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Arya could not, nor would not feel the wind against her face as she flew in Saphira's saddle. The two of them moved as one. Where is it that you felt the deaths going on? Saphira asked in a low growl.

In the village of Daret, answered Arya quickly. It isn't far from Gil'ead.

Are you sure we'll make it in time? Saphira asked. The dragon glided above the clouds for more wind support.

If not, we'll at least be able to set up decent memorials and in the mean time, have Eragon meet us in Gil'ead, answered Arya bitterly, remembering how she was tortured for months before Eragon, with the help of Murtagh and Saphira rescued her. If they take any prisoners, they'll be kept in Gil'ead. I never really got to thank you properly for helping Eragon take me out of that cursed prison.

There's no need to thank me for anything, growled Saphira. Arya smiled. I'm just glad that Eragon has found an interest in someone that I feel is suitable. This comment made Arya grimace. However, I do not agree with how he woes you.

He's too open, said Arya. Just don't tell him I said anything about him.

They continued to fly, discussing how silly Eragon had been towards Arya in the past to pass the time. It passed quickly. At the break of dawn they came to the village burnt to the ground. A few stray embers still danced in the early morning. Saphira landed lightly and Arya jumped off. Both had anger surging through them at the sight. Many bodies remained, singed beyond recognition. Saphira stood on her hind legs and let out a deep, agonizing roar. As the last note echoed, she stomped the earth. Arya swayed as the sight made her sick.

Contact Eragon and tell him what we have found and to meet us in Gil'ead, ordered Arya hollowly. We will make the Empire tremble at what they have done and hopefully we will gain allies with any family members of those who were slain here.

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Zar'roc clashed with her sword. Being unable to move made it hard for her to fight back, yet she dared not give up if she was to save any of the villagers. Thorn landed next to his rider. The flames danced in his eyes as he looked at the helpless woman. His eyes betrayed his hunger to feed on her flesh.

"What is it?" asked Murtagh as he laughed maniacally. "I thought all elves knew the ancient language like we humans know our own."

"Shut up!" she spat. "You know nothing . . .." She sliced her delicate sword down Zar'roc and swung at his neck. Murtagh blocked it lazily. Her eyes widened in fear.

Murtagh smiled and knocked the sword from her hands. She screamed in horror. She had lost and it was likely that she would die without warning the other rider and dragon. The hilt of Zar'roc hit her over the head and she knew no more.

Why not just kill her? Thorn asked, hopeful that Murtagh would take his advice.

We need to take her to Gil'ead. She might have some useful information for King Galbatorix. Murtagh put the mysterious woman over his shoulder and walked past Thorn. The scarlet dragon walked after him.

Eragon began to grow worried as the earliest form of the next day showed itself. He stood at the entrance of the cave with his muscles tensed. Arya had told him that she would be back with Saphira before morning and she had never lied to him before. "I hope nothing happened to him," he said out loud.

Eragon, meet us in Gil'ead.

Why? What happened? Eragon asked. Saphira answered by letting him see through her eyes. Eragon saw destruction beyond his wildest dreams. Smoke rising from the burnt village, the remains of houses singed on the ground, and bodies, many bodies burnt beyond any recognition. Eragon's head swam. He felt destroyed by what he had seen and wanted to inflict as much pain to the culprit behind it.

Eragon, are you ok? Arya asked seriously.

Eragon took in a deep breath and slowly released it. Wait for me before you attack, he said. He ran faster than he ever had to the west. His feet felt light and with his bow tightly in his hand, he felt that no army could stop him. His senses became more acute to his surroundings and he touched every being with his mind.

Do you think it was wise to tell him in his state of mind? Saphira asked.

We don't have much of a choice right now, replied Arya. What happened to those villagers should not be ignored so lightly. They were burnt to death. The worst way imaginable to die, I hope some of them managed to escape whatever it was that happened.

Who do you think did this?

