Publisher's notice: I am not the author of this story. I am merely publishing this story on behalf of the author found at: tgfwritter (.) deviantart (.) com.

Original Story: http:/tgfwritter . deviantart . com /art/MMF-EragonPhase-part-14-251710385

Chapter 14

Alexander and Seranim didn't take too long to reach where Eragon was, they managed to stop him from taking off with Saphira in time.

It was simple enough to see Eragon had changed since last he was seen by Alexander. His features had smoothed and had been trimmed to a point that he seemed to be in the perfect middle between elf and human. But he could also see pain in his eyes.

"Good to see you're better." Alexander commented. "I have some things I must tell you."

"What are they?" Eragon asked as he came down from Saphira's saddle.

"I came to tell you I'll be leaving to Surda tomorrow." Alexander replied. "I've done what I had to here, and even if there's still much to learn, I have to go with the Varden and help them. Things will become dangerous soon enough, and I suspect you'll have to go there before than what you actually think."

"Shouldn't I be going with you then?" Eragon offered. "I'd take you on Saphira's back if need be."

"Then what will happen to Orik?" Alexander asked. "No, for what I can reveal to you, you'll remain here several more weeks at the very least. You must learn as much as you can in that meantime." he paused for a second. "Also, warn Oromis that Galbatoix has a Rider and that you'll be facing him before you get the chance to return, and that he prepares you accordingly."

"Galbatorix has found a Rider?" this made all present jump in shock and disbelief. If not because Alexander had spoken in the ancient tongue, he'd probably be being doubted heavily. He was fortunate the only ones that had heard his words were Eragon, Saphira and Seranim.

"Aye, I suspect it happened around the time we reached the Varden." Alexander replied. "I already warned them of this, and I also revealed it to Islanzadi and Oromis, though I did not tell them anything else." he took a step closer to Eragon and looked at him straight into the eye. "I have my reasons not to have revealed this thus far, and I'm warning you now because I would not like this to take you by surprise once you meet him."

"Who is this new Rider?" Eragon worried.

Alexander doubted for a second before frowning on himself. "You might hate me for not telling you. More even when you find out. But if I did tell the name of the new Rider, you would become far too distracted for your studies." he explained. "Arya is in your mind enough as it is, I fear that with the name you'd lose yourself for too long before returning." he placed his hands on his shoulders. "Too much is riding on you for you to crumble right now. Trust me when I tell you that I'll reveal his name to you when you're called for and reach the Varden."

"I do not know if your choice has been wise either." Eragon just glared. "For now I'll spend sleepless nights wondering who the Rider I'll be fighting is."

"I also worry that if I hinted it, you'd find out." Alexander retorted. "Just promise me you'll give no more thought on who it is. You must get as strong as you can before the battle. You must not waver for it'll mean you'll lose precious time."

"Very well." Eragon frowned a bit. "But be prepared, I'll have some things to discuss with you tonight."

"I feared as much." Alexander sighed. "Just make sure to bring Orik and Saphira as well."

And with that said, he hopped back onto Saphira and took off, now with a bit of worry in his face as well as the pain from before.

"Don't ask, about how I know these things." Alexander turned to Seranim. "I will explain everything before I leave."

"No need." Seranim said with a soft smile. "I'll be accompanying you." she saw his shocked expression. "At least until the edge of Du Weldenvarden."

This relaxed him a bit, but not much.

-

Throughout the rest of the day, Alexander spent most of his time talking with Seranim about many things. Most were stories about the world he came from and about the fights he had fought in this new one. The rest were questions about her and her life. Though she didn't reveal that much about her life, she did talk quite some about things such as her experiences while traveling.

Judging by how she narrated and the stories and historical facts she had experienced firsthand, Alexander estimated her to be at least over a hundred thirty years old.

Still, he found it very enjoyable to talk with her, even when she did spicy remarks about that blurred memory he couldn't seem to recall no matter how hard he tried. And, unlike most of the elves he had met so far, she didn't seem that hell-bent on being cordial and respectful all the time even if she didn't seem amorous to begin with. Which was a breath of fresh air in more ways than one.

What was left of the day, he spent it madly writing things down on a set of quills that he explained Seranim he'd be giving Islanzadi the next day.

When dusk came, Eragon knocked heavily on Alexander's door just as he had been about to coax her into revealing some information about what they had done the prior night. The look in her eyes suggested she had been timing it.

