A short story that came to me last night. Well, here it is, and if you think it sounds good, I can make a whole book out of it. Alright, here's the deal: Jared is a brown-colored dragon living with a family of humans on a farm. He was found only moments after his hatching by the woman, who had a one-year-old daughter at the time. She and her husband lived far from any town, depending on their own crops to keep them fed. The two decided to raise the dragon as they would a human child, for their own reasons, and so they did. The two children were brought up thinking they were brother and sister by blood, and that Jared was just a strange-looking human. But, like all good things, it cannot last… Please note that Jared is not growing like he should be, and there is no real reason for it. He is 16 at this time.

Jared woke slowly, realizing that someone was shaking his massive shoulder. He opened his eyes to see his sister, Kathryn, standing over him with a wide smile.

"Come on, get up. I don't want to have to eat your breakfast myself, Jared, but I will." She said, throwing her brown hair behind her back.

Alright, I'm getting up. Jared said with his mind. He had never known why he talked with his mind, and he never asked. It was just one other thing that made him different from his parents and sister. He got up off the thin mattress on the floor, yawning loudly. He shook his head to clear it, standing up on his hind legs. He would soon be too big to fit in the door, and then they would have to widen it.

Jared followed his sister into the dining room of their rather large house, standing before his plate. Unlike his family, he couldn't eat vegetables for some reason, and breakfast was the only time he ate the same thing as them. In this case, eggs and bacon. Jared snickered as Kat tripped on her way to the table, and he silenced himself when his grey-haired mother shot him a glance.

"Jared." His father began while they were eating. "Your mother and I believe that you and Kathryn are old enough, and wise enough, to go into town by yourselves." Jared jerked with surprise, crimson sparks flying from his nostrils. He had never left the farm, and leaving for the village was a great leap, and alone as well. "It is time you learned how to take care of yourself, and we are getting a little old to go on trips like that."

"I'd be glad to go." Kat said happily, almost shaking with excitement.

What do we need to do there? Jared asked, being far more practical than his sister.

"We need salt for one thing." His mother said slowly. "And we need to know what's going on around Alagaesia. We haven't left the farm in more than a year now, and it's about time we learned what's been happening." Jared nodded.

"When do we leave?" Kat asked, trying to keep her voice down this time.

"Today, within the hour if possible. Jared is strong enough to carry a cartload of anything, even brick, and I doubt a few bags of salt will be much trouble." His mother said with a slight smile. "Kat, can you see what's been going on about some fellow…what was his name?" She turned towards her husband.

"Eragon." He said slowly. "Some guy named Eragon is going to be in the village looking for soldiers or some such nonsense." He chuckled. "They say he single-handedly slew the king!" They all laughed at this. Jared finished his breakfast quickly, stepping out into the snow with his sister.

"It's a long walk…" Kat said softly. Jared thought of something and he spread his wings. "What, you're going to leave me behind?"

No, I'm going to carry you. Jared said smugly, crouching. Kat climbed onto his back, shaking in fright. Don't worry, sis, I'm much stronger than last time. You won't fall, and even if you did I would catch you. His sister nodded and they took off, heading south.

The village was far, but as Jared had wings it was only a few minutes before it came into sight. There were startled gasps from many people as they landed in the center, and Jared caught some people muttering 'Argetlam'. He knew that it meant 'silverhand', but not much more. Kat climbed from his back.

"That was more fun than I thought it would be!" She said. Jared chuckled, motioning towards a store. Kat entered the store while he waited outside. A boy came up to him, mouth agape.

"Are you a real dragon?" He asked.

I have no idea what a dragon is, child, so I couldn't tell you. The boy squeaked and ran to his mother. Well, so much for that…Kat came out dragging two tarp bags. Jared smiled and hefted them onto his shoulder, standing on his hind legs. Now to find out about this Eragon. Kat nodded.

"I'll ask around over here, see if anyone knows about him there." She pointed to the edge of town, where many people were gathered.

Jared ran towards the crowd, and to his surprise they all parted for him. Jared was then even more surprised to find himself looking at a massive blue being like himself. The female sniffed, opening her eyes and looking up at him in alarm. She got up and jerked back, looking down at him in surprise.

What? Another dragon?! She yelled. A man came out of the building behind her and slid to a stop when he saw Jared. Who are you?

Jared Frensedson, my lady. He said. And to be quite honest, I don't know what a dragon is…

You don't know what you are? The female said with a snort, lowering her head to look at him. I am Saphira, and this is Eragon.

Nice to meet you, Saphira. Jared looked back across town, where his sister was waiting. I would speak with you more, but Kathryn needs me to get home. Unless she walks…

Eragon watched him leave, but didn't try and stop him. Kat sighed, jumping to his back. "Well, even if he is here, we have to go." She said as they took off.

I met a female that looks like me. Jared said. Judging by her size she must be at least a hundred years old.

You know that can't be possible. Kat said to him slowly, not being very good at this mental communication.

According to her, I'm called a dragon…or some such nonsense. But the rest of the world's problems are not our own, sister.

They never have been. And that's why our lives are so easy.

This will be split into a few parts, so keep reading…

Please review and tell me what you think of this very condensed chapter!