Eragon was sullen for the next two days because of Arya's departure to Surda. Personally, I was glad, for it gave him room to focus. I suppose I didn't hate her, but her situation with my brother left little room for me to like her, let alone be friends.

Saphira never left Eragon alone during those two days, and for what reason, I do not know, she always kept me informed. Like the time that he finally figured out Orik's puzzle ring that he'd given him on the way there. That was nice for him, and meant that the dragon's gift had done him good, but it really didn't pertain to me. Briam chastised me every time I dismissed something that she told me about my brother.

Like I'm supposed to listen to you. You don't even know your alcohol limits! What were the elves and Saphira and Glaedr thinking?

They weren't; it was the Agaetí Blödhren, remember? You know-

Yes, yes I know. When the elves go gloriously mad. That's why Oromis gave Eragon the nine wards to put around Orik, me, and himself. Apparently someone should've put them around you too.

When Neneel arrived, I walked alongside her to the sparring field, and from there I could see Orik standing with Eragon and Saphira. I quickly joined them as Eragon was asking if he was going to practice as well.

"Eh. I already got in a bit o'ax work with an elf who took a rather fiendish delight in cracking me over the head. No...I came to watch you fight."

This confused my brother. "You've seen me fight before."

"Not for a while, I haven't."

I didn't listen to the last part of their conversation. I watched Vanir walk across the field towards us. From looking at him, it appeared that he wasn't acting as haughty as usual, but the words out of his mouth made me think that it was very little.

"Are you ready, Shadeslayer?"

"I'm ready."

Eragon and Vanir squared off, and Eragon grasped Zar'roc and pulled. The sword flew out of his hand, and a peal of laughter escaped my lips. It sounded more elf than human. I felt slightly self-conscious as every elf there turned to stare at me, and I realized that they'd never heard me laugh before. Only Oromis, Neneel, Eragon, and the dragons had been fortunate enough to.

The sword buried itself in the trunk of a pine tree twenty feet away.

"Can you not even hold on to your blade, Rider?" Vanir demanded.

"I apologize, Vanir-vodhr," Eragon said. I wouldn't have apologized to him. "I misjudged my strength."

"See that it does not happen again." All trace of humor was gone from my face as I glared at him. He either didn't notice or didn't care. It was probably the second one, and that made me more irritated. I followed him with my glare as he approached the tree to pull Zar'roc out. I allowed a smile to return to my face as I watched him struggle and put all of his weight into pulling the sword free. If he was clever, he would've just called it with magic, but he had to prove how tough he was to everyone else. Well, now he knew that no one beat a tree without a fight.

Be nice, Arianna.

I didn't pay too much attention to Briam; he was laughing as well.

Eragon accepted the sword, and Vanir barked at him to take his place. Vanir thrust his sword at Eragon's right shoulder, and Eragon, to the surprise of many, easily deflected his blade. Vanir continued to rain blows upon him, and Eragon continued to evade them. At one point, Eragon jumped up ten feet in the air, flipped, and landed in front of Vanir. I shivered as a fierce laugh escaped from my brother, but not out of fear. I was just as excited as he was, but I knew him better, and I knew that he'd still end up in a world of trouble somehow. Just not by Vanir or any other human.

Their fight continued well into the morning, and my eyes never strayed from it. Finally, he got Zar'roc past Vanir's guard and struck him on the upper arm. I flinched as I heard the bone break.

Vanir dropped his sword, face white with shock.

"How swift is your sword," he uttered. I knew it was a line from some poem, but I didn't know which one, and I didn't really care. Orik was twice as excited as I was, which was quite a sight. Of course, Orik was Eragon's brother by way of their clan, so of course he'd be happy that someone could beat an elf.

I watched with mild surprise as Vanir twisted his uninjured hand in the gesture of fealty, placed it upon his sternum, and bowed. It was about time he respected his superiors.

"I beg your pardon for my earlier behavior, Eragon-elda. I thought that you had consigned my race to the void, and out of my fear I acted most shamefully. However, it seems that your race no longer endangers our cause." In a grudging voice he added, "You are now worthy of the title Rider." Ooh, he was still a prick. Now he was just going to mask it behind some nice words. Who was he to decide who is worthy of the title Rider? He was nobody, that's who.

Calm down; your resentment travels fast across the line.

Good. If you beat him up, I won't get in trouble.

Eragon bowed in return. Sickening. "You honor me. I'm sorry that I injured you so badly. Will you allow me to heal your arm?"

"No, I shall let nature tend to it at her own pace, as a memory that I once crossed blades with Eragon Shadeslayer. You needn't fear that it will disrupt our sparring tomorrow; I am equally good with my left hand." They both bowed again, and before Vanir left, he inclined his head towards me. I didn't know what that was all about, and I chose, as I often did, to ignore it.

Amazingly, there was still time left before it was time to go see Oromis, so Eragon went to shoot with his bow. The way he shot them was causing some real abuse to it, which ultimately led to its destruction. He looked at me like a little kid would look to their parent when they'd experienced some sort of traumatic event.

"I'm sorry, Eragon. There's nothing I can do to fix it."

Saphira sniffed it before telling him that he needed a new stick thrower. Eragon grunted before stalking away. It was his own fault for pushing it to its limits.

I allowed myself a smile as the thought once again came to me that Eragon was healed from Durza's wound. His fight with Vanir had redeemed him, and I knew that he would bounce back soon enough.