The Last Dragons

by phoenix catcher

Complete. OC focus. OMC-Caleb/Solembum. Follows the story of an Elf raised by the Empire but with a greater destiny as one of the coveted Dragon Riders during the final years of the Emperor's reign.

11. Avenging a crime

The Last Dragons

Chapter 11; Avenging a crime

Free Armies Camp

'Lucus, stay here and make sure the saddle fits properly.' Caleb told Lucus calmly as he watched the leather worker fussing over Lucus' side as he measured each section of the new saddle against Lucus' lithe but powerful form. Lucus had watched in silence as Caleb and the leather worker, Gerad, worked through the night to shape and fit the new saddle but Caleb needed to go vent some of his recent stresses against something that didn't argue back like Gerad had constantly.

At least with Lucus, Gerad, wouldn't get too over confident. The normally calm Dragon had already snapped his jaws at the leather worker twice and even though he had been amused at the time the human had been scared in both accounts.

'There's a target range on the north side of the camp. You haven't used your bow since you shot the Lethr-blaka.' Lucus suggested with a small amount of vindictiveness as he remembered the sight of the abomination hitting the ground even through Caleb's eyes.

'I think I will.' Caleb nodded before retreating through the tents back to his own that he and Murtagh had been shown to after the feast the evening before. He slipped passed Thorn sleeping peacefully beside Saphira between their tent and the one that Eragon was sharing with Roran and then into dark red tent without a sound. He paused to look at his human brother with a small smile as he slept on his front with the sheets low on his back letting the red scar reflect the single lamp's light eerily.

Without further fuss he crossed the ten and picked up the leather sheave that housed his tough bow and his quiver of metal tipped arrows and then retreated across the camp to the shooting range that Lucus had pointed out to him. It was a simple one, set up only to alleviate some of the boredom that always accompanied such a large army waiting to move to better surroundings. The targets were set about eighty feet away and angled so that any shot would fly well clear of any people. A line of stout sticks ran across in front of Caleb about twenty feet away for the humans to shoot from.

Caleb moved to the line and in silence strung his bow and nocked and arrow. He sighted easily with the red light of the Burning Plains to see by. Even a human could see the targets even in the middle of the night like now. He pulled the string back to his cheek but no further not wanting to strain the bow like he didn't when he took a serious shot. It also meant he could shoot without lowering his hood as he tended to draw stares from the guards and patrols around the camp.

He released the arrow and it flew across the sixty feet and landed with a dull thud dead centre. Without moving his left arm that held the bow he drew another arrow from the quiver resting against his right leg and nocked it, drew the string back and released. It slammed directly above the last on the cusp between the single circle that was penned into the yellow coloured centre.

He was aware of the respectfully closed mind as it approached from the edge of the tents but he ignored it as he lifted the quiver and backed off ten feet before taking aim once more and firing putting the arrow directly below the last two. The person came to a stop about two metres behind and to the left of him and Caleb paused long enough that they knew he was aware that they were there before he fired another arrow to the left of the original ones.

"Arya-Vodhren." Caleb spoke using a mildly praising honorific for an Elfish woman. "No honour guard to face the exile?"

He drew another arrow and fired it in a single movement. It landed on the right of the others completing the perfectly aimed circle. "I feel that I owe you an apology, Caleb-Vodhr." She told him in the Ancient language using the male version of the same honorific.

"The Princess of Elves doesn't need to apologise to a lowly exile." Caleb told her without turning to face her though he did lower his bow.

"The fault is entirely with me. I have been speaking to Eragon-Finiarel, and he has reminded me of what I should have remembered all along. We are Elves and we have survived this long by protecting each other." Arya told him as she walked up to his side. "Even if you have grown up with only humans for company you are an Elf at heart and if I had listened to Eragon all this time I would have realised that long ago."

Caleb turned to face her though his cloaks hood shaded his face. "You, Arya, are the first Elf I have ever seen with my own eyes." He told her switching into the slightly more comfortable human language. She didn't seem to find that suspicious though like she would have only yesterday. "Your mother is the only other one I have seen and with her it was only in the dream spell."

"How long has she been aware of your existence?" Arya asked.

"Since I was five. Sixteen years ago." Caleb told her honestly feeling the need to befriend at least one Elf in his lifetime. "She felt my mind when it reached out in pain after Selena, Murtagh, Eragon and my own mother, died. She decided that teaching me what it was to be an Elf would ensure that Galbatorix couldn't get a hold of any powers I came into and to stop him turning me against my kind."

"And it worked." Arya nodded showing for the first time that she believed that Caleb was on her side. Caleb raised his hands and lowered his hood letting the air run through his short cut, silver and red streaked, hair. Arya sought to continue any conversation. "You hold back your strength when you shoot."

"This may be as strong a bow as human craftsmanship can create but it wont last for long if I use all of my strength on it." Caleb sighed.

Arya stared at him for a moment before reached over her shoulder in to her own bow sheath and pulled the work of art that was her bow. She'd held it loosely yesterday when Caleb had returned with Murtagh but Caleb had ignored it. She held it out to him with a small smile and Caleb found himself reaching out to take the ornate but extremely strong bow. His hand twitched and he yanked it back to his body without the bow. Arya looked worried for a moment but didn't remove the bow from his sight. "What is the matter?"

Caleb felt Lucus brush against his mind soothingly and he looked up at Arya with glittering violet eyes showing that Lucus was there too. "It's too cruel a thing to wave such a thing as and Elvin bow in front of an exile."

"You are no exile, Caleb-Vodhr." Arya told him in the Ancient language and Caleb offered her a small smile. Her words were heartfelt but she didn't speak for any other Elf and not all would welcome him like she eventually had done.

"Were you present for the Agaeti Blodhren?" He asked her feeling the emotions bubbling up again. She nodded at him. "I was travelling down the coast with Carvahall at the time and I felt it the entire time."

She stared at him until it clicked in her mind what he meant. Her hand dropped to her side and she stared at him with renewed pity. "I have no family left but my father's friend who I have never met and the brotherhood between myself, Murtagh and Eragon. I don't feel like an Elf and when we travel up to the Elvin Army I will still be an exile because that is how I feel in my heart."

She sighed deeply and put away her bow with slow movements. "My mother did a horrible thing in discarding you Caleb and in time you may forgive her but in the meantime I will do everything in my power to make you feel like you belong once more." Arya told him. "If there is anything I can do to make up for my ill-advised treatment of you than you have but to name it until I have repaid that debt."

"How about a sparring session?" Caleb asked. "As good as Murtagh and Roran are I don't feel like I gain enough from those sessions."

"It would be an honour to cross blades with a Shur'tagal." She clasped her fist over her collar bone in salute and Caleb returned the motion before they backed away from one another. Arya removed her cloak, bow and her sword sheath and Caleb copied her until he held Aidail loosely in front of him. Arya's own sword was slimmer than his own but it was Elvin made and therefore probably much stronger. Caleb chanted a spell clearly before running his sparking fingers along the blade to blunt the edge as Arya did the same. He did another spell to strengthen the blade against her stronger blade and it made her smile. "It is a fine blade for one made my humans. May I?"

Caleb took a step forward and held it out for her to see. "Murtagh had it commissioned for me. Its not Elven made but it is strong enough for me to use and the gem in the hilt means I can bolster it's strength." Caleb told her plainly. "We named it Aidail."

Arya grinned at him rather than complain at the use of the name. "Shall we begin?"

He nodded and fell back a few metres. Wanting to completely test himself he danced forward in an obvious strike that she blocked. He reassessed his adversaries strength to that of an Elvin one much stronger than Murtagh had been. He grinned at her and backed off and then it began. Even blunted the swords clanged as they hit and the two figures danced around each other. Arya kept to his level to begin with knowing that he would have to adjust to fighting an Elvin opponent but soon he upped the pace and she was forced to follow until they were both fighting with all of the speed, strength and skill. Arya was the more skilled since she was older and much more used to fighting an equal opponent but Caleb had the advantage of his extra speed and strength that being Shur'tagal granted him. This went on for several hours and the dull red light of night began to brighten to the red light of day.

Their minds both remained open though neither used them to attack as they would in a serious fight and it was through Caleb's mind that he heard Eragon and Murtagh approaching from the air. With a duo of thuds he felt Saphira and Thorn land softly nearby. Caleb chose to ignore them once again even as more and more minds approached until an exhausted but smiling Arya flipped backwards away from him to end the fight. Caleb spun gracefully and placed the tip of his sword on the ground before leaning on it tiredly.

"That looked fun." Eragon spoke up from nearby and Caleb turned to face him as he drew in air to see his awed expression. Murtagh lingered slightly further away with a strange expression on his face with the two Dragons watching from near the target range.

"It was." Caleb told him with a grin before he whispered out the spell to sharpen Aidail once again. He lifted his bow, quiver and sword sheath before donning them though he left the cloak off since what seemed to be two hundred men and dwarves were watching from a small distance.

"What time are we leaving?" Murtagh asked rather harshly.

"I was thinking to attack at dawn tomorrow morning. The Dragons look far more impressive by dull light, especially once fires start." Caleb told him with a frown. "We can leave just before midday."

"Right." Murtagh nodded and turned away to walk back into the camp.

Eragon shared a confused look with Caleb who only shrugged in return. 'Can you please get this man off of me?' Lucus demanded, he'd probably kept an eye on the entire sparring match and Caleb let his mind spread over to him to see Lucus was getting irritated with Gerad who was trying to find more places he could put leather plates on his Dragon. He chuckled and turned to Eragon.

"I had better go find out what is bothering our brother. Could you and Saphira go rescue Lucus?" Caleb asked with a grin.

"Rescue?" Eragon frowned.

"The Leather-worker might become breakfast soon." Caleb told him.

"Eh, right." Eragon blinked and turned to head for Saphira.

Caleb turned back to Arya. "Arya? Thank you."

"Caleb?" She walked with him towards the human spectators. "I have yet to report your presence here to my mother. Once the other spell casters arrive do you wish me to?"

