A/N: Hello once again, just to warn you guys this chapter is going to be providing a lot of background information on my OC Joshua who I mentioned in previous chapters as one of the instructors at the Rider Academy. Basically this chapter is going to be a series of flashbacks that will hopefully explain who he is and why Eragon is allowing him to teach the Rider Apprentices, oh and he will not be the only character in this story that will be getting some of the mystery removed from them in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Inheritance cycle including all characters that appear in the books. The only thing I do own is the characters and locations I created.

"The condition of a military force is that its essential factor is speed, taking advantage of others, failure to catch up, going by routes they do not expect, attacking where they are not on guard."

ART OF WAR

Master Sun Tzu

Chapter 9

Four days later

29 miles East of Hedarth

Joshua's POV

We are flying silently, almost like an ethereal being, through the cold night air, due to my superior eyesight I can easily spot the Easternmost town in Alagaesia rapidly approaching, the closer we get to the small town I am able to see the considerable growth the town has made though it is not anywhere close to Ileria, Farthen Dur or even Aberon. I still remember the last time I seen it almost fifty years ago…..

*Flashback*

50 years prior…..

"Greetings Joshua-vodr it is a welcome pleasure and an honor to see such an accomplished Swordsman and Mage back in Alagaesia for the first time since you left with Lead Rider Eragon Lightbringer all those years ago as his Chief Tactician and second in command."

"Indeed Blodhgarm-elda it is…. Though I do wish that my arrival was not marred with the death of my longtime friend and partner Lenora, My Dragon was killed by a treacherous Rider named Wulfrum. In any case I must request to see the current Lead Rider who I happen to hear has moved the Rider Headquarters from Vroengard to a new place that I hear you happen to be teaching at."

"Yes of course I am sure Grand Master Shadeslayer will gladly accommodate your request for a meeting. I shall request that he dispatches Riders Ismira and Vanir to come and get you from Hedarth."

"Thank you Blodhgarm-elda."

*End Flashback*

"Ebrithil…. Ebrithil are you ok you have been unresponsive for almost 10 minutes already."

"Hmmm, sorry Drail I was just remembering the last time that I was here in Hedarth."

"Okay Master if you say you are fine then I suppose that you are…."

"Of course I am now if you would you like to tell me just where we are at," I ask as I notice that have landed in a small field.

"We just landed in Hedarth and Ebrithil Blodhgarm ordered us to the Tavern for the night."

"Very well let's go join the rest of our company." I state as Drail and I walk to the tavern as we get closer, the pungent smell of Tobacco, Alcohol, and Unwashed man hit my nose full on, glancing at Drail I state, "Is it just me or does this horrid stench affect you just as much as it does me?"

Chuckling Drail states with his eyebrow cocked, "Yes Master it does let's go find the others inside."

Walking up to the door we see an old faded sign that reads….

Last Hope Tavern and Inn

Est.… 50 B.F.G

No Kilin, No figtin, an no messin wit the wenches.

Glancing at Drail I raise my eyebrow and open the door, no sooner as I walk in a half-empty Tankard flies past my head nearly hitting me. The further I step into the room I see Nyomie, Samuel, & Lilian all three are sitting at a corner table in the back of the bar while Kurov, Blodhgarm, Gideon, and Yaela appeared to have gone off to bed. Suddenly I see two very drunk men and one fairly sober one approach the table where the three young Riders are seated.

"Hey lookie wha we hav here George, Thre Nobls al alone, said the first man as he swayed dangerously on his feet

"Yeshh Ben and two aree wenches lets hav fun wit tem wat you tink Aaron?"

"I think the two of you are making complete idiots out of yourselves and we should get back before the Boss finds out where we have been and what we have been doing." Stated Aaron

"Aw buts I wana play wit tis one rit here." Ben states as he grabs Nyomie's right Breast.

"Sir if you would like to keep your hand attached to your body I would unhand her if I were you." I stated in a low deadly tone.

"O an why shod I perty boy." States Ben.

"Well firstly she is no ordinary Noble, she is Rider Nyomie and the other three are Dragon Riders as well."

"Wha thes here wenches and those welps are Riders?, and who mite you be Eragon Shadeslayer himself. Asks George

"Nay my drunken lout I am Joshua Swiftblade Master Rider of the First Rider Order and Battle Instructor for the New Rider Order. So I state again leave us to our own devices or suffer the consequences."

