I do not own any part of the Harry Potter or Eragon universes.

The walk through Tronjheim wasn't what Harry expected. There was an oppressive atmosphere surrounding them and the humans and dwarfs who saw Harry, averted their eyes from him.

He smiled at a young girl, but she looked up at him with a pale face.

Her eyes reminded Harry of his fifth year.

With every step forward, Harry saw people turning away from them.

"Harry?"

Artemis had stopped and was looking at him with concern. She had obviously sensed that something was wrong.

"It's nothing," Harry shook his head and walked on forward. He didn't see the worried look that filled her eyes.

They entered an elegant study, paneled with rows of cedar bookshelves. The stone floor was covered by an intricate oval rug. At the far end of the room, a man stood behind a large walnut desk.

His skin gleamed the color of oiled ebony. Strong features shadowed his face, and grave, intelligent eyes lurked under his brow.

Harry met few people in his life he shouldn't mess with, and the man in front of him was definitely one of them. He bore himself with great dignity, exuding an intense, commanding air.

When he spoke, his voice was strong and confident. "Welcome to Tronjheim, Harry and Artemis. I am Ajihad. Please, seat yourselves, we have much to discuss."

Harry slipped into an armchair next to Brom and Arya, while Artemis stuck her head through the door.

Ajihad's eyes turned towards Harry.

"I never thought that I would see the dragon egg hatch for the Varden... Now it has…" He slowly ran a hand down his beard and raised his head towards Artemis.

"And at the same time, out of nowhere, another rider appears, who is, according to Brom, not from Alagaёsia."

Arya furrowed her brows while Harry glared at Brom, who leisurely took out his pipe and lit it with a word in the ancient tongue.

"Have you told everybody who I am?" Harry growled at him.

Brom held up his hands in a placating manner.

"I did nothing of the sort. I only told Ajihad because it is his right to know."

"His right?" Harry whispered, his magic flaring. Ajihad raised an eyebrow when he felt the tension in the air but did nothing.

"The same righteousness you used to lie to me?" Harry shot back.

Brom appeared confused. "When, pray tell, have I lied to you?"

Harry narrowed his eyes at him and crossed his arms. "You have told me that you worked as a magician for the Varden and settled in Carvahall because you wanted to retire. In Teirm you might have told me who you really are, but I doubt even a former dragon rider would be a simple Varden mage."

Brom merely chuckled in response.

"Do you think I've fought for decades against the Empire and would tell the first boy who I come across that I was once a dragon rider and founded the Varden? That I am responsible for the deaths of six of the foresworn?"

Harry was gaping at him. His anger momentarily forgotten.

"I assume he forgot to mention it?" Ajihad chuckled. "Brom was the one who killed most of the foresworn and he is the only reason that we still have a chance to hopefully beat the black king one day."

"Don't exaggerate," Brom huffed. "A lot of what I've done has been luck."

Ajihad shook his head in disagreement.

"Brom is the founder of the Varden and gifted the people a glimmer of hope when there was none. Everything you see here is his legacy."

Brom snorted next to Harry but remained silent.

"Are you blushing, Brom?" Harry smirked at the man's embarrassment, who reacted quickly and slapped Harry on the back of the head.

"Can we continue? We have more important things to talk about." Arya sighed with a frown.

Both Brom and Harry quickly nodded apologetically.

"Arya has told us about your findings in Gil'ead and what you two have found out." Ajihad directed his gaze toward Brom.

"It matches with everything that just happened a few days ago, when Brom and Eragon arrived, where we had to fight a small tribe of Urgals that was following after them."

Harry nodded in understanding. Now, the dead bodies of the Urgals they saw when they arrived made more sense.

Brom folded his hands in front of him. "So, the rumors of the Urgals' alliance with the Empire are true. I didn't think the king would sink so low. After all, it was the Urgals who slew the king's first dragon."

"Yes... And if I had to guess who controls this army of monsters, I can only think of one name," Ajihad replied in a somber tone.

"Durza."

Harry's head jerked towards Arya. He had never heard her speak that way before. Usually her voice sounded melodious, but this time it was full of anger, grief, and sadness.

"Would you tell us what happened in Gil'ead? Arya told me only parts of everything that happened after she was rescued by you," Ajihad questioned him.

"I am surprised, she didn't tell them everything," Harry mentioned to Artemis.

"I think she doesn't trust the Varden very much anymore," Artemis responded after a moment. "We know there are spies among the Varden, and it's very likely they're the reason Durza was able to capture Arya."

