Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Twenty-Two: Iridescent

The spectral dragon from the Agaetí Blödhren had done more than alter his appearance; it had also granted him the elves' physical abilities. In strength and speed, Eragon now matched even the most athletic elf. A smile grew on my face as the fight continued.

The force of their blows created gusts of wind that whipped their hair into tangled disarray. Overhead, the trees shook and dropped their needles. The duel lasted long into the morning, for even with Eragon's newfound skill, Vanir was still a formidable opponent.

Playing Zar' roc in a circle, Eragon darted past Vanir's guard and struck him upon the upper arm, breaking the bone. Vanir dropped his blade, his face turning white with shock.

"How swift is your sword," Vanir said.

"By the gods!" exclaimed Orik. "That was the best swordsmanship I've ever seen, and I was there when you fought Arya in Farthen Dûr."

The elf twisted his uninjured hand in the gesture of loyalty, placed it upon his sternum, and bowed.

"I beg your pardon for my earlier behavior, Eragon-elda. I thought that you had consigned my race to the void, and out of my fear, I acted most shamefully. However, it seems that your race no longer endangers our cause." In a grudging voice, he added: "You are now worthy of the title Rider."

Eragon bowed in return. "You honor me. I'm sorry that I injured you so badly. Will you allow me to heal your arm?"

"No, I shall let nature tend to it at her own pace, as a memento that I once crossed blades with Eragon Shadeslayer. You needn't fear that it will disrupt our sparring tomorrow; I am equally good with my left hand."

They both bowed again, and then Vanir departed as Astir, my sparring partner showed up. Orik slapped a hand on his thigh and said, "Now we have a chance at victory, a real chance! I can feel it in my bones. Bones like stone, they say. Ah, this'll please Hrothgar and Nasuada to no end."

"Khensamel Dröttningu, are you ready to begin?" I pulled out my sword and dagger while stepping forward.

"Indeed I am Astir-vodhr," We took our positions, and I felt the weight of the sword, it felt light, that was probably why Eragon had so many problems at the start. I twirled the sword in my hand as I started to circle Astir.

I lunged forward, whipping my sword at an upward angle towards Astir's right hip. Astir parried my sword, making sparks fly around us, I twirled back and deflected an incoming swipe with my dagger. Sending Astir's blade away from my body, I gave myself a chance to swipe his feet out from underneath him.

Astir managed to right himself, and we continued to fight. I ducked underneath another swing and retaliated by striking at Astir's wrist much like Eragon had with Vanir. Astir's sword flew from his grip and lodged itself in the ground twenty feet away from us. I held my sword at his throat, while the two of us just stared at each other wide-eyed.

"I haven't hurt you have I, Astir-vodhr?" I asked after a few seconds. Astir shook his head.

"No, you have greatly surprised me." He responded, and I put my sword and dagger back into their respective sheaths. "That was incredible, has your arm bothered you at all?"

I held out my covered hand and arm.

"Not once, in fact, I believe I was able to use it even more than before."

"I do believe you no longer need my help Khensamel-elda. You are a formidable opponent." Astir bowed before retrieving his sword and striding out of the training field. I turned around to face Eragon and Orik who were unusually quiet. They both were staring open-mouthed at me.