Next week is going to be crazy because I have an effing annotative bibliography to do and I don't even have my sources plus other homework so I don't know if I'm going to be able to get up any chapters or anything. Sorry about that in advance but I'll try to get it up a little after.

Nothing went wrong the entire way up to his shift. As quickly as he could, he slid on his armor and helmet, picking his sword up and sliding it into the sheath. He waited for Arnald to get ready and they made their way to the desk that had been taken from the council tent and placed a few yards away. Wimarc was in too bad of a mood from being forced to sit outside to point his brutal comments at any single person. He didn't even barely look at them as they reported in. It wasn't long before Eragon was making his way through the darkening clearing to the trees beyond.

As he arrived at his post, a the man he was replacing turned and scowled. From Colin's memories, he knew that this man, Leofrick Senlis, was in Wimarc's inner circle and did whatever he was told. Trying to keep from starting a fight, Eragon nodded.

"Senlis."

The man crossed his arms.

"Colin, how good to see you again. I'm pretty sure I saw you walking aimlessly last night around the camp. Could it have anything to do with your dead wife? Are you having nightmares again?"

His tone was malicious and cruel and Eragon screamed inwardly because he could do nothing about it. Instead, he acted like he was having trouble containing his anger. Which in this case, he truly was. Leofrick laughed like a possessed man and walked as if to pass him. But as he did, the man took the dull end of his spear and slammed it under Eragon's arm into the pressure point just below the armpit. Pain rocketed through him and he dropped to his knees as stars danced in front of his eyes. He sucked in air as his fuzzy vision slowly cleared and he could see again. Still reeling from the pain, he sat down against the tree and closed his eyes, breathing slowly.

"Eragon?"

Her voice sent electricity through him and everything, even the pain, was forgotten. A weird reaction that scared him as much as it pleased him. He opened his eyes to find Arya standing before him, her hood in her gloved hand. She seemed worried. He closed his eyes again because the pain had returned full force. Pressing his hand to the injury he spoke quickly.

"Heill."

The wound under his arm tingled before the pain dissolved and he was able to relax. He opened his eyes to find that Arya had knelt down and was right in front of him.

"What happened to you?"

Her voice was clear of emotion but her eyes were less passive. He shook his head.

"I'll tell you about it later. Where is everyone?"

"I scouted ahead with a few others and they went back to bring the rest in about thirty minutes. If we start moving before it's completely dark we risk being seen." He nodded and pushed himself off of the tree. She stood as he did. "Why did he do that?"

Eragon smirked.

"Oh you know, I'm better looking and he got mad." She frowned and he rolled his eyes. "It's just the whole thing with. . . you know, since we have a while I can just show you what happened."

"Fine."

For the next couple seconds he blocked his emotions from his mind. When he opened it to her, her presence was welcomed. He played through everything fully until he reached the part with Leo. Skipping over it very subtly, and moving on with the rest of the day. When he claimed he had finished, she spoke in his mind.

"Obviously you are keeping something from me, Eragon. I didn't see where you received your injuries and there was a difference in the sky from one point to the next."

"That's because I don't feel like showing you until you have no choice but to agree."

"Eragon."

"Arya."

Annoyance flared through their connection before she broke it off and glared at him.

"What did you do, Eragon?" He didn't speak, settling for just watching her reaction and he saw her eyes narrow angrily. She moved closer so that she was inches from him. "People's lives are at stake Eragon. I swear, if any of my people die, you will answer for it."

He looked away.

"It isn't something I could turn away from Arya."

"What wasn't?"

He was silent for a moment before he pushed at her mind. She hesitated and then let him in where he proceeded to show her exactly what had happened. By the time he was done, he could feel the irritation and anger in her. She pulled back and glared at him. Her voice was a whisper, so as not to alert anyone, but she was definitely mad.

"Do you realize the risk you have put all of us in?! If they talk-"

"They wont!"

"You don't know that!"

