Eragon hesitated when he arrived at the glade. Mellary could sense the disquieted musings of his mind as he debated whether to leave or remain. He stood there, shifting loudly, long enough that Mellary was about to snap at him to make up his mind! Just before she became annoyed enough to snap out of her meditative state, he settled down on the moss on the other side of the stump.
After that she ignored him easily. If they had been doing the same exercise they would have clashed, but Mellary was working on drawing her perturbed consciousness back into her mind. In her overloaded state she had opened her mind wide, the better to do magic with. Now she was working on reeling it back in. Mellary threw up a quick shield around the nebulous cloud. Every once in a while Eragon would brush against it, the heat of his mind a flash of blue warmth on her shields.
Turning inward, Mellary made a nasty discovery: her last shield had been worn down to almost nothing. The surface was pitted and scarred, as if a malevolent sandstorm had raged against it. Mellary prepared to shore it up when she paused. This was the weakest the barrier had been in decades. If she bolstered it now, she would never be able to tear it down.
With this much power still simmering in her blood, she could also rip it down, using the magic as a buffer against the backlash. Her mind recoiled at the thought. The barrier had been wearing down naturally. Such spells took power to maintain, and Mellary had cut the flow of magic to hers when Oromis had ordered her to take them down. Given enough time, it would collapse on its own. There was no need to rush it.
Mellary left the barrier alone, instead focusing on withdrawing her mind behind it.
She didn't sense Eragon leave, but when she opened her eyes she was alone again. She hauled herself to her feet, stretching to work the kinks out of her spine. Her movements had lost their liquid quality now that the magic was back under her control. Swiping her footwear, she made her way back to the hut barefoot.
The wood of the hut was warm with sun, the heat seeping nicely through her tunic and shirt as she leaned against the hut to put her boots back on.
"We shall recognize your best as it appears," Oromis's voice drifted out of the open door. The slightly impatient edge indicated that someone hadn't stopped to think before speaking. "Perhaps if you had a fellow student to compete against… I will think on the matter."
Mellary frowned. What was she, chopped wyvern bait? She took her time settling her boots into place. That comment hadn't been meant for her ears, she knew that without a doubt.
A minute later she walked into the hut, dropping into her normal chair with a sigh. Oromis raised his dark eyes to his, one eyebrow arching up as he set out dishes for the noon meal.
"It's under control," Mellary said, shaking her hair to prove that there were no free-floating sparks.
She picked at her stew, her body not needing the extra energy, and listened to the discussion going on around her. Her mind was drifting easier than usual today, thoughts wandering among the clouds. Mellary dragged it back down, grounding herself in the rich taste of the stew on her tongue, the feel of the ground beneath her booted feet, and the buzz of words against her ears. With great reluctance, she slimmed down her connection to Embrald. The feeling of flying vanished, and she seemed to settled more firmly in her seat.
"Imagine for a moment that you are Galbatorix, with all his vast resources at his command. The Varden have destroyed your Urgal army with the help of not one, but two rival Dragon Riders, one whom you know was educated-at least in part- by one of your most dangerous and implacable foes Brom, the other an unknown element." Oromis said as Mellary drifted back into the conversation.
He forgot the 'unpredictable' part of my description, Mellary commented wryly, then remembered that Embrald couldn't hear her. Something disquieted in her stirred, and she frowned at it.
"You are also aware that your enemies are massing in Surda for a possible invasion. Given that, what would be the easiest way to deal with these various threats, short of flying into battle yourself?"
Eragon looked thoughtful. "It seems to me that the easiest thing would be to train a corps of magicians, they wouldn't even have to be powerful, for them to swear loyalty to me in the ancient language, then have them infiltrate Surda to sabotage the Varden's efforts, poison wells, and assassinate Nasuada, King Orrin, and other key members to the resistance."
"Publicly and powerfully," Mellary muttered darkly. She was impressed by his thinking, not that she would ever tell him that.
Oromis looked at Mellary, who shook her head. "I would rather fly into battle myself than rely on others to do my work for me," She said. "But barring that, I would gather information about me. About both of us. Eragon is from a barely known backwater village, no offense meant," She added, flicking her grey eyes to Eragon. He shrugged one shoulder. "And I appeared out of the shadows. As you said, I am the unknown element here. Galbatorix should be searching for information."
"Who would know of you?" Oromis asked.
Mellary considered it. "The only one who would know anything would be Angela, a witch," She said when Oromis frowned.
"Then this Angela is in danger, of being kidnapped and tortured," Oromis said.
Mellary smirked. "I pity whomever would be sent to try," She said. Oromis looked disturbed, but turned back to Eragon without commenting.
"And why has Galbatorix not done this yet?" He asked.
"He did not have adequate reason to," Mellary said.
"Because the Varden have dwelled in Farthen Dûr for decades, where they were able to examine the mind of every newcomer for duplicity, which they can't do in Surda sine its borders and population are so large."