Stepping out, he found Orik and Saphira also there. Quietly, he just handed Eragon the wooden blade they had used to practice all that time. Seranim just stood from the door while watching intently.

"Are you really leaving?" Eragon asked as Alexander took his own blades.

"It's something I must do if I wish to be there on time." Alexander replied shortly. "I couldn't just head there riding with you, Saphira and Orik. Two she may take, but three would put too much strain."

"What about our classes?" Eragon wondered.

"I's certain the changes within you have been far more than just appearance." Alexander stated as he readied his wooden blades. "I'll fight you only once, but I will not hold back, I'll use the same tricks and skills I would use if I were fighting Vanir or Arya." he paused, seeing Eragon's surprise.

This seemed to confuse Eragon since his expression clearly showed surprise. "But I've never defeated you before."

"I have the strong feeling today will be an exception." Alexander replied softly. "Prepare yourself."

Alexander slowed his thoughts and washed them away as the mantra sung within his mind, gently opening it up and spreading it to the area around him. He felt Seranim's own mind touch his for just an instant before the retreated it, but he ignored this as he focused on Eragon's mind.

He knew the Rider had felt his presence, and began a mental counterattack. What neither of them expected was that the counter-stab was several times stronger than what it used to be, and Alexander winced in pain as he realized his only chance would be to actually go all out.

But when he was about to get ready for a second attack, he found himself face to face with Eragon, who was already aiming a blow to his head.

Reacting as fast as he could, he managed to lessen the blow to almost nothing by rolling backwards and using his elbows to push the un-sharpened blade away, his regaining its bearings and ready for a full out battle as he began doing repeated stabs at Eragon, each increasing in strength and putting to the test his defenses as he cast the spells to sharpen his daggers.

RED

It flashed with such strength that it almost stunned him, and midway his attack, he stepped to a side and barely managed to dodge in time the stab. Even when capable of predicting his next move, it was proving hard to keep pace with his blows.

He could feel Eragon's blade shrugging off his own sharpening spells, and it was easy to notice that Eragon himself was casting some sort of spell into the wood every time he paused or took distance.

They were distant again, and Alexander realized he was already being hard pressed into a corner, Eragon was blocking his blade somehow, and if he wasn't careful, the wood of his daggers would snap at any moment.

Taking a stance Eragon had not seen before, with one arm almost vertical in front of him and the other one hanging horizontally over his head, Alexander readied for a change in strategy. He had to take the initiative or else he'd be defeated without as much as a chance.

Seeing no future in attempting to cut down the wood, he changed the spell from cutting to increasing their endurance, and added a little something else as he held back a grin.

Eragon awaited for his attacker this time, and began to block with ease the almost continuous stream of attacks that came from one dagger and then the next. Something felt odd about the pattern, he was sure Alexander would have tried to pull him into a grappling match, but the chance never came.

Seeing an opening in the attacks, Eragon began to counter and attack himself, noticing how less and less Alexander dodged and used more parries and blocks even when the attack could have been easily avoided.

Even Alexander's ears picked up the sound of a crack coming from his daggers as he had managed to parry yet another attack merely because he knew it had been coming a second before it did.

Eragon picked up on the noise as well, and grinned as he began to push, getting closer and attacking harder and faster still, each blow becoming impossible to block as their strength would have broken through the defenses.

And when Alexander began to take a step back to gain some distance, Eragon's foot was sweeping his own from underneath him, and the young human stumbled back while a the Rider brought down a swing from his blade onto his skull.

The blades broke like twigs as he had blocked the attack, and as Alexander lay there on his back panting for air and seeing Eragon smile in triumph, Eragon's sword suddenly burst into splinters as well. Something that seemed to take the Rider and those present by surprise all together.

"You won." Alexander managed to say as he took Eragon's hand to help himself stand up. "But only because I didn't manage to delay enough time."

"What did you do to my sword?" Eragon wondered, his face of victory not quite gone yet.

"I used vibrations to destroy it from within." Alexander replied briefly. "Every time my daggers touched your sword, I sent in a different vibration through its length." he stated. "After the sixth impact, I found the harmonizing wave of the sword and began to increase its strength." he sighed, looking at his broken wooden ones. "It was only a matter of time before it got strong enough to break the wood, I tried to delay you while continuing to parry and block your hits to avoid you from noticing the vibration."

