Chapter 21

"You?!"

Murtagh flinched from Brom's exclamation and I let Saphira go to approach. His eyes watched me warily while the old man continued with his blade now drawn as he slowly advanced. Eragon had his drawn as well but looked very confused along with Saphira.

"Why are you here boy?! Serving the king? Were you hoping to turn us in yourself? Well you need to face me first!" Murtagh tripped and fell onto his back as Brom poised to strike before he found his face full with a faded, silvery muzzle with every one of my teeth exposed. I stood my ground over the fallen boy, my wings spread even if I was swaying from using magic again so soon. I let loose a single, drawn out growl that rattled the ground while my brightly glowing eyes were locked onto Brom's surprised ones.

"The crimes of the sire should never become the children's. I know who this boy is, what he means, but your feud is done. What do you think his mother would think of you if you were to slay her child? What would she see when you join her?"

The old man backed off, the tip of his sword dragging on the ground and his shoulders slumped. "No.. you are right Wrathion, The past is the past and the boy is innocent. It seems not even I can flee from ghosts. Come boy, there's enough for another in our group, that is, if you want to travel with us." He made his way to the campfire the Ra'zac made while I moved from over Murtagh, lowering my head down to him and stared back at his shock and fear ridden face. I let my large eye gaze over him before reaching out to Eragon, who had sheathed his blade and was already making his way over, asking him to relay my intention.

"Why don't you tell him yourself?" he glanced at me in confusion.

"His mind is shielded." I simply stated.

Shrugging he glanced at our newest companion who laid frozen on the ground, and was still staring at me. "He wants you to grab his horn." Murtagh whipped his head to Eragon. "What?!"

"He wants you to grab his horn. Relax, if Wrathion wanted to hurt you he really wouldn't have stepped in."

Murtagh looked away from both of us and muttered sourly. "He wouldn't if he knew who I was.."

I think he meant that only for himself but we both caught it and I mentioned to my translator that I did indeed know who he was and still meant no harm to him.

"Well seems you're mistaken, he does know and still wishes to help."

I met his stare again when he whipped his head to look at me again while he thought of it.

"Unless you like being on the ground." Eragon's quip helped him decide and after hesitantly grabbing my horn next to him, I lifted him up and gently set him back on his feet. I nudged his back to get him to start moving towards the fire then went over to Saphira who remained where she was watching everything with curiosity.

I felt my mentor watching everything and after her inquisitive feelings I told her all about who he was.. and what he suffered, when I felt her rising anger. The anger remained but it diverted from the boy to his father. "To be so cold and cruel to his own son is appalling. Proof he had no heart and makes me wonder how any dragon could have chosen him in the beginning."

I chuckled while she fumed, watching Eragon and Murtagh introduce themselves and get into a lively conversation about their lives. I was laying down with Saphira next to me still shaken from the near loss of Brom and her rider. My body was glad to get off my unsteady feet and that granted me a chance to make a golem on the other side of me and make it retrieve the kills I made earlier. While waiting for our dinner, we listened to Murtagh stating how he was hunting the Ra'zac and when he heard rumors of a dragon rider, he knew the Ra'zac wouldn't be far. He had found them at Dras Leona but they were protected by the soldiers so he pursued them the instant they left the city. He glanced at both Saphira and me. "The rumors and gossip all say a dragon and rider, nothing about a second dragon."

"The blue one is Saphira, she's my partner." The fondness in his voice as he looked in our direction and at her made me smile. "The silver terror next to her is Wrathion, he's a wild one and has been with us since the beginning."

"A wild?! I thought the king hunted them all down! You mean he missed one?!" I gave him a full fanged grin as he looked at me in surprise. "Are you sure? He doesn't act like what I was told wild ones were like.." At that I snorted a plume of smoke in their direction and Brom barked out a laugh. "Make no mistake boy, Wrathion very much lives up to the legends of his kin, but he is also far more intelligent than anyone living, possibly even the king. You've seen what he's capable of, a dragon that doesn't need a partner to use magic and who answers to no one is very dangerous."

"Answers to no one but Saphira that is." Eragon quipped with a smirk only to yell out and flinch thanks to me flicking a branch and nailing the back of his head, almost in the same spot the demons got him. "Ow! Sorry I'll stop! My head hurts already!" He ducked a second, covering his head to protect it. Brom renewed his laughing and even Murtagh began to smile. Both Saphira and I added our own form of laughter as the tension eased at Eragon's expense. I was briefly distracted by the return of my golem who also alerted the humans by the dragging of a stone slab, and while Eragon and Brom knew by now what it was and remained calm, Murtagh was on his feet and an arrow was notched, ready to fire. "What is that noise? Don't you two hear that?"

