Chapter VIII: Daret and Swords

Yet again I woke up with no dreams that night, however an image of a dark purple dragon was always on the front of my mind as I woke up. We had slowly been increasing the pace of the horses each day so that we could now canter for three hours straight before walking for two hours.

As we trotted into Daret we slowed the horses to a walk. With the memory of what happened in the previous town we strode to be silent. As we passed between silent houses we each drew out a weapon. I held my bow in one hand but kept the sword ready to be pulled out.

I looked down at the ground for tracks, after a minute or so I spotted a pair of large footprints, adult sized, next to a smaller pair, possibly a child's.

As we reached the centre of Daret we found it was empty. Underneath me Istal tensed, I tensed as well knowing that there was danger. Brom pulled Snowfire around so he was facing the way we came. "I don't like this, let's get out of here," Eragon urged Cadoc to follow.

Istal on the other hand charged straight ahead at a gallop. A few strides away from Istal's chosen exit, wagons toppled into my way. Istal snorted and slid to a stop before rearing and racing elsewhere. I knew Istal hated to be trapped in a small area, probably due to the time he and I were trapped in a fiery barn.

Istal raced over to where Brom on Snowfire and Eragon on Cadoc were waiting. Seeing the wagons once again, Istal prepared to leap over them. However I knew that the horse would never clear them. Istal changed direction slightly so he was preparing to leap over the poles sticking out in front of the wagons.

A man leapt out in front of the wagons and stood in front of where Istal was planning to jump. I noticed a broadsword in a sheath beside him and a drawn bow in his hands before Istal reared and I was busy trying to control him.

I had let go of my bow when the wagons first came out, and I was currently holding Istal's mane in one hand and reins in another. "Halt!" The man yelled out which made Istal more nervous as he bucked out. "Put your weapons down. You're surrounded by sixty archers. They'll shoot if you move. Make your horse stand still."

"I can't! Istal just won't stand still. I swear this goddamn horse is way too green to be ridden half the time." I said, I loosened Istal's reins and he landed with four feet on the ground.

In those spare seconds I dismounted and pulled Istal's reins down. Istal seemed to calm down slightly but was backing up. I turned to look at my horse and stood still and let the reins go. Istal suddenly understood what was happening and nervously walked back to me. I grabbed the reins and led my horse over to my dropped bow.

I attached the bow to my saddle and led my horse over to where Brom and Eragon was. "When you enter Dras-Leona, would you do us a favour? Alert the Empire to our plight and those plights of the other towns. If word of this hasn't reached the king's ears there is a cause for worry. If it has and he has chosen to do nothing that too is cause for worry." The man said.

"We will carry your message, may your swords stay sharp." Brom said.

"And yours," the man, who I had decided was chosen to defend Daret.

The wagons were quickly moved out of the way and Eragon and Brom trotted off. I sighed and looked at Istal who was still nervous. I put the reins over Istal's head and tied them to the saddle before racing after the pair. A short whistle from me made Istal quickly join me.

Soon we were out of Daret and back among the trees along the Ninor River. I mounted Istal again, Istal tossed his head and nickered. I gave him a stroke on the neck and got him to go into the shallows of the Ninor River.

I listened to Brom and Eragon talked as we trotted along the river. "The Empire is in worse condition than I had thought. I heard news of unrest when the traders visited Carvahall. But I never thought it was this widespread and with all these Urgals around it's almost like the Empire itself is under attack. Yet no troops or soldiers have been sent out. It's as if the king doesn't care to defend his domain."

"It is strange," Eragon agreed.

Is it? I wondered, could the king have formed a contract of some kind with the Urgals? That would make all of this understandable, would it now?

"Did you use any of your powers while we were in Daret?" Brom questioned.

Eragon shook his head, "There seemed to be no reason to."

"Wrong," Brom chided, "There was quite a good reason to do so. You could've sensed Trevor's intentions." I'm guessing that Trevor was person who had talked to us, "In the same way that you communicate with Cadoc or Saphira. The minds of men are not so different from a dragon's or horse's. It's quite a simple thing to do. But it's a power you must use sparingly and with great caution. A person's mind is their last sanctuary. You must never violate it unless circumstances force you to do so. The Riders had very strict rules regarding this. If they were broken without due cause, the punishment was severe."

