This chapter was hard! I hope it lives up to the effort!
Just as the light was fading, Saphira summoned her to a secluded clearing in the trees by the river. Nari obediently turned the horses in the direction of the clearing, nudging them to move faster. With Saphira's guidance, it wasn't hard to find the clearing. Fortunately, Nari didn't think anyone else would even notice the area unless they, too, were able to see from dragon-back.
A small, smokeless fire was already burning when she entered the clearing. Brom sat next to it, tending his arm, which he held at an awkward angle. Saphira was crouched beside him, her body tense, concern radiating from her mind.
You're sure you're not hurt? Saphira demanded, anxiously. Nari could tell Saphira was worried that Nari had kept an injury from her.
I'm not hurt, Nari promised. Just confused and worried.
I should have been there sooner, Saphira growled.
Don't feel bad. I shouldn't have asked you to be so far away. We all made mistakes today. Saphira hummed, pleased and grateful. She turned to Brom, concerned. "How's your arm?" The older man glanced down at it.
"It's a large scratch and hurts terribly, but it should heal quickly enough. I'll need a fresh bandage, though; this one didn't last as long as I'd hoped." They boiled water to wash Brom's wound. Then Brom tied a fresh rag to his arm and said, "I must eat, and you look hungry as well. Let's have dinner first, then talk." When their bellies were full and warm, Brom lit his pipe. "Now, I think it's time for you to tell me what transpired while I was unconscious. I am most curious." His lace reflected the flickering firelight, and his bushy eyebrows stuck out fiercely. Nari frowned at the demand, wondering. Should she tell him anything? Should she confront him now?
It might be wise to see what he knows about this magic, Saphira counseled. Nari nodded and began to tell the story without embellishment. Brom remained silent throughout it, his gaze inscrutable. When she finished, Brom looked down at the ground. For a long time the only sound was the snapping fire.
Brom finally stirred. "Have you used this power before?"
"No. Do you know anything about it?" She watched him carefully.
"A little." Brom's face was thoughtful. "It seems I owe you a debt for saving my life. I hope I can return the favor someday. You should be proud; few escape unscathed from slaying their first Urgal. But the manner in which you did it was very dangerous. You could have destroyed yourself and the whole town."
"If I had waited for Saphira, or attempted to fight them, they would have killed me," Nari told him coolly. "I understand the danger of using some skill that I know nothing about, but even if I had killed myself, the situation would have been little different from if I hadn't used it. Except that I'd have killed you as well, though I'm sure they wouldn't have wasted much time going back to you after they'd finished with me."
Brom stared at her solemnly. "And in other situations? Where there are other ways out? Would you kill yourself attempting to hunt a rabbit?"
"I have skill enough with my bow that I would not try to kill a rabbit any other way," Nari stated, though she knew that was not his point. "Clearly, I have this ability. Though I know little about it, it appears more than useful. If you find it so reckless to use this without knowing anything about it, then tell me. You say you know about it."
Brom's eyes flashed. "This isn't something you should be taught — much less use!"
"Except l have used it, and I may need it to fight again. I won't be able to control it if you don't help me; I could kill myself trying." Brom stared at her, conflicted.
"The knowledge you ask for is more complex than you understand," he warned.
"Then explain it to me, so that I will understand," she argued. Brom frowned, fiddling with a piece of grass in order to avoid her gaze.
"It's late and we should sleep, but I will tell you a few things now, so that you don't attempt to try it on your own. This magic — for it is magic — has rules like the rest of the world. If you break the rules, the penalty is death, without exception. Your deeds are limited by your strength, the words you know, and your imagination."
"Words?" Nari could understand the need for strength, and even for the imagination to shape the magic, but words? Brom shot her an exasperated look.
"More questions! For a moment I had hoped you were empty of them!"
"You should know me better than that," Nari retorted. Brom smiled faintly, shaking his head.
"When you shot the Urgals, didn't you say something?"
