Disclaimer: Don't own Eragon.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

With Urû'baen behind them and the long journey upriver ahead, a relaxed air had settled over the travelers. Saphira had rejoined them a mile outside of the capital and they had covered much land since, over many days. Murtagh had taken a bow and gone hunting, leaving Alycie, Eragon, and Saphira sitting in the camp.

"So how long have you and Murtagh known each other?" asked Alycie, looking up. The Rider returned her gaze.

"As long as you have," he replied. Alycie raised her eyebrows.

"Honestly?" she asked.

"Honestly. You weren't in your right mind at the start, but we've all been acquaintances for the same amount of time."

"You act as longtime friends would," said Alycie.

"We are just similar in nature," said Eragon. Alycie sighed.

"I hate this secrecy," she said.

"Secrecy unfolds when one reveals herself to her companions," said Eragon pointedly.

"I won't until one of you reveals himself," said the girl, crossing her arms. Eragon smiled.

"At the same time, then?" he asked. "One question at a time?" Alycie thought, looking at him.

"Agreed," she said. "From where are you originally?"

"Carvahall," said Eragon. Alycie looked confused. "In the north by the Spine. And you?"

"Dras-Leona," said Alycie. "How did you end up down here?"

"Well there's no use hiding my identity as a Rider," said Eragon. "I found Saphira's egg in the Spine and raised her there. Then the Ra'zac came to my town and killed my uncle, destroying our farm. Brom took me and we fled Carvahall to hunt them down for revenge. I didn't know he was a Rider until he was on his deathbed. We conversed with a friend of his in Teirm and were directed to Dras-Leona. He taught me swordplay and magic while he was alive, as well as how to care for Saphira. I owe him everything..." He stopped and they sat in silence for a while. Then he looked back up at her. "What of you, then? What's your story?"

"I've lived in Dras-Leona all my life with my brother, Garrick. He and I were supposed to meet outside in the plains, but I never found him. That's when I saw your fire." She stopped, feeling slightly guilty about hiding the complete story. Eragon seemed to pick it up in her tone though.

"You were a slave weren't you?" he asked. She nodded.

"In the mayor's palace. My brother belonged to a merchant. I saw him maybe once, twice a year. We were supposed to escape together..." Her voice cracked as she dropped her gaze to the ground. "He must have been caught..."

"His master caught him?" asked Eragon. Alycie shook her head.

"No, he was de--" She looked up as the figure of Murtagh appeared, a young doe hanging over his shoulders. Eragon looked up as well. The dark-haired male stopped, looking at them both in turn.

"Don't stop on my account," he said, laying the prey down and pulling out a knife, sitting and beginning to skin the animal.

Alycie looked away, staring off into the distant hills. The only sounds for a time were that of the crackling fire and the snorting of the horses. They ate the meat in silence as the sun moved through the sky. Afterwards, Eragon removed his shirt, unwrapping the bandages that bound the wound from the Ra'zac, stretching. After a moment of testing, he stood, satisfied, pulling his shirt back on and looking at Murtagh, drawing Zar'roc.

"Now that I am strong enough, would you like to spar?" he asked.

"With sharpened swords? We could kill each other," said Murtagh.

"Here, give me your sword," said Eragon, holding out a hand. Alycie watched as he took Murtagh's hand-and-a-half sword and touched it, muttering a word in the ancient language. A light moved up the length of the blade, leaving it looking normal, yet different. He handed it back to it's owner, who tested the edges. They seemed blunted. "I can undo that once we're finished," said Eragon.

"It will do," said Murtagh after a moment of testing.

He stood, removing his cloak and easing into a stance as he faced Eragon, who was crouching. The latter swung with the broadsword, meeting the former's blade with a clang. Alycie watched as they blocked and parried, thrusting and striking at unbelievable speeds. She had never seen a swordfight, least of all one of this magnitude. Fistfights she had seen in a great multitude, and had participated in quite a few times. But swordplay was like a dance. A deadly and beautiful dance of fate between two beings.

