Author's Note: Ah. I have found myself a new reviewer. This chapter goes to Vixen Hood! Most assuredly hearts, Lady Kitten

Also: I'm once again looking for characters. The information I need is:

Name:

Age:

Personality:

Skills/Weapon:

Extra (any little facts or history you'd like me to include about your character):

I'm looking mostly for human characters this time around, whether it be children or adults or old people or whatever. You don't have to send me anything, or course, this is just my way of making the readers a bit more involved and getting my own brain working. Every once in a while it's good to totally mix up a story, and a good, new character is a great way to do that. So send me your ideas!

Keladry led her new slaves through the market, feeling her heart beat nervously. Nightstalker. That was Ajihad's title. How did the young girl know Ajihad? What's more, she had put a slash through Galbatorix's crest. Were they part of the same movement as Keladry herself?

What's more, none of them looked quite…human. From across the market, they had appeared entirely normal, although perhaps a bit worse for wear. But upon a closer look, each had a bit of fay worked into their solemn gazes. Of course, Hane had said as much about the girl and the child. But all of them? It was unheard of.

Beside her, Tabor looked pleased with himself. To him, it was good for the people to see him spending insane amounts of money on his mistress. It made him look generous. He wasn't much worried about the sum, in truth. But he couldn't help but wonder what Kel was going to do with them all.

She noticed him watching her and smiled sweetly. "Oh, thank you," she giggled. "They're wonderful, aren't they?"

"You've never chosen such a distinct lot," he commented.

She looked back at her new slaves, following in chains. "They are different, aren't they? But different is good."

Bracken was at her side the instant they walked through the gates to the castle. He met her eyes.

"Slave, put my new playthings away," she ordered him.

He bowed quickly. "Yes, milady." Taking the chain in one hand, he nodded to Rune. "This way."

Rune followed. She glanced at Vanir and saw the pain in his eyes. His hands were clenched into fists. He looked her way, blinking away tears.

Rune frowned. What was wrong with him?

They were all escorted into the slave quarters, a large room with endless tiny cots. The door closed tightly behind them. In turn, each was unchained.

The instant the chains were off Vanir's wrists, he darted to the door, slamming himself against it.

"Shay!" he cried. The tears were streaming down his face now. "Shay!"

Rune looked around.

They were all there.

Except Shay.

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Sold, 75 crowns!"

Shay pulled uselessly at her chains, straining against them. But they didn't break. Her owner, a man in a heavy cloak that obscured his face, led her away easily.

It was noon, but Shay felt as if the day was ending. This was too much. She searched the crowd wildly for Vanir, but he was no where in sight. Nor were the others. She was alone.

She heard a snap and felt pain in her wrist. Her straining had cracked the bone in two. But she didn't care. She was frantic.

"You're only going to hurt yourself, kid."

She looked in surprise to the man who held her chain. Then she pulled again, trying to ignore the bite in her shattered wrist.

He turned to look at her. Shay couldn't catch more than a shadowy glimpse of his face from under his hood.

"Quit pulling," he said.

Shay didn't.

The man sighed. "You don't trust me," he said. "And that's okay. But believe me when I say I'm not going to hurt you."

"Who are you?" Shay snapped.

"I think I should be the one asking that question," said the man. "Who are you?"

Shay said nothing.

He shrugged. "You don't want to answer? That's fine. Because I know who you are."

"Who am I?"

"You grew up here," he said. "You used to swim naked in Leona Lake with your sister, thinking no one was watching. You used to steal meat from the butcher down the road and string it up like a flag where Galbatorix's is supposed to fly. You're Cael's daughter. Everwood."

Shay stopped pulling.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Matrix watched the horizon. Her nostrils flared. She smelled smoke. The stinging odor made her eyes narrow. It wasn't dragon smoke. It was human smoke.

Surda.

Without warning, she dove down, into the sand. Slate and Saphira followed hesitantly.

We are reaching the Border, Matrix said. Soon all shall be swallowed by the stink of humans. If this is to be, I accept this fate of yours. But can you?

Slate blinked. What?

We reach Surda by dawn, Matrix amended. If your fate lies there, continue on to your destiny, free of my company.

And…if our fate doesn't lie there? Saphira asked quietly.

Then you can continue on with me. As a dragon true, not a mere Rider's mount.

Slate looked at her, then at Saphira. His heart was beating wildly. Leave Súndavar? That was crazy. Not a chance.

And yet…

I love my Rider, Saphira said. You are asking me to abandon him to the wiles of an insane, evil man. I will not do that.

I ask thy to do nothing, Matrix crooned. I am giving to thee options. What thy choose is a matter of thyself, not I.

And yet you see it as an option, Saphira cried. I'll not leave Eragon for you. Never.

Then you are doomed to being viewed as a beast of burden, Matrix said. You'll forever wonder what true freedom is.

Maybe. But I'll forever have Eragon at my side.

Very well. If that is how it is meant to be, Matrix actually looked sad.

Slate frowned. Matrix, he said, Saphira and I are bound to our Riders. They are our heart. We must rescue them. But…perhaps going to Surda is not the way to do so. Perhaps…perhaps we should go with Matrix, Saphira.

You're considering this? Saphira looked at him as if he had suddenly grown another head. Slate, how could you?

I…I'm not saying it's what I want. I just…

You want to leave him, don't you? You want to leave Súndavar! Well…she shot flame at him in her anger. Do, then! I don't care! Go ahead, shame the bond of all Riders and their dragons!

He backed up a step. Saphira, I—

Before either could get any farther, Matrix let out a bellow. Silence!

Both felt silent instantly.

Thou are blood of my blood, she said. Go to Surda if thy must. But these hearts of thou will cry tears of sorrow.

What are you saying?

My words are these, Matrix finished. I will help thee save thy Riders.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Lily's eyes snapped open. It was dark. For a moment she wondered where she was. This wasn't her room…then she sighed in relief. Of course it wasn't. It was Murtagh's.

His heavy draperies kept the moonlight out, cloaking the room in heavy gloom. If she was going to live here, those would have to go.

Beside her, Murtagh muttered something in his sleep. His bare chest glistened with sweat.

"Rune," he moaned. "Don't…don't go. Don't….don't die…"

Lily shook him. His eyes opened.

"You were dreaming," she said. "Again."

He glanced around, first at her body, then at the room surrounding them. He brushed his hair from his eyes, saying nothing.

"She haunts my sleep," he said finally.

"Who is she?" Lily asked, though she already knew. Murtagh had told her all about the girl she had been sent – and failed – to kill. Countless times, he told her the story. At first, it had made Lily jealous, hearing him speak about another girl with such passion. But the jealousy had faded.

"I miss her more than anything," he said.

"She's found love, you know," Lily stated, remembering the way the girl had cuddled between the two Riders.

"My brother. Of course."

"And the Shade boy. Him too."

Murtagh grunted in annoyance. "She kissed me, you know."

"I know."

"Before you did."

Lily laughed. "I'll survive."

Murtagh rolled over and looked at her. "Lily?"

"Yes?"

"What woke you up?"

She sighed. "I don't know."

But it was a lie.

Shay...