As soon as we reached the Entrance Hall, I was on Vascar's back and we were soaring out the ceiling into the wide open air above. Now that we could fly together, I did not plan to walk very much anymore. I could sense his joy as well about being able to share the sky with me. Our bond only strengthened the more we grew and the more time we spent together.

Getting home was much quicker on dragon back, and Vascar was able to land right in the tear drop cut out in the wall. Dismounting as quick as I can without hurting myself, I go to the clothes I had brought from home and pick out a black tunic with matching leggings and my leather hunting boots. Then, my fingers moving rapidly, I braid my hair off to the side and wrap a piece of black cloth around my wrist. It was what I always did before events I was nervous about for good luck. Then mounting Vascar again, he quickly takes off and heads back to the training center to meet Galbatorix like we do everyday.

He was waiting for us when we landed, and quickly took off after he noticed I was riding Vascar. After taking off in pursuit of the larger dragon, Vascar pumps his wings furiously, trying to catch up and not be outflown. with all the flying he had been doing lately, I was worried he would pass out from the exhertion. But he made it to the normal cave with no problem, and after I had jumped off once more, he took off out of the cave, along with Jarnunvösk.

'The cave is much to cramped for both of us', he says to me moments later, 'Jarnunvösk and I are resting on top of the shelf, we should still be able to communicate. Just let me know when you are ready to go.'

I quickly agree with him and tell him that I will contact him when it's time to go before turning to Galbatorix. It does not take long to tell him what had happened today and the duty which Vascar and I were punished with. Part of me thought he would be scolding, but was shocked when he broke out in a warm laugh that sent shivers up my spine.

"Ah egg duty. We have all had to do it once. It is not a pleasant experience, for you do absolutely nothing. I wish I would have had something happen. But alas, the most interesting part was when a stray cat jumped out of the alley and ran in front of me", he says looking out over the city. From this height I could see the Nesting Building and the few dragons entering and exiting. It was one of the largest buildings in the city to accomadate mothering dragons of all sizes. The only building that rivaled it was the Eragonian Training Center and the Salr Ríkr.

"I'm glad. I was starting to get worried."

"Would you like to spar?", he asks suddenly, starting to look excited.

"How would we? Neither of us have swords", I say back curiously.

"Well, we don't now, but down by the training fields they have an assortment of weapons."

"The training fields by Oromis's private training quarters?"

"Those are the ones", he says with an eager grin spreading across his face.

I had to admit I was curious. I wanted to know just how good he was. I was also worried that he would beat me in a second, but after the mock fight with Oromis today I noticed a lot more pride and self confidence in my attitude.

Connecting my mind with Vascar, I say, 'time to go.'

'Why so soon?', he asks back curiously, but I sensed him take off before he even asked.

'Galbatorix and I plan to go spar at the training fields.'

'We are here', he announces unnecessarily, for the loud rushing of wind from the two dragons wings did that well enough.

"Do you want to try to have both dragons land in here again or have one come in at a time?", I say turning to Galbatorix because the way both the dragons came in today was complicated.

He turns to me as well, and the look in his eye said it all. Pure mischief and daring nerve crept into his voice as he said, "no need."

Twisting around, he sprints towards the opening of the cave. I realize moments to late what he planned to do as ran after him and attempted to stop him, but I didn't reach him in time. Launching out of the open hole he spins once in air before leveling of in a complete free fall, his arms in legs spread out wide in the air. No chance of a scream can escape my lips for less than a second later, a green blur shoots pass the opening of the cave and swoops underneath as he pulls himself into the saddle.

My heart, already pounding as it was, jolts even more as a large orange head slips it's way through the whole. Vascar was clinging onto the rocks that made up the ledge with his claws, his head peering into the cave.

'Well? Are you coming or not?'

Sighing I look out into the sky and the slightest thought of jumping like Galbatorix had crosses my mind. But there would be other times to be able to do that. And honestly, I was terrified

'Yes, let's go', I say backing up as he climbs into the cave. We quickly launch out in an attempt to catch up to the pair in front of us, but it was in vain. It seemed the two were intent on making it to the training fields in record time.

When we finally touched down in the fields, Galbatorix was standing by a wooden building, twirling a silver sword by his left leg.

"What took you so long?", he teases before turning into the wooden building where a stock of weapons sat, more even than Oromis's. Surprisingly, most of the weapons already had the barrier to make it impossible to touch. After going through a few swords I find the one that fits the best and follow Galbatorix back out the door. The two dragons sit outside waiting for us, and from the look in Vascar's eyes, I knew what was coming next.

