(Vasem)
Quietly, unnoticeably, seasons and even years drift by within the realm of the elves. Given the day to rest, over five years into their apprenticeship to Oromis and Glaedr, Vasem calmly walked between the massive, enchanted pines outside of Ellesméra. Lavel sat on the saddle on his back, mind open to everything, not just Vasem.
Just as it had in Dosjorya, watching Lavel grow from a child to an adult amazed him. From such a small child to nearly fully grown. Three years ago, Lavel reached the age of manhood by Dosjoryan and human standards, and even though he is still a child by elven and Rider standards, he looked and acted far more mature, and far more wary of the realities of life. In his second life, it was evident to Vasem that his Rider would be even taller than before, and just as heavy. A comfortable weight sitting in his saddle even as he, the youngest dragon in existence, grew yet larger. His Rider was peculiar in the eyes of others, but Vasem understood Lavel; the complexities of not just Lavel's, but both of their double lives made every physical and mental quirk sensible on a deep level.
But he also wished that they both were allowed to live calm, stress-free lives. That they were not being trained to hold the weight of their entire station on their shoulders, or to fight and kill the most sinister evils Alagaësia has ever faced. Perhaps if things were different, Lavel would be more alike to a young elf, light and curious and full of wonder. Instead, Lavel, and Vasem by extension, felt more like worn-down idols who know their duty to those around them has barely started. From that fateful day on Vroengard to the discovery of Maeruna's suicide directly after the Bloodoath Celebration, to the news that only one other Rider existed outside of Du Weldenvarden, to even the deep philosophical discussions over pain and war and death, they both had aged decades in their minds, far more than the effect of their first life.
The trees stood far enough apart for him to pass unhindered. Very few elves made their dwellings this far from the city and thus few greeted them during their walk. But as they approached Ellesméra, more elves passed them and gave them the same respect given to Riders in full and all dragons. They all knew their greatest hopes rode on the shoulders of apprentices. A weight he and Lavel did not deserve to bear but had no choice.
Vasem dipped his head to anyone who murmured welcoming words or waved. He and Lavel often spent nights alone away from the city, traveling only to the Crags of Tel'naeír for training or to Ellesméra's library to read. So focused were they on their training that they rarely met any other elves, even old friends like Kveya. Yet it was a good idea to remain friendly and familiar, for it was the elves of Ellesméra who would aid them in a fight should the Wyrdfell descend upon the elven capital. The elves around them were the reason they could train in safety.
As Vasem walked, he sometimes went deeper into his Rider's mind, catching in a glimpse the entirety of what Lavel was pondering. Time and again, a question asked early in Lavel's training with Oromis gnawed at him, and Vasem could find no answer that satisfied Lavel: why are elves adverse to taking lives to sustain themselves, yet are trained to fight mercilessly in a war? Some needs they both understood, such as self-defense or defense of one they loved. Defending the defenseless. But why would an elf willingly kill another elf in the name of war, yet live millennia without eating meat to prevent starvation even in desperate times? War is a far less honorable occasion than hunting, that is Lavel's latest observation on the matter. And war left far more scars upon the land than routine hunting, scars that could not be accounted for merely by counting bodies. Lavel pondered but came up with no new revelations or satisfactory answers.
The sun had swept through much of the canopy-obscured sky by the time the pair reached the home Lavel inherited. Vasem padded his paws in the pine needle-lined depression that he always rested in, the depression that served as a proper nest for Sharjarth when she and Nierya visited. Lavel unstrapped himself and jumped to the ground before Vasem could crouch, landing perfectly and unhurt.
"One of these centuries, I will be too big to jump off of," Vasem rumbled, not impressed.
"I await the day, Vasem, for it means we both still breathe."
"Of course. Still, it would not do for you to twist your ankle or break a bone from falling from a height. You know as well as I that magic cannot perfectly heal all injuries."
"I know. Let me have a little fun now and then. Our lives have been largely devoid of it. I... someone is inside. We have a visitor."
Quickly and stealthily, Lavel entered the tree house. Vasem followed his Rider's progress through the ample windows Nierya had sung into the walls, with Ardwen's permission. Windows filled with glass but meant for a dragon to look through.
He spotted the visitor on the second floor of the dwelling mere moments before Lavel entered that room. The hooded figure stood head down and shoulders squared, hands grasping one of the spherical rocks Lavel polished with water and silt. The specific stone the stranger held onto was a dull grey, a simple river pebble given a nice shape and finish.
"I have an affinity to water spells, and with a little help, water can make for an interesting tool," Lavel said, touching his two fingers to his lips.
