Balancing Realities - The Lord of the Rings and Inheritance Reality
By Stargatesg1fan1
Disclaimer: I own nothing of any recognized characters or universes within. If I did I'd use my accumulated wealth and creative genius to come up with a way to seduce the delicious Sienna Guillory.
AN:
Harry's current lovers-
Arya is played by Sienna Guillory
End AN
It did not take long to reach the base of a tree ridged with a delicate staircase that spiraled around the thick trunk up to a series of rooms quite high up.
"You needs must fly there, Saphira. Our stairs were not grown with dragons in mind," Islanzadi explained while pointing her hand up at a portal Harry could see around the side of the tree. "This is where the leader of the Dragon Riders would dwell while in Ellesmera. I give it to you now Eragon for you are the rightful heir to that title…It is your inheritance."
"Thank you my Lady," the Potter Lord replied with a short bow before the two elves departed, Arya gracing Harry with a small smile before she turned to follow her mother.
"Shall we go inside?" Saphira suggested while leaping in the air and flying around to the open portal.
Harry leapt up the stairs growing out of the trunk with long nimble strides. The brilliant scientist reached the entrance, which was a trap door in the floor of one of the rooms, within seconds. The room was situated as a circular chamber with a pedestal in the center out of which grew a sculpture of two pale hands and an arm which spiraled round and round without touching. Three other chambers led off the main room separated by screen doors. A dining room, a closet like washroom, and a bedroom where the Saphira sized portal was located made up the three adjoining chambers. The magician flicked his hand which caused several glowing balls of light to become suspended in the space surrounding the tree house. The mage entered the bedroom as Saphira settled into the bowl like depression in the center of the room with blankets lining the bottom for her comfort.
There was a spiral staircase in the corner of the bedroom leading up into what Harry could tell was a study via his contacts allowing him to peer through the wooden matter separating the bedroom and upper room. There was another opening for Saphira up in the study but the wizard didn't bother going up there at the moment. The enhanced wizard was ready for a good sleep, all two hours he required, after a long day of travel.
"I wonder how you are supposed to stay warm when the rooms are open to the elements," Saphira mused.
"Let's see shall we," the Rider muttered as he walked over to the edge of the portal.
A scan from his augmented extra-dimensional senses quickly revealed the mechanism. A membrane was stretched across the opening and secured inside a groove just like that from which the membrane unspooled. The Asuran quickly secured the opening and the room soon warmed up nicely. Harry slipped out of his clothes and under the downy sheets provided by the elves on the nearby bed.
"Goodnight Saphira," Harry sent to his draconian companion.
"Goodnight little one," answered Saphira as she hummed contentedly while her Rider flicked his hand and extinguished the magical orbs of light.
The next morning as the sun's rays first hit Ellesmera Harry floated down through the wall of his new abode. The reality traveling Potter phased through the solid matter like a ghost by using one of the abilities he picked up during his time in the mutant reality with Kayla, Moira, Raven, Emma, and several other mates. The phasing ability in particular was catalogued from the enchanter's mate Kitty Pryde. The nanite ability library was utilized as a substitute for Asuran technology like the phase band. There was always more than one way to achieve a desired result. In this case the crafty magician was happy to have multiple avenues to manipulate reality around him. Backups were always appreciated.
Harry found the morning flights he routinely carried out refreshing and the dip he took in a nearby river even more so. When he became tangible and visible again the shadow dragon animagus found Saphira just stirring.
"Good morning Eragon," Saphira sent as she stretched while Harry discovered two trays of food (most of it fruit) with a bundle of clothing on a nearby table.
The new elven crafted garments had a note pinned to them.
The note read:
Greetings Saphira Bjartskular and Eragon Shadeslayer,
I, Bellaen of House Miolandra, do humble myself and apologize to you, Saphira, for this unsatisfactory meal. Elves do not hunt, and no meat is to be had in Ellesméra, nor in any of our cities. If you wish, you can do as the dragons of old were wont, and catch what you may in Du Weldenvarden. We only ask that you leave your kills in the forest so that our air and water remain untainted by blood.
Eragon, these clothes are for you. They were woven by Niduen of Islanzadi's house and are her gift to you.
May good fortune rule over you, Peace live in your heart, and may the stars watch over you always.
Bellaen du Hljödhr
The Rider relayed the message to his dragon via their mind link.
