1.

Katrina's hopping and humming her way to her father's shop.

This conduct wasn't proper for a young lady at the age to be married, but there were no one around, so she allowed herself to be young and careless.

In public, she wouldn't and couldn't be that lighthead and had to act like the lady they knew her to be so to make her father proud.

Although her father won't do the same.

Katrina pursued her lips seeing her father Sloan Aldensson bickering childishly with an actual child. She thought of what she can do as a lady other than make a scene too and went to ask the assistance of Horst, the village's black-smith that her father won't talk back. Or waste his time to, by his own words.

Quickly, the argument toned down when the beefy man entered in her father's the butchery, even ending the uproar by paying the meat that young Eragon wanted.

As Eragon's leaving with Horst so to thank him for helping him out, Katrina sends a judgemental look at her father who purposefully ignore her. As so, he missed the follow interaction.

Eragon comes back to transmit his cousin Roran's message, sending her his regards as he couldn't come to tell her that himself. Then, fumbling with himself, Eragon hold out a pretty blue stone and gave it to her as a thank for calling Horst's help. Katrina thanked him with a nice smile, knowing that the last part was from the boy himself and not from Roran who would think of a better present.

If she had to be honest, she's not that impressed by Roran Garrowsson nor that he would fall for her, but she's in fact surprised that he did not give up even after knowing about her character. He still went on with his wooing, getting better and better at make her fall slowly. It's been three months and she wondered if she's only being distant because she's her father's daughter or because of the very man himself.

This same night, after diner she made, Sloan told her like every night how her mother would be proud of her and that no matter what, him and Ismira loved her. Katrina gathered her courage and asked finally:

"Even when I would be married off?"

Sloan settled his cutlery in front of him, a subtle sign to end the conversation before it began, but Katrina waited for his answer.

"Of course, Katrina. It would be best if you still live at Carvahall when it happens but you'll always be our little princess that we're so proud."

"Even when I'll marry someone that you do not approve?"

It's no secret that her father was really picky.

"You're still young to think about that."

"I'm sixteen, father."

"And you're my baby. It's my duty as father to make sure you live a good life and for now, home is the best option."

As she handle the dishes, Katrina thought that at this rate, she would be husbandless and still living with her father by the end of her life as her father lives. She knew that he came from hardship after losing her mother Ismira in the Spine, but his overprotectiveness is too much sometimes. 

And Katrina longed for another life.

She should watch her wishes.

 

 

The Creature appraised the human holding her.

It's longing for a new life ill intention, with a lot of selfless intention and having really high esteem on them.

They're different of all the other who presented themselves in front of her, hoping to get glory and ranking and just to be famous, with heart full of ambitious and corrupted thoughts. Though, there was this one soul thinking really hard that they could change the world for better by having a dragon, but its mind was too much about politics to suit her.

The Creature's not just a feature to fulfill some personal intentions, she's a mighty being part of this amazing species of dragon.

And she chose this human to be her life partner.

 

 

Katrina is said to be beautiful so much that she came to think that's her only feature.

She didn't get to know her mother for a long time but she remembered her as being nice and gentle, probably what seduced her father. And she thought that if those traits were the only thing that made her father better, she would be kind and warm, balancing their their behavior.

People also commented a lot about her red hair, saying that's bit unusual coming from Palancar Valley, saying that could only mean an incredible life with huge destiny.

Though she didn't believe the trader who told her that few years ago, probably trying to get her buy her stuff, she had to consider it that very same night in her room.

She had kept the blue ball that Eragon gift her earlier that day, out of her father's eyes as she didn't want him to find out who's the giver and get rid off. But she felt it warming abnormally against her during the whole diner and came to the conclusion it's an egg rather than something inanimated. However, she never saw that kind of egg, all round and blue.

As she put it next to the candle to observe it more meticulously, and sometimes thinking about how to respond to Roran if she came to see him, the egg shook suddenly and even shone when it cracked.

Katrina was expecting to see a lizard of some sort of creature for the unusual shape of the egg, but never would have she guess that kind of lizard.

She just had the time to cover her mouth before letting out a scream, she wouldn't want to alarm her father who would surely scold her for bringing foreign object in their house, as she watched with wide eyes the amazing creature shook up its shell. Bright blue eyes like jewel blinked at her and tilt its top while detailing her. And Katrina had the feeling the creature hold sentient thoughts and was totally judging her. Which wouldn't be that impossible as she heard of all the tales about dragons, and said they're the wisest and strongest and more and more.

For a moment, nothing happened and Katrina almost thought everything was just an illusion and that she needed to sleep it off, but the dragon closed the distance between them, progressing on her tiny paws, and started sniffing her.

When its snout touched her, a sharp heat went though her elbow and Katrina put up more distance between them to preserve herself. But the pain disappeared as fast as it came and Katrina is confronted once again with those blues eyes. And in her core, she realized that a bond is created between them.

 

Thanks to having a butcher as father, Katrina feeded easily the baby dragon.

In no time, it took twice the size it born with and Katrina's having hard time to hide it in the house or even in the garden behind. She even got hard time explaining where all the fresh meat went to her father. Thankfully, the hardship came to an end at the eighth day of stealing meat and the dragon took Katrina on her back to give her an aerial tour as it could now fly.

It wasn't long and that's good as Katrina felt uneasiness sitting on chipped back. The scales didn't actually hurt her as it didn't left any marks but she rather not do it again without being prepared. Now she needed to make a saddle.

