Ch. 18
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Saphira and Riohni landed in the glade. While they waited, they spoke.
"Riohni, have you ever felt... loneliness before?"
Riohni replied, without looking at her. "Yes. Many times before."
Saphira had felt, when they had shared the shelter of the cave, that the pain in her hearts had washed away.
The very presence of Riohni had made her happy.
But she could not afford these emotions.
Right at that moment, three figures emerged from the shadows.
Three figures?
First came Satchiel, and he went immediatley to Riohni, to hug Riohni's big head. Next came Eragon, who showed Saphira the same amount of loving as Satchiel showed Riohni.
Last came Rane, in her red-haired glory. Riohni could feel Satchiel's displeasure of having her here, and yet another feeling, buried down.
Satchiel spoke to her without looking around. "Go on Saphira. She's bigger."
Riohni snorted. Satchiel knew full and well that Saphira and Riohni were the same size. Judging from Rane's expression, she knew this as well.
With eyes narrowed, she replied, "Oh, I wouldn't imagine burdening Riohni." Rane stalked over to Saphira, making not one sound.
Satchiel jumped on Riohni's back, saddle in place. Eragon helped Rane on to Saphira.
Then they flew.
They flew around, following the river.
When they reached the river mouth, Satchiel stared in disbelief.
The tower was completed.
They landed in the old cave, and Riohni and Saphira took off, leaving the riders and part-elf in the cave.
"Follow me." Satchiel said, and they went down the tunnel.
"Be careful," He warned them. "Some of these parts are slippery, and they know of the tunnel. They might be guarding it."
And it was guarded. By magician-warriors, and, fortunatley, they were asleep. They neutralized them.
They dragged the corpses into the tunnel, and continued, attacking the guards all along the way to the top of the tower.
When they reached it, however, all they saw were a couple of flashes, and they knew no more.
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Riohni and Saphira waited for the signal.
But it wasn't there in the late light.
So they both began to worry.
In the middle of the night, their patience ran out.
Their fury over came caution.
They attacked, in fire, claws, and tooth.
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WHEEEEE! What will happen?
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