Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Forty-Three: Radiant

The Varden rushed forward, streaming into the city, their jangling armor and pounding boots creating a continuous, rolling thunder. Eragon hailed the villagers of Carvahall and Roran raised his hammer in greeting and ran toward us. Eragon grasped Roran's right forearm and pulled him into a rough hug.

"About time you got here," Roran grunted. "We've been dying by the hundreds trying to take the walls, and I thought you and Alethea were hiding."

"Not anymore," I responded. "We came as fast as we could. How's Katrina?"

"She's fine."

"Once this is over, you'll have to tell me everything that's happened to you since we left." Roran pressed his lips together and nodded. Then he pointed at Brisingr and Islingr.

"Where did you get your swords?"

"From the elves." Eragon and I immediately responded.

"What are they called?"

"Bris—" Eragon started to say, but then the eleven other elves whom Islanzadí had assigned to protect him and Saphira sprinted out of the column of men and surrounded the two of them. Arya and Blödhgarm rejoined them as well, Arya wiping clean the slim blade of her sword. Before Eragon could resume speaking, Jörmundur rode through the gates.

"Shadeslayer! Well met, indeed! Your highness! I thought you were laying low!" I sent Jörmunder a smile and shook my head.

"Not anymore!"

"What should we do now?" Eragon asked, looking around.

"Whatever you see fit," Jörmundur replied, reining in his brown charger. "We have to fight our way up to the keep. It doesn't look as if Saphira would fit between most of the houses.

"Leave that to me," Alethea growled before taking off in a flurry of pearl white wings.

"If you could break open the keep or capture Lady Lorana, it would be a great help."

"Where's Nasuada?" Jörmundur gestured over his shoulder.

"At the rear of the army, coordinating our forces with King Orrin. Stronghammer, your place is with your men, not gossiping with your cousin." Then the lean, wiry commander spurred his horse forward and rode up the gloomy street, shouting orders to the Varden. As Roran and Arya started to follow, Eragon grabbed Roran by the shoulder and tapped Arya's blade with his own.

"Wait,"

"What!" both Arya and Roran demanded in exasperated tones.

"My father," Eragon exclaimed. "It's not Morzan, it's Brom!" Roran blinked.

"Brom?"

"Yes, Brom!" Even Arya appeared surprised.

"Are you sure, Eragon? How do you know?"

"Of course, I'm sure! I'll explain later, but I couldn't wait to tell you the truth." Roran shook his head.

"Brom. . . . I never would have guessed, but I suppose it makes sense. You must be glad to be rid of Morzan's name."

"More than glad," Eragon said, grinning. Roran clapped him on the back.

"Watch yourself, eh?" He then trotted after Horst and the other villagers. Arya moved away in the same direction, but before she went more than a few steps, Eragon called her name.