I don't own the Inheritance Cycle or the Twilight Saga.

Chapter Nine: Journey Back to Alagaesia

(Vanir Point of View)

The older Eragon had offered to him to let him ride. "It'll be easier," his melodic voice said. "Thorn will move slower, having to be towed. Eragon, being more used to moving more like an elf or human would be better for Eyla to ride with. I'd scare her too much. But you are the ambassador, and you need to get used to vampires."

"Will Eragon scare Eyla?" Vanir asked, as Bid'Daum dipped his head to him in greeting.

Tilting his head, Eragon considered. "Possibly," Eragon admitted. "But Eragon has unusual control from a newborn. I've known of only one other vampire like that, Bella Cullen. You may meet her yet before this is over. The Volturi have a tumultuous relationship with the Olympic coven, but for something on this scale, they may be willing to work together. Considering how close they and the Denali coven are, they and a few others will be more threatened by all this going on than most."

It was curious, and Vanir considered. In a flash, the saddle was on Bid'Daum. 'You nervous?' the sound waves sounded in Vanir's ears and he started. Bid'Daum was speaking to him for the very first time.

"A little," Vanir admitted. "I've never flown on a vampire dragon before. You're faster than anything."

'I'll be gentle,' Bid'Daum promised and stretched his wings. 'I know that you can't stand the velocity that a vampire can.'

The others were ready to go, and Eragon motioned for Vanir to get in the saddle. Vanir couldn't help but cast a glance at Thorn. "Thorn moves slower."

"We'll be towing him," Eragon murmured, watching Vanir as he got in the saddle. Eyla crawled into Saphira's saddle and the younger Eragon leaped onto Saphira next. Eragon the older watched him. "There is much I will be teaching my new apprentices. Yes, we're immune to magic and can't use magic directly. But indirectly we can. Not many know that. The magic has to be gathered from the environment instead."

"Can magic then be used indirectly on you?" Vanir asked.

"No," Eragon replied and Vanir started when Eragon was suddenly behind him. His heart sped up, and he remembered what Eragon had told him. He wasn't going to cater to him. He had to learn how to be around other vampires. "You need to calm your heart beat," Eragon whispered into his ear. "A vampire can smell your fear and hear it in the heartbeat."

Doing his best to calm down, he wasn't prepared for the lurch as he went into the air. And Thorn screeched as he was somehow towed at a speed that he couldn't produce. Looking back, Vanir wondered if it was the older Eragon's doing. "Is it you?" he asked the vampire behind him.

Eragon shook his head. "Jane and Alec know enough about Alagaesian magic as they've known many vampire riders and their dragons. They already had the knowledge to pass onto Eragon. That said, Eragon could learn a bit more control. It's harder for vampires to gauge just how fragile your kinds are. It wouldn't harm a vampiric dragon, but it could a regular dragon. I can tell he's let off some, though, since he's seen Thorn's reaction, so Thorn will be fine."

It was disconcerting, and Vanir didn't know what to think. So, he observed the vampires, and wolves, already at the horizon, waiting for them. "How different was our culture when you were an elf?" he decided to keep the conversation going. According to Jane, who had finally calmed down enough to speak with him and Eyla, this trip would only last a few hours for them, taking into account that Thorn had to be towed and would therefore slow them down the most,and the fact that vampire dragons were slower than vampires and wolves. That showed the pure speed with which these creatures could move.

"I wouldn't know," Eragon admitted. "I don't really remember the elves. Memories can fade over time. But I remember enough. However, you're the first elf I've interacted with since I turned, discounting those I accidentally or purposefully turned, of course. And the elf I accidentally killed when I first turned."

"Why would you turn others?" Vanir was curious.

"Sometimes you grow lonely," Eragon admitted. "I wanted a companion, but sometimes companions don't stick around forever. Not a mate, mind you. A companion is not always a mate. But other times, I encountered others who were dying. I couldn't help it, seeing them, and knowing they would die if I did nothing. So, I turned them."

"And do you have a coven?" Vanir's curiosity was growing.

"Yes," Eragon admitted. "And all are riders. Former elves and former humans. I turned other riders, however, vampires, even vegetarians, can find it hard to exist in large covens. Prey is one issue. So, eventually we split up. There are other vampiric rider covens out there besides the ones I've turned. We're all friends and interact, visiting one another occasionally. However the territories we have simply can't support all of us together. All of us travel between territories."

"Then where are they?" Vanir asked.

"You've seen them," Eragon confirmed. "I can see it in your eyes. I know you have. However, this region is simply holding too many vampires and can't support anymore, especially since there will be another vampire soon, and a newborn at that. Murtagh will need to feed more often. And we have to be able to hunt. So, we're keeping in contact with Jane and Alec. Besides, Jane and Alec don't want us too close. I... may have spoiled that possibility years ago."

"Because you tried to get too close to Jane?" Vanir dared to ask.

Eragon snorted. "I don't appreciate the prying, Vanir. Nor will other vampires, be warned. And others will be far less patient. But yes. Curious, though, how she seems more attached to this new Eragon. And no, I'm not jealous," he added, as if sensing Vanir's question. "A little happy for her though. I would like to be friends with her, if and Alec if I can. However it can take them a few thousand years to calm down from a slight. Besides, vampires can be fairly territorial. I don't want to start a fight between covens. They don't really appreciate others hunting in their territory, even if both are vegetarian. So, Bid'Daum and I have to leave just to hunt so we don't irk them."

Bid'Daum popped in at that point. 'You have to gain permission to hunt in another's territory. But there are simply too many that we don't dare ask. Besides, Jane and Alec won't likely give permission.'

"There's lots of unclaimed territory though," Eragon was thoughtful. "So it's not really a big deal."

"And what do you think of the new Eragon?" Vanir wanted to know. Would his friend be accepted by the original Eragon?

"He has strong instincts," Eragon considered. "And I can tell Jane and Alec have been training him for battle. They must really care about him, more than they let on. He seems a promising student, so I look forward to getting to know him. Moreover, I'm pleased that he's vegetarian like me. It's split fifty fifty in the vampiric world. Perhaps we shall be friends."

In many ways, Vanir let out some tension that he didn't realize that he'd been holding. Eragon had his namesake's approval. Another question came to his mind then. "Are all vampire riders vegetarian?"

"No," Eragon admitted. "Some simply like the traditional diet. But most are. About three fourths of vampire riders are vegetarian. And to answer your question that I know is bound to be brewing within you since you still can't seem to fathom that a vampire is a vampire, whether they originated as elf or human, yes, some of the traditional vampire riders were elves in the previous life."

Vanir shuddered, but he also took the reprimanding from Eragon. The man knew that he that he still struggled to understand how a former elf could follow a traditional diet, growing up believing that all life was precious. This was Eragon's way of reminding him that they were vampires, not elves, no matter how hard it was for Vanir to wrap his mind around the concept. Eragon, his friend Eragon, had tried to tell him, but this Eragon was trying even harder to help him understand that. No matter what they previously were they weren't elves anymore and couldn't be considered from an elvish standpoint. They were vampires.

"It goes against your understanding," Eragon gently confirmed. "But that kind of thinking will get you killed. Don't think that a traditional vampire who was a former elf will stop to kill you just because you try to plead on the grounds of your elvish beliefs. That will not stop them. It may, in fact, irk them and make them want to kill you faster. Vampires don't like annoying humans, elves, or any other creature that is annoying. And some are far less patient. You can't consider a vampire based on what they were in their previous life. That has no bearing on what they are currently."

