"... and after that, he just left. I think it's because he promised the Menoa Tree that he would do anything in the ancient language and she said 'Go', so he got– but that's just a theory. Angela, you'll meet her if we go to Teirm, also gave a prophecy alluding to the same." Said Rand, leaning back into his chair.

Brom eyed him with disbelief. "That's quite the tale."

"Yeah, for real. It was a best seller for like three years."

"What?"

"Ah, it's not important. Anyways, what do you think?"

"When did you say the egg would hatch for Eragon again?"

"Dates are kind of vague, but I remember it being after the Traders arrived. Him and Garrow tried to sell it, but the merchant didn't want to buy it. I think he's the one who told him it was hollow. When do they come anyway?"

"Rightfully speaking, they should already be here. Considering how bad the winter has been, I wouldn't have been surprised if they didn't come at all."

Rand shrugged. "I should probably mention, and I know this sounds kinda bad, but my presence changes things. All of what I told you is true, but my presence alone will make it so that the future I saw won't come to pass. For example, I told Eragon not to tell anyone about the egg, you included, until it hatched. That should mean that once the Ra'zac come, they won't have any reason to linger, or kill Garrow. Unless of course, the Empire has other methods–"

"No." Brom shook his head. "Galbatorix doesn't have reason to believe that the egg didn't go exactly where it was sent once it slipped through his fingers. The Ra'zac should just be a precaution– unless, are you certain that Arya won't break under torture?"

"According to the story, no. That's why Galbatoriz wanted her moved to Uru'Baen, because Durza couldn't get any answers from her. But, you're the one that really knows her, so you tell me. Is she someone that would break under torture?"

Brom looked pained even thinking about it, but he shook his head. "No. She'd find a way to kill herself first."

"Alright, so do we have a plan then?"

"We do. We wait a month, or until the egg hatches, and then we leave. You and Eragon to Ellesmera, and I'll go and free Arya. She can't be left in a Shades hand's. If the egg doesn't hatch within the month, you'll take it to the elves, and I'll free her."

"Is that safe? I don't think I need to tell you how bad it would be if you end up captured trying to free her, do I? Not with everything I've told you. I'm not saying don't free her, but I'd feel more comfortable if we took some backup. Like, a couple dozen elven spell casters or something. And while I can understand it not being pleasant, maybe we shouldn't rush to free her. She'll be fine until spring at lea–"

Rand stopped talking when Brom glared at him.

"–Just putting it out there. Like I said, we need every advantage we can possibly have. The last thing we need is you getting yourself killed or worse because you're rusty. Sure, Eragon made do without you in the story I read, but things will really go a lot better if we have your hand guiding us."

"Why? Is Ajihad's daughter not to your liking?"

"Nasauda was both bold and shrewd, but if I'm honest, she isn't someone who I'd feel comfortable with sitting on a throne when the dust settles. After the war was over, she sought to command Eragon to use the Name of Names to enforce compliance over the mages. Obviously Eragon said no, appalled that she would even ask such a thing. And I understand where she was coming from–"

"But you chafe at the idea of someone who seeks to rule absolutely."

"Yeah. I've actually been thinking about this thing my nation did in place of having kings and lords, called democracy. Like everything, it has some problems, but with some massaging with magic, I think we could make it work even better here. Just teaching the ancient language to everyone making it so they can't lie, would revolutionize so much, but then mages will have too much power. I'll tell you about that later though. It's not super important. Honestly, I'm not even sure if it's my place to dictate how people govern…" Rand trailed off, and scratched his head.

"For a man who proclaimed that he had no goals, you've done a lot of thinking about how you want to go about things."

"Well, you know how it is. When I first got here, I was just so excited about magic, and dragons, and being immortal, and all that. I never really thought about what it would mean to live here for as long as I live. Which, being immortal…" Rand shrugged. "I used to have this idea that I was inconsequential. I don't know how many people live here, but in my world there are billions! Nearly all of them, me included, had little to no impact on anything in the grand scheme of things. I could have lived and died, and nothing at all would have changed… Here though, I'm talking to the man who created a rebellion that will topple an empire, and return dragons to the world. I have a dragon.

And sure, right now, I'm pretty powerless, but one day I won't be. One day, I might even be the eldest rider alive. I mean, hopefully Oromis survives this time, but… you know what I mean?"

"You feel a responsibility to use your influence for the better."

"Yeah. A little."

Brom sighed. "You'll get used to it. Now, magic- you mentioned you can't call on your own yet?"

"No."

"That's not strange. The bond between rider and dragon takes time to fully give the rider all the abilities. For most new riders, it took years until they could call upon magic. In time, decades from now, you'll be as magically and physically adept as even the best elven warriors and spell casters. I'll start teaching you the language though, so once you unlock the ability, you'll have a means to control it."

"It only took Eragon months though. A week after you and him left the village, in fact."

It was Brom's turn to shrug. "Some people take to it faster. His mother being capable of magic might have played a role."

So Eragon might have had the ability even before Saphira bonded with him. Great. Will I really have to wait years?

No. Murtagh couldn't use magic either and he– Fucking hell, him and Eragon have the same mom. Both have riders for parents too, so they might as well be floating in talent juice. Fuck me.

How can I be the first of a new generation of riders, and not be the strongest though, this is some bullshit.

A sour expression came over his face.

Just then, his dragon reached through their connection, and excitement that was not his flooded his thoughts.

"Rand! She's hatched!"

"What?"

"She's hatched, probably a few days ago. But, today Eragon brought her into the forest. I'm with them now!"

"Well, did you give her something to eat? Poor girl, she's probably hungry with the scraps Eragon has been feeding her."

"I may be a dragon, but I'm not a savage, Rand. I brought her a whole moose."

"Good, keep this up, and we may find a name for you yet!"

"What do you even mean by that?"

"Nothing, it just sounded cool, one second though, let me tell Brom."

"Eragon's egg hatched!" Rand smiled, a deep resolve burning in his chest. No way was he gonna let that kid become stronger than him. There was no greater shame as an isekai than to be weaker than an MC and he would not bring dishonor to what he was.

Brom's jaw dropped open, and in a daze he muttered. "Two dragons, two riders."

Rand tossed him a rag. "Wipe your tears old man. It's official, between Saphira and Whitey, the dragons are reborn."

"What the fuck did you just call me?"