Eragon woke to see Arclis standing nearby, his head in his hands. He appeared to have a headache, and Eragon approached him slowly. He looked up at him and frowned.

"I said I would teach you the spell, and I will, despite any laws…this form of magic, especially this spell, is illegal in most lands, including Alagaesia." Eragon nodded, wanting him to continue. "This is Antargian magic, and requires no energy from you or anything else, and the words are different." He stood up and bid Eragon to follow him through the trees to a place far from prying eyes and ears.

"What is the penalty for the use of this spell?"

"Death by hanging, drawing, and quartering." Arclis said sadly. "Do you still want to continue?"

"Yes." Eragon answered without hesitation.

"I must be quick, so I may prepare my band for war." He looked around carefully. "The words are akrah vah cali. Got it?" Eragon repeated the words in his mind nodded. "You can figure it out for yourself if you have any questions…the magic is very straightforward. You may not use the spell when the moon is in certain phases, due to the nature of Antargian magic." Eragon nodded in understanding. "Then I take my leave. Good luck, Eragon. If I do not return, see that the village is kept safe."

"I will." Eragon watched as Arclis the Scaled Swordsman left, wondering if he would ever see him again. He looked around at the silent forest. "This is it…akrah vah cali!"

Arya

Arya watched the young dragon take fight for the first time, marveling at his beauty. The emerald green scales were bright and clear, and she thought that no dragon, much less Saphira who had tried to mate with Glaedr, could possibly resist such a fine dragon. Mimic was his name, and who he was, because he could change his mental voice to sound like almost anyone, even Arya. He landed on her shoulder, humming with delight.

I flew! He squealed. I flew!

Yes, you did Mim. The dragon snapped his teeth at the nickname. You are an excellent flyer, little one.

Soon I will be calling you little one… Mimic warned in his strange way, switching from being childish and unintelligent to mature and wise in an instant.

Just grow quickly, Mimic. Arya said, frowning. You must get to Saphira before she finds another mate somewhere…

There are no other males, and I still don't understand why you pursue this Eragon. Arya sighed.

I had heard that rejection makes relationships stronger in the long run for humans, but it seems I was a little misinformed…I will make it up to him. Mimic chirped loudly.

You are funny. He said, flapping his wings and taking off with a shimmer of green light. Arya spoke to herself.

Eragon, I will see that we are together soon. Just don't take anyone else, and don't let Saphira either. She watched the green dragon flit from tree to tree. Just wait a few more months…

Saphira

Saphira, wake up. Saphira shook her head to clear the sleep, standing and looking around.

Eragon? Where did you go? If you're out slaughtering helpless imperial soldiers again… Saphira chuckled and heard Eragon's loud laugh from the trees. Found you.

Just, be prepared…I don't know how I look with this spell…

It worked?

I think I'm a dragon, but I don't really feel any different, and my vision isn't different. Eragon explained as Saphira made her way through the trees. Just tell me the truth about how I look, alright?

I will, though I'm sure you are- Saphira came through the trees and saw him. Are beautiful!

Really? Eragon looked down at himself. He was a dragon, that was very clear, a sapphire blue just like Saphira, and only a little bigger than her. The only real difference between them was his eyes, which were brown like most humans. His wings and tail hung limply to the ground. I look like you, except my legs are thicker. Saphira stepped slowly towards him in awe.

Eragon…She shook her head and nearly leapt to his side, rubbing his head with her snout. I never thought I'd see the day when I would have to stop calling you little one.

Seeing you on the same level…you are still the most beautiful dragon in the world.

I am the only dragon in the world, Eragon. Saphira said with some amusement. Well…not any more…Saphira leaned against him…and caught his scent. A feeling like fire went through her veins, and she nearly gasped with the sensation. Eragon, you smell heavenly.

Saphira, that is your instincts…He sniffed. Though you sort of smell like…cinnamon? How could you smell like cinnamon? Have you been eating anything strange? Saphira shuffled her feet.

Eragon, I don't know if you picked the best time to do this…this is the first day of our mating season, and by the end of this day I will be unable to resist my instincts…especially if you are a dragon.

But I would keep you from doing anything stupid or rash. Eragon snorted. Now, if you could kindly teach me how to use my wings and tail? Saphira smiled and lifted one of his wings.

Feel the muscle that I'm moving. She said as she moved the wing up and down. Try moving it, as you should be able to tell where it is. Eragon grunted and his wing moved slightly. Well, that was at least slightly successful… Eragon blinked and tried again, this time managing to flap both wings. Saphira shivered and growled as his scent washed over her. Eragon, stop it! He did, tucking his wings to his sides. You were fanning the scent to me.

Oh, sorry. I think I can figure out the tail… His tail moved from side to side. There. This is incredible! I never thought I would ride a dragon, much less be one. Are you alright, Saphira? Saphira shook her head.

No. Maybe you should change back for now…I don't know if I can stay away from you much longer… Eragon nodded.

I was just seeing if it worked. He stopped. Erm…how do I change back if I can't speak?

I think…try saying something out loud. Eragon shrugged.

"Aksss veet…" Wow, that sounded strange. Eragon shook his head. Maybe the words are pronounceable by dragons… "Akrah vah cali." Eragon smiled, and his body was engulfed in light. Saphira shielded her eyes with her wings, crying out from the painful brightness. She blinked, shaking her head, and from out of the spots swimming before her she saw Eragon, somehow with clothes on. Now are you alright?

I should be fine. Saphira said, smiling and laying down beside him. Eragon, you can turn into a dragon! Gods, to think I'm going to be my rider's mate…Saphira chuckled, a thought coming into her head that was a little…unclean. Well, you are my rider in more than one way now.

Saphira! Eragon cried, slapping her neck. She snickered.

It was a joke. I wonder what my mother would think of this…Saphira nuzzled him. Grabbing him in her forelegs and drawing him close. Eragon…

Yes, Saphira? Eragon looked up at her, sliming slightly.

What should we name our child? Eragon leaned against her, thinking deeply.

I think if it is female, we should name her Saphira, after you, as we know they will have blue scales.

I agree on that…

But if it's male…perhaps we shouldn't use an Alagaesian name? It will be a hybrid, after all…

It will? But if we are both dragons…

Only my shape is dragon. Still will be a hybrid. I will ask Cyroa about any other names there are…

This is only the beginning…

As to why the offspring are still hybrids, that is basic genetics. Think of his transformation as plastic surgery; if you, say, reduce your nose size, your DNA remains the same, and any of your children will still have a big nose. It is only an outside change, unlike the genetic structure change in Angela's Gift (which is a must read).

I love being a nerd… WOOT!