I'm glad you guys like the story so much--I was afraid that it would be a total failure!

Chapter Three
Iet Fricai

Izayah spent the next few days in relative comfort, choosing to remain in the dragonhold with Hikaru. Slowly but surely, she was assimilating herself to the way life in Tronjheim worked. Her main activity was taking care of Hikaru.

In the space of a few days, the dragon had doubled her height and weight. By now, her head reached Izayah's shoulder. She ate a lot, too—Izayah constantly had to call to Eragon to get more. She was always afraid of interrupting him—but strangely, he seemed to enjoy coming up and talking to her.

Hikaru, who was sleeping at the moment, let out a huge yawn.

Izayah smiled. Hikaru was just so cute when she was asleep.

Cute but dangerous, she thought dryly, remembering all the things Saphira could do.

This was still a big point of obstruction for her, the fact that she had met and talked to a fictional character. Common sense said it was impossible—and yet, here she was. Something very freaky was happening to her, and she had no idea what it was.

She was suddenly afraid.

Very afraid.

Do you know what this means, Eragon?

Eragon looked at Saphira. What what means?

Hikaru. What color is Hikaru?

Eragon thought back to Izayah's dragon. White.

Exactly.

Eragon stared at her. What does that have to do with anything?

Saphira rolled her eyes. Think about it, you little fool. Why would white be so important?

Eragon thought hard for a moment. Dragons…they're all colors. Red, blue, gold, black…

And white.

There's only ever been one white dragon, Eragon replied absently, still trying to remember all the colors of the dragons.

Saphira trumpeted. Exactly!

Eragon froze, and sent his mind on backtrack. There's only ever been one white dragon…and that was the one…

That Eragon, the first dragon Rider, was chosen by, Saphira finished.

But Izayah's dragon is white…

Eragon's train of thought was cut off as a wave of fear and confusion slammed into him from out of nowhere. It was almost strong enough to physically knock him off his feet.

It's Izayah, Saphira murmured. She's afraid of Alagaësia—and of us.

Izayah!

Izayah jumped. Wha—?

Amusement and chagrin filtered through the link between her and Eragon. You're broadcasting your feelings. Saphira and I are on the other side of Tronjheim, and we can pick up your confusion as if you were standing right next to us!

Izayah blushed. I'm sorry—I'm not trying to.

We know. She thought she felt him sigh. We're going to have to start teaching you how to block your mind. Saphira and I are coming up there—you seriously need some help.

Izayah blushed harder and looked at the floor as Eragon severed the mind link. Not even a week, and already she'd managed to screw up.

Hikaru opened one of her silvery eyes. Izayah need to learn?

Izayah smiled at Hikaru. The dragon had already picked up the trick of pulling words out of her head, and was now teaching herself how to speak. Izayah had offered to help, but Hikaru had insisted on learning by herself.

Yes, Hikaru. There's a lot I need to learn.

Hikaru raised her head. Me, too. Learn to fly—to fight. Big dragon teach me.

Izayah laughed a little. Who, Saphira? You'd have to ask really nicely.

At that moment, Saphira swooped in, and Eragon slid off her back. "Come on, Izayah—we need to start. Now." His tone was brusque and businesslike.

Izayah nodded. "Right…I really am sorry about that."

Eragon looked at Saphira for a moment. The bigger dragon nodded, and winked at Hikaru.

Izayah got the sense that her dragon was laughing. Saphira teach me to fly, Izayah!

Izayah smiled. Well, have fun!

Saphira took off out of the cave in a whirlwind of blue wings. Hikaru followed, using her own pearly wings to glide to where the bigger dragon waited.

Eragon looked at Izayah. "First thing's first. The best way to figure out how to contain an emotion is to find out why it's there in the first place." He looked keenly at her. "Why do you feel so confused? So frightened?"

Izayah looked at the ground. "I don't really want to talk about it…"

Eragon put his hand on her shoulder. "You have to, Izayah."

That was too much. "I don't have to do anything!" she snapped, turning away. "Just because you're more familiar with this stuff than I am doesn't mean you can just order me around!"

There was complete and utter silence for a minute or two. Izayah stood with her arms crossed, head turned away, eyes closed. She felt Eragon looking at her.

"I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong, Izayah."

At that, Izayah broke down. Tears coursed down her cheeks. "I'm s-sorry, Eragon! I d-didn't mean it! M-My mom—she always wants me t-to be p-perfect—telling me what to d-do all the t-time—"

Eragon awkwardly put an arm around her shoulders. "It's all right, Izayah…"

Izayah just sobbed harder. "I d-don't even know why I'm h-here! I c-can't do anything r-right! I d-don't fit in! I j-just want to go h-home!"

"That's enough, Izayah," Eragon said firmly.

Startled out of her tears, Izayah looked at him. "Hunh?"

Eragon looked gravely at her. "You feel misplaced. I felt the same way. And, like it or not, for better or for worse, neither of us can go home. At least, not yet."

Izayah sniffed. "You're right…I'm just a complete wreck, aren't I?"

Eragon smiled ruefully. "That you are. But now, at least, I know why you've been hiding up here with Hikaru. You don't think you'll fit in."

"No, not really."

"Neither did I. It turns out that I fit in just fine. You'll get a few odd looks and strange sayings cast at you, but you get used to it."

Izayah sighed, and looked down at her palm. The gedwëy ignasia shone like a pale scar.

Eragon sighed. "Being a Rider is a joy—but it's also a burden. People turn to you for help, even if you can't give it. I made a mistake once…a very bad mistake."

"Blessing Elva with the wrong words," Izayah murmured, forgetting herself.

Eragon glanced sharply at her. "How did you know that?"

Izayah froze. "I d-don't know," she stammered. She realized she would have to be more careful with what she said.

Eragon nodded, still scrutinizing her suspiciously. "I said shield instead of shielded—I cursed her, not blessed her. That's why you always have to be careful of what you say in the ancient tongue."

Izayah laughed ruefully. "As if I could say more than the elven greeting."

"You're going to have to learn, eventually."

Izayah's face took on a pained expression. "Not yet, please. I'd like to learn how to defend myself without magic that with. I…I'll just feel more comfortable knowing that I could do it that way."

Eragon nodded. "Right."

At that moment, Saphira swooped in, closely followed by Hikaru.

I can fly real good! Hikaru said excitedly to Izayah. And I'm learning new words!

Izayah nearly laughed out loud at Hikaru's enthusiasm. I can see that!

Eragon smiled. "Saphira tells me that Hikaru is learning quickly."

Izayah nodded. "Hikaru was just telling me the same thing."

Saphira looked intently at Eragon, who nodded. "I've got to go, for now. Apparently, someone from Du Vrangr Gata—that's the magic-user's cult here, 'The Wandering Path'—needs me for something. And then, maybe, we can start your weapons training."

Izayah nodded. "I can't wait. See you around?"

Eragon nodded, pulling himself up onto Saphira's back. "See you around, iet fricai—my friend."

He took off before Izayah could respond, leaving her staring after him in utter shock, mouth working.

He actually called me his friend…

Hikaru nudged Izayah's shoulder with her nose. You all right, Izayah?

Yeah…I suppose…

Hikaru nodded, seemingly content with the answer, but Izayah felt the hidden layer of concern.

Don't worry, Hikaru—I'm fine.

And, hopefully, she would continue to be.

Izayah and Eragon are real friends, Hikaru is learning how to fly and speak, and Izayah is about to start her weapons training! This'll be great, ne?

Review, please! Macadamia nut cookies all around!