Lynde stood atop the windy tower of Edoc'sil with the Elders Hvirag, Ragni, Kaesdir, and Haldthin as they awaited Eragon and Alaric's arrival. Kaesdir had said that they would be back today, so here she waited for their return. It was in the early afternoon when she finally caught sight of their Dragons.
As the two neared, Lynde felt the brush of a Dragon's mind against her own. For a moment she thought it was Artsanna, but she soon realized that it was Ragni. Disappointed Lynde asked, What is it, Ragni?
Ragni's tone was solemn as she answered. There is something you must know before the meeting begins. It is on the subject of the Eldunarí.
Lynde had heard that word before in the prison where Shruikan had been kept. The warden Cuaroc said something about them and then Artsanna described it as some sort of organ or something. She didn't know what Ragni meant by this so she asked politely, What about it?
You see, Lynde, the Eldunarí is something vital to a Dragon's life and soul. It is a gem inside their chest that all Dragons are hatched with and grow as they become older. What Ragni described next was almost horrifying. A Dragon keeps their mind and soul in their Eldunarí, and the Dragon can remove it from themselves if they so choose, and in that way keep a mental link and flow of energy to whoever has the Eldunarí.
Lynde was disturbed by this thought. The idea that a gem held a person's soul and the power one had over the Dragon if they had their Eldunarí was something that made her skin crawl. She couldn't think of any way it could be worse for the Dragon who had removed their Eldunarí.
Then Ragni said, If the Eldunarí is destroyed, the Dragon dies, but if the body is killed, then the Dragon will live on inside the Eldunarí. That was even worse; the idea that a small gem held their fate and to be trapped within a gem and not have any freedom or ability to command oneself. How the Dragons were cursed with this she did not know, and if there were any advantages to this, she did not see them even if others did.
You have encountered Eldunarí before, Lynde, Ragni said. In the prison, the wardens were Dragons from before the Fall who lived on in their Eldunarya. Shruikan lived on in his Eldunarí until you destroyed it. There is also a large cache of them under the Tower of the Dragon Riders.
Why do you mention this? Lynde asked, a little queasy from this talk.
Because we may mention Eldunarya during this, and we would like you to be prepared for it, Ragni explained. It is a matter of Dragons and it is best if a Dragon who was close to you explained it. I do wish Artsanna was here so that I could explain it to her as well, but that must wait until another time.
As Ragni finished, Saphira and Magnora landed on the tower. Saphira towered over all other Dragons partially because of her age and partially because most other Dragons bowed reverently to her as she stood proudly over them. Eragon and Alaric dismounted and looked to the other Elders. Kaesdir and Hvirag bowed so Lynde bowed as well. "Welcome, Alaric," Kaesdir said. "And welcome, Eragon, Elder among Elders."
As they rose Lynde noticed Eragon's gaze upon her. She had less fear of him than before, mostly because she was a full-fledged Rider now, but she was still nervous around him. He was rather handsome, and though she knew that it would be impossible for any sort of romance, she wanted to make sure her actions were not mistaken for having romantic intention behind them. At the same time he did not looked pleased as he saw her. "What is she doing here?" he asked.
"She insisted on being a part of this," Hvirag explained respectfully. "She was the one to slay Shruikan and discover the foul one's plot. I thought it was only fitting that she be present."
Eragon looked into her eyes and asked, "Do you know of the Eldunarí?"
Lynde was too nervous to answer so Hvirag answered for her. "Yes, Eragon, she does. Ragni made sure of that."
Eragon nodded. "Then let us begin the meeting below as long as there are no other surprises."
As they went down the stairs into the common area there were no other Dragon Riders to be seen. The other Riders and Dragons had been told to leave Edoc'sil for the time being so that there could be no eavesdroppers on this important meeting. The Elders stood in two circles with the Dragons forming a circle behind the Riders so everyone could see. Lynde stood next to Hvirag and waited for someone to start talking.