"No." Caleb said after thinking for a moment. "I think I'd rather be the one to tell her."

"After arriving on Lucus' back in the midst of the Elvin Army?" Arya grinned at him.

"Indeed. Do you think you can keep the spell casters from spreading the news once they arrive?" Caleb asked.

"Easily." Arya waved her hand dismissively. "They will be placed under my charge."

"Thank you."

"It is a pleasure to know you, Caleb-vodhr." She told him before she changed direction and slipped away through the tents. Caleb reached out with his mind and felt other minds retreat from his own. Only Eragon's, Arya's and Murtagh's held fast and open as they recognised him easily. He headed to Murtagh's familiar mind and found himself walking to his and his brother's tent.

He ducked inside and let his eyes adjust to the dark interior before dumping his cloak on his cot with a sigh. Murtagh was lying face up on the bed having stripped off his shirt once again. Caleb sighed and reached out with his mind to his brother only to have Murtagh's mind clamp down against his own. Caleb's mind retreated before he crossed the room, took off his sword belt and quiver before shoving the twenty-one year old to the side of his bed.

Murtagh sat up with a snap and glared at Caleb who simply shrugged and sat beside him before flopping back onto Murtagh's pillow. "If you're going to a prat then I can be rude." Caleb told him before continuing when Murtagh didn't react. "Lie down."

Murtagh did as he was told and they both stared at the ceiling. "Did you enjoy your date?"

"My date?" Caleb lifted his head in shock. "What date? You mean Arya. I think you have me confused with your other brother."

"You seemed to be enjoying that little sparring match."

"Is that what this is about?" Caleb put his head back down on the pillow. "You're jealous because I didn't ask you to spar with me?"

"No!" Murtagh growled sounding a lot like Thorn.

"Then what is it!?" Caleb snapped.

"You're an Elf, she's an Elf." Murtagh told him before stopping himself from continuing. He didn't really need to though, Caleb knew him as well as he knew himself.

"You think I'm going to forget about you now that I can be with the Elves?" Caleb asked quietly.

"Of course not!" Murtagh snapped. Caleb waited patiently. "Are you?"

Caleb lifted himself up onto an elbow and turned to look down at Murtagh. "I've told you a thousand times that me and you are brothers and we'll always be brothers." Caleb told him seriously. "Just because I've now seen an actual Elf doesn't change that. If anything my talk with Arya just went to show how different I am from them."

Murtagh shut his eyes before opening them to look at Caleb with a pleading look on his face. "I'm never going to abandon you." Caleb promised before he realised something and chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Murtagh asked defensively and tried to sit up.

Caleb put his hand on his brother's chest and pushed him back down again. "I just find it ironic that all my life I've been scared that once you found out about Eragon you'd abandon me for him and your worried now about the same thing."

Murtagh grinned slightly before shaking his head. "There's no now about it. I've always been worried that one day we'd travel and find the Elves and you'd leave me."

"Well the thought never occurred to me." Caleb stated with a steady look into his brother's brown eyes.

"Nor me with Eragon and you." Murtagh nodded.

"Good, now that that's sorted we can act like adults again and not like little children." Caleb laughed as he leant his head away from Murtagh's light slap.

"How do you feel?" Murtagh asked as Caleb lay back down properly.

"About?" Caleb asked.

"Now that you've seen another Elf?" Murtagh asked gently.

Caleb sighed and felt Lucus send a calming feeling of love at him. "It hurts." Caleb told him meekly. "They're not anything like me and I wont fit in there. They'll all treat me like Arya did at the start; with mistrust and fear."

"Well they are right to fear you, and me, if they are going to treat you that way." Murtagh declared.

"Arya listened to Eragon and believes in me but the others aren't going to ever let me fit in." Caleb sighed and leaned his head sideways so the top of his head met Murtagh's own. Murtagh sat up and pulled Caleb with him before turning and pulling Caleb to him in a tight hug. Caleb returned it and let the warmth of his brother's shoulder seep into his cheek. "Thanks."

Murtagh smiled as he pulled back and stretched with a wince as the knotted muscles in his back protested. He grinned at Caleb. "It's been ages since I could get the knots worked out."

Caleb stood and pulled Murtagh up with him before slipped around to his back. He went to work in the dark working out the knots with practiced ease as Murtagh sighed with relief as each gave way to Caleb's deft hands. "You know, life's changed. Are you going to let me heal this over?"

Murtagh turned to look at Caleb for a moment before nodding once. Caleb smiled at his brother. He'd always refused saying that the scar worked as a reminder to who their father had been and what they had lived through but it didn't seem as important now that Eragon was with them and they both had their Dragons.

"We'd better do this now since we have the morning to recover." Caleb told him. "Let's go outside and call Eragon and Thorn."

"Eragon?" Murtagh asked. He understood that Thorn would want to be nearby for this.

"I need somebody to hold you still." Caleb sighed with a grimace.

"Hold me still?" Murtagh asked. "Is it going to hurt?"

"The only way to heal this is to open it up. All the way down your back." Caleb told him before reaching out with his mind as Murtagh slipped away to talk to his Dragon. He knew that Lucus was already on his way.

"Eragon, could you come help me heal Murtagh's scar?" He asked after tapping and being allowed entrance into his brother's mind.

"Sure." Eragon told him. "We'll be right there."

Caleb came back to the real world and followed Murtagh outside after his brother slipped a loose cotton shirt over his torso to show some modesty. It was much brighter outside now and Caleb knew it would be better to have the light for this. A shadow spread across the area and firstly Lucus and then Thorn dropped from the skies.

'You didn't eat Gerad, right?' Caleb asked his bonded.

'No, though it was tempting.' Lucus told him. 'He told Eragon to give you a message.'

The irritated grumble made Caleb laugh gently. One of the things that had annoyed them both was that Gerad had treated Lucus like an animal, a dangerous animal with sharp teeth and claws, but still an animal and not as a Dragon with a sharp mind. 'What was the message?'

'He'll bring the saddle to your tent once he's completed the final touches.' Lucus informed him primly just as Saphira set down gracefully with Eragon on her back. Eragon slipped off and walked towards them.

"What do you need me to do?" Eragon looked eager to be rid of the mark of his father and Caleb didn't blame him.

"Hold him still." Caleb winced. "It's going to hurt like nothing else."

"I can do that." Eragon nodded.

"Are you going to close your link to Thorn?" Caleb asked his older brother who stared at the red Dragon for a moment before turning back to Caleb with a sad shake of his head. Caleb nodded at Thorn before looking at Lucus who nodded and stood from where he was crouched. He settled at Thorn's side. "Saphira, can you help keep Thorn still or he might thrash about and destroy some of the camp?"

She snorted out a small cloud of smoke before settling down on Thorn's other side. Thorn looked at them both before settling his head down on the ground. Lucus, like he had in the cave the day before, lifted his head and laid his neck over his fellow Dragon's own neck.

Caleb walked Murtagh into the door way of their tent so that, with the Dragon's blocking the entrance, they could only be seen from a very small angle of approach. Murtagh pulled his shirt off and Eragon stared at the scar soulfully for a few moments before he turned Murtagh to face him with his hands on his shoulders to brace him. "Are you two ready?" Caleb asked.

"Not really." Murtagh muttered as Eragon nodded. Murtagh raised his hands and gripped Eragon's forearms tightly. "Get rid of it."

Caleb knew he didn't only mean the scar but also the memories of the pain and loneliness that they had both always felt. He shut his eyes for moment to brace himself before opening them again and placing his hand palm down between Murtagh's shoulder blades. He began speaking clearly in the Ancient language using the most powerful spell he knew for this sort of thing since he didn't want any mistakes. He saw Eragon's eyes widen as he lost track of the words being used.

The skin, flesh and muscle of Murtagh's back slowly split open and even though the slowness increased the pain it would heal better. As the splitting stopped Caleb realised that he'd overlooked something, his own oath to Murtagh. He'd caused pain and it didn't care why he's done it. Pain ripped through his own back but he knew it was nothing like Murtagh's own pain and he bit his tongue to keep from crying out even as Murtagh whimpered. Eragon's hands reached around to hold his shoulder blades still and Murtagh hung his head as he let Eragon steady him.

A roar could be heard from the Dragons but Caleb realised Lucus was growling in pain even as he held a flinching Thorn still. He tried to cut Lucus off from his own pain but felt Lucus' mind close over his own refusing the freedom to keep Caleb more lucid. Caleb focused on Murtagh's back and started on the healing spell. As soon as he finished each of the motions a section of his brother's back would heal over. First the tendons, then the muscles and flesh, then the blood vessels and finally the skin and nerves.

Caleb sighed out as it was done and heard Murtagh released his held in breath as Eragon hugged him lightly. "Eragon?" Caleb winced before reaching around and feeling the blood on his back. He brought his hand forward and let them both see the blood. "Can you heal it?"

Eragon, to his credit, didn't simply drop Murtagh but kept a hold of him as Murtagh spun to look at his Elvin friend. Caleb pulled his shirt over his head and Lucus growled out again. "What happened?" Eragon asked as he eyed the shallow slash on Caleb's back.

"The oath we took repaid the damaged I caused back onto me." Caleb sighed.

"Damn." Murtagh grunted as he took his own weight off of Eragon so their younger brother could get to Caleb's back.

"It's only a skin wound." Eragon told them after prodding Caleb's back lightly. "Waise Heill!"

Caleb felt Eragon's magic flowing through his back and felt his skin re-grow and heal over on his back. He smiled at him as he eyed his bloody shirt with distaste and muttered a few words to clean the cotton before he pulled it over his head. "Did you know that would happen?" Murtagh accused him.

"If I'd thought about it but I forgot." Caleb shrugged. "I'd have still done it."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

A few hours later

Caleb braced himself on the front of the saddle as Lucus settled first on his rear legs and then onto his front legs. He flapped his wings once before pulling them in to his sides. Caleb nodded down at Arya, Nasuada and King Hrothgar. He and Lucus had just been for a twenty minute fly to get used to the saddle before they took on a passenger and now he and his bonded were ready for the long journey north to Dras Leona and the Helgrind.

