A/N: I realized that the first chapter was pitifully short – only about 800 words. My apologies. I will do my best to make longer chapters from here on out.

To my reviewers: Thank you Aj and NormalityIsNonexistant for being my first two reviewers ever! Kudos!

Aj: Better yet, I have another one today.

NormalityIsNonexistant: Thanks for being the first! Oh, and I checked out your profile – that was probably the longest I've seen!

Chapter 2: Unfortunate Encounters

Eragon awoke in his tent early the next morning before the sun had risen. Saphira was still peacefully sleeping. Entering into her mind, he found her dreaming of the two of them flying amongst the clouds, rulers of the sky, with nobody for miles around. He smiled to himself as he retreated from her comforting presence into the cold world of reality. And her dream is mine as well, he thought.

He quickly dressed himself in an elven tunic he had kept from his days in Ellesmera and took a step outside, breathing in the city air. It nearly made him choke. Ash from the fires that had previously ravaged Feinster was still circulating in the air, and Eragon's newly heightened senses certainly were not helping the matter. Walking by Arya's tent, he noticed she was still asleep, oddly enough.

Best not to wake her. He continued on throughout the city, which was completely empty save for a few beggars. Eragon tossed a coin or two to each one as he passed. At least it isn't as bad as Dras-Leona here.

Seeing the beggars brought Eragon back to the time when he and Brom had foolishly charged into Dras-Leona and the Ra'Zacs stronghold: Helgrind, the deathly four mountains. If only I hadn't, Brom would still be alive …

Saphira intruded on his thoughts. Little One.

Eragon grumbled. Apparently she had woken up. Sorry. Regret... It catches me off guard sometimes.

And that is why you are lucky that you have me here to stop you, she said smugly.

Aye, that I am, he smiled.

The battle yesterday took a lot out of me; I must eat.

Then go, but try not to hunt too close to the city. The Varden will need any food close to the city that they can get.

You don't have to remind me, she reprimanded gently. I look out for the interests of the Varden as much as you do.

He took her rebuke in silence, then thought, I will be at the lake, then. Farewell, partner-of-my-heart. With those words, he saw Saphira take off from the city and rise to the height of the clouds. Moments such as those made him wonder what he ever did to deserve such a majestic dragon to call his own. Shaking his head and smiling, he took off for a small lake – almost a pond, really – that he had found yesterday while perched atop the hill. After expanding his mind to check if he was truly alone, Eragon stripped himself of his clothes in preparation to do the Rimgar.

Eragon found himself to be unexpectedly tensed up after the previous day's battle. The first and second levels he breezed through with relative ease, but the third took him a great deal longer, and at the end of the fourth, he was covered entirely in sweat. Glad that he had picked this location, he plunged into the cool lake. For a time he sat in the water, simply clearing his mind until it was as pure as the lake that he found himself in. Briefly touching Saphira's mind, almost out of instinct, he found her tearing at a bloody carcass with gusto. And she's still hungry. More than one deer will lose their life today.

As he retreated from her mind, he noticed another presence nearing the lake – and quickly. Eragon groaned when he realized who it was. Could she have picked a worse time to come up on me like this?

He quickly ran out of the water and dried himself with magic, noticing that he barely felt the effects. Arya appeared out of the trees just as soon as Eragon threw on his tunic. For a moment, they simply stared at each other.

"Shadeslayer," she greeted, touching her lips with her fingers.

Back to formalities again. Can't I just be Eragon to her? he complained inwardly. "Shadeslayer," he returned with a small smile, nodding his head. "What brings you here?"

"The same reasons as you, I would presume."

"Which are?"

"To get away from the city. To clear your mind."

"You know me too well," he murmured.

"Simply because I have known you longer than most." When he didn't reply, a small smile touched her lips. "Eragon, are you planning on staying here? I was planning on bathing ..."

Heat flooded his cheeks as he caught her meaning. "No I-I will go now. Farewell, Arya." Without waiting for her reply, he turned on his heel and left. Back to Eragon again. I don't understand her!

Eragon felt the mental equivalent of a snort escape from Saphira. Shut up, you, he grumbled.

Someone's in fine fettle this morning. Eragon ignored her. Also, Nasuada has called a meeting and she is expecting you to be there, as well as Arya... Which means someone will need to go fetch her. Eragon could almost hear her rumbling laughter over the connection.

