Thanks for the reviews, its really appreciated. Disclaimer is CP owns Inheritance Cycle, I'm just introducing some of my own ideas to this story. I can't promise anything regular around updates, juggling this around school and family could be difficult, but will update whenever possible. Read and enjoy (hopefully)

Chapter 1 Escape

"Du grind huildr, " he yelled, the gates of Dras Leona coming to a jarring halt.

The horses hooves clattered over the cobbled streets as he and Brom emerged from Dras Leona, leaving the sounds of disarray far behind. Eragon quickly released the magic before swaying in the saddle, the world going dark around him, blood pounding in his ears. Is this what Brom meant about not using too much energy ? he thought sarcastically, remembering the many lectures that Brom had given him before a resounding bellow echoed in his mind.

Eragon yelled Saphira mentally, causing the horses to flinch and break stride. He lurched awkwardly to the left in his saddle glancing up as he did so, a huge blue object blotting out the sun, light reflecting in crazy sapphire patterns off her scales. Saphira had arrived.

Are you alright? she questioned him with concern.

Brom also looked at him with worry, but was distracted before he could say anything by the fearsome appearance of Saphira as she landed, her tail lashing across the ground in frustration, her fangs glistening in the sunlight, appearing very white to his tired eyes. He caught himself before he drifted off any further, turning his attention to a very annoyed Saphira.

Every time I leave you alone, disaster strikes she accused Eragon while pinning him with a look.

He blinked sleepily at her, feeling guilty at their separation, but too exhausted to answer and her expression softened ever so slightly, before Brom interrupted chuckling

"As nice as this reunion is, now really isn't the time" he said, eyes burning under his shaggy eyebrows. Saphira glared at him in annoyance, her feelings seeping through their link to Eragon. Smiling slightly, he turned to Brom who was speaking

"Go, ride Saphira, it doesn't matter now if you are seen, the whole of the King's army will be on the look out for us anyway, speed and distance are of the essence now." With this, Brom rode off quickly on Snowfire, leading Cadoc behind him. Pacified for now, Saphira shuffled her wings before turning to him, allowing him easier access to the scrambled quickly up her side, avoiding her neck spikes before settling into the saddle.

I'm sorry Saphira, I wish we never had to be separated, but it was necessary here and in Teirm, but we may have to do it again, whether we like it or not." he sent across their link to the partner of his heart and mind, a rush of warm feelings accompanying his words, hoping to make her feel better. The only time she ever felt like this was when she was being protective he thought with a slight chuckle and a wry glance downwards.

I know little one, but I'm tired of waiting behind and hiding, a dragon is not meant to cower in the bushes, in fear of her enemies. I should be fighting alongside you against the two-legs and the Ra'zac.

Soon, Saphira, soon we will be able to fight together and then our enemies will cower in fear

Soon then she growled before falling silent. He looked around him string at the white clouds around him, his gaze travelling over the horizon and the distant outline of Leona Lake and even fainter, Dras Leona and Helgrind. Damn the Ra'zac he thought, recalling the events of earlier that day. Just thinking of what had transpired filled him with anger, his quest for revenge had been thwarted and by a handful of Imperial soldiers. If it was just the Ra'zac I would have stayed and fought, but not the soldiers too.

You were lucky to escape with your lives, both of you cautioned Saphira softly. The Ra'zac are very dangerous enemies and I dread to think of what their mounted steeds are like. No good creature would bear to carry them; only twisted servants of Galbatorix would do so.

He agreed with her but his frustration didn't entirely leave him. Instead he turned his attention towards the lone figure below and slightly to the left of them. Brom was riding hard, long hair whipping behind him and beard flying over his shoulder. They were approaching a small wooded hill and the horses began the ascent even as he watched. Brom looked up and waved, not bothering to contact him with his mind and Eragon did likewise. There was nothing to say.

As time passed he slowly slumped forwards in the saddle, still trying to scout for Brom, but he was just too tired after the magic that morning. I must become stronger to even complete the simple necessary tasks using magic. At the moment I am just a liability and a distraction to Saphira. Just opening a gate leaves me nearly unconscious.

