Rider

Harry crept through the undergrowth and nocked an arrow. He aimed at the deer and released. The arrow flew silently through the air and hit the injured deer. He moved and tripped over a rock. Harry bent down and picked it up as well as a deep purple sword. The rock squeaked and began to break apart. Harry gasped as a dragon emerged.

"I have to speak to Brom. He does know a lot about dragons..."

He knocked several more arrows and killed several squirrels. He offered them to the dragon. It cocked is head before reaching to touch Harry's hand. An ice cold pain lanced up his arm and Harry stared as a silver spot formed in his palm.

"Dragon rider..."

The dragon scoffed down the squirrels.

Several days later

"Brom! Brom!" Harry impatiently rapped his knuckles on the door.

"What is it?"

"I need to talk to you!"

Brom slowly opened the door and let Harry in.

"What is it? You're not supposed to be here today."

Harry took his pack off his back and opened it. The dragon poked its head out. Brom gasped and stared at Harry in amazement.

"How?"

"I found his egg in the spine," said Harry honestly. "At least, I think his dragon is a he. I came to you because you were a dragon rider."

"No I wasn't."

"Yes you were. There's no denying it Brom. Only a rider knows so much about dragons."

"How long have you known?"

"A few years now."

"Does anyone else know?"

Harry shook his head. The dragon pushed a feeling of hunger through the link that had developed throughout the last few days. Harry pulled out a step of meat and gave it to the dragon.

"There's also this." Harry pulled out the sword and handed it to Brom who studied the symbol on the sheath.

"Maela is this sword's name. Keep it hidden." He handed it back.

"Quiet," muttered Harry as he recognised the word. Brom has caught him levitating a stone once and had taught him to control his gifts.

"And I think you should use the time we spend together learning about dragons," continued Brom.

"I'd better get back to the farm," said Harry as he put the sword away. "Garrow will be wondering where I am."

"Tell me if you see anything unusual."

Harry nodded as slipped out the door with the purple dragon.

Farm

"Hey there Claw." The cat rubbed itself against Harry's legs as Harry placed his pack on his bed. It has been Harry's constant companion.

"Hello Harry."

Harry started and started at Claw. "You're a werecat, right?"

"Yes. I have stuck with you all your life." Claw scratched behind his ears. "You are important."

"First a dragon now this."

The months and eventually a year passed. Eragon had found a sapphire egg like the one Harry's dragon had hatched from. He had tried to sell it and it had eventually disappeared. Harry had also seen the signs of another dragon and Eragon had been spending time outdoors. Roran had left to make money so he could marry Katrina, a girl he loved. Harry's dragon grew quickly and eventually blew fire. Harry eventually chose a name.

Flashback

"Amethyst?"

The dragon shook its head.

"I don't even know what gender you are."

"Male."

"Fang?"

The dragon cocked its head then nodded.

Flashback end

"Alright Fang. Do you think you can carry me?"

"Yes..."

Harry have a whoop and climbed into the hole between Fang's shoulders. Fang flapped his wings and started into the air.

"The view up here is amazing," said Harry through their bond.

"That it is."

Harry looked in the direction of the farm and saw smoke. He even saw a flicker of orange. His hand went to Maela which he kept under a ward. It meant he was always tired but it was worth it. Brom had also taught him how to use a blade. Fang changed direction and fired towards the farm. Harry leapt off and ran into the wreckage.

"Fang, clear the smoke."

Fang flapped his wings and the smoke cleared.

"Garrow!"

"There has been others here. The strangers." Claw rubbed himself against Harry's legs. The boy studied the two sets of prints that lead to the remains of the house. "They were looking for Eragon. Garrow is this way."

Claw lad them to Garrow. Fang lifted the beam off him as Harry tried to reach Brom.

"Brom!"

"What?" came the grumpy reply. Harry pulled Garrow from under the beam and retched at the smell, like the odour of rotting fruit. He proceeded to clean out the wounds and bandaged them as he talked to Brom.

"Someone burnt the house down and Garrow is injured. The strangers that have been hanging around apparently are the cause of them. I don't know how to get him to Gertrude and Fang can't lift him without making people suspicious."

There was a pause.

"Use magic. I know I told you not to use it but this is necessary."

The air pressure increased then decreased. Harry looked up as a sapphire dragon dove down and landed. Eragon climbed down and stared at Fang.

"Harry, what? How?"

"The same way you became a rider by finding an egg. What is your name noble dragon?"

"Saphira."

Saphira stared unblinkingly at Fang. Harry whispered a few words of the ancient language under his breath and picked Garrow up.

"We'd better get to Carvahall."

With that, he walked off in the direction of the town. Eragon hesitated and followed. Fang and Saphira took to the air.

"How long have you been a rider Harry?"

"Nearly a year now. I managed to keep Fang a secret but it was getting hard, especially with Saphira around."

Eragon nodded as Harry's eyes glazed over. "Saphira, find a safe place to rest. I don't know how long we'll be."

"I will."

They eventually made it to the town and Brom ran over with dried blood on his head. Eragon collapsed.