"Ye ar a Liar", states Ben

"Ben, George we need to leave right now before this escalates any further." States Aaron as he has his hand on his sword.

Aaron, Ben let tech tese nobls a leson. States George

"Lilian, you and Nyomie go get the others Drail, Samuel, and I can deal with these fools."

"George, Damn you! Are you completely devoid of all common sense leave them alone and come on. States Aaron still trying to reason with his two friends.

Suddenly with a shout George drew his blade and thrusted it towards Samuel who sidestepped and immediately drew his own blade. Seeing the naked blades resulted in three more blades being drawn Ben's, Drail's and mine. Aaron looked at his two companions as they attacked Samuel and swore at them viciously.

"Barzul, you two idiots are going to get us killed."

"Aaron, this is not your fight stand down", states Drail, "you tried your best to stop them and to face any of us is deadly. Joshua is one of few that has actually beaten the Shadeslayer and both Samuel and I have bested many opponents."

"Do you think I don't realize this is a fight I cannot win, however not only do I work with these two fools they are the only blood family I have so this is my fight and I must defend them. So on guard." States Aaron as he attacks Drail with blinding fast speed.

Blocking the attack Drail smiles like a predator to its prey and states, "Well Sir Aaron I see you have picked me." As he said this Samuel ran George through with his sword and I had Ben knocked unconscious and bleeding from a wound in his thigh.

"Aaron give it up one companion lies dead the other wounded" states Samuel calmly, hearing light footsteps approaching I turn with my sword ready only to see the rest of our company awoken from their slumbers all with blades drawn.

Drail and Aaron circle each other slow and calculating like two Alpha wolves in a pack. The rest of us stand in a circle around them. Aaron feints left but goes right, Drail easily parries and counters with a left slash as Aaron grits his teeth and barely manages to block the blow, the two then separate and Drail being his normal self takes advantage and states. "Aaron listen I understand your loyalty to your brethren but I must beg that you lower your blade, you are a good honorable man and I would like to not be forced into killing you."

"The only way I will lower my blade is if you and your companions lower your blades first and allow me to take Ben and leave unscathed."

Smiling I order the others to lower all blades, "very well Aaron take your man and leave."

Raising his sword in a silent salute he then sheathes it and manages to pick the portly Ben up over his shoulder and walks out into the night.

"Well now that all the excitement has officially died down I suggest that we all retire for the night", states Blodhgarm

Smiling I nod and we all walk up to our rooms.

*2 hours later*

*Flashback 900 years before the fall of the Riders*

*Ancient Language*

"Master where are we going?" asks a Brown haired rider clad in a suit of Slate colored brightsteel armor with his right hand on his sword hilt and his left hand on his bearded chin.

"Joshua, how many times have I asked you to just call me Eragon, not only are you my oldest friend but you are also the younger brother to my mate so if you do not mind not calling me Master." States an Elvish man with long white hair, wearing a set of brilliant snow white colored brightsteel armor, with a white cloak with the symbol of the Rider Order. "Now to answer your question, we are going to Alalëa, the Elvin homeland."

"As you wish Ma… Eragon, but are you certain that 100 Riders is not over doing it just a bit, especially because some of them are high ranking members of the Rider Order. Also I highly disapprove of not expelling Rider Wulfrum from the Rider Order for attacking Vrael, and I definitely do not agree with giving him the honor of letting him ride with us to Alalëa." Asked Joshua

With a weary sigh Eragon looked Joshua in the eye and states "I understand your concerns brother I really do though I do believe I have left the Order in very capable hands. My son Anurin should be able to handle the Riders easily, especially with the assistance of the two young but wise and talented Riders Oromis and Arva. Besides I recognize talent when I see it and Rider Vrael has the potential to become a wise and powerful Rider in his own right and perhaps one day Lead Rider, as for Wulfrum this is not to reward" his behavior but for Talia, you, and I to keep a close watch on him.

Satisfied with the answer Joshua clasped his best friend and fearless leader on his arm and states with a mischievous grin, "Yes Master Eragon I will personally keep a close watch on him so you and my sister can relax together or whatever else lifemates do in their spare time."