"I will not need to eat for some time yet after yesterday's feast. But just so I don't appear rude," Saphira answered while snapping up a few seed cakes.
"Of course…rudeness would be bad after all," Harry teased with amusement at the antics of his companion who liked good food just as much as the next being.
The bundle of clothes contained two beautifully crafted elven tunics, a set of comfortable leggings, and three pairs of soft socks. Harry had his own clothing of course but wouldn't mind in the least wearing the elven attire. After slipping into the new clothes the Rider summoned Zar'roc to his hand and strapped the sword in place on his hip.
"Are you ready to face the new day Saphira?" The mage questioned his dragon.
"Yes I am Eragon!" The dragon mentally crowed back as she leapt out the open portal of the tree house.
When Harry reached the ground he was met by Islanzadi and Arya with the Queen bedecked in a garment of swan feathers. After the usual greetings Islanzadi simply stated, "Follow me."
Curiously Harry followed behind the Queen while walking beside her daughter as they made their way towards the end of the city. Islanzadi stopped as the buildings thinned and turned to face the dragon and Rider.
"Before going any further you must swear to me in the ancient language that you will not speak of what you are about to see to any outsiders without the permission of myself or Arya or whoever shall succeed us to the throne," Islanzadi demanded seriously.
Seeing no harm in giving the oath Harry recited what Islanzadi desired in the Ancient language with Saphira quickly following suit.
"Thank you Eragon," said the Queen before leading on.
As they crested the knoll the small group had stopped on for the oaths, Harry saw a cliff with a shear drop of a thousand feet arrayed before them. All at once there came a loud thud which reverberated through the air. When it happened again the Asuran warlock activated his contacts and peered through the rock at his feet further down the cliff face. The thudding sound made sense as a huge golden dragon with a Rider sitting in place on its back rose above the top of the cliff and into view. The green eyed mage could sense his dragon's jubilation.
Harry stood before the gold dragon as it hung in the air a half dozen yards in front of where the younger Rider stood. The wind from the dragon's wings was immense as it buffeted the group. As the dragon rotated for a landing the warlock's keen eyes zeroed in on the stump which was in place of the gold dragon's left foreleg. As the dragon touched down the elven Rider descended the intact right front leg and approached the younger Rider with clasped hands.
"Astra esterni ono thelduin," spoke Harry as he made the appropriate hand gesture.
Without response the silver haired elf male grasped the wizard's shoulders and pulled the youth to his feet while granting the slayer of Durza with an incredibly kind smile.
"Oromis is my proper name, Eragon Shadeslayer," the elf introduced himself.
"And I am Glaedr young one. We are well met Eragon Shadeslayer." The gold dragon spoke as he bent his long neck down so that one sparkling eye could examine Harry.
"I am honored Master Oromis, Master Glaedr," the younger Rider answered respectfully.
Next the older dragon switched his attention to examining Saphira.
"You smell of humans. All you know of your own race is what your instincts have taught you. But you have the heart of a true dragon." Glaedr finally passed judgment on the younger dragon after his examination.
As the examination was going on Harry was analyzing Oromis' aura and could detect much damage done to the elven Rider. Such damage would leave Oromis severely disabled and unable to truly fight another dragon Rider. That damage along with the injury Glaedr sported explained why the pair hadn't fought the Empire since the Fall. If the pair had fought they would have been in the legends pervading all of Alagaesia.
Placing his hand on Harry's shoulder Oromis asked, "Islanzadi Drottning, by your leave?"
"Go," the Queen responded with a confirming nod.
With that Oromis took his position on Glaedr's back while Harry did the same on Saphira. The two dragons leapt into the air while the veela hybrid threw a small smile at Arya, the elven Princess returning the gesture.
Seeing the conflicting feelings playing through her daughter's elegant features Islanzadi commanded, "Come my daughter. Let us go and discuss the new role I have envisioned for you now that Saphira's egg has hatched and you no longer need to ferry it, a role which I hope will bring about the return of the Rider order and foster an even greater bond between their and the elves."
Arya Svit-Kona followed her mother while worrying over what scheme the elven Queen had come up with to gain some influence over the handsome Eragon. Arya was about to find out that what her mother wanted and what Arya herself wanted for once aligned.
