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Eragon stood upon the beaches of the new land they had named their new home, his eyes watching the elvish ship that was quickly approaching from the great sea. Saphira stood next to him, both eager to greet the two new riders and Dragons that was on board that very ship. It had been a long trip for them and the experienced rider knew that the two newcomers would require a few days to rest before their training began.

Five years had passed since the fall of Galbatorix, five years since the Varden leader Nasuada had taken the throne and yet Eragon still did not feel like a wise teacher like that of Oromis. Three disciples had already arrived and were well underway of becoming fine riders, each learning the language of magic from the elves that came with them. But to Eragon he did not truly feel their master despite being so.

*Do not worry.* Saphiras voice whispered in his mind and he looked up to see her with what appeared to be a smile. He smiled in return and placed his hand on the cool scales of her foreleg. *You have proven more then enough that you are a fine teacher.*

Eragon's smile turned hollow. *Perhaps.* He muttered as he slowly looked back at the ship which had finally stopped on the docks the elves that came with them made. Soon the ship docked and the two began to step forward to greet the newcomers. However they stopped when a rather moderate sized dragon with silver scales, slightly smaller then Saphira herself, came bursting forth from the ship only to stun them when it stopped at the forest and began to expel what little it had in its stomach.

"Ha! Even though you ate nothing you still puke Iruk!" Laughed a deep voice and the two looked up to see a Urgal with strong features slowly walking down the railing, behind him a dwarf and a black dragon. The silver dragon, spitting once to clear its mouth, slowly raised its neck and growled while looking at the Urgal with dark green eyes.

Laughing once more the Urgal tossed its luggage to the ground leaving a wicked looking broadsword made of bone on his back. The dragon only snorted as he placed a large hand on his shoulder. "Aw, come now Iruk. You know it is quite unusual to see a dragon with motion sickness!"

The dwarf shook his head, his thick braided beard flowing around him as he walked up to Eragon. He bowed along with the black dragon, Eragon and Saphira gladly returning their own. "Greetings Shadeslayer." Began the dwarf as he brought his dark grey eyes up to peer at the rider, his face youthful and more then likely in his early teens. "I am Tholamin of Dûrgrimst Ingeitum and this is Otho, my dragon." The dragon bowed her head to them both. "It is an honour to meet you my brother.

Eragon smiled as he walked up to the smaller man. "Welcome then my friend. Tell me...what news from the dwarf king?" He asked as he shook the dwarf's hands. The man only chuckled before bringing a thick finger up to his head

"King Orik only says to take care of his nephew, lord." He grinned and Eragon blinked before laughing.

"The first dwarf!" He roared out in glee. "The first dwarf is related to my old friend. Oh how I wished to have seen his face!" The dwarf joined in the laughter and soon the two were in a deep discussion. Saphira smiled at them before nodding once again to the smaller black female, the dragoness returning her own once again but not saying anything.

Soon the blue brought her gaze up to watch the Urgal who was laughing and joking with the silver, a male. Saphira, for reasons unknown to her, felt her gaze going along his strong, lithe form from the tip of the tail with the odd fin to his head with two horns on either side of his head. A single pointed ear on his head suddenly flicked and he raised his head up to look at hers.

Saphira did not remove her gaze from Iruk's, her pride too great for her to look away. She was not ashamed of her peering eyes wondering over his form. The blue had claimed a mate once already and she was not ashamed of it, even if she was never to see the green drake for many years to come. But despite this she faltered, his green eyes all too familiar. As to who's she was reminded though she wished to never remember for her own sake

*Tell me of them Tholamin.* Saphira suddenly asked and Eragon relayed the question. The young dwarf looked over the the two, the Urgal suddenly laughing loudly.

"The Urgal would be Ultavrek, a member of a clan on the edge of the Hadarac desert. He is a rather foolhardy man, a runt as well. He was the smallest of his people and yet his father, also the chieftain, was quite surprised he was chosen to be the first of their entire race to be chosen." He shrugged as he turned back to them. "While I loathe to say it, he is also the friendliest creature I've ever seen. "

The dwarf suddenly turned back and looked at the silver dragon. "But that dragon, Iruk, is another story all together." He explained. "It was very rare the drake spoke on board the ship, not just because of his motion sickness mind you, but when I did it was strange to say the least." He began to twirl a finger in his beard, lost in thought. "It was....I do not know...like I was speaking to a man who had been relived of a terrible burden, like he was a slave freed from eternal imprisonment.

