After over a week of careful discussion and planning with Ajh and Hanna, Keeta felt fairly confident that her list and plan were as exhaustive as they could be. She knew exactly
what she needed of every type of supply to keep ten people alive—fed, clothed, clean, rested, and entertained—on land or sea for about a year.
Which meant the real work was only beginning. Ajh and Hanna stayed with her for several more weeks to do more preparing of their own. Some of the plant and food stuffs they
needed were most readily available in Du Weldenvarden, so it made sense for them to work on it before leaving Sílthrim.
By the time they were ready to leave, they had depleted their funds and both dragons—Lightning and Berry—were heavily laden with supplies of every imaginable variety. Keeta
knew she would have to go to the Isle to deliver these items as well as to obtain more money, for she would then need to return to Alagaёsia to continue her efforts of acquiring all
of the goods they would need.
She spent most of her brief time at home on the ship with Var, mainly, though the others often accompanied them out of curiosity. Here she became better acquainted with the
vessel that they all felt would carry them somewhere important in the notsodistant future.
Their dragons always disdainfully regarded these planning sessions, with many comments along the lines of, And where do you expect me to be at this time? No one had a good
answer to such questions, but they trustingly moved forward, somehow feeling the import of their decisions.
While home, Keeta also learned what had happened on Brom's birthday.
Two weeks after leaving Ellesméra, the group of five led by Brom arrived back on the Isle of the Eldunarí. After a joyful reunion with parents and siblings, the five youth recounted
their experiences while away. Keeta's parents, Knilf and Greta, were not surprised or concerned about their daughter's whereabouts. Apparently Keeta had communicated with her
family so they wouldn't worry about her.
Three days after their homecoming, Brom celebrated his nineteenth birthday. He awoke that morning after his most troubling dream with Angela yet. In it, she had offered the
same foreboding warning that she had in Brin, Zadí, and Nefin's previous birthday dreams: Be ready, Brom. The time is near at hand.
But then she had gone on to say that he would receive two extremely important presents that day from his father. Angela assured Brom that he would receive the gifts, for she had
personally seen to it that Eragon would act as predicted.
Angela had continued, You are more prepared for your fate than any of your companions, Brom. I'm sorry I have to be so mysterious, but I am only permitted to assist you to a
certain extent. We are not allowed to interfere with the agency of any mortal—or immortal, as the case may be—in the land, otherwise I and all of the rest of us up here would do
all within our power to directly thwart the events that are even now set in motion to transpire. We do not know exactly what is going to happen or when, for the simple reason that
so many factors influence every action, every outcome. We have only received glimpses into a certain, possible future—the most likely future—one where you ten will need the
skills you have developed. And this is why I was allowed to visit you in birthday dreams—because you were open to hearing my counsel and the choice was left to you as to whether or not you would follow through on it. I'm so proud and grateful you all chose to heed my words. You ten will be ready to face what is ahead because you have been faithful
and dedicated in preparing yourselves.
When you were not yet a day old, I counseled you: Be strong, Brom. Be courageous. And follow the examples of your two noble parents. Remember my words now, dear one. You
are the oldest of your peers. You have had worthy examples to emulate all your life, and now your friends will look to you for leadership. Provide them with the strength and
courage they will need to prevail. You will face this opposition as a team, and that is the only way you will succeed. But the hardest task will fall to you, Brom. Continue to prepare
yourself in all the ways we have discussed and help the others prepare as well.
After concluding her speech, Angela had gazed at him beseechingly while her person faded from his awareness. Then Brom had awakened.
Brom had been mulling over his dream and repeating Angela's words for nearly an hour when a knock on his door dragged him out of his reverie. He sat up in bed and called,
"Come in."
The door opened in front of his father, who stepped through and closed it behind himself. Eragon seriously regarded Brom for a moment before asking, "Another dream?"
Brom immediately noticed the bundle in his father's hands. His mind was so attuned to mental perception that it required no effort for Brom to recognize the vast energy contained
in whatever his father was holding. He raised his eyebrows wonderingly then returned his gaze to his father's face.
"Yes, father," he answered. "For thirteen years. Superstitious folk would say that's a bad omen."
"May I sit?"
"Of course," Brom replied, pulling his legs up to his chest and scooting back to lean against the wall behind him.
"Are you opposed to sharing with me what Angela said this year?"
"Not at all. I always have before, and this year seemed more important than any other." Brom succinctly related his dream and all of Angela's words. "She didn't know what was
going to happen, but whatever it is, it will happen soon."
"Yes, that's certainly the way it appears," Eragon thoughtfully agreed. "Well, as Angela suggested, she did indeed ensure that you would receive this gift, Brom. I also had a dream
last night. With Angela. And she instructed me that it was time for the possession of a certain powerful artifact to pass into your safekeeping. Believe me when I say that you are
one of only a very few people I would entrust with this gift. Both parts of it." Brom's father handed him the loosely bundled item in his hand. "After you unwrap it, I will share the
second part of your present. Happy birthday, son." And he grinned ironically.
