The next morning the sun shined brighter to Isabella, for she was about to embark on a wild trip into lands she'd never before heard of, with her best friend and a man whom she'd hating since the first time she met him. After his visit the day before she had changed her mind on going to train with the Riders, partially for her ambitions, but mostly for Nadia, her best friend. A tinge of excitement began to brew in the pit of her stomach as she gathered he belongings to meet everyone behind the castle.

I too share your excitement

A familiar soft masculine voice rang in Isabella's head.

I wish I was here yesterday. I would have burned that Rider to a crisp.

I know you would have, but I want him to myself. Ok?

If he hurts you again I will not be able to hold my fire.

She laughed, Okay Glaurung, if you must. But….he's strong. You should have seen what he was able to do. I couldn't even see his moves, they just happened

I know I searched your mind and found these memories. Do you think you can eventually defeat him?

I don't know, but I want to.

For your father?

I don't know. I part of me wants to continue blaming him for not being there for my father, but I think another part of me has always known it wasn't his fault. I think now I just want to defeat him and prove myself. I know how everyone feels about me. That I'm not ladylike enough to ever catch a husband. But I don't care about any of that. I just want to get stronger. That's why I took the dragon test in the first place. I wanted to show people my worth.

And by doing that you proved it and I hatched. We are now linked and I can feel your heart beat faster and stronger than anyone else.

Isabella smiled at the praise. Ever since Glaurung hatched she had never felt closer to anyone besides her dad or Nadia. He understood her in ways only Nadia and her father had, maybe even more. It was nice to finally have someone she could talk to freely.

Did you and Dalinda catch anything good yesterday?

Yes we shared a few rabbits, then worked on flying. It's tough but we're still learning more and more. The wind can be devilish as well.

I'm glad you had fun.

Now hurry packing little one our trip will be hard and long.

They're late again, an empowering feminine voice rang in Nadia's head.

Aye, I told her to be hear by noon. I feel bad that Eragon has to wait.

What are you talking about little one, he's late too.

This Nadia had to admit was also true. She thought it was strange that he had set the time to when they would meet, but neither he nor his dragon were there. She saw Glaurung try to fly straight as is swept of the top of the castle and descended down towards them. She was worried because he wasn't that good of a flier and began to move in case an accident would ensue. And her intuition was right as Glaurung began to lose control with the impact of the air and crashed onto the ground

Nice landing. I see you've been practicing, said Dalinda mockingly to Glaurung.

I would be better if I didn't have such a horrible partner, Glaurung said playfully.

Wow could you two please stop flirting. It's unbecoming. Isabella teased the two dragons.

Nice to see you here finally, Dalinda said to Isabella, I was worried we would die of old age before you would come.

They all laughed. Since they were the only Riders and dragons in the entire city of Carvahall they had become very familiar with each other. They were all linked by friendship, and being Riders only enhanced that link.

"I can't believe this he's late." Isabella said annoyed.

"Well you were also late, Izzy." Nadia said defending Eragon.

"Aye, but I still came before he did. How long does it take for him to pack up? He barely brought anything with him."

"Well, all we can do is wait."

The thought made Isabella's blood boil. Who was he too make her wait, Isabella thought.

In the castle Eragon mass in the great hall saying his goodbyes to everyone. He first talked with Alexander and Tybalt, for he didn't really get the chance to after the commotion with the girls.

"I apologize but I must take my leave," Eragon said to the boys, "I hope I hadn't intruded."

"Nonsense," Alexander said, "If our mother and grandparents should extend their hand then so shall we. I do have to admit that I would have liked to know more about my great uncle."

The both grabbed each other's forearm in farewell. "Maybe another day. We shall drink ale in greeting the next time we meet."

"That would be well enjoyed. A meeting I will soon not forget."

"Perhaps I could sit in on this festive meet," Tybalt said behind Alexander clad in armor again, "I do not think I've ever drank with a 60 year old rider before."

Eragon broke embrace with Alexander to greet Tybalt. "Surely you must. And then you can tell me all about your time on the King's Guard. Oh how exciting the tales must be."

