Keep in mind and don't forget that Yomir spent five years with Durza, four as his assistant and one as an experiment. With his memories back he is literally a different person though the same at heart... and he knows quiet a lot.
Though they were not in a good place due to the most recent revelations of Yomir's status as Durza's previous pawn, The small group of warriors somehow managed to settle down into the night comfortably. Yomir had already hunted for their food and gathered water with Saphira long before they left Teirm and so they ate happily in silence. At some point, Eragon, who had been oddly quiet, turned to Brom and said.
"I need to talk to you. I wanted to do it when we first arrived in Teirm, but I decided to wait until now."
"About what?" asked Brom.
Eragon paused. "There's a lot going on that I don't understand. For instance, who are your 'friends,' and why were you hiding in Carvahall? I trust you with my life—which is why I'm still traveling with you—but I need to know more about who you are and what you are doing. What did you steal in Gil'ead, and what is the tuatha du orothrim that you're taking me through? I think that after all that's happened, I deserve an explanation." His words were commanding, powerful and beyond reproach. This was not the voice of someone who wanted or was willing to be dismissed.
"You eavesdropped on us." The words were accusatory, coming from a displeased Brom.
"Only once," said Eragon.
"I see that you have yet to learn proper manners," said Brom grimly, tugging on his beard. "What makes you think that this concerns you?"
"Nothing, really," said Eragon shrugging. "Just it's an odd coincidence that you happened to be hiding in Carvahall when I found Saphira's egg. The more I think about it, the less likely it seems. There were other clues that I mostly ignored, but they're obvious now that I look back. Like how you knew of the Ra'zac in the first place and why they ran away when you approached. And I can't help but wonder if you had something to do with the appearance of Saphira's egg. There's a lot you haven't told us, and Saphira and I can't afford to ignore anything that might be dangerous."
"He has a valid point." Yomir, finally restarting his attempt to master the carving skills of the Urgals he lived with before, said. "You cannot keep on keeping things from him and expect his loyalty."
Dark lines appeared on Brom's forehead before he let out a long sigh. "I don't want to hear it from you... but your not wrong" he asked. Eragon shook his head mulishly. Brom sighed. "This wouldn't be a problem if you weren't so suspicious, but I suppose that you wouldn't be worth my time if you were otherwise." Brom lit his pipe and slowly blew a plume of smoke into the air. "I'll tell you," he said, "but you have to understand that I cannot reveal everything." Eragon started to protest, but Brom cut him off. "It's not out of a desire to withhold information, but because I won't give away secrets that aren't mine. There are other stories woven in with this narrative. You'll have to talk with the others involved to find out the rest."
"Very well. Explain what you can," said Eragon.
"Are you sure?" asked Brom. "There are reasons for my secretiveness. I've tried to protect you by shielding you from forces that would tear you apart. Once you know of them and their purposes, you'll never have the chance to live quietly. You will have to choose sides and make a stand. Do you really want to know?"
"I cannot live my life in ignorance," said Eragon quietly.
"A worthy goal.… Very well: there is a war raging in Alagaësia between the Varden and the Empire. Their conflict, however, reaches far beyond any incidental armed clashes. They are locked in a titanic power struggle … centered around you."
"Me?" said Eragon, disbelieving. "That's impossible. I don't have anything to do with either of them."
"You exist, that's enough." Yomir sighed, turning to his beloved friend. "There are more eggs, two others. A red one and a green one, like Saphira's egg they once belonged to Galbatorix. Durza was interested in them, part of the experiment that crafted my... me, revolved on mimicking the connection between dragons and their riders. Whomever controls them controls the Fate of Algaseia. Right now the Empire is winning in the game, with Galbatorix and the other eggs. Whomever gets you on their side gets a serious advantage. Durza made me what I am to level the playing field and allow himself to become a major player, he used to go on countless rants about how I would one day killed the King."
Brom choked. "He believed you could kill the king?"
"He saw me as a potential new race, one powerful like the Elves that could tip the war in his favor. He didn't like becoming a servant, it is not in his nature. However he never was able to replicate what made me, it nearly killed him to do whatever he did. He left me alone for weeks, almost a full month. That was almost a year before I escaped."
"So your a weapon, a fascimile of a rider?"
"Something like that... my powers are new to the world, so we don't know what I am actually capable of in the long term... but yes, in theory that is exactly what I am." Switching his hands, so he could carve more easily while talking, the newly informed Yomir progressed. "I don't know everything but I do know that the Varden is trying to prevent the King from getting the eggs to hatch, less he get two new powerful Riders on his side."
"Exactly," said Brom. "There is a deadly race in progress. Galbatorix is desperately trying to find the people for whom his eggs will hatch, while the Varden are employing every means to kill his candidates or steal the eggs."
