Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Fifty-One: Brilliant

"I'll place some spells on Katrina to keep her safe, and I'll let Orrin know that I've placed them. That should put a stop to any plans he might have." The tension in Roran seemed to drain away.

"I'd appreciate that."

"I'll give you some new wards as well."

"No, save your strength. I can take care of myself." Eragon insisted, but Roran kept refusing.

"Blast it! Listen to me. We're about to go into battle against Galbatorix's men. You have to have some protection, if only against magic. I'm going to give you wards whether you like it or not, so you might as well smile and thank me for them!" Roran glowered at him, then he grunted and raised his hands.

"Fine, as you wish. You never did know when it was sensible to give up."

"Oh, and you do?"

"Oh, don't start you two." I groaned out. A chuckle came from within the depths of Roran's beard.

"I suppose not. I guess it runs in the family."

"Mmh. Between Brom and Garrow, I don't know who was more stubborn."

"Garrow, definitely Garrow," I said, shaking my head at the topic.

"Eh ... Brom was as—No, you're right. It was Garrow." Eragon finally relented.

"You two seem different than before."

"Do we?"

"Yes, you do. You two seem more sure of yourself."

"Perhaps it's because we understand ourselves better than we once did." Half an hour later, Jörmundur and King Orrin rode up together. Eragon greeted Orrin as politely as ever, but Orrin responded with a curt reply and avoided his gaze. Not surprising.

Once everyone was all assembled before us, we began. First, we had everyone swear oaths of secrecy in the ancient language. This could not get out to my father. Eragon went on and explained the concept of an Eldunarí to Orik, Roran, Jörmundur, and Orrin, and he recounted a brief history of the dragons' gemlike hearts with the Riders and Galbatorix.

The elves appeared uneasy with Eragon's willingness to discuss the Eldunarí before the others, but none protested. He had earned that much trust, at least. Orik, Roran, and Jörmundur reacted with surprise, disbelief, and dozens of questions. Roran, in particular, acquired a sharp gleam in his eye, as if the information had given him a host of new ideas on how to kill my father.

Throughout, Orrin was surly and remained stridently unconvinced of the existence of the Eldunarí. In the end, the only thing that quelled his doubts was when Eragon and I removed Glaedr's heart of hearts from Saphira's saddlebags and introduced the dragon to the four of them.

"Did Nasuada know of this?" Orrin questioned.

"Yes. We told her at Feinster." I replied, resettling Glaedr's heart of hearts in my hands. As expected, the admission displeased Orrin.

"So once again, the four of you chose to ignore me. Without the support of my men and the food of my nation, the Varden would have had no hope of confronting the Empire. I'm the sovereign ruler of one of only four countries in Alagaësia, my army makes up a goodly portion of our forces, and yet neither of you deemed it appropriate to inform me of this!"

Before Eragon or I could respond, Orik stepped forward. "They did not tell me about it either, Orrin. And mine people have helped the Varden for longer than yours. You should not take offense. Eragon, Mal, and Nasuada did what they thought was best for our cause; they meant no disrespect."