Last Chapter: "Slytha." Instant drowsiness washed over Alexia and the only thing she could hear now was Ayda. Sorry, but it is for your own good- and she could hear no more.

Thanks for your reveiws! It's you who make me write. -Cookie Handouts to reveiwers-

I don't own Inheritance.

Chapter 3

When Alexia woke up, she was propped up against a tree in an unfamiliar place. It was nighttime and she could hear a fire cackling nearby. Turning towards the heat, she saw Eragon and Brom. Hatred filled Alexia's eyes as she glared at Eragon's hair. She started to get up but her throbbing head told her not to. Slumping down again, Ayda came into view.

Ayda, where the hell are we?

A forest.

Haha, no seriously.

I would have no idea.

Hmph.

"I see you have woken." Brom said, carrying a half-skinned rabbit and a knife. Alexia grunted. Brom went back to skinning the rabbits. She checked her ears were still covered.

Ayda, did they see, me?

No, I carried you here.

Then you know how to get back.

Yes, I do but I'm not going to. I told you you shouldn't have argued.

Yeah yeah. She sighed in defeat.

Ayda? Ayda let out a long breath.

Yes dear?

Where's my headache remedy?

With all your other stuff dear. Ayda pointed her head towards the fire. There, Alexia spotted her bag. When the purple dragon turned to leave for hunting, Alexia spoke to her again.

Oh Ayda?

Yes darling?

Don't call me that. Could you get me my bag?

No.

Pretty please?

No.

Pretty please with a blackberry on top?

No.

What about a rabbit?

No. Get it yourself. I'm hungry. Alexia watched Ayda disappear before thinking, Stupid dragon!

I heard that.

I don't care. She closed the connection and slowly stood up. She walked gingerly to the fire. When at last she reached it she sat down and rooted in her bag. After pulling out a small vial of blue liquid she uncorked the lid and sipped a little. Forcing down the foul taste her headache was instantly cured. Placing the vial back inside, she went to her other bag and found her supper. A cooked rabbit was thrown next to her. She looked up and saw Eragon.

"What do you want me to do with it?" She asked icily.

"It's your supper."

"You expect me to eat that?" Eragon rolled his eyes.

"No, I expect you to bring it back to life, what else do you do with cooked meat?"

"No thanks."

"What?"

"I don't eat animals."

"But you can't live on fruit and bread!"

"Watch me! I'm sick of you acting as if I were a small child!" Alexia grabbed her bags and started to run in what she hoped was the right direction.

Ayda! We're leaving. She flashed a picture of where she was going to her loyal dragon. A few minutes later, purple wings were seen beside her. She stopped and Ayda stopped beside her. They were far out of the forest but Alexia still didn't know where she was.

Do you think we're far enough away from them?

I expect so; you've been running for so long.

Good, we'll sleep here. Running takes the life out of you.

It would, you ran over five leagues in such a short amount of time.

Well, keeps me fit.

I still think we shouldn't have left. We're on our own now, what happens when we get attacked?

We won't they're just making it up. She pulled out a cream and brown blanket and lay it on the floor. She reached for her riding breeches and shirt and changed behind a bush, pulling the dirty clothing off. Too bad there isn't a lake nearby. Moving back to her blanket, which served as a matress, she brought out another blanket and covered herself with it.

Night Ayda.

Good night little one.

Alexia was riding a blue roan horse far out in the Hadarac Desert. She was laughing at something when all of a sudden, the horse grew wings and started flying high up in the sky. She felt her hair flying behind, the wind cooling her red face. Ayda was flying beside her, the purple scales glittering beautifully in the sun.

"I'm free!" She called out to the world.

"I'm free I'm free I'm free!" Then the sky went black and her horse tipped over. She screamed, trying to find it's reins but she grasped on to thin air. She was falling rapidly. She could hear people laughing mercilessly, an arrow speeding to her chest…

Alexia bolted up from her 'bed' and looked around. It was sunrise but she was back in the forest.

AYDA! she yelled in her mind, forgetting her nightmare.

What? She thought irritably. Such a peaceful sleep to be ruined.

What am I doing back here?

You said it was exercise.

AARGH! The dragon snickered. Alexia made to get up but when she tried to walk she found her legs wouldn't move and she fell flat on the grass.

"Ouch." She said, rolling over and seeing her ankles were tied with rope. She pulled at the knot, but to no avail.

Oh Ayda? She thought sweetly.

Yes princess?

Could you pretty please untie me RIGHT NOW!

They're waking up now.

Please? Wait, what?

I said they're waking up now. Alexia groaned.

You could quickly untie me and then I can run, you can go wherever you want if you don't want to follow.

Oops, left it a little late. Alexia sat up and saw Eragon coming to her. She groaned inwardly, muttering every single curse she knew to Eragon and Brom. They had no right to tie me up and steal my dagger from my shoe! My shoe for dragon's sake!

