Chapter One

Pain and Wanting

"Is he going to be alright?"

"Yes,"

"What happened to him?"

"Ra'zac dagger, in the leg. It's very close to the artery."

"He's so lucky,"

"There's no such thing as luck, Lady Arya."

"Well, then…"

"He is chosen,"

"Yes, he is chosen…"

"That is why that dagger did not damage his artery. But if he is able to walk again, which he should be, the first few days he will have a very bad limp and it will slowly leave him, actually making his leg stronger then it was before."

Eragon heard all these words. There were too many of them. He groaned and tried to turn over, but a jolt of pain ran up his leg. Then he remembered. They had been fighting, Murtagh, Saphira, Arya, the Twins, and himself, all fighting the Ra'zac. There were five this time, last time there were only two. He remembered two had captured Murtagh, they had carried him away.

He, Eragon, had been fighting for Murtagh, but one of the Ra'zac had stuck a dagger in his leg. Arya had helped him get it out. Saphira was protecting them from any stray arrows.

The Twins actually killed two of the Ra'zac and were fighting one of the remaining three when the Ra'zac knocked them out by hitting his sword over their heads. He remembered Murtagh screaming, screaming in pain, screaming in fright, screaming for Eragon… Arya… Saphira… anyone to help him.

"Eragon, are you awake?" It was Arya. Eragon opened his eyes, they stung like crazy. She embraced him tightly. "Oh, Eragon, I was afraid you had died!"

"No," Was all he managed to say. His mouth was dry and his throat was scratchy. It hurt to talk.

"Lady Arya, the Rider needs his rest." One of the Twins protested.

"He's been sleeping for over a day, I want to talk to him, he doesn't have to answer, but he can listen." Arya demanded.

"Fine," the Twin got up and joined his brother who was talking with Saphira.

"We will rescue Murtagh, once you are healed. It seems that our magic will not heal you completely. The Twins think it must have something to do with the Ra'zac's blade." Arya told him. Eragon couldn't help thinking about when he had first met Murtagh, a little before Brom had died. Arya talked a little more and then suggested that he get some sleep. Eragon did not protest, the fact being he was quite tired, even though he had just gotten conscious. He slept and slept and slept. When night had finally fallen, Eragon, Arya, and the Twins all slept under Saphira's wing.

It was a long night.