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Now, my brother, what is it that lies under the Menoa Tree?

Murtagh smiled with glee. "So you trust me now, though I betrayed you?"

"Your injuries tell me otherwise. You must have been severely beaten." Eragon surveyed his brother's injuries, feeling a small twang of pity for the brave man that stood in front of him.

"Unfortunately, I cannot tell you."

"Why is this?" Eragon wanted to know.

"I swore an oath… but I can tell you that if we get to the Menoa Tree quickly enough, and you can get enough training with the elves, Galbatorix should worry. The Varden has two riders on it's side now."

"But if breaking through Galbatorix's hold was that easy…"

Murtagh shook his head. "Dragon magic."

The whole time the two brothers had been talking, Lazuli had been waiting patiently on the sidelines. She drank in every detail of the conversation, absorbing as much as possible. There were some concepts of their conversation that she did not understand, but she did understand that Murtagh had broken away from Galbatorix… a tremendous feat.

She took one small, quiet step back, wanting to give the two some privacy upon their reunion, but she had forgotten what she stood in front of, and fell with a shriek into the river. The rushing water that had caught her off guard swept her away, crashing her head onto a rock.

When she awoke, a large brown eyeball stared at her.

Clumsy has woken.

With a start, Lazuli sat up, glancing around. Her fresh clothing was dry again—probably dried by magic. Saphira and Eragon were nowhere to be seen, but Murtagh saw her confused expression, and burst out laughing.

"Excuse me," he apologized, making Lazuli feel self-conscious, "Where are my manners? I am Murtagh."

"Lazuli." Lazuli still hadn't forgiven him for laughing at her, but that resentment immediately disappeared as Thorn blew smoke in Murtagh's face, punishing Murtagh.

Murtagh took a long look at Thorn, then turned his attention back to Lazuli. He stared.

"What?" Lazuli was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

"That's strange. Thorn likes you… he rarely likes anybody so quickly."

Lazuli blushed, flattered. Then asked, "Um… where are Eragon and Saphira?"

Murtagh scanned the sky. "Scouting. We can only travel by night, seeing that there are two dragons, which makes us all the more conspicuous. Eragon and Saphira are searching for the nearest city.

"Oh no! That's my job!" Lazuli felt extremely guilty.

"What's your job?"

"I was sent by Nasuada to accompany Eragon as a guide to Ellesmera!"

"Oh, and I thought you were betrothed to him or something." Murtagh looked extremely relieved.

Thorn, who had been playing in the river, popped his head out, scales sparkling in the dim light. He looked up as Saphira and Eragon descended from the sky.

"We cannot stop tonight. We leave as soon as the sun sets, we must get to Ellesmera as soon as possible!" Eragon jumped off Saphira. "Saphira, Thorn, you two may want to hunt again, and drink some more water—this will be a long flight. Murtagh, I suggest that you and I get some sleep. You too, Lazuli."

That afternoon, everybody ate and rested, including the dragons. Instinctively, they all woke up as the last ray of the sun disappeared from the land of Alagaesia.

Murtagh, who's injuries had been healed by Eragon, clambered onto Thorn, and made a move to pull Lazuli on behind him, but was stopped by Eragon, who wanted Lazuli to ride with him. Lazuli shook her head at the immature game, and threw her arms up into the air.

"I will walk." She huffed.

Then, with an unspoken agreement, Murtagh helped Lazuli onto Thorn, promising Eragon that he could ride with Lazuli the next night… if they could survive that long. Nobody bothered to ask Lazuli who she wanted to ride with, and for that, Lazuli was grateful—because she wouldn't have known how best to answer the question. She was flattered, though.

Saphira found the two brothers' bicker over Lazuli extremely entertaining, shaking with dragon laughter. Thorn shared her mirth, making Murtagh angry.

At last, they party of five could delay no longer, and with the guidance of the stars, they took off, soaring over the Beor Mountains.

Murtagh grinned slyly, as he felt Lazuli's arms tighten around his waist. He knew his brother was now enemy as well as ally—again, judging by the way Eragon distanced himself from the sight of Lazuli and Murtagh together.

For a while, Murtagh just sat in silence, listening to the steady beating of Thorn's wings, but suddenly, a question popped into his head.

"Lazuli?"

"Hm?"

"Why is it that the Empire has not yet heard of you?"

Shoutout to all the washington kids who helped review! You too jing.