Brom stood before the window in his study looking out at Aberon, the Surdan capital was a bustling metropolis and that in particular was what made life here difficult for the Varden, no longer could they examine everyone's minds for duplicity, they were exposed and the sooner they set out into the empire the better but he knew better than to rush into the jaws of the madman that they were opposed against and so he scowled watching the city below him.
"You really shouldn't do that my love." Came Selena's soft voice from by the fireplace.
"Do what?" he asked in his usual gruff voice
"Scowl like that it does nothing to help your look of old age."
He turned raising an eyebrow "Old age is it."
Selena sat in an armchair by the fireplace and sat on the stool before her was a young girl of about fifteen.
"Mother is right you know father scowling like that makes you look positively decrepit."
"Old and decrepit is it now then maybe I should save you all the bother and just leave now and seek out a glorious end with nothing but my sword and my wits."
"With just those tools I'd say he'd probably survive another hundred years what you think Layla?"
"I think he might survive a little longer than that."
Selena laughed a tinkling merry laugh
Brom smiled and walked over to his daughter, he kissed her on top of her head "Thank you my dear."
There was a knock on the door and Brom walked over to it still smiling opening it he saw the young messenger boy Jarsha.
"Yes lad? What can I do for you?"
"Lord Mika and King Orrin have summoned you to an emergency council meeting, they have gathered in King Orrin's council chambers."
"I'll come directly."
Bowing Jarsha turned and left, Brom closed the door and returned to his wife and daughter, he kissed Selena on the head and then Layla before he picked up his sword, Undbitr, from where it stood by the door and fastened it to his belt before setting off through the halls of the castle until he came to the council chambers of King Orrin draped in deep purple and gold, with all manner of weapons hanging on the walls. In the middle of the room was a large oval table around which sat King Orrin at one end Mika at the opposite and around each side were the men and women of King Orrin's inner council along with the men and women that made up the Varden's council of elder.
As he strode towards the table the muttering that had been going on stopped and all eyes save Mika's who still had his back to Brom fixed on him.
"Ah, Rider Brom I'm glad you could make it." Declared Orrin
"I haven't been a rider for some time your majesty."
"My apologies."
"Think nothing of it." Grunted Brom "So what is so important?"
It was Mika who spoke as Brom settled into a chair to the young leader's right-hand side.
"You know of our spy in Galbatorix's court?"
"Aye. What of it?"
"They slipped out of the citadel late one night carrying great tidings of import." He looked to Jarsha who had entered with Brom but had taken a seat by one of the windows, "Jarsha would you fetch our friend from the next room please."
The young lad jumped to his feet "Of course my Lord." He bowed and left.
He returned followed by a figure who wore a dark travelling cloak with the hood pulled up hiding their face in their arms they clutched a large pack.
As the figure approached the table, they threw back their hood revealing a long copper hair surrounding a heart shaped face, Brom would have known this woman even if they hadn't already met, for her resemblance to her daughter was striking.
"This is the Lady Ismira, she has been a spy for us within Galbatorix's court for a number of years now." Mika turned to Ismira "If you would be so kind as to tell us your news my lady."
Ismira bowed slightly "My Lord" her voice was gentle with and undercurrent of strength as rigid as iron. "For the last several years Galbatorix has set himself multiple new goals one of which is to renew the ancient order of the riders." At these words there was a ripple of murmuring, "in this there is a small mercy, thanks to the madness created by the banishing of the names during the last rider war the dragons of the forsworn have been unable to produce any eggs."
"And how exactly does the king expect to bring back the riders when the dragons of his servants can't lay any eggs." Jeered one of King Orrin's council members.
"He has a number of other eggs." Answered Ismira, all noise ceased, "I don't know where he acquired the five eggs that are guarded in his treasure house, but I do know that so far he has been unable to get any to hatch."
King Orrin looked at each other nervously, but Brom smiled to himself
"That isn't everything is it my lady?"
"No," she stepped to the table and laid her pack on the polished mahogany surface, the bag gently toppled over and the top flopped open and from inside rolled a white stone, nearly two feet in length with pale blue lines webbing the surface, protruding from within the bag was a second stone, jet black of similar size to the first, this one had gold veins spreading across its surface.
Brom caught the stone as it rolled towards him, cradling it in his hands.
As the first stars shone down on Aberon Brom, Selena and their daughter were stood in the courtyard of Borromeo Castle, as Brom was checking the straps on the chestnut mare, Mika along with the captain of his guards exited the castle and made their way to the three of them.
"I see you are nearly ready to leave."
"We are my lord." Affirmed Selena
"Very good I would ask you convey my salutations the Queen Islanzadi when you arrive in Ellesmera and also tell my sister how much she is missed."
"Of course, Mika." She smiled softly at him, a smile that only a mother could give to a child she is proud of, she reached out and cupped his left cheek in her right palm, "Your father would be immensely proud of you for what you have accomplished so far."
He smiled back at her "Thank you."
He saw Brom swing himself into the saddle of the chestnut mare whilst his daughter swung herself into the saddle of the white stallion that belonged to Eragon and finally Selena pulled herself into the saddle of a storm grey charger.
"Fair winds to you all." Said Mika
"And the same to you lad," replied Brom "And remember do not trust the council of elders or even Orrin's nobles, be as firm as steel in you resolve."
As the castle gates were opened Brom and his companions drove their heels into the sides of their mounts, who all reared before taking off at a gallop.
For days the three-rode doing their best to avoid established roads, and settlements on stopping there to refill their supplies. It took the small family nearly a month to traverse the western end of the Beor mountains during which time Brom and Selena taught their daughter about dragon eggs and being a courier alongside swordsmanship in which she was already adept as she had been fostered and raised for the formative years by Fredric the Varden's weapons master. Finally, after nearly ten weeks on the road, they made it to Farthen Dur and Tronjhiem. Here they rested for several days before setting out for Tarnag accompanied by several dwarven guides from Hrothgar.