A/N: I'm depressed, this chapter sucked and I know it…leave me alone.

City Pigeon: Thanx for reviewing, no one will be out of character anymore, cept for maybah Murtagh bc I don't really no his character. Update your fic…NOW...u no i worship you...

Silverdragonargetlam: Thankee for the review, nice penname. Arya isn't so OOC later on in the story so read the rest, k? I HATE it wen ppl write short chapters-so I write long ones but I can get them out pretty fast so it all works out. Update your fic too!

READ ON!

Tim paced his room, he was ready to go, and yet they wouldn't let him. He heard chairs scraping below him at the inn's bar-they were leaving. Cursing, he ran down the stairs to where they were gathered, he picked out Breo and strode over to him.

"Let me go Breo, this is as much my mission as it is yours." He pleaded to the older man.

"No. You are too young, your father wouldn't want you too anyways."

"How would you know!"

"I would know better than you would." He said coldly and turned away, Tim cracked his knuckles and followed-he knew it was a lost cause but it wouldn't hurt to try.

"Breo, just let me do this, please, I need to. It was my father's ambition, I want to follow in his footsteps." Breo paused, standing before the wooden door.

"You want to follow in his footsteps? Get yourself killed over a silly little sword and an egg, because I won't let you." He opened the door, and let the bitter night's wind into the warm inn, then walked out without a moment's hesitation.

"Aren't you." He uttered before the door closed, his words lost in the night. Tim turned and walked back to his room, meeting every one of the stares that he got, determined not to look more foolish than he already did. Once in his room, he looked out his window to see seven shadows flit to alleyways leading to Galbatorix's castle, making up his mind-he threw a cloak on and hurried down the stairs to catch up with them. His cousin Tieron was going on the mission, why he was and Tim not-he did not know. Tieron was sixteen, and had not been in contact with Tim since they were five, it was also a mystery why he chose now to show up. Walking out of the inn, the wind tossed his long brown hair into his eyes, but not stopping Tim's flight to the alley where Tieron had descended. He scuttled along, keeping to the shadows, careful not to make any noise at all, until he heard raised voices. Stopping his sprint to a dead stop-he listened to who was conversing.

"They are going try to take the eggs, and the sword-they do not know it is sealed away in Morzan's tomb. You can can catch them off guard if you wait in the kitchens, though." It was Tieron, he was whispering furiously to three hooded creatures, all who stood hunched and partially in the shadows, it was as if they were made of it. Tim realized that Tieron was telling these things of their plans, his eyes narrowed and he wanted to run and stab the traitor, but knew he couldn't risk it.

"There isssss only one egg, our master'ssssssssss neiccccccce took it." The hunched creature hissed in unholy tones, Tim felt a shiver pass up his spine.

"Well then they will be mistaken to find that only I will be the next dragon rider-and in Lord Galbatorix's services, Tim is too weak too be one anyway." He said confidently, his remark shocked Tim- He couldn't be a dragon rider, he was too old! The old dragon riders were trained from when they were born, practically.

"You will not be a dragon rider. No one will be, they are not worthy of such a tasssssssssssssssssssssssk." It said, Tieron had his mouth open in protest, but the thing shoved a dagger down his throat, Tim gasped, and the creature's head twitched in his direction. His lungs tightened with fear-they would surely kill him, instead of advancing, they jumped to the rooftops and ran down them. Tim sprinted down the long alley, ignoring his cousin's body; he was after all, a traitor. He came to the kitchen gates, and heard the sounds of a struggle-he was too late, the cloaked men were already there. He scaled the gate and opened the door leading to the kitchens, trying to be silent, but not exactly doing so. He came inside, preparing for the worst, five men lying on the ground, arrows in their backs, he ran to Breo, who had an arrow in his arm and chest. Tim felt tears come to his eyes, Breo is dead. He thought to himself, but the old man stirred and opened his eyes.

"Tim, you must go retrieve the eggs, Darren is already there….you must…" tears spilled out of his eyes and down his cheeks, the only father he knew was dying.