The hooded man whipped around, pushing the cloth around his head back a little. He still held the stone. The visitor's identity remained hidden from Vasem.
"Brom-elda?" Lavel asked softly.
Vasem's eyes widened. Could it be the only other Rider to have survived other than Lavel and Oromis? Their teachers had kept news to a minimum to prevent distractions, though had occasionally spoken about Brom, who he was, and how he was managing without his dragon.
"You know who I am," Brom said gruffly. "Why elda though?"
"Because of the loss of your dragon. I believe you deserve dignity and respect for what you have gone through." Lavel began to utter the traditional elven greeting, but the human Rider cut him off.
"Enough of that. Master Oromis said to me that he has kept you in the dark about the events in Alagaësia. You are the last whole Rider left against the Forsworn. He allowed me to inform you on goings on before I make my request to you."
Lavel nodded. "Vasem is outside, watching us if you want him to join the conversation. And please, take a seat. My house is yours. I can bring food.
Setting the stone down gingerly, Brom indicated to Vasem that they could join minds. Vasem only touched his mind enough to answer, not wanting to intrude more than necessary. The man did not accept any of the other offers.
"Galbatorix has set himself king of his Empire, the ruined remains of the Broddring kingdom. The elves and dwarves continue to hide. I have gathered many fighters together into a group whose purpose is to dispose of him and his servants. A group called the Varden. Another nation has formed in opposition to the Empire, Surda. Both are unaware of your existence. But you would do well to help our efforts once your training is complete enough. Not with Vasem, he must remain in Du Weldenvarden."
Vasem tapped his snout against the window. "I know it is wise for me to remain in Du Weldenvarden, but are you proposing for my Rider to fight abroad without me?"
Brom nodded his head. "It is the best way. And as Rider and dragon, you must learn to work independently as well as you work together. Master told me things about you two. I do not wish to inflict pain on you, but that vile king and the Forsworn must be defeated... for Saphira... for all who died. Lavel, you are an elf, you can disguise yourself as a powerful magician. There are battles to be fought where you can make a difference. And you can help me hunt the Forsworn, for we have the best chance of killing them."
No, that would not work. Vasem would never leave Lavel's side, not after what they went through in Dosjorya. Lavel had to fight a war alone then. This time, they fought together or not at all. Vasem would find a way. That was one of the problems he often pondered in private, and he was close to an answer.
"Are you sure my aid would be valuable, Brom-elda?" Lavel asked. His voice was unsteady, though Vasem could feel some building confidence in his Rider. "Answer me this: I am averse to killing people unless they cause severe harm or unless my or Vasem's survival depends on it. I will willingly fight the Wyrdfell and Galbatorix, for they have killed thousands including my family, when I am ready. I will also fight Shades and other fiends who stalk the land to prevent bloodshed and loss of innocents. I swore this to my first teachers upon hearing the duties and responsibilities of the Riders. But why should I face an army of people, no matter their species, who have little chance of inflicting a scratch on me? Why should I kill men who only fight me because it is what they are told to do? If Galbatorix holds an Empire, he has an army, and many soldiers might have joined because they had no choice.
"And why should I fight without Vasem by my side? If Master Oromis did indeed say much about our past, then you know that I understand what war takes from everyone. Why should I risk dying without having Vasem near? Why should I risk my well-being by being without the one who can heal my soul?"
Vasem sighed as Lavel finished his little speech in a lower, less certain voice. "What if I cannot overcome my reservations about fighting in a war?"
The former Rider turned away from Lavel and rubbed his short beard, a feature not present on his face when they last met on Vroengard. Brom looked as if he was losing some of his elven features granted by his bond with Saphira, or maybe he had disguised himself, but the beard made him look even more human-like.
Vasem noted the hollow expression he bore, the pain of his loss that will never disappear for as long as he lived. From the spirit world connected to Dosjorya, Vasem had witnessed the same expression on Lavel every time he looked into the light. Deep down, he felt sympathy and sorrow for the former Rider. And a little fear that it could once again happen to himself or Lavel. No longer did they have blissful ignorance of the true consequences of their bond, the full knowledge of why it was both a blessing and a curse.
"I will not have you fight without me," Vasem said privately to Lavel.
"What if I must? I do not want to. I really do not. But it is my duty as a Rider, even alone as an elf. I must swear to uphold that duty, I could not avoid that as soon as you hatched for me. Even if I cannot figure out the reason, there is probably a good reason for you and Glaedr to never reveal yourselves. I could disguise myself and work as an assassin or spy. It is dishonorable, but it might keep me safer. I would spill less blood, I think. I will do my best to avoid battlefields."
