A/N : Hey guys, before you start reading this new chapter of 'A God in Alagaësia', I have some things to tell you.

-First of all, thank you for the people who recently commented on my story and I also want to thank you for following and/or favoring it. It warm my heart to see that you are liking it.

-Secondly, I'm still wondering if I should introduce an OC character to pair with Valhir/Erik/Volibear… tell me your opinions through reviews !

-Thirdly, don't be surprised if I take time between chapters : work is worse than ever… along with many personal problems.

Now that everything was said, I will leave you alone so you can read this story in peace. GOOD EVERYONE AND ENJOY THE STORY !

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The next day, the group started their journey but instead of going after the Ra'zacs, they were heading toward a city near the coast : Teirm.

During the trip, Brom kept teaching Eragon about magic and swordsmanship. Erik, him, still gave the young Rider some lessons about how to senses his enemy's blows while also still teaching Saphira how to fight better. As the time passed, the two of them clearly showed how much they had learned : Eragon was now able to use complicated spell to manipulate elements like fire or water while Saphira was now strong enough to lift a tree with only her talons !

Back to Eragon, not only his magic was becoming stronger, but his skills with a sword were equally improving but, despite this, the young man was still unable to beat Brom… which sometimes annoyed the young rider. As for Erik, he was proud to say that his student was turning better… even if his skills weren't enough against a certain storyteller.

Apart of this, Eragon had been curious about the coast as he had never seen the sea before and Brom had been really happy to answer him.

But then, after days of traveling, our group of heroes found themselves making their way straight to the coast. Following the river, they rode (well, Brom and Eragon rode while Erik walked and Saphira flew) and, two days later, they came across a rock ledge… which offered them a clear view out of the area.

The countryside was covered with soft turf and heather that their feet sank into. Moss clung to every stone and branch and lined the streams that laced the ground. Pools of mud pocked the road where horses had trampled the dirt. Before long both Brom and Eragon were splattered with grime

"Why is everything green?" asked Eragon with confusion.

"Don't they have winter here?"

"Yes, but the season is mild. Mist and fog roll in from the sea and keep everything alive... Some find it to their liking, but to me it's dreary and depressing..." Brom answered with a shrug.

"Join the club… While I like the sea, I'm not a fan of saltwater, thank you very much…" Erik grumbled to his humans companions who both snorted in amusement at his comment.

A while later, once the evening fell, they all set up camp in the driest spot they could find (which had been pretty hard to say the least). After cooking something to eat, Brom opened his mouth to say in a serious tone

"You should continue to ride Cadoc until we reach Teirm... It's likely that we'll meet other travelers now that we are out of the Spine, and it will be better if you are with me. An old man traveling alone will raise suspicion... With you at my side, no one will ask questions. Besides, I don't want to show up at the city and have someone who saw me on the trail wondering where you suddenly came from !"

"Will we use our own names?" asked Eragon with a raised eyebrow.

Brom frowned as he thought about it but stopped when Erik spoke "I think it is for the best… I'm pretty sure the Ra'zacs had told the Mad King who in return had surely sent people to look for someone named 'Eragon'..."

"While I agree with you, Valhir, there is no way we will be able to deceive Jeod… He already knows my name, and I think I trust him with yours… But to everyone else, I will be Neal and you will be my nephew Evan. If our tongues somehow slip and give us away, it will probably won't make much of a difference, but I DO NOT want our names in anyone's heads ! People have an annoying habit of remembering things they shouldn't..." the last part was grumbled with slight annoyance.

Noticing this, Erik couldn't retain himself from smirking teasingly as he shot a look toward the storyteller "Oh really? Are you speaking from experience perhaps? Perhaps you had done something interesting to some people there ?"

Brom shot him a glare while Saphira and Eragon laughed with amusement. His left eye twitched at this before an evil smirk grew on his aged age as he looked straight at Eragon.

"Do you think that's funny, boy ? So come on, it's time for your workout !"

