Sorry that I had to abandon this story for a bit again, bus (as usual) I was busy with school and college stuff since I'm in my senior year of high school. BUT GUESS WHAT? I'VE BEEN RANKED #34 IN A CLASS OF 700 STUDENTS! =D AND GUESS WHAT ELSE?

I'VE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY! =D

ALL REVIEWERS WILL RECEIVE A PREVIEW OF CHAPTER 11!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle under any circumstances. The book was written by Christopher Paolini and published by the KNOPF publishing company. This fanfic is a mere extension of my twisted but awesome imagination. I only own the plot, original characters and places, and original artifacts such as the Emora and the Rosetta Maps.

Ahh, nothing better than a large buck for breakfast, Veltrose smiled after eating his kill. He then gathered all of the results of his rather successful hunt. Of course, it was even better with this beautiful scenery surrounding me. The white-scaled dragon looked up at the evergreen trees that were covered with snow allowing the trees to have a sparkling quality to them when the individual flakes of the frosty substance caught the light. In front of him was the lake that the others had previously crashed landed on. It too was sparkling in its true magnificence with the help of the sun above.

Veltrose made sure that his kill was secured in his jaws and in his old (but still incredibly sharp and deadly) talons. Once that task was complete, the old and mighty dragon walked towards an opening in the trees and, after taking a final look at his peaceful surrounding, unfurled his massive and slightly torn (from old age) bat-like wings and slammed them down towards the ground while jumping into the air. After several thrusts of his wings, he finally deemed himself to be at a safe altitude above the trees and settled in for the short flight back to his cave while being sure to not drop his food.

Shruikan has not slept much last night, he noted from his many glances at him from the previous night after he heard him tossing and turning. No doubt from thinking of his brother. He scowled. How dare Fraener force him to make this decision that should not have to be made to begin with. Why, I remember him when he was a youngling. I remember how he would always play with his brother and Akarli would always have to force them apart to get them to finally sleep. He smirked at the memory from the past and continued to recall more peaceful events.

He then sighed as he looked at the passing trees below him as well as the lake and other animals that were running from the shadow that he cast upon the ground as he flew by, fleeing for their lives. That is how everybody is right now, fleeing from the power that Fraener now holds. Even looking upon the amazing view of the mountainous region did not shake him from the disturbing thoughts that passed through his head of Shruikan killing his own brother.

The old dragon mentally shook his head (for had he physically done it, he was sure to drop his catch!) and tried to think of better thoughts. They then turned towards Thorn. Ahh, his father would be proud at how his son turned out, he thought with a smile. He then frowned. At least he would be, if he had not been corrupted along with the others of the Forsworn that followed Galbatorix like a dog chases meat! He then snorted as he looked straight ahead. Why did I do that? Again, he attempted to calm himself down and clear his thoughts by looking towards his cave that he was now approaching. He smirked as he heard shouting reverberating from the cave walls sounding as if two dragons were tussling.

Well, it seems that I do not have to wake anybody up anymore, he chuckled...

-X-X-X-X-X-

"Thorn! What is the meaning of this?" Murtagh shouted once he woke up along with everybody else after feeling the massive vibrations throughout the cave when the ruby-red dragon backed up quickly at the first opportunity offered to him once he found his wing free. However, the poor dragon accidentally tripped on a small boulder placed precariously on the cave floor. The massive creature found himself flat on his stomach after tripping—face-to-face with his rider and friends. Shruikan looked at him disapprovingly at having been forced to wake up from a much-needed slumber after his night full of restless thoughts and inner conflicts.

Saphira was staring confusedly at Thorn, as were the rest of the cave's occupants. The red dragon used what little dignity he had left to pick himself up and onto his feet…and move behind Murtagh while staring at the sapphire dragoness warily. Before anymore words were spoken, the sound of wing-beats could be heard from outside of the cave. Those that were previously asleep within the cave turned their heads towards the entrance to see who the intruder could possibly be. Eragon, Murtagh, and Arya quickly moved their hands to the pommels of their swords that were supposed to be at their waists. After feeling nothing but air, their eyes widened and quickly looked around their immediate area, searching for their weapons. Angela simply looked to the entrance with a curious expression (with a hint of excitement) on her face.

