I woke quickly yawning in the morning light. I ran to my tent and bolted down the door yesterday, I slept without interruptions…until now. I heard a whoosh of air and I morphed in seconds, I opened my tent and saw a sad looking Eragon, and Saphira.

"Queen Naseuda has ordered you to be kept in your tent with guards outside."

He walked out and a few Urgles positioned themselves outside. I rolled my eyes, they were underestimating my powers. I concentrated; soon I was a fully clawed cat running through the grass. Everybody loves cats. I ran to the Queens tent, and slipped under the canvas. She was sitting on her bed; slowly I would have to do this.

Queen, why must I have guards?

Her head bolted upright, she scanned around the area for her.

"Healer Cassandra?"

You underestimate my powers Queen. I can take shape of any animal. I can be a deadly foe, an experienced spy, a messenger. I wish to serve the Varden, but if I am contained like this I will leave.

I finished, her face got one shade paler.

"Where exactly are you, or what are you?"

I grinned and padded out, I sat down and licked my front leg.

My offer is simple, let me be free and I pledge myself to you, or I will escape. Not even you can stop a fly from going into the sky.

She nodded than sighed in defeat.

"Cassandra, you have served well for years, I wish for you to stay with us but I am still not sure of your loyalties."

Queen, I have not turned, in one case I saved Arya's life, I am all but loyal to the Varden.

She nodded than waved her hand.

"I will have your guards let off duty immediately, but I must ask. If you can shape shift, can you change into a dragon?"

I froze; I raised my head and looked at her.

I need to touch a dragon, and I never really tried, I believe so. Why?

"Another dragon would be useful in battle."

We have the Animorphs.

Her eyes widened.

"A pack of dragons."

She whispered. I licked myself as she ran off, I slipped under and started to walk around, I should tell Eragon. I ran off and found his tent, I slipped under the flap. He had a giant gold jewel in his hand. It seemed to pulse withy power and life. His eyes were closed as he held it. Soon he set it down, wrapped it in cloth and slid it under his bed; normally I wouldn't have seen it. He got up and left, after a few minutes, I demorphed and took out the glittery stone. It sparkled and had the prick of a mind, I had a feeling it could be useful. I closed my eyes as I acquired it. The mind numbed and I wrapped it back up, I slid it under and morphed the cat again. I ran outside avoiding a little boy's hand and finally found him. He was at the stables with Saphira. I sat next to the wall.

Eragon Shadeslayer, Saphira Brightscales. The Queen has released the guards on my hostage with some encouragement. Do you know where the Animorphs are?

They snapped their heads down to me.

Yes Cassandra, they are in the north wing tents. Must I ask why you have chosen a creature with a low chance of survival?

Saphira asked.

Of course, I'm all fluffy.

I said turning and padding towards the tents. I heard her laughter echo across the floor. I ran to the Animorph's tent and slipped under. They were all on beds discussing.

"So, what are we doing?"

"I don't know, Cassie always was the one to make plans."

Jake said hitting his head.

And I still am.

Hey snapped their heads to me and Rachel smiled.

"I knew you would come back."

I rolled my eyes.

I am one of the Varden. I cannot displease the queen, but I serve her. You all must serve the Varden or Saphira will eat you alive.

"Who's Saphira?"

Marco asked.

The Giant Blue Dragon. Now, since we all can morph, we are going into battle. I have made it okay for your guards to leave, but you must morph dragons.

They looked at me like I was crazy. I licked my paw.

"Wow, you have been busy."

I've been here for years, what do you expect?

Marco rolled his eyes. I slipped under the tent and soon they were running after me, a tiny cat. I halted outside the queen's tent. We all slipped inside.

"Ah Cassandra and the Animorphs."

She said. I did a bow in my cat body.

They wish to know the entire plan.

The queen nodded and started explaining.

"-So we find it more effective if you morph dragons."

Everybody was stiff and pale.

Are we going to morph Saphira?

"She is the only one."

I nodded. I demorphed and walked to find Eragon, and our dragon. Saphira was lying in the sun and Eragon was practicing with his fire blade.

"Eragon, the Queen has a mission for us and it involves Saphira."

He immediately walked over.

"What does the queen want with her?"

Yes, how does my appearance help you on your mission?

Saphira asked as she rose to her full height. I smiled and scratched her side she made a happy humming sound as I explained the plan.

"We need to acquire you so we can morph dragons; they hold power and the most dangerous creature in the land."
I said softly. She looked at me with a sapphire colored eye.

Will it hurt?

"No, you will get a sense of great peace actually."

She nodded and I put my hand on her side, I focused on her, and she calmed, even Eragon swayed. Than the others came up, to my surprise. A Red tailed hawk flapped down and acquired her even.

"That is…relaxing."

Eragon said. I smiled.

"Let's test it out."

Jake said. I closed my eyes and pictured not Saphira, but a dragon. The symbol of power and beauty. Their long ivory teeth and snow white claws. I opened my eyes. Jake and Rachel were almost fully Saphira, but I was different. I was growing larger and I had more spikes. My eyes changed and I could see yellows better. My claws sprouted, and my teeth grew giant. Than in a flash I got my scales, I didn't care about the feeling, but I was amazed at the color.

Cassie, what did you acquire?

Jake asked. I turned my head around twisting and looking at me on all angels. I was a fully grown with no sense of age.

"Glaedr."

Eragon whispered. Saphira grew stiff her eyes wide with disbelief. I tilted my head reaching out testing out its communication.

Testing 1...2...3… can you hear me?

Eragon nodded, I smiled. I folded my legs under me and lowered myself.

So, why am I gold, and how am I so big? I never acquired another dragon.

Eragon shook his head thinking. Saphira looked dead at me.

Cassandra, you need to Acquire a creature through touch, correct?

Yes Saphira

By any chance did you touch a gold stone?

…yes, it was unique. I saw it when I was a cat and I acquired it, it urged me to.

Eragon looked at Saphira exchanging a thought, they nodded and Saphira opened her wings. The Saphira duplicates, chased after her in the sky. I opened my wings and chased after her on larger wings.

This beats being a hawk!

Tobias shouted roaring into the sky with delight.

Isn't flying amazing? The air on your wings gives warmth to your heart.

Saphira said doing a barrel roll. I roared and without meaning to let lose a plume of gold fire, Jake yelped swerving away.

I'm so sorry Jake!

It's okay Cassie. I'm not used to a dragon yet.

Saphira started a chuckle and swooped back to us.

Follow me….if you can.

Oh it's on dragon!

Marco shouted. Saphira tucked in her wings and dove shooting towards the ground at an amazing speed, I followed and quickly gained on her, others followed, laughing in their heads. At the last second we pulled up. We landed softly on the grass trotting with our legs.

The Queen was right; with training you could be more powerful than an elf.

Thank you….Master Saphira.

She raised her head full of pride.