Arya woke up early the next morning, shortly after getting ready she woke up Eragon. He had just rolled over before she kicked him out of the bed and onto the floor.

"What happened?" he groaned as he picked himself of the cold hard floor.

"You asked me to train today or did you change your mind?" giving him a hard look that warned what could possibly happen if he got the answer wrong.

"No, let me get ready and we will train"

"Very good I shall await you downstairs then."

As she exited the room, Eragon dressed and shaved quickly using magic, he was out the door in ten minutes and down the stairs in seconds. He was excited he hadn't trained with Arya since he first came to the Varden, now he wanted to try his new skills against her. He seen her waiting for him by the door before heading towards her.

"Eragon, where are we going to practice?"

"There's a place that's cleared for wrestling and fake sword fighting, I was thinking we could go there."

"Very well lead the way" she nodded

It wasn't long before the rest of the household was up: Elaine was in the Kitchen, Horst, Baldor, Albriech and Roran were sitting at the table waiting for Eragon to come down.

"By the love of all mighty, if one of us doesn't go up there Eragon could sleep forever." Said Horst.

"I'll go wake him up." Growled a very irritated Roran

Horst looked at his son's and motioned them to follow Roran just in case he broke his other hand. They were gone no more than two minutes before they all came thundering down the steps.

"What's wrong?" Horst looked concerned at the anger of one boy and the shock in the other two.

"Their gone." Said Albriech

"Gone! What do you mean by gone?"

"As in he left again." Growled Roran

"Roran you can't know that, after all their supplies and stuff are still in the room." Said Baldor

Sitting in silence for a moment, Horst stood up "Let's go look for them people in the village probably seen them this morning."

As the group split up to ask around about their disappearing guests, Arya and Eragon had just reached the clearing. It reminded him of all the times he and his friends would play here as kids, of him and Roran using fake swords to try and best each other. Now those memories hurt more than he ever thought possible. Watching the look upon his face she reached her hand out for his shoulder but before she had touched him, he simply turned towards her and asked her to spar. Meanwhile in the village Baldor, was told by Loring that he saw Eragon and the girl heading for the old field with swords. Confused by the fact the girl had a sword he ran off to get the others. After hearing the news they headed towards the place. However, they were not expecting what they saw as it came into view.

Arya nodded and drew her sword, whispering in the ancient language she and Eragon blocked their swords. After checking with him they took their fighting stances neither one of them noticed the little group at the edge of the field. They stood for a minute analyzing each other before he swung.

"He's fighting with a girl!" said Horst unbelivialbly

"It's cause he couldn't take any of us on." Muttered Roan proudly Eragon had never managed to beat him before and he certainly never expected it before.

"That's not what I am shocked about, they look like they're using real swords!" cried Albriech

"You're right we have to stop them before they cut each other into pieces."

Before they could move to stop the fight, Eragon had launched his attack. Easily, blocking the attack Arya jumped out of the way before feinting to left and aim for his right. She quickly realized that he had gotten faster, causing her to smile at the thought of the challenge. Eragon, noticed this and started to weave his sword in and of her blind spots while attempting to use his footwork to trip her up. She lunged at him, only to have her blow stopped mid-swing. They matched each other blow for blow with little acknowledgement to the group that watched in shock of the fight. Finally, Arya had Eragon right where she wanted him, he thought he had her as he swung his sword towards her feet she jumped over his head kicking his legs out from under him sending him sprawling face first into the dirt and sword to the back of the neck before saying in a crystal voice "Dead." Before laughing with her bell sounding peal.

Laughing at getting beaten by a girl again he took the hand Arya offered to him. As they both stood up he turned and bowed to her for the good fight. She nodded and before they could begin again footsteps were heard thundering towards them.

"WHAT IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!" yelled Horst

"Were sparring. "They both replied calmly catching the entire group by surprise.

"It looked like you were trying to kill each other, using real swords like that." Said Baldor

"Oh.." Eragon had said before running his hand across the blade before they could stop him only to see his hand unharmed.

"How did you do that?" asked Albriech already curious

"Special sword." They both replied considering both swords were eleven made.

"So, you decided to fight a girl, because you are a coward." Once again you could hear the anger and pain in Roran's voice as he spoke to his cousin.

Watching, both their faces none of the men could tell who Roran affected more, Eragon with guilt and anger flaring across his face or Arya who looked infuriated at being considered weak."

"Very well, Roran I will fight all of you, if I win you stop demanding answers, if you win I will answer all your questions." Eragon reached out his hand to make the deal with his cousin who accepted it with a smirk of confidence on his face.

"Very well then I will gather the village we need witnesses and the village always does love a good fight or wager." Stated Horst. As the group walked away to gather the town for the wager Arya walked over to Eragon.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, I am tired of being questioned and interrogated like a criminal." Anger and pain sounded in his voice.

