Eragon was sitting against Saphira's leg as he curiously looked down at the small village below him, they were on a large hill hidden in the woods so they couldn't see Saphira. The village he was currently looking at was Ursür, the village wasn't much. It was around the size of Carvahall if slightly smaller, he took in everything. The inn, the butcher, the stables, the people, nothing was missed. And there near what he knew was a blacksmiths shop, was a large Oak tree that looked over one hundred years old and possibly had a dragon egg buried within its roots.

"I'll be back later Saphira," Eragon said.

Saphira nodded her head "very well, but if this is a trick I'll never let you go in a town, no matter how small alone! I'll never let you off my back and if you do I'll just carry you in my claws."

"I love you too."

Eragon muttered the same spell he had used before to change his appearance, but he instead decided to keep his dark brown hair but changed his brown eyes changed to a dark green, he didn't have to change his appearance since he had decided to forgo his elfish looks, he looked like he was before turned into a half-elf. He looked completely human though his ears were slightly pointed but not enough to raise suspicion. He did change some features though, he made his nose slightly larger and changed his face structure so it looked less lean.

Eragon then grabbed a simple brown cloak and grabbed his backpack before grabbing a staff he had made earlier. It was a great chestnut color, with barely any dents or nicks. He had crafted it by singing to a tree like the elves did, while he was no master he did make the staff. He also enchanted the staff so that it would not break unless a great force hit it. He also drew words of the ancient language to help with the wards, though he made sure that they were hard to see.

Eragon shouldered his pack before heading down the hill to Ursür.

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Ronan Avorson sighed slightly as he idly gazed at the main road of the village. He leaned on the porch railing bored out of his mind. Ronan was fifteen years old, he was not yet an adult but he wasn't a child either. Ronan was a large boy, not fat but muscular. His father was the blacksmith after all and his father had taught his craft to him and his older brother Albrich who was 19. He was tall for his age, around the height of 5'9 but was still growing, he was muscular and was broad. He had tanned skin from being in the sun and light brown hair with hazel eyes. Ronan was also an adventurous boy, he was never one to sit around and do nothing. He was also a hunter, he had even ventured into the mysterious Spine, something that no one else did. He never went far but he still managed to bring back game to the table.

Ronan narrowed his eyes when he saw a figure walking towards his village. He couldn't tell what the figure looked like, only that he was a man, the cloak hid everything else.

"Father, a man's coming down the road!" Ronan yelled towards where his father was remolding a horseshoe while his older brother was stoking the fire.

Avor set down his hammer and headed towards Ronan with Albrich trailing behind him. The two men and one boy walked towards the stranger who stopped when they approached, "what be your name stranger?" Avor asked the stranger.

The man took off his hood to show a man around nineteen, he had dark brown hair and green eyes. While he was not as broad as Ronan and his family and was more on the leaner side Ronan could still see that this guy was strong.

"My name is Rulf son of Uric, and just a simple traveler and storyteller as he tries to find a place in this world," the now known Rulf said with a smile.

Avor could hear a bit of roughness in his voice, he could tell that the young man was probably born in the Northern parts of the Empire.

Avot stuck out his hands and Rulf shook the mans hand, "Name's Avor Gerocson, and these are me boys Albrich an' Ronan."

Ronan stuck out his hand like his father had done "hi," the boy said cheerfully.

Albrich merely nodded his head in greeting, he was more of the silent type.

Rulf nodded back " do you know where the inn is? I've traveled far and I'm weary." Avon told him the location of the inn; Rulf nodded his thanks. "Ill be telling stories there tonight if you want to come" and headed of toward the inn. "Alright back to work boys no time to dawdle" Avon said. Albrich and Avon returned to the forge but Ronan stayed watching the man disappear behind the building… for some reason he felt like there was something different about him… something powerful. Ronan shook off the feeling and headed for the forge.

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Eragon leaned back in his chair as he finished eating his meal, he wore his hood but you could still see the warm smile on his face as he looked around at the inn, men were drinking beer while their wives were trying to convince them that they have had enough ale for the night, young boys and girls were playing in the corner, it reminded him of all the times spent in Morn's tavern. Many people were here tonight because word had spread that a story teller had arrived. They were simple country folk, just farmers or crafters living in a small town not even on the maps, it was rare for entertainment to come.