At these words, Eragon's body froze and he stopped laughing, a look of horror on his face. This sight made Saphira and Erik laugh… and it loudened when the young Rider groaned in annoyance and resignation. After watching Eragon picking up his sword, Erik smirked as he glanced at the Dragoness beside him.

"You shouldn't laugh, Saphy..."

'And why that, Fluff-ball ?'

"Because we are going to train as well ! Get up and follow me !" Erik replied with a smirk as he got up before walking away, leaving behind a horrified Dragoness who soon went after him, silently cursing him.

00/(Time Skip)/00

Time passed and now, they finally reached their destination.

It was Saphira who had first sighted the city and a heavy fog was clouding the vision of Eragon, Brom and Erik… but then, they saw it. Eragon gasped in shock and amazement once the city was revealed to him : it was contained behind a thick white wall, its smooth surface broken by two iron-looking doors at the west and south side of it. At the northeast part of the wall, rising high above its surroundings, was a citadel.

Erik looked at the city with disdain evident on his face : this city reminded him of a very small version of New York. Yazuac and Therinsford were villages so it didn't bothered him to much but a large city ? Like Hell he will go there !

"This is our first test..." said Brom began to say while pointing at the soldiers guarding the gate

"Let's just hope they haven't received reports of us from the Empire and won't detain us... Whatever happens, don't panic or act suspiciously..."

"Well… have fun in there…" Erik bluntly told them before walking away… but stopped a few feet away to say over his shoulder

"And try to stay out of trouble !"

"HEY ! We are not THAT bad !" Eragon replied in indignation.

"Brom ? No …You ? Yes~" Erik retorted with a grin before leaving the area with a laugh, leaving behind an indignant dragon rider and an amused storyteller.

For the next few minutes, the Massive White Bear walked until he stopped in a clearing. Looking up at the sky, he couldn't find the blue form of Saphira… which worried him a bit.

'Saphy ? Where are you ?' Erik telepathically asked the young Dragoness.

'Valhir ?' her familiar voice answered him.

'Of course, it is me ! Who do you think it was ?' Erik replied dryly.

'The Old Man or that foolish rider of mine...' was her answer.

' ...'

' …'

' ...'

' …'

'… Fair enough… Anyway where are you ?' Erik retorted after a moment.

'Here...' she said before showing him where she was.

Her new hideaway was a cliff overlooking both Teirm and the sea… which gave a beautiful view to look upon. From what he could see, the spot clearly showed them the wall and the happenings within the town.

In short, it was just like the book said.

'I will join you soon !' Erik said through the link.

'I will wait for you then...' Saphira retorted before cutting the link.

"Now… where is this cliff ?" Erik said to himself as he looked around.

Much to his shame and embarrassment, it took him a while before he finally found the cliff in question… and along with that, he found a smug looking blue Dragoness.

'You took your time...' Saphira commented as she looked at Erik who just arrived.

The Dragoness was laying down, enjoying the feeling of the sun against her blue scales along with the sound of crashing waves and seagulls.

"Oy, Miss Smug, do I have to remind you that I don't have wings but paws ?" the massive White Bear grumbled at the Dragoness as he went to stand beside her.

Through the link, Erik could feel her annoyance at his nickname but ignored it as he opened his jaws to ask her

"Have our friends already entered the city ?"

'They did… not long ago in fact…' the Dragoness answered him while turning her gaze toward the city.

Erik briefly glanced at the city before looking back at Saphira and asking with a raised eyebrow

"How long do you think it would take before Eragon contact us ?"

'Maybe at night…'

"And what do you think the chances are that he'll get into trouble BEFORE he contacts us ?"

'Very high...' Saphira retorted with a snort of annoyance and resignation.

Eragon might be many things but on top of it, he was a trouble-magnet… either you liked it or not.

