WHOOSH! The once forested ground below her turned back to the blue sky as Narssia was caught and lifted into the air by a certain black dragon who just happened to be following her. Twisting her head around to face the blackened scales of the male's neck, Narssia snarled in anger.

You could have just let me die you know, she snapped bitterly.

Adjusting the power of his wing beats, Shruikan did not reply until Narssia had to repeat herself, adding a fierce growl to the end this time to get his attention.

I heard you. The black dragon leaned forward, lessening the powerful gusts of wind that brush over Narssia with each flap of his wings. If I had let you die then I might as well flee from Galbatorix myself.

And why is that? Narssia questioned as she found the warmth that radiated from his chest calming her nerves and as a result pressed herself closer to his chest, trying to be gentle with her claws.

I . . . Wait, can you back up just a little? Your claws are not hurting me but they are close to my scales and in a position to do some damage, Shruikan responded, bowing his head and allowing it to rub across her velvet like textured horns.

Drawing her claws back to rest on his powerful arms, Narssia found herself fighting against sleep as the timeless sound of the wing beat of a dragon and the warmth that comes from the male's chest attempt to lure her to sleep. Realizing her exhaustion, Shruikan decided to land in a calm forested area with a batch of trees off only feet away to offer protection from the cold and the wind. Certainly Galbatorix doesn't expect them to be back within a day, correct?

Rest hatchling. I will guard us, the black male insisted as Narssia let go of his arms and curled up into a ball as he stayed awake to keep guard over them both as the sky slowly turns to black as night approaches.

- - -

Meanwhile Raxmon ripped apart a young rabbit he managed to find just outside of the Varden's camp. Certainly these people are somewhat friendly, after all they do not fear him at least. Lifting his head to the now moonlit sky, the golden dragon growled as the wind stirred around him, pushing the few stalks of grass that surround him toward his scaled chest and arms.

Busy I see, mind if I join you?

Raxmon sighed and turned his attention to his right side, his eyes flickering as he observed Saphira in the moonlight. Her blue scales shimmered with each step she toke and her blue eyes glistened in the pale light of the moon.

I mind it not. The male laid down and flickered his tail to his left side, the golden appendage laying flat along the ground as the blue dragoness laid down beside him.

You are thinking of Narssia are you not? Saphira questioned with a faint growl, hoping to get his true feelings for the black dragoness to come out.

I am but it does me no good. She has left me to find another male, that much I saw when our minds met. This dragon is black and yet she seems to hold a trance of fear in her eyes every time she meets his gaze.

Did she say what dragon is was? Saphira asked, her tail sweeping along the grassy ground below her.

Not that I caught, Raxmon responded, nodding as he did so. I still fear for her. Her young life has not been the best and her father tended to take his anger out on her and her mother.

You told Eragon and I that Narssia almost never spoke of her past, correct? How then do you know of this?

She told me one night as the sky was as black as it is tonight, Raxmon replied as his eyes go to the starry sky above, the distant flickers of flame calming him despite his still worried thoughts concerning Narssia and the new dragon she was hanging around with.

Shifting her wings slightly as they rest along her back Saphira questioned this further, hoping to force Raxmon into explaining his deep down desire for her as his mate.

Tell me more hatchling, I am most curious, the sapphire dragoness commanded as her eyes flickered to Raxmon's still frame.

Narssia was . . . I suppose you can say abused as a young dragon and as such it slowly turned her into who she is today, a dragoness whose heart is filled with hatred for her enemies, no matter what her enemies have done to her. I truly fear for her on the fields of battle, her anger can quickly turn to violence in a matter of seconds as she becomes engulfed in rage and calls forth a tornado of wind to lash out at her enemies.

I thought I saw Narssia breath fire as you two played together, are you telling me that is not true?

It is true it's just when she gets really enraged and loses control over herself that the tornado occurs. I have never felt the sting of her powerful wind but I knew some who had tasted the fury of her uncontrolled anger, Raxmon explained as he sighed once again, lifting his tail and running it along his back.

So she cannot control it? Saphira questioned as she found this rather interesting to hear about Narssia and how her childhood brought about a different dragoness then what would have come to light had she been raised in a far more gentle manner.

Correct, or at least to what I have heard, Raxmon nodded, stopping his tail and laying it along his back as he unfolded his wings slightly to cover his tail.

Saphira growled in agreement and stood up, unfolding her wings and lifting the powerful appendages into the air behind her. Raxmon followed suite, figuring she wants to talk more about this subject that seems to interest her.

Why is it that this interests you so much? The golden dragon questioned, curious as to Saphira's interest in this.

I just wish to know for future knowledge hatchling. Is that a problem? The sapphire dragoness responded, turning her head to face him as the moonlight shines down upon them both.

I suppose not, Raxmon sighed as he lowered his green eyes to the swaying grass beneath them. I suppose not.