Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Eighteen: Iridescent

Glaedr and Saphira landed while Alethea got smaller and smaller, I dropped to the grass beside Saphira.

"Welcome to my home, I live here, on the brink of the Crags of Tel' naeír, because it provides me the opportunity to think and study in peace. My mind works better away from Ellesméra and the distractions of other people."

Oromis disappeared into hit hut before walking out with three stools and three glasses of water. Eragon and I both accepted the water, and we sat down, I felt Eragon shaking with questions, but for once he didn't blurt out any questions.

"You have learned the value of patience well. That is good." Oromis said after a few minutes of silence.

"You can't stalk a deer if you are in a hurry," Eragon responded.

"That never stopped you from pestering Brom with questions," I responded pragmatically. Eragon shot me a look while Oromis let out a small chuckle. "Though you have improved greatly since then Eragon, that makes me proud."

Eragon looked at me in surprise.

"I do not lie; you are no longer the boy that left Carvahal. You have grown more than you think."

"Well said, young Dröttningu. Eragon, let me see your hands. I find that they tell me much about a person." Eragon removed his gloves and allowed Oromis to wrap his fingers around his wrists. Oromis started examining the calluses on Eragon's hands. "Correct me if I am wrong. You have wielded a scythe and plow more often than a sword, though you are accustomed to a bow."

"Aye."

"And you have done little writing or drawing, maybe none at all."

"Brom taught me my letters in Teirm."

"Mmm. Beyond your choice of tools, it seems obvious that you tend to be reckless and disregard your own safety."

"What makes you say that, Oromis-elda?"

"Not elda. You may call me master in this tongue and ebrithil in the ancient language, nothing else. You will extend the same courtesy to Glaedr. We are your teachers; you are our students; you will act with proper respect and deference." Oromis corrected Eragon.

"Yes, Master Oromis."

"As will you, Saphira."

"Yes, Master."

"Now. Anyone with such a collection of scars has either been hopelessly unfortunate, fights like a berserker, or deliberately pursues danger. Do you fight like a berserker?"

"No."

"Nor do you seem unfortunate; quite the opposite. That leaves only one explanation. Unless you think differently?" Eragon frowned as he thought about what cords to say.

"I would say, rather, that once I dedicate myself to a certain project or path, I see it through, no matter the cost... especially if someone I love is in danger." Eragon's eyes flicked toward Saphira.

"And do you undertake challenging projects?"

"I like to be challenged."

"So you feel the need to pit yourself against adversity to test your abilities."

"I enjoy overcoming challenges, but I've faced enough hardship to know that it's foolish to make things more difficult than they are. It's all I can do to survive as it is."