"Hurry! Hurry in the cave!" Eragon yelled at Roran and Saphira. They were on the mountain of Helgrind and their journey was way to dangerous to continue for the night, they needed rest. Saphira and Roran quickly followed and observed the cave.

Eragon? Isn't this a little risky? We are on their mountain; this could be the entrance to their dungeon. Eragon had never thought of that and he went deeper in the dark cave as Saphira said,

Eragon, where are you going? Let us take a rest; we have come very far today. Eragon ignored her and went down further in the cave. Eragon found a torch stick and said,

"Brisingr!" The torch was now lit and Eragon saw his surroundings. The cave was very rocky and sharp, if anyone tripped in here it would be a sad accident. Eragon felt heat coming from wherever he was walking to. He followed the heat and then he smelt something burning. Eragon became extremely nervous and wanted to go back but he needed to find out what was at the end of this cave. He finally came to the end of the cave or the beginning, Eragon didn't know which was which. He saw a large circular place with a huge lava pool in the middle. He saw many cell blocks on the rocky walls and he heard screams of suffering people. He then saw what he was hoping not to see. Ra'zac guarded each entrance to the dungeon, and Eragon now knew that he was in one of the entrances. Eragon ran back and said out loud,

"We are trapped. Saphira was right this is an entrance to their dungeon." Roran sighed and said,

"What do we do now? How are we going to get Katrina out?" Eragon didn't know what to do. Their plan was now ruined but Eragon knew one thing to do.

"We need to get out of this cave right now before . . ." Eragon was interrupted by one thing he truly did not want to happen. Three Ra'zac entered the cave and immediately attacked. Eragon drew out his blade as Roran got out his hammer, but Saphira quickly ignited a flame from her maw and somewhat hurt the Ra'zac but did not fully kill them. They tried their best to attack Saphira's head but she just backed away as Eragon and Roran attacked the burnt Ra'zac. Within minutes they claimed their victory. Eragon went to the beginning of the cave and looked up and down checking to see if there were more coming as well, but there was no sight of any.

"We have to get out now!" Eragon demanded both of them. Eragon quickly got on Saphira as Roran did the same.

Eragon, think about this. If I fly we will be easily seen. Eragon knew Saphira was right, but he didn't know what else to do. He then needed some place to stay for the night so he could make another plan with Roran.

Alright, we will quickly fly up then down and we will find shelter. Saphira was confused and she craned her neck to Eragon and said,

Why must we fly up?

I want to get a better look of what we must work with tomorrow. Saphira did what she was told and she flew up. Eragon looked at the top of Helgrind and there were black clouds circling above it followed by a red light from the brightness of the hot lava Eragon saw earlier. He saw jagged rocks of the mountain and he saw barred cell windows. Then Saphira flew a little higher and he saw black gates that led to the rocky lair of the Ra'zac. When Eragon thought that they were going to enter the black clouds above them, Saphira quickly dived down very quickly and flew towards the lake. She flew over the lake and it seemed quite familiar.

Saphira, do you know the name of this lake? It looks quite familiar.

Leona Lake. We swam here once. Eragon's heart skipped a beat when he heard the name. He hadn't seen her in a few days and he missed her. He wondered what she was doing and wondered how big Galron has gotten. He looked down and all he saw was dark water. Then he saw a patch of land in that water and told Saphira to near the island. It happened to be a big island and not just mud and grass, it had large trees and it was perfect for hiding. They landed there and Eragon needed fire wood right away. He asked Saphira,

Can you find some fish while Roran and I find some firewood? Without another word Saphira flew up in the air and dived down into the water with a big splash. Roran and Eragon watched in amazement until Eragon said,

"Alright, tonight we will make camp and find another plan. And while we are looking for wood, look to see if this is Ra'zac territory because that is the last thing we want." Roran nodded and grabbed his hammer and grabbed Eragon's sword, which was actually Gelmir's old sword that he lend to Eragon. The both went around the island picking up sticks and twigs as they searched for Ra'zac. Roran then discovered something and said,

"Eragon, come here." Eragon did as he was told and Roran jumped up and down and to Eragon's surprise it was a hollow sound.

"You hear that?" Eragon nodded and told Roran to get off of whatever was there. Eragon brushed away dead leaves and pine needles and saw a wooden plank. Eragon lift it up in shock and he saw stairs.

"You see that?" Eragon asked Roran. All he did was nod blankly as he tried to go in but Eragon stopped him.

