Wow! Almost halfway through this part of the story! As always: thank you to everyone who has reviwed, read and liked this story. Please read and review!

Note* : I do not own Eragon or any characters from the Inheritance Cycle.

The days rolled by unnoticed as our small group traveled in isolation. Eragon was pleased to discover that both he and Murtagh shared many of the same interests and opinions. The two of them spent many hours debating everything from types of swords and fighting techniques to battle strategies. Brom would often join in, adding his knowledge and experience to the discussions, while I would roll her eyes when the three began to emphasize their points with large gestures. Saphira and I both found it rather amusing and would laugh with each other when the discussions became particularly fierce.

There was one subject, however, that we all avoided discussing by unspoken consent: the past. Eragon and Murtagh were growing closer and while the group could ride in comfortable silence for hours, there were certain wounds that went too deep and I did not think it was right that I be the one to bring it all up again.

The first week went by without any sign of the Ra'zac, which allayed some of the everyone's fears. Of course meeting Urgals on this trip was not something I was worried about but more than once I had to reassure everyone that it was unlikely that we would meet any Urgals on the way to Gil'ead. Finally I decided to explain the logic behind it; we had just set out and all of us were riding abreast through the empty plains. "Galbatorix will have the Urgals close to the Hadarac because it is easier for him to use them in a campaign against the Varden. Durza, who controls the Urgals, will be preparing them for an attack in which Galbatorix hopes to destroy the Varden once and for all."

Brom was shocked. "How does Galbatorix even know where the Varden are?" Before I could answer Murtagh spoke.

"What I want to know" said Murtagh, "is how the King is controlling the Urgals. How does he keep them from fighting each other or convince them to fight for him?"

I steered Melyngar around a clump of shrubs as I considered my answer. "Do you remember the two magicians that work with the Varden Brom? The Twins?" The old storyteller nodded and scowled briefly as he remembered the bald headed magicians. I ignored it and continued, "They have betrayed the Varden and have informed the King not only of the merchants allied with them but of the Varden's location." I raised a hand to stop Brom from speaking and said, "That is how Galbatorix knew about Jeod and the help he has given the Varden. As for your questions Murtagh the answers are quite straight forward. The Urgals are desperate for land in which they can live in safety. They do not want to be hunted to extinction and with more humans encroaching on their territories they are becoming more and more concerned about it. Galbatorix has promised them that and more in exchange for their alliance. To prevent them from fighting each other or turning on him he has had the Shade, Durza, cast a spell that controls them. If Durza was killed the spell would break and the Urgals would be free."

"Durza!" exclaimed Murtagh. His face darkened as if remembering the Shade and all the unpleasant memories he might have about him.

"There is a Shade?" asked Brom sounding horrified. His eyes were wide and he unconsciously gripped his sword as he considered all the possibilities of having a Shade searching for them.

I nodded and said, "Yes, it is because of Durza that you ended up with Saphira's egg Eragon," I glanced at the Rider who looked surprised. "The egg's courier, Arya daughter of Queen Izlanzardi was travelling with her guards when she fell into Durza's trap. The Twins had told Durza when and where to find Arya; Durza planned his ambush well and succeeded in killing Arya's two guards. In desperation she sent the egg to you Brom but it ended up in front Eragon who was hunting in the Spine. Durza took Arya captive and she is now in Gil'ead."

"So that's how I ended up with Saphira. Is that why you want us to travel towards Gil'ead? So that we can rescue Arya? Also, is that the woman I've been dreaming of?" Eragon had told me (I of course already knew) of his dreams and he looked eager. I rolled my eyes, he would be such a love sick puppy when he met Arya. I really would have to change that – making a fool of himself with her really didn't earn him any brownie points.

I gave a long suffering sigh and said, "Yes, she is the one you have dreaming of. However, we are not travelling towards Gil'ead just because of her, though she is a big part of it. If Arya is not rescued soon then she will be sent to Galbatorix who will break her mind and steal the location of the elven cities as well as a great deal if information about the Varden. Also, if Arya is not rescued then her mother, the Queen, will continue to refuse to give aid to the Varden who desperately need it. One of the many problems with rescuing her is that none of us are strong enough to fight a Shade."

"Argeed," said Brom sternly. "None of you are to take on Durza alone or even together. You would be slaughtered." We all nodded though Eragon looked as if he was reluctant to admit that he was not strong enough. With that we began to speak of other things though Eragon did not speak much and his face remained lost in thought.

I felt like a good spar. We had just set up camp and I felt as if I had way too much energy and not enough to do. Riding at a leisurely pace was all fine and good but I needed an outlet for all my energy. Ergaon and Murtagh had sparred against each other the last few nights while Brom and I had watched. It was my turn to have a little fun.