"My training is done?" Eragon blinked in surprise.

"Of course not, you bonehead." Alexander slapped the back of his head and caught him by surprise. "You might have beaten me, but that doesn't mean I don't have anything I can't teach you." he grumbled a bit. "Besides, do you think I'll forgive you for cheating your way through?" then he nudged a knuckle onto Eragon's shoulder, making him wince in pain as he dropped the wooden sword. "There's still too much I've got to show you, don't even dare to think I'm done with you."

"How…?" Eragon looked at his arm in shock, seemingly no longer able to move it yet still able to feel it.

"Here, let me help." Alexander sighed as he repeated the punch, and Eragon blinked as his arm moved up instinctively. "See what I meant that you had much to learn?" the young man sighed while pointing at the place he had been in. "From tomorrow onwards, you are to follow a set of instructions I left you there, as well as read the books I prepared beforehand, at the very least one hour every day." he instructed. "Rioku will be there most of the time if my guess is right, I'll make sure to warn him that he's allowed to read any of that information as long as he doesn't take the books and scrolls out." he paused, grabbing the pieces of the wooden dagger that had fallen to the floor. "The first one you'll read is related to what I just did to you, though it's still imperfect, it can be of use at some point."

"I'll miss you." Eragon stated while stretching out a friendly hand that Alexander shook vigorously.

"Same here." Alexander said back. "Just make sure you get a better hold of your balance before we meet again. Else I'll take full advantage of it next time we spar."

"Will do." Eragon muttered.

Much to Alexander's surprise, he wasn't woken up by Coffee, but by Seranim, who was kissing him softly in the cheek and reminding him that he had to start moving if he wanted to be out of Ellesmera and on the road before midday.

Taking his scrolls and quills, Alexander asked Seranim to finish the preparations for the trip as he headed to visit the Queen before leaving. Much to his surprise, she was actually already waiting for him at the entrance of the great Tialdary Hall.

"I was told you were going to leave." she stared at him coldly. "Are you certain you do not wish to remain any longer?"

"I have done what I had to do, and I must set out and reach the Varden before Eragon does." Alexander replied. "Galbatorix is preparing a great force to enter Surda, and I am certain that thanks to the other one that came from my world, he'll be expecting the elves to attack as well." he continued with a serious stare. "When the time comes and you attack the Empire, be weary for the new Rider will meet Oromis in battle."

"Is this something you are guessing or something that you've read?" Islanzadi stared at him coldly.

"I read it." Alexander stated. "And in the story, Oromis and Glaerd die during the battle for Gil'ead." his words made her face become pale as chalk. Rage flashed in front of her face for just a fraction of a second before she regained her calmness. "Be weary, for Galbatorix is very likely to know you will attack that city with the help of Oromis, and will have taken precautions."

"I thank you for your warnings, Alexander." she said, a short warmth if not shakiness in her voice.

"There's another thing." Alexander brought out the scrolls and quills he had been preparing. "When I left from Farthen Dur, I gave the dwarves means to make weapons that will most definitely be of help during the battle if they can make them in time." he paused as queen Islanzadi made a gesture for one of the elves present to hold the papers. "There, I've written my gift to the elves. I made many trials and tests, and discovered what elves already knew, it is impossible to turn the forces and energies of nature such as heat, movement and the like into magical energy." he pointed at the papers. "However, there I describe spells and techniques that can harness all that power for other means through the use of magic."

"What sort of spells are these?" Islanzadi wondered for a moment as she looked at one of the papers.

"How to create heat comparable to that of a raging volcano with just the light from the sun without spending even a fourth of that energy to create it." Alexander stated. "How to call forth lightning and create plasma. How to use wind to create tornadoes. How to make rain into a downpour of deadly ice. How to make vast explosions out of sawdust and fire…" he enlisted. "Make sure to teach them to those who you believe will be capable of using them, most will require the energies of a group of elves of four or five, but the destruction they cause will far exceed the energy needed." pausing for a moment, he drew breath and calmed himself. "Also spells on how to increase the sharpness of blades and how to make impacts less stronger without almost any cost from the caster. Eragon can confirm on those since I used them when we fought the Urgals."

"A very dangerous gift you have given us." queen Islanzadi said with a grievous tone. "But one I fear we will need in the not so distant future."

