Chapter 12

As we grew closer to the village of Daret, our human friends grew more and more tense about us getting spotted. One day they were discussing ways to keep Saphira's dazzling blue scales from being easily spotted and when the idea of covering her scales up with dirt was suggested, the dragoness proceed to leap into the river and cleaned herself better in direct opposition to the thought and when they turned to eye me I threatened to toss them into the river instead. Nothing else was mentioned of it and both her and I grinned at their frustrations and decided to act our technical age by laying so the sun reflected off our scales and right into their direction the evening before we would reach the village. Was amusing watching them try to squint and spar and the curses they sent our way.

That'll teach them for even thinking about such ideas.

On a positive note, my mentor was right. After a week from telling Saphira my secret, well one of them, and it seemed she finally made up her mind. She started conversations with me from time to time and even laughed when I kept blowing out the campfire Brom tried starting one night. It felt.. good. I had a friend who knew the real me and still wanted to know more of my former life, frequently asking about the random things in the memories I shared. And true to her word she kept it from the others which I was immensely glad next morning I watched Camp being packed away and certainly not a certain dragoness doing her morning stretches, again lost in thought.

The night was quiet with no nightmares for Eragon, and I was once more glad about my choice of intervention on Garrow's demise. It did make me think of Brom and whether or not to intervene on his end and it'd be laughably easy too. What Had me hesitate though, was whether or not I should. Brom was old, very old for a human and everyone besides Eragon who mattered to him had passed into the void already, his fellow riders, his lover, and most importantly, his dragon. Would he want to be denied rejoining them? Suppressing a groan and standing to do my own morning stretches I decided to ask him once we were on the way to Teirm. While our friends made their way to the visible village in the distance, I joined Saphira behind some large boulders closer to the village but still out of sight and settled in to wait for the all clear I knew would come. By settled in I meant me laying stretched out on the sun heated stone under us while Saphira paced with the occasional snarl and a glance at the village.

"Nothing good ever comes when he's out of my sight. Either trouble finds him or he seeks it out! Ooh I am tempted to have Brom tie him to my saddle!"

I just sighed as she went on and on, from scenarios of him being captured and killed, to mind control, then him tripping on a rock and knocking himself unconscious which I found funny.

"Saphira..."

She Ignored me, too far into her worries.

"And why didn't you go with them as that false wolf? No one would dare harm him if you were at his side."

"Saphira I-"

I was interrupted this time by Eragon's mental warning shout and I was almost too slow in stopping her but I managed to grab her tail as she took flight, dragging her back down. Course that pissed her off.

She turned on me and tried to swipe at my muzzle but I expected it and didn't flinch when her talons raked across my scales. Thankfully the lack of damage shocked her to her senses and instead of letting the guilt build up in her for the attack, I simply continued now that I had her attention.

"Saphy, you need to be calm, he isn't in danger. The reason I did not join them is because a giant wolf just might make the inhabitants more likely to attack and make negotiations harder."

I let go of her tail after she sat and furled her wings in facing me.

"And how do you know that? He sounded like he was getting captured"

I snorted and tried to roll my eyes, not sure if it worked or not though

"He panicked. From what I can tell, He and Brom rode into a trap of sorts. Seems these villagers had faced something similar to the last village we visited, just not the same outcome. As for how I know, It's easy for a being like ourselves to reach out and get a feel of the surface emotions of others. It just takes practice. The villagers were nervous and scared when our friends entered, but there also determination to protect their home and a small amount of loyalty towards one of them. Everyone is calm. Guarded but calm, save for your rider."

Of course my range of that trick is nowhere that wide at this moment, but It was an easy cover up for my knowledge of this world. She accepted it though, only fidgeting and glancing back at the village ever so often as an easy silence fell upon us. That is until Eragon gave the 'all good' thought message, which she then looked at me with a tilted head and asked a simple question.

"Saphy?"

Once more I was glad dragons couldn't grow red in their faces, but turns out we can stammer in mental speech.

"W-Well I um.. You see..it's just that.."

Brom and Eragon chose that moment to arrive at our chosen hiding spot and I couldn't be any more thankful of them drawing her attention from me. She moved quickly towards her rider, looking him over with barely audible growls and a hiss. He looked at Brom first then at me but I kept silent lest she refocused on me. I knew he was about to get a stern talking to, when he got off his horse and promptly got his legs swept from under him then pinned under one of her paws. I was quite proud of myself for keeping a neutral expression because his face was hilarious. It was interesting to actually see this scene play out in reality and it amused me how much she was acting like a worried mother. I could feel Fiori watching the scene with interest. I couldn't tell who amused me more, the blue young 'ness trying to be a mother hen, or the red elder looking on with child-like curiosity.

I suppose being secluded in a hatchery and kept busy watching and caring for eggs and hatchlings didn't give her much time to observe the relationships her bonded kin had with their riders. After Saphira 'convinced' her rider to actually take the role of one, she took off with a very satisfied expression on her muzzle. Eragon watched her go then glared at me.

