Two days had passed since Eragon, Saphira, and Arya had set out for the desert, and they had finally reached its Northern border. The three now stood atop a bluff, looking out at the expanse of sand and rock. Saphira stretched her neck to the sun, eager to soak up the warmth it offered while Eragon wiped sweat from his brow.
"I hope we don't have to go far to find this rogue rider." he said, turning back to Saphira and mounting her. Turning, he reached down a hand and pulled Arya up behind him.
"We should not have to." Arya replied. Then, she pointed slightly south. "The scout's reports say that they found the dead slavers in that direction, if we go there, we might be able to pick up a trail"
"Good idea." Eragon agreed.
Then that is where we will go. Saphira rumbled. And spreading her wings, she launched upwards. They flew in silence for awhile, each one of them wrapped up in their own thoughts. Eragon was wondering how someone could have evaded detection in a time like this, not only hiding themselves, but also a fully grown dragon. He wished that he could have had that chance, but only for a moment. If he had taken Saphira and hidden with her in Spine, he never would have met the Varden, the elves, Arya, Nasuada, or anyone else outside of Carvahall. How boring life would have been...
Arya pondered the possibility of an egg going undetected after the fall. She knew that the elves and Galbatorix had both combed the entire lands of Alegasia looking for any surviving eggs. If these rumors were true, then apparently they had missed some place. How could they have? Not only had they used their eyes and magic to aid in their searches, but they had also used their minds.
Meanwhile, Saphira was flying as fast as she could to reach the cave. The idea of meeting another dragon, one not enslaved, gave her energy and powered her onward. What would they be like? Was it a female, or a male? How old were they? And would they fight with the Varden, or would she have to spill the blood of one of her last surviving kin again?
"I don't like this." Snarled one of the twelve men. He was looking nervously from one side of the cave to the other. The floor was littered with the decaying remains of one of their most reliable suppliers in human trafficking. "These were professionals, and there were a lot of them, how could they have been killed so easily?"
"Shut up Yaren." Snapped the leader. He stood in the middle of the cave over the body of one man who lay sprawled on his back, a dagger wound just below his collar bone. "Take whatever you can from the bodies then let's get out of here." His group of men began scavenging whatever weapons and armor they could while he strode about the cave, examining each of the dead men in turn.
"Bernack!" He turned to see one of his younger men coming running up to him. "The sandstorm is still blowing, we can't leave yet." Bernack cursed angrily.
"Fine then. We'll make camp in the main cave. Let's go." Then he stomped away from the corpses and headed towards the main entrance.
"Actually, it's already taken." All the men froze at the sound of the voice coming from the main tunnel. There stood what looked to be a hooded man, his robes were black and travel stained. In his hand was a double headed spear. Bernack, looking the youth up and down, took a step forward and spat.
"Who the hell are you?" He demanded. The stranger lowered his hood then pulled down the cloth that was covering his face. He couldn't have been older then eighteen or nineteen. Snorting, he beckoned his own men forward as the youth walked calmly toward him.
"The one who ended these men's pitiful existence." Snarled the young man, twirling the spear in his right hand expertly then drawing a sword in his left hand. "And will send you to join them!" Then he leapt at them, cutting down a man wielding a double headed axe with his sword. Landing, he spun on his heel, cracking another across the chest with his spear haft. Then he pushed him into an on rushing enemy, causing him to run his companion through. The man screamed in horror, but his scream was cut short by the spear head.
With three men down, Exire continued with merciless skill, killing the remaining nine with ease. When he reached Bernack, the man was pressed up against the back wall, his eyes wide with terror.
"Please!" He begged desperately, falling to his knees and clasping his hands together as Exire walked slowly towards him, the sunlight pouring in from the roof glinting off his bloodstained sword. "Please, don't kill me! I'll make you rich!"
"I don't want your blood money." Said Exire scornfully. Bernack looked up at the expressionless face above him, all hope of mercy draining out of him. Exire then effortlessly drew his sword hand back, and then plunged it into Bernack's chest.
Are they dead?
"Every last one of the scum." Exire muttered. Then, taking his eyes off the dead trader, he returned tot he main cave where Darad was crouched. The dragon turned to him, then, once sure Exire was unharmed, he looked back out the entrance at the whirling sand.
There is something out there... Murmured the dark silver dragon, narrowing his eyes. Exire stepped up beside him, setting a hand on his flank.
"What do you mean?" He asked. Darad stared for a moment, and then shook his head.
I don't know. But there is something out there... The two sat in silence for a long time, gazing out at the sand storm.
I can't go on... Groaned Saphira, her head bowed low as she walked against the blasting wind and sand. Eragon and Arya were hunched over on her back.
Just a bit farther. Encouraged Eragon. He chanced a glance upward and was filled with relief. Look Saphira, there's the hill with the cave in it! We're almost there!
Saphira grunted in reply, then turned and walked faster, striving against the wind and closing the gap between them and the cave in a manner of minutes. The dragoness sighed with relief as she entered the cave, escaping the driving wind and the pelting sand. Her relief was short lived. A roar burst from the cave and Saphira's head snapped up.
There, rearing before her and filling the cave with widespread wings, was a large dark silver dragon. Saphira roared in answer, flaring her own wings.
"Wait!" Called Eragon as the silver dragon drew back his head to release a jet of flames. "We don't mean you any harm!"
"Then state your name!" Came a shout from the back of the other dragon, who had settled to his feet, but kept his eyes fixed on Saphira.
"I am Eragon Shadeslayer, and this is my dragon Saphira!"
"Who is the third?"
"Arya of the elves."
What do you want? Eragon blinked in surprise at the deep rumbling voice that had appeared in his head.
"To ask you to join us in our fight against the empire."
And what if we are not willing to? Exire glanced at Darad in surprise at his statement which he backed with a snarl. It took him a moment the he was just testing them, to see how much they meant what they were saying.
"Then we would have to kill you." Came the reluctant reply.