"How can someone turn away so quickly from how they were raised?" Vanir still struggled.

"Memories from the previous life are blurry," Eragon was soft. "Not to mention, the instincts of this life run strong, stronger than in the previous life. If we loved in the previous life, we may turn the one we loved. And we take our talents into the next life. But that is the extent that our former life will affect us. It doesn't necessarily pass on beliefs of the previous life except in rare cases, such as Carlisle. Even then, he wasn't human anymore and did not think like a human. He merely carried his gift of compassion into the next life, his special gift. Our turning is very much a birth, a new life."

"What about friends?" Vanir asked. "Are they forgotten?"

"Usually, unless the friendship or bond was so strong that you can't exist without them. But everyone else, family, friends, everything is left behind and forgotten. It simply has no bearing. It has no meaning."

It was hard for Vanir. Eragon was still somewhat attached to others he had loved, but he was beginning to realize that was rare. Would Murtagh forget him? They were starting to form a friendship, after all. He'd hate to see that friendship stopped because Murtagh was turned.

And why was Eragon the exception to this rule? "How?" he asked. "Eragon?"

Eragon seemed to understand his question. "I think he took love with him into the next life. All our gifts get heightened, but not all are visual or dramatic displays. Vampires are gifted, yes, but sometimes more than one thing gets heightened that in many ways are gifts. Bella is a shield, like she was in her previous life, and that was heightened. But she also had sharp detection skills, and even more she appears to have had a sense of the vampire rules to the extent where it affected her in the next life. She had abnormal self control.

"Eragon seems to have taken more than one thing into this life as well. His dramatic elemental gifts, but also self control and love. These would have had some bearing on him in his previous life, like Bella's gifts did, even if they weren't always so visible or obvious."

"Then it's more because of his gifts," Vanir was confused.

"Undoubtedly," Eragon confirmed. "I'm gifted in the normal vampiric sense, like Eragon. I'm the only one in my coven who is. It's not a strong or powerful gift, like Eragon, or what Jane and Alec have, but it's useful at times. But I also have minor gifts, like Bella and Eragon has. I guess you could say one of the minor gifts I took with me was my curiosity."

"And what's the major gift?" Vanir's own curiosity was sparked.

Eragon chuckled some. "I can affect others to an extent to follow my leadership, to persuade. But it's not as strong as what other vampires who have that gift can do. As you can see, I was unable to reconcile with Jane and Alec completely. And they were able to drive me off originally. But, I can affect others just enough, and it was enough for them to let me stay this time around. It's more feeling oriented than others. But I can't affect feelings to the extent that Jasper can. Just enough. That said, I can't affect others choices, including whether or not they like me. And I can't get others to do something that they don't want to do, unlike other vampires with more powerful gifts in this area than me. Jasper can."

Vanir had no idea who Jasper was. But he moved on anyways, logging it in his mind for later. "So you stay," Vanir guessed. "Will they know, when you leave?"

"Will they know that I've affected them? They already know. They know what gifts I possess. But they know that I will be more useful for their coven mate so they don't want to be driving me off again."

"So it had a bearing in your previous life?" Vanir guessed, thinking back into history. "Was that why you were able to raise Bid'Daum and create the riders, end the war?"

"Possibly," Eragon guessed.

'I always liked being with Eragon though,' Bid'Daum piped up. 'He never did anything against my will. I always had free choice.'

"That said, I seem to recall that I always did have a persuasion in my previous life that was handy at solving tensions," Eragon chuckled. "But it's too fuzzy to recall correctly."

Vanir didn't say anything more. He decided to remain quiet.

(Previously)

(Morzan Point of View)

Morzan paced around the library. He was cold and hungry. They'd been provided some food three times a day, but sometimes it wasn't enough. The only time they were let out was to use the bathroom. That was it. Otherwise, they were locked in the library.

While he worried for his sons, at the same time, he was worried for his dragon. He felt distress a number of times, but was unable to communicate with him. His friend hadn't decided on a name yet, neither had the dragons of the other Forsworn members, so he simply called him the red dragon.

Kialandia and Formora were talking quietly, discussing things. "It's no use!" Kialandi threw his hands in the air. "They'll catch us! They're too fast!"

"They probably heard you now anyways," Formora was sour.

Lord Davien stayed away from them, too afraid of them. Morzan snorted. Compared to these unusual creatures, he was far safer to be around.

About three days later, Riley Biers showed up, his expression cold. Everyone was cautious and Lord Davien was trembling in the corner, as far away from the creature as possible.

Riley stopped in front of the Forsworn. "You three, come," he commanded coldly.

They all exchanged glances, but knowing they had no choice, they complied. None the less, they hoped it wasn't their death they were going towards.

Walking out into the darkness as it was now nighttime, the moonlight gleamed in through the windows of the vast estate. They followed Riley Biers to another room, a drawing room, and Riley shut the door when they were all in. Then he turned back to them.

The three of them stood as close together as possible, afraid and apprehensive. But Riley walked to the side of the room. "Want some juice?" he asked, cool in his tone.

Kialandi was careful. "I wouldn't mind," his voice was soft.

They were each given a glass of juice. Riley began as they drank slowly. "You're probably wondering why your still alive, especially since Murtagh hates his father." Morzan flinched. The deep red eyes bored into him. "Yet, I know that humans and elves have a bond that exists due to kinship. That's why your still alive. One is the father, the other two of you are the friends of the father. You have an undeniable connection. That's enough for me and my coven to work with."

"Why do you want them?" Morzan dared to ask, setting his cup down, trembling.

Riley narrowed his red eyes. "Analisa's coven has someone I want. She's an old friend. She wants Eragon and Murtagh. I need a fair exchange in order to get my friend back."

"And once you have Eragon and Murtagh?" Formora was careful. "What then?"

"You die," Riley was blunt. "And your dragons. You'll all be a useful meal. Can't have food going to waste. Can't say what Analisa will do with Eragon and Murtagh, then."

Morzan shivered. It wasn't a fate he was looking forward to. "Why does she want Eragon and Murtagh?"

"I have no idea," Riley snorted. "And I really don't care. As long as I get what I want, then I'm satisfied."

"This hostage, why do you need her? Why would you be friends with someone like us, as we're assuming based on what Lord Davien said?" Formora countered, knowing prying was a risk. But Riley seemed to be for sharing, so why not?

"She's gifted," Riley explained, clearly not bothered with sharing. "I don't expect you to understand. But she's useful. They know she's gifted, however she's unlikely to work with them. I've... made an impression on her. Yet, to kill her would be a risk as I'm rather fond of her. They're not quite ready to go to war with me yet. And, if they kill her, they won't get Eragon and Murtagh."

"Why can't they get Eragon and Murtagh themselves?" Kialandi pushed.

"Because I grabbed you before they did. I acted quickly on an opportunity. As long as I have you, I have negotiating power."

"That doesn't explain Eragon and Murtagh," Morzan pitched in, trying to figure the situation out. "Why not simply grab my sons?"

Riley snorted. "Eragon I can't grab. And he has a powerful coven protecting him. He's taken Murtagh under wing, and that means Murtagh is out of our reach as well as Eragon's coven is protecting him as well. I can't compete against Jane and Alec."