Before long, a massive dragon with scales that appeared to have, at one point, been as white as snow but has now become slightly dilapidated. Nevertheless, this creature still appeared magnificent as he landed expertly without so much of a sound on the small ledge in the entrance. He then walked in carefully and gracefully carrying what appeared to be two kills. He set them down by the hearth and placed the wood he had been carrying in his claws into the fire. He looked on at his new occupants with bright ice-blue eyes that gave him a curious (and mischievous despite his old age) look. However, experience and wisdom still shown through very clearly from these eyes that have seen much over his many years of life. His age is evident by his slightly dinged and dirtied scales (although Veltrose takes great care to clean himself) as well as in his wings in which the smooth, silvery membrane was interrupted with slight tears and holes after being put to heavy use showing how much this creature enjoys flight. Also, if one were to look closely, the slightest bit of a smile could be seen on his muzzle which would calm the most distraught of people.

Good morning, he greeted, slightly amused at their shocked expressions. Good day for a fire, is it not?

Eragon slightly shook his head from his confusion and looked up at him. "Excuse me, but…"

"Who in the hell are you?" Murtagh interrupted. Eragon sent him a glare whilst Veltrose made a sound in his throat that sounded suspiciously like laughter.

My name is Veltrose, he began. He settled himself on the other side of the fire to face them. I have already met Thorn and Shruikan. He was my student at one point, you know. Shruikan, I mean. Although I wonder what it would be like if Thorn was my student, instead. He seems to be more respectful to his elders while it took you, Shruikan, a long time until you finally began respecting me, he smirked. Shruikan glared slightly at Veltrose while Saphira stared curiously at the white dragon as if something was bothering her.

The elder dragon ignored their odd looks and continued introducing himself. You're lucky I caught you crash landing on the lake. Had you stayed there a bit longer, I am absolutely sure you would have all fallen through the ice. You're in my home. I know it doesn't look like much but it's cozy and is very close to your destination. I hereby welcome you all to Crystila…well, at least to the entrance of the town.

"Wait…we're here?" Arya asked.

"We almost died?" Murtagh exclaimed.

"You were Shruikan's teacher?" Angela questioned, amazed. "My friend, you and I must talk sometime."

Ahh…I believe we already are talking, Angela, Veltrose smirked.

The herbalist's eyes widened at having been beaten at her own odd game of words. Then, they narrowed. "I loathe you," she began. "Yet, you have an interesting quality about your personality. You seem to hold this certain…mystique that greatly perturbs me while at the same time makes me want to poke you until you release all your secrets." She scratched her chin in thought while she spoke this. The humans sighed, being used to this. The elf ignored her. Their draconic partners stared warily at her…still unsure if bringing her was a good idea. Veltrose smirked (and not for the last time, mind you!) again.

Well then…, he blew a smoke ring from his nostrils with an interested smirk still plastered upon his muzzle. Let the poking commence…

-X-X-X-X-X-

The village of Crystila is usually quiet around early evening. Because of its position in the far north, the daylight is chased away by the moonlight at a much faster pace than in Alagaësia. In fact, the moon is so impatient that it is often spotted in all its glittery and mysterious glory around mid-afternoon. Its sisters, the stars would appear around dusk, twinkling in the unreachable skies above, mocking the residents of the vast land below. This brings a certain quiet quality to the village as mothers would call and usher in their children to their houses before they could get lost in the deep darkness that would surely fall upon them all like a dark veil…or a dragon's wing.

However, the quietness was disrupted by the loud SLAM! of a wooden door.

"Amelia! My goodness! You'll wake the child!" Akarli scolded from the kitchen area where she was preparing the fish that they would be having for dinner. The smells of the seasoned meat permeated the house.

