Chapter 36. Last Days

When Eragon returned to Ellesmera, the first thing he did was visit Sloan. Sloan had developed ears like an Elf and his hair had filled out and became like starlight.

"Eragon Shadeslayer…"

"You have changed…"

"In more ways than one… I have my eyes back…"

"I am glad for you…" Eragon said taking a seat across from Sloan.

They sat down in front of his hut, "I suppose I have you to thank for what the Elves did for me…"

Eragon smiled, "It was a reward if you truly managed to change yourself… and you have…"

"But I am still bound by the oaths you placed on me to live in this city… I tried to leave, the Elves didn't even try to stop me… I had traveled two miles when I felt the urge to return…" Sloan stared at Eragon, "…I am not the man I was nor am I a man who begs for anything, but I beg you Eragon Shadeslayer to release me from exile and allow me to see my daughter…"

Eragon sighed, "And what of Katrina and Roran…"

"Do they know that I live…"

"No… and I cannot release you… You may have changed, but this is your life and they have theirs…"

Eragon wanted to see if Sloan would have an outburst, but he didn't, "So be it…"

"Would you like to see them…"

Sloan beamed, "Is that possible…"

Eragon pointed his hand at the stream and without using the words of the ancient language a ball of water arose from the stream and floated in the air before them. The water went black and then it resolved into Roran and Katrina in the palace of Ceuneon. They were in their private room with a baby.

"Where are they…" Sloan greedily asked.

"The palace in Ceuneon… Roran is king of the Northern lands and Katrina is his queen…"

Sloan looked at Eragon then at Katrina who was dressed in royal robes. A tear ran down his cheek, "How?"

Sloan listened as Eragon recounted the tail to him, "The boy is named Garrow Sloan Roransson…"

Sloan stood up and took a shuddering breath, "I have been a fool…"

"We all have been at some point in our lives…"

Sloan turned to Eragon, "I don't want to see anymore…"

Eragon released the spell, "I must go now… I have many things to do… One last piece of advice, try to learn the Elven language… If living among them has had this much of an effect on you there are bound to be more…"

Sloan smiled, "Actually I am learning from a woman by the name of Rheunon…"

Eragon said his goodbyes and left smiling to himself, Rheunon's character was eclectic so it would make sense that she would befriend Sloan.

During the next year Eragon and Elva labored to educate the new riders. Vaneer and Sarsja were the fartherthest along followed by Kella. Norfavrell learned quickly, but he was still young. During the year Saphira layed three more eggs and gave two to the Dwarves. For the first time in history there were dwarven riders named Carhov Wolfcleaver and Shiibell Nol of Breganhold of Orwick's clan. Carhov was of the clan Nagra. They studied under Vaneer while Eragon prepared to leave Alagaesia forever and never return.

He visited Arya in the Elven thrown room and they talked for hours. When they were done he visited Rheunon who gave him all the remaining star metal.

"My friends… the time has come for Saphira and I to leave Alagaesia forever, but before I go…" The Elves came forward bearing all the rider swords Galbatorix had kept in his treasury. "Chose and if none of them suit you I will impart the knowledge given to me by Rheunon Elda… From this moment on the Riders shall forge their own swords…"

Kella chose a sword that matched her dragon's scales. Norfavrell chose a blue blade and the Dwarf Carhov chose Jaerden's sword Beor. The rest had decided to forge their own blades.

"The rest of these blades shall be kept with the Elves for future riders… The Red Rider Murtagh will take my place as the leader of our order… He has changed his true name and redeemed the house of his father obey Thorn and Murtagh as you would Saphira and me…"

"What of Master Elva…" Vaneer asked.

Elva stepped forward, "Galmore and I shall be going with them…"

Two days after talking with the riders Eragon and Elva flew to the Beor Mountains to speak with King Orwick one last time. Orwick held a feast to honor Eragon and Saphira; it lasted seven days. When the feast was over Eragon traveled to Jaerden's alcove where he found Gaerravar and Draco's Eldunari. Elva carried Gaerravar's Eldunari while Eragon carried Draco's to the vault of souls.

("Eragon I have decided to leave my Eldunari here… If you agree…") Saphira said after they deposited them in the cave.

("Of course I agree…") Saphira discharged her Eldunari into Eragon's hands and placed it near the front where the other three were.

After leaving the rock of Kuthian Eragon and Elva made their way to Surda to visit with King Orrin who was now married. His wife was two months pregnant with their first child. Orrin held a feast on their behalf it to lasted a week, but Eragon stayed in Surda a week after the feast. Then they were flying towards Uru'baen where Murtagh and Thorn were there with Nausada. He stayed a month in urubaen and was joined by the riders in the last week of his stay.

From Urubane Eragon and Elva flew to the lands of the Urgals where they were received by the entire nation. To his surprise Eragon enjoyed his visit with the Urgals greatly.

The last stop on their journey was to Ceuneon to visit with Roran. They remained in Ceuneon for the next two months, during which Thorn and Emora had their first cluster of eggs. Emora had five eggs and gave three to three rulers of humans, one was given to the Elves and one to the dwarves. All the riders, but Vaneer joined Eragon in Ceuneon. Vaneer was on a mission for the order.

"Be safe Eragon and try to contact us often…" Katrina said kissing him on the cheek…"

"Actually I changed the spells on your rings… You will know where I am at all times and I will be able to speak with you both whenever my council is needed…"

He hugged Roran and turned his attention to Murtagh, "Be well…"

"And you… Nausada and I are expecting twins… A boy and a girl…"

Eragon smiled, "I am happy for the two of you…"

"When are you and Elva going to start a family…"

Elva blushed while eragon answered, "We…" He said looking at Elva. "…are taking things slowly."

At the docks of Teirm Galmore and Saphira flew overhead while Eragon and Elva stood hand and hand before the ship Dragon Wing which would sail them to the island of Doreu Arabi where they would help Murtagh and Vaneer rebuild the academy, then Eragon and Elva would sail into the west into the uncharted waters and the lands beyond. As he boarded the ship Saphira reminded Eragon of the vision he had during his first few weeks as a rider.