Harry agreed with her reasoning and looked with a questioning gaze towards Arya, making sure if it was alright. She nodded slowly and Harry began his tale, after Artemis had rescued him from Teirm.

They listened intently and Brom rubbed his eyes tiredly after he finished explaining everything. "I wish you would not have used your magic. It was one of our biggest advantages against the king."

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "It was worth it, and I would do so again," he declared.

Something flashed in Arya's eyes, but Harry couldn't make heads or tails out of it.

"What is done is done. We should prepare for the battle ahead," Ajihad replied.

"Before we jump into that, I have a question." Harry looked each of them in the eye.

"Why are the people afraid of me? I haven't done anything that would make them afraid of me. I saw their faces when we walked the through the city." He grabbed the armrest tightly.

"Their faces were either full of fear or worry."

"They are not afraid of you," Ajihad answered carefully. "You must understand, there is a difference in how you and Eragon arrived."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked confused.

Ajihad gestured to Brom.

"Brom hasn't been to Tronjheim for a long time. For the people that never had the pleasure to meet him, he's a living legend. And for the ones that know him he is a good friend, to look up to."

Ajihad stood, clasped his hands behind his back, and absently studied one of the bookshelves. He remained silent while he gathered his thoughts and only then returned to his seat.

"Eragon appeared with the dragon that was inside the egg that had been sent back and forth between the Varden and the Elves for years. Every human in Farthen Dûr has stood in front of the egg hoping, that it will choose them. All of them awaited Saphira with eagerness, but in the end she chose different. Add to that Eragon was also arriving in the company of Brom, and you have enough people that see him as their new hero. Eragon reignites an almost dying hope for the Varden in Alagaёsia."

Ajihad sighed deeply.

"And then you arrived. Another dragon rider no one has heard even a whisper about. And why should they? The other eggs are supposed to be with Galbatorix, but here you are... The Varden fear you because they don't know you. Are you here to spy for the Empire? Will you help us, to overthrow the king, just to usurp the throne for yourself?"

Ajihad shook his head. "You pose a danger to everyone until you have proven them what your intentions are… only when you show them what you're fighting for, will you be able to gain their trust."

He shot Arya an apologetic look. "In addition, at first glance you resemble an elf more than a human. Which makes you even more mysterious."

"What?!"

Brom chuckled amused. "Haven't you looked in the mirror for the last few weeks?" He stretched out his hand and gave him a mirror that stood on the table.

"It's not like I've ever given a damn about my looks. I had better things to worry about," Harry grunted and accepted the mirror. His eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Bloody hell!"

The first thing he noticed was the dirt on his face that had built up over the last few weeks. Another thing that worried him was the stubble that was spread all over his face.

"I'll probably never grow a beard like Sirius did," Harry muttered in dismay.

Brom snorted beside him and even Ajihad cracked a weak smile.

His skin tone wasn't as pale, but it was still fair. He didn't look so unhealthy anymore. Even all those years under the sun in Carvahall couldn't do anything against his British skin tone.

He's always had a narrow face and high cheekbones, which he probably inherited from his grandmother. The Blacks were, after all, known for their sharp facial features.

But what had changed the most about him were his ears. His ears were pointed. Not quite as much as Arya's, but it wouldn't be much time before they were as sharp as hers.

"When I was in my cell, at first, I thought an elf had saved me. You already bear a lot of resemblance to our people," Arya told him.

Harry touched his ears slowly.

"Does Eragon look the same?" Harry asked.

At Brom's questioning look he clarified. "I mean, has he changed as much as I did?"

"He has slightly pointed ears, but nothing else. He just grew up a lot these past few months," Brom answered with a smile.

"It comes from the bond between you and Artemis. It's just unusual how quickly your body has adjusted to it," Brom explained with a thoughtful look.

Harry leaned back in his chair. "My magic is closely attuned to me. Maybe that is the reason."

Brom waved him off. "We can talk another time about any changes you're going through. We need to talk about the piece of parchment, we have retrieved from the leader of the Urgals, who attacked us, when Eragon and I arrived."

"What did you find out?" Harry questioned them.

Ajihad reached inside his vest and somberly pulled out a battered piece of parchment. He placed it on the desk and Harry bent forward to examine it.

…gatekeeper at Ithrö Zhȃda is to let this bearer and his minions pass. They are to be bunked with the other of his kind and by… but only if the two fractions refrain from fighting. Command will be given Tarok, under Gashz, under Durza, under Ushnark the mighty.

