Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Forty-Eight: Blinding

"It is magic. Deep magic, like the spell that hides the names of the dragons who betrayed the Riders." Saphira responded.

"But you haven't forgotten about the Rock of Kuthian, have you?"

"Of course not," She said, her mind flashing green with pique. "How could I when we are so closely joined?"

"This means there must be something of importance at Vroenguard, who would go to such lengths as extreme as these?" I said with a frown. "No one in Alagëasia can remember."

"Except for us." Alethea chipped in.

"Except for us," Eragon agreed. "And the werecats."

"And, perhaps, Galbatorix."

"Do you think this was the work of dragons, as was the Banishing of the Names?" Eragon asked after a shiver ran through his body. Saphira was slow to answer.

"Perhaps. But then, as Solembum said to you, there are many powers in Alagaësia. Until we go to Vroengard, we won't know for certain one way or another."

"If ever we do," I commented.

"Aye." Both dragons replied. Eragon ran his fingers through his hair. He suddenly looked exhausted.

"Why does everything have to be so hard?"

"Because," said Saphira, "Everyone wants to eat, but no one wants to be eaten."

"Why have you closed your minds to us?" Arya asked. Her gaze flicked toward one wall of the tent, the wall nearest to where Saphira lay curled in the darkness beyond. "Is something wrong?"

"You seem perturbed," Glaedr added. Eragon stifled a humorless chuckle as a smile small smile flashed across my face.

"Perhaps because I am." Arya watched with concern as he went over to the cot and sat on the edge. He let his arms hang limp and heavy between his legs.

""Do you trust us?" Eragon asked in the ancient language. The resulting pause was gratifyingly brief.

"I do," replied Arya, also in the ancient language.

"As do I," Glaedr likewise said.

"Shall I, or shall you?" Eragon quickly asked me.

"You want to tell them, so tell them." I prompted him. Eragon looked up at Arya.

""Solembum has told me the name of a place, a place on Vroengard, where we may find someone or something to help us defeat Galbatorix. However, the name is enchanted. Every time we say the name, you soon forget it." A faint expression of shock appeared on Arya's face. "Do you believe me?"

"I believe you," Arya slowly said.

"I believe that you believe what you are saying," Glaedr growled. "But that does not necessarily make it so."

"How else can we prove it? You won't remember if I tell you the name or share my memories with you. You could question Solembum, but again, what good would it do?"

"What good? For one, we can prove that you haven't been tricked or deceived by something that only appeared to be Solembum. And as for the spell, there may be a way to demonstrate its existence. Summon the werecat, and then we shall see what can be done."