I am back! I am also NOT Chrissy P.. I only own Tania and Ophelia.
Chapter Seven
When Brom finally stirred, the rabbit was almost completely cooked. He sat up, sniffing the air. "Roasted rabbit?" he asked. Tania smiled and nodded. They waited for it to finish, and when it did, Tania divided the meat into three meals.
As they were eating, Eragon finally awoke, took one sniff, and dived for the last bowl. Tania's eyebrows rose as he finished in record time. "Careful," she warned drily. Brom was frowning.
"Exactly what happened while I was unconscious?"
"All I could see was Eragon being backed into an alley, and then a bright blue flash of light," said Tania.
Brom turned on Eragon. "You used magic." It was a statement, not a question.
"I don't know."
The old man sighed. "Did you say something that caused the flash of light?"
Eragon frowned, thinking. "I think it was... Brisingr."
Brom sighed again. "You realize that that could of killed you?"
"Then why don't you teach me to use it?" countered Eragon.
Ophelia snorted. Is it something the Riders could do? she asked. Brom looked at her.
"Yes, most of the time."
Then you should teach both of them, said Saphira.
Brom frowned, and started having a mental argument with the dragons. Ophelia ended it with a whhack! of her dark green tail. Brom grumbled and relented. "Alright," he said, turning to Tania and Eragon. "The first thing you should know about magic is that it requires something called the Ancient Language. It was once used by all the animals of the world, but now it is the language of the elves.
"When speaking in the Ancient Language, it is impossible to lie."
Eragon snorted. "Impossible. Anyone can lie."
Brom's face darkened. "If you don't listen, you won't learn, boy. Now, if I may continue, if you speak in the Ancient Language to an animal, they will know you tell the truth. Watch."
He turned to the trees, towards a small bird—a sparrow—sitting in the branches. "Fethrblaka, eka weohnata néiat haina ono. Blaka eom iet lam." The bird suddenly flitted from its branch 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.
"How did you do that?" Eragon asked in wonder.
"I promised not to harm him. 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."
"And the elves speak this language?"
"Yes."
"So they never lie?"
"Not quite," admitted Brom. "They maintain that they don't, and in a way it's true, but they have perfected the art of saying one thing and meaning another. You never know exactly what their intent is, or if you have fathomed it correctly. Many times they only reveal part of the truth and withhold the rest. It takes a refined and subtle mind to deal with their culture."
They considered that a moment. Then Tania asked "What about personal names? Do they give power over people?"
Brom nodded in approval. "That, girl, is the kind of thinking that keeps you alive. And they do. Those who speak the language have two names. The first is for everyday use and has little authority. But the second is their true name and is shared with only a few trusted people. There was a time when no one concealed their true name, but this age isn't as kind. Whoever knows your true name gains enormous power over you. It's like putting your life in another person's hands. Everyone has a true name, but few know what it is."
"How do you find your true name?" asked Eragon.
"Elves instiinctively know theirs. No one else has that gift. The human Riders usually went on quests to discover it—or found an elf who would tell them, which was rare,mfor elves don't distribute that knowledge freely," replied Brom.
"I'd like to know mine," Eragon said wistfully.
Brom's brow darkened. "Be careful. It can be a terrible knowledge. To know who you are without any delusions or sympathy is a moment of revelation that no one escapes unscathed. Some have been driven to madness by that stark reality. Most try to forget it. But as much as the name will give others power, so you may gain power over yourself, if the truth doesn't break you."
And I'm sure it would not, stated Saphira.
"I still wish to know," said Eragon, obviously determined. Tania mentally applauded him.
"You are not easily dissuaded. That is good, for only the resolute find their identity, but I cannot help you with this. It is a search you will have to undertake on your own." Brom moved his right arm, which had been injured when the Urgals ambushed them, and grimaced uncomfortably.
"Why can't you or I heal that with magic?" asked Eragon.
Brom blinked. "No reason—I just never considered it because it's beyond my strength. You could probably do it with the right word, but I don't want you to exhaust yourself."
"It could save you a lot of trouble and pain," protested Eragon.
"I'll live with it," said Brom flatly. "Using magic to heal a wound takes as much energy as it would to mend on its own. I don't want you tired for the next few days. You shouldn't attempt such a difficult task yet."
"Still, if it's possible to fix your arm, could I bring someone back from the dead?"
The question appeared to surprise Brom, but he answered quickly. "Remember what I said about projects that will kill you? That is one of them. Riders were forbidden to try to resurrect the dead, for their own safety. There is an abyss beyond life where magic means nothing. If you reach into it, your strength will flee and your soul will fade into darkness. Wizards, sorcerers and Riders—all have failed and died on that threshold. Stick with what's possible—cuts, bruises, maybe some broken bones—but definitely not dead people."
Tania frowned. "You sound like you have attempted to try it."
Brom turned to her. "And what makes you say that?" he asked, but she saw surprise in his eyes.
She tilted her head slightly. "Just...something in the way you spoke, I guess."
Brom frowned slightly. You're perceptive, girl.
And you don't want Eragon to know?
No.
You weren't just a storyteller, or even an important member of the Varden, were you? I think you lied about not being a Dragon Rider.
And I'd like very much to keep it a secret.
A pause. Then, I will swear in the Ancient Language that I will not reveal your past until you do, or it is revealed some other way. Is that enough?
Yes.
SHE IS NOT A SUE! Just to carify ;) She is simply very perceptive. It's the main reason she's still in the state she is today: alive.
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Falcon