It was hard for Eragon to swallow the lump that formed in his throat. She was actually there, in front of him. He would never admit it, but he had thought of that exact moment for months on end. And now he was faced with the problem of remembering exactly what he had said to Kai in his thoughts all those months of daydreaming. Unfortunately, he didn't seem to be able to remember any greeting words or phrases anyone had ever said to another in the entire history of Alagaesia. Honestly, he faintly realized he forgot his own name. Distressed, he could only faintly watch as Kai looked him over. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he speak?

"Eragon?" She said his name, why did it sound so much better when she said it? Wait, that was his name! He relaxed giving her a dazed smile. What had happened to him?

"Kai." He said back relieved he was still capable of human speech. She seemed to force herself to smile back unaware of what she was supposed to do. Oh, he was making her uncomfortable, he distressed.

"Are you alright?" Kai asked as simultaneously, two snorts sounded in the quite yard. Kai quickly looked to Suoh with a glare and Eragon flushed. It was obvious both dragons had something rather amusing to say. Neither Rider nor unusual girl felt the need to share exactly what was said.

"I'm fine." Eragon answered glancing at the large blue dragon. To Kai, it seemed he'd spoken to Saphira more than to her. "And…you?" He asked forcing himself to look at her. He would not glance away!

"Honestly, I'm tired." She answered letting her gaze slid across the stone castle behind Eragon. Eragon did his best not to raise an eyebrow, nothing in her movements, nothing in her appearance, not even anything on her face suggested what she had said was true. "Argetlam," She addressed him pulling out a folded pile of papers. "I'm to see the Lady." She repeated raising the mound of paper. So it was to business.

"Oh, right." He realized quickly turning and breathing deeply, "Nasuada has decided it is time to ready her army, she wishes to start planning and needs you to be present." He was happy to be talking about something he could better verbalize.

Suoh easily followed behind Kai as she sauntered behind Eragon. The low arches and thick halls connecting the many court yards suited him well. But he mildly growled unhappily as he realized Eragon wished to enter the castle, Suoh could not follow through the small doors. They hadn't been separated in so long; Suoh didn't want to break their streak.

Eragon continued through the doors unaware of Suoh's cease in motion, which caused Kai to stop as well. She turned and placed her palm on his nose as they were accustomed to do.

"Become familiar with this new place and I will relay all that is said." She said to him stroking his scales rhythmically. "I will not be long." She promised.

I will hold you to that. He thought slightly glaring at Eragon's retreating form. Didn't the stupid boy know he was leaving his Kai behind? Suoh snorted causing a puff of smoke to dilute through the air, and I do not approve of that boy. Kai glared ceasing her strokes and dropped her hand to her side bluntly.

Your approval is not needed, friend. Kai thought back to him continuing to glare. There is nothing to approve. She firmly stated. What was Suoh getting at; did she need his approval for everything she did?

That is not what he thinks. Suoh challenged.

"And it is not your place to know what he thinks." Kai said back walking into the hall too small for Suoh to follow. "I will see you soon, Suoh." He growled as she severed their connection. He regretted teaching her how.

"Is everything okay?" Eragon asked glancing back at Kai's scowling face. He didn't even realize she had only just caught up with him in the halls, she moved so quietly he assumed she had been behind him the whole time. "The meeting with Nasuada should not be long." He reassured figuring it had to do with something along those lines. Honestly, Eragon couldn't even begin to think of what would measure as a worry to Kai. He was almost eager to find out anything about her, a small glimpse to who she was. He had been surprised to find anything on her face, let alone a scowl; it was a rare moment to see any emotion cross her features.

"I'll be fine." Kai replied smoothing her frustration. Spending too much time with Suoh had made her rusty, all the sudden she wasn't used to keeping her face stoic as much as she had been able to before. Stupid dragon was slowly breaking her down.

Passing servants bowed their heads, residents whispered and the many guards curiously watched. Of all of her time away, Kai realized the Varden had grown immensely for the pressuring war. Not one of the many faces looked the slightest bit familiar. All were new, fresh, most untainted. Few of the people Kai passed in the halls had been in the battle of the Burning Planes. The ones that had been were easily recognized as their eyes had never changed. Those people were still haunted and brimming with sadness.

"I should warn you," Eragon confessed stopping out of hearing range of two guards standing on either side of a large set of double doors. "In your absence, stories might have mutated." He said vaguely. Kai simply stared at him. And what exactly was that supposed to mean, she wondered. He sighed realizing he wouldn't get out of the explanation that easily. "Don't be surprised if people may ask about things that hadn't actually happened." He said staring at her, making sure she understood. "Around here, many people see you as the hero of Burning Plains Battle, which you very well are. But, some facts have been twisted since then." Eragon said quietly. "It's nothing to worry about." He added quickly at her disbelieving stare. "It's mostly only children and fools who believe them."

Oh great. Kai thought glancing to the large door. She assumed they would be entering it soon. Would there be fools behind the doors? Children?

"Very well, they have a right to their opinions. But I believe our meeting is urgent, Argetlam." She reminded him gesturing to the said door. Kai would rather meet children than fools, if she had the choice. She sighed readying herself for what might lay behind the doors. As she approached with Eragon, the two guards reached out and opened the two doors simultaneously.

Eragon deeply wished she would not call him Argetlam.

--

Suoh moodily slinked around the many courtyards surrounding the castle. He breathed heavily, blowing out smoke and the occasional spark, if he wasn't careful; he might have set the dry air aflame. Servants attending their daily chores quickly scattered from the unfamiliar dragon, where had the white beast come from? His seemingly angry rampage about the castle grounds frightened them and guards had slowly gathered around the castle entrances. Suoh scoffed, he could almost taste the fear drip off their gathered forms.

He was only upset; he wouldn't suddenly turn and start eating people.

What did you say? An amused voice flitted across his minds shield.

What suggests it was something I said? He questioned back. He stubbornly stopped his mad trek through the few fruit trees and gracefully slumped onto the cooled ground.

I can hardly see Kai saying something to anger you so. The blue dragon replied. Suoh glanced up the nearest castle tower and unhappily squinted at the lounging female dragon atop the flat surface covered by a large circular roof.

You are not the one to discuss this with. Suoh said laying his head down among the orange trees breathing in the citrus sent.

Discuss what? Eragon's silly attraction to Kai? Bulls eye Saphira.

Suoh groaned only wanting to rest, he was tired. Kai had suggested their stupid race and he was starting to feel the effects. He seemed to have been softened more than Kai during their stay in that village between hills.

If you must know, Suoh yawned. Yes. And I'm tired. Thankfully, Saphira left him alone to sulk.