Sorry for the wait. I had a little bit of writers block. This was supposed to be the siege of Belatona, but this just kind of poured out, and so next chapter will be it.

Eragon woke as the sound of people moving around came from outside of his tent. He leapt easily to his feet and exited his tent. He felt better rested than he normally was the day of a battle. Saphira looked over at him, her eyes sparkling. Are you ready for the battle today?

Yes, at least, as ready I'll ever be.

Let Belatona fall before us. Let them see the fury of your sword and magic, and my claws, teeth and fire.

Saphira, the people of Belatona are not our enemy. The King is.

May his head fall, and the crown go to the rightful King or Queen. But we do what we must in order to achieve our goals. Saphira looked at him with her clear-cut gaze. Eragon looked away, and Saphira got to her feet. I am sorry, little one. I know this is hard for you. She said more softly, and touched his shoulder with her nose.

Sometimes. I just wish this was over, with the king dead, and we could be together in peace.

So do I, little one, so do I. They heard the light whisper of Arya's footsteps, and turned to her. Dyrk flew down and nosed Saphira. "Did you sleep alright?" Arya asked.

"I did, better than normal," Eragon replied.

"It is good news about Linnaei and Zephyr." Arya stated, looking around at the dragons.

"It is." Eragon agreed, watching Arya. He looked away as she looked at him. "Dyrk is getting big."
"He is. He is… rambunctious and energetic."

"No one said being a Rider was easy, especially with a young dragon."

"You managed well, despite not knowing anything about dragons or the magic surrounding them. I, and all other elves are brought to revere dragons, and I wish I could as well as you raising him."

"You have Saphira and I to help you. Don't forget that."

"Eragon, what do you plan to do when the war is over?"

"I haven't thought about it much, but, I was, and have been, thinking about leaving Alagasia, and finding someplace to raise the new riders and dragons."

"Will you come back?"

"I don't think so." Arya opened her mouth to say something, but Nasuada rode up surrounded by the Nighthawks.

"Eragon, we need you to ask the people of Belatona to surrender. Please, take Saphira with you. If they say no, then can Saphira breathe a column of flame into the air?"

"Of course, Nasuada." Eragon said, giving a short bow. He turned and walked over to Saphira. He touched her nose, and reached for her saddle. He paused, and turned to Nasuada. "Do we need our armour and weapons?"

"It might be a good idea," Nasuada said, and smiled.

An hour later, Eragon sat astride Saphira, waiting for Nasuada to give the signal. It had taken them some time to find Saphira's amour, and them they had to fit it on her. Linnaei and Zephyr came up beside them, and stood silently. He looked around at Nasuada, and saw Arya standing beside her. He felt a little hurt that she hadn't chosen to stand with him, but pushed it away when Nasuada nodded. Saphira raised her wings and leapt into the air. Eragon looked down at the upturned faces of the Varden and their allies, and Saphira alighted on the wall surrounding the city. Someone called out a warning and soldiers swarmed into the court yard. Eragon scanned the crowd and muttered, "Let them hear what I have to say," in the Ancient Language. "The Varden are camped at your front gate." His voice echoed around the city. The soldiers winced. "We will take Belatona. However, if you surrender, and open your gates, our leader willbe merciful. I ask you again, will you surrender or face the Varden?"

The soldiers muttered amoung themselves, and a man with finely worked armour called out, "we will never surrender to the likes of you or to those who stand with you."

"Very well," Eragon said. Saphira shifted and roared, and the soldiers scattered. She threw back her head and let a writhing torrent of flame loose into the air. A cry rose from the Varden assembled behind them.

I probably won't update for about the next two weeks, I am going to focus mainly on writing chapters. If this is the case, then I will see you after my holidays.