Chapter VI: Blue Fire
I dismounted Istal and walked over to the trampled ground and looked at the tracks carefully. "There were horses that passed this way, along with something else." I announced.
"The Ra'zac would've been those on horseback. This is Urgal work, you can tell by the spear it is their make. A company of them obviously came through here," Brom said as he dismounted and joined me in looking at the tracks. "Possibly as many as a hundred, which is quite odd. I know only few instances when they have gathered in such large numbers."
I jumped into a standing position, "They're still here!" I called out as I mounted Istal, Brom only seconds behind me.
"Ride," Brom hissed as he kicked Snowfire forward. Cadoc was next to leave with Eragon spurring him on after Snowfire.
Istal wouldn't go after them despite the amount of times I kicked him. I dismounted and tried to lead him however he wouldn't move. I mounted once again and whirled him around decided to take another path.
Istal cantered off quickly, I knew this meant that there was danger were Eragon and Brom had gone. A large yelp made me yank Istal around a corner to where there were four Urgals, Brom and Eragon. I gripped my sword in my right hand and forced Istal to charge at one of the Urgals.
I yelled loudly and caught two of the Urgals attention. Without hesitating, I lifted my sword and pulled Istal to a halt. Istal reared and pawed the air in front of him before kicking at the Urgal. Istal leapt forward which allowed me to swipe an attack at the same Urgal he had just kicked.
Eragon took off running with one Urgal following him. I cursed and got Istal to kick out before rearing and spinning in a circle so I could see all the Urgals. I took a deep breath and Istal charged at one of the Urgals, I leaned forward and sliced at him with my sword while the Urgal tried to slice at me with his axe.
I leaned back as the axe missed my midsection by mere luck. While the Urgal prepared for another cut I whirled my sword towards his neck. The Urgal pulled its large shield up to stop my blow, I instantly pulled back and came from the other side. The Urgal bellowed as I gave it a deep cut in its side.
The axe was heaved back and sliced at my leg, I gritted my teeth but didn't let the pain get to me as I turned Istal away from the fight. I turned just in time to see Snowfire rear and whinny with Brom slumped over with blood streaming from his arm.
Eragon yellowed and charged at the Urgal, I looked at the other two Urgals and cursed. I got Istal to canter over to Brom and I grabbed his sword. "Eragon take the other two, I've got these ones!" I shouted as I held a sword in each hand.
I had tied Istal's reins so they weren't in the way and using my legs and voice I got Istal to charge at the two remaining Urgals. With a sword in each hand, I swiped low before asking Istal to rear and kick at one while I traded blows with the other. I continued using this motion for a while before the Urgals changed attacking pattern and ganged up on me.
I got Istal to kick out and retreat towards an alleyway. I slipped my sword in its sheath and used my leg to hold the other sword by squeezing it to the side of my saddle.
I pulled my bow out and sent three arrows at each Urgal, just aiming to hit not aiming to kill. The Urgals both bellowed and charged I quickly changed back to swords and sent to low cuts at the Urgals before managing to give one a large cut in the neck.
Istal once again took off cantering, the two Urgals easily keeping pace behind me. A large blue fire bellowed out of an alleyway in front of me. Istal reared and bucked which caused me to fall. Istal raced off and I picked up my swords and leaned against a building wall.
My leg was in too much pain to put any weight on it however, I forced myself to hobble forward and attack the two Urgals. I managed to keep them off when I spotted a brown shape charging towards them. I had now gained a shallow cut on my arm and shoulder as well. A smile appeared on my face.
Istal took one Urgal by surprise and trampled him before getting between the other Urgal and I. I used Istal's attack to my advantage and I plunged one sword into the neck of the fallen Urgal and the other into his eye.
The Urgal screamed but died and I turned to the other Urgal and whistled at Istal to back away. Istal backed up and the Urgal charged at me, seeing its fallen comrade behind me.