Brom smiled warily and removed the material from around the object in his hands. When it fell away, Brom was left holding a black and blue sword belt. He stared at it curiously
until his father mentioned the tassel hanging from one end. Brom pulled on it to reveal twelve glittering diamonds of various hues embedded in the belt and immediately identified it
as the Belt of Beloth the Wise.
"It's real," Brom breathed. "I have always wondered. How do you hide this immense store of energy from the awareness of the other inhabitants on the Isle?"
"The Eldunarí help me," Eragon simply said. "Though it's not as hard as you might think. Even Riders who are trained to be capable of perceiving the energy of the smallest insects
around them might not single this out from the endless, blinding light of life and creation that always exists in nature. But I'm not surprised you immediately sensed it, Brom. You
have trained your mind to concentrate intently on everything you set your eyes on. You instantly perceive things on so many levels, whereas others must specifically focus their minds to sense on the energetic plane. Since the focus is second nature to you, as natural as breathing, you do it unthinkingly. I wore my father's ring for months without being
aware of its power. It wasn't until I specifically honed in on it with the intention of tapping into the energy that I became aware of the store it contained."
"But the reservoir is so . . . limitless," Brom reverently whispered. "Have you been adding to it for all these years?"
"Not as much personally, but the Eldunarí have done a great deal. The supply seems limitless, but a very intense, prolonged magical effort would realistically be able to deplete the
store. Mo
ther and I are concerned that I was advised to give this to you, Brom. It surely suggests you will need to use it, which means you will be engaging in some very serious magic. And the other gift I'm supposed to give you also supports that notion. Let me share it with you now."
Brom's father stopped speaking verbally but mentally continued, Angela instructed that I was to tell you the name of names. The name of the ancient language. Brom's eyes
widened and he disbelievingly shook his head, but his father firmly persisted, Are you ready? I only want to say it once, even like this.
Brom nodded solemnly and stared straight into his father's eyes as Eragon spoke the phrase that encompassed the powerful name. Brom repeated it once, but now that he had
heard it, he was sure he would never forget it. The name seemed only right. True. As all true names were.
His father then counseled, Guard it carefully, Brom. Even in your mind. There are some who could wrest that knowledge from you. I know you understand the magnitude of your
responsibility. I'm sorry to have to burden and endanger you with it, but Angela insisted.
But why, father! Brom cried. Why will I need to know this? Almost all of my effort has gone into mastering magic without use of the ancient language. And all evidence points to the
idea that my greatest magical struggle will be completely nonverbal.
Eragon reached out and reassuringly laid one hand on Brom's arm. I don't know, son. None of us know what you ten are expected to face. But I want you to know that I have faith
in your abilities. We—your parents—don't worry like we did when you all were younger. We are so proud of you, of the adults you have grown into. I am proud of you,
proud. And confident you will succeed in your role, whatever it is. If these gifts will help you triumph, I would be remiss in my duty as your father to withhold them from you.
His father paused for a moment, withdrawing his hand. Then he added, My only thought in answer to your question is that you might be able to discern wards that were cast in the
ancient language—even if the words used to formulate those wards were only thought mentally rather than spoken aloud—and then likewise use your mental knowledge of the name
of names to silently reverse those wards. Practice it if you can, with Blödhgarm or anyone else who will let you. Your skill in nonverbal use of magic has far exceeded mine, son. I
know you are capable of incredible things, things I can barely begin to comprehend.
Brom smiled gratefully. "Thank you, father. It means more than I can say to know you believe in me and are proud of me. I'm proud to be your son. I won't let you down."
"No, Brom," Eragon gently said. "You have never let me down. I am honored—as I always have been—to be your father. Fatherhood has been the greatest adventure of my life." A
knowing smile began to lighten his father's serious expression as he asked, "So how are things going with Brin? She seems more open to your desires than I have ever before seen
her."
Brom grinned, and with that, their conversation turned to less weighty matters. Brom considered it a better birthday present than a fabled and powerful Rider's artifact that his
father was Eragon Shadeslayer, and that such an important person would take the time to sincerely care about the seemingly trivial concerns in his life.
Not long after arriving back, Keeta announced to her friends that she would once again be leaving for Alagaёsia to continue buying and gathering supplies for the ship. Var
immediately offered to accompany her, as did Brin. Both knew that Keeta would be able to transport more provisions back to the Isle with three dragons rather than one.
Zadí wanted to stay home with her parents and younger siblings, and Brom wanted to remain so he could practice his magical skills with the elven spellcasters who lived on the
Isle. Ajh had flown back with Keeta to deliver her first load of supplies and also to return Hanna to her family, but he too decided to now fly home to Ilirea. Gerik stayed to
complete his initial six months of Dragon Rider training, which was the required duration before the first allowed visit home.
So the group of four left in the middle of spring to continue their efforts during the interlude before the Human Choosing Ceremony began.