Saphira's enthusiasm and excitement was immense over the bond as she followed Glaedr while the golden dragon glided along the white cliff. After several miles the two dragons landed in a clearing which was again on the edge of the same cliff. A path connected the clearing to a small hut grown out of the base of four nearby trees. A stream ran nearby the elven abode.
"Welcome to my home," Oromis declared warmly. "I live here, on the brink of the Crags of Tel'naeir, because it provides me the opportunity to think and study in peace. My mind works better away from Ellesmera and the distractions of other people."
"It seems very calm," Harry observed with a glance around, his voice equally smooth without emotion being conveyed about his observations one way or another.
Oromis retrieved a flagon of cool water and two stools from his hut. As he took the seat and sipped the water, the mage extended his powerful senses out to sweep the area. There was little of remark in that the area was like the rest of Du Weldenvarden. Time stretched as Oromis sat quietly obviously testing the young Rider's patience. Harry found the waiting amusing and Saphira's eagerness to be expected. With his subspace nanite link to that reality's version of Asura Prime the well traveled warlock never lacked for something to do and made good use of it during Oromis' test.
Sometime later Oromis finally spoke, beginning with, "You have learned the value of patience well. That is good."
"King Aragorn drilled any impulsiveness and impatience out of me early on in the course of my training with him. Lord Elrond would not suffer foolishness by the time I began my studies in Rivendell," explained the sorcerer in response to the elder immortal's observation.
"I have heard tales of the legendary Lord Elrond. I would enjoy hearing more firsthand accounts at a later date. I will also assess your current progress in your overall training so that we may not waste time on unnecessary matters. But for now show me your hands. I find they tell me a great deal about a person," Oromis instructed.
The older Rider took the reality traveling Asuran's hands and examined the calluses. After a pause for examination Oromis said, "Correct me if I'm wrong but you have wielded a scythe and plow more often than a sword, though you are accustomed to a bow."
"These hands won't tell you as much about my life as your examinations would garner of another more…less experienced individual. I was in another body for the duration of my eight decades of training in Middle Earth," the Potter warlock clarified.
"How much reading and writing have you performed?" Oromis probed curiously.
"I have committed the entire contents of the libraries of Rivendell, Minis Tirim, and Isengard to memory. I've been instructed in many subjects to varying degrees. Over time Master I think you will find me a quick learner. I am eager to learn the ways of a Rider," answered the younger male.
"Good, you have learned respect as well. In this tongue you shall address Glaedr and I as Master and ebrithil in the Ancient language," Oromis instructed.
"Yes Master," was the warlock's simple response in agreement.
After a pause for her pride Saphira added, "Yes Master."
"Why are you here Eragon?" Oromis questioned the blonde sorcerer after a few moments of pause.
"To complete my training Master," was the response the Potter Lord supplied.
"And what do you think that process entails?" The silver haired elf inquired of his student.
"Well first and foremost I envision fighting in situations of Rider against Rider will be emphasized for my primary purpose for the near future will be ridding Alagaesia of Galbatorix. As a secondary course of study I would imagine that you will train me in the other ways of the Riders, keeping the peace and upholding law and order. I should point out that although I know many forms of magic some of them are not so easily used under the ward blanketing this continent. Therefore I shall need tutoring in how to use and apply the available forms of magic," the agile wizard answered.
"Very well spoken Eragon," Oromis acknowledged. "I believe you will make a fine pupil. I…," suddenly the words died in the elf's throat as he clutched at his chest.
A look of agony played across the aged immortal's elegant features before he relaxed tiredly after a moment. Silence reigned in the forest clearing for a short while as Oromis recovered.
The calm was broken when Harry offered, "If there is anything I can do to make your condition easier to bear my Master then do not hesitate to ask."
"That is very generous of you Eragon. Do not fear for my condition is not contagious. Something was broken in me while I was a prisoner of the Forsworn. We elves like to fancy ourselves truly and completely immortal but even we cannot escape certain maladies of the flesh. My condition is such that it is beyond my people's knowledge of magic to do more than delay the degradation for a time. I have spent decades binding myself with hundreds of small, weak spells that, layered one upon another, replicate the effects of enchantments which are now beyond my capabilities. I ensorcelled myself thus so that I might live long enough to witness the birth of the last dragons and foster the Riders' rebirth out of the ruins of our mistakes," Oromis explained.