"I care not about dishonor. You will not die away from me."
"If you don't fight in these battles," Brom finally said, turning back to Lavel. "Then many more innocents shall die. We cannot defeat Galbatorix and the Forsworn without causing bloodshed along the way, not when they have amassed many other forces. That is the purpose of having the Varden and Surda fighting because they can take care of the things that we do not have the time and the energy to. But their forces, with so few spell casters among them, cannot take down a Rider. And we both know that our allies too have innocents who do not wish to fight but must. You can fight for them. You have advantages they do not, advantages that can keep you alive and save lives."
There was a pause before Lavel answered, sorrow building in his features that squeezed Vasem's heart a little. "You still have not answered why I should risk my life without having Vasem near. Forgive me for saying this, but you fought alongside Saphira when she perished. You may have gotten to say goodbye to her, only you can say. But your proposal might deny Vasem and me that dignity, and that is quite unfair to any Rider."
The human pointed a finger at Lavel. "You would disrespect the duty of a Rider by hiding in your forest out of nothing but cowardice. None of us fights willingly, elf. We fight because we have no choice. So will you, eventually. Yes, you must leave Vasem behind. In time you will learn why. If you can defeat these traitors then you can return to whatever life you wish to lead. If not, you would be called a craven fool by all and you'd sentence all of Alagaësia to enslavement or death, all because you were unwilling to do what you must as a Rider."
Anger finally boiled over within Vasem. "If Saphira were to rise from the ground and return to you alive, would you be so quick to abandon her in the forest to fight? Tell me Brom-elda, would you? That is exactly what you are proposing to Lavel and me. We are aware of our duties and responsibilities. But I shall not let my Rider go off and be killed by the same traitors that killed the entire Order. He is more important to me than the innocents he is asked to fight for. Without him, there would be no hope."
"If Saphira was still by my side, she will do whatever it takes to ensure Morzan and the others are killed so that we may fly together freely," Brom snapped. "She would find a way to be useful while remaining in the forest. Gather energy, study magic, something, anything. So long as I did my duty and hunted down the traitors."
Vasem growled, but a quick mental word from Lavel stopped him. It was selfish of him to want Lavel to remain in Du Weldenvarden. It was absolute madness to think he could leave the forest fully cloaked in his own flesh alongside Lavel. But an idea formed in his mind, one that gave him a measure of peace. Separating from Lavel's mind for a moment, he thought about his idea. He could give his Rider his heart of hearts. That was the solution he needed.
His Eldunarí. At the risk of having it lost, stolen, or broken, he could disgorge it and lend Lavel his strength and knowledge. He could keep a constant eye on his Rider and not feel so helpless. Until Glaedr taught Lavel about the heart of hearts, Vasem had to keep his idea secret, but he would not forget it. And there was no other place, besides secure in his body, that Vasem trusted with his Eldunarí's care than in Lavel's possession.
He could then do all he could to prevent Lavel from dying. And he could… No, Vasem would not think about being able to know how Lavel died should something happen. He would keep his Rider safe.
Satisfied, he opened his mind further to Lavel and Brom. "If you think I can remain useful and watch my Rider from Ellesméra, and you think Lavel can help without dying, then I will have no choice but to reluctantly accept this proposition. However, I am not pleased by this whole situation, and I implore you and everyone else to not send him to a battlefield where he may not just lose his life but his well-being. If Lavel does die, after I take revenge on whoever killed him, I shall make my fury known to you and those who sent him into harm's way. In this language of oaths, I make my stance on this issue."
"I understand," said Brom. "Just remember your word when the time comes that Lavel must join the struggle."
Vasem tapped the glass and said nothing. It was Lavel who spoke. "Indeed. We will. I am sorry, Vasem, for needing to leave you here. I hope one day I may know why, even if it is just that a large dragon is difficult and costly to hide. Maybe Oromis can scry me and show you where I am." Then his Rider turned to the human. "However, I shall not fight in battles between armies unless absolutely necessary. Besides not risking my life any more than necessary, this is my greatest wish, if it can be granted. I shall aid Surda and your Varden however I can, including teaching their forces to fight and use magic more efficiently. I cannot bring myself to become an agent of genocide and risk my life in such a way, especially when, to use your own words, you and I have the best chance of defeating Galbatorix and the Wyrdfell. I will try my best not to be coerced into becoming a fighting machine for them."
