Disclaimer: See the first chapter

Chapter 7

Eve sat next to the nest, looking at the eggs. She was already packed, and Storm was saddled. She'd already stowed the bronze egg in her pack, but she couldn't decided which of the others she would take. Valandera and Esmerelda sat on either side of the nest, clearly amused with Eve. (Just pick two already!) Storm exclaimed.

Eve rolled her eyes and picked up the silver egg and put in a pouch she'd made for the eggs. It was two rabbit skins sewn together and the egg fit into it snugly. She placed the egg's pouch in the large leather pack, next to the other pouch on top of her supplies. Then she/Eve reached over and took the purple and fit it into the last pouch. It too went into the pack with the others.

(Well, now we can 'finally' leave,) Storm huffed.

Eve grinned and turned to the two female dragons. "Thank you for every thing. It just doesn't feel like enough to just say it, though."

(Hush, little one. You're doing everyone a big favor, taking those eggs back where they can find fitting riders and help you fight Galbatorix.) Valandera grinned. (I have a parting gift for you.)

Eve watched as Valandera touched her muzzle to a rock and was amazed as it became a small, palm-sized crystal. Valandera touched it again and it glowed brightly. (This will help you find the elves and see through the dissuasion magic that they place in their woods.)

Eve picked up the gem and held it delicately. "I just invoke it when we reach Du Weldenvarden?"

(No, it will do the job without invoaction.) Valandera smiled. (Don't forget that magic is your biggest ally without a sword, so protect your mind and Storm's carefully.)

Eve nodded, then hugged Valandera's large muzzle and then Esmerelda's. She wiped embarrassedly at her tears and leapt nimbly into Storm's saddle.

(Good-bye, my friends,) she said, and touched minds with both female dragons as they took off.

They reached the cliff and the three males lifted off the ground to join them in the air.

(Good-bye, little friend,) Gabbosh touched her mind lovingly.

(Keep training physically as well as mentally,) Verenov advised.

Yamerren just darted around her and rubbed his mind against hers lovingly before all three of them dropped down to land in the lake where Eve had first seen Verenov that night, four months prior. Tears streamed from her eyes and she touched minds with Storm, seeking comfort.

(Will we ever see them again?) she asked.

(Most likely,) Storm sounded a little sad as well. (But it won't be for a very long time.)

Eve nodded. (Not till we've defeated Galbatorix.)

(And how do you plan to do that?) Storm asked.

(Well, I think I want to get Valandera's egg from him, then I want to kill him, painfully, for what he did to your, no, our kind,) Eve thought vehemently.

(Then that is what we shall do once we are trained,) Storm grinned.

(That's the plan, love,) Eve smiled through her tears and glanced back to see the disappearing speck that was the lake the dragons were bathing in.

They covered such a great distance that day that they lost sight of the mountains before landing and resting for the that night. The next day, the Edda River was in sight when they stopped for the night. They rest and slept late before they approached the river.

(Where too?) Storm asked.

(Follow the Edda north till we get to the trees, then follow the tree line till we get to Kirtan. Then we'll enter the woods and head to Ellesmera.) Eve sighed. (At this rate, we'll be there in a week's time.)

(Good a plan as any.) Storm caught an updraft and spiraled even higher and into the clouds so that people on the ground below wouldn't see them.

Eve grew tried of the constant flight and asked Storm to land next to the forest Du Weldenvarden, in a deserted area. The only signs of life were a pair of wolves that were scared back into the forest. When they landed, Eve realized just how large the trees were. They towered over head and were so wide around that Storm couldn't curl aroud them, and he did try. Wrapped around the tree looking rather silly trying his best to touch his nose to hiss tail. The gray dragon huffed and climbed up on the one of the higher branches and perched there contentedly.

(From here I can see far south and keep a look out), Storm said as he preened. (We aren't safe as long as we are in the Empire.)

Eve did not agree outloud, but let Storm feel her approval with her mind. Collecting her bow, she went off into the forest to hunt. She saw the two wolves again, but they watched her majestically from a distance. She couldn't help but be awed by their beauty. She found a turkey and shot it as it took flight. Taking the dinner back to their make shift camp, she grimaced to see the dragon perched in the tree eating a deer.

(Don't look if it disgusts you,) Storm snorted.

Eve shuddered. (Don't worry, I won't.)

(Do you suppose there's a mate out there for me?) Storm asked in a warbling sort of hopeful tone.

Eve shrugged. (the other two eggs might hatch to be female and there's still the other kyn, I'm sure we'll find you a mate.)