So instead of sitting down and allowing the two boys to have at it, I drew my sword and said with a smile, "Who wants to spar?" Both Eragon and Murtagh exchanged a wary look before Murtagh drew his sword and we both passed the blades to Eragon who blocked the edges before retreating to sit by Brom. I did wonder sometimes if Eragon had fully grasped that both his half-brother and father were there. Sometimes that boy could be extremely thick headed.

Both Murtagh and I squared off. I quickly reviewed what I knew about Murtagh and I came to conclusion that the only way to win was to use my speed. Murtagh was strong but not as fast as I was. With that in mind I lunged forward, forcing Murtagh to go on the defence while I quickly followed up with a quick succession of blows.

We dueled back and forth, matching each other blow for blow. Finally I managed to slip my blade around the hilt of Murtagh's and with a flick I disarmed him. Both of us were panting though Murtagh was far more tired then I was. I had begun to notice that I had more endurance when compared to others. When he had gotten his breath back Murtagh said, "I don't envy the man that challenges you to a duel Zoe."

I shrugged and said with a smile, "Your very good Murtagh." I turned and gestured at Eragon and said, "Now Eragon, it's your turn." Murtagh smirked at Eragon and took a seat by Brom while Eragon prepared his sword. I was looking forward to this duel, if only because I wanted to see how much Eragon had changed. I couldn't help but grin as I saw how nervous Eragon was.

Our duel was as long as my one with Murtagh for Eragon had truly become a master of the blade. However, my speed again gave me the advantage and I disarmed Eragon in much the same way I had disarmed Murtagh. Despite my wins, I felt out of shape and it was no wonder – I had really dueled since the slavers and that had been at least three weeks ago.

With that it became routine for Murtagh, Eragon, me and occasionally Brom to have mock fights. We forced each other to new heights when we dueled and often retired for the night with bruises and small scrapes. Fighting multiple opponents was especially good practice for Eragon, Murtagh and I who all had limited experience fighting that way. The dueling kept the three of us fit like a set of matched blades.

We past many towns and small cities on our journey and I had to remind Eragon that Arya was in Gil'ead. He wanted to search each and every jail just in case. As it was we all had to devise disguises as we saw more and more people. There were even notices featuring both Brom and Eragon – they offered a substantial reward for their capture - though as I pointed out to Eragon as we looked at one of the posters, none of them had a very accurate picture or description of him. Eragon had grown up quite a bit and his face was no longer the teenager one that the Empire had of him.

Our travels north forced us closer to the capital, Uru'baen. It was a heavily populated area, which made it difficult to escape notice. Soldiers patrolled the roads and guarded the bridges. It took us several tense, irritable days to skirt the capital.

Once we were safely past Uru'baen we found ourselves on the edge of a vast plain. It was the same one that we had crossed on our way to Teirm, except we were on the opposite side. Not that it looked any different or felt any different either. We kept to the perimeter and continued north, following the RamrRiver.

I remembered Eragon's birthday and despite his protest I sung him 'happy birthday.' I had even gotten him a birthday present in the last town we had passed through; it was a small throwing dagger that could easily be hidden up a sleeve or in a boot. For, as I pointed out to the Eragon, sixteen was quite an important birthday and it was worth celebrating it despite the fact we were in the middle of nowhere.

At nearly six months of age, Saphira was much larger. Her wings were massive; every inch of them was needed to lift her muscular body and thick bones off the ground. The fangs that jutted from her jaw were nearly as thick around as my fist and their points were deadly sharp.

Along with travelling, sparring and hunting there were Brom's lessons. Eragon practiced more advanced and complex spells as well as improved his knowledge of the Ancient Language. I had fallen behind him during my absence so Brom gave Murtagh and I separate lessons while Eragon flew with Saphira or practiced magic. Brom also continued with his history lessons and Murtagh even began to talk about court life. I even managed to get him to teach me a few of the dances that were common in the Empire.

My memories of home began to fade; despite my best efforts. I still remembered all that was to happen but I was losing what I had had before. Despite that, it was, as I reflected one night, one of the happiest times in my life. However, like all good things, it had to come to an end and the closer we got to Gil'ead the less time I had before the next major event occurred. Arya. How exactly was I going to bust an elf princess out of jail without being killed by Durza?

We stopped on the outskirts of Gil'ead. Our horses stood side by side as we surveyed the city below. It had taken us nearly a month to reach it, during which time spring had finally nudged away the remnants of winter. During that time I had watched both Eragon and Murtagh grow and change. Ergaon was stronger and calmer as well as less impatient. Murtagh was more relaxed and the cloud of anger around him had slowly faded away.

From a distance we could see the city was a rough, barbaric place, filled with log houses and yapping dogs. Lovely. The air was hazy with blue smoke. Wonderful, air pollution. The place seemed more like a temporary trading post than a permanent city. Fire miles behind it was the hazy outline of IsenstarLake.