"We think Ushnark is Galbatorix. It means 'father' in the Urgal tongue. He seems to take pleasure in the idea of them calling himself that," Ajihad explained with disgust in his voice.

Find what they are suitable for and … The footman and … are to be kept separate. No weapons are to be distributed until… for marching.

"Ithrö Zhȃda… is that a city?" Harry frowned thoughtfully.

"We do not know. Not even the dwarfs have heard of the term, and I've spoken to many of them," Ajihad explained.

Harry's mind moved in a matter of seconds. "Do the dwarfs have more cities like Tronjheim?"

Ajihad slowly nodded, unsure of what Harry was getting at.

"If there are more cities like this, what are the chances that they just renamed one of them?" Harry looked at Brom.

"You have told me the dwarves disappeared in the mountains after the Fall. Perhaps it is one that has been abandoned, or where few dwarves live, that if they did not hear from them in a short period of time, it would not be noticed by anyone else."

Ajihad got up and paced for minutes. Brom and Arya seemed deep in thought as well.

"I don't know enough about the tunnels to be able to answer your questions," Ajihad sighed finally. "I shall have to confer with Hrothgar, but I thank you for your insight. That might help us better prepare for it."

Harry took a deep breath. "Before I go, I would like to know something from you."

A gloomy silence settled over them like a foreboding thunderstorm. Seconds passed before Ajihad finally replied. "What is it you want to know?"

"What are you planning on doing with me?" Harry asked. On Ajihad's confused look, he clarified.

"All my life I have had to fight to survive. I will fight because it is the right thing to do, not because it is expected of me as a dragon rider. I will grieve when it is appropriate, not when it is required of me and die...when my time comes," Harry said, closing his eyes as he remembered a flash of green.

Artemis growled concerned behind him.

"I know too little about the dragon riders of the old days to take their place overnight... That's why I'm asking what you intend to do with me and Artemis. If you try to take advantage of us, you'd wish you had just Galbatorix as an enemy!"

Ajihad looked at him dryly, while Brom was looking amused. He didn't dare to look at Arya.

"If you were anyone else and were before another leader, you would likely have been killed for that insolent speech. What makes you think I will expose my plans just because you demand it?" He scowled at Harry.

Harry met his gaze and with a flick of his arm he felt the familiar wood of his wand in his hand.

"Because I have powers that no one in Alagaёsia has heard of, and if your goal is to kill Galbatorix, who managed to put down an entire Order of dragon riders, you need to accept any help you can get."

Brom laughed out loud. "The boy's got you by the collar Ajihad."

Harry frowned inwardly, when Brom called him 'boy'. He did not like it when people reminded him of the Dursleys.

Ajihad tipped with his finger on the wood of the table and sighed. "I guess, you are right. The position you find yourself in gives you the privilege to say such things. I don't want to see you become a pawn of anyone's group or purpose any more than you do. You must retain your freedom, for in it lies your true power. And despite your protests, the people will have expectations from you. They are going to bring you their problems, no matter how petty, and demand that you solve them."

Harry just refrained to roll his eyes. It was just like entering the wizarding world again.

A bunch of sheep looking for their shepherd. Except this time the sheep actually dared to attack the wolf, who was waiting for his time to strike.

Harry stood and bowed respectfully for Ajihad. "Then I look forward to working with you."

Ajihad raised an eyebrow at his wording. Apparently, Harry had no intention of placing himself under the Varden.

"May I leave? I am still exhausted from the last weeks," Harry requested tiredly.

"Very well, you may go. Arya and Brom, I have a few matters I need to speak with you about."

Harry curled up deeper in his bed. He sleepily opened his eyes. In the dim light he saw Artemis. Or rather, he saw her wing over him and could hear her snoring loudly. The wind she blew out of her nostrils, tousled through Harry's hair.

For the first time in a long time, he felt safe again. The hunt for the Ra'zac and the escape from Gil'ead have always required his senses to be alert at all times.

Of course, he still had wards in place, but still it made things easier.

He yawned and stepped over Artemis tail. Moving outside, he quickly found someone, who could show him the way where he could take a bath.

It took only a few minutes and Harry enjoyed the warm water pattering against his skin.

It felt like months have passed since he was able to take a good bath. He washed up and got dressed. Harry conjured himself a mirror and used a charm to shave the stubble off his face.

His clothes looked battered. It was open and riddled with holes in several places.

Harry sighed. He had no other clothes for the moment and would have no choice, but to ask someone later where he could get clothes for himself. He still lacked armor and sword, and if the Urgals were to attack anytime soon, he would need both.