00/(Time Skip)/00

Erik was admiring the sunset alongside Saphira as they still waited for Eragon to contact them. While they were both enjoying the silence and peace of the moment, both of them were a bit worried about their human companions… especially Saphira. Erik, him, knew in advance what would happen but he still had to play the contrary to avoid suspicions from the Dragoness beside him.

He dreaded to think what would happen if she somehow learned that she and their friends were characters of a book of all things… or that Erik KNEW what would happen in the future !

But then his thoughts were broken thanks to Saphira who had straightened up a bit, looking alert.

"What is it ?" he asked her curiously.

'Eragon is looking for me...' Saphira answered simply and judging by the silence that followed and the concentrated look on her face, she was giving her Rider some direction.

Erik watched her for a moment but then frowned when she saw her growling a bit

"What is it this time ?" he asked her with a stern expression, clearly showing that he wanted to know what was going on.

'This foolish rider of mine wants to climb up the cliff instead of riding me !'

Blinking at her answer, Erik got up to approach the edge before looking down. Sure enough, there was Eragon… climbing the rocky wall. Thankfully, there were many handholds so it was a clearly easy climb.

"Need some help, buddy ?" Erik politely asked him but he couldn't keep the smirk out of his muzzle.

Eragon stopped his ascension to look up at him before answering "It's okay ! I can do it !"

"Suit yourself..." the massive Bear replied with a shrug before glancing at Saphira with a smirk… to which she returned.

They both watched as the young Rider soon stopped to catch his breath and, once his strength had returned, he slowly reached up for the next handhold, but unfortunately for him, his arm was not long enough to even touch it. Growling, Eragon then started searching for another crevice or something to grasp so he could keep going...

But there was none…

Seeing this, the young man tried to back down, but, much to his annoyance, his legs could not reach his last foothold. Above him, Saphira and Erik were watching him with pure amusement shining in their eyes

"I could use some help..." he muttered to them with defeat.

Erik snorted at those words while Saphira simply said 'This is your own fault !'

"Yes I know ! Are you both going to help me or not ?" Eragon grumbled at the two with embarrassment and annoyance.

"If we weren't around, you would be in a very bad situation, boy..." The massive White Bear commented with a serious expression on his face but his eyes were shining with mischief.

At this side, Saphira nodded in agreement to his words while still looking down at her rider.

Hearing this, Eragon rolled his eyes before saying in a grumpy tone "You don't have to tell me !"

Erik and Saphira shared a look before looking back at him with bright eyes

'You're right… After all, how can a mere dragon or a bear expect to tell a man like yourself what to do ?' the Dragoness began to say before Erik too over

"Everyone would be in awe of your brilliance of finding the only dead end… If you had just listened to Saphy here, you would be here with us instead of being stuck like you are right now..."

Saphira ignored the nickname as her whole attention was on Eragon whose face was red in embarrassment at the sermon.

"All right, you won ! I know I made a mistake ! Now, can you please get me out of here ?!" Eragon pleaded them.

Erik and Saphira glanced at one another again, smirked before pulling themselves away from the edge, disappearing from his sight.

'Should we help him ?' the Dragoness asked her furry companion with gleaming eyes.

'Not yet… let's leave him like this for a little bit more~' Erik telepathically retorted mischievously, still smirking.

Saphira smirked back in response before the two of them sat down to wait.

After a moment of silence, they finally heard Eragon's call

"Saphira ? Valhir ?"

The two non-humans smirked back at one another while doing no move to help their distressed human friend/rider.

"Saphira ?! Valhir ?! Come back !" Eragon's voice echoed again, alarm and annoyance could be heard in his voice.

"Wait for it~" Erik whispered to his draconic companion who snorted in amusement but did just that.

Another short silence followed until the young rider's voice echoed again "PLEASE ?!"

Saphira and Erik looked back at one another with smirks before the former decided to FINALLY help the young man. The White Bear watched in silence as Saphira barreled off the top of the cliff before flipping around in midair, floating toward the young human. Then she silently grabbed his shirt with her talons before taking him in the air with her.

