They flew through the rest of that day. The last rays of sunlight were fading when they finally set down. They had reached the outskirts of Du Weldenwarden and found a small clearing. Saphira, exhausted after the days flying lay down and went immediately to sleep. Her rumbling snores echoed through the dark trees. Eragon smiled at the familiar sound. He was busy making a fire and cleaning and grilling a rabbit which Saphira had snapped up on the way. It had felt somewhat like cheating, watching Saphira descend upon the helpless rabbit from above. The rabbit had no chance to get away from the large jaws which snapped it up in one clean bite. Eragon disliked this form of hunting. But he had no excess energy to spend on stalking prey, or using magic to lure it into his grasp. Neither did he have the time. After a long day of flying all he wanted to do was to crawl up next to Saphira and go to sleep.
That night Eragons dreams were filled with images of one girl. An elf to be precise. She was beautiful; there was no doubt about it. She had a thin sleek body, a pretty face, and waves of dark hair cascading down her shoulders. But that wasn't what was so captivating. Everything from her almond-shaped eyes to her regal posture spoke of wisdom and power. In his dreams, she was flying on a dragon with scales as green as emeralds. The sun glittered magnificently on them as the two rose above the treetops. The dream gave Eragon a warm and peaceful feeling, but he couldn't help but sense there was something missing. It was like there was some small part of his heart that knew he wasn't completely happy.
Eragon woke up just as the first light of dawn reached him. Patches of startlingly pink and orange sky were visible through the trees. Eragon got up to stretch his legs and look for a vantage point that offered a better view of the sunrise. The birds had already woken up and many of them were in full song. Eragon couldn't help but relive the euphoric sense of the night's dream. Standing there on the forest floor he realized he did have so much to be happy for. Lately, he had spent a lot of time feeling sorry for himself, burdened under the obligations his position required. He had been lonely in his new home, despite the presence of Saphira and the new dragons and riders. Training them took up most of his days, but many times he would think back to all the things he missed about Alagaƫsia. His memories had grown fainter and fainter over the decade that had passed, but Saphira had always been there to offer her own images of their time spent in the land.
Eragon? Where are you? Saphira's agitated voice spoke in his mind as clearly as if she had been standing right next to him. Don't worry Saphira, I just went to look at the sunrise. I'm on my way back. Eragon felt a wave of Saphiras relief and instantly felt bad for walking away from her.
Are you ready little one?
I think so. Are you?
Yes.
