Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Forty-One: Radiant

"It varies. If I have a choice, I prefer to wield a sword with one hand and carry a shield with my other. However, circumstances have not always been favorable to me, and I have often had to fight without a shield. Then I like being able to grip the hilt with both hands, so I can deliver a more powerful stroke. The pommel on Zar' roc was large enough to grasp with my left hand if I had to, but the ridges around the ruby were uncomfortable, and they did not afford me a secure hold. It would be nice to have a slightly longer hilt."

"I take it you do not want a true two-handed sword?".

"No, it would be too big for fighting indoors."

"That depends upon the size of the hilt and the blade combined, but in general, you are correct. Would you be amenable to a hand-and-a-half sword instead?"

"Yes, a hand-and-a-half sword would be perfect, I think."

"And how long would you like the blade?"

"No longer than Zar'roc's."

"Mmh. Do you want a straight blade or a curved blade?"

"Straight."

"Have you any preferences as to the guard?"

"Not especially."

"So, a sword equally suited for the unrestrained bloodshed of a battlefield as it is for defending yourself in the narrow tunnels under Farthen Dûr. A sword for all occasions, of average length, but for the hilt, which shall be longer than average."

"A sword for killing Galbatorix," Eragon muttered.

"And as such, it must be well protected against magic. . . .Armor has improved a great deal in the past century, so the tip will need to be narrower than I used to make them, the better to pierce plate and mail and to slip into the gaps between the various pieces. Mmh."

Rhunön then proceeded to measure our hands and arms. Afterward, she retrieved a wrought-iron poker from the forge and tossed it toward Eragon.

"Go on now. Up on your feet and let me see how you move with a sword." Walking out from under the roof of the open-walled forge, Eragon obliged her by demonstrating several of the forms Brom had taught us.

"Oh, this is hopeless." Rhunön stepped in front of Eragon, holding another poker. Her

brow furrowed with a fierce scowl as she raised the poker before her in a salute and shouted, "Have at you, Shadeslayer!"

They sparred for a few short minutes until the pokers were mangled pieces of metal.

"Now I know exactly what shape your sword should have."

"But how will you make it?" A twinkle of amusement appeared in Rhunön's eyes.

"I won't. You shall make the sword instead of me, Shadeslayer." I nearly laughed at Eragon's expression.

"Me? But I was never apprenticed to a blacksmith or a bladesmith. I have not the skill to forge even a common brush knife."

"Nevertheless, you shall be the one to make this sword."

"But how? Will you stand beside me and give me orders as I hammer the metal?"

"Hardly," Rhunön replied. "No, I shall guide your actions from within your mind so that your hands may do what mine cannot. It is not a perfect solution, but I can think of no other means of evading my oath that will also allow me to ply my craft."

"What about Mal?" Another amused look crossed Rhunön face.

"She knows what she needs to do." We then headed to the ore and had the dragon's stomp on it until it was approved by Rhunön. I waited for Rhunön to get accustomed to maneuvering Eragon's body.

From there Eragon controlled by Rhunön and I hammered out steel. While Eragon's was more normal looking, my sword was going to be thin and leaner than the average sword. The forge was lit up by the sparks from our hits on hot metal.

We continued into the night and sang to the metal into swords. When she was done with Eragon's blade, I let her into my mind to finish up my blade. After the blade had been deemed worthy, I sat down and used a series of stones to polish the blade.

"Enough," Rhunön said as Eragon swayed in his seat. "You as well Khensamel."

"But we're not finished!" Eragon protested, turning toward Rhunön.

"I have no more need of you, Shadeslayer. Go and dream until dawn."

"But—"

"You are tired, and even with my magic, you are liable to ruin the sword if you continue to work on it. Now that the blade is done, I can attend to the rest without interference from my oath, so go. You will find a bed on the second floor of my house. If you are hungry, there is food in the pantry."

Eragon hesitated before disappearing into Rhunön house.

"That includes you as well Khensamel." I stood up and looked at the atrium.

"I am unsure sleep would be of any use to me right now."

"You need sleep to fight."

"I need to keep my sanity," I responded, rubbing my shoulder.

"Staying awake won't help." I sighed in defeat and walked over to where Alethea was curled up on the ground. I climbed onto her leg and curled up near her shoulder while she brought a wing over to cover me.

"You need to go back, my rider. This cannot continue."

"I am afraid to."