Thanks for the reviews everyone!

Super-hero Fan: Yeah, much different from Eragon. But I'm trying to make Safire's and Gleed's personalities match Saphira's and Eragon's.

soilderx: Thankyee:-D

Billios:Thanks for the spelling corrections. I went back and fixed as many as I could find.

Morning Brings a New Day

The night passed on slowly. Gleed was taking the first watch while Safire slept. She would take the early morning watch.

The smell of ashes from the burning wood filled his nostrils as a slight wind pushed the smoke in their direction. The moon was bright enough that night that Gleed could see past the cliff. By now the fire had burnt out, but the ashes were still red hot making the whole forest glow with an eerie sense of death. He could hear the screams from animals who were caught in the fire but were still alive, swimming in pools of their own blood. Gleed wished he could cover his ears and block out the terrible screeches, but he knew he couldn't. He had to watch for any sign of a dark rider or other dangers they could cause.

Gleed could not take his mind off his brother. What would he do if Jason was killed? Maybe Jason is out there right now; his body half burnt and praying for help. Gleed shook his head, trying to clear those thoughts from his mind. Instead he tried to think about back home, about his farm. Would his family's memories be modified if Jay was killed? Would he be forced to say goodbye to Safire and go back to his old life?

An owl perched itself on a branch by his head and hooted. Gleed whipped around, startled by the close noise. Just a silly bird, he thought.

By the time it was Safire's turn to take watch Gleed was a miserable wreck. He had only haunted himself with the gloomy images of what the fire had caused. Slowly Gleed got up and stretched. His muscles were sore from sitting for so long.

"Safire," he whispered. "Wake up!"

Safire didn't stir. Gleed wouldn't have even known that she had awakened. if she did talk to him in his mind. Is it time for my watch already?

"Yes." Gleed answered.

Safire slowly stood up and stretched. Normally she would have nickered, but with the circumstances, she thought it best to stay quiet. Quietly she walked over to the cliff and laid down.

Sleep next to me little one. That way you will stay warm.

Gleed was in no mood to object. He took his spot by Safire's side and curled himself up. Her body was warm and her hair soft. Soon Gleed forgot all about his worries and he drifted off into sleep's domain.

Gleed sat in an empty room. All around him were swords and weapons of all kinds. There was a wooden table in the middle of the room. Ten chairs surrounded it. Light filled the room by two large skylights. At the table sat four people.

One had an angled face. She had long silvery hair and sparkly blue eyes. Her skin was pale and smooth without and single wrinkle. Her beauty made Gleed's cheeks flush.

Another was a man with dark skin. His head was bald and the sunlight shined off it. His shoulders were round and strong. There was a long scar that ran from his left ear across his face and down to his jaw.

The third person was an old man. His face was wrinkled and he looked tired. His hair was as white as a pearl, but he didn't show any signs of balding.

The fourth person had his back to Gleed. Curious, he moved towards the man to see who he was—

Gleed felt Safire's presence in his mind. Wake up little one. For it is a new day. We must be off.

Gleed grumbled and turned over. His whole body was sore from sleeping on the ground and he felt like he had not slept in days. "Leave me alone." He mumbled.

Now he could sense that Safire was angry. WAKE UP! She yelled as she pushed Gleed with her head.

Startled, Gleed sat up and rubbed his eyes. The sun had already made its way into the sky. Birds were chirping with joy as the sun warmed the earth that the moon had cooled. The distraction of the fire seemed worse now that there was more light. As far as Gleed could see, were fallen trees burned to coals and a few trees here and there that managed to stand. The ones that did had scorched trunks and their lower branches burnt. However, almost with the hope of life, the tops of those trees were green. They managed to stay alive despite the river of death that flowed over the forest. It gave Gleed hope seeing those trees.

"What do we do now?" Gleed asked Safire.

There was a long pause before she answered. I reached out for Jason and Jays mind all thought the night and I could sense nothing. If you knew magic you could try to scry them, but for now you are too weak and that will drain all of your energy.

"Magic!" Gleed said, amazed. "You mean there is really such thing as magic? How does it work? Will you teach me?"

So many questions young one. Safire nickered. I am not the one to teach you magic. You will learn in time. Be patient. As for what we will do next there is only one thing. We must fly to Qÿere.

"Who is that?" Gleed asked.

He is the man who will train you to become a rider.

Gleed looked at her in anger, "And just forget about Jason and Jay? How could you say something so selfish? We should be out there looking for them!"

He could tell that just angered Safire. This is our only choice. I have already told you I have tired to contact them with my mind. They are either dead or far away. There is no way we can find them! Our only hope is that they have already left to Qÿere's house. You must grip this truth Gleed, I would not stop you from looking for your brother, but in this case it is pointless. She paused and let that sink in for Gleed before she continued. Come on, we are wasting time as it is. Let us depart.

Gleed didn't move. The thought of leaving his brother behind was too much for him. But Safire was right, he must go with her. Sadly, Gleed pulled himself up onto Safire and she took off, flying high over the dead forest.

Their flight was long. It took almost three days of continuous flying. Gleed's stomach ached with hunger and he barley had enough energy to walk. Safire did her best to hunt for the two of them, but it was hard for Gleed to eat raw meat.

By dusk on the third day Safire flied with renewed vigor. We are almost there! Gleed could feel her excitement, but all he could see was forest.

Pronunciations:

Qÿere: Qu-i-E-air