"There are two more thing." Alexander said as his voice became cold. "There's one spell that is not meant for destruction and death." he continued. "The spell will permanently rob the victim of all magical powers and abilities they might have. The only way to cure it being a procedure similar to the one we did to Oromis." his words seemed to cause quite a shock in Islanzadi's face. "Out of them all, I fear that one is the most dangerous." he paused, taking out the last scrolls. "And here, you'll have a weapon that will allow elves to have a more fair fight against Galbatorix himself. Even if he's in the air."

"Oh?" Islanzadi seemed surprised.

"These are the blueprints of a machine that'll allow you to fly in the sky only with the use of hot air and wind." Alexander showed the modified prototypes that were similar to Zeppelins, with varying sizes. "Though it might be very slow in comparison to a dragon, I have confidence the elves can use enough magic to make it move faster." he then showed the drawings of the delta wing. "And this will allow you to glide through the air as if you were a bird. I also added the spells and basics of flight that you'd need to know and use to take full advantage of this."

"Most interesting are your gifts. I am sure we will make full use of them if given enough time to construct such artifacts." she replied. "Now that you have entrusted your gifts to the elves, we have a gift for you, Alexander Sharpblade." he was about to decline the offer, but her gaze told him differently. "Firstly, I will have a group of our best spell casters catch up with you before you reach Du Wendelvarden's border. So as to make sure you reach the Varden in time to prepare and assist Eragon during the battle. You will be the one to commandeer them until Eragon's arrival at Surda, where he'll take the position."

"I am honored." Alexander replied while bowing his head.

"And second…" the queen turned and grabbed something from the hands of one of the elves that had been standing behind her. She then faced Alexander and presented him with a sheathed sword. "This sword had been made for a human, long before the Fall." she said. "It is not as good as a Rider's sword, but it will not break, bend, scratch or unsharpened if confronted even against normal elven blades."

Without a word, Alexander took the sword by the handle and drew it out from its prison cloth. It was all made out of a mixture of black and silver metal, with the handle dark as night and oddly comfortable under his grip. It was three inches wide and two feet long, and even when the tip looked more like that of a needle than that of a sword, it weighed almost nothing in comparison to what it should.

"A magnificent blade." was all Alexander muttered as he saw the glimmer of light reflecting from the blade one more time before sheathing it back. Then he bowed his head a second time. "I am deeply grateful for your hospitality and gifts. I shall not forget them."

"Neither will we forget about you and what you have given us, Alexander Sharpblade." she replied briefly. "Remember, while you carry the Aren, no elf shall deny you help, and you shall be welcome to our forest unconditionally." she added before bowing her head slightly. "May good fortune rule over you."

"May the stars watch over you." Alexander replied, feeling a bit rushed at the sudden cordial farewell.

"And may peace live in your heart." she added with a soft smile before turning around and leaving.

-

One last look at the gates of Ellesmera, and Alexander began riding south at a quick pace, being guided by Seranim who had prepared the horses.

"How do you plan to reach Surda?" was the first question she made after two hours of riding at a fast trot. "And what part of Surda are you going to?"

"I plan to head to the Burning Plains." Alexander stated. "And considering how Galbatorix already knows of me and my role in this battle, going through any city of the Empire will have to be done cautiously." he sighed in frustration, it would be so much easier to just fly straight south on Saphira's back. But he couldn't. "I'll go to Osilon before turning south and headed to Bullridge." he began to explain. "From there go south to Furnost and then to Cithrí. If I'm lucky, I'll find the Varden there before they continue to the Burning Plains to intercept Galbatorix's army."

"It's a long trip." she stated softly. "Around two weeks if you hurry."

"Probably more if I need to remain hidden while traveling." Alexander pointed out. "Though if we're traveling in a group, I'll have to re-think the route we'll take."

"Elves can run through several days. And keeping pace with a galloping horse wouldn't be that hard for us." she said it as if it were just a statement. "That aside, I doubt a group of elves running besides a horse would pass unnoticed while going through the Empire."

"A pain, that's what it is." Alexander stated dryly. "I'd have avoided taking such a long trip if it were possible." looking up to the leafy roof of the forest, he let out a groan. "Either way, we're going south."

"But didn't you say that…" Seranim began to state.

"I changed my mind." the human stated roughly. "We'll go to Kirtan rather than Osilon." he stated. "It'll spare us time and also reduce chances of being spotted by the Empire." he turned towards Seranim. "Will there be any troubles in following the new route?"