*Several months later*

Two Elvish looking men are standing on the aft deck of a great ship watching the waves of the ocean while their Dragons float lazily in the water, when suddenly soft footsteps catch their attention and they turn to see a beautiful Elvish Lady wearing an Amethyst colored tunic with white leather pants and with her raven colored hair done up un a messy bun, walking towards them. Smiling at the two men she states, "My love and my brother we have spotted land and the Elves we have brought with us are eager to make landfall so we can depart from our Vessels."

With a wink I state, "Why thank you dear sister so kind of you to inform us of this, I was just saying to our fearless leader about how we just had to be close to land by now I mean we have been sailing for almost a full year now, besides I think you should take your mate back while I do enjoy his company he is rather dull at times."

Playfully slapping Joshua on his back Eragon states, "Well not everyone can afford to be as lax and carefree as you. Besides if I were who else could lead this rabble of Riders, eh?"

Laughing the Lead Rider and his mate left to go to their cabin to prepare for making landfall leaving me to look out into the distance as I states softly to myself, "I really hope this adventure does not end in disaster."

*One year before the Fall of the Riders*

I am walking through the camp in a hurry to get to my brother in all but blood with a great many things pressing on my mind, my emotions are about to burst free as I does not know whether to anger or cry, but keeping my composure I easily pulls on a steel faced mask that I have adopted over the course of this war. Reaching the command tent I burst in to find Eragon with the other commanders, in a deep commanding voice I order all in the room save for Eragon himself to leave.

With a frown Eragon asks calmly, "Joshua why did you order everyone out?"

The emotions about to burst free I state in a deceivingly steady voice, "Brother, we have just lost another group of twenty Riders to that traitorous Wulfrum and his scum"

Frustrated Eragon slams his fist against the oaken table and states, "Blast that man to the depths of the ocean, this situation is careening out of control. How many Riders remain loyal to us?

Still able to control my emotions I state, "We have around 250 full Riders and 100 apprentices, however we are losing more every day to Wulfrum's banners. Oh and Brother there is something else…." My emotions finally getting the better of me I broke down in tears as he barely managed to choke out. "We have found Talia's squad that has been missing for days and not a single Rider survived, the bastards have killed my twin sister and your mate." As I said these words he broke completely down and as Eragon heard them he too lost all composure and wept for his dead mate.

In disbelief Eragon mutters. "My…. Mate is dead… I feel as though my heart has been ripped in half and the pieces fed to the dirt. Suddenly Eragon regains his composure and his mood switches from devastation to revengeful. Grabbing his mighty sword he thunders, "THIS HAS GONE TOO FAR, FOR FAR TO LONG. Joshua rally our army loyal Elves and Riders alike for tomorrow we march on the Traitors Army and this war will end tomorrow whether we Rise in Victory or we Fall in Defeat."

Bowing I state "Yes my Lord Eragon it will be done, and may the Gods forever curse Wulfrum for the day he crossed us."

As he watched Joshua leave his tent he calls out. "Oh and should I fall tomorrow take the survivors and flee to Alagaesia and unite the Riders there for I fear that Wulfrum shall go there next."

With a backwards glance I state in a crisp tone. "Yes my old friend I will do so."

*101 years after the fall of the Riders*

I slowly walk to where Eragon is seated troubled at the reports I have just been given, nearing my oldest living friend I see the toll this war has taken on his body speaking I state. "Eragon old friend we only have 12 Riders left including the two of us, Emperor Wulfrum has complete control over the entire continent, Oh and we shall not have any assistance from Alagaesia I have learned from Rider Oromis that the Alagaesian Rider Order fell to 13 Riders almost a hundred years ago, around the same time ours did. Eragon, all Riders save for Oromis and two younger Riders named Brom and Christius have fallen. Alagaesia is currently in a state of civil war with a group named the Varden being led by a young Boy named Eragon Shadeslayer, my lord there are only four living Dragons in Alagaesia and young Shadeslayer is the Rider of one."

Raising his head Eragon slowly speaks, "So brother you are telling me that not only have I failed one Rider Order but both of the ones I created."

*148 years After the Fall of Galbatorix*

I walk with a sip in my step that has been missing for decades as I approach Eragon. "Brother we have done it, we have broken the back of the beast that was Emperor Wulfrum's Army and we have him on the run as we speak, by your leave I shall pursue him to the ends of the Earth and relieve his shoulders of his head."

