Funnelwebs: :) Yeah I am; for a brief period, but even still. :) I do appreciate the sentiment that you will miss me; however, I have a life ahead of me and its calling.

Elemental Dragon Slayer: :) Yes he is. Still like your name; no matter how many times I see it, it never gets old.

Burning book: Thank you.

Rathon crashed through the forest, jumping over logs and roots and ducking under low hanging branches. The whole time his mind raced, panic overwhelming him. No, no, no, please no! He broke through the trees and into a small clearing created by Leonis' body falling through the woods. His dragon lay on his side against a mound of dirt he had erected. Rathon ran to his side and slide down beside his partner's head. Leonis' right eye fluttered open.

Rathon… came the slow word from his dragon's mind.

Be still, he said. With a trembling hand he touched the tip of the spear that protruded out the top of Leonis' head.

No hand: magician, manaian or God could heal this wound, young one.

Rathon lowered his head and sat for a moment, writhing in his mind at the absolute unfairness of the world. He punched the ground as tears began to fall from his eyes. "What am I supposed to do!" he said through gritted teeth.

My life is full and complete, Leonis said. Do not mourn after my departing. Allow me to go and be with my fellows in the Great Beyond, where Dragons may fly through the clouds for all time. The red eye drifted down until it touched upon Rathon. I was made to watch as you became the harshest and most evil version of yourself that you could be. Do not mourn me; but go and take revenge upon the one who made me suffer through that. Galbatorix. Make him pay for what he did to you; filling you with such hatred and sorrow.

Rathon opened his eyes and looked down at his fallen companion. He lifted his right hand and looked down at the gedway ignasia that rested upon it. "I am not worthy of this," he said.

I choose you, Leonis said. I handpicked you from the crowd; freely and with countless other options. And it was not a choice I made in error. You are my Rider, now and forevermore.

Rathon placed his hand on Leonis' forehead. "I swear to you then," he said, with mind and voice. "I shall make it my life to see Galbatorix fall; along with everything he has ever touched."

Rathon felt the last dreg of strength slip out of Leonis' body. The dragon's eyelid slid shut and with a finally sigh from his mighty lungs, he said, Farewell Rathon; my Rider and ShadowLight.

Four days had passed since the attack. The force Naydel had sent to attack the group of Barbarians had returned. Kaealla had gone back to her people to guard them.

Rathon sat in the throne room of Eragon and Arya, whom sat on their thrones. Beside, arranged in a semi-circle, was Brom, Nayter, Katelyn, Elithia, Naydel, Calibor, two other generals who Rathon did not know and Zodion. Eragon sat in his throne, listening intently to one of the generals speak.

Rathon only began to pay attention when Eragon asked, "How far?"

Naydel raised her hand briefly. "The scouts of the Fourteenth Division went as far as Thafalrian Lake and there was no sign of them. They have been routed much further than ever before."

"Could that mean that they have ended their blood feud with us?" Arya asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Naydel replied. "It was a demoralizing victory that we had over them. I mean, we killed most every Garthin before they had a chance to escape the city. We've the outer walls to thank for that. My guess is, they've merely retreated in order to resupply themselves with mounts."

"And then there is the matter of you," Eragon said, looking down at Elithia.

Elithia sat with her arms pressed into her legs and her eyes fixed firmly on the ground at her feet. "Father, mother," she said. "I don't know what I did. I don't know how I did it. All I know is, is that I was able to see a strand of reality that I then averted."

Nayter spoke. "I will be speaking for Brom now. He would use his ordinary method of communications, but with so many that he needs to speak to, this would be faster." She nodded to Brom. "My daughter, I believe I may understand what has caused this. Before you were born I was the Master of a Great Spell named LunarMist. And in the same way your mother was the daughter of its previous master. That man, your grandfather Aesire, enjoyed in his right eye a unique ocular power that enabled him to control others. I believe that that is all that this is: the weaker manifestation of LunarMist in your right eye. That is what gives you the power to see into the future and change it before it occurs."

Zodion shook his head. "I find two flaws in that hypothesis. LunarMist is not the Spell of Time; ShadowLight is. So how could it see through the fabric of it? Only ShadowLight can see past time."