When they arrived, she realized they were in the Spine, the sole and only place that her father forbid her to go, as it was her mother's death place. But looking at the mounts and trees, Katrina knew it's just a place for Saphira to get her own food to grow up even more. As the dragon went deeper in the moutains, Katrina's not worry when still feeling the dragon's presence in her mind. She even got to see in front line how a dragon catch their preys, which was as great as her father's job. What actually made her happy was to realize that the dragon was using her magic power to communicate with her, meaning that they could actually be apart.

They stayed there for awhile before Katrina had to return to the village or her father would make a fuss again. They had decide that they will live separatly for now. If Roran's serious about her, they will marry and live elsewhere, probably close to his reclused farm not far from the Spine, so she could together with lady Celeste without having to find an excuse.

The name came on the spot but Katrina didn't regret anything seeing lady Celeste lifting her chin and smiling toward the sky. A proud creature like her could only be named that highly instead of some jewel or color name juste because she's blue. Lady Celeste nudged at her before separating and breathed heavily in her head, making the red hair fly everwhere and looking like a bonfire. The dragon then send her image of her breathing fire and her waiting this moment excitedly.

Katrina went back to the town to keep her well-behaved front.

The Traders came in the town and did their business, with Roran gifting her a nice necklace under Eragon and Odele's smirking face. Then, she unexpectandly learned more about the story of the empire and some about dragon rider from the storyteller Borm. She tried to act curious and asked about the saddle or other thing related to.

She probably would have to tell reveal that she became a dragon rider, but there's still time before that, right?

Plus, she would just tell her father and possibly to the storyteller who seemed to know a lot about dragons.

And maybe Roran if they ended up together.

2.

Well, Roran's sure was certain to get her hand to go to the neighboring village and work as miller.

Eragon told her that he believed if he got the income her father would know how serious he was. Katrina wished it could be the case, but Sloan was known to be a headstrong man.

Katrina just kept her trip from Carvahall to the Spine without anyone's knowledge, checking on lady Celeste and her diet of the mountain's animals and giving her a makeshift saddle so they could fly together to strengthen their bond.

That day, however, when going back to the town after leaving lady Celeste to her raw meal, she passed through Garrow Cadocsson's farm, because it was the only other living place in the area and not because it's Roran's house.

Well, not for long.

As much for Roran's home than for the living place.

The cottage's been destroyed. Thick and foul smelling smoke were coming out of the broken house and from the farming. She went pass through the burnt field and ran to falling tenement, looking for any alive person. She called out for them, even her suitor who was absent.

No one answered her and her worry changed to fear when a hand stired up from under a yarn-beam. Working with only adrenaline, she lifted up the crumbled furniture and helped extirpate the survivor. Even banged up, she managed to recognize Eragon and carried his body out of the rubble to check on his condition.

He was in horrible shape and barely breathing but most worriying were the mubbles coming out his mouth.

"Fa- father..."

Always knowing the young boy's desire to be actually part of the family, Katrina got immediately who he was refering to and went back inside to look for Garrow.

Though, she actually wished she didn't.

She could say she was used to see mutilated bodies, for having a butcher as father, she grew up watching the man cutting out dead and bloody lamb but that was on whole another level.

Garrow's bottom was buried under some cupbroad and when she went to lifted him up from under his arms, she noticed that it wasn't attached to the top anymore.

Dread surged her up and she screamed.

She refused to let go of the body but wouldn't dare to pull out anymore of what she already did. She kept screaming and shouting for help, to someone, anyone around, even to Roran who's not there. She even tried to call out for lady Celeste with their bond, but no matter how many time she asked for assistance, the dragon's presence seemed to have vanished from her mind.

The only one who came to her rescue was the last person she would have expected, but Katrina guessed that Brom was better than nothing. The old man get rid of the furniture and took out his cape to pick up the bottom body. 

She realized she was crying when she felt Brom shaking her shoulder and speaking with urgency.

"Katrina, please, I need you to stay with me. Call for Gertrude for her medical aids, Eragon needs it in this instant. Also bring some hands to carry them in a more suitable place to treat them."

Without even letting him end his sentence, Katrina was already running to the village. How she was blaming Garrown to settle out of the town.

She banged tirelessly Gertrude's door without care she's hurting her hands, it was an emergency, there was no time to lose. The neighbors got attracted and were really surprised to find the always so gentle and well-kept Katrina being that harsh and so little presentable. But as they listened to her cries for help, all the strong men ran to the edge of the Spine along with Gertrude to help one of them.

Katrina was planning on following them but her father caught her and forced her to have her hands treated by Birgit in fear that could infest. She would like to retort that the two man they recuing were in worse state but as she's force led to the nearby house, she indeed felt herself falling in slumber into her father's arms.

 

 

Celeste did heard her human's cries.

She didn't ignore her on purpose, but herself couldn't move due to fear of the creatures that caused the damages.

They're known as the Ra'zak and they were the most vicious species that existed on Alagaësia. They were also a hindrance to the dragons, almost seen as predators to her kinds, as she's still too young to defeat them. And to think that they could just get out without killing anyone when they didn't find her was possible, but they just didn't and even set the house on fire was huge jerk behavior.

She's sorry for her lifemate to be in such upsetting mood but Celeste had to bring out her own resolution and force herself to move too.

So she chased for that really annoying prey hopping around her, clawing and biting it before eating it to get forces. She needed to become powerful enough to not let go of Katrina again and punish those despicable acts.

