To escape, our group of heroes was traveling again…

To say that the trip was quiet would be an euphemism.

No one in the group talked nor made a sound as they increased the distance between the ruins of Gil'ead and them.

Eragon and Murtagh pushed their horses almost to their limits, while Saphira flew above them, acting like a scout. Then, behind them all, was the white form of Erik who was guarding the rear of the group, careful for any dangers.

When the night came, they made camp and once again, silence was the only thing you could hear from our heroes. However, you could clearly see that Eragon wanted to ask questions to Erik but was hesitating. The same could be said to Murtagh and Saphira. Arya was still in a comatose state and Brom was getting worse.

Erik felt partially responsible for the old man's current state and he knew, just by looking at the wounds, that Bromw would not survive this. However, his little trance was broken by someone's voice calling his name.

"Valhir ?" it was Eragon's voice.

"What is it, child ?" the White Bear grumbled back while looking toward who was talking to him.

"Are you really a God ?" Eragon asked him in a curious tone.

Murtagh and Saphira leaned forward with expressions of curiosity on their faces. Erik took a moment to glance back and forth between the three of them before sighing deeply.

"Yes… I am..." he answered in a deep tone.

There was no point in denying it… not after what happened at Gil'ead. Internally, Erik was amazed by the damage he caused because he didn't know that he had it in him. However, he wasn't regretting his actions… in fact, he was happier to have such a power in him.

Beside, this wretched city deserved its fate !

But, let's get back to present…

"Why didn't you told us ?!" the young Rider asked him in frustration and slight anger.

"Would you have believed me if I had told you ?" Erik asked him back in a calm tone, not at all bothered by the young man's outburst.

Eragon opened his mouth to answer but then, seemed to think about an answer before sighing deeply in defeat once he realized that he had nothing to counter this accusation.

"Are there any other Gods walking around in Alagaësia ?" Murtagh asked him with curiosity and awe.

"So far, I am the only one… but who know...Maybe there are… Only time will tell… " Erik answered with a shrug.

'You know… that explain a lot of things… your strength, your knowledge, your powers… It made sense now… ' Saphira commented to him with understanding.

Erik merely nodded, not saying anything.

"How old are you ?" Eragon suddenly blurted out.

"I lost track of time… maybe a few centuries..." the White Bear replied with a shrug.

It was a lie but he was not going to tell them that he was in fact barely older than Eragon before his death. Besides, this answer came to him naturally… maybe it was Volibear's answer ? Who know…

"Before you ask, the answer is 'no'… I wasn't there when the Dragon Riders were betrayed by Galbatorix..." he quickly added when he saw Eragon opened his mouth.

The young rider quickly closed his mouth as a bit of red appeared on his face.

"As I told you, me and my father lived in a land of ice and snow… a land were only the strongest survived… a land where there were few humans..." Erik told him in a grave tone and an emotionless face.

Murtagh, Eragon and Saphira nodded their heads in understanding, already knowing that part of his history.

"Then, why are you hiding ? With your powers, you can easily overthrow the King and put an end to his tyranny !" Murtagh told in with sharp tone.

The White Bear growled deeply as his blue eyes landed on the young man ,who stiffened under his gaze, before opening his jaws to say in a deep and resonant tone

"Yes, maybe I can do it… but there is a greater force preventing me from doing it..."

"What force ?" Eragon asked him with a frown of confusion as he shot sideway glances at Saphira and Murtagh who were just as confused as him.

"What can be more powerful than you ?" Murtagh asked the White Bear with narrowed eyes and curiosity.

"Fate" was Erik's only answer.

"Contrary to what you heard, Fate is real… Sometimes, someone's destiny is predetermined and cannot be changed…not everyone, mind you, but there as some who are not so fortunate…" he explained calmly before looking over at Eragon, adding

"I can't kill Galbatorix because it is not my destiny to do so...Even if I wanted to, I could not do it… "

Well, it was not really a lie… after all, it was Eragon's destiny to kill Galbatorix.

"So it is mine..." Eragon grumbled with sorrow and sadness as his shoulders slumped.

"It is...the moment you have been chosen to be become a Rider, it became your destiny..." Erik answered in with a tone filled with compassion.

Murtagh put a comforting hand on Eragon's shoulder, squeezing it lightly while Saphira nuzzled the top of his head with affection.

The next day, they all woke up because of Brom who was violently thrashing on the ground. Eragon and Murtagh rushed to his side before restraining him until the convulsions ceased. Despite the medicine Eragon gave him, he had a strong fever and his breathing was labored and hard.