Harry made his way back to the dragonhold and enjoyed the morning silence, while he passed the streets of Tronjheim.

"Harry!" Eragon exclaimed excitedly when he arrived. The young man was awake and stood next to the two dragons.

"Eragon, it is good to see you again!"

"You as well. Are you coming to the training fields with us?" Eragon asked happily.

With nothing better to do Harry nodded. He was well rested and was eager to move his sleepy muscles.

"On the way down, you can tell me what happened after Teirm."

"When you attacked Durza with your magic, I met Brom, who was riding towards us with Snowfire. We then quickly left towards the exit of the city when Saphira fell down on the soldiers from the sky, giving us enough opportunities to get through the gate."

Eragon stopped and bowed his head dejectedly. "But after we left Teirm, we didn't get a chance to turn back. I had to let Ares go, once we left Teirm. I'm sorry we let you down, Harry."

Harry swallowed deeply. He had no longer expected that he would see his horse again. It would have been a miracle if they had all escaped unharmed.

He patted Eragon gently on the shoulder. "Never mind. I probably would have done the exact same thing if I had been in your shoes."

Harry looked at Eragon's face, which had changed a great deal over the past few months.

Gone was the farm boy's face, leaving behind the striking features of a young man.

They continued down the stairs leading from the dragonhold to Tronjheim. The light of Isidar Mithrim reflected off them, bathing them in a faint red glow, that accompanied their every step.

"What happened afterwards? Did Morzan follow you?" Harry questioned Eragon.

Eragon grimaced as he thought about the days that followed. "Morzan didn't pursue us, but the soldiers of Teirm did. They pursued us to the river Ramr, where we could finally leave them behind. They had no Saphira to take them to the other side."

Eragon laughed briefly when he remembered the angry screams of the soldiers, but his face took on a worried look.

"The days that followed, we made a big mistake. We felt a false sense of security and were surprised by the Ra'zac in the night just before we reached the Hadarac Desert."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "The Ra'zac tracked you down?"

Eragon nodded. "Exactly. They came at night and put the blade on our necks. If we hadn't been saved by someone, I don't know what would have happened."

"And who was the someone?"

Eragon sighed deeply. "His name is Murtagh. He was on the run and just happened to be there. He used his bow to free us from the Ra'zac and we managed to escape. We didn't dare close our eyes for nights and had to give up the hunt for the Ra'zac. We then headed towards the Varden, and on our way we encountered a squad of Urgals also pursuing us."

"Murtagh? I think I heard the name before," Harry muttered.

Eragon glanced at him. "He is the son of Morzan, the last of the Foresworn."

Harry's eyes widened and he turned towards Eragon. "He was the one to rescue you?!"

Eragon swallowed deeply. "Yes, but he is not like his father! He is a really good swordsman and we have become good friends over time."

He slumped his shoulders. "I hate the fact that he's locked in here, just because he is related to Morzan. That is not fair."

Harry heard the clear bitterness in Eragon's voice. If Murtagh was with the Varden, he really needed to speak with him.

"Do you think that it was the wrong decision to stop chasing the Ra'zac?" Harry asked, trying to change the topic.

Eragon shook his head. "No, I do not believe that. At least not anymore. Saphira is more important to me, and it was too risky to stay inside the empire," Eragon stared off as he remembered the last weeks.

"But you're still looking for revenge."

Fire returned in Eragon's eyes. "Yes, but I need to learn more. I can't always rely on Saphira, Brom or you."

Harry nodded approvingly. He slung an arm around his shoulder. "That is the right mindset."

The bulk of the training grounds was occupied by a crooked block of foot soldiers and the sounds of shields clashing against swords.

Harry made a face. He saw men training with swords, shields of all sizes, as well as javelins and Harry had to look twice, when he saw someone with a pitchfork. If the Varden were so badly equipped, the situation was far more dangerous and hopeless than he first assumed.

Before Harry could wonder where they were going, a bearded man strode over to them, his head and blocky shoulders covered by a mail coif. The rest of him was protected by a rough ox hide suit that still had hair on it. A huge sword-almost as long as Harry himself-hung across his broad back.

He ran a quick eye over Harry and Artemis, who had flown down, as if evaluating how dangerous they were, then said gruffly, "It's good that you're here so early, Eragon. Brom asked me to handle your training today."

Eragon nodded determined.

The man looked at Harry again. "I'm Fredric. I've been told to find out what you can do. How strong are you?"