 

 

It's been five days since the incident.

Katrina stopped crying the third day when Roran came back at Carvahall. The following two days, her suitor was busy between worrying about his barely living cousin and the funeral for his father.

He now lived with Horst and his family because no one else could lodge him, Eragon being kept at Brom's with Gertrude regular checking on his state. Katrina first asked her father to lodge him but the latter's obstinate to let her involve herself in this problem and wouldn't even let them in the same space, saying the family is condemned and that she should be kept out of it.

She's not talking to him since.

And she didn't get to contact lady Celeste either.

She can feel her presence unlike last time, they even exchanged some words to check if they're all right but lately Katrina set up a wall of silence and Celeste didn't try to pry.

Until that day.

As expected, she didn't listen to her father and would meet up with Roran whenever she can to show her supports. Usually, she would let him cry the loss and all the misfortune falling upon him all the sudden, but now they finally buried Garrow, Roran's talking about the future and what he could built from literally scratch.

Unfortunately, her father heard it too.

"I will never allow that! You think that I will let my precious Katrina with a wortless like you? You better hope to join your father, it would be faster!"

Katrina got offended by how rude her father was. And he should chill, it wasn't like she was going to accept.

While Roran got his own retort, her father was way louder than the younger and keep adding insult to injury.

"Anyway, he's the one who looked for the trouble! If his stupid cousin did pick up something that wasn't his, nothing would have happened."

If Roran didn't seem to get it at first, dread seized into Katrina like cold water. She's afraid to know the answer, but she had to ask.

"What do you mean, father?"

"This dumb boy thought about paying my meat with a mere blue stone, thinking it's some gem. But how was I right to refuse, look what he got into! Burnt with the royal soldiers after him if he didn't die!"

Realization that it could have happened to her as well if she told her father that she was now the owner of the said blue stone came like a torrent. Sloan would be the on dead instead of Garrow and Katrina would be wanted by the imperial army.

"You mean he was aimed because he was seen with a blue stone?" Roran asked atonely.

"Of course! You must have heard about those strangers coming into town asking questions about a stone in the Spine! That was before your dumb departure. Whoever had informations wuold be rewarded."

Of maybe not.

If she read correctly the undertone, her father's the one who reported Eragon to the royal army. That would explain why her father was promising her a better life while she was crying the death of an old man and a poor orphan.

"So everything happened because of Eragon?"

Katrina almost forgot about Roran. The young man was shaking with an incredulous expression.

"Don't say that, how would he have known that it would create troubles?" She tried to defend the boy.

Seriously, she was also defending herself.

How would have she know that keeping and raising lady Celeste would be that dangerous. Well, before she heard Brom's story of Alagaësia, and even then Celeste was already weeks old.

"How could he not knew? How could bring some foreign thing from the Spine other than food? What was he thinking? My fatgher raised him for almost sixteen year and that's how he thank him? By killing him?"

"Roran!"

The men should just chill, honestly. How could they be so rude and insensitive by this time?

"It's true!" Roran roared back, obviously in pain. "Everything's his fault! How could he do that? To father? To me? Father is dead and the house is burnt, I have nothing left!"

"You never had anything! And you thought about asking my daughter's hand? Keep dreaming in your misery and never come close to Katrina ever again!"

"Father, quiet! How could you say that when he's in so much pain? And you're the one who caused it!"

"Katrina, open your eyes! I merely said the truth, think about our future life that could be so much better! You won't even have to marry to live in wealth!"

Katrina hold herself really hard to not let her father on the spot, but she swallowed back her fury to focus on Roran, who needed support.

"Roran, maybe wait for Eragon's wake? You could ask him what he was thinking, he probably did it for you own good."

"How, Katrina? Look around you. I had to live with a large family's support! Elain's pregnant and I'm just an orphan giving them more charges! And this stupid boy is in coma because he thought he was doing a good thing by bringing some dangerous artefact from the Spine! This place's so dangerous, father kept telling him that! And look at the result! If he ever wake up, I will fight him!"

Shaking from wrath, Katrina watched both men before her with disgust and pain.

"See, Katrina, dear? This boy's so shallow! Him and his family got some defective brain! You could never live with someone like that!"

"You're right, I can't! That's why I will leave in this instant. Don't you both ever think of talking to me again. Especially you, father, you traitor to Carvahall."

"What are you saying, my dear child? I merely reported the owner of the blue stone."

"Because Eragon gave me the stone after that, you idiot father! How could you send one of us to the Empire when it didn't do anything for us? Palancar Valley was never in the Empire's mind until Traders' season of when something important like the stone-egg appeared! We're totally dispensable, but I will change that because I'm the one they're looking for!"

Without letting the men register, she left them to find lady Celeste.

She and her partner need to ready themselves for a long trip to the capitale city.

3.

The preparation took longer Katrina liked to admit.

She gave herself like half a day, but going to the Spine already took that length and by the time she found back lady Celeste, the sun was setting. She didn't recall it took that long going to the town to the moutains.

Thankfully the weather got warmer, she just had to use the makeshift saddle to sleep on it and be covered by one of lady Celeste's wing for the night.

Tomorrow, they will have to prepare foods and an actual saddle so she could ride lady Celeste without incident, as reaching the capitale city would take long.

 

The following day, though, people of Carvahall already knew that she's a dragon rider and wanted to go to the capitale city Uru'Baen to change their situation.

