Disclaimer: Don't own Eragon.

I went back and changed Eragon's appearance as described in the previous chapters due to complaints. I was planning on doing the movie version since I only read the books a few weeks ago when the movie was the visual, so I never got to imagine him my own way. So, they're back to the book version, and please enjoy the chapter!

-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-

Sparring after meals in the evening became a routine occurrence. First, Eragon and Murtagh would fight to their exhaustion. Then, they would test Alycie on swordplay; the positions and moves first, agility building later on, and eventually footwork. She was nowhere near as talented as either Murtagh or Eragon, but her training would suffice.

She managed to learn two or three words in Eragon's 'ancient language' as well. He had made a habit of practicing his skill every day. Murtagh seemed to have a better understanding of the language than Alycie by far, but then, he was always more knowledgeable in matters of which she hadn't a clue. The ignorance slavery had bestowed on her upset her several times, but she hid it from her companions. Once while they rode along, Alycie had been requested to read the map. She managed to stutter her way through that incident without many questions, but she couldn't handle it if it happened again.

Over the journey, the three grew closer in friendship. Alycie quickly picked up on their personalities. Eragon seemed to be well-informed of events in Alagaësia, as well as the history of the land and kingdom. He was sure of himself as well as being conscious of the other two, mainly Alycie, through some sort of mental ability that enabled him to speak with Saphira. He and Murtagh were alike in many ways, but Alycie had her own little set of similarities she shared with the young Rider. Both had little knowledge of locations in Alagaësia aside from their general location, and they both came from low status livelihoods.

Murtagh, as ever, remained mostly a mystery. He always hunted alone, apart from once when Alycie had followed to test her dagger in the wilderness. Though he acted as a wanderer, Alycie could tell he was of some sort of nobility. She didn't voice this suspicion, but it seemed obvious to her by the silver-lined horn and fine bow he carried. He was civilized as well, contrasting with the usual wanderers Alycie had come across in Dras-Leona as they stopped for a night. His intense knowledge of the government supported her theory as well. She didn't say anything to Eragon, but she suspected he noticed this as well. Neither of them had bothered sharing their pasts with Murtagh as they had with each other.

Saphira had come to be a friend to Alycie as well. She would reprimand Murtagh and Eragon with a sharp growl if either one teased her too much. It made Alycie feel good to know that she wasn't the only girl in the group, but the limited communication ability between her and the dragon prevented them from becoming very close. They remained distant friends nonetheless.

A month passed, during which Alycie felt her muscles ache, strain, and grow stronger. The travel and sparring was driving away the years of comfort in the palace and was shaping her into a type of wandering warrior. She noticed these same changes in Eragon as well, though subtler considering that he had been on the road longer than she had.

Also, other changes had come over Alycie over the weeks. She found herself staring, not at the scenery as would have been expected from one who had been secluded all her life, but at her companions. She had had this feeling before, back in the palace amongst the other male slaves around her age. Especially one who went by the name of Laun. He had haunted her dreams for many nights. Now, it seemed, the same was happening with Murtagh and Eragon. She would slip into distant daydreams, staring at Eragon's eyes or Murtagh's face, her eyes darting to look at the ground as soon as one of them noticed her staring. Once they had questioned her.

"What is it?" asked Eragon as he had seen Alycie's vacant expression. She blinked, a blush rising to her face.

"Huh?"

"You're staring at me," said Eragon. Murtagh was looking at her as well. Alycie's mind was drawing a blank as she tried to think quickly. Then she cleared her throat.

"Oh...erm...it's just that you have a...nothing, nevermind, forget I said it," she said, shaking her head. Eragon looked at her suspiciously, his hand involuntarily moving to his face, rubbing it self-consciously.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing, nothing," said Alycie, her composure recovered. She fixed her eyes on a point above the Rider's head. "Erm...just...nice hair..."

