Saphira flew over the forest as birds scattered at the sight of her shadow. She, Umaroth and Glaedr were currently engaged in a game of riddles.
“What force and strength cannot get through
I with gentle touch can do
And many in the street would stand
Were I not a friend at hand
What be I?” Glaedr asked.
Saphira and Umaroth thought. “Is it a key?” Saphira asked.
“Correct. Your turn.”
Sapira thought.
“Only one colour, but not one size
Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies
Present in the sun, but not in rain
Doing no harm, and feeling no pain
What be I?”
As they played, Eragon observed the forest below. It was dark, gloomy, and glowing eyes watched Saphira pass overhead. Eragon shuddered. He would hate to be in that forest at night. He then noticed a cave that seemed to emit a faint glow from the mouth. He pointed it out to Saphira. “Land over there. I want to investigate.” She complied and alighted inside the cave. Eragon dismounted and looked around the cave. He then saw what was emitting the glow and gasped.
A huge pile of riches was before him. Gold, precious stones, and more were arrayed in piles that dwarfed Saphira. He looked over and saw that she was drooling! “Mmmmmmm.” She growled “They look so crunchy, so juicy, so…delicious.”
He tried to rouse her, but her eyes remained glued to the riches. “Umaroth? What is Saphira talking about?”
“Gems. They were once considered a delicacy among our kind. Before the elves came we raided the dwarves not only for livestock, but gems as well. The amount of gems here are enough to feed Saphira for a year at least.”
A rumbling shook the cave then. “Who dares disturb my sleep?” The voice rumbled through their ears and shook their teeth. Eragon saw the pile shift and fall, as a dragon rose from the riches. But it wasn’t a dragon like Saphira. It was as big as Glaedr had been and there were no scales to be seen on its green hide. The spines on its back were a lighter green, broad and more curved than Saphira’s. Its snout was flatter and its fore arms were shaped vaguely human-like. Its back legs were muscled and looked like they were meant for standing on them and them alone. Finally, its wings were folded on its back, not on its sides. It glared down at them and spoke once more.
“You are a skulblaka yes?” He spoke to Saphira.
“Y-yes.” Her eyes were wide with fear.
“Interesting. I thought the skulblaka were long dead.”
“Don’t you mean dragon?” Eragon asked.
“NO! I am a dragon and she a skulblaka. You would be wise to remember the difference. We dragon’s evolved from the skulblaka.”
“But you just said that all the dra-” He was cut off by a snarl from the dragon. “skulblaka were dead.”
“Long ago, before my grandfather’s fathers were born, the skulblaka were all wild. They were proud, fierce and nothing stood in their way. Then some of them disgraced themselves by allowing others to ride upon their backs. These riders were very powerful, powerful enough to move mountains.” Eragon scoffed inwardly at that. The dragon’s father must have exaggerated to him. The dragon then continued, “They were strong, but did not guard against themselves. One of their own betrayed them and killed them all, along with the wild skulblaka. Some of the wild skulblaka saw what the traitor was doing and fled to the east and settled down. Eventually we evolved from them.”
He then turned to Eragon. “You must be her rider. I despise riders. So I advise you to leave before I decide to bathe you all in the fire from my belly.”
Eragon quickly mounted Saphira and she flew off out of the cave. She wimpered at the loss of her gems. “It’s ok Saphira. I’ll find you a sapphire to make up for it. Ok?”
“Yes little one."
She flew toward the settlement as the sun rose in the sky towards noon. As the town came into view, Saphira landed in a clearing on the edge of the forest. “Why are we doing this little one? Why not fly into the town?”
“So that the town’s people can shoot you down with magic? The dragon’s cave is close to town, so they might have had trouble with it before. Not to mention they were able to use magic at will when I scanned it with my mind.”
“Fair enough little one.”
They set up camp in little over half an hour. Eragon took out some lunch and began to eat. Saphira went off to hunt only after swearing in the Ancient Language not to go back to the dragon’s cave. After breakfast, Eragon began to practice his swordplay. Then a howl cut through the forest. He lowered his sword and looked around. Glowing green eyes watched him from every direction. “Barzul!” he cursed and raised his sword as the animals attacked.