"And why would your kind protect our kind?" Kialandi sneered, finding the idea unlikely.

Riley rolled his eyes. "Sometimes our kind simply likes having pets."

"Pets!" Formora was miffed at the term. "We're not pets!"

"Regardless, a powerful coven surrounds them," Riley was firm. "I'm unlikely to get close to them. That means I need to lure them away from protection."

"Won't you risk bringing their coven on you?" Kialandi folded his arms.

"Not if I play it right," Riley was careful, and Morzan spotted his opportunity. Riley wasn't entirely sure. He was trying to play the game as safely as possible, but even he knew there was a chance he wouldn't succeed.

He couldn't risk exchanging a glance with his companions. But he knew there was chance, and he could only hope that they had spotted it. If they could somehow get in the protection of this coven, then they'd be fine. Granted, it might hamper him becoming king if they were kept as pets, but for now he was willing to have the trade off in order to survive. That wouldn't mean he and the others wouldn't go after the crown. They'd just have to adjust to where they could when they were... rescued.

Riley walked over to Morzan, singling him out. "I know your kind," he was cold. "I know you'll try to escape. But when you do, I'll be there waiting to take your life."

Morzan gulped.

(Eragon Point of View)

It was night time, and they would be traveling throughout the night. That said, the elf behind him had fallen into waking dreams. And Murtagh his brother had fallen asleep.

Realizing there was nothing for him to do, Eragon decided to meditate. As he did so, he let his mind go to Alagaesia, to Riley Biers.

A gruesome scene greeted him. Riley was traveling with other vampires, some who were former elves. The they were prowling through a town, feeding at will, Riley stealing others and biting them to turn them.

Blood and screams were everywhere. Already there was so much death and carnage, dead bodies everywhere of men, women, and children, having fallen in the aggressive fight between covens. But Eragon knew that it was the first open attack of vampires. Usually, they didn't let their fights get so out of hand as to decimate an entire town that had at least several thousand inhabitants and visitors.

Other vampires were hissing, fleeing into the distance. "This territory is ours!" Riley yelled after them, having won the territorial dispute. Then, in a show of aggression, he and the other vampires began feeding. By the time they were done, this small town was decimated. It was by no means a village, but none had survived save those that were being turned.

There were stacks of flames burning vampires in the distance, those that had fallen.

He pulled out of his meditation. Eragon knew he had to do something. The wars were getting worse, and there was a lot of loss of innocent life.

Casting a glance at the other Eragon, who knew what his gifts were, the vampire softly asked, "What did you see?" Vanir was in waking dreams, but Eragon knew it was possible he could hear what was going on.

"War," Eragon confirmed. "Riley's just decimated an entire town and claimed it for food. There's no one left, apart from those that are turning."

"I heard the vampire wars in the south where our kind are originally from were devastating," Eragon the original was thoughtful. "The Volturi put an end to it."

"And the massive war that took place in Alagaesia thousands of years ago?" Eragon asked. "Do you think that this could have any reckoning for now? Jane and Alec don't seem to think so, but I'm not so sure."

"If Alec and Jane don't think so, then they have their reasons," Eragon the original calmly replied. "However, it would be too much of a coincidence that it's happening in the same place as the previous war, don't you think? Surely at least there's some influence."

"However, there's lack of proof," Eragon the younger pointed out.

Eragon the older snorted. "There's a lot of lack of proof as to what's going on in general. This I know: many vampires are taking advantage of this to further their own agendas. I ran into Riley once, you know, a couple thousand years ago. He was creating a vampire army then. He probably wants revenge for lost territory. And Alagaesia is so ripe with life, it would be hard to resist putting foot there."

"Then why won't Jane and Alec consider it? Even Emilie doesn't think so."

"As for Jane and Alec," older Eragon began. "They're confident. Perhaps over confident. Emilie is younger than them, while still older than I. That said, she's an experienced alpha. And none of them have experience of living in Alagaesia. While it might not have bearing on the previous war, at the same time, Alagaesia has always had a good capacity for sustaining life, unlike other places. It makes it very attractive to live.

"This is why many nomads have stopped there while traveling through in the past. However, none have settled there until now for fear because of the previous war. That's what's kept the settlement of permanent covens from happening. Jane, Emilie and Alec are probably counting on that. That said, it was only a matter of time for someone to challenge that norm. And it makes sense that when that did happen, things would break out suddenly like last time as other vampires saw that the ground was for the taking and moved to stake claims before others could."

"So then it's highly probably that someone moved back who survived the old war?" Eragon the younger wanted to know.

"I think it's absolutely sure," Eragon the older admitted. "In fact, I do believe that Riley Biers was involved in the last war, but I'm not certain. He was destroyed around that time frame, though. It didn't take him long to come back. But it makes sense that it was the war that destroyed him. I can see him wanting to avenge old territory."

"And yet," younger Eragon was thoughtful. "Jane and Alec seems to think it's a new menace that might have showed up around the time of the war that the Alagaesians had." A war he had been apart of.

"Do you not think it's possible that there are several moving on behind the scenes, each trying to manipulate one another?" Eragon's eyes bored into the younger Eragon's. "You of all people should know that vampires often have agendas, whether for ill or for good."

"So there may still be a connection to the old war," younger Eragon murmured.

"I think it's absolute," Eragon replied. "Jane and Alec, even Emilie, want to continue believe that others from the old war are too afraid to move back. However, I don't think that's the case."

"Why would you think that?" younger Eragon now suspected that the older Eragon knew something.

"Because," Eragon growled suddenly. "I and my coven happened to meet some new escapees about a month ago. They were from that time period. Some things they said made me think they were around for the war. They knew things were stirring."

Eragon took this to heart. Maybe that was why his namesake was here. "Then you came to stop them?"

"I came because I saw an opportunity to change the direction vampires are headed," Eragon corrected. "We've been in the shadows for too long. And I'm not the only one who disagrees with the Volturi's methods. The rules are ridiculous. And more and more vampires are beginning to think so and see them for what they are." But Eragon paused and turned to the younger. "However, I wonder if you are able to."

Considering, Eragon the younger admitted, "I've long questioned the rules. I can see, for the sake of the lesser immortals and the mortals, how some of the rules can benefit them. It tames our kind so we don't decimate them, especially since the Quileutte tribes will no longer protect them. However, the rest are unnecessary. But to go against Jane and Alec..."

Eragon the older considered him. "Does it tame our kind?" Eragon challenged, but then he changed the subject. "You know, they'll have to decide eventually. If you want it bluntly, it's the rules that have caused these problems to begin with. It's not like it used to be. If vampires could claim territory openly, then those living within the bounds of the vegetarian vampires would be protected. Not to mention, traditional vampires aren't going to want to decimate an entire population. Then there would be no food. No, these rules are what's causing the vampire wars, and leading to the decimation of populations."

"But wouldn't the humans and elves flee from the traditionals?" younger Eragon asked.

Eragon chuckled. "How could they?" he told the younger sarcastically. "When nothing can match us?"

He had a point. But still, "How could you be so sure populations wouldn't be decimated? There were would be more open wars."

"There would be," Eragon agreed. "However, I've met enough vampires that existed before the Volturi were in control. While it's true they hunted openly and in some instances required humans brought to them for consumption, at the same time, there was never a decimation of the population of prey. Simply being open about what they were kept covens in check. No, vampire wars that decimated populations didn't appear until long after the Volturi and their establishment of laws. That's also when you see the southern vampire wars. And yes, I know that's treasonous thinking."

