The Last Rider: Castus Pectus

Part 1 – Prologue

Eragon paced back and forth in his tent, the candle light flickered as a cool night breeze drifted in from the tent's open door. Roran was sitting on his bed occasionally glancing up at his cousin as he cleaned his weapon, Saphira's head could be seen from the door way as she lay outside the tent.

The young rider continuously thought over his encounter with his blood brother, and enemy rider. Murtagh, his brother, his friend, and fellow rider now served under Galbatroix the greatest enemy to them all. He had to remember that Murtagh did not serve Galbatroix under his own will, he was forced to. Eragon clenched his fist and let out a cry of frustration, he wished he could help him but Murtagh was sure or too stubborn to let him help.

Be patient little one, you can't help him tonight. Spend less time worrying and more time resting. Saphira said calmly through their mental link, she had said similar things for the past hour or so trying to calm Eragon. Eragon just huffed and stopped pacing for a moment and turned sharply to face his dragon companion.

As long as he serve's Galbatroix I will worry over him and what Galbatroix is planning. He replied sharply back at her not meaning for it to come out as harsh as it did. Saphira understood his frustration and worry, and calmly took his ranting. Eragon huffed once more and feel down to the bed beside his cousin, who had just finished cleaning his hammer and lay it to rest on the ground beside them.

"Don't trouble you mind too much." Roran said unknowingly mimicking what Saphira had just said to Eragon. Eragon sent a comforted grin to Roran. And leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees and glanced sideways at his cousin- not his brother.

"So everyone has told me." He said his grin stretching across his face, this time Roran returned his grin and looked to Saphira whose head now poked through the door. Her deep sapphire eyes stared at the two kinsmen, she turned her eyes to Eragon as he lifted his eyes to meet hers.

If you won't listen to me listen to him she said an underlining tone of mocking, which Eragon ignored with a small smirk. He turned back to look at Roran.

"We should be ready to leave to find Katrina within a day or two." He said and stood up and moving to his own bed and sat down so his faced Roran full on. Roran nodded and looked to Saphira then back to his cousin.

"I know I was angry with you earlier, but I want to thank you both for helping me." He said locking his firm and sincere eyes with the Dragon Rider's, Eragon gave him a short nod before specking.

"Think nothing of it. I owe it to you and to her, had it not been for us," Eragon started and glanced over to the sapphire dragon at the tent entrance then back to Roran. "- Charvahall would never have been targeted by the Ra'zac." Eragon said, his voices sadden my guilt and he bowed his head down slightly.

"That may be true, but you are working to free us of Galbatroix and the Ra'zac. I'm sure everyone at home would be proud of you, even my father- no our father." He said emphasizing the word our. Eragon looked up at him and grinned slightly.

"We'll go back when this is all over, right?" he said more like asked Brom. Brom sighed slightly and smiled in amazement at his 'brother', he had changed in so many ways. He was no longer the same cousin Eragon he knew, and yet he was.

"Of course." He replied shortly with a warm smile. Saphira made a content growl from her place at the door which made both men look at her and burst out laughing. A moment later as laughter subsided and as they dried tears or mirth from their eyes and glanced at each other before giving one last chuckle.

"We should get some sleep." Eragon said looking longingly at his bed. Roran agreed quickly feeling fatigue tugging at his eyes beckoning him to close them in sleep. They both prepared for bed and blew out the candles, and with a final goodnight they lay their heads to rest, the only sounds coming from the watch posted outside talking amongst themselves and the soft snores from Saphira.

The shadow of a young girl passed through the trees of a deep lush forest bordering Du Weldenvarden, or known to very few in Alagaesia, the home of the elves. She glanced back towards the direction of her village, even though she was too far to see it. However she could she the top of the temple the highest point in the village just barely above the trees. It was the Temple of Castimonia or the Temple of Purity, located in the small town of Farloden. It was small village north east of Ceunon. It went mostly unnoticed by the rest of Alagaesia which made it better, because it was home to many members of the Varden.

The girl walked more quickly weaving her way around the trees and through the dense underbrush. A woven basket was held carefully in her hand and cradled against her hip. The basket was fully of different kinds of medical herbs, her clothes were that of a temple priestess, red pants that belled out around her legs, and a white shirt that had large belled sleeves. This was Khariaya, a priestess of the Temple of Castimonia.

She glanced around once more slowly coming to a stop, the wind rushed past her making her hair dark black hair flow on the air currents. She smiled to herself as a large dark figure approached her from her left, taking time to move its body through the trees. The creature was about the size of a mature mare and her foal put together, it's shoulders equalled the height of her body. What came through the trees was a black dragon.

Good to see you again, Eviothx. The Khariaya cooed affectionately at her dragon as he came closer. The dragon turned his shiny black eyes to her; a twinkle seemed to shine in them as he looked at her.

You've finally come out to see me. The rough voice of the dragon came through their mental link. Khariaya smiled brightly at Eviothx, and reached a hand out and ran it over his snout.

You know I get very busy sometimes. She said and ran her hand up over his head and down beside the dragon strong carved out face. Khariaya reminisced over how Eviothx and she came to be together, it was almost 7 months ago when she stumbled on the black dragon's egg, while gathering medical herbs. At first she thought it was a rock smoothed out so some reason or another and took it back to the temple with her. It was only later that night as the sun set did it hatch and produce a baby dragon as black as the egg it came from. Being a priestess in the temple, in village full of Varden she knew what her existence as a Rider would mean. She and her dragon would be forced to fight, something she didn't want for her or her dragon.

People have started to talk about you. She said looking up at Eviothx. The dragon stared at her his eyes becoming firm and concerned.

You mean? He started to ask, but Khariaya cut him short has her hand moved and rested on the end of his snout.

You've been seen. I heard the head priest say he was going to send news to the leader of the Varden to get that new Rider to come out and see if there really is a wild dragon. She said her eyes saddened as her eyes dropped to look at the ground. If the Rider discovered that Eviothx had a Rider no doubt the Varden would find out and make her fight Galbatroix. Eviothx made a slight growl noise in the back of his throat and nudged her hand to make her look at him.

You worry too much. He said trying to cheer her up. She grinned half-heartedly at the coal black dragon.

Maybe. She replied smiling and dropped her hand back to her side, and shifted the basket in her other hand. She then looked back at Eviothx.

Come on I need some more Pepula. She said and started walking into the trees, Eviothx trailing behind her faithfully.

Author's Note: Hey everyone! Wow, I've been wanting to write this fic for a while but I've been busy with other stories... which I still need to finish. XD Oh well I'll just have to manage both!Well I'm going to enjoy writing this one, please review I get my fuel to write from reviews. Thanks everyone!

Translation notes:

Castus Pectus - Latin for 'Pure heart'

Castimonia- Latin for 'Purity'

Pepula - A medical plant, used to cure burns and reduce swelling.(a fictional plant of my own creation)