Hey, guys, once again, thank you for the review(s). Also, the continuing support, I know some of you have reached out, saying that I have been switching back and forth with the way I am representing my characters talk. Even though I am 15 chapters in think I finally have a good idea of doing this hope this works for everybody, and I am going to stick to the conversation forms below:

Mind speak

"Regular Speaking"

Personal Thoughts

Chapter 15 - Hunts, Contemplations, and Changes.

After using the afternoon to research the possible locations for the Azure Bastion, the dragon and rider pair had used the evening to relax and stretch out. Unless Firnen and Arya came looking for them, which with Arya's new duties as Queen was highly unlikely, they could relax and enjoy their evening. They had a quiet night in the meadow as they slept.

As morning came, Saphira woke with a less than tired eyes. The terrors that were in her dreams had not plagued her, leaving her relaxed and energized. After gently stretching out in her morning routine, she looked at Eragon. He was peacefully sleeping, and after all, she had put him through the past couple of days, she needed to pay more attention to him. She padded back over to him and gently licked his face and nibbled his chin.

His affections toward her had made her want to return them. As a dragoness, she could wound, maim, or even kill her Eragon. 'I hope that my last dream is a sign of things to come.' As she did so, an all too familiar rumble came to her belly. She and Eragon had not eaten since lunch the day before.

She needed to hunt for her and decided to forage for Eragon as well. His safety was vital, though. She began to look around the forest and into the trees and bushes. She tasted the air with her tongue, looking for not only prey but predators. When she was satisfied with the fact that there was not anything nearby, she turned toward the middle of the opening in the trees and jumped into the open sky.

'Now for breakfast' she eagerly looked over the forest scanning for prey 'I wonder what sort of new prey there are in this part of the world.' She wondered if there where new sorts of animals just waiting to be tasted by her. As she searched for her meal, she would look back in the direction of the meadow. She could still see that Eragon had not moved and was safe. So, she pressed on further to find her breakfast.

As the hunt continued, she began to think of the Task that was now before them. The better part of the afternoon and the evening have certainly been eventful. The journal had been highly informative to both. This northern land was vast and full of mountains, forests, hills, mines, rivers perfect for fishing. As they came in from the southwestern portion, she knew there was a chance of running into what her mother called the Eversee Mountains or going over the Glacial Plains.

Also gathered from the journal was that there had been at least Seven different bastions that commanded the area that was at least the same size as Alagaesia. There were also different islands along the coast that held promise for the pair as they searched for the bastion. As to the search, they have been interested to see what would happen. 'It'll be hard, but I think we can do it we've made a good list of what the city should have had.' She mused over their conversation from yesterday. They had discussed at great length what they thought the cities had to have to be able to find it.

'For a city that, large, it'll need to have a big area to grow. It also looked like it was near water and had a port, so it's going to need a large water area as well.' From all accounts of the journal, her mother had seen great ships that had docked add a magnificently built port within the city. The Dragons that commanded these ships did not have wings; however, they were Alesoran Dragons. They were from their main city Cyan bastion. These dragons had made a life in the sea—their bodies designed for it, including gills, webbed paws, and tail flukes.

Also, to be on an open plain, they would have had had great defenses. Vervada's account of the walls alone, and learning how The Iron Case Dragons within the Guerra Bastion, had forged great weapons for the premiere city of the region that her mother called Allea had made Saphira add the ruins of the Iron Case to be close. The dragons of Iron Case were an unusual breed as well- built for war, they are very scales, and belly plates were of a harder substance that made it almost impossible to penetrate.

'Also, it would need to be near mines or some sort of mountainside. To gain the structures it had, but the journal had said that out of some sort of power source.' Her mother had not been clear on this, and it left Saphira wondering, 'What kind of power source could take out a city like that and cause it to fall.'

An ancient crystal with the magic of the dragons? A large group Eldunari clustered together? The options were endless. That could only get discovered when they got there. These ideas well the only things that they could go on at the time as she continued to think her stomach rumbled again. She needed to find breakfast, although not urgent. It would not do her or Eragon well for her to be on an empty stomach.

By this time, she had yet again circled the meadow that Eragon was resting in. She looked back once more to make sure she was still not in danger. Since he was not, she widened her search once more. To make sure she was well within mind speaking distance, she reached out to touch his mindscape and quickly found it.