"Relax." Brom motioned for him to sit but he was staring in the direction of the noise. "That's just Wrathion retrieving the kills he had to abandon when the Ra'zac got the jump on us."

The poor boy looked confused, glancing from where I was resting and to the direction of the sounds again. "How? He's laying there but that grating noise is-" I chuckled, seeing his expression as my golem made its way towards me now in full view. Saphira perked up and began to drool while the small feast grew closer. Upon seeing the moving pile of stones and wood, Murtagh instinctively loosed an arrow without even knowing he did until he heard it hit and bounce off to clatter onto the ground. I watched with a mental smirk when his eyes widened once the golem seemingly dissolved upon reaching us. I used my tail to halve the pile with Saphira getting the slightly larger portion. Upon receiving a thankful nuzzle from her she dug into her meal, I could feel her tail twitching happily all the while.

"H-how? What?!" The boy looked hopelessly lost looking back and forth between me, Brom, Eragon and where my golem was last. Brom was grinning while Eragon had also watched my construct with fascination.

Brom gestured for him to sit again which he heeded this time, dropping heavily back down. "Like I said earlier, dragons are creatures of magic and in the rare times they can tap into their power, they can perform some incredible feats. Wrathion however is possibly the only dragon in history to be able to fully wield that power." I sent Brom my gratitude for not revealing the truth then hurried to tell Eragon to go with it, let everyone think it was Alagaësian magic and I got his reluctant acceptance. "Still, he shouldn't had done it, not after expending so much to get Eragon and I out of Dras Leona then protecting us and dealing with the Ra'zac." He finished, giving me the stink eye, I just replied by sticking my full barbed tongue out at him then ignored them completely to chow down on my bit of the delicious pile of rabbit.

The next morning, Everyone was packing up the camp, I however was focused on a particular area 4 leagues from us. At sunrise I made a personal golem not far from my.. guests. The advantage? I could hear and see it's surroundings and so I heard the first shriek when the rising sun hit the exposed eyes of my prisoners. I watched as they writhed in their bindings, helpless to shield their bulbous eyes for the full length of my golem's life and on the the final minute, reached out to all the predators in the area and in the ancient language, told them, prey was helpless and it was all theirs.

Back in my body, I stood and stretched my tired limbs. Everything felt like it did the day I first started training but I cared less while the screech of the Ra'zac's pain played in my head. Since we had abandoned the path for the time being, I padded after the three humans, Brom and Eragon in front doing another lesson with Murtagh in the center and me behind them as my wolf form and I gave a feral grin every time Murtagh looked over at his shoulder. Eventually I unnerved him enough to spur his gray war-horse to catch up with the other two. When he had introduced the others to the beast and told them he was named Tornac after Murtagh's late instructor, Brom was both surprised and saddened by his passing, stating he had met the man once. "He was one of the few who earned the title 'Swordmaster', he will be missed."