Storm nodded and curled up against the base of a near by tree and stretched out a wing, clearly offering Eve a place to sleep. Smiling at her dragon, she drug her bed roll around the fire and next to the granite colored dragon and bedded down for the night. She was sound asleep before her head even hit the pillow.

The next morning she was roused by the feeling of the ground trembling underneath her.

(What's going on?) Eve thought at her dragon.

(I do not know, but I think it would be wise if you packed up the camp and we got into the air,) Storm snorted, and a dark smoke wisped forth.

(Keep the smoke up, and they'll realize some one's over here.) Eve hissed and quickly rolled up her bed roll, choosing not to remove the dead leaves that clung to it in favor of hurrying.

Storm ignored her comment and stood, looking out on to the plains, worry coloring his thoughts.

It didn't take long to bury the fire pit, cover it in leaves, and clean up the rest of the camp. Just looking at the spot, she could tell someone had camped there, but there were no signs of a dragon.

(I covered my tracks,) Storm snorted. (Verenov taught me.)

Eve grinned at her dragon. (You're a very cleaver dragon, my love. Now let us get into the air.)

Storm wasted no time. As soon as Eve was seated firmly on his back, he shot up into the air as fast as he could.

Eve twisted in the saddle, trusting the saddle straps that she'd installed would hold her, and looked back at the plains. An army was moving at a slow but deliberate pace, and they were heading directly for the forest.

They must have spotted her, because charmed arrows headed for them.

(Arrows!) Eve yelled to Storm.

(I think it would be best if I headed into the forest now,) Storm informed her.

(If it loses them,) Eve shrugged. She knew they could live without going along with the original plan.

Storm made a dipping motion and was off out over the forest using updrafts to get them out of even magical firing range. Once they were safe form the attacks, they leveled off, heading out over the forest bellow in any old direction, hoping that maybe, just maybe, they'd get were they were going.

(Do you think they got a good look at us?) Eve asked her dragon.

(I doubt it, they were a good distance off,) Storm snorted, releasing a jet of flame, startling Eve.

(New talent I see,) Eve grinned.

(Quite!) Storm sounded excited, but when he tried again, all he got was a thick cloud of smoke.

(Well, at least you know what's coming,) Eve patted Storm's neck and leaned over his side to look at the ground.

(Would you like to meld with me?) Storm asked, and Eve grinned he sounded a little hopeful to her.

(It would be appreciated,) Eve sighed and relaxed in the saddle before melding with Storm.

Everything showed up much clearer to Eve and she inspected the ground closely. Besides a bunch of deer, a pack of six wolves, some foxes, and a bear, she didn't see much of anything. She remained melded with Storm, just basking in the feeling of complete freedom in the air till Storm suggested they land for lunch.

Eve sat and ate a strip of dried meat and an apple. As she was eating, she noticed an odd creature perched in the tree overhead, looking at Storm and her with curious, yet intelligent eyes.

"Hello, friend," She called in the ancient language and the bird jerked in surprise.

Looking at her closer, the bird glided down from the tree to land on the ground next to her. The bird was large, about the size of a large hawk with a raptor's wicked beak and talons. It's) tough feet looked built for walking as well as catching prey. It's eye's were completely black with no eye ring. The most remarkable thing, though, was the red and gold color to its feathers.

"My, you are a pretty bird," Eve grinned, speaking the common tongue

The bird seemed to understand what she was saying, though, and puffed out it's chest proudly.

(Do you know what it is?) Eve asked the gray dragon.

(I have never seen anything like it before, but remember Valandera said that things in this forest were different, twisted by the magic.) Storm nudged his nose closer, sniffing at the bird Suspiciously.

Looking at Storm with a disapproving glare, the bird hopped effortlessly up onto the dragon's nose and looked the gray dragon over very closely, as if inspecting him.

(I think we should leave soon, this bird disturbs me,) Storm said in a flat tone.

(Really? It's just a pretty bird,) Eve grinned.

(It's got enough magic in it to hurt you very seriously, and I do not trust it.) Storm rose and waited patiently for Eve to mount.

As if sensing Storm and Eve's intent, the bird glided down Storm's neck to land in front of Eve. The bird looked her the eye and Eve had the distinct feeling it was inspecting her. She didn't try to resist. It blinked and drew back, as if in approval, before turning it's back on Eve. She thought it was getting ready to leave, but instead, the bird shook it's tail and two feathers fell onto the saddle in front of her. One was gold and the other red. As she picked them up in awe, the bird glided back to the tree it had been perched in when they had arrived.

(Thank you,) Eve told it, sure that the bird got the message as Storm took to the sky, worry coloring his thoughts.