"After my training is over it might be possible for you to travel to Middle Earth. There are many methods of healing throughout this world. I know of none with the knowledge of magic and other disciplines that matches King Aragorn's understanding of our universe. If anybody could help you it would be he. Until such a time as you are free to pursue what course you may I will study harder than any student you've ever taught," the warlock promised.
Oromis considered his student's suggestion for a moment before responding with, "That is all I can ask Eragon. Perhaps one day I will follow your suggestion and see Middle Earth for myself. Even if it is the last thing I do, especially if it is my end, it would be exciting to see a new land and explore it with my last breaths. Now stand and remove your tunic so that I might see what you are made of."
"Wait," Saphira spoke up. "Did Brom know of your existence here?"
"Of course," Oromis answered. "He was my pupil as a boy in Ilirea. I am heartened to have him returned to Ellesmera. I have not talked with him for some years. The healers tell me he will be up and about in a few days. If it weren't for your unusual enchantments he would be dead."
Delaying no further Harry stood and slipped off his comfortable elven tunic.
"You have quite a bit of muscle but not so much that your speed and responses will be hindered. You are also not as lopsided as most swordsmen. Are you ambidextrous?" Oromis inquired with curiosity plain in his tone.
"Yes…and due to my previous training my physical strength and speed are not indicated by this form," the Asuran informed his Master.
"Please explain," Oromis requested.
Instead of explaining verbally Harry demonstrated his augmented strength much as he did with Arya. Instead of breaking a tree (the perceptive warrior did not think Oromis would enjoy the destruction of a plant) in half with a blow the draconian enhanced mage picked up a boulder that no normal mortal man would be able to lift even a few inches let alone above their head like he was demonstrating.
"Impressive," Oromis commented with both eyebrows raised in surprise. "Where does the energy for this magic come from?"
Without using visible magic the young Rider had accomplished a task which not even the elves' enhanced strength could carry out. Using magic would be quite draining yet the young man didn't appear taxed at all. The elder Rider was very intrigued by his new student.
The warlock held out his hand and his Gryffindor duplicated blade appeared in his grasp, summoned from his trunk dimension.
"This blade was a gift from my former Master. Certain techniques used in its creation allow the blade to draw some energy beyond what would normally be possible for a magic wielder in Alagaesia to draw through the ward that permeates our surrounding space. As long as the blade is on my person or in the pocket dimension in which it is stored I can draw energy from it," the warrior wizard informed Oromis.
"Later I will ask you to explain more about this pocket dimension but for now let us continue. Clasp your hands behind your back and lift them as high as possible," The silver haired elf commanded.
Harry did as he was told and by using his nanites to turn off certain pain centers and heal any damage inflicted the sorcerer was able to bend quite a bit beyond human limits.
"Excellent, now bend forward while keeping your knees straight. Try to touch the ground," Oromis praised.
Harry completed the movements to Oromis' satisfaction. The experienced elf then turned his attention to Saphira with a proclamation of, "I would know your abilities as well, dragon."
Saphira's testing was quite a bit more extensive and ended with aerial acrobatics that the dragon animagus wasn't confident he could match in her form even with training. Only a small group of the most difficult tasks escaped the never trained Saphira. Performing a backwards loop, while corkscrewing through the air was one such task set by Oromis and Glaedr.
After Saphira finished and was resting on Earth once more Glaedr began the analysis of her skills with a compliment of, "I fear we coddled the Riders. If our hatchlings had been forced to survive alone in the wild like you then perhaps they would have possessed your skill."
Oromis disagreed by pointing out, "No, even if Saphira had been raised from hatching on Vroengard with the established methods she would still be an extraordinary flier. You have room to improve, as do we all, but very little."
Next Oromis took a seat while beckoning Harry to do the same. The elder Rider began to quiz the green eyed magician on every aspect of the younger male's knowledge of which Oromis could think of. Subjects of inquiry ranged from botany to metallurgy to medicine. Finally the pair had to break for lunch when Oromis could not even grasp a fraction of the mage's knowledge. The veela hybrid had access to the entire knowledge base collected by the Asuran race over the span of millions of years. It would take more than a single day for Oromis to scratch the surface of such information stores verbally. As they stood to prepare food the elf beckoned the blonde warrior into the silver haired being's hut.
