A/N: I am really sorry about how rushed the last chapter. I was almost finished so I want to keep going despite the fact that it was about one in the morning, and I had been distracted for a lot of it while watching Bleach. I couldn't even remember half of the things I wrote; I had to reread the entire story. A little more action in this one, please review!

Disclaimer: In my profile from now on.

Chapter 4: Conflict

It was hours before Peter could get some sleep. He couldn't decide what to do. A part of him knew Addy was right. The other part of him didn't want to see her get hurt.

Smiling grimly, he realized that it all fit together. The fact that Addy refused to believe that the Ghost was a he, the fact that she was so familiar with the Spine. If he thought about it, it wasn't totally unbelievable.

He realized that he knew he was going to keep quiet and let Addy continue hunting in the Spine, because even if he didn't, his cousin wouldn't let him stop her. It would just save arguments.

With that thought, Peter fell asleep. I'll talk to her tomorrow.

The next day, Addy talked to Peter. Though she would rather no one knew, it was nice to finally have someone to talk to. She told Peter about her project. He was happy to know that she had a plan in case she did get hurt, or have to stop. She didn't tell Peter about her dragon, though. That would be way too much for him to digest in one day. She found a pair of gloves, and wore them, glad that no one said anything about them.

The next month passed uneventfully, and her dragon grew even bigger. Addy came to realize that the dragon was not just some animal; it was just as perceptive and thoughtful (if not more) as any human. Eventually, the dragon began to talk to her using its mind, and she discovered that it was a he.

When trying to find a name, Addy experienced difficulty. She didn't know what sort of names dragons had. Her mother had told her stories of dragons when she was little, but she had very few memories of those, or even of her mother at all, for that matter. Every day she racked her brain for names, until one day she remembered.

Eridor! She practically shouted at the dragon one day, when she was watching him fly.

The dragon landed gracefully next her, and looked right into her eyes. Yes, I like that.

Well, it's settled then. Eridor you are!

At that, the newly named Eridor looked up, troubled. Something's wrong! I can smell your cousin. He's coming way! Eridor flew off, and a few moments later, Peter appeared.

"Where were you? The soldiers have ordered that everyone be outside in the middle of town. Those who disobey are to be arrested! We need to hurry."

The two hurried down the road to the middle of town, and were shocked to see a red dragon, and a man dressed in fine clothes. All of the townspeople were giving the menacing dragon a wide berth.

"I am Murtagh, and I am here on the king's orders! A dragon egg has gone missing, and it has been decreed that every town in Algaesia be searched. We will be looking for the egg, but in the case that the egg may have hatched, we will also be looking for a rider. Every resident of this down is to show the palm of their right hand, or lose their right arm!"

With this, a murmur rippled through the people, both nervous and excited at the same time.

Addy racked her brain, trying to find a solution. She knew that if the Empire found out about her, she could be used as a tool by them, most likely for evil. If she refused to help, they would kill her or her family, just to make her cooperate. Eridor!

What? Are you in trouble?

Not yet, but they are looking for you, and your rider, and they are ordering everyone to show their hands. Obviously that mark on my palm symbolizes the fact that I'm a rider. What do I do?

Try to slip out. If the punishment for not being there is severe enough, than your father and cousin won't say anything if they notice.

But what about the townspeople? Surely they will notice, too.

Maybe, but it's our only chance. I'll wait at the edge of the forest.

Okay. . . .

As discretely as possible, Addy tried to slip away. She almost made it to the end of the road and was almost out of sight, when. . . .

"Addy, where are you going?"

Addy turned to see her best friend looking at her with a frightened expression on her face.

"Addy, do you want to lose your arm? This man looks ruthless!"

"I wasn't feeling well, so I decided I should go home."

"At a time like this! Hurry, we need to get back!"

They had drawn the attention of the others, so reluctantly Addy turned to go back. The sinking feeling in her stomach grew with every step she took.

Addy's father was surprised to hear that there might be a new rider. The search didn't scare him, though. What did worry him was his daughter, Addy. She was extremely pale, and jumped every time someone came over to talk to them. They were waiting for their turn to get their hands tested. There was a long line, and the rider was testing to make sure there was no dye or magic used to conceal any marks. He remembered stories from his wife that riders had silver marks on their palm, which they usually used to channel their magic.

"Addy, are you all right?" He asked his daughter, concerned for her health.

"I'm not feeling very well. I'll be fine."

"Do you want me to take you up to the front of the line? I'm sure they'll test you immediately once I tell them you aren't feeling well. Then you can go home and lay down."

At this, Addy paled even more, if it was even possible.

"No, no, I'm fine. I'm sure other people are eager to get to their business, it wouldn't be fair to them."

Now, Addy looked almost scared. She was wringing her hands, in the gloves she had been wearing all the time for a while now. Then it clicked. He remembered how, a while ago, he heard the noises of an animal in her room, which he had decided to ignore. He also remembered how his daughter disappeared into the forest for hours on end. He knew that Addy would be treated horribly, maybe even tortured, or killed if the Empire found out about her. There was only one thing left he could do for her, as a father.

He ran over to the rider. "Wait, save these people the trouble. I am the rider you are looking for." he hoped that his story would be believable. He heard the gasp of surprise and pain from his daughter.

Addy watched in horror as Murtagh sneered down at her father.

"All right, show me your palm!"

Addy saw her father offer his hand, and after Murtagh whispered a few words over it, his sneer became bigger.

"I think you're lying. Who are you protecting?"

Eridor! Addy cried, thinking only of saving her father.

Addy, I know he's in danger, but if you get caught it won't save him. We both know that!

We've got to try!

Fine, but if anything happens to you, I'm flying you out of there!

No one noticed as Addy ran over to Eridor's hiding place, and clambered onto his back.

We need to fly right over there! Do you think you can carry me?

I'm going to have to. Take heed of the scales, it could hurt your legs.

People screamed in horror as Eridor landed with Addy on his back. If Addy hadn't been so scared, she would have enjoyed the flight.

"Father, no!"

Strangely, Addy felt and unfamiliar presence in her mind. She had no idea what was going on, until Murtagh smiled.

"So this is the so called 'Ghost' that has been terrorizing the soldiers these past two years?"

With that the crowd went silent, and stared at the girl who had kept them alive for so long.

"Please let my father go." Was that sympathy she saw in Murtagh's face?

"I'm sorry, but he has disobeyed orders, and impersonated a rider. I will have to keep him."

Addy knew it was just for leverage over her.

Addy, we have to go, I think that this rider is somehow accessing your thoughts. I can block him for a while, but I'm not very strong. They want to take advantage of you.

Addy knew it was true, but she couldn't just let them take her father.

"If you come quietly with us, then maybe we'll let your father go."

"No!" Addy's father yelled. He tried to get away from the soldiers holding him, and the one thrust his dagger out in reflex.

Addy watched in horror as her father fell, the dagger still in his heart. Eridor roared as she yelled "I will never join you!"

Murtagh came over to her, but she pulled a sword from one of the unsuspecting and still bewildered soldiers, and lunged at Murtagh. She left him with a deep gash in his side. He would live, but would be slowed down long enough for her to escape. She jumped back on Eridor, and they flew off into the woods.

A/N: There it is: the longest chapter yet! Tell me what you think! Also, thank you reviewers Adi Sagestar and Alligator24.