Yay! It's kinda long! Okay, sorry about late update. I'm trying. Honest. Still not replying to reviews, but I got 'em! Thanks! Ugh, this would have been up a lot sooner, but we had a power outage, and I've been on the verge of utter insanity for, eh, four hours. Torture, believe me. Also, after this chapter, there are two more. I'm cutting TTL in half, sorta, but I'm hoping you guys will be pleased with the ending and such. It will be continued, and there will be another story before In My Shoes. Title still under construction. The next chapter is with Jenny and Eragon, but the last will be with Niera, for reasons you will find out soon. And yes, Niera is a very important part to the story. Or the next story, anyway. 'hint hint'

The Offer

Jenny couldn't sit and wait. There wasn't any way possible. Pyron watched as his rider paced back and forth across a cave they had found for sanctuary that night.

"Have you been able to contact Saphira yet?" She asked, mind deep in thought.

No, the dragon replied. Oh, wait, yes! Yes I have! Shush! Jenny looked on impatiently as Pyron closed his giant, amber colored eyes. They suddenly opened again.

Saphira is okay! So is Eragon, but she cannot reach him. She can only feel his presence. She is bound in a large cavern, deep within the mountain.

"Can she possibly escape?" Jenny asked, not caring about mental communication.

No.

"Well, then." Jenny finally stopped pacing. "It's about time we broke in. Those three can't very well save themselves, can they?"

Have you a plan? Pyron asked snappily. I will not barge in with you, unless you have one. They can wait a little longer.

"Of course," Jenny replied snobbishly. I hope, she thought.

Eragon stared at the man before him in awe. He wasn't exactly sure how he knew it was Galbatorix, having never actually met the man, but he just knew. There was no way this could not be him.

"I have waited a long time to meet you, Eragon," the man said. His voice was deep, almost rhythmic. Eragon instantly understood how anyone could be pulled in, enchanted, driven by his words. Eragon had never truly understood how much of a tool this man used his voice for, despite all that Murtagh and Jenny had said. Eragon almost immediately wanted to kneel before him, do as he said and wished. This man was all-powerful. This man was his master.

No! His inner self screamed, nearly hidden behind a mist that was caused by the drug he had been given. Ignore the voice! The voice means nothing!

Somehow, Eragon stayed strong. He glared defiantly in stony silence. A thin smile curved the man's thin lips gently.

Galbatorix didn't look old, not as Brom had. The dragon magic kept him as young as he had been upon joining with Shruikan. His hair was long and silky, a blonde that was almost gold. His eyes were a shining blue, his face pale and smooth. His nose was slightly longish, but not very much so, and his ears were almost as pointed as an elf's. He wore long, flowing robes of black and navy blue. Slender hands and fingers were hidden by black silk gloves, and his feet were covered by a kind of black moccasin/boot with a navy silk interior. Eragon was in awe of the wealth shown by the King when some of his subjects were starving.

"The first of a new crop of Riders. Possibly the last." Galbatorix slowly shook his head. "There are only four dragons left, and yet we remain on opposite sides. Two dragons, fighting for the Kingdom, while the two fight a loosing battle alongside rebels. Eragon, we must join forces. Groups of rebels like the Varden want the Kingdom for themselves, not to save it. I want us to prosper, again have the Riders to govern the land, protect its people. I cannot do that alone, or with just young Mark. I need you and Jennifer at my side as well. Most importantly you." Those blue eyes looked pleadingly at him. For a split second, Eragon almost said yes, but not before he broke free of the effects of the drugs.

Do not say yes, little one, came a roar in his mind, or I will kill you myself. Eragon had already broken free.

"No." Those blue eyes narrowed dangerously.

"In that case-" He didn't finish his sentence. A roar resounded behind him, and a blue wedge-shaped head broke though the doorway.

Jenny and Pyron did indeed have a plan, but even Jenny had to admit it wasn't much of one. Pyron, with extra help from Jenny's magic, broke down the front door and slayed the Urgals guarding it. They moved in the direction of Saphira first, unsure of where Eragon was. They entered a dark cavern, and Pyron said that Saphira said she was at the far side. They had only taken a few steps forward when Pyron was attacked from the side. Jenny only saw a blur of purple and red before Pyron was taken down, blood dripping from his side.

"Pyron!" she cried in agony. A hand clasped over her mouth, stopping her scream.

"Shush now, sister, he will be okay. So long as you repeat after me…"

No one had noticed Saphira in a corner. She had known about Amaiy and Mark being there, but she had not been able to warn Pyron. They had only arrived by way of a back passage while Pyron and Jenny entered. Saphira was working herself free. After much maneuvering, she'd managed to get the muzzle off her mouth by cutting through the hide buckle with the rough scales on her wings and was chewing through her other bonds. With a final pull, they snapped. Saphira stealthily got to her feet and padded to the unsuspecting Amaiy. She didn't kill her, but left he unconscious. She helped Pyron to his feet. A sudden spur of the moment dragon magic flickered between them, and Pyron was healed.

But- he started, but was cut off.

Go save your little one. I will go save mine. She squeezed out of the dark cavern and headed towards the sound of her Rider's mind.

Pyron grabbed Mark around the waist with a front claw, squeezing slightly. Mark released his hand. Pyron knew what he had just asked Jenny to say. He wanted her to pledge allegiance to Galbatorix in the Ancient Language.

R&R!