"Yes, I will, you will get up and show me where it is, you're going to be all right." He said, even though they both knew it was a lie, Breo smiled vaguely, his eyes were blank, Tim knew he had gone. Swallowing his grief, he got to his feet and walked to the kitchen door leading out to the hallway. He had to find Darren. Darren was the same age as Tim((eighteen)), he had golden hair and hazel eyes. He was tall with a muscular body, and was terrific at sword fighting, Tim was jealous of him for many reasons. Darren always had girls plying for his attention-but he ignored them, Tim had no one plying for his attention, Darren was praised by everyone and thought of as an adult-whilst Tim was still a child. Darren had a sort of quiet dignity he longed for, but could never seem to get. Tim turned a corner, and was ran into by someone running from where he was going-Darren.

"Darren, they are dead, all of them are dead." He whispered, feeling tears come to his eyes.

"I know, I know, the sword wasn't there but I have the egg." Darren was looking for his father's- Tim's uncle's- sword; he didn't want Galbatorix to own something that rightfully belonged to him.

"The sword is in Morzan's tomb-whoever he is. I heard Tieron talking-he said I am supposed to be a dragon rider! Can you believe it! Me!" Darren smiled at his comment.

"Well, he made a mistake." Darren pulled out a small dagger and slit his cousin's throat, he let his body hit the floor, and then ran with the egg, he had to get away from here. Breo had arranged for a horse and a pack to be waiting for Tim on the outskirts of town, but Tim was dead now-Darren had to take that horse out of here. He ran out of the castle and into town, alarmed that no guards were coming. He dashed through the streets, earning him curious glances when he passed a window. Finally, he made it safely to the horse, who whinnied at his appearance, but did nothing else. It was a handsome beast, white with a black crest between its ears, and a long and flowing snowy mane. He was taught how to ride a horse when he was very young, some would consider him an expert. Darren heard shouts from behind him, and quickly climbed into the saddle, noticing the bulging saddlebag on its side. He nudged it into a gallop, and was off, speeding through the desert, where to, he didn't know.

Darren walked out beside the river, and took his mask off. He stared at the sparkling water longingly-but knew he shouldn't go for a swim, what if the girl woke up? Sighing, he took a seat on a near by rock, and watched a bird fly into the sky, and away-how he wished that could be him. His horse Elemen, meaning winter in the ancient language, was grazing happily on a patch of river grass. Nadia was in the cave with the girl he found and her dragon, she probably fell asleep. Everything around him seemed so simple, yet he knew it was not that way at all. He had just captured and drugged a fellow dragon rider with pointed ears, meaning she was probably an elf, so he had just drugged an elf. He killed his cousin, and stole a dragon egg, which hatched for him into Nadia, a gift from god. Darren could not resist, he took off his cloak and shirt, and then jumped in the water, smiling broadly; that was something he didn't usually do. Darren looked down at his arm, and saw angry red cuts, and dull scars traveling from his wrist to his elbow, and was again, reminded of his ugly past. He submerged his arm in the water, and did not look at it again. He saw Nadia's little head poke out of the entrance and stare at him, he felt that she was alarmed, and wanted him there. Darren dragged himself out of the water and hastily threw on his cloak, not even bothering to put on his shirt. He stepped into the cave to find the girl staring at him through her large, marvelous blue eyes.

"Untie me right now!" She demanded and cast anxious looks towards her dragon, who was still unconscious.

"Why would I do a thing like that? You might have a dagger or a sword hidden up your sleeve, though I doubt it."

"I need to help my dragon! What did you do to him, why hasn't he woken up yet!" She screeched, and struggled against her bindings.

"All I did was tap it on the head." Nadia made tiny squeaking noises, drawing their attention to her-she was imitating something sleeping, then she stood up and thrusted her nose at the girl's dragon.

"Oh, Nadia says that your dragon is sleeping." The girl shook her head.

"I cannot talk to him, he won't answer me."

"Could you ever talk to him while he was sleeping? Did you try?" She opened her mouth, then thought better of it, and closed it, shaking her head.

"What is your name?" She asked him, know knowing that something was not seriously wrong with the small creature.

"Shouldn't you give yours first?" He replied smartly, to which she sneered.

"Fine. My name is Sira."

"Hello Sira, pleasure meeting you." Darren replied, and walked over to her, then crouched. "Now, can you tell me where that pendant is?"