We moved along at an easy canter with Saphira acting as our eyes since I had yet to recover enough to take wing myself. Brom and Eragon shared their travels with Murtagh while he in turn shared rumors that he had heard in the various cities. One was that I haven't been as sneaky as I thought. Rumors of a giant wolf the people have taken to calling 'The silver Wraith' were passed through the entire length of the Empire, even the story of the soldiers that were sent to kill me was blown out of proportion. "They said that three platoons were sent to kill the wolf near Therisford but every one of them disappeared just like the Wraith." They all looked at me curiously and I laughed that peculiar way dragons do. "I will admit they sent soldiers after me but there were only five. I led them in a chase and they fell into a pitfall trap where I proceeded to let them taste my flames. After, I refilled the hole and that was the end of it." Eragon relayed to Murtagh what I said while Brom grumped in usual Brom fashion. "Still, we need to be careful. You are now too big to be mistaken as a Shrrg and that makes you easier to spot. At least the sun cannot glint off your scales while with that glamour of yours but you still stick out. More so out here amongst the sandstone. We can count ourselves lucky it's 'Wolf' they're crying and not 'Dragon'. One dragon rumor is enough but hearing two are roaming? Good chance of stirring the king to search himself." My human companions all collectively shuddered at the thought while I looked around with a faint sense of unease. It was here somewhere in the books that Brom was entombed. Yet I changed it, just like Garrow. My eyes refocused on the humans, particularly Eragon. He was moving with ease and grinning at something Murtagh said, free of the broken ribs and depression from that moment. Fiori was quiet, Having fallen into that pseudo sleep all Eldunarí tend to do. I broadcasted out to the humans though only the usual two picked up on it. "What Is the plan now? You gathered information and the Ra'zac are more or less dealt with for the time being. What is our next move?." I unfurled my wings, letting the invisible appendages soak up some of the sun's warmth "I have a contact named Dormnad in Gil'ead." Brom began. "I need him to send a message to the Varden to let them know we're coming. While I had wished to hold off on it until Eragon had a bit more training, the run-in with the Ra'zac has forced that particular meeting from eventually to as soon as possible. Once the king learns what happened to his demonic servants, he'll be furious. Then no where in the Empire would be safe for any of us. You are welcome to join us Murtagh, I can promise Ajihad, who leads the Varden, will be reasonable, If not then I'll get in touch with another in Surda and he'll help you disappear before we get to the Varden." Murtagh slumped in the saddle and gave the old man A relieved smile. "Thanks but I think I rather not go to the Varden, I'm happy to take your second offer though."

Brom gave a nod back. "Then I'll have Dormnad carry a second letter to Petrovya, it's a small, quiet city in Surda, no one will look for you there."

"Thank you."

That evening found us back on the plain as we headed once more north. I had dismissed the bindings of my prisoners or rather, former prisoners. All it took was another golem to see that only the bloated heads and limbs remained of them. I didn't lower my guard though, I knew there were more and the parents were still loose somewhere. Tonight was a fresh change. Instead of Brom sparing with Eragon, the old man had Murtagh take his place and what a session it was. Both young men were an even match to the other and once they stopped, both were equally bruised but had grins on the faces. The mood of everyone when sleep fell upon us was jovial, and I kept watch as always, the sentinel.

Now.. for the other horseshoe to drop. I thought worriedly.

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Saphira

Palancar Valley- near Therinsford

Every time she flew she felt so free, It felt right, but up until now there was always the feeling of being chained. She could see more and more of the distant lands the higher she went but knew she could never leave the valley, each glimpse called for her. Now, she, daughter of the sky, was truly free. Her partner-of-her-heart was traveling with her even if the pace made her think color would fade from her scales before they reached their first destination. Her only solace was.. him. She could see him following her, his wings giving long, slow strokes and still keeping pace with her. 'Here is your chance, try to get him to chase you' That voice was right, now was the perfect time, maybe taunting him? So she did just that, setting her path to collide with him, only to turn a different direction before actually connecting with him or going under him and pulling a tight loop back over his back, nothing from him, only a faint feeling of amusement. Well let's try something else. On the next pass over him, she gave her tail a flick, feeling it connect with his head. That had to get his attention. To her dismay it didn't! Fine, this will annoy him enough to give chase. Deciding to knock his flight off, she came up at an angle under him and planted all four paws on his side and pushed quickly off. She glanced back, but her assured grin turned to shock when she didn't even make him waver. What has he been eating?! I put my full weight and momentum into that! Not to be deterred, she kept up, mixing her tricks but still nothing. This isn't fair! Her inner complaints ending when she felt Wrathion's unique mental voice in her head, asking to relay his findings and guess to her rider. She decided to give up for the time being, and settled into a few solo maneuvers until it was evening and both her and Wrathion had to land.