She would have expect some to come watch the said dragon, but only Brom came.

"So, you really are the owner of the egg."

Lady Celeste showed her sharp teeth menacingly, defying the storyteller to come closer with ill intent. But the man only nodded thoughtfully.

"I would say partner. And lady Celeste is nothing like an egg anymore."

"True. That's an impressive dragon we got here."

Celeste swelled her chest with pride, though still on guard. She may be vain, she won't fall for human words and this Brom's too mysterious to be easily trusted. Katrina got the gist and stared at the man, wanting to know what did he want from them.

"How old is she?"

"A season."

The man fell silent again.

"I heard that you want to go to Uru'Baen, you will need a great saddle for a trip that long. And a guide too that could help you if you encounter some worrying strangers."

"And who would that be? You? I don't think so. You may know a lot outside of the Palancar Valley, you're most needed here, beside Eragon as he doesn't have anyone now."

She couldn't help the bitterness in her voice but Brom didn't comment on that. He pondered on it for awhile before agreeing.

"Still, you will need a nice saddle for a dragon as firece as...lady Celeste. And I just happen to know how to make one."

Katrina then followed his instructions of picking up all the materiels needed in the village. 

However, as a young lady, she didn't have the money herself to pay for all she need and she refused to go beg to her father who she was avoiding. Odele came at this moment and proposed to pay for her but Gedric said he gave her the animals hides freely, though Katrina insisted by promising to repay him when she'd be back. She ignored how the man and her friend looked at her, doubting to ever see again. Katrina left the town after saying good bye to her good friend.

On the way out, she ran to Birgit and her family. The woman made a move to approach her, but her hurband Quimby stopped her and they went back home with their three children. Nolfavrell being the last, watching her with wide eyes. Katrina chose to forget about this but ran into Baldor after that. The young man gifted her a chestplate that he made with his older brother Albriech. He didn't say more, but Katrina guessed that Roran asked them to made it as she will need it for her journey. She thanked him, eyes watering, and finally left the town before having to meet with her father.

As Brom's making the saddle, Katrina asked him a lot of questions about dragons and dragon riders as he seemed to know a lot. With reason, he was actually a former dragon rider and fight during the Rider war. He lost his dragon Saphira at the end of the war and chose to settle at Carvahall. Then, changing completly the subject, he gave her the map of Alagaësia, briefly telling her averything she needs to know and where not to go to avoid useless battle as she's not keen to learn magic. Not when she's in hurry.

So, Brom only taught her how to protect herself from mental intrusion. And as they're finishing the lesson, Gertrude came and told them that Eragon showed sign of waking up.

Even if Katrina really wanted to see if the boy's alright, she really didn't have any more time left and let Brom ran back to his homestead to check on the boy. Gertrude then told her before her departure that it's possible that Eragon won't remember anything and that she didn't have to worry about him and Roran no more so to go freely do what he had to. Katrina thanked her and her healing jobs.

As she's ready to go and already on lady celeste's back, she received a last guest. One really unexpected.

"Elain? What are you doing here?" Katrina inquired worryingly.

She got back on the soil, much to Celeste's displeasure, and got closer to the pregnant woman. Elain smiled softly at her.

"I wanted to give you something and was expecting your presence at our house but guess it's kind of strained between you and Roran. So when Baldor told me that you're ready to go, I made my way to meet you before. Birgit wanted to come too, but Quimby disagreed. So she will only sends her regards and regrets to not fulfill the promise she made to your mother Ismira."

Katrina forced herself to give a sad smile. She always liked Birgit, she was fierce and strong for being the pillar of her family but she's also really devoted to her husband, following everything he said. And to say Katrina would have follow that kind of future by statying there. Fortunately, she got to see her suitor's real face.

"Here, take this. That's the mirror Horst gifted me when he was wooing me. He was an apprentice at that time, but I always kept it with me, thinking it as lucky charm, I want you to consider it as well."

Moved by the gesture, Katrina kept the present against her, inside the chestplate her sons' gave her. Although, she's not as close of Elain as she was of Birgit, Katrina liked the woman too. She'w not as fierce as the latter, but Elain also got a respectable place in her family, her sons turning up as strong and loyal men and their couple was saner than Birgit and Quimby.

"Listen, Katrina, I want you to know that I support you. I don't know your motives, but I do know that woman's desire should be encouraged when everyone around her is wrong. You got disappointed by two men that you valued but know that you will met two men who are going to impress you and I hope that those will remain in your life."

"Thank you, Elain."

The farewells were that short and Katrina went back on her partner's back. Just like that, they took their flight to the capitale city.

Looking in the horizon and seeing the sun's setting, matching her hair color, lady Celeste got higher so Katrina's tears would be lost in the middle of their fall.

As the last events came back fully to her, Katrina realized that she's leaving her hometome without the knwoledge if the destiny's with her. But she didn't have her place in the town she left. She could just be happy to have a lifemate with her.

 

 

Celeste loved flying. 

Even more with her precious partner. Time spent together strengthen their bond and flying on her back establish their link the same way the Gedway Ignasia did.

This Brom human may hide a lot of thing, but Celeste remember him to have carry her at some point in his life and she's positive that his knowledge about dragons weren't for fools.

But even him couldn't have expect how Celeste was lucky to have Katrina as partner. Thanks to her feeding her regularly with consistent meal, she grew up so fast and heathily that she only took two days to arrive to Gil'ead instead of four to five days. They didn't have to take break as she was fully stored on energy before leaving and even Katrina got her own pack of food.

