An: Yes, I've had some speculation over Arya's blindness. Don't worry, I have read Eragon and Eldest. And Arya's not going to stay blind for good! Remember the curse mentioned? No da.

Disclaimer: Don't own The Inheritance Trilogy.

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Chapter 15-Caution

Washing the blood and soil from his face in a nearby stream, Eoin calmed down, only to be tensed yet again when the crow made any sudden moves on his shoulder. His florid reflection disturbed him as he gazed down on the water. His dusky, bagged eyes, matted hair, sullen expression. I look dead, he thought with the disturbing idea prodding the back of his mind that he might always look that way.

His shoulders slumped with the embarrassment and ignominy he felt. He laughed at himself, and the crow stared at him with wide eyes. He felt nostalgic now, longing for the things in the past. Oh, how wonderful life was back then! His wonderful village, the smile people gave him as he passed bye, no staring as now from his hideous scars. Back then, he was a paragon for the younger ones; all looked up to him to do something heroic and idol-ly to burst the enthusiasm in their souls.

But, then again, Eoin considered, paradise never lasts forever. What? Like everything was gonna stay the way I want?

He stood from his crouch and surveyed his surroundings. He saw it was close to late morning, and he must be heading back to the vestibule. People will be wondering. But Brunhivtr crowed loudly in disagreement. Eoin growled at him, but the crow only looked at him haughtily through its red eyes.

Surprisingly, Eoin couldn't find his tunic from where he left it on the ground. Smiling, he thought, Arya.

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Vrael stared at himself in the mirror. Nothing seemed to have changed. His unruly hair, his close-to-orange eyes, and his glowing skin; all the same. Vrael scowled at his hair. He tried straightening it with his hands, but to no avail.

Evarinya poked his large head in the bathroom and stared at Vrael matting his hair down vigorously with a huge green eye. Vrael gave up and looked at Evarinya questioningly. Shouldn't we be with the queen right now? She said she wanted to talk to us last night upon our arrival.

Evarinya shrugged. I think you should follow Arya. She obviously is making haste to leave.

It was true. Arya was already dressed and ready, bow in hand. She was wearing a green linen blouse bringing out the colors in her eyes, and brown trousers. She was waiting for Vrael behind Evarinya. "Um, Vrael?"

"Yeah?"

"I think you should wake your father. I'd do it, but he seems so… well… old."

Vrael laughed, went to his father, and shook him violently. Briam, waking up with a start, dropped his glasses and Vrael watched remorsefully as they shattered on the floor.

Briam stared drowsily at Vrael, then the remains of his glasses, then at Vrael again. "Oh, you narrow-minded son of mine, you. You know I can't function without my glasses."

Although Briam didn't seem to care as he just awoke, Evarinya stared at Vrael. Do something!

"Er…"

Arya sighed and bent down on the floor. "Put the broken shards in my hand, Vrael."

He did as he was told, and Arya stood up, putting the shards in Vrael's right hand. Vrael cringed as the shattered glass dug into his skin. "Now concentrate, raise your left hand over the glasses, and mutter 'reassemble' in the ancient language."

Briam stood up from his seat and stretched, watching Vrael. "Well?"

"I-" Vrael hesitated. What was he supposed to do?

Just do it, boy.

Vrael heaved a deep sigh, and concentrated hard on the shards in his hand. He could see prickles of blood forming on his palm, making it even harder for him to concentrate. Nevertheless, Vrael said, "Malthinae," As Arya had told him, and, right before his eyes, the shards and pieces of the glass reassembled as rays of light erupted from his Gedwey Ignasia and surrounded the shards, revolving and moving them in midair, arranging them to their past form as if arranging a puzzle. A few moments later, a full pair of clear, golden-rimmed glasses lay in his hand. Vrael staggered. Yes, this was surprising, but the energy it took from him was exhausting, he had to lay a hand on Evarinya to keep himself from falling.

Briam blinked twice in surprise, yet did not let his facial expressions convey it. He took his glasses from Vrael's shaking hand and surveyed them thoughtfully. "…Interesting."

Arya stared blankly and asked, "Did it work?"

Vrael regained his balance and tried to control his speeding heart-rate, breathing deeply. "Yes, but-"

"Ah, all questions will be explained soon," Arya interrupted. "For now, just keep it as it is."

Vrael nodded and leaned against Evarinya, still panting.
That… was…

Strange, even the dragon could not hide his surprise.

Wonderful! Imagine what the elves could teach me of these powers! First that cut, now this!

Cautious, child. You felt how those incidents drained you so easily and hastily. There's no knowing of what it can do in the wrong or mistaken intentions. Use it wisely.

At that precise moment, Eoin came from the doorway from the stairs, bare-chested. Brunhivtr was still on his shoulder and Aiglos was still in his hand, as if nothing had happened. His scar on his chest glistened red as if swelled, but Eoin seemed not to notice. Vrael, Briam, and Evarinya eyed him menacingly. Evarinya even let out a low growl.

Eoin entered the vestibule, and he sensed the tension. Smiling awkwardly yet retaining a solid smug expression, he said, "I was walking through the forest when my tunic caught a tree branch and tore, in case you're wondering."

He lies easily, thought Vrael, trying to hide his envy.

That he does.

At the sound of his voice, Arya turned around from the view and smiled briefly, yet hesitantly, at him. Eoin returned the greeting awkwardly, and a pang of jealousy rushed up Vrael's spine.

He stood up and said, "So… shouldn't we be heading to Queen Islinzadi's hall? Arya, you said she wanted to meet us…"

Arya stared blankly at him then snapped back to the present. "Huh- oh, yes. That. Yes, she'll want to talk to you especially, Vrael and Evarinya, about the training that will be set upon you, as upon all the other past Riders throughout history."

"Er- then we should get going," replied Vrael timorously. Briam and Evarinya still kept their gaze on Eoin, like fathers keeping danger away from their son.

Brunhivtr ruffled his wings noisily on Eoin's shoulder. Eoin said frivolously, shooting a quick glance in Arya's direction, "Sure, guys. That'd be great. But can someone get me a new tunic first so I may attire before appearing by the Queen?"

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