Howdy yall.

I just hope that everyone enjoyed chapter 4. I finally found a means to keep the plot alive. (Most of the time, I just wing it.)

Anyway, I am excited that for four chapters, I have 16,500 words. That is more than 30 of Elders, which is 36 chapters long. If anyone is confused about anything, please let me know. I might be able to use this story in English class so I want it perfect. However, I am disappointed with the number of reviews that I have received so far for this story. I hate to resort to threats, but if I don't get a nice number of reviews for this, I might stop. For the last 9,000 words, I have received 4 reviews. For the first 6,000 words, I received 16 reviews. I would like more.

Let me know if you find any typos. I need to fix them.

If you have any name suggestions for a rename of Ûru'baen, please, please tell me.

Example of a good name: Smile-ville

A bad one: Death-ville

Enjoy.

READY?

GET SET!

READ! READ! READ! READ!

And please leave a review when you are done.

Disclaimer:

I don't own anything but the plot and the characters and places that don't appear in Eragon and Eldest.

Chapter 4:

Skies of Fire

Sam watched Ithmir soar on a thermal above Ûru'baen. Are you ready to land yet? Sam asked. Eragon wants us and he doesn't sound patient.

Again? Ithmir said. That's like the tenth time this week. The last time he told us that you had to figure out how to control at least one shade power before we left so that if we found this guy, he would believe your story.

So what. Sam replied. I can use the fire absorption one.

The last time you tried that, you were unconscious for a week from an energy overdose. Ithmir retorted.

It felt great for a little while until I crashed. Sam said.

You don't know how it felt on my end. Ithmir replied. It was awful.

What other power could I perfect instead? Sam asked. I haven't been able to even discover any new powers.

Tough. Ithmir retorted. You'll just have to learn.

If there was a way to let the energy flow out of my body as I absorbed it, I wouldn't get knocked out. Sam suddenly realized.

They were silent for a while until Eragon broke the calm with a yell.

Sam, I thought I told you to come immediately. Where are you?

We're coming. Sam replied. I need to ask you something that would lead to a degree of control over the energy I absorb.

I'll listen to your question when you get here. Eragon replied stiffly.

Come on Ithimr, If this works, we'll be able to go! Sam called.

Ithmir landed a few feet away from Sam and the walked to the courtyard where Eragon and Saphira were sitting.

"Masters." Sam said respectfully.

"What is your question?" Eragon asked as he motioned for Sam to sit down.

"Would it be possible to get a massive amount of energy out of my body when I absorb it and store it in something?" Sam asked.

Eragon blinked his eyes once and then replied. "Of course! Do you have your sword?"

"Yes." Sam replied unbuckling it from Ithmir's saddle and sitting down with it asked. "What do I do with it?"

Gems have an unusual property. Saphira started.

"They can hold varying amounts of energy." Eragon finished.

"I'll need the one that can hold the most if I'm going to stay awake." Sam replied.

"The diamond in your hilt will do nicely." Eragon replied.

"How do you transfer the energy?" Sam asked.

"Just focus on the diamond and pretend that you are casting a spell into it, but with out any ancient language or desired effect, except for it to take the energy you take in." Eragon replied.

"Couldn't I just cast a spell on the diamond to absorb any energy that I take in from any given source?" Sam asked.

"You should be able to." Eragon replied. "Try it with a candle first. Just blow it out after a few seconds of successful transfer so you don't over do it."

"Should I try it here?" Sam asked.

"No." Eragon answered. "Let's go to a cave in the dragon hold."

Shall we fly? Ithmir asked.

We have to get a candle first dumby. Sam replied.

Right. Ithmir retorted. I knew that.

No you didn't. Sam replied with a grin as he stood up and entered the castle. It took him all of five minutes to locate a candle, and make his way to the dragon hold. Sam and Ithmir had been in training in Ûru'baen for just over three months, and Sam finally knew how to get anywhere he wanted in the castle. As he walked into the dragon hold, he saw Ithmir landing. Right behind him was Eragon and Saphira. Ready? Sam asked.

I guess so. Ithmir replied. I have your sword.

Thanks. Sam said.

Get on with it. Ithmir suddenly said.

Why? Sam asked.

Tag and Sunlight want to see us. Ithmir replied.

Ok. This should only take a minute. Sam said.