Saphira and Thorn were kneeling to the side but Thorn stood when they arrived. The were both wearing their saddles though Saphira hadn't donned her armour. Their Rider's magical protection would be sufficient for this and Thorn and Caleb weren't large enough to carry armour for long distances or armour and a passenger.

'It's a bit itchy but I'll get used to it.' Lucus announced to the two other Dragons, their Riders and Arya who were all used to mind speech. Arya smiled in amusement while Saphira snorted out some smoke. Caleb didn't bother to climb down since Eragon, Murtagh, Roran and Angela the witch were walking towards him.

"Are you ready to go now?" Murtagh asked impishly. Caleb smirked and patted Lucus who had growled at the human Rider.

"Has everyone got everything?" Caleb asked.

"Almost." Angela looked around her and an instant later a cat darted through the crowd that were gathering and up to her. She lifted him up and nodded at Caleb who eyed the cat. It was giving off a completely different feel that a normal animal would. Caleb spread out his mind and felt the cat's mind greet him.

Eragon led Roran over to Saphira while Murtagh climbed up onto Thorn and stroked his side calmly. Lucus hunched down and Angela grabbed Caleb's offered hand and pulled herself up. As she settled in behind him the cat changed shape into the form of a young boy with messy black hair and a cheeky expression. Caleb eyed the were-cat dubiously even as Lucus ruffled slightly to shift the extra weight on his back.

'The Witch and the Cat don't weigh much.' Lucus told him before spreading his wings.

"There are straps on the side of the saddle, Angela. Tie them around your lower legs." He told her as he watched them fuss. He opened a saddle bag under his left leg where Aidail and his bow and arrows were and motioned for the witch to place her own weapons in. They were covered by a piece of fabric so Caleb didn't comment on the strange shape. He waited until Angela was securely attached and by the time she was done Thorn was circling in the air above them. He looked down at the were-cat with a raised eyebrow.

"The name's Solembum." The small boy told him though Caleb had a feeling he was much older. "Its nice to finally meet you. I've watched you very carefully since you were born."

"I'm sure." Caleb muttered with a frown. "You'd better hold onto my waist. I doubt even a cat will fall on his feet from the height we plan on flying."

Instead of being insulted, Solembum seemed to only grin at Caleb more readily and as Caleb turned back the boy circled his waist with his arms and laid up against Caleb's back. Caleb could have sworn he felt a rumbling spread through the contact just like what he felt when Lucus purred under his hands.

'Strange creature.' Lucus commented bluntly before waiting for Eragon to stop fussing with Roran's straps. Roran was already looking rather pale and Caleb thought that he probably would have backed out of this flight if it wasn't all to save Katrina from the Ra'zac.

Saphira spread her large blue wings and with a flex of her knees and a massive down strike of the large span that thudded through the airs she sprung up into the airs. Lucus flexed like a cat ready to chase it's prey and Caleb grinned as he felt his bonded's excitement as he too joined the other Dragons in the air.

Caleb felt a presence against his mind and recognising the only other Elf in the area he let her in. There was a pause and Caleb figured she was waiting for permission from the other two Rider's also. "Good luck to you all. We'll await your return soon."

Lucus, hearing the words through his bond roared loudly and Thorn copied him. Saphira fired a jet of flame high into the air before shooting forwards. Thorn did a barrel roll before shooting up higher than the larger Dragon, far more nimble and less burdened as the red Dragon was. Lucus followed close of Saphira left as they took up positions for the flight slowly gaining altitude to clear the clouds.

Eragon's mind spread out to Caleb's, Murtagh's and, Caleb realised, Angela's and Solembum's as well and he chuckled. "Roran isn't taking this that well." Eragon told him.

"I believe my own passengers are enjoying themselves." Caleb put in as he continued to feel a contented purr from Solembum and they all heard Angela giggle in delight. Even as old as a Witch and Were-cat could be they probably had never flown before.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

That evening

The Dragons set down on the west bank of the lake in the forests that spread up into the Spine and in Lucus' case it was with a sigh of relief. Thorn was the only one that wasn't over burdened but Saphira was half again as big as Lucus and the size difference was evident in her ability to fly with more weight on her back. Caleb made quick time in unstrapping Angela and jumping off to catch the rather hyperactive Solembum. He quickly undid Lucus' saddle and lowered it to the ground before stepping in close and rubbing his Dragon's nose affectionately. Lucus purred softly before laying down on the ground and putting his head on his front feet.

"I don't think Lucus feels like hunting tonight." Caleb told Thorn and Saphira in amusement which only got him a face full of smoke from his own Dragon.

'I will hunt for the three of us.' Thorn announced to them all before waiting patiently for Murtagh to relieve him of his saddle. He leapt up into the air and immediately turned West to head for the high mountains in the Spine. Saphira settled down next to the exhausted Lucus who grunted his thanks before slipping off into a nap. Caleb felt his bonded's mind retreat to the outside of his own.

Eragon and Roran were sorting through their packs even as Angela slipped away into the forests around the clearing to find wood to start a campfire with the black cat, Solembum, on her heels. Murtagh grinned before flopping down on the floor with a sigh. "Did you enjoy your first flight, Roran?" Caleb asked his friend as he, Eragon and Roran joined him near the water's edge.

"It was great!" Roran grinned though there was something strained in his grin that Caleb caught but his cousins, Eragon and Murtagh missed. Caleb had spent six months witnessing Roran's downtrodden array of moods and knew he was stressed about rescuing Katrina.

"Thrysta!" He said the word compress as he waved his hand over the ground between the four of them. The ground groaned as a dip appeared. "Adurna!" He stated with a come hither gesture passed Murtagh's head at the lake. A small amount of water streamed out of the water and flooded towards them through the air. Murtagh ducked to let it pass with a small glare at his childhood brother.

"What are you doing?" Roran frowned though both Murtagh and Roran had noticed.

"Scrying." Eragon told his cousin simply.

"For Katrina again. I want to check they haven't moved her in the last week." Caleb told him. He'd checked on her just before they'd entered the Jiet River and headed for the Battle. "Plus I want to see if she's calm enough to let me talk to her."

"Calm enough?" Eragon frowned.

Caleb ignored the question by setting a calming hand on Roran's arm before reaching out with his magic again. "Draumr Kopa!" He stated focusing on the time he had last seen her. The water stilled to an unnatural level before turning black as pitch before it seemed to ripple outwards and there for all to see was the curled up figure of Katrina in he ripped and stained dull white dress she had been wearing when they captured her right out of Roran's bed.

She was shuddering ever so slightly as if crying though her face was clear of anything but the old trails of tears. Caleb gritted his teeth in fury at the sight just as Roran's arm slipped passed Caleb's hand as his own fingers reached out as if to touch her. Caleb narrowed his eyes in anger but his thoughts had changed track and the image faded and shifted again. Two figures stood in the middle of the darkness once again but instead of humans it was the two Ra'zac.

Roran snarled even as Eragon growled just like the Dragon's did. Caleb and Murtagh hated what the Ra'zac were but the Ra'zac had never killed the ones that they loved. "This is the last night that the Ra'zac will live, I promise the two of you this." Murtagh told Roran and Eragon plainly. Caleb released his magic and the pitch turned back to water.

"That's something we both will promise you." Caleb told them. "Tomorrow at dawn Dras Leona will witness the might of Lucus, Thorn and Saphira before the Helgrind crumbles."

"Crumbles?" Eragon frowned.

"Between the three of us and our Dragons we have just enough power to weaken that unnatural mountain." Caleb nodded at them.

"It's a mountain!" Roran gasped looking at him in horror.

"You'd be surprised how easily a tower like that will collapse if you weaken it in just the right places." Eragon told him. "Find and weaken every crack, exploit every weakness and eventually it will succumb to gravity."

"Though that will wait until we have Katrina out of there and safely on Lucus' back." Caleb told them. He turned to Murtagh. "Will you be able to take Angela with you during the attack?"

"Sure." Murtagh nodded.

"Eragon, have you ever seen Dras Leona from the air?" Caleb asked him.

"Once, just before Brom died." His voice chocked slightly and Murtagh dipped his head in remembrance. Caleb prompted him on a new spell, a rather simple one and Eragon nodded before speaking the two words. "Adurna Manin!" The spell, a simple 'Water Memory' instantly took effect as Eragon focused on Dras Leona in his memory and the water rose in the long wall and many buildings of Dras Leona and the mountain of Helgrind.

"Du Adurna huildr." Caleb spoke simply and nodded to show that Eragon could release his magic. The model of the city and mountain froze in place at his hold spell.

"That's impressive." Roran muttered.

"An easy spell if you know it is possible. It's easier to do with clay though." Caleb admitted. "You have to constantly hold it up when it's water."

Solembum suddenly appeared at Caleb's sighed and the black shaggy cat rubbed himself down Caleb's leg before hopping into his lap. Caleb instinctively started to scratch at the back of the were-cat's neck and Solembum stretched out across his lap.

"He has taken a definite liking to you, young Elfling." Angela commented as she appeared. Eragon moved slightly further away from Caleb's left side to let the Witch sit in their circle.

"So it would seem, I was just going to suggest a plan. Perhaps you would like to give your opinion afterwards?" Caleb asked. "I would hazard a guess that you have more experience in these matters than us."

"I agree that subtlety isn't really a Dragon Rider's strong point." Angela chuckled.

"I don't think anything about this will be subtle. I'm suggesting me set light to the City." Caleb told him.

"King Orrin did suggest exactly that." Murtagh agreed with a sadistic grin.

"I wonder about you two sometimes." Eragon told them with all seriousness.

"When you are forced to live as the King's own wards for thirteen years you develop quite the urge to reek havoc on anything to do with his Empire." Murtagh told his new brother with an evil grin that only made Angela laugh.