"Strong enough to kick your ugly ass, if I have to." Harry responded with a challenging smile.

Fredric smirked. He liked the boy.

"Good answer. Do you know how to use any weapons besides a sword?"

"Brom only taught me how to use sword and bow," Harry answered truthfully.

Fredric nodded. "That is good for now, but we will make sure you can use any weapon. Be it a one-handed sword with a shield, a two-handed sword or just your fists."

Harry nodded determined. He knew what Fredric said was right.

He clapped his hands together. "Well, we'll start you off with the bow and see how you do. Then once some space has cleared up on the field, we will -" He broke off suddenly and stared past them, scowling angrily.

The twins stalked towards them. Their bald heads pale against their dark purple robes.

Harry paled. There really were people here with the same taste as Dumbledore!

Artemis emitted a snort beside him.

"I told you two to stay away from the training area," Fredric said, stepping forward threateningly. The twins looked like a pair of sticks next to his bulk.

They looked at him arrogantly. "We were ordered by Ajihad to test Eragon's and Harry's proficiency with magic, before you exhaust him banging on pieces of metal."

Fredric growled but kept silent. Artemis and Saphira rumbled deeply, glaring at them, but they ignored the two dragons. "Come with us," they ordered.

"They either have a bunch of balls to ignore you or are simply two jerks," Harry told Artemis.

"If they try anything funny, I will smoke them alive," Artemis growled.

Harry touched her gently on the leg. "But you can't breathe fire, yet."

"Yes, but they don't know that" she told him smugly.

The twins looked at Eragon and asked, "Have you thought about our proposal?"

On Harry's questioned face, Eragon explained. "They approached me yesterday and asked me if I wanted to join the Du Vrangr Gata. That is the name of the group of magicians who support the Varden."

He turned towards the twins. "And the answer is no."

They looked towards Harry, but he quickly smirked, "Don't bother. I don't like you and I would never join a group that you two belong to."

Sharp lines appeared at the corners of the Twin's mouths. They turned so they faced Eragon and Harry obliquely and, bending at the waists, drew a large pentagram on the ground.

They stepped in the middle of it, then said harshly, "We begin now. You will attempt to complete the tasks we assign you… that is all."

Harry studied the pentagram carefully. To his surprise, the symbols resembled runes he had seen before. He just couldn't remember from where. While he couldn't translate them entirely, he had a vague idea of what it was meant to do.

He glanced towards Saphira and nudged her leg.

"Can you let me in?" He asked her mentally. She lowered her mental shields for him.

"What do you want, Harry?" Saphira asked.

"Who is it-Harry?" Eragon asked with surprise.

"Yes, it is me. I need to tell you something, before you attempt the tasks, they will set for us."

"What is it?"

"The Pentagram they drew on the ground, will allow them to emit their magic inside it. Others will not be able to tell if they are using their magic."

"They want to show everyone that they are stronger than us," Saphira growled. "That we are weak."

Harry agreed with her. "Probably. Just be careful, when you sense something that might hinder you to use your own magic," Harry said and retreated from their connection.

"Eragon will start, then the other rider."

One of the Twins reached into his robe, produced a polished rock, the size of Harry's fist, and set it on the ground. "Lift it to eye level."

Harry watched as Eragon prepared himself. "Stenr rïsa!"

The rock wobbled, then smoothly rose from the ground. Before it went up more than a foot and unexpected resistance brought it to a halt in midair.

Eragon's mind merged with Saphira's, and the stone lurched through the air to tremble at eye level. Fredric looked unnerved by the display of magic.

"Very … good," they hissed. Harry smirked at his fellow rider, who returned his smile. "Now move the stone in a circle."

The training continued and the exercises quickly increased in complexity and difficulty. After the first task Eragon only whispered the words or simply tried to shorten the lengthened use of sentences.

He was rewarded with frustration that twisted the twin's faces as he kept thwarting their plans.

More than half an hour passed, but the Twins showed no sign of stopping. You could see the effort Eragon was making. He was hot and sweating.

Finally, the Twins raised their hands, "There is only one thing left to do. It is simple enough- any competent user of magic should find this easy." One of the twins removed a silver ring from his finger and handed it to Eragon.

"Summon the essence of silver."

Harry blinked. Summoning the essence of any metal was incredibly difficult. It was one of the few things Brom had warned them about while he was teaching the ancient language to them.

"Stop!"

The word rushed over Harry like cool water- he turned looking for the source. A lone figure stood behind them. Arya's fiery emerald eyes were fixed on the Twins, who had turned pale with fright.