Sam closed his eyes and placed the spell on the diamond. He then lit the candle, and felt the familiar rush of energy. At first, nothing was different, and Sam began to panic a little. Then, suddenly, the rush stopped. Sam opened his eyes and saw the diamond glowing with its new energy.

That's cool. Ithmir said.

I wonder how much energy is in there. Sam replied.

Let's find out. Ithmir answered. And placed a massive paw on top of the diamond. That would let me fly for almost two days by itself.

That's a lot. Sam replied.

Let's show Eragon. Ithmir said.

Where are they? Asked Sam as he looked up to find the rider and dragon missing.

I dunno. They were here a minute ago. Ithmir replied.

Sam opened his mind and oddly enough found Eragon's mind to be right in front of him. What the… Ithmir did we make everything living invisible to us?

I don't…I think we—I mean you—did it. Ithmir replied.

Why are you blaming me? Sam asked. I didn't do it.

I didn't either, so I didn't want to get in trouble for doing it. Ithmir answered.

Honestly, what possible trouble could we get in for this? Sam asked.

What the heck did you two just do. Eragon demanded.

You had to ask. Ithmir whined.

I don't know. Sam replied. Where are you?

I haven't moved a muscle. Eragon replied.

How come we can't see you? Sam asked.

No idea. Eragon replied. This is the first time anything like this has happened.

Sam stood still with Ithmir for over an hour until Eragon suddenly appeared with Saphira. That was odd. Ithmir said as he ruffled his wings.

Feel like flying? Sam asked.

To where? Ithmir asked.

That half shade's place, where else? Sam said.

You mean there's energy in the diamond? Ithmir asked.

A ton. Sam replied.

Alright. Ithmir said. You get food and other supplies, I'll get permission and directions from these two. Ithmir indicated Eragon and Saphira with a talon.

Done. Sam Said and sprinted and vaulted into the castle.

He did it. Ithmir told Eragon.

Very well. Saphira said. Follow me. I'll show you the way on a map.

It took a lot of research to find its rough location. Eragon said. Even with Arya and Murtagh helping, it took a month.

We appreciate your work master. Ithmir replied before taking off to follow Saphira.

Mean while, Sam san through the castle to the kitchens. There he grabbed a one-week travel food bag that the cooks kept by the entrance for traveling riders. From there he ran to a small armory and grabbed his favorite bow along with a large quiver of arrows.

When Sam reached the dragon hold, Tag and Sunlight blocked his way and herded him quickly into a small cave meant for hatchlings.

"We heard that you were leaving." Sunlight stated.

"That was fast." Sam replied. "Why are we talking in private?"

"We want to go with you." Tag said, and then seeing Sam was puzzled, continued. "We don't have a great future here."

"All I would be is a messenger to riders and dragons." Sunlight said.

"And I would be the son of Eragon who isn't a rider." Tag continued. "I don't want to live that."

"You want adventure and action." Sam concluded.

"Yes." Sunlight and Tag said at once.

"I guess that would be alright." Sam replied. "Do your parents know?"

"I left a message for them on their bed." Tag answered.

"Saphira and Lifskul will find out through them." Sunlight said.

"Are you ready?" Sam asked.

"We took two bags from the kitchens." Sinlight replied.

"Weapons?" Sam prompted.

"Always with us." Tag replied showing his blades.

Where are you? Ithmir asked Sam.

Trespassing in some hatchling's cave with Tag and Sunlight. Sam replied. They want to come along with us.

I'm fine with that. Ithmir replied.

Ready to go? Sam asked.

We're all clear for takeoff. Ithmir answered.

Great. Sam replied. I'll be topside in a minute.

I'm already there. Ithmir said.

"We're leaving now." Sam told his two companions, and then made his way to the roof where Sunlight transformed and let Tag onto her back. Sam climbed onto Ithmir and then they were flying away from Ûru'baen.

When night fell, they landed on the plains and Tag and Sam built a small fire downwind of Ithmir. Sunlight transformed, and together, they began to prepare a meal.

Ithmir, where exactly is this place. Sunlight asked.

It's in the northern spine. Ithmir answered. You can only get there by foot or by flying. It's apparently in the crater of an ancient volcano.

That's dangerous. Sam said.

So are we just going to fly all over the spine searching for this place? Tag asked. That'll take too long.

