Disclaimer: I don't own anything that seems remotely familiar. Please.

Finally, no more literal 20-hour shifts today! I was unable to update over the weekend because seriously, I slept and moped around because I was unable to come with my best friends to the Pyrofest last Saturday and binged on Skyrim instead. One of them is going to give me a hard time when I hang out with him. Daaang.

A reviewer planted a seed of doubt in me, especially as this is not... my best chapter. Sequels are terribly difficult and I do hope I know what I'm doing too, to answer you. T_T

And I'm seriously going to deck the beatboxing officemate soon.

The crowd of two-legs-pointy-ears and two-legs-round-ears who flocked around dragon eggs steadily kept growing. The crystal-spires-beautiful-Ilirea made Luila-blade-tooth impatient. The enormous violet dragoness was from a flock of free dragons. Her mate was slain by Urgals a few days after her free offspring hatched, and it caused her a lot of grief. Now that the two eggs she offered to the Riders were taken to Ilirea for the yearly hatching ceremony, she wished to see them.

The two eggs were violet – a beautiful shade that they inherited from their grandsire. Luila hoped that her children would already hatch for someone. At least, she could visit them in Doru Araeba or in the other cities where young Riders and their dragons received their lessons. None of the eggs hatched for any of the excited people who stepped up to touch them.

That was, until he came.

The two-legs-round-ears-boy-child looked no more than ten years old in the short, fleeting lifespan of those humans. From her perch behind the Riders, Luila could see that the child had violet eyes. Ah, so he was related to the rulers of his race. He wore silky clothing that Luila saw on some of the Riders that she met and befriended.

He stepped to the podium with such an air of confidence that the crowd of mixed humans and elves hushed. He laid a hand on the larger egg, which did not respond. As soon as his hand rested on the smaller one, though, it wobbled and began to crack. Nobody spoke or moved.

Luira's heart soared with joy that was tainted with the seeds of sorrrow – for her child was to enter the world, meet the person whom she can share her heart and mind with, and yet cannot know the true meaning of freedom. It did not matter. The little hatchling was her child. But why did the other one not choose his Rider yet?

The child cried out as he touched the little hatchling and received the gedwey ignasia. He clutched his arm and sobbed for a few seconds, until he straightened up and looked at the elder Rider who was overseeing the egg ceremony. The elf Rider nodded. "Welcome to our ranks, young one. Will you tell me your name?"

The child smiled charmingly as he wrapped his arms happily around Luira's daughter. "I am Galbatorix, youngest nephew of King Lyud."

Galbatorix. Luira had to seek him out once he settled down.

Chapter 3: Family Matters

Garrow watched the ruins of his farm in sorrow once more. The travel from Gil'ead to Carvahall was slow, and he arrived only a day ago. The surprise of the villagers – and Sloan's anger – was evident ever since he left the merchant Caravan and set foot inside Morn's tavern. Horst asked him to stay in the blacksmith's until he could rebuild his farm and he accepted. He would have refused this act of charity before, but now – oh, how his opinion has changed. He needed their help in rebuilding his life, and he knew that they did not pity him. They merely wanted to help. He answered as much of the villagers' questions as he could, but he refrained from telling them any important information about Brom and the Riders.

Wonder and amazement was what he could see in the villagers' eyes, but he knew that one of them could be spies. After all, how could Enduriel and the Ra'zac have found out about the eggs?

The sight of the ruined farmhouse sent a pang of sorrow through him. His home was flat and charred, except for a side of the wall that was still standing. So many memories of his life before – before the rest of his remaining family became Riders got buried under all of the destruction. Wild plants and weeds were growing on the land he used to cultivate with the boys. He missed Roran, Eragon and Murtagh. His nephews grew up under his wing, and he loved them as much as he loved his own son. He wondered about them every night. Did they eat enough? Were they safe? Have they found the Varden?

He saw them battle Morzan's dragon as he fled Gil'ead, and he feared that they were captured, hurt or killed. He knew deep inside him that they escaped, but he couldn't help but worry. He hoped that the mighty dragons managed to protect them all.

"I'm sorry that this is all that got left behind," Horst said as he and six other men from the village finally arrived with shovels. "Come, let's see what we can salvage from here."

Garrow nodded, and they headed for the ruins of the farm, and the things that winter buried. The job took hours to complete, and it was five hours until sunset when they finished. He knew that it would take until a year for the rebuilding efforts to bear fruit, and he would have to stay with Horst's family until next spring. He salvaged his bow and some arrows under his bed, which the boys failed to search. He wasn't a good hunter and he never went out to hunt since the boys learned how to, but he had to at least help in Horst's household.

