(A/N) Okay, it's totally crazy that in eight days we already got 3,000 views. But I have some not really bad news but news that might be annoying to you all. *Sigh*
I KNOW we're coming to a head in Eldest, and I KNOW the conclusion is riding up on everyone. All the characters are being set into place for a finale that is better than the one everyone loved in Eragon. BUT I have been neglecting my other stories. Game of thrones, Twilight, and star wars. Each of those stories have small followings, and those people have faithfully never unfollowed and I really owe it to them to continue the series I have started in regards to them. I have been making the chapters in the Eldest rewrite longer, but . . . I fear I may only be able to update once a week in order for me to have time to work on the other projects. I have purposely created a very complex plot with numerous strings, alliances, and planned betrayals, so the longer chapters will be able to flesh that out more. But I won't be able to focus on anyone's favorite . . . Today is an Eragon chapter, but I won't be able to do everyone's favorites due to the fact that the story MUST go on. At this point I'm sure everyone is aware that the big battle is going to be within the Elf lands, while Feinster is going to be another big one (YES, I KNOW don't correct me, look if you glance at the original map even, it doesn't make strategic sense to attack that settlement so late . . . anyway . . .) Thorn's "Human" form will soon be revealed, and in that train of thought I have a question. WOULD ANYONE who can draw be interested in doing some character illustrations? You can contact me and have my email/and or skype info so I can describe to you what everyone looks like. I'd really love to use a really dark picture of Morzan for Brisingr's cover, but it'd be great to have some characters drawn so I can post them on the facebook Tower of Magi page, so everyone can see how the rewrite characters look (I know my handsome Durza has a few fans) Anyway, thanks in advance.
( The events in this chapter chronologically happen after the last Eragon chapter. In simpler terms, this happened before Brom finished his travels to Uru'baen.)
As the glass windows parted, Eragon realized that they were in fact dual doors. The elf named Oromis placed a rough hand on the shoulder of the body he wore, pushing him forward as the wetness of his stained shirt was accented by a cool breeze. He was greeted by a small round chamber, with seated beings belonging to the different races of the world. At the forefront of them, however, was a long-faced elf with high cheekbones and blazing red hair. Stern but kind green eyes widened as they caught sight of the boy Eragon dwelt inside of.
"Its name is Morzan, from the human city of Uru'baen." Oromis lifted his hand from the boy's shoulder. Within his own mind, Eragon was amazed.
Morzan . . . the one who destroyed the North. He is a Forsworn.
Oromis' voice sounded within the echoing abyss that Eragon himself resided in, Oromis' illusion broken by Eragon's thought.
Before he was a Forsworn, he was a small and scared boy.
Eragon passed disembodied eyes across the black expanse.
How can you do this?
Illusion magic of the strongest sort. I am feeding my own memories into you. What's more, I have placed you within the vantage point of Morzan. I can do this with any memory I have with the boy, as I was around him often.
The image of the round chambers returned as the human named Galbatorix stepped forward.
" High Lord Rider Vrael, this boy was driven out by his father before he arrived. His father attempted to kill him. They succeeded in killing his mother."
Vrael put a hand to his chin as his eyes narrowed in thought.
"Why would a father attempt to kill his own son, and a wife besides?" He asked. Eragon felt the illusion-Oromis glare at Morzan's back.
"Because Lord Vrael . . . this boy is a Ceryani." Oromis spat. The room fell silent then as the lofty Riders exchanged glances. Outside of the room's windows, Eragon saw a vast red metropolis, with dragons filling the sky like birds. Ranging from small to gargantuan, they were astride magnificent Riders, no doubt carrying out tasks within the city or preparing to go on a mission somewhere in the mainland.
" The Ceryani were wiped out thousands of years ago. Back when the Talin Clan still ruled over the Laen Elves and her distant kin." Another Elf with dark brown hair folded hands below his chin as blue eyes looked past Morzan, into Oromis' eyes.
" It seems the boy's mother was a direct descendant of a Ceryani. We were allowed to read some of her research . . . she planned to resurrect her people. She . . . used alchemy to . . ." Galbatorix trailed off as the Riders listened to him. Oromis, however, had no qualms in speaking.
" This Morzan is a product of alchemic incest. His mother created him from her own flesh, using transmutation to give herself the necessary means. His mother's mother produced her same way; a flawed descent but full-blooded Ceryani besides. She had planned to create a sister for Morzan to procreate with, before her death."
"Transmutation . . . a witch's craft . . . makes Morzan a witched son." The blue-eyed elf gave Morzan a look that even made Eragon shudder.
"The Ceryani themselves were no different from humans. But the higher beings of their race . . . the Mergoi . . . dangerous beings that can mold magic to their whim. Neigh-godlike power. It would often take dozens of well-trained Elves to defeat one Mergoi." The elf finished as he folded his legs and settled into his seat.
"I believe this boy to not only be a Ceryani, but a Mergoi. He should be killed." Oromis said matter-of-factly. Galbatorix turned around and pointed a hand at Oromis, his face contorted in a scowl.