Saphira looked once more at the two standing a short distance down the white sandy beach. "Even in Alagaësia he was growing quite a reputation. Apparently during a visit to the elvish lands he healed a man blinded and somehow released him from a binding on his true name without the use of magic. Little did he expect the man to have once been that of Roran Stronghammer's wife's father." The dwarf shook his head. "Chaos ensued but in the end the man gave his blessing. Apparently the man only sought to finally make peace with himself and died not long after from...well by his own hand.

Now Eragon looked up at the dragon who was staring at the Urgal Ultavrek as he, for some strange reason, began cutting trees down. "So Sloan is dead. When was this Tholamin?" He asked as he turned to look at the young dwarf. Tholamin had a thoughtful look

"About four months ago I'd say." He replied and was about to say more when he was suddenly interrupted. All four turned to look at Iruk, his voice reverberating through their minds

*Sloan died five months ago.* The silver dark fixed, slowly standing up to walk towards them. *I sensed his binding from his true name and I also sensed his wish to ask forgiveness by Roran. So I helped him change.* Iruk bowed to them both. *it was a smart choice Eragon to have sent him to Ellesméra, to be judged worthy by the elves when they see fit.* The drake sat down nearby. *But it would've taken all his life to have accomplish this. I did not expect him to take his own life and for that I must ask for forgiveness."

Iruk looked up to the sky, his green eyes watching the clouds float by. "Seems even now sins will always haunt me.* Saphira blinked at his sentence! the drake looking down to smile and chuckle. *Oh! Forgive me but sometimes I may ramble on

Tholamin snorted suddenly. "Bah! Yet you barely said a sentence to me onboard the ship!" He spat and Iruk shook his head at him.

*Perhaps that may be because you begin talking to me just before I begin to barf Tholamin?* Iruk retorted and the dwarf was about to make a remark when Otho finally spoke.*Enough!* She scolded with a flick of her long tail. *Both of you act like small boys fighting over a piece of candy! Act your age!* both grumbled apologies and Eragon began to chuckle.

"Tell me Iruk..." Began Eragon as he looked to watch Ultavrek beginning to build something from thin trees. "...what is your rider doing? It appears as though he may be trying to build something."

Iruk looked back at the Urgal. *Ultavrek would be indeed building. I believe he is making a home for himself.* Eragon shook his head at that.

"That makes no sense." He murmured and both Saphira and Tholamin agreeing turn. "We have homes already built for each of you closer to where we shall train. H it will be much harder for us to contact both of you."

Iruk merely shrugged. *Perhaps but it is both of our wishes.* he turned to look over the gentle rolling waves of the ocean. *Ultavrek never saw the ocean until some days ago. Since then he continuously told me of how he would make a home on the shoreline so that he can sit upon the sands near sunset. He really is a strange one for an Urgal.*

Eragon watched the tall humanoid continue with his work, using the trees as a tee-pee. He suddenly shrugged. "Very well then." He breathed before beginning to leave, indicating Tholamin and Otho to follow. "We send someone to get you nice supper is ready."

Saphira stayed for a moment longer, continuing to watch Iruk. The silver's green eye looked at her and his head soon followed. *Is there something I can do for you Saphira?* He asked and Saphira shook herself from her reverie.

The blue shook her head. *No, forgive me but you remind me of someone.* she replied and Iruk cocked his head in amusement.

*Oh? I have not heard of anything about you meeting another silver dragon before.* He mused with a twinkle in his eye. *Or do you refer to Fírnen, Arya's dragon?* He turned back to the ocean and Saphra turned her gaze that way as well. Once more she shook her head.

*No, the person you remind me of died five years ago.* Saphira replied and Iruk sighed.

*Either you speak of Galbatorix, which I highly doubt, or...* He paused before looking at her once more with a blank look. *...or you speak of the one who apparently truly ended Galbatorix. I believe I heard a rumour of his name being Brand correct?*

Saphira slowly nodded and Iruk breathed. *He must have been a wonderful drake.* he murmured and Saphira gave him a look of confusion.

*Drake? Iruk I do not know where you heard of that but I can assure you...* she looked back at the ocean towards where she knew Alagaësia was. *...that Brand was a human. I do not know nor do I care where you heard that but he was an incredible man.* her voice suddenly died down in his mind. *But he was also a man with a terrible curse.*

Iruk merely pretended to not hear that last part. *Perhaps it is time for you to go. Ultavrek will soon require my aid.* the dragoness nodded before rising to her feet. Slowly she began to follow after where Eragon and the others had disappeared in the foliage and followed a large dirt trail.