"No, no troubles." she said, her stare seemed to say otherwise. "It'll just make you reach the edge of Du Wendelvarden sooner." then, a coy smile came to her face as she kept riding. "Guess that means we'll have to work on our relationship harder."

"Work on our relationship?" Alexander stared at her as the elf trotted a bit farther ahead. "Sometimes I feel as if you were no more of an elf than me."

At his words, she turned her head towards the front for just a moment, seemingly distracted by some sound far away, then she turned back at him keeping her playful smile.

"Bet you can't keep up!" she said before asking her horse to run.

Sighing, Alexander chose it best to follow and asked the same of his own horse. Though the beast only agreed once he was promised he'd receive several apples when they stopped for a break.

-

It had felt almost energizing. The whole day had been almost like a playful race, where they'd gallop with their horses until they ran out of apples, then they just trotted a bit after a short break for lunch. Throughout the whole time, Seranim would laugh almost all the way, and even though no spell was being used, the sensation permeated to Alexander most of the time.

When night came, a small fire was made, and Alexander and Seranim silently ate from the supplies they had brought.

"You miss eating meat, don't you?" the elven woman stared at Alexander's face. He hadn't shown any dislike or distaste for the food, for it was actually tasty, but he did feel reminiscent of the taste.

"Wouldn't you miss breathing even though you could live without doing it?" he replied with a sigh. "Yes, I do miss meat, but it's not something I feel like I need at this very moment, I can wait."

She just hummed in response as she too ate the fruit and bread she had brought. "Would you like us to share a bed tonight?" her words made him feel ruffled within. And Seranim blinked in amusement, a grin crawling through her face. "It seems I'll have to make you a bit drunk if I want you to bed me." she drew circles with her finger around her long hair, her smile becoming slightly sad. "Or is it perhaps that you'd need to be spellbound by drug or magic to believe me appealing."

"I assure you, many would kill to have an opportunity like this." Alexander spoke while looking at her straight in the eye. "And the both forms I've seen are beautiful and exotic in their own unique way." he continued. "I myself would most likely have taken the chance if not because…"

"Because you already love someone else. Yes, you've told me." Seranim sighed in frustration, a short smile coming forth in her face. "Then how about we make a bet?"

"A bet?" Alexander asked in wonder.

"The way I see it, there are two forces that are dwelling within you right now." she reasoned. "You have the side that hopes you can reach something with the girl that haunts your conscience. And there's the side that knows of what you can receive from the woman that stands in front of you." she continued twirling her hair around her finger for a while. "Now, since it seems you are reluctant to do anything of such… intimate nature while having your senses, I propose the following." her gold eyes glimmered with mischief, almost exposing the feline side of her. "From here on out, until we reach the edge of the forest, I promise not to try and force or convince you into anything you have already showed you don't want. And in exchange, until then, promise me you'll bear no thoughts of the girl."

"What sort of bet would this be?" Alexander replied. "Shouldn't be there a punishment and a reward? This sounds more like a deal to me."

"If I win the bet, and by the time we reach the forest's end I have wooed you, then I win by continuing my trip alongside you as your partner." she winked an eye. "However, if you were to win, then I would let you at peace and try no more."

"You have a deal then." Alexander replied as they shook hands in agreement.

When Alexander had come to Ellesmera, the time had gone by so slowly he could feel the boredom oozing out of him. Now, by the time they had reached Kirtan, he was surprised it had been five days.

Seranim had kept her word and didn't push him into any sort of situation. But traveling with her was the most fun thing Alexander had experienced since the first time he had found a library.

When they ate, they exchanged stories of their traveling, and shared jokes and riddles that made the hours just fly by. When they were riding, she'd tease with games and she'd sing songs that filled the silence with a melody of chirps, yowls and purrs that made it feel as if a chorus of cats had been trained and refined into a perfect symphony.

With the two of them traveling alone, Alexander could feel himself opening more and more to her. It was getting harder and harder to not start comparing her to Nasuada. And when he did, imagination sprang to life and many sleepless hours followed.

The only thing that Alexander did that was related to magic was fill the Aren ring with all the spare energy he could muster without passing out, and he did the same with the jeweled daggers. He had been saving since they had departed from Farthen Dur, and it was more of a custom now.

Alexander felt a bit uneasy about the fact that the elves queen Islanzadi had promised had not yet caught up, but there were still a couple of days before they reached the edge of Du Wendelvarden.