"Such boring tales will not be worthy of a reunion such as that. No, no I think I will share my tales all the devious activities that everyone thinks I'm involved in. That will make for great conversation."

Eragon laughed and extended the same courtesy he showed Alexander.

"Now I must say goodbye to your mother and grandparents. Do you know where they might be?"

"They are in the garden room on the top floor of the castle," Alexander said.

After a few new pleasant farewells Eragon took his leave and made his way to the garden room. After a few climbing of stairs he had made it to the room where he found the remaining members of the family quietly sitting and laughing in the heart of luscious flowers and an astoundingly green setting. They had all kinds of plant like growing under an artificial sun and streams of water all around them. He could hear the sound of rushing water as if there were a waterfall in the room.

"Oh, Uncle, please come over here and enjoy this with us. So peaceful and quiet," Ismira said as quiet as she could, but loud enough for him to hear.

Quietly Eragon walked over to the three. He sat down and just stared at them and the scenery without saying a word. One of the things he had learned from Oromis at the beginning of his Rider training was the discipline to wait and listen. He enjoyed it. He even extended his mind to see everything. From the slight breeze tat rustled the plant and leaves, to the crawling of ever small insect in the room. He waited and listened until Roran spoke.

"Eragon my apologies I did not notice you. It's just after the war I have always loved the sounds the peaceful nature." A hobby both he and Eragon shared. "What have you come here for again?"

"I'm sorry but I must take my leave now. I only wanted to come here and offer my farewells properly."

"Can you not stay a bit longer?" Katrina asked.

"No, I'm afraid I'm already late and don't want to instigate the wrath of neither Saphira nor Isabella. They will surely have words for me when I return."

"That's a shame that you can't stay and enjoy this peace with us," Ismira said.

"Don't worry I am a man who could never be more at peace. I too love hearing nature's sound, and feeling every creature move and make an impact on this earth. I enjoy hearing and feeling every impact and vibration each creature makes no matter how small."

"I am glad. I do hope you will visit soon."

"As soon as I can allow. But I don't know when that will be. Maybe next year or 50 years from now. But I will come back and do try to tell your kin about me."

"That we promise," Roran said.

They all bid each other a loving farewell.

You're late. A deep voice filled with sadness roared in Eragon's head causing him to hurry to the rendezvous spot outside the walls of the castle. On his way he extended his mind all the way across Carvahall and into the woods to Saphira telling her it was time to ride back. He regrettably omitted the stragglers they were bringing hoping it would be an exciting surprise.

First you wanted me to carry you miles from home and now I have to bring back these babe dragons and there puny Riders.

Eragon was prepared for this reaction from Saphira, knowing she was more upset that he didn't tell her sooner.

You know our position now. You know we don't have the luxury to turn our backs to Riders no matter the reason.

Saphira simply huffed and blew smoke out of her nose turning gesturing for Eragon and the others to get on the ginormous saddle on her back.

Hope you 2 can fly well because this is a long trip

The two young dragons Glaurung and Dalinda looked at each other nervously. They were not ready for the trip ahead.

First Eragon jumped up into the air and onto Saphira's back. He then used magic to lift the two young ones onto the saddle behind him. Using a long intricate spell Eragon made the saddle longer and accessible to the two new riders. He finished with tightly strapping them in, not trusting their intelligence in that field.

In a few large swoops of Saphira's wings they were lifted off the ground and into the vast air. Both Nadia and Isabella hung onto their saddles and stomachs for this was their first time off the ground.

"I think I'm going to puke." Isabella said.

"If you do, do it over the side and make sure you don't hit Saphira. She hates that, "Eragon said laughing, "You're going to have to get used to it sooner or later." Eragon laughed and teased their inexperience. But seeing their scared and excited faces made him feel envious of their ignorance. He remembered the feeling he got when he first rode Saphira and how crazy it was. He was envious because that first time riding feeling, was a feeling he could never experience again. Nadia watched as they flew over Carvahall and within a few minutes she was looking at it from behind her. She had never left the city of Carvahall before. She felt fear rumble in the bottom of her stomach. But in there laid the slightest hint of excitement for a new world.