"But where did Saphira's egg come from? How could anyone have gotten it away from the king? And why do you know all of this?" asked Eragon, bewildered.
"So many questions," laughed Brom bitterly. "There is another chapter to all this, one that took place long before you were born. Back then I was a bit younger, though perhaps not as wise. I hated the Empire—for reasons I'll keep to myself—and wanted to damage it in any way I could. My fervor led me to a scholar, Jeod, who claimed to have discovered a book that showed a secret passageway into Galbatorix's castle. I eagerly brought Jeod to the Varden—who are my 'friends'—and they arranged to have the eggs stolen."
Yomir froze. 'He is a member of the Varden, that explains a lot...'
"However, something went amiss, and our thief got only one egg. For some reason he fled with it and didn't return to the Varden. When he wasn't found, Jeod and I were sent to bring him and the egg back." Brom's eyes grew distant, and he spoke in a curious voice. "That was the start of one of the greatest searches in history. We raced against the Ra'zac and Morzan, last of the Forsworn and the king's finest servant."
"Morzan!" interrupted Eragon. "But he was the one who betrayed the Riders to Galbatorix!"
"So?" asked Brom, raising an eyebrow. "Yes, he was old, but strong and cruel. He was one of the king's first followers and by far his most loyal. As there had been blood between us before, the hunt for the egg turned into a personal battle. When it was located in Gil'ead, I rushed there and fought Morzan for possession. It was a terrible contest, but in the end I slew him. During the conflict I was separated from Jeod. There was no time to search for him, so I took the egg and bore it to the Varden, who asked me to train whomever became the new Rider. I agreed and decided to hide in Carvahall—which I had been to several times before—until the Varden contacted me. I was never summoned."
"Then how did Saphira's egg appear in the Spine? Was another one stolen from the king?" asked Eragon.
Brom grunted. "Small chance of that. He has the remaining two guarded so thoroughly that it would be suicide to try and steal them. No, Saphira was taken from the Varden, and I think I know how. To protect the egg, its guardian must have tried to send it to me with magic. The Varden haven't contacted me to explain how they lost the egg, so I suspect that their runners were intercepted by the Empire and the Ra'zac were sent in their place. I'm sure they were quite eager to find me, as I've managed to foil many of their plans."
'Then the Ra'zac didn't know about me when they arrived in Carvahall," said Eragon with wonder.
"That's right," replied Brom. "If that ass Sloan had kept his mouth shut, they might not have found out about you. Events could have turned out quite differently. In a way I have you to thank for my life. If the Ra'zac hadn't become so preoccupied with you, they might have caught me unawares, and that would have been the end of Brom the storyteller. The only reason they ran was because I'm stronger than the two of them, especially during the day. They must have planned to drug me during the night, then question me about the egg."
"You sent a message to the Varden, telling them about me?"
"Yes. I'm sure they'll want me to bring you to them as soon as possible."
"But you're not going to, are you?"
Brom shook his head. "No, I'm not."
"Why not? Being with the Varden must be safer than chasing after the Ra'zac, especially for a new Rider."
Brom snorted and looked at Eragon with a fondness Yomir understood.
And so it was he who answered for Eragon. "They are a different type of dangerous, Eragon. I learned a lot with Durza... Political danger maybe more dangerous then a battle. At least then you could protect yourself with wards or armor. You might be poisoned or stabbed or any number of things, all in the cover of darkness or under the veil of kindness. You are a tool to most people, and for that you need a different type of protection, you need allies but that takes times. I assume Brom wants you to be fully ready before you join them, or decide to, with the power and knowledge to make a full choice and back up that choice with proof of power and skill."
Brom nodded. "He's right, and you are far more capable today then you were before. I assume it's from your recently regained memories?"
"Yes, I have regained more then you would believe. A life time of memories, but most importantly five years with Durza traveling around Algaseia. I have been everywhere, even in the Palace. I have seen Galbatorix's dragon, heard the King Orate to his servant, heard vicious rumors of countless people, seen executions and murders... life has been odd for me. I am not the same person I was before..."
" I can imagine."
After another lull in the conversation, Eragon asked one more thing. "Did you ever meet my mother?" he asked, his voice soft and pained.
Brom looked grave. "Yes, I did."
"What was she like?"
The old man sighed. "She was full of dignity and pride, like Garrow. Ultimately it was her downfall, but it was one of her greatest gifts nevertheless.… She always helped the poor and the less fortunate, no matter what her situation."
"You knew her well?" asked Eragon, startled.
"Well enough to miss her when she was gone."
Yomir was curious. " What was her name?"
They both answered. " Selena."
