Part 3 – The Journey

Eragon rode on the saddle mounted on Saphira's back, Roran behind him and Arya into front. It was a stroke of luck that Saphira could carry the three of them and there bags of supplies and provisions. Saphira was happy to be flying again now that her wounds had been healed and after much time grounded. The ride had been fairly quiet after Arya explained in more detail about this mysterious dragon. Eragon and Saphira understood what a wild dragon would mean for everyone.

If there really was a wild dragon out there, that meant there was another chance for more dragons being out in the wild. Not only had that it meant that there was another chance for a female to be able to mate to save the dragon race, if it was a male that meant more a fight between the male dragons to mate with a female. Either way finding a wild dragon had its own ups and downs.

"So what exactly do we do if we find a wild dragon out there?" Eragon asked Arya as Saphira ascended higher into the sky; big rushes of wind blew past them. Arya's hair flew softly in the wind, the end brushes across Eragon's chin and chest, sending a rush of her scent into his nose. He smiled inwardly at himself breathing in the sweet smell deeply, he snapped back to reality when Arya responded to his question.

"Well, if it is a male then it may be a candidate as a mate to Saphira, Galbatroix will have no interest in him as long as the dragon doesn't mate with Saphira. If it a female then there is cause for concern, if Galbatroix finds out there is a wild female dragon he will go after that dragon to get her to mate with Murtagh's dragon." She said glancing quickly over her shoulder at Eragon. The rider nodded his head even though she didn't see it.

So it seems either way a wild dragon is in trouble. All the better that we check it out. Saphira said sharing her thoughts with everyone on her back. Eragon smiled at what she said and looked over his shoulder at Roran who seemed deep in thought, an expression of worry crossed his face.

Don't worry brother, we'll find her, we'll save her. I promised you, and that is my first priority. Eragon shared with Roran mentally, only Saphira could hear him besides Roran. He didn't want to offend Arya by saying something that made it seem that he didn't care about the finding of a wild dragon. He did but he had a promise to keep to Roran and that would come first, the trip to Farloden would help him in the rescue operation of Katrina and if he had time to check out the surrounding area for a wild dragon then he would.

I know. I just worry for her. Roran grinned at Eragon, trying to push his thoughts of the worst of what could be happening to Katrina to the back of his head. Eragon nodded to him and turned back to face forwards.

Hold on tight I'm about to pick up on a current. Saphira warned them and locked her wings out to glide on the approaching current of air. Eragon held on and smiled sensing Roran's anxiety, and he laughed to himself. Eragon looked back to the direction they where coming from across the edge of the Hadarac dessert, they traveled this way to make it easier to get to Farloden and not enter Alagaesia until they had too. The current rushed up behind them pushing them forward in a big rush their speed picked up and they soared higher into the sky.

Khariaya made her way back into the busy village; small farm vendors lined the street selling their goods and products. Many people smiled and greeted the shrine priestess with a wave or a cheerful 'hello'. Khariaya just smiled and waved back to them as she passed. She soon started the long climb up the steep and high temple stairs.

The shrine stood overlooking the village from a hill to the north of the village, Khariaya always loved looking over the village and everything around it, and it truly was the best view in the village. Khariaya quickly made it to the top and entered though the large open oak doors. Some villagers walked through the shrine courtyard moving to the prayer well among other things.

Khariaya noticed a couple of men talking with the head priest at the base of the sacred tree that grew in the middle of the shrine's courtyard. Khariaya felt it was a deep and important conversation, but it gave her an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She walked over too them just as the men bowed and calmly left. The head priest turned to look at Khariaya as she came over to him.

"Ah! You've finally come back." He said smiling fondly at her. Khariaya's parents' died when she was still young and left her at the temple the care to the head priest. Ever since then he cared and raised her like his own teaching the ways of a priestess, she was the most powerful girl he had come across.

All priests and priestesses were taught the ancient language for ritual purposes, but Khariaya held more use and power of the words then any other or even himself. The head priest knew that when the time came she would be able to take his place and do what she loved and care for the village like he had.

"The pepula was scarce this time." She said smiling back at the man she always thought of as a father to her. She glanced back to the men was they walked out the temple doors.

"What did they want?" she asked casually and turned back to look at him. He sighed and kept his warm smile to her.

"They came to tell me the messenger I sent to Lady Nasuada would have reached them by now." He said and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You need not worry that wild dragon will be checked out." Khariaya felt her insides seize up but she kept a cool and composed expression. She sighed for show and not to let on she was the dragon's rider.

"How many times have I told everyone that there is no dragon?" she said and frowned to the priest. He sighed and shook his head, and looked at her.

"There have been too many sightings and evidence for us too ignore it any longer." He said for probably the 50th time to her. She always said there wasn't a dragon when anyone brought the subject up.

"I've been in that forest more than anyone, if anyone would know if there's a dragon it would be me. I haven't seen any sign of a dragon there, ever." She said firmly staring at the priest trying to keep her demeanour as serious it could be.

"I know. But we'll have it checked out and if your right and there is no dragon I will give you your wish to visit the elves next time a group head out there, now that our alliance with them has been reformed." He swore to her and smiled warmly leaving to time for her to argue back. "Now you better get those herbs to storage." She said and moved her along to where she was going.

Khariaya hurried to the medical room of the shrine and quickly put the basket down and started pacing quickly thoughts blasting through her mind as she tried to figure what she was going to do. She couldn't run now it would be too suspicious, Eviothx wouldn't leave even for a day when the other rider comes.

Eviothx we have a problem. She told him as she lifted her right hand and gazed over the gedwëy ignasia that lay in the palm of her hand.

Author's Note: Okay this is going faster than I expected. Woot! Okay the good news is I've gotten many ideas many ideas now, the bad news is that I am going on vacation for the next week and a half. So I sad to say that means no updates until I am back. So unless I work hard today and I can finnish a chapter today, but if I don't then there won't be any updates until I get back. Please review soI might be inspired to work hard on another chapter. Special thanks got out to Almostinsane and American Crowfor reviewing on this story!

Translation Note:

gedwëy ignasia - 'shining palm', mark of a Rider.