Here's chapter eight please enjoy and reveiw please!

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Chapter8…Daring Flight, Varden's Surprise

Sala had amazingly pushed herself to her feet, allowing air to travel more freely through her burning ribcage, Sala coughed but remained standing, she frowned tiredly out at the early dawn light, that made her eyes wince, but she was also very thankful for the sun's warm rays for chasing the Ra'zac away. Sala tried to take a deep breathe, but pain shot through her chest, she swayed placing a hand on Valinor's left, silver, flank, to steady herself. Valinor craned his neck and pressed his scaly muzzle to the small of her back, steadying her further, Eragon watched with amazement, despite her injuries she continued to push herself.

'Strong will, that one…Similar to someone else I know.' Saphira said in a weary, teasing voice.

Eragon rolled his eyes as he turned towards his cousin, and his fiancée, "Katrina…Is this the first time you are seeing the other dragon?" Eragon murmured as he started to prepare Saphira for flight, where as Saphira was watching the younger dragon with curious eyes, Katrina lifted her head from Roran's chest, she nodded. Eragon's brow knitted together in concentration, Sala gasped breaking him out of his thoughts he quickly turned to see her fall to her knees one arm wrapped around her torso, she was breathing shallowly and quick. Two painful sounding coughs escaped her, Valinor's eyes winced slightly as he snaked his head downwards and let his silver snout rest on her head:

'Oh little one…' Valinor echoed sadly in her mind

Saphira looked at Eragon alarmingly, He was already on it. He walked over and kneeled down next to her and placed a hand on her shaking shoulder, "I'm fine…I'm fine…" Sala gasped out painfully, as she tried to wave him off pushing herself to her feet, Eragon stayed in a kneeling position staring up at her blankly before standing himself, "You are very strange." Eragon said under his breathe as he looked over at Valinor's large silver cat-like eye, brown eyes searching for answers to unasked questions swirling in his mind mixed with Saphira's own curiosity. "Eragon…Should we wait until she has more time to recuperate?" Roran asked softly, his left hand stroking Katrina's hair, Eragon turned look at them, "No, If we wait any longer the soldiers will get us, and if wait till nightfall it is certain that the Ra'zac will return… We must take to the sky now; we'll fly above the clouds and head South-East, towards Surda." Eragon said looking out the cave entrance, picturing the image of the sheer cave wall illusion that had startled both him and Roran; he nodded to the last haze of early morning fading. He turned back to Sala who standing a little taller her eyes distant and almost devoid of all emotion ham and Saphira noted the change a personality, Eragon walked stiffly over to the saddle bags on Saphira's sides and dug through the one in particular that was bulging slightly, The sapphire dragon shook it's head slightly in relief as Eragon pulled out some worked over ox hides. Sala was panting as she leaned against Valinor, she watched the elfish boy with wincing eyes. "Roran gather up Hengrayd, You Katrina, and Hengrayd will be riding Saphira." Eragon said looking up at Saphira for confirmation.

'I understand your plan, I know you don't want the girl to fall, and from what I understand this will be her first time in the air.' Saphira said in an understanding voice, but a little resentful.

Eragon smiled regretfully, 'She's incapacitated, and you know I will never betray you for another dragon, can you carry three people?' Eragon asked soothingly.

Saphira snorted in response a small amount of yellow flames licked just outside of her flared nostrils. She flicked her tail, pushing Eragon towards Sala, who stared at him in confusion, "You…M-Must ride your…Dragon…Do not bur…Burden your self…With me…" Sala panted out as she tried to straighten herself, her chest burning, Eragon was slightly taken back, "You are no burden, and I cannot allow you to fall, taking off is very rough…Especially if it is your first time…" Eragon said walking over to her. He caught her wrist as she struggled to straighten herself, "Thank you…" Sala murmured, Eragon nodded looking up at the silver dragon, "Please will you stand?" Eragon said to dragon, who complied and stood his head coming level with Saphira's if not a little over, he eased the make shift saddle onto Valinor's broad body tying the straps underneath him, "It's a good thing I kept this…," Eragon murmured as he turned towards Sala who was putting a tremendous effort to stay standing, "If not this would have been a tremendously rough ride." Eragon said approaching Sala, He put a gloved hand on her shoulder and leaned her against him. Sala stiffened slightly, but didn't complain. Eragon pulled away a few moments later to run one last check on Saphira and make sure everyone was strapped in tightly, he heard Roran murmur to Katrina, "…Hold on tightly to my waist…". Eragon and Saphira stared at each other sharing a moment; Saphira looked out at the horizon, Eragon nodded and made his way over to Sala, who looked up and smiled tiredly at him. His face was blank and clear as he stood in front of her, Sala's smile faded to a confused frown, suddenly he moved forward and slid his arms under her knees and supported her back with the other. Sala yelped and Valinor's laughter echo through her mind, "It's not funny…Valinor!...He surprised me!" Sala said in a slightly shrilled voice, she looked back at Eragon wide eyes; he was smirking down at her. Sala looked away blushing lightly, and with out warning Eragon jumped and again Sala yelped half out of pain, half out of surprise, Eragon landed lightly on Valinor's back, Sala unintentionally grabbed Eragon's shoulder and took harsh shallow breathes. Valinor looked back and licked her cheek glaring at Eragon, who frowned apologetically down at Sala, "My apologies…I should've warned you." Eragon said softly, Sala's hand slipped from his shoulder, her head bowed panting softly, "…It's all right…." Sala murmured, Eragon stared at the top of her head before nodding and kneeling down, he sat Sala down and then sat behind her between two of Valinor's broad spikes:

'Little one…Hold on tightly to my spike this is going to be a tricky take off.' Valinor said ecstatically.