Kaesdir was first. "As you all know, fellow Elders, Shruikan was imprisoned in the Unknown Lands after the discovery of his Eldunarí underneath the citadel of Ilirea. As you also know he was killed by Lynde with the aid of Artsanna after he began to wipe the minds of his wardens. He was a threat and had to be destroyed, but before his death he revealed that he had corrupted the mind of one of the Elder Riders and set them on their way to reap havoc in Alagaësia. While there is no telling what secret damage he has wrought, it should be clear to all that I do not blame you as you may not even be aware of the corruption."
"What do you mean by that?" Alaric asked hostilely. "You're just as likely a suspect as anyone else."
"Actually no," Kaesdir corrected gravely. "Once we had returned to the Tower of the Dragon Riders, Hvirag and I went to the vault underneath the Tower and were tested by the Eldunarya who searched for any signs of corruption. Unless the corruption is so subtle that the Eldunarya could not detect it, neither of us are Shruikan's pawns. This means it is either you, Alaric, or Eragon."
Eragon drew his blue sword and pointed it towards Alaric. Hvirag, Kaesdir, and Alaric all drew their swords and pointed them at Eragon in response to this. Lynde also took her sheath off her shoulder and drew Iet'baen, hoping she wouldn't need to use it. Eragon looked at them with a betrayed look in his eyes. "Have you all gone mad? It's Alaric, you know it is!"
"We don't know that yet," Hvirag said shaking his beard. "Put down your blade, Eragon." Eragon frowned. "And the same to you, Alaric. We don't know who the Corrupted One is, so we can't be too cautious."
After a pause both of the men dropped their swords. Alaric said, "It's okay; I don't need Solus to take any of you."
Around this time Lynde noticed two things. One was a belt around Alaric's body that had something attached to it that she couldn't see anything but a blurry outline of, betraying the fact that it was hidden by a spell but not betraying what it was. The other thing was a shimmering of air behind Eragon that suggested another invisibility spell, but a far better one. She had no way of knowing for sure what they were hiding, but she guessed that they were weapons.
Hvirag and Kaesdir lowered their swords, but did not sheath them. "Good," Kaesdir said. "Now if you'll each submit to our test, we will be able to determine who is to be cured."
"What test?" Alaric asked suspiciously.
"Haldthind, Hvirag, Ragni, and I will probe your minds individually," Kaesdir explained. "We shall search for the signs of corruption that the Eldunarya told us to look for and then report our findings. I hope that is acceptable to both of you."
Alaric blanched. Even his red burn scars looked pale. Lynde saw this and realized that he had to be the Corrupted One. Only the Corrupted One would react so poorly to this. He had to be it.
As Kaesdir began to speak again, Eragon stomped on the tip of his sword, flinging it into the air, and he grabbed it. He then swung his sword around so fast it made a strange sound in the air and the Elders stepped back. He then turned and ran towards Saphira.
"He's the one," Alaric shouted.
"I won't disagree with you there," Hvirag replied.
Lynde ran after Eragon, shaking off her surprise and readying her mind for battle. Eragon jumped onto the back of Saphira and the sapphire Dragon jumped onto the wall and crawled through the window. Ragni went after them, snapping her fangs, aiming for the other Dragon's leg to sink her teeth into. Saphira got away though and flew away east.
"Come on," Alaric shouted. "He's getting away."
"No," Kaesdir said. "You'll stay here with us." A look of disappointed and confusion crossed Alaric's face. The Elf looked to Hvirag. "Hvirag, you and Ragni take Lynde and go after them. I sent the other Riders out to be ready in the event the Corrupted One ran away. They'll slow him down enough for you to catch up."
Hvirag nodded and motioned for Lynde to follow him up the stairs, who she obeyed. As they ran up, Lynde asked, "Why are they staying behind?"
"Because Alaric's not above suspicion yet," Hvirag answered. "We want to wait until after the test to make any accusations." That seemed unnecessary as it was clear who the Corrupted One was now. She hadn't seen it; she'd assumed Alaric was the one, and now she discovered that she was wrong. Eragon was the Corrupted One, and now Lynde would have to fight him to finish this.
It seemed impossible though. This man had defeated Murtagh the Traitor, killed Galbatorix, and slayed the Shade Durza. Eragon was too powerful for any two of the Elders to face, even with four other pairs. It seemed impossible to defeat a legend like Eragon, but they would have to try for the sake of Alagaësia.