*You like love sick pup!* Iruk snorted at the sound of his bond brothers voice. *It so obvious you yearn for Saphira!* The Urgal began to make thrusting movements. *You go bang lover already!*

Iruk snorted back laughter. *You are the strangest Urgal I have ever had the misfortune to meet!* He chuckled and Ultavrek only grinned before going back to work.

*Yes but you bound to this Urgal!* the brute snorted a retort. *Besides, it sense why we bound to each other no? I runt of clan, not too strong and you reborn immortal being with dark past. It make sense to me.*

Iruk rolled his green eyes. *I may have once been the human Brand Orson Ultavrek...* the drake replied before yawning loudly and resting his head down, his tail curling around his body. *But I am Iruk now. And Saphira must never know of my former identity. It...would do so much more damage then necessary.*

Ultavrek snorted. *Then what is point to be here?!* the Urgal argued while quickly spinning around to glare with angry pig yellow eyes. *You came here to be with love you no see in five years! Saphira may miss you too!* Iruk barely moved when the Urgal suddenly walked up to him and kicked him. *And wake up! Me need help with home!*

Iruk grumbled before throwing a wing over his head. *Ultavrek, I've lived hundreds of years with nothing but regrets. Let me rest for now. Plus I just recently puked my bloody brains out.* He muttered under his wing only to be kicked again.

*Get up Iruk! Oh I no get fish for you!*

Iruk slowly pulled his wing away and with a huff stood up. *Moron, we'll be getting food later tonight.* he turned his green eyes towards the small skeleton of a hut. *But I will help. Here.* the drake closed his eyes and the sand on the shore seemed to come to life, moving in wave-like motions until it was at the base of the structure. There it surged upward and soon walls formed in thick padded layers.

Ultavrek began leaping from foot to foot like giddy child. "Oh! Oh! Let me finish Iruk!" He exclaimed happily and he leaped forward. Murmuring in the ancient language the Urgal joined in to aid the dragon. Before long his home was complete, the manipulation of the earth fused to become thick sturdy walls which had been transformed into tough stone.

Ultavrek walked up to the building and gave a wall a quick slap, the wall keeping its ground. *Perfect.* the Urgal thought before turning to look back at Iruk. *As usual from us.*

Iruk rolled his eyes as he laid himself down once more. *Wake me when they call for us.* He murmured as he slowly fell asleep. Ultavrek watched his friend and companion for several moements before turning to leave. He began to mutter softly in the ancient language, the sands moving once again as the silver dragon slept.

-/-

Eragon sipped at his drink and carefully watched as the younger riders entered the large stone chamber that they had made the main hall. While the home and main gathering place of his was made of stone same as Doru Araeba it had a sense of modern to it as well. Massive stone pillars, each the width of a dragons neck, lay in rows around the food laden table at which the riders sat down. Behind them their respective dragons sat down with a rather large buck or doe sitting there ready for them to feed. By the end only four sat at the table excluding Eragon and Saphira who did not sit behind Eragon. instead she sat in the corner in what appeared to be a nest, a small round dark green egg against her belly.

Eragon greeted each of the riders in turn comprising of two elves, a human, and the dwarf Tholamin as well as their dragons and life long Partners. They in turn gave their own greetings before Eragon finally noticed that Ultavrek and Iruk were missing from their gathering. Eragon merely assumed they were running late and he took yet another sip of the cool liquid before the few elves that came here with him arrived. However when the wolf styled Blödhgram took his seat next to him the rider began to worry.

"Whoa, that big table!" A deep excited voice yelled and the riders and elven spellcasters turned to watch as the Urgal slowly pulled a massive rectangular box several times his own height in, a small bag on his back. Behind him came Iruk, his walking regal like that of a noble king. Both stopped at the end of the table opposite of Eragon whom stood up in curiousity. Ultavrek placed his hands on the stone table, his eyes large like that of a child seeing something incredible. "It biggest I ever seen!"

Eragon chuckled only to frown when the human rider, a tall dark fellow with a strong body, slammed his fist on the stone. "The bloody hell is a Urgal here?" He grumbled angrily before turning his eyes to Eragon. "I ain't ever heard of an Urgal as a rider and i sure as hell know they don't deserve it! They are nothin' but monsters, the lot of 'em."

