breathless74: Yea, I was kinda noticing her lack of feeling in it. Don't worry though. I'll work on that. Thanks a lot for reading. I'm glad you liked it.

KrazieShadowNinja: Oh, good. I thought it did. Thanks so much. Here's your update!

Anonomous: Here's your update. I think you were that same person who reviewed twice. If I'm wrong, sorry.

figi-mermaid: I think you got it all wrong. The way you wrote your review, it sounded like you thought I intended to make a Sue. I didn't. Another thing. So far, I haven't read a story where they purposely made a Sue and called it a second-rider fic. I know my character's looks may seem a bit Sue-ish but she's not. After all, you can't judge a Mary-Sue just off the character's looks. She's not perfect and I'll prove it in the later chapters. I know you sorta liked my story and called it promising and I am honored that you did, but I'd be real happy if you could not assume my story's a Sue by her looks? Anyway, thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy further chapters. Oh, and please correct me if I'm wrong about the top part.

Chapter 2: The Rock

Marie looked up the hole she had fallen in. She could see the light of the sun…barely.

She looked behind her, inspecting the small muddy hole. She soon realized that this was a rain pit for tsunamis. The rain pits gather collected water to lessen the amount that passes through the down past Teirm.

"Great!" she yelled. "Now all I need is a tsunami!"

Suddenly she heard voices. Well, actually, she heard one voice. It sounded like a boy's voice but she couldn't tell whom he was talking to, much less what he was saying.

Marie pressed her back against the top and dug her hands into the mud. She yanked herself up, stopping once she could hear.

"Saphira?" called the voice. "Saphira! Come back!"

Marie cocked her head, wondering who Saphira could be. Maybe his horse…

Suddenly, a big black thing covered the light shooting into the hole and as it passed, Marie could see the tail of a dragon.

"Oh my-Whoa!" she screamed as she lost her balance. She slid back into the mud, now covered in it.

She slid into the way back of the muddied area and slammed her head against something hard. Barely conscience, she grabbed whatever it was and wiped the top of.

It was the prettiest thing she had ever seen. It was a pearly white rock, reflecting little rainbows of its surface. Veins appeared on all sides, like white lightning bolts. Pulling the large rock onto her chest, she heard the boy's voice again and than slowly drifted off…in the mud.

Marie awakened, not opening her eyes. She didn't want to wake up to mud carved wall again. Feeling with her hands, she felt a soft blanket. Then she remembered her rock and the dragon.

She opened her eyes and shot up, only to lay back down because of head pain.

"Shhhh…" said a female voice. Marie slowly got up, only lessening the pain in her head a little. Marie looked up to see Jeod's wife…maybe…staring back.

"I washed you and your clothes up. You're in one of my nightgowns," said the woman.

Marie's hand went to her hair. Comfort flooded into her as she felt it soft and clean for the first time since her parents were killed.

"How…how did I get here?" asked Marie. Looking around at the books and scrolls, Marie confirmed it as Jeod's house.

The woman's face turned hard when she answered. "That boy…Evan found you knocked out in a pit after he heard a scream. How he did it…I don't know."

"I do!" Marie said, remembering the boy calling to Sapphire…Saphira! "That boy has a dragon!"

The woman stared at her for a moment before she burst out laughing. It was a merry laugh with a hint of sarcasm. Marie knew she wasn't taking her seriously.

"Yes…he would be wretched enough to have one of those beasts but…dear, all of the eggs are with that king Galbatorix. You don't have to worry." The woman stood from her seat and left the room, chuckling to herself.

Marie stared at her with a disgusted look on her face and then looked around for the rock. Where was it? That boy! He took it. Maybe he was wretched…but he didn't look half-bad.

Marie undressed and through her clean clothes on, happy to see her knife and locket clean as well.

After finishing up, she went into the next room were the woman was sitting and reading.

Curiously, Marie walked over to the book to see what it was. Her parents had taught her how to read when she was little, though she couldn't read it very well.

"How long was I here?" she asked, glancing around the book-covered sitting room.

"A day. You were knocked out pretty bad. The boy seemed more concerned with that pretty rock you found then you, if you're wondering." The woman chuckled again as Marie shot her a glare for even assuming she liked…Ethan…Evan?

"Do you know where they went?" asked Marie. She could get a lot of money of the rock and maybe pay Gareth for a free day. Oh, crap…Gareth! He was going to blow up when he found out that she didn't work because she fell in a ditch.

