Lexia sensed an attack to her left, kicking out against it and spinning to parry another blow to her head. Flipping out of the way, she heard two blades clash through the place she had been seconds before. Her neck tingled, and she dropped to the ground, moments before a blade slashed where her head had been.

Tripping someone, Lexia lashed out against a person at her left with a gauntleted fist. Spinning on her heels, she braced herself for another attack. None came.

"Point, Alexia!"

Lexia stood there for a moment, breathing hard. She felt Jo'Hanna's hand on her shoulder.

"You won, Lexia!" Jo said. Lexia could hear the smile in her voice. "You beat them!"

A hand touched hers. Lexia clasped it. It was Tristan's hand. She could tell from the size and shape, and the scar on his palm. She smiled. "You fought well, Tristan."

"Not as well as you," answered the older boy. "I've never seen you fight like that."

"It was hardly a fair fight, either," said another voice. Tough and husky, but young. Royce. "You were bladeless, and the minority. Bravo."

"Thank you, Royce. I enjoyed it very much. Although you should watch your left side better."

Tristan clapped her on the back, laughing. "Sightless and still you manage to best two men twice your size, both with swords. You're an angel, Lexi."

"Hardly. I've just learned not to trust my eyes alone. Besides," she continued, "you and Royce couldn't be called men, so it's not much of an accomplishment at all." Her voice was light and joking.

Royce scooped her up, throwing her on his shoulders, laughing. She gave a little squeak of surprise. "Come on. This calls for a celebration. Food's on me."

Pounding her fist on his shoulders, Lexia giggled. "Let me down!"

Royce flipped her back onto the ground. "Where's Elemo, anyways? Shouldn't she be here too?"

Lexia shrugged. "I don't very well know. What's it to you?"

She could almost see the cocky smile on Royce's face. "I spent the night with her last night. So I am a man, despite what you might say, little Lexi."

Lexia's face lit up. "Congratulations. Are you getting married?"

"I'm content sharing chambers for now," Royce answered. "But she's a girl, so who knows? She'll probably want marriage and kids and all."

Lexia smiled at him. "Have any of you seen Shur'tugal? He was supposed to leave today, wasn't he?"

"Yeah," Jo replied. "He, Argetlam, that elf lady and Captain Shay all left this morning."

"She isn't a captain anymore," Tristan corrected. "I heard she was fired because she…"

Lexia stopped listening. She had tired of rumors long ago. There were far too many going around, and keeping track of them gave her a headache. At least she knew that Súndavar was gone now. She could focus on her training again.

For some reason, Lexia hadn't been able to train well when she knew the Dragon Rider was watching. Her hands got sweaty and the sword slipped, or she found herself tripping over bumps in the ground, even though she knew the training field better than her own room. The Rider's gaze felt hot on her neck, making it impossible to concentrate.

"Lex? Do you want me to walk you back to your room?"

Lexia shook her head. "I'll stay here for a while," she answered, slipping off her gauntlets. "I'll ask Garën to escort me back later."

"If you're sure," Jo'Hanna said hesitantly. "You're sure you don't want to go out to eat with us?"

"I'm sure."

"Oh, stop lecturing her, Jo," Tristan said. "She's a big girl."

Jo laughed. "Very well. We'll see you later Lexia."

Lexia nodded. She heard their footsteps as they turned to walk away.

She stood there for a while, hands on the fence that bordered the dirt sparring circle. She could feel the sun dancing on her skin, and a slight breeze tugging at her hair.

Behind her, a twig cracked. She spun around. "Hello?"

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you."

Lexia recognized the voice. Feminine but strong, with a flitting joke held in its midrange chords. "Shay?"

"Um…yes."

Lexia frowned. "Weren't you supposed to leave with Súndavar and Eragon?"

"…I fell behind. They left already?"

"Yes…"

Something wasn't quite right. Lexia felt the back of her neck tingle. She bit her lip. It sounded like Shay, but was it? Something was definitely wrong.

Before Lexia could be sure, Shay – or whoever it was – strode off, leaving the blind girl alone in the gathering darkness.

Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter. :D Wanted to mention:

It says in Eldest that Orrin is five years older than Nasuada. If she's nineteen or so, then he's about twenty-four. (I think Kya asked me about this)

Hearts to all, Kittie