(A/N) Thanks for all the reviews! Chapter 7…coming up! (Wow chapter 7 already?) There is going to be two chapters in Kuasta so be prepared! Lol…being a nerd again…

OMG! I am SOO sorry for not updating sooner! I hope I haven't lost any readers over this…I've just been so busy with school and stuff…AND as an extra bonus my computer crashed on me for about a WEEK! Wow, isn't that amazing? I'm posting this chapter ASAP! I love all of my readers!

JesuslUver: YAY another new reader! You did inspire me to write this chapter…I mean, if you hadn't reviewed, I might have even stopped writing all together! Am I really talented? I didn't think I was…hehe! Thank you SO much for the review!

Goodybad: I actually figured out your story? I mean… ahem Of course…that's no surprise to me, I've figured out LOADS of stories before… I'm glad that I know SOMEONE out there besides me is lazy on weekends! Yay! Well, thanks for reviewing!

Tiamat: Oooh you're the goddess of all dragons? Ahh runs away OK well I'm back! Your review was certainly…interesting…lol! I'm typing just for you!

Critic: Okay well at the end of this chapter is going to be a cliffhanger! I really hope you're happy! You have good suggestions…I'm going to use them! Lol!

KatzEye: Thanks for the review! Here's your next chapter!

Dragon-Grrrrl: I wanted it to be descriptive! Have a problem with that? Cause I don't have a problem with portals! And hey, I ain't making fun of you! Your story rocks!

OneWhoWalksWithPigeons: Nice observation! Yes, the leather is crap, just like Karlii's parents lol…I'm glad you think I rock!

Goodybad (again? Whatever): She will go to Ellesmèra! Don't worry! Just not now though but eventually…

Vulpix4Life: Take my advice and GET A NEW COMPUTER! LOL! I really do think your new story rocks, but you have to update "The Dragon Quest" soon! I've been waiting FOREVER!

I forget if I told you this or not, but this story will be pretty much the span of the first book. The second story will be my own creation !

Date Started: May 7, 2005

Date Finished: May 8, 2005

Date Posted: May 8, 2005

Disclaimer- I don't own Eragon.

Chapter 7- A Glimpse of Kuasta

They had to land soon after they saw Kuasta for the first time. Fatigue had taken its toll on Kuthian, and he needed to rest. If they had kept going like they did before, he would have defiantly dropped out of the sky.

Kuthian landed with a loud thud, and Karlii immediately jumped off him. She untied her bags with speed, and set them down beside him.

Are you all right? She asked him with worry in her voice.

Yes, I'm fine. I just need to rest…and maybe get some water. Can you do that? He asked with some amusement.

I'm not 5! Karlii retorted. I'll go get you some water.

The black dragon's chuckling followed her as she left the clearing and went into the woods. His attitude hadn't changed at all since she had first talked to him. He was still the git he was and had always been, but Karlii loved him all the same. She reached out with her mind and found him sleeping. She smiled.

The sound of running water caught her attention. Following the noise with her ears, she soon stumbled upon a small stream. She filled all the water skins she had and slung them over her shoulders. She had at least 10 of them, and they weren't heavy at all when they were empty. Now that they were full, she was afraid she would have to make two trips.

No, she thought. I'm going to toughen myself up. No more prissy girl…not that I ever was one anyways.

With a sigh and all the arm strength she had, she started dragging herself and the water skins back to camp. When she finally stumbled through the trees, Kuthain woke up.

What are you doing? He asked with some amazement.

I…brought you some…water… Karlii threw 8 of the skins in his direction and fell against the ground. She laid on her back and looked at the clouds swirling above her.

Thank you, Kuthian said as he nudged the water. Karlii got up and opened them for him and started pouring the liquid into his mouth.

Phew, your breath stinks! Said Karlii as she dumped the third load into his mouth.

Your breath isn't that great either, he snapped back.

Karlii just shrugged and poured the fourth water skin in. Kuthian closed his mouth and closed his eyes. He started humming and stretched out. Karlii sat against his warm belly and felt him vibrating against her. They stayed like that for a long time, just enjoying the moment.

What do you think will happen to us? Asked Kuthian, breaking the silence between them.

I really don't know. I think I'll have to defiantly get some more leather, and then I will probably have to steal some more clothes or something.

Kuthian uttered a soft growl.

Stealing isn't good, was all he said. Karlii nodded very briefly to herself. Her parents had taken things from their neighbors and other people in Narda when she was little. Her father had taught her the 'sacred' art of stealing, as he called it.

