Wings of a Dream:

Chapter Eleven:

I awoke early the next morning. The fire was dying down, just embers remained, Brom was sound asleep next to the fire, and Eragon was curled up under Saphira's wing. I smiled inwardly at the sight, they were a good match-up. I slowly stood and stretched, yawning loudly. I shook the sleep from myself and looked around.

Saphira stirred a little and opened her eyes. You should have stayed awake just a little longer, you missed all the fun.

I settled back down and looked over, What do you mean, 'fun'?

She just started laughing, You'll see.

Eragon groaned in his sleep and rolled over.

I chuckled, and looked at Brom, who was rousing from the depths of sleep.

Sleep well, old one?

"Well, enough, though I suppose that it will be one of the last times that we can camp out worry free like that."

Right, so what did I miss last night?

Brom started laughing, which in turn finally woke Eragon up.

"Saphira, let me out."

Saphira opened her wing up and let her battered Rider out. I gave him one look and cracked up. He was covered from head to toe with bruises.

W-w-w-what happened to you? I managed to get out.

Eragon glared at me, "Brom decided that swordsmanship should be taught in the harshest manner possible."

Brom chipped in, "I wouldn't be so hard if I didn't think you could take it."

Eragon, you know purple really isn't your color right? Try a little harder next time, and maybe you won't look so ridiculous.

Eragon's face went beet red, at least where there weren't any bruises obscuring the natural colors of his face, which only made me laugh harder.

You look so, so, yeah, there isn't a proper word to describe how funny you look right now!

Eragon turned away and started packing up camp. I noticed that some of his movements were slower, and he was walking with a slight limp. I suspected that he had been a touch overconfident and Brom had wt him straight.

Geez, Brom. You did a number on him.

"That's what he gets for thinking that age will slow me down."

Next time try to teach him how to block with his sword though, which reminds me, how do swords bruise?

"We sparred with sticks, not actual blades. Do you take me for a fool, I might have killed him that way."

That makes sense.

Brom and Eragon quickly packed all of the camp up and saddled the horses. Brom mounted his horse and I took to the sky, but Saphira refused to let Eragon near his horse.

Saphira, we need to get going.

He's riding ME today, not that farm animal, we belong in the sky together!

Eragon, you did say tomorrow, yesterday, which means today, or something like that.

I could see him hang his shoulders in defeat. Brom hopped off his horse and helped Eragon saddle Saphira again. Eragon slowly got up in his rightful place, and Saphira took to the sky. I hadn't seen her this happy since, well Brom agreed to get her a saddle.

I watched the young Rider and dragon on their first flight together and sighed. I knew that they would be very happy in the many years that they had ahead of them. It saddened me a bit to know that I would never have that particular kind of bond, one that was absolute and nothing, save death, could break. I shook my head, on the other hand I didn't have to have my life force bound to someone either. I looked at it as a pay-off.

Brom rode off with both horses in tow, and Saphira and I followed.

Eragon rode on Saphira for a while, and they spent most of the time just enjoying each other's company, and learning more about each other. Brom and I used this time to go over things that we didn't particularly want Eragon and Saphira to know yet.

So, how did you come by Morzan's sword?

That was a bitter fight. He killed my Saphira, and with that I lost a great deal of who I was. I wandered, deep in despair seeking nothing, wanting nothing but death. I became enraged at him and eventually sought his destruction. When we finally met I fought him fiercely, not caring if I lived afterwards, only that I killed him in the process. I attacked with a ferocity that he did not know how to deal with and eventually struck him down. I felt no remorse until I had dealt the final blow, and his dragon let out it's death cry.

So you took his sword and then what?

I left in search of a new life, I wandered and eventually settled down in Carvahall. I was determined to set my wrongs against dragons right, by training the next Rider, and teaching him the ways of old, and honor. Now how did you know that Zar'roc was Morzan's sword?

I've seen his crest before.

Where by chance, the only ones that know it are the king's most trusted men, the Varden, and the Elves.

I hatched in Du Weldenvarden, and was quickly collected.

Collected, by who?

I grinned, Gleadr.

I sensed his shock. You mean, Oromis is still alive!? Why hasn't he come to help the Varden?

He can't. His magic is waning and he is dying. He waits for the next Rider to train. He must remain in the capital.