"I'm suggesting we all attack at Dawn with no warning. Thorn can come down out of the clouds, Saphira across the water since she is well coloured for that in the dim lighting of morning and I shall come across from the south." Caleb told them.

"How will you stay hidden?" Eragon asked.

"I know a spell that will divert all but the most powerful of minds from seeing me or Lucus." Caleb told them with a shrug. "We attack without warning, burn the guard towers and then along the walls then move onto the barracks, cathedral and the public areas."

"Not the residential areas or the main gates." Eragon put in determinately. "We need to make allies of these people not slaughter them all inside a furnace."

Caleb and Murtagh nodded their agreement. "Once they are all distracted with a burning city we can turn our attention on the Helgrind." Caleb told them.

"The mountain wont be a good place for the Dragons." Murtagh pointed out logically.

"No." Caleb sighed. "I'm thinking that we can alight on the mountain and then Lucus, Saphira and Thorn can return to the airs with Murtagh."

Murtagh looked thoughtful for a moment. "Why not all of us go in?" He asked.

"I still remember Lucus' reaction to the Lethr-blaka in Carvahall." Caleb sighed with a glance over his shoulder at his sleeping Dragon.

"And Saphira's reaction to the Ra'zac when they killed Uncle Garrow." Eragon winced with a glance at Roran. Saphira had kidnapped Eragon and run away into the Spine at the first glance of the Ra'zac.

"Thorn smashed his way into the side of the castle to get to me the first time the Ra'zac visited." Murtagh put in quietly. Caleb looked at him in concern. It was the first time he had said a word about his training after being forced into an oath.

"I'd rather one of us was out with them if the Ra'zac take to the air on the Lethr-blaka." Caleb sighed. "They are all older but they shouldn't be alone."

"Agreed." Murtagh nodded.

"Eragon, Roran, Angela and I should be able to handle anybody we find in there, even the Ra'zac if it comes to it though I'd rather force them out into the air and kill them and their mounts out there." Caleb told them. "According to Islanzadi they are strongest in the shadows and the tunnels of Helgrind we be best suited for them."

Eragon, Roran, Angela and Murtagh nodded their agreement. Caleb continued. "We'll find and rescue Katrina and then call for the Dragons. It'll take time for the Ra'zac to mount up if they choose that course of action and that should give us time to get Katrina, Roran and Angela down onto the ground before we start."

"Why not let us fight with you?" Roran demanded, he wanted to see the Ra'zac killed face to face.

"The Lethr-blaka are stronger than the Dragons though not as powerful and the type of flying we'll be doing isn't suitable for passengers and I can't have an unconscious or delirious Katrina with me during the fight." Caleb told him. "And I don't think that leaving her on the ground alone is a good idea especially if Dras Leona is emptying onto the Plains."

Roran thought for a moment and nodded though he obviously wasn't happy with having to simply watch. Caleb touched his arm soothingly again and offered him a regretful smile. "Are you not worried that the Ra'zac will realise you are after Katrina and try to kill her?" Angela asked, coming into the conversation for the first time.

"I don't see how they would know of our presence." Caleb said thoughtfully. "They don't know of Lucus and word won't have spread about his appearance just yet."

"They won't realise that Roran and Eragon are there for Katrina until it is too late." Murtagh grinned.

"Even so I will listen tonight to the minds of Dras Leona for Lucus' or my own name. If either are mentioned then we will attack Helgrind first." Caleb sighed nodding to Angela to show he had thought hard about her words. "The priority for this is Katrina. We need to finish what was started and put that era behind us. Eragon, Roran, Murtagh and I all have grievances with the Ra'zac and this must be done before the Empire can fall."

"Wise words." Angela grinned at him. "Get me into that curse mountain and Solembum and I can do our share."

"As I understand it, you and Solembum have already done your fair share." Caleb smirked at her. She's poisoned the enemy in their own camp and killed or crippled more than a thousand of them before the battle had even started.

"I had to put up with those Imperial Captain whining on and on about food being drugged!" Murtagh growled. "Damn Witch, you gave me one hell of a headache."

They all laughed as the tension in the air vanished just as Thorn appeared over the tops of the trees with two dead boar in his mouth. He dropped them both in front of Saphira and Lucus before retreating to the water for a drink. "He's already eaten." Murtagh told him.

Saphira leaned over and nudged Lucus awake and Caleb sent a mental prod to aid her. Lucus lifted his head and eyed the boar for a moment before he pushed himself to his feet to move it away so that Caleb didn't have to watch him eat meat. 'Don't worry, Lucus. I'm going to slip away and try to talk to Katrina.'

Lucus paused and eyed him. 'I'm coming with you.' Lucus declared.

"I'm going to cast a spell to try to talk to Katrina. Lucus is coming with me. Murtagh?" Caleb looked up at Murtagh who smiled back.

"I'll watch you, as always." Murtagh promised him.

Caleb kept his hand on the back of the sleeping were-cat's neck as Angela, Roran and Eragon stood to set up the camp fire. Murtagh stretched out to watch his own Dragon swim in the shallow water with a smile on his lips. Even with the prospect of saving Katrina it was a good time for Murtagh and Caleb, they were together, free of the Empire and knew that they would never be alone again.

Caleb muttered the spell and felt his reality vanish as his mind spread out passed the open minds of Murtagh, Roran, Eragon, Angela and Solembum before he directed it to the East though he focused solely on what he remembered of Katrina's mind. He found her in her solitude and felt only darkness around him. Her mind was firmly shut against the world. He tried to coax it open but she registered his presence and no matter what he spoke to her mind she refused to recognise or open up for him. Even when he spoke of Roran and Carvahall she ignored him. And even with Lucus' mind beside his own they could force entry with this spell, it was too passive.

His eyes popped open to the campsite and he sighed even as Solembum pushed up at his hand for attention. "You are a very stubborn cat." Caleb told him making Murtagh look up at him.

"That was quick." Murtagh pointed out.

"Her mind is firmly closed to everything." Caleb sighed. "She's been mentally pushed."

"The Ra'zac couldn't enter her mind." Murtagh frowned.

"No, but one of the King's pet magician's could." Caleb sighed. "She didn't recognise me but she might recognise Roran. I'm going to take him with me."

"You can do that?" Murtagh frowned.

"Yes." Caleb saw the wounded look on Murtagh's face. "I never had reason to with you and it is against Elvin law to teach any non-elf this spell or take them with you. In fact even Elves aren't taken along, that's why Islanzadi never brought Ingwe to my mind."

Murtagh let out an explosive sigh. "Sorry."

"Murtagh, don't ever apologise, just remember I love you more than any other and I always will." Caleb told him determinedly.

"What?" Murtagh grinned. "Even with all those Elves to spar with."

"Oh, my dear Murtagh, you'll always be my favourite sparring partner." Caleb grinned and lifted Solembum from his lap and put him down on the floor before he stood. He glanced around and found Roran standing by the water line watching the water gently passed the shore.

"Roran?"

"Did you manage to talk to her?" Roran asked him without looking around.

"I found her but she won't let me enter her mind." Caleb told him before sighing. "I think she's been mentally interrogated enough times that she is blocking out everything. If I was there in person I could force my way in, though I wouldn't want to, but at this distance there is only one thing we can try."

"What?" Roran rounded on him.

"I'd rather you never told any other soul what we are about to try. It is strictly forbidden by the Elves." Caleb told him seriously

"I thought you didn't care about their rules." Roran frowned.

"I don't really but it cause problems if you tell an Elf that we did this." Caleb pointed out.

"If it helps Katrina then I'd promise anything." Roran told him with determination.

"Sit down and face me." Caleb told him before sitting himself down. Roran sat cross legged in front of him and Caleb glanced sideways and a watching Murtagh who, even though he was keeping an eye on him, was keeping a respectful distance. Eragon and Angela were stoking up the fire. Lucus growled low and Caleb felt his mind connect ever tighter against his own.

Caleb turned back to look in Roran's eyes and invaded his mind completely and without reservation. He heard Roran gasped in breath as he felt the intrusion. "Calm down, Roran." Lucus spoke quietly and Roran's mind calmed instantly as he heard the Dragon's voice.

"I'm going to cast the spell and drag your own mind along with my own and Lucus'" Caleb told him. "It'll feel strange but stay relaxed."

"I'm ready." Caleb heard Roran think to him. Caleb muttered the spell in the real world and as his mind swept over them all it dragged Roran's along with it. He went straight to Katrina's mind and hit the barrier like he had before. He brushed against it speaking gentle words in an attempt to get her to recognise and lower them.

"Roran? Try to get her to lower her barriers. Talk to her about things you've shared together." Caleb told him.

"Katrina?" Roran sounded uncertain. "Katrina, oh love, please! It's me Roran. Caleb is helping me talk to you but you have to lower your barriers."

The barrier's faltered but Caleb didn't try to penetrate them but simply waited. Roran continued without noticing the slight curiosity in the barriers. "It's really me, Kat. Remember that I promised to give you a life with or without your father. Your inheritance never mattered to me. All I care about is rescuing you and being with you."

The barrier tore at the words and Caleb slipped passed them along with Roran. He opened his eyes to find himself staring at the central square of Carvahall. Katrina flinched as she saw him but before could close her mind again Roran appeared. Katrina stared at him in shock and wonder. "Roran?" Caleb spoke. "Open your eyes."

Roran's eyes flew open and he stared about in the bright noon light at the buildings that they had abandoned under siege until his eyes landed on Katrina. "Kat?"

"Roran?" She frowned. "Is it really you?"

"It's me love." Roran took a step towards her but paused and looked at Caleb.

"You can't touch in here." Caleb sighed. "Hello Katrina."

She frowned in confusion before light flickered in her mind. "Caleb? The Elf? Where's Lucus?"

Caleb grinned and glanced around. "He's here somewhere." In response to his words the large form of Lucus appeared gliding over the housetops before settling lightly and soundlessly on the sandy ground of the main road through the village.

