It was time to leave. Two strangers had arrived the day before and started asking questions. Not about him, thank Jone's light, but they were asking questions about the blue stone. The villagers had more than enough sense to keep quiet. It was only a matter of time for some loose-lipped gossip to let something slide.

From there it wouldn't take much to connect the egg's appearance to the arrival of a stranger. Then they might question him as well and certain experiences had taught him that other types of questioning would not be pleasant. Yet despite the logic that told him to run, another feeling was telling him to stay. Just a little longer.

These strangers were unnatural. They didn't speak, not normally at any rate. They spoke as if they'd swallowed moon sugar unsweetened and other times they clicked and clacked to each other. There also wasn't so much as a grain of magic in them.

He'd smelled them before they even entered the village. Rotting meat, decay, and the sickly-sweet aura of death surrounded those foul creatures. They were not human, of that Ka'zhid was quite sure. When he saw them in the street yesterday he had the urge to rip and tear them apart, remove their filth from the world.

He'd never worshiped Merid-Nunda, he didn't worship most of his people's gods. No, this had nothing to do with the divine. No this felt more primal, more. . .wild.

-~o

The myriad of sparks dancing before his eyes resembled the night sky on a clear night. One could burn and fade in an instant but more would blaze forth to recreate the splendor lost.

Ka'zhid examined the sword as the grinding wheel rotated to a stop. Satisfied with the edge he returned it to the sheath, the cogs requested were supposed to be finished today. They were almost complete anyways, really he was just helping to speed things up. The sooner he was finished with any projects now the faster he could leave tomorrow. Not that he hadn't come to enjoy this quaint little town, it drew him back to those warm memories back when he was a cub.

Besides, his clan were always wanderers, a trait that had been passed down, and one that now called him.

-~o

Ka'zhid couldn't help but listen to what Horst was telling Eragon. Dispose of the blue stone. Good advice but too late to make a difference. Ka'zhid waited until Eragon was walking down the street before he stepped out. Horst gave him a glance but his attention remained wholly on Eragon's receding form. They watched in silence as he disappeared out of sight.

"This one will be leaving tomorrow." Horst was slow to face him.

"I suspected as much. With those strangers about it makes me nervous. Probably best to leave anyway, won't be long before they find out you came back with Eragon." Horst's face didn't reflect his worry but it was clear in his voice.

"Hmm. Early tomorrow morning, before the sun rises." Horst laid a thick hand on Ka'zhid's shoulder.

"I'll have Elain pack some food for you. It's a sad parting friend. I've come to enjoy your company." Ka'zhid chuckled.

"Best not to worry, friend. Perhaps Ka'zhid will be back one day, with strange tales to be shared over ale." Horst laughed and patted Ka'zhid's back. They both walked back into the forge to resume their work. Unaware of the events taking place just out of town.

- - - - - ~ o

The darkness was not lit with the fire of lantern or sun but Ka'zhid could see well enough. Being here a month had attuned to the few squeaky boards in the house. Slipping past them and out the front door had been a cinch. The occasional dog lifted their head at his passing but didn't bark.

Now two hours out of town and with no danger in sight he let his guard down. He had a good day-and-a-half journey ahead to Therinsford. From there he had two choices. Follow the river North to a place called 'Ceunon', or go far to the South.

From the descriptions given Ceunon was an isolated place. Farther South there were more well traveled roads. That could mean more knowledge was available. It might also mean cozying up to The Empire and judging by the stories and comments it would not be a pleasant process.

His nose twitched. Ash and smoke filled the air. With no wind to spread the smell it must be close by. Ka'zhid hesitated for a moment before dropping his things on the side of the road. The farm was tucked a little ways from the road, close to the foothills of The Spine. The sword slid noiselessly from the sheath, and gleamed in the still burning ruins of a barn.

