Evil: Terribly sorry, beloved readers. I have just gotten back from spending several weeks in Hawaii and will be leaving for my cottage relatively soon.
Saphira: You went to Hawaii and didn't even take us with you?
Eragon: How rude. Didn't you know I wanted to get a nice tan to impress someone!
Arya: Surely he is not speaking of me... (looks away) There is absolutely nothing going on between us, no, no definitely not.
Eragon: (sob) Arya! I thought you loved me!
Evil: You two sort it out. My point is--was, before somebody interrupted--that I won't be able to write another chapter before the end of August. I know. That's a long time. However, do not despair too much. I have written a very short, even for me, chapter.
Ajihad: We feel so neglected.
Evil: Of course you do! YOU'RE DEAD! YOU'RE NOT EVEN IN THE BLOODY STORY!
Orik drummed his fingers on the table. Oromis, sitting beside him, was silent as the grave and not providing ample entertainment. The dwarf lord glanced at his companion.
"How about you do a dance?" he inquired innocently. Oromis stared at him. "You know, just a little twirl around the room. Nothing fancy."
"I do not dance," he stated, flatly.
Orik sighed. He just had to make this difficult… "Then I dare you to dance."
"You dare me?" Oromis raised an eyebrow. "Why would that increase my inclination to dance?"
"Well…" Orik grinned. "I double-dare you with freezing goat's milk and a cherry on top to do one of those nice, hip-swingy dances you elves do."
"Elves do not do 'hip-swingy' dances," Oromis pronounced daintily.
"Yes, you do!" Orik insisted. "I saw you."
"Me." Oromis echoed. "You saw me doing a 'hip-swingy' dance."
"No, not you specifically," Orik said snappishly. "I saw this pretty elf lady and her… husband, I guess, doing a hip-swingy dance. So you must know how, if they know. Do it."
"No," Oromis said simply.
"Come now," Orik pleaded, determined. "I'm sure you really want to."
Islanzadí, in all her perfect timing, chose this moment to awaken from her stupor of sorts on the nearby floor. "Yes, Oromis. Do a hip-swingy dance for us." She smiled mischievously. "That's an order."
Poor, cornered Oromis stuttered a response. "Yes, Your Majesty… if you wish it."
Squeezing his eyes closed, the old elf got to his feet and did as he was bidden, putting his arms above his head and swinging his hips back and forth. Orik burst into uproarious laughter and Islanzadí accompanied Oromis on the makeshift dance floor, swaying in time with him.
Sahpira lumbered over to stomp and sling her tail along with the two elves, and after a moment, Orik gathered the little courage he needed and joined them.
A servant, so innocently and unknowingly returning to refill the wine glasses, fainted by the door.