But actually, not being followed played greatly for their easy trip.

Which's good. Even through, Celeste did her best to train herlself, she's really not in hurry to meet those ugly creatures that send Carvahall in uproar.

 

 

Katrina never left Carvahall. 

She never got the chance to set foot in the Spine before lady Celeste either. 

As she spent half a day to reach Celeste's spot before leaving her hometown, she thought like Brom that her trip would take longer than only two days, though she won't be the one complaining. Sitting on lady Celeste's back for two days in a row was exhausting on its own way, not talking how she didn't get to sleep completly.

They land near the Isenstar lake and not too far of the city, not wanting to attract unwanted attention.

For tonight, they decide to settle in the middle of the forest to hide their presence then go to road as soon as they wake up in the morning. Katrina went to make a bonfire with lady Celeste groaning that she still can't breath fire and that's a shame for a dragon like her although Katrina wasn't complaining one bit and she never made fire.

Useless to say that she had to make plenty attempt with Celeste throwing a tantrum saying it was no need anyway as she can warm them by herself. Katrina told her that her scaly body isn't that warm.

Celeste threw another tantrum that built the fire.

Now that she's in the tranquility, she looked through her things to find nothing more than food that could sustain for another three days, which was enough to reach the capitale city, and the rest of lady Celeste's shell that she always kept on her since their temporary parting in the Spine. She didn't have anything left of her own possession. Pretty clothes that her father bought her or even the wooing gifts from Roran, all stayed at her father's place.

The only other owning were the saddle from Gedric's tannery and the chestplate she got from the Horstsson brothers. Speaking of them, she pulled out the mirror Elain gifted under the chestplate a little too big for her but at least didn't impede with her green forest dress. Another of her father's expensive taste just to stand out her red hair.

The hand mirror's cute in a way it's obviously made by a newbie black-smith. But it got the details that wanted to be seen as expensive with floral patterns and an easy handle. The glass itself was made nicely and could easily reflect everything that need to be reflected. Like the motion in the forest behind her.

Katrina stilled and chanced a look to lady Celeste.

The dragon was in a comfortable position, ready to sleep. The rustlings could be put on the wind but Katrina barely felt a breeze, so she couldn't have mistaken but her companion didn't even move. When she opened her mind to catch hers, Celeste's on high alert.

Katrina forced herself to remain calm and kept observing her back thanks to the mirror.

If it was an enemy who would launch at her anytime, Celeste would defend her but she better keep her act of a harmless girl. So she waited to see who would appear. The waiting seemed endless as Katrina lost the motion from time to time as the bonfire couldn't light her very own back. But eventually, someone exited from behind a tree and coughed to warn his presence.

Not an enemy, then. Yet.

"Yes? Who are you?" Katrina inquired because she's well-behaved.

Even out of Carvahall and now a dragon rider, she ought to be presentable and showed that she was raised well.

The man, couldn't be that older than her, with dark hair and dark eyes watched her with bemused eyes. He glanced quickly at lady Celeste when they heard her stir but Katrina looked right back at him.

"I'm trying to be a friend and have to warn you that you shouldn't be here. Unless you want to be caught by the king's subordinate."

"Well, I rather go to the king by myself, I need to have a few words with him."

He widened his eyes, making him look more innocent that he probably wanted to. Katrina also noted that actually brought out his handsomeness.

"While being the dragon rider he's looking for?"

"If that could stop the troubles his subordinates made on their way, yes, I will meet him."

Comprehension could be read in his eyes and he nodded pensively.

"So, I gather that you're not with the Varden?" Katrina asked.

He sneered, attracting even more Celeste's attention, so he blushed a little. Or it could have been the fire.

"No, and I can't really say that I side with the king."

"Why? What did he do to you?"

The man stayed quiet. He made a move with his hand and Katrina allowed him to sit with her. Before actually doing it, he looked at the dragon, as if also asking her permission, but Celeste only watched his every moves till he's sat next to Katrina and at the same distance separating the dragon and the rider.

"I'm Murtagh."

"My name is Katrina. This is lady Celeste."

At Celeste's intense stare, Murtagh bowed, making the dragon preen.

"It's not what he did to me, but more what he made me do. I'm not proud to say it but I worked for him for awhile and... the king's crazy."

That's no surprise. Katrina kind of guessed it with Brom's stories and how the said madman send two monstruous creatures to pick Celeste's egg back. She never actually saw them but with the descriptions from her former townspeople and Brom himself adding to Celeste's own memories, Katrina could make up that the Ra'zak were bad news.

"And I can't side with the Varden because he's also looking for them to annihilate any resistent on his way. I witnessed how he worked, once he had some suspicion of their hidding place he would destroy it even if there are innocents."

"Why are you telling me that?"

"You must have heard how he enslaved a dragon egg that wasn't his, right? Shruikan. If you're not siding with him, he can dispose of you and enslave your dragon."

Lady Celeste rattled at that, but Murtagh didn't as much flinch to keep his gaze on Katrina who returned the stare back. She did consider that possibility, but she rather die trying to make the world better earlier than look for the resistant that no one knew their position and losing their time and obliging lady Celeste to keep low profile.

It probably wasn't wise, but Katrina's not a fighter and she rather ended everything peacefully and not in bloodbath.

"If I'm not siding with him and manage to actually talk to him? He's also looking for new rider, right? It's not like he could force the dragon egg to hatch for him, could he now? He must also be looking forward to meet me."