"How?!" Eragon was stunned.

"Because everything was open," Eragon explained. "If one coven didn't like what another was doing, it was settled personally. This naturally kept vampires in check. And vampires would band together for protection, forming strong alliances, and occasionally stronger covens. Back in those days, more were nomadic, meaning news could spread faster, since there was no restriction in daylight. A warring coven is unlikely to leave their territory, meaning one who can travel in daylight has the advantage and can spread the news faster, giving other vampires a heads up as to what's going on in distant lands around them.

"Advanced warnings meant more time to prepare and form alliances, so if the war between distant covens end and comes to them, the ones who would face them next are prepared, and probably have alliances. It also made no sense to decimate prey, only to get rid of covens they didn't want. Because things were so open, it naturally checked the vampires.

"If there was decimation of population, such as when a human army went against vampires, it was pretty open. They were careful to avoid harming prey otherwise. By forcing things to be quiet, vampires decimated prey, and it was a while before things got around, if it got around. If it got big, yes it got around. But it was harder for outside covens, except those warring nearby, to check them."

Eragon wasn't convinced, so older Eragon continued. "Back then, vampires ruled individual territories. Many covens ruled. These bigger covens, while spread out somewhat, kept smaller covens in check, and the bigger covens in check. The goal was never to deplete prey. It also forced humans to move around more, which helped keep them from getting decimated when there were wars. Nowadays, they're more stationary. Plus, if prey was defeated, then where was the food to feed on?"

"So then," Eragon considered, knowing it was treasonous thinking. "Power kept power in check?"

"Exactly," Eragon the older confirmed. "And wars were pretty much kept away from prey as there was more incentive to. It was less easy to be conquered when you could form alliances quicker compared to the amount of time it took two warring covens to end the war. This meant, even with newborns, not that the idea of a newborn army existed back then, there was time to train, prepare and ally.

"Now tell me, when wars are kept secret, where is the intention to keep wars away from prey? They can just kill to keep it from getting out and rumors will not spread as fast as nomads are forced only to move in the dark. That, and it was typically covens from further away that kept local covens that were warring in check. But with the slow down in communication, how does that prevent anything?"

"It doesn't," Eragon realized, beginning to open up. If covens didn't like a war going on in another area, they could keep it from getting into their borders by forming alliances as vampires didn't normally like to nose. That meant, the local covens knew if they ran their prey out, they couldn't go and try to raid another's territory. But with slow information travel due to the vampire laws, that was harder to do. It was harder to form alliances at the speed needed.

In fact, Eragon was right. It bred the problems of the vampire wars. Sure, one could create newborns, but experienced vampires could defeat newborns. And with advanced warning, several covens could come together with ease to defend. It was easier to gauge the human populations far away due to the fact that vampires used to be able to travel in daylight uninterrupted, due to the fact that they didn't have to hide themselves. Meanwhile, a vampire war was isolated, meaning nomads had more time to reach others and spread the news.

Besides, nowadays, there was the Quileutte packs who could also keep things in check if necessary. He knew the only reason they kept their kind secret was because they didn't want to openly irk the vampires, which kept secrecy. They would have a war on their hands if they did. However, if enough vampires no longer wanted the Volturi laws, then with the packs combined, they would have a majority and would win the war. And a look at Eragon, whom he learned had the friendship of certain packs told him that Eragon knew this.

It was only in the modern day that vampiric alliances were coming back. Many had contemplated for some time challenging the Volturi, beginning to suspect that the Volturi only did what they did to keep power. But they'd kept the peace so far. When things had broken out in Alagaesia the first time, in the first war, the Volturi had managed to gain the upper hand despite the fact that many had become disgruntled with the rules. They'd seen the trouble makers as the bigger threat. And they had been.

But now... now there were thinkers like Eragon in existence. Now, things had changed. The attitude towards the Volturi had changed further, and many were beginning to reconsider the old war. It took time for vampires to change their minds, and to change themselves. But things were ripe.

That meant that the Volturi wouldn't necessarily have the support they used to, even if it had been grudging support. That meant that there may have been some that would be willing to take advantage of the situation for change. Could the Inventress have been one of them? Was she really missing? Or was she somehow hiding into the shadows?

It seemed interesting that the Romanian coven had spread the message that she was missing. But what if she had met with them, spread an idea, and the Romanians had gone along with it? Could it be there were many working in the shadows, not just those causing trouble in Alagaesia? That, and there was no doubt that the Romanians wanted revenge for their lost coven, which Eragon knew had existed before the Volturi took power, existing alongside the Volturi for some time.

It was no coincidence that his namesake had shown up. That Eragon knew now. And this Eragon was trying to exercise a certain influence on him. Eragon wasn't sure where he stood.

"The Volturi use these laws to control people," Eragon the older cautioned him. "In fact, if it weren't for Chelsea and a few others, you can't be sure that Jane and Alec would be loyal to the Volturi at all. Chelsea binds people whom the Volturi want to keep. It's not just that, but if these newborns who are breaking the law because they have no choice, because the law is what it is were to realize that they won't be punished, and that the laws are changing, do you think they'd willingly serve Riley or these other covens using them any more?"

Eragon knew they wouldn't. Granted, some would, even former elves, but most, even former humans wouldn't. They would leave, both former elf and former human, and though some former elves and former humans would no doubt live the traditional diet, there would be those open to a new way of existence, a vegetarian diet. They only served their creators right now because they were too scared to leave, too scared that the Volturi would destroy them. And they didn't know how to come back.

Eragon the older seemed satisfied as he knew that Eragon was reaching the same conclusion. And Eragon the older did have a point. Perhaps these so called laws caused more trouble than they were worth. And it wasn't a vampire's fault if they were turned for the purpose of someone else's agenda.

It was a hard truth to swallow. But he'd always known that Jane and Alec were hiding something. But would they be willing to break away from the Volturi for him?

Eragon the older was sympathetic. "As I said, things are changing. And for once, we may finally have the upper hand against the Volturi."

(Brom Point of View)

The light of the sun was behind them.

They had numerous magicians on their side, and of the elves in particular were strong. While the riders were young, they were still stronger than ordinary human magicians. That said, that didn't mean that Nasuada didn't have power on her side, because she did. She had a massive army.

Brom was now in Alagaesia, and Nasuada, was facing his own group, she in full armor, ready for war. They had just confronted her, just having entered Alagaesia. What she was doing in the Hadarac desert, he didn't know. It wasn't in her country.

The army was hostile. "If you don't want a battle," the cold eyes of Nasuada met his. "Then I suggest you leave. I won't appreciate anymore interference from magicians."

At this point, Brom was beyond irked. She had decimated Palancar valley, where he had lived, and she had put his son's family on the run.

His voice was colder as he replied, "You have me to thank for your throne. It was I who started the Varden, which you had no place leading. You did not have my blessing. Moreover, it was my son who put you on the throne and defeated Galbatorix so that you could have the throne. And yet you took advantage of him. Nasuada, you are the traitor, not him. You knew your father didn't want a rider to be subject to anyone, and yet you took advantage of him when he was manipulated by the Varden!"

The soldiers looked uncomfortable at this, and Brom began to suspect that it was Eragon they had ultimately supported, not Nasuada. Nasuada only had power because of him. But if Eragon hadn't have given her his support, they would never have supported her.