"He's so…" Katrina frowned looking rather unnerved.

"Big?" Roran grinned.

"Yeah." Katrina stared in awe and Lucus ruffled his wings in pride. "How long?"

"It's been almost six months, Kat." Roran sighed in sorrow.

"Six months?" She sounded horrified and the surroundings flickered though they steadied on the same image. She noticed it. "Where are we?"

"You are still in Helgrind." Caleb sighed regretfully. "We are about a hundred miles to the west of you. This," he gestured around them, "is your mind, or at least a dream."

"I wasn't asleep. I haven't slept in days. They come if I sleep!" She sounded scared and Caleb took a step towards her with his hands out to the side.

"The spell I cast to bring me, Lucus and Roran to your mind put you to sleep." Caleb explained. "I had to bring Roran since you wouldn't lower your barriers to just me."

"I was scared." Katrina shook in fright and Roran's arms flinched in a need to reach out and hold her.

"Whoever it is that assaults your mind can't now." Lucus' voice rumbled across the village as if he was speaking though his jaw didn't move. Katrina looked up at the silver Dragon in shock and wonder. "I am shielding your mind so that nobody can listen to this conversation."

Caleb sighed feeling tired suddenly. "Caleb? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine, Roran." He turned to Katrina. "Tomorrow morning at dawn we are going to attack Dras Leona and the Helgrind and rescue you. Can you hold out till then?"

"I can hold out for a hundred years for Roran. Like I told him before." Katrina told them though she was looking more pale at the concept of them leaving.

"Caleb, pull out!" He heard Murtagh's voice echo through his mind and Lucus ruffled up his wings again. Caleb felt exhausted.

"Now, Caleb!" Eragon's mind shocked him and he looked up at Roran dizzyingly.

"We have to go." He gasped as he fell to his knees. Lucus growled and pawed at the ground.

Roran spun on Katrina. "We'll be back together tomorrow, love. I promise you."

"Roran." She whispered before Caleb wrenched them all back to their bodies on the shores of the lake.

"Caleb!" Murtagh yelled right in his face and Caleb blinked open his eyes to find himself collapsed over sideways with his head pillowed in Murtagh's lap. Murtagh had been shaking him but stopped as their eyes met. "You idiot!"

Caleb gasped in air as his senses came back and tried to sit up only to find himself dizzy once again. His head flopped back into Murtagh's lap. Eragon was kneeling in the sand between him and Roran who was sitting up, perfectly fine, though confused. Lucus scrambled up and Saphira and Thorn who had been kneeling watching the scene followed him up.

"You slumped over." Eragon explained since Murtagh was still swearing at Caleb under his breath. "I think you must have drained faster than normal."

"I didn't realise there was another reason why the Elves don't do that." Caleb gritted out.

"You idiot!" Murtagh snapped.

"Yes, Murtagh, I know." Caleb sighed and turned into Murtagh's body with a sigh. Murtagh's expression softened. "At least we managed to talk to Katrina. I just didn't realise that pulling Roran's mind along with me would drain me so fast."

"You had better sleep if you're going to be in top shape tomorrow." Eragon told him before lifting a bottle of water to Caleb's lips for him to drink. Caleb smiled up at him and nodded before shutting his eyes. Murtagh adjusted himself and Caleb found himself using Murtagh's chest as a pillow as he slipped off into sleep just as Lucus settled down between him, Murtagh and the water.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The next morning

Dras Leona approached fast from the horizon. With their ability to speak into each other's minds timing the approach was easy though Caleb and Lucus were the last to get into position since they had to circle around and then cast the spell to hide them from sight. Lucus shot low across the ground approaching the dark side of the city as the sun began to rise behind them over the plains.

Caleb knew he could ignore Lucus' flight and only worry about staying on his back and attacking, or defending, with magic. He'd listened to the city that morning after he had woken and there was no worry in the soldier's minds about Dragons or any form of attack. He had a headache from his mistake the evening before but he had the energy back that this would require.

Lucus banked up suddenly just as a bell rang on the west side of the city. Caleb could sense people waking but even as the bell began to toll it died in a strange sound that Caleb knew could only be that of Saphira ripping apart the tower it was housed in.

'Torch the tower, Lucus.' Caleb suggested and received a mental equivalent of a smirk in return. Lucus hit the wall with a crack of stone before he reared up with his wings outstretched to either side and threw his head out sending fire lancing towards one of the eighteen towers that interspersed the wall around the city.

The tower exploded as the fire invaded the stone work and burning figures could be seen jumping from the windows in panic. The magic had faded from Lucus as soon as Saphira had attacked since they wanted to be seen.

Lucus felt the minds of archers even before they took aim but he let the ward around Lucus catch the arrows without trouble. Lucus turned and with a single bound he closed in on the next tower in the circle. He gave it the same treatment before burning out one of the access ramps just as troops tried to flood up the stares. Before Caleb could suggest it he dipped off of the wall and spread his huge wings and began climbing to get above the arrows fired at them.

'My turn.' Caleb grinned as they swept over the South Gate Barracks. "Brisingr!" He stated and watched in satisfaction as fire spread across the tiled roofs of the eight long buildings. It took more energy than burning wood since slate didn't like burning but soon the wooden supports were burning and he could release the magic. Saphira roared out and Caleb could see a whole four hundred metre stretch of the west wall ignite into flames as she soared along it. Soon the troops would be abandoning the walls.

Another roar split the area just before the Cathedral burst into flames as Thorn, eerily looking like burning blood in the light of the fires sent flames through each of the windows. They had decided to burn the Cathedral since it was a testament to all that was evil in the Empire and it would serve as a reminder of what had to go.

Lucus banked as he hit the North Wall and opened his jaw to send fire along the battlements as men leapt from the wall and fled into towers even as each of the towers exploded. Caleb added his own magic here and there to get the fires to catch onto things they shouldn't normally but he, Murtagh and Eragon had agreed to save most of the magic for the Helgrind.

"Eragon?" Caleb asked as he reached out. "Time for the palace."

Saphira roared as she heard this and Lucus joined in happily. He was having the time of his life. With so little warning the soldiers of the city were simply trying to stay alive and they weren't in any real danger for the time being and he could finally fight along side the other Dragons. Saphira banked and glided across the centre of the city towards the burning Cathedral which, sitting so much higher than the rest of the city, could be seen easily above the rising smoke from the hundreds of fires raging around them.

Lucus glided at her side and Caleb took a moment to look at the blue Dragon. Whereas Thorn looked like pure evil lit by the fires of war she looked as majestic as always. Her blue scales seemed to shirk the fire's light just as they had on the Burning Plains. Lucus probably looked the most magical since his silver scales reflected the fire as if he actually was on fire. Caleb could see the flames and smoke mirrored in the scales beneath him and grinned across at Eragon and Roran. Roran was clutching on for dear life though and didn't wave at him like Eragon did.

Thorn moved out across the city to keep the soldiers from regrouping and to find targets to burn and in one case to smother a fire that had cut off a large group of peasants from fleeing to the South Gate.

Lucus swept low over the wall to the palace and sent a wall of fire straight through the front doors which stood open as soldiers ran in an out. A spell shot up from a balcony on the far right but Caleb diverted the orange spell with one of his own before tracking the mind of the Magician and killing him. After that Caleb and Eragon sought out and destroyed over twenty Magicians within the Palace and surrounding city buildings even as Saphira and Lucus burned every foot of the palace from the air.

The attack lasted only ten minutes before the three Dragons slipped above the clouds and turned East for the short trip to the Helgrind but they left behind them a churning column of smoke fed by a thousand fires. People were already fleeing the city out of it's four gates out onto the plains and no attempt was being made to stem the fires.

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

Caleb watched as Lucus tipped himself off of the ledge to join the other two Dragons and Murtagh in the air. He glanced at the rest of the team with a practiced eye. Solembum was in his cat form which would be handy in the tight tunnels because he could scout ahead without being noticed. Eragon was wearing light human made armour and held a new sword in his hand at the ready. Angela was crouched beside the tunnel that led into the mountain as she listened for sounds. She wore a dark cloak with a hood that hung down her back. In her right hand was a long double bladed staff that looked like it was of Dwarven design. Roran stood a little uncertainly at the other side of the entrance with the hammer he had carried since Carvahall in his hand. A sword rested against his other hip and he nodded at Caleb with determination.

As for himself he was wearing his leather trousers and a light cotton shirt over the top of a sturdy chain mail shirt donated to him by Arya and manufactured by the Elves. She had said it was but one of the many things she'd have to offer to make it up to him. He nodded resolutely at Eragon before he slipped forwards into the tunnel. Solembum darted ahead into the darkness and Caleb used his own advanced eyesight to follow. Eragon muttered a spell he had learn to see better also and Caleb knew that Roran would be following his cousin closely so as not to get lost. Angela brought up the rear without comment.

This far up the structure the tunnels were narrow and less than organised and nothing displayed anything like uniformity. Caleb knew that the lower levels that the human soldiers resided in would be more airy and artificial. He paused at an interception and heard the sounds of metal studded boots close by on their right. He went left wanting to leave their presence a secret until they were closer to Katrina. Unfortunately things didn't always go to plan.

They'd reached a section with a few cubby holes when a Solembum slipped back towards them as a boy and gestured down the tunnel that there was a patrol approaching. He felt Angela's mind seeking entry and granted it. "There is a patrol approaching from behind also."

Caleb sighed and reached out to Eragon and Roran as well. "Hide in the cubby holes and attack once the first falls."

Nobody spoke but instead they slipped into the two holes. Caleb pressed himself into the side as Roran pushed passed him and Caleb could just about make out Eragon slide into one on the other side of the hall and a few feet further along. Angela had obviously slipped in there first. Caleb sheathed his sword silently and pulled out a dagger before opening his mind.

