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Chapter Three

Saphira POV

"Take me back! My uncle-"

Is currently being beaten and tortured within an inch of his life by those beasts. That's all before being left to die in the ruins of his farm. Stargazer snapped, his eyes glowing even brighter and illuminating the youth further as he stood up. If you wish to join him in his suffering, then simply ask and I will show you true terror!

A bolt of pale blue lightning cracked across the clear night skies, illuminating the pale face of Eragon. A few heartbeats afterward, the resounding clap of thunder jarred even my teeth within my jaw. My poor Rider was sent toppling backward and fell on his butt, looking up at the dragon in front of him with nothing but fear in his eyes.

I shifted uncomfortably, noticing how very warm I suddenly felt, which drew the other dragon's attention.

What is it? He asked rather politely.

I… Nothing. It's nothing. I replied rather shyly, shifting my body again.

The male narrowed his eyes yet nodded his head slightly. Stargazer turned his head to the now dark sky while closing his eyes and inhaled the crisp, cool air. Opening his eyes once more, he admired the stars that were beginning to sparkle above before turning to Eragon and I, who were looking at him strangely.

Get some rest. He rumbled not unkindly, turning his face upwards towards the heavens once more. I will keep watch while you sleep. Fear not the night, for nothing shall cause you harm whilst I draw breath.

I decided to curl up with Eragon pressed against my side, my warmth keeping him from freezing overnight. I made sure to keep my wing over him as well, to keep him safe from the elements. Heavy footfalls drew my attention and I turned my head to see Stargazer padding towards me. He stopped, standing next to me, and leaned down so his large head was in line with mine.

Rest, fierce one. He whispered gently, those thunderous undertones easing my mind and assuring that we would indeed be safe under his watchful eye. Rest 'til morning light.

Raising his head, he walked away, but not before saying one more thing as my eyes closed and I slipped into the world of dreams.

This is but the beginning of your adventures.

Justin POV

I hated this.

Resigning an innocent to their predetermined fate in life, one that I had no hand in creating, made me feel powerless.

And I despised feeling this way.

I stamped out the fire, engulfing us three beings in darkness and allowing my eyesight to adjust. I looked up and the sight before me took my very breath away.

The stars shone with a brightness I could have never imagined back on Earth. With all the light pollution and the smog in cities, I never had the chance to see my beloved obsession in their purest clarity.

Replaying what had happened this evening, I had to chuckle internally at what I had summoned when scolding Eragon. I wasn't expecting anything like that to happen, I just wanted to get the point across that he would never boss me around. It was as I told those dragons in limbo.

I forge my own fate.

When I was chewing out that young fool, I just felt an unnatural amount of burning anger that sent my blood boiling.

Who was this mere human child to tell me, a wild dragon, what to do?

I stopped in my tracks as that thought crossed my mind.

Woah. Where did that come from?

Shaking my head to clear the instinctual thought away, I instead chose to think back on just how I managed to do what I did. If I remember correctly, as my anger peaked, I felt a strange tingling sensation along my back, directly between my wings. Next thing I know, a bolt of lightning was cutting through the empty sky.

Strange.

That thought completed, I kept my silent vigil throughout the night. I only left briefly just after midnight to catch a deer that had wandered around to graze. Heh. That buck's midnight snacking turned into my midnight snack.

How poetic.

Third Person POV

The next morning…

Saphira woke up and yawned, her white teeth flashing in the early morning sunlight. Drops of dew that had formed on her scales made her form glitter, generating an amused feeling that burned within her. Looking around, the dragoness immediately noticed a distinct lack of the third member of their little party. The sapphire female exhaled greatly, already missing the other dragon. He seemed like a good hearted individual, but they had just met so she couldn't draw up a conclusion yet.

She sighed again.

Loneliness was a killer.

That feeling was dashed into the darkest corners of her mind as a large mass crashed into their clearing, making her bolt upright and onto her feet with a snarl. Eragon gave an indignant yelp at the sudden, unexpected exposure to the morning coolness.

As the dust cleared, Stargazer was looking back at them with a smug smirk.

Rise and shine sleeping beauties! His voice said in their heads, filled with barely restrained laughter. The male bent his neck down and tossed the limp form of a rabbit to Eragon before picking up a rather large buck in his jaws and looking at Saphira. Several emotions seemed to flicker through his eyes, though the female couldn't guess as to what they were since they were locked away behind his mental barriers, but Stargazer appeared to come to a mental conclusion.

Very slowly, he made his way toward Saphira, who was sitting stone still with a front paw lifted ever so slightly. With reverence, he lowered the deer to the ground in front of the dragoness and raised his head to meet her gaze.

For you. Stargazer whispered before snorting and shaking his head.

Curse these damned instincts.

He was not here to flirt!

He had a mission!

An objective!

And no instinct or feeling would get in his way.

Nothing would stand in his way of achieving his goal, no matter how pleasurable and alluring it may seem. He will push her away until that mad king is dead and gone.

Stargazer would rather have the female dragon hate him now by pushing her away and love him later for what he has done for them in the end.

In the words of a wise woman on Earth...

Priorities.

As he turned away, a certain sapphire snout bumped his right shoulder, causing him to look down and into the pools of blue that looked back up at him.

Thank you. She replied as she began digging into her breakfast.

Damn it.

With a sigh, Stargazer blinked and gave a slight dip of his head in response before walking across the clearing to his normal spot. There, he set into his own meal, purposely positioning himself so his back faced the Rider and his dragoness.

Looking between the two, Eragon felt an odd feeling building in his chest, but as soon as he looked at Saphira, the feeling vanished. Addressing Saphira, he decided to ask about it.

"Saphira?"

Yes, little one?

Eragon gestured to Stargazer, who was still not looking at them. "A moment ago, I felt something from you. Can you explain what I felt, or is it something personal that I shouldn't concern myself with for the time being?"

The dragoness lowered her head to look at her young Rider with one sapphire blue eye before responding. It was nothing. Please do not worry, Eragon, for I am perfectly fine. Eragon then felt her sweep through his mind, replaying what he had felt. I do not even know what this 'feeling' is that you speak of.

Eragon raised an eyebrow but nodded his head, conceding to what she said. It made sense, what she told him, but he would still be keeping an eye on Stargazer.

He still didn't trust that dragon.