Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle.
Author's Note: Sorry guys, but this chapter took a while to write due to it being training and all but I finally thought of some. I don't know how great it'll be but consider it more of a filler chapter. Action should come soon hopefully as well as drama and romance – the works. So read, review, and enjoy. I hope you like it!
Chapter 3: Training
Christopher and Brom stood facing each other five feet apart. Brom had chanted some words in what sounded like an older version of the Ancient Language if such a thing was possible. Then Chris stared around him, in awe and wonder, as the black void swirled away in clouds of mist like peels being stripped off an orange.
A white room with no windows or doors surrounded them looking like an empty hospital room or something. It was just large enough for Saphir and them, not that there was anyone else in the room. His mind still reeling from the unexpected use of magic, Chris obeyed distractedly as Brom told him to stand in a certain position five feet apart from him.
Instantly, Brom's face went into an impassive mode and Christopher snapped back to reality becoming very wary of the old man. He remembered from his books that he was an awesome teacher but very harsh and strict. He gave Eragon bruises all over and the young writer shuddered inwardly at the thought.
"So," Brom said respectfully. "What would you like to learn first? How to use magic or how to fight with a sword? You will need both to survive but we have all the time in the world right now, so I can make you a master in each art."
Christopher closed his eyes as he mulled over the question. While there was no light in the room, the white walls pulsed with power and seemed to glow with a force of their own as if they were the light. It gave him a headache not to mention Brom's question. After a short while of contemplation, he made up his mind with a measure of reluctance. He should get to the nitty-gritty stuff first and save the easy part for last.
"Swordplay," He said, opening his eyes. "I wish to learn how to fight with the sword, bow, and spear first. Are those options available?"
Brom thought it over a few minutes and nodded.
"I don't see why not," He shrugged. "If I can make your staff and sword appear, why not a bow and arrow? Eragon was always the archer and since you wrote his character I think you'd have a knack for that."
"A hidden one, perhaps," Christopher said allowing a faint smile. "Shall we begin?"
"Certainly," Brom grinned. "I always like an eager student. Eragon was a little too proud for my liking, keep that in mind and we'll get along just fine."
Brom fell silent for a moment and flicked his fingers while muttering under his breath. There was a sudden flash of light and Christopher felt a tug in his gut. Looking down suspiciously at his body, he was momentarily surprised to see that his white robes were gone only to be replace by a thinner white tunic without any sleeves, ending at his knees. Brom was dressed in similar fashion.
"It is easier to move about like this," Brom explained. "Less hot and sweaty too. Armour can be an awful pain sometimes. But enough of that, let us begin. Swords out!"
Christopher pulled out his sword and was surprised to see that it had transformed into a basic wooden practice sword. Even so, it weighed a ton and felt awkward in his hands. He scowled, but held it at the ready such as he saw Brom doing.
As Brom taught him all the basics of swordplay, Christopher wondered how on earth Eragon could have learnt it as fast as he wrote him in the books. It was just unrealistic and his arms were aching after the first five minutes! What had he gotten himself into?
X~X~X~X~X
The hours passed in a blur of sweat, toil, and pain.
Sword fighting was a lot harder than he ever expected especially since he was a city slicker who sat at a computer desk all the type punching out letters on a keyboard. He wondered how in the world his glasses survived and wished they could stop for a break.
But Brom would bark "Constant Vigilance" (1. See bellow) and force him to continue. When Christopher finally sank to his knees in defeat, sweat rolling off him, Brom gave in just a little only to mutter a rejuvenating spell under his breath. With a flick of the old man's fingers, Christopher felt his skin crawl as all the hunger, weariness, and pain vanished.
He felt like he had slept a week and all his despair was forgotten. Immediately he sprung into action catching Brom off guard with a burst of youthful strength. Of course, Brom got the upper-hand quickly and smirked as Christopher wished he had never surprised his teacher. He learnt a great deal though and the best thing was that time held no meaning here.
He did not need to sleep or eat or even bathe for that matter, although he'd sure as heck like to take a nice cold shower at times. Whenever he'd feel too tired to continue, he'd just croak out 'break' and Brom would cast that spell making him feel alive and refreshed again. He wondered if his tutor used the spell but decided not to ask since in reality he really was dead. It would be just...awkward, for lack of a better term.
And so time sped by as Christopher got used to their training and poured out all of his energy and strength into the lessons. He was so absorbed in his training that in time he even forgot about what was happening at home or the long-awaited Book IV. He couldn't care less right now as all that was on his mind was learning to fight with the sword. In this timeless void, he could learn a great deal – far more than Eragon ever could as he was on the run – and it was also a plus-point that he did not need to worry about his body.
X~X~X~X~X
It was another harsh round of fighting that saw Christopher finally overcome his teacher in a deft faint, pretending to swing his sword one way only to knock him off-balance by a series of blinding flourishes with his sword. Brom's sword spun out of his hands and Christopher's went right under his chin. Brom looked shocked for a moment as Christopher smirked in glee, gloating at his finale success.
He had no idea how long they had been practicing for. It could have been months, or years, or decades even so he was very proud of himself when he finally caught his teacher by surprise as you can imagine. But Brom got the last laugh by suddenly spinning around, kicking Christopher in the chest with his foot flinging him backwards, and knocking his sword out of his fists with a well-aimed punch.
