They rose early in the grey predawn hours. "How are we going to transport the elf? She can't ride on Saphira's back much longer without getting sores from her scales. Saphira can't carry her in her claws—it tires her and makes landing dangerous. A sledge won't work; it would get battered to pieces while we ride, and I don't want the horses slowed by the weight of another person."

"If you were to ride Saphira, we could lash the elf onto Snowfire, but we'd have the same problem with sores."

There was a pause, where Eragon and Saphira consulted. "Saphira says we could lash her onto her stomach." Using blankets and clothes, the group managed to lash the elf onto Saphira's stomach. "I'm afraid your scales may rub through the ropes."

"We'll have to check them occasionally for fraying," commented Murtagh.

"Shall we go now?"

Murtagh's eyes sparkled dangerously, a tight smile lifting his lips. He glanced back the way they had come, where smoke from soldiers' camps was clearly visible, and said, "I always did like races."

"And now we are in one for our lives!"

They swung onto their horses and trotted out of camp. Saphira flying low overhead. They spent the rest of the day riding, driving the horses as hard as they could without killing them. Sometimes they dismounted and ran on foot to give Tornac, Snowfire, and Cadoc a rest. Only twice did they stop—both times to let the horses eat and drink.

Though the soldiers from Gil'ead were far behind now, the group found themselves having to avoid new soldiers every time they passed a village. Somehow the alarm had been sent ahead of them. Twice they were nearly ambushed along the trail, escaping only because Saphira happened to smell the men ahead of them. After the second incident, they avoided the trail entirely.

Dusk softened the countryside as evening drew a black cloak across the sky. Through the night they travelled, relentlessly pacing out the miles. In the deepest hours of night, the ground rose beneath them to form low cactus-dotted hills.

Murtagh pointed forward. "There's a town, Bullridge, some leagues ahead that we must bypass. They're sure to have soldiers watching for us. We should try to slip past them now while it's dark."

After three hours they saw the straw-yellow lanterns of Bullridge. A web of soldiers patrolled between watch fires scattered around the town. Eragon and Murtagh muffled their sword sheaths and carefully dismounted. They led the horses in a wide detour around Bullridge, listening attentively to avoid stumbling on an encampment.

With the town behind them, the group was able to relax slightly. Daybreak finally flooded the sky with a delicate blush and warmed the chilly night air. They halted on the crest of a hill to observe their surroundings. The Ramr River was to their left, but it was also five miles to their right. The river continued south for several leagues, then doubled back on itself in a narrow loop before curving west. They had covered over sixteen leagues in one day.

Eragon leaned against Snowfire's neck. "Let's find a gully or hollow where we can sleep undisturbed." They stopped at a small stand of juniper trees and laid their blankets beneath them. Saphira waited patiently as they untied the elf from her belly.

"I'll take the first watch, I'll wake you in a few hours." said Lorena, setting her sword across her knees. The men mumbled their consent then went to sleep. Some hours later, Lorena heard a slight shuffle, and her head snapped around to the sound of the noise. Murtagh rose to his feet, and looked around at her.

"How long has it been?"

"A couple of hours, I was going to wake Eragon soon for the second watch."

"Mmm." mumbled Murtagh as he dragged his blanket. He sat next to Lorena, his side pressing hers before he threw his blanket around the both of them.

"Thank you." whispered Lorena as she snaked her arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder. She felt his arm wrap around her own slim waist, and they held each other in silence.

"Eragon... Eragon... oi, Eragon."

"Mm, what?"

"You're watch."

Lorena opened her eyes, and sat up. She and Murtagh still held onto each other, but her neck ached from the odd angle. "Is it Eragon's watch already?"

"You've been asleep for hours, I've already taken mine." said Murtagh, as he got up and stretched. He then lay Lorena, who was still not yet fully awake, down and placed his blanket over her. "Go back to sleep. Have fun Eragon, I'm going to see if I can get a few more hours." And he went back to his bed.

Nightfall found them worn and drowsy but determined to continue. They headed through the hills, avoiding the tops for fear of being spotted by sentries. Saphira stayed with them on the ground for the same reason. Despite her bulk, she was stealthy; only her tail could be heard scraping over the ground, like a thick blue snake.

Eventually the sky brightened in the east. The morning star Aiedail appeared as they reached the edge of a steep bank covered with mounds of brush. Water roared below as it tore over boulders and sluiced through branches.

"The Ramr!" said Eragon over the noise.

Murtagh nodded. "Yes! We have to find a place to ford safely."

They lead the horses onto the bank, which came to an abrupt end, the river ran dark and swift. White mist wafted up from the water, like blood steaming in winter. It was impossible to see the far side. Murtagh tossed a branch into the torrent and watched it race away, bobbing on the rough water.

"How deep do you think it is?" asked Lorena.

"I can't tell," said Murtagh, worry colouring his voice. "Can you see how far across it is with magic?"

Eragon inspected the river. "I don't think so, not without lighting up this place like a beacon."

With a gust of air, Saphira took off and soared over the Ramr.

"It's swift, but I think I could swim across," Lorena noticed Murtagh raise his brows and added, "It'll be difficult, but I grew up next to a river. How about you boys?"

"Not a chance," responded Eragon before he looked shocked and exclaimed, "A half-mile! Saphira says that she can fly over us and the horses."

"I'd rather not try it, for the horses' sake. Tornac isn't as accustomed to Saphira as Snowfire and Cadoc. He might panic and injure them both. Ask Saphira to look for shallows where we can swim over safely. If there aren't any within a mile in either direction, then I suppose she can ferry us."

The three ate dry bread while waiting for Saphira to return. It was not long before Saphira came back, her velvet wings whispering in the early dawn sky. She communicated with Eragon before he said, "The water is both deep and strong, upstream as well as downstream."

Murtagh replied, "I'd better go over first, so I can watch the horses." He scrambled onto Saphira's saddle, then motioned for Lorena to join him. She climbed quickly and wrapped her arms around him for support. "Be careful with Tornac. I've had him for many years. I don't want anything to happen to him." Then Saphira took off.

The feeling of weightlessness, the wind striking their faces, and the musky smell of Murtagh exhilarated Lorena. It took all her willpower to not shout her enjoyment. As she watched the river below, his hand grasped hers, giving it a firm squeeze.

When they landed they dismounted and untied the elf from Saphira's belly. The moment the elf was free Saphira took off again. They moved her to make it easier for Saphira to land with the horses, then Lorena grinned at Murtagh. "Was that not amazing?"

"It'll be hard to go back to riding the horses after that." Murtagh smiled back.

Then they heard the horse's scream. Murtagh visibly tensed. When Saphira came back into view they could see Tornac kicking and tossing in her grip. When Saphira landed they had to wrestle Tornac onto his side and tie him down too keep him from bolting or hurting himself. By the time they had finished Saphira returned with Cadoc, they managed to calm him before Saphira returned with Snowfire, and eventually Eragon. Once Tornac had settled they readjusted the horses' saddles, and bound the elf back against Saphira's stomach. They then resumed their flight toward the Beor Mountains. The air filled with the calls of birds waking to a new day.

The three dozed as they walked, unaware of the others doing the same. There were times when none of them guided the horses, and it was only Saphira's vigilance that kept them on course.

Eventually the ground became soft and gave way under their feet, forcing them to halt. The sun was high overhead. The Ramr River was no more than a fuzzy line behind them.

They had reached the Hadarac Desert.