They don’t ride because horses can’t carry their weight-not one of them is under eight feet tall-and they can run for days without sleep and still be ready for battle. I should have guessed that the chieftain had been put in charge of them. “That explains it! Saphira, if you’re right, then those are Kull, elite of the Urgals. Murtagh cursed, clenching the pommel of his sword. “Saphira said they’re larger than any we’ve seen,” remarked Eragon. They would have to be birds to catch up with us.” “I can’t believe that the same Urgals have been following us the whole time. “Only on the gallows.” Murtagh rubbed his eyes. His muscles trembled, making it hard for him to concentrate. “Humor, Murtagh?” asked Eragon, a quick smile coming to his face. Otherwise there may only be enough left of me to roast in a thimble.” “I know you can’t enter the forest, but could you circle above me and the horses? That should keep these beasts away.

There are animals around here that could be dangerous even to you, Saphira.” He turned to her. “I just found some wolf tracks, but the footprints are as wide as both of my hands and an inch deep. Scowling, Murtagh jerked his thumb over his shoulder. I tried to confuse them, but I forgot one of the rules of magic, and it cost me a great deal.” I made a mistake,” said Eragon truthfully.

When Eragon did not dismount, Murtagh hurried over and inquired, “What’s wrong?” He sounded angry, worried, and tired at the same time. Saphira settled in a small field with a jolt, and Eragon was puzzled to see the horses stopped and Murtagh kneeling, examining the ground. Eragon would have helped her, but he barely had the energy to sit up. Saphira dipped toward the ground, searching for Murtagh and the horses. Don’t forget what Brom said about that, too. Next thing I know you’ll be trying to bring corpses back to life. I’ve never used magic at a distance, so how could I know it would be so difficult? It’s just been a while, and I haven’t had an opportunity to think back on it. I paid attention, he insisted, rubbing his chin. Weren’t you paying attention to anything Brom told you? You’ll kill yourself if you keep this up. You shouldn’t have forgotten in the first place, Saphira inserted pointedly. If you try to lift or move something a mile away, it’ll take more energy than if you were closer.” I won’t forget that again, he thought grimly. Only now did he remember Brom saying, “Magic is affected by distance, just like an arrow or a spear.

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