The fight, or dance, lasted for quite a while as neither competitor managed to gain the upper hand. They moved quickly still, maneuvering around the bedrolls and fire, once even coming uncomfortably near Alycie. Finally, it was Eragon who stopped.

"Enough, halt!" he cried, sitting on the dusty ground. Murtagh followed suit gratefully. Both were breathing hard.

"You're amazing! I've studied swordplay all my life, but never have I fought one like you. You could be the king's weapon master if you wanted to," said Murtagh in admiration.

"You're just as good," said Eragon. "The man who taught you, Tornac, could make a fortune with a fencing school. People would come from all parts of Alagaësia to learn from him."

"He's dead," said Murtagh.

"I'm sorry," said Eragon. Alycie shook her head.

"That was the most magnificent thing I've ever seen," she said. Both of her companions turned to her.

"Thank you," said Eragon.

"Can you fight?" asked Murtagh.

"Not at all," said Alycie. "But how hard could it be? It's just jabbing and swinging a big, heavy piece of sharp metal." Immediately she knew she had said the wrong thing. Both males were on her in a second, reprimanding her.

"You have no idea!" Eragon was saying. "You have to know specific moves and how to block them! Anticipating what your opponent will do as well! Not to mention the footwork!" Murtagh was speaking at the same time.

"Some have to study the art their entire lives! One cannot just pick up a sword and swing it at an opponent and expect to win! It takes dedication and practice!" he said.

"Teach me then," said Alycie. "Just enough for survival." Murtagh nodded, standing along with Eragon.

"Get up then, and let's see what you have so far," he said. Alycie stood, and not two seconds later Murtagh's blade was at her throat. "Dead," he said.

"I assumed we hadn't started yet," she said in puzzlement.

"Never assume," replied Murtagh. "Now get your weapon."

"I have none," said Alycie. Murtagh pointed his sword at her throat once more with a smirk.

"Dead," he said. Alycie pushed the blunted edge away impatiently, reaching down and removing the small dagger from her shoe.

"You really expect me to fight off Urgals, soldiers, and who knows what else with this?" she asked.

"No, I expect you to run and get somewhere safe while we fight off Urgals, soldiers, and who knows what else with our swords and not use that unless the need is dire," said Murtagh. Alycie glared at him. Suddenly, she struck out sharply with the dagger, meeting Murtagh's sword in midair. Murtagh looked at Eragon.

"Would you safeguard her dagger as well? I don't feel like suffering a splinter today," he said mockingly. Eragon quickly uttered the words before Alycie comprehended the insult.

She drew the dagger back, thrusting it forward at his stomach. He blocked, smirking at her. Alycie lifted her remaining hand and slapped him across the cheek, causing his head to spin back from the force.

"Alycie, it's a swordfight," said Eragon, stifling his laughter as Murtagh looked spitefully at her. She smirked.

"I wasn't aware there were rules against fists," she said. Murtagh pushed her dagger aside, looking into her eyes.

"No. Fists."

"Well, now I know," said Alycie. Murtagh looked at Eragon.

"You teach. I'll watch," he said, sitting down on the ground and crossing his arms. Eragon looked at Alycie.

"Well," he said. "Start by defending yourself."

He struck out quickly with Zar'roc. Alycie flung the small dagger up to block, but it missed the blade and she felt a blow to her chest. She staggered back, wincing at the pain. But he didn't stop. She moved the dagger to block a swing to her legs. This time the blades met. She smiled in relief, but it was short-lived as Zar'roc suddenly appeared by her waist. She moved quickly, falling to the ground so that the sword swung over harmlessly. She rolled over and lifted the dagger in time to block the sword as it dove towards her body. Eragon's sword twisted and the dagger flew out of her hands. She watched it sail through the air and land on the ground a few feet away, but then looked at the point of the sword in front of her face.

"Dead," said Eragon. Alycie sighed, her head falling back onto the dusty ground.

"Horrible," said Murtagh from the sidelines. "You went easy on her."

"I won't next time," said Eragon. Alycie got to her feet, dusting herself off and retrieving her dagger.

"I won't lose next time," said Alycie. Murtagh smirked.

"I doubt that," he said.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

REVIEW!!!