Amelia glared as she threw off her coat onto the coat hanger—not caring that she missed and the article of clothing fell into a messy heap on the wooden floor—and stomped over to the kitchen. "Oh, so now you care more about him than you do about me? Are you telling him you're secrets as well, now? Afraid that I will over hear something?" she shouted.

"Amelia, what is this all about?" her mother asked, confused. She set down the knife that she used to cut the fish, quickly dunked her hand into a water bucket that was nearby, scrubbed, and then reached for her glove with the other hand.

"What am I talking about?" the young one shouted in anger. She thrust her hand forward and grasped her mother's hand that was still buried in the water bucket and pulled it out, spraying water messily upon the both of them and the floor. "I happen to be talking about this little thing!" She then proceeded to turn the hand in question over with the palm facing upwards…along with the offending mark.

Akarli was shocked. After many years of hiding it from her daughter, she had been found out. She did not even have a warning or any time to prepare for this. What was she supposed to say? Deny it? Pretend that it is nothing? The evidence is right there and it cannot be hidden anymore. Akarli glared down at the mark before looking into her daughter's eyes. She noticed that they were full of pain and suffering. She even detected the small glitter that could only be a tear at the corner of her daughter's left eye. She then sighed.

"Come, let's sit down and talk about this," she gently offered. She softly pulled her hand out of her daughter's grasp and then guided her to a chair at the table. Then, she proceeded to sit down herself. "I honestly don't know what to say. I haven't really had time to think of the things that I should tell you."

Amelia sighed heavily and then leaned back in her chair while staring at her mother. The creak of her chair shot through the heavy silent air around them like thunder. All other noise appeared to be absent from the ears of the two women. "Let's start with the truth."

Akarli nodded in understanding. "If the truth is what you want, then the truth is what you shall get. This mark is…well…it symbolizes something, I believe…"

Her daughter looked at her in confusion. "You mean you don't know?"

She shook her head slowly. "No. I don't. Actually, I don't know anything, to tell you the truth. I'm talking about my life before I found myself here in Crystila. You see, I was told that I am experiencing amnesia. I don't know where I came from, who my mother is, or how I got here. Robert—that man you would sometimes see come here to talk to me—says that he and a group of hunters found me on the shore of the beach just on the other side of these mountains. He does not know how I came there or how I became unconscious, but he said that around me…he found large footprints. Like something massive came close to me at one point while I was lying there unconscious. Not only that, but…"

Akarli pulled out her necklace that was hidden under her shirt and then pulled the golden chain over her head. She first looked at the dark black scale as if it could give her all the answers but it just stayed in the palm of her hand…silent…refusing to speak. She sighed and then gently placed the scale on the table in front of Amelia. The chain made a slight scraping sound as it came into contact with the wooden table.

"Robert also found a few of these surrounding my body. He says that these are scales though of what he refuses to explain to me." Akarli placed her right elbow on the table (which surprised Amelia for she was always scolded whenever she had done this) and then placed her head on her hand. The international symbol of someone deep in thought. The wind blew a bit outside, rattling the window pane slightly but both women ignored this.

Amelia gasped at the sight of the single scale and picked it up off the table. She stared intently at it, fingering the smooth scale that appeared to be in pristine condition as it shined from the soft fire from the candle that sat on the table. The flame appeared to dance upon the smooth reflective surface of the scale. The single flame showed clearly despite the scale's pitch black color. Curious, Amelia brought the scale closer to the flame. The scale became hotter but Amelia noticed that the opposite side of the scale felt warm, but not as hot as the other side. Her eyes narrowed as a new question entered her mind…one that refuses to depart until her curiosity was satisfied.

"What are you doing?" her mother asked when she noticed Amelia stand up and run over to the coat that was tossed haphazardly on the ground by the door. She searched through it and then pulled out metal tongs that she accidentally kept from the smithery. She ran back to the table and picked up the scale that she dropped and placed it in the grasp of the tongs after she separated the golden chain from the scale. Akarli raised an eyebrow at her daughter's odd behavior.