That was utopic and highly impossible from Murtagh's look, but he didn't try to make her give up, which was already good.

"Anyway, do you now how long it will take to reach the capital city? By flying?"

"Ten or more days by riding a horse. Probably five or so days on dragon's back, if you indulge your mate by taking a break at Bullridge. And if you don't meet some hindrance."

Well, she had to restock her food provision anyway. Though, she wondered how as she didn't have any money.

They settled on a easy silence with Katrina looking for a way to pay for things with nothing on her, even asking Celeste if there was a way to create money. Lady Celeste roled her eyes and teased her that wouldn't have been a problem if she learned magic with the former dragon rider, an expert magic user before suddenly redressing herself, all sens on alert, surprising the humans.

Murtagh straightened himself and pulled out something in his hand. But Katrina's whole mind was on her partner who was sending her image of some elves fighting against some red head magicians surrounded by strange hybrid of human-beast creatures. Celeste then continued her series of image with a cell imprisonning an elf in pain.

Katrina turned to Murtagh, startling the young man who was watching their exchange with wide eyes. She ignored how gorgeous it made him under the light of the fire or even how he's carrying a half-sword to asked him with gravity:

"Is it true we're close to the red hair magician?"

"A Shade, a sorcerer turned dark due being possessed by spirits. But yes, we're indeed not far from his ward full of Urgals."

Also ignoring those foreign terms, Katrina asked again:

"Could you tell me the way to there? Or if you like, accompany us."

Herself surprised by her nerves, she waited for his answer. Murtagh frowned skeptically.

"Why? I thought you wanted to go to the king. The Shade may work for him, he's even more mad and cruel. I doubt he would escort you to the capitale city without torturing you."

Considering how the elves made sure that the Shade won't get a hand on the dragon egg, that's highly likely. But as Murtagh remarked, if Katrina and Celeste managed to save the imprisoned elf, they could also ask the sorcerer to escort them to the capitale city. They would know how to restock if they're in group.

"He had someone that we'd like to retrieve."

"So you're going to make a detour for them?"

When Katrina nodded, Murtagh sighed and he seemed to age, saddening her. Though he stayed handsome, she wouldn't like him to age faster than he was.

"Let me find my horse and I'll go with you."

"Oh, thank you. How old are you?"

Weird out by her sudden question, he pulled a face.

"18."

"I'm 16," she said although he didn't ask.

He pursued his lips and nodded before retrieving his horse named Tornac. Celeste watched strangely at the animal and imagined him being skinned and how his flesh would be delicious. Katrina demanded her to not eat their new companion's transport and followed Murtagh leading them out of the forest to the outskirt of the city.

By the time they came before the estate, it was pitch dark and it would have been the best for a surprise attack, but Katrina's really not there to fight so she knocked on the door.

And thankfully they didn't choose to set off an attack at only three and half because a horde of hybrid human-beast warrior came from all way behind the estate. Tornac neighed understably and Murtagh hold up again his half-sword though Katrina wondered what he could make up with it. Celeste snarled from behind the group, putting an halt to all move. A heavy silence hang upon them, each side waiting for a move that would start a battle.

Eventually, the door opened and the red hair sorcerer made his appearance.

To be honest, when Katrina heard he was red hair or from what Celeste showed her, she thought she would be pretty much like her. Flaming and orange, but the man bore the redest hair that could exist. It was vermillion like the blood that one could spill from a small injury, but the Shade must have guttered an entire population just to have this color.

"And who do we have here?"

She came back from her thoughts and raised her hand politely.

"Katrina. My Dragon and me are here to retrieve the elf you detained and we also would like you to escort us to the king."

Shocked by her honesty, Murtagh and the Shade looked at her speechlessly. Actually, even the Urgals didn't know what to do.

"And you think we would obey that easily?"

"Why not? You kept the elf imprisonned because you were looking for the dragon egg, right? Well, she's here, you can let them go and just bring us to the king."

"I could also just want to torture the elf till its death, what about that?"

"Well, then, you wouldn't have anything to play with, don't you think? Why not bring him with us to the capitale city?"

"And what if I'm not loyal to the king? That I'm only doing all this for my own pleasure?"

Well, that, Katrina never thought about. She exchanged a look with Murtagh who arched a brow as if telling her that he did warn her. True.

"What do you want, then? Overthrow the actual king? Be the new ruler? What is it, I'm sure we could find a middle ground and assure our way to Uru'Baen."

"Throwing this stupid Galbatorix from his throne is indeed nice. Did you know that he only succeed to overthrow the dragon rider rule because I taught him dark magic? Before that, he was nothing more than a pathetic dragonless rider. He could only rule now because he knew the true name of a lot of his subordinates."

Katrina had to admit that she didn't get half of what he's saying, and opening her mind to Celeste, the latter was the same. Murtagh kept a straight face but it was hard to read into him anyway.

"Fine, we're going together to the capitale city to meet this stupid ruler, you can bring the dying elf if you want, he's poisoned anyway."

That's better than anything else so Katrina went inside of the falling mansion and asked Celeste how to navigate as the dragon said she'll stay outside to watch the Shade's doing. Murtagh went with her and thankfully because the red hair elf weighed his weight for her as she's not full of adrenaline like the time she hold Eragon in her arms.

