentation in the cave wall, cautiously approaching it. When he was finally to it, he reached his hand in and grabbed the metal. With a yell he pulled his hand back a small gash across his palm clearly visible.
Their weapons, Kale realized reaching back in again, closer to him.
There he found the hilts of three swords, which he pulled out. When the sun hit them a flash of color emerged from the blades. Kale stared wide eyed at the iridescent blades. The first was a stunning violet, the second a rich green, and the last was pure white.
As he removed the swords, Kale also felt them knock against something else in the small hollow. Reaching gingerly back into the hole he found three large lumps, lifting the first one out he looked down at it. It was the same stunning violet color as the sword, with large white veins running through it.
The look was unmistakable, yet Kale still asked, "Is this what I think it is?"
Aràzàdí stood and rushed over to him, taking the dragon egg, and examining it.
"This is a dragon egg." She said shock clearly visible.
"There are two more in here." Kale replied reaching back in and pulling out another one. This one a rich green color identical to the second sword.
He passed that one to Aéron before reaching back in and pulling out the last stone holding with the pattern it was pure white.
Setting the three stones into a pile, with the swords next to them, Kale looked at the scabbards, which were also inside the cave, there was writing on them.
"Aéron, what do those say?" Kale asked.
Looking over, Aéron answered, "The purple one is Kveykva, lightning, the green one says Rauthr, misfortune, and the white one is, Wyrda, fate."
"So what do we do now?" Aràzàdí asked looking at the three eggs.
Aéron lay back staring up at the stars that were becoming visible. "Let's deal with this in the morning. I'm tired."
With silent agreement passing between them, they all laid down in a circle, surrounding the stones, with the ominous question still hanging over them.
