Arya was awoken by a loud crash and a roar. She jerked up and ran out of her tent to see what was causing the commotion. Saphira was lying on the ground with blood all over her,some hers and some not. Arya rushed up and asked mentally,What happened?Where is Eragon? Saphira roared through Arya's mind,I do not know!Leave me be she-elf!I need to gather my thoughts.
Saphira rested her head on her forepaws and did not move for a moment. Arya walked all around her checking for wounds. There were none. Arya could sense the lingering presence of magic all around the sapphire dragon.
I was hunting when...Murtagh and Thorn came...I called for my Eragon...and he came...we were losing. Shh,Saphira,gather yourself and try to be coherent,Arya said in Saphira's mind,Is Eragon still alive?
Yes. But gone from here. Far away,Saphira said through Arya's mind. By now Nasuada had arrived with two Nighthawks of each race at her heels."Arya,what's going on!"Nasuada barked out."Murtagh and Thorn attacked. Eragon was fighting them and lost. He is gone now,"Arya replied.
"Was he taken to Uru'baen?"Nasuada asked. No,Saphira suddenly answered."Where then?"Nasuada and Arya asked in unison,"And how did you get away?" The Rider,Saphira said simply.
"Who is this 'Rider',Saphira?Was he the one who healed you?"Arya asked. I do not know who he was. I could sense a murderous ancient mind in him,but yes,he healed me I think,Saphira answered."Galbatorix?"Nasuada asked.
No. Murtagh did not know him and attacked him. I blacked out before I saw what happened. When I awoke I was healed and I was ALONE!Saphira roared through their minds."Can you tell if Eragon is still alive?"Arya asked as a single crystal tear shed from her emerald green eye and down her alabaster cheek.
Yes...And do not pretend to care elf!I know all too well what transpired on Agaeti Blodhren!You made your feelings for him abundantly clear!Saphira snarled into Arya's mind alone.
It is irrelevant now!He is gone!What I think of him does not make a difference!Arya screeched into the angry sapphire dragon's mind. Saphira's tail swished wildly, destroying things all around them and a trickle of flame was beginning to build in her throat.
It makes every difference!I thought you to at least be mildly intelligent,but your every word proves me wrong!He loved you and you broke his heart!Saphira roared through Arya's mind. A small jet of flame escaped her throat and lit a cart of hay ablaze. Arya cringed back from the angry dragoness.
By now a small crowd of Varden soldiers had gathered to watch the increasingly angry dragon bear down on the increasingly fearful elf for some unknown reason.
It will be terrible for morale if the men find out about Eragon,Nasuada thought."Enough,"Nasuada said commandingly,"We will discuss it in the morrow. For now,let us rest."Saphira launched skyward and Arya ran to her tent.
Soon there was far more than a single tear flowing from her emerald eyes.