Adurna

Fun in the Clearing

Chapter Ten-

I rushed into the pub and headed straight for the stairs. For all I knew, Gran could be waving a hand in front of my face right now. My mind was so focused on getting to my nameless dragon so I could prove to Eragon and Saphira that he chose me that I didn't bother looking up from my destination. I threw open my bedroom door once up the stairs and closed it just as quickly to make sure no one would hear.

Remembering what Saphira did to speak to humans, I recalled the strange yet comfortable feeling of having another mind in my head from my dragon’s feeble attempts from before. Uncertainly, I reached out to the small space in my mind where the faint, separate feelings and thoughts were generating from. It contracted in surprise before latching on to my consciousness effortlessly. This time I didn’t shake off the bond. Wonder poured through me as I realized I was connected to my dragon.

A soft cry came from the closet and the scratching of wood echoed through my room. The feeling of despair and being trapped overcame me. Quickly, I ran to the closet and opened the door. To my surprise, he leapt out of the closet and glided clumsily with his oversized wings into my arms. The feeling of happiness at my arrival filled my heart and I found my arms hugging the dragon to me as I realized I had missed him in the short separation we went through.

“I talked to Eragon,” I said to him in a whisper. He lifted his head at the words I spoke. I wondered if he understood what I said. My mind replayed the scene only minutes ago in excitement. The dragon’s head tilted to the side and the connection in my mind reached for the image of Saphira staring at me. I allowed the dragon to watch Saphira in my memories as his interest at the rider and dragon increased. “I’m taking you to see them.”

I stopped before the door with him in arms. Walking out with a dragon would bring attention to me and I'll never get out of here unseen. Quickly taking a detour, I padded back to the closet and pulled out my large sack I had used in my travels with my parents. A sharp memory cut through me and to the dragon's mind. He blinked in surprise at my grief and stared at the bag in my hands. My mother had bought me this bag on my tenth birthday. She only got to see me use it once. I had used it on the day they died and once before when I traveled to find Gran and ended up here. I haven't touched the bag since. Trying to ignore the sadness of the past, I opened the large sack and begun to lower him inside. Fear shot through me as he struggled in my grasp. I calmed it with my new found ability enough to successfully close the sack with the exception of a small breathing hole. The bag begun to shake madly as he moved inside viciously.

"Stay still," I commanded in a low whisper. "You'll be free soon." With that, he stopped his rampage for the time being.

I placed the shoulder strap on and opened the door quietly before making my way down the steps. The pub was entirely vacant once I lowered myself carefully off the last step so as not to jostle the dragon too much. Checking the bag, I saw his wide green eyes staring up at me and I couldn't help grin at the expression.

"Chrystal!" A voice called closely to our spot on the stairs. By the sound of Gran's irritation, this wasn't the first time she called me. I jumped in surprise and quickly covered his head with the top flap as she made her way towards us. My heart fluttered in fear as I wondered if she saw the creature in the bag. As I assessed her face, I confirmed she saw nothing.

"Where are you going?" She asked, eyeing the bag suspiciously. Unthinkably, I slid the strap further down which made the pouch slip effortlessly behind my back unnoticed. I felt a slight kick from inside, causing me to jump fearfully and watch Gran intently. She raised an eye brown, but said nothing at my mini-freak out.

"I-I'm going...to meet," I stopped, trying to think of someone other than Eragon to meet so she wouldn't ask any more questions. I said the first name that popped into my head, naturally. "I'm going to meet Marcus in the forest."