"No." She replied simply, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair, realizing that he did not have his mask on-it was still down by the river.

"What is your name?" Sira asked him again.

"Darren. Now will you tell me where it is?"

"No." She said again.

Stubborn as a mule, she is. He thought, he felt Nadia's amusment, whether it was at his joke, or him trying to get the pendant, he had no clue.

"Do I have to search you?"

"You will not touch me." He hissed, and then backed away from him, pressing herself against a wall. "Why do you want it anyways, why does everyone want it?"

"I do not know why everyone wants it, and why I want it is a secret. I would tell you, but then I would have to kill you, and I cannot do that because you are a dragon rider." Sira frowned at his answer-it was not what she wanted to hear.

"You cannot have it." He sighed.

"You leave me no choice then." He didn't want to search her, but as he said, he didn't have a choice.

"Shade's blood! It's around my neck, just don't touch me!" She shouted, caving in. Sira really didn't want to have another strange man go through her pockets again, so she just told him where it was. Darren smirked, and took the gold chain off from around her neck.

"Thank you very much. I'll take my leave of you now." He said simply, whistled to his dragon, then began to walk away, leaving Sira tied up.

"Oi! You can't just leave me here!" She called.

"Watch me." Her face darkened, and she glared at him, if she wasn't tied up and she looked like that at him; he would be running the other direction as fast as possible. Sira reached out to the baby dragon, hopefully her strategy would work.

Please chew through my bindings; I will not hurt your master. She mind spoke to the little dragon, using the same strategy she did with Murtagh ((the horse)). The little creature walked over to her cautiously, then bit down on the ropes around her legs, snapping it immediantly, then the ropes on her ankles. She lifted up the sleeping Euraus, rousing him from his slumber.

Sira! You are up, are you all right?

Yes, yes, I am fine. Why were you sleeping, you could have chewed my roped off!

I am sorry, the human was there, he would have seen me, and hit me again. Sira sighed, and shook her head.

That's all right, don't worry about it, he didn't hurt me, so no harm done them.

Yes, that is good, if he did I would-WHAT IS THAT! Euraus said, making Sira almost drop him.

You don't need to give me a bloody heart attack, what is what?

Did I just see another dragon?

Oh yes, turned out, he's a dragon rider too. That's his dragon, her name is Nadia.

Yes, I realized, I just spoke to her. Euraus leapt out of her arms, and out of the cave, following the red dragon.

Oh, you're nice. She told him sarcastically, then drew her sword, and went to find Darren. He was crouching at the riverbank, his arm in the cool water, Sira walked cautiously towards him; she saw the back of his forearm was riddled with scars and cuts. He hadn't noticed her yet, so she put the tip of her sword at his neck.

"On your feet." Sira snarled, this would be the second time she fought someone today. He turned to face her, but did not stand up, he simply grabbed her blade, making deep cuts in his hand-he didn't even flinch, and pushed it away from his neck. Darren stood once her sword was not aimed at him, and drew his own.

"So you want to fight?"

"Naturally." Sira commented, and then lunged at him, he stepped out of the way too slowly, and scratched his arm. Darren then swung hard at her, which she parried, and pushed him back against a tree. He moved his body out of the way, then his sword, making he cut the tree, he brought the tip of his sword to her back.

"Never leave your back open, I could kill you right now if I wanted." She chuckled, and fell to the ground, and swept his legs out from under him. Darren fell to the ground hard, his sword tumbled out of his reach. Sira pinned him, sword at his throat again.

"Never leave your legs open, I could kill you right now if I wanted." Sira said, mocking his words. Darren grabbed her wrists and flipped her, using his weight as an advantage.

"Never pick a fight with someone bigger than you." Sira was once again being crushed by someone sitting on top of her, only this time, he would not get off. Sira was as helpless and as dead as a fish out of water. Where was Euraus when she needed him?

Do not worry; Nadia says he will not kill you, that is not his intention.

I am running low on breath, help. As soon as she told Euraus that, Darren stood up, and retrieved his sword, leaving Sira to scramble to her feet. He charged her, trying to pin her against a tree like she had him, but Sira stepped to the left and swung her sword at him, he dodged it. Darren swung, and in the process, turned to Sira, she blocked him, but the force knocked her backwards into the tree, once again pinned by him, and momentarily breathless. He plucked her sword from her hand, and threw it on the ground, followed by his.

