Veyna fiddled with the straps on the saddle, making sure they were completely secure and comfortable. Steam drifted from Istalri's nostrils into the cold air.

Ready to go? Saphira projected her thoughts to them all.

"We are," they chorused.

"Where's Eragon?" Veyna asked, looking around.

My Rider has decided not to come, Saphira answered distastefully. He believes in the fortune Angela foretold for him, which states that he shall leave Alagaësia and never return. I have tried to reason with him, saying we all will leave Alagaësia eventually and enter the void, but he has insisted on taking it literally. Though it does not specify on which time he will not return, he thinks his resisting fate may hurt the mission. So he stays.

She huffed. But I am coming. She quieted, only speaking to Veyna, Istalri, Staria, and Adura: Fírnen, Arya, and I are more than capable for leading this expedition by ourselves. She stood taller. I will also—in light of Eragon's absence—carry some of the youngest dragons on my back. None selected to come will not be able to complete the flight, but we are going fast and we must not be completely exhausted when we arrive.

Yes, Saphira. Veyna nodded respectfully.

With a roar, Saphira signaled the liftoff. Istalri shot from the ground like a speeding arrow, rising high into the air. As one, the dragons veered away from the island, heading off across the ocean. Saphira and Fírnen flew together in front of the pack, occasionally doubling back to make sure nobody was falling behind.

No one dove at one another, snapped at someone else's tail, or had a friendly dragonback sparring match. Everyone was somber, brooding, completely focused on the trouble ahead. Over the course of three days, conversations were short, terse, and scarce. Then, on the morning of the fifth day, they landed on the white beach of Vroengard.

The multicolored hail of dragons, both landing gracefully and dropping like rocks, shook the island of Vroengard. Veyna climbed down from Istalri's back, who yawned in response. Veyna stretched her muscles, feeling some of her energy return as the lethargic monotone of the flight dissipated. Some of the dragons flopped down on the sand, immediately drifting off to sleep. Others just sat there, cleaning or eating bits of jerky in the saddlebags. All of the Riders met with Saphira and Fírnen in a circle.

"We need to—" Arya began.

"What we need to do," one of the newer apprentices interrupted, "is let our dragons rest."

Arya blinked. "They can rest while we receive word of the events of the past nine days. After that, we can decide what to do, although I doubt we will be able to tarry much longer. Riders, I plan to scry Vanir so he may update us on the events of Alagaësia." She glanced at the green dragon beside her. "Saphira, Fírnen, and some of the older dragons will hunt for the rest of us. Stay on full alert. Your weapons should be at your side at all times. Report something that seems odd or suspicious right away. You are dismissed."

What do you wanna do? Veyna asked, Sleep or hunt?

I think I'll sleep, Istalri answered tiredly.

Adura nudged her. I'll bring you back something.

Thanks. Istalri yawned again and laid down on the cool sand, not yet warmed by the early morning rays of sun. Veyna patted her head and joined Staria, who was staring at the ocean.

Vanir, an elf who looked Soetrí's age but was at least twenty years older than him, stood against a completely white background. "More humans are disappearing," Vanir was saying, "But no more Feldûnost have been reported missing or eaten. We have sentries posted, hiding around what was formerly Morzan's castle, but we don't dare risk levitating ourselves over the wall after the first two never came back."

"Thank you, Vanir," Arya replied graciously. He bowed and the image on the ocean faded.

There were twenty-seven Riders in total, Veyna counted as Arya hailed them all to her. "We need to split into groups," she announced, "Our next step will be to secretly infiltrate the fortress. If we find conclusive evidence that connects whoever's castle it is to the disappearances or Feldûnost, then we move in for attack: capture only. If we cannot, then we demand entrance. If a full scale fight breaks up, I want us all to use the battle mingle technique within your group, with the oldest Rider syncing with the other groups. And we follow battle command from now until this is over.

"The first group will be made up of myself, Tamos, Everett, and..." Her gaze flicked toward Staria so quickly Veyna thought she might have imagined it. "…Lilia. Next group…Saphira, Curf, Kito, Twi. Number three: Shaiku…" Veyna watched as the groups came together, wondering who she would be working with. "Number seven, Staria, Veyna, Tierre, and Evelyn. Eight, Soetrí, Teulli…" Staria smiled at Veyna, motioning for Evelyn and Tierre to join them.