"Don't you find it odd the elves haven't caught up on us yet?" Alexander asked as they made camp for the first night after departing Kirtan.

"Maybe they're readying for the long journey?" she suggested. "If we keep this pace, we'll be near the edge of Du Wendelvarden by the evening of the day after tomorrow." Seranim's gold eyes looked into his. "After having spent this much time with me, how do you think of me now?"

"I… I don't really want to do this." Alexander's mood dropped all of a sudden. "I like Nasuada, and I feel she likes me too. You're fun to be with, but whenever I think about being with you right now… it just makes me feel wrong with myself." he sighed. "I mean, just for starters, you're an elf and I'm a human, and I…"

"What if I'm not really an elf?" Seranim interrupted his words, her stare dark for a second.

"What?" the young human felt a tingle of shock and curiosity. "Are you not an elf?"

"I'm not quite sure myself." she spoke back. "I think I was human, once, but that was over a century ago." she added, her words made Alexander freeze and stare at her for a moment. "I have some vague memories from when I was human… though I'm not sure if they were dreams either." she added while continuing her way. "I said I was born in Ellesmera, but that's just where I woke up and found myself like this." to emphasize her words, her figure shimmered for a moment and she was the cat version of herself again, her tail coming out from on top of her belt. "The elves told me I had been affected by some wild magic, but I never quite found out."

"Wait, you were a human once?" the young man's mind began racing at high speed, trying to remember if there was anyone by the name of Seranim among the characters of the original book. "Was Seranim your name back then?"

"I don't really think I had that name." she replied while changing back to her elven form. "When I woke up, I couldn't remember anything. And the one who found me gave me my name." she shrugged a bit. "Then I'd have dreams every now and then about when I was a human. But they were so weird that I couldn't make out anything that made sense." she waved her hands a bit. "Some were real dreams, others were too real to be considered such."

"What did you dream about?" Alexander frowned, his mind making connections and thinking of possibilities. "What do you remember from when you were human?"

"I remembered the moon." she looked up at the leafs. "That it shone less brightly and with dulled out detail." she continued. "I remembered the forest, with smaller trees and creatures that didn't smell and were barely heard." she chuckled a bit. "I also remembered names that I didn't remember. People that no one knew." a tear ran down her face. "I went crazy trying to find those who were part of my dreams, the memories that were part of my sleep. And when I found them, they…" a second tear. "…they were long dead, the lands scorned by the Forsworn and those who lived in it… gone."

"I'm sorry." Alexander hurried to say, feeling as if he had done something horrible. "I never should have asked."

"You just asked about something weird I said, and I answered." she smiled, the tear vanished entirely. "I was never fully considered an elf, I was always thought of… differently, even when I seem to share their longevity and strength, and when there were so many elves that were just as animal as I, if not more." her eyes told truths that had been left untold for a long time. "I was more dawn to humans anyway, but it was always the same. They were eager and happy, until they… saw my tail."

"Then you met me." Alexander sighed. "Someone who, even if drunk, accepted both your sides and treated you as an equal rather than as an oddity." he ruffled the hair of his head and tried to make some sense into all of this. "And you felt that you had to stay with me to find happiness."

"Aye." she retorted. "That's what I feel within my head, my chest, my very gut." she continued. "Elves are very strict and formal, but their feelings are far more intense than those of humans. It seems to be something else that I share with them." her gaze locked with his once more. "And I feel that being with you will bring me happiness."

Alexander was about to say something, but felt a shimmer in the forest. It had been just a fraction of a second, and he was already grasping the handles of his daggers and begun focusing energy for his use. Though his surprise was to see Seranim's reaction was just to straighten up, sigh and turn towards the darkness behind her.

"I am most sorry if we disturbed you." the voice was that of a male elf, only two golden eyes could be seen in the darkness as the owner stepped forth, revealing himself along with eleven others. "My name is Blodhgarm, we are the spellweavers queen Islanzadi sent to escort you to the Varden." he then made the weird hand-gesture to his chest that revealed respect as he bowed. "It seems you already have met Seranim, the appointed leader of our small group." his words had been spoken with the utmost politeness, but his eyes revealed a sign of distaste for just a moment.

"You don't say?" Alexander turned to Seranim for only a second as mental red flags sprang into action. But he ignored them for the time being and turned back to the elf. "Has queen Islanzadi told you the name of the city I was born?"