"You could have helped me get free!"

I just curled my upper lip and gave a fang filled grin.

"I'm merely a wild drake, what business do I have butting into a bonded pair's arguments?"

He surprised me by smirking back at me, crossing his arms in a manner that immediately reminded me of his uncle.

"You just didn't want her mad at you again."

I saw Brom biting back a laugh and deciding to have the last say, I snorted cinders at Eragon's feet, making him yelp and scramble back towards his horse. Happy with him shutting up, I leapt into the air to follow the blue speck circling high overhead.

By the time we made camp at sunset, Daret was far behind us. It was during the customary sparring Brom and Eragon partook that showed how much the young rider had changed. There was a loud *CRACK* as Eragon delivered a blow with such force that it shattered both his and Brom's pokey sticks. Not to be deterred, Brom then had Eragon move on to wielding an actual sword. As He began to instruct Eragon how to block Zar'roc, I quietly tried the same with a talon and unsurprisingly nothing happened, oh well.

The two humans retired that night with a fresh set of bruises, Eragon more so and and once more I remained awake to keep watch. Lately I've taken a great interest in stargazing here. Back home I did some but the large pines blocked most of the views. Here everything was in full view and clear and It was stunning. This night, I was joined by Saphira. She came over and laid next to me, turning her head skyward.

"Why is it that you never seem to sleep Wrathion? You are awake when we sleep and are awake when we wake the next day."

I gave a low rumbling hum, diverting my gaze to look around before focusing on her.

"A habit I suppose, I never sleep when in dangerous territory. I will grab a nap when you or the others are around as you've seen but I cannot, will not lower my guard while still in the egg-breaker's lands. For now, I will draw energy from the land to sustain myself."

She pulled her gaze from the night sky to look at me. As of lately everytime I locked eyes with her I seemed to get lost in those blue orbs, but tonight was different. I could see the nebulas and stars reflecting back. I became so entranced that I wasn't even aware she was speaking until she broke eye contact to nudge me with her head. I shook mine and blinked my eyes.

"What?"

She huffed exasperatedly and gave my shoulder a shove with a paw although I didn't even budge.

"I see my question was answered. I had said 'That couldn't be healthy for your mind'."

I just snorted and gave her a shove of my own which made her roll onto her side. I could see she wanted to pounce and pay me back for that and the only thing keeping her from doing it was our slumbering companions. Still I gave a smug grin then stuck my barbed tongue out at her before returning my gaze towards the heavens. I did feel her settle with a quick nip to my neck, which made me shudder for some unknown reason, then followed my gaze.

"Why so interested in the stars? I can admit they look pretty but what purpose does it serve to look at them?"

"They are more than simply lights Saphira.. Each one of them is actually like our sun, and many have worlds like ours to shine upon, maybe even people like us. Only reason they look tiny is because they are years away from us. And sailors and travelers use the stars to find their way to their destination. Not many, know this here I suppose but our world is a giant orb, completely round and it spins right to left although it is hardly noticeable. But if you pay attention to the position of the stars tonight, in a month they will be in different places. The ones however in the northernmost part of the sky would hardly change. It is those that sailors use to navigate. With the same stars in the north, the sun rising in the east and sets in the west you will never be lost."

I chuckled within my mind at not only Saphira's stunned expression but that of my mentor when I began talking.

"If you flew high enough with a spell that let you breathe in airless spaces and watched the sun rise, you will see the curve of the world."

I let them take in what I said for a few moments before speaking up again.

"Where I come from, a favorite pastime of people was to try to spot outlines of things, often animals or people and many of the stars had names. One was even called Draco."

I scanned the skies before vaguely spotting what looked like a bird and I pointed it out to Saphira while letting my mentor see it through my eyes. From there we took our time looking for any shapes, Saphira even leaned against me, my guess was to see what I was pointing to. Thus we whittled away the night finding designs in the stars or imagining what worlds were like out there, at some point Saphira had fallen asleep leaving just my teacher and I to keep the little game going. I did cover the sleeping dragoness with a wing to ward off the chill, and I found it cute how she curled up closer underneath it.

The next morning saw a stiff and bruised Eragon watching Brom saddle Saphira and before their breakfast was ready, he was finished. I was grinning at him. Saphira had woken that morning and promptly all but flew once she realized she was cuddling with my side. Luckily only Brom and I saw her reaction and we both had enough smarts to not mention it and she pointedly refused to look either of us in the eyes. Once Eragon had finished eating, he clambered onto her back and after a quick instruction from Brom, they were Airborne.

He then turned to me with an arched Eyebrow.

"Well? Are you going to them? I'd rather get back on the road as soon as possible."

I shook my head and after getting on my feet and stretching, shook my entire body to apply my wolven illusion.

"I'd like to walk with you for a bit.. There's some things I'd like to discuss with you."

