Edited 8/1/07

I know you're anxious, so I'll spare you the author's note this time…as long as you REVIEW!!!

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STOP!! screeched Verina in my head just as I was preparing to strike. STOP!!

Instinctively I shoved Jeremy as far back as he would go. I backed up more slowly, senses on high alert, trying not to make any noise. What is it, Verina?!

The-the Ra'zac! That's who was assaulting the civilian. I could not let you attack them at night when they are at their strongest.

I quelled at the thought of how close I had come to making that mistake. I was no fool; I knew that was an encounter I would not come out of alive. I shuddered and barely manage to choke out a mental Thank you.

I shall save my recriminations for a later time, Penelope.

There's no need for that. I am berating myself twelve times more than you would even now.

I can see that, Penelope. Do not be so hard on yourself. At least you stopped.

I guess so… I lessened the contact until only a sliver remained. I didn't dare go into my brother's mind again, I had felt too horrible the first time, so I whispered, "Quickly, this way."

Jeremy followed behind me mutely, dumbstruck. I contacted Verina again. Can you guide us to a safe place? I'd probably walk right into the Ra'zac's tent.

Yes, I will assist. But you need to keep your head in the present. You cannot be reliving past mistakes when a mistake in the present would be more costly. Stop.

I stopped. That was very wise advice, Verina.

You may continue. Turn left. And thank you.

I turned left, dragging Jeremy behind me. I mean it, Verina. When this is over you must remind me to listen to you more.

She chuckled. You can be assured that I will. Turn right at the next street.

She continued to direct us in this manner until we had reached the trees, whereupon she informed me of her landing location. I'll meet you there in a few minutes, Verina, I told her.

To my right, Jeremy slumped against a tree. Alarmed, I knelt next to him. "Jeremy, Jeremy are you okay?"

He shook his head a few times, clearing his thoughts. "'Okay' is a relative term. Considering what just happened, I'd say I'm doing fabulous."

"That's…good, I guess." I stopped, unsure of how to go on. "Look, Jere, I'm- I'm really sorry for…you know."

"Aye, I know. That was incredible, by the way."

"No, it wasn't! I invaded your privacy, your very consciousness, and, and I feel just awful about it."

"Nel, it's alright. Don't worry, I understand. Trust me."

"No, Jeremy! It's not alright; it can't possibly be alright! I invaded your mind, Jeremy! I just shoved myself in there among all your private thoughts and feelings. I- I'm not okay with that. It feels so wrong. It was a violation of your trust. What must I do to repay you?"

He grasped me by the shoulders and tilted my head upright. "Penelope," he said commandingly, meeting my gaze. "It's really okay. Honestly. I probably would have done the same thing had I been in your position. So I forgive you…actually, I was never really mad at you, so in my eyes there's really nothing to forgive. And as for repayment, the only thing I ask is that you get safely to Surda. The Varden are camped there."

I blinked twice, clearing the fog that had settled over my mind. There was no arguing with my brother when he had made up his mind. Besides, he had given me a task to use for repayment. Delving further into the issue, I asked, "Who's to say they haven't moved on already by now?"

He sank down into a sitting position. "Sorry, my legs are tired." I joined him on the ground and he leaned closer and lowered his voice. "They won't have moved on yet because they are recuperating from a major battle. Details are sparse, even among the officers. From what I've gathered, it seems as if they won spectacularly."

I was surprised. A major battle had recently occurred, and I knew nothing of it? The King obviously kept a strict hold on information, especially the information that could pose a threat to him. "Wow, I had no idea. Do you think he plans on attacking again while they're weak?" I asked anxiously.

"I don't know, Nel. I'm just a lowly private. But, I don't think he will, at least not for a while…" he dropped his voice down to a barely-audible whisper. "…because the elves are rallying against him. They launched an attack against the regiments stationed up north." He smiled fiercely. "If you hurry, you may still be able to avenge our mother."

"Jere, you could come with me! We could both have our revenge."

He shook his head sadly. "No, Penelope. I would slow your progress."

