I only own my own OCs. Please review, and hope you like the new chapter. I do still have to say: "Mental speech in ' ' and ancient language translations at the bottom.

"Arya, do you really have to go right now? Can't you stay for dinner? I've sent in my own fruits today." I taunted her, but Arya was determined. "I'm sorry, Vraela. But I can't leave Du Weldenvarden to fend for itself. They need me, but I'll be back the day Eragon arrives." I nodded and promised, "I'll make sure Emerald takes good care of her egg. But... I'm worried about Quin and Alaster. They left right after lunch to take a walk, but I haven't seen them in the gardens." Arya waved a hand and dismissively told me, "They are probably messing around; playing dragon ball, or racing the leopards again."

I nodded positively, but I still couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong. But it faded as sadness replaced it, and Arya flew away. I wish she had stayed longer to help me with my next hurdle, and the highest I'd ever faced. The first thing that happened was Alaster showed up. He and Revan looked terrified, and Alaster kept looking behind himself, as if expecting an enemy. When they landed, Alaster leapt off, ran to me and screamed, "Quin! Quin! The creature! The... It stole him! Black! White sword!" This description. It was to intensely similar to... Oh, if there were gods, I'd be on my knees, praying, but I knew who it was, and weakening would only make the problem worse. But I killed him... He should have died again... What had I ever done to deserve this? Torment after torture, heartbreak after terror, it never seems to end.

Why? Why me? I hate my lineage right now, because the daughter of great people have expectations, and I had higher expectations than most. I walked Alaster back to Revan's side, hoping the sight of his dragon would calm him, but he just traced the pattern of his scales and muttered.

I pulled a shard of glass from my pocket and whispered the phrase for reflecting, and focus on Arya. I saw a disturbance like ripples on water and I could see Arya. She asked, "Vraela? What's wrong? You look troubled." I quickly told her, "Do you remember the Shade I fought? I must have misjudged how I hit it, because its back. Its..." I couldn't tell her it was Galbatorix. I just couldn't. It would send waves of panic everywhere, and Galbatorix would have a hold on us. I wailed, "It... Took Quin, Arya! He took Quin!" She looked at me and asked, "Are you sure? Is Alaster alright?" I replied, "Yes, Alaster saw it, then ran to me. Listen, I'm sending Alaster to stay in Ellesméra, where its safe."

Alaster suddenly was aware of me, and yelled, "No! I'm going to help get Quin back!" Arya protested, "Alaster, you must think! If you are killed, then three Riders are left. No, you will come with me to Ellesméra." Alaster knew better than to argue, and so nodded. I hugged him quickly, knowing I was sending away all the possible help I'd have any chance of getting, and watched him fly Northwest. I looked back at the glass and told Arya, "You aren't coming either." She cried, "What? You can't expect me to let you face a Shade alone!" "But you said it yourself, the elves need you. I've lived through fighting this Shade before, and I can do it again."

"But you'll be killed! Shades gain strength every time they disintegrate, so this Shade will be even more powerful!" I hushed her by saying, "Calm down. I've held my own against Galbatorix, alone and poisoned." I was facing Galbatorix's evil soul that was twice as powerful now than last time when I nearly died (form the fifth time since I left Uru'baen, I might add), but Arya didn't need to know that. She sighed and asked, "Will you at least promise not to take any unnecessary risks?" I could promise this; the risks I will take are going to be necessary, so I told her, "Alright, I won't take any 'unnecessary risks.' I'll call in later today. Good-bye, Arya." I tapped the surface of the glass, and Arya's face was replaced by my silver-framed shape.

I had a plan. But Arya wouldn't be getting that message later if it worked. Emerald couldn't be allowed into this, either. She would attempt to stop me, and I'd feel incomplete with myself if I died and it was my fault, and even if I managed to live, no one is the same after facing a Shade. And if I lost Emerald, I would have no reason left to live. I ran to my house, and quickly dressed for battle into my greaves, gantlets, boots, open palm gloves, and a helmet Rhunön had forged for me in the shape of a dragon's snarling face. I quickly strapped Laufsbläd to my waist, and I was as ready as I would ever be.

I ran the way to the West Gate in about half an hour, and the Shade was waiting for me. He stood on the cobbled road, his suit pale against the red, setting sun sky. Just like the blood about to be spilt, the sky seemed to be the same blood red. I pulled Laufsbläd out, and the Shade laughed, "Ha, ha! You remember how well that sword worked against me last time, child. Just lay it down, and I won't make you suffer as much as the others." I hesitated. "Others? What others, you dark creature of destruction! Tell me! Now!" He smiled and said in mock disappointment, "Tsk, tsk. You should know better than to push Daddy." I screeched at the top of my lungs, "I'm not your daughter! I never have, and I never will! So tell me now! Tell me where Quin is!"

The Shade reached into his black robe, and pulled out a glass cylinder about an inch long and a quarter inch around, and said with pity in his voice, "So this little thing is your student? Pity. I expected more than an arrogant child who charges blindly into battle." I suddenly felt Quin, and Heldrean!