I shivered, I never wanted someone in my mind... It would be a horrible thing, someone in your mind knowing your deepest darkest secrets, knowing your thoughts. They would be able to control you, the idea repulsed me yet I understood why the power might be needed. To be able to grasp information from your enemy without killing them or yourself... It was a very powerful tool, dangerous yes, but nonetheless it was powerful.

"Can anyone do this?" I questioned thinking over the fact that Eragon and Brom can do it. Both had magic which could be the link to doing such a thing.

"I spoke about this earlier, with the right instruction anyone can talk with their minds. The amount of success depends on the person. Magic on the other hand is much harder to tell. Some magical abilities will trigger the talent, or becoming linked with a dragon, however there are plenty who learnt on their own. As I said before, a spell can be used to learn whether someone has magic or not. However they would still have trigger the magic themselves with help or not." Brom said, silence rested over the three of us before Brom spoke again.

"Think about it: you can communicate with any sentient being, though the contact may not be very clear. You could spend an entire day listening to a bird's thoughts or understanding how an earthworm may feel during a thunderstorm. But I've never found birds or worms very interesting. Cats, on the other hand, have quite unusual personalities. I suggest you start with a cat." Brom said.

I played with the reins in my hand nervously and considered Brom's words. "Is it possible to stop someone from entering your mind? Can you know if anyone does so as well?" Eragon questioned, asking the exact questions – or close to it – that were in my mind.

"Yes, I'm sure Saphira has blocked you from her mind?"

"Once, when she took me into the Spine. I couldn't speak to her at all, although it didn't feel like she was ignoring me. It felt... It felt like she couldn't hear me, there were walls in her mind that I couldn't penetrate." Eragon admitted, he got Cadoc to pick up the pace so the horse was walking next to Snowfire.

Brom shifted in the saddle and fiddled with his bandage before speaking once more. "Very few can tell if someone was in their mind and even fewer of those could stop you from entering. It's a matter of training and how you think. Due to your magic you'll always know if someone is in your mind. Once you know that blocking them is a very simple matter. All you have to do is concentrate on one thing and ignore everything else. For example, think about a brick wall. If you think about it, that's all the enemy will find in your mind. Despite how simple this all seems it takes a lot of energy and discipline to block someone for any length of time. If you're distracted by even the slightest thing, your wall will waver and your opponent will slip in through the weakness."

I sighed and urged Istal to walk on the other side of Snowfire and Brom. "How can I learn to do this?" Eragon questioned his voice sounding slightly hysterical, he obviously was thinking along the lines that I was. Thinking that anyone could be listening on his thoughts currently...

"And is it possible I could learn about this? If I'm going to be with you and Eragon, a Dragon Rider, not to mention with an actual dragon. I'm going to be targeted as well, I should know how to defend my mind against magicians and alike. It would be problematic if I was caught and I knew things about you that could be used to defeat you guys." I said, hoping that Brom would actual teach me.

"There's only one thing for it: practise, practise and more practise. Eragon, you can work with Saphira to try and attack each other's mind. Just picture something in your mind and hold it there for as long as you can. It's a very advanced ability and only a handful ever master it." Brom said.

"I don't need perfection, just safety," Eragon said as he turned to face in front of him once again. I rolled my eyes, at times Eragon acted too much like a pouty child. And I barely knew the person!

"Umaroth," Brom said catching my attention. I looked over at him, questioning. "The reasons you said are more than a good enough reason for you to learn how to block your mind. But," Brom held up a hand making me pause before speaking. Brom continued on, "I do not know whether you will ever be able to talk to someone mentally."

I glowered at the ground before a grin came over me – along with a crazy idea. "You know what?" I said pointing at Brom with a wild grin on my face, "I don't care what anyone says I will learn to talk to someone mentally! Just watch me!"