"But, if you remain you'll be in danger! You just told me, an enemy of the Empire, all you know of classified information! If anyone found out, a traitor's death would await you. I couldn't live with myself knowing I caused it."

"Ah, but you wouldn't have caused it. I chose to tell you all of this, by my own free will. You didn't ask for it, I gave it anyway. So it's not your fault at all."

I paused for a while before answering. "You could convince a tree that it was a flower the way you use logic, Jeremy."

He grinned. "Nay, it's not as good as you say. Tom is a lot better at it than I am."

"That I doubt."

"Well, it's true. When all this is over you'll see how right I am."

I was hit by a sudden sorrow so great I almost burst into tears. "When all this is over," my brother had said. That implied that this whole damned thing would come to an end, but I wasn't exactly sure that it would. In fact, I knew in my heart that things would never be the same again, even when this stupid war was over.

I told myself I wouldn't tell my fears to anyone (except for Verina, who knew everything I thought), so I simply nodded to Jeremy.

He smiled dreamily, and I could tell he was in future-planning mode. "Just think, Nel. We can go back to traveling, just like old times. I heard a lot about secret cities hidden in the mountains and the forests. It would be an incredible adventure!"

"Aye, that would be spectacular." I meant it, too. I still retained my love of exploring; that type of thing never really leaves you.

We continued on like this for several minutes until Verina cut in, Penelope, the sun is about to rise. If we wish to leave while darkness still conceals us, we should depart now.

Wordlessly I got up. Jeremy rose with me. "What are you doing?"

I smiled sadly. "I've been here far too long, Jere. I should get going. I don't want any patrols to see me."

He said nothing in protest; only a resigned, "Alright, if you think it's best."

"I'm really sorry, Jeremy. I'll come back as soon as I can."

"I don't doubt that. I love you, Penelope," he said, embracing me.

I hugged him back, long and hard. "I love you, too, Jere."

We broke apart and I turned to leave. Suddenly, Jeremy grabbed my arm, turning me to look him in the eye. In a strained voice, he said, "Penelope, I've been debating in my mind for two days now, and I can't stand it anymore! I have to know, are you a Dragon Rider or aren't you?"

To my surprise, Verina answered immediately. He deserves to know the cause of his sister's peril, Penelope. I was in his mind through you, and all I found evidence of was a true, loving sibling. Besides, he would already be punished for telling you the information he did. In actuality, this knowledge may protect him, for if the King's servants coerce the information out of him, they might decide to use him as bait rather than simply murdering him. I know you hate to think of that, Penelope, but it is the truth. What he has already discovered and disclosed has sealed his doom if he is caught. You now have the chance to break the wax.

Verina, I didn't know you were good at metaphors! But, you are right, for the umpteenth time tonight. You amaze me.

Thank you, she said whole-heartedly.

I broke from my thoughts to find Jeremy staring at me intently. I met his gaze, unwavering. "Yes, brother," I said. "The Riders live again." And with that I stepped back into the bushes and out of sight.

A powerful thermal rose up from the east and carried Verina and I far away from Kuasta and my brother. I felt Verina's uneasiness at being caught in an unfamiliar wind pattern, but could only soothe a small amount. The breeze was actually a blessing, however, because it steered us slightly west and out over the shoreline, where Verina was able to catch several fish. That night we had full bellies for the first time in a while.

As I lay against her side I commented on how she had grown.

Yes, she replied. I am four months old today and I was due for a growth spurt.

Wow, it's been four months already. That is hard to believe. Time sure flies, doesn't it?

Indeed it does. I cannot believe how much you have changed in that time.

What do you mean? I genuinely had no idea.

You have become smarter. When I first met you, you were very brash and, if I may say so, a little arrogant. But you have matured. While you still act recklessly at times, you now consider the inherent risks of your actions and make more informed decisions. And you have become more humbled. It was especially apparent during last night's excursion.

Ugh, don't remind me of that mistake. But thank you for the compliment. I never noticed those things before, but now I see them, too. I paused. Did you know that you have changed also, aside from the physical things? You've gotten more confident…most of the time. And you are very wise.

