As they came to shore north of Dras-Leona, Lynde wanted to stretch her legs. While Arlen and her father were going to get supplies, she at least wanted to have some time away from the raft. Rose agreed, so she began to walk.

There had been a smell bothering her since they came to Leona Lake, and Artsanna agreed upon its foulness. I do not know what it smells like, but I do not want to smell it much longer, the Dragon said.

How about we go for a little ride, Artsanna?

Yes! Artsanna had been excited by that, and she waited eagerly for Lynde to mount up. As soon as she mounted, Artsanna flew up and away.

Make sure they don't spot you, Rose warned.

Artsanna made sure not to go to close to the city, and to flew at such a height and speed that she could be mistaken for a cloud. She was rather proud of this deception, and Lynde was proud of her for thinking of it—she couldn't have thought of it.

As they flew Lynde had something that had been bothering her. Why did you take Rose's voice earlier?

Artsanna seemed trouble by this. I did not do that meaning to take it forever. I just wanted her to stop hurting you.

She wasn't hurting me.

Perhaps not with her hands, but her words could have been equally harming. I do not want harm to come to you. After a bit of hesitancy, Artsanna said, I love you like no other has or will.

Lynde wasn't sure how to feel about that. She was vaguely sure what that meant, but unsure of why she had to put it like that. Artsanna… I…

Lynde, if you must be given clarity, I will say that I love you like a sister, only deeper. In a way you are like a child I must protect, but it is also true the other way. It is a complicated thing, but I do love you, and would go to great lengths to protect you.

Lynde was just confused by all this. Why? How?

Lynde, you are the first person I have known in this world, and I have found that, in that way, you also loved your mother. I have felt all the pain you felt, shared in your joy, and grown with you. If I had all the world to choose, you would still be my Rider.

Artsanna, Lynde started, but couldn't find the words. She just couldn't think. Finally she could say something to her. Artsanna, I hope that you understand if I don't say that I love you because…

I understand, she said, but she sensed some longing to her. Feelings are complicated, and love is a concept that Humans have difficulty differing from romance, so you do not need to say anything. Just remember that I will be there for you no matter what.

Lynde was rather taken aback by all this. While Artsanna was someone she cared about, love was a strong word, and she didn't know how it applied to her feelings for Artsanna. It wasn't romantic, certainly, but there were different kinds of love, as Artsanna noted. Perhaps she did love Artsanna, but she needed to think without Artsanna being in her mind to figure it out.

After they had flown a good long while, Artsanna saw something. What is it, Artsanna? Her head beckoned to a nearby hill, and Lynde squinted to see what it was. She couldn't make it out very well, but she did know that it was shiny.

Let's go over there, Lynde said.

Very well, but I would like to be cautious if it is possible, Artsanna said. We will approach from above. Artsanna began to fly higher and higher, using stealth to avoid detection from anyone on the ground. According to Artsanna, there was no one on the ground, but there was something very strange.

They decided to land, kicking up a lot of dust and sand as they did. When the dust cleared, Lynde saw the strangest thing: it looked like strange glass, or the gem in her sword, but it was huge and looked as it were part of the ground. As she approached the object, she noticed a man in the thing who looked alive.

She nearly panicked. "We need to get him out of there!" she said. "He'll suffocate in there."

Artsanna shook her head. Lynde, he is already dead.

That confused her. "But he doesn't look dead."

He is dead. Why else would he be buried like this?

Lynde stopped to consider it. Perhaps he was dead, but she wasn't sure if she was will to risk that. She tried to contact Rose with her mind, and she managed it. What is it, Lynde? Rose said. Lynde sent an image of the tomb to her, as well as the man inside it. Lynde, that is Brom.

Who is Brom?

Brom is Elf-Friend, Rider of Saphira I, Bane of the Forsworn, and many other things. Chief among them, the father of your greatest enemy.

Raud?

No.

Alaric?

No! He is the father of Eragon.

She was surprised. This was the father of Eragon? Also, Eragon was her greatest enemy? Rose, how is Eragon possibly my greatest enemy?

Rose explained. He is the one who leads the Riders, and would do anything to turn you to his side.

I don't think so. He is a hero.

Lynde, stop being so naïve. A hero to some is a villain to others. To the people now, ten years after the war, he is a hero. But during the war he was a villain to the people of the Empire, and was as hunted as you were by Shade and man alike. He made widows, as did Roran Stronghammer. As much as I may respect him, even he cannot escape the label of villain.

Rose, stop it! And she severed contact.

Artsanna snorted. That was childish.

"I didn't want to talk to her anymore," Lynde said. "What else was I to do?"

I was not referring to that, but I suppose that was childish as well. I tell you that Rose's attempt to turn you into her is childish, for lack of a better term.

"Why do you think that?"

You are a young woman, and in your culture women like you usually do not have much influence outside of their own family, or even in it. But as a Rider you can have a great deal of influence, and Rose is taking you and filling your mind with ideas of freedom and fame that anyone of your class and raising would flock to. She is also imprinting on you her ideals and beliefs.

"But I don't want to be a Rider, and how else can I get my wish but go along with Rose?"

Artsanna was quiet for a little bit, but then replied. While Arlen and I were going to Dras-Blöthr, we encountered a pair of Riders and their Dragons. I am alright, and we were victorious. But the only way I could defeat the Dragons was by speaking to them and convincing them of our position. Their names were Datia and Vrenshrrgn. They noted that it was rather common for there to be some reluctance in joining, especially among Humans. But every time they come to the conclusion that they can do much more good as a member.

Lynde was shocked at what she was saying. "You're not seriously on their side?"

I am on your side, and the side you want to be on—the people's side. I will leave it in your hands whether we join or not, but remember what Rose said: a hero must know what is right and what is smart.

Lynde accepted that, but there was one thing that bothered her. "You weren't there when she said that."

You had a dream about it last night.

She was surprised. "You can see my dreams?"

Yes. As long as I am within the range of you mind I can listen to you dreams. And yes, I did see that one. Lynde felt her cheeks blush. That has to be one of the strangest dreams you have ever had. I don't think I've even seen an Elf that…

"Okay, just stop."