Brom shook his head but not before I saw the small smile on his face. "Oh to be so young and think I could take on the world once more, what I would give to be young again." Brom said. I rolled my eyes at the old man, and we continued on in silence.

When we reached Saphira she thrust her head towards us, Istal snorted and came to a sudden halt. The other two horses were the same and tossed their heads and didn't move from their positions. I have to admit I was startled at Saphira's actions, and from Eragon's and Brom's responses I guess they were to.

Istal took a step backwards nervously, I stroked his neck soothingly but tightened my grip on the reins. Saphira scanned Eragon carefully and gave a low hiss, her tail flew from side to side angrily. Istal tossed his head, he could feel my fear and I could feel his.

I looked over at Eragon who tossed a concerned look at Brom, Brom had an expression on... One that suggested he knew what was going on, I, on the other hand, had no such idea.

Eragon dismounted, however as soon as his feet touched the ground Saphira was upon him. Sweeping her tail she knocked Eragon's legs from underneath him and pinned him with her talons. "What are you doing?" Eragon shouted, anger in his voice. Eragon struggled to get up however Saphira proved to be too strong.

I watched the scene with interest, for a moment I had a feeling Eragon forgot how intelligent Saphira was. Saphira swung her head over Eragon, so they were looking at each eye to eye.

Saphira snarled and snapped her jaws by Eragon's face, I sighed the two were having a private discussion. And although I understood their reasons, it didn't make me feel any less left out. Brom was a wise person and probably had a good idea of what the two were discussing. Eragon was a Dragon Rider and Saphira was a dragon. And who was I? I was a nobody, simply someone who was travelling with them.

"Well?" Brom said, as the two seemed to stop talking.

"She wants me to ride her tomorrow," Eragon said.

Brom looked at the pair, and I have to admit, I hid a grin as I looked at the scene. "Well, you have a saddle after all. I suppose that if the two of you stay out of sight, it won't be a problem."

"But what if you're attacked? Or if there's an accident? I won't be able to get there in time and–"

Eragon stopped and looked at Saphira, "It's worth the risk." Brom said, "You need to learn how to ride her properly anyway. Think about it this way: with you and Saphira flying ahead and looking at the ground, you'll be able to spot any traps, ambushes, or other unwelcome surprises."

After a moment Saphira let Eragon get up. With a push of her legs and a giant leap through the sky Saphira took off. I watched in amazement as Saphira did a series of twists through the air, it was wonderful watching from the ground. However on the back of the dragon with the wind roaring in your eyes and the cold making you freeze? I'd prefer to be stuck on the ground for eternity.

With a grumble Eragon returned to Cadoc, mounted and followed Brom as he took off at a trot. I pushed Istal into following.

When the sun was nearly fully down, we made camp. Everything was usual, at least until something different happened. It wasn't a bad thing, in fact I suppose it could be considered quite good.

It was in the middle of Eragon's and Brom's battle. Eragon delivered a powerful blow that snapped both of the make-shift swords. I let out a laugh as I watched the bewilderment appear on Eragon's face as Brom threw the remains of his stick into the fire. "Throw yours in," I silently questioned Brom. "You too Umaroth, you've both learned well. However we've gone as far as we can with simple sticks. You both won't be able to gain anything more from them, it's time for you to use your blade." Brom said as he pulled Eragon's red sword from his bag.

I threw my unbroken stick into the flames, and grabbed my sword, in its sheath, and lay it gently on my lap. "We'll cut each other to ribbons!" Eragon protested.

"Not so, once again you forget about magic." Brom said with an amused expression.

Is there anything magic can't do? I silently questioned.

I watched in awe as Brom put a finger on either side of the blade before speaking. "Gëuloth du knífr!" A small red spark jumped between his fingers, as it flickered between Brom's fingers. Said man ran his fingers down the length of the sword on both sides, the spark vanished the moment Brom's fingers left the metal.

From his standing position Brom slashed his wrist with the sword, I started to stand. Before placing my trust in Brom, Eragon had leapt forward. Brom raised his arm and showed his unharmed wrist. "What did you do?" I questioned as I got up to stand next to Eragon.

