Chapter 13:

Come youngling. You are not yet strong enough. A childish voice whispered gently in his mind.

Only one other companion shall come, not your bond-partner, they must be trusted to keep a dazzling secret. The voice said in a hushed tone, he found himself being drawn into a vortex of thoughts, and it seemed a tiny hand was pushing him away.

Please. I must entrust you with myself and my brother's power. We fear our time is closing. Please. Come on swift feet. I feel my brother waning. Good bye. The child withdrew, and the crystal clarity that rendered the voice vanished. Leaving Eragon empty.

----

His eyes snapped open, and he jolted upright. His heavy panting filled the air, and his mind throbbed with energy on one side. His neck cracked as he turned his head to the side, and the pain moved to his forehead.

By the gods. It was real. He rubbed his temples and moaned. He felt Saphira tap on his barriers.

Hmm, what was that? She asked letting her mind stray over his 'dream'. He stood drearily in reply and stretched, it seemed every bone in his body was going to crack now. He moaned loader as his hip cracked for the third time in a row, waking Murtagh.

'Whoa, I hope I don't get that' he said in a dry voice, staring at Eragon. He cringed in reply. Eragon hated to say this and leave, but the voice was desperate, and Eragon knew he was telling the truth.

'I need to leave. I don't know when I'll be back. I need you to promise me something, guard the varden. Look after Saphira. Keep them all safe.' He looked down at his brother as he froze, Murtagh looked hurt, and as if it was his fault he was leaving.

'Why?' he choked in a small voice, and he stood up, his face angled downwards.

'I can't explain now, but I will. I promise. Will you do it for me? I must leave soon, straight after I explain you are here to Nasuada. Then she will explain to the varden. Keep your guard. Others are going to try to hurt you. See you in a couple of days.' With those words he made a leap for Saphira. As the wind billowed around them, Murtagh heard in a small voice,

Goodbye, brother.

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'no.' he said shortly. Clenching his teeth, he rubbed her scales.

'The child said 'not your bond-partner'. It was quiet straight forward.' He continued, it felt exactly like helgrind, doing this, but it was necessary.

I don't like the child then. She said stubbornly. He sighed in response.

I promise I WILL be safe. The only problem is who will I take with me? He asked. She would have crossed her arms in response, but she just looked at him with slitted eyes.

Me. She lifted her head, like she wasn't going to stop nagging him. He rolled his eyes.

Pick an elf. Any elf. He said to himself. Saphira gave him a wolfy grin despite the circumstance.

Take Arya, I trust her. I can only trust you to be a good little man around her. No funny stuff. He turned scarlet at this, and he slowly unbuckled her saddle.

It was odd, last night. She acted… unusual. His hands stopped moving for a moment.

She just needs someone to help her move on. It seems she thinks you can.She nudged him.

Now, hurry up. I have already told her, and she agrees, she will come. Meet her at her tent midday, apparently you set off tomorrow..He turned a deeper red at this, and she lifted her snout into the air again, laughing.