Hey, Rapidreader666 here. My friend, TophFan, is a terrible editor (I must emphasize on CO-AUTHOR not CO-EDITOR). Yeah, sad, I know, I just found out. Ah well. (Actually, this is her typing right now) HELLO (from TophFan). Anyways, WE present to you...CHAPTER FOUR OF ERAGON! Awww no applause? Ah well... *ahem*

Also, to answer a review from a guest about chapter one, "albino people and animals have red eyes." Excellent point, but TophFan and I thought white eyes felt more blank and cold hearted. Red eyes are reserved for freakishly weird and odd people. Does that answer your question, Guest?

Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon, (Is this really necessary?) Well(TophFan again), yes it is.

Inside the wrought iron gates, was a city, which was by far bigger, greener, and busier than Ellesmera could everbe. Wealth was plentiful in this city that was underwater. The buildings were carved from shell-like rock; the buildings looked natural and part of the ground. Where flowers grew vibrant coral replaced them with greater beauty. It was a brilliant utopia- from the outside.

The citizens were smiling, no one was left out in the shadows. Children were in front of a stall selling many wooden contraptions; all of them were talking with mirth. The people stopped what they were doing when the party of guards, Prince Galdon, Prince Faolin, Eragon, and Saphira padded past the busy street. Men and women parted like shoals of fish swimming away from a shark. Most stared at Saphira, probably because they have never seen a dragon before. Saphira tilted her enormous jaw upward with obvious dignity.

Prince Galdon still had a frown etched onto his face, but it changed to a look of concern when Miyuki was rushed ahead for magical attention. Faolin was talking energetically to Eragon about the wonderful city and its architectural buildings, but even the boy was worried about Miyuki's fate. Clearly the girl meant dearly to the two princes.

Eragon thought to Saphira, Do you feel anything different about this place?

Saphira snorted, which made the guards glance uncertainly at her, Miyuki was right, you do need to work on your specificness! Of course this place feels different! It is underwater! I only feel persistent magicians trying to read my mind.

Wished I never asked, said Eragon sighing, Lets just hope that this King Livien is fair and has a good ear.

Mm...I just hope the elves are alright. The dragon eggs- Wait what was that?

The sky turned black and then back to it's original saltwater colour. The newcomers looked at each other in alarm while Faolin's eyes clouded over.

"Taboris back!" cried the crowd with enthusiasm. Most stamped their feet which created a low scale earthquake. All of the people were grinning with joy and dependence.

Galdon raised his hand to forestall questions from Eragon and Saphira. The prince had a face of stone- one that was crafted to ignore fanfare.

"Just wait until you get to the palace."

Eragon always had Saphira, and Saphira always had Eragon. They need each other- they shaped each other's character. Eragon would still be a normal farmer if Saphira had not hatched. Saphira would still be in her egg, slowly crawling her way to insanity. So when the guards split the partners up, all they could do was feel concern. Saphira was invited for a tour of the city from the sky and Eragon was sent to the palace.

Prince Galdon and Faolin waved the unwilling guards away. They agreed but the commander towered over Eragon and warned, "It is your best interest to do what the Master says."

The palace garden was beautiful in many ways. The orderly perfection was compelling to admire and the architect who designed the palace was a genius. Every pillar was decorated with precious jewels, and the ceiling had images portraying lifetime stories with careful detail. Even the girl in that room above them was part of the perfection Eragon thought.

Then he did a double take. That. Girl. Was. In. Miyuki's. Flashback.

The girl was glaring at him. Eragon now was completely perplexed; was the girl a foe or a friend? Were the princes trustworthy? Doubts filled his head like a waterfall hammering down on the water's fragile surface- so hard that his head might break.
Meanwhile the girl in the flashback, with astonishing speed and grace, appeared out of the glass window and landed with ease. The girl had flowing black hair and dark eyes. Her eyes were sharp and alert and unnervingly resembling a hawk. Eragon knew at once that this girl was a warrior from her physique; whether she was as good as an elf but she was probably one of the best in this city.

Galdon called out a stiff greeting, but she completely ignored him and swaggered straight to Faolin. She came close to him and asked sweetly, "Greetings Faolin, I need help on my assignment here; Will you help me?"

She twitched her arching eyebrows as if to say, "You better help me or else." Poor Faolin staggered backwards and nervously hid behind Eragon. The rider and the girl faced each other in curiosity, but the girl peeked behind Eragon and said, "Who invented the magical priorities that this city now uses as official terms?"

Faolin immediately answered, "King Livien's great-grandfather- Great King Lytton."

"How does this air bubble sustain the entire city? And who cast the spell?"