We don't have too. Ithmir answered. Once we find a huge waterfall, Eragon said he grew up near it, we just follow the river north, staying to the left. When the river ends at a lake, we fly over it to the crater sticking up in the middle.

I thought that you said that the only way to get there was by land and dragon-back. Sunlight said. It sounds like you could take a boat there as well.

If you wish to be sunk by a huge sea beast, then go ahead. Ithmir replied. What you fail to realize is that this lake is more like an inland sea. It's about the size of the plains and the Hadarac Desert combined.

That seems hard to believe. Tag replied.

If the map that Saphira showed me is correct, you'll be amazed at it. Ithmir said.

Anyway, How do you get out there by land? Sam asked.

There is a narrow strip of land, leagues long that runs from the shore to the mountain. Ithmir replied.

Is it safe? Sunlight asked.

No one knows, Ithmir answered. The ancients never returned after they started to travel on it. Tens of expedition went out, and none have come back to civilization.

How big is the mountain. Tag asked, changing the subject.

I don't really know. Ithmir confessed. It has only been seen from the shore a few times by Urgals and others. We don't really know that much about it, only that it is where the half-shade was known to be. No reports of him were found in the 900 years since he was there.

So more than likely he is either dead or still lingering around the mountain. Sam said.

We know from report, that he lived for more than 200 years before that, so he is probably somewhat immortal. Ithmir said.

Kinda like the elves? Sunlight asked.

Exactly. Ithmir replied.

I don't know about you, but I need to sleep. Sunlight said as she transformed into her dragon form, offering all of them a little protection from the elements.

Eragon couldn't believe what Arya had just read him.

"I guess they wanted to go on their own, away from our control." Eragon muttered.

"They had their reasons, and they aren't children anymore." Arya said as she sat down next to Eragon.

Although some times Sunlight acts like she is still a hatchling. Saphira mumbled.

None the less, we should let them go and just keep an eye on them. Lifskul said somewhat forcefully.

Should we tell anyone else know? Saphira asked.

Only if they ask. Eragon replied.

Everyone doesn't need to know. Arya said.

I don't know, it sounds like we are keeping it secret. Eragon said.

It doesn't matter. Lifskul replied. If they ask we tell, if not, we don't.

Flar, what should we do with ourselves know? Morzan asked.

I'm not really sure myself. Flar replied.

Should we get Oromis out? Morzan asked again. We need to get those eggs to the people-

-And the riders. Flar added.

And the riders. Morzan agreed.

I just hope that the other two are doing alright. Flar replied, worried.

They'll be alright if they pay attention to what I said to them before I left. Morzantried to comfort his partner.

We should go to see them. Flar said.

Oromis would know if we returned. Morzan replied. He's got the shields working for him now.

Bugger the shields. Flar exclaimed. We could just destroy the shields as we go.

And reveal everything? Morzan asked skeptically. Everything that Galbatorix asked us to keep secret from everyone unless it happens.

No not that. Flar answered.

What do we do then? Morzan asked.

We could just dash in and dash out during the night. Flar replied.

That would work. We would be penetrating all of the shields almost simultaneously and if we came from above, it would be even faster. Morzan said after he realized Flar's idea.

Exactly. Flar replied. Now go get ready.

You don't need to tell me. Morzan replied as he calmly walked through the halls where hours before Sam dashed through them. After leaving the kitchens with a smaller travel pack, Eragon and Arya aproached him.

"Where are you going?" Eragon asked.

"Back to my home for a brief stay if all goes well." Morzan replied.

"We need to talk with you." Arya said.

"If this is going to take a while, I think that it should wait a little while." Morzan said. "We need to get back by nightfall."

"Why has something happened?" Eragon asked.

"No, but something will if I don't get back there in a hurry." Morzan replied.

"What we need to talk to you for shouldn't take longer that a few minutes." Arya stated.

"Alright, I guess that's short enough." Morzan said. "What is it."

"It concerns Sam and Ithmir." Eragon started.

Morzan perked up at this. "I'm all ears."

"He left with Tag and Sunlight this morning to go find the half shade." Arya continued.

"So he did it?" Morzan asked.

"Yes." Eragon replied. "It was quite impressive. The diamond he used in his hilt absorbed more energy than all of the riders could combined in a day."

"That is impressive." Morzan said. "Did he use a spell to direct it or his mind?"