"You cannot kill him. He is innocent. Just a child." Galbatorix turned his head towards Vrael.
" To kill this boy would be to spit on the creed of our order. His death would be the end of our wisdom. Rayun'haurtubbi may have stepped down as Lord Rider . . . but even he would be incensed at this."
Oromis gave Galbatorix a pitiful grin.
"And what are you to assume how he would feel? A short-lived human compared to one of the oldest beings in this world. He himself has seen the destruction a Mergoi can wreak. To train him in our ways of magic and then give him the chance to hatch a dragon . . . it is madness."
" He is dangerous, Galbatorix. There may be some wisdom in Oromis' words." Vrael nodded towards Morzan.
" Even if we let him go, he could become a threat . . . even without formal training. "
Galbatorix lowered his head as he narrowed green eyes into angry slits.
" I swear to you . . . if you harm this child the wroth of the all the human kingdoms would fall upon Doru Araeba."
Oromis chuckled, stepping from behind Morzan.
"I would welcome that. I've always wanted to ki-" Before Oromis finished his sentence, Vrael stood from his seat. He was tall and lithe, with smooth skin that betrayed his true age.
"Enough . . . both of you. You have been rivals ever since you arrived. I had hoped that putting you in culling missions would damper that . . . but I see it has done nothing but increase your hatred." Vrael said softly.
" However . . . there is truth in Galbatorix's words. To kill a young boy who has done no crime is not justice. And the human lands would rally against us. Human Riders would be forced to choose their race and their Order . . . I fear that many of them would make the wrong choice. And Oromis, you must get over your hatred of humans. Due to this, you will be the one to train Morzan."
The illusion ended as Oromis raised his voice in outrage. Eragon fell into a green field, soft grass absorbing his fall. It was bright, but above a starry black sky loomed while small trees waved gently in a soft breeze.
"Drakefyre," Oromis called as Eragon rose to his feet. Ahead of him, Oromis sat at a table, where food and drink was prepared. Eragon steadily walked towards the white oval furnishing, while Oromis poured himself and Eragon a sweet-smelling tea, and then dropped two honey-leaves into the clear cups.
Eragon sat down as he eyed the table. Sweetmeats were spread between him and Oromis : Honeyed cakes sweetened with berries, soft flat breads dipped in butter and then covered by a deep red strawberry paste, rolls of bread dappled with sugar and glazed with white frosting. Eragon gathered up as much food as he could fit onto his small plate, and Oromis smiled thinly as he watched him.
"I see you share my appetite for sweet-tasting food." Oromis took a sip of his tea, and then retrieved a roll. He bit at the side of it delicately, a small mouth barely taking more than a morsel out of the side of the desert.
Eragon nodded as he stuffed his face, glazing staining his cheeks.
" For an illusion, this is pretty good." Eragon spoke with particles flying out of his mouth. Oromis gave him another thin grin, and continued.
"As you can see, my hatred for you humans was something ingrained into me. My father despised your people. It is because of that my brother Evander set out to prove him wrong about your race. After he died . . . I blamed your kind. But in a way, it is my fault that the war began." Oromis took another polite drink of his tea, and then put his cup down softly on the table. Eragon raised his own, which was now empty, and Oromis gave him an annoyed glance as he refilled Eragon's cup with the honeyed tea.
" I was hard on Morzan. The boy tried his best to please me, but it was not enough. In my own anger, I gave him tasks that should have been impossible . . . spells that no youth should learn. In the end he bested me; as he was able to complete all of his training. I taught him out of spite, but in my own arrogance I gave a capable boy more power than he had use for. I gave him knowledge that he was not yet ready to learn. In the end, I simply abandoned him after three years of brutal lessons. Naturally, the boy went to Galbatorix, who was waiting in the wings. Vrael ignored my disobedience, believing that Galbatorix would be a better teacher for the boy while I went to train my own niece, a girl I will not name."
Eragon furrowed his brows.
"Arya?" He asked. Oromis shook his head sadly.
"No, not her. But that is not important right now, Eragon."
Oromis sighed deeply, folding his hands into one another.
" Morzan left me bitter and misguided. At that time, Galbatorix had already grown somewhat disillusioned with the order. Along with Caomhim, the three of them secretly shared their anger towards Vrael and the other Riders. Vrael . . . he was not brave as Rayun'haurtubbi was. He pleased those who were in power. He favored Elves over humans. And he paved the way for Morzan to convince Galbatorix to rebel."
Eragon assumed from what Brom had told him previously that Galbatorix had started the rebellion. Confused, he leaned in closer to the table.
"Brom- er, Caomhim taught me that Galbatorix rebelled due to the death of his lover, Alyenne."
" He is not wrong. But the night before they flew out to destroy the dwarven overland keeps of Farthen Dur, I heard Morzan and Galbatorix scheming with their dragons. They had not been pleased with Vrael's allowance of Alyenne's death, and were incensed at the mention of a proxy living out Jaystark's sentence, the Dwarib who killed Alyenne. They spoke within the old towers of Doru Araeba, and I heard them, Eragon. Unbeknownst to Galbatorix and Morzan, I often went to the old towers to study. I sat below them in the darkness as they cursed the Order."
