Arya wrapped her sword arm around Eragon's waist and held on tightly as the city dropped away beneath them. She was still not entirely used to the sensation of nothingness below her.

She leaned forward slightly and spoke in Eragon's ear. "You should not abandon your guards so lightly."

Eragon shifted slightly as if to reply, when suddenly he jerked in her arms. Arya had barely time to register this before she had an altogether more pressing problem to think about; Saphira had slipped sideways in the air and seemed to have lost control. They were falling!

Saphira! Arya cried out in her mind, but there was no reply. Before she could do anything else, Eragon started awake, drawing a gasping breath. Saphira spread her wings and levelled out. Did you see that as well? The dragon asked her Rider. I did. He replied in a worried tone, glancing backwards.

Arya understood none of this. All she understood was that they had nearly fallen out of the sky, and Eragon and Saphira appeared to have seen something. Whatever that something was, she had no idea. When her heart-rate had slowed down enough for her to speak, she managed to ask,

"What is wrong?"

Oromis and Glaedr are about to fight Thorn and Murtagh. Saphira replied grimly. Arya stiffened. Whatever she had expected, it wasn't this. And again, fear dug at her heart.

"How do you know?" She asked.

"I'll explain later. I just hope they don't get hurt." Eragon said briefly.

"As do I." Arya replied, but she didn't see how that would be possible. They aren't strong enough for this!

A.N. Oooh, it's getting exciting, isn't it? Do you think we could break the 200 review mark by the next chapter, possibly? Pretty please? :)