Exire left the tent soon afterwards, marching towards the outskirts of the camp. He moved quickly, using the lengthening shadows to hide from the inquisitive eyes of the Varden.

Darad! He called as he went, his eyes flicking from side to side as he moved. Darad heard him, asking what was going on. Can you come and find me? Exire asked, drawing nearer to the edge of the camp.

Yes. Said Darad. Exire sensed Darad saying farewell to Saphira, before returning to the camp. Sighing with relief, Exire reached the edge. He stepped out into the open, revealing in the feeling of the wind on his face as it blew over the plains. Sitting down in the tall grass, he then laid back and waited for the rush of air that would harold Darad's approach. He didn't have to wait long.

Getting to his feet, Exire walked over to his dragon as Darad landed among the tall blades of grass. He wrapped his arms about Darad's neck, pressing his face to the shinning scales. Darad rumbled.

What is it? He said gently.

I can't stand it in there... Exire said, standing back from Darad as he spoke. It's just, so close packed, the desert was so open, I must not be used to this.

You will eventually. Comforted the dragon, nudging Exire with his snout. Did you speak with this Nasuada?

Yes

What did she want?

To have her men read my mind. She said it was because she needed to know if she could trust us. I told her no, she shouldn't have to invade one's final shelter to decide if they're trustworthy.

And?

She let me go.

Good. Darad snorted his approval. The two sat in silence for a bit, looking up at the stars. Darad settled down and Exire lay with his head resting on Darad's crossed forelegs. After a few minutes of silence, Exire said allowed,

"The stars are different here."

Yes.

"I can't see Cassandra's..." Darad looked skyward, his eyes narrowing as he looked up at the winking stars.

That doesn't mean she can't see you. He said softly. Exire blinked, his mood dropping even farther as he remembered his dear friend. Closing his eyes, he began to fall asleep. Darad watched over him as he slept, humming softly. It had been a long day, mostly of them flying here from the desert border. And it was a lot to take in.

Exire's dreams were memories. He was standing at the entrance to the cave, a girl standing beside him. her hair was waist length and glinted in the sunlight, light brown. She was laughing at him and Darad was humming. Exire couldn't help but smile at the sound of her musical voice. Leaning over, she kissed his cheek, then ran off into the light, heading for the small village below. The scene changed.

Exire was older, Darad's head was level with his own. The two were walking side by side, through the charred ruins of Exire's village. His face was already streaked with tears and his face and hands were coated in ashes. But when he saw the limp body lying by the oasis bank, the scream that tore for him caused Darad to wince.

falling in the shallows beside the body, Exire was still crying. he lifted the figure, holding its head to his chest as he rocked back and forth in the shallows, head bent low over the body of the girl he had loved, Cassandra. Darad was standing back, head raised in a low keening howl of grief as he and his rider grieved the loss of their closest friend. Again, the scene changed.

Now, they stood atop the hill that the tunnel entrance was hidden in. Exire was looking up at the stars and he pointed to one that shone brighter then the others, a clear blue beacon in the midnight sky. That was Cassandra's star. And whenever it appeared, Exire made a point to sit out under the dark night sky, and look up at it, remembering his dearest friend.

Darad looked down as Exire turned in his sleep. Looking at him with his mind, Darad sense the sorrow flowing of him in torrents of emotion. One thing blazed out from all the other images though, the image of a girl that made his heart ache. Sighing, Darad rested his head alongside Exire's body, closing his eyes and nuzzling closer to his rider, trying to calm him.

Sleep in peace, Exire. He murmured. You are not alone. Do not dwell on the past, think instead what lies ahead. A whole new world awaits us, and now we will fight alongside another rider. You are not alone. Then soon, Darad fell asleep as well, breathing deeply. The guards patrolling the camp would stop and look out over the sleeping silver mound, occasionally noticing the lean figure lying beside it.

"The new rider," they whispered to one another. "It's the new rider, now we really stand a chance." And so, the new hope of the Varden spent their first night under the plain stars.

A/N- Sorry about the short chapter, but i mainly wanted this one to give a bit more background for Exire