Nasuada narrowed her eyes. "Be that as it may, I now sit on this throne. I will not tolerate any more interference!" She turned to her troops. "You see how dangerous magicians are, meddling into our affairs?! Can we ever be free when they run wildly?"

"Danger?" Brom was outraged. He could tell that she wanted to control the riders since they had magic. And he'd had enough. "You're the danger, Nasuada. Since when do you control the riders? Hereby, you are stripped of your title as queen. You are no longer a monarch in Alagaesia. And continue if you will, I will have you exiled!"

"You have no authority!" Nasuada shouted, her eyes flashing in anger..

"I have every authority," Brom corrected, an icy calm in his demeanor. "It was a dragon rider who put you on the throne. Your power only comes from the dragon riders. That is your support. It was I who founded the Varden. The leadership of the Varden should have ultimately gone to my son by inheritance, not you. What's more, you've threatened my son's family."

"I do what I must to protect my people!" the former queen's rage was growing by the second.

"By what?" Brom countered. "Oppressing those who have done no wrong? You spy on those who have done no crime? And then to add insult to injury, you make them wear marks of identification, pay higher taxes, force them into service for what? For you? And that doesn't go to the entire list of your crimes. You are no better than Galbatorix and are just as mad as he was!"

The former queen pulled out her sword, shaking in anger. "Attack!" she commanded, loosing her temper.

But her troops wouldn't move. They wouldn't go against the dragon riders. Moreover, many were grumbling. "He is right," some were saying. "It was a dragon rider that put her on the throne. And Brom did start the Varden."

Shock was on Nasuada's face as she saw they were supporting her. "Treason!" she accused. "Treason!"

Calm was on Broms face. Saphira growled before saying, 'I gave my life for the riders of old, for peace. If there are any that still have loyalty to me and my rider, they will arrest this woman!'

"No!" shock was on Nasuada's face at this, and Brom could tell she knew her downfall was coming. There was hesitation, but finally some moved forward to obey. "No! I am the queen!"

Satisfaction was on Roran and Katrina's face as they appeared behind Brom, still in the saddle with him. Ismira was still behind at their camp. "Former queen!" Roran shouted as Nasuada was bound.

"Take her to the camp," Brom ordered. They would decided what to do with her later when Oromis was present. While he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to execute her despite the problems she'd solved, as Ajihad had been a friend of his, at the same time he knew something had to be done. Nasuada would have some supporters. Perhaps they could exile her out of Alagaesia.

Nasuada was heard in the distance shouting, "I had to protect my people! People are missing! The magicians are dangerous! They must be contained!"

One of the elves stepped up. He was one of Eragon's former guard. "She has a lot of fear," he commented. "She didn't even them hear out to see what was going on. She automatically accused and deemed guilty." Even he looked disturbed.

Many of the human troops were looking like they didn't know what to do. Brom had no doubt that there was at least a small portion that still considered Nasuada their queen, despite being stripped of her title. But, they couldn't go against so many magicians and dragons. Still, others were reconsidering because the dragon riders had openly spoken against Nasuada, especially the founder of the Varden.

'Well,' Saphira huffed, considering them all. 'I cannot wait for Glaedr and Oromis to arrive. But meanwhile, news needs to go out that the former queen is no longer a queen.'

'Agreed,' Brom nodded, and he knew the message would come better from a human. Getting off of Saphira he dug in the saddle and began writing the first of many messages, sealing it with his name so that they would know it was official.

"There will be some that will try to rescue her," the elf from earlier warned.

"I know," Brom sighed. "But the reality is she should at least go to trial for her crimes, some of which are murder. That should have Oromis present. And then the question is who will run the kingdom now that she's no longer queen?"

"Perhaps," the elf suggested. "I can send for a delegation? Arya Drotting will want to know what has happened. Moreover, the other nations including the dwarves should be involved since this involved all of them. She made a move of aggression to all because they would not follow her magician protocols."

'I agree,' Saphira said, turning her head to gaze at her rider. Then, she informed the elf. 'Perhaps you could go to Arya Drotting personally? And hand pick a few to go to the other nations.'

The elf dipped his head, and Brom added, "Don't expect this victory to be easy. It may have seemed easy, but I suspect that there will be trouble before long. A monarch doesn't go down without a fight."

"However, you have the advantage, as many will not give loyalty if they know the dragon riders disapprove of her," the elf reminded.

Brom nodded, and the elf ran off after informing a few others. They split.

The dragon riders then continued on. Nasuada was drugged asleep so they could transport her to the capital where they would all rendezvous without her struggling. The army was left behind. They were close to Marna and would stop there for a night. However, when they reached there, Brom froze. "It can't be," he whispered, and Roran and Katrina, who were behind them, started.

"What is it?" Katrina asked.

Murmurs began spreading, and Saphira landed.

The stench of death reached everyone's nose. Dead bodies laid everywhere, rotting. And it looked like they were freshly slain. But that wasn't what made Brom afraid.

Getting off of his saddle, Brom began inspecting a few of the bodies. They had crushed ribs and limbs, almost like they were mauled to death by a powerful animal. Their sightless eyes gazed into the distance, the fear still on their faces.

Other elves began inspecting, and the dragon riders were afraid. Roran had a horrified look on his face. "Did Nasuada..." he trailed off.

Brom shook his head. This was beyond a human to do. "No," he replied, turning around. "But something did." He could see why Nasuada was afraid, but that didn't excuse her for putting the blame on the magicians.

The elves seemed confused. Even Saphira sniffed a corpse. 'There is no scent of whatever did this, only the smell of rotting flesh.'

"It's almost like an animal attack," an elf was confused. Her nose was scrunched in disgust. "Why would any animal do this?"

Roran and Katrina, still in Saphira's saddle looked at each other. After hesitating, Roran said, "We can't even contact the Urgals. They've been unusually skittish. However, Nar Garzhvog did stop by, shortly before the massive amounts of missing people. He was afraid. He mentioned that it seemed like monsters of old tails were stirring, and the Urgals didn't want to get involved."

"Tales?" the elf who had announced the animal attack looked up, her raven hair blowing in the wind. "The Urgals come from my people's continent. I've never heard of such tails from them."

"My understanding is only a couple of tales existed from over the sea," Roran explained. "Most of the stories that they think are connected came after they came to Alagaesia. When asked, even Nar Garzvhog suspected it spread from the dwarves."

Brom froze at this. He was well aware of the tale that Oromis had relayed. And it was enough to reach the conclusion he did.

Knowing the danger, he leapt into the saddle. "Get back on the dragons," he ordered the elves. "We will not be spending the night here."

"But whatever did this is likely gone," the female elf tried to reason. "We're all tired and need to rest!"

Brom shook his head. "I don't think so," he suspected and they exchanged a glance, realizing that Brom knew more than he was letting on. "We need to leave. Now."

At his firm voice, they did as they were told, but were still puzzled. Everyone went into the air again.

Roran, however, didn't miss this. "What's wrong?" he asked Brom.

But Brom couldn't share. "We wait for Oromis," was his firm reply.

"Why?" Katrina asked. "What do you know?"

Brom wouldn't have it and was firm again, ending the conversation.

"We wait for Oromis."