Next morning

I can't believe that happened! Her mind was in chaos as she soared high above the world. When she came out of sleep she found herself held in Wrathion's forelegs. Embarrassment, anger, guilt churned with her memory of it. She was embarrassed because the old one saw it and she knew she was the one that moved because she remembered laying next to her partner. She felt guilty for she enjoyed it greatly but instead of thanking him for letting her lay with him, she got mad and stomped on a paw, why? That's what she wanted and that made her angry at herself. That was her chance to get him closer to her and she got angry for no reason! Glancing down and behind, she spotted the drake but she expected him to be furious. Aren't wilds supposed to have short tempers when they receive an injury? She knew she would be, but the drake looked distracted like his mind was elsewhere. Perfect, if I can hit him off guard then maybe I can finally get a reaction! Folding a wing she turned sharply and dropped down the grabbed the back of his neck with her claws and jaws, or tried to. The plated crest covering was dense and very strong, all her efforts were barely leaving scratches. Her observations abruptly ended when he shook her free and dropped from her grasp then just as suddenly he was coming right at her, his front claws ready to grab. Yes! Finally! Saphira lost track of time while she and Wrathion weaved, scratched, bit and evaded the other though she noticed some restraint from him. Even with said restraint, his hits were still stronger than hers. While circling, her eyes kept going to his back and the words that one voice mentioned about his strength got her curious and so when she got close, she alighted on the center of his back right between his steadily beating wings. Once her entire weight had settled did she take notice he didn't waver and… Oh.. wow… With all her paws resting against his scales, she could feel the muscles moving just underneath. No matter where they wandered there was no give, only firm resistance. Is he pure muscle? I wonder if I can feel his belly, I bet that's soft. Shaking her head, she decided to tease him a bit and leapted on his head then pushed off, and when she looked down she grinned while watching him pull out of a dive she knew she put him in. After her and Wrathion landed for a drink, Saphira decided to try and get him on his back but her first attempt, running into and knocking him off his feet only ended up with her off her feet and slightly dazed and he acting as if nothing happened. Once back on her paws she narrowed her eyes. Ok, hard way it is! Her eyes returned to his back and his wings. There's an idea… Saphira leapt to his back and began to bite and gnaw at his wing arms. The drake under her came alive, bucking and twisting, trying to either knock her off or grab her with his jaws but she would only get off if he rolled. Soon that's exactly what happened. She waited until he was on his side mid roll before leaping away and returning on him again once he was on his back. She was mistaken however, about his underside being softer, it was just as firm as his back. And warm!. The heat radiating from him, got her to relax and settle on top of him, her underbelly pressed against his to take in the warmth and her biting and clawing turning to affectionate nipping and kneading. She was more than content to remain like that but the drake had other plans. The next thing she knew, she was on her back looking up at a very amused grin. Her thought process screeched to a halt when he breathed a small tendril of smoke into her face and she instinctively breathed it in. His scent enveloped her and thousands of signals went off in her mind and body. Vaguely she was aware of his mental voice telling her something and of something tapping her snout but her own thoughts were far from there. Did he just…? Did he mean it? Did he know what he did?

'I do not think he knew what he just did.' The voice's admission dampened her hope but it didn't make her give up just yet. "Saphira!" "Little one?" Eragon's mental shout broke through to her and she was up and airborne, homing in on her soulmate's mind, her own determined to pursue Wrathion now more than ever.

The plains- 3 days later

"Change of plans, Saphira and I will remain grounded. There is a storm that will form and while I have the mass to withstand the high winds that'd form, Saphira does not."

She whipped her head in Wrathion's direction. Did he really just state she couldn't handle some wind? Is he calling her a hatchling still?! The old one was the one who voiced his thoughts on that opinion. "That's absurd, the storm Is hardly a concern unless you're afraid to get wet and we cannot have you on the ground, you'll be seen." Neither her, her rider, or the old one expected Wrathion to immediately pin the old one down with a snarl and a growl Saphira swore made even the ground tremble.