The elf was beautiful even in slump and pain. As Murtagh's carrying him on his back, his hair longer than Katrina and straighter too fell in front of him to show up his ears that assured them of his species. And probably also his silky white skin, though it could be put on the poison too. Katrina wondered if Celeste would be able to do anything to counter it or should she ask the Shade to make an effort and gave the antidote.

"Great, now that our little friends are finally here, we can now make our way to find back our little king!"

His carnivorous smile was freaky but at least he didn't make a move to bite them, so Katrina guessed it's still good. She demanded Murtagh to put the inert body on Celeste's back, forcing lady Celeste to lower herself and let a stranger to climb her, because the Shade certainly won't be carrying it.

"Well, thank you for your assistance," Katrina said when Murtagh's back on the ground after attaching the dormant elf to the saddle "I guess we'll see again somewhere."

If she managed well the talk with Galbatorix and if the Shade named Durza didn't change his mind during the march to Uru'baen.

"Actually, I will come with you."

She shot him an incredulous look. After what he told her about the king and how he was ashamed for working under him, she thought he would never ever set a foot close to the madman.

"Come on, how would you expect me to let you alone with this one? I know, you're with your dragon, but it has to protect you and the wounded elf? Against a vivious sorcerer and a horde of Urgals? Don't say anymore, I'm coming with you. I may not know about magic, but I'm fairly good swrodman."

Katrina didn't even have in herself to argue, she liked his presence and it would indeed be great to have some defense if things ever went awry.

Just like that, Celeste and her got more companions to their way to the capitale city.

4.

Durza wasn't that bad.

Well, when Katrina didn't purposely went to talk to him at least. When he talked by himself, it would usually be about how he tortured his victims with delight. Sometimes, when Katrina toned out what he's saying his smiling face almost looked normal, almost as his blood hair are kind of unsetting.

Murtagh's not a better companion, he spoke even less. Though, most of the time, Katrina's on Celeste's back, in the air, so time to talk weren't that much. She would most of the time just watch the group marching in the same direction, to south, and see a red dot running as fast as Celeste's own speed along with a bunch of grey horned ones. Murtagh and Tornac would usually be behind as the horse would tire more easily than those inhuman species. The Shade couldn't be counted as human anymore as it was more spirits than antyhing else.

But even their high speed demanded breaks.

And every night, they set a campfire with the sorcerer's magic or more rarely with the Urgals in the middle of nowhere but always along the ramr river, eating what the Urgals hunted and listening to Durza's gory story of torture. Katrina would pretend listening but was actually watching lady Celeste do her magic on the empoisonned elf. So far, nothing changed.

Katrina was starting to get worried and was ready to ask Durza to soften a little and gave them the antidote. Murtagh approved, promising her to defend her if the Shade refused and changed its mind about their proclaimed alliance.

Fortunately, they arrived at Bullridge before having to come to that.

 

 

Celeste was getting worried herself while carrying the inanimated elf.

He seemed to become weaker and weaker and she sometimes would swerve dangerously because she couldn't feel its presence next to Katrina.

Yet, she handed out her energy to him every nights.

That day, when approaching the little town on their way to the capitale city, Celeste felt something wrong and landed before actually needed.

Katrina got it and promptly get down with the elf in her arms. They barely noticed the others catching up and focused entirely on the dying elf. Celeste breathed just above his head and encouraged Katrina to cast a spell to help her.

Though being pressed and not knowing what she was doing, her human just start chanting words not realizing that she was casting a healing spell with human words by singing. Combined with Celeste's own magic, they managed to save the elf's life and Celeste even succeed to finally breath fire.

All in all, it was really a great break.

 

 

"Never would I have thought I'll get the chance to look at this amazing scene again."

Katrina's surprised by how the voice came out.

Having a fair appearance, she thought the elf would have a slender and singing voice, but it came out huskier and low, or was it due to him still recovering.

His eyes were green and it reminded Katrina  her dress that's been dirtied since the start of the journey.

And that also reminded her that she felt herself dirty and was really in need of a bath. Like, she didn't feel anything during the two days on lady Celeste's back, but after five breaks and sleeping every night against Murtagh to assure her security, she felt really gross. But now, that they're close to a living town, there won't be any excuse to not wash herself.

Although she still didn't know how she may pay the inn to use their bathroom.

Wait, one thing at time. She had to introduce herself to the elf she saved and tell him that they're marching to meet the king so to scold him for his bad behavior.

Not knowing if she was serious, and Katrina didn't either, the elf introduce himself too. He's Glenwing, the only survivor of the courier pack thanks to the Shade Durza. The latter gave him a taunting smirk and hold up a small vial, containing probably the poison. Unless it was the antidote? No, highly improbable.

"Well, well, now the elf woke up, we should hurry and get to the city, don't you agree?"

"Actually I will need a longer break now that we're next to a living town. You know, for bowel purpose."

"It will soon lost all living things there if you don't explain yourself in this instant."

Though not liking to be threatened, Katrina chose to explain herself to haste things, not wanting to stagnate either.

"I just need a bath."

"There's the river." By his bored tone, he didn't get it.

"And with what I'm going to change to?"

"Oh, because you have the money to get yourself something that luxurious?"

Alright, so she didn't, but Durza didn't have to be that mean about it.

"I'll find my way. It's not like we're hurry, are we?"

She shouldn't defy him, he's a psychopatic sorcerer who knew tons about dark magic and who could literally doom them right here right now and she's probably already running on his patience for the last five days together, but she's also really in need of a bath.

"You have till this evening. If you're not back before the sunset I will burn the town down and persecute all the living people here."