Saphira looked panicked while Erik looked at the scene with a solemn expression : he knew that Brom was going to die soon… he just knew it. The storyteller looked dead pale and was sweating profusely… like his own father was the day before he died.

Suddenly, one Brom's hand shot up to grab Eragon's right shoulder

"The wineskin! I need it !" he said to the younger man in a hurried tone and Erik instantly knew what he was about to do.

Eragon looked at his mentor with clear confusion on a moment but then nodded his head before obeying as he took the wineskin from the backpack . Silently, Erik watched as Eragon processed to wash the old man's right hand with it… before gasping in surprise when he saw a familiar symbol appeared in Brom's hand.

The Gedwaÿ Ignasia.

"You… You are a Rider ?!" Eragon asked his mentor in disbelief while Murtagh looked just as stunned.

"Once upon a time that was true... but no more…" Brom began to say in a tone filled with sorrow before resuming

"When I was young ;younger than you are now; I was chosen... chosen by the Riders to join their ranks… While they trained me, I became friends with another apprentice... Morzan...before he was a Forsworn..."

A soft gasp escaped Eragon's mouth but it was completely ignored by everyone present

"But then he betrayed us to Galbatorix... and during the battle of Dorú Areaba, my young dragon was killed... Her name... was Saphira..."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Eragon asked the old man in a soft tone.

"Because... there was no need to…" Brom began to say before stopping as his breath became harder.

Once it was back to normal, he spoke again "I am old, Eragon... Though my dragon was killed, my life has been longer than most... You don't know what it is to reach my age, look back, only to realize that you don't remember much of it… before looking forward and knowing that many years still lie ahead of you..."

Then Brom's tone changed into one of anger and sorrow "After all this time I still grieve for my Saphira... and hate Galbatorix for what he tore from me !"

His eyes suddenly locked into Eragon's as he said in a fierce tone filled with despair and seriousness "Don't let that happen to you ! Don't ! Guard Saphira with your life ! For without her, Life is hardly worth living..."

"You shouldn't talk like this. Nothing's going to happen to her," Eragon said in a worried as he looked at everyone in despair.

Brom turned his head to the side before saying with a chuckle "Perhaps I am rambling..."

Erik snorted in amusement at that but his eyes shined with sorrow. Brom's gaze passed over Murtagh before looking back at Eragon

"Eragon! I cannot last much longer. This... this is a grievous wound; it saps my strength… I have not the energy to fight it... Before I go, will you take my blessing ?"

"Everything will be all right," Eragon retorted with tearful eyes as if he wanted to deny those words

"You don't have to do this !"

"It is the way of things... I must... Will you take my blessing ?" Brom asked him one more time in a weak tone.

Eragon nodded at him, still shedding tears. With a tiny smile, Brom slowly placed a trembling pale hand on his student's brow before saying softly

"Then I give it to you… May the coming years bring you great happiness..."

Erik watched in silence as Brom gestured to his son to bend closer before whispering something to him. He couldn't hear the words but he knew that it was said in the Ancient Language.

"That is all I can give you... Use them only in great need..." Brom said louder after a few seconds.

Then, to everyone's shock, he turned his head to look at Erik before gesturing for him to come closer. At first stunned, the White Bear stepped closer before stopping right next to the dying storyteller.

"Valhir… I want you to know… that it had been a honor to meet you… Never in my long life, have I thought I would get to meet a God… and to call one my friend..." Brom said in a soft tone.

"The honor is mine, Brom... you are the wisest and bravest human I have ever met... and among the first I am proud to call a friend..." Erik answered back in a solemn but sad tone.

"Your words honor me, Valhir…" Brom began to say with a smile before adding

"Please, as a favor between friends, I want you to protect Eragon and Saphira… They will need all the help they can… against the King !"

The White Bear's face was emotionless as he stared at the dying form of Brom in front of him. But then, his expression softened as he opened his jaws to answer with determination

"Brom, you didn't have to ask… but I swear it here and now : I will protect them with all my might and I will help them in their burden, as long it is theirs to bear..."

Saphira and Eragon smiled at their white friend while Brom seemed happy by those words.

"Thank you, Valhir..." the storyteller whispered to the White Bear with gratefulness before turning his eyes to the sky

"And now … for the greatest adventure of all..."

The next few hours were terrible to say the least as the vigil was long and unbroken. A gray pallor crept over Brom as his eyes slowly dimmed. His hands grew icy and the air around him took on an colder humor. Erik had never felt so powerless in a long time… the last time he did was when his father was dying and he was unable to help him.