He found the ten humans approaching from both directions but kept his mind closed against the two probing magicians. He felt Eragon's mind retreat as well since neither wanted a prolonged fight in such enclosed spaces. He leant other to Roran and gripped his arm tightly in the darkness so the young man didn't attack too early. The first few stopped opposite his hole as they clashed into the other patrol and words were exchanged. Caleb took the opportunity and spoke to Eragon briefly telling him what he was about to do.

Eragon lashed out and struck into the first Magician's mind even as Caleb did the same to the second though instead of killing first the Magician and then the five troops with his magic he kept a firm hold over the magician's mind as he searched through his memories for what he wanted. Roran slipped passed him in the panic and lashed out at the first man he came to, landing a solid blow on his neck as Angela and Eragon dashed into the fight.

By the time Caleb had what he wanted the soldiers were dead on the ground. Caleb killed the Magician rather simply and his body collapsed to the floor. "I have it." He whispered.

"What?" Roran frowned obviously eager to get to his betrothed.

"The way to Katrina's cell and the knowledge that the Ra'zac are planning to try to escape to the North to Uru-baen to avoid the Dragons." Caleb told them. "Eragon can you contact Murtagh and tell him to keep an eye on the North side of the mountain in case they get out before we're done." Eragon nodded and Caleb helped Roran and Angela to pile the bodies up in the two cubby holes.

Solembum sidled up to Caleb with a grin as he reappeared out of the shadows. His dagger was bloody but he hadn't been in either of the cubby holes. Caleb leant down to whisper to him. "First right, third left, up the stairs and the third cell on the right."

Solembum grinned and slipped into the shadows. Soon they were moving quickly along the corridors behind the black cat though this time they jogged wanting to get Katrina and get out before the patrols were missed or the Ra'zac made their escape attempt. They took the first two turns and climbed the steps. Caleb made short work of the two unprotected soldiers guarding the cells and Eragon picked the lock on the cell door with his magic before the whole group slipped into the cell.

Caleb could feel her presence even in the pitch dark room and Roran tried to search blindly until Caleb grabbed his arm and guided him with only his mental senses to show him around the room. He forced Roran down onto his knees in front of the unconscious young woman and left Roran find her with his hands. "She's alive." He told Roran calmly as Roran gasped out something close to an anguished sob. "We need to get out quickly. Can you carry her?"

Caleb felt Roran nod before he hefted her into his arms in a cradle. He gasped in horror and shock. "She barely weighs anything!"

Caleb sighed knowing that she had shown them only a perfectly healthy image of herself when they had spoken to her the night before. "Roran, don't worry about that now." Caleb reassured him bluntly. He just hoped they hadn't rescued her only to have her die of her suffering soon. Though at least she would die with the man she loved and friends around her rather than in this stinking hell.

"We have to hurry!" Angela hissed as Solembum slipped into the room. He morphed into the small boy.

"Twenty approach." He said simply. "And more beyond that."

Caleb spun on the wall and muttered a string of words. He saw in his minds eye the mountain vanish and the scenery outside superimposed around it. Not two metres beyond this wall was the edge of the mountain. 'Lucus!' He called. 'We're trapped, I'm going to drill a small hole out of the side of the cell on the South side of the mountain about twenty metres above the ledge we arrived on. Find it and destroy the wall. Be careful though we're on the other side.'

"Stenr Moi!" He said verbally to let Eragon and Angela know what he was doing. At the words the rock rumbled and a small foot wide opening appeared. "Brisingr!" A ball of flame shot from through the opening and out into the air two metres beyond it.

Almost instantly they could hear great scraps on the other side of the room and a loud rumble as great chunks of rock were ripped away. "Saphira's helping him." Eragon told Caleb as he caught on to the plan.

"What are we doing?" Roran asked. Angela looked rather hesitant as well.

"Going out the window." Caleb informed them both and got a chuckle from Angela and a wild grin from Solembum. Even before he could finish he heard running foot steps as more soldiers were attracted by the sounds of ripping stone. He stepped over to the door. "Brisingr!" He snapped and instantly two tongues of flame rocketed down the corridor in either direction buying them some time.

Light flooded the room as Saphira's claws broke through the remaining wall and a huge clump of rock fell away. Lucus tore off the last chunk before backing away into a hover. Saphira ducked and clung to the rock.

Caleb turned to Roran and unceremoniously took Katrina from him. "Go with Eragon!" Roran looked ready to argue but Eragon turned and dragged his cousin along with him. Roran through him a helpless and angry look but followed knowing better than to waste time. "Murtagh!" Caleb called and got in to his mind. "Once I'm clear get in here."

"Got it!" Murtagh responded clearly.

Saphira dropped from the opening and threw open her wings to stop her fall clearing the opening for Lucus to approach. It was easier for him to grip the ledge since he was smaller but Caleb had to use magic to levitate himself and Katrina up onto his back since he couldn't use both his hands. He turned to Angela. "Thorn will grab you. Be ready."

He gripped on tightly as Lucus jumped out into the air and flapped his wings. He saw Thorn swoop close underneath them and grab the ledge tightly in his claws and even though he didn't bother to watch he knew that both Angela and Solembum were clear.

The three Dragons retreated from the fiery scene as they swept across the plains out to the South ahead of the fleeing thousands already spreading out to safety. Caleb directed Lucus down onto a small rise with craggy sides and Saphira and Thorn landed nearby. Roran jumped off of his Dragon rather clumsily much to Saphira's annoyance and came running to Lucus. Caleb lowered Katrina down to him before turning to look at Angela and Murtagh helped her down.

"Watch Katrina closely but don't try to enter her mind." Angela nodded at him without comment and turned to where Roran was lying his betrothed down on the ground. "Roran?"

"What?" Roran answered rather distractedly.

"If we don't come back make sure you travel south as fast as you can. Listen to Angela." Caleb snapped. Roran looked at him in surprise having obviously not seen their fight as being a problem. Caleb flickered his eyes sideways at Eragon so that Roran got the hint. Roran backed away from Katrina and ran to a surprised Eragon who got off of Saphira at his cousins insistence. As soon as the young man was standing level with Roran he was caught up in a hug.

'Are you ready for this?' Caleb asked Lucus in concern.

'I'll always be ready to kill Lethr-blaka!' Lucus announced and Caleb knew that he'd spoke to everyone by the wide grin Murtagh sent him.

"Caleb?" Caleb looked down at his friend. "Be careful out there."

"Of course Roran-Vor." Caleb smiled. "I want to see you two married."

Roran offered him a small smile. "Please," he hesitated unsure of himself. "Look after Eragon?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Caleb nodded just as Lucus spun his head and licked the man on the cheek getting a disgusted yelp from him. Caleb knew from experience that Lucus' tongue was very hot. Caleb laughed but grabbed hold tightly as Lucus spun on his back legs, thumped his wings once and roared at the top of his lungs. Thorn evidently found this contagious as he copied the gesture and his roar joined in. They thudded down together onto the ground.

Saphira snorted before crouching low and roaring louder than the two of them. Lucus, instead of being defeated reared up again and roared just as Thorn did the same. Caleb glanced over his shoulder and nodded to the two humans before patting his over excited Dragon on the neck. Lucus leapt forwards and cleared the ground throwing himself much further than both Thorn and Saphira were capable of.

Their wings thudded through the air as they gained altitude heading for the Ra'zac. Cries and shouts could be heard from the plains close below them as they flew over the fleeing city dwellers as they fled to the outlying farms and villagers but not even the archers amongst them tried to do anything about them. They began to gain altitude as they approached the Helgrind and Caleb reached out along with Murtagh and Eragon over the area looking for the Ra'zac.

Caleb, more familiar with sensing them with his mind, found them near the north side of the Helgrind and he gave their positions to the other two as Lucus banked around the Helgrind in a steady sweep. Caleb dropped any magical wards he had on Lucus and strengthened the close in physical wards and cast one light magical ward to divert any Magician's attack from the Helgrind though he wasn't too concerned with that.

He caught sight of the Lethr-blaka just as smoke from the City enveloped him, Murtagh and Eragon. He drove Lucus forward as he pulled out his bow and fitted an arrow. 'Lucus, can you see through the smoke?'

'Just.' Lucus glanced to the left from where the smoke was thicker and suddenly rolled around tightly. Caleb swore viciously as his bow slipped from his fingers. The air thudded as the huge form of the second Lethr-blaka raked it's claws through the air where Caleb had just been. Caleb swore violently as his bow was lost forever, even magic couldn't summon it after it would snap on the ground so far below them.

"Caleb!" Murtagh yelled even as Caleb sent a spell at the arrow he had dropped making it fly back up at the Lethr-blaka. It screeched as the arrow sunk into it's side but wasn't too hurt.

"I'm fine, it attacked from the smoke." Caleb reassured his brothers. Caleb heard a roar from his right that sounded like Saphira and a flash of fire and another screech. Lucus rolled that way just as a Lethr-blaka shot down from above them. Caleb reacted first and pulled his sword from it's sheath and jumped to his feet even as he merged with Lucus fully to keep his balance. He twisted and struck as Lucus rolled around the diving Lethr-blaka and Caleb shredded the side of the wing of the Lethr-blaka. Pain lanced through his side as a dagger flashed across his vision and tore into his right side, diverted at the crucial moment by the Elvin vest. Still the metal of the vest cut in to his side.

"Garzla!" He snapped sending a stinging beam of light at the Ra'zac as he passed by. The brief encounter last only a second but at least the Ra'zac and his mount had come off worse.

Lucus dove down to follow the Lethr-blaka using his speed and agility to catch up to the diving creature. It flared it's huge leathery wings at the last moment to skim across the ground but Lucus barely flared his own sending him crashing into the top of the beast. Claws dug into it's back as the Ra'zac slashed at Lucus' back. Caleb felt the drain on his magic as his wards diverted the attack and he leapt forwards with his sword to parry the next blow just before Lucus and the Lethr-blaka ploughed into the floor. The Lethr-blaka screeched but Lucus just sunk his teeth into his back and gripped tightly as it thrashed.