Brom sighed, a loud sound that easily passed through the glass and walls. "Master Oromis said you would say something like that. He said you would understand your duty but were loath to kill people. A reluctant warrior, he called you."
"Do you know what it feels like to hold a power stronger than anyone can imagine in the palm of your hand, then unleash it upon the normal men pitted against you in battle?" Lavel asked quietly. Vasem shuttered as memories from some of Lavel's Dosjoryan battles passed between them. Lavel did not participate in many battles against normal people, and even fewer against an opposing army, but every time, he had used abilities far beyond anyone's ability to guard against or comprehend. Holding back a river only to allow a surge to flood part of a battlefield. Kill by ripping out a person's blood. Fighting while wearing armor of pure power that could not break and had few vulnerabilities.
"I do. I have, only not as effectively without the aid of a dragon," Brom said, equally quiet.
"It is painful. It hurts your very core if you are not a monster. In another time and place, I have teetered between falling apart for that very reason and becoming the kind of monster Galbatorix became. So that is why, besides the issue of Vasem helping or not, I refused to fight enemies other than the vilest and most powerful. I refuse to fight those who might be considered mere mortals, pieces on a board, means to an end. I do not want to relive the horrors I once went through. I will not inflict the pain I endured on others by killing their sons, their brothers, husbands, their fathers."
What went unsaid, but Vasem knew well, was that Lavel did not want to become like the Maker of Gods, the deity or an immortal who only cared for how the war went against the other gods and not for the lives of mortals ruined or taken along the way. Because that is what he was compared to humans and even elves: a deity.
Vasem could tell the former Rider was reluctant to nod his head in agreement. "Remember the lives you will save when you find yourself in a battle. If you don't fight, one day Galbatorix will kill Vasem and you would have made no difference. Soon you will be trained enough to fight with discretion. You do not have to be a mass murderer."
"There is much more for us to learn from Master Oromis. He and Glaedr promised to teach us many of the secrets they know about magic and the Riders so that we are sufficiently prepared. Our training is still far from over."
The former Rider shook his head, making his hood fall further from his head. "You are needed sooner than that. Nearly an entire dwarf clan has died out, the rest cowering in their caves. The Varden hide among them but are young and struggling to support themselves. Surda has no such hiding place, sitting next to the Empire and only still standing by some unknown mercy of Galbatorix's. They all need more help than I can give."
"Lavel cannot leave until he is fully prepared," Vasem growled. "Even now you have received more training than he has. And if one man cannot solve their problems, a second will not make much of a difference."
"And look where that training got me." Brom huffed. He shook his head. "I came here to strengthen ties between the elves and the Varden. Your presence, even for just a brief visit, will help immensely. There is much to do before we strike back, and you are needed as soon as possible."
Vasem shook his head. "As soon as Lavel leaves the forest, he will be forced to dive deep into politics and war, leaving no time to finish his training. What, you think the forces fighting against Galbatorix will all play nice? Is that what you see, or want to see? All will want a powerful magician in their corner if they are as desperate as you paint them as. Especially once they see Lavel accomplish something.
"And what if the Mad King is disposed of, and the Wyrdfell reduced to nothing but a fading nightmare? Who will lead the Empire then? The Varden or Surda? Both have everything to gain in having a strong ally in Lavel, both will be fighting for his loyalty. He needs to be fully prepared so that he can deal with them without becoming a puppet. Even more so if they discover he is a Rider.
"Sure, there is much to do. That we will not deny. But it will have to be done without Lavel for now. They will have to figure out how to fight their own battles. And Lavel's presence shall do little to aid in rallying forces unless I am present, and that is likely not going to happen. You will be better off asking Islanzadí to allow the elves to aid them, and I very much doubt the dwarves, at least, will welcome her help."
Brom's shoulders sagged as he leaned his back against the wall. "I thought you two might be more inclined to help than you are, even with what Oromis said. The Forsworn killed your families and so many other innocents. I thought, Lavel, that you wanted revenge. You sought it in Dosjorya. You were a fierce warrior once."
Silently Vasem thanked Nierya for designing these windows to be operated by a dragon from the outside. He opened one, pushing his snout inside, resting it on the floor in front of Lavel. His Rider placed a hand on the bridge of his scaly nose.
"You misunderstand me, Brom-elda, if you think revenge is my sole motivator in either life. In Dosjorya, Papa told me something very important. 'War makes some become monsters, and others, they break to pieces; the rest die.' Those were his exact words as best as I can remember. In Dosjorya, revenge was starting to turn me into a monster who saw no future without the spilling of the blood of my enemies. And I sought not just revenge, but my missing sister. The drive to find her was stronger than revenge. But ultimately, not just revenge, but everything broke me into many pieces."