Turning to me Eragon states "Very well brother… old friend and comrade it has been nice having you by my side now go and avenge all the fallen for us both. I will mop up the remnants of his army here and try to restore peace."

*150 years After the Fall of Galbatorix*

Panting I stand across from Wulfrum, both of our swords Drawn as we stand on Alagaesian soil for the first time in centuries, Wulfrum surrender yourself this madness has gone on long enough. By the Gods we have both already lost our Dragons in this foolish fight."

Laughing in an evil manner Wulfrum states, "I do not believe it is over for me just yet you foolish Dragonless Rider, look around you; it would seem as if you have failed your task for I win we are now in Alagaesia." As he said that he said a transportation spell and disappeared in a flash of black light. Suddenly years of exhaustion and grief catch up to me as I slowly slip into unconsciousness, the final thought in my brain is, "I have failed you Master Eragon."

Present day

Two young Riders watch as their Master twists and turns in the night when suddenly Joshua moans "Talia, Eragon. I am sorry." The two young Riders look at each other when the younger one asks the elder, "Drail who is Talia?"

Drail looks at Samuel who is just as perplexed as he. "Not sure though she must have been close to Ebrithil Eragon and Ebrithil Joshua did seem rather torn up about it."

Silent as the night Gideon sweeps into the room and sees the two Riders and hears them talking, "Now what are you two trouble makers talking about?"

"Well Ebrithil Joshua is talking in his sleep about Ebrithil Eragon and some woman named Talia" Samuel states in bewilderment

With an annoyed sigh Gideon states, "Were the two of you not paying a bit of attention during the history of the Early Riders, Talia is the mate of Eragon Lightbringer. The first Rider.

Stunned Drail manages to get out "Wait this must mean he knew the both of them personally and not of them."

The trio suddenly fell silent as Joshua slowly started to stir, opening his eyes Joshua can see the three standing there looking at him, in annoyance he asks. "Yes can I help the three of you?"

Samuel asks, "Ebrithil... can we ask you about something."

With a snort Joshua quips, "Well you just asked one but if there is something else you wish to ask go on ahead."

"Well there is one thing," states Drail "Master did you know Eragon Lightbringer and his mate Talia personally?"

With a shocked look on his face Joshua frantically asks. "H…how did you guess that and how did you get those names? Wait was I sleep talking again?"

"Yes Ebrithil you were" states Drail

"To answer your question young Riders yes I did personally know both Eragon Lightbringer and Talia. When I first met Eragon he was my first and only Master and later he became my best friend and then my Brother when he took my sister Talia as his mate. Talia like I said was not only my sister but my older twin, she was everything I was not quiet and humble, while I was loud and arrogant in myself, my sister and her squadron of Riders was mercilessly cut down by a band of Riders led by an evil Rider named Wulfrum around the same time period that Vrael was killed by Galbatorix. Then 148 years after that crushed Wulfrum and his army, causing him to flee here, I pursued the traitor fiercely and in doing so I lost everything that I held dear to me… Wulfrum murdered my dragon so in my rage I used forbidden spells so dark that have not been used since the first Elves left Alalëa, in doing so I killed the evil beast that his Dragon had become. It was not too long after that, I happened to come across Blodhgarm in Hedarth. I have been an instructor at the Rider Academy ever since. Oh and yes Shadeslayer & Blodhgarm both know what I have just told the three of you, now I want all of you to swear to me you will never speak of this to anyone who does not already know unless I personally give you permission."

"I swear", states Samuel

"As do I", agrees Gideon

"Wulfrum… that is the name of the Supreme Surdan Military Commander." States Drail with his brow furrowed.

*Hidden Tower 20 miles from Aberon*

It is a cold dark wet rainy Surdan night, Thunder rumbles and growls while lightning strikes the ground. Winds howling around the silent tower. Suddenly a dark clad man approaches an imposing figure on the balcony, "M…master we have almost completed the weapon it is now ready for testing. "

The tall Dark armored man turns revealing the face of Wulfrum, Supreme commander of the Surdan Military. With an evil smile he states, "Good ready the test subject."

Suddenly the roar of a dragon in extreme pain and discomfort shakes the surrounding area…

A/N: Well there we go hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, sorry that is shorter that some of the others but like I said enjoy it and Y'all have a good night.