The Cailin on the bed grumbled and tossed and turned. Eragon ran toward her, summoning a spell. Suddenly he was thrown back by an unseen force. He shook his head, stood up, and gaped in amazement. Surrounding Cailin was a shimmering white light. A dreadful scream pierced the air. Suddenly a tall, pale woman materialized. She was cradling her bloody arm. "What did you do?" she screamed at Eragon. Eragon stood appalled.

"Who are you?" he asked.

The woman hissed and bared her teeth. "You caused my pain. I would have been able to kill her. But you got in the way. Prepare to repent for wasting my time."

Eragon stood his ground. "You still haven't answered my question."

The woman hissed, "I am Lucifa," she pointed at Cailin, "This viper killed someone important to me. I promised myself I would settle for nothing less than her life. However, I will settle for her father's blood!" Lucifa screamed and lunged at Eragon. His breath was knocked out. She twisted his arm back. In an attempt to throw her off his back, Eragon's shoulder was dislocated. He managed to throw Lucifa off but his arm hung limply at his side. Lucifa picked up an iron bar that had fallen from the windowsill and held it in front of her like a sword. She lunged and Eragon, realizing he had no sword, held up his arm to shield his face. He heard the clang of metal against metal and slowly opened his eyes, before him stood a man in a brown tunic with magenta colored hair; on the right sleeve there was a symbol. It had two triangles pointing towards a circle which enclosed another circle. He glanced at the man's scabbard, which was hanging off his belt, and saw it was ebony black and golden dragons were entwined around it. Eragon noticed the man's hilt had the same symbol as his sleeve. There were sapphire triangles, a ring of onyx, and a large blood red ruby in the center. Eragon glanced across the room and saw a woman with her arms outstretched and mouthing a spell. Her eyes were fiery and her brown tunic revealed more than Eragon cared to see. Her tunic had a red dragon with flames coming out of its mouth stitched into it. A red dragon twisted around her arm and a gold dragon bracelet gleamed in what little light there was. Suddenly, Lucifa screamed and dropped the weapon she was holding. The man quickly took the opening and held his sword up to Lucifa's throat.

"You caused Cailin's deep sleep, of which there may be no waking. Tell me why you desired her asleep forever," the man said.

Lucifa breathed heavily but did not answer.

The woman across the room pushed harder with her magic.

Lucifa's legs gave out from under her and refused to comply with her mind's messages.

"Now you will tell me why you desired her asleep," said the man.

Eragon intervened. "Lucifa told me just before she attacked me that Cailin had killed someone dear to her. Maybe we should find out who was this person."

"So we shall. Lucifa is your name correct?" the man questioned.

Lucifa nodded.

"Who did Cailin kill?"

Lucifa scoffed. "As if I would tell you that so readily. If I'm going to die whether I tell you or not, why would I bother to tell you at all?"

"I do not need to know why you would kill Cailin. The fact that you attempted to kill her is enough of a reason for me to end your life." The man lifted his sword. Eragon quickly mouthed a spell. The man's sword bounced off Eragon's quickly made shield as he brought down his sword. Lucifa smiled. She cupped her hands as if she were holding a spike to her heart. She smiled at Eragon. "She killed my dragon, Rohan," she whispered. She plunged the magic-made spike into her heart. She fell to the floor with a thud. The dragon woman came forward. The dragons circling her arm had disappeared.

"Come, what's done is done. She chose to die, which is what would have happened to her in the end," the woman said.

"I'm sure you're puzzled about who we are and Cailin's mind. We would gladly answer your questions over a light snack," the man said.

"Please follow me," the lady gestured.

At the thought of food Eragon's stomach growled. He followed the couple most willingly into the dining room.