"Where is Roland?" asked Queen Islanzadi as she looked around the table.
No one had seen the rider since his arrival back to Ellesmera. She sighed heavily and nodded to one of the elves to go and fetch the sleeping rider. Roland was sprawled about his bed. His blanket had found its way to the floor and his pillow rested over his face. There came a knock on his door.
"Master Roland . . . you have an audience with the Queen."
Roland removed the pillow from his face and stared at the elf through his screen door.
"Ah . . . right . . . be right there."
Roland turned over and groaned. Then he lifted himself up out of his bed and got dressed. He placed his boots on, then his shirt and as he left his quarters he tucked it in. He yawned as he entered the Queen's room. Sitting in a circle were the elders, Eragon, Orik, Nari, Lifaen and Arya. Roland greeted them all. He took a seat.
"Roland we have all been extremely happy at your return, but also curious about your absence?"
Roland was silent as he looked at all their faces. Then he took a deep breath.
"As you all know I left 25 years ago on my 118 birthday. . ."
Eragon stared at him.
He's 143!
Roland is much older then we thought just like how we were mistaken with Arya.
But in the memory he said he was only 18.
He can change his memories so those searching for something can not find it.
Explains his knowledge of the fall and why Sirrush is so large.
Eragon's attention went back to Roland who stood quietly.
"I left because of the growing concern about Galbortarix. When my kingdom was first attacked my mother made be promised as she lay dying in my arms that I would send the dragons away." Roland watched as everyone's interest grew. "I did and I left because I needed to find them. Many of them are still dormant, but I found their riders."
"Where are they?" asked Islanzadi.
"They will come when they are needed."
"How many?" asked Orik.
"5 are all that remain including 2 dragons without riders."
Once again the group was quiet as they thought over this. None of them could believe it there were 8 dragons that had gone unknown. Their hopes of defeating the king had just looked brighter, but could Roland insure that they would arrive in time?
"What has become of Vroengard since you last saw it?" asked an elder.
"The ruins are still there. Much of the castle still remains."
"Who will rule if it is every rebuilt?" Arya finally spoke.
"When I set foot inside the castle I remembered my inheritance given to me just after my father had died I was given this . . ." he removed his shirt and burned onto the right side of his chest was a dragon wrapped around a "V".
"What is it?" asked Eragon.
"It's the mark of a king . . ."