Diamond Tomb (Memorial of Brom)

[Brenton]

Brenton sighed as he remembered that there had been no contact with his family. The Empire was constantly in danger, after this Eragon Shadeslayer had arisen. Now all Brenton had time for was a small trip to this tomb. Supposedly it was made by Murtagh's half brother, whoever the heck that was. Brenton fingered his new ring. It had the Empire's symbol on it with several runes carved into it. The ring was meant to keep Brenton and Vaentr under watch. Land here Vaentr. There could be people waiting in ambush. The large blue dragon snorted and replied. If there are, it's safer for us to be near each other. Brenton just ignored his overly protective dragon. Never before had there been enemies here. The statement was only to keep Vaentr out of the way. The elfling jumped down and ran up the slope. His father's tomb was just ahead.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh stood at the top of the slope alone. He was dressed in some of the finest clothing in all the Empire, it was only fitting after all. Who would expect him to dress like a peasant? He was practically the heir to the Empire thrown and what the Empire's Champion. Slung at his side was his crimson blade, Za'roc.

He knew Brenton was here due to the ring he carried. So he was unsurprised when he ran up the slope. Generally most of what Galbatorix knew Murtagh was privy to after all. He watched Brenton without saying anything only gesturing to him to join him at Brom's tomb. The tomb sparkled in the sunlight. Murtagh turned his attention back to the tomb, his face was unreadable. He didn't really know Brom, he had saved him and Eragon from the Razac and Brom had died soon after. At the time Murtagh had not been able to save him, but now he had more than enough power to have saved him. He regretted Brom's death, had he not died perhaps the old man could've helped him and Thorn, helped them avoid being enslaved to the Empire.

[Brenton]

Brenton wasn't really surprised when he saw Murtagh. It was only a small thing to deal with. Brenton walked over to Murtagh as he informed Vaentr of the Empire's involvement. Be careful Brenton. There is no real way to know what Murtagh will do. Vaentr started to look for Thorn. The red dragon would be difficult to hide, even with the cliffs. While his dragon searched, Brenton said to Murtagh. So, how is the Empire's Prince? Even when he was your ally, Brom was your enemy. Now that he is dead, I have a feeling that he may not have trusted you, yet he would of helped you as well as I. It was a terrible fate for the riders to have lost him. Brenton thought about the rider Eragon. If he were to show up then there could be problems, not for the Empire but for the Varden. Any news on the Varden? I hear that they are finding more riders and dragons. Brenton looked at the tomb and wished that he could have seen his father one more time before he died. At least Murtagh protected Brom for as long as possible.

Vaentr looked around and finally saw the ruby colored dragon. Thorn, I have news to bring to you. Our riders are up there but anyway, the great winds have brought the smell of smoke. I believe that the Varden are starting to grow and their fires are burning hotter. I fear they have decided to leave to attack us. We should attack before they hit us.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh looked up only when Brenton spoke. He gave only the slightest acknowledgement of Brenton's greeting. Empire Prince? That was something no one had called him before, but it was fitting to his position. He could see how others might compare it to him being a prince. He felt like more of a minion than a prince though. He had no choice but to serve the Empire.

He sighed and looked back at the tomb where Brom's still face could be seen from within. "It was a terrible fate for the riders to loose him," he agreed. "Eragon took it hardest." He rested his left hand on Za'roc's hilt before he continued. "I'm not so sure he would've helped me, he is and he is not my enemy."

His emotions for Brom were mixed had there been the chance he didn't know if Brom would've helped the son of Morzan. As for Brom being his enemy he wasn't sure. Brom had killed Murtagh's father, but Morzan had not been much of a father either. "The Varden always seem to be finding more riders. I have not been informed of anything new about the Varden. They seem to be waiting to regain their strength for now."

The topic of Brom kept coming up in his mind. He had been there when Brom died. "Did you know Brom well?" he asked. After all Brenton was one of Brom's sons.




