Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Iridescent

"I should have known Mal would do something like this, how is she going to escape?" Nasuada smiled.

"She told me with a smirk, not to worry about that part."

"That sounds like her," Eragon grumbled before Alethea jumped to his shoulder and wrapped her tail around his neck.

"Do not worry. My Rider knows exactly what she's doing."

"Thanks, Alethea," Eragon said quietly, Alethea coasted back to her pack and wiggled into it. They quickly finished up the conversation and headed out of the tent to see the Carvahal villagers. Eragon saw Horst and walked faster.

"Horst!" exclaimed Eragon. Stepping forward, he grasped the smith in a bear hug. "It's good to see you again!"

Horst gaped at Eragon. Then a delighted grin spread across his face. "Blast if it isn't good to see you as well, Eragon. You've filled out since you left."

"You mean since I ran away." Horst shrugged before looking around.

"Is Mal around?" Eragon paused for a second before deciding to inform the villagers. Eragon explained what had happened to Mal, minus Alethea.

"So you're saying the quiet, gentle girl is a princess?" Eragon nodded. "Where is she?"

"Mal went off to do a mission on her own." Horst frowned.

"By herself?" Eragon laughed and nodded his head.

"The Mal you knew in Carvahal is long gone, Mal is very adept with a sword and can take care of herself." Eragon then explained exactly what had transpired since they had left Carvahal. Roran then told what had happened to the villagers.

When at last he finished, Eragon said, "You are a greater man than I. I couldn't have done half those things. Fight, yes, but not convince every-one to follow me."

"I had no choice. When they took Katrina—" Roran's voice broke. "I could either give up and die, or I could try to escape Galbatorix's trap, no matter the cost." He fixed his burning eyes on Eragon. "I have lied and burned and slaughtered to get here. I no longer have to worry about protecting everyone from Carvahall; the Varden will see to that. Now I have only one goal in life, to find and rescue Katrina if she's not already dead. Will you help me, Eragon?"

Reaching over, Eragon grabbed his saddlebags from the corner of the tent—where the Varden had deposited them—and removed a wooden bowl and the silver flask of enchanted faelnirv Oromis had given him. He took a small sip of the liqueur to revitalize himself and gasped as it raced down his throat, making his nerves tingle with ColdFire. Then he poured faelnirv into the bowl until it formed a shallow pool the width of his hand.

"Watch." Gathering up his burst of new energy, Eragon said, "Draumr kópa." The liqueur shimmered and turned black. After a few seconds, a thin key of light appeared in the center of the bowl, revealing Katrina. She lay slumped against an invisible wall, her hands suspended above her with invisible manacles and her copper hair splayed like a fan across her back.

"She's alive!" Roran hunched over the bowl, grasping at it as if he thought he could dive through the faelnirv and join Katrina. His hope and determination melded with a look of such tender affection, Eragon knew that only death could stop Roran from trying to free her.

"I think I need to check on Mal." Eragon cleared the image of Katrina and cast the spell again. This time, thinking of Mal. She appeared with her back to them.

"Are those elf ears?" Horst asked as the picture clarified.

"Mal is a half-elf." Eragon murmured. In the water Mal stiffened before turning around and smiling, it was odd since it was almost like she was smiling at Eragon himself. She spoke some words before turning back around.

"Do you know what she said?" Roran asked, frowning at the picture.

"She said," Eragon started. "That she is fine and knows what she is doing and wishes that we stay safe."

"Did she see us?" Eragon shook his head.

"I don't know; it's never happened before but then again. Mal is pretty powerful. She probably sensed our presence.

"Katrina's alive. And chances are, she's imprisoned in Helgrind, in the Ra'zac's lair." Eragon grasped Roran by the shoulders. "The answer to your question, brother, is yes. I will travel to Dras-Leona with you. I will help you rescue Katrina. And then, together, you and I shall kill the Ra'zac and avenge our father."