"Let's do some real fighting." Darren said, referring to using their bodies as weapons, Sira grinned, she could do this. He swung his fist at her face, but she caught it, and elbowed his stomach in return. Darren didn't seem fazed by the blow, and threw punches at her left and right, all of which she blocked. Sira pulled her right hand into a fist and swung at hi stomach, and with her left hand swung at his face a moment later. Her fist connected with his cheek, and knocked him backwards, he fell into a tree. Sira yanked a dagger out of her boot and chucked it at him, he jerked to the side, but it caught his hand, piercing his palm. Sira sneered.

"That's what you get for messing with me." Darren stared ahead, a hint of happiness in his eyes, which alarmed Sira.

"You think I care about a little pain?" He said, amusement in his voice. Darren grabbed the hilt of the knife that was lodged in him, and pulled it out slowly; Sira grimaced. Blood poured out of the hole; he threw the dagger to the ground and walked toward Sira, who instinctively walked backwards.

"No, pain is a friend to me now, I know it inside and out, and enjoy it's company."

"Your mad!"

"Am I?" He asked and then stopped and inch from her, with a smile he turned and walked to the river. He put his hand in it, then ripped a piece of cloth off his robe and wrapped it around his hand.

"I'm done with you. You can go any time you feel like, I have what I want."

"I'm not leaving until you are dead, or I have my necklace back, which ever comes first." Darren brushed past her, swaying slightly, but kept walking toward Nadia, who was sitting at the base of a tree. Sira glowered at his retreating back, and followed him.

"Just give it back, and I won't hurt you." She really didn't want to hurt him anymore, but if she had no other choice she would. He held out his hand to Nadia, she touched her nose to it and for a second it glowed.

"You can't hurt me." Then Darren unwrapped the binding around his hand, and there wasn't a mark anymore, not even a scar. "And I don't die easily, so I guess you aren't leaving."

"Why do you even need it?"

"I could ask you the same question."

"Yes, but I would give an answer." Sira said smartly, and then sighed at his awaiting expression. "Because…it was my father's last possession. Even though he wasn't a good father I still want it, so can you just give it back, please?"

"No. I can understand what you are going through, it is almost the same reason as mine." He sighed, but continued with his story. "My father died when I was very young, so my uncle raised me. It was like my real father never existed-that I was always part of his home. Well, my uncle was a sword smith, and he made a sword for the dragon rider Morzan."

"Wait, only the elves made swords for the dragon riders."

"And they did. As I was saying, Morzan wanted another sword for his son, and took my uncles sword. Of course, my uncle protested, and Morzan killed him." He finished rather bluntly. "And now, I want to get the last possession of the only father I ever had back." Sira thought of Murtagh, the only son Morzan ever had; he must have the sword.

"And, um, what do you plan on doing once you find who has the sword?" She asked timidly.

"Kill them and take the sword. So, are you going to leave me alone, or try to kill, or tag along." She considered her options, she could go back and try to find Murtagh, or she could stay with this new stranger. If she went back to Murtagh, then she would have to see Eragon and Arya every day until Ellesméra, and she didn't want that. She didn't really know anything about Darren, and they had just tried to kill each other, but if she stayed with him, she would have her necklace and she wouldn't have to see Eragon or Arya.

"Where are you going?" She asked, that was the only thing that could really make it up for her, if he was going to Ellesméra ((which if he was, se had no clue why)) then she could just stay with him, but if he wasn't she would have to take her necklace back, possibly kill him and find Murtagh and everyone else.

"Ellesméra, I'm going to see if they will make a sword for me, as a last wish from my father." That decided it, she would get to know him, and follow him to Ellesméra.

"Was your uncle an elf?" She questioned, cautiously.

"Yes, you probably already know who Andaliren is."

"As a matter of fact I do, the lead swords maker."

"That would be my uncle." Sira gasped, the Andaliren who made every single one of the dragon riders a sword?

"Why didn't you just stay with the elves?"

"I did, all my life."

"The how did you get your hands on that dragon egg?" She asked, puzzled. As far as she knew, Galbatorix was the only one to have the last two dragon eggs-now one.