"Yes," Nari agreed. "I said brisingr." The fire flared up, and Nari's eyes widened. Brom paid it no attention besides sending the fire a dark frown.
"I thought so. It is from an ancient language that all living things used to speak. However, it was forgotten over time and went unspoken for eons in Alagaësia, until the elves brought it back over the sea. They taught it to the other races, who used it for making and doing powerful things. The language has a name for everything, if you can find it."
"The language of the elves," Nari questioned. "The one that won't allow you to lie?"
"That very one," Brom agreed. "It is the basis for all power. The language describes the true nature of things, not the superficial aspects that everyone sees. For example, fire is brisingr. Not only is that a name for fire, it is the name for fire. If you are strong enough, you can use brisingr to direct fire to do whatever you will. That is what happened today."
"Why was the fire blue? Is it because of Saphira?" Brom's eyes shone in approval.
"The color varies from person to person. It depends on who says the word. Most Dragon Riders' magic matched the color of their dragon's scales, yes. Though whether the color of the dragon that chose them determined the color of their magic, or the color of their magic determined the color of the dragon that chose them, it's difficult to determine." Nari nodded, thinking.
"How did it do exactly what I wanted, if all I said was fire? Shouldn't I have needed to say more?"
"That's a matter of practice. Most beginners do have to spell out exactly what they want to happen, yes. As they gain more experience, however, it isn't as necessary. A true master could just say water and create something totally unrelated, like a gemstone. You wouldn't be able to understand how he had done it, but the master would have seen the connection between water and the gem and would have used that as the focal point for his power. The practice is more of an art than anything else. What you did was extremely difficult, and all the more dangerous for it."
Brom is a magician, Saphira interrupted. That's how he was able to light the fire on the plains with the word brisingr. He doesn't just know about magic; he can use it himself! Nari's eyes widened faintly.
You're right! Thought it only makes him more dangerous for it.
Ask him about this power, but be careful. If he does mean us harm, it would be unwise to allow him to suspect it until we are ready.
"Saphira and I just realized something. You can use this magic, can't you? That's how you started fires on the plains." Nari watched him, observing his reaction carefully. Brom inclined his head slightly.
"I am proficient to some degree," he allowed. Nari felt an anger burning in her chest.
"Why haven't you used it more, then? To fight the Urgals or to shield us from the storm on the plains?" Brom refilled his pipe while Nari eyed him.
"Some simple reasons, really. I am not a Rider, which means that, even at your weakest moment, you are stronger than I. And I have outlived my youth; I'm not as strong as I used to be. Every time I reach for magic, it gets a little harder." Nari evaluated that, eventually letting it go for the moment. She wanted to get as much information from him as she could.
"Where did you learn to use magic?"
"That is one fact I'll keep to myself . . . Suffice to say, it was in a remote area and from a very good teacher. I can, at the very least, pass on his lessons." Brom snuffed his pipe with a small rock. "I know that you have more questions, and I will answer them, but they must wait until morning." He leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Until then, I will say this to discourage any experiments: magic takes just as much energy as if you used your arms and back. That is why you felt tired after destroying the Urgals. And that is why I was angry. It was a dreadful risk on your part. If the magic had used more energy than was in your body, it would have killed you. You should use magic only for tasks that can't be accomplished the mundane way."
"How do you know if a spell will use all your energy?" Brom nodded.
"Most of the time you don't. That's why magicians have to know their limits well, and even then they are cautious. Once you commit to a task and release the magic, you can't pull it back, even if it's going to kill you. I mean this as a warning: don't try anything until you've learned more. Now, enough of this for tonight."
"Not just yet," Nari said suddenly, catching Brom's attention.
"What do you mean?" Brom asked, eyes intent.
"There's something else we need to talk about." Nari straightened, looking him straight in the eye. Saphira shifted, moving so that she hovered over Nari. Brom glanced to Saphira and back to Nari, looking concerned. "Who are you?"
"What?" Brom looked wary now, and Nari's eyes narrowed into slits.