She had an aura about her that Harry couldn't find words to describe. She approached on silent footsteps and said in soft, menacing tones, "Shame! Shame to ask of him what only a master can do. Shame that you should use such methods. He is competent. Now leave!"

Arya frowned dangerously, her slanted eyebrows meeting like lightning bolts in a sharp V and pointed at Eragon's hand. "Arget!" She exclaimed thunderously.

The silver shimmered, and a ghostly image of the ring materialized next to it. The two were identical except that the apparition seemed purer and glowed white-hot. At the sight of it, the Twins spun on their heels and fled, robes flapping wildly.

Arya surveyed them all, her angled eyes paused on Harry. Then she turned and strode toward the heart of the training field. The warriors ceased their sparring and looked at her with wonder. Within a few moments, the field fell silent in awe of her presence.

Looking only at Harry, she proclaimed, "I claim the right of trial by arms. Draw your sword."

Harry blinked. "Lovely. I always wanted to get beaten up in front of others."

"I think she wants to see if you can hold your own against her with a sword," Artemis suggested slowly. She nudged him forward with her nose.

"Go on. Show them, what my rider is capable of."

Harry reluctantly stepped forward. He did not want to do this, especially in front of others, when there were so many people watching.

Harry's eyes searched and found their target. With a twitch of his fingers, the sword sliced through the air, and he swiftly caught it in his hands.

He weighted it in both of his hands.

It will have to do for now, he grimaced.

"Do you not have your own sword?" Arya asked him with a frown.

Harry shook his head. "I do not."

He could literally feel the disappointed faces around him.

"And this is supposed to be a dragon rider? He doesn't even know how to fight!" laughed one of the men, surrounding them.

Artemis growled dangerously. The men standing close to her hastily retreated in fear.

Harry's shoulders tensed and he ignored them all. He took a deep breath and adopted the fighting stance he had been taught by Brom.

Slightly bent knees. Body leaning slightly to one side. Eyes focused on his enemy.

They faced each other across the circle of warriors. Arya drew her sword with her left hand. The weapon was thinner than his, but just as long and sharp.

The fight reminded Harry of the many he's had with Brom.

No one moved. Both stood motionless, daring the other to make their move. Elf and wizard watching each other.

Harry moved slightly his left foot. In one swift movement Arya jumped at him, slashing at his ribs. He took a quick step back and parried her attack. He could feel the force, with which she struck, up to his shoulder.

She didn't give him a second to think and spun to her right, hair whipping through the air, and swung the sword at his head. He managed to duck under the razor-sharp blade just in time.

Arya raised her eyebrows at him, surprised at his quick movement.

Harry knew immediately that she was toying with him. Yes, he could match her speed with his own, but her superior experience was evident. Every movement she made was deliberate and precise.

Every attack he made was parried with ease, and he found himself trying to dodge her myriad attacks. He launched the most complicated attacking series he knew, moving his body from one pose to another, yet he couldn't break through her defenses.

Engaged in a fiery dance, their bodies were linked and separated by the flashing blades. At times they nearly touched, taut skin only a hair's breadth away, but then movement would whirl them apart, and they would withdraw for a second, only to join again.

Their sinuous forms wove together like wisps of windblown smoke.

Time flowed past Harry. The fight was timeless, filled with nothing but the sound of two swords clashing against each other.

At last, he lunged forward, Arya stepping nimbly to the side and swinging her sword to his left side. He swung the sword into his other hand and the two swords clashed together in a final clang.

Harry closed his eyes, as he felt the freezing cold metal against his skin.

The blade broken in his left hand. The remainder of the sword lay a long way behind him.

Harry opened his eyes and he gazed deeply into Arya's green eyes.

Something changed between them, but Harry could not identify what it was.

Arya sheathed her sword and looked at Harry attentive, like a puzzle she could not solve, but then smiled softly. "You have passed."

Harry flinched at the sound of cheering and looked around to see everyone clapping in awe.

"That was incredible swordsmanship! I even learned some new moves from watching the two of you. And the elf- stunning!" Fredric was beside him now, as he pounded his back enthusiastically.

"You need a sword," Artemis said, as she walked up to him. "Not a scrub of metal like that. A real rider's sword."

He eyed the metal stump in his hands. "Easier said than done," Harry sighed disappointed in himself. There was not a single moment when he could have won.

"Harry?" Arya walked up to him.

She nodded towards Eragon and pointed her head to the side and his eyes followed hers to a small clearing far away.

"Can we talk?"