The evening was young when Brom suddenly stiffened. Erik closed his eyes in sorrow when he heard Eragon calling Brom's name or crying for Murtagh's help, but he knew that nothing can be done for the storyteller

Then, as a deep silent echoed in the air, Brom locked his eyes with Eragon's and soon, contentment spread across the old man's face before a whisper of breath escaped his lips.

It was Brom's last breath… marking the end of his life.

Brom the storyteller was dead.

After that, they moved the body away to bury it… on a cliff so Brom could have a wonderful view to look upon. The young Rider used magic to create a retangular tomb made of sandstone before they placed Brom's body inside, along with his belongings. Erik watched the dead man's serene face for the last time, before a rock covered him from the outside world. Then, he watched as Eragon wrote something in the stone :

HERE LIES BROM
Who was a Dragon Rider
and like a father
to me
May his name live in glory

Erik found the words ironic seeing that Brom WAS Eragon's father but kept his mouth shut as it was not the time to reveal such a huge secret. Then, he blinked when he saw the Dragoness beside him approaching the tomb.

As if she sensed his confusion, she turned her head to look at him.

'I have one last gift to give Brom…' Saphira said as she stepped forward before putting her nose on Brom's tomb… and instantly, the stone turned into diamond.

'From now on, his body will never again be ravaged by time...' she said simply when she saw Eragon, Erik and Murtagh staring at her.

The White Bear looked back at the tomb and found it fitting for a man such as Brom before leaving the place alongside his friends. The rest of the day was in total silence as they mourned the death of a friend and mentor.

It was the second time Erik lost someone dear to him… and he promised himself that it would be the LAST time. He will honor his last words to Brom… He will protect Saphira and Eragon… even if he had to loose his life for it.

00/(Time Skip)/00

The next day, they traveled again, this time with heaving hearts, and around noon, near the desert, Eragon and Murtagh entered a small village while Saphira and Erik hid from view… while keeping an eye on Brom and Arya. So far, the Elf was still comatose and Brom's state was getting worse. For a moment, they waited but soon, the two young men returned… with grave expressions on their faces.

"What with the faces ?" Erik asked them with a curious raised eyebrow.

"In the village, there was traders from Gil'ead..." Murtagh answered him darkly.

"Oh ?" Erik said with curiosity, wanting to know more.

However, it wasn't Murtagh who answered him.

"They were telling stories of how an unknown white god wrapped in a storm cloak and surrounded by lightning, emerged from the shadows to unleash his divine wrath on the great city of Gil'ead..." Eragon explained with a hint of amusement in his tone.

Erik hummed in approval at the stories as a toothy smirk appeared on his muzzle.

"What else ?" he asked them with curiosity, wondering what other things were said about him.

"Everywhere in the Empire, people are talking about the Destruction of Gil'ead… and its culprit… They are starting to call you with many names..." Murtagh added with amusement as a grin appeared on his own face.

"What names ?" the White Bear asked them in an intrigued tone.

"They are calling you : the Storm Lord, The Thunder's Roar, the Storm Bringer or even better, the Beast God..." Eragon answered him with a grin of his own.

"Now, those are good titles… I think I might keep them~" Erik commented playfully but his ego was indeed tickled by the titles given to him by people from every corner of the Empire.

'Great… now he is getting a bigger ego...' Saphira grumbled to herself but it was loud enough for our white hero to hear .

"I heard that, Scaly Butt !" he hissed in fake-anger at the Dragoness.

'You were meant too, fluff ball !' Saphira hissed back teasingly.

After that, they discussed about the supplies and unfortunately, the food and water was expensive because of the desert. When they asked Erik to create a storm so they could at least have some water, the White Bear refused stating that it was not a good idea.

Why ?

Because the King and his clowns were now looking for him and if he dared to create a storm, they would surely put two and two together and come straight to them ! In the end, they decided to not use Erik's control over storms for the time being… unless it was strictly necessary.

But, they were still thinking about what to do, now…

Eragon and Murtagh were making beds for Arya and Brom while Erik was keeping an eye around. Saphira, her, was curled not too far from him, her blue eyes watched the elf and the storyteller.

However, the White Bear was ignoring of all it as he was keeping an eye around for any intruders… but was forced to look back at his companions when he heard someone gasping in shock.

Erik's eyes widened by what he saw : Eragon had pinched Arya's clothes together… and revealed to them something horrifying.

The elf's arm was covered with wounds and bruises : some were half healed, while others looked fresh. Worse, when Eragon moved the clothes further up, Erik could see that Arya's injuries continued to her shoulder.