"You aren't just Brom the storyteller," she told him coolly. "How could a mere village storyteller know so much about the Ra'zac, or dragons, or any of this? I want to know who you are."
Brom's eyes narrowed dangerously, but his voice was mild. "I thought I made it clear I wasn't going to talk about any of that."
"My uncle is dead, I've had to flee the only home I've ever known, and my cousin could be dead as well for all I know of his health or whereabouts!" Nari paused, taking a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She met Brom's gaze steadily once she felt like her temper was under control again. "You've lived in Carvahall for as long as I can remember. I've trusted you this far because of the past we've shared and because of Saphira's respect for you. But I can't keep doing that when I've found cause to be suspicious of you at every turn. Explain yourself."
For a long time Brom stared at the smoke swirling up from the fire between them, deep lines creasing his forehead. Finally he said, "You've probably never thought about it, but most of my life has been spent outside of Palancar Valley. It was only in Carvahall that I took up the mantle of storyteller. I have played many roles to different people—I've a complicated past. It was partly through a desire to escape it that I came here. So no, I'm not the man you think I am."
"Then who are you?"
Brom smiled gently. "I am one who is here to help you. Do not scorn those words—they are the truest I've ever spoken. But I'm not going to answer your questions. At this point you don't need to hear my history, nor have you yet earned that right. Yes, I have knowledge Brom the storyteller wouldn't, but I'm more than he. You'll have to learn to live with that fact and the fact that I don't hand out descriptions of my life to anyone who asks!"
"And I have never asked," Nari responded quietly. "You're right, your life is your own. I've wondered for years how you could speak of the the Dragons Riders with such vivid descriptions, but I've kept my silence because it was your secret to share with me, when you were ready, if you were ever ready.
"But things are different now, you must realize that. There are things you know that cannot be explained away. How do you know how to make a dragon's saddle so deftly? How are you so comfortable around Saphira, who could kill you with one swipe of her claws? Anyone else would be terrified of her, but you are not." She met his eyes. "You could not learn these things from books." Brom stared back at her in silence, sorrow in his eyes. She waited for several long moments, but no explanation came. Finally, she pressed her lips together tightly and nodded. "Saphira and I will be leaving in the morning, then," she told Brom quietly. His eyes widened faintly and she shook her head sadly. "There is only one way that I know of for you to have learned these things. As you will not explain, I can only believe that your presence is a danger to myself and to Saphira. Perhaps for myself, I would not push this. But for Saphira's sake,-" She paused, waiting for him to say something. When he said nothing, she moved to curl up next to Saphira, allowing the dragon to wrap a wing around her.
We'll fly together tomorrow, Saphira.
I'm so sorry, little one, Saphira whispered. Nari felt tears rolling down her cheeks now that her face was hidden. She tucked her face against Saphira's belly and fell asleep.
When she woke the next morning, Brom was sitting in front of the fire, a faraway look in old, tired eyes. The look made Nari wonder if he'd been sitting there all night.
He has dozed where he sat, but he has not slept, Saphira informed her, confirming her thoughts. I believe he was attempting to make sure we did not leave in the night.
As though we'd have been able to leave with waking him anyway, Nari pointed out, amused despite herself. You would not exactly be quiet. Saphira snorted in agreement and Brom jolted. Nari twisted her head away as his head swung towards her, not wanting to meet his eyes.
"You shouldn't sleep around those you don't trust," Brom said quietly.
"Saphira would have protected me if you'd tried to harm me," Nari replied, busying herself with packing her blankets and hooking the saddle and bags to Saphira's back. Saphira growled in agreement.
"Then why do you insist on leaving?" Nari stopped and turned to look at him for the first time.
"Because even she could not protect me if we allowed you to walk us into a trap." Brom was silent for a moment.
"It is wise of you to be suspicious. You are both in great danger, and there are many that would try to harm or control you. I am not one of those, however. Do you recall what I taught you about the language of the elves?" Nari frowned, startled by the question. Long-held habit, however, caused her to reply automatically.