The real eye catcher were two gigantic bat-like avians perched atop the house, ripping it to shreds. They carried the same smell as the strangers but it was stronger, more evil. The strangers themselves were watching the destruction as they clacked to each other. Burnt flesh also pervaded the air, although slight.

Suddenly one of the great beasts stopped and stared at him. Its screeching drew the attention of all and assaulted Ka'zhid's ears. The strangers drew swords as the beasts lifted off from the ruined farmhouse. Magic flared to life in Ka'zhid's left hand, glinting off the blade in his right.

"Ahh, you must be the traveling scholar." One of them spoke, its voice slithered like some creeping thing. "We have heard ssso much about you. And a magician too, the king will be most pleased with your capture." The strangers walked forward to either side of Ka'zhid.

"This one has heard nothing of you. Sadly, slime like you do not need introductions, it comes with the smell." Both strangers hissed but didn't attack.

"Your words shall be repaid ten-fold upon you wretch. We shall have plenty of time before we reach Uru'baen to educate you in fairer speech." They continued to walk in a circle, waiting. Ka'zhid's ears twitched.

As he jumped aside one of the strange winged beasts landed where he had been. His arm twitched and the sword danced across the creature's skin. A blueish-green substance spilled from the cut as the beast cried. Ka'zhid rushed at one of the strangers, stained sword raised. The stranger seemed to be flabbergasted to react beside block Ka'zhid's blow. Their mistake, as the swords connected the pent up magic continued towards the stranger. Not cutting them, just blasting them backwards.

Whipping around, the other stranger was charging forward at an unnatural speed. The large beast wasn't as hindered by his cut as he would've liked but right now he had more immediate danger to deal with. His feet actually slid back as the stranger struck and pushed. With so much strength, Ka'zhid had to place both hands on the handle to push back. More surprise from this stranger allowed him to push the creature off.

The large beast had flown off, leaving a small pool of liquid. The other stranger had recovered enough to sway to their feet. The steadier of the two clicked and clacked to its fellow who replied. They stepped back, and back, and back, and vanished into the predawn shadows.

Blade now clean, Ka'zhid sheathed it and stood there, staring blankly.

Strange. . .very strange. Whatever they are, they aren't human. No one is that strong, not even Nords. How are those strangers connected to those beatley birds? Whoever they are, news of me will reach this King Galbatorix. Someone I'd rather not become involved with.

The sound of falling wood sent him sprinting to the house. I hope no one was here when they arrived. As he searched through the wrecked house that small hope died. The smell of burnt flesh and oil drew him to an area worse off than the rest; beams and boards were in piles and scattered. Boards were easily tossed aside but the beams weren't to be so easily shifted.

That would take some magicka and spells he didn't have. The lighter beams would have to come first.

-~o

Sounds of displaced air and wings were the first sign. The loud roaring was also a giveaway. Indeed, it was similar to its extinct cousin. A lot less rattling of loose bones of course.

Ka'zhid had been trying to shift the last, and unfortunately largest, beam when the dragon made itself known. Despite the connection to Eragon, Ka'zhid still retrieved his sword from its place by the door. The first meeting with a live dragon in centuries and he preferred to survive it. The walls were half destroyed anyways but the light produced from the cover of gray clouds blinded Ka'zhid for a moment.

The dazzling blue that should have been, was dimmed by the sun's lack of presence. All the same it was an amazing sight. Bone-white pikes erupted from neck to tail, but there was a space between neck and shoulder where a spike was not present. In its place was a humanoid figure, bent low over the neck. As the duo approached Kazhid could make out more details.

Sapphire blue eyes that pierced the veil between detached and interest, hid a vibrant, inquisitive, mind. He also noticed the same bone-white colored talons that looked sharp enough to peirce the best armor. As the dragon landed he could also see the small streams of smoke emitting from the nose. Claws, fire, and intelligence are a dangerous combination. It will serve her well in the days to come.

