Chapter 2

Outside on the other side of the wall hiding them from the main chamber, Cuaroc turned towards the wall, and walked towards it. He knew where needed to be opened, it was a thing he had been waiting to do for many years.

Once there, he raised the sword he had with him, and struck the wall four times with the tip of the hilt of the sword. Five bright little spots appeared on the wall between the places he hit, and swiftly he drew across those dots in the shape of an X, leaving none of the spots untouched by the blade of his sword.

He then stepped back and away, as the wall seemed to shake.

Saphira and Eragon, who were watching could not imagine what was behind this wall. Both of them had hastily taken several steps back. The wall crumpled into a fine dust that seemed to linger where the wall was.

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Umaroth looked down at Vrael. Shall we? He asked. Vrael nodded, before climbing up onto the saddle that rested on Umaroth's back. Umaroth stretched a little under him, and then stepped out through the dust, which did not appear to cling to him, rather it just slid off of the white scales as though it was not even there.

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For Eragon and Saphira, it was as though the ground shook with every step that came towards them. Whatever was behind all that dust, it was big and likely very heavy. Then he saw the huge white, scaled foot that has come out of the dust, and that was something that startled him. What was coming out?

We will know very soon, Glaedr told both Eragon and Saphira at once. Though I do not think it is an enemy by any account. Cuaroc would have ensured no enemy got hidden down here. That was after all the reason he stands guard here.

I hope you are right, Eragon replied. That huge foot was was at least twice the size any of Glaedr's had been while he still had his body.

Slowly, the creature continued to come out, to reveal a simply massive white dragon. Even the eyes were white, and Eragon noticed with some surprise, though he had to crane his head up to see it, there was a figure settled on the dragon's back.

The massive battle scared white dragon looked down at the two before him, before lowering himself down so that his rider could get down from the sadlde.

Eragon saw that indeed he was another elf. He too was old, but he could guess older even than Oromis had been. Unlike Oromis, this elf had blue eyes, and the palest of blond hair, so pale it was almost white.

"Kvetha fricai, Eragon Shadeslayer, son of Brom. Kvetha fricai, Saphira Bjartskular, daughter of Iormûngr and Vervada. Kvetha Glaedr, bonded of Oromis, it is good to see you once more, even if you do only dwell within your Eldunari." The elf smiled as he walked towards them. "I am Vrael, and this dragon of course is…"

I am Umaroth!

Glaedr roared. In his roar echoed shock, surprise and anger, though he was careful not to be so loud as to upset the unhatched hatchlings. How can this be? You were beheaded on the mountain known as Utgard! You cannot be alive, Vrael!

"My apologies, Glaedr, for keeping my existence hidden when I knew all this time that you and Oromis lived on in Du Weldenvarden. It was a very specially crafted spell that ultimately Galbatorix destroyed when he thought he killed me. All the Eldunari here helped to maintain it, before they went into that trance, and through Umaroth's heart of hearts I was able to control it as though it was me. Umaroth helped the others to keep the illusion thought to be us realistic, and unfortunately, my sword, Islingr is gone though, fallen into the hands of Galbatorix himself. I know he has renamed it as Vrangr, but he shall not keep it much longer."

Glaedr growled. Did you have any part to play in our coming here?

"No, Glaedr. We were both startled when we could sense you three above the entrance. Now though, like you Glaedr, it is time we came back out of hiding. This time, should Galbatorix meet me in battle, I will not hesitate." This time, he would not be foolish enough to think that the much younger rider would not try and kill him. Not to mention it would startle that human indeed, to see someone he thought he had killed coming back from the dead.

"But without your sword?" Eragon blinked.

"If I cannot retrieve it in some way before the Varden attack Urubaen, I will settle for another sword, Eragon."

There is one sword you might be able to use, Glaedr replied. I remember that you and Oromis had very similar ways of fighting..

"Naegling?" Vrael raised an eye brow as Umaroth shook his head in confusion. "The last we saw of it was that it fell to the ground after Murtagh disarmed Oromis… what came of that sword?"

The elves have it in their camp. Arya Drotningu told me, once I agreed to talk to the others after Oromis died, and I doubt Oromis would not want you to borrow it for the meantime.

We did in part help the two of you escape from where you had been imprisoned, Umaroth said. We knew you had to get free, in the chance of someone becoming a rider in the years to come. He sighed. Oromis' spell would have been the end of you both had we not.

That certainly stunned Glaedr. So much so, that he fell completely silent, as he took in that news.

"Now I think it is best that you two return to the Varden should you not?" Vrael asked, looking at Eragon. "I know that there is much to happen, and that the Varden draw closer to Urubaen."

Eragon nodded. "I suppose we should." He did not look forwards to meeting Galbatorix, but he did know that he had to. There was no choice in the matter now. The Varden were certainly counting on him to be there to fight the old king.

Then we will go. But first there is something else. Most of the Eldunari here will come with us, but five will remain here with Cuaroc to defend the eggs should there be a need, Umaroth said. At his words, Cuaroc began to pack all the Eldunari into one pile, separated by silk sheets that they were able to rest on. He moved swiftly, though there were some he could barely hold at all they were so big. There is one more thing you and Saphira should know. The moment you pass through the great arch behind you – the Gate of Vergathos – you will begin to forget about Cuaroc and the eggs hidden here, and by the time you reach the stone doors at the edge of the tunnel, all memor of them will have vanished from your mind. Even those of us who go with you will forget, including me forgetting where I have hidden my heart of hearts. If we succeed in killing Galbatorix, the gate will restore our memories, but until then, we must remain ignorant of them. Umaroth seemed to rumble, and his entire body shook from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. It is … unpleasant, I know, but we cannot allow Galbatorix to learn of the eggs.

Eragon did not like the idea, but he could not think of a reasonable alternative.

Thank you for telling us, said Saphira and Eragon added his thanks to hers.

Good luck to you all, the five remaining Eldunari spoke.

Together, the two dragons and the two riders, walked out through the gate.