Author's Note: The friends Rune makes in this chapter are based on real people. To this end, I would like to dedicate this chapter to Joe, Ajay, and Lmo. Hearts always, KittenofShadows.

Rune felt the dragonfire in Saphira's chest. She liked Saphira, but being in the dragon's presence made her ache for Thorn.

What troubles you, little one? asked Saphira, noticing her distress.

"You remind me of an old friend," Rune answered softly. "You would have liked him."

Saphira smiled in her dragon way, pleasure emanating from her into Rune's mind. Rune pulled her hand away, setting it in her lap. She sighed softly.

Last night was the best she had ever had, sleeping with Saphira's inner fire pressed up against her. She hadn't been as uncomfortable around Eragon—even in her nightclothes—as she thought she would be, he was very nice and understanding. He reminded her of Murtagh.

Rune got up. "Saphira, I'm going to get some fresh air."

Saphira blew a trail of sweet smoke at her. Very well. I'll tell Eragon where you've gone…when he awakens.

Rune giggled, glancing down at Eragon's sleeping face. In slumber, you couldn't tell him apart from any other Varden boy. He looked vulnerable, sweet, even a little angelic. Rune shook her head at the thought, leaving before her laughter could awaken the Rider.

She was still giggling when she left the castle, reaching the training grounds. Without meaning to, she was keeping an eye out for Súndavar, but he was no where to be seen.

She walked up to a group of girls, who looked about her age.

"…I heard he's sharing his personal chambers with her!" said one girl. Her voice was hushed and urgent.

The two other girls gasped, before noticing Rune. They smiled.

"Kvetha," Rune greeted.

The tallest, a pretty brunet with eyes that glinted with bottled magic, grinned back. "Un gán ono."

"I'm Rune," she introduced herself, feeling slightly out of place. She had never known anyone her age, besides Súndavar, and the silly page from the castle stables. And they were boys. Caryn and Mauve too, but somehow they didn't count.

"Jo'Hanna, but call me Jo," responded another. Her hair was the color of gold, and was braided like a warrior's. "That's Ellemo, and Alexia."

Alexia smiled, but didn't look Rune's way. Her eyes were milky. It took Rune a moment to realize she was blind.

"I'm training to be a warrior," Jo said. "So is Lexia. Elle is Trianna's new apprentice."

"Trianna?"

"A sorceress in Du Vrangr Gata," Ellemo answered, her tones making it clear that Rune should have known that already.

"Sorry," Rune apologized. "I just got here. I don't know many people."

"Did you come with your family?" Jo asked.

Rune shook her head. "I don't have a family. My mother died when I was a baby. My father…he's dead too. I came to escape Galbatorix."

"Escape?" Lexia asked, her sightless eyes wide. She sounded insanely interested. "Really? Why would he want you? Will he chase after you?"

Rune wasn't sure how to answer. "I'm…I'm not sure. He might be very glad to get rid of me. Or he'll want me back very much. I don't pretend to understand how he thinks. As to why he wants me…I suppose it could be called a matter of ill birth." Ill birth! Rune almost laughed. The most ill birth possible.

"Did you see Shruikan?" asked Lexia. "What does he look like?"

Jo rolled her eyes. "Excuse Lex. She always asks too many questions."

Rune laughed. "Yes, I saw Shruikan. I was a prisoner, so I didn't see him often, but he was magnificent. Massive, the color of night laced with blood and anger. His voice echoed throughout the halls, though he never spoke aloud. You could feel his power just by setting your sights on him from a distance."

Lexia shivered at Rune's description. "He sounds wonderful. Evil and glorious at the same time."

"You have a knack for descriptions," Ellemo said primly. "More often than not someone will portray something to her and Lexia won't be satisfied."

"You just don't know how to depict something for the life of you," Lexia grumbled to her friend. "I ask about an arrow you say 'it's…straight…long…'"

Jo chuckled. "She's got you there, dear mage."

Ellemo sniffed in mock annoyance.

"What were you talking about before I got here?" Rune asked, thinking she already knew the answer.

"The girl Eragon Shadeslayer's got in his quarters."

Rune pursed her lips, smiling and looking away while raising her eyebrows. Their mouth's dropped open.

"You mean…" "You!" "Kissed you?" "Bedded him?" "Lovers?"

The questions flew at Rune faster than she could answer them. When she finally got it straight that the sharing of Eragon's chambers was for safety reasons only, at least until her wounds healed completely, she was met with envious stares.

"Haven't you been listening?" she asked. "It's not like that!"

Ellemo rolled her eyes. "Quit pretending." There was envy in her voice.

Rune sighed, slapped her forehead. A few moments later, Eragon was at her side.

"Morning, Rune," he said, squeezing her shoulder. "Made some friends, have you?"

Rune nodded. She pulled Eragon aside, whispering his predicament in his ear. Her breath felt warm on his skin and smelled of peppermint.

"So you see," she said, "I told them it wasn't like that, but they didn't believe me."

Eragon chuckled. "Let them believe as they wish."

The was something Murtagh would say. Rune's voice caught in her throat. Her eyes teared up.

"What's wrong?" Eragon asked, looking at her with concern.

Rune forced a smile, shaking the tears away. "Nothing. I'm fine."

Eragon extended a hand to wipe away her tears, then let it drop before he touched her skin. "I've got a rematch scheduled with Captain Shay. Would you like to come along?"

Rune nodded. She had seen Galbatorix's vast collection of swords—most stolen from his slain enemies—and Murtagh had shown her some of the parries and thrusts, but she had never witnessed a duel. She jittered with excitement.

"Come along then," Eragon said, leading her off. We waved to the girls.

From the corner of her eye, Rune saw Ellemo glare at her. She rolled her eyes. They had the wrong idea about Eragon and her. But, try as she may to deny it, she was somehow glad they did.

Pronunciation:

Ellemo: EL-uh-mo