The small structure comprised of natural materials held very little with the exception of hygienic necessities, food preparation tools and supplies, and the commodities which aided in the pursuit of Oromis' various intellectual curiosities. Two of the four walls were coated in hundreds of scrolls ensconced in many cubby holes. An iridescent bronze blade in a golden sheath matching the scales of Glaedr in color hung on the wall.
The breathtaking scene of a beautiful and towering city was captured clearly on a stone tablet which was secured on the inner pane of the door.
"What city is this Master?" Harry inquired.
"You would do well to memorize that landscape Eragon. That place was once our city Ilirea. During Du Fyrn Skulblaka the city was burned and forsaken and became the capital of the Broddring Kingdom and is now the black city Uru'baen. I made that fairth on the night I and others of the dragon Rider order were forced to flee our home before Galbatorix arrived," Oromis informed his pupil.
"I am sorry to reveal Master that I am not familiar with the term fairth, although judging from the clarity of the indicated item I would surmise that a fairth is some type of magically captured image set on a stone. I also regret to inform you that I am not as familiar with the political and geological histories of this land as I desire to be. I have never heard of the Broddring Kingdom," the intelligent warlock announced.
"Yes the fairth is an image fixed by magic on a square of polished slate which is pre-prepared with certain pigment layers. The landscape of my fairth is exactly how I envisioned it when I uttered my spell to create the portrait. As for the Broddring Kingdom it was the humans' country before the Riders fell. After Galbatorix killed Vrael, the mad man flew on Ilirea with the Forsworn and deposed King Angrenost, taking the deposed king's throne and titles for his own. The Broddring Kingdom then formed the heart of Galbatorix's conquests. The usurper later added Vroengard and other lands to the south and east to his holdings, which now compose the modern day territory you know of as the Empire. In technicality the Broddring Kingdom is still in existence although most likely as nothing more than a name on royal decrees," Oromis explained the answers to his pupil's questions patiently.
With his questions answered for the time being Harry concentrated on consuming the bowl of fruit Oromis had passed the warlock during the elf's explanations.
"Do you not have more questions Eragon? Brom pestered me with questions for what seemed like a year when I first took him as my apprentice," Oromis queried.
"Could you tell me a little about yourself," suggested the younger male.
"Know this about me: I was born in the elven city of Luthivira some centuries past. When I was twenty as all elf children were I was presented to the eggs which the dragons had entrusted to the Riders. Obviously Glaedr hatched for me at that time. Training ensued before we carried out the will of Vrael for almost a century. Then we became teachers after we retired from the tasks of younger Riders. We carried out our teaching in Ilirea until Galbatorix destroyed the Riders," the silver haired elf informed his curious student.
"Could you tell me more about Brom please," was Harry's next question, interested in learning more about his father.
"Brom came from a family of illuminators in the village of Kuasta. His father was Holcomb and his mother Nelda. Strange customs and superstitions pervaded Kuasta due to its isolation from the rest of Alagaesia by the Spine. Brom was teased because of superstitions he still carried out for a short time after he arrived in Ilirea until he abandoned the practice. Brom idolized my greatest failure, Morzan. Brom followed Morzan around constantly and never questioned or challenged the elder student. Morzan took advantage of this misplaced hero worship to my continued shame. I chose not to interfere when I could have put a stop to Morzan using Brom. Morzan's pride and cruelty grew to such heights that I would have separated him from Brom but that was when Morzan betrayed the Riders by helping Galbatorix steal the hatchling Shruikan. The pair of traitors killed Shruikan's original Rider in the process. The pair then fled together and that was the beginning of the Fall," Oromis continued to narrate the past.
"Morzan's betrayal had an immense effect on Brom and that was who Brom chose to focus his anger on when Saphira's namesake and Brom's dragon was killed by the Forsworn. Do you know why losing your dragon or for a dragon to lose their Rider ensures the death of the survivor?" The elf questioned.
"Part of your mind and identity is killed with your partner," the mage answered, garnering a nod from Oromis.
"I fear Brom went mad for a time. After my capture by the Forsworn and subsequent escape I brought Brom with me here to Ellesmera for a time but he refused to stay. Instead Brom marched to the plains of Ilirea with our armies. That was where King Evandar was killed," the Elder Rider continued his tale.