Thorn was perched on an outcrop of rock not to far from Brom's tomb. He wasn't going to attempt to hide, he didn't need to. He looked up as Vaentr approached. He already knew that Vaentr's rider was with Murtagh. He was in constant contact with his rider and didn't have to be told about that. He ignored that though and lifted his head as if he could see the Varden from here. "Our informants have told use nothing of the Varden's intent to attack yet. And why would they ignite hot fires if they were to leave them behind and attack? If they have lit more fires they may have more men to feed or armor to make, but it would be foolish to attack them in their own camp just you and I alone."

[Brenton]

Brenton stood at the tomb and thought of his only memory of his father. Finally, the elfling replied. I knew him only as a father. His days and years were spent opposing this land. If there were people who knew him better, I would ask them. Brenton watched the air hit the diamond and make it almost shimmer. His next words came then. I have heard of Eragon. Only what others say though. So, in other words, he is a demon out of hell trying to burn all the houses with his dragon named Saphira. Yet, I heard that his name is not Shadeslayer but Bromsson. Could you describe my brother?

Vaentr stretched his wings a bit and curled up. His thoughts were those of hatred. He hated being treated like an enemy. It was not his fault that the king was going to hurt Brenton. Instead, Vaentr took the oaths and accepted being a minion. Suddenly the giant blue dragon remembered something. Does Murtagh speak with you of his past? I ask because I am the dragon of the Elven Prince yet I know nothing in my 12 years. Vaentr thought about how Shruikan had trained him to be evil. Yet Vaentr wanted freedom. He wanted to meet his rider's brother and dragon.

[Emiryal ♕]

Only as a father? Well certainly Brom would've been much better a father than Morzan had been. However, almost anyone would be a better father than Morzan. Who else threw their Rider Blade at their own son after all? The scar from that event was still with Murtagh and always would be both the emotional scar and physical.

"Eragon is not a demon out of hell nor is Saphira," Murtagh snapped. He was a bit surprised at himself for defending his half-brother so. But then again Murtagh had not chosen the Empire, it was Galbatorix that had made Eragon his enemy not him. "His name is both Shadeslayer and Bromsson. Eragon well he had brown hair and eyes and is about a head shorter than me. He is a better swordsman than most men," he said. He didn't know how much of a description Brenton wanted nor could he give to detailed of one. He had only traveled with Eragon for a short time, after that all their encounters were in battle. Then on second thought he added, "He has a kind heart though." After all Eragon had tried to help him and Thorn by telling them that if they could change their true name they would be freed.



Thorn watched the other dragon but did not try to pry into his thoughts, it was unnecessary. But he could tell there was something on his mind. "Yes Murtagh does speak of his past with me, though he does not speak of it often. Maybe your rider isn't ready to talk of his past yet. The past can be a painful thing to face," he said.

[Brenton]

Brenton sighed in dismay as he realized that there were things Murtagh knew. It seemed that Murtagh was more than Eragon's enemy, almost like family. Although he couldn't remember much about Brom, Brenton knew that Brom had loved him and Eragon. The only reason that Brenton didn't know his brother, or sister, was because of his stupidity. If he hadn't ran from his family in Ellesmera there might be a different outcome. Brenton felt Vaentr grow frusterated. If you didn't leave, you wouldn't know me. Brenton nodded slightly and asked Murtagh the question he knew was bothering him. How do you know Eragon Bromsson? And if you are so defensive of him, why do you fight him? Brenton looked at Murtagh and then turned back to the tomb.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh discussed his past openly with Thorn, but he didn't often talk about it with anyone else. Aside from Thorn, Galbatorix was probably the only one who knew his full past, and that was only because the mad king had broken into his mind. He shuddered at the memory of it. When he had met Eragon his mind had been his only sanctuary that hadn't been stolen from him. That had all changed now.

"I saved Eragon, Saphira and Brom from the Razac. After Brom's death I traveled with them for a while," he said. He didn't offer anything more than base fact, though that part of his past was better than most of it. During their travels Murtagh had saved Eragon and Arya in Gil'lead and had often spared with Eragon in the evenings. And now instead of sparing he fought Eragon as an enemy. "I don't want to fight Eragon," he said. "But by oaths to Galbatorix I have no other choice."