"It's a long story. Are you staying with me or not?" Sira sighed, and once more, weighed her options. She liked Darren, but knew almost nothing about him, he could be a murderer for all she knew, but she would have to risk it.

"I guess, that I'll go with you, but only to Ellesméra, that is where my friends are going, so when I get there I will see them."

"Very well, how do you plan on getting there?"

"My horse…curses he's back with them." She muttered.

"Wait, is he a black stallion with a chestnut snip and list?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"He followed us here." Then pointed behind Sira, she turned and saw Murtagh ((the horse)) lazily chewing on some grass, her things still on him.

"Brilliant horse!" She said, and clapped her hands.

"Well, I don't want to stay here any longer, shall we go?"

"Wait, since I am going with you, I want my necklace."

"What if I give it to you, and you decide to run off with it? What will I do then?"

"Just give me the necklace, you have my word I will not run off." Darren sighed; he was tempted to keep it, but handed it to her.

"If you run off I'm throwing a knife in your back, got it." Sira nodded and put the necklace around her neck, now feeling safer for some reason.

Euraus, we are leaving with this man.

Why? I want to go back with Saphira. He pouted.

You have Nadia, and no talking with Saphira; I don't want them to follow us.

Nadia is a child, what if I want to talk to an adult.

Silly dragon, you are a child too. If you wish to talk to an adult, talk to me.

I guess I have no choice?

No choice at all, unless you want to leave me.

No, I will stay. Sira smiled, and Euraus hopped into the saddle bag that contained her bedroll, then poked his head out over the top. Tiny Nadia waddled over to Darren, who scooped her up and put her in his lap, she was still small enough that a passing traveler could pass her as a bundled up blanket. Darren nudged his horse into a canter, Sira right beside him.

"So, how did you come across that dragon egg?" Darren hesitated, and then seemed to think she could know.

"Well, my family living in the city of Urû'baen wanted to go to the kings palace, and take the last dragon egg. My cousin Tim was supposed to become the next dragon rider, but he died."

"How?"

"Murder. Anyway, if Tim was not a dragon rider then I was supposed to take it back to the elven city with me, and if he was a dragon rider, then I would take him to Ellesméra. Basically I was the one who transported them, I was there when Tim was murdered, and I took his dragon egg, planning on taking it to the elven city. While I was in the city, I learned that my uncle's sword was in Morzan's tomb with him, so I set out to find the person who had the key; being you. Later, I learned hat Morzan's son actually had the sword, but he wasn't using it to it's full power. Apparently, if you put the key in it; I don't know what the man meant when he said that. You would be able to bring someone back from the dead, that is probably why everyone wants the key from you."

Sira was confused; it was impossible to bring someone back from the dead.

"So, you want to bring your father back from the dead?" He shook his head.

"I do not wish to bring anyone back from the dead, I just want the last piece of my father before it disappears. Sira nodded, she knew how he felt; the only problem was that if he wanted his sword back, then he would kill Murtagh, the last family member she had.

"I can understand how you feel, but why do you have to kill whoever has the sword."

"Well, obviously, they know Morzan and were in league with him." Sira slowed her pace and fell behind him, Euraus was trying to talk to her.

Not now Euraus, talk to Nadia. I need to think.

Well fine then. Sira knew she would have to apologize to her dragon later; but for now she would think. She was headed towards Ellesméra with a strange man who wants to kill her brother, only he doesn't know it, he's a dragon rider, but she had a feeling he was not working for Galbatorix. Sira sighed, and watched him out of the corner of her eye; he seemed harmless enough. Sira was mad at Murtagh, he wasn't even looking for her; some brother he is.

"Darren, when did Nadia hatch?"

"About three days ago, why?"

"Just wondering." Three days ago, so Galbatorix didn't raise security around the eggs after she left, he was so careless sometimes. Sira examined Darren; he had golden hair that fell into his hazel eyes; much like Eragon, except he had brown eyes. He had a nice face, and judging by his height, she guessed he was about eighteen, almost the perfect age for her. She smiled and laughed that notion off; she barley knew him, after all.

They stopped well after dark, and made a small fire next to the river. Sira realized she hadn't had a bath in two days, and gazed longingly at the water.