Sala nodded gripping the spike in front of her tightly, Eragon leaned forward as well placing his hands just under hers, noting the awkward position they were in, Saphira chuckled and looked over at him piercing blue, Eragon rolled his eyes sending a sideways glancing seeing that Sala looked different again, she looked stronger and determined.

'Saphira, we will follow you…Let's go!' Eragon said curtly

Saphira roared and bounded forwards and once her talons gripped the edge she launched herself forward into the open space and plummeted downward, snapping her wings open she caught the air and angled herself upwards, Valinor followed soon after, Sala winced but kept her demeanor as he launched himself out as well, the sun hitting his scales, he did something different, he spread his wings forcing himself downward Eragon was slightly surprised, one hand left his silver spike and wrapped around Sala's waist keeping her steady:

'Valinor!...You have to pull up!' Sala shouted in her mind.

Valinor smiled in his mind, and Sala felt his happiness, 'As you wish.' Valinor said obligingly.

Valinor heaved his body upwards shocking both Eragon and Sala, Sala's grip almost slipped from his spike and she was pretty sure she felt Eragon slide back a little, Valinor's wings pumped once before he pulled them in slightly at an odd angle and they shot upwards into the air, they climbed higher and higher into the sky. Sala had to close her eyes as the wind whipped at her, making them tear up, the wind roared past her ears, deafening her slightly, after about what seemed like hours the roar died down and Valinor's wings pumped in steady time, Sala felt every movement, she could feel the muscles working nicely under her.

'Open your eyes…It's amazing…' Valinor sighed happily in her mind.

Slowly and cautiously Sala's eyes slid open and she saw an endless expanse of blue sky, clouds above and below her, and the sun hanging in the sky in the distance like a luminous golden ball. Sala gasped at the sheer beauty, she saw The sapphire dragon flying by their left side effortlessly, she could see Katrina's hunched form gripping Roran for dear life, and Hengrayd being held by Roran, who looked slightly nervous always looking over at Eragon, Sala's attention stayed on the beautiful sapphire dragon, the sun hitting her scales send dancing sapphire lights every time her wings pumped, her wings stilled as she glided, Sala leaned into Eragon, making him stiffen, "She's beautiful…" Sala whispered to him, Eragon smirked, "She is." Eragon said, repeating Sala's words to Saphira who instantly looked over at Sala her large sapphire eyes on the girl who smiled at her. Saphira tossed her head up proudly, as he pumped her wings once her tail swiveling slightly, Eragon chuckled softly relaxing:

'Valinor…This is amazing!' Sala cried out happily in her mind.

Valinor gave a short roar as his response as he fell a little behind and then sped up to Saphira's side again, The dragons talked to each other as they angled themselves South-East. Sala didn't know how long they had been riding, but her legs were starting to cramp badly from clutching at Valinor's sides for so long, and her chest's pain had grown larger and unbearable, she coughed and felt her hands slip from Valinor's spike, Valinor craned his neck back slightly, creating a large shadow over both of them against the setting sun, Her breathe came in short wheezes, Eragon could sense her weakening, hours of exhaustion catching up to her, honestly Eragon had thought that she would've weakened hours ago, but she kept up her resilience and pushed through. Eragon bent his head keeping his hand gripped on the spike, "Go on rest…We must land anyways…" Eragon said looking over at Saphira sharing a moment; He had felt Valinor struggling to keep up an hour earlier. Saphira gracefully eased herself downward, Valinor started to descend as well, Eragon wrapped his arm tighter around her waist as she shuddered closing her eyes tightly, Eragon looked down at her he gave a slight squeeze with his legs and Valinor sped downwards, passing Saphira at an alarming rate, Saphira roared and glared at Valinor as he threw his wings out catching the air, Valinor's talons gouged the Earth as he dug into the ground to stop himself, as soon as He had stopped he instantly craned his neck and watched as Eragon jumped off his back laying Sala on the ground, Saphira landed, shaking the earth beneath them, Saphira walked over with a vicious snarl, Valinor brought his head level with her's they began to talk to each other heatedly, making snarls and growls and swinging their heads and raking the ground with their talons, Eragon hastily ran over and undid the straps holding Roran and Katrina in place, Katrina slid off Saphira off limply, Eragon scrambled to catch her, as Roran jumped down as the dragon's continued their argument. Sala watched with wide eyes, fully knowing this was her fault, she pushed to her feet and shambled in between the two dragons holding her hands up at both of them, "Please! Stop!!...This is not the time to fight!...I apologize…Fully for my afflictions!...But please mighty dragons stop this quarrel!" Sala cried out desperately staring from the silent Valinor, and the glaring Saphira. The sapphire dragon bent its head and turned it to the side so one large cat-like eye was staring straight into to Sala's blue gaze; Saphira narrowed her eye on her. Sala stiffened, Saphira's slitted pupil piercing into her very being, Sala swallowed thickly against a lump that formed in her throat, "Please…" Sala whispered urgently, her eyes pleading. Saphira shorted and brought her head back up, Valinor sent a glance down at Sala before locking gazes with Valinor; Saphira spoke to Valinor in their language, at the end Valinor's eyes narrowed, and he growled deeply feelings of anger and indignity rushed for Sala and she looked up at him touching his chest, words echoed through her head:

'I'll never allow that…'

'Valinor…What did she say…' Sala asked softly.

Valinor did not answer as he turned away from her and laid himself down, Sala tried to ask him questions, but he continued to block all his thoughts and queries. Sala gave up after the sun set, she had sat herself down in front of him, finally he closed his large silver eyes and fell asleep silently, "Val…Inor…" Sala said slowly, bowing her head. Eragon watched her, then turned to Saphira:

'What did you tell Valinor?' Eragon asked as he lit a small fire.

Roran and Katrina were settled, they were snuggled close together sharing small words of comfort, and soft kisses every now and then. Eragon felt envious of his cousin, Saphira felt this and looked down at him.

'You wish for someone to cherish like your cousin?' Saphira asked gently, now his feeling for the elder elf Ayra.

Eragon stiffened and diverted his eyes from the couple, 'Don't be ridiculous I am a Rider…If I had someone like that…They would most likely target them…' Eragon said stiffly.

Both riders were silent at the small meal of dried fruits and assorted other things, they settled down for the night. As the sky darkened to the mid point of the night, Sala awoke with a start, he body shaking, she looked over at Hengrayd's steady breathing form, and she sat up and brought her knees close to her searing chest breathing shakily. Eragon had been on watch and saw her awake, he cocked an eyebrow and stared at her, He stood slowly as she tucked her head against her knees. He walked over silently and kneeled down in front of her, "What is wrong Sala?" Eragon asked softly, Sala remained silent for a while, Eragon had thought she went back to sleep.

"Do not…Be concerned…It has always happened…" Sala murmured against her knees. Eragon blinked before he lowered his head slightly, he looked at her shaking hands. He remained where he was until she slipped back into unconsciousness.

The next morning they set off again, the landscape below them shrouded in clouds as they began to take on a grey tint soon, soon turning into a murky brown, foul vapors making Sala's eyes tear as the air stung her eyes, they fell beneath the clouds as the jagged and landscape below revealed itself to them all. They angled towards the Jiet River; crimson smoke filled the sky letting scarce amounts of sunlight come through polluted clouds. Sala coughed the air burning her chest, Eragon moved behind her and he held out a cloth to her, "The air gets better towards the ground, use this to filter until we land." Eragon said softly. Sala nodded and took the cloth and pressed it against her mouth and nose keeping her breathe shallow, as she trained her narrowed eyes on the opaque white of the Jiet River below her. Black speck littered the ground for miles; Sala could not discern the figures:

'Bodies…From the recent battle…Many were killed.' Valinor echoed sorrowfully through her mind.

Sala's eyes widened, she had heard rumors of an uprising, and an upcoming war, but then again the rumors she only heard from drunken men as she passed the pub to go home. Now she wished she would've believed them. They descended steadily towards a spiked rimmed emplacement, with tents that were still pitched, a horn sounded below as they came into view of the people below, a few arrows whizzed by Sala's ear, Valinor roared slightly as he maneuvered around the arrows, Saphira dove and steadily and landed as Valinor wheeled above dodging another volley of arrows, "Hang on!" Sala said as she eased her weight left and Valinor moved with her as more arrows came forward, then turned nearly on their side Valinor's wing pointing towards the ground, Sala struggled to hold her grip, "Valinor! Swerve and turn!" Sala yelled out loud and mentally, Valinor swerved left then right as they headed towards the spike gate, Eragon had never seen this type of flying maneuver. "Turn!" Sala yelled as she gripped his spike, Valinor roared in determination as he swung his body, his back talons brushed the tips of the pikes as his back legs dug into the ground and he landed just outside the barrier, they were immediately surrounded Valinor growling down at all of them, "Stand down!" Eragon yelled as he stood brow creased in anger, The soldiers immediately lowered their swords and arrows, Sala heaved forward gasping as she felt one of her ribs shift painfully, she swayed left and slid off Valinor, she felt her eyes closed as she felt her torso filled with pain. Someone caught her and Sala was gasping for air, "Calm now child, you will be fine…Waise heill..." A gentle voice whispered in her ear as a soothing cold rushed over her as Sala sighed and relaxed.

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