(He gave me two of his tail feathers!) Eve exclaimed to Storm.

(I see that, and it worries me.) Eve frowned at the dragon.

(You worry too much,) she replied.

(Maybe, but I'd rather be cautious than have you or I dead before we defeat the Empire,) Storm snorted and flame lanced from his mouth.

Eve grinned, as for the next hour the gray dragon tried to recreate the flame with no luck.

The sun was nearly set when Storm landed for the evening.

The next three days went in pretty much the same way, only lacking the red bird. Eve stowed the feathers next to the dragon eggs in her pack for safe keeping. Storm didn't grasp the art of flaming on command, but he did set fire to a large oak when he snorted at something amusing Eve had said. Eve had been quick to put the fire out using magic, and laughed at the picture of stunned amazement her dragon made.

By the end of the week, they were tired and more than a little lost. They flew till dark and landed at the base of a cliff where they could spend the night. As exhausted as Eve was, all she had the energy to do was eat some dried fruit and jerky before slipping off to sleep for the night.

A strong gust of wind woke Eve from her sound sleep. Blearily, she cracked an eye open, and then quickly jumped up out of her bed roll in full defensive mode. A large gold dragon was crouched over her, glaring.

"What are you doing this far into the forest?" A man asked harshly as he approached her.

On closer inspection, she realized he was an elf. Not only that, but a Rider, and his dragon was as old as Valandera. Stunned, Eve gaped at the dragon and was horrified when she spotted it's missing limb. She feared that before the end of the war against Galbatorix, her own Storm would look the same.

"I-I- didn't mean to bother you, I was just looking for Ellesmera," Eve couldn't keep a tremble of excitement (which he no doubt took as fear) out of her voice. Carefully, so that the rider wouldn't notice, she reached with her mind and found Storm just off to her right in the forest, ready to pounce to her defense.

"What would a girl your age want with Ellesmera?" The man looked at her suspiciously.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I just came because I thought I could help against the Empire, and pardon me if I seem rude, but I thought dragons were all but gone from these lands. You must be the last Rider." Eve couldn't help but staring at the man and his dragon with eyes wide.

The man looked amused for a second, then became stern. "And what makes you think that you could help the elves against the Empire? Why not just go to the Varden in Surda?"

Eve ducked her head, thinking that maybe that might have been the better course of action. "I was told to come here, that it would be were I could help the most."

The man raised a delicate eyebrow. "Oh, and who would tell you such a thing?"

Eve ripped her eyes from the golden dragon and, blushing, faced the elf rider. "A dragon named Valandera."

The gold dragon jerked back in surprise and the man just looked at Eve in deep thoughtfulness.

"Valandera? Really?" The man asked. "How did she-"

Eve saw a way to prove to the man that she was truthful and jumped to explain. "She told me that her Rider gave her a command to save the dragons that she could before he was given the shade's blood, and well, she survived his death, but only just. She's blind now."

The man looked really thrown, for a moment then grinned at her. "My name's Oromis, and this, my dragon, is Glaedr."

Eve grinned brightly. "I'm Eve and Storm's in the woods over there."

(Do you really think this wise? He could be working for the Empire,) Storm pointed out.

(Galbatorix would advertise having another dragon on his side if did,) Eve replied and the large granite colored dragon left his hiding place and crept up so that he was next to Eve.

Oromis and Glaedr just looked at Storm for a bit before the elf raised an eyebrow at Eve and said, "I think you should explain in detail."

Eve nodded and stroked Storms eye ridge lovingly.

"Come to the top of the cliff. My home is there, and we can talk comfortably," Oromis said, and without further explanations, got on Glaedr's back. Glaedr had to practically lay himself on the ground so that the old and stiff elf could get up onto his back without injury. Eve grinned and waited till the pair was in the air before clambering onto Storm's back. The air shuddered under Glaedr's great wings in a way much like when Verenov took to the air, and Eve grimaced as her poor ears pounded under the abuse.

It wasn't a long flight, just up the cliff, and Storm was soon landing neatly on the cliff next to Glaedr. Storm snorted and arched his neck, trying to look impressive. Eve giggled; it reminded her of how Dex would try to impress one of the girls in Hedarth. Eve grinned, sending Storm the mental picture of Dex with his chest puffed out strutting past the pretty girls.

(One small problem love, Glaedr's no female,) Storm said smuggly.

Eve snickered mentally (You still want him to approve and be impressed.)

Storm snorted and turned his head to glare at her with one eye. She rolled her eyes and jumped down to stand next to his enormous head.

Eve smiled fondly at the gray dragon. (No, love, I just don't want you to look back on your first meeting with a fellow Rider-bonded dragon with embarrassment.)

