50 ABU

Knock knock. Eragon dropped his quill onto his desk with a sigh of relief. He had been looking forward to an excuse to cease writing all morning. When he had defeated Galbatorix years ago he thought that would be the most difficult part of his life. With all the agreements to be signed, messages to be considered, and pleas for help, running the Riders was a full time job and almost made him wish the Mad King was back, if for nothing other than some excitement. His eyes brushed against the fairth. He found it ironic. For all of his immortality and youthful looks, he felt older than he thought ever possible; much more than the version of him on the slab.

Momentary distraction aside, he called out, "come in." Serrin entered the room. In order to make sure the Riders were operating efficiently, Eragon had his first two Riders, Vah Gurrah and Gimli, in Alagaësia to oversee the active Riders. Serrin stayed in Breoal to help him with managing the order and teaching the young Riders. She had no appetite for the fighting active duty in Alagaësia required. "Sir, you have messages from all of the main leaders of Alagaësia." Eragon raised his eyebrow, curiosity piqued. It wasn't uncommon to get messages from the leaders but all of them at the same time was rare. Messages had once been slow to send but became much faster when Eragon implemented a system where several Riders and their dragons stayed at several points along the journey, ferrying messages from one station to the next. With this speedy system, Eragon's mail came in manageable amounts, not massive, infrequent dumps. Serrin handed Eragon several pieces of parchment and he groaned knowing that more writing was in order.

Tornac Murtaghson, High King of Alagaësia:

Eragon Shadeslayer, today celebrates a momentous occasion. 50 years have passed since your improbable victory against Galbatorix. The bards have not forgotten you or Saphira. Even now, the epics of your journey are sung across Alagaësia. I am proud to know that my parents fought alongside you in the war, especially my father's actions at the end. I am sorry that you were unable to come to my mother's funeral a year ago but am appreciative of the contingent of Riders that were present. I know that she was very fond of you and considered you a dear friend. On the behalf of the humans of Alagaësia and King Bras of Surda, we thank you for all you have done. We owe you an immense debt of gratitude.

Eragon let a single tear slide down his cheek. He hadn't even known of Nasuada's parting. His work kept him so busy he couldn't even keep track of his closest friends. He numbly read through the other letters.

As King and foster brothers I thank you… Firesword, it has been many years… Uncle, it has been some time… Shur'tugal, the elves- Eragon threw them all out. He didn't need praise, he didn't need others to grovel to him. Serrin just gave him a knowing look and backed out of his office. Eragon considered his options. He knew that many Riders would want to celebrate the defeat of Galbatorix. He didn't. The fight against Galbatorix was necessary, but he had lost so much because of it. He walked out of his office to Saphira. The two spent the rest of the day in a deep state of meditation. Their minds were so melded that they were completely one. For many days on Breoal, Riders would whisper to each other trying to figure out why Eragon was crying. They didn't know the sacrifices that had been made for the peace in Alagaësia.

97 ABU

Eragon blinked his eyes open immediately wanting to know why he had been awakened. While he was still technically leader of the Riders, and he did wield the authority entailed, he had long since passed on the daily operational tasks to Vah Gurrah. Eragon wasn't normally needed. Saphira loomed large over him. There is an important message from Carvahall. Eragon leaped away from Saphira and started sprinting towards the hall of Breoal. While Roran had passed away decades prior, and Ismira since, his family still presided there and felt a responsibility to watch over his cousin's descendants and his old home. As he entered the main room he saw an Elvish rider he had trained in 60 ABU named Myric standing next to an unknown human girl. Strange. Eragon made it his business to know every single Rider and dragon under his command. He figured she must be bearing a message and assumed for the worst if it had to be delivered in person. "Myric, I was told there is an urgent message?"

"I am the message." Eragon turned to face the unknown girl. "I am Selena." A thought raced across Eragon's mind as he looked closer at her. Before he could verbalize it she continued. "I am the daughter of Suzie, daughter of Chloe, daughter of Rachel, daughter of Ismira, daughter of Katrina." Eragon nodded slowly. This was his niece, several times removed. "Why are you here?" Eragon thought he knew, he needed to hear it though. "An egg hatched for me. I wish to become a rider as you are, Uncle."

133 ABU

Eragon sat down, watching his order at work. In 133 years he had rebuilt the Riders. The problem now was one of quantity. His original hall had only ever been designed for 100 riders and the elves who originally came with him. They had long since left with their purpose complete and many Riders who could protect the island now. Even with the reclaimed space the halls were filled. Eragon and the Eldunari discussed the next step. The plan was to destroy the first hall and start building a city like Doru Araeba had once been. There would be residential buildings, food areas, recreational areas, hunting zones, parks, anything that could be needed. Eragon brought all non-required Riders – all except one for each race – back to Breoal and had work started. With their combined power they were able to do the work quickly. They tapped into vast amounts of power within the dragons and enchanted the stone to grow itself into desired shapes for the buildings. They sang songs of growth and renewal for the flora to come. With their work done a party was had. The first one Eragon had gone to in years. The first since he left Orik in Hedarth.

The next morning Eragon set about putting his new office together. Writing utensils, check. Parchment, check. Scrying mirror, check. Books, check. Fairth, check. Satisfied, Eragon decided that he wanted to scry something. "Draumr kópa" Eragon didn't know what he wanted to see and let the spell look through him and select itself. The mirror defogged and an image appeared. It was a mountain, solid black, Helgrind. Eragon was pleased to see that his prior assumption was wrong. It appeared that the magic protecting Helgrind from nature was lifted. Some foliage was on the mountain. He knew that the old priests of Dras Leona would never allow this. The terrible religion of the Ra'zac was finally dead alongside the beasts themselves.

198 ABU

A roar tore across New Vroengard. Eragon sat at his desk wondering which Rider/dragon duo felt the need to show off with such a massive call, not that many could. Extending his mind to others on the island he felt something he didn't expect, fear. They were not happy with whoever made that roar. Eragon was concerned but mostly confused. Who could it be? Eragon, come outside, now! Eragon felt the dread coming across his link with Selena and started heading for the exit. As he was stepping outside of the door to his hall, another large roar sounded out, this time from Saphira. Eragon smiled slightly knowing that it was the sound of a friendly challenge, not one geared towards an enemy. Breoal was safe.

In the sky was a dragon. This dragon was massive. Older than almost every other on the island. Its scales were a vibrant red. Eragon grinned and mentally told the Riders not to fear the newcomers. He headed out to greet the two personally. As the Rider unsaddled, Eragon went in for a hug. "It has been too long… Brother."

"So it has, Eragon." The two oldest humans stood there for a minute allowing their minds to catch up with their emotions. Eragon was inwardly stunned though. He hadn't spoken to Murtagh since they went separate ways at Uru'Baen. Eragon knew that Murtagh had made his way back to Nasuada but he was gone by the time Eragon had found out. He had stayed long enough to become a sire and continue the line of the new rulers of the humans. Eragon could have used the name of the Ancient Language to breach Murtagh's defenses and find/speak to him years earlier, but would never breach Murtagh's trust like that. He knew that Murtagh walked a lonely road, much lonelier than Eragon's. He needed alone time to put himself together.

"So, are you back for good this time?"

"Yes"

"Let me show you around. Your room is ready. We've been expecting you for a long time."