"It is called the ancient language, because it is the first language known to any creature, at least that we know of. Its proper name is not known. All living creatures used to speak it, but it was forgotten over time by all but the elves. They brought it back over the sea when they came to Alagaësia and taught it to the other races. It is a language of power, controlling the magic inside a person's body. It is also impossible to lie in the ancient language, though the words can be twisted to mean a different truth, so it's easy for them to trick people who look only for the most obvious meaning."
"Good," Brom praised. Despite herself, Nari felt pride curl in her chest. "As it happens," Brom said, glancing up into the trees, "I am proficient in the ancient language." Extending his arm forward, Brom called out, "Fethrblaka, eka weohnata néiat haina ono. Blaka eom iet lam." A bird suddenly flitted down from a tree and landed on his hand. It trilled lightly and looked at them with beady eyes. After a moment he said, "Eitha," and it fluttered away.
"What did you say to it?" Nari asked curiously.
"I said, 'Bird, I will not harm you. Flap to my hand.' He may not have known exactly what I meant, but in the language of power, the meaning of my words was evident. The bird trusted me because he knows what all animals do, that those who speak in that tongue are bound by their word." He glanced over at her, eyes solemn and serious. "Eka weohnata néiat haina ono, Nari." Nari felt pleasure and relief fill her for a moment, before she remembered her own words and squashed the thought.
"You would not need to harm me yourself to turn me over to those that would," she told him quietly. A frown covered his face.
"I would know that harm would come to you, and so I would know that my actions would cause you harm. The ancient language would not let me speak the words."
"Why are you so insistent on coming with me!" Nari demanded suddenly. "You said it was because of Saphira, but even curiosity could not persuade someone to face death at the hands of Urgals or the Ra'zac, unless they were a fool. You're no fool, so why?" He stared at her for several long minutes. For a moment, she saw disappointment, and then it was gone. Still, the momentary presence of the emotion made tears prick again that the corner of her eyes.
"The pack you keep tied to Saphira," Brom mentioned abruptly. Nari tilted her head in question. "Where did you get it?"
"Uncle Garrow gave it to me, before I left. He said he'd noticed I was going to leave, and knew he wouldn't be able to stop me."
"Did he say where it came from?" Nari searched his face.
"Yes," she agreed, wondering.
"It was your mother's," Brom said. It wasn't a question, and Nari couldn't help but to ask.
"You knew her?"
"I did. A long time ago. It was for her that I first began to look after you."
"First?" Brom raised an eyebrow.
"You were an keen, curious, kind, young girl, and have grown into an intelligent, generous young woman. Do you think my motives have not shifted into looking after you for your own sake?" Nari felt a blush cover her cheeks and Brom smiled.
Nari frowned then, thinking hard. It was clear that Brom would not reveal more than he had; he had, in truth, already revealed more than she would have believed him willing to three months ago.
Saphira? Tell me what to do. Nari felt the way her mental voice begged Saphira for an answer, but couldn't find it in herself to be ashamed of the desperation. Saphira knew her inside and out, better than anyone else in the world. She knew how fond Nari was of Brom, and how much the decision to leave him had pained her.
Finally, you ask, Saphira scolded gently. I have felt your thoughts on this matter leak through our bond, but not once have you asked for my thoughts. Nari blinked, shamed.
I am sorry, Saphira. Will you tell me your thoughts now?
The old one knows much, that is true. But he touched my hide when first I encountered him. There were things I could sense about him then. Some, he has asked that I keep to myself. I have done so, and will do so, only because the information is no threat to you. He speaks truly when he says that he means us no harm, and only wishes to help.
Nari felt her shoulders relax in sudden relief. That does not mean we should follow him blindly, Saphira added, bringing forth the memory Nari had shared with her, of Garow's words, but-
-but we do not need to flee. Nari finished for her. Thank you, Saphira. Saphira hummed contentedly.
Pulling herself away from Saphira's mind, Nari found Brom staring at her intently. She held his gaze for a moment before looking away.