"Damn it!" Christopher exclaimed as he dropped his sword in pain and began hopping about the room, clutching his broken wrist. "What the hell was that for?"
"You got too cocky," Brom laughed, whipping tears of mirth from his eyes.
"I have every bloody right to be cocky, prat," Christopher pouted, feeling most affronted. "I bloody won already and you cheated! What kind of a teacher are you anyway to manhandle your own student?"
A very good one, A deep voice chuckled.
Christopher yelped in surprise only to flush in embarrassment as he saw that it was Brom's dragon – Saphira the First.
"You saw that?" He groaned.
Aye, Saphira said, with a rumbling chuckle. It was most amusing. Do not fret though, Brom would do that to all rookies he taught in Ellesmera.
"Oh, gee!" Christopher said sarcastically. "I feel so relieve now I could just hug the guy!"
"Okay, fine, I relent," Brom said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Perhaps I was a little harsh on you."
"A little?" Christopher asked incredulously. "Are you for real, man?"
"As real as a fictional character would ever be," Brom retorted in good nature.
"Humph," Was all Christopher could say.
An awkward silence settled over the unusual trio. Since both men were weary, Brom motioned for Christopher to sit down as he did the same.
Crossing his legs in lotus style, Brom curled his fingers into a unique fashion and placed his hands, palm upwards, onto his knees. Closing his eyes, held his head high and sat back straight. He took deep even breaths while Christopher watched him suspiciously.
Christopher gasped in surprise as a faint blue glow surrounded Brom glowing brighter all the while. Slowly but surely, Brom arose a good foot and a half in the air even though he had cast no spell of levitation.
"What the heck is going on here?" Christopher whispered warily to Saphira. "Is he weirding out on me? I do not remember writing meditation like that."
Saphira just gave Christopher a mysterious draconic smile.
Watch and learn, She replied.
Not having anything better to do and wondering if it would get his mind off his pain, Christopher heaved a sigh and folded his legs uncomfortably beneath the other. It hurt to sit in this strange way and made his back hurt all the more as he struggled to keep it straight and his head tall. A throbbing headache threatened to kill him if he didn't stop this nonsense but he persisted.
The minutes felt like hours but as Christopher closed his eyes and fought to keep his mind blank, he gradually felt calmer than usual. It was a tough thing to do and not every thought vanished, but only the calmer and more peaceful ones remained.
What the heck am I doing? Christopher wondered after a time. This isn't working at all.
Wrong, Christopher heard a voice say in his mind.
Who's that? He asked.
Oddly enough, he glanced around only within his sub
consciousness and not for real. By now Chris thought he could be prepared for any surprise, but what he saw next stunned him.
A lone woman approached him through an eerie white mist. She was tall and graceful like an ancient elf queen. Stunning golden hair cascaded softly down her back and her pale white skin contrasted sharply with the blackness around him. She wore a sleeveless, light-blue tunic that fell a little past her knees complementing her fine figure.
Who are you? Christopher asked cautiously, sensing an air of power about her.
I am a friend of Brom's, The woman replied telepathically.
Even though he could not see his body due to being in his mind, Christopher felt his eyes widen.
Are you Saphira the First in human form? He half-asked, half-guessed.
The woman arched an eyebrow appraisingly making Christopher feel very inadequate and awkward. After studying him for a moment, she smiled warmly and chuckled.
No, She said. I am a friend of Brom's but not his dragon. I do not think that dragons can appear in human form. Such a feat would earn the honour of the ages though. Perhaps you can make it happen with your Author Powers.
I still don't know how that's possible, Christopher admitted, feeling frustrated.
That is why I am here, The woman said softly, washing away all annoyance and aggravation from Chris.
How so? He asked, feeling much better than before.
You have more or less completed your training in swordplay, The woman said. So I have come to teach you how to wield your magic.
Really? Christopher asked, feeling all warm and fuzzy in excitement.
This sounded way too good to be true!
Aye, The woman smiled. And you will have it easier than most since your Author Powers do not require spells and potions.
Oh? Christopher asked, feeling slightly confused.
Then what was the Ancient Language for?
You created this world as an Author, Christopher, The woman explained gently. Just as I have been created to show you how to protect it.
From myself? Christopher added dryly unable to resist.
Perhaps, The woman conceded. But enough of that now. We have more important things to worry about.
Too true, Christopher sighed. Too true.
And so began another long stretch of training within Christopher's mind as the mysterious and beautiful woman taught him magic. But throughout it all, Christopher felt a pang of sadness despite the wondrous things he had been learning. For he somehow felt a dreadful sense of foreboding, that once his training was over he would never see the woman again.
To Be Continued...
A/N: Dun-dun-dun! Chapter Three is finally posted and ready for reading. So, it was kind of basic but did it meet your expectations? What did you think of this new episode and of my story as a whole? Are there any changes or things you'd like to see Christopher accomplish with his Author Powers? And who is this woman that Chris likes? Will he see her again? More answers and mysteries await you in the next chapter that will be coming shortly, so R&R please...
...And stay tuned for more!
P.S. *Yes, I borrowed the "Constant Vigilence" phrase from Mad-Eye Moddy in the Harry Potter Saga. I don't own that either, just to let you know.