Storm dipped his nose and butted her between the shoulders fondly. (Don't worry, I won't preen too much, but if I didn't, don't you think he'd think me a bit odd?)

Eve nodded and turned to find the elf rider watching her in amusement. Eve blushed and hurried to follow him into the small hut that served as the elf's home.

"You have a very strong bound with your dragon," Oromis commented.

Eve shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I have nothing to compare it too, anyway."

Oromis nodded. "He seems very fond of you."

"Yeah, and I of him." Eve smiled shyly.

"Here, sit, would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please." Eve accepted the tea with a little relief.

"So, would you mind telling me where you got your dragon?" Oromis asked.

Eve nodded. "Valandera gave me the pick of an egg from her clutch."

Oromis looked relieved. "Then she has joined with a group of wild dragons?"

Eve smiled fondly. "She started a kyn to the far east of here. She has a mate the same age as her, a lovely red named Verenov. They picked up a stray blue named Gabbosh. Then she let a few of her clutch hatch. She has Esmerelda, a beautiful green, and Yamerren, an orange."

Oromis lips twicthed into a sad smile, "How many eggs does she have left?"

Eve shrugged. "She had two left."

Oromis frowned, "Do you think she would be adverse to visitors trying to get the egg to hatch for them?"

Eve sighed. "She wants those eggs to hatch and become wild dragons, but she did give me three."

Oromis brightened. "May I see them?"

Eve nodded and got her pack from where she sat it by the door and lifted the first rabbit skin pouch, and withdrew a large, dark purple egg from within. Oromis took the egg from her and held it reverently.

"This is wonderful," The elf sighed. "And such a rich color."

Eve agreed and withdrew the silver from it's pouch. Oromis looked at it too as she put the purple egg away. He commented that it would be a lighter color than Storm. He handed the egg back to her and also examined (too) the bronze egg with just as much care as for it's more colorful siblings.

"Good, very good," Oromis grinned. "I don't know the sex of the dragons in the eggs that Galbatorix has, but in this clutch alone, we have two males and a female, the female being the purple."

Eve smiled. "Well at least there will be one female dragon among the future Riders."

Oromis smirked now. "Oh, but there's already a female dragon with a Rider on our side."

Eve sat, stunned. "Really? Would you tell me about them?"

Oromis nodded. "Her name's Saphira, and her Rider is Eragon."

Eve opened up her link with Storm and let him hear with her ears and see with her eyes, knowing that he would want to know this as much as she.

"Eragon? Isn't that the name of the first ever Rider?" Eve asked.

Oromise beamed. "Glad to know you know your history. Yes, ironic, isn't it."

Eve smiled and sat quietly, trying to silently urge the elf to tell her more.

"He found Saphira's egg in the spine and didn't know what he had. Needless to say, a very trying adventure proceeded that one day you'll have to pry from him. He's sworn fealty to the Varden's leader, Nasuada, is a honorary member of the dwarf clan Durgimst Ingeitum, and slayer of the shade Durza, and blessed with elfdom by the sacred dragon." Oromis told her.

Eve felt her stomach fall out from under her. (We have a large shadow to live in, love.)

Storm agreed. (But we are comparable.)

Eve smiled to herself. (I wonder what he's like?)

AN: I know this was a bit of a fast paced chapter but I don't want Eve in limbo too long.

Corgi-Girl You know you wouldn't so shush. Enjoy the fic and quit pestering me to read ahead! My little sister folks who thinks she should read ahead of you all.

Randumb I wonder if you think whne in the summary I wrote knew magic that I ment magic knew to the Eragon verse. Well any knew magics I make up will stay as close to the story line of the books as possible. I won't be bringing any stray gods, or monarchs, at least so far. hmmmm. We'll see if I can work in something to work something in for you. Storm's color is actually a kind of gunmetal gray but how do you say that in a story that is pre-guns? lol. Anyways thank you being a great and loyal reviewer. toodles

Dana CHERNEY yes I know about the grammatical errors. Please forgive me for them I am not the best with my english. I do have a beta but I post the storys, they read them on cut and paste to their computer, where they edit the chapter, and send it back to me. After I've looked at the corrections I redo the chapter on the internet. And at the moment my beta is busy which is understandible (some of us, not me, have lives out side the internet), and till they have the time the next chapters will remain un-edited. Thank you for mentioning it though means some one is paying attention to the story. Also from now on I'll make a note in the chapter if it's un-beta'd. Thank you for the kind words as well. Keep reviewing I'd like to see what you think of the next chapters. Chow.