She gently withdrew from his mind to not wake him. Then she began a different assessment. She thought back to her dream. Was she was enough for Eragon. The idea of her not doing enough for him still rang clearly in her mind. What else could she be doing to show her love for him? After all, they were mates now, and she would have to show it - in the ways that she could. Draconic forms of love were out of the question; however, perhaps human types of love could be done.

As a dragon, it was odd to be thinking of such things. Surely Dragons and humans had something in common. She thought over the memories of what she had seen in the Varden and other places and things that she had seen and heard in the elven cities. Then she mentally smacked herself with her tail, of course! Songs were of a common bond. A dragoness song was pretty, soothing, and many other things, depending on the mood. She had looked down towards the forest and noticed the ring on her paw.

Eragon had impressed her that night. Though the dragon side of her had thought it a bit – Silly. Thanks to her bond with Eragon, the human-side of her did not. She had been thrilled that she had done such an act. It had been the right thing to pick her up after all that afternoon being so terrible. Curiously, the rings had influenced the two. She felt closer than the rider's bond had gotten them. She continued to think on what else she could do as well while contemplating the ring. 'I know I'll bring him breakfast; he seemed to like that when I did it for him the other day.'

Doing that was no problem as well. During Saphira's training with Gleadr, the elder dragon had shown her the very plants and fruits that were available to her in case she could not find meat. 'I will also have to make up for the meat incident the other day.' It had been wrong to do that and force the meat upon him.

Another thing on her mind was Eragon's recent behaviors. Even before the ring, he had been very doting upon her. As an example, he had sensed where her muscles were hurting before she even said anything to him. His willingness to go along with this farfetched idea was also incredibly supportive. Though he had later told her when they were making a list for where the Azure bastion could be, that once he had seen the evidence, he was entirely on board.

She tasted the air once again to see if there was any remote sign of pray nearby. As she did, she looked down briefly. There! In a small meadow, there was a clump of bushes, that a small herd of deer was grazing upon.

She quickly looped in the air in a tight turn. Her wings were straining to keep up; however, it was reasonable to do these tight turns, as she had been practicing them for a while. When the Varden, The Elves, and her Eragon said that she was the Queen of the Skies, they meant it. Even her mentor Gleadr's comments of "not seeing dragon so fit for the skies" make her swell with pride. As she came upon the meadow, she dived in landing in the clearing. The deer immediately scattered; however, for one buck, it was far too late. She snatched his neck in her jaws bit down and twisted. She heard a sickening CRACK! Feeling the buck's body go limp within her mouth, she started to take off.

Saphira flapped her wings to start gaining lift. She then looked at the bushes that the deer had been grazing. There were berries on there and if deer were attracted to them. She took a long whiff to smell the fruit that they bore, and the smell was of black or blueberries. Edible for her Eragon, her mate. Safe too! Not poisonous. Landing, she went to the bushes and grazed on a few just to make sure. Her stomach would separate toxic fruits, and it would be a mere annoyance of comfort. However, in a large quantity, it would leave her on the ground her days.

When her body had not registered toxins, she immediately took a claw and cut a branch of the bush. She felt Eragon reach out for her mind. She could tell his mind was waking, and merely the bond was connecting to her. She had to finish with haste. She carefully placed the branch in her mouth as foul-tasting as bark was and then grabbed the deer's neck with her claws.

Flapping her wings once again, she flew back towards camp and noticed Eragon's temperature was hotter than average. Was her rider ill? Nay, he would have told her of such a thing. He was fine last night, and there was some explanation to his temperature being that high. She moved at a quicker speed and soon was upon the meadow.

As Saphira landed, Eragon's eyes were closed still, so she carefully set her deer down and the branch of berries as quietly as she could. Grabbing the remaining logs that Eragon had collected for the fire last night, she placed them on the pile of ashes. She then channeled her fire to the small collection of wood logs and lit them. The blue flame roared into existence as the early morning's light continued to appear. She placed herself near her kill and the branch of berries near her Eragon, settling in to eat her breakfast.

She then noticed something different about his features. What in the ancestors? Eragon had small lumps on his forehead. She extended her neck to look upon the new additions to her mate. They oddly looked like miniature versions of her white horns. What sorcery is this? She hissed to herself. As she continued to look at him, during the night, he had gained bigger muscles as well. She growled angered at what was happening. Had he gotten hit with a spell, and she not seen? Nay, surely, he would have said something we do not keep things like that from each other.

