Here you guys are the next chapter hope you like it

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: WATER FROM SAND

When they stopped that evening Essora was sore and tired. She hadn't

gotten much sleep due to the position and the gait of the horse. But she wasn't in a sore mood, Eragon on the other hand seemed testy, and Murtagh

though he was tired seemed to be in a pleasant enough mood given the circumstances.

When the dragons landed Eragon retrieved the elf off of Saphira's back. She noticed that Eragon did this not out of duty but of fondness. It made her heart hurt even more than it did. She didn't notice Murtagh trying to get her attention so that he could help her off of Tornac. When he tugged on the skirt of her dress she looked at him with a slightly vacant look, he noticed, but then she came back and looked saddened. Once he had helped her down he asked her if something was wrong.

"I'm tired that's all a little rest and I'll be good," she said sitting down on a log.

As she sat there Murtagh got her something to eat out of his pack and sat down next to her. Eragon sat across from them as he ate in silence. After a while Murtagh spoke.

"We can't keep up this pace; we aren't gaining any ground on the soldiers. Another day or two and they will be sure to overtake us."

"What else can we do?" snapped Eragon. "If it were just the two of us and you were willing to leave Tornac behind. Saphira could fly us out of here. But with the elf too? Impossible."

Essora was about to speak up but Murtagh spoke first. "What about Essora? She is not invisible you know so start recognizing she's here and not in some far off world."

Eragon didn't even lift his head in her direction or even acknowledge what Murtagh had said. Silence stretched between the two men. Then Murtagh spoke again this time a little more hushed.

"If you want to go your own way, I won't stop you I can't expect Essora, and you along with your dragons to risk imprisonment."

Essora was touched by Murtagh's concern for herself and Eragon, and the dragons. But Eragon didn't seem to appreciate it and he still hadn't looked or said anything to her.

"Don't insult me," he muttered. "The only reason I'm free is because of you. I'm not going to abandon you to the Empire. Poor thanks that would be!"

Murtagh seemed touched by Eragon's words but still bothered by Eragon's lack of including Essora in the conversation about such things that included her also.

"Your words hearten me." He paused. "But that does not solve our problem." He said matter of factly.

At this Essora left the conversation and went wandering around the area with Vrael by her side. She knew that doing this any other time would have been dangerous but she could sense Durza not coming back quite yet, but she knew he eventually would. After a while she stopped and sat on a rock. She that there intently listening to her surroundings and letting Vrael's gentle humming sooth her tender nerves.

Then there was Saphira and next to her was Eragon. She could tell by the look on Eragon's face he really hadn't wanted to find her. She got up silently without another glance at him and walked away, but Vrael hesitated and tried to call her back. But she wouldn't listen there was something else she wanted to do instead.

When she walked back into the clearing Murtagh looked up from Tornac. He noticed she was alone and seemed concerned.

"Where's Vrael?" he asked coming up to her. "And why are the tear stains on your face?"

When had she been crying? She must have while she was walking back trying to drown out both Vrael's and Saphira's voices that had filled her head at the time before she put up barriers.

"He's with Saphira and-," she paused struggling with the name as if it were stuck in her throat not meant to be uttered by her. "Eragon," she said barely audible. She tried to hold back the surge of tears that over whelmed her but it was no good, they overcame her and she began to cry. She crumpled to the ground not wanting to fall over in her grief but after a while strong arms wrapped around her and helped her into standing position and held her as she cried.

After she fell silent she felt a finger rest under her chin and lift her head up. There was Murtagh with concern and something else all over his face. She bent her head down to look away but ended up resting her forehead on his.

"It's all going to be alright," he assured her in a whisper. "Don't bother yourself with anything of burden for I will carry it for you, I will inform you of what our next steps will be as long as I am here with you and Eragon I will stay by your side," he whispered gently as he held her hand firmly in his.

His words comforted her and she raised her down cast eyes and looked into his. What she saw wasn't of any surprise really for it had been growing in her also. What she saw was a fondness that only two could share, she could say it wasn't love but it was close. She felt a tingle run through her body as his lips brushed hers ever so slightly. He was about to kiss her when Eragon returned.

They both looked at him unmoving from their position except for raising their heads in his direction. His face was that of surprise, not the good kind, and then hurt but what ever else they did not see for his face went blank as he approached Murtagh, completely ignoring Essora. When he was a few feet away Essora left but not before giving Murtagh's hand a light squeeze which was returned with a fond glance. Then he turned his attention to Eragon.

"Well is the desert open to us?" he asked.

"It is." Was all Eragon said before going to his blankets and flopping down onto them. He explained how they would receive water including Essora because she was able to do it too, maybe even better than he could. But he didn't say that, not to her any way, but that didn't stop him from thinking it.

Before he fell asleep he thought about what he had seen when he walked into the clearing. Both Essora and Murtagh had their hands clasped in a loving way and it seemed that Murtagh was about to kiss Essora. As the picture flashed through his mind again it struck him.

He felt a mixture of lose, abandonment, and a friendship fading away. How had he not seen this happening? Why had he not seen the signs that Murtagh was growing fond of Essora and Essora fond of Murtagh? Why?

Because you never paid her any heed. You have completely ignored her even after she healed the elf to save you from embarrassment.

Stop Saphira!

No I will have my say. And the reason why this has happen is because she found someone that would talk to her and be there for her.

I said stop Saphira!

And I said no I will have my say! Look at her! Look at what she's been through. She's gone through living hell and will be again soon! And did you even care enough to ask your friend if she was alright? Did you care enough to let her unburden herself on you? Did you care that she might actually love you?

And what about me? She hasn't said a word to me!

Show's how blind you really are. There have been many a time that she has said things to you and you don't even notice. There have been times that she sat down next to you but you didn't even notice. And also you have been purposely dropping her on Murtagh, who doesn't seem to mind, to take care of her.

That's not true!

When was the last time she rode with you? Hmm? When was the last time she rode with you?

Since before she was taken away.

Exactly! And you wonder how this could have happened.

Look I'm sorry.

Hey don't go apologizing to me, go apologize to her! Saphira said as she looked at Essora who was sitting next to Murtagh talking.

Eragon didn't say anything to Saphira until the next morning and he didn't go and apologize to Essora either. He just rolled over and fell asleep. The last thing he saw though before he drifted to sleep was the delicate, beautiful face of the elf.