That is not entirely true Eragon Saphira replied determinedly in his mind yes you may not be able to accomplish a lot with magic, but without you I am nothing, just the same as you are without me. But together we are strong. Besides, your swordsmanship is excellent and we are still training. Now sleep little one, I will watch over Brom, you regain your strength and put these thoughts behind you. You are not weak!

Thank you Saphira he said slowly, before resting his head on the saddle, closing his eyes as sleep took him.

...

All he could see was darkness, but he heard footsteps echoing around him. Suddenly a bright light appeared from a doorway and a body was thrown into the cell where he stood, now realising where he was. A woman lay unconscious on the floor, clothed in rags; all he could see was dark hair covering her face. The door was then slammed shut and he was thrown into darkness again.

...

He woke with a start, heart pounding and sweating slightly despite the cold. Many hours had passed and it was becoming colder as the afternoon went on. He thought of the woman in the cell, worrying for her, as it was obvious her condition was becoming worse. Something must be done to help her he thought. Saphira acknowledged his awakening with a rush of warm feelings and feeling happier he showed her the memory.

Saphira?

Yes little one?

I'm worried for that woman, I don't know her and I've never met her, but I feel a strange connection to her. Its as if we are similar in some way.

No little one, that feeling is not from you, it is me; I am familiar with her presence. It is as if she is someone I have known but forgotten. Our link passes this feeling on to you.

But that doesn't make any sense, if you knew her, I would as well and I've never seen her before in my life. I've been with you since you hatched, this is very strange that you would know her and I would not.

I know little one, it is not something I can explain, but I have been in her presence before.

Pondering these strange feelings of Saphira's, he failed to notice the lateness of the hour until Saphira showed him an image of the setting sun through her eyes.

Lets scout ahead and find a campsite for the night he suggested, sitting up straighter and feeling much better as his energy returned to him after his sleep. Saphira folded her wings to her side and dived down into the shadowing landscape, roaring in excitement as she did so, her sudden action causing him to cling on tight to the neck spike in front of him. Fear and adrenalin rushed through him as she dove downwards, forests and hills spinning in front of his eyes as she spun, only opening her wings at the last possible moment before they splattered on the ground.

Saphira! He cried indignantly, don't do that to me

Relax little one, I would never let us crash

Hmph, he said grumpily, heart rate only starting to settle as Saphira glided down into a small clearing and alighted in a cloud of dust and dried leaves.

Can you tell Brom where we are he asked, before jumping down and stretching his legs, moaning as the stiff muscles started to work again. Saphira acquiesced and he had started a small fire by the time Brom clattered into the clearing upon Snowfire.

Should I tell Brom about my dream? He asked Saphira

No little one let it wait until tomorrow when you can ride Cadoc and speak to Brom about his plans for what we do now. We don't know what to do anymore, the failure with the Ra'zac means we are lost. Hopefully Brom has a plan now, he is your teacher after all.

Untill tomorrow then he said in his mind, slightly surprised at Saphira's words about their future. But then, she is right, I have failed Garrow and don't know what to do know feeling ashamed and disappointed in himself, but realising that wasn't what Saphira had meant.

He watched as Brom picketed and unsaddled the horses for the night, before coming to settle down near the fire. Eragon leaned back against Saphira's warm scales and closed his eyes, before starting as Brom spoke after several minutes of comfortable silence

"We should have watches tonight, the Ra'zac are more powerful at night and there is no doubt they will want their prize back. We must stay vigilant if we are to stay out of their grasp." With that he stood and looked around before adding

"Saphira must hunt tomorrow to keep up her strength, you too need food after that magic today." Eragon's stomach growled at the mention of food, but he merely lay back further and tried to put the knowing hunger pangs out of his mind. Unbidden, images of meat and hot soup came to his mind before he pushed them down with a snort of frustration. Saphira hummed in amusement before a strange scraping sound disturbed the quiet and all three froze. Eragon had his hand on his bow, Brom's hand was on his sword. A twanging sound, followed by a cry of pain from Brom dispelled the silence of the night.

"Brom" yelled Eragon, rushing over to his friend, straight into the second arrow which pierced his side. A roar of pain and anger from Saphira was all he heard before everything went dark.