Thank you to the 1 person who reviewed - I know the last chapter was wholly unexiciting but it was just a prolouge/ beginning thingum. Hopefully this one will be better, but no flames please!

I awoke with a stretch and a yawn. The sunlight was seeping through the shutters on my windows, bathing the port city of Teirm in a golden glow. The morning was peaceful; the hustle of the market had not yet begun. It was one of my favourite times of day, the only hour when I was not asleep that could be completely mine.

I quickly donned my servant's outfit, consisting of a simple black dress with a white apron over the front. I was a servant in Lord Risqhart's castle. A kitchen maid.

It was hard work; I started early in the morning and finished late at night.

As I was quickly fixing my breakfast, a loud crack rang out from my bedroom. I hurried up the stairs of my small house and gazed in astonishment at the object that was lying in the middle of my room, having burnt a ring in my rug.

It was a green stone, shimmering with different tones of colour. White lines threaded themselves across the surface, twisting and turning. Mystified, I picked up the jewel. It was smooth to touch and surprisingly light, probably weighing no more then a scroll.

What is it? I thought. And how on earth did it get into my house!

I wrapped up the stone in an old, faded blanket. What should I do with it? It might be worth a lot, so it didn't seem sensible to leave it lying about. I quickly hid it under my bed and pushed a heap of material in front of it. Hopefully it would stay safe.

I hurried out into the street and picked my way through the early-morning crowds. Three ships were due in today, which explained for the unusual amount of people around at this hour.

I made my way up to the castle. My friend, one of the guards who protected the castle against villains, greeted me at the gates. Forced into service at 16, Evan hated the Empire with a passion. So did I. We both dreamed of the day when Eragon Shadeslayer and his trusty dragon Saphira would free us from the tyrant king.

Today was no different from other days. A quick smile at Evan, I walked through the maze of rooms to the main kitchen.

'Jaydia. Your late.'

The head cook, Hize, was feared for his thunderous temper.

'I-I'm sorry sir. The crowds held me up,' I stuttered, trying to look as frightened as possible. Hize revelled in people being scared of him and if you looked terrified enough, he would generally let you off.

'Fine.' He snapped. 'You can work on washing the breakfast dishes.'

I nodded serenely. Best to keep on his good side. I sighed as a joined another maid in washing and drying the many dishes Lord Risqhart and his family had used. My hands were burning by the end of it, but then it was to work on the kitchen floor.

All the while, I had a niggling thorn in my side. A thought about the stone I had found, or rather, had found me. Was it okay? What if someone had stolen it? It must have been transported to my room using magic, but who would be able to? And why choose my house out of all of Alagaësia?

The questions swirled round and round in my mind all day, until darkness fell and I was making my way through the streets of Teirm. I reached my house and quickly unlocked the door.

I pulled out the material from under my bed, and there it was. Intact. Safe. The stone. I sighed in relief and then frowned. Was that a scratch I could see on the surface? Oh no. No one would pay for a blemished jewel.

I started in amazement as the cracks appeared all over the stone. What was happening? The stone suddenly burst apart and standing in the middle of all the broken shards… was a dragon.