The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

The Hands of the Gods

"Tabatha! Quickly! Wake up!" My eyes shot open as I was awoken from my deep sleep by the sound of Murtagh's voice. He sounded distressed, and it took me a moment to get over my grogginess and figure out why. I realized it was light outside, the sun shining in through the opening of the cave. And then I saw Brom. He was writhing in pain on the stone floor. Quickly as I could, I rushed to his side.

Eragon was already there, kneeling at his side. "What's going on?" I asked as I knelt beside him.

"I... I don't know," Eragon replied, his voice strained with duress. Suddenly, the old man stopped writhing so violently and looked up at Eragon, Murtagh, and me.

"Eragon," the old man wheezed, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Fetch my wineskin." Eragon smiled fondly down at him.

"I don't know that now is the best time for a drink," he said.

"Just do as I say, boy!" His voice was more forceful this time and Eragon nodded slowly.

"Here, use mine," Murtagh offered, handing his own wineskin over.

"I've got the wine," Eragon said soothingly. The feeble old man didn't say anything for a moment. I'd never seen him like this before, and I could honestly say that I was terrified for him.

"Rub it into the palm of my right hand," he said, his voice quavering slightly.

"I don't..."

"Don't argue! Just do what I tell you!" Brom yelled, finding the strength to cut Eragon off. He did what Brom asked and rubbed the liquid into his palm. At first, nothing happened, but then I saw a sort of brown dye washing away from his skin to reveal... No, it can't be...

"Y-you're a Rider?" I spluttered out.

"I was," he replied quietly, the silver mark of the gedwëy ignasia shining brightly on his palm. "My dragon was killed long ago by another Rider, Morzan. It was my fault." A dark look came over Murtagh's face as tears brimmed in Brom's ancient eyes. "Her name was Saphira. Don't make the same mistake that I did, Eragon. Guard Saphira at all costs, for you will find that life without her is hardly worth living at all."

"I will," Eragon said, choking back his own tears.

"Time is getting short," Brom continued, his voice returning to a whisper. "There is only one more thing I can give to you." Eragon leaned his ear close to Brom's face as he whispered something to him. It was then that I noticed Murtagh had retreated to the mouth of the cave, leaving the three of us. "Use them only in times of great need. Tabatha..." I took his hand up in my own, squeezing it gently.

"I'm here, Brom." I felt a tear rolling down my cheek. A thin smile cracked across his lips.

"You look so much like her," I barely heard him whisper. I knew that he meant my mother, Adelaide, and I wished we had more time. He beckoned me closer to him, and I bent down so that he could whisper something in my ear. "You are not your father, Tabatha, no matter what anyone else says. Never forget that. There is so much good inside of you. Use it well." He turned his head away from me and looked up at the roof of the cave, eyes glassing over. "And now, for the greatest adventure of all..."

~*~

The hours passed by slowly as Eragon and I sat with the dying man. His chest rose and fell shallowly, and his breathing was becoming more ragged. I could tell by the deadness in his eyes that although his body was still alive, his soul was long gone. Perhaps he had already been reunited with his beloved dragon. After a while, I could no longer sit there and watch him die. So, I did the only thing I could do: I ran. Pushing past Murtagh at the mouth of the cave, I ran out into the afternoon light, wishing only to escape. I felt him grab at the hem of my sleeve, but I pulled away too quickly, not even looking back at him. His eyes followed me as I disappeared around the other side of the cave, finding a route that led to the top of the cliff. It was there that I sat, and wept.