His hand moved to his brown hair, smoothing it quickly. Murtagh laughed, turning back to watch the road as Alycie let out a silent sigh of relief. Eragon sent a glare upward at where Saphira soared above him. No doubt she was laughing as well. He rolled his eyes at Alycie before fixing his gaze on the road as well.

Then, one cloudy afternoon, the group reached their destination. Alycie quickly noted how much larger Gil'ead was compared to Dras-Leona. It was obvious that it was very similar in nature, however. The foreboding buildings could be seen from a distance through a heavy haze of smoke rising from the log buildings. Loud, barking dogs could be heard from even where they were two miles away from the actual city. They had decided to camp at a distance as a safety caution.

"I'm not sure you should be the one to go into Gil'ead," said Murtagh as the fire crackled under what was to be their dinner. Alycie and Eragon looked at him in puzzlement.

"Why? I can disguise myself well enough," he argued.

"And wouldn't the man we're going to see want to see that gedwëy insignia? I mean just to be sure he's who he is," said Alycie.

"Perhaps, but the Empire wants you much more than me. If I'm captured, I could eventually escape. But if you are taken, they'll drag you to the king, where you'll be in for a slow death by torture...unless you join him. Plus, Gil'ead is one of the army's major staging points. Those aren't houses out there; they're barracks. Going in there would be like handing yourself to the king on a gilded platter."

"Wait, why wouldn't I go in?" asked Alycie, furrowing her brow. "Like we did in Urû'baen?"

"Are you capable?" asked Murtagh, looking at her. Alycie frowned.

"Yes. I can take care of myself. Nobody has a reason to chase after me, and I only have to go to the nearest bar and ask around for this person."

"Dormnad," said Eragon.

"Yes, him," said Alycie. Murtagh looked back at the fire, his face impassive. Alycie stared. "You think I am incapable of giving someone a message?"

"I have my doubts," said Murtagh, glancing at her briefly.

"Don't you trust me?" she asked.

"I trust no one," said Murtagh. Alycie rolled her eyes.

"Fine, then go and be caught. Leave our incapable selves out in the wilderness on our own without your capable abilities to protect us from the king," she said, turning away.

"He didn't say I was incapable," interjected Eragon. "Saphira and I can survive on our own."

"And I can't, of course, because I'm just a poor, little, defenseless urchin who depends on everyone to protect her," said Alycie in a mocking voice, crossing her arms.

"I haven't seen you do otherwise," said Murtagh darkly. "One would go so far as to think you were a child." Alycie stood wordlessly, though fury emanated from her in waves. She turned away from the fire, walking off towards the city.

Soon, the faint voices of her companions faded from her ears and she was left in the company of her own breathing. In her anger, she had left Cadoc tied back with Snowfire and Tornac. One mistake she knew would be brought up again. Also, she had not received her share of the meal. Another mistake. Her stomach rumbled hungrily as a reminder of her stupidity as she walked along.

A mile had been covered when the sound of hoof beats reached the girl's ears. She looked back over her shoulder, seeing the gray horse of Murtagh galloping towards her, rider astride him. She turned her head away, growling under her breath. She did not look up as Murtagh's steed slowed to a walk beside her.

"You left your rabbit," said the familiar deep voice.

"I wasn't hungry..." grumbled Alycie. Her stomach let out a growl.

"I see," said Murtagh, and Alycie could tell he was smiling, though she did not look up.

"Come to taunt me then?" she asked.

"No, actually, I came to apologize," he said. Alycie looked up at him, stopping. Tornac stopped as well.

"Go on," she said. Murtagh sighed.

"I'm sorry that I criticized your ability to care for yourself," he said.

"You're forgiven," said Alycie.

"We'll go in together," he continued. "I won't say anything. You lead, I follow." Alycie looked at him.

"Deal," she said, holding up a hand. He shook it, smiling.

"Now would you like to get there at nightfall or could Tornac and I offer you a ride?" he asked.

"Thank you," said Alycie, taking Murtagh's hand and mounting Tornac behind him. He dug his heels into the gray war-horse's side and they resumed galloping to Gil'ead.

-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!!!