We choose to camp two miles from the city, for safety. While our dinner simmered, Murtagh said, "I'm not sure either Brom or Eragon should be the one to go into Gil'ead."

"Why? Both Brom and I can disguise ourselves well enough," said Eragon.

"Yes," I said, "but the Empire wants you two a great deal more then they want Murtagh. They don't know about me yet either. If one of us were captured we could escape but you would taken right to the King."

"What are you suggesting then?" said Brom.

I bit my lip and exchanged a look with Murtagh before saying, "I want to visit the city and get an idea for what the layout is and where Arya is being kept. Only then would I feel confident enough to propose a plan to get her out."

"Then," said Brom, "you should either tonight or early tomorrow and return as quickly as possible so that we are not discovered."

Eragon opened his mouth to protest but Saphira spoke. If anyone is to risk capture it should be one of them, because they would live through it. I do not like it but it makes sense.

"Then let's go," said Murtagh, rising. I nodded and stood beside him.

"Shouldn't we rest and wait until tomorrow?" asked Eragon cautiously.

"Why? The longer we stay here, the greater the chance that we'll be discovered. There is one thing though," Murtagh turned and gave me an apologetic look, "I ask that you, Zoe, stay here."

I was more than a little insulted. "What? Why? Is it because I'm a girl?" I put my hands on my hips and glared at Murtagh. Saphira chuckled in the background, but I ingorned her and the amused look on Brom's face.

Murtagh had the grace to look nervous, "No! It's just that the Empire does not know about you. It should stay that way Zoe. If they find out about what you know then Galbatorix will fly out and capture you himself. Please, please stay here and let me do this."

I sighed and the more logical part of me agreed with Murtagh but it hurt to admit he was right. I raised my hands in surrender and said, "Fine, go, but stay safe Murtagh. Or I will come after you." He laughed and with a wave of his hand, he jumped onto Tornac and rode away. Eragon sat by the fire with Brom while I paced nervously. Going over everything I remembered about this part of the story in my head.

Hours passed, but Murtagh did not return. Saphira watched Gil'ead attentively. Only her eyes moved and no one dared voice their worries though we did prepare to leave – in case a detachment of soldiers left the city and headed toward their camp.

Look, snapped Saphira.

We all whirled to look at the city, alert and watchful. A distant horseman exited the city and rode furiously toward their camp. We waited as he drew closer.

As the rider approached, I recognized Murtagh and Tornac. No one seemed to be pursuing him, but he did not slow his reckless pace. He galloped into the camp and jumped to the ground, drawing his sword. "What's wrong?" asked Eragon.

Murtagh scowled. "Did anyone follow me from Gil'ead?"

"We didn't see anyone," said Brom. His face was concerned and I turned to watch the city, just in case something happened.

"Good. Then let me eat before I explain. I'm starving." He seized a bowl and began eating with gusto. Afyer a few sloppy bites, he said through a full mouth, "I found out that the elf is in the main prison. Durza is here but I did manage to find out that there is a way into the city through the sewers."

I nodded and said, "Thank you Murtagh but what happened to make you leave like that?"

Murtagh shrugged and spooned more food into his bowl before saying. "It's s rather simple thing, but all the more deadly because of it: I was seen in the street by someone who knows me. I did the only thing I could and ran away. It was too late, though; he recognized me."

Oh no. So it was happening exactly like it should but when would the ambush be? I couldn't remember now. I ignored the conversation around me and desperately tried to remember but it the information had fled my mind. Not now!

Saphira took first watch but I could not sleep. About two hours from dawn, Ergaon rose and the rest of us turned to look at him. It was still and quiet but Eragon buckled on Zar'roc as though expecting an attack. No one said anything but we all prepared for a fight. I could sense the minds of men and horses close as well as Urgals. So it was happening.

We stationed ourselves on either side of Saphira, prepared for an attack. As we waited, the morning star rose in the east. A squirrel chattered.

Then an angry snarly from behind made us all whip around. A broad Urgal stood at the edge of the camp, carrying a mattock with a nasty spike. Eragon finished him off with magic but just then I sensed an Urgal behind me and I whipped my sword around, killing it with a slash through its heart. More Urgals began to arrive and we were all quickly engaged in a brutal fight.

Somehow I became separated from the others. I was fighting hard, lost in the fight and the thrill that came from it. I had succeeded in killing at least four of the Urgals when I head Saphira bugle in warning behind me. I turned instantly and saw an Urgal approaching me from behind. I raised my sword but the Urgal managed to avoid the blade and swung his club. I avoided the worst of the blow but the end of the club hit me in my right side. I felt my ribs break. The pain hit me then and with a cry I stumbled, clutching my right side. I managed to get my blade up and with a wild slash I killed the Urgal but the world was beginning to spin and my side was on fire.

I felt myself fall, my sword slipping from my hand and then someone caught me. I was distantly aware of rough voice and the sounds of jingling harness before darkness claimed me.