A bit of a short chapter ahead. Ah, well. Reviews, please!

Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon. Anything familiar belongs to Christopher Paolini, but everything else belongs to me.


Chapter Ten

Eragon looked at the unconscious girl and back to Saphira, a frown across his face. What did she mean by 'I have been waiting for you'?

Her name is Kaiya, and her dragon's name is Rubaes. Saphira said knowingly, ignoring Eragon's question. She sounds weak and I am not sure what to do with her; I suggest we do not question her dragon until she has regained consciousness. Until then we should probably take her with us back to the others.

Though startled that Saphira had spoke with the girl, Eragon nodded and knelt down beside her. A sword was nearby, but clutched tightly in her hands was a slightly large wooden case. Letting his curiosity get the best of him, Eragon slid it carefully out of her grip and started to undo the latches.

Suddenly he let out a small yelp as Rubaes spun around and uttered a loud growl, his red eyes flashing angrily. You should not meddle with things that are not of your concern, human.

I was just…I mean… Eragon stammered.

Rubaes glared at Eragon for a few more seconds before turning away, muttering, Very well, see what is inside.

Warily eying the dragon, Eragon lifted up the top and let it fall back. His brown eyes widened in astonishment, and he shut the case instantly. We should not linger here Saphira; we have stumbled upon the last known egg and the person who stole it.

Then we are in danger here; let us leave now. Saphira replied with sudden energy. Eragon nodded grimly and stood back up, looking over Kaiya more thoroughly. Then he turned towards Rubaes and questioned awkwardly, What is wrong with her?

Our journey from Urú'baen has kept us constantly worried. We had traveled nonstop for the entire day when they attacked. Rubaes's voice turned bitter at the mention of the hooded creatures. Kaiya was too exhausted to fight; we were forced to leave the man in order to escape. I flew the entire night to get away, but Kaiya was injured from the flight.

Eragon winced as he remembered his first time flying. But who attacked you?

Rubaes snarled in remembrance and replied darkly, Servants of Him, disguised as hooded creatures—

—The Ra'zac. Eragon finished softly. Would you allow Saphira to carry your Rider and you follow behind? She cannot ride again until her wounds are healed and a saddle is made to fit you.

Rubaes reluctantly agreed, and soon they started off to reach the elves. Eragon rode on Saphira, who carried the unconscious girl carefully in her claws. Rubaes trailed closely behind, Kaiya's sword and the case bearing the egg in his own claws.

Eventually they arrived at their destination. Saphira landed awkwardly, and Eragon jumped off immediately to relieve his dragon of her extra burden. Lifting her up, the boy couldn't help but notice how light she felt. Suppose she was worse off than Rubaes had thought? He didn't seem to notice the commotion that the elves had been making before their arrival.

"Eragon Shadeslayer! What is this?" Haldin suddenly asked in alarm. He had appeared, it seemed, out of nowhere, the smile that had been on his face moments before gone.

Rubaes growled threateningly, causing Haldin to take a half step backwards.

Kaiya still in his arms, Eragon strode past Haldin to where a makeshift tent had been set up. "This is the thief who you have spoken of, also the newest Dragon Rider."

Haldin stared after Eragon in puzzlement, then started after him. "How is this possible?" he asked.

Eragon shrugged and continued on, ducking down slightly to avoid a white sheeting that was used as the door to the tent. Suddenly his eyes widened and he nearly dropped Kaiya.

"Arya? Murtagh?" he choked out, gripping Kaiya tighter.

Haldin ducked through the tent and said with a slight smile, "Oh yes, about that—"

Murtagh was standing rather unsteadily with his shirt off, his head bandaged as well as his bare chest. A few elves stood around Arya, whose arm was currently being bandaged. In the corner were the Twins, an identical scowl across both of their cross faces. All looked up at Eragon when they heard his voice.

He felt his cheeks grow hot when Arya looked at him, realizing that he was holding a girl in his arms. Murtagh let a smile cross his face, and he nodded in greeting. The Twins merely deepened their scowl and looked disapprovingly at Eragon.

Eragon turned to Haldin, "She needs to be healed. From what Rubaes—her dragon—told me, she is only injured from her flight, though she is also exhausted."

Haldin nodded and instructed him to lay her down, which Eragon obeyed rather quickly. Then the elves that had mended Arya started to examine the unconscious girl.

"—Nothing serious; we dressed her wounds and cleaned her up, though she will be sore—"

Kaiya groaned softly and tried moving her strangely stiff body. When she finally managed to open her eyes, everything seemed to be spinning. She groaned once more and tried remembering where she was.

"Jevden…Tesu…" she mumbled in a dazed tone. And then everything went flooding back to her. Kaiya gasped and forced her head up, breathing fast. Above her she saw Eragon and an unfamiliar face looking relieved.

Forcing herself to stand up, Kaiya pressed a hand to her head as if to stop the pounding headache that was making its presence known. "W-Where is Rubaes? I need to talk to him," Kaiya asked shakily.

"He is outside," Eragon replied with a slight frown.

Kaiya started towards the tent exit, though Haldin suddenly asked, "Where are you going? You need rest if you want your wounds to heal."

Not bothering to look at him, Kaiya muttered testily, "Never stopped me before." She continued on, cringing as her legs started to throb painfully. Haldin gave Eragon a questioning look, to which Eragon shrugged and started after the girl in concern.

Suddenly Murtagh appeared from the other side of the tent. Kaiya stopped in her place, mouth open slightly.

Murtagh…

"What are you doing here?" Kaiya asked abruptly. Murtagh frowned and peered over her shoulder at Eragon, eyebrows raised.

"Never mind," Kaiya said quickly, "Your name is Murtagh, right?" She glanced at his bandaged head, her mind going back to her vision of him…

"It happened, didn't it?" Kaiya whispered. "My vision, the Urgals… how did you escape?"

An angry look suddenly appeared across Murtagh's face, "How did you know about that?" He gave Eragon an accusing glare, who shook his head in confusion.

"I think," Haldin spoke up gently, "that we need to talk."