"ShadowLight is able to see from the beginning to the end of time as clearly as though through glass; this is true. LunarMist is not the Spell of Time; you are right. But in the Book of LunarMist it says that it is the Spell of Sight and that all things shall be shown to the eyes of its wielder," Nayter replied. "What is your other quam with my theory?"

Zodion tapped his first finger against his leg. "If your 'theory' is true and Aesire enjoyed this power and here Elithia does as well; why not you, Brom? You are the chosen master of LunarMist; the one it picked like a dragon does its rider. Why don't you have some ocular power?"

"Perhaps, I do not have one for that very reason," Nayter said. "I don't know why, but if you see a more likely scenario to explain this, then I welcome it."

"Enough," Katelyn said. "What matters the origin of this power that has awakened in Elithia? What matters is that it has." She leaned forward and rested her arms on her knees, looking past Nayter and Brom at Elithia. "Do you know how to control it?"

Elithia took a deep breath and said, "I believe if I concentrate than I could do it. I don't know why I think that. But…some part of me tells me…that I could do it."

Brom tapped Nayter's arm. "As one who speaks from experience," she said. "That is LunarMist's power speaking to you, telling you of your abilities. You have never before that battle faced a deadly situation; and so I am confident that is what awoke the dormant LunarMist within you."

Eragon nodded silently at their words. "The soldiers around you said that your eye glowed a bright light and then you attacked the Barbarian to get out of his grasp. Brom," he said. "Can you explain this power; what it enables her to do? I know it is LunarMist that gives her the power, but what is she doing exactly?"

"From what I've heard," Nayter said. "And from a number of deduced factors, my educated opinion is that when she uses this power, she steps outside the flow of time, observes the future and then steps back in from where she left. Thusly, she is able to act with extreme foresight."

"Wouldn't the flow of time stop that? I thought that ShadowLight would not allow for any but its master to change what is to be. In fact, I witnessed ShadowLight steal every ounce of Aesire's strength as he tried to defy that law."

"I thought the same," Nayter replied. "Apparently we were wrong, or she is an exception."

"Well then," Eragon said. "Elithia; what would the future have been had you not acted as you did?"

"The arrow that killed the Barbarian would have buried itself into my chest. I would have been dead long before anyone could have helped me."

"How far in advance can you foresee?" Arya asked.

"Moments," Elithia replied. "No more than seven seconds if the first time I used it is anything to go off of."

Arya looked to Eragon. "Useful," she said. "But nothing near what Elva could do."

"No," Eragon said. "She is more valuable than Elva ever could have been. For one thing, her foresight is not limited to pain. Elva was useful, yes; but I think it would be a fair leap towards a fantasy to say she was loyal to us. She had bitterness and resentment towards us; both understandable, but the fact remains."

"Your Majesties," Rathon said, as he looked up to them. "I wish to speak."

Eragon lifted an eyebrow, but nodded and said, "Then do so."

Rathon tightened his fist and said, "This place, this realm is a wonder to behold. I am blessed beyond my merit to have seen it. However, it is a travesty unspeakable that those of Alagaesia still wallow under the Black Tyrant."

Eragon eyes darkened. "Do you think yourself so wise that you think we have not suffered under that knowledge? I am aware, painfully so, that many of Alagaesia that did not cast their allegiances with Galbatorix were unable to flee with us and that they even now are likely subjects to his cruelty!"

"Then allow me to go back, and save them."

Eragon's anger seemed to cool then as the surprise of what Rathon said settled in. He relaxed in his throne and splayed his fingers together. "You have my attention."

Rathon raised his right hand, the ring of ShadowLight entwined on his middle finger. "It took this, the death of my dragon and the upheaval of everything that I have ever called truth to make me realize it." His eyes went back to the King. "The power of this spell tells me that I can defeat Galbatorix. I can do it; but not if I have a thousand men hacking me to pieces. I require aid if I am to finish him, once and for all."

"How," Eragon said, waving his hands. "We know what he is now. He is of the Grey Folk! How can you possible master him?"

"You underestimate the Spells, King," Calibor said. He had sat quietly in his chair, his right leg crossed over his left.