"Saphira and I will fly today," she told him. "We will join you this evening." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw signs of relief in Brom's face and body, and felt a hint of warmth fill her chest at the thought that he'd been as pained about their separation as she. Nari moved forward and mounted Saphira. She slid easily into a comfortable seat, long used to sitting on Saphira's back.
Brom stepped forward, slightly hesitant as he helped Nari navigate the bands that would hold her legs. "Grip with your knees, guide her with your thoughts, and stay as flat as you can on her back. Nothing will go wrong if you don't panic."
"I trust Saphira," Nari told him. He nodded and stepped back.
Are you ready? Saphira asked, her voice filled with enthusiasm and excitement.
Let's do this, Nari agreed with a grin, heart pumping. Saphira crouched, and Nari wrapped her arms tightly around Saphira's neck. Then, in one swift motion, Saphira thrust upwards with her powerful legs and flapped her wings. Wind whipped past her, stinging her cheeks and taking her breath away. With three smooth strokes, they were in the air, climbing rapidly into the sky.
Nari loosened her grip, allowing her head to rise. Saphira turned swiftly, body twisting effortlessly through the air. The Ninor shrank below them, and clouds floated nearby. When Saphira finally stopped rising higher, the trees below them were no more than specks. It was chilly, and Nari's breaths came in puffs, but the air was clear and bright.
Saphira, Nari breathed in her mind. Without warning, Saphira tilted and rolled completely around. Nari's world spun for a moment, her arms barely having a chance to tighten around Saphira's neck before it was over. A little warning please, Nari scolded her.
You will learn to become accustomed to it, Saphira told her. If we're attacked in the air, it would be one of the simplest maneuvers I will do. In that case, I would have little time to provide you with warning.
Perhaps. But there is little chance we will run into someone with the ability to attack us from the air, at least not for a while yet. I have time to become accustomed to it, without you surprising me with it.
Saphira did not reply, and Nari felt a bit guilty, but refused to take the words back. Saphira angled into a shallow dive and slowly approached the ground. Nari closed her eyes, letting the wind swirl around her. This was everything she'd ever imagined it to be, and more. Saphira flew for a while, showing off as she displayed her ability to ascend and dive and turn. Later, though, she said, Let me show you what flying is like for a dragon.
How? Nari asked, heart speeding up.
Relax, Saphira told her, and do not be afraid. Nari frowned in confusion. Then she felt Saphira's mind tug on hers. Nari tensed as the tug pulled her away from her body. She trusted Saphira, though, so she relaxed and felt herself sink into Saphira. Her vision blurred for a moment, and then she found herself looking through Saphira's eyes.
Everything was different this way: colors had weird, exotic tints; blues were more prominent now, while greens and reds were subdued. She tried to turn her head, but found she couldn't move. She could, however, feel Saphira's thoughts and emotions so much more clearly than before.
Pure joy radiated from Saphira as she climbed into the sky. She loved this freedom to go anywhere. When they were high above the ground, she looked back at Nari's body. Nari saw herself as Saphira saw her, hanging on to her with a blank look. More than just the usual connection between them, Nari could feel as Saphira's body strained against the air, using updrafts to rise. All her muscles felt like they belonged to Nari as well. Nari felt Saphira's tail swinging through the air like a giant rudder to correct her course. It surprised her how much Saphira depended on it.
As Nari sank further into the connection, hugging it close to her, it grew. Finally, the connection grew so strong that it felt as if there was no distinction between their identities.
They clasped their wings together and dived straight down, like a spear thrown from on high, filled with exhilaration. The air rushed past their face. Their tail whipped in the air, and their joined minds reveled in the experience. Even as they plummeted toward the ground, there was no fear of collision. They snapped open their wings at just the right moment, pulling out of the dive with their combined strength. Slanting toward the sky, they shot up and continued back over into a giant loop.