Eragon was about to explain the situation only to have Iruk do it for him. *Because Lord Eragon has made it such five years ago.* he explained to the young human. *He did so to make peace between the races. I had assumed that everyone knew. Am i wrong in this?*

Eragon shook his head. "No, you are right Iruk. Much of Alagaësia has heard of this however young Henric was the first to have been made a rider. He has been with us four and a half years ago but his past is a sad one. His village had been destroyed by Ultavreks people and since his hatred has never ceased for them. If Elron had not hatched for him id fear the worst."

Iruk shook his head sadly. *I see.* He muttered before suddenly surprising them all by bowing to the man. *Forgive me but I must ask you leave your hatred elsewhere. Ultavrek is a kind man, his soul pure and true. He seeks nothing but peace and even refused to join his brother during the earlier years of Galbatorix's rule. Because of this he was banished for many long years despite being a young one yet even then his will was strong. From distance he watched and he waited. Five years ago he even aided in the fight against Galbatorix.*

He fell in silence and Henric watched the moderate sized drake before spitting off to the side. "Puh, whatever." He gritted before leaning back and throwing his booted feet on the table. "Still don't like it."

And with that they all relaxed but Eragons curiosity finally got the best of him, the box drawing his attention. "Tell me what is in there?" He used and even Saphira looked up to watch as the urgal began to become excited.

"Oh! Oh! Its a gift from us to you!" Ultavrek said joyously before running up to the box and kicked it. Iruk stopped to the side as the four sides fell, one almost hitting his side. The riders stared at the massive block of sand before Henric began to laugh.

"Some fucking gift that is Urgal!" He laughed in glee and the violet dragon behind him chuckled as well. "What, you just grab it from the beach?" He stopped however and blinked when Ultavrek actually agreed.

"But now we do what we really wish to do!" He laughed before spinning about. The Urgal looked up at the dragon and they nodded to each other. Closing their eyes they fused their minds i to one, a trick They had accidentally stumbled on over a year ago. Soon they began to chant in the ancient language through Ultavreks mouth, the sand cube slowly falling apart piece by small piece. It didst fall to complete pieces but only until a rather large shape resembling a dragon curled around the shape of a man stood in its place.

Then they finally broke the mind link only for Ultavrek to continue on with his chanting. Both began to move, Iruk replacing where the urgal once stood. *Keep morphing the sand Ultavrek!* The silver ordered and Ultavrek rolled his eyes.

*You take deep breath then!* Ultavrek retorted as his chanting grew louder, Eragon watching quite impressed with Ultavrek knowledge in the ancient language. Once finished he would need to learn where he had been taught. The others around them watched stunned as the dragon began to take a deep breath, the other dragons watching silently and even Saphira watched with a quiet curiosity gently she brought her nose down and nudged her egg closer to herself before looking back up.

Iruk took one final inhalation. *Now! Change things up!* the drake roared in Ultavreks mind before spewing pure white flames from his maw. Because of where he was standing his flames blew across the sand and began to heat the small stones until red hot and out the doorless entryway. Ultavrek meanwhile switched the way he spoke in the language of magic, his voice sounding almost like he was singing a deep chorus.

After several moments Iruk calmed his breath to a low blow, a small trickle of flames keeping the statue warm. Eragon began to see finer details on the statue but his eyes were drawn to the man standing in front of the dragon, the stone familiar. But then the stone began to glow a soft white light, Ultavreks voice changing once again. When the light disappeared the stone statue had been transformed completely into glass, the man in the middle finally showing who he was representing.

It was Brom, a much younger version of him. His hands rested on the pommel of a longsword, the tip dug straight into the ground between his feet. The man had his head bowed, his eyes closed in what appeared to be respect while a thick cloak was frozen in time as a non-existent wind blew it. Around him lay what Eragon supposed was the first Saphira, Brom's dragon, who was curled all around with her eyes staring fiercly yet respectively ahead. At Broms feet was a simply sentence.

"May Brom forever watch over this city of heros."

With watering eyes the rider stood slowly up and Saphira stared wide eyed as he slowly walked around the massive table to stand before the glass statue. Ultavrek and Iruk stood to the side, allowing him more room to examine the realistic piece of work. "How...how did you..."