Soon, Eragon unlaced the back of her shirt and, just as Murtagh cursed loudly, Erik himself wanted to tear something apart by what he saw : Arya's back was covered with scabs… She looked as if she had been whipped mercilessly and branded with hot claw-shaped irons !

The White Bear's eyes scanned the body and on the few spots where her skin was still intact, it was mostly covered with purple or black bruises… clearly, she had been beaten.

It was truly an horrifying sight.

Once again, Erik felt like tracking Durza and tear him apart with his claws.

"Can you heal this?" Murtagh asked his friend and comrade with a hopeful expression on his face.

"I-I don't know..." Eragon answered in hesitation before adding in a whisper

"There's so much..."

Then he turned his face to look at the White Bear before asking "Can't you heal her ? You are a God after all..."

"I might be a God but I don't know anything in healing magic..." Erik answered grimly while cursing softly for this back luck.

Saphira then roared and, judging by the way Eragon tensed, she was clearly telling him about something. Soon enough, the young Rider seemed to have come to a decision as he turned his head to look at Murtagh before speaking

"This is going to take some time.. Can you get me food ? Also, boil rags for bandages... I can't heal all her wounds..."

"We can't make a fire without being seen !" Murtagh said in objection before adding

"You'll have to use unwashed cloths, and the food will be cold !"

Eragon acquiesced with a grimace as he gently laid a hand on the elf's body just as Saphira settled next to him, her glittering eyes locked on the elf's wounded form.

"Waíse heill!" Eragon soon said before moving his hands above the bruises or other wounds that were not life-threatening.

For a long time, he tried to heal most of Arya's injuries and it was when the sun was high in the sky that he finally stood, groaning in pain and exhaustion as his muscles hurt him. His hands seemed to take a gray teint and his eyes looked completely dry.

Erik watched in silence as the young Rider stumbled to the saddlebags and took a long drink from the wineskin. Clearly, he was thirsty and exhausted for using magic.

"Is it done?" Murtagh asked him from his spot.

Eragon answered with the affirmative but was not sure that it would be enough to completely save the elf. Then, Murtagh went to care for Brom… before they discussed their new course of action.

In the end, they decided to enter the Hadarac Desert to rejoin the Varden in the Beor Mountains.

After that, they started their journey… this time, they decided to enter the desert and needless to say that Erik DID NOT like this place one bit. But he knew that the King, his Dragon and his soldiers wouldn't be able to find them in a world of sand. Arya was placed on Saphira's saddle while Brom's pale form was on Erik's back.

Yeah you heard right. The large White Bear was being used as a carrying vehicle. Normally, Erik would be against this but, Brom was not in a good condition to ride his horse and the young men couldn't take him with them as it would be added weight on their own saddles.

They ran/flew/rode for a long time into the desert, maybe three or four leagues into it and during this time, they passed near the Ramr River directly at the east from the ruins of Gil'ead. In the books, Eragon, Murtagh and Saphira would be traveling south and crossing the city of Bullridge but Erik thought it was a better option to head somewhere else.

After all, Erik knew that, by destroying Gil'ead, he had attracted the King's eyes on them and Galbatorix was possibly near the city right now. It was better to put as much distance as possible as the King would surely be traveling with that damn dragon of his, Shruikan.

Scratch that, Shruikan is not much of a dragon and more like a scaly puppet.

Anyway, as they passed near the fringes of the desert, Saphira felt glorious because of the heat (like a normal lizard) while the humans and the bear HATED it. The sun seemed to slowly swallow their strength and sometimes sand got into their eyes, annoying them even more.

As for Erik, he now understood how a polar bear felt during summer. His thick fur was NOT a good thing under this god forsaken heat. In fact, he felt hotter than ever… he literally felt like he was inside a volcano ! Thankfully, nights existed because it gave our adventurers some mercy away from the heat.

Because of the hot atmosphere, the tension was high and it wasn't rare to see Eragon and Murtagh having arguments or seeing Erik grumpier than ever. Thankfully, so far, so good.

Sure, there were so close call but otherwise, things went cool.

However, after days in the desert, they decided that they needed the Elf's help and Eragon contacted her through telepathy. Thankfully, Arya was cooperative and she gave them direction. As they followed the She-Elf's words, Erik knew that the King had sent legions of Urgals to the Varden but kept his mouth shut for the time being.

For now, let's worry about getting out of this god forsaken desert ! And from what Eragon said, it was not a short journey… let's hope nothing but bother them.

They had already lost someone dear to them… they won't handle another one.

(To be continue…)