He also managed to retrieve his grandfather's sword. The dyed pale yellow sheath was easy to spot even in the mess that his old home became. He was going to ask Horst about its condition once they reached the blacksmith's home.

It was nighttime by the time that they reached Carvahall. He could see the wash lines hanging from various homes, the clothing varying from depressingly drab to garishly colorful. Fields were thick with winter wheat, and various men were marching out of them. Women were gossiping in the streets while their husbands closed their shops and began to head for Morn's tavern. In the background, the Igualda falls tumbled down the Spine and into the rushing Anora River.

The other men bade them goodbye and headed for the tavern too, while Garrow and Horst continued on their way. Horst's house sat on a rise that gave the residents a beautiful view of the Spine. Horst nodded to Garrow and the two men marched inside, bringing the things that they managed to salvage. They followed the sounds of conversation into the occupied kitchen.

Horst's wife, Elain, was a short, willowy woman with pale blonde hair that was unusual in the dark-haired people of Carvahall. She was five months pregnant and was smiling in contentment. Their equally pale-haired sons, Albreich and Baldor, sat across from her on the table.

"What's going on?" Horst asked.

"Ah, let me get you both something to eat first," Elain said. She set some loaves of bread and two bowls of stew on the table, and motioned for the two men to sit down. "How was it?"

"The wood that got left behind is either burned or rotting." Garrow sighed. "I'll need to cut timbers if I want to have a roof to sleep under by the time planting season arrives."

"You'll be getting plenty of help," Horst offered. "Now, what's happening in here?"

Baldor looked down sadly. He was around the same age as Garrow's boys, but he was shorter and slimmer than them. "There was quite a row. Thane claims that Albreich stole a scythe since it was missing but he hasn't even left the forge yet when that happened."

"He probably dropped it in the grass and couldn't find it," growled Albreich. Though he and his brother were two years apart, the big, muscular boy was only a year older than Garrow's brood.

Garrow bit into his bread thoughtfully. "Accusing you doesn't make sense. You could just forge a scythe if you needed it but… why would you?"

Albreich rubbed his forehead. "I know. He should have looked for it. Instead, he just grumbled and yelled about seeing a person leaving his field that looked a bit like me. Not even my brother could be mistaken for me, so I must have stolen his precious scythe."

"It will turn up," Baldor assured him. "Just try your best and don't get angry over it for now."

"Easy for you to say."

Garrow finished the last of his stew and turned to Horst. "Do you need anything tomorrow?"

"No, I'll be busy working on the blasted frame on Quimby's wagon. It just won't sit square," Horst said with a groan. "I hate it when that happens."

Garrow nodded. "If it is fine with you, I'll go hunting tomorrow. We passed by some deer down the valley and they're not too scrawny."

"I-if it's fine with you, can I come?" Baldor asked.

Garrow smiled. "Of course. We'll be leaving at dawn."

Horst pushed his empty bowl away with a smile. "Nothing beats a good meal after an exhausting day. I'll be heading for Morn's. What about you, old man?"

"I'll be going for a walk, if it's fine with you."

"Oh, you should," Elain agreed. "I think that it will help clear your head, especially after everything that's happened to you."

After a few more small talk, the two men departed. While Horst headed straight for the Seven Sheaves, Garrow walked along the streets. People greeted him with more respect than they used to. After all, he raised three boys who were now Riders. His only real problem was Sloan – the butcher would definitely find a way to blame him for Katrina's decision to run away with the other Riders. Knowing the butcher, he would have given her to the Empire if he found out that his daughter was one of the Riders – even if he doted on her.

He began to walk towards the center of the village. He was halfway there when he heard snatches of conversation right outside the Seven Sheaves. Curiosity too the better of him and he walked towards the tavern, where he saw a middle-aged man sitting on the porch. He wore a patchwork leather coat and brought a pack filled with a trapper's equipment. He was talking about helping in the fields around Therinsford around summer.

Garrow nodded in interest. Trappers spent winter in the mountains, returning to villages in the spring to sell skins to tanners like Gedric. They then spent most of their springs and summers working as farmhands. As the northernmost village in the Spine, many trappers passed through Carvahall. It's one of the reasons why the village had its own tavern, blacksmith and tanner.

The trapper talked of news that Garrow already heard himself during his travels with the young Riders after his rescue, and during his travel back to Carvahall. He knew that the Urgals disappeared from the Empire, for some reason nobody could point out. It worried him. Brom and the Riders were headed for the Varden. What if the Urgals were running after them? The Riders were growing in power, but all six of them were still very young. Could they fend for themselves? He also heard of the sabotaged merchant ships and caravans. No goods were stolen – only destroyed. The widespread attacks talked of something bigger working behind them.