"You DARE?! You, A human believe you can read the air currents better than me, a dragon?! I will not allow you to risk HER safety for YOUR pride! You want us to fly? Then I can rip you apart when the wind shears that precede the coming storm renders her flightless for the remainder of her life!" She shared a look of horror with her rider and timidly asked him. "It… It cannot be that bad can it…?" Her rider could only shrug and sent calming thoughts to her while he and Brom gathered their stuff up in silence. Her eyes landed on the drake and she could see how tense he was. The snarl from his argument with Brom still on his muzzle and his eyes staring intently at the distant darkness. She also noticed how close his own wings were tucked against his sides and she realized at that moment he was very serious and that realization made her worry more. No one said a word while they moved across that wide open part of the world until they were close and it was Wrathion that spoke, telling her to tuck her wings tight and keep them there no matter what happens and duck her head low and crouch. He even had her dig her claws in with each step bringing her to a crawling pace but she didn't dare argue, It was as if the drake right on her tail was completely different. His eyes were looking ahead and seemed to be tracking something she couldn't see and the gentleness that was always on his muzzle was gone, replaced with a firmness. So to had his mental voice changed from the constantly relaxed to a stern coldness that made her shiver for many reasons with each command. With her head down, she didn't see what was sweeping towards them until it hit and ripped her from the ground with an ease that terrified her. She wanted to spread her wings, to catch herself but Wrathion's commands held. Her terror was calmed when she felt her back collide with something hard and warm stopped her from being taken. Countless soothing thoughts flowed into her, enough to convince her to open her eyes. The first thing she noticed was the large silvery legs and paws along with four sets of deep gouges in the earth leading forward a few paces. Next thing was two long tusks joined to a silver muzzle next to her head. It took her a moment, but she realized Wrathion had caught her, and the wind was enough to push even him back with some ease. "Wrathion! I-I couldn't do anything!" Saphira felt him rumble above her as he hummed comfortingly to her while he nudged her forward. By now the worst of the wind had passed but she didn't care, she crawled across the ground, her belly almost dragging along it, her entire body shivering but for each step she made, Wrathion made with her and for the moment, she felt safe. She knew right then, even if there were other males out there, she'd still choose the one shielding her and not thinking her weak because of it. Her eyes watched his as they kept facing the storm and then just as she was recovering, the storm hit them. Rain was falling so thick, she could barely see the drake and It slowed her down. That pace Ended completely when lightning flashed and the entire sky growled like one monstrous dragon. Saphira retreated further under Wrathion and no prodding would get her moving again. She felt him move and at first she was scared he was finally going to leave her there until she opened her eyes again. Now he was laying next to her with his massive wings spread. Another flash that made her flinch revealed the tails of the horses and she knew he had recalled her rider and the old one. He was facing the storm, unbothered, for all of them. Then she heard him clearing his mental throat and the last thing she ever expected happened.

Wrathion sang.

His voice by itself was calming and put her at ease but the song he was singing right then amplified it and she wasn't the only one, She could feel the shock of Eragon and Brom. She focused on the words and the tune and felt her fear leave her. She also realized how tired she was and after a rather large yawn, she gave his neck a thankful lick and laid her head down on his forepaws. It wasn't hard for her to sleep with his voice in the back of her mind.

The next morning Saphira woke with her emotions in a tangled mess. She was mortified from her behavior yesterday. I acted like a hatchling! But… was it forgivable? Wrathion didn't appear scared. No, that was wrong, he looked scared when Brom suggested we fly, enough to be close to attacking the old one for endangering her. Did he like her? She had gotten up and left his comforting wing to stretch her body, and yesterday put a large strain on them, fighting that wind. Is he watching me? A look over her shoulder and she caught him turning quickly away from her, ducking his head under his other wing to rouse her rider and Brom. He was! Does that mean he's interested?

That thought would have to wait, she needed to talk about the day before.

"Wrathion."

She waited until she had his full attention, shifting nervously where she sat.

"I…I wanted to thank you for saving me during that… that storm." Even recalling the memory made her shiver but a reassuring pat and loving feelings from her passing partner-of-her-heart eased her. "At first…I was angry. Angry you thought I was too weak to handle a little thing like a breeze.. I thought you were um…" She looked once more to her partner and he helped her again. "It's 'pulling your leg', she thought you were making it up." A nod from Wrathion let him get back to helping Brom. "Y-Yes, correct. Only thing that kept me from ignoring you and flying anyway was seeing you refusing to fly as well… and w-when I did get hit I was so scared! I…I knew, I felt like I could do nothing! It had me at its mercy..but… but you were there and told me what to do, kept me safe. Then I just cowered just like a hatchling! It was embarrassing!" Her bleary eyes caught a sudden movement and she found herself once more in the Drake's forelegs as he hugged her in a manner she had seen humans do and while strange, she welcomed it. Why am I acting like this? A dragon shouldn't be crying like… like something that's not a dragon! At some point, her partner had joined in, she could feel him near her lower legs and she distinctly heard the old one apologize to Wrathion then felt his remorse when he did the same to her privately. Saphira made sure to give her hero a final thanks by a lick to the underside of his bottom jaw before pulling away from his embrace.

