Disclaimer: Muwahahahaha, I am back yet again with a completely pointless fanfiction. This is the sequel to A Dragon's Will. If you haven't read the prequel, you won't know what the hell I'm talking about.

Arya, Eragon, Galzra, Saphira, and Orik slept peacefully two nights later near the small campfire that Eragon had built earlier that evening. Eragon wrapped his arm around Arya protectively. He sniffed her hair and allowed the pine needle scent calm his senses. Gloned looked at them, longing for sleep. It had been decided that day that he would go into the city and find out whatever information that he could. He got closer to the fire and tried to warm himself.

Saphira opened her eyes and lifted her head. Her blue eyes stared at him knowingly. Get some rest, Gloned, she said to him softly.

Gloned glanced at the dragon. He vaguely remembered Arya teaching him how to talk with the two dragons, but he couldn't remember her exact instructions. He looked away and cast his gaze into the fire.

Saphira snorted, amused with the soldier's stubborness. Sleep, I will take watch now. I can see better in the dark than you humans anyway. She watched as he took out his pallet and fell into a deep sleep. Her brilliant eyes reflected the starlight.

She watched proudly as the sun rose in the east and the first warmth of the day touched her scales. Galzra opened his emerald eyes and yawned. He raised his head and looked at Saphira. The sun is indeed beautiful now, he said softly.

Indeed it is, Galzra, replied Saphira. She glanced at him and turned her attention to her rider. Should I wake them? she asked.

Galzra thought about it for a moment. No, he said. Let them sleep for now. The years have been so restless for them both from the long war that wasn't soon enough to end.

And we were only there to witness a small part of it, said Saphira. Yet, we were both a huge part of the success of the death of Galbatorix.

Galzra shuddered. Please don't ever mention his name again, Saphira, he said shakilly.

Were you in his hands for any time? asked Saphira sadly.

No, answered Galzra. And I'm sorry that you were.

Eragon opened his eyes. He glanced down at the peaceful Arya. Her black hair covered his face. He smiled to himself, glad that he at least had her to share his life with. And what are you two talking about? he asked in a teasing manner.

You're awake! cried Galzra.

Good morning to you too, Galzra, chuckled Eragon.

Arya stirred in her sleep. She opened her eyes and waited for a moment while they adjusted to the light. She yawned and stretched out her body. We should wake Gloned and help him prepare for his trip into the city, she said.

First, we should make some breakfast, said Eragon. Saphira, you and Galzra can hunt in the fields away from here today. Just don't be seen by anyone.

I'm tired of hiding from everyone, little one, cried Saphira.

I know, Saphira, agreed Eragon. I am too, but we have to make them understand that we did what we did to rid them of tyrany.

It isn't going to be that simple, Eragon, said Arya. We must remember that they fear Shur'tugal such as ourselves and they won't trust us right away.

That's the problem, said Eragon with dread.

As soon as we get someone in power who will show trust towards us, we should be able to roam wherever, said Galzra.

The key word there is 'should', commented Saphira.

Let us forget of these matters for now and focus on the positive, said Eragon. His grip tightened around Arya's midsection. "Arya, though many changes will come from all of this, my love for you can only grow," he whispered softly into her ear.

Arya smiled slightly. Her face reddened slightly. She shifted her position so that she faced him. "Eragon," she whispered soft enough that he could barely hear her. "I'm not sure if you know already . . .but I'm pregnant . . .."

Eragon gaped at her for a moment. The words repeated themselves in his mind. Then, he smiled widely. "That's great, Arya!" he managed to say happilly. He kissed her softly on the side of her neck.

We will have to be more careful now, said Saphira.

Let them have their happiness, scolded Galzra. Those two have been waiting a long time for something this joyous. The emerald dragon smiled fondly at the two riders.

Saphira snorted. She looked at the quickly rising sun. Little one, I'd hate to break this perfect moment for you, but we really need to get a start on the day while it's still new.

Eragon sighed deeply. He helped Arya sit up and looked around the camp. Orik and Gloned still slept peacefully. I suppose you're right, he said softly.

Aren't I always right, little one, snorted Saphira.

Arya stretched her muscles. She quickly stood and rearanged her tunic so that it fit her as it should. She took Zar'roc and belted the sword. Galzra, fly into the sky and scout the area, she ordered coldly.

Galzra complied and immediately took flight. He circled high above them. There's a small group of soldiers marching north. I don't think that they're much threat to us. There's only twenty of them; if that.

Ok, come back down, replied Arya.

Eragon shook Orik's shoulder. The dwarf cursed under his breath. He opened his eyes and looked at the young rider. "Eragon!" he cried gruffly. "It's way to damned early to rise!"

"I agree," whispered Eragon. "But if we don't start moving, we could be easy targets for an ambush."

Gloned woke and sat up. He yawned and looked at his commanding officers. "What are your orders then, Lord Shadeslayer?" he asked.

Arya turned toward them. Galzra landed behind his rider. "Galzra just reported seeing a small band of twenty soldiers marching north," she informed them. "Gloned, are you ready to do your duty and visit the capital of the old Empire?" she asked. Her green eyes looked into Gloned's brown orbs and she cought glimpses of his soul.

"I am, Queen Arya," answered Gloned proudly.

Arya nodded and smiled. "Then pack your bags," she said. "You will stay at one of the inns tonight and report back to us tomorrow at dusk. By then our camp will have moved in the event that you're intercepted. I will show you to the camp when you arrive."