After a brief moment in the sky, Saphira returned back to the cliff before gently depositing her charge down, carefully pulling her claws out of his shirt.

'Foolishness...' she said gently to her rider before sitting back next to Valhir who was a shit grin on his muzzle as he looked at the young man before him.

"Nice of you to finally join us~" he jokingly said to the young Rider who glared at him before going to lay against Saphira's side.

After that, Eragon decided to tell them what happened : mainly on him spying on Jeod's and Brom's discussion. Apparently, the storyteller had told his old friend about Saphira and him, which annoyed Erik a bit, and Eragon then confessed that he was having doubt about Brom.

Thankfully, Saphira and Erik managed to convince him that having secrets was the way of the world and that it was sometimes hard to share them with others (something our hero could understand pretty well). Once Eragon was convinced of their words, he told them that they might have to stay here for a while longer.

Apparently, the two humans wanted to find out where the Ra'zacs were hiding so later, once they were stronger, they would fight them… Later, Saphira helped Eragon to get down the cliff before returning to Erik's side.

"Look like we will be stuck here for a while huh ?" the Massive White Bear said to his draconic companion in a dry tone.

'It seems so...' Saphira retorted with a hint of annoyance.

"Well, let's hope we won't stay here too long then…" Erik added with a deep sigh but for some reason, he felt like he shouldn't have said that.

00/(Time Skip)/00

For the following days, Erik and Saphira were forced to stay out of sight… and of course, it annoyed them to no end. To kill the time, they would play games together, go hunting… or simply take a look around. But Erik, much to Saphira's annoyance, would also use this time to train a bit;

And right now, they were returning from a fishing session.

'I don't understand how you can eat fish ! The texture is too slimy and chewy !' Saphira said to the Massive White Bear once they sat back on their spot.

"Perhaps but you can't deny that it is delicious ! Beside, you find more protein on fish than on a juicy piece of meat !" Erik retorted with a grin while licking his lips to savor the last remains of the fish he ate.

'So you say...' the Dragoness snorted in response, clearly not believing it.

"Ask Brom if you don't believe me… He's a know-it-all after all~" Erik replied with a teasing smirk.

Saphira snorted in amusement before saying 'He sure knows many things… but it is to be expected from an older timer...'

It was Erik's turn to snort in amusement before he caught a familiar scent in the air.

Eragon.

"Your rider is here..." the Massive White Bear told the Dragoness in a calm tone.

Saphira nodded at him before taking off to retrieve Eragon at the base of the cliff. Erik waited for a moment and then, the Dragoness reappeared with the rider.

"Welcome, my friend… I see you have finally decided to come see us~" Erik said to the young man with a playful smirk.

Eragon rolled his eyes at this while Saphira snorted loudly in amusement.

"Yeah yeah, really funny, Valhir !" the young Rider began to say with annoyance before his expression turned serious.

"Listen, something happened..." He began to say before calmly telling the two about his day.

He told them about his meeting with a herbalist named Angela and a werecat named Solembum. Eragon told them about his short discussion with the cat who had mentioned something about Valhir being 'more that he realize'. Of course, he had tried to ask about it but the cat ignored it instead to tell him about something else.

"When the time comes and you need a weapon, look under the roots of the Menoa tree... Then, when all seems lost and your power is insufficient, go to the rock of Kuthian and speak your name to open the Vault of Souls !" was what he said to him.

Erik and Saphira had listened with attention, not once trying to stop him while thinking about it. Our hero wanted to skin this cat for telling this to Eragon but then again, it was to be expected from a Werecat.

Then Eragon told them about Angela and the prediction she gave him (with dragon bones of all things !)

"An epic romance is in your future, extraordinary... and strong enough to outlast empires... your love is of noble birth and heritage. She is powerful, wise, and beautiful beyond compare..."

Erik knew who the witch was talking about but kept silent.

