Saphira and Eragon made their way up to Serena's room in the East Tower. It was time for dinner with King Orrin and Nasuada, and "fashionably late" had ended ten minutes ago. Once they were there, Eragon softly rapped on Serena's door.

"Serena?" he called. "We have to get down to dinner." The door opened and Serena stood in the doorway. Eragon gasped.

Serena's dress was a beautiful crimson color, with lace shoulders and a satin ribbon laced through the front of her dress, giving it a corset look. The folds of the dress reached down to her shins and black boots covered the rest of the skin that the dress did not. She wore crimson, lace gloves that reached past her elbows but still left pale skin between the end of the gloves and the beginning of the sleeves of the dress.

Serena noticed him staring at her. "What is it?" she asked him, smiling brightly.

Eragon shook his head. "Nothing, it's nothing…" Why is it…Why is it that my heart no longer beats fast for her…?

"Are you two coming?" Eragon whirled around to see Arya looking straight back at him.

She wore an elegant, emerald-green gown that flowed all the way down to her ankles. Her dark hair flowed freely to her shoulders, and her green eyes sparkled in the sunlight that escaped the stained glass in the staircase.

Eragon's heart suddenly started to race. He held his breath. She was absolutely stunning, no flaws whatsoever. He almost lost himself in her emerald eyes, but was brought back by a hard nudge from Saphira.

"O-Oh…" he stuttered, lost for words. "Y-Yes, we're coming," he turned back to Serena, Edoc'sil by her side, and smiled. "Let's go." she nodded and placed her right hand behind Edoc'sil's ear and led him down the stairs. Eragon did the same with Saphira, Arya by his side.

As they descended from the tower, Eragon could not help but take frequent glances at the elegant elf beside him.

"Tell me," Arya spoke, not turning her gaze to him. "Do you like this dress?"

Eragon started to blush furiously. He turned away as not to let her see his bright-red face. "It's…It's beautiful," he responded. "But tell me," he continued. "Why are both you and Serena dressed so nicely?"

A smile tugged at Arya's lips as she turned to him. "To celebrate your homecoming, of course," she turned away and uttered, "And the creation of a new Rider."

Eragon nodded and they continued down the staircase in silence.

Why will you not tell me your name? Edoc'sil demanded as the pair floated down the staircase. The replica beside him smirked.

If you knew my name, you would be susceptible to mind searching, and that cannot be tolerated. It isn't that big of a deal. For now, call me Nirök. That is my alias. Call me either Nirök in private, or Serena in public.

They were silent for a while, then Korin felt a tingle of…hope from the beast next to her. She whipped her head around to face him, frowning.

What? She demanded of him.

It's nothing.

Don't play games with me, Dragon!

Why would I do that?

You had better—

"Serena?" Eragon's voice broke through Korin's thoughts. She blinked back to reality and turned back to him, smiling.

"What is it?"

"Why the sudden stop?" Korin looked down. She had stopped! She laughed awkwardly and ran her pale, bony fingers through her ebony hair and began walking again.

"I'm sorry, Eragon, Arya," Arya's eyes narrowed curiously. "I must have lost my train of thought…"

Don't blow your cover… Edoc'sil sang sarcastically. Korin smiled warmly at him and gave him a hug.

Don't get too cocky of yourself. Your Rider could find herself dead because of you. She said sweetly and let go of him. The four of them stepped off of the last level of the stairs and entered the Grand Hall, where the feast would begin.

Can you find the mistakes that Korin has made? Look all throughout the other chapters, and look very closely at every single detail in this and the previous chapter. XD how i love puzzles! and thank ALL of you for the AWESOME reviews. YOU GUYS ROCK!

Shadeslayer390

P.S.: first one who finds two gets a cookie! XP