Amelia then turned to her mother with the object within the grasp of the tongs. "I have an idea of what creature this scale came from…but I need to be sure. Mother, I know that this may be hard for you…but I'm going to need you to trust me."

"But Amelia, I have always trusted in you," Akarli spoke without the slightest but of hesitation.

Amelia's eyes widened as she glanced at her mother. She smiled softly and then stared back at the single scale. Slowly, she brought the tongs closer and closer to the flame until it was right over it. Noticing that the it was not melting or showing any other sign of damage, she looked to her mother who nodded at her silent question. Taking in a breath and holding it, Amelia began to lower the object into the flame and held it there for a few seconds before removing it from the candle. There was no visible damage to the scale. The only sign that illustrated the fact that the thing was subjected to an open flame was the small wisp of smoke emanating from one side. Akarli rose from her seat to get a heat cloth that she would use to handle hot plates of food and set it on the table before sitting down again. Amelia, getting the hint, placed the scale on top of this cloth ever so gently as if she was afraid that the curious object would simply fall apart. With the heated side faced downwards, she looked to her mother again.

Akarli put out a shaking finger towards the underside of the scale. She let it hover above the item for a few seconds and determined if it was too hot or not. After not feeling any intense heat from the scale, she slowly lowered her finger and prepared to pull it away at the instant that she felt any extreme heat. Her fingertip finally landed on the scale and rested there. She gasped.

"It's warm…but it is not even the slightest bit hot!" she exclaimed.

The young one nodded, her fears confirmed. "Dragon scale."

The mother's eyes narrowed as she recalled her dreams that she had had many nights throughout her new life. "I knew it. Robert thought about it, but I just had the feeling." She looked into her daughter's questioning eyes.

"I have had dreams—although I'm not so sure that they're just simple dreams anymore. They were of this large black creature. I guess now we can call him a dragon. As strange as it may sound…I believe I was atop him. Like I was riding him or something…ARGH!" She immediately grasped her head and clumsily stood up, accidentally letting the chair fall down with a loud clatter upon the wooden floor with the sound echoing throughout the house.

"Mom! Are you alright?" Amelia asked, unaware of the fact that this is the first time she called her "mom" instead of "mother" or her actual name. "What's going on?"

Akarli's eyes were shut but strangely, many images passed in front of her eyes in a rush. Despite the fast speed, Akarli managed to recognize all the images and committed them to memory, making sure to never forget them.

"What's going on?" Amelia whispered again.

The mother's eyes opened after a minute or two. She swallowed heavily and tried to soothe the massive headache that she now had. She looked down at her daughter's worried eyes and whispered three words: "Memories…," followed by, "Get Robert…."

-X-X-X-X-X-

…and then, Shruikan being the young fool that he was, thought that he would not have any problem and decided to go for it…only to be racing towards me with a whole hive of bees chasing him, Veltrose chuckled along with the others.

Shruikan, however, was not amused. This was clearly shown when he growled and continuously breathed out black smoke. He then looked down at his two young charges that were still under his wings. He noticed Ehecatl smiling but what really amazed him was the fact that his older brother, Astarot, was actually laughing. This made him lighten up and caused him to chuckle as well for he realized that Astarot smiling was a very rare event. Astarot laughing must have been something so rare that one would have to go back to the dragonet's childhood to find a similar expression.

The poor fool forgot that he had scales…and he's a DRAGON! the white dragon continued.

"So that's all we needed to get you away from Galbatorix? Bees?" Murtagh roared with laughter along with Thorn.

I will never see you in the same mysterious and foul light that I saw you in the past again, Master, Thorn smirked.

Watch it, Shruikan warned. Don't forget that I still have years of experience over you and can still make your life a living hell…hatchling. The black dragon inwardly grinned when he noticed Thorn shiver from the threat.

Oh come now, Shruikan, Veltrose began. You don't nearly have as much wisdom and experience as I do. The elder continued laughing.