Once the rider stopped his story, he released a dry chuckle "I think Brom is right...I always seem to be where there's trouble..."

"So it seems…" the Bear retorted absently as he was still thinking about what he just heard.

'You should remember what the werecat told you... It's important...' Saphira told her rider with a serious expression.

"How do you know ?" Eragon asked her with a titled head and a look of curiosity in his eyes.

'I'm not sure, but the names he used feel powerful…Kuthian...No, we should not forget what he said...' the Dragoness answered slowly.

"You are right Saphy… Those names means more than you realize..." Erik said in a grave tone.

"You know those places ?" Eragon asked him with disbelief while Saphira looked at her furry companion with surprise.

"I don't know them personally… but I heard about them..." Erik began to say with shrug.

'What can you tell us about them ?' Saphira asked him with nothing but curiosity in her voice and eyes. Beside her, Eragon looked just like her.

"The Rock of Kuthian is a place on the Island of Vroengard… From what I heard, it is a doorway that seal the Vault of Souls…" Erik answered after a moment of though.

'What is inside that Vault ?' Saphira asked him curiosity.

"I don't know..." It was a lie of course but they needed to discover it by themselves.

"What about the Menoa Tree ?" Eragon asked him, his eyes shining with interest, curiosity and awe.

"Like the name said, it is a large tree and from what I heard, it was hidden in an elven forest… but I don't know the exact location..." once again, it was a lie but he had to play like he didn't know it.

Eragon looked disheartened by the last part but nodded his head in acceptance.

"Eragon, currently, you do not need a weapon… You have Zar'roc remember ?" Erik told him in a gentle tone.

The young rider staid silent for a moment before nodding at him.

"Then you don't need to look for those places… At least not now..." Erik said with finality.

'He is right, little one…' Saphira said to the young man in an affectionate tone while nuzzling the top of his head.

Eragon smiled at the Dragoness before scratching under her jaws. Saphira closed her eyes in contentment and Erik couldn't help but smiling at the scene. After a moment of silence, Eragon stopped before looking at the two of them and asking

"Do you think I should tell Brom ?"

"It's your choice...but if I were you, I would…" Erik said with a shrug.

'I disagree : he has no right to know your future… to tell him of Solembum and his words, will only raise questions you may not want to answer... he will want to know where you learned them... Do you think you can lie convincingly to him ?' Saphira said to her rider while shooting a glance at Erik when he looked at them both with disapproval.

But then the Massive Bear turned his head away with a sigh : of course, they would act like that… none of them knew about Brom's past and his true relation with Eragon !

"Do what you want… but don't be surprised if Brom discover about it..." Erik said to the young rider with a shrug of indifference.

After that, the three of them sat together, watching the trees and sky until dusk.

"Valhir ?" Eragon suddenly called out.

"Hmm ?"

"How do you know all of this ?" the young man asked him with curiosity.

"I had a good mentor… until he passed away..." Erik answered with sadness.

'You mean… your sire ?' Saphira asked him with understanding shining in her sapphire blue eyes.

"Yes..." Erik responded with a deep sigh as a look of sorrow briefly appeared on his face.

"I wish we had met him… he sounds like a good teacher..." Eragon said from his place against Saphira's belly.

"He was..." Erik retorted with a fond smile on his face.

It was true : his father had been the one who taught him everything… except about the Inheritance Cycle. But it wasn't about to tell them that so he had to embellish his father a bit.

Saphira and Eragon approached him before pressing themselves against his sides to comfort him and he smiled down at them gratefully. These two were the siblings he never had. Then, it was time for Eragon to return to Teirm and both Erik and Saphira watched as he entered the gates before laying down to enjoy a good night sleep.

In his sleep, Erik's mind was plagued by memories of all the good times he had with his father before his passing and a smile unconsciously appeared on his sleepy face.

That night, he had good dreams of a time where he was a naive child with a kind and wise (and also healthy) father.

(To be continue…)