It's a boot.

Shut it.

"Hello little runaway. Long day ahead of you." Alexia said nothing, checking her hair. She looked around and spotting her bag, moved towards it, hoping to find something sharp and more importantly, breakfast. Eragon made no move to stop her or help her. She huffed, I wouldn't expect it anyway, old cow.

She finally got to her destination and started searching for something, anything to cut away the rope. She felt vulnerable and useless. Especially when Ayda isn't helping.

I heard that.

Of course you would, you don't let me have privacy, it's like you're my conscience or something.

I am your conscience and you're mine. She irritably severed contact with Ayda when she found nothing sharp in her mass of belongings. Feeling extremely annoyed that someone had rooted in her personal belongings, she started on a breakfast of bread, cursing everyone that came into her mind. Eragon, hmm, oh! Killed by blood loss!

"Alexia?" She jumped then saw who it was.

"Eragon."

"Brom wants to talk to you."

"Okay." Eragon waited a few minutes.

"Well are you going to talk to him?"

"Yes." He waited a few more minutes.

"Brom wants to talk to you now!"

"Get him over here then, I'm practically disabled!"

Alexia let out a short scream when Eragon gripped her right arm and started dragging her across the grass. He stopped and dropped her next to Brom and then turned to his dragon.

"Ah, we meet again." Death by torture, definitely. Brom laughed.

"Now when you finished killing me I'll cut the ropes but don't run away." Alexia stopped reluctantly. He can read my thoughts, old hag. Brom picked up his dagger wait, that's mine, and slashed at the ropes. Alexia stood up quickly and stretched her cramped legs. She looked at Brom who was holding out her dagger. She accepted it and placed it in the usual place; in her left boot.

"Now you can walk, I want to teach you how to fight with a sword. Excuse me for a moment." He bent down and rustled in his bag. Okay, maybe he's all right. When he straightened up he held out a stick in the shape of a sword. She took it and gripped it tightly in her left arm. They already know anyway.

"Now…"

Alexia dropped the makeshift sword and collapsed. I was wrong, he is an old hag! Her whole body hurt and was probably full of bruises. Brom had been anything but easy on her this morning. She had only been able to block a few of his easier blows but she didn't even have a chance to attack let alone bruise him. Alexia gasped when she tried to move her right leg. She was distracted by someone sniggering at her. Brom took that time to nearly break her leg. You will definitely pay Eragon! You'll see. I'm not as weak as you think.

Oh really? From what I saw you couldn't even touch the old one.

You know it's times like these when I wish I sold your egg. Ayda snorted in reply.

Alexia started on her own lunch away from the other two who were watching over a pot. When she finished, Brom had her and Eragon sit side-by-side facing him. In front of them both was a small pebble.

"Alexia, I'm going to teach you magic. As I said before, do not attempt to do anything beyond your strength, as you can very well die from it. Eragon." He nodded towards him. Eragon stared at the stone and whispered;

"Stenr reisa." The pebble rose up level with his eye. It then slowly spun round in a circle twice and then was lowered back.

"Just do what you can Alexia." Brom said. She nodded then turned to the stone.

"Stenr reisa!" The pebble lifted and Alexia willed it to rise up to eye level.

"Good, now if you don't feel tired, spin it round." Brom muttered so as not to startle Alexia and make her lose concentration. The pebble spun round in a circle twice, as Eragon did. Feeling nothing, she spun it round again. Spinning it round a total of five times and still feeling nothing, she lowered it back down. She looked at Brom, then Eragon. Brom's face was unreadable while Eragon's was suspicious. Just then, she felt someone probing her mind. The pain made her put up a barrier of shields and shoot arrows to the intruder. Pained, it retreated. Satisfied, she turned back to Brom. He was packing up everything. Turning back to Eragon she realized who attacked her mind.

"You!"

"What?" He said stiffly.

"You went into my mind!"

"You're not normal, you could be a spy for Galbatorix. You don't just spin a pebble round and feel nothing." Tears welled up and threatened to fall.

"Yes, I'm abnormal! Deformed! Whatever you want to call me! But you do need to use your brain. If I were a spy, I would be following you, writing down everything you do and then reporting back to Galbatorix! I wouldn't be taking useless lessons!" She hung her head hiding her tear-stained cheeks.

Ayda, where are you?

With Saphira.

Ok. Just checking.

What's wrong?

Oh nothing much.

What did Eragon do this time?

He did nothing, stop acting like a mother! She severed the connection then spoke in a calmer voice.

When Alexia looked up she saw the two males talking to each other, occasionally glancing at her. Finally, Brom came over to her.

"Time to pack up, we're going to Therinsford to see if we can get some horses. It's not far from here. Maybe half a day's walk."

"Ok." She got up, put everything into her bag and stood next to Brom. He had a map out which had scribbles and arrows everywhere in childish writing. It pained her to know that even a child could read and write but she herself couldn't.