Eragon took off his hood as he set aside his food, immediately the tavern quieted as they waited for the story teller to tell his tales. Eragon had pondered on what tale to tell while he was eating and decided to say one of his favorites.

He then started to speak, and everyone listened "this is the Tale of Herensuge. A long time ago before your father's fathers were born and even before their father's grandfathers, the dragons roamed Alagaësia. There were so many of them, all different colors and sizes, from the size of small horses to a small hill, and they were noble creatures, capable of speaking as easily as you do. Then the dragons were wild, few were the Riders back in those days and their order had yet to prosper. The dragons were feared by all but were still revered for their beauty and strength. And there was one dragon that was larger and stronger than them all, Herensuge. A great dragon whose scales were as dark as a moonless night, his eyes were piercing yellow, and his teeth were larger than a grown mans arm, his claws could easily slice an ox in half. He was feared by all, whether it be dwarf or elf, human or dragon, all feared him due to his massive size. Despite being known as the most fearsome creature in the entire land Herensuge was not happy, he could not find a mate for whenever he came near any creature they would flee in fear of him, he was thought not as a dragon but as a demon."

The crowd listened intently at this new tale, Eragon idly noticed Ronan standing near the back of the crowd with a look of amazement as he heard of the gigantic dragon.

"Herensuge was alone, he lived on the highest mountain in the northern part of Alagaësia, but one day while Herensuge was dozing in the warm sunlight he sensed a dragon nearby. He quickly hid in his cave, he din't want to see another creature run away from him in fear, as he gazed into the sky trying to find the dragon he found her. She was a large silver dragon, she flew with such grace and skill, her scales glittered like the brightest of silver, and her eyes were of the most purest blue. Herensuge fell instantly in love with the she-dragon. He did not try to approach her as he was afraid that she would be afraid of him, but the she-dragon noticed him. He tried his best to hide in his cave as the she-dragon landed on his mountain but she easily found him. He fearfully left his cave and the she-dragon realized that he was Herensuge, an evil dragon that her mother had told her of when she was a hatchling. But she didn't see any evil in Herensuge's eyes, all she saw was loneliness and sadness and felt her heart break as she realized how lonely Herensuge must be. She then told him that her name was Sheeva and asked him his name as she didn't want to be rude. Herensuge was so confused on why she didn't flee when she realized he was Herensuge. Sheeva was an energetic dragon and immediately suggested they fly and maybe play a game."

Eragon noticed Ronan's smile when he realized Herensuge had found someone who didn't fear him.

"Herensuge didn't know what to do, but he accepted and for the first time in his life he found himself a companion, that day was probably one of the happiest days of his life, he had found a friend. But sadly night was beginning to set and Sheeva needed to return to her clan home, Herensuge was heartbroken, thinking he'd never see the nice dragon again. But Sheeva promised to return the next day, and she did. Herensuge was eagerly awaiting her, he didn't even sleep during the night because he was so excited. The two spent the whole day together, and soon Sheeva was visiting Herensuge's mountain everyday, months passed and the two dragons fell in love. Herensuge had let out a great roar of joy when he found out Shheva shared his feelings. They became mates and were happy."

Eragon's tone turned grim and the villagers knew something bad was going to happen.