Oh, but news of the Shade was what chilled him. It was all but confirmed in the quick flight from Gil'ead that a Shade lived in the military outpost there that also served as the dungeons. It would be bad enough if that Shade and the Urgals were headed for Surda, what if they really were after the Riders – or the Varden?

The man talked of rumors about Riders emerging from outside the Empire's control, but though the villagers humored him by laughing at the supposedly funny news, Garrow knew better. The villagers were protecting the three boys and the girl who ran away with their dragons and two other Riders in pursuit of a bigger destiny.

Eragon sadly watched the other Riders leave for their own tasks that day. Nasuada left to arrange some things with some of Ajihad's friends. Arya and Katrina were talking about the library as they left. Roran mumbled something about sparring with a dwarf before taking his leave too. Even the dragons had something to do. They were planning to practice some aerial maneuvers outside the city.

That left Eragon and Murtagh with nothing to do. Where would they go now? There had to be something for them to do in order to momentarily forget the sadness of Ajihad's sudden death. He would have wanted to go on a quick flight with Saphira, Arya and Firnen like they did before all of the fighting broke out, but thought better of it.

He watched Brom about to leave them too, before their mentor stopped. "I'm glad that you lads aren't busy today. Someone wants to meet you," he said.

"Who is it?" Murtagh asked, as they followed Brom up a set of staircases.

"Oh, you'll see soon enough."

They reached a long corridor leading to various apartments within Tronjheim. Eragon recalled that Angela lived in such a place. Were they going to meet with the herbalist? I don't want to listen to Angela ranting for an hour about being unable to do something to ease the pain before turning her attention on bizarre projects.

Murtagh sighed. Eragon, neither do I.

Brom stopped before the very last door to the left and knocked thrice. It took a moment before the door opened, and Selena greeted them with a worried smile. She nodded to Brom and threw her arms around the twins. "Oh, I was so worried! I was on my way to a mission in Uru'baen when they sent word of the attack, and I hastened back here!"

"Get off," hissed Eragon. He still hasn't quite forgiven her.

"You're smothering us," Murtagh grumbled.

Selena flushed and stepped away. "Oh, forgive me."

"Now, I must go and fetch her if you wish to talk of important things," Brom said quickly. "I will be back quite soon."

"Oh, do, please." Selena nodded and stepped into her room. "Come, we have many important things to talk about, and I don't have all day. I will be leaving today."

"And where will you be going?" Eragon asked coldly.

Selena bit her lip. "Forgive me, for I am a spy in Uru'baen. One of the most important ones, as a matter of fact, as I get many important information straight from the Forsworn themselves. I do not wish to discuss the nature of my work there."

"That sounds… dangerous."

Selena's room was sparsely decorated. There were some cushions thrown around on one corner, while a velvet curtain separated her sleeping quarters itself. A desk in one corner held a pack and a black-bladed dagger.

"My sons, I will be leaving anytime, but we need to talk as much as we could." Selena looked down. "I hid so many things from you, and I hope to at least explain a few of them before we part ways once again."

Eragon perked up at that. His eyes widened. "Will you be telling us about our father?"

"No. No. It is too early for that, and I believe that you and your father are not yet ready for the truth. You must wait until you finish your training in Ellesmera, please." Selena's eyes teared up, and she sat down on a cushion. "I do wish to tell you but I can't."

"Then what will we be talking about?" Eragon asked impatiently. "Please make it worth our time."

"Look, I know you are angry with me, and will hate me even more after today but…" Selena sighed. "I left you with Garrow because he is family, and I can't risk someone in Uru'baen finding out that I bore sons. It's not only dangerous for my work, it is equally dangerous for the disguise that I am keeping up."

Realization and shame filled Eragon. He felt it in Murtagh's mind too. "W-we would have been killed if they found out."

"True," Selena said quietly. "Worse, they would have taken you and used you against me."

Nobody spoke until someone knocked on the door. Brom strode in, followed by the girl that they called Aesyr. The child looked terrified to stand before the strange woman and the twin Riders. "This is Aesyr Sureshot," Brom said with a smile. He shut the door behind him and stood beside it, arms crossed.

"Aesyr." Selena motioned for her to come nearer. "I know that you were raised by Frederic , master of weapons. Have you met your parents?"

The girl flushed. She glanced at Selena, then the two Riders. "N-no, I've never met my parents before, though they told me that my mother is in the Varden too."