Katrina agreed because she could only do that and ran to the town promising lady Celeste to be quick, feeling oddly like being lectured. To her surprise, Murtagh followed her once again and even Glenwing's here under a hood to hide his pointy ears.

"About your new outfit, I could enchant some leaves to make you a dress that wouldn't impede in your movements."

"That would be great, thank you so much!"

Glenwing only nodded, making his red locks bounce. Murtagh spoke up too.

"I could sell Tornac so to pay the stay in the inn."

"Uh? But what about your transportation then?"

"One thing at a time, alright? You two go to the town's inn, I join you in a moment with the moneys."

So Glenwing and her booked a room in the town's only inn while waiting for Murtagh to pay their short stay. She quickly went into the bathroom and took a nice and hot shower. When she got out, there was a nice blue dress on the bed to match lady Celeste and her breastplate changed into a long gauntlet with the mirror imbeded, more praticable and able to hide her gedwëy ignasia.

When she went down to the restoration ground, Glenwing and Murtagh were eating at the table closest to the exit. She joined them and ate her own plate when they slided it under her while checking the position of the sun.

"We still got some times but let's get on the way immediately after finishing."

It felt weird to see the elf being so obedient of the Shade and Katrina wondered it the torture traumatized him. Probably, she couldn't even take the heat of the rider mark let alone being tortured for a season.

And his voice kept the low and calm tone. 

"Well, Murtagh, now that you sold off Tornac, does that mean our path parted there?"

Since Glenwing's awake now, the elf could defend her now, or she could defend herself with the help of lady Celeste, of course. Besides, Murtagh had every reasons to not go closer to the mad king, him being the one who caused his father figure's death. Father named Tornac like the warhorse that he sold for her.

"No, I will march along to the capitale city. I guess I can't keep running away."

By walking, Katrina didn't ask but supposed easily. But she didn't want her friend to be in so much hassle just because of her.

"You can ride behind me."

He sent her a weird look. She didn't get why, she was proposing for his own good.

"I can carry you on my back, I'm as fast as the Shade and the Urgals, if not more."

Murtagh sent another strange look, but to the elf this time.

"Are you fully healed to do that?"

"Celeste did an amazing job to cure me. You too, Katrina, of course."

She took the thank with an awkward smile, not sure if she really deserved it as she's not aware to have done anything.

"You both don't have to worry about me, I have my way too."

He gave them a strained smile while choosing the same words as Katrina. Except, when she said that, she didn't have anyting in mind and the two men came to her rescue. So she spoke up again.

"Just ride lady Celeste's back with me, she won't mind, you're friend!"

Lady Celeste won't, right? And she's strong enough to carry two humans on her back, right? She did put up by carrying her and the injured elf. Then again, they did a lot of break to not tire her off. And Durza wouldn't accept so many breaks now that they're all too form. 

"Katrina's right. If you're coming with us, you better be as fast as us."

Actually, now that Glennwing pointed it out, Katrina could totally run along the Shade and the Urgals with Glennwing as she got the same enhenced capacity than them thanks to being a rider and then Murtagh could take her place on lady Celeste's back!

She's so smart.

 

20 years after the end of the Dragon Rider war, Birgit from Carvahall made an encounter with wandering spirits after a fight with one of her twin sons.

When she regain consciousness, she's back at 20 years ago, in a loving and content family with her beloved Quimby. It was a month before the come of the Traders.

However, with all the knowledges she earned from another lifetime.

After a talk with Heimir to prevent future fight, she decided to change the story that would become if the dragon egg does hatch for Eragon again. Or if she stay at Carvahall.

First, she wanted to move away from the village, to live peacefully and out of the upcoming war. But, then, when she also felt that the egg was in the Spine, she chose to buy it from Eragon and still move away with her family. Then, she still wanted to sell it to assure a better life for the Quimby, but ended using its power to learn magic and the egg hatched for itself after developing relationships with them. 

Second, she had to find a way to annihilate the Ra'zac to its extinction. And as there were only light and water that could stop them, she had to learn magic and it could be easier with a dragon egg with them. Except, Hallvar and Heimir convinced her to just get rid of those actually evil and maybe nurture the unborn ones. So they set up to find every black eggs.

Or ask the king about it.

When they stepped into the enchanted forest and encounter the elves, they learn magic and a way to find the black eggs and inspired the elves to move for the upcoming war by tracking the edulnari and making the king regret his doings. As such, the king and the ra'zac were out.

But it left the shade who could be Birgit's demise as he's also controlled by spirits. First, though, they get rid of the priests thanks to the urgal, so letting them live in Alagaesia, while Uru'baen is back to Ilirea. Second, they need Oromis and Glaedr to teach them how to subdue a shade or even get rid of wandering spirits in the Alagaesia.

 

 

Canon : 

Birgit friend of Ismira (mother of Katrina), wife of Sloan.

Quimby checks a cask turned by Morn.

Nolfavrell is 13, so 2 years apart of Eragon, 3 of Katrina and 4 of Roran

Headcanon :

Ismira and Sloan got Katrina at 17.

Birgit at 20, got Nolfavrell, with Quimby. 

Quimby is a Trader and 4 years older than his wife. And almost didn't want to be in relationship with her when she tricked him at 15 saying she was 16.

So when Nolfavrell was 13, Birgit was 33, Quimby 37. The twins, Hallvar and Heimir, are 4 yours younger, so 9.