Fly hard and fly well, Saphira dismissed them.

"Hello," Staria greeted Tierre and Evelyn, "I don't believe we've met. I'm Staria."

"Veyna," Veyna introduced herself, touching two fingers to her lips.

"Tierre," the human boy replied.

The youngest one blinked shyly. "Evelyn."

"How long have you been on Gedwëy Evarínya, Evelyn?" Staria asked, a slight frown on her brow.

"Three months…?" Evelyn guessed.

"Were you proficient in magic or sword fighting beforehand?" Staria queried.

"No, I had never tried either," the girl responded, puzzled. Staria shared a meaningful glance with Veyna.

"And you?" Veyna asked Tierre.

"Apprentice, second class," he replied formally. The Riders rarely used their class system, only for formal occasions or in battle situations. Technically, Staria and Veyna were both third class Riders. Kyra had been a first class apprentice before she defected. Shaiku, Staria's former master, and Taeri, Veyna's, were both second class Riders. Tamos, however, was of the third class, although Veyna doubted his "inexperience" had anything to do with her twin's poor decisions.

Eragon and Arya were the only first class Riders. Had Murtagh chosen to join the Order, he would have been as well. But he did not; instead he roamed Alagaësia of his own free will, aiding others when he could. He did keep apprised on the events of Gedwëy Evarínya, however: he attended every Rider ceremony via scrying, and had never missed a single one. Eragon's half-brother was the only unbound Shur'tugal in the world—unless, of course, the dragon terrorizing the Feldûnost had a dark Rider.

Veyna was jerked from her thoughts as Staria nudged her. "Tierre and Evelyn, please go wake our dragons. We must speak to them," she ordered them. The two humans nodded and departed immediately, following the chain of command as specified by the Order's battle code.

"Great, we've got a barely taught young Rider and an older one that I don't exactly trust," Staria said in an undertone to Veyna.

"I got that feeling too," Veyna agreed, "Do you think we should warn Arya about Evelyn? She's much too young to be here, but no one can take her back to Gedwëy Evarínya. And I doubt she wants her to do that flight all over again so soon alone."

"I'm wondering how she got here in the first place," Staria told her, "She doesn't seem the type to sneak on the expedition for adventure. Which means her master must have sent her here: either very stupid, or trying to get her killed."

"Okay," Veyna said slowly. "Think with me for a sec. The first time Kyra started acting weird was when she met Soetrí. Then she said she got the releasing spell from him after she split with Nuaen. She claimed he had already cut himself off from Chinr, but they just acted like they were still partners to help the other paired dragons get released. Yes, he denied it in the ancient language, but the elves of all races should know you can say one thing and mean another. So let's say that she was telling the truth and everything she said was valid. If Soetrí, a third class Rider, was evil, who says there aren't others, higher up, who are in league with him?"

"Take me to the void," Staria breathed, expressing her astonishment, "We've got to tell Arya."

Their noble quest, however, was cut short by a piercing bugle of alarm overhead from the fiery red dragon barreling down on them. Thorn dove into their encampment, Saphira launching herself up into the air to meet him. They eyed each other for a minute, then finally she let him through. The red shrike dragon landed hard upon the ground, sand and dirt billowing up around him.

When it cleared, Murtagh stood there, front of his battle helm up to reveal his face. He was wearing full armor, the ruby blade Zar'roc at his side. His boots were smeared with gore, as if he had been in recent fighting. "I bring a message from Queen Nasuada." There was a shocked silence all around. "She would like to tell you that the expansion of my father's castle has been completed. There is now a dark magic encasing it, preventing entrance to any, even a dragon. She would also like to warn you that, should you try to use oppose their magic with your own, they have a large amount of power backing it."

"Barzûl," Arya muttered, "Thank you, Murtagh, for bringing us this news. We leave at once. Will you be joining us?"

"I shall. With Eragon not around, you need me." He smiled grimly.

"Riders—" Arya needed to say no more. Dragons were mounted, saddles adjusted, and wings stretched. The Riders and their dragons were off.

