I'm starting to actually make up my mind on what to do with this story!

Here's chapter…5 (right? I think it's chapter 5…)

All I own that is dragon-related is Frost, my dragon plushie I made! Say hi frost!

Frost: …(puff of dark-blue smoke comes out of his nose)

Aah, he's shy

And yes, I know I'm insane

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997…998-argh! They keep moving around! Stay PUT! Ruzac screamed in his head, being the one assigned to keep track of about how many soldiers the Empire had sent.

I've counted 1004, Jade told him, I'm sure there are at least a hundred more, though.

That makes me so happy Jade, thank you so much for such a small estimation, the rider said sarcastically, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?! 1004 – Take or give a few – SOLDIERS?!

It's not my fault the Varden's made so many enemies, Jade huffed at him.

They don't even know what they're doing, Ruzac groaned, makes me feel like I'm writing my own death sentence just being on this side of the field.

You may be, Jade said.

You. Are. Not. Helping, he growled.

Ah! It's Saphira! Jade chimed.

…I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that like you were actually happy they're coming, Ruzac said, closing his eyes and leaning against Jade's amethyst scales.

Saphira! So nice to see you! Jade hummed happily.

The same, Jade, the blue dragon rumbled delightedly in response.

"Ruzac," Eragon said in a serious tone, having Saphira fly right next to Jade.

"Yes, dearest Eragon?" Ruzac asked sweetly.

"Nasuada is calling us and the elite soldiers to her tent to discuss the battle plans," he said, "Come on."

"No."

"What?"

"I am not under Nasuada's control," Ruzac explained a second time.

"But the Varden!" Eragon protested, "They gave you a place to stay while we were at Farthen Dur!"

"Pfft, yeah, only because they were trying to convince me to join their side," he scoffed.

"Then you're on the Empire's side! Is that why you don't serve Nasuada? Because you're a spy!?" the boy nearly screamed.

"Neutral," Ruzac said, "I am not on either side. If the Empire asks me a favor, I just might do it – the same with the Varden."

"I get it," Eragon said, anger apparent in his features, "you're using us – the Varden and everyone fighting to protect all the innocent people in Alagaesia."

"Once you've lived for almost 200 years, you realize things like which side is fighting for the right cause. Right now, neither the Varden nor the Empire know that they are both wrong," Ruzac said, a hint of regret in his voice, "You'll learn that soon enough, when you have had more experience with this war."

"How can you say that?" Eragon hissed, "The Varden will win this battle and the rest of the war, then everyone will be free from Galbatorix's rule."

"The Varden plans to take control?" Ruzac asked, but already knew the answer.

"Yes."

"Who will lead Alagaesia?" he asked, eyes hidden behind Ruzac's eyelids.

"Nasuada, why?"

"Do you really think she's the best leader?" Ruzac asked, "She cannot use magic, and I doubt she's ever killed anyone."

"Why does it matter whether she's killed someone?" Eragon demanded.

"Death can emotionally unbalance someone," Ruzac said, "it happened to a friend of mine from long ago – she killed the one who murdered her little sister, but ended up wishing for death itself from grief and regret." That is why you must really think out these types of things, he added mentally.

"She'll be fine," the blue dragon rider said, "I promise – when this war is over, you'll ask yourself why you ever doubted the Varden's power."

"I'm sure I will," Ruzac said softly, "but for now, I must leave. Tell Ane I went to the place I lived at 50 years ago."

Jade turned northward and flew towards the snow-tipped mountain range in front of him. Eragon watched him leave, knowing the cursed rider would not change his mind. Only when Jade was a small, glittering purple speck in the horizon did Saphira start to fly back to Nasuada's tent.

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The thin, chilly mountain air stung Ruzac's eyes as Jade flew over the never-ending fields of snow. Only a few clumps of evergreens could grow up in these harsh climates. It was so much different here than from other places in Alagaesia – even different from where the elves resided. But the rider and dragon's destination was far from this region – it lay across the charcoal valley that laid east from Ellesmera and up to the "Blue Fang Mountains", where it was rumored that wild dragons lived, though no one dared venture anywhere close to their jagged, fog-covered peaks.

Except Jade and Ruzac.

There are many, many leagues ahead of us, Jade said, breaking the silence which had been kept for nearly an hour.

Yes, we are still just near the edge of Alagaesia, Ruzac agreed, and took the amethyst pebble from his pouch.

He studied it for a good while, noticing a few places where either white or darker purple veins would cross through its near-transparent body.

I thought you said you got rid of it, Jade said, The pendant she gave you before she died.

Of course I didn't get rid of it, Ruzac answered, holding the stone close to his chest, it's all I have left of her.

The flight continued in complete silence, only the hum of wind passing over Jade's scales could be heard, apart from a lone wolf's cry. Soon night settled across the sky, only the moon and stars lighting the two friend's path. Neither of them knew exactly why they had left, but both had felt pure instinct to go to the place no one had ever ventured. Past the Blue Fang Mountains, to the sacred place across the ocean of ice and mist where it was said the very origin of life existed.

It's been nearly two hundred years, Ruzac thought wondrously, not bothering to hid his thoughts from Jade, Perhaps…if it is really there…I can meet her again, he looked at the oval stone he still held in his hands, gazing at it for what seemed a lifetime.

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and there's the end of chapter 5! Just to let you know – I typed this the SECOND after watching the season 2 finale of Avatar: The Last Airbender. WATCH THAT SHOW!!!!! It's the best anime I've EVER seen! God…the season 2 finale is just…I screamed "Holy damn fucking crap" into my pillow – it's that freakin' amazing! I NEVER swear. It's very rare to find me swearing in real life (because I am extremely quiet).

Yes, I left you on what I guess you can call a cliffy…yeah…and I think I finally got a plot for the story! A solid one! At least, I know EXACTLY what's going to happen in the last 2 chapters yes, I write backwards – start with the last chapter and re-wind from there – I'm strange, I know…but it's not all my fault

if you don't know what Avatar: the Last Airbender is about and want an explanation, you can ask and I'll send one to you (or you can look it up on wikipedia or something – I promise not to go totally insane – that's actually very un-like me in real life I'm sooo shy and…everyone calls me an emo )

i write SUCH long A/N's --;