Eragon sat back from the table, folding his arms.
" Why didn't you stop them?" He asked.
" Because I wanted them to die. I hoped they went after Jaystark, so Vrael would be forced to punish them. They returned victorious, and Vrael called for their execution at the urging of the Dwarib King. However . . . the rest you know, I'm sure. Galbatorix and Morzan formed the Forsworn, and laid waste to the realm. In the last battle for Doru Araeba, I would have died had it not been for Glaedr. Morzan fought me, former master against his student. But at that moment, Morzan eclipsed me. Right now, Morzan is most likely stronger than even Galbatorix."
The fact that Roran had fought Morzan brought a small sense of pride to Eragon's heart.
You died facing a man that not even Oromis could defeat. Your death will not be in vain . . .
" I chose to train you because when you were possessed by your Spirit, I knew I would be waiting for the same thing that has happened to Morzan to occur with you. I . . . I still struggle with my feelings toward humans, but I will not allow my personal racisms to affect the realm, as it had before. If I simply had spoken to Galbatorix and Morzan . . . I may have been able to convince them of their folly. I may even have been able to defeat them. But now my brother is dead, due to my own evils."
" I still do not understand why you are telling me this, Oromis." Eragon said after a long stint of silence.
" You and Morzan have more in common than you might think, Drakefyre." Oromis locked eyes with Eragon then.
"I am nothing like that monster. He killed thousands of people . . . killed my brother!" Eragon rose from the table, nearly flipping it over. Oromis held the perimeter of the table as it wobbled.
"These things are true. But you both wrought destruction due to my own grievances. And you both wield great power. You are at the point where Morzan was, over a hundred years ago. A crossroads. You could become a great hero or a blight upon the world, Eragon. The choice is yours. As it was your father's."
Eragon stepped backwards as he felt his throat close.
"Father . . .?"
"Morzan is the one who birthed you. I told you before you were a Ceryani. But you possess the blood of a Mergoi, a trait gleaned from your father. Great power resides within you due to this."
" Morzan . . . if he is my father . . . he killed Roran! And . . . how do you know? How do you know for sure?" Eragon hissed.
" You have his blood, the same blood I sensed when your father was just a boy. Eragon placed his hands on his head as he paced back and forth.
" But . . . Garrow found me and Roran in the woods . . . he raised us like his own sons . . ."
" I do not know the circumstances, but I do know that Morzan is your true Father."
Eragon screamed, filling the illusion world with anguish and sorrow.
(line break)
Roran gasped as he opened his eyes to the night. Cool air passed over his skin, which he could tell had freed from his armor.
Katrina.
He began to rise, but he found he was strapped to a wooden table, metal bars crossing over his body.
"Hello?" He called.
I should be dead.
" I would not move, Hagganthil."
Roran's eyes adjusted as he realized a window separated him from the skies above. A door opened, and a man walked into his prison. Dark black hair fell over a pale and sharp face, while green eyes regarded Roran with interest.
"Hagganthil . . . Morzan? Morzan!" Roran beat against his holdings as he tried to attack the man. Morzan simply watched, pity in his eyes as Roran writhed underneath iron bindings.
" With those strange tattoos, it was hard to operate on you. They seem to reject the touch of magic. However, they weaken with the loss of your blood. I constantly had to dance you between life and death in order to use my magic to bind your wounds. I only was able to heal the serious injuries. Your other wounds will have to heal themselves naturally." Morzan said as he ran a hand through Roran's hair.
"My son. I thought I had lost you . . . You look more like her, you know. More like Selena." Morzan said softly as he pulled his hand from Roran's head and crossed it with another behind his back.
"Hagganthil is your birth name, Roran Magebane. The name I gave you. Your mother and I."
Roran could see it now.
That's why he looks so much like Eragon.
" I believe you . . . my brother, Eragon, has your features. His hair is lighter and his eyes are not green, but he has the sharpness of your face, as if it was cast from stone."
"So all three of my sons live." Morzan said silently. Roran raised his head from the wood binding.
" Three? There is another?"
" Yes. You will meet him soon. Your eldest brother. His is two years your senior."
Roran's eyes darkened.
"What makes you think I'm going anywhere with you?"
Morzan rotated, a pale hand gleaming in the light of the moon.
" I had to wait until you were awake, Hagganthil. You see . . . I know how to find ones true name. Through this, I will return you to how you were supposed to be. You . . . you do not possess magic, but that power of yours to negate magical properties will be useful in this war. You will help me find Eragon."
" You cannot do whatever you are planning. As you said, my tattoos were gifted to me so I would be able to stop the touch of magic. Your spells will not work."
Morzan smiled quickly, a smile so much like Eragon's.
" I do not know who gave these markings to you, but they are Ceryani in design. What's more, the power I use goes beyond magic. It is creation itself. The ancient language is not bound by the rules of spellworking. No ward can stop this, unless it is written in the same ancient tongue, which it isn't."
Morzan placed his hand on Roran's head as he began to speak.
"Welcome home."