Eragon looked ragged. The boy clearly hadn't slept well. When he dismounted the boy stumbled and would've fallen except for the dragon. Dark stains blotched the inside of his pants. From the smell of it, blood. The dragon's scales had most likely scraped his skin raw. Ka'zhid grimaced at the damage done. A gasp emitted from Eragon and a long blue neck hurtled towards him. Ka'zhid struggled to breathe as the dragon stood over him. She probably would've eaten him if not for the sword pressing her neck and the teeth hovering over his face.

The flow of healing magic stopped as did the golden glow. The dragon growled, Ka'zhid hissed in return. Sapphire blue eyes stared into golden yellow, the staring continued.

"Saphira stop!" The dragon's eyes flicked to Eragon but didn't move. "He's a friend."

The dragon huffed before closing its jaws. Ka'zhid lowered the sword and the two separated. They watched each other carefully, the dragon giving him a baleful gaze. He got up slowly so as not to upset the dragon. Eragon hobbled forward, placing himself between the glaring pair.

"Did the strangers do this? Is my Uncle alright?"

Eragon's panicked questions put Ka'zhid's mind in a flurry to assemble answers. Finding none, he simply sheathed the sword and jogged towards the house. Ka'zhid began to work on the beam again, trying to shift it by propping up one side. Eragon's gasp at his uncle's state didn't distract Ka'zhid as he continued to work. With the help of Eragon he was able to drag the man outside and check on him.

Eragon was crying and shaking his uncle. The magic was easy to manipulate and the wounds easy to find. A couple dozen and each one smelled of that strange burning oil. Magic flowed into the wounds but the oil seemed to actively reject the treatment. Switching tactics, he tried drawing the clear liquid out of the wounds. It was partially successful but he wasn't able to draw all of the liquid out. Some had already entered the bloodstream, which would make healing a very difficult process. When he finally let the magic fade back into the air, he was sweating and breathing great puffs of air.

The dragon was watching with great interest, almost as if it knew what he was doing. Eragon had been busy tying several boards together in a makeshift stretcher. Eragon, despite being healed, would not be able to carry so much weight to Carvahall. The dragon was a secret and too easily noticed. With sword at his side he pushed Eragon aside when he tried to pick up the handles.

"This one shall carry your uncle, you are in no condition to do this." A stubborn expression set itself on the boy's face.

"Garrow is my Uncle. I should've warned him about the strangers and Saphira. Except I didn't and now. . ." He didn't continue but he didn't need to.

"Alright, we'll each pull one side. Best tell your dragon to hide herself before the villagers arrive." Eragon nodded.

His face became blank for a moment then contorted as if some internal struggle was bursting to the fore. The dragon stood staring at Eragon for those long seconds then lifted off and into the forest. Together, they dragged Garrow towards Carvahall with all haste. Even with the Khajiit taking half the weight Eragon was still exhausted when they reached the outskirts. Brom, the old storyteller, came rushing up to them with blood streaking one side of his head.

Eragon had been flagging for the past mile and it was a wonder he made it this far before collapsing. Ka'zhid was quick to put the boards down and tended to the man, as Brom was more interested in Eragon. The golden glow was summoned forth again as the wounds brought forth a little more oil. Not as much as before, and definitely not all of it. At most it would perhaps help Gertrude in her healing applications and save the man's life, at the least it would give a few days.

Looking up he was caught in Brom's intrigued and watchful gaze. Cries from the village as they saw the scene drew the attention of both men. Brom remained where he was but Ka'zhid prepared to run. Horst may have trusted him but the others would ask questions. Too many questions he couldn't answer to their satisfaction.

Ka'zhid gave the trio one last mournful glance before turning on his heel to run. An old man watched as he ran. Full of questions, but just enough answers.

Ka'zhid tries to make decisions, and has encounters the Ra'zac.

I swear more characters will be introduced. . . .eventually. For now you just have to deal with Ka'zhid and his affects on this world.

Good luck and good day friends.