I know, I know, this one is a short chappie, but I needed to make my point, and I like the way I ended it. I'm a fan of cliffies, as you can see. The next chapter is well under way, so it should be up in a matter of a day or two. Depending on how much homework my slightly evil (okay really evil) teachers decide to give me.

Super-hero Fan: Aww you're so nice:3 My first review in a long, long time. I'm sorry I haven't updated sooner; I've been caught up in school work.

Eragon-vodhr: You're very welcome, and thank you for your praise. .

Evil D Man: Well, here's the chapter you've been waiting for! Thanks for your compliments.

Monkeybait: You're so kind:D I always appreciate reviews, but yours definitely made my day. (Just getting reviews does, actually.) I shall be glad to return the favor.

Stupid disclaimers. If you think that I own any piece of the Inheritance trilogy, go whack yourself on the head a good few times with a large, blunt object. Like a baseball bat.

And now, to the next installment of my legacy! -curtain rises-


My heart exploded in sheer joy at the sight of my much-loved and only uncle, standing there with his magnificent sapphire dragon. Although…we never really thought of her as "his." Saphira was as much her own person as any of us was, even if she was a great scaly beast.

The wind ruffled Uncle Eragon's hair, blowing it in a way that made him look oddly weary. He had been through so much…but that was years ago. Even so, scars took a long time to heal; especially those on the inside. But my uncle was like a child when he was with us; his only family always made him happy.

And, as his family, that was our job.

I gathered my skirts and dashed forward with new-found determination. Flinging myself into my uncle's arms, I inhaled the sweet scent of pine trees and fresh air he always smelled of. Saphira bugled a hello (of sorts) as the rest of my siblings came to meet us.

I was instantly smothered as Bailik launched herself at Uncle Eragon, followed by an ecstatic Rudia. Tomak ambled up, trying to look much older than his eighteen-year-old self and clasped hands with Uncle. They stared at each other for a moment, and then broke into broad grins. Tomak was pulled into our giant bear hug quite willingly.

Not one to forget about patient Saphira, I detangled my body from the mass of my family and greeted her with a polite curtsey. Of course I was only playing with her, but she played along, bowing her head in mock-formality.

Good day to you, Dearest Lady, she projected into my head with an air of the royal court.

"And good day to you, Skulblaka!" A giggle bubbled forth from my throat, and I was overcome with mirth. Saphira gave that rumbling cough that we had all come to associate with a physical laugh, and twisted her serpentine neck around to nuzzle me on the shoulder.

I missed you, hatchling, she murmured in my head while I stroked her scaly nose, But no longer are you a hatchling. You are a woman now.

I will always be your hatchling, Saphira. I surprised myself by answering with mind-speak; proper etiquette said that I should ask Uncle Eragon first. I pulled away and stammered an apology to Uncle Eragon.

He looked confused as he pulled away from my brother and sisters. His eyes flickered to Saphira for no more than a mouse's heartbeat before returning to me, and I knew he had received a brief explanation. Then his warm smile returned.

"Etiquette, shmetiquette! Do you really think," he ruffled my hair in that way uncles are so good at, "That I care if my niece talks to my dragon?" I smiled sheepishly.

He shared a look with Saphira before punching Tomak lightly in the arm and turning the conversation to what he had been working on lately. Tomak enthusiastically began to explain what kind of ship he was building at the moment as they walked back to the house.

I turned to tell my sisters that we should probably hurry along if we didn't want to be yelled at by Lista. I found, however, that Rudia was already running after Uncle Eragon and Tomak. Bailik was no where to be seen.

But Bailik is always somewhere near, even when we think she's disappeared. It's a very trying habit of hers, especially when one is in a bad mood.

A blonde head popped up from behind Saphira's hulking form. My sister's lanky form followed suit, swinging up and over the saddlebags attached to the saddle. Saphira had a twinkle in her eye, and I couldn't help but grin as I rolled my eyes.

"Don't ruin another skirt, Bai!" She only laughed and hitched her long skirt up to her hips, revealing a pair of leggings I recognized as Tomak's. With the skirt sitting in her lap, she looked like a laundry maid on horseback. She never rode sidesaddle; that was for girls who weren't afraid to get dirty. Like Rudia.

Uncle Eragon always let us take flights with Saphira; most of the time we could just clamber up and soar off. The only one of us who wouldn't go alone was Rudia. The silly girl was so afraid of heights that she wouldn't get on without Uncle behind her.

Uncle Eragon works wonders, though. He once got Rudia to sit sidesaddle and hold her arms out, like she was flying. He kept a firm grip on her tiny waist the entire time though. Mother would have a fit and a half if Rudia fell from the sky.

Saphira let out a great roar and leapt into the sky, beating her gigantic wings. I could hear Bailik call out my name even hundreds of feet up; she had a particular talent for that. I laughed and whooped with joy.

Saphira looked like a large bird, she was so high up, but she began to plummet at an alarming rate. Her wings were tucked into her sides as she nosedived straight toward the grassy fields in front of me. Bailik screamed with what I assumed was horror, but turned out to be happiness after all.

Saphira's wings snapped open at the last moment with a great whoosh, only a fraction of a second before she hit the ground. She glided over the grassy land as if in water, only a few feet above the ground. She completed an excellent barrel roll over the crest of a hill, and I watched Bailik snatch something from it with a deft movement. Saphira straightened out and tucked her right wing to her, turning back to where I stood.

Bailik jumped off nearly before Saphira had landed. Saphira held her back a moment, touching something I couldn't see with the tip of her nose.

Bailik wobbled a bit as she jogged to me; dizzy from the barrel roll, I was sure. She stopped right in front of me and went down on bended knee. My sister had always been a bit odd, but this was really confusing.

She looked up with a grin on her face and pulled a glorious flower from behind her back. It was crystalline, looking as if someone had taken the delicate pink petals and dipped them in glass. Now I realized what Saphira had touched. Dragon's magic was amazing.

Bailik and I had christened the plant "Dragon's Breath," due to the flaming orange that singed the tongue-like pink petals. It was utterly gorgeous; my favorite flower. And Bai knew it.

"If I were to ever leave this place," Bailik whispered, breathing heavily from the exhilarating flight, "I ask that you would accompany me."

Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes as I fell to my knees to hug her.

"My sister, my sister," I buried my face in her tousled, sun-bleached locks. "I would follow you to the four corners of Alagaësia if I could." As I pulled away, I knew she was thinking the same.

"Then take this Dragon's Breath," she whispered, taking my folded hands and placing the flower in them. "As a promise."

I grasped the gift and smiled. I tasted salty tears on my lips, something I was not used to.

"I promise."


-sniffles- So bitter-sweet! I'm sure it made a fair few of you cry, don't deny it:)

Anyhoodles, I'll be posting the next chapter quite soon. I'm so excited about writing it that I began to write it out in class the other day. I hate writing my stories by hand, so you all better love me. xP

Read and Review, s'il vous plait!

Faelin 8D