Arya will just have to arrive late.

Eragon, if you don't tell her, nobody will. Now go get her. He groaned. All he needed was another opportunity to make a fool of himself. He just hoped he didn't end up with any broken bones. Eragon approached the treeline cautiously, as a hunter would his prey. What he saw in the lake stopped him in his tracks. Lo and behold, there she was, the utmost object of his desires – completely unclothed. Eragon's jaw dropped open as he beheld the sight. Suddenly, Arya sensed his presence and whipped around, covering herself with her arms.

"Eragon! Explain yourself!" she demanded furiously, glaring at him with the coldest eyes he had ever seen.

"I-I-I meant – I only came to say th-that Nasuada requested your presence in her tent. That's all. I didn't think–"

"No, you didn't," she said icily. "Tell her I will be there shortly." Clearly, their conversation was over.

To Saphira, he said, Is that what you wanted? Her only response was to chuckle and reply, Do not worry, Little One. Time will heal all.

Eragon, still simmering from the encounter with Arya, made good time to the temporary command tent, which was set up just outside the city walls. The six Nighthawks, upon recognizing him, uncrossed their pikes and admitted him entrance. Gathered in the tent were Nasuada, Jormundur, and Orrin. "My lady," he said, bowing, "Arya will arrive shortly. Saphira, of course, will listen through me."

"Very well. We shall have to wait until she arrives, then." She tapped her foot impatiently. Clearly, she wanted the meeting to finish as much as anyone else in the room.

Fifteen minutes later, Arya arrived, nodding to each of them in turn save Eragon, who she simply ignored.

"Now that we are all here," Nasuada began, looking pointedly in Arya's direction, "we can discuss our plans moving forward. I wish to attack and capture Belatona by winter's arrival."

Eragon cut in. "So soon? The men have just fought a battle yesterday, and you expect them to march so soon? Be reasonable."

"They will have ample time to recover. But I hope to leave within a week."

"What of the fortifications on Belatona?" Arya queried.

Jormundur spoke up for the first time. "And how many troops will be housed there?"

"That remains to be seen. However, since our victory over Feinster, new recruits have been pouring in. Many of the soldiers of yesterday's battle offered to join arms with us as well. With those troops to bolster us, I have no doubt that we can take Feinster."

"Yes," Orrin put in. "Morale is high. This is the first time the Varden has gone on the offensive in its entire campaign. And the celebration tonight will cheer them even more."

Eragon raised an eyebrow. "A celebration?"

Orrin looked shocked that Eragon had not heard. "But of course! Did you not hear this morning?"

"I was … Otherwise occupied," he replied, glancing at Arya. She remained impassive as ever.

"I see. In that case, then, allow me to explain. In celebration of our victory, tonight we are holding a feast – and there will be dancing as well, of course. You are expected to come!" he added, glaring at Eragon as if to make sure he would be there.

"I shall... do my best to attend." A dance? he moaned to Saphira. I don't dance!

Saphira's rumbling laughter could be heard from outside the tent. You do now.

Nasuada stood up then and declared the meeting adjourned. Arya pushed her way out first, not waiting for Eragon.

Perhaps you should go after her, Saphira suggested.

Yeah, and get thrown over the walls of Feinster? I'd rather not. After saying this, though, he caught up to her. "Arya, wait!"

She turned around impatiently. "Yes?"

Eragon sighed. "I'm sorry about before. I didn't mean to catch you like that."

Her glare softened ever so slightly. "Consider it forgiven, but do not let me catch you again. You will regret it."

"Thank you. I won't," he said, returning to Saphira's side. It could have gone worse, he reasoned.

Aye, that it could have. You're still in one piece!

Ignoring her jibe, he asked, Would you like to fly?

Always. Eragon lithely climbed up her leg and into her saddle. With a roar, she took off, corkscrewing through the air joyously with Eragon laughing along. She soared to the height of the clouds, and there she leveled out as the two looked down on the city in peace, as rulers of the sky.

A/N: Thank you again to the two people who did review! For everyone else, it would be much appreciated if you tell me what you think so far and what I did well, what I can improve on, etc. Hope you enjoyed!