Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this book!

Two weeks earlier

"You do understand what to do, right?" Galbatorix asked.

"Yes master. We are to enter the Varden and use our gambling techniques to subdue the rider and his dragon." One of the men said.

"Very good, now be off."

The three men gathered up their things and walked off into the darkness.

Present day

It was getting late and Eragon Shadeslayer was heading off to meet his dragon.

"Excuse me Lord Shadeslayer." A voice said from behind him.

"Can I help you?" Eragon asked.

"Me and a couple of friends are playing a game and we were wondering if you wanted to join. We need one more person." The man said.

Eragon considered on how Saphira was not in the best of moods right now and made up his mind.

"I guess I can try it out." Eragon said with a shrug.

"Right this way."

The man led Eragon into a nearby house and sat down at a table with two other men. Eragon pulled up another chair and sat down at the table.

"Do you know how to play?" One of the men asked as he pulled out two small dice.

Eragon recognized the dice. He had played this game with Roran before.

"Yes, my cousin and I used to play."

"Shall I roll first?" The man asked. "You can call me Keith. This is John and Kaine."

"Go ahead."

Keith rolled the two dice and sighed.

"Only 14."

"I'll go next." Eragon said. He rolled the dice and was amazed at his luck. "30!"

"Very good." Keith said as the other two men went.

When all was over, Eragon had won. They played several more games and Eragon won them all.

"I've never played this well!" Eragon exclaimed.

"You deserve a drink." John said eagerly. "I'll get us all one."

John disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a bottle in his hands. He poured it into cups and passed it around to the others. John then sat down and took a drink. Eragon lifted the cup to his mouth and took a long swig. He felt his contact with Saphira break and thought that she must have fallen asleep.

"Lets make this a little more interesting." Kaine said with a sneer. "If I win, you will come back and play tomorrow."

"Okay." Eragon said absent mindedly.

Kaine rolled the dice and seemed pleased. "29."

Eragon rolled the dice and frowned. "28"

"That's too bad. I guess you will have to come back tomorrow."

"I always keep promises."

Eragon stood up and walked out of the door.

"When he comes back tomorrow we will get a much bigger prize. We are going to take his dragon and he'll never know what hit him." Keith said with a sneer.

After a few minutes Eragon saw Saphira in her circular bed.

Eragon, if I ever catch you betting again I will be the one to punish you.

Eragon stared at her and cocked his head.

How did you know?

I always know. Now go away, I don't sleep with gamblers.

Eragon blinked but walked away. He crawled into bed and stared at the ceiling. This was the first time he hadn't slept with Saphira in over a year.

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