He stopped when Ultavrek removed the bag on his back only to produce a small white tablet. "We find in Doru Araeba! We give to you for allowing us to train!" The urgal bowed with a large grin on his face before handing the tablet to him. Eragon took it, tears falling as he saw his father standing in the middle of three men, one a younger version of Galbatorix smiling and the other Brand who was trying to hide a small smile aaa well. Behind them sat two dragons, one a very pale blue and the other a light green and both not much bigger then the men themselves. Both stared down at the trio with smiles, the scene all too perfect as Brom held his two friends.

*We found it during a trip to Doru Araeba, wishing to see the once beautiful city of the old riders.* Iruk explained when Eragon looked up t him. The blue finally sat down to relax himself, slightly tired from being out of breath. *We had explored very little but stumbled upon this. We thought it may be important and brought it back with us home. What we did not expect was to find his grave and at that moment we knew you would want this.*

Eragon wiped his tears as he looked back down at the painting, what he knew to be a fairth. "This is...incredible." He whispered before turning walk back to the other end of the table. There he placed the fairth down and looked up to see the others staring at him silently. "Well then, shall we begin?" He laughed before sitting down and soon they began to eat. Ultavrek took his own seat and Iruk sat behind him, his green eyes watching the rest. Bending down he finally began to eat.

*A bit of a show off don't you think?* Iruk grumbled before looking up to see Otho watching him. *Tell me... who are you really?*

Iruk cocked an eyebrow ridge in mock interest. *What do you mean?* he mused before returning to his meal. The black dragoness only shook her head before returning to her own.

*You oddly have a fairth from Doru Araeba, made a statue with an Urgal in perfect detail to Eragons father, and have a strange air around you. You...* She ripped a hunk of flesh before swallowing the massive chunk. *...must not be what you seem to be.*

The sliver dragon only smirked as he ate. *Then tell me what it is I am.* he chuckled lightly before turning serious. *Otherwise I see no use in continuing in this conversation. Have a good night Otho.* the dragoness tried to stop him from sealing his mind but it was no use, his wall already in place to stop her from getting in.

*You should show kindness to the others Iruk.* he sighed when he realized he did not seal his mind from the others. Looking up he peered at Saphira who was carefully wrapping herself against her egg. He shrugged before returning to his meal. *They will soon be your fellow trainees, would it not be best to have allies rather then enemies?*

*I did not come here to make friends.* he replied cruely as he looked up at her. Her gaze did not waver from his own which was cruel and hard, yet she also saw a light in them. A light she could only say was some kind of yearning.

*Then what do you want from here?* She slowly asked and he looked away. *You show signs of knowledge that far exceed any of the other young ones here so why did you come?*

Iruk did not look at her as he went down once more to eat. *I have my reasons.* He shot and Saphira snorted.

*Now I am curious Iruk.* He looked back up at her only to pause, his eyes locking onto his own. *Who are you really?* they stared in silence for several moments, neither backing out of their little staring contest. Finally however he stood up and pardoned himself from the table. Turning he began to leave. *Oh? Did i just win? Too bad.* he turned to look back at her, Saphira smiling coyly at him. *I had assumed i had finally found someone who could actually withstand my glaring.*

Iruk stared at her with a strange look before laughing. *So strange.* he giggled and Saphira joined in his laughter. Soon though he stopped and watched as she chuckled lightly with her eyes closed. *Yet...so beautiful. Just like...* He stopped himself before he accidentally said anymore. At first he prayed that the dragoness did not hear his quiet whisper but he was wrong when she looked back up at him.

*Just like what?* she asked and Iruk looked back at the entryway. With nervous eyes he looked back at her for a moment before back at the door. She cocked her head in curiousity, somehow...recognizing the way he spoke just then. *Iruk?*

*I have to go.* He explained then turned and fled from the room, Eragon watching as he did so. The rider finished eating a small plate of food and turned in his chair to face Saphira, whose face had grown rather depressed. Wonder decorated his face as well as worry.

"Is everythng alright?" He asked but Saphira stared blankly at the doorway where Iruk once stood. She did not answer him and soon he tried to merge his mind with hers to see what was wrong. The dragon however pushed him away and closed her mind from the others, her eyes slowly going down to the egg she and Fírnen had both made.

*No it couldnt be...could it?* she whispered to herself as she gently licked the round object against her belly. Soon she looked back up to the door, hope suddenly filling her heart. *Is Iruk...somehow Brand?*