…holy mother of cows.

Fifty.

WE'RE ON FIFTY.

Also, sorry for my lateness, I've been extremely busy, and I finally got Eldest in paperback (OH HOLY PAPERBACK) and can now reference it far more easily now that it isn't just on my Kindle. :)

Review Reply to Nykle: Too bad. I got tired. Plus it's been, what, a year? O.O Dude, cut me some slack!

On the morning before they were going to leave for Ellesméra, Tania awoke to warm sunlight streaming into her cave. She was curled against Ophelia's shoulder, as she usually was; protected by the dragoness's muscled forearm and wing. Tania sat up, arching her chest backward and extending her arms, practically embracing the sunlight. Ophelia blinked twice and then yawned, her sharp teeth glittering in the glow.

Good morning, Tania told her cheerfully.

Someone's chipper, Ophelia replied dryly. What's for breakfast?

No idea, replied the Rider, still cheerful.

They met Eragon and Saphira at the bottom of the huge spiral staircase that spiraled up the sides of the mile-high inner chamber of Tronjheim. They made their way to Murtagh's room, where he had decided to stay even after Ajihad had offered him larger chambers. When they got there, the door was slightly ajar, and the room empty.

"Maybe he's already gone to breakfast," Eragon suggested.

Tania was frowning. "He doesn't usually leave the door open, though, whether he's inside or not." She stepped inside, wary. The air felt… wrong. Thick and cloying. Muffling. "Something's definitely wrong," she said.

Tania, did you say something? Saphira asked.

Tania frowned and turned. "Something's wrong," she said again.

Eragon was frowning now. "Speak up, Tania, I can't hear you."

Tania felt her eyes widen. Something is wrong. Very wrong. If you can't hear me, standing a few feet away, who could have heard Murtagh through feet and miles of wood and stone if he was attacked?

…no one.

Tania strode out of the room, thinking fast. "We need to get Arya, or the Twins, and Ajihad. We have to find him!"

"We also have to get something to eat, Tania," Eragon pointed out. "Neither of us are any use as corpses if we die of starvation."

"Your brother has disappeared and all you're thinking about is food!"

"No, my brother has disappeared and I'm trying to think about the best way to approach the problem," replied Eragon calmly. "While I'm also finding Arya and asking her to meet us in the dining hall."

Tania, calm down, Ophelia added. You won't be of any help to Murtagh in a panicking mess. Let's go to breakfast and figure this out.

Arya was waiting for them. Her face held no expression, and her stance gave nothing away from her thoughts. What happened? she asked pragmatically.

Murtagh wasn't in his room, and someone cast a silencing spell over it, Tania replied. On our way here I scanned Farthen Dûr as far as I could reach and I couldn't find him.

Hmm. Get something to eat and let's figure this out.

And they were about to. But then Nasuada appeared, running as fast as she could towards them, holding her skirts so as not to trip on them. "Please, come quickly!" she said frantically.

"What's wrong?" Eragon asked.

But she shook her head. "Not here—but please, quickly, come!"

I'll just stop here and hide in a bomb shelter now while you all try to kill me, okay? Okay.

Hehe.

Heh.

Fate