"Very well shadeslayer, do you what you wish but be careful Wiol pömnuria ilian."

"Wiol ono." Said Eragon back to her as she hugged him tight. That is how the village found them as they came to see the fight.

" Eragon, you will be fighting Horst, Albriech, Baldor and Roran. Do you agree to honor your terms of agreement should you lose."

"I do if they agree the same." It was clear neither Eragon nor Roran were going to back down.

"Very well, you will fight with the sparring sticks first person on the ground loses." Said Morn

"I will go first "said Horst, meanwhile Eragon only nodded and looked at the stick with concern knowing it would probably break with his new strength.

"Fighters take your marks and go" yelled Morn

Horst took the first swing expecting his strength as a black smith to overwhelm the small boy, however Eragon held his ground and parried his blows. This fight seemed different than the one he saw before, the boy was holding back on purpose but before he could argue, Eragon whipped his legs out in front him leaving him staring at the sky in shock before seeing the hand offered to help him up. Taking it gratefully he picked himself up and walked towards the mirthful crowd. Up next was Albriech, who couldn't manage a hit but took several bruises to the ribs with a sharp yelp that made the crowd laugh. Getting angry for being laughed at he lunged only to be tripped as he was going past meeting the hard ground. Once again Eragon offered his hand and helped his competitor up before Baldor came on to the field. Once again the boy received several sharp taps but didn't land a hit on Eragon who should have been exhausted from the previous fights. Baldor rushed him hoping to use his overwhelming muscle to ground him, the crowd watched as Eragon held his ground till the last minute before jumping over the boy and sending him sprawling to the ground from the lack of impact. The smile on Baldor's face said that he had accepted defeat. The crowd silenced as Roran walked on the field with a serious look that could have incinerated Eragon where he stood. The two men squared off as Roran swung at Eragon's head only to see it blocked easily, the anger built up in him as he struck several times towards the ribs and chest only to be frustrated again at seeing his shots blocked. He realized that Eragon should be exhausted he not only fought all four of them but also Arya before them yet he looked perfectly relaxed. Several more swings and easy blocks sent an angered Roran over the edge as he flung his stick towards his cousin's ribs. His swing was stopped mid-way and the sound of a snap sounded across the clearing as both sticks broke from the force of Eragon's block. The crowd was shocked at the strength the young exhibited in the fight. This time Eragon feinted right before taking what was left of his stick under Roran's left leg throwing him on the ground before he blinked. He looked in shock at his cousin before a smile broke across his face realizing that Eragon may have changed he was still his family, his only family now. Applause broke out amongst the villagers, but instead Eragon headed towards Arya.

"Arya, would you please continue our sparring match the winner was two of three."

"Of course, I would be honored."

As they walked out to the ring the crowd looked on in confusion to see the young lad fighting the girl he had brought with him. Meanwhile Horst, Baldor, Albriech and Roran watched in amusement to see who would win the match this time. But as the couple drew their swords the crowd attempted to rush to stop them from fighting.

"Stop, they have special swords that won't cut them." Horst stated

"But he is attacking a girl." Said Morn

Hearing this the girl stiffened in anger but before she could react she noticed Eragon chuckling opposite of her.

"Arya can kick my butt without trying." Hearing this she couldn't help but smile at the lack of shame he said this with.

Suddenly Sloan made his way to the front of the crowd. "I don't believe this, either you let her win or you really are that pathetic to have a girl beat you." Before Eragon could move Arya caught him by the arm, as he looked towards her he realized she wanted to show them. Nodding in understanding they once again took out their swords mumbled the spell to dull the blades before turning towards each other. The crowd watched tense for the young woman that obviously didn't know that they were trying to help her. As Eragon and Arya stared at each, Arya rushed forward to slash at Eragon's ribs only to have him block he attack. Once again he tried to trip her up with his footwork but she seemed to stay two steps ahead at all times. This time Eragon took a swing towards her leg before attempting to draw up only to have his blade blocked. They danced around like this much to the village's shock of seeing the woman not only hold her own but give the boy a run for his money. Eragon charged at her sliding down under the blade only to find her behind him again laughing. As the fight wore on their attacks sped up until it was almost impossible to keep track of the blades as they flashed between the two. The dance was beautiful and deadly at the same time, making it nearly impossible to look away. This time when Arya attacked she slide under Eragon's attack and kicked out both legs before twirling around with her sword at his throat and his in her hand. The field was silent at the outcome of the fight both fighters were amazingly skilled but the fact that a woman just bested a man came as an even bigger shock. The silence was soon interrupted by Loring.

"Well, we know who wears the pants in their relationship." The laughter spread across the crowd and the joy of the fight was on everybody's face.

Sadly the good times and laughter could not last as a troop of soldiers led by two lone figures came to the opening of Carvahall.