"Those are my very conclusions," Oromis said. Eragon looked slightly less dejected with himself.
"The greatest danger you are likely to encounter during the Varden's campaign will come from fellow magicians."
Mellary knew her eyes were growing cold. "I'd like to see them try," She said softly.
"You know as well as I how difficult it is to guard against magic," Oromis told her with a scowl. "Especially if your opponent has sworn in the ancient language to kill you, no matter the cost." His attention switched back to Eragon, instructing now instead of arguing. "Instead of attempting to first conquer your mind, such a foe will simply cast a spell to obliterate you, even though- in the instant before you are destroyed- you will still be free to retaliate."
"Or defend," Mellary suggested.
"Such a defense would require too much power," Oromis said.
"Not with a dragon to draw on," Mellary pointed out.
"And if your dragon was not present?"
"You'd be dead either way, then," Mellary said nonchalantly with a shrug. "What would be the harm in trying?"
"You could destroy your attacker. However, you cannot fell your murderer if you don't know who he or she is. How do you defend yourself against anonymous enemies who can contravene any physical precautions and slay with a muttered word?"
Mellary scowled deeply, realizing where he was heading.
"I don't see how, unless…. Unless I was aware of the consciousnesses of all the people around me. Then I could sense if they meant me harm."
"It's too dangerous," Mellary said instantly, the true anger in her voice startling the two men.
"Dangerous to leave you consciousness unguarded? If you're attacked mentally, you could be easily overwhelmed." Eragon pointed out thoughtfully.
"It is less dangerous than being blind to the world." Oromis said.
"That's not what I meant," Mellary said in a low voice. "You have no regard for the privacy of others."
"Brom taught me to never intrude in someone's mind unless it was absolutely necessary… I guess I'm uncomfortable with the idea of prying into people's secrets." Eragon added.
"People keep things secret for a reason." Her voice was dark with emotion. Deep inside, the magic stirred restlessly. Mellary gripped it hard and forced her emotions back.
"Why didn't Brom tell me about this if it's so important?" Eragon asked before Oromis could challenge Mellary's statement.
"Brom told you what was appropriate to tell you under the circumstances. Dipping into the pool of minds can prove addictive to those with a malicious personality or a taste for power. Yes, it is an invasion of privacy, and you will learn many things from it that you never wanted to. However, this is for your own good and the good of the Varden."
"But how far does it go?" Mellary asked.
"Explain?"
"When does it stop being 'the good of the Varden'? Yes, you begin because your life is in direct danger, and you swear to stop as soon as it isn't. But when the threat is gone, you justify it by saying it's to prevent another threat from emerging. You start looking for people who aren't threats, but have the potential to become them. And then it's anyone who looks at you the wrong way, or anyone who annoys you. It's an insidious inclination to instill in someone."
"It is necessary," Oromis said.
"It's too big a risk to teach people," Mellary said. "You have no way of ensuring that that sort of power, because it is such a strong power, isn't abused. Power of that ilk is easily abused." Her sharp gaze challenged him to argue.
"I can say from experience, and from watching other Riders experience the same that this, above all else, will help you understand what drives people. And understanding begets empathy and compassion, even from the meanest beggar in the meanest city of Alaglaësia." She couldn't argue with that, any more than he could argue with her statement.
They ate in silence for a while.
"What is the most important tool you can possess?" Oromis asked.
Mellary sighed silently. She had heard this before. "Logic," She murmured under her breath, too quiet for Eragon to hear.
"Determination?" He hazarded.
"I can see why you would think that- determination has served you well on your adventures,"
"Whereas I got through on sheer disregard for the consequences," Mellary muttered, stirring her stew aimlessly.
"But no. I meant the tool necessary to choose the best course of action in any given situation."
Mellary let her eyes slide shut as Eragon thought. As before, the longer she spent in discussion the pricklier she became, and her emotions were more volatile today. She had always somewhat enjoyed these sorts of debates, the mental and verbal riddles, but some devilish werecat had ahold of her tongue and was refusing to let go. Although, it could just be this elf in particular that she had a hard time talking to.
Calm again, she listened to Eragon's second attempt, and the resulting monologue.
"How do you intend to teach me this logic?" He said the word with a slight hesitance, as if it was a foreign concept.
"By the oldest and most effective method: debating. I will ask you a question, then you will answer and defend your position. For example, why do you fight the Empire?"
"As I said before, to help those who suffer from Galbatorix's rule and, to a lesser extent, for personal vengeance."
"Then you fight for humanitarian reasons?"
"What do you mean?"
"That you fight to help people whom Galbatorix has harmed and stop him from hurting any more."
"Exactly." Eragon said firmly. Oromis looked thoughtful, and she knew he was picking at all the holes in Eragon's argument, trying to find the one that would stop him cold.
He turned to her. Mellary gave him a deceivingly bright smile.
"Boredom." She said. The look Oromis gave her inscrutable.