"A spell." Arya answered.

"Well, that's good." Morzan replied. "At least there was no room for a mistake to occur with the spell in place."

"I think that you know more about this half shade than all the books in the library, and we need some information." Eragon said.

"Galbatorix had hoped to find this being, but never did." Morzan began. "You should have seen the mountians of notes all of us took."

"All of who?" Arya asked, interupting Morzan.

"The Forsworn, of course, we were the only ones that he trusted enough to do this for him. Galbatorix didn't have the time to do it since he had to figure out how to rule his new empire."

"So you just did it for him?" Eragon asked. "And let him just reap the information from the work you did."

"No." Morzan replied. "We all wanted to find this person. He was said to have the power to make anyone more than twice as powerful as they were before. If this is true and we all found him, and he concented to aid us, we would be practically unstopable."

"What did you find out about him that might help Sam?" Arya asked.

"Well for one thing, his lair, the crater, is almost impenitrable." Morzan said. "the safest way in would be dragon back, so I'm not conserned about that. Second, he is known to be hostile to forigners, basically anyone who isn't like him. Sam would be safe, and Sunlight would probably be of interest to him due to her shapeshifting abilities, and by extent, Tag, because he could pretent to be her rider."

"Anything else?" Arya asked after Morzan paused.

"Well, no one has seen him in a really long time." Morzan started. "I don't know if he is even alive. It's been centuries." He paused. "Ithmir and Sunlight are sensable. They will be alright and keep Tag and Sam in line no matter what."

"I guess that's a little comforting." Eragon said.

Morzan have you finnished chit-chatting? Flar asked.

Almost. Morzan replied and then turned to his son. "Flar is getting anoyed that I'm taking so long, so I bid you fair well."

"Stay safe." Arya told the ancient rider.

"You know I will never be capeable of that." He replied and then made his way to the dragon hold, and took off with Flar, heading west.

"We should follow him." Arya said to Eragon. "I don't like the way he's going alone."

"If he sees us, we won't be welcomed." Eragon said.

"Then we stay low and behind him." Arya said and bagan to saddle Lifskul.

"Alright." Eragon relented, and turned to Saphira to begin to saddle her as well.

Almost night, and we're almost there. Falr said after hours of silence.

I'm ready. Morzan replied and triple checked his light armor underneath his tunicand and quadruple checked to make sure Zar'oc was in its sheath. It had taken weeks to persuade Murtagh to give it back. Morzan sighed.

What's wrong? Flar asked.

You know what's wrong. Morzan replied.

I do, but I want to hear it. Flar said.

Ijust don't know what to do about Oromis and Gleadr. Morzan began. They were, after all, our masters as well as Eragon and Saphira's.

So? Flar replied. He lied to your face, as well as Eragon's, tricked who knows how many elves and other people into thinking that Galbatorix was evil, and on and on.

It wouldn't feel right to kill him. Morzan replied. That would be outright murder.

We would never drop to his level. Flar replied.

We could just force them to swear to never come back to this land, we could send them away. Morzan suggested.

That sounds like it would work if we defeated them. Flar said. We could threaten him with the entire power of the new riders. That might scare them.

But he probably will think it's a bluff, and completely ignore it. Morzan replied.

It doesn't matter now, we're going in. Flar cried as he clamped his wings to his side and plummeted.

Alright, I surrender. It was kind a short (like 3200 words) but I just felt it was a good stopping point.

Also, I feel evil, and might kill off one of my characters for pleasure. Who do you want to get planted 6 feet under?

I WANT REVIEWS!!!!!

I put a ton of effort into these chapters, spend studies at school just for this. I would like at least five review for this chapter!!!!

Anyway, I think that there are a few reviews to thank people for…

Blue-Eyed Chica

well this chap was a LITTLE boring but good none the less and omg didnt see the whole oromis thing OR the 1/2 shade

I hope that I am the first to come up with that idea of ½ shades. Does anyother story have that?

Arya Skit-Kona

Yo! What can I say, I've got instinct! (lol) That was pretty cool, the way you gave Sam all that power. I do think that's rather cruel, though, what happened between Durza and the Elf, if you catch my drift. Great job! Can't wait for the next chapter!

I agree it was cruel, but I needed a reason for him to be a ½ shade. They don't walk the land too frequently.