The only possibilities are Thorn and Murtagh, or Galbatorix and Shruikan, answered Arya. Based on what Glaedr taught you, what do you think, Saphira?

I think, began Saphira slowly. We should do our best to save any possible prisoners and find out from whomever they may be before jumping to conclusions. Either way, I fear that more pain will be brought when we learn the truth, if we do.

You're much wiser than Eragon, giggled Arya before becoming serious again.

What are your feelings for him? I know you must feel something for him. Even when he's strait forward with his feelings, you don't leave him.

My feelings for him are no more than a deep friendship, answered Arya coolly.

If you say so, laughed Saphira. You know, I can keep things from him even though we have a bond that runs deeper than anything.

You'd do well to remember that, advised Arya. She gripped her sword, as Gil'ead grew close enough for them to see. We should land somewhere close by, she said, observing the advancing sun. Saphira dipped low and landed close to the borders of the city, but far enough that no soldier could see her.

They waited there for Eragon's word, ready for battle and they remained silent.

Murtagh set the elf's unconscious body in a prison cell rather roughly and chained her arms. He waited there for Galbatorix. Thorn remained outside and kept close guard. He heard the click of footsteps down the dark corridor.

"Ahh, Murtagh," came Galbatorix's cold voice. "What have you brought for me?"

"Ebrithil, eka grind aí vanyali koma," reported Murtagh. He gestured at his prisoner.

"Excellent, Murtagh, very excellent," praised Galbatorix evilly. Murtagh smiled himself and bowed out of his king's way and left him with the woman he took.

"Wake, elf," Galbatorix said in the ancient language. She opened her eyes and looked at the evil king. "Kvetha fricai," he said.

"We are not friends." She spat at his feet. Galbatorix grimaced and slapped her across the face. Oh, it stung, but that little bit of pain was worth overthrowing him. She glared at him with such loathing.

Galbatorix smiled and injected a needle into her arm. "Now, tell me elf, where is the new dragon and her rider?" he demanded.

"I don't know," she answered through clenched teeth. "I've never met them and if I had, I still wouldn't tell you."

"Ok then, where is the other elf I held captive that escaped? She ferried the dragon's egg which Brom stole from me."

She laughed at his stupidity. "I don't know. I haven't been with the elves in nearly two centuries."

Her torture went on for five more hours until Galbatorix gave up and left her unconscious and bleeding over the head.

Eragon stood just outside Gil'ead with his bow strung and ready. Saphira, where are you?

Are you near Gil'ead? Saphira asked impatiently.

I'm right outside the borders, he answered.

Wait to attack until you see me.

Eragon waited and waited. Each second passing that he waited to fight seemed to him like a lifetime.

Saphira turned her head to Arya, who nodded at the dragon to take flight. They soared through the air as one. Arya maneuvered herself to match Saphira with her flight patterns.

Did you ever ride Glaedr? Saphira asked.

As a young child, Arya replied. It was during a battle that claimed my father's life. Oromis ordered that Glaedr take me to safety, as I was too young to fight. Arya became silent after that and tightened her grip on her sword. She smiled slightly as she caught sight of Eragon running to meat the guards' head on.

Saphira dove to the city and put it to flame. Arya put the image of the cell she had been kept in into the dragon's mind and muttered only a few words in the ancient language to kill the army.

Eragon fired many arrows at the army that charged to bring him down. Each arrow hit its mark. He winced as he felt the lives disappear and forced himself to continue lest he die there. Arya, have you and Saphira­—his thoughts got caught off at the sight of Thorn, Murtagh's bright red dragon. Murtagh sat high in his saddle. Saphira land by me! Arya, as soon as she lands, get out of here!

Eragon? Arya and Saphira asked at the same time, making the young rider's mind ring.

Now! Eragon cried urgently. He altered his arrow assault at his older brother and his dragon.

Disclaimer: Well, what do you think should happen in the next chapter?