"You do," Zodion said. "Brom, Rathon and Katelyn were all chosen by the Spells. Unlike Calibor and his cohort who took them and used them as any other spell, the three of them were accepted by the Spells in a way identical to you and your dragon. However, Rathon and ShadowLight were unique among the three. As I said the day they were crowned, ShadowLight was different to the others. It did not only choose Rathon, it was forcing its way out of me and towards him; calling to him. I shudder to think what it is capable of."

Eragon rubbed the side of his head as he looked up to the ceiling. "Could such a venture end in success," he said softly, to no one. "Calibor, you were the one to tell us to flee. With how swiftly Galbatorix dealt with the Dwarfs, I dare say we here in this room and in this city owe our lives to you. What do you think?"

"Grey Folk," Calibor said. "Are mortals. We can die, just as any of you can. We are just as close to Gods as you can be without the authority to command worlds to exist. But as I said, Abadon's power rests beneath me. I am stronger than him in every way. If not for LunarMist, I could defeat him. But, because he is holding onto LunarMist, the Spell which he even now holds, he will be unstoppable by my hand."

Eragon shrugged his shoulders. "You are the strongest here in comparison to him. If you would not stand against him, then why hasn't he come for us?"

"Because of Kaealla, the maker of LunarMist. She is powerless to command it, but he does not know that. He fears her, because he fears that she may be able to order LunarMist to detach him from itself."

Eragon rested his head against his hand. "Do not think that I have accepted this idea, Rathon. I am merely entertaining the notion. How many men would you need for this?"

"If I may interject," Zodion said. "Rathon has no knowledge of our measurement of man to unit and so he is ill fit to reply to that question. Such a task would require somewhere between a dozen and twenty five legions, Sire."

"You require a fourth our armies?" Eragon said, his voice outlandish.

"King," Katelyn said.

"What?"

"Do you recall what Kaealla said to you a few days ago, when you told her that you would join her if she decided to eradicate the Barbarians?" Without waiting for a reply, she continued. "She said that if it was a gambit she made, it would be one made with the lives dedicated to her cause and not ones that were sworn to her by a foreign commander. I propose that we follow in her wise footsteps. It will be the warrior's lives at stack should this venture be undertaken, so I propose we let them decide."

Eragon examined the three of them for a long while. Then he said, "Arya, what think you?"

"Katelyn's suggestion is a good one, I believe. It is their lives at risk; let them choose whether to accept it or not."

"Very well then," Eragon said, leaning forward on his elbows. "Zodion, gather the people up in the main square. Gather everyone, not just the soldiers. I want all influences upon this decision to be present, whether they are positive or negative." Zodion stood and nodded, turned and left the hall. "As for the rest of you, where do you stand on the issue?"

Calibor said, "So said I once, so shall I say until the day Death calls my name and I must answer. I shall stand by Rathon's side; I will always cast my lot with him."

"With all respect to you, Grey Folk," he said, dipping his head to Calibor. "You may count me and my thirty five legions out of this insanity, Sire."

"It is fairly your decision to reject yourself from this proposal," Eragon said. "However, I have spoken. If your men wish to see this regaining through, it is their choice to make, not yours as their commanding officer. Same goes for you, as well as you Naydel," he said, looking at the second general and then to Naydel. "You have leave to attempt to sway them, but you do not have permission to order them to undertake this. Spin your words of fiery passion of an attack or laden their minds with fear of the unknown; I care not. But are not allowed to issue a command. Now, Brom, Nayter, Katelyn. Where do you stand?"

Brom cast a short glance to Nayter, and then Rathon heard his voice in his mind. My wife and my daughter are my charge to protect. These past few days it has come to light that a force exists that would see us all dead, and it stands outside the bounds of age and death. It stands to reason then, that eventually this Abadon will come for us. Therefore, in order to secure a safer future for all my descendants, I will throw my hand in with Rathon.

Katelyn nodded. "I as well, Sire. My blood burns for revenge against Galbatorix and what he has done. If you are agreed and grant us the means, I will go with him."

Nayter did not look up from the ground. "My father rests in the control of an insane God. A God we may yet topple. I will go; and I will fight to free him."