Nefin stayed in Ellesméra longer than he originally intended. He helped Rhunön finish Keeta's axe and kept her company while she made his own and Keeta's brightsteel chain mail.
Then they worked together—though Nefin did almost all of the work under Rhunön's guidance, as he had with his own—to craft a bow and arrows as a gift for Keeta.
Nefin knew something about singing creations from wood, though he had never bothered to master the skill. But because he'd had an opportunity to begin learning with his own bow —and with Rhunön's help when needed—he sang a bow for Keeta from fine yew wood. It ended up being an almost identical though miniature match to his, which he decided he had
done intentionally for some reason.
When they were finally finished with their work, Nefin regretfully informed Rhunön that it was time for him to leave. He had enjoyed his time there far more than he expected after
the disastrous affair with Alanna, but he wanted to get back to the Isle and see his family. Hopefully he would also be able to see Keeta and present her with the gifts he had made.
Rhunön wished him well, and they said their farewells. Nefin scryed his mother before leaving to inform her that he would now be coming home, for he had previously told her not
to worry about him when he didn't show up with the rest of his peers.
Nefin arrived home quickly—even after a brief visit to his grandparents in Sílthrim—since as a single Dragon Rider traveling by himself, he could maintain a much swifter pace than
a group flying together. He was disappointed to learn that Keeta had left with Brin and Var over a week earlier. He considered flying to find them then decided against it, not
wanting to seem desperate. So he resigned himself to remaining on the Isle with his family until his three friends returned and they all left again for the Human Choosing Ceremony
in Ilirea.
It was the first morning of the Human Choosing Ceremony. The young Dragon Riders—save Keeta, who was still busily readying the ship—were gathered in Ilirea with their closest
friends from the Isle of the Eldunarí. Gerik had stayed on the Isle to continue his training with the more senior Dragon Riders who remained behind, and most of them would visit
their homes in Alagaёsia for a month or so around the end of the summer. That time of year had informally become the traditional Rider's holiday of sorts. But everyone usually
returned to the Isle of the Eldunarí around the same time that the newest Dragon Rider showed up for training in the beginning of the fall, provided that the Choosing Ceremony
didn't drag on interminably.
The parents and younger siblings of the Dragon Rider youth had also come to Ilirea and were enjoying a relaxing vacation while the oldest children oversaw the Choosing Ceremony
and Youth Camp.
Seven of the ten friends were now Dragon Riders, after Brin and Nefin had joined their ranks two and three years prior. Only Lena, Zadí, and Hanna had never been chosen. The
group had collectively decided that Ajh—who had just turned seventeen and had been a Dragon Rider for four years—would be the guardian Rider this year, since he was the only
fully human Dragon Rider youth and also the prince. But all of the human Dragon Riders, along with Brom, Will, Var, Nefin, and Brin, were prepared to participate since they
expected to move more rapidly through this Ceremony than any of the others in recent years.
After the introductory gathering with all of the young people ages sixteen to twentytwo, where Ajh explained how the Ceremony would proceed, Zadí found herself waiting with the
other human youth for her turn to meet the drag
on egg. She knew it would be no different this year from all of the other times she had appeared before the dragon eggs. Zadí was
sure she wouldn't be chosen, and she felt the same nagging resentment that she always stubbornly tried to quell.
She noticed many of the human boys eyeing her, some timidly, others admiringly. One tall boy, who was really more of a man already and must have been one of the oldest
attendees at the Ceremony, paid particular attention to her, and Zadí found herself feeling flattered by the silent attention. But the pleased feeling gave way to annoyance as Var
intentionally stepped between her and the man so as to block her from his sight.
"Var," she muttered. "What are you doing?"
"Protecting you, Izzie," Var lightly said. "From the lecherous eyes of an immoral man."
"Really, Var?" Zadí demanded. "How would you know? He's just looking at me. Like you always do, if I'm not mistaken."
"Yes, Zadí," Var agreed with an easy laugh. "But I've never looked at you like that and you know it. I see your beautiful soul along with your beautiful face. All he sees is your
beautiful face and body. Promise. I'm a male. I know how an unscrupulous male mind works, though I've never had one."
"Is that so?" Zadí said with feigned irritation, though she couldn't keep the smile from her face.
"Yes, that is so," Var said with mock gravity. "So come with me."
"No, Var!" Zadí exclaimed. "I haven't introduced myself to the egg yet."
"No problem. I'll wait and walk with you to the pavilion so we can be first for lunch."
"We just finished breakfast," Zadí pointed out, rolling her eyes but making no further objection since it was almost her turn. She took the egg when Ajh handed it to her, his eyes
twinkling. She smiled at him. "Time to meet the egg," she joked.
"Yep," Ajh agreed. "Old friends' reunion."
Zadí giggled. "Hi, in there," she said to the egg. "It's me. Zadí. We've met a hundred times, and I know it's still not my turn, so have fun finding your Rider." She handed the egg
back to Ajh. "See you around, guardian Rider," she teasingly exaggerated.
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