When Murtagh awoke the next morning Cinna was gone. The spot where she had laid beside him was cold. How she had managed to slip from under his arm and Raja's wing without waking them he would never know. He slowly crawled out from under Raja's wing, feeling him shift slightly.

Dawn had come gently, the light breaking through the trees, over the mountains, and reflecting over the snow bathed Murtagh in a golden glow. He looked so free, like an unstrung bow, loose and alive. No one in the clearing had stirred, however Saphira and Cinna were nowhere in sight.

"They left about an hour ago." Murtagh startled and spun around, Brom stood with the horses, running a curry comb over Snowfire's gleaming coat. Murtagh approached the old man and stroked Cadoc's neck gently. "Where did they go," then Murtagh thought about it, "Or wait, why did they go together?" Brom chuckled, "You do not know anything about females do you, young lad?"

Murtagh shook his head, becoming more annoyed by the second. "They went for a bath in the hot springs and to talk, haven't you ever seen women of a village gather together to gossip and mend clothing?"

Murtagh's perplexed expression caused Brom to explain, "Females like the company of other females, and they might never have become friends had they had another female as a companion."

Murtagh was beginning to understand, even though he had no earthly idea about women in general, habits, desires, or moods he knew what people needed. To be wanted, loved, and needed. After a few moments of watching Brom Murtagh began to follow Saphira's huge tracks in the snow, beside them were Cinna's much smaller ones. Before he disappeared down the path and out of sight he heard Brom call after him, "Be quiet upon your approach, you might be able to eavesdrop on the conversation."

Murtagh followed the tracks for at least a quarter of an hour. Soon he glimpsed steam wafting through the trees and warm air buffeted his face. Once he peered through a small stand of saplings that hid him the scene before him almost made him laugh out loud. Saphira was backstroking lazily through the heated water; periodically she laid her head back to collect water in her mouth and blow it upward in a thin stream.

Cinna was poised on top of a cliff, she had shed her threadbare robe and her golden skin shone like a beacon in the sunlight. The gold was streaked with maroon accents, making her body a canvas of warm colors. The Shade markings that graced her face and neck were not restricted to those areas, they were scattered like autumn leaves all over her nubile body. Lines of maroon streaked her unbound hair as well.

As Murtagh watched, Cinna leapt from the rocks and tackled Saphira below. Girl and dragon sank into the water with fits of their laughter echoing around the clearing. Once they surfaced Saphira and Cinna scrambled for land, panting and giggling. Saphira collapsed on her side; Cinna wrapped herself in her robe and sat beside her, leaning against her warm, soft belly. When they were able to catch their breath Saphira spoke directly to Cinna's mind, however it is rude to mind-speak with a mount that is not your own. Murtagh only heard Cinna's side of the conversation, but he could guess Saphira's questions.

Cinna's cheerful demeanor ceased to glimmer as she began to speak. "My mother was an elf, born and raised in Ellesmere. She met my father when he was a complete Shade, she was so stubborn, she refused to believe he could never love her, or the child they parented." Now Cinna curled even closer to Saphira who wrapped one paw around Cinna's slender body. Her tone rose as she continued, "While she carried me the other elves decided she would have to be the one to kill my father, if she refused they would kill her, and me.

It was a lose-lose situation, if they fought my father could kill my mother and I and in his exhaustion the elves would attack. Even if she managed to slay my father they assumed the stress would make her miscarry. What they did not count on was a premature baby. They took me from her, right out of the womb and executed my father while she watched; they killed the man she loved before her very eyes!

Next the tried to eradicate me, another surprise, before they could make the killing cut a wise old griffin mother stormed the keep and stole me away. She was the last one besides the one egg she'd laid. Raja was inside it, he knew everything that had been conspired that day, griffin mothers are intimately connected with their chicks before they even hatch. They share thoughts and experiences; we've been together and wandering ever since."

Saphira curled tightly around the girl, purring softly. Now Cinna's mood changed, she was furious, "They persecuted my parents for loving each other, and tried to kill me because they feared change! Then they chase me and Raja across the ends of the earth! They are too easily corrupted by what is tradition and beautiful! I hate them with all the fire in my heart and soul, I don't know why in the seven hells I have to be even half elf! They maimed my body because they feared what I'd do with it!" She slammed both fists ineffectually into the ground and snarled.

Saphira nuzzled her gently, calming her fiery temper and attempting to dry her tears. Murtagh recoiled in shock as Cinna finished speaking, terrible events had occurred in her life; luckily she'd been too young to remember most of it first hand. Most of his horrors he'd endured when he'd been consciously aware of them. In a way he understood what she did, it was only instinctual.

On the other hand he was disappointed she'd let her honor sink so low because of a grudge, then again, people have killed for less than that. Murtagh decided he couldn't quite trust or forgive Cinna, if she did it once; she was more likely to do it again, manipulate men with her charm and seduction to get what she wanted. She also carried a lot of baggage on her shoulders, maybe too much for him to deal with. Only time would tell.

Murtagh retreated into the shadows and back to camp where he helped Raja realign a few feathers he could not quite reach and await the girl's return.

Cinna and Saphira returned with a dignified air, clean, and relaxed. Cinna walked up to Eragon, serious but with a small smile on her face that belied the feelings in her heart. "I will go with you to Gi'lead to rescue Arya, you need my help rider, and I will give it." Eragon gaped open mouthed at Cinna, gone was her hostility and spite, it was replaced by duty. All Eragon could do to answer her was nod and say, "I can not find words to express my gratitude Cinna." With that she nodded briefly and walked away to start a fire for an early supper. Brom smirked from the shadows, even though he'd probably never see it a new time was dawning, and it would begin with these two Riders, they just had to learn to tolerate each other first.

Saphira nudged Eragon and said, Do not flatter yourself Eragon, it was not all because of you she made that decision. Raja went over to Cinna's crouched form and nuzzled her gently; he knew what it had cost her to say those words, and feel them. He knew she felt fear of what lay ahead, hatred of elves, contentment with her decision, respect for Brom, love for Raja, and friendship and more for Murtagh all at once.

There was one other emotion he knew she'd never felt, brotherhood for Eragon, a willingness to fight and defend by his side, feeling they were connected by forces she could not explain. It almost frightened Raja by how much she'd matured since learning of another dragon Rider, and how quickly she was loosing touch with her past.

AN: Thank you to everyone who's reviewed! I love you all!

With love, Drifter