She then saw a growing brilliant light from the ring that he wore and saw hers starting to glow. She growled. THE RINGS! They were doing this to him. She pawed at her own, trying to get it off her. Foul sorcery, she thought. I will not participate in it. She scratched gnawed and clawed at the ring, and it directly would not come off. She hissed and snarled baring her fangs it the ring. Then, a thought trickled into her mind. What if? The castles granting of my desire was a part of this. It made her pause at the idea. Eragon would need to know soon, and she had to see if her theory was correct.

At, was at this moment that she looked at Eragon to see him looking at her strangely. Saphira, are you alright, or is something causing you pain again?

I am alright, Eragon just she weighed her words, should I? Yes, he would be brutally honest with me if something were happening. I was wondering about you.

Me? I think I am alright, but your struggle just now looking horrified was unbearable. He replied as he scratched his head, coming across the same development Saphira had seen. What are these, he said?

Saphira merely replied horns are my best guess Eragon. That is not all; however, you have changed in other ways as well. Your muscle tone is considerably more prominent, as well.

Eragon looked down, noting that change as well. He had been somewhat muscled, but now this was an improvement. "This is dif—" he was immediately cut off. Hold on.

Saphira got up close to her rider's face and looked straight into his mouth. Your teeth are changing, as well.

What? He was perplexed until he reached up to his mouth and felt the tips of teeth has sharpened "Ow!" he jolted his fingers away.

Those are razor sharp. Saphira replied and looked like a miniature version of a dragon's set of teeth. Saphira's heartbeat was faster as she thought one single thing. Could it be?

Eragon was unsure of what she meant, although he had an idea. What Saphira?

Saphira soon realized that she had thought aloud. She came clean to her rider. I was thinking of the castle and the last message of granting my deepest wish and desire, my mate. She said, gently nuzzling him on the cheek. Though, I am still not sure.

She continued to nuzzle him affectionately, her mind going to other places. 'I must be a better mate. I have not given him near the attention I should be.' The dragoness began laid her head in his lap and began to nuzzle him more affectionately.

Whoa, Saphira, be gentle with your horns. Eragon jumped as his shirt torn slightly. He looked in her eyes as she adjusted to his wishes. Taking her spikes, not horns, those are on the top of my head, and moving them away, correcting him at the same time. It was the mouth part of her snout now. She continued to nuzzle him, rubbing his belly.

Umm, Saphira, again are you alright you are acting strange. Eragon started looking in her in the eyes.

Saphira hummed as she affectionately rubbed him more. I have been distant from my affections for you, Eragon. I, as your mate, am supposed to do this. I was hesitant because of the species difference to be affectionate toward you in the physical nature of dragons. However, while I hunted this morning, I thought of a couple of ways I could be tender toward you. Nuzzling, this rubbing I am doing, is one of them.

Well, it feels wonderful. Eragon replied as gently took her snout to eye level. Saphira, I also need to say these affections are sweet, but make sure you are not beating yourself up about them. We went through a lot in the past couple of days, and you did display affections for me. The grabbing of lunch was unexpected by me yesterday in the archives. To sit there and quietly enjoy lunch with you, without anything bothering us was terrific.

That is something I would have done anyway, Eragon. I could not let you think I forgot my rider or, more importantly, you as my mate. Saphira offered as an argument to him. I naturally try to please my mate.

The keyword please also I offer this one. Eragon took her words against her to make his point, and then even though it took me by surprise, the tail coil the first night at the former Brightscales Castle was excellent as well.

Really? I thought you hated it. You were silent over the whole deal. She replied with a huff. I had thought that you might have liked it.

I did, sweet girl. He looked straight in her eyes, and immediately Saphira moved closer, looking straight into his eyes. They, too, were changing.

Eragon, she showed him the perspective that she had. Your eyes. They both watched from her perspective as the whites of his eyes went to blue. Then then the change attacked his brown color as it turned a brilliantly, magnificent sapphire color as it drew closer to the center of his eyes to become reptilian. Then, she stopped showing him her side.

Saphira can you stop sharing your side I need to see my perspective. He looked at her, his eyes showing the usual blues and purples that she usually saw.

I already did my mate, and you are looking through dragon vision now. She said Now how do I look? She was curious if Eragon would say such things toward her; however, she was not sure of it.

