Eragon snuggled next to Saphira. He recalled the events of the last four weeks in his head; the easiest way to keep some thoughts out of your mind was to think of others. And he dreaded thinking of Morzan and the suffering Morzan had inflicted on the inhabitants of Alagaesia: dragons, dwarves, elves, humans, and Riders. How long ago was the Battle of the Burning Plains? It was only four weeks ago. But I have changed so much since.

Aye. Saphira agreed. You have become so withdrawn since. She turned to look at him. What prompted this change in you? Was it what Murtagh said?

It was. I don't get it. Why didn't people tell me before? Brom knew. Oromis certainly knew; Brom would have confided in him. Were they scared of me, that I would turn into my father?

We already had this conversation before, replied Saphira wearily. Remember Arya and Nasuada. They were shocked, yes, but did not view you differently from before.

Eragon remembered. They had indeed comforted him. He thought of the Varden. Upon his advice, Nasuada had decided to march the Varden back to Farthen Dur after the battle. If the Varden moved to Surda, then it would be taking a more aggressive, exposed position in the war, one that Eragon felt that the Varden would not be able to keep. After all, Murtagh's and Galbatorix's strength greatly outmatched his. No, the Varden would need to wait and hope some more, and Eragon would need more training with Oromis and Glaedr.

After the battle, Eragon and Saphira had rushed ahead of the Varden to Farthen Dur. After the dwarfen king Hrothgar had died, the dwarves needed a new leader - one that would support the Varden. Nasuada had felt that Eragon, who was a member of the Dûrgrimst Ingeitum dwarf clan, could persuade the dwarves to elect Orik as king. She had therefore sent Eragon and Saphira to attend the dwarf clan meetings, and hopefully influence the election process. Eragon remembered the frustration he had endured during those clan meetings. The dwarves seemingly felt no sense of urgency, bickering over trivial issues. Finally, after three weeks of deadlock, Orik had managed to win the election by a narrow margin. During the coronation, Saphira had managed a enormous feat of magic, repairing the Isidar Mithrim. Eragon and Saphira had then started towards Ellesmera only the previous day.

Eragon's mind drifted towards Arya. He had been distressed upon learning that Arya would not be accompanying them to Ellesmera; as an ambassador and diplomat, she had duties with the Varden. After Eragon's foolish behavior at the Blood-Oath Celebration, Eragon's friendship with Arya had been tense, not relaxed at all. Eragon wished that Arya was with him now so that he would have an opportunity to patch up any rifts between their friendship.

Sighing, Eragon closed his eyes and fell asleep.

The next day, rider and dragon continued their way to Ellesmera, stopping only for meals. In the afternoon, Eragon noticed something odd in the distance with his Elven senses. Saphira! Look ahead! That looks like a building by the Elves. Its structure is certainly too graceful for any human building.

How odd. Should we go check it out? It doesn't look like anyone's there.

Yes, Saphira. Besides, if they turn out to be enemies, we can deal with them.

With that said, Saphira angled her flight to the building. The sun dipped lower and lower down the horizon as they flew on.

By sunset, they had reached the building. With his sharpened vision, Eragon could see someone - an old man - walking outside the house sized building. He had a long beard which reached his knees and was thin but tall. As Eragon and Saphira flew overhead, he looked up. "Greetings, Rider!" he called, showing a row of golden teeth in his mouth. Eragon studied the man's face closer. The man had gaunt, hollow cheeks, tangled, long hair, and his eyes carried a look of madness in them. The man beckoned Eragon to land.

We can't trust this man, however frail he looks, Saphira said. We shall continue our journey.

Aye. Eragon agreed, and without saying a word, rider and dragon flew on unhindered.

The old man muttered something, then went inside the house.

In a few days, Saphira and Eragon had entered the lush forest of the elves, Du Weldenvarden. They were rapidly reaching Ellesmera.

I want to go directly to Oromis, Eragon told Saphira, a hint of anger and frustration in his tone.

Of course, Saphira replied calmly. For your peace of mind. However, remember - we must be respectful.

Eragon snorted. Is keeping us, me, in the dark, respectful?

Saphira hesitated, then said, I trust Oromis and Glaedr. They did this probably for your own good. Anyways, we aren't even sure that they know about your father.