Faolin was in a trance, "An elite group of skilled magicians many decades ago wanted protection that only distance could provide; Islands were too vulnerable. They built this city and used many enhancements to bind endless air supply into the dome. Due to this major spell, the magicians died but their story are sung throughout our praises."

"How do the magical barriers laid down by King Whatshisname help and protect us and how does it affect our magical abilities?"

Faolin tried to resist the girl's sweet voice but a quick, furtive glance at Arisu's growing glare convinced him, finally he said, "Arisu, King Lytton invented the magical barriers, I just told you. It helps and protects us by limiting down the amount of power an individual person has, depending on the element they were born with the divine ability to control. There are six elements, Water, Air, Earth, Fire, Cosmic Energy, and Necromancy. Cosmic Energy users and Necromancers are increasingly rare, and are the most powerful magicians among us. King Livien, in fact, is a necromancer. It is equally rare for a person able to use two elements. The magical barriers may limit down our power, but the magical 'source' is more easily tapped into, therefore resulting in more magicians."

Eragon took in everything Faolin said, glad to have learned something about the culture of this mysterious place.

Arisu, meanwhile, was rapidly scribbling onto her scroll with a manipulative smile on her face. She looked up and said gratefully, "Thanks Faolin, now that this stupid test is over with, who are YOU?"

Eragon felt a glare burning into his face, almost scorching him. Her eyes lost all of it's previous sickly sweetness and was filling in with mistrust and contempt. She started to unsheathe her double broadswords with practiced ease. Fortunately Galdon stepped forward and warned, "I wouldn't kill him if I were you, he's a Dragon Rider."

Arisu froze as if someone hurled a freezing spell at her, and fear flickered like a candle flame. "Dr-dragon rider?" She spluttered, shooting a small glance at Galdon. Her shoulders relaxed from it's tension and the calm, manipulative smile reappeared. "Oh, how silly of me. Nice to meet you Mr..uh...Let's just say your name is Theweirdestguyihaveeveryseen andlookstotallyidioticandstu pid!"

Theweirdestguyihaveeverseena ndlookstotallyidioticandstup id grunted. "Eragon is fine."

Galdon snorted, but quickly covered it with a cough.

"Whatever, Theweirdestguyihaveeverseena ndlookstotallyidioticandstup id" Arisu managed to say without failing. Those words seemed odd coming from a twelve year old.

"It's Eragon" Eragon said, gritting his teeth.

Arisu yawned. "Whatever, I have to hand in this boring test. Bye Theweirdestguyihaveeverseena ndlookstotallyidioticandstup id"

"Wait!" cried Faolin and he continued in a rush, "Miyuki is at the infirmary, aren't you going to go see her?"

The black haired girl's back stiffened. She turned around with a scowl on her face. "I knew this day would come. GALDON. YOU. KILLED. MY. TWIN!" She screamed.

Galdon opened his mouth to protest, but before he could defend himself, a new voice did it for him.

"Now why would Galdon kill her? He's obviously infatuated with her"

At the sound of the newcomer's voice, Galdon and Faolin stiffened. Galdon's face had hardened into taut lines, devoid of all expression. Faolin shot an accusing look at his brother, completely ignored by the latter.

The voice was cheerful but with a touch of weariness. The ground around the group seemed to become a shade darker than the bright lichen, which evaporated the mood.

Arisu smirked at Galdon. "Awww, that's so adorable. Mr. High and Mighty has a crush on my sister! Ah well, too bad. She has no interest in you, Gal!" Arisu cooed, laughing inwardly at Galdon's cringing face.

Faldon, being the peaceful one, shot furtive looks at Galdon. His face was a mask of fury, and Faolin knew that a huge temper was coming on. Galdon stared back at Faolin, as if to say Don't you dare attack Tabor.

The stranger laughed. "Nice one Arisu!"

Arisu didn't answer, but her face did. A faint blush tinged her cheeks after the praise.

Eragon turned around, there was a boy, not much older than Galdon. He had a carefree face with a tired smile, but it was still pleasant. He had jet black hair and his skin was tan from being outside. Eragon looked around at his acquaintance's reactions. Arisu's eyes were twinkling with awe, but the prince's expression was full of contempt.

Another look at Tabor showed something strange. Behind him was a towering shape with a dark shade of dripping blood. The color of dried life, symbolizing death and destruction all compacted into a single body.

Eragon whispered to himself, "Dragon?"

*Gasp* Why did Eragon see a dragon underwater? Hee hee wait until the next chapter! Tabor honestly isn't that bloody and evil...just a little bit.

Thanks for reading and please review!