The next morning was not so dreadfully quiet, and there was at least some conversation between everyone. They were ahead of schedule and now planned to arrive at Ellesmera at mid day, as they were getting an early start. The air was still cold when they awoke, leaving everyone stiff and sore as they rose from the hard ground.
No long after taking off they noticed it had begun to get extremely foggy up where Saphira was flying. Eragon told her to try flying higher to get out of it, as it was so dense they could hardly see a few feet in front of them. The higher elevation was no better, leaving them only shivering in the frigid air. I'm going to try flying down close to the trees and see if it any better. Saphira finally decided.
Just don't get too close and hit your wings on the branches. Eragon warned.
Of course not. Why would I do That? She retorted.
Saphira descended until she was soaring just over the top of the forest. The air was still foggy, but it was much clearer than before. Seeing a clearing in the dense trees Saphira said to Eragon, Shall we show her what dragons are really capable of?
Eragon broke into a grin understanding what she was hinting at. Go for it! He said excitedly. Turning to Ivy he said, "You might want to hold on for this." A confused look spread across her face, but when Saphira plunged into the trees that look turned to surprise as she quickly grabbed tight to Eragon's arm. saphira twirled and spinned, loops and dives, weaving in and out of tree branches, all the while precisely maneuvering so she never hit a tree with a wing or her tail. As she was careening sharply around a particular tree, a stray branch came flying towards Eragon. Without thinking his reflexes kicked in and he quickly ducked to miss it. He forgot Ivy was sitting right behind him and couldn't see it coming. Ivy yelped in surprise as she threw up her arms to protect her face. The branch hit her full on, throwing her balance off and tossing her away from Saphira, tumbling towards the ground. As she was falling Ivy prepared for impact and was overly thankful she had put her sword in the packs earlier, finding it uncomfortable to ride with the day before.
Ivy hit the ground with a thud, the force knocking the wind out of her. She heard Eragon yell out panicked to see if she was okay. Grimacing she answered back. "Yes I'm fine, just a few scratches and bruises that's all." Gingerly she looked up, only to see a ring on a chain lying a few feet away. She instantaneously threw her hand up to her chest to feel for the missing pendant. Her eyes widened in panic as she tried to move to retrieve it. Eragon however had already managed to get to it and was picking it up to look at it, a puzzled expression on his face.
Ivy's heart dropped to her stomach. No, no, no! Don't look at it! she screamed to herself. Eragon slowly approached, his face more confused an before. Saphira asked him, What is it? What's on the ring?
Puzzled Eragon replied, It's got the same markings as Aren.
Eragon and Saphira both stood stunned while Ivy's heart raced. "I, uh, can I have that back please?" Ivy stammered As she stood and lunged for the ring in his hand.
He defensively pulled his hand back out of Ivy's reach. "Hang on just a minute now." He said sternly. "I think you have some explaining to do."
Ivy shifted nervously. "Look it's a long story and we should really be going." She said, trying to change the topic, and again reaching for her lost possession.
Again Eragon pulled it away from her grasping hands.
"I'm not going to play games with you. Now you either you tell us where you got this or me and Saphira leave without you and we keep this." Eragon said raising his voice.
Ivy sighed in frustration and crossed her arms. "Fine. You want to know where I got it? I got it from a friend. He gave it to me a long time ago as a gift. Now can I please have it back?" She pleaded, holding her hand out.
"By a 'friend' do you mean Brom?" Eragon asked in disbelief.
Ivy hesitated, looking into the trees around them. In a quiet tone she answered. "Yes, now we really shouldn't discuss this here. When we get to Ellesmera I can tell you more, but not here!" Eragon, seeing there was no arguing with her reluctantly handed the ring back to Ivy, who then placed the thin chain back around her neck, tucking the ring under her collar.
The two presently climbed aboard Saphira who took off swiftly towards Ellesmera. The tension had heightened and no one said anything. Eragon and Saphira both sought to understand how what Ivy said was true. How could she have known Brom? Eragon asked Saphira.
Maybe she's a lot older than she looks. She IS part elf remember. Saphira answered.
Eragon considered this and saw the truth in Saphira's statement. He realized he had been hoping she wasnt reall hundreds of years old, but he didnt know why. That's true, but why did she act like she had no idea who we were? Surely if she knew Brom then she wouldn't be surprised to meet us. Eragon replied.
Saphira sighed, Maybe it's been a while, I don't know any better than you do!
I guess we'll just have to wait until we get to Ellesmera. Eragon finally concluded.
And if she doesn't give us answers, someone's going to regret messing with this dragon! Saphira added defiantly.