She glanced upwards towards the sky and saw the clouds moving silently. The edges of them were pink, and some of the white had turned to gold. Karlii couldn't see the sun set from in this dense forest, but she knew it was coming. She sighed, and looked at Kuthian again. He was looking at the sky too, with a look of longing in his silver eyes.

You want to go flying, don't you? She asked him. He tore away his eyes from the sky and looked at her.

Yes, but if I do, the people of Kuasta will see me. I do not wish to harm you or me in any way.

Karlii got up and walked over to where his head was. She looked into his deeply set eyes. They were the eyes of a hunter. Gleaming, they always saw prey. They were enchanting in a way. She stared at them for a few seconds longer, then broke away. It was getting dark now, and she was tired, and she knew Kuthian was too.

Let's go to sleep. She suggested.

Okay, he answered, and rolled onto his side. Karlii lay down by his stomach, and he stretched his wing over her. It covered her like a tent, and it blocked out any light. She lightly tapped his side, just to make sure she hadn't fallen or anything. Karlii closed her eyes, and went to sleep.


When she woke up the next morning, her head was sore for some reason and she was still tired. Kuthian's wing was still draped over her, and she could hear him breathing. Slowly, she sat up, and crawled out from under the 'tent'.

It was raining. No, not raining, pouring. Karlii had never seen it rain this hard in a long time. Thunder boomed in the distance, just as another flash of lightning streaked the sky. She glanced over at Kuthian, who was still sleeping. He didn't look cold; Karlii didn't even think he was bothered by the pounding rain on his scales. He didn't look like a shaded rainbow anymore…he just looked wet.

She went over to him and nudged his nose. He woke up with a start.

It's raining, he observed.

No duh, answered Karlii. Let's go find better shelter before it starts hailing or something.

Okay, he said, and got up. He went over to the trees, and squeezed through them. Karlii grabbed her soaking wet stuff, and followed him. They walked for what seemed like hours, but in reality, it was only minutes. They found another clearing some ways in that was a bit smaller than the one they had been in before, but the top was covered in tree branches and overhanging. Only a few droplets of rain got in through the tangle.

Karlii started a fire, and left Kuthian to do his own business. She went out with her sword and hunted for some food for them. Her once gleaming silver sword was now dull and overused. The rain didn't help either.

An hour later, she came back with a young buck for Kuthian, and a couple of rabbits for her and future meals. She pushed the deer over towards Kuthian, and he grabbed it in his jaws. He turned around so he wasn't facing her, and he started to eat. The only noises were the crackling of the fire, the sound of the rain on branches, and Kuthian eating.

Thank you, Kuthian said as he finished. Karlii just grunted in return.

After a couple more minutes of silence, it started to hail. Karlii covered her head as hail the size of golf balls started crashing through the treetops. Kuthian ran over to her, and covered her with his bulk and armor scales. Karlii could hear the hail shattering against his side.

It stopped after a minute. He slowly got back up and went to lie down again.

When will you go into Kuasta? He said slowly.

Today, probably, Karlii answered.

Why not now?

Sure, why not? Karlii got up and grabbed her stuff. She hesitated on grabbing her sword. She might need it, but they might not let her in with it buckled to her side. Still, she'd rather be safe than sorry, so she tied it on.

Be safe, was all she said before leaving the camp and walking in the direction of Kuasta.


It turned out she was lost. She didn't know where Kuasta was, and she was probably heading in the totally wrong direction. She wandered aimlessly for a while, until finally she stumbled upon Kuthian's path of destruction through the trees. She heaved a sigh of relief and followed the trail. She soon came upon the clearing that they had gone to before. She knew her way to Kuasta from there, so she followed her instincts.

When she emerged form the trees, the rain had died down a bit. Not completely, but a bit. She looked down the direction of the path and saw two hooded figures. She couldn't see them perfectly because of the rain, but they could see her. They gave off an uneasy vibe.

One of them pointed at her, and the other nodded. They started walking towards her, and Karlii's mind was going at a hundred miles a second. Who are these men? What do they want?

When they got close enough, she saw that they weren't men at all. They were some sort of freak creature…one of them made a move to grab her arm.

RUN! Something clicked in her mind, and she turned and ran. She ran as fast and hard as she could towards Kuasta. She dared a glace back.

They were following her…and they were catching up.


(A/N) Ooh! The suspense! I wrote this in a day and a half…pretty good eh? I tried to make it longer then chapter 6, because a couple of people were saying that chapter 6 was too short…so I made it longer! This chapter is almost…2000 words! Well, I have a garage sale to tend to, and a lot of impatient customers (Geez can't they wait 5 minutes?) hehe…I'll defiantly update sooner!

Ciao,

Ritz