Sorry this is one day late as I said in my previous chapter I would post every week. Anyone I was late because I had to study for an exam. Please review after reading as I need feedback to write. Thanks. Oh and expect a new chapter in the next few days.

Somewhere above the Hadarac desert

Eragon Shadeslayer, Kingkiller and Lord of the Riders was sweating profusely, his tunic stained with the marks of perspiration, indicating the length of his travel in the Hadarac desert.

The sun was beating off his and Saphira's back relentlessly, causing them to squirm in discomfort. The reason that they were in their current situation was due to the fact that they received new from Nasuada and Arya about a new threat in Alagaesia. Eragon was not told much in his home to the east of Alagaesia, where the members of the New Rider Order were residing, only some troubling, no very troubling Eragon thought, news regarding how Teirm, the coastal city was overrun by an army of elf-like creatures numbering at least several hundreds, if not in the thousands. The details were extremely hazy, not to mention Nasuada and Arya skimmed over most of the details that they deemed unnecessary, but to Eragon, he felt he needed to know what kind of threat they were facing.

Trust them to leave out the important stuff, Eragon said to Saphira through their mental connection.

Well because you DEARLY wanted to talk to them and totally did not end the conversation within 2 minutes of them contacting you , was Saphira's reply, typically sarcastic of the dragon.

Hey to be fair I was still slightly upset over the last time me and Arya talked and we still have not sorted things out and I didn't feel like talking to her so soon after our... disagreements, especially in Nasuada's presence. I want to speak to her in private.

Saphira snorted releasing a cloud of smoke, and seemed to be laughing at her Rider's problems.

Well the purpose of them contacting you was to warn you about the new threat as well as to get you to come back to Alagaesia to help fight these elf-like creatures and not for to make a social call with Arya. And you said slightly upset? More like utterly depressed and crying your heart out in your bed. Honestly I thought that facing Galbatorix and being Lord of the Riders would toughen you up greatly. Furthermore its not as though you have not face such a situation before. Remember the Menoa tree incident?

Eragon winced, embarrassed at his actions at the Menoa tree during the Agaeti Blodhren.

Saphira please try not to remind me of that incident ever again. Its embarrassing enough as it is without you bringing it up each time the conversation is about Arya.

Oh? The conversation is about Arya? I thought we were discussing about the new threat to Alagaesia and not Arya ? Pssshh make up your mind or you still too addled by love ? Maybe I should help you with Arya

Too late, Eragon thought to himself, he had taken Saphira's bait and now all he had to do was to extract himself carefully from their conversation otherwise his dragon wouldn't continually annoy and tease him throughout the remainder of the journey to Ilirea.

Hmm you dragons wouldn't understand the undercurrents of feelings between me and Arya. The subtleties escape the comprehension of you dragons who bite each other while see we humans and elves don't really do that, Eragon said, completely avoiding Saphira's question. He was quite satisfied and pleased that Saphira didn't reply to what he said.

Saphira ? Saphira ? Are you upset I insulted your race ? Eragon said, highly amused. He knew Saphira was full of pride and vanity, which was why he said what he did. He was about to say something before Saphira did a wheelbarrow in mid air , hurtled hundreds of metres towards the ground , followed by a vertical ascent into the sky, twisting about all the while. As if that wasn't enough to make Eragon sick, after reaching a certain altitude, she bent her neck, jaws clamping onto Eragon, and with a violent pivot of her neck, sent Eragon soaring through the air towards the ground.

SAPHIRA! Eragon cursed as he spun through the air approaching the ground at dizzying speeds. At the last moment Saphira caught him, where he was just metres from the sandy ground of the Hadarac desert. She held him for a brief moment before releasing him, with a sly grin or the closest a dragon could have to a sly grin.

Eragon fell onto a sand dune and tumbled down on the edge of the sand dune. He attempted to stand but immediately collapsed to the ground. He went up on his knees and started to empty the contents of his lunch in heaves. Saphira landed beside him, nuzzling him in sympathy but not before having the last word with Eragon by saying never ever insult a dragon. I thought you of people should know after spending 10 years with a dragon.

I did ... stopping to continue his vomiting. After a few moments he responded but I couldn't resist, smiling weakly as he said so.

They continued their journey after about an hour, after Eragon recovered.

Somewhere in the Spine

Unbeknownst to Eragon, the Twilight Elves spellcasters were casting a spell, seeking to kill Eragon.

Vdekja inquired "Is the spell successful?"

His second in command, Vilandi replied, her voice brimming with frustration, "he has cast powerful wards around him and likely knows the name of the Ancient Language ; he seems to have foiled all of our methods and ways... Wait" after a moment's hesitation she continued , "I think its starting to work" as she sensed the protection Eragon placed around him fade away.

"Well ? Did you manage to eliminate him? If you do, our conquest is simplified. "

"Yes, I think its successful." After another moment's pause, she proclaimed with a voice that one only dons if one is successful and triumphant "He's dead "

"Excellent"

Somewhere about the Hadarac desert

Eragon! We Eldunari managed to deflect a killing curse that was meant for you. We do not know who or what did it but the effects on you will be clear. Even though the spell was deflected, it still somehow managed to affect you. This is magic of the darkest kind, magic long forgotten and from another land. I'm afraid you will most likely pass out. Saphira fly to Ilirea as quickly as possible. The healers and Angela might be able to help him. Umaroth, dragon of Vrael said.

Might ? Eragon was panicking, and without warning, he begun to lose consciousness, his vision slowly blacking out, and he slipped out of the saddle, and for the second time of the day, fell towards the ground.

Saphira dived towards Eragon, caught him and held him within her talons. With that , she tried to enter Eragon's mind, but with a startle she couldn't even reach him. No, I can't even sense him. Its as though he doesn't exist anymore. But he is still breathing.

Not for long if you don't hurry up and reach Ilirea, the Eldunari chatised.

Spurred by anxiety and concern for her rider, she flew even faster than before, fully intent on reaching Ilirea as quickly as possible.

In the void

Eragon wondered about in the void, although he was unaware that he was in the place where the dead roamed and lived. The last he recalled was going unconscious. He tried reaching out to Saphira, but to no avail. He started to panic as he began to realize he couldn't sense a single living thing anywhere.

"Don't be shocked and scared." Eragon had heard that voice hundreds of times before and instantly recognized the voice.

But it can't be. He died more than 10 years ago.

With apprehension, he turned towards the source of advice. And what he saw shocked him to his core. The shock he felt slowly transformed into confusion, and with a wavering voice, he whispered

"Brom?"