I had not noticed these things previously. But, I have gotten more confident… outwardly. This wisdom of which you speak is apparent to me, however, although how I have acquired this wisdom escapes me.

Well, I guess it isn't really how you come to know things that matters, but what you do with that knowledge.

You have spoken very wisely, little one.

I guess some of your wisdom is rubbing off on me.

You are entirely too kind.

We were flying at a good pace, dipping through the clouds over the mountains late the next morning. They parted momentarily to reveal the murky shores of Leona Lake below us. Verina peeled off quickly to the southeast. The Ra'zac inhabit the formation known as Helgrind in nearby Dras-Leona. I'd rather not travel anywhere near them if I could help it.

I fervently agreed. Yes, I'd rather not have anything more to do with the Ra'zac than I have to. It's good to know where they live, at any rate. When I lived in Dras-Leona, that Helgrind place always made me uneasy. Now I know why…what's that thing? I had happened to glance to the left.

What is what thing? Verina said, turning back around. I pointed to a beast rising from the top of the fortress that was Helgrind. I believe it's a Lethrblaka, one of the mounts that the Ra'zac travel on. They are despicable creatures that I never hope to face, unless it is to slay them. Did you know that they are actually- the clouds shifted slightly, allowing a beam of sunlight to hit the creature climbing into the sky. A flash of rich, vibrant red shone from its body, reminding me of rubies I had seen in a miner's home once.

Verina stopped her thought at once and immediately veered back over the lake, tilting her body at such an extreme angle that I almost fell off. I felt her whole body tense and her wings began throbbing twice as often, doubling our speed. Soon after tremors started to rack her body again, jolting me where I sat. Verina? Are you okay? Getting no answer, I tried another tactic. What were you saying about the Lethrblaka? Is that one of them?

Her thoughts came through faintly amidst a wall of sheer terror that almost overwhelmed me. No, it is far worse than a mere Lethrblaka. I thought that you said the Rider Eragon fought for the Varden.

He does, Verina, but what does that have to do with- I suddenly realized the answer to that question. That's a dragon? But I knew it was even when I said that; only a dragon's scales could have such a brilliant sheen.

Yes. Her voice in my head was shaky and so faint I had to concentrate fully to make it out.

Verina, that's not Eragon, I said slowly. He has a blue dragon, not a red one.

Which makes this all the more horrible! A new Rider has arisen, one allied with Galbatorix and undoubtedly trained by the king himself in the dark uses of magic and the skills the Riders used to prevail. And here we are, having had no training whatsoever. We would be completely at its mercy! I- I am not strong enough or brave enough to overcome such a formidable foe! I couldn't even "hold my own," as you would say. I would be destroyed in a heartbeat. I am useless.

No, no, Verina! Not useless! You carry this knowledge and the knowledge of the cave with you! If we can inform the Varden of these developments, we can prepare them to defend themselves. And, Verina, I don't think it saw you. It seemed to be going in the opposite direction. I told you your coloring would come in handy, it camouflaged you against the rocks.

Penelope, I am afraid. Of what is to come.

It's okay, Verina. I am, too. Verina's initial adrenaline rush of terror wore of, and she immediately slackened her pace, exhausted. You did a great job, Verina! I praised. Below us, I saw houses, streets, carts, and all other things associated with civilization. Look, Verina. The town of Feinster lies below us. We're only a few hours' flight away from Surda and the Varden! I told her this in an effort to calm her, but her exhaustion and fear the only response I got was a terse, That is good news.

It was good news. In a few hours we could inform Eragon and the Varden of all we had learned. In a few hours Verina would get her first chance to meet another of her race in person, and I would get to converse with a fellow Rider. A few hours and then, hopefully, I could begin my magic lessons. In only a few hours, Verina and I would be at the next terrace on our path towards our destiny.

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There you are. I'm sorry it's shorter than other recent chapters, but this was the most logical place to end it. The next chapter will be longer, I promise. If you want me to get the next chapter posted quickly, I suggest you leave a REVIEW. hint, hint, nudge, nudge, wink, wink Thank you kindly.

-AmayaSora