Back to Normal (Brenton and dragonkin)

[Quetzal]

Isrydia and Arlyn hadn't been aiming to fly anywhere in particular. They had simply headed for the cluster of human towns and cities that clung to Alagaesia's western side and found themselves near Belatona. The Varden had the larger part of their force living there or camped around its borders. Despite not being members of the Varden themselves, they had numerous friends within those forces so had decided to pay them a visit. Arlyn's scales glinted ice blue as he wheeled joyfully in the sky, his Rider relishing the feeling of the wind on her face and having full control of her body once again. It was peaceful up here. She could forget her troubles, if only for a little while. Until recently she and Arlyn had been possessed by a pair of witches, and the things they had seen the witches do with their own bodies had left lasting mental trauma. They had helped a mad Rider steal a dragon egg from the Varden with the intent to kill it, had slaughtered an innocent village just because, and had even fought one another, Rider against dragon. Their closest friend, Brenton, had managed to help free Arlyn and together with his own first dragon Vaentr had freed Isrydia, too. In the process, however, Brenton's dragon, whom Arlyn considered a brother, had died. Brenton himