Roran saw the Shade coming, and quickly went back to the tree, and sat down. He had come to the decision that he might as well make the best of the time with Durza, and try to find out why Eragon had left.

As Durza entered the camp, Roran saw that the Shade had a smile on his face. It was not an evil smile, but it still didn't look right. It scared Roran, but he couldn't think why. In his fear, he forgot all about his plans of asking the Shade more about Eragon.

Durza came over to him, and Roran backed up against the tree trying to move as far away as possible. The Shade stopped and looked at him then asked, "Why are you moving away?"

"Because I don't know what you're doing," Roran replied, puzzled by the Shades sudden change in attitude. The Shade didn't look angry or wasn't laughing at him anymore. That more than anything scared him.

"If you come here, I can untie your hands for you. Anyway, when I was away I had an idea," Durza said trying to move closer again. Roran just backed away more.

"Aye, and what might that be?" Roran asked.

"I've decided, that in the time I've got to spend with you, I'd teach you how to fight. It's something we Shades are known for."

"I already know how to fight!" Roran replied, annoyed that the Shade had thought him incapable.

Durza waved his hand dismissively.

"No, not the sort of fighting you did with your cousin. I'm talking about fighting in a battle that may last a long time. I'm sure you have trained before, but not like I will teach you."

"What will you teach me?"

"How to wield a sword and tactics in battle, but only if you let me untie your hands," Durza said, moving closer. This time, Roran didn't move away but there was still a look of fear in his eyes.

As Durza untied his hands, Roran relaxed a bit. He looked up at Durza, a bewildered look on his face.

"You thought I was going to hurt you didn't you?" Durza asked smiling again. This time Roran noticed that the Shade looked more human than before.

"Yes." Roran nodded.

"I told you, you shouldn't judge people by what they are. Now about this training. You're lucky I brought a second sword with me, so you can use that."

Durza moved away, and Roran saw him bring a pack out from behind a tree. From the pack he took out two swords. One was thin, and had a scratch down the blade. The other, looked normal, if not a bit thin. Both were polished, and had sheaths.

The Shade strapped the sheath of one of the swords onto his belt and put the sword with the scratch down it, into the sheath. He then brought the other blade and sheath over to Roran.

Roran thanked him, and took the sword. He strapped it onto his belt with the sheath as Durza had done and looked back at the Shade.

He no longer feared him, but was actually looking forward to being taught by the Shade. He knew that a Shade's strength was more than a mans, so he hoped the training would his own strength improve over time. Also, it would be good to get practicing again with someone new, as he had only been practicing with one of the blacksmith's sons, Baldor, since Eragon left. He had always beaten Baldor, so he looked forward to facing someone who was stronger than him for once.

As Durza drew his sword, so did Roran. Now he would really be tested!