Hellooooo! Mesa no Chrissy P.! Mesa only own Ophelia and Tania! Mesa really need to stop sounding like Jar-Jar Binks now! Bye Bye!

Okay, I'm kidding, I'm not Jar-Jar. He's the best Star Wars character, though.

And this title might as well be titled 'What I Wished To Do To Eragon in This Part: Strangling, Yelling At, and Other Means of Communicating My Fury At Him.'

Edit: I AM SOOOOO SORRY! MY COMPUTER WAS A JERK! IT DELETED THE CHAPTER BEFORE I COULD SAVE IT! I am SO, SO SORRRY for not updating sooner, I swear! Oh my goodness please accept any and all apologies and punish me as you see fit!

Tania sighed as Eragon took a step back, shock warring with suspicion across his features. A moment later, Saphira crashed through the trees, tail raised threateningly and teeth bared in a snarl. Be ready for anything, she warned. He may be able to use magic.

"You are his heir?" asked Eragon, his hand surreptitiously reaching for Zar'roc. Tania winced. Idiot! That is his father's sword! she mentally yelled at him, which made him jump slightly.

"I didn't choose this!" Murtagh cried, anguish twisting his face. He ripped at his clothes with a desperate air, tearing off his tunic and shirt to bare his torso. "Look!" he pleaded, turning his back to Eragon.

Even from this distance, Tania could see the white, knotted scar, stretching across Murtagh's tanned and muscled skin from his right shoulder to his left hip—a testament to some terrible agony. Zar'roc did that, Tania realized.

"See that?" Murtagh demanded bitterly. He talked quickly now, as if relieved to have his secret out in the open—and not just guessed, like she'd done. "I was only three when I got it. During one of his many drunken rages, Morzan threw his sword at me as I ran by. My back was laid open by the very sword you now carry—the only thing I expected to receive as inheritance, until Brom stole it from my father's corpse. I was lucky, I suppose—there was a healer nearby who kept me from dying. You must understand, I don't love the Empire or the king. I have no allegiance to them, nor do I mean you harm!" His pleas were almost frantic.

Tania finally stepped away from Cadoc, putting one hand on Eragon's shoulder. You shouldn't blame him for something he had no control over, or convict him for it. Judge him by what he does, not by what his father did.

The other Rider turned to look at her, a pained expression showing in his eyes. How are you taking this all so calmly? And then his eyes widened before narrowing accusingly. You knew, didn't you?

I guessed, she told him. Have you really not noticed the way he looks at Zar'roc sometimes, like it's a viper half-hidden in sand? And then how his voice always has a bitter tone whenever we'd talk about the Forsworn or the Empire?

No, Eragon responded shortly. How did you?

She scowled at him. I observe things. One of the many talents you pick up when you live in the wild for most of your life—so if you're thinking I'm some spy for Galbatorix working alongside him, think again. I have as much reason to hate him as you do.

What reason? Saphira challenged.

She has her reasons, now stop poking at them, Ophelia growled. We need to move now. Even as she spoke, a horn rang out behind them, prompting Eragon to cry, "Come, run with me!" Tania snatched Cadoc's reins, urging him into a tired trot while Murtagh did the same for the other horses. Ophelia soared overhead, staying close, prepared to step—er, flap—in if things got out of hand, camouflaged or not. Saphira, however, stayed by Eragon's side, easily keeping pace with her long legs.

"Your tale is hard to believe," said Eragon between strides. "How do I know you aren't lying?"

"Why would I lie?"

"You could be—"

Murtagh interrupted him quickly. "I can't prove anything to you now. Keep your doubts until we reach the Varden. They'll recognize me quickly enough." Tania easily recognized the bitter tone with which he spoke.

"I must know," Eragon pressed. "Do you serve the Empire?"

"No. And if I did, what would I accomplish by traveling with you? If I were trying to capture or kill you, I would have left you in prison." Murtagh stumbled as he jumped over a fallen log.

"You could be—"

"Eragon, shut it and keep moving!" Tania snapped irritably. When Saphira turned her head to glare at her, Tania glared right back, before turning to Eragon and saying, "What would you have done in his position?"

Eragon blinked. "What do you mean?"

Tania glared at him as she ducked under a patch of low-hanging wolfsbeard. "I mean, if you were the son of Galbatorix's right-hand man, what would you have done? Would you not rather keep it a secret? Because there are judging people in this world, and in my mind they are often viewed as idiots," she told him pointedly.

Saphira growled dangerously. Just what are you implying?

She is implying that your biased, judgmental behavior is stupid, childish and beneath you, Ophelia said matter-of-factly. Both of you.

But what if—

Eragon, just stop. When you've lived rogue for ten years, you learn to read another animal's mood by their body language. And it is just as impossible to lie in that language as the elves' language.

…what are you saying? Saphira asked.

She's saying that you should get your heads out of—

Ophelia, don't.

What?

Just don't.

Fine, fine, the dragoness grumbled. But you get my point, yes?

I still do not entirely trust him, Saphira growled.

Tania snorted. I don't entirely trust him. I don't entirely trust you two, either. But I trust him enough to know that there is a hundred-to-one chance of him not betraying us, and I trust you enough to not kill me in my sleep. The only one besides myself that I truly trust is Ophelia.

Eragon frowned at her. What do you mean by you don't trust us?

Smirking, Tania replied, Eragon, my motto is 'Trust no one but yourself.' Obviously, I make an exception for Ophelia, as she is my dragon. Perhaps, one day, you'll earn my full trust.

Perhaps? Is it really so difficult for you to trust someone? Saphira queried. Tania gave her a sad look. Unfortunately, yes, it is. I've learned the hard way that trusting too easily is often a recipe for disaster. I'm sure that Murtagh learned the same lesson.

Which is why you stand by him, Saphira realized.

Exactly. Suddenly she gave the pair a quick, wry grin. I do try to trust you. I know it's hard for you to trust me if I can't do the same, but it's my little problems like that that you will have to get used to.

Don't worry, Tania, Eragon said. You're still our friend, trust issues or no.

Again, I am SO SORRY for not posting sooner! I subject myself to whatever punishment you see fit to give me. *bows head and lowers self to knees*

Also, please check out my profile, I have an important poll. PLEASE. You WILL want a say in it. (multiple selections allowed)

But please, review.

FF