Faster than the blinking of an eye, he pounces onto Jarnunvösk and attempts to pin her head down, but, being much larger than he, she merely brushes him off and jumps in return. Where Jarnunvösk was strong in strength though, Vascar had in speed. Darting to the side, he comes up on her right side and jumps onto her back and nips at the base of her neck and shoulders. She quickly twist her neck back and wraps her mouth around his neck and picks him off of her like a mother cat would her kittens. She doesn't really lift him, but instead drags him to the ground and, before he can even react more than letting loose a frustrated snarl, pins him the the ground.

She holds him there for a few seconds before letting him up, as if to make the point of who's boss. And when he finally does get up, I sense through our link the feeling of hurt pride. I stop my remark before it slips out, not wanting to make him feel even worse.

"Why don't we just stay here and practice?", Galbatorix suggests after the dragons were done.

"Sure", I say, readjusting my sword to an easier to swing position.

He nods before settling into a low stance, his dark eyes glinting with excitement. Several heads turned to see the fight that was about to take place, for it seemed that anything that had to do with Galbatorix was big news.

People had stopped giving the weird looks in the Entrance Hall after class everyday when Galbatorix would walk up to me, they were used to it by now. But apparently, me sparring with him was a whole new subject to get excited about.

"Ready", he says, his voice low and thrumming with excitement. I couldn't help getting caught up in that seductive voice of his before stuttering out a somewhat understandable answer.

Like Oromis, he gives no warning before attacking. He first goes to aim at my gut, but twists to my left shoulder. And he was quick. I had no clue how I had dragged up my sword in time to stop him for is barely saw him move. Striking again, he aims for my right side, but instead of following through, twists around me and, before it can react, slips the blade onto my neck so his arm was wrapped around me from behind.

My heart beats fast, and not just from battle, as he whispers in my ear, "dead", and, realizing I had been holding my breath, I let out a large sigh. He holds it there for a second, before slowly removing the blade. For an absurd moment, I thought we were done and was about to protest, but then I noticed him in his usual position

We spar many times more, and everytime, I lost. It was sort of humiliating, but, at the same time, expected. I was proud of our last battle when I actually made a hit on his left leg, but lost my ground moments later when he poked me with the tip of his sword in my gut.

"Dead", he said with the hint of a smile on his face. That only frustrated me, so talking both my hands, I shove onto his chest hard, dropping my sword onto the ground at my feet. Not expecting my outburst, Galbatorix stumbles back half a step before standing up straight, and looking at me curiously. It only takes a second for his expression to change from bewildered to challenging.

Quickly bounding forward, dropping his sword as well, he attempts to hook his arm around me and drag me to the ground. Luckily, his larger size made him not as quick as I, kind of like our respective dragons, and I was able to dodge to the side and leap onto his back, wrapping my arms around his neck. But instead of doing any good, this just makes me vulnerable as he reaches around and drags me off. I land with a soft thump on the ground. But, determined as I was not to lose this fight, I straighten up immediately, even though I was struggling to catch breath after it was pushed out from my fall.

Deciding from a different approach, I quickly kick my leg up in an attempt to catch him off gaurds. It does no good. He catches my leg as it flies through the air towards him, and with one tiny pull, I'm on the ground once more. I try to roll to the right and get on my feet again, but am stop as with his knees he pins me to the ground.

"That was fun", he said breathlessly, "if you ever can't beat someone with a sword, I'd recommend doing this." And with that he stood up, brushing the dirt off his clothes. I do the same and, even though I lost again, I couldn't help but feel a bit proud of how I held my own.... Kind of.

"Don't worry", he says smirking, "if anything were to happen tonight, you would hold your own just fine. And like I said, the only way you could die, would be if you were to bore yourself to death."

That makes the rest of my worries disappear. He seems to notice as he grabs our swords and hands mine back to me. Locking eyes, and predicting the others next move, we go spring back into another heated fight.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AN: ANOTHER CHAPTER!!!!! THIS ONE WAS ALMOST DONE SO THATS WHY THE UPDATE WAS SO QUICK!!!! BUT I HOPE TO UPDATE AGAIN SOON BECAUSE I GOT BIG PLANS FOR THIS BOOK >:) SO PLEASE (if you want to find out)

READ/COMMENT/VOTE!!!!

THANKA YOUUU

~Bert