"Confusion was rampant during those times Eragon. Galbatorix's efforts were concentrated on consolidating his newfound power, the dwarves were withdrawing back to their mountain strongholds, and the humans created Surda in the South through mass war and rebellion. And we elves…we had just lost our King. With vengeance motivating him Brom used the chaos to his advantage, creating the Varden out of those he gathered from the rebellion. For a few years Brom was the leader of the Varden before he turned the job over to another so that he might bring about the end of Morzan. Three of the Forsworn, including Morzan, were personally slain by Brom. He engineered the deaths of five of the others. Rarely has he known happiness in his life but he was one of the best Riders and a good man. I'm honored to call him friend," the golden dragon's Rider asserted, finishing his tale.
"I look forward to speaking with Brom when he recovers," Harry mused before glancing out the hut's window to see Saphira playing coy with the older Glaedr.
Harry did not comment on his dragon's mannerisms for there were some things the young had to learn for themselves. Glaedr was ignoring Saphira's efforts so the reality traveling Asuran would as well.
"Humor her Eragon," Oromis spoke as the empathic part veela returned his attention to the very perceptive elf. "Saphira was brought up to believe she was the last sane individual of her race. Now she has been proven wrong. It may be several months before she stops pestering Glaedr."
"It doesn't seem to bother him much," agreed the warlock with a nod.
"No, her behavior doesn't bother my old companion because Glaedr too has been without a friend from his own race for a century," Oromis pointed out.
After the two finished their meal Harry helped Oromis clean up the dishes. While doing so the elf questioned, "Did you bathe this morning?"
"Of course," the mage answered, although realizing that most humans of the time period Harry was currently in didn't bathe so regularly.
"Good, please do so every day. Also I expect you to keep yourself clean shaven while you are my student until you can grow a full beard, should you choose to," Oromis instructed.
After that the pair of warriors left the hut and met the two dragons.
Glaedr announced, "We have decided upon a curriculum for Saphira and you, Eragon."
Oromis continued with, "You will start—"
Glaedr finished Oromis' sentence with, "—an hour after sunrise tomorrow, in the time of the Red Lily. Return here then."
"And bring the saddle Brom made for you, Saphira. Do what you wish in the meantime. Ellesmera holds many wonders for a foreigner, if you care to see them," Oromis finished.
"Yes Masters," Harry spoke with a bow of his head, before Saphira repeated the gesture.
Hopping on the back of his draconian companion the Rider and dragon took to the skies, heading swiftly back towards the elven capitol.
"Eragon, another dragon in Alagaesia…can you believe it," Saphira exclaimed mentally as the two companions flew.
"I can believe anything is possible because I try to keep an open mind. It's very wonderful Saphira. I'm happy that you're happy," the Potter male told his friend.
"I never expected to meet another dragon with the exception of Shruikan. Well…an intelligent dragon. Those dragons I've seen from your memories of Middle Earth don't seem to have the mental capacity of my kind," Saphira pointed out. "And now this! Glaedr is incredible, isn't he? He's so old and strong and his scales are so bright. He must be three times bigger than me. Did you see his claws?"
Saphira continued to gush for a while about the greatness of Glaedr. Harry let her prattle on, amused by his companion's antics.
By the time the mighty duo returned to their quarters it was too late to do much else so the pair just decided to rest up for the beginning of their training the next morning. Harry was awake after two hours and continued his flying explorations of Du Weldenvarden. When Saphira awoke the powerful Rider cleaned himself up before using a shaving charm to make Oromis happy. Soon after, Harry and Saphira were winging their way towards the Crags of Tel'naeir. Once there the pair of recent arrivals found Oromis and Glaedr waiting for them upon the young team's arrival at the hut.
"This is passable work considering the circumstances under which it was made. Brom has always been clever with his hands," Oromis declared after examining Saphira's saddle. "This will work when speed is of great necessity but when comfort is allowed—," Oromis began before disappearing into his hut and reappearing with a thick black molded saddle. "—use this," the elven Rider instructed. "This saddle was crafted in Vroengard and imbued with a plethora of enchantments to prevent it from failing its owner in a time of need."
"Thank you Master. What are these straps for?" Harry questioned as he took the heavy device from Oromis.
"Those straps are for securing your wrists and arms so that you are not killed like a rat shaken to death when Saphira performs a complex maneuver," was Glaedr's rumbling response.