-Flashback-

A six year old child wakled timidly to her mother. She pulled at the bottom of her skirt, getting her attention.

"What now Alexia?"

"Can you teach me to write? I want to write a letter to my friends who's going to Surda." She heard an exaperated sigh.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to make friends with anyone suspicious, you're better off learning to make your own clothes than somethig as usless as write. And keep your hair down when near the window! No go away, I'm busy." The child hung her head and extied the kitchen.

-End Flashback-

"Is this yours?" She asked Brom.

"Nay, I just found it lying on the floor."

"Oh."

All the way to Therinsford the three were silent. Ayda and Saphira had flown ahead for safety. They reached a bridge and a greasy man jumped out from behind a bush, blocking their way.

"You c'n stop right there. This's my bridge. Gotta pay t'get over."

Brom pulled out his purse.

"How much?" He asked in a resigned voice. The bridge keeper immediately brightened. His cracked lips formed a broad smile.

"Five crowns." Alexia saw Eragon tense at the price. He started to shout but Brom silenced him with a look. He handed the coins over and the man put them in a pouch that hung from his belt.

"Thank'ee much." He said in a mocking tone and let them pass. As Brom stepped forward, he purposely stumbled and grabbed the bridge keeper's arm to 'support himself' while he cut his purse. Eragon was too angry to notice.

"Watch y're step!" He snarled, sidling away.

"Sorry." Apologized Brom. They continued over the bridge. When they were out of earshot, Eragon let his temper out.

"Why didn't you haggle? He skinned you alive! He probably doesn't even own the bridge. We could have pushed right past him."

"Probably."

"Then why pay him?" Alexia smirked at his stupidness.

"Because you can't argue with all the fools in the world. It's easier to let them have their way, then trick them when they're not paying attention." The old man opened his hand, revealing a pile of coins.

"You cut his purse!" exclaimed Eragon. Brom pocketed the money. He grabbed the shoulder of a young boy and asked him;

"Do you know where we can buy horses?" The child stared at him, then pointed to a large barn near the edge of the city.

"Thank you." Said Brom, tossing him a coin.

The barn's far wall was filled with saddles harnesses and other pieces of tack. There were two long rows of stalls. A man with muscular arms beckoned them to come over. He had a snow-white horse next to him. As they approached, Alexia gasped.

"He's beautiful." She said, stroking the horse.

"Yes indeed. Name's Snowfire. Mine's Haberth." There was a polite pause as he waited for their names. When they were silent, he asked;

"Can I help you?" Brom nodded.

"We need three horses and a full set of tack for each. The horses have to be fast and tough; we'll be doing a lot of traveling." Haberth was thoughtful for a moment.

"I don't have many animals like that and the ones I do aren't cheap."

"Price is no object. I'll take the best you have." Replied Brom. Haberth nodded and tied Snowfire to a stall. Alexia watched Haberth pull down saddles and other items. He then went to the stalls and brought out three horses. One was a light bay, another a piebald and the other a roan. The bay tugged against his rope.

"He's a little spirited but with a firm hand you won't have any problems." Said Haberth. He handed the rope to Brom, who let it smell his hand and allow it to rub his neck. He did the same for the piebald. He eyed the roan.

"We'll take these two. The roan, I'm not sure."

"There are some good legs on him." Brom pondered for a moment.

"Mmm…what will you take for Snowfire?" Haberth looked at the stallion, a faraway look in his eyes.

"I'd rather not sell him. He's the finest I've ever bred-I'm hoping to sire a whole line from him."

"If you were willing to part with him, how much would all of this cost me?" Eragon tried to put his hand on the bay like Brom, but it shied away. Alexia saw him pause for a moment and the horse calmed.

"Two hundred and seventy crowns and no less." Haberth said with a smile, confident that no-one would pay that much. Brown opened his pouched and counted the money.

"Will this do?" he asked Haberth. There was silence as he glanced at the money, then to Snowfire and then to the money again. He sighed.

"He is yours, though I go against my heart." Brom smiled.

"I will treat him as if he had been sired by Gilgintor, the greatest steed of legend."

"Your words gladden me." Answered Haberth and he bowed his head slightly. Then he helped Alexia saddle the piebald, who was having some difficulty. When they were ready to leave, he said;

"Farewell then. For the sake of Snowfire, I hope that misfortune does not befall you.

"Do not fear, I will guard him well." Brom promised.

"Here." He said, handing Eragon Snowfire's reins to Eragon. "Go to the far side of Therinsford with Alexia and wait there."

"Why?" Inquired Eragon, but Brom had already disappeared.

"Come on Alexia, let's not get lost again shall we?" They walked without another word and exited Therinsford with the horses waiting for Brom to come back. Alexia continued to stroke Snowfire, feeling she didn't want to have another arguement with Eragon right now.

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