Chapter 3

((Again, sadly I do not own Eragon, or the characters within the book. I only have possession of Amani, and I use her well.

Also, Thanks so much to KRM-EditorInChief for writing a review! I love constructive criticism and to tell you the truth, a little encouragement doesn't hurt either. So thanks again, keep reading, and I hope you like it! :D P.S.-Starting this one off with a flashback so as to switch the format around a bit. Don't want anyone getting too comfortable. And a longer chapter this time too! ;) Please R&R! I won't stop even if y'all hate it, but I'd really like to know your thoughts.))

Flashback

He had been young when he was chosen. Only fourteen. But at that young age he had shown, unapparent to himself, some promise. Whether with skill of blade, or keen of mind, some quality within Brom had caught the notice of an elf. And with that small interest, his life had changed.

They had explained to his father, a traveling bard that his son could have the chance to be presented to a dragon egg. His father, having heard of, and even met a few Dragon Riders, readily agreed. It was, after all, a way to improve his songs, and in that, a way to improve their living.

So, Brom and his father had been escorted to the capital, now Ura'baen, where Vrael sat with his dragon. Together they guarded over five dragon eggs. There were other young boys there, and Brom suddenly felt very foolish. He had not the right clothes, background, or status. The others here were the products of royalty and he had nothing to show for his troubles but the bruises he brought home each day. However, his pride would not let him turn back, and he raised his head as he walked up to the stand where the eggs were perched. He touched each in turn, a black one, a red one, a gold one, a green one, and a blue one. They were all beautiful in their own way, each unique; but it was the blue one that really caught his eye. They egg was a dark, almost midnight blue that reminded him of the night sky, or a deep sapphire. He stepped back from the eggs...

...and nothing happened. But then again, nothing would. He chided himself silently. It could take days for the eggs to hatch. They would have to stay for awhile, to see what would come of it.

Brom awoke with a start, a cold sweat dripping down his back. Another nightmare. He sat up in bed and shook his head to clear it of the disturbing images that lingered there. After they began to fade, he decided that it might be safe to sleep again, and laying his head on the pillow, he closed his eyes.

But he did not sleep. Something kept him awake, and for a reason he could not name, he felt compelled almost, to walk down the great hall and into the room with the dragon eggs. So, curiosity getting the best of him, he pulled on his worn and tattered mantel, for the hall was cold in the nights, and made his way to the hold.

Everything was deathly silent. Brom was relieved to see that there was no one watching the eggs, but then again, why would there be? The room loomed above him, giving Brom the impression that he would be sucked up at any moment into the vast dark abyss above him that was the ceiling. Shivering slightly, he stepped forward, and once again laid his hand upon the blue egg.

It was warm! But, surely it had been warm before, the last time he had touched it? No, his mind answered, it was not. Feeling slightly afraid, he stepped back quickly, but he tripped over the long mantel behind him, and fell, hitting the ground with a hard thump. Instinctively he froze, unsure if he should be out and about in the middle of the night. The last thing he needed was another beating. But the halls were quiet, and he allowed himself to relax. Picking himself up off the ground, he took one last look at the egg—

--and froze. It was quivering. Well, maybe not quivering, but definitely shaking. His legs tried to run, but he couldn't move. And then he realized what exactly, was happening. It was hatching. A dragon was hatching for him. Of all people, a dragon would hatch for the lowly son of a bard. He could do nothing, but stare in sheer amazement as the young dragon fought with its shell. When it had managed to get its head out, Brom found he could wait no longer. Reaching out with trembling hands he gently pulled the pieces of egg off and away from the young dragon. She reached out with her nose, as if in thanks, and touched him then, lightly on the right hand. Brom pulled away quickly, feeling a jolt, something akin to pain, but he soon placed his hand back. He understood what had happened, just as he now understood that the entire course of his life had been changed. He petted the young dragon on the head, his dragon, and it crooned slightly. He couldn't have said how he knew, but know he did, that the young dragon was female. Before sleep overtook him and he stumbled his way back to his bed with the dragon, he uttered on word aloud, paying no heed to the consequences, if any, it would bring.

"Saphira"

End Flashback

Brom slept, though his sleep was dark and unrestful. Though he tossed and turned, he couldn't find a comfortable position for more than a few moments. Still, he needed to sleep; he would be getting up in a few hours, and all the energy he could conserve, the better.

Groaning to himself in frustration, he glanced out the window above his bed. The house he lived in in Carvahall was small, and rather unadorned. He had a few things of interest, but most of the items he kept had personal value. Like a small silver dragon pendent he'd worn so much because Amani had given it to him, and Saphira was quite taken with it. There was nothing worth stealing, and the house itself was not what a sane human would deem, respectable. At stated previously, it was small, which suited Brom, but the boards were thin, so the roof and walls leaked every time it rained. And if he started a fire with anything other than magic, the smoke would even seep back in and force him out, in a great black cloud of ash and soot.

There were two windows though. The one above his bed and another one on the wall opposite of the one near his bed. It was a one-room shack. The bed, desk, fireplace, and 'kitchen' were all piled in on top of one another. If he needed to relieve himself in any way, he would be forced to brave the cold until he could find a suitable spot outside. Again, the shack was a pain, but it was cheap.

Brom gazed at the moon for a moment, feeling the light from it wash over his face, relaxing him. Forcing himself to look away, he noticed the exact position of the moon itself and the stars surrounding it. He could just go and forget about getting another hour or two of sleep. It was time to go already. Sitting up, he pulled from under his bed the one and only thing he needed when dealing with the Ra'zac. A blood red sword.

((Yes, I did say it would be longer, but I didn't want to break the next part up, and if I put it here then it would be too long. Sorry! Hope this chap. works for you all. I'll have the next one up hopefully tomorrow. Also, its been another long horrific day, though this time with too much caffeine, so please excuse the spelling and grammar errors. By all means, feel free to bring them to my notice, just please don't flame me for them. ;; ))