(Oromis Point of View)

He was already in Alageasia, in Illeria, and he was shocked when the riders landed, exhausted. Roran and Katrina were asleep and were taken out of Saphira's saddle by a few elves. He hadn't expected them to be back until the next day. However, when he saw Brom's spooked expression, he knew that something had happened. He also thought he glimpsed Nasuada in the saddle of one of the riders, still unconscious.

Oromis had taken the capital, and while there had been resistance at first, at the same time, they weren't a match for a rider and such powerful magicians. And they knew it. So, they surrendered. And now, with many riders present, they wouldn't dare try anything. Not that they could use magic anymore, but no one needed to know that. So far, the newcomers hadn't noticed, as they'd been too exhausted to use magic.

"What happened?" Oromis asked after exchanging greetings with his former student.

The exhausted Brom who looked as if he hadn't slept explained, "I encountered Nasuada, but she was being obstinate. So, I stripped her of her title, and we came here so that she can receive trial before the riders."

Oromis nodded. "Good," he was pleased. "I would have done the same. In fact, I was contemplating asking you to remover her title. Tell me, has the news gone out?"

"Yes," Brom nodded, and added, "Some delegations were sent to the other nations of Alagaesia to convene on what to do."

'It's only fair,' Glaedr considered, and Brom was startled, and Glaedr was using the soundwave in the ear technique that he'd learned from Thorn. 'She did declare war on them after all.'

However, that wasn't what had Oromis interested. "What else happened?" he asked his student.

Brom hesitated. "Marna was completely destroyed." And his former student lowered his voice, moving them away from the others.

Shock was on Oromis. "Nasuada?" he asked. He knew that Nasuada had decimated some towns that opposed her, including warring against the small village of Carvahall and against Therinsford. But this time Brom shook his head.

"No. I would not spend the night there, either, to bury the dead. They looked freshly killed. It resembled an animal attack. But against an entire village?" And Brom looked horrified.

"The tales," Oromis concluded, wondering if this was actually a vampire attack. He supposed, when Jane and Alec showed up, he could request that they inspect and see if vampires actually did this. That was, if they were willing. They didn't appear to take orders from anyone that weren't their superiors.

"I wondered," Brom admitted. "And I didn't want to take the risk. But whatever this was that did this, this isn't something a rider can handle, I don't think."

"No," Oromis agreed, glancing in the distance at some other elves who were eyeing them curiously. "You made the right call. I've seen things, Brom. The creatures we met, they can move at a speed that no creature I am aware of can move at. That's not counting their strength either. Magic will not harm them."

"Which means we're entirely defenseless," Brom grumbled.

"Not entirely, at least I hope not," Oromis shook his head. "Jane and Alec, the beings from the tapestries, they've agreed with Emilie to help. But I don't know the extent their willingness will spread. This much I do know, that they want to put a stop to all this wide spread chaos in Alagaesia that their kind are causing. And their kinds are the only ones that can handle it. They and the Quileutes have agreed to a temporary psuedo alliance. We supply any information we can, and they handle the wars of their kind."

"And when will they show up?" Brom grumbled.

Oromis raised an eyebrow. "They're already here. They made it before we did. But they blend in easily. They were amused when we threatened to use magic to take the city despite the fact that magic won't work around them. They're being inconspicuous for now."

"And my son and stepson?" Brom was hopeful. He hoped that he and his dragon had arrived. He wanted to see them properly.

Oromis gestured to inside the castle. Saphira and the others promptly moved inside, and there, a pale figure was waiting for him, and a blue, unrecognizable dragon by his side. But he looked nothing like Eragon, and the blue dragon didn't look like the Saphira he remembered.

He was still as rock as Brom approached. Dark golden eyes met his, and Brom searched the features. He smiled sheepishly, and that was when Brom knew, despite the difference in the way he carried himself, and the different features, that this was his son. "Hello," he a musical voice sounded. It was so different.

Oromis nodded to Eragon who exchanged greetings, and then he and Glaedr left, leaving Brom alone with his son and the two Saphiras.

(Brom Point of View)

Brom was in shock. Oromis had left, but he still didn't know what to say. What could he say? He had never told Eragon that he was his son.

Clearly, Eragon was displeased somehow. "Are you not going to say something?" he requested. "You are my father, after all."

Brom choked up at the title his son gave him. "I missed you," he admitted, and it all came out. "I always wanted to tell you, but I couldn't!"

"You could," Eragon was a bit sharp, but his voice softened some. "But I understand now, having secrets of my own."

Moving forward, Brom embraced his son, and Eragon carefully hugged him. Then he pulled back. "What happened?" he wanted to know with all the concern of his heart.

Eragon drew him further in as the sunlight crept further in and Eragon began relaying a tale that was both strange and terrifying. Brom listened carefully, knowing that Oromis had heard this very tale. His Saphira listened carefully and looked like she wanted to say something, but was unable to. Eragon's eyes flickered over to her. "I'll explain later," his son told his dragon.

With that, the younger Saphira led his Saphira out for a flight, and Brom, noticing he couldn't get into his son's mind, or anyone's mind for that matter, gave it a rest. He couldn't contact his Saphira. Meanwhile Eragon continued his explanation. Later, Brom found out why as Eragon explained how magic didn't work in his presence, at least not directly. "I see," he explained, intrigued that dragons could affect the sound waves.

"Saphira's been experimenting, for privacy's sake," Eragon admitted.

"And you're allowed to tell me all of this?" Brom wanted to make sure, not wanting his son in danger.

Eragon's expression changed. "I've been doing some thinking," he finally admitted. "Yes, technically since were temporary allies. However, I've come to realize that the world is not as I once thought it was."

Brom didn't know what his son meant, but he knew it was something serious. As he son began leading him further into the castle, he told him, "I've met the original Eragon who is also a vampire. I've introduced him to Oromis. And now, I introduce him to you."

In the distance, there was a cloaked figure, and in an instant, Brom gasped as the figure was front of him. Pale features with pointed ears and dark golden eyes met him. "Hello, Brom," the figure said.

Trembling, Brom gave the standard greeting, but the figure didn't return it. Evidently, he thought his greeting had sufficed.

Brom turned to Eragon, his son, and saw a calculating expression on his face. He knew that there was some sort of conspiracy going on. They wanted something from him. "What haven't you told me?" he asked his son, suspicious now.

Eragon the older watched him carefully before replying, "Jane and Alec are out. With that, I can talk a bit more freely without incurring wrath. However, you should know that if Eragon and I are caught, we'll both be condemned. But, we're planning a psuedo revolution in the vampire world."

Brom paled. "You're planning treason."

"Yes," the older Eragon admitted.

His son stepped up at that point. "Oromis knows, but since Eragon here used to be an elf, it was easy to convince him and Glaedr. Basically, we're taking advantage of this situation to further our own agenda."

"This could all fall on our heads!" Brom was concerned, hissing slightly, backing up a little, stunned. He had no doubt that Saphira the younger had taken his Saphira to Bid'Daum in order to conspire. "And you're drawing the riders into this! Jane and Alec are here to help us. And here, you're planning something else?"

"Well, to use an expression of humans from another place, the cat is out of the bag," Eragon the older was firm.

"We're going to try to convince Jane and Alec if we can, but with them still in Chelsea's grip, it might be hard," his son continued. "Fortunately, we may know a way out of that. The Cullens are coming, and with Bella, she can shield them. Enough time away, and they'll be able to make their own decisions. Even better, as a main power force, the Volturi will be significantly weakened, and we'll have Jane and Alec on our side, adding significantly to our own power."