And you do? Correct me if I am wrong, my old friend, but I seem to remember a time when a certain white dragon with years of experience happen to wake up in the middle of the night hungry. This creature of immense wisdom flew off for food. Once you ate, you flew back but you were so tired, you fell asleep…IN MIDFLIGHT! Shruikan chuckled even more along with the others. It took a mountain to literally slap you in the muzzle before you woke up. Am I not correct, master? he asked with heavy sarcasm and the still present grin knowing that he had bested his master in storytelling.

Veltrose stared with a deadpan expression at his student and snorted. That might have happened…, he agreed.

Might have? Smoke plumed from Shruikan's nostrils as he continued laughing. Go outside and check, I believe that dent in the mountain is still there.

Veltrose harrumphed before finally cracking a smile. Correct me if I am wrong, my young friend, he began in the same way as his student had just to spite him. But I also seem to remember a time when a certain black (and foolish) dragon do the same exact thing when he was blinded by love (and stupidity) by looking at a young female dragon and flying after her only to momentarily forget to flap thus causing yourself to fall into the ground. Fly over there and check for I believe the imprint of your body is still there on the ground.

The eyes of the dragon-in-question widened before narrowing. I thought I told you to never speak of that again, he growled.

Just like I told you to never speak of my sleep-flying to anyone? Hmm, yes. I seem to remember having such a conversation. The elder laughed before opening a personal link to Shruikan. Face it, my friend. I won. He winked which would normally seem odd to any dragon but appeared normal to the…

Old bag of scales, Shruikan called. He then cracked a small smile. I missed you, Master.

Veltrose smiled. Now, Shruikan. If I heard correctly, youare the master of these dragons. You are their teacher. I could not think of any better dragon to teach them the ways of the dragons. You were a very interesting and fun student to teach as you have made me feel more of a youngster. Although there were those moments when you just made me want to rip my scales out. He and Shruikan chuckled while the others continued bellowing out in laughter and continued eating the meal that Veltrose had brought. You and I are equals to each other. There is no need in calling me "master" anymore, my friend. Just call me by my name.

Yes, Veltrose, he agreed with a smile which then slowly turned into a frown. But I can't have possibly been a good teacher. I was teaching Thorn how to kill mercilessly…I robbed him of his childhood. While it is true that I did not want to do that, I still did so anyway. He looked down at his paws. I should have been stronger. There are so many things that I have done wrong…so many mistakes that may have cost the lives of many…

You see? There's your problem right there! Veltrose chided. His youthful eyes narrowed, illuminating the true wisdom that was hiding. The eyes would be enough to freeze somebody on the spot to listen to what must be told. One could hear the icy eyes being narrowed in the dragon's voice. You are always blaming things that are out of your claws on yourself! Did you really have much of a choice. No…stop! I know what you're gonna say. That you were the one that sided with Galbatorix in the first place and that you did so willingly. But think about it. What would have happened if you decided to back out of it later? Either you would have been killed or you would have been forced to destroy so many innocent lives.

I suppose so…

The elder looked upon his young charge (now a Master in his own right) and softened his intense glare. The ever present wind entered the cave and tickled the fire in the center which retaliated back by becoming slightly larger to bat the wind away before resuming its original size. This was what was happening within Shruikan. Veltrose noticed the conflicting emotions occurring within the dragon. The others now began to talk upon themselves. All except Saphira who continued to stare at Veltrose with eyes that held a question. The Old one took note that he should talk to her later once he was done with Shruikan.

My friend, you're fighting fire with wind. Too much wind, the fire will dissipate until it eventually disappears. Too much fire, the wind will simply be swallowed up and allow the fire to become larger. There must be harmony within the two elements, just like there must be harmony within your soul and your emotions. Rejoice! You're here with me and with new and interesting companions! Not only that, but you will also be reuniting with your rider in time. Don't dwell on the past. Live for the present and prepare for the future. The white dragon gave a final nod to confirm that he is being serious (which is an odd quality of the old coot) and must be listened to.

Shruikan's lips twitched into a slight smile. You old coot…again with the nature proverbs?

Anything to get you to listen, my friend. Anything that will get through that thick bundle of scales on your head, he smirked.