Steel entered Lavel's voice, and Vasem sent him a feeling of comfort. "Yes, I want the Wyrdfell and Galbatorix dead. I know not what exactly happened to Mother, but I saw Morzan's bloody sword kill Sharjarth. Father and Grandfather died in the same battle that killed my king. I will fight when the time is right, as will Vasem. But not before, and not beyond what we feel is necessary."
Vasem snorted an affirmative, careful not to accidentally jet flames out of his nostrils.
"And I will not become a monster who revels in war, nor will I allow myself or Vasem to shatter, no matter the means necessary to avoid it. I will not doom allies and innocents to die by my hand in moments of weakness. Brom-elda, do you see now the reasons for our reluctance?"
Slowly the other Rider nodded. "I do. I don't like it, but I see why. You are strong-willed enough not to become a pawn, that's for sure. But there are two sides to every coin."
"Did you believe you could maneuver Lavel into leaving now through your words?" Vasem said accusingly.
"I do not think that was your intent," Lavel said, facing Vasem though he spoke to Brom. "You lost your dragon. You feel as if you have nothing to lose, not even the well-being of others matters. In Dosjorya, after Vasem's death, I made far worse mistakes and choices. Deadly mistakes, while seeking revenge. It landed me in the whipping post once. It got people I knew killed. It got people I knew imprisoned, alongside myself. No, not just imprisoned, but tortured far worse than any person can imagine. So I do not blame you for trying to manipulate me, but take care not to follow the same path I did, for it will eventually lead not to peace, but to ruin."
"You got your revenge, though."
"I did, but it resulted in the deaths of far too many, friend and foe, and after, I promptly tried to kill myself," Lavel spoke so silently, Vasem did not know if the human Rider heard him. But Brom's expression turned to horror, a clear sign that not only did he hear, he understood.
Gently, Vasem nudged Lavel's stomach while giving a mental embrace. Too much talk of old hurts and death. But Lavel did not make a move to return the comfort. His attention was still on Brom.
"Oromis... he never mentioned that. Your bond in Dosjorya, it was as strong as that between a Rider and dragon?"
"For us, it was. I told Oromis to never speak of that to anyone. My moment of weakness. Some things only I can share. Sometimes death is an answer, but usually, it is not the right one. Vasem taught me that. And I believe you understand that death will not fix your problems."
"I did," Vasem said. "There is so much more to life than seeking an end to pain or revenge, and so much more than just doing whatever you think will tear down your enemies. You just have to continue living to eventually see it. There will be moments of calm and joy and love. Until then you have to manage yourself so that you do not find ruin first."
"And I managed to see it. So Brom-elda, though I do not want to, I will promise you this: upon the completion of my and Vasem's full training, I shall leave the forest to aid the two entities you speak of. I shall help as an exceptional spellcaster, an ambassador for Queen Islanzadí, or as an assassin or spy against the Wyrdfell, whichever I feel will be the most helpful unless I am convinced otherwise. None of these tasks should place me on a battlefield. If and when the opportunity arises for me to strike down the Wyrdfell and Galbatorix, I shall take it, but not at the cost of my own life. If my services are best used to spy or to infiltrate, again I will do so. Nothing I do shall be at the cost of my own life or that of Vasem's. If it is safe for him to do so, Vasem shall join me abroad. All this I swear in the language of oaths. Does this please you?"
Vasem snorted silently. He saw nothing of this oath that overly angered him. "You leave yourself many open doors to back out of situations without breaking your word," he said privately to his Rider.
"I must. This is a different war than the one I fought in Dosjorya. I too must evolve, for I shall not leave you in this world alone. Alagaësia can burn before I do that. I do not wish for my own words to corner me."
The human Rider sighed in defeat. "Were you anyone else, I would order you to bind yourself much tighter to our cause, slippery elf. You give yourself much power over your actions and little to others. I understand why, and I understand I can do nothing. I am not pleased, but I accept your terms so long as you cast your oath to Master as well, and any who he sees fit."
"My Rider shall. If you have nothing else to say, then this matter is settled," Vasem said, leaving little room for further negotiation. If Lavel must leave Du Weldenvarden, then these are the best terms he can give for himself, and Vasem felt pleased about the outcome and his Rider's ability to forge his own way. "If you would like a ride back to wherever you are quartered, I shall offer it. Or you may stay here."
"I'll walk back on my own," Brom said irritatedly.