Part 4 – Arrival

The sun had started to set as Saphira came to the small village of Farloden, the townspeople stopped and stared as Saphira landed in the marketsquare. It seemed the entire village came out, leaving their chores and what they had been previously doing aside and came to see the Rider and dragon. Eragon had become ascustom to people's reaction to Saphira but it always brightened his spirits to see it again. Saphira enjoyed it aswell she folded her wings but they fluttered a few times from the excitement.

Eragon quickly came back to reality and focused on his goal and purpose in the village. He let Arya dismount first then Roran before he slid off of the saddle. Saphira rose herself bach up to stand and glanced around at the villagers. Some of them parted as a small group of men and one man who looked taller and older than them. He walked up to him nad gave them a warm smile.

"Welcome to Farloden, Rider Eragon." He said taking a step forward to them. Saphira leaned her head in to examine the man and pulled it back and gave an approving growl. The man smiled at the sapphire dragon.

"And welcome Saphira! I am the village's head priest, my name is Damion. We have set up rooms for all of you in the temple." He said looking back over to the temple in the distant as it gleamed the dying sunlight. Ayra nodded and gave a charming grin.

"I've always wanted to see the Temple of Castimonia." She said her eyes glazed over with a childhood recollection, and awe. Eragon become alert to her at this, another thing he learned about her. The priest smiled and motioned for them to follow him.

"Come, you must be tired from your journey." He said as he and the few men started to walk back through the crowd as it parted for them. They all followed quickly behind them as the villagers dispersed quickly after that, Arya stood proudly after the priest and Eragon walked long with Roran and Saphira.

It is a beautiful temple. Saphira said to Eragon causing him to look up at it. A large stone wall circled around the edge of the hill it was perched on, the only way in he could see was to climb the long stairway straight up to the large oak doors. From what he could see there were a few smaller buildings and on big on in the middle. The main building was very tall and had a bell near the top.

It is wonderful. Eragon agreed and looked ahead and around the village as they approached the stairs. They all started to climb them and Saphira glided lazily beside them. She flew over the wall when they reached the top as they came through the open doors. The three companions took a moment to look around the shrine in awe, Arya seemed to be the most breath taken of the three, and Eragon could have sworn he saw tears of happiness in her eyes.

Eragon was distracted as a girl approached them he was slightly shocked by her she was very beautiful. She had long dark black hair that reached the center of her back; it fell perfectly to cup her delicate face. Her silver eyes seemed to shine out from her face and her small rosy red lips smiled at them. The priest motioned her over to them and turned to introduce her.

"This is Khariaya, she is my apprentice and priestess in this temple." He saw smiling warmly. Khariaya smiled and bowed to them.

"It's an honour to meet you all." She said gently, her voice came out smooth and creamy. A lot of these qualities appealed to Eragon but they only made him think of Arya more. He glanced at the elf beside him as she smiled and returned the priestess's greeting.

"Khariaya will show you where you will be staying." The priest said and turned to the girl. She nodded to him and motioned them to follow her. She led them into one of the smaller buildings to the side and turned and looked at the sapphire dragon, then looked to Eragon.

"There is a room at the back of this building that Saphira can access to your room." She informed him, Eragon knew Saphira heard this but turned to her.

I'll be alright, go ahead. He told her, and with that she took off and flew over to the other side of the building. Once the dragon was out of sight Khariaya led them inside. They walked down the hall for a moment until she came to a pair of sliding doors one on each side of the hall. She looked to Arya and smiled.

"This one," she said pointing to the one on the right. "-is for you. You'll find everything you need. If there is something missing or something you require this is my room." She said pointing to the room across from it. Arya thanked her and entered her room and closed the door behind her. Khariaya then turned and started walking back down the hall. Stopping at a door that led to Roran's room, then led Eragon down the hall to the end and final room.

"This one is yours I hope it's alright for you and Saphira." she said and led him inside. The room was very large almost as large as two of the rooms combined, that they stayed in at Ellesmera. Khariaya walked over to a large door and opened it. Outside Saphira poked her head in and looked to Khariaya lean at Eragon.

I like it. Saphira said happily as she easily came in through the door. The room was large enough for a dragon, almost double Saphira's size to stand-in. Khariaya smiled to Saphira then Eragon.

"The men's hot springs are through that gate over there." She said and pointed out into the yard Saphira had been in a moment ago and to and small set of doors through a wall. She then turned and walked to the door then turned back to them.

"If there's anything you need don't hesitate to ask me." She said and turned to leave, but before she could Eragon called out to her.

"What do you think about the wild dragon?" he asked. The priestess turned to look at him and Eragon was shocked to look at her eyes. They held concern and fear, a fear of what Eragon wasn't sure.

"Listen there is no dragon out there. I go there more than anyone I've never seen anything that would tell me a dragon lives out there." She said her voice sounded shaken at the end which caused disbelief in Eragon about what she was staying was the truth. She bowed her head to him.

"Now there are some things I need to do. I shall see you at dinner." She said and left rather quickly that cause suspicion in both Eragon and Saphira.

She seems nice and kind but that priestess has something to hide. Saphira said to Eragon. Eragon looked to his dragon then to the door Khariaya had just left by. He nodded in agreement; Khariaya was not telling him the truth.

Authors note: Okay so I lied in the last chapter but this is the final chapter untilI get back from my trip. I'm so excited as i was writing this chapter so many ideas, many possiblites! But now I'm sad that I won't be writing for the next week and a half... TT Please review with any idea's, comments, and/or thoughts for upcoming chapters. I love to keep my options open!

Translation note:

Khariaya - Prononced; "Ka-rye-a"