"I think to the record place. They should be returning shortly," said Jeod's wife. She looked upset about something but didn't say anymore.

Marie sighed and decided to deal with Evan tomorrow. All she knew was, she was getting that rock back! With another breath she also decided she'd deal with Gareth tomorrow too. No way was she going to leave her rock here and expect Evan to hand it over. She had to show she was serious.

"Uh…" Marie stopped, unsure of the women's name.

"Helen," said Jeod's wife. She folded her book, keeping part of her hand in to save her page and looked up expectantly at Marie.

"Umm…do ya think I can stay here tonight?" she asked. Marie didn't usually take charity, but when she sold the pretty rock, she'd pay Helen back for sure.

"Sure…you're like the daughter I never had," she smiled. Marie grinned back, her long black hair falling in front of her shoulders.

Marie went over to the bookshelf and began rummaging through the collection until she found a book on the history of dragon Riders. She hadn't been interested in it before but now, being sure of seeing this dragon and knowing the boy was a Rider, she began to read deeply.

Marie soon became really interested in Rider history. She now knew about the fist Rider, Eragon who was and elf and there was even a back section to the book, which showed dragon names. Marie raised her eyebrows at one of the names. It was Saphira.

Glancing at Helen, Marie decided that trying to persuade the woman that she was right would only cause problems.

After about an hour of reading, the door opened to let in Jeod, Evan and the old guy. All of them put on shocked faces when they saw Marie sitting quietly, reading.

"Ah, so you have awakened young lady," said Jeod.

Marie nodded her head slightly and looked at Evan. He was definitely and eye catcher on her part. He was muscular and had an attractive face. A bow was slung over his shoulder and he held a bag on the other.

"She'll be staying the night," said Helen. Jeod looked at her curiously. She seemed happier than usual.

"How nice," spoke the old man. He walked over to Marie and stuck out a knobby hand. Marie's soft one's shook it. "I'm Neal."

"Marie," she said with a slight smile.

Neal backed up and smiled nicely at Marie. He bobbed his head strangely and put his hands up to his chest. "That's a nice name."

If Marie didn't know any better, she'd say he was acting a bit…retarded…

Helen raised her eyebrows at Evan. He sighed and walked over. Marie smiled slightly, seeing he had gloves on. He held out a hand and Marie shook it with a slight cute smile. "I'm Evan."

"Pleasure," said Marie shortly, trying a tiny bit to slip past his disguise, knowing he was a Rider and had her rock.

"Well, I've had the soup simmering for a long time now, why don't we all eat," said Helen.

They began to walk in when Marie tapped Evan on the shoulder. "Can I talk to you alone for a minute Evan?"

The boy looked to Neal for some reason who nodded, a little less deformed. Marie raised an eyebrow at this but turned to Evan.

"Where's my rock?" she asked. Evan glanced quickly to the bag on his arm but Marie noticed.

"Ah…in the bag…" smiled Marie.

"I'm afraid that rock is too dangerous for a young girl like yourself," said Evan, switching his voice to sound gruff.

Marie raised her eyebrows. "And it's safe for a boy (Evan winced) like you to handle it?"

Evan didn't know what to say. He glanced around, avoiding the girl's eyes.

Marie smirked. She knew how to get it out of the rat. She began to circle him like a hawk. "Well if you don't…I guess I'll just tell everyone about your little secret."

Evan raised his eyebrows and then put on a sly look of his own. "What secret?"

Marie walked towards him. "The secret about you being a…" She placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered the last part in his ear, enjoying the interrogation. "Rider."

Evan just stood there and Marie began to walk into the dining room.

"Wait…" a mumble came from Evan.

Marie turned to look at him, her forest green eyes glistening in the candlelight mischievously.

Evan stood there as if contemplating something and then rushed in before Marie.

"Hey!" she snapped. Evan ignored her and knelt beside Neal. After the boy had whispered something in his ear, Neal's eyebrows shot up and he looked quickly at Marie. He said something back to Evan and then whispered something to Jeod before standing.

"If you'll excuse me, madam. Evan and I need to have an important discussion with young Marie here," said Neal, gesturing towards her.

Helen's eyes flicked from Neal and Evan to the confused and irritated look on Marie's faces before waving them on.

"Come with me, girl." Neal said, his tone threatening. He pulled her outside with a firm but gentle hand and led her to the side. Marie looked around, laying eyes on Evan who avoided her gaze.

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