"You look amazing, my mate," Eragon replied. Her heart soared with the compliment even though it was not astounding, beautiful, or vibrant but, those would come later.

I am glad my, mate. It seems that the term is coming a little faster now. She hummed at the word, she was still allowing some time to get used to the idea, but that should come faster if he started viewing less as the dragon he rides, and more as the dragon her … she stopped before any blood started getting too hot in certain spots. Best not think of it.

Yes, it is. Though I think it is more comfortable now that you and I are beginning to have conversations like these, Saphira replied, making her want to make him understand that possibilities.

Eragon, you are aware of what could come correct. The possibilities of these changes. Saphira pushed the conversation.

Slightly the changes are draconic, so that could mean what I think it does, right? That I could be changing into a dragon. Eragon replied nervously.

Saphira only nudged him and, with a rapid speed, swayed her tail side to side. It was quickly darting left to right and back. She closed her eyes gently and nuzzled his chest more. Her draconic mouth slightly opened, revealing her the sharp daggers in her mouth.

Her wings flitted up and down somewhat several times. Her heart was swelling up and down, beating for him. She felt his slight nervousness of getting it right. Yes, Eragon, it is a very distinct possibility, though I do not know myself. Although the way changes are going is very much in line with that. Her voice was brimming with a joy that she had not had since the dream, Eragon's actions the night before were a close second.

She saw him turn to look about the gently filled sunlit meadow, the sun now bathing it in a soft morning glow, He looked about, as if he was making sure all was right in the world, and then turned his head to the branch on his right side. What is this?

Breakfast. I tried taking the berries off before I came back here this morning, but it was a hard thing to do. I also did not have anything to carry them with as the saddlebags were here. I hope you do not mind. Saphira had continued her gentle rubbing of Eragon's chest as she spoke.

She could tell he was surprised at her getting breakfast for him. Usually, they would get breakfast when both wore awoken. She would hunt first, and then he would follow by them landing where he could pluck berries or some nutritious plant that gave him energy. She had to say the fruits were delectable for sure. Perhaps they could share meals today. The best of both worlds, she thought.

I do not mind at all, my mate. Thank you for getting it for me it is much appreciated, let me sleep after a long day yesterday. Eragon looked at the berries and spoke the word "Kvista," and the branch came to him as it neared him, he spoke again "Letta," and the stick full of berries stopped just short of his right thigh.

She felt her scales tingle and pulse from her tail tip to her snout like miniature shockwaves. The power behind her Eragon was great and remarkably desirable to her. As a dragoness, she would look for plenty of things in a mate, but it mainly came down to four principle things that a male must show—first, the ability to provide for her consistently. Food, Shelter, and Water were a necessity for her to consider even mating with a male. Second, security was she, as a female, had to feel safe. Though this was the most difficult as a male typically had to fend off several animals physically and then calm her emotionally in turn. Third, strength was needed by the male to impress the female that he could protect her. Finally, though added by her, she considered it a principle that needed adding from now on – Love. The principal thing that had gotten them through so much recently was their love for one another.

She watched as he took several plucked berries off the branch, and then she gently picked her head up and craned it to the deer near her back hindquarter and grabbed it by the neck. The blood of the animal trailing down her jaw as she moved it in front of her paws. Placing her claws on the neck where she had bitten into to kill it, she grabbed a section of the deer's hindquarter and bit down hard. Pulled and felt the delicious, savory meat fill her mouth. As she swallowed the deer meat, she felt another pair of eyes on the deer and looked about for a scavenger. She closed her eyes and growled as she opened them. No creature would dare take this deer from her. She had made the kill it was hers! A lower growl came from her, a kind of rumble used to signal – dare it but at your peril.

As she finished scanning, they felt that the eyes were much closer. 'Eragon?' she mused no, it could not be it would make things easier for hunting, but that was getting her hopes up. She looked to his facial features, and while he was eating the berries, he was most definitely looking at her kill. Once again, she pushed the boundary. She tore apart of the meat off and placed it on her back and breathed a slight cooking flame to make the meat edible. She then took the deer meat with her maw and put it in her paw. Eragon, she called to him and got an instant reply.

Yeah, Saphira. He replied his emotions gave everything she needed to know. He was hungering for the meat she was eating. However, since she had brought him berries, he felt compelled to eat that instead, since she had gone through so much trouble to get it. A secret wish that she would share hers was slightly evident as well.