"And if they still side with their masters?" Brom wasn't too sure. "You can't take away the influence of many experiences."

"Actually, vampires are very different form your kind," the older Eragon said. "You'd be surprised how easy it might be for them to sever their allegiances. Well, not necessarily easy. But Alice has done me favor, and she assures me that if we are careful this will work in our favor, with or without Jane and Alec."

Something sad was in his son's eyes. Brom didn't quite understand why, after the story Eragon had told, he was willing to go against Jane and Alec. That, and he could tell that Eragon might have feelings for Jane. He wondered about Arya though, and if his son still had feelings for his first love. He knew the elvish queen had been longing for him. He also knew that something had happened between them after his death.

Eragon the older began explaining some of his reasoning behind wanting to change the vampire world, but not all. "Last year, the Volturi tried to go after the Cullens and the Denalis again. None of us are safe. The only reason the Volturi have such a tight hold on their guard is Chelsea and Corin. With Corin dead, Chelsea may not be happy with the Volturi, since Corin can make others feel happy, even against their will. But Chelsea can bind allegiances. So, you could say, the guard never really have made their own decisions."

"And your confident this can work?" Brom was worried. "As it is, I passed through Marna, and I deeply suspect that it was an attack from your kind. Everyone was dead. Jane and Alec have promised to sort this all out."

"They will," Eragon the older promised. "But you should know that the Volturi have singled your son out. I can tell. Once the Volturi have eyes on someone they want for their guard, they will do anything to get them. This has been causing many of us to rethink the old vampire war in Alagaesia. There is a lot of missing information, but a lesser known fact that the Volturi tried to keep down, due to the fact that their popularity had been waning for a while, was that they took some vampires into their coven after that war. They may do the same here."

"It's not good for any of us!" Eragon his son said, desperate to make him see his way.

Brom eyed his son for a good while. "And you can be sure you're not to persuaded? You said yourself, Eragon can affect feelings."

"But nothing like Chelsea or Corin," Eragon the older explained. "I can't make people do things against their will."

"And I can believe that?" Brom was suspicious.

"You don't know our world!" Eragon his son protested, and Brom flinched, reminded that Eragon was no longer apart of his world. "I... I did some investigating myself," his son admitted.

Brom gave it some thought. He still had yet to hear from Murtagh, but he had no doubt the red rider was around.

Eragon the original took the opportunity to further push Brom. "The reason things like this get out of hand is because there is a single powerful coven that polices everything. That's not how it originally was. The world before the Volturi, a world that few can remember, was very different. Alice is certain. Once Corin and Chelsea are gone, the Volturi guard will split. They'll begin to see the truth of the matter as it really is because they'll be free to think."

Brom wasn't so sure, but he knew his son was decided. "Why tell me this then?" he asked, weary.

"Because the world is going to change," Eragon the older said. "And we will need your help in order that people can transition. As it is, I have Emperor Jacob Black's support. He's the one that suggested this whole thing to begin with it after his pack and the Olympic coven were attacked.

"Many vegetarian vampires are also bonded to a pack. They will support when the time comes, as will Emilie when the order is given. She's not just an alpha, she's a princess, as she's directly descended from Emperor Jacob. Most alphas are imperial, with very few not being. And one that is imperial, is descended directly from Emperor Jacob, is always going to be stronger. And all the alphas support their emperor and the imperial family.

"Many vegetarian vampires will go along with it anyways. And traditional vampires have less faith in the Volturi than they used to. There are many, if they see an open opposition, that will join, such as the Romanian coven. But not unless they're sure we can win. And with the packs added to the mix, it will be a fair fight. Well, more than a fair fight. The problem is convincing people that it's winnable."

"So, they'll hold back, unless they can see that they'll win," Brom realized. While he wasn't sure that he liked the thought of traditional vampires being so open, at the same time, he knew that they'd kill regardless. Perhaps, in many ways, it was better to know that the enemy existed than not to know they existed.

"The Cullen dispute is well known," Eragon the older reassured Brom. "That's why Jane and Alec have carefully kept it from Eragon. A lot came out about the Volturi then. This is the second time they've gone after the Olympic coven. And this time the Cullens had more vampires to back them. They also had their friends and allies from the first time. Plus the packs backed them.

"A slight like this doesn't go unnoticed. Then, only a few months later, the troubles in Alagaesia start. Vampires don't forget easily. With the Cullen dispute still on everyone's mind, many are ready for change. Because of everything, we're getting ready to openly challenge the Volturi, first about Alagaesia. We have numerous allies. That's why I came."

"Which means that it's now or never," Brom's son said. "I don't want to be bound to the Volturi, believing that I want to be with them. I want to be free to choose my own destiny. If the vampires remain in sight and the laws are abolished, I won't have to leave when this is all over. I can stay with you."

"Then why do you need me since vampires are so powerful?" Brom didn't understand, his confusion showing.

"Because," Eragon the older explained. "Once the Volturi are out of power, a rapid change will happen. Alice knows this. Covens are going to start claiming territory with the power vaccum. They'll have to. Packs will, and chances are packs that are bound to a coven will jointly claim territory. Alagaesia will be caught in the mix, whether they like it or not.

"I've asked Eragon and Emilie, whose support I definitely have, to claim territory here to prevent any traditional vampires from entering the area. If Eragon's coven remains at least somewhat intact, then those that are still willing to be with Eragon will join him. That is the only way anyone in Alagaesia can be protected from creatures of the night, or nomadic vampires, Quilutes, and children of the moon."

Nodding, realizing what they were doing, Brom understood. So did Oromis. That meant a coven would be ruling in Alagaesia, not a monarch. "How many know?" Brom asked.

"Not many," Eragon the older admitted. "You have the human connection. Oromis is leader of the riders and has the elivish connection. I think the two of you might be able to convince the elves and the dwarves to allow this to happen."

"Orrin won't go off of his throne," Brom warned.

"He doesn't have to," Eragon the younger replied. "I only need to be allowed to police Alagaesia for my kind. My territory would extend to the north of Du Weldenvarden, and south of the Beor Mountains. It would extend beyond the new Rider homeland and into the islands of the sea. I would be entering and going whether or not they like it, but it would be easier if I had approval.

"Emilie is imprinted on Murtagh, and he'll be joining me. That means I need a large territory to support a coven and a pack, thus why so large. And those areas are only officially hunting grounds, meaning their claimed. They won't be areas that I or my coven will rule directly.

"The only area I would plan on ruling directly, so to say, would be where the empire is and the Hadarac desert. There's still prey in the desert. But the rest of the regions, the elves, the dwarves, would be protected areas. Technically, they would officially be hunting grounds, but I have no intention of hunting there. But I'll hunt to the north of Du Weldenvarden, south of the Beor mountains, beyond the rider homeland, and on the islands. I'll fish if I need to, as well."

"I see," Brom replied, seeing the logic. He wasn't sure if it was considered vassalage or not, but regardless, Eragon was planning on being a protector against vampires that would harm.

"There is one other thing," Eragon warned, and Brom gave him his attention. "I don't want involvement in the wars of lesser immortals and mortals. If they're to have this protection, then they'll keep me and my official land out of it. I'll still maintain my hunting grounds, but I don't want the humans in my realm to be drawn into war. We'll take refugees, but that's it. We're neutral. I won't have my coven involved in anymore petty wars for those that aren't a match for us."