Caleb leapt clear as Lucus swung his spiked tail around to clip the Ra'zac and the elf landed clear of the fighting. The Ra'zac dodged clear of it's own parent's thrashing claws as the Lethr-blaka tried to roll around and claw at Lucus. Caleb darted forwards with Aidail and hissed a spell into his sword. It flared with fire as it crashed into one of the two short swords that the Ra'zac swung at him. Fire danced around them and burnt the Ra'zac even as it set light to Caleb's sleeve. He dodged the next swipe seamlessly and silently put out the flame with a small spell.

Twin roars sounded from the air above them and fire darted through the smoke even as Caleb caught sight of a flash of blue within the lower reached. A pain screech echoed across the plains from the still flying Lethr-blaka and Caleb contented himself with his own one as it attacked him. Caleb ducked under the inhumanly fast swipe and jabbed with his sword meeting the other dagger. Fire flashed again and Caleb yanked his sword free sending the Ra'zac blade skittering across the ground.

It's beak snapped at his face and Caleb leaned back before twisting nimbly to the side and slashing his sword in a wide arc that tore the cloak away from the Ra'zac back. A wave of heat hit him as Lucus jumped into the air as his prey managed to slash at his belly. Fire erupted from his mouth and completely covered the Lethr-blaka which screamed in utter pain. The Ra'zac cried out and went into a fury. Caleb lashed out with a wave of magic sending it skidding backwards before he followed it with his sword. The parried several strikes before it managed to get a single one passed him. The short sword slashed at his waist just below the Elven vest and cut into the top of his leg.

Caleb used it's victory against it though and slammed his own sword against it's side sending it staggering. He spun as he ignored the pain in his left leg and slashed out at it's head. His sword sunk into flesh and Caleb hissed as it stopped half way through. He yanked it out even as the Ra'zac collapsed to it's knees. He spun around to gain momentum and sent the Ra'zac's head rolling away from it's body.

The body collapsed in a heap and Caleb set light to it in disgust. Caleb turned back to where Lucus was standing guard over the burnt out husk of the Lethr-blaka and he limped over to his bonded. He spread out his mind even as he healed a gash on Lucus' front leg. "One dead Lethr-blaka and Ra'zac." He announced as he jumped up onto Lucus' back and his Dragon leapt into the air gaining altitude as fast as possible.

"We're trying but I think it can see perfectly in the smoke!" Eragon yelled mentally as Caleb saw another flash of fire. There was a screech from the Lethr-blaka and the sound of clashing bodies before Thorn fell out of the clouds. He spread his wings quickly but not an instant later Murtagh tumbled off of his back. Lucus collapsed his wings and was under him in a second even as Thorn rolled to try to follow him.

Just as Murtagh would have hit Lucus and Caleb he cried out 'Letta' and Murtagh was tugged to a stop. Caleb released the spell not wanting to waste magic and Murtagh landed sprawling on Lucus' back. Caleb grabbed him in concern seeing the Dagger protruding from his side. Lucus gained altitude just as Thorn appeared above them. Caleb reached around and yanked the dagger out of his brother's side without warning and healed the damage as well as was possible on the back of a Dragon with Eragon and Saphira in mortal danger. Murtagh gasped but rallied himself and nodded a thanks before snapping out his own levitation spell and flinging himself up onto Thorn's back.

Lucus was already gaining altitude rapidly and they rose into the smoke. Caleb blended with Lucus again and could just about make out the shape of the flitting Lethr-blaka just as Lucus came onto it. The Lethr-blaka was taken by surprise and Lucus rolled under it and slashed at it's belly with his claws before holding on with his spiked tail around the Lethr-blaka's own tail. He bit into the neck of the creature just Thorn flew out of the smoke in front and fire erupted in front of the Ra'zac on it's back. Saphira paused in her own attempts at harrying the Lethr-blaka before she launched herself at the Ra'zac and snapped her jaws around it in it's distraction.

She tore it from it's saddle with a violent lurch of her head and rolled away from the struggle between Lucus and the Lethr-blaka. Fire erupted from her mouth even while it still held onto the Ra'zac and Caleb really didn't want to have to Eragon and have to smell that. Caleb simply held on for dear life as Lucus rolled in the air and dropped away from his prey. Thorn landed heavily on the creatures back and tore into the top of it's neck with his jaw and Lucus backed away as Saphira reappeared and bit into it's wing. It shuddered as the end of it's huge wing was torn off but Saphira simply rolled around and slashed deeply into it's belly with her sharp rear claws before latching on to the bottom of it's neck even as Thorn still held on to the top.

It's head sagged as it finally gave up it's struggle and Caleb felt it die. Lucus roared in happiness even as Saphira wrenched away from it and rolled to catch her own weight on her wings. Thorn release his own hold and the Lethr-blaka began to fall faster until the three Dragons and the falling carcass erupted from the bottom of the smoke. Somehow in the fight they had flown over the Helgrind to the south and now as it fell hundreds of fleeing city-dwellers scattered away from it before, with a horrible sound, it struck on a rocky outcropping on the plains. Lucus, Saphira and Thorn all roared in victory and Caleb couldn't help but be happy for them all. They'd gotten their revenge, all of them.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Ten minutes later

The three Dragons settled down on the small hill once again and as soon as the Riders had dismounted from their tired Dragons Eragon was hit full on with a brutal hug from his cousin. Caleb smiled softly and watched the envious look that Murtagh was giving his brother and cousin. He reached out and hugged his childhood brother around the waist before walking passed Eragon and Murtagh and towards where Angela was fussing over a sleeping Katrina.

"Don't forget you have two cousins now, Roran. You'll make the other jealous." He whispered in his friends ear as he passed by. Roran snapped up to look at Murtagh and Caleb ducked down to check on the young woman carefully.

"Er…" Roran stuttered behind him. "Are you ok as well?"

Murtagh sighed but spoke up regardless of Caleb's blatant lack of subtlety. "I'm fine, thank you, Roran. Don't listen to Caleb, you don't have to feel obligated to like me."

"What?" Roran frowned. "It's not that! It's not anything! It just never settled in that I had two cousins."

"I told you when I first met you." Caleb pointed out without looking up. That first time at the river side when he had told Roran about how he had grown up and Roran had realised that Eragon had a brother.

"Would you stay out of it!?" Roran snapped though only half-heartedly. Caleb looked up at him under his loose fringe and smirked at him. Eragon chuckled. Roran glared at Caleb before turning to his older cousin and trust out his hand. Murtagh looked startled but gripped it tightly. Roran tugged on the arm and gave a shocked Murtagh a brief one armed hug that Murtagh just about managed to return. "Cousin." Roran stated with a small smile. "Thank you."

Caleb knew he was talking about helping rescue Katrina and he smiled at Murtagh as his childhood brother realised his family had once again gained a member. Now it was the seven of them. To Murtagh and Eragon he had two brothers and a cousin whilst Roran had the two cousins and a good friend similar to Caleb's own two brothers and a friend. Then there was the three Dragons that merged into the family so perfectly.

Angela chuckled beside his ear and Caleb looked at her. "Well played out." She complimented.

"He's always had a yearning for a family that I alone could never fill." Caleb told her. "Has she woken?"

"Not yet." Angela sighed. "Though I do not fear for her."

"Good." Caleb nodded. "The Ra'zac and Lethr-blaka are all dead."

"I saw the Lethr-blaka fall from the sky." Angela muttered and both glanced up at the spreading smoke reaching out in all directions in the still air.

"Saphira killed it's Ra'zac while Lucus and I killed the other two on the plains to the North." Eragon told her.

"What of the Helgrind?" Angela asked.

"We can't do anything to it now." Caleb sighed. "The humans from the city are covering the plains. To topple it now would kill thousands of them and we can't afford that kind of thing."

"I believe what you have done is sufficient." Angela told him sincerely. "You three have destroyed one of the King's favourite cities and destroyed four beings that most of the humans in the Empire hate and fear with minimal loss of civilian life."

Caleb sighed and sat on the ground. "If only the rest of this war may go passed so easily." Caleb sighed.

"When you three face the King he will fear you." Angela told him sternly.

"Yet Murtagh and I feel only fear of him, even now." Caleb sighed. "We have hid our true selves from him for so long and feared his anger and for our lives for so long."

"A time will come when you will truly be free, Caleb." Solembum suddenly spoke up making the Elf jump.

"Will that be after I am dead?" Caleb asked with a roll of his eyes. Solembum laughed lightly before tipping his head against Caleb's arm. Caleb, without thinking about the fact that Solembum was in his boy form, lifted a hand and scratched the skin on the back of the were-cats neck.

"At this rate, Caleb, he'll never leave your side again." Angela muttered before suddenly looking down at Solembum. "Is that what you want? To go with Caleb to the Elves?"

"It's been a long time since I saw the Elves." Solembum smiled up at her and Caleb looked between the two with a confused expression.

"Do I get a choice in this matter?" Caleb demanded.

Angela laughed uproariously. "I've been trying to get this little fellow to leave me alone for decades. I'm afraid if he's decided to go with you then you're stuck with him until he decides your life is too plain and boring."

"Your life is far from plain and boring!" Caleb argued. "Don't you care?"

Angela smiled at him. "He's a wonderful companion but I don't plan on running around fighting armies for much longer."

Caleb sighed and stood slowly to look around at the others. Murtagh, Eragon and Roran were fussing over the three saddles and they brought out food for them all while Saphira, Lucus and Thorn were settled together on the far side of the hilltop. Caleb made his way over to Roran, Eragon and Murtagh and sighed. "We'll leave as soon as the Dragons are happy to go." Caleb told them. "I'm going to sort out Lucus and then contact Arya with news. Is there anything you want me to tell her?"

"Can you ask about the Villagers?" Roran asked in a spur of the moment decision.

"I'll ask after them." Caleb promised before receiving small shakes of the head from his two brothers to show they didn't want anything. Caleb nodded bluntly before remembering something he'd forgotten. "Murtagh? Could you help me for a minute?"