[Brenton]

Brenton frowned as he realized that the only way he could see Eragon was to have him as an enemy. Yet, his oaths to Galbatorix did not force Brenton to fight. Brenton decided he had tired of seeing his father's corpse. Good bye Father. I wish I'd been there to help. Brenton whispered as he turned to leave. He spoke to Murtagh. You may have to fight him, but my oaths do not make me fight Eragon. Brenton walked down the slope until he found a cave. Inside the cave was a sparrow's nest. Brenton wrote a note "Eragon: We need to talk. Come to the tomb. Don't bring anyone else with you. -Elven Prince" Brenton tied the note to the bird's leg and sent it to the Varden, and his brother.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh simply nodded but said nothing more. He wished that he could've been lucky enough to not be forced to fight Eragon. He didn't follow Brenton down to the cave. The fact was he didn't want to go into that particular cave. He had been there with Eragon and Brom. A rush of wind behind him announced Thorn landing behind him. He stroked the large dragon's neck before climbing into the saddle on his back and taking off.

[Rhaxta]

As they came to the end-point of their journey, Eragon and Saphira replayed their thoughts and feelings on opening the mysterious note they had received. Thankfully they had some opportunity to come here, despite the fact they were due to leave - soon. They were grateful for the distraction, although it did create tension.

''Why does an Elven prince wish to meet me here?''
''If it is here he meant. I cannot think of any other tombs, but I do not see how anyone could know of it....It may be a trap.''[/i]

Eragon grimaced; she did not have to voice her suspicion on this involving his half-brother Murtagh. As far as Eragon knew he was one of the few people that knew of Brom's tomb.

Saphira flew at a steady pace and now finally began her descent; long, lazy spirals like a bird of prey. Eventually she softly landed on the side on top of the rocky hillock. The tomb seemed to glow with the low angles of the sun. It was not long 'til nightfall.

Without a word, the pair's vision rolled over to the diamond tomb and remained. Beneath the precious stone Brom lay, exactly as he was when he died. Eragon's face remained dry until he looked at what he himself had written right after Brom's burial.

''...like a father to me.'' Eragon murmured, reading the words he had left on the tomb. He grimaced but remained silent, as Saphira rubbed her snout against his shoulder in comfort.

[Brenton]

Brenton felt his mind begin to wander as the time slipped by. It had been some time since he had eaten, so he took out a hunk of cheese and started eating. Then the air started to move faster and a glitter of blue passed across the sky, as if several saphires were falling in the cave. It wasn't really that big of a deal, since Vaentr was a blue dragon. Then the prince realized that the hue of blue was different. This blue was lighter than Vaentr's midnight blue and darker than Undbitr's blade. Brenton stood up and walked over to the cave entrance to see why the sky was changing color, as he ate the last of his cheese. The halfling turned and caught a glimpse of a tail so he reached out and spoke to Vaentr, his behemoth dragon that was at the base of the cliff. After discussing for a bit, Brenton decided to check it out and see the lighter blue dragon that had landed above him.

Brenton climbed the path and rose up to his full height. With his stunning resemblance to Brom and Islanzadi, he was shocked when he saw another rider. For the rider looked like Brom as well, yet without the obvious roughness that was on the peaceful corpse under the tomb. The other rider was staring at Brom and talking to his dragon, which was a brilliant blue female. Could this possibly be the famous Eragon and Saphira that he had heard about? Brenton walked up to the rider and spoke aloud. He was a great man, who fought bravely. I hear that he died protecting his son, who was a rider. Unfortunately I have never met the famous rider. Brenton relied upon the fact that his armor and wards would give him some notice of an attack. The training he had in Ellesmera would also help, since he had trained with many great fighters.

Vaentr grumbled as he saw the smaller dragon fly overhead. She was rather stunning yet also had an air of suspicion about her. The fact that she was here meant that someone had come to answer the message sent by Brenton. When his rider appeared at the entrance to the cave, Vaentr alerted him to the dragon and then told him to be wary. He watched as his young rider went up to the tomb and spoke to the other rider. Deciding to be noticed, Vaentr roared and breathed a small plume of flame into the air. The midnight blue flames flickered and heated the air by several degrees while tingling on his tongue. Vaentr snapped his jaws shut and waited.