I'm really, really sorry I took so long to write this chapter. I've got a lot to do for school, and it's going to take at least a day between chapters from now on. I think I might take a small break and not write anything tomorrow, unless I'm really bored. And does anyone know the three sets of Sierra Madres (mountains) in Mexico?

Disclaimer: I wish…

Frightened but Dignified:

It was a dark and moonless night. Not even the stars dared to shine. We were well, my two guards and I, and our journey was nearly through. The wind whistled through the tall pine trees, as we trotted down the path. Something was not right, I could feel it.

And then the wind changed direction; and the horses snorted with unease. There they were, waiting. Waiting for us. So I ran. A red light struck my horse, and he immediately dropped to the ground, dead.

I looked back, and saw my fallen comrades. Tears filled my eyes.

Faolin…

I quickly blinked back my tears and ran. I ran for the sake of the egg inside my pack. I ran from a shade; an evil, powerful being. I ran from Durza.

I stumbled; I couldn't see where I was going. I couldn't keep running; he had caught up. I quickly muttered a spell under my breath. Hopefully, the egg would transport to Brom. Away to safety. The egg disappeared just as a burst of magic hit me, and I crumpled to the ground; unconscious.

Edoc'sil woke, frantic with her best friend's memories. She got up and trudged down the corridors, hoping that somewhere, Arya would be there. But she was not.

And somehow, she knew that this memory was not the cause of Arya's disappearance. There was something else…she just couldn't quite grasp it.

Oh, well. She would continue her tasks until news came. This was the way it was meant to be.

(&)

Eragon woke to the ringing of the magical item Oromis had given to him. It woke him every morning at exactly the right time. Usually he then had to wake Saphira, who slept late. But today was different. Today he was greeted with Saphira's laughter.

What's so funny?

Not funny, cute!

Cute?

Draumr and Aiedail. Look!

Eragon looked out the window, to see the two young dragons playing tag in the sky.

I hope they weren't out all night…

Oh, Eragon. Just leave it be! Be happy!

But…what about your mate?

I no longer care as much…for there is still a chance. And besides, the dragon race shall be born anew. I am not sad, but joyful!

Eragon listened to her wise words, then took one last glance at the two lovebirds, and went to finish cleaning up for the day's lesson.

(&)

Edoc'sil and I trained as hard as possible. After two more months, we were fit to go on our first mission: the Raz'ak. (An//I knows I spelled that completely wrong. Please, how do you spell it!)

We packed up early that morning, before even sunrise. We were taking Eragon's cousin, Roran, with us. We are to rescue his fiancée, Katrina, from the Raz'aks' evil clutches. To me, as a fourteen year old, this sounded pretty cool. Naturally.

We took of at daybreak, each on our own dragon, except for Roran, who rode with Eragon on Saphira. We flew all day, reached the Hadarac Desert, and decided to stay the night. Pretty dreary description, huh. Yeah, because that's what it was: dreary and uneventful.

"Let's divide the watch into shifts. Roran, then me, then Edoc'sil, then Eyris," Eragon told us. Edoc'sil looked as if she was about to disagree, then thought better of it and decided this was all right.

There was no talk among us. Only the bubbling of the thin soup made of plants and the shrill screech of me sharpening my sword. By sundown, we were all tired out due to the day's worth of riding.

Roran took the first shift, as we all fell asleep. The night was cold and moonless. Not even the stars shone.

(&)

Roran woke me about two hours later, and I sleepily got up to take my shift. Nothing happened. It was strange, though, this night. It was dark and cool, with no lights in the heavens. I have to admit, it was kind of freaky.

Finally, it was Edoc'sil's turn. I walked over to her sleeping form, and was about to shake her when her hand shot out and caught my wrist.

"It's your watch."

"Oh. Oh, okay." She replied. Edoc'sil got up and walked over to a place where she could easily see the camp and sat on a large rock. I went to sleep.

(&)

Why, oh why, did Eragon have to choose me for this watch?

What was that?

I thought I heard something…maybe not.

I whipped around, searching for something. Searching for what?

I began to fret. Possibly…

I needed to take a walk. I would stay in sight of the camp. Nothing would happen; right?

I walked through the woods. I heard a single CRACK! And I panicked. I whirled around. Which way had I come from? This way?

I started running. I didn't know where I was going, but I ran. I was lost. Sweat glued my hair to my face under my cloak. I began to run again. Why was I running? Was I fleeing from what? I didn't know. I was scared. I was scared for one of the first times in my life.

A hand caught me, and I whirled around, my dagger to the creature's throat.

"Edoc'sil Svit-kona, 'tis only I, Eyris. What happened?"

"N…Nothing happened. I just…I went for a walk."

"Oh. Well, it's my watch."

"Okay, then."

I didn't get any sleep that night.