"You infiltrated the palace at Dras-Leona, joined the battle at Farthen Dûr, and came to Ellesméra out of boredom?" Eragon asked, astounded. Mellary shrugged.
"I had no purpose before." The words just slipped out, and she hurried to cover them up. "I was just wandering, and I needed something to do."
"Why return?" Oromis asked. Mellary had the uncomfortable feeling that he had discerned more from her comment than she had wanted him to. She rubbed one arm.
"Embrald wanted to," She said. Oromis considered this, then turned back to Eragon.
"Answer me this, young Rider: Won't your war with Galbatorix cause more pain than it will ever prevent? The majority of people in the Empire live normal, productive lives untouched by their king's madness. How can you justify invading their land, destroying their homes, and killing their sons and daughters?"
"Not to mention the horror Galbatorix would unleash, should you lose," Mellary added, just to brighten the mood.
Eragon gasped as if scandalized. "Don't you believe that Galbatorix should be overthrown?" He asked in return.
"That is not the question," Oromis said.
"But it's an important one," She said, playing both sides of the argument. If they were focused on each other, then they had no reason to be prying into her psyche.
"Have I upset you?" Oromis asked Eragon.
"Yes, you have," He sulked.
"I see. Well then, continue to ponder the matter until you find an answer. I expect it to be a convincing one."
They washed the dishes and returned to studying. Oromis quizzed Mellary about the scrolls she had read the night before, then piled her with more. These, she noted wryly, contained many accounts of people who had been starsighted, and often came to terrible ends. She had planned to be amused, but the words touched something deep and dark inside her, until it filled her with a lurking fear.
Oromis called an end a few hours later, and pulled scrolls for both Eragon and Mellary.
"Master, when will we start working with magic?" He asked.
All of the energy seemed to flow out of Oromis, until he leaned against the doorframe, emotion passing over his face. Mellary frowned. On anyone else, she would have called that emotion dismay…
"You must trust me to guide your training, Eragon. Still, I suppose if would be foolish of me to delay any longer. Come, leave the scrolls on the table, and let us go explore the mysteries of the gramarye."
Mellary moved to follow, and Oromis shook his head. "You remain here," He said, his tone just a shade too sharp. "What I must teach him, you already know."
They walked out, towards the cliff until they had moved out of her earshot.
Mellary stacked the scrolls on the table and leaned against the doorframe. Something about Oromis's dismissal bothered her. With his comment this morning…
Mellary… Embrald's voice trickled down their bond. You shut me out?
I was having a hard time focusing, She said absently.
What is wrong? He picked up on her mood instantly.
I think…. I'm being isolated. She tasted each word before saying it, trying to put words to the vague ruminations.
Do you believe there are things he does not want you to learn? Embrald asked after sweeping through her mind easily.
Or perhaps things he is afraid I will teach Eragon, Mellary said grimly.
If you stopped saying things simply to shock him, he would not react so. The words were reproachful, but the dragon was laughing.
I never said anything that wasn't true, Mellary said haughtily.
No, you simply said it in the most inflammatory way possible. You came to Ellesméra because you were bored? Anyone who knows you would not believe that.
You're the only one that knows me like that, She said very quietly.
Together they watched the magic lesson wear on, Oromis's strength flagging more and more with each spell. His last spell snapped, and even from her distance Mellary could see the recoil plain on the elf's face.
Perhaps he is not teaching you magic because he cannot, Embrald suggested quietly.
It's something else, Mellary insisted.
We are returning. His tone was suddenly impatient, and more than slightly annoyed. She wondered why.
The dragons landed just as the sun was setting, the last rays painting the bluffs with scarlet. Mellary went to Embrald as he landed, pressing her forehead against his scales. The last tingles of magic faded, drained away. She sighed in relief.
They answered questions easily, despite their long separation. Mellary had climbed up on Embrald's back, scrolls clutched under one arm, when Embrald tensed beneath her. So fast she almost missed it, Saphira leapt forward, pouncing on the tip of Glaedr's tail and threw it into the air. Quicker than she would have thought possible for such a large creature, the gold dragon whipped around and snapped at her, missing her neck by a fraction.
She has been like this all day, Embrald informed her, his annoyance bubbling over. Mellary raised an eyebrow at her normally cheerful and easygoing dragon. Saphira must have been insufferable, to perturb him this much. It wasn't jealousy, she knew that for certain.
Saphira was never like this with you, She commented neutrally.
I'm like a younger brother, He said after a pause to think. Lesser in everything except wingspan. Glaedr is so much more than both of us, and it lessens her fear of facing this war unprepared and alone.
Mellary knew that fear.
It's a sort of giddy fascination. I cannot properly explain.
I understand. Mellary wondered, for the first time, how the dragons interacted. Something about Embrald's tone suggested a familiarity. But she didn't have time to delve deeper before he leapt off the cliff and into the sky, and something that had been out of place ever since the she saw the stars settled inside her.