He examined the elf for a moment, with black blue fur that covered all his body, eyes that were as gold as Seranim's, though looked more sharp and less feline, and a figure that seemed almost as animalistic as hers, though with a bit less exotic and feral-ness in it.

"Yes, a name I have never heard before, New York." Blodhgar answered. He then turned to Seranim and made the same bow while they spoke the custom salutation among elves. "We are sorry to not have caught up earlier, it seems some of the forest's magic distorted your trails and it delayed us."

Alexander had agreed with the Queen that, in the case she deemed necessary to reveal whether or not the truth behind him, then she'd tell them the name of the city he was born. This way it'd be easier to recognize who knew and who didn't.

"Worry not, what matters is that we're all here." Seranim answered with a cold tone of voice. Her attitude had changed drastically.

"I am sorry I cannot run as fast or long as an elf." Alexander filled in the awkward silence that continued. "Else we'd reach the Varden much sooner." he looked at Blodhgar and the other eleven for a moment. "You could continue ahead of me if you so wish, I do not plan on slowing you down."

"Nonsense, we'd be honored to travel alongside you." the elf hurriedly said. "It is rare to find a human with skills in magic that can rival those of elves, and I find myself curious for the magic you used to heal Oromis. When not even we had managed to accomplish such a feat."

"You flatter me." Alexander smiled a bit. "Come, sit, we were already going to prepare to spend the night here… unless there's an inconvenience."

"None." was all he replied as the elves surrounded the camp and lay down while putting their bags in a bunch. The elf chose to speak once they had settled. "Is it true that you know of events to occur?" the eyes of the other elves betrayed their curiosity in the manner.

"At first, yes, I was certain of what would happen, when and where." Alexander replied with an amused chuckle. "But after a while, I realized my own influence along with the others that had come into this realm were changing events ever-so-slightly. Now, many things are not as how I had read them, and I fear little will be as I expected it to be."

"Tell me, then, when would have we assisted Eragon?" his words looked certain.

"And how are you sure you would have assisted Eragon and not the elven forces once the invasion of the Empire begins?" Alexander retorted, something that made his face show surprise for a second.

"I had expected as much to occur once I learnt that there was a Rider fighting against the Empire." he replied. "With the help of a dragon, we twelve were once able to fend off three of the Forsworn. It would be a logical conclusion to let us assist Eragon as to both protect him and make him stronger."

"Logical indeed." Alexander chuckled. "In the lines I read, you twelve would all be sent to the Varden the very moment Eragon left with Saphira." he turned to Seranim. "Though I read not of you, so I'm very curious as to how you became the appointed leader of Du Wendelvarden's twelve best spellcasters."

"During the Fall and the battles that came with the Forsworn, I had been unable to partake in it for I had lost myself in the forest's many mysteries while learning and practicing magic." Seranim answered. "I only came back to Ellesmera because I had felt a presence that was most peculiar." her tone was cold, her expression void of emotion. "It was then that I showed myself to Queen Islanzadi and showed her what I had learnt from my travels." she paused for a second, looking at Alexander then adverting her eyes. "I too was surprised when, the day you said you'd be departing, she instructed me on what I was to do."

"Most peculiar." Alexander stated. "I'll say this in case the Queen didn't beforehand." he looked at the group for a second. "Do far, the only changes that have occurred in relation to what I had read, had been caused by either myself, or one of the others that've come from my world to this one." he stated dryly. "I know as a fact that there are three of them left in Alageisa, one being myself and the other one working at Galbatoix's side. The same one that killed Ajihad and tried kidnapping Arya in Tronhjeim." he explained. "The ones that sent me here consider what's occurring in this land as if it were a game of sorts, and they've placed rules for those that were brought here. When only one of the contestants is standing, he or she is sent back to their world only to begin a new round. Whomever wins five rounds, gets a wish." he looked at Blodhgar in the eyes for a second. "Because of this, the green haired woman will be trying to kill me and the third contestant."

"And you wish to do the same?" the furred elf asked.

"No. I do not want to follow the rules of the game I was forced into." Alexander replied. "My plan is to capture her and strip her of her magic with the spells I created." his tone became a dark one. "I do not wish to leave Alageisa, even if my home is in another world, I do not wish to abandon Eragon and those that help him." he locked gazes with each and every one of them. "This is why I'll be needing your help from now on."