As they leveled out, their minds began to diverge, becoming distinct personalities again. For a split second, Nari could feel both her body and Saphira's, and thought of remaining within Saphira's mind forever. Then her vision blurred and she again sat on Saphira's back. Nari gasped and collapsed on the saddle. It was minutes before her heart stopped hammering and her breathing calmed.
That was incredible, Saphira. Nari breathed, letting Saphira feel her awe and joy. How can you bear to land when you can fly?
I must eat, Saphira reminded her, amused. But I am glad that you took pleasure in it.
There are not enough words to describe how much I enjoyed that. I hope you will not mind doing it again?
I would never mind, little one. We will fly together often now?
I would love to, Nari assured her. I think we will need to limit it to every other day, though. I will need to hunt for us, and I need to have Brom teach me about magic and the ancient language. Do you always see so much blue?
It is the way I am, Saphira answered. I look forward to our days together. There was such contentment in Saphira's tone that Nari regretted that they had not flown together before. Still, there was no point in attempting to change what could not be changed.
They exchanged many thoughts as Saphira flew above Brom and the horses, talking as they had not done since Carvahall. Saphira showed Nari how she could conceal herself in the shadow of a cloud. She even hunted with Nari perched atop her back, snagging a small deer for herself. Finally, when their words were exhausted, Nari reached for her mother's pack.
Was Brom knowing my mother something you knew about? Nari asked as she pulled her mother's journal from the bottom of the pack.
No, Nari. I know how much learning about your parents means to you. I would not keep knowledge of that sort from you. I, too, know what it is like to know nothing about where I come from. Nari nodded, letting her hand slide over Saphira's scales.
Uncle Garrow said that some of the things he had were from before she left, and some she left after I was born. This journal had some information about the before, but I did not read much. It might be that it will tell me who my father is, or how she knew Brom. At the very least I will learn more about her.
Perhaps, Saphira agreed. With that decided, Nari settled in. She read the words in her head instead of out loud, allowing Saphira, too, to hear about Nari's mother.
Nari learned much about her mother in those hours. Her mother had been an artist, Nari discovered. The pages of the journal were littered with doodles. They had been unpracticed at first, but grew in both intricacy and skill as the pages flew by.
Selena had been beautiful, even as a girl. She had reveled in the attention, and in getting her own way with parents who doted on their youngest child. She had followed her elder brother, the only one who ever seemed to expect more of her, with devotion, despairing when nothing she did ever seemed good enough. She mentioned her brother's best friend, Horst, sparingly at first, but that increased as she grew older. He did not fawn over her, like most boys did, nor did he seem to disdain her company, as her elder brother did. He was quiet, but kind and understanding. It seemed to Nari that Horst had changed little over the years.
As days passed in the journal and Selena grew older, Nari began to see hints that her mother had had feelings for Horst. Despite that, though, within Selena began to emerge a restlessness. She was not content with quiet Carvahall when Traders brought tales of oceans and large cities. Whereas Nari had devoured tales of Dragon Riders, Selena focused on the gossips brought from court about noblemen and their wives. She wrote in her journal tedious accounts of how extraordinary city life must be, and how dull Carvahall was in comparison.
Unsettled, Nari set the book aside after weeks passed in the journal with Selena fixed on joining Galbatorix's court in some manner.
Uncle Garrow told me that she wanted to leave, but I never imagined she hated Carvahall, Nari told Saphira, disconcerted.
You did not seem very happy there either, Saphira said, questioning.
I was happy there, Nari argued. It was only that I didn't want to be treated as though my only purpose in life was to be a wife and mother. But I never truly wanted to leave.
Frowning, Nari and Saphira headed to where Brom was camped below them. As they landed, the worries that Nari had left behind returned. While some of her fears had been eased, she still knew nothing of Brom's past besides the fact that he'd been taught magic and had known her mother. Brom seemed to sense the distance Nari held between them now. His eyes were sad, and they ate in silence.
Before they went to bed, they sparred around the fire. Nari felt herself getting better, but it made no difference. Though Brom fought with his left hand, his skill was undiminished.