Rathon stood beside between Brom and Katelyn as the massed horde of people jumbled before them. He saw many injured people, some being carried by others in order to watch this event.

"Any tactics?" Rathon asked Katelyn.

"My plan is to insight their sense of justice against the wrongs that fall on Galbatorix's and Abadon's shoulders. I recommend you use a different one."

Don't overdo it, Brom said. If you anger them against their foes so much, they will be blinded by that anger and go to join the grave far before their time. We want them on our side, but sensibly. Katelyn, will you act as my tongue?

"Yes," she said, stepping forward. She raised her hand and the crowd silenced. "Harsh truths have come to light in these past days," she said. "The man, if such he could be called, that shrouded us in the darkest plane of existence yet recorded by the hand of Man, sits upon the throne of Alagaesia. But he is just the flesh; the empty casing to an evil that far surpasses any threat we have yet to encounter. That which dwells within him, seen by the eyes of our King has been revealed to us by the wise Kaealla. It is the Dark Grey Folk, Abadon Kasteliia."

"Isn't that Kaealla's last name!" someone shouted from the crowd. "Are they siblings? Yet we trust her?"

"They are brother and sister," Katelyn said. "But that is a broad association and one that she has not acknowledged since he left here; which was an event that preceded the Elves arriving in Alagaesia. It has been shown to us that he is the cause of many things; not least of which is everything that we attribute to Galbatorix. Now, even as Abadon sits cloaked in the flesh of another, we mean to strike at him."

"And how do you plan on doing that!" a woman called out.

Rathon spoke. "I once bent my knee to this abomination. I have tasted and I have seen his power; I know how to undo it."

"Do not listen to these fools!" the general Tetzar said. He stood beside Katelyn, his fist so tight that his knuckles were white. "They would see you ruined!" He took a step forward and jabbed a finger at Rathon. "This traitor just said it. He bent his knee to the enemy; he is as worthy of trust as a snake! Recall that it was he who gave this Abadon flesh once more; that it was he who stole the lives of your children and your family to do so! And now he asks for your hand in battle, to go and fight a vastly superior enemy in vain so that he can settle an old score! He asks you to sacrifice the safety of the home that you have built with your own hands and to go to die; like sheep to the slaughter! Stand your ground where you are and refuse the calling of this insane scheme!"

"No!" Naydel cried. "Do not listen to him! He plants seeds of worry and doubt in your minds. No competent leader should require such poultry methods to sway people." Her eyes swept those assembled. "Nine thousand four hundred and twenty," she said. "That is how many of you I have fought side by side with. It is drastically lowered than I wished for, but leagues higher than anything I could have hoped for. I count every one of you as my family." She placed her hand on her chest. "I have seen the wisdom of what Kaealla has told us; the nature of our enemy and the way to his undoing! Go with us and you will not walk blindly into the enemy's snare; I will not allow it!" Many of the warriors who boasted hefty scars raised their arms and cheered for her. Rathon began to feel better about their prospects. This can be done, he thought.

Calibor raised his arm. "I am Kayalder, Calibor, Lord of Dragons, and Harnesser of Shadow and Conqueror of Light! The power of the Heavens the might of the Earth rest in my hands. My strength is mighty and my power is a force to be reckoned with. Count my words among the truth; Abadon will fall! There is not a power that he possesses that I do not have greater. Your lives are in hands that are strong, able and prepared to defend them!" At his words almost every dwarf in the crowd cheered. Rathon tightened his fist, giddy with joy at the sound of how many supported them. This can be done, he thought.

Brom raised his fist to the crowd and projected his thoughts in great burst outward, that all would hear his words. The True Wielders of the three Great Spells right forth on this venture. Victory shall be ours! Who will go with us? The humans, dwarfs and many of the elves raised their voices in a clamoring battle cry.

"Go then!" came a booming voice from above. The entire crowd quieted and looked to the palace, where Eragon stood looking down at them. "Go forth this very hour and see to Galbatorix and Abadon's demise. I grant you ships to travel, swords to swing, armor to wear and food to eat. Take as much as you need. Go forth and retrieve that the land that is ours!"