"What are you doing?" Roran looked up and said,

"This is probably another way to get to the Ra'zac. Let's go now!" Eragon tugged Roran's arm and said,

"No, not now. The morning we will do so, but let us . . . "

"Eragon," Roran interrupted, "Do you know how long I have been searching for her? I have done so much to come here and I won't rest until I see her face. Let's go!" Eragon respected Roran's bravery but he was foolish to think such things. He stopped Roran again and said,

"If you waited this long you can certainly wait until morning. I think its great that you have all this courage wound up inside you but save it for the morning, Roran." Roran grunted and got out of the hidden stairs and the he realized something,

"Eragon? Since this may lead to the Ra'zac's lair wouldn't this island be their territory too?" Eragon nodded but kept on walking and said,

"I believe so, but that is a risk I am willing to take." Roran followed Eragon as they picked up a few more sticks and went to their main camping ground. Saphira was not back yet when they came so they started to set up the fire.

"Where do you think it leads to?" Roran asked as Eragon started the fire with his magic.

"I don't know. It could lead to the dungeon, it could lead to their lair, and it may not lead to them at all." Roran nodded slowly and put his hands over the fire. Saphira came and Eragon did not see fish anywhere.

And where is the fish? Saphira opened her mouth and out came dozens of fish. Eragon and Roran looked at the pile of fish as Eragon said,

Nice work, I suppose that half of this is for you? Saphira shook her body and water flew up in the air and then down to hit Eragon and Roran.

Don't be silly, Eragon. That whole pile isn't even enough for me, I had my share of the delicious trout already. This is all for you and Roran. Eragon smiled and told Roran to help him cook the trout. They had many fish but there was still many more so they decided to feed the rest for Saphira. There was not point on saving them for breakfast; it would have spoiled by then. Eragon and Roran put down a pillow and a blanket for them to sleep and they had an interesting conversation that night.

"Well we are here," Roran said as he took in a deep breath of the fresh air. Eragon did the same and said,

"We sure are . . . are you scared?" Eragon looked to Roran but he had his gaze to the stars and seemed calm.

"I'm terrified. But I went through so much trying to save her that I feel I can do anything, I have become so strong and powerful." Eragon smiled and said,

"She's going to see a difference in you. You have changed so much and in a good way. What you are doing Roran is very courageous and brave, you should be proud." Roran smiled and said,

"I am very proud." There was a long silence and Eragon thought that Roran had gone to sleep, but he looked to him and he had his eyes up to the night sky.

"You know, I have asked her hand in marriage." Eragon looked at Roran and he saw a smile on his face. Eragon smiled and said,

"She accepted?" Roran looked at him and nodded. Eragon congratulated him, but all Roran was say thanks gravely. Eragon remembered that he has not seen her for many months and knew that this was painful for him. Eragon couldn't help but notice Roran tearing up, but maybe it was because of his drowsiness. He had never seen him cry since they were kids, until now. Roran let the tears roll down his cheeks. Eragon did not know what to do so he pretended that he did not know he was crying and fall asleep.

Eragon awoke and quickly shielded his eyes for the sun was so bright. After a few moments he adjusted his eyes to the bright skies and found Roran up and putting his boots on and he said,

"Hurry, let us go back to those stairs and see what lies there and draw our plan out." Eragon nodded and saw Saphira on her back sleeping. Eragon laughed and crept up to her and tickled her belly. She growled playfully and hesitated to get up but when she opened her eyes and closed them again.

What do you want? Saphira said annoyingly. Eragon chuckled and said,

Roran and I will be checking on this place that we saw that might have something to do with the Ra'zac. Saphira got up and stretched and said,

Do I need to come? Eragon shook his head and said,

No, but I will call you if we need help. Saphira nodded and flew up to the sky then back down in the water. Eragon smiled at the sight of this and followed Roran to the wood plank. Roran slowly lifted it up and looked down as Eragon did the same. He saw narrow stairs going down terribly far. Eragon remembered that this lake was extremely deep and that this place is probably underground under the lake. Roran went down the stairs but before he did so he asked Eragon to get a stick and light it with fire. They went down the stairs quickly but cautiously. It took several minutes to get to the bottom of the stairs and they found the place very creepy. It was a long hall that was looked dirty and smelled foul. Eragon remembered that this was the Ra'zac's place and that it did not have to be clean since it was no palace. They made their way down the tunnel, which it seemed to be forever, but they finally saw the ending of it. They saw the lowest level of the dungeon. Eragon saw all the prisoners in their cells like he saw the day before. But he was now closer to the lava and he started to sweat when he was still many yards away from the lava. He wondered how the prisoners could stand this heat and then he was interrupted by Roran,

"Alright, I think they know that we are here so I just say lets go in and . . . "

"Are you crazy?" Eragon interrupted him as he grabbed Roran's shirt. He looked at Eragon and grabbed him by the shoulders and said,

"Eragon, we came a long way and I am not going to go back in that wretched hallway and to that blasted island to come up with our plan." Eragon sighed and said,

"So, what is the plan?" Roran smiled and brought him a little deeper into the hallway and whispered to Eragon their plan. Eragon then told the plan to Saphira.