Yazuac

"Saphira, Brom and Eragon have encountered Urgals, go aid them." Wraithion's curt message made her hearts leap almost out of her chest. She knew it! Every time! Never does that foolish boy fail to stumble into trouble when I take my eyes off of him! She fumed, a mere blur in the air as she made her way quickly to the city. She had just passed over the wall when she saw an explosion coming from behind some buildings and corrected her course straight for it. That has to be Eragon.. Or Wrathion. She dropped in from above, the space being too tight for her wings, and into a crouch ready to attack but all she found was a large scorch mark, some severely cracked walls, and her rider teetering on the brink of unconsciousness. "Eragon!" Her mind reached out for the drake and when she found him, cried out into his mind."Wrathion! Where are you?! Eragon is barely conscious!" Immediately his calm, relaxed mind and the calming thought he was sending her help cutting off her rising panic. "Peace, He will be fine with rest, get him back to Brom, the old one needs help he is losing blood and unconscious. I am tying up loose ends." At the end of his message she received an image of a huge Urgal hidden within a building then she felt him sever the connection. Why does he get to have fun? With a huff she went over to her rider and let him lean on her. "What happened here?"

Eragon groaned and started walking back to where Brom was while leaning against Saphira. "Urgals ambushed us, Brom got hurt so I got them to chase me here. I thought I was going to die but felt something well up in me and when I shot my last arrow it did all that." He gestured back the way they came, having reached an unconscious Brom slumped over a spooked Snowfire. "Think he'll be okay?" She asked him as he limped over to the horse. "I need to get him down to see." "I can lift him out of the saddle if you can keep that silly beast calm." Getting a nod from him, she got close and grabbing the back of the old one's cloak and tunic, lifted him gently out of the saddle. Eragon helped her lay him down and began to treat his arm. "Where is Wrathion? I expected him to be here with you."

"Wrathion is hunting the rest. The two you encountered weren't the only ones here." He glanced up at her clearly worried and his next question made her huff. "Do you think he'll be ok on his own?" "I couldn't do anything to him during our few play fights and that was then, now he's being serious and it is best to stay here until he's done." Her rider looked at her nervously. "R-right.." Brom had regained consciousness when she settled him into her saddle and Eragon lashed his legs in the straps. He looked around then at her rider. "What happened? And where is that infernal drake?" She let her rider inform him on what happened but he paused when they all heard a melodious bugle. "Well that explains where he is, let's go meet up with him." Brom gave her a pat on her neck letting her know he was ready to move and Eragon mounted his beast with the old one's tied to it. They were more than halfway to the eastern gate when they encountered Wrathion. Of her group, only Brom was able to speak, she didn't mind. She was too busy looking him over. His lower half was dark red with some of it and chucks of something steadily dripping off to splatter on the paved street. On his horns dangled portions of entrails and his entire muzzle was painted with the same. There were glints of metal caught in his crest that looked like a weapon of some kind shattered against it and along his back was pieces of stone, with stone dust covering the rest of him. "Well? How many more were there besides the two who jumped us?" Saphira's eyes widened when he shook himself free of most of the mess covering him, Painting the street and walls instead. "Three, one was a Kull, he I dealt with last." Brom's gruff "Good." was all he seemed to need to turn around and led them back in the direction he came and out the gate. Upon reaching the site of his last kill, she heard her rider retch and Brom cursing from her back. She ignored his tirade to watch the drake himself. Observing as he walked by the corpse and the snort of dismissal he gave towards it then continued on. Is this the famed coldness of my wild kin? She gave a mental shudder, privately thanking her luck that he was with them instead of against.

That evening, everyone sat around in silence until Brom explained what her rider really did Magic!, filled Wrathion in what happened, berated Eragon's foolishness, then being foolish himself in her opinion, by chiding Wrathion. Wrathion's reactive hiss and his eyes going from the beautiful blue to a terrifying red made her fearful of him for the first time. His brief surge towards them, his halt and excusal of himself had her realizing that while she's been with him, she hardly knew much of him, and looking at Brom and Eragon, she could feel their worry that Brom pushed too far.

"What in the blazes was that..?! I thought I saw everything I've done until now fly past my eyes!" Eragon hissed whispered to Brom, the old man had taken out his pipe and had her rider pack it and then light it. Brom looked far paler than he did when they all stopped. "That boy… was death itself staring at us, I fear I pushed too much and that our wild friend is more than a simple dragon. You didn't sense it but I did. There is a power in him that I'd wager could kill the king with ease."

Eragon's next question made her heart skip.

"Do you…think he's working for the king?"

Brom's laugh and reply eased her worries.