So Eragon will be safe in Du Weldenvarden, we must go there immediately.

No, I have to find Arya first, and I cannot leave Saphira alone, not until she is safe, and the Varden need her and Eragon more than the Elves do right now. We must take them to the safest place that they will be of the most use.

I suppose that you're right in this matter, the Varden need to be encouraged, and what better than a friendly Rider to do so?

Saphira and Eragon had stopped their mid-air antics to see if they could pick up on our conversation.

You know that if the information that we were discussing pertained to you at the moment we would have let you in right? That was private, so please ask before trying to butt in.

They both looked away a bit shamefully. Sorry, we just wanted to know what was so interesting.

I shook my head, and chuckled, Like I said ask next time, I will tell you what I can when you do. It is good to have questions, but to ask them is better.

We traveled for a few days, Brom teaching Eragon swordsmanship every night, and Eragon flying with Saphira at least once a day, until we came upon Yazuac. Saphira and I landed a ways from the town, to avoid detection and Brom and Eragon rode into town to pick up provisions.

Saphira and I settled just out of sight of Yazuac, just in case we were needed. I had a bad feeling, I had noticed a plume of smoke rising from the center of town and had alerted Brom and Eragon to it, they went in armed and prepared for trouble. I shifted uncomfortably as we waited.

Something's bothering you.

Ya think? I don't like the fact that it looked like they had a giant bonfire in the middle of town, it just doesn't set with me.

Brom will be more than capable to handle any trouble.

At least until I get there. Then it's my problem

I tried to rest, and put my worries aside, but to no avail. Fortunately I was wound like a spring by the time I heard Brom's voice.

Fayathon, you and Saphira get here NOW! We've got Urgals, and they got the jump on us.

I snapped my head up and roared.

Saphira, trouble! Let's go!

I took flight, low and fast towards the town, keeping my speed up and myself low enough to avoid getting shot at. I rocketed towards the town with Saphira hot on my tail. When I got there I flared back to land right behind two Urgals that had Eragon cornered in an alleyway. I roared a challenge and distracted them, if only for a second. What I saw next I thought to be impossible, based on what Oromis had taught me of the Riders. Eragon leveled his bow at the Urgal closest to him and uttered one word: Brisingr.

The arrow flew true, right into the back of the lead Urgal's head, and when it hit it exploded, killing both Urgals at once. I looked to the young Rider in shock, and watched as he passed out from expending to much energy with his first spell.

Brom! Saphira! Eragon's down! I yelled frantically, I knew I wouldn't be able to help the Rider.

Saphira pushed me aside and snaked her head into the alley and carefully brought her Rider out. Brom ran up, and took survey of Eragon's condition.

Brom, you help him, Saphira stay close in case he needs you I'm going to scout the area and make sure that there are no more Urgals.

They both nodded at me and I turned and took flight, scanning the area for disturbances. I was unable to locate any more Urgals so I returned to Eragon and Saphira's side.

Brom, how is he?

"Other than he's a damned fool, he'll be fine, he's just worn out. It's curious to see a Rider use magic at such a young age, he will do great things I imagine."

Brom, what happened? The sapphire dragoness next to me asked.

"He used magic, one of many talents that a Rider has, only he used it without fully comprehending it's consequences. If he had used a bit more power he may have killed himself. You see, magic draws for one's physical strength and if you use to much you will pass out, be rendered comatose, or even die"

Brom, I think that you need to teach him how to use magic, so that this doesn't happen again. I cannot protect him from his own ignorance.

"To true Fayathon. Very well, I will begin teaching him as soon as possible, but for now let's set up so he can recover."

I imagine that one of the homes around here will do, and I would suggest snooping around for supplies, it would be a shame to pay for something that we don't have to.

Brom hauled Eragon into one of the less desecrated houses and set him in one of the beds, Saphira and I stood guard out in front of the building and Brom set out to explore the town and gather anything useful to us.

I shook my head, You're Rider is full of surprises, you know that right?

Saphira shot me a smug look, I think I chose well. I just how he doesn't try that again soon, he nearly scared me to death.

Yeah, me too. I thought for sure that he was going to over-do that spell. He's going to be quite a handful.

A/N: Alright, another chapter down, and another skirmish fought. R/R to let me know what you think. Until next time guys.