Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Forty-One: Radiant

"Over a hundred years have elapsed since Támerlein was last used in battle, and it might need some slight refurbishing. Go and visit the Menoa tree; I know you will not rest easy until you have. See there if you can find the weapon the werecat enticed you with. When you have satisfied your curiosity, retire to the quarters of your treehouse, which Islanzadí's servants keep in readiness for you and Saphira. Tomorrow we shall do what we can."

"But, Master, we have so little time—"

"And the four of you are far too tired for any more excitement today. Trust me, Eragon; you will do better for the rest. I think the hours between will help you to digest all we have spoken of. Even by the measure of kings, queens, and dragons, this conversation of ours has been no light exchange."

We left Oromis's hut and landed in the clearing of the Menoa tree. Thicker than a hundred of the giant pines that encircled it, the Menoa tree rose toward the sky like a mighty pillar, it's arching canopy thousands of feet across.

Eragon pried a loose slab of bark from the moss at his feet and held it up.

"What do you think?" I shook my head.

"That is definitely not what we are looking for Eragon." For several more hours, the four of us prowled the clearing. "We will see you two in the morning, I'm not leaving Ellesméra until I unearth whatever is here."

Alethea and I quickly flew back to the tree that served as our living area. I tiredly walked into the main room and stood in the middle of the room. I was too tired to draw a bath, but I needed to take one.

"My lady, you do know we are at your service, right?" Nearí said as she and Karí hustled into the room. I started to laugh, I really missed these two. Karí disappeared into the bathroom while Nearí helped me out of my armor.

"Well, I got to have a reasonable conversation with Murtagh while I was Urû Baen. That is more than what I was hoping for." Nearí's eyes brightened.

"So you have found him!?!"

"I wish, have you heard of the dragon rider?" Nearí nodded. "Murtagh is the new dragon rider. Another pair has fallen victim to my father. I- I don't really know what to do. I'm supposed to fight, but I can't fight them, they never had a choice. I think my presence in Urû'Baen only made things worse for them."

"Don't say that," Karí said, walking into the room. I sighed and walked over to my bag to pull out the farith. I handed it to Nearí, and the two bent over the fairth.

"I have cornered myself," I said quietly.

Nearí set the fairth back on its fabric cover before shooing me into the bathroom. Karí was doing the same with Alethea. I was plopped into the water.

"You are too hard on yourself!" Nearí scolded before her face returned to its usual mothering look. "How have your dreams been?"

I sunk farther into the water.

"Bad, I found a way to fix that, but I have to be in Urû'Baen. I have dug my own grave."

*********************

I was sitting at Rhunön's table drinking tea with the elf when Eragon staggered in with a lump of metal in his hands. Rhunön and I got up and walked closer to Eragon, he dropped it at our feet.

"Where did you find that?" Rhunön demanded. In as few words as possible, Eragon explained about Solembum and the Menoa tree.

"Eragon! The Menoa tree isn't something you want to test!" I scolded as Rhunön ran her fingers on the lump of metal.