Their first stop was a short one, two days later—an afternoon in Ceunon. The city no longer bore even the slightest damage of the elves' siege on it twenty years later. People—mostly humans, but a few dwarves—bustled about, although the Riders got quite a few odd looks. All those races all at once—not to mention the bulk of the almost thirty dragons—were certainly overwhelming for a lot of the population, who stopped and stared as the congregation went by.

In Osilon, the elf city, they received fewer stares but more respect, which was almost more disconcerting. Whenever they walked by, elves would touch two fingers to their lips and bow. When they finally reached the center of the leafy citadel, they saw it was piled artistically with armor. The metal was woven in with vines, making Veyna reluctant to touch them for fear she would upset the delicate balance.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Veyna jumped, startled, to face her old friend.

"Faeín!" she gasped, "I can't believe it; what are you doing here?"

"Why, I'm here to give you this!" he thrust upon her a full set of armor, helping to adjust the straps so it fit her perfectly.

"Thanks, Faeín," Veyna smiled.

"Hello," Faeín greeted Istalri, "I haven't seen you since you were this big!" He gestured with his hands to about a foot long. "We have your armor too…would you like to put it on?" he asked respectfully.

"I would," Veyna translated for Istalri almost without thinking.

He picked up a large back plate, gave one side to Veyna, and together they placed it carefully on Istalri's spiked back. The chest plate came next, a small bit of protection on each of her legs, and finally a helm that fit perfectly with the rest of it. Istalri snorted, craning her neck to view herself.

Intimidating? Istalri asked Veyna.

Immensely.

Seeming pleased with that answer, Istalri swung over to look Faeín in the eye. Thank you for this gift, Faeín-Veyna's-friend.

He bowed. "I am glad you like it. I hope it will stop many a blow and arrow."

I'm sure it shall.

It's time to leave, Saphira spoke in all of their minds. Wordlessly, Faeín passed Veyna two loaves of bread, a full pouch of dried meat, and a filled water skin. She accepted them with gratitude, put them in the saddlebags, and mounted Istalri.

"Veyna," he called up to her, catching her hand before she grasped the saddle. "Be safe for me, okay?"

She smiled. "Of course." He let go and watched as the beautiful green dragon took off into the air, blending in harmoniously with the forest below.

The seldom-ceasing flights and the added armor-weight took its toll on Istalri, however. She was utterly exhausted by the time they stopped for the night. Adura, too, was feeling the effects, and chose to sleep instead of hunt and just eat dried meat out of the saddlebags—after all, eventually it would become lighter if she ate enough.

Veyna and Staria were equally tired, having poured each day's worth if energy into the gem on their swords for later use. Had Arya not awakened all of the Riders the next morning, they all would have slept through that day and maybe the next as well. Nevertheless, they strove onward.

Although they did not stop in Gil'ead, the Riders did fly directly over the large, sprawling city. Arya seemed especially anxious to leave Gil'ead far in the distance for some reason, as she urged them onward even more than before. While they were flying, however, Veyna had a chance to talk to her about Evelyn, the young human Shur'tugal who didn't belong here.

"Arya?" she called.

"Yes?" Arya shouted back over the noise of wings flapping and wind whistling past their ears.

"Our group has a problem," Veyna told her, "There's a fourteen year-old human who's never fought or used magic before. She says her mentor ordered her to come. We can't let her fight…?"

"No," Arya replied, "That master will face come serious questioning when we return. We should send her to Ilirea, Queen Nasuada will keep her safe. When we arrive at our destination, she can keep going for another few leagues."

"Good," Veyna agreed, "Thanks."

Arya nodded, frowning slightly as Fírnen veered away, back toward Saphira.

Okay, that's what we'll do, Veyna commented to Istalri as the last lights of Gil'ead faded in the distance.

Another few monotonous hours crept by, filled with Istalri's steady breathing and the heaving of her wings as she flew.

"I think I see something!" Tierre shouted, bringing the entire company to a pause. The Riders far below didn't hear him. All of a sudden, the lowest dragon to the ground was thrown back, somersaulting backwards and landing in a heap on the ground. Far below, Veyna could make out his dragon's crumpled form. When the rest of the group finally landed, the Rider was healing his dragon's broken foreleg. Veyna stared up at the looming black fortress, almost invisible on the dark night.

Cautiously, Veyna reached forward to touch it. That was when all hell broke loose.