Chapter 4
Cailin was waiting beside the Menoa tree. It was about noon. She then heard a faint garble, as if the tree itself was trying to tell her something. She put her ear up to the tree's trunk and heard a faint whisper saying, "Go and appeal to Arya for your wishes. She is the fastest way to acquire what you desire. She will do everything in her power to help you, but also remain polite when asking for what you wish." Cailin then heard two people talking. One voice was quiet and calm, the other the same but a bit rougher. She strained her ears to listen but the voices stopped when they came close to the tree. Cailin then felt a conscience touching her mind. Cailin immediately focused on a blade of grass, trying to block her mind just as Diarmid taught her. She was so focused on blocking her mind that she failed to notice a pair of feet and legs standing next to her.
"Well, hello," said a deep voice. She gasped and looked up. There, standing before her was the Rider Eragon, with Arya close behind and Saphira, his dragon, by his side.
"Hail, Argetlam," Cailin stammered, as she performed the elven greetings to him, Saphira, and Arya. She bowed her head under Arya's scrutinizing gaze.
"Why are you here?" Arya asked in a strong, firm voice.
"I am here to seek special permission to see the third and last dragon egg in all of Alagaesia. I appeal to you, Princess Arya, Argetlam, and Saphira, to allow me to touch and see the egg as I was too young, my mother said, to see the egg when it was first brought over," replied Cailin. A pained look appeared in Arya's face as she glanced towards Eragon. She nodded her head silently while pleading with her mind to accept. Eragon then conferred with Saphira, who also agreed.
"Come," nodded Eragon, who knelt beside Cailin because she was still sitting. "We have a long way back to Queen Islandzadi's palace where you shall see and touch the third and last dragon egg in all of Alagaesia."