"Ah... I do not know my parents, either of them. They sold me as an infant, the day I was born, to the Priests of Helgrind. Actually speaking of that, I have spells of the ancient language and whatnot that can really help Eragon and your too Brom. I cannot use magic, as I showed you with my memories, but they are amazing if not twisted. Some are plain evil spells, but a great many are helpful ways to attack, ward and detect poisons. I can also read, mostly, the Elvish Poetic Script if that helps. I can help you teach him."
Brom seemed to harden for a moment, before sighing. "Very well... if something were to happen to me, I am counting on you to continue his education as best you can."
"I swore to look out for his best interests, of course I will do that..." The wind suddenly turned and he sat up ram rod still as something familiar brushed his senses. It was a fetid stench, like raw meat and animal fur. It reeks of heat and power, he salivated insantly as the lush suggestion of potent blood overtook him... familiar blood. He knew instantly what it belonged to. " Urgals, I smell Urgals!"
Brom and Eragon leapt from their seated positions. "Get the Horses, we are leaving. It's almost dark; you might as well fly right overhead. If Urgals show up, they'll think twice about attacking with you nearby."
'They'd better, or else they won't think again', remarked Saphira as she took off.
The light was disappearing quickly, and the horses were tired, but they spurred them on without respite.
Yomir heard the faint call of a hunting horn behind them.
The sound must have panicked something in Eragon as his scent shifted.
"They must have found where we were," said Brom, "and probably Saphira's tracks. They will chase us now. It's not in their nature to let prey escape." Then two horns winded.
They were closer. . "Our only chance is to run," said Brom. Suddenly Saphira rushed out of the night sky and landed. "Leave Cadoc with Yomir. Go with her. You'll be safer," commanded Brom.
"What about you?" Eragon protested.
"I'll be fine. Now go!"
Eragon, for once, obeyed his master, and Yomir threw himself on Cadoc, hand never far from his axe or the surge of dancing energy in his mind that allowed the movement of force. He leaned forward as they horses galloped forth, the pace would have been blinding to a normal mortal. Minutes passed in their desperate pursuits to escape their pursers, but it was too late and they broke through the trees, catching up at blinding speeds.
"I can fight them." Yomir called out in ancient language. "I am willing to die for Eragon, I will not let them- what is he thinking!" Turning his head, he followed his senses just in time to his his friends landing before the swarm of Urgals. Immediately and turned his horse around, as did Brom and they hurried towards Eragon, desperate to save the foolish boy.
"Our master wishes to speak with you, human!" He heard, his vast senses easily picking up an Urgal's voice.
"Who is your master?" Eragon asked.
"His name does not deserve to be given to one as low as yourself. He rules the sky and holds dominance over the earth. You are no more than a stray ant to him. Yet he has decreed that you shall be brought before him, alive. Take heart that you have become worthy of such notice!"
"I'll never go with you nor any of my enemies!" declared Eragon, foolishly. "I know you serve the Shade Durza, I have no wish to parley with him."
"That is a grave mistake," growled the Urgal. "There is no way to escape him. Eventually you will stand before our master. If you resist, he will fill your days with agony."
"Keep your offer and tell your master that the crows can eat his entrails for all I care!"
"We'll drag you to him, then!"
Eragon barked, "Jierda!"
Yomir's vision lowered and he saw the Light of Magic gathering around Eragon before Beams of light lanced from his hand, striking each of them in the gut. The Urgals were thrown through the air and smashed into trees, falling senseless to the ground.
Eragon, now bereft of energy, tumbled off Saphira. The energy needed to lift and throw twelve Urgals was enormous, it was not wonder Eragon was barely alive.
Yomir watched as one of the Urgals managed to stand, barely, with sword in hand and stagger towards Saphira. The Urgal crept toward Saphira until he was well past her tail, then raised his sword to strike her neck. Thankfully Saphira whirled on the monster, roaring savagely. Her talons slashed with blinding speed. Blood spurted everywhere as the Urgal was rent in two. Saphira snapped her jaws together with finality and returned to Eragon. She gently wrapped her bloody claws around his torso, then growled and jumped into the air.
Yomir threw himself off of the horse, Flipping into the air, he landed with grace only he could manage. With blade in hand, he shot across the land as speeds far exceeding the horse, full grasping that part of his mind, like two magnets rubbing against each other, that controlled his force control. With great effort, he threw his axe, using the force to guide the blade until it landed perfectly in the skull of one of the now conscious Urgals. Another burst of force called back his axe, twirling through the air with great speed until it landed back into his hand.
He wasn't done, he had pray to destroy and not enough time to do it. Eragon was in danger and he needed to protect him, his oath counted on it.
By any means necessary he would fulfill his oath...
And he would keep his friend safe.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
I changed up the order of the conversation with Brom, the wrist breaking scene entirely and the fight with the Urgals... I also showedcased the new knowledge of Yomir. I like what he knows and who he is.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.