Ok, so I took a REALLY LONG TIME on this chapter, and I apologize. I was really working hard on this, not really in length, but more in quality. This seriously probably won't seem that good, maybe even stupid, but I hope you like it! Note: If you're confused or just think this is plain stupid, I'm sorry this was a disappointment; I tried my best. =) Peace out and enjoy!

Chapter 7: Secrets Revealed

Eragon and Arya stood facing one another, glaring their hatred full force. Saphira snorted and began mentally muttering something about humans' lack of communication.

Eragon sighed at sat down, a sign that he conceded his stubbornness. Arya nodded.

"If I am to tell you this, you must promise me that you will not reveal this information until the time is necessary." Arya kicked aside a branch that lay on the ground and sat down. Both Eragon and Saphira agreed mentally. Arya began.

"This story must not be repeated unless permission is granted by any of the royal elves, am I understood? You must swear in the Ancient Language"

Eragon nodded and swore, as did Saphira.

Arya studied Eragon then said: "my tale is more important at the moment, Eragon, explanations shall be told later."

Eragon nodded, though questions nearly burst from his lips in protest.

"Long ago, before the elves or humans came to Alagaesia, an evil magician created a monster out of the fires and dust of the earth, to sweep through Alagaesia, causing havoc and chaos wherever it flew. It was a hell devil on earth.

During its tirade, it killed thousands of dwarves and hundreds of young dragons to feed its everlasting hunger. My brother is one of those killed." Eragon blinked, but said nothing.

Many secrets are being revealed this day, Eragon, get used to it. Saphira mumbled, snorting softly.

"The elder dragons finally decided to combine their magical forces and imprison this devil and cast it into the earth whence it came…" Arya hesitated, "beneath Carvahall."

"As you have evidence, Eragon, of Saphira's magic, fifty-thousand ancient dragons' magic, combined, can be enough to move a mountain range."

Eragon surprised himself my not being surprised at his newly found knowledge, but he was still curious. "Arya, why did none of the townspeople not feel the quaking earth; the jostling in his slumber?"

"If I knew that I wish I could tell you. But some things shall be hidden from us forever or some only time can reveal."

Silence filled the night, and Eragon felt the time for questions surge forword.

"Why is this 'monster' such a great secret? Surely this would have left a mark in Alagaesia's history. A thing of that" Eragon waved a hand towards the sky, "size would not go through the world without a sign from anyone."

Arya smiled wanly, "It is a secret because it was not necessary to frighten people with the least of their worries. The elves knew, and they kept it secret for the peoples safety... as well as the upkeep of Alagaesia's population."

Eragon nodded. "How does this devil tie in with Galbatorix? He is powerful, but not enough to withstand the power of the dragons."

"This is yet to be found out. Undoubtedly he found it in some stolen manuscript and has conujured up a mass of magic to bring this creature back to life; to be his pet." Arya answered solemnly, closing her eyes as if the answers were draining her.

"Who was this magician? What became of him? If he was powerful enough to create this monster, what kept him from just creating another?"

Arya hesitated, obviously having to balance the answer. "This magician is no longer alive..." she looked at Eragon "...he was my brother." she said simply.

Eragon winced, her brother was evil? No matter, more questions bubbled out of him. "If this was such a great secret, and nobody knew, save some people, about it, how do you know it?" Eragon stood up from his erect position, and began pacing the grounds; he didn't like feeling ignorant like a child.

This time Arya looked straight into Eragon's eyes until he became uncomfortable. "This was told to us by the first Royal dragon and Rider, Eshaykran of the Morning Scales, and Queen Eudryd of the Raining Stars, and passed onto the reigning monarch and his or her first born-"

"-How was there- why- how come this was never recorded in the books that I've read about the Riders? There has been a woman Rider before?" Eragon stared at Arya in disbelief, his mouth open agape, "how come not one hint that there had ever been a woman Rider not reach me? Surely this should be a milestone in the history of the Riders!" Eragon exclaimed.

Arya sighed and shifted in her seat. "Queen Eudryd was not our first woman Rider. In fact, she was our last." Eragon querked his eyebrow, but said nothing, "our very first woman Rider was Syrvinna of the Gilded Bow. She was a charming lady, but a deadly foe. She was most renowned for her skill with the bow. The dragon that chose her had the scales of a clear, vibrant diamond. Her name was Welda of the Shining Scales.

"When her dragon chose her, the humans of Alagaesia disputed whether or not this was acceptable for women to be warriors.

"This argument lasted several years, women Riders eventually growing in numbers. The dispute became a massive thing; people everywhere had some opinion, good or bad. When the final choice whether or not to keep the women as their Riders came about, the outcome was grievous.

"The law was that the women would have to submit their dragons to The Hold, a giant, legendary, and confining dragonhold, which was meant for unruly dragons, and resign their names as Riders. This was a crushing blow to Rider and dragon. Some tried to resist, but the power or the other Riders was too great. They were forced apart from each other, and this drove them all to madness." Arya looked mournfully at Eragon and Saphira.

"The sorrow that became of this was too great a burden of guilt and shame for the people of Ashania, that the judges, who were powerful magicians, more so than the Riders, cast a forgetful spell on the all of Ashania, to erase the morbid mistake of theirs.

"But there were those who did not forget: the lady Riders themselves." Arya lowered her head, her ebony hair cascading onto her shoulders. A tear slid down her cheek, although she tried to conceal it.

All of a sudden, a streak of understanding filtered through Eragon like a gust of fresh air in a stuffy room; "you… you used to be a Rider… didn't you?" He said slowly.

A sob escapes Arya, and she ran into Eragon's arms, the tears from the past welling out of her eyes.

She looked up at him, and she nodded, another tear slipping down her white cheek.

Arya, a Rider? Eragon shook his head in disbelief. Why had she not told anyone? Why was she still perfectly sane? How had she escaped the exile, and the others hadn't? Who was- is- her dragon?

Most unusually, Saphira was remaining silent.

Eragon whirled around to face her. Did you know about this?

Yes. Saphira's eyes lowered.

Saphira! Why did you not tell me? We are dragon and Rider!

I could not tell you. I was sworn to secrecy by someone I cannot call by name. I am very sorry Eragon, but Arya herself was also obstinate. And Eragon, you know no matter what oaths we swear, we will always be dragon and Rider. Saphira met eyes with Eragon, and a flame licked around her lips.

Saphira, if we keep secrets from one another, we have no right to call ourselves even that! Have you no respect for our bond?

Saphira roared, the tongue of flame turning into a full force jet or fire. I have every respect for our bond, Eragon! And by keeping that oath, I have shown my respect.

HOW?

ENOUGH! A thundering voice entered both their minds in an ear-splitting tone and hushed the both of them.

A bright light extinguished the dark as a figure, bathed in light, descended from the height of the treetops like a star from the sky. It, whatever it was, finally touched the ground, and the light began to dull, slowly revealing

"I shall explain."

Sadly, I think this will be the longest chapter I will ever right it this story, so don't expect more in the next chapter. This chapter was hard for me to write and I probably got all of my facts wrong. I hope you enjoyed this, now REVIEW! If you think this was stupid, just comment for improvement. Long reviews are helpful, and helpful criticism is appreciated! =) REVIEW!