Unknown

He watched as a group of people on proud houses approached a meandering river. A fair ship waited for them. The figures slowly boarded the vessel, two of them walked arm in arm. Their faces were obscured but he instinctively knew one was a women. The faced the shore and a man stood on the beach, he let out a sad cry. The ship glided down the river without a single gust of air. Eragon glimpsed three dragons in the air as the vision faded.

Eragon's eyes snapped open. He tried to reach for Saphira but couldn't reach her. He glanced around the hut. There were herbs everywhere and there was a fire in the heath.

"Finally." He stared at Gertrude. "You've been sleeping for two days. How are you?"

"I feel good. How's Garrow? And where is he?"

Gertrude frowned. "Not well. His fever refuses to break and his wounds are closing but really slowly. It's been keeping me on my toes running between here and Horst's house. Harry has been a godsend. He's been taking care of Garrow as best has he can."

"I need to see them." Eragon tried to get up but Gertrude pushed him back down.

"Not until you have finished eating. You had the skin scrapped off your legs and your fever broke last night. I haven't spent all this effort on you for you to go hurt yourself. The whole town wants to know what happened. People went down and found it destroyed. Do you know what happened?"

"I wasn't there when it happened." Eragon gulped down the delicious soup. "Can I see Garrow now?"

Gertrude helped him stand and observed him walking. "You won't have to crawl there."

Eragon leant on Gertrude as they made their way through Carvahall. Horst's house was located on the top of a hill and he had lavished all his skill on it. Horst's wife, Elaine opened the door.

"Come in." she sent a sad smile at Eragon. "I was about to send for you. He's not doing well."

"You'll have to help Eragon up the stairs."

"I can do it myself."

Eragon started up the stairs and found the right door.

"Eragon! You're awake!" Harry hugged him.

"How's he doing?"

"Not very well." Harry put a damp cloth over Garrow's forehead. "I've done everything I can think of and you know I'm good with herbs. His fever has broken though and some of the cuts have started to heal."

Eragon sank to the floor. Harry sighed after ten minutes and helped him out the door.

"You need some air."

He led him downstairs into the kitchen where many smells filled the air.

"What happened?" asked Horst. "I know you probably don't want to talk but we need to know."

"I don't know."

"I was one of the ones who went to the farm," continued Horst. "The house didn't fall apart. It looked like it had been torn apart. Surrounding it were the tracks of some huge beasts that I have never heard about. You're the only ones who can tell us."

"We were walking in the forest when we saw the smoke," said Harry with a small glance at Eragon. "We hurried back but whoever had done it had already gone. We dug through the rubble and found Garrow then carried him back here. I noticed two tracks and assumed that they had belonged to whoever had done it. This was in Garrow's hand." He pulled out a piece of fabric. "It belonged to the strangers."

"And how did your legs get injured?" asked Horst.

"I don't know," said Eragon. "I didn't notice."

"Does Roran know?" asked Harry. Horst shook his head.

"He should be in Therinsford by now. Baldor and Albriech were about to leave."

The three exited the room and Eragon stared at the table.

"Why?"

"I don't know." Harry sat down and closed his eyes. "I wish this had never happened."

"Eragon."

Eragon glanced around. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"I think Saphira is trying to contact you."

"Saphira?"

"Who else?"

"Where were you?"

"I had to hunt. Fang was kind enough to share some of his catches but they were not enough for two."

"It will be a long time before we can return home…"

Harry rubbed his head as he tried to keep someone out.

"That's enough boy!"

"Brom, you should at least let me know it's you. For all I know, it could be someone that works for the king."

"Fine. Impudent boy."

"Grumpy old man. What do you want?"

"When are you leaving?"

"I don't know."

There was a mental snort and Brom left Harry's mind.

That night

Eragon jolted up. The room was freezing as goose bumps formed on his arms. He slipped out of bed and padded down the corridor. He stared at Garrow and the silver ambulant around his neck and the hemlock as Garrow lied peacefully on his bed.

"I had hoped that I would call him father one day," whispered Katrina.

Tears flooded Eragon's cheeks and Harry was in the same state.

The next day

Eragon slipped down the stairs.

"Going somewhere?" Eragon twisted his head to stare at Harry who beckoned him over.

"I don't think that the two boys told us everything."

"What do you mean?" asked Elain.

"The tracks. It looked more like one of them carried Garrow all the up and the tracks had giant ones next to them for part of the way."

"It's time to leave," whispered Harry. Eragon nodded and they slipped out. "I'll meet you at the farm."

Later

Eragon ran down the track before skidding to a halt. "Brom?"

Harry and Brom looked up from their intense discussion. "Hey Eragon."

Harry checked his pack before grunting. "Still in good condition. And my bow isn't damaged. Most of my stuff is fine actually."

"How's your dragon?" asked Brom as he turned to Eragon.

"What dragon?"

"Don't play me for a fool! The signs are obvious."

Claw rubbed himself against Harry's legs.

"So, what's the plan?" asked Harry.

"I want to go after the strangers," said Eragon firmly.

"A mighty task. I think that help would be welcome."

Saphira landed and Brom started in surprise. Harry raised an eyebrow.