In reply Brom held out the sword, "Feel the edge." Eragon and I both fingered the edge... Or what seemed like the edge, the moment my fingers got too close to the metal. An invisible barrier bounced my hand back. The barrier was slippery and wide enough to deflect swords or anything else if it got too close.

"Do the same to Zar'roc and do it to Umaroth's sword, your block will be slightly different from mine. But it should accomplish the same thing," Brom said.

"Zar'roc?" I questioned. "Doesn't that mean–" Brom held up his hand and I stopped speaking. "Also wasn't it–" Brom looked over at Eragon who hadn't noticed our short conversation.

After Brom taught Eragon how to pronounce the words, Eragon started trying to create the block. "Does your sword have a name?"

I pulled my sword out and smiled at it, "Yeah, it's called Ren."

"Oath," Brom said slowly. I looked at him in confusion, "It means oath in the Ancient Language."

I nodded and looked at the blade, "Oath, eh? I guess breaking an oath when holding this sword, could be bad."

Brom looked at the sword, "May I?" I nodded my head and Brom pulled the sword out. The sword seemed to glow slightly as Brom ran a hand down it. "Where'd you get this sword Umaroth?"

"It was my father's sword, I was given it by my mother..." I said softly as I gazed at the sword with the flames reflected on it.

"Done!" Eragon shouted, Brom and I both turned and faced him. I pulled gently took Ren from Brom and gave it to Eragon. Eragon put the block on my sword easily and handed it over to me.

Eragon took up a fighting stance and Brom spoke before they started. "These swords won't cut us, but they can still break bones. I would like to avoid that, so don't flail about like you normally do. A blow to the neck could prove fatal."

Eragon nodded and struck. Sparks flew off both blades and the sounds of crashing metal filled the clearing. I closed my eyes and rested as I slowed my breathing, soon the sounds stopped and I opened up my eyes. Eragon limped away from Brom, who had a few red welts but looked eager to proceed.

I got up and stretched before bending my knees and getting into a fighting position. "Ready old man?" I said with a teasing grin, Brom grunted and attacked first.

I deflected the blow, I was used to moving the sword so it didn't seem too heavy or slow. However I still wasn't used to using it when fighting anyone and got a rap on my left forearm as a reminder to move quickly.

I took stop back and circled Brom warily. Brom went to strike but I moved, side stepping before spinning around and going into my original position. Brom had already shifted to stay facing me so I was now on his left. Using the flat of my sword, I managed to score a light hit on Brom's ribcage.

Brom grunted and backed away, turning to face me once more. The sweat flowed into my eyes and I felt my back grow hot due to the flame. I growled in annoyance and stepped away from the fire. Brom took a few quick steps and was on me, instantly I scored a hard hit to my right wrist.

I let out a small shout but I managed to hold onto my sword. The sword made me wrist ache with pain as I moved it, I shifted Ren to my left hand. I changed my stance slightly as well, turning more side on and becoming closer to the ground. My eyes darted around as I surveyed my surroundings while still focusing on Brom.

This time I charged at Brom, Brom stood his ground as he deflected sword blow after sword blow. I disengaged and Brom didn't follow me as I stood back for a moment. I reflected on my fighting style, unmeasured and powerful blows didn't seem to be working. However earlier when I struck lightly, quickly and thoughtfully I scored a hit.

Narrowing my eyes I lunged at Brom, my sword swinging for his left thigh. Brom brought his sword low and I pulled out of my lunge and went for an overhead cut. Using the crosspiece of his sword Brom deflected my hit. Without missing a beat, I combined different stances, positions and blows all the while moving around. I managed to score a few hits but Brom scored even more which were harder.

By the time we finished sweat was running into my eyes and my right wrist was killing me. My right leg felt sore and I felt like limping, however I was happy as I could see Brom limping slightly as well.

With a happy sigh, we ate dinner in silence before going to bed. Everyone with different amount of large welts.

Daret in the picture