Now he was becoming angry.

"I do! Because I spoke to that guy. I looked him in the eyes and I could see his hatred for Galbtorix."

"It doesn't matter! He could've been acting or playing you so that you wouldn't worry about him betraying you!"

"He swore to me in the Ancient Language. He cannot lie."

"You and I both know how the language can be twisted! You weren't nearly specific enough to stop him from communicating in all ways. Did you even think of the brother telling?"

"I saved his life, Arya! He wont betray me."

She shook her head angrily.

"You put too much faith in people, Eragon."

"And you too little! Did you not see what was happening to that boy? Did you not see that a child was being beaten to death before my eyes? How could anyone, how could you, turn away? A small child who'd done nothing wrong except try to feed himself and he was being battered with glass bottles and steel boots. If you had been in my situation, you would've done the exact same thing!" She looked taken aback and then confused. Turning away, she walked several feet and stood there. After a moment he moved towards her. "Arya?"

When she turned back, she seemed almost ashamed but she hid it well.

"No." Her eyes met his. "I would've let him die." Her voice wasn't accusatory. It wasn't proud. It was regretful. It was as if she'd realized something that she wasn't happy about. She looked at him. "How do you do it?"

He was confused and slightly surprised by what she'd just said.

"Do what?"

"Care."

He just stared. He had no words to explain or answer her question.

"I don't und-"

She interrupted as she looked away again.

"How do you find it in your heart to help somebody you know might not be worthy of your trust? You, a person who knows what this world is, all the horrible things that happen, can just look at a person in need and risk himself to help them. It's baffling to me that you can care so greatly about so many people when others would see you dead because of who you are and what you stand for. Especially the people in that camp."

He looked down and then gripped her arm, making her face him. She met his eyes and he tried to relay his sincerity.

"Because people are worth saving. Even though there is some that aren't, you can't write everybody off because you've been hurt by others."

Emotion played out across her face but he couldn't decipher what it was. She looked down and smiled sadly.

"I feel like that comment was aimed at more than just this."

He couldn't help it, he needed to connect with her in some way. Even the small distance between them felt like too much. He reached out and linked his fingers with her own. She startled and pulled back but he didn't let her hand go. He waited to talk until she looked at him again.

"I don't know what happened in your past that closed you off so much, Arya. I can't claim to even understand what you feel. All I can tell, is that you are afraid." She narrowed her eyes and stepped away. He followed. "Stop it. I don't care how tough you act, you gave yourself away the moment you let your guard down to me. I will respect those boundaries you set but I am going to try as hard as I can to get you to realize that I wont hurt you. Until that time, I'll be right here. Ok?"

She looked as if she wanted to protest still but she didn't do anything except nod. He squeezed her hand and smiled before getting back to the subject at hand.

"Cassius and Leo are going to be coming here one at a time. Leo first. He might even get here before our people come."

He was right, ten minutes later they heard the trampling of leaves a few feet away. Eragon rested his hand on his weapon and Arya moved out of sight in case it wasn't Leo but somebody else. Eragon grinned when he saw the boy and called quietly to him.

-A-R-Y-A-

The moment the boy saw him he sprinted to Eragon and hugged him. Eragon laughed quietly and then let him go.

"Did you make it here ok?" The boy nodded and her heart warmed despite her efforts. "Good. Ok Leo, my friend Arya is going to come out here now but don't worry, ok? She's going to help us."

Leo looked about nervously and Arya stepped from the shadows. Immediately Leo took several steps back and watched carefully as she went and stood next to Eragon. Leo studied her and moved closer.

"Is she a Princess?"

Eragon smiled.

"Yes. How did you know that?"

"Because she's so pretty."

Eragon looked sideways at her and then back at Leo.

"She is, isn't she?"

Leo moved forward further and continued to stare at Arya.

"I've never seen somebody so pretty."

Eragon grinned and she felt his knuckles run along the back of her hand.

"Me either."

