Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Forty-Three: Radiant

"The Cripple Who Is Whole has left Du Weldenvarden and joined Islanzadí at Gil'ead."

Arya's green eyes widened, and her lips parted as if she were about to ask a question. Before she could, the column of inrushing warriors swept her deeper into the city. Blödhgarm sidled closer to Eragon.

"Shadeslayer, why did the Mourning Sage leave the forest?"

"For the same reason I am here," I said. "Hiding is no longer an option."

"That is indeed momentous news." We then split up for a while until we ended up near a group of Varden men outside a building.

"Shadeslayer! Shadeslayer!"

"What?"

"We need your help, Shadeslayer. And yours too, Saphira!"

"You have our assistance as well," I said, bowing my head a little. Shock tore through the man when they saw Alethea land next to me. They finally nodded and led us through Feinster until we arrived at a large stone building.

Several dozen Varden sat hunched behind a low wall in front of the building.

"Stay back!" one of the Varden men said. "There's a whole group of soldiers inside, and they have bows aimed at us." We halted just out of sight.

"We can't get at them. The doors and windows are blocked, and they shoot at us if we try to chop our way in." Our dragons wasted no time pouncing on the roof and ripping the building apart. When Saphira and Alethea returned to our sides, the Varden edged away from them, clearly frightened by their display of ferocity. They ignored them and began licking their paws, cleaning the gore from their scales.

"I'll be in the air if you need me," I said to the men before Alethea launched her body into the air with me clinging to her, it didn't take long for Eragon to follow and for us to spot another problem. We jumped down to the ground.

"Greetings, Shadeslayer, your highness," Blödhgarm said, emerging from the crowd, along with the eleven other elves.

"Greetings." Eragon and I drew our swords again. "Why haven't you already opened the gate for the Varden?"

"The gate is protected by many spells, Shadeslayer. It would require much strength to break and shatter. My companions and I are here to protect you and Saphira, and we cannot fulfill our duty if we exhaust ourselves on other tasks."

"Let us take care of this Blödhgarm," I said, walking over to the gate, Eragon followed. I stood on the left while he stood on the right.

"Give us room!" Eragon shouted, gesturing at the warriors. The Varden backed away from us, forming an open area twenty feet across. Eragon and I looked at each other and nodded.

"Brisingr!"

"Islingr!"

Our blades burst into their respective flames and Eragon, and I slashed at the gate. My sword cut through the wood like butter, Eragon stepped back. With one final slash, I kicked the gate, and the bottom fell into pieces.

The warriors behind me wasted no time streaming past the mangled ruins of the gate. Angela appeared next to both of us.

"An impressive display, but don't you think you're overdoing it a bit?"

"What do you mean?" Eragon asked, frowning.

"Come now, was it really necessary to set your sword on fire?"

"For me, yes." I started. "My sword eats away at magic and when I call upon its power, well, as you can see, it obliterates." Angela nodded.

"I see your point, but what about you, Eragon?"

"Not for the portcullis, no, but I enjoyed it. Besides, I can't help it. I named the sword Fire in the ancient language, and every time I say the word, the blade flares up like a branch of dry wood in a bonfire."

"You named your sword Fire?" Angela exclaimed with a note of incredulity. "Fire? What kind of a boring name is that? You might as well name your sword Blazing Blade and be done with it. Fire indeed. Humph. Wouldn't you rather have a sword called Sheepbiter or Chrysanthemum Cleaver or something else with imagination?"

"I already have one Sheepbiter here," Eragon said, laying a hand on Saphira. "Why would I need another?"

Angela broke out into a wide smile. "So you're not entirely devoid of wit after all! There just might be hope for you." A soft growl emanated from Saphira.

"Be careful whom you call Sheepbiter, Eragon, or you might get bitten yourself." I held back a snicker at Saphira's words.

"Yes, Saphira."