Would you like some? I cooked it the way you usually want it. She offered the massive but human-sized meat to Eragon. She could sense the welcome relief that he had for getting meat from her. Eragon, I think you also are developing a taste for meat again.

Wait. What? Eragon replied. He looked at his hands that had betrayed him. They were in the process of grabbing the meat out of her claws. No! I cannot do this it is–

Within the nature of a dragon or any reptile for that matter. Saphira replied to the unhappy rider as he placed the meat back in her paws. Just eat this and then see how you feel.

He retook the meat and ate it as he did; he tried to make sure Saphira was not looking. As he ate it up quickly, He soon found Saphira's gaze his way. There was an unsettling gleam in her eye. What? He said, encouraging her next simple action. She had handed him another piece of her kill cooked just the way he liked it.

EAT, my mate. She replied, turning to him, placing her meal closer to him. It is the way I think you will be eating from now on. She was not sure of this; however, the way he ate the next portion of what she gave him was revealing. She reached into the deer carcass and continued to eat for some time watching his bloodthirst grow. She noted this detail as well.

Horns like mine. Mini versions of my teeth. Reptilian eyes. Bloodthirst. Then the other clue fell like a ton of bricks Body Heat. She mentally smacked herself the one thing that had worried her before had been the tip off. Though not wholly assured before, the last one was sent bells ringing in her head. Dragons, unlike the other reptiles, did not rely upon the sun to warm them. All they needed was an inner fire. She used her heat sense once more and looked at Eragon. His hold body was full of heat. Then as she looked at his chest, a saw a shape of white-hot heat was unmoving—his inner fire. He was becoming a dragon.

Saphira's heart sung its brightest, most elated tune as she came to this conclusion. After finishing her meal and then watching the fire dim to embers, she stomped on the embers with her paw to make sure it was dead. She turned her attention to Eragon, who was picking up the saddle and getting it ready to put on her. Eragon, my mate, I am now more certain than ever that you are becoming a dragon.

She watched his expression for a time, and then he answered. Are you certain, Saphira? An expression crawled across his face, his eyes longingly looking into hers as if he needed reassurance. His mouth straight with a flattened tone to his cheeks. It was within his right to know what was going on with him.

Yes. Eragon. The recent changes all fit the mold of a dragon. The horns, teeth, eyes, and bloodthirst for meat again is predatory in nature, but your inner fire is what has me certain. She showed him her vision with his permission pulling him into her mind. They both looked on as she flipped her heat sense looking in another direction. This is my heat sense Eragon it is what allows me to track prey at night, or in cases where I had found you in the past when we wondered the wilderness together.

I see he replied, very handy in that regard.

Yes. It is, but it also made me curious about you earlier. She told him of the events of her hunt and the heat he had given off. This came to me as you and I were finishing breakfast. She looked directly at Eragon.

What on Earth is that? Eragon sent a feeling of shock to her mind.

That Eragon is the inner fire of a dragon. Saphira calmly replied in her gentle voice to ease his mind. I know you are alarmed at this, but I know that is what that is. It must be what is starting the changes to you. She felt him settle down in her own mind and begin to think of what changes could be next.

Now we will have to see what happens, she continued, however, for now, we need to get going to the first destination to start looking. She then felt her mate leave her mind and saw him begin to place the saddle at the meeting point of her neck and torso. She felt the straps tighten, and then the saddlebags tied on. She gently grabbed Eragon by his clothing and placed him in the saddle.

You know I could have done that, Saphira. He replied. You did not have to do that, my mate.

Your right, I did not have to do it, but what do you know I did it anyway. Saphira cheerfully quipped her head was cocking back and snout going down with an eye cutting back towards him. She had just sassed her rider.

Saphira, a question for you. Eragon replied, looking to break her sassiness before the day even started if she started this again, it would be a long day and an even longer flight.

Yes, my mate. She shifted a paw up and leaned back, furthering her antics.

So cold, damp and dark I am

To stay, you would refrain,

Yet those who occupy me do never complain.

What is it?

Saphira's sassiness died right then and there as she eagerly went to the figuring out the riddle. To Eragon it was a relief this one he had kept at for days before cracking it. He had the words locked in a solid scaled wall away from Saphira's eyes.

Spoilsport was the only thing she quipped before launching into the air towards the first of many destinations she had a feeling.