She elbowed him subtly and stepped a couple inches away. It wasn't that she didn't like it, it was the fact that it was way too distracting. Even though he looked like an old man. Leo grinned and then Arya heard the barely audible footsteps of her people and looked at Eragon.

"They're here."

Eragon knelt down before Leo.

"There is going to be a lot of people coming here in just seconds but they are all good. I promise. They are going to help me get you to Carvahall."

Leo frowned but this time he looked less nervous. Still, as the first came through the darkened woods, she felt a smaller hand slip into hers and squeeze tightly. Panic shot through her because she had no knowledge of how to deal with children. But he didn't seem to need anything but the connection. Eragon noticed and looked at her smiling. Several elves slid from the darkness and approached them. They removed their hoods and Lifean came forward. He looked questioningly at her. Eragon interrupted.

"I need to go back towards the camp a little to intercept Cass so gather everyone here and we shall discuss our findings." He looked at Leo. "You ok to stay with Arya?"

The boy nodded and then Eragon looked to her. "Are you ok?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. I'll be back shortly."

He turned and disappeared into the forest. Lifean questioned her.

"Who is this?"

The boy stuck out his hand and Lifean paused a moment before taking it.

"I'm Leo."

The elf smiled and nodded.

"I'm Lifean."

Leo looked back up at her and grinned. As minutes passed, more and more people gathered around them. As they did, Leo gripped her hand tighter. Finally Eragon returned. Behind him, looking very nervous, was a man a little younger than Eragon. The moment he saw Leo his steps quickened. Eragon made introductions to him and a few others before waving off all questions until later.

"It will be explained. Right now, I need Nari and Niduen to take them to Carvahall where they will be safe."

Cassius whirled.

"What? You promised us safe passage! Now you hand us off to another? Are we your prisoners?"

Eragon sighed.

"Cassius, I have a job to do. These are two of the most powerful warriors we have. They will protect you. I swear it."

"Say it in the Ancient Language."

Eragon chuckled.

"That would be relatively pointless considering you don't know it." When Cassius didn't respond, Eragon sighed. "Fine. Eka finna eom snalgli."

Arya looked at Ergon like he was crazy along with several of the others. Cassius on the other hand, nodded.

"Thanks."

Eragon shook his head.

"See, that's my point. I just told you that I yell at giant snails and you couldn't tell the difference one way or another." Cassius opened his mouth to speak but Eragon cut him off. "No, Cassius. I need you to just trust me as I trusted you. You either go with those two or you go home and fight off your assassins yourself." Cass didn't look happy about it but he finally agreed. Eragon turned to the two elves. "Please take them to Roran and Katrina and tell them I will explain everything when I return."

The elves nodded and Leo and Cass followed them through the trees towards the castle. Eragon looked around.

"We should begin to collect the information. Contact the others and tell them to leave their posts and come here."

Just then Angela pushed through the gathered elves and walked up to Eragon. In her arms was a large basket that she carefully placed at his feet.

"There you are. Just take one and toss it at the feet of a group of guards. It'll knock them right out."

"Thank you, Angela."

The woman nodded and grinned.

"Have fun!"

With that she turned and left back through the elves, disappearing into the trees. Eragon chuckled.

"Yeah, so much fun."

It took almost twenty minutes for all of their disguised soldiers to come to them and they set about finding their partners. Tristan laughed when he saw Eragon.

"You piss somebody off?"

Eragon grinned and shrugged.

"You know how it is."

As soon all were settled, Eragon joined his mind with everyone else's. It would be much easier than him and others trying to explain the map. They set about assigning targets to each pair and by the time they were finished, three pairs were left. Eragon seemed happy for this and he told one pair of a man named Wirmac, along with the man's tent location. He spoke directly to the pair.

"If there is others around or in his tent, just abort the mission. He's not so important to the point that you should risk you lives taking him out."

Everything had been agreed upon and by the time they finished, there was less than an hour before shift change. Eragon called for everyone's attention and opened the basket Angela had brought.

