Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Sixteen: Iridescent

Eragon narrated our experiences but looked at me when it was time to address the question about the other egg.

"Aunt," I said, stepping forward. "There is no white egg to look for." Confusion and panic went around the entire assembly.

"What happened to the egg, niece?" I resisted the urge to smile.

"Your turn Alethea." Alethea let out a thunderous squeak that startled everyone in the hall before wiggling her way out of my pack to sit on my shoulder with her tail curled around my neck. There were several gasps of surprise as Alethea jumped off my shoulder to get big enough to look Islanzadí in the eye.

When she was big enough, Alethea bowed her glittering head in greeting. Straightening up Alethea swiveled her body and soared back to my shoulder.

"You're a Rider." I nodded at my aunt as I rubbed Alethea's head.

"Alethea hatched at the same time Saphira did. She's been keeping a low profile with the current events unfolding." I heard Orik sputtering behind me and refrained a smile. "Eragon, Nasuada's scroll?"

Eragon fished Nasuada's scroll out of his pack and handed it to Islanzadí. She broke the red wax seal and read the letter.

"I see now the true depth of my folly. My grief would have ended so much sooner if I had not withdrawn our warriors and ignored Ajihad's messengers after learning that Arya had been ambushed. I should have never blamed the Varden for her death. For one so old, I am still far too foolish...."

"Since Arya has returned alive, will you agree to help the Varden, like before? Nasuada cannot succeed otherwise, and I am pledged to her cause." Eragon said, mustering up the courage to ask the question.

"My quarrel with the Varden is as dust in the wind," Islanzadí said, much to Eragon's relief. "Fear not; we will assist them as we once did, and more, because of you and their victory over the Urgals. Will you give me Brom's ring, Eragon?"

Eragon quickly slipped the ring off his finger and offered it to Islanzadí.

"You should not have worn this, Eragon, as it was not meant for you. However, because of the aid you have rendered the Varden and my family, I now name you Elf Friend and bestow this ring, Aren, upon you, so that all elves, wherever you go, will know that you are to be

trusted and helped."

Eragon thanked her and returned the ring to his finger.

"Such tidings as yours, we have not heard the like of in Du Weldenvarden for many a year. We are accustomed to a slower way of life here than the rest of Alagaësia, and it troubles me that so much could occur so swiftly without word of it reaching my ear."

"And what of our training?" Eragon asked. "I haven't much training and Mal knows even less since she and Alethea haven't been able to fly in a long time.

"It will begin in the fullness of time. Yet I fear that instructing you is futile so long as your infirmity persists. Unless you can overcome the Shade's magic, you will be reduced to no more than a figurehead. You may still be useful, but only as a shadow of the hope that we have nurtured for over a century. Your situation is not your fault, and it pains me to voice such things, but you must understand the gravity of your disability... I am sorry." Islanzadí said before turning to Orik.

"It has been long since one of your race entered our halls, dwarf. Eragon-finiarel has explained your presence, but do you have aught to add?"