"The king would never allow anyone more powerful than himself to live nor could he make them his servant. No Wrathion is his own master. Thinking more of it, we know so little of him. He told me in a language that doesn't allow lies that he was from across the sea and that was an undeniable truth, but I never asked from where across the sea, and that could be the most crucial of all answers." Silence fell over the camp until she got to her paws, stating her intent. "I'm going to check on him and talk." Her rider leapt up and was ready to protest but Brom grabbed him and pulled him back down with his good arm. "Aye, it's best for it to be you. Out of us all, you are the least likely he'd ever lash out at." She left the camp, following the drake's scent until she found him. He was laying on the riverbank, his head resting on his front paws while cradling some sort of bag in his forelegs and against his neck. She quietly watched his tail as it flicked to some sort of tune when her eyes caught sight of something strange laying next to him. The more she looked, she spotted a strange thin white rope leading up before splitting, one of the slits leading up and seemingly into his ear while the other went under his jaw, most likely to the other ear. He doesn't know I'm here! She realized. Taking a deep breath, she moved closer and as she did, she started to pick up strange sounds and it was coming from his ears! Curious, She laid right next to him but was careful not to touch him and alert him. This close, the strange sounds resolved to be…music. Strange and unlike any she has heard of but she could recognize a tune. It was catchy and all too quickly found herself trying to hum along with it. She was so lost in it that she failed to realize the song had ended and that her humming made her known to him. His bellow startled her and she quickly backed away then told both her rider and Brom that everything was ok and that she actually just managed to startle Wrathion. Once she was sure they weren't about to come running, she refocused on Wrathion who was frozen, staring back at her. For the first time, She saw fear openly in his expression. Fearing that he was close to fleeing, She jumped into a rush of mental words, from what was that white almost flat square and what was in his ears to the music. What were some of the words, what were the instruments, how was he able to carry bards with him, did they offend him and so he trapped them as punishment. The list went on until she finished with what she thought was the most important. "Who are you Wrathion, truly?"

She waited patiently for his answer and she could see it in his eyes that she was going to get it.

"Look.. I will tell you but please keep it to yourself?"

Such a request made her heart beat faster. It could either be good or bad but when she promised and got the answer she so very much wanted, It shook her to her core. At first, him stating that he was human once and then got dragged here by a wild spell; she didn't believe it, but then Images, feelings, memories rushed into her head. All centered around the same brown haired, brown eyed boy she saw when he passed something that showed his reflection. The last two only proved he was telling the truth, of a forest trail from his eyes and the appearance of some spell, a flash of white, then him looking around very old and destroyed ruins, a strange mist clinging to everything. Of him moving to an old fountain and when he looked into it, a very young Wrathion looked back, his runes subtly glowing. The Wrathion sitting and looking away from her pulled his consciousness from hers with such a defeated air that she worried she went too far demanding that he tell her his secret. What a secret it was too!

"Y-You're not.." you weren't just ignoring me?

"I thought.." That you weren't interested in me.. Have I just been doing it all wrong? That is why he never responded to her advances? Did he not know the signs or how dragons showed attraction? Does he know only human ways? I don't know how humans do it!

He lowered his head and his entire body trembled. Trembled! She wanted to somehow comfort him but she was at a loss.

"Yea.. I know I'm not what you expected."

The way that normally strong, confident, and wise voice sounded so small and broken made her realize what he needed was some time to recollect himself and so she didn't say anything else, just leapt into the air and took off back to the others. Their expressions briefly worried her that they had somehow listened in, that was until her partner got up and came to her. His hands moved across her face and when he pulled them away, they were wet. Tears? Yes, hers for a drake that was ripped from his home, and forced to kill simply to survive. She nuzzled him, sending all the love she felt for her partner-of-her-hear-and-mind then added Brom so he could hear her as well. "He wasn't angry but had a lot on his mind, he asked for time to sort his thoughts and will keep traveling with us." I hope…

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A/N: Good grief this one. First it was five tries at the first meeting with Murtagh, then later on how to speed up the Saphira section.

Speaking of, there's a new legend to it of sorts that I am trying:

Saphira's inner thought to herself

'The *ahem* voice that's been helping/nudging her'

"Normal mental conversation between the various members."

I hope, I HOPE, to have her caught up by the next chapter.. Or two. Boy did I take on a big project for my first go.

As always, Thank you Jordan213123 for being the one to make my nonsense make sense XD And to UNF for adding their eyes and catching things we both missed.