Chapter 14: Opening the Vault
Eragon stood abruptly. His sudden movement surprised Murtagh.
"What's wrong?" he asked, standing along with him.
Eragon turned coldly toward his brother, hatred surging through him. "Your master has taken Arya—in return for your safe deliverance."
"About time. I was wondering if he had given up on me."
"You don't care? You know as well as I do that he won't be true to his side of the bargain! He'll kill her!"
Murtagh sniffed and turned away, apparently unaffected by this. Eragon, however, racked his brain for any way to rescue Arya without releasing Murtagh. Images of heroic feats flashed through his mind, all as ludicrous as the next. He turned suddenly to the dummy and realized what he had to do.
Saphira, said Eragon hurriedly, I'm going to open the Vault of Souls.
The Vault of Souls? You've discovered it?
I haven't just discovered it…. I'm looking at it. The rock of Kuthian…. It's a….
Eragon gaped at the emerald pendant adorning its neck. Suddenly, all of the pieces of the puzzle fell in place. It's on the necklace!
Saphira, the rock of Kuthian is a necklace! Can you get here?
Of course!
Eragon turned back at Murtagh. "I think I know a way to set you free," he said.
A spark of hope shimmered in Murtagh's eyes, but only for a second.
"No," he replied, "You don't know what is going on. You think you have the upper hand, but Galbatorix is going to win every time. Do you think it was just a lucky shot that he captured Arya? He had it all planned from the beginning. We're both going to be killed in his struggle for power, and you know it."
Eragon paused. He hadn't expected this from his brother; he hadn't expected him to totally give up. "Listen, I know it feels this way to you, but I've found a way to save us. Just trust me."
At that moment, Saphira had come through the door, which magically expanded to allow her.
Eragon, the Vault? Saphira was eager, and it showed.
Look, Eragon pointed at the emerald, and Saphira inspected it closely.
How do you know this is it?
I know it is, just trust me.
Eragon felt a sort of burden on him, made up of the trust of both Saphira and Murtagh. They watched him carefully; unsure of what he planned to do.
"Speak my name…" Eragon thought hard, and then cleared his throat. "My name is Eragon Shadeslayer, son of…. Morzan. I'd like to open the Vault of Souls."
Murtagh scowled. "The Vault of Souls? What is this, some kind of fairy tale myth that you believe in, little brother?"
Eragon ignored him. He was to busy watching the pendant. After a few minutes, however, nothing happened.
With a sigh, he thought again. What is my true name? He thought of what Brom told him long ago, trying to find a clue. When none came to him he thought of Garrow, then Roran, and then of Selena, surprised that he could define her features clearly. Eragon saw her lips moving, forming words.
"Hello, my little angel," said Selena softly, as if talking to a baby. "Eragon, I have a secret for you. I'll tell you if you don't tell anyone else, no one in the whole world. I'm going to tell you your true name. Ok? It's Naissance abr de Shur'tugals. Funny name, huh? It's in the ancient language…."
"Naissance abr de Shur'tugals, it means "Birth of the Riders," murmured Eragon with awe. He faced the mannequin again and spoke clearly.
"My name is Naissance abr de Shur'tugal. I am the Riders reborn, and I wish to open the Vault of Souls."
The mannequin stood suddenly, and lifted its hands slowly. From them shown a bright blue light, which blinded them all temporarily. When Eragon recovered, he opened his eyes and gasped. An elf stood there, glowing with a faint aura of pure magic.
"I am Kuthian, the oracle. I will answer two questions truthfully. Choose wisely, because the decision will affect you immensely."
Kuthian! Eragon felt foolish not to have figured out that Kuthian meant "oracle" in the ancient language.
"I wish to know if Arya is all right," said Eragon, his voice trembling. He sensed outrage from behind him, apparently Saphira and Murtagh disapproved of his first question.
"She is fine. She will live to a stunning age of 10,024, long, even for us."
Eragon let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, and spoke again. "What is Murtagh's true name?"
The room went still as the oracle spoke. "His name is Verit unin Mor'ranr. Truth in Peace."
Eragon smiled weakly. "Thank you, Kuthian. You have helped me greatly."
The elf bowed majestically. "Good bye, Eragon. I will not be seeing you again."
In a swirl of light, Kuthian disappeared.
Murtagh stood. "That…. that Kuthian…. is it telling the truth?"
"Only one way to find out," said Eragon indifferently. "Verit unin Mor'ranr, you are released from Galbatorix's evil." He unsheathed his sword, letting the sapphires glint in the dim light.
"Will you join me in defeating him?"
Murtagh beamed. "Always, brother."
A/N: Aw, I love Murtagh! R&R, my faithful readers!