"Saphira, today you will be with Glaedr for your training while Eragon learns from me here," Oromis instructed the pair after helping the younger Rider switch saddles on the smaller dragon's back.
"As you wish Master," Saphira's excited reply came before she leapt into the air to follow the already rising golden dragon.
Only a few moments later Oromis led Harry over to a spot beneath a nearby willow tree at the far side of the clearing the pair was in. The earth was packed hard from much traffic over the area.
"What I am going to demonstrate for you now Eragon is called the Rimgar, or the Dance of Snake and Crane. Originally the Rimgar was developed to ready our warriors for combat but in modern times all elves use the technique to maintain their health and fitness. Four levels compose the Rimgar, each more difficult than the one before it. First relax while placing your feet together with your arms at your sides. Looking straight ahead, take a deep breath and lift your arms over your head so that your palms come together. Good, good," Oromis praised as the silver haired elf carried out the poses alongside his student. "Now bend forward and press your palms flat against the ground. With another deep breath jump back and then look up towards the sky. Now exhale while lifting your hips so that you form a triangle," Oromis instructed.
The poses continued for some time. Due to his draconian alternate form the Asuran mage had very little trouble with the twisting and curving movements his elven instructor required of the muscled warlock.
"Let us wash the sweat from our limbs," suggested Oromis when the pair had finished their flexing exercises for the day.
The two trained warriors disrobed and slipped into the cool stream which ran behind the hut. Using his magical contacts the newest Rider had examined many a naked form of the elves of Alagaesia. These immortals were on average slimmer and more angular than the elves of Middle Earth but in no way better or worse.
"Now that we are clean it is time for another exercise of a different sort. You shall now exercise your mind," Oromis explained while leading his charge deep into the forest until the sky was obscured by the thick tree canopy overhead. "Sit here Eragon," Oromis instructed while indicating a flat polished white tree stump three yards in diameter in the center of the hallow Oromis had led the younger male to. "Cross your legs and close your eyes and open your mind. Listen to the thoughts of the world around you, to every living creature in your surroundings. The ants in the trees, the worms in the ground, and the birds in the sky all have thoughts and instincts; analyze them for their purpose and nature. Listen until you hear no more; then come tell me what you have learned."
Harry lowered his occlumency barriers sufficiently so that he could expand his awareness out beyond his body to a degree he had only experienced while ascended, or at least while focusing on the memories he had from his predecessor of being ascended. The powerful Asuran mage sensed and saw all of the life forms in the clearing as a swirling sphere of tiny lights which reminded him of the stars in a galaxy as he ventured between the star systems in his powerful ships. The nanites in his brain augmented the warlock's concentration and allowed his perceptions to zoom down to beyond the microscopic level. The veela hybrid had no problem examining the uncountable microbes which inhabited his surroundings but the mage didn't think Oromis had meant for the curious student to go quite that far considering the elder elf couldn't gaze that deeply into the nature of living beings.
No, Harry "zoomed" his mind back out and scanned the forest around him in a several hundred meter sphere of space. The perceptive wizard's scans encompassed the extra dimensions as well. In the highest dimensions the blonde enchanter could even see the very "essence" of each being, their string as the humans of the 21st century would refer to the essence of all things. When the magic users of any race uttered a spell what they were actually doing was attuning part of their spell, the energy matrix they cast out from their energy core, with the "frequency" with which their target vibrated. When the frequency of the target's string matched that of part of the spell the enchantment then attenuated/altered the target's string/essence into the desired frequency with which the caster had been envisioning when the magic user had performed the enchantment. In this way extremely evolved beings could alter the very nature of an object into another using the energy of higher dimensions which pervaded all space in those dimensions.
Language didn't really matter when performing the arcane arts. What was important was that the verbalization of the spell helped the caster's brain bend their higher dimensional energy into the right form to accomplish their desires. In some cases, like that of the Ancient language of the elves, the frequency of the words used were close enough to the higher dimensional frequency of the targeted string that not much effort was needed to be expended in concentration to alter the spell's frequency the rest of the way. Harry had discovered in his nightly flights and meditations over Ellesmera that the ward encompassing Alagaesia actually responded to the Ancient language.