"You will each get one of these. I don't exactly know what they are, but all you have to do is toss them at the guard's feet and it will knock them unconscious. Make sure you don't bump it or drop it because then you will be knocked out. Be at least five feet from the guards when you throw it. There might possibly be a situation though. If the council is still in session, then we will have to all go at them together. It will be much harder to keep hidden but it is still doable. I'm hoping that they are finished though. If they aren't find your partner and wait around by the tent. I will set off the signal, which is going to be a flash of the Carvahal insignia in the sky. It will be difficult to see so pay very close attention."

Arya took over there.

"Now, once you have taken out your target, you immediately start towards the castle. We'll have taken down the lookouts and you will have no opposition. But, do not be so hasty in your retreat that you draw suspicion to yourself. Make it out of the camp and into the forest, and then you can move a quickly as you like. Is that understood?"

A quiet murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd and she looked to Eragon. He squared his shoulders and grinned at those gathered before him.

"We are going make history tonight. Good luck."

At his words the soldiers started heading back to their posts, but not before grabbing a single one of Angela's strange contraptions. The elves and other sorcerers drifted back into the darkness of the forest. Before she followed, she turned to him.

"Good luck, Eragon. Be safe."

-E-R-A-G-O-N-

Wimarc was his usual horrible self and to Eragon's relief, he was in the council hall, which meant that the meeting had been adjourned. Making his way to his tent, he took off his armor and helmet. His sword he removed as well, keeping only the dagger he'd acquired from the armory. They had only a small window of time when all the officers would be asleep. That was in an hour. He rested on his cot, pretending to be asleep. The time dwindled away slowly. Finally, he rolled over silently and stood, making his way out of the tent. He traveled through the camp until he reached the agreed upon meeting place with Tristan who was already there and waiting. Tristan took out the contraption and gripped it in his hand. Eragon counted down from ten and then whispered the words to create the signal.

It flashed in the sky barely long enough to catch before he released it. Immediately Tristan threw the sphere. This was it. As soon as they heard the bodies hit the ground, they started off at a sprint.

Nostalgic Child: I heard that too! I want to see it and probably will sometime this weekend.

Silverwing: No because until he found Saphira, he knew nothing of dragons. The world here and the past is not the same as in the IC. And it's branded. Lol I almost fell of a cliff because we were climbing up it and it was really hard haha.

Elemental Dragon Slayer: I've seen all of those except for the Expendables, The Watch, and 8 Miles. Oh, and Looper lol. And yeah, it's fun trying to get through the game unseen and not killing anyone but I still don't think it's worth sixty dollars.

Dessert Maniac: Lol I'll watch it if it doesn't have subtitles lol.

Avatarlover: Yeah it's on Netflix and so I got bored one day and started to watch. It's a good show but I just got bored after like the first hour of each episode. I just think they would shorten it a little but that's just because I'm impatient and already know who the bad guy is half the time.

Dracones: Lol I saw like two of the Oceans movies and I LOVE HOODWINKED! Lol that movie is epic. I'll check out The Third Man because it sounds interesting. As for Shawshank Redemption and Star Wars movies, all are epic! And Kung Fu Panda is great as well. Ok, now I usually get annoyed when people guess what I have planned and I feel the need to change it, but this was just too impressive. Like, I actually usually go back a rewrite if people guess what's going to happen but I'm not going to this time because it's just kind of awesome that you figured it out. I started just writing about the little boy and then literally made it so he would have a brother Annabel's age. That's just kind of brilliant how you saw that. Also, in answer to one part of your other review, no, I've never written more than one draft of any chapter of any story lol.

Also, if you guys don't believe that that hit he took under the arm would hurt that bad, go and watch "Pressure Points of the Torso 4 Level 1" on youtube. Just watch the first three minutes and you'll see it in action and it's just with somebody's fist. Lol I never want to get hit there.