He stared at me for a moment then grunted a "So be it" as he packed up camp and mounted his horse. I padded quietly beside him for a while before he spoke up.

"What is so important that you'd risk being spotted? Even if that trick is in the form of a Shrrg, it is still bigger than them."

"First is, are you sure it is wise to give Eragon the blade of a Dragon killer? Second, how much do you know about my kind? Do you know a few of our secrets? That one, I ask for an honest answer to. And lastly.. Is about a vision I had three nights ago."

He stayed quiet for a bit then spoke with a calm voice.

"No, I am not sure it was wise to give him that one, but It has no other equal in these lands except for Galbatorix's and he needs that advantage now more than ever. As for the secrets.. I had fully graduated from my training before the fall and was considered a rider in full. Is there a particular secret?"

"Lets see if you can guess it, I refuse to bring it to light and I will not reveal something that is that important and risk it being public knowledge.. We would be vulnerable if it was so."

I watched his Eyebrows lift and he nodded. His comment after all but confirmed he did indeed know.

"Ah, well I see. But then, everyones' 'Hearts' are their weakness."

I gave a sigh, Now I knew I had to make sure he didn't see Fiori's for he'd certainly would recognize it.

"I believe you left the most serious for last? What was this vision of yours?"

I steeled myself. Here goes nothing..

"Your death."

Brom abruptly halted Snowfire and twisted in his saddle to stare at me.

"What?"

"I saw how you die, It is soon and the reason I haven't brought it up is because.. I wasn't sure if I should prevent it.."

Yea he wasn't happy with that reason.

"Wasn't sure?! Why in the blazes should you not try to?! Isn't that what you did with Garrow?"

It looked like his scowl was just shy of taking over his whole face as he glared at me. So with a sigh that made smoke roil from my disguised nose, I sat down and met his eyes with my own.

"Because.. I wasn't sure if you would want to.. You lost so many beings that was Important to you, Your dragon and Eragon's mother being the main ones, and you've lived a long time. You avenged your partner's death and I didn't know if I should keep you from them."

His glare softened, and got his horse moving again making me stand and catch up. The silence lasted almost half an hour before he spoke up, all his anger vanished.

"Thank you for considering my thoughts instead of doing as you want. You are misinformed if you think my dragoness is truly gone, True her body rotted on the island but just before she received the final blow to end her, my Saphira panicked, now her heart lies in the king's clutches and it was that blade's owner that delivered her to him. To protect me, she severed our connection. Wrathion, It felt like she died fully and ever since my sleep has been plagued with nightmares of what that monster was or had done to her."

He locked eyes with me and the strength of the determination in his eyes made it clear, he wouldn't give up on this world without rescuing her.

"I want her back."

"I will help."

He gave a stiff nod and looked down at the road. Suddenly he let loose a string of curses and wheeled his horse around.

"Missed the trail."

With a nod from me, we backtracked to a clearing lined with trees where we found the tracks. When I realized where we were on the journey, I let loose my own choice of curses.

AN: Enjoy the new addition below!

Saphira-

From the moment she hatched, Saphira felt a sense of destiny and the instant she bonded to Eragon, her partner-of-her-mind-and-heart, then she too knew that no matter what would come, she wouldn't be alone. Her early days were full of wonder about the world, Everything was so big. The trees like mountains, the air cold, the love from her partner was warm and calming. In the following days she grew and as she did, so did she become more aware of her surroundings.

Her partner-of-her-heart-and-mind Spent many hours with her and from him she learned. He spoke of the wildlife, the fauna, his family and what he did or planned to do that day. Others he'd simply spoke of completely random things and she paid attention to it all. She grew more and more competent in hunting the more she practiced. She learned of her limits. And she learned that even though she had Eragon, she was alone. Growing up in the forest near his home she couldn't rid herself of the feeling that she was being watched. When She was higher than his knees, she gained the freedom she wanted to wander. When she took to the skies for the first time she felt empowered, unbeatable, free. The skies was an empire and she it's empress, no other creature had more of a right to it than she. It wasn't until that fateful day did she understand what terror actually felt like.

She was soaring high above the region she was told was called "the spine", inspecting her domain when she spotted a glimpse of silver. Angling in the direction, she soon spotted what it was.

A wolf! A huge wolf! Why is it so close to the farm?!

She saw that it noticed her and as quickly as she could, she turned and fled towards the other end of the mountain range. She tried to warn her partner but she felt their bond wasn't quite strong enough to communicate yet. The following weeks she kept her eyes out and everytime she looked, she spotted that wolf and his pack of normal ones, looking down on the farm and her. Her worries soon faded as she grew and the wolf did nothing but watch. There was a feeling in her mind that this wolf was far more intelligent than the others. Her sharp eyes could pick out its eyes following the humans, especially her rider yet It did nothing. She only hoped she could get big enough to protect him if it did decide to attack.