Normally large amounts of magic in Alagaesia were difficult to harness without leaving the caster exhausted. Using techniques which could only be wielded by someone at least partially ascended, as Harry was at all times, the Asuran warrior could tap into the higher dimensional energy without leaving himself drained like his fellow spell casters of Alagaesia. But when a word was used in the Ancient language the ward opened up a conduit, a wormhole, into the higher dimensions for the spell caster. Such intelligence in the ward design suggested an advanced race on the Asuran level as being behind the ward over Alagaesia. Given that the Ancient language was also the language of the Furlings Harry was inclined to conclude that the Furlings were currently or at one time had been in Alagaesia. They might not be the Furlings of the green eyed reality traveler's original universe but they were at least as advanced as that version of their race.
Harry continued his meditation in the glade, thoughts of Furlings and magic inhibiting wards aside, for some hours. With his nanites linked to Alice's supercomputer intelligence the AI and her creator surmised what Oromis likely hoped for the younger Rider to accomplish with the task set to him. The incredibly intelligent pair also knew it unlikely they were supposed to complete such a task so soon. So the mage decided he would "play dumb" for a while so as to appear closer to the norm for a Rider, although the warlock would not take as long as most Riders would probably take to accomplish the task.
When Harry arrived back at the elf's hut he found the silver haired male writing with a goose feathered quill.
"What did you hear, Eragon?" Oromis questioned his charge after the elf had finished his current line of writing.
Harry recounted the observations which Alice had suggested he describe to Oromis for some minutes.
"Is that all?" Oromis questioned with a raised eyebrow when it appeared his charge had finished. "Were you aware of what the other creatures were doing while you were examining one particular cluster of beings? That was the point of the exercise. You must become aware of all things equally. Until you master this technique you shall meditate on that stump an hour each day."
Harry and Alice were correct about the purpose of the task.
"Yes Master," Harry agreed. "There was more Master," the Asuran added, pausing for effect.
"Oh…do tell," Oromis prodded with one raised eyebrow, what seemed to be a trademark expression for the elf.
"I learned in Middle Earth to train my senses to go deeper than what I suspect most beings in Alagaesia have been able to explore. There is a form of life even smaller than the insects," Harry explained while projecting a holographic image of what he was envisioning in his mind's eye via the layer of nanites coating his palm.
"Fascinating," Oromis muttered. "Tell me more."
Harry explained the observations of the microorganisms contained within the glade for an hour to Oromis before the elf decided the fascinating subject would have to wait until the day's training was complete. Alice had suggested the older elf could use some excitement so the revelation of the micro scale world had served its purpose. From then until Saphira and Glaedr returned the veela hybrid was tutored in the grammatical structure of the Ancient language. The reality traveler had to play dumb once more because as an Asuran the intelligent mage knew more about the original Furling language than even Oromis. But the language had evolved slightly since the time of its last modification by the Furlings to suit the elven people. The basics of each word were still close enough due to the need to keep the words close to their string frequencies.
The immortal student and teacher made great progress thanks to the green eyed sorcerer's nanites and occlumency enhanced memory. By the time the two dragons returned Oromis was satisfied with his pupil's progress and led the younger Rider out to meet Glaedr and Saphira as the two immense magical beings touched down.
Turning his head towards Harry, Glaedr questioned, "What are the rules three to spotting downdrafts, and the rules five for escaping them?"
The Potter Lord easily answered the golden dragon's question.
"What creatures do ants farm, and how do they extract food from them?" Oromis then questioned Saphira.
Saphira too was capable of answering the impromptu quiz. Harry had been maintaining a strong connection with his dragon at all times via the nanites in his brain so that the younger Rider could make sure she was ok and so that he wasn't distracted by using his own mind to observe his female friend.
"Good, very good," Oromis declared before removing an object from his pocket and handing it to his student. "So long as you take care to wind it regularly, this device will wake you at the proper time each morning. Return here as soon as you have bathed and eaten."
"Yes Master and thank you," Harry spoke as he climbed onto Saphira's back.
The younger dragon leapt into the air and the pair flew towards Ellesmera.
Once back in the tree house the blonde haired mage found a tray of food waiting for him. Just as Harry was about to eat there was heard a gentle rap at the door. The perimeter wards surrounding the tree house which the cautious magician had erected during the night didn't alert the warlock to his visitor's presence. That could only mean the visitor was on a short list of trusted people in Alagaesia. Gazing through the wooden door the sorcerer let a smile come to his lips while he called, "Enter."
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