I grunted as I deflected the axe to the side. I stumbled sideways to avoid another strike but slipped, both swords falling from my tired grasp. I could feel the sweet in my eyes and the pain from my injuries. I rolled away from another blow. I weakly kicked out at the Urgal's leg. The Urgal let out a laugh, knowing that I was now an easy kill.
My fingers scrambled around trying to find a sword or something to attack with. My right hand felt a wooden pole and pulled it closer to my body. I heaved the object and grabbed it with my other hand as well before using it to attack the Urgal's leg. The Urgal howled as the weapon, which turned out to be the fallen Urgal's axe, sunk into its leg. I shoved myself to my legs and leaned against Istal who appeared next to me.
Together we approached the Urgal who charged. Istal reared and kicked out, landing a strike at the Urgal. I swung my axe, which landed deep in the beasts' torso. I let the axe be and used the arrows from the quiver on my back as a weapon. Just as the axe came swinging towards Istal's neck I tackled the Urgal and managed to send him to the ground.
I stuck my arrows into the Urgal's eyes before pulling two more arrows out and plunging them into the Urgal's neck. The Urgal bellowed and tried to attack me. I rolled away and stood up. Leaning against a wall, I watched in horror and sick fascination as the Urgal rolled around and tried to get up. Eventually it stopped moving and breathing and I figured it was dead.
Istal slowly approached me, his coat shining from sweat with small cuts as well. I noticed blood down one side of the saddle and looked at my leg shakily. I quickly tore the bottom of my shirt and used it as a makeshift bandage. After tying that around my leg I did the same to my arm, however I couldn't do anything about my shoulder.
I managed to mount Istal, I then got him to walk to where I had seen the blue fire come from. Eragon was there leaning against a wall. I got Istal to walk over to him before dismounting as riding had been hurting my leg.
My legs buckled underneath me and I almost fell to the ground, if it hadn't been for Istal I would've fallen. I shook Eragon's shoulder and he looked over at me, exhaustion marring his features.
"C'mon let's go," I murmured tiredly.
Eragon nodded and stumbled out of the alleyway; Cadoc was there and trotted over. Together the two of us and the two horses start walking. "Glad you aren't hurt," Eragon mumbled, speaking for the first time since I had gotten to him.
As we reached the centre of the town, Brom was still slumped motionless in the saddle. I approached Snowfire, "Calm down boy." I said as I took the reins of the white stallion. The stallion pranced on the spot with flared nostrils and flat ears.
I stroked the stallion and he quickly calmed down enough for Eragon to approach him. Eragon and I looked at Brom's arm, which had a long, blood-soaked cut.
Eragon slid Brom out of the saddle, however Brom was dropped to the ground as Eragon showed how much the fight had taken out of him. A loud roar caused all three horses to start which caused me almost to fall. I swore loudly as I put weight on my leg before I fell to the ground.
Istal snorted and trotted back to me and I quickly grabbed Snowfire and Cadoc's reins while I leant against Istal. Saphira landed and hissed her tail lashing in anger.
"No," Eragon said as he laid Brom on his back, replying to some question that Saphira had asked.
"It'll do no good, I killed them," Eragon said apparently forgetting that I existed.
"Somehow," Eragon said as he grabbed some rags and started binding Brom's wound. "I sent an arrow at the two Urgals while shouting this word. The arrow caught alight with blue fire and killed them both."
Suddenly the pair realised I existed and turned to me, Eragon cursed softly, taking in my bloody appearance. "Don't worry not all of its mine, and I've already bandaged the wounds."
I watched as Saphira put Brom on her back, Eragon then put the leg straps around Brom and tightened them. The old man groaned and shifted before waking up.
"Did Saphira get here in time?" Brom questioned gazing at Eragon in concern.
Eragon shook his head, "I'll explain everything later. Your arm is injured, I bandaged it the best I could but for now you need a safe place to rest."
"Yes," Brom said before looking around in search of something.
"Brom," I said drawing the man's attention to me. "I have your sword. I used it for a bit."
"Ahh, that's all good," Brom said, "Are you injured badly?"
I shook my head despite the pain that was making me feel faint, "No."
"Saphira's going to take you so you can follow us by air." Eragon said.
"Are you sure you want me to ride her? I can ride Snowfire," Brom said.
"Not with that arm," I said, "This way, even if you faint you won't fall off."
Brom nodded and wrapped his good arm around Saphira's neck. "I'm honoured," he said just before Saphira leapt into the sky.
Eragon and I looked at each other and in union sighed. "Long day, eh?" Eragon said with a chuckle.
"Even longer week," I replied with a small smile.
Eragon took Snowfire and Cadoc from my hands and mounted Cadoc with Snowfire tied to Cadoc's saddle. I mounted Istal and walked beside him as we left the village. As we left the village, we started talking to each other as if we had known each other for many years.
Every so often Eragon would pause and I knew he was conversing with Saphira. As the light started to fade, Eragon lead me in a new direction. Eragon trotted while I kept Istal in a slow canter, which hurt my leg less.
When we entered the clearing, I doubted that anyone else would notice it. A small, smokeless fire was already burning when we entered the clearing. Brom sat next to it, tending to his arm, which he held at an awkward angle.
Saphira was next to him, her body tense.
Are you sure neither of you are hurt? Saphira asked, including me in her question.
I got off and almost fell to the ground, "You could say I'm hurt." I said as I limped over to the fire before sitting on the ground. I pulled my pant leg up and hissed as the fabric pressed against the wound.
I gently unbandage my leg, "Hey Brom, got some more boiled water?" I questioned with a grimace.
Brom, it turned out, did have a pot of boiled water over and I started washing the wound as Eragon took care of Istal for me. Istal didn't let Eragon do anything other than untack him, Eragon sat down next to me.
"How are you?" Eragon asked Brom.
"It's a large scratch and hurts terribly, should heal quickly though. I need to eat and you both look hungry so why don't we have dinner first and then talk?" Brom said.
With warm and fully bellies, Brom asked Eragon and I to explain what had happened when he was out.
In a short explanation, Eragon explained what had transpired and what he had done.
"Have you used this power before?" Brom said after a long time of silence.
"No, do you know anything about it?" Eragon questioned.
"A little." Brom's face was thoughtful. "It seems I owe you a debt for saving my life. I hope I can return the favor someday. You should be proud; few escape unscathed from slaying their first Urgal. But the manner in which you did it was very dangerous. You could have destroyed yourself and the whole town."
I rubbed my hands together nervously, only few escape? Count me as one of the lucky ones.
"Then tell me," challenged Eragon. "I've been searching for answers to this mystery, but I can't make sense of it. What happened? How could I have possibly used magic? No one has ever instructed me in it or taught me spells."
The sudden voice increase caused my head to jerk up and pay attention to the conversation. Brom's eyes flashed. "This isn't something you should be taught—much less use!"
"Well I have used it, and I may need it to fight again! But I won't be able to if you don't help me! What is wrong? Is there some secret I'm not meant to know until I'm old and wise? Or maybe you don't know anything about magic!" Eragon said throwing his hands in the world.
"Boy!" Brom roared in anger. "You demand answers with an insolence rarely seen. If you knew what you asked for, you would not be so quick to inquire. Do not try me."
Istal reared and neighed loudly, his fur shining in front of the fire. I knew he was getting nervous due to the shouting. "Calm down both of you. Brom, Eragon knows nothing about what you speak. He has been thrust into a world of strange things and he doesn't know the rules which no one will explain. Eragon, watch your words Brom is just trying to look out for you." I spoke in a sharp tone hoping to get through to them.
"Who are you to speak?" They both asked me venomously, I looked up at Istal who had calmed down and was standing by my side.
"Someone like you," I replied softly watching how the fire cast moving shadows onto Istal.
"I understand," Brom suddenly said softly as he fiddled with a piece of grass. "It is late and we should sleep but I will tell you, Eragon, a few things now to stop your badgering. This magic, because it is magic, has rules like the rest of the world. You break these rules and you die, no exceptions. Your deeds are limited by your strength, the words you know, and your imagination."
"What do you mean by words?" Eragon questioned his voice much softer than it had been.
"More questions." Brom said loudly sounding slightly amused and hysterical. "For a moment I'd hoped you were empty of such things. But you are right in asking, when you shot the Urgals, didn't you say something?"
"Yes, brisingr," a shiver went down my back as the fire flared brighter.
"I thought so, brisingr is a word from an ancient language that long ago all living things spoke. However, it was forgotten over time, and went unspoken for eons in Alagaësia, until the elves brought it back over the sea. They taught it to the other races, who used it for making and doing powerful things. The language has a name for everything, if you can find it."
"But what does that have to do with magic?" Eragon interrupted, Brom scowled at the young boy.
"Everything! It is the basis for all power, the language describes the true nature of things. Not just the superficial aspects that everyone sees. For example, fire is called brisingr. Not only is that a name for fire it is the name for fire. If you are strong enough, you can use brisingr to direct fire to do whatever you will. That is what happened today," Brom said puffing on his pipe.
Eragon asked yet another question and once more Brom replied. After yet another small speech Eragon and Saphira figured something out. "Saphira and I just realised something. You can use this magic can't you? That's how you started the fire on that day on the plains."
Brom inclined his head and nodded, "I am somewhat proficient in magic."
At this new revelation, my mind was whirling with different thoughts. I thought back to the past, had Brom shown signs of being a magician? Or being anything else for that fact? I frowned in thought, this meant that Brom was much more dangerous than I originally thought.
My mind thought back to when I had first met the pair and Saphira, I had been attacked in my mind hadn't I? Was that Brom, Saphira, or even Eragon doing it without knowing? I shook my head in confusion, it was too confusing when I was this tired.
"I mean this as a warning: don't try anything until you've learned more." Brom said obviously replying to another one of Eragon's questions.
"Brom, how would one know if that had magic and weren't a Dragon Rider?" I questioned.
Brom breathed out slowly before speaking, "Before our king was in power, people often went around and used a spell to find out who had it. However now that has greatly changed, lots of people can go around without knowing they have magic. Before the king was in power only people who had great potential were picked to learn magic."
I nodded my head slowly in understanding, "So you obviously had great potential."
"Yes," Brom said slowly as if making sure I wouldn't question him on the topic again.
Soon silence enveloped the clearing, I stared into the fire thinking. "Umaroth," my head jerked towards Eragon as my name was called.
"What are the marks on your throat?" I raised one hand to my throat and a grimace crossed my face. "They look a lot like teeth marks," Eragon continued ignoring my obvious displeasure.
I sighed and got up, my leg had already gone stiff so I whistled and hobbled towards the water. Istal stood next to me and I walked with him into the water before leaning over and scrubbing at one of his legs. I then washed the dirt away from my throat quickly before I led the both of us out of the water.
"They are teeth marks," I said as I got Istal to stand still. "I almost died from them, if it wasn't for Istal I would've died. Then again it was partly his fault," I said.
I leant down and point out the white scars on Istal's leg, which had previously been covered with dirt. "That's from the same thing, we were attacked by wolves."
I let Istal wonder off and returned to my place by the fire. Eragon looked at me curiously, "What happened?"
"Well, I was leading Istal along a road by the edge of the Spine. Istal wasn't listening to me so I decided to ride him instead. Long story short, I got thrown off and Istal bolted. I was circled by wolves and managed to stop them from attacking me for a bit. However, a mistake on my part allowed me to be pinned and the wolf had its jaws around my neck. Hence, the scars on my neck however Istal came back and shoved the wolf off me and fought the wolves. Istal got bitten and around the leg before he chased them off." I said summing up my story.
"Why were you alone?" Brom asked.
I scowled at the old man and glared at the ground, "Mother had to stay behind and my Father and sister died."
"Where's your Mother now?" Eragon asked.
"Dead," I answered in an angry tone, mainly angry with myself for not having saved her.
With that, we went to sleep.
