Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Seventeen: Iridescent

I woke up to a soft nose nuzzling my face. I opened my eyes to see Alethea blinking at me in her baby size. I pushed myself into a sitting position and looked around. I was curled up at the center of the bed in my room.

"Did you bring me here by yourself?" Alethea lazily blinked at me.

"Yes." She was smug about it. I let out a huff of laughter and ran my fingers down her back. "Nearí and Karí left you breakfast."

I slipped of my bed and padded over to where a tray of food was sitting. I picked at the fruit bowl while Alethea zipped around the room.

"Did you get something to eat?"

"Yes, I ate earlier while you were still sleeping. Nearí and Karí should be back soon to help you get dressed for the day." I finished off the fruit just as the two elves entered my room. This time I was changed into a long tunic with grey pants, the material was the softest thing I had ever felt.

I was given soft leather boots to replace my weathered and tattered old ones while Karí braided my hair back out of my face. When Karí was done braiding my hair, I felt her put the crown King Hrothgar gifted to me on my head. I will never get used to being a princess.

"Queen Islanzadí will be expecting you at the base of the stairs."

"Thank you Nearí, Karí I shouldn't be needing any more help until tonight."

"One more thing, my lady." I looked at Karí, she was holding Murtagh's necklace, and it looked like it had just been made. "Forgive us for not asking for your permission, but we had the necklace enchanted last night, it won't fray or get dull."

I stared at the necklace, trying very hard not to drop my jaw at how well-crafted it looked. Karí strung it back around my neck.

"The only thing I have to say is that I am eternally thankful for your consideration," I said quietly, running my fingers along the now smooth leather. Both elves smiled and shook their heads.

"You need not thank us, my lady."

"Yes, I do. This necklace means the world to me."

"Is he gone?" Karí asked softly. I pursed my lips. "The man that this necklace belongs to."

"No, he isn't." I murmured darkly. "He is just out of my reach. I will see you tonight, have a good day." I quickly exited my room and headed down the stairs. I reached the bottom to greet Islanzadí and Arya.

"I hope Karí and Nearí are treating you well." I smiled and shook my head, Alethea sneezed from my shoulder.

"They are spoiling us rotten. I can tell something is weighing on your mind, is everything alright?"

"There is something I need to show you and Eragon, but it can't be spoken to outsiders."

"Am I an outsider?" Islanzadí shook her head.

"Nay, you are not. What I wish to show you is the last elven dragon rider, Oromis, and his dragon Glaedr." My eyes went huge.

"They couldn't have gotten out of the war without injury." Islanzadí grimly nodded.

"They were lucky to escape and get to healers in time. It is my hope that Oromis can pass on his teachings."

After I learned of Oromis, we headed for Eragon's tree with Alethea flying around our heads in happiness. She was elated that there was another dragon, one that she could learn from.

We didn't wait long until Eragon and Orik walked down the staircase. Eragon donned a deep russet tunic, and by the look on his face, I could tell he was happy to be in fresh, new clothes. Greetings were made before Islanzadí glided down the path with us following. The further we went out, the fewer buildings you saw, before a hill Islanzadí turned to Eragon.

"Before we go any farther, the three of you must swear in the ancient language that you will never speak to outsiders of what you are about to see, not without permission from me, my daughter, my niece, or whoever may succeed us to the throne." I cringed at the thought of ruling Du Weldenvarden.

"Why should I gag myself?" Orik demanded.

"Why, indeed? Do you not trust us?" Saphira asked.

"It is not a matter of trust but safety. We must protect this knowledge at all costs—it's our greatest advantage over Galbatorix—and if the ancient language binds you, you will never willingly reveal our secret. You came to supervise Eragon's training, Orik-vodhr. Unless you give me your word, you may as well return to Farthen Dûr."

"I believe that you mean no harm to dwarves or the Varden, else I would never agree. And I hold you to the honor of your hall and clan that this isn't a ploy to deceive us. Tell me what to say." Orik finally spoke. Eragon shot me a look before he and Saphira reiterated the oath.

"Thank you," Islanzadí said with a sigh. "Now, we may proceed."

We started walking, and I got ambushed by Eragon.

"I'm not saying anything until you see it for yourself," I said sternly, walking after Islanzadí and Arya. We reached the top and looked down at forest thousands of feet below us.

Thud. The air swirled around us as Glaedr beat his massive wings. I might not have seen him yet, but by the sounds of his wings, he is going to be very large.

Thud.

Thud. Eragon jammed his fingers in his ears while the rest of us stood motionless.

Thud.

Thud. A glittering, gold mass rose into the air in front of us. Glaedr.