"Sadly for the lovers there would be no happy ending, one night Sheeva and Herensuge had been flying for the whole day and when they returned to the mountain it was already midnight, but that night was a blind night, a night were the moon disappeared once a year and left the entire land covered in darkness. Sheeva couldn't fly home to her clan, who still did not know of her and Herensuge. She stayed with Herensuge and the two mates slept peacefully, with Herensuge's head resting near Sheeva's and his giant tail wrapping around his mate lovingly. But by the next day the worst thing happened. Because Sheeva did not return home to her clan they did not know what had happened to her. Her father and leader of the clan Rasnok, immediately got his five best warriors and his best tracker before following Sheeva's scent. He discovered with horror that his daughters scent led to the mountain of the demon dragon Herensuge. He immediately decided that Herensuge had kidnapped his daughter and with a shriek of rage flew towards the mountain followed by his warriors. Herensuge and Sheeva were startled awake when they heard the shriek, as they quickly got out of the cave a large brown blur slammed into Herensuge, it was Rasnok. Sheeva immediately tried to reason with her father but he was to far in a frenzy. Herensuge managed to throw Rasnok off of him with his superior strength and immediately attacked one of the warriors who had lunged at him. Herensuge had managed to kill the warrior but didn't notice Rasnok leap at him, claws out ready to slit the black dragon's throat. Before such a thing could happen a silver blur appeared in front of Rasnok and Herensuge. The mountain grew silent where only the wind made a sound, before drip… drip… drip. Rasnok looked at the crimson blood on his claws with horror, it was not Herensuge's throat he had slit, but Sheeva's. When Herensuge saw his mate bleeding through the neck he lost it. He killed Rasnok and the other dragons with great fury, he then quickly ran to Sheeva and his world seemed to stop when he saw she couldn't be saved. As he openly wept at the lose of his only friend and his mate he saw Sheeva's eyes open slightly "Herensuge…" she croaked out "don't be so sad, we'll see each other again. Just remember… That…. I.. Will… Always… Love…. You," her eyes closed as she said her last words. A great scream of despair echoed through the mountains, the valley, the plains, the coasts. Everyone heard the scream of some tortured soul, they shuddered at the pain in the scream. Herensuge fled the mountain that had been his home for countless decades, not able to live their without seeing he ghosts of his past."

The tavern was dead quiet as they heard how the tale ended, of how a tortured soul had found a reason to live and love, and then to have it taken from him.

"Some say that Utgard is Herensuge's mountain and that even now Herensuge still comes to the mountain every year to mourn his lover. If you hear a wailing coming from that peak then it is Herensuge as he mourns the loss of his lover, the only creature who had loved him and not seen him as a demon."

The tale ended and the people clapped at the tale though some had to wipe a stray tear from their cheeks. They then gave Eragon or Rulf as they knew him coins for his tale before heading home.

As Eragon counted his money he noticed someone else come up to his table. He saw that it was Ronan smiling shyly at the stranger. "I really liked the story," he said "does he really go to Utgard every year?" he asked curiously.

Eragon smiled at the boy, 'He reminds me of myself whenever Brom told a story and how I would always have to ask more,' he thought wistfully, "perhaps my friend, but to really know you would have to go to Utgard, eh?" he said.

Ronan nodded and saw his father waving his hand for Ronan to follow him "bye Rulf!" he said as he hurried towards his father.

"He reminds me of you," Saphira's voice said within his mind.

"I know, he seems like a good boy."

Eragon got up from his table and after saying good night to the inn keepers he headed up to the room he had rented. It was bare and simple, with only a bed, nightstand, and an empty hearth, a window showed the country side. Eragon set his things down, he sat down on the bed and closed his eyes as he meditated, he placed his hand on the belt of Beloth the Wise and channeled any extra energy into the flawless gems, he had of course hidden the belt with a spell, a simple traveler wearing a belt made of rare and flawless gems was no doubt to cause suspicion. For the next couple of hours Eragon would channel his energy into the belt, he had been doing this since he left the Varden. Not only to be able to use it in battle but Eragon had an idea that if he did do would take up any of his stored energy and even then it wouldn't be complete. As he thought of this Eragon thought of his plan, it was risky but if he did it right then he would be able to stay safe, the only problem was that it was probably close to impossible to do, he hadn't even told Saphira of his plans, he only thought of it whenever she was out of his minds reach and always kept it in the corner of his mind.

The moonlight was shining through his window, no one would be up, they would be asleep in their beds with no thoughts of fleeing from the entire Varden and Empire and that there may well be the only dragon egg that has not been found by Galbatorix right underneath them. He jumped out of the window and landed on the ground without a sound, he stealthily ran towards the blacksmiths house on the outskirt of the town, and there in the backyard was a gigantic oak tree. Eragon crouched at the base of the tree as he started at the spot where the egg was supposedly buried, "deloi moi," with the power of magic Eragon watched as the earth faded and melted as a hole appeared that got deeper and deeper, he stopped the spell when he saw something in the hole. He bended over the hole and his heart stopped. Because there in the hole, shining in the moonlight was the white dragon egg.

Ancient Language

Deloi Moi – Earth, change