Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Forty-Two: Radiant

"Islingr, bringer of light." Alethea let out a stream of smoke from her nostrils in agreement. "The second of its name, but fitting."

"I am decided. Sword, I name thee Brisingr!" Eragon said, holding out his sword. The blade burst into fire, an envelope of sapphire-blue flames writhing about the razor-sharp steel.

Eragon dropped the sword and jumped back, afraid of being burned. The blade continued to blaze on the ground, the translucent flames charring a nearby clump of grass.

I shared a look with the two dragons, we all thought that his reaction was funny. A heavy scowl on her brow, Rhunön stalked forward, seized the sword from Eragon, and examined it from tip to pommel.

"You are fortunate I have already protected it with wards against heat and damage, else you would have just scratched the guard and destroyed the temper of the blade. Do not drop the sword again, Shadeslayer—even if it should turn into a snake—or else I shall take it back and give you a worn-out hammer instead." Eragon quickly apologized, and Rhunön handed the sword back to him.

"Did you set fire to it on purpose?" she asked.

"No,"

"Repeat it," Rhunön ordered.

"What?"

"The name, the name, say it again." Holding the sword as far away from his body, Eragon yelled his swords name.

"Brisingr!" A column of flickering flames engulfed the blade of the sword, after a few moments, he extinguished the smokeless fire. Eragon repeated this several more times until Rhunön took the blade.

"Brisingr!" A shiver seemed to run down the blade, but other than that, it remained inanimate. Her expression contemplative, Rhunön returned the sword to Eragon.

"I can think of two explanations for this marvel. One is that because you were involved with the forging, you imbued the blade with a portion of your personality, and therefore it has become attuned to your wishes. My other explanation is that you have discovered the true name of your sword. Perhaps both those things are what has happened. In any event, you have chosen well, Shadeslayer. Brisingr! Yes, I like it. It is a good name for a sword. Khensamel?"

I pulled my blade back out of its scabbard and held it out.

"Islingr!" I commanded, the blade glowed with light. The light seemed to pour out of the sword itself. "Rhunön?"

"Same thing I said to Eragon, this proves that you are your mother's daughter." I returned my gaze to Islingr with relief. I glanced up at Eragon, who had his jaw open.

"Eragon, you just lit your sword on fire, this shouldn't be surprising to you," I said as I returned my sword to its scabbard. Rhunön placed her hand over the middle of Brisingr's blade and murmured an inaudible spell. The Elvish glyph for fire appeared upon both sides of the blade. She did the same to the front of the scabbard.

Rhunön then did mine next before she relaxed a little. Eragon and I repeated our thanks.

"I am glad I was able to help the Riders this once more. Go, return to the Varden, and may your enemies flee with fear when they see the sword you now wield." Eragon and I then flew back to our houses to pack what we would need. This time, however, I made no effort to disguise my marking.

I pulled on a short-sleeved shirt and my usual pants as Nearí came over with a new leather corset that was embroidered with luminescent thread.