They flew on in silence for half an hour. Eragon could see his masters' cottage up ahead, situated at the edges of a cliff. Oromis and Glaedr were waiting outside.

"Hello, Eragon!" Oromis cried. "Hello, Saphira!"

Greetings, Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Barjutskular.

As Saphira began landing, Eragon, impatient to confront his masters, jumped off her back. The ground flew up to meet him twenty feet down, and Eragon landed soundly on his two feet. Eragon greeted Oromis and Glaedr rather coldly. They had better explain this whole mess about me being Morzan's son.

Oromis beckoned Eragon into his cottage. "Come. We shall have a cup of tea, and then talk about whatever you are so impatient about."

A tide of anger rose in Eragon, but he forced it down. It would do him no good to lose his temper with his masters. Instead, he sat in the chair Oromis offered him. Oromis handed Eragon a cup of tea.

"Thank you, ebrithil," Eragon murmured. He sipped his tea.

Oromis smiled. "You forgot to check it for poisoning."

Eragon scowled at Oromis. He was too angry with Oromis for jokes. Although all he wanted to do was to stand up and shout at Oromis, he forced his body to remain seated. After a moment's hesitation, Eragon forced a smile.

"So why have you come for this sudden visit?" Oromis asked calmly. He sipped tea. "You know that you can rest for today and tomorrow. You've had a long journey, and I'm sure you would be eager to rest."

Eragon could not control his temper. He stood up abruptly, knocking his chair to the floor. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell me that Morzan was my father? Certainly you know. Certainly you knew that he was my father. Was I not to be trusted with such information? Were you scared that I might turn into Morzan?" Eragon asked, voice bitter.

Oromis sighed. "Please sit, Eragon."

Eragon glared at his master for a brief second or two, then slowly sat.

"Eragon, if I had told you that Morzan was your father, how would you have reacted? You know that you would have been very distressed by the news. Eragon, you are young, and you are not used to such a shock or such emotional distress. No. I'm sorry. You are young, and you were not ready. It was for your own good. We did not want you to become distracted from your training, because the fate of Alagaesia was much more important than that. Besides, you were so young and innocent, I did not want to cause you needless pain."

Eragon laughed bitterly. "So I am denied everything for my own good. I was denied intimate, personal knowledge, which surely, I deserved to know, for my own good, was I? I am denied Arya's-"

Eragon. Careful, Saphira warned.

"Sorry, ebrithil. I did not mean to talk about that. But it's true."

Glaedr touched Eragon's mind. You must understand, it was for your own good. We had hoped that you would have not heard of this at all, until you matured more, until you learned to handle such information. Remember, we could not predict that Murtagh would disclose such information to you. We never meant for you to be hurt in that respect. Forgive us, Eragon. We made the folly of assuming the young - for you are young - would not have experienced much shock and pain in their life. But we forgot that you have suffered more, gone through more hardship than many of the elves had. We wanted to make sure that you were more experienced, you understand?

Eragon opened his mouth to protest, but saw the good intentions behind Oromis's and Glaedr's actions. He took a deep breath, then said, "I'm sorry Master Oromis, Master Glaedr. I have let my anger and frustration control me, cloud my mind."

Oromis nodded. "If it helps, look at the issue from a different perspective. Morzan may be your biological father, but otherwise, he is father only in name. Our fathers influence us, help us grow. Forgive me for letting my pride speak for me, but I am your father more than Morzan is, in that sense. I am proud to be your teacher. Brom was your father more than Morzan was. Garrow too."

Eragon felt his cheeks turn red. Oromis had honored him, calling Eragon his own son, and saying he was proud of being his teacher. His master didn't praise people lightly, he had learned, and so compliments like this were very encouraging. "Thank you, ebrithil. You have honored me a lot. I am sorry for my rude behavior towards you."

"Don't be," Oromis replied. "I understand that such a terrible piece of information is not easy to digest, to live with. However, do not let it bother you. Do not let who your father is define who you are."

Exactly what I've been telling you all along, little one, Saphira told Eragon smugly.

"I will keep that advice in mind, ebrithil," Eragon replied.

"Then you are excused. There will be no class today or tomorrow, so you can rest."

Eragon bowed, then climbed Saphira and flew away, pondering what was just said.