Excuse me, Veltrose? It is Veltrose, right? A thought entered through his mind.

Everybody turned towards the source of the thought: Saphira. Yes, Saphira. It is. How may I be of service to such a beautiful young dragoness such as yourself? he offered.

Eragon and Murtagh smirked before being silenced by a glare (along with a threatening growl) from Thorn. I learned something interesting about a major difference between us rider dragons and regular wild ones.

The white one nodded his head in understanding and as a signal for Saphira to continue her inquiry…yet he became afraid of the direction in which the innocent question was going.

Rider dragons can communicate within their minds while those of the wild variety retained their ability to talk out loud…

Shruikan began to stand to stop Saphira but Veltrose held out a wing to stop him.

So how is it possible for you to talk within your mind? Are you a rider's dragon?

Saphira, Shruikan began but was cut off by Veltrose.

No, wait, my friend, he silenced the black dragon who promptly sat back down to see how things would unfold.

At first, there was nothing bus silence. Everybody, including the herbalist, the two humans, the elf, and the four dragons (not including the one in question and Shruikan) stared at the white one, curious of the answer. Shruikan just stared at Veltrose because he was worried for his friend. He believed that his former Master should not have to answer this question, understanding of Veltrose's past. There was complete and utter silence in the cave that, again, was broken only by the ever present wind whistling as it blew through the stalactites and stalagmites along with the other deformities of the cave. The drip-drip of the water from the melting snow above the cave could be heard as it slithered around the conical structure of the stalactite above the fire. Some drips onto the floor, others falling into the fire with a hiss and a crackle. The fire would also sometimes pop once the flames lick a pinecone or an acorn that may have been brought in from the outside.

Veltrose looked deep into the fire, no one dared to speak. He concentrated on each single lick of flame battling over the other for dominance. He thinks of which path he should take…what should be said and how much of it should be spoken in front of his interesting cave-mates. He would have chuckled over that thought: cave-mates. Naturally, he would have found the term amusing along with many other little things that he would feel it funny enough to reveal to them to discharge a laugh…or at least a giggle. But not even a smile crossed over his lips. This was too serious a manner to laugh. He finally pulled his gaze away from the battling flames and looked up at everyone's curious faces. Veltrose then decided on a path and slowly stood up. Again, his old bones protested but the dragon ignored the cracking sounds. Once he stood onto all four feet, he spoke with a saddened expression upon his face; another odd sight from the usual happy-go-lucky old dragon.

Well, he began. I guess it was a good thing I removed your weapons. He lightly laughed but then stopped when he noticed that no one else joined him. He then sighed and continued on with the inevitable. The reason as to why I possess the ability to talk with my thoughts and not with my mouth is because… He breathed deeply here. …because at one point in my life, I had a rider. But…

His throat clenched up. Shruikan knew that this was a very difficult subject for his friend to talk about and stood near him, letting his uninjured wing droop over his old companion. This was akin to an older sibling hugging the younger. It was like a protective hold; no matter what happened, he was there for the old dragon. To support him. It was very rare for Veltrose to be speechless, but Shruikan understood why he was acting this way. Nevertheless, it was scary. This isn't what his teacher is supposed to be like. He would say what was on his mind and not regret it. But here he was, speechless. Shruikan nudged his side to get the words out of Veltrose.

He was evil…corrupted… The white dragon let his head droop towards the ground as he stared at the flames of the fire once again, watching them battle. Then, with new found courage, he stared back up at them all. He adopted a steely look in his eyes, and continued. He was corrupted and became part of the Forsworn…

…and so did I…

I'm sorry, but I have to say it. I absolutely LOVE Veltrose's character. He's just so funny yet serious when he needs to be. But DAMN! Were you guys expecting that little cliff-hangar at the end? lol Oh well. Until next time!

PLEASE VOTE IN MY NEW POLL THAT I HAVE POSTED UP IN MY PROFILE, IT'S IMPORTANT! THANK YOU!

Sincerely,

The Aviator