"Understood," replied Gloned. He began packing the food and blankets he would need. He belted his sword and walked off moments later.

"Can we trust him?" asked Orik suspitiously.

"I think we can," replied Eragon. He unsheathed his sword and gazed into it's blue hue. "Do you not trust him, Orik?"

The dwarf shook his grizly head, "No, something just doesn't seem right about that lad."

"There's not much that we can do about him now," said Arya. "Nasuada trusts him."

I could enter his conciousness and watch him, offered Saphira.

"You can do that, Saphira?" asked Orik, surprised. He twirled his beard with his finger.

I certainly can, Saphira snorted.

"Be careful," advised Eragon.

Saphira rolled her eyes at him. She growled before laying her head down and closing her eyes. Concentrating, she searched for Gloned's conciousness. She easily found it and penetrated his barriars.

Eragon felt pulled in as well. The sensation sent chills up his spine. His eyes went out of focus. He felt suddenly faint. He quickly sheathed Brom's old sword and fell to the ground.

"Eragon!" cried Arya worriedly. She ran to his side. She touched his face rather timidly. Orik ran beside her. She sighed. "He'll be ok," she said softly. She knelt down and placed his head on her lap.

"I'll make us some breakfast then," announced Orik.

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Eragon felt pulled from his body. He floated away and became sucked into Gloned's conciousness. It felt icy and damp. What happened? he asked, crying out in sudden fear and wonder.

I think that because our bond is so strong, you were pulled along as well, answered Saphira. Are you hurt, little one?

No, replied Eragon softly and with confidence. I'm just a little surprised . . ..

Gloned walked up to the two guards at the city gates. They wore full body armour and both held pikes. They crossed their pikes, blocking Gloned's path. "State your name, where your from, and reason for business," said the taller one to the right.

"My name is Gloned of Daret," he answered without hesitating. "My business is to join your military ranks and help defeat the Varden."

He's a good liar, commented Eragon, impressed at the soldiers ability to analyze a situation. He would've been a good scholar.

They looked at him under suspicious eyes. "We are under orders to remove any weapons," said the second.

Gloned nodded. "Security would be an issue in the capitol city of the Empire whom I have depended on my entire life," he said to himself softly. He removed his sword. "You may take my sword if you wish, but I wish to have it back when I return tomorrow." He handed the taller one his weapon and was then allowed to pass. He walked through the city, casually looking around. He entered the pub and saw that a few early drinkers had also gone. He sat at a small round table and ordered a pint of mead.

"There's a new Queen who is going to take Galbatorix's place later today," said one in the middle of ten other men. "She's going to make the Varden pay for killing the king!"

Gloned watched them carefully and listened as well as he could. He took a sip of his mead when it had arrived and acted as though he wasn't interested.

This man is good, admitted Eragon. Almost too good . . ..

I think Nasuada sent him with us for a reason, said Saphira. I think that we can pull out of his mind now.

Eragon sighed. If you say so.

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Saphira slowly pulled them out of the soldier's mind. She opened her eyes and lifted her head slightly. Arya and Orik looked at her. They set their breakfast down. Eragon opened his eyes a few moments later. He looked up and met Arya's emerald eyes. His face flushed as it always did when he stared into his love's eyes. Slowly, he sat up.

"What happened?" asked Orik, looking at the young rider.

"Gloned was able to get into the city with no real trouble," informed Eragon. "He is unarmed however. He went dirrectly to the pub and has now found out that there is a Queen to take Galbatorix's place later on today."

"Damn," hissed Orik.

"We will have to find a way into the city without being noticed," said Arya. "I could put a glamour on the three of us so that we can get in and then we could request audience with this Queen."

I sense nothing but great danger in there, warned Galzra.

So do I, admitted Arya. But when have we ever been away from such peril?

Never, replied Galzra dully.

Eragon sighed heavilly and rubbed his temples. He stood suddenly, annoyed with the situation. "I'm gonna take a walk," he announced gruffly. He walked away from them without looking back. He dissapeared behind a small hill in the distance.

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Gloned left the pub a few minutes later, after finishing his mead. He looked around and in his mind, he mapped out the city and learned the location of all the shops. A small shop caught his eye. He hurried toward it. The owner saw his facination and smiled. "May I help you, good sir?" asked the middle aged, bearded man.

Gloned looked up at him and smiled politely. "How much is that jeweled stone there?" he asked, pointing to a polished rock in the middle of a collection of other assorted things.

"That?!" cried the man, surprised by Gloned's interest. "No one has ever wanted that before!" He thought about Gloned's question for a moment. "Two thousand gold pieces," he answered.

Gloned stared at the man, disbelief in his eyes. "Two thousand!" he cried furiously. He calmed his nerves and controlled his face. "What about a small piece of the stone to be put on a necklase or a ring?" he asked quickly.

The man laughed at him. "I've tried and tried to break that stone and have never done so! What have you got to trade for it?"

Gloned lowered his head. He turned his gaze toward a poster of the reward for the capture of Eragon and Saphira. The money would be enough for the jewel. "I will come back here tomorrow," he said and left.

He walked down the street until he found a decent inn where he stayed.

Disclaimer: I know that it's short for the first chapter, but this'll just get the plotline moving. The next chapter will be longer.