Murtagh frowned but stood. Caleb led the way over to Lucus and knelt on the grass in front of Lucus' head as his bonded snorted in welcome. He pulled his cotton shirt over his head before lifting his right arm to show Murtagh what he needed help with. Out of the three of them only he and Murtagh had been injured and whilst Murtagh's dagger wound had needed instant attention, Caleb had left his own till they were safe. Murtagh grumbled out about idiotic brothers before kneeling in front of his brother and gripping the shoulders of the metal vest. Caleb raised his arms and hissed in pain as Murtagh slipped it up and over his head.

"What did this?" Murtagh asked as he dumped the Elvin made vest to one side. It would have to be cleaned by hand to remove the blood since magic couldn't effect it so easily.

"One of the Ra'zac chucked a dagger at me and it glanced off the armour." Caleb told him simply. "I forgot about it after seeing you stabbed the same way."

Murtagh grunted out before slapping Caleb's hand away from the lattice of small cuts just as he was about to prod at it. His own hand came to rest of Caleb's skin and his whispered a medical spell that checked for internal injuries. He nodded in satisfaction before casting the basic healing spell and grunted in satisfaction as it close over. "I'll go get some water to clean this off while you sort out Lucus and talk to Arya."

"Thanks, Murtagh." Caleb smiled up at him as his brother stood. Murtagh grinned back at him.

"Thanks for catching me." Murtagh told him.

"Anytime." Caleb grinned before rising to his own feet. He spent almost half an hour rubbing over every inch of Lucus' body to check for damages and also, and according to Lucus, more importantly to please his bonded and eventually he settled against Lucus' shoulder with his own, still bare back, against the warm scales. He checked over the others. Angela was eating a lump of bread beside Katrina with Solembum sitting in human form opposite her while Roran, Eragon and Murtagh were chatting around the saddles. The Dragons were all fast asleep recuperating for the return leg of the journey.

Caleb caught Murtagh's eye and his brother nodded to show he'd keep an eye out on him while he was defenceless and Caleb leaned his head back onto Lucus and whispered the spell. He opened his mental eyes to see a vast blackness in all directions similar to the few occasions that he had cast this spell on Murtagh. Within a second the area rippled and became that of a clearing of trees. Caleb caught a glimpse of the buildings within the trees but turned his eyes to stare at Arya refusing to let his first sight of Ellesmera. Arya blanched and Caleb realised he'd overlooked something. Arya would have forced the intruder to appear as they were so she could verify their identity and like when Murtagh had done the same before and seen him ill, she was seeing him without his shirt on, something that Elvin decorum didn't allow in polite society.

"I'm sorry for my appearance but I've just had a wound healed and forgot that you might force control of my appearance." He felt a ripple go through the scenery and found himself able to visualise his shirt again. It appeared over him as if it had always been there.

"No harm done." Arya told him. "Were you badly injured?"

"Not really. Murtagh was sent into freefall when one of the Ra'zac's daggers struck him but I healed him during the battle. My own injury was from the Elvin vest you gave me when it saved me from a similar injury." Caleb told her with a gesture of greeting as he brought his fist up to his collar bone, she returned the gesture slightly surprised. "I ignored it until we were safe."

"What of your mission?" She asked hesitantly.

"We are all safe." Caleb offered her a weak smile though he found it difficult to keep his limbs still in such a surrounding. Obviously she was too worried about their health to notice his odd manner. Luckily he could hide his real reaction now that she had allowed him to visualise his appearance. "The Lethr-blaka and Ra'zac are dead and the smoke from Dras Leona will probably be visible from The Burning Plains by dawn tomorrow. We will hopefully be back before nightfall."

"What of Katrina?" Arya asked.

"I was able to speak to her mind using this spell last night." Caleb told her making sure to not mention Roran's involvement in the spell. "She has been unconscious since we rescued her unfortunately, however both Angela and myself do not fear for her recovery."

"That is good news." She seemed to hesitate and the scenery attempted to shift though she clamped down on it tightly. "What of…" She paused again unsure of herself.

Caleb wondered what she was talking about and frowned at her. "What?"

"How are the others?" She asked. "Saphira, Lucus, Murtagh, Thorn and Eragon."

This time Caleb saw the undercurrent. He could hear the slight hesitation before she spoke Eragon's name. "We are all in good health and will return once the Dragons are rested." Caleb paused but decided to throw caution to the wind since she could do nothing against him here. "Eragon is fine, Arya-Vodhren."

Her head snapped around to face him and she partly glared at him. Caleb retained his emotionless expression more because of the surrounding he was forced to stand within. She could speak about his assumption without giving herself away however. "Roran wishes me to ask about the Villagers of Carvahall. Are they being looked after?"

She grasped at the distraction and nodded slowly. "The ones that joined the battle are still on the Dragon Wing and will return to Dauth with the first shipment of wounded at dawn tomorrow." Arya nodded.

"Thank you, Arya-Vodhren." Caleb made the same gesture again and took a step backwards to show that he was leaving. She nodded and returned the gesture and Caleb felt glad to be able to shut his eyes on this place and return to his body.

Murtagh was crouched in front of him and by the looks of him he wasn't happy about something. "Murtagh?" Caleb asked confused before noticing Roran, Angela, and Eragon watching him carefully from slightly further away. Solembum the black cat appeared at his elbow and forced his way onto Caleb's lap.

"We thought you might be in pain." Eragon offered in defence as Caleb looked at them all. Caleb frowned before feeling the slight pain in his eyes to show he had been, and still was, crying.

He hissed a word and the tears vanished from his face. "Were you hurt?" Roran frowned.

"What happened?" Murtagh interrupted them all with a harsh glare. He knew Caleb well enough to know he wouldn't cry from physical pain.

"Come, Eragon, Roran, let us saddle the Dragons." Angela declared and forced the two young men away from Caleb and Murtagh.

"Arya chose Ellesmera as the dream scape." Caleb told Murtagh softly and heard Lucus snort in slight anger as he heard it. Caleb patted him without getting off of his shoulder to placate him.

Murtagh swore something rather unpleasant about the Elf under his breath. "Of all the things to do!"

"I don't think she did it on purpose, Murtagh." Caleb pointed out.

"Still it was inconsiderate of her." Murtagh snapped.

"Lucus is ready to fly, is Thorn and Saphira?" Caleb distracted his brother carefully.

"They're ready to go. Angela suggests that you and Lucus take Katrina and Solembum though he'll stay as a cat." Murtagh told him. "I'm going to take Angela and Roran will go with Eragon."

"Have you got my clothes?" Caleb chuckled as he lifted Solembum as he stood. "Arya wasn't impressed when she forced my real appearance. Murtagh looked at him shocked before bursting into chuckles. He was well aware of Elvin etiquette on that matter.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Free Armies - That evening

Cheers erupted all across the area as first Saphira and then Lucus and Thorn appeared through the low hanging clouds of The Burning Plains. Lucus glided down without a sound and without a single movement of his wings to spare his extra passenger. Katrina was seated in front of Caleb and he held onto her tightly. She'd woken up only once on their trip back and had completely and utterly panicked at finding her so far above the earth with a stranger at her back. Caleb wasn't really a stranger but he didn't blame her for the reaction and to stop her from throwing herself off he had sent a spell at her to make her fall asleep.

The spell had faded about an hour ago but she had returned to her near comatose state and even though Roran had been annoyed when Eragon had told him of the event there was little any of them could have done. With any luck she would wake thinking it was a dream. Lucus settled down with a soft thump in the main clearing and he folded his wings as Saphira walked over to them. Thorn landed behind him and Murtagh warned everybody away with a curt gesture.

Eragon, Roran, Murtagh and Angela dismounted quickly and before they could request it Arya and Lady Nasuada appeared with two of Du Gata Vrangr and two soldiers bearing a stretcher between them. Arya snapped at them to wait patiently and Caleb levitated Katrina down carefully onto the stretcher. Roran was at her side in an instant and the group moved off toward a nearby tent.

Arya was exchanging worried words with Eragon and when Caleb jumped down from the saddle she glanced up. Caleb smirked at her as his eyes flickered to Eragon and her eyes narrowed in irritation. 'Stop teasing the Elf!' Lucus demanded.

'Why not?' Caleb asked. 'It's fun.'

'Only you!' Lucus snorted as Caleb reached up and pulled a sleeping Solembum from one of the saddle bags were he had made a bed in a spare blanket.

'I love you too, my dear Lucus.' Caleb challenged knowing that Lucus would try to avoid responding but still fail. Caleb would only have to wait. He headed for where Nasuada stood and bowed half mockingly. "You may inform King Hrothgar, King Orrin and the assembled peoples that the Ra'zac and Lethr-blaka are dead and that Dras Leona has been raised to the ground."

Cheers erupted around them and the calls spread faster than even Caleb thought possible. Nasuada offered him a small smile. "My Lady." Eragon spoke up. "We must leave in the morning and all three are tired from today's events. May I ask that you excuse us from celebrations so that we may rest?"

"Of course, Eragon!" Nasuada told him looking shocked that he'd think otherwise. "I'll have food and drinks brought to your tents as soon as possible and warn the soldiers to leave you all to your peace. Congratulations today."

"Food also for the Dragons." Murtagh pointed out demurely and received a hasty nod in agreement.

Caleb turned to Arya who was waiting peacefully. "Please, inform me if Katrina's state changes in any way."

"Of course, Caleb-Elda." She switched to the honorific for an Elf of great wisdom, it was the highest compliment for Elves. He blinked at her and gave her the formal salute before backing away towards their own tents. Eragon and Murtagh followed as Lucus, Thorn and Saphira took off into the air to glide over the tents towards the clearing around their two tents.

Lucus settled down at the door to his and Murtagh's tent and looked at Caleb giving in to their little game. 'Love you to, Caleb.' Caleb smiled happily at the comment and rubbed at his Dragon's nose lovingly before slipping into the tent after Murtagh wondering how long it would take the human bringing them food to get up the courage to approach the Dragons especially with Lucus sitting right outside their door.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

End Chapter