"Darren, do you mind if I take a bath?"

"No." Sira smiled then got up.

"Oh, wait, hold onto my necklace for me." She took it off and handed it to him, the proceeded to walk down to the river, beside some bushes, Euraus in tow.

Euraus don't follow me, go back to camp.

No. I am guarding you to make sure that man does not come down here.

He won't, just go back.

No. Sira sighed, dragons sure were stubborn. Euraus stood next to the bushes, where he could keep his eyes on Darren at all times. Sira peeled off her clothes, and then walked into the surprisingly warm water. She dunked her head under, and then swam for a bit. Finally, Sira just lounged in the water enjoying the cool night breeze.

See, I told you he wasn't going to come.

Yes, that is great for you. Sira smiled and went back underwater, when her head broke the surface, she heard raised voices.

"Where is she?" Sira recognized the voice, it was Murtagh.

"How should I know?" Darren answered.

"You have her necklace, we know you kidnapped her just tell us where she is, and no one will get hurt!" They were talking about Sira.

Saphira is here, good, I can talk to her! Euraus said happily, then began to walk out of the cover of the bushes.

Euraus! Get back here right now! Do not talk to her! He pouted and sulked back.

"I told you, I don't know who you are talking about." He must have figured that Sira didn't want to see them again, so he was lying for her benefit.

"You're a damn liar." She recognized Eragon's voice, he was trying to find her too? He probably just thought Darren was taking her back to Galbatorix,

"So what if I am. What will you do, kill me? If you do you will never find her."

"I can kill you and take her necklace back, then look for her." Murtagh replied, Sira had enough of this; she was just going to tell Murtagh that she was staying with Darren. Sira pulled herself out of the water, and wrapped a towel around her, it wasn't how she would want to be seen by Murtagh, but she couldn't get her clothes wet.

"Stop your bickering, I'm right here." All eyes turned to see Sira walk out from behind the bushes, Euraus pranced up to Saphira's leg and began talking to her.

"Sira? Why are you with him? Did he drug you or something?"

"No. I am with him because I choose to be." Murtagh remained expressionless, but Sira knew she had hurt him, and she didn't want to do that.

"Why didn't you tell us? We all were worried about you." Eragon said, butting in.

"Of course you were, all you care about is if I go back to Galbatorix or not, so don't even pretend to care about me." Sira turned her attention to Murtagh. "We were going to Ellesméra anyways, I would have seen you there."

"Yes, but how were we supposed to know that? We thought you to be dead."

"I guess I can go with you guys now if you want me to."

"Wait, no you can't. Remember our deal?" Darren said, butting in.

"Well, you would come to."

"Who is that?" Eragon asked.

"His name is Darren, he has a dragon too." Everyone looked at her, and she realized that Nadia was nowhere to be seen.

"Come on out Nadia." He said with a sigh, the little red dragon crawled out from under his blanket; Saphira let out a snort of surprise. Just then Arya stepped out of the shadows of the campfire.

"Was your father by any chance by Andaliren?" He looked up at the elf, whose tone was as cold as usual.

"Yes, yes he was." Arya smiled a little.

"My name is Arya, I believe that I met you when I was younger." Darren looked thoughtful, and then nodded.

"Yes I remember now! Your parents came to see my father, and they introduced us. So, where have you been?"

"I am surprised they do not talk about me."

"No, no one has heard from you in about a year, what happened?"

"Sorry to interrupt your little reunion, but I have a feeling that something or someone very unpleasant is following us, can we go?" Eragon asked impatiently.

"Yes. I shall tell you my story later." Arya said to Darren, who nodded.

"Well, I guess that I will see you guys in Ellesméra." Sira said sadle.

"No. We are going with them." Darren stated. "Get your clothes on, I will pack our things." Sira sighed, once more, she was deprived of a night's sleep; and went to change.

A/N: I'm still depressed…..I can't find my Nightmare Before Christmas DVD…cries….remember what I said about those italics! My frend Zoë was going to give me hers…..but her mom sniff threw it away bc they don't like the movie….how can you not like the movie! Bawls please don't be too harsh in your reviews…yes…. your reviews meaning you have to review plz&thnx. Sorry this chappy is bad!