Selena nodded in understanding. "I do understand that many children here were raised that way because their real parent, or parents, work in dangerous fields and cannot reveal their true indentity. I have realized that it may not be good for the children too, and since you're here… I am your mother, if you must know."

A fresh wave of rage surged through Eragon. "She's your daughter?" he said, barely containing his anger. "Why – why did we not know?"

Selena gave him a look of pure anguish. "Yes. Now, if you must know, I was in Tronjheim when I found out, and I may not have reached Carvahall in time without being spotted in Uru'baen or some Forsworn's estate."

Murtagh gave Selena a wounded look before giving Aesyr a smile. "Sister… Ah, it feels unfamiliar to me, that word. But don't be afraid of us. We won't hurt you. I promise. We won't let anything harm you either."

Aesyr flushed. "T-thank you," she stammered.

"Why didn't you tell us when we first met?" Eragon demanded.

"Because I barely even had time to listen to your adventures and introduce myself before I had to leave – only to be called back because those dratted Urgals attacked. My children are in that battle, and blast it if I can't make sure that they're safe and whole." Selena glanced at Eragon. "I'm sorry about your back. I heard about it from Angela. It must be a dark magic that the Shade wrought in his final moments."

Eragon's hand immediately flew up to the edge of his long, rope-like scar. "Nothing could have been done to prevent it," he admitted.

Just then, the door flew open and a dwarf man entered. He was dressed in dark leather clothing, his silver beard shorter than what was preferred by his kind. He bowed to Brom and the Riders before addressing Selena. "Lady, we must go now. We cannot be delayed far longer."

Selena pursed her lips. "Very well. My children, I hoped to converse with you more, but it seems like we must part so soon. I will be seeing you some other time," she said. She wrapped her arms around her children before grabbing her dagger and pack. She clasped Brom's hand before following the dwarf out.

Eragon didn't know how to arrange the jumble of emotions within him. He was still angry at Selena but was sad that she would be leaving and glad that he at least had the time to converse with her. At the same time, he feared for her. Uru'baen was a dangerous place.

And existing gods might smite him if he denied the fact that he wanted to meet his sister.

After mumbling a few incoherrent words, Brom left too. Murtagh shuffled uncomfortably and felt Eragon's eyes on him. After a few seconds, Aesyr began staring at him too. For some reason, he had a soft spot for his newfound sister. The girl was a good two or three years younger, and looked a lot like their mother.

"Do you want to meet our dragons, sister?" he asked with a smile.

Aesyr's eyes widened. She glanced at Eragon, who nodded in encouragement. She gave Murtagh a timid look. "Won't they eat me?"

Eragon laughed. "Those dragons? They're perfectly nice. You can even talk to them with your mind! You'll like Thorn and Saphira, I'm sure! When the others join us, you could even meet the other dragons!"

Murtagh nodded enthusiastically. "Then you can also tell us about your life here, and we can tell you about our life back in Palancar Valley. Later, we will introduce you to our cousin, Roran! You have to meet him."

Aesyr looked quite bemused as each of her brothers put a hand on her shoulders and steered her through the corridors and out of Tronjheim itself. Thorn and Saphira were standing by the gates, which were blissfully empty of onlookers.

That's your sister? Thorn sniffed Aesyr, who cringed and hid behind Eragon.

"Don't worry, he's not going to hurt you," Murtagh said, putting a hand on Thorn's head. "This is my dragon, Thorn. He's a bit of a blockhead, but he means well most of the time. Just don't talk about food around him, please. He won't stop talking until you feed him."

I am not so!

Eragon put a hand on his sapphire dragon's neck. "This is Saphira. She's not as gluttonous as
Thorn but she loves to eat too. I think it's because she's a dragon."

Murtagh hoisted himself up Thorn and extended a hand to Aesyr. "We'll be escorting you today, and Eragon will have his turn tomorrow."

Soooooooooooo, what do you guys think of this chapter? I really do think I messed things up with Selena's appearance, so I hope you would forgive me. And I promise that Aesyr will play a bigger part soon, and if anyone realizes a *ahem* future connection with a certain two-legs-pointy-ears soon.

I really will address the sudden imbalance of power that the oath of fealty caused. I promise. XD It's all according to plan!

Yep, young Brom and Morzan were mentioned last chapter, and thank you for the description of what turkey really tastes like, dear reviewer! I was so curious, to be honest.

And yes, Glaedr has three kids! Mwahaha! I hope you guys also weren't put off by the dragon-prologue-thingie here, but yes, that is the parent to one of our sweet, sweet dragons too! :D

You guys are seriously amazing, and I promise to post more updates this week! 3