Are you ready? Eragon asked Saphira.

Yes. Saphira replied. Within moments Roran and Eragon saw many Ra'zac heading toward the exits. Roran smiled and said,

"It is working." When almost all the Ra'zac evacuated Roran quietly ran in the hot dungeon. Eragon followed and immediately started to sweat. Roran went up the winding walkway that lead higher and higher up the dungeon. Eragon followed and he then thought that the Ra'zac had figured them out for they were coming back in the dungeon. Roran acted as if he didn't know that they were coming and he continued his search up the walkway. Then Roran yelled to Eragon,

"I found her! Eragon, find a way to distract them!" Eragon nodded and he saw many Ra'zac climbing their way up to meet Eragon with their capes flapping as if they were alive. They hissed as they saw Roran breaking the lock of Katrina's cell with his hammer. They came close to Eragon but before they could even touch him he muttered,

"Brisingr!" Many Ra'zac fell to the ground burning and many blocked his magic. Eragon heard the dying Ra'zac shriek in pain, which caused pain to Eragon's ears. The surviving Ra'zac laughed when they saw Eragon shield his ears. While Eragon crouched down, holding his ears, one of the Ra'zac kicked him in the ribs. Eragon yelled in pain, but it didn't help. Two Ra'zac continued to abuse him kicking him down the walkway.

Saphira! Help! The Ra'zac are hurting me! He heard a loud roar from her as he saw her coming from one of the entrances. When the Ra'zac heard this they hissed and gave one last kick to Eragon before they were burnt by Saphira's fire. That kick sent Eragon heading off the walkway, but he caught himself on the ledge of the walkway. His feet were dangling above the boiling lava and Eragon was becoming very weak. His grip was slipping and he wondered why Saphira has not come to him yet.

Saphira! He called out to her in his mind, but she did not answer. Eragon tried to pull himself up but it did not quite work. Eragon then found the strength to pull himself up to his chest but not the rest of his body. He looked ahead of him and saw one of the cell chambers. Inside was a beautiful woman lying on the floor in a torn dress. She had scars across her face and arms. She looked awfully familiar and then he recognized who it might be. He thought he was seeing things, but he looked again and saw the same woman there.

Sariana? Eragon thought. Then his vision was blocked and he wondered if he had gone blind, but it happened to be the blackness of a Ra'zac's cape who was standing right in front of him. Eragon looked up and for the first time he saw the hood of a Ra'zac down and saw it's face. The face was very pale and contorted. It had a few white hairs growing out of it's pallid head. Eragon did not know if it had eyes or not, but he then saw his black beady eyes underneath his saggy skin. It didn't really have a nose only two holes on its face in the location of where the nose should be. It's mouth was black and when it looked down and smiled at Eragon, he saw it's disgusting teeth. They were sharp, black, and far apart from each other. When it smiled Eragon knew that something bad was going to happen. It drew out it's sword and stabbed Eragon in the hand. He screamed in pain and he lost his grasp of the walkway. He fell as he saw the Ra'zac moving farther and farther away. He realized what was happening and knew that he could hit the lava in a matter of seconds.

Saphira! He called out to her again and when he thought that he was about to hit the lava he hit something hard instead with a great impact. He blacked out for a few seconds but then regained his vision and he saw that he was on Saphira's saddle, flying higher up the dungeon. He adjusted himself in the saddle so he was sitting upright in the saddle. He looked down at his left hand, which was his marked hand, and he saw a big bloody gash. Eragon winced when he saw this but then he quickly drew his attention to where Saphira was landing. He looked down and saw Roran with Katrina hanging over his back. Saphira landed on the narrow walkway, which was just big enough for her. Roran climbed up Saphira's leg and fixed himself in the saddle with Katrina still hung over his back.

"Is she alright?" Eragon said to Roran. Roran looked down to her and said,

"I sure hope so, but we must go. More Ra'zac are entering." Eragon turned his gaze to look around the dungeon and saw angry Ra'zac coming towards them. Eragon was about to tell Saphira to lift off, but he didn't need to. Saphira dived down and headed for one of the exits. Eragon looked down and saw the woman again. She was now standing up with her hands on her cell bars and she was smiling at him. Saphira flew out of the dungeon and she was flying just fine with all that weight on her back. Eragon smiled and said,

You have gotten stronger. Saphira smiled at his comment. Eragon then thought back to that mysterious woman and he had a thought on who it might be, but then he quickly brushed that thought away and said in his mind,

No, It can't be.