"Makes sense," Brom was thoughtful. And, it was perhaps the best. While he was sad that his son was retiring out of politics, at the same time he understood.

"Then we're agreed?" Eragon the older asked.

Brom knew there was no point in resisting. Unlike Galbatorix, they didn't have a chance. If they wanted it, they'd take it. And after seeing Marna, he knew they needed protection that only something more powerful could provide.

"Yes," Brom gave his support wearily. "After all, if Oromis has agreed, what can I say? He's my leader."

Eragon the older nodded at him.

His son smiled at him.

"Thank you, father."

(Murtagh Point of View)

Murtagh was pacing around the old room he used to occupy when he was younger back when the place had been called Uru'baen. Thorn was out flying, and he had nothing to do. A sudden knock on the door alerted him to the fact that he had company.

Standing up and opening it since he didn't have a servant currently, he was surprised to see Brom.

The man smiled at him and Murtagh stepped aside. But he was surprised when Brom swept him into a bear hug that was a bit too crushing. "You worry people too much," the man murmured.

A warm fuzzy feeling filled Murtagh. He supposed that this was what it was like to have a real father. The door shut and Murtagh pulled out of the hug. "Have you spoken to Eragon?" he asked.

Brom was wary but nodded. "Has he told you what he's planning?"

"Eragon the older told me," Murtagh admitted nervously. "I'll admit, I'm scared for him. That said, I think he knows what he's doing."

"He told me you want to be turned," Brom immediately broached the subject, and Murtagh nodded, his stomach clenching from nerves.

"The way I see it, the sooner the better," and Murtagh couldn't keep from feeling sick from fear. "Things are volatile, either way."

"Tell me," Brom then asked, rapidly changing the topic. "Do you trust Jane and Alec?"

Not knowing what to do, Murtagh shook his head. "I don't know. I know they're fond of Eragon, and they've become family to him. Dare I say, Jane might become Eragon's mate, if their feelings for one another continue. But, with them so bound to the Volturi, I don't know. I don't know what will happen if it comes out that Eragon is against the Volturi. I don't know if they'll turn against him or not."

The older rider nodded. He went to sit on Murtagh's bed. "That's what I was afraid of. Jane and Alec are powerful, from what I understand. Oromis has told none of the elves, or the other riders, apart from me, what Eragon and Eragon are planning. I know that Eragon the original rider isn't the instigator at the same time. He said the wolves are. He said something like they're irked that Emperor Jacob and the Olympic coven were targeted and attacked. And while I understand their intentions and why they want to do this, the Volturi going against those they care about for no reason at all, at the same time, I see this can swing either way."

"We have no protection either way," Murtagh pointed out. "Not unless territory is claimed. If this swings correctly, it will be very beneficial for us. And in many ways, there will be balance. There will be only one nation of elves, one nation of dwarves, one nation of humans, one nation of dragon riders, and one nation that is in essence a vampire nation, or rather ruled by vampires and wolves. Plus the other nations will have the benefit of being protected by vampires and wolves. We'll be less vulnerable."

The blue rider considered, nodding. "They won't get involved in Alagaesian affairs, though," Brom warned him. "Eragon doesn't want to be. He said he has intention of being neutral."

"I see," Murtagh said, not sure how he felt about that. "But can he be the one deciding when he's only one? The others in the pack and the coven have a right to be apart of the decision."

"True," Brom replied. "And the truth is, it may make others nervous to be in something that might be considered vassalage, especially if there's interference. Not that it would make much difference if vampires and wolves decided."

"The only other option is to leave them unprotected," Murtagh pointed out. "It's true, Eragon's coven and Emilie's pack will need a large territory to sustain themselves, especially with how much wolves eat. But, they could just as easily claim the territory above Du Weldenvarden, the territory to the south of the Beor mountains, the territory beyond the riders, and the island realms while maintaining the empire and the Hadarac desert, without even protecting Du Weldenvarden, the dwarves, or Surda. They'd be without protection then, and they'd still have all the hunting grounds they needed."

"Which wouldn't be wise," Brom was irked, knowing that chances are, traditional vampires would take advantage of that. Shaking his head, Brom sighed. "With vampires and wolves so powerful, this is tricky."

"The truth is," Murtagh sat beside his step father. "I don't think that Emilie, or her ancestor emperor want to protect mortals and lesser immortals. They were betrayed by humans. They have no love for them, or other mortals and lesser immortals. The war between the wolves and humans ended badly for the humans. But those of the tribe that couldn't phase paid a price as well from the humans Since that time, there's been no love for mortals or lesser immortals. So, we're lucky that Eragon is able to get Emilie to consider protecting those like us. She doesn't like it, but she'll do it, albeit grudgingly."

"Understandable," Brom thought, worried. It was a tumultous time.

While Murtagh understood the wolves holding a grudge, at the same time, knowing the nature of humans in his realm, he thought that not much had changed. There was still a lot of prejudice, as evidenced by what happened to the magicians.

According to Eragon, the Quileuttes only cared about their tribe, and the vampires they respected and were friends with. It was no wonder why. He couldn't blame them. And a look at Brom told him the man had reached the same conclusion.

"It's our dang fault," the blue rider growled. "If humans weren't so superstitious or prejudice, this wouldn't have happened. And if we hadn't had people like Galbatorix or Nasuada, maybe others would be more willing to help us."

"I heard about Nasuada," Murtagh admitted, his gaze far away. He swallowed. While he had no more feelings for her ever since being imprinted on, at the same time, he was sad to see her fall. Though, the truth was, he had seen it coming after his one encounter with her when he'd returned to Alagaesia after the war. She was paranoid of magic. "It was for the best that she was dethroned."

"First one mad king, and then a mad queen," Brom growled. "Goodness knows what happens next!"

"Emilie won't tolerate prejudice," Murtagh told his stepfather, not sure why he was sharing it. "She'll punish it, in fact. I know her. She's ruled members of her tribe, being a princess, and all that. Sometimes humans would come among the tribe. Most wolves wouldn't have tolerated it. But, she used to. But when the humans were prejudice and broke the laws she installed, she punished them.

"There are laws of equality in the tribe. Finally, the humans were so prejudice and superstitious the wolves drove them out because of all the violence and problems they were causing,especially to the mortal members of the tribe, and those that couldn't phase. I think some of the humans that were driven out ended up in Alagaesia sometime in the reign of Palancar's great grandson. Now a days, she turns away any humans who show up. She doesn't want to go through that again."

"I heard of them," Brom was in wonder. "We'd always wondered where they came from. That's assuming they're the same people."

It was awkward after that. Now that he had more of a tribe mentality, many of his opinions starting to be what the tribe's was, he knew he was different from before.

The feeling of Thorn landing got his attention. He stood up. Brom noticed. "Going to greet Thorn?" the man asked.

Murtagh nodded. Brom sighed and stood up. "It was good to talk to you," he put a firm hand on Murtagh's shoulder, and the red rider smiled.

"Thanks," he said to Brom, feeling at ease with the man. In many ways, it was nice to know that he wasn't a replacement for a lost son. He could tell that Brom really did care about him.

As they both headed towards the door and exited, Brom told him, going the opposite direction, "Take care."

Murtagh waved and they parted ways.

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