Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Fifty-Two: Brilliant

"Frethya letta."

"Good," I said with a smile as Eragon turned his attention to Roran. He spent longer placing the wards around our cousin—for it was likely Roran would confront a higher number of threats. We could not bear the thought of defeating Galbatorix only to find that Roran had died during the battle. We've already lost enough of our family.

"I did something different this time, something I should have thought of long ago. In addition to the usual wards, I gave you a few that will feed directly off your own strength. As long as you're alive, they'll shield you from danger. But"—Eragon lifted a finger—"they'll only activate once the other wards are exhausted, and if the demands placed upon them are too great, you'll fall unconscious, and then you'll die."

"So, in trying to save me, they may kill me?" Roran asked. Eragon nodded.

"Welcome to the world of magic," I said with a smile.

"Don't let anyone drop another wall on you, and you'll be fine. It's a risk, but worth it, I think, if it keeps a horse from trampling you or a javelin from going through you. Also, I gave you the same spell as Katrina. All you have to do is say frethya twice and frethya letta to turn yourself invisible and visible at will."

"You might find that useful during the battle," I added, Roran gave me an evil chuckle.

"That I will."

"Just make sure the elves don't mistake you for one of Galbatorix's spellcasters," Eragon said, rising to his feet. Katrina grasped one of Eragon's hands and pressed it against her chest.

"Thank you, Eragon," she said softly. "You're a good man."

He flushed, embarrassed. "It's nothing."

"Guard yourself well tomorrow. You mean a great deal to both of us, and I expect you to be around to act the doting uncle for our child. Especially you, Mal. I'll be most put out if you get yourself killed." Eragon laughed.

"Don't worry. Saphira won't let me do anything foolish."

"Eragon is too stubborn to die Roran," I said with a small smile.

"Good," Katrina said before she kissed him on both cheeks, then released him. "Farewell, Eragon."

"Farewell, Katrina." Roran accompanied us outside.

"Thank you."

"We're glad we could help." Eragon and Roran gripped each other by the forearms and hugged.

"Luck be with you." Eragon took a long, unsteady breath.

"Luck be with you." He tightened his grip on Roran's forearm, reluctant to let go, for he knew that they might never meet again.

"If Saphira and I don't come back," Eragon said, "will you see to it that we're buried at home? I wouldn't want our bones to lie here." Roran raised his brows.

"Saphira would be difficult to lug all the way back."

"The elves would help, I'm sure."

"Then, yes, I promise. Is there anywhere, in particular, you would like?"

"The top of the bald hill," Eragon said, referring to a foothill near our farm. The bare topped hill had always seemed like an excellent location for a castle, something we had discussed at great length when younger. Roran nodded.

"And if I don't come back—"

"We'll do the same for you."

"That's not what I was going to ask. If I don't... you'll see to Katrina?"

"Of course. You know that." I interjected. "She's family."

"Aye, but I had to be sure." We gazed at each other for another minute. "We'll be expecting you for dinner tomorrow."

"We'll be there." Then Roran slipped back into the tent, leaving Eragon and I standing alone in the night. I looked up at the stars and hoped that Eragon and I wouldn't lose any more of our family.

After a few moments, we padded away into the shadows, relying upon the darkness to conceal our figures. We searched through the camp until we found the tent Horst and Elain shared with their baby girl, Hope. The three of them were still awake, as the infant was crying.

"Eragon! Mal!" Horst exclaimed softly when we made our presence known. "Come in! Come in! We haven't seen much of you since Dras-Leona! How are you?"

Eragon spent the better part of an hour talking with them while I rocked Hope to sleep in my arms. When she finally fell asleep, we left the tent in search of Joed. We found him reading scrolls as usual.

Jeod had many questions, and while we did not answer them all, we responded enough that we thought Jeod would be able to guess much of what was about to happen.

"I don't envy you the task that lies ahead. Brom would be proud of your courage."

"I hope so."

"I'm sure of it. ... If I don't see you again, you should know: I've written a small account of your experiences and of the events that led to them—mainly my adventures with Brom in recovering Saphira and Alethea's eggs." Eragon and I gave him a look of surprise. "I may not get the opportunity to finish it, but I thought it would make a useful addition to Heslant's work in Domia abr Wyrda."

"I think that would be most fitting. However, if you and I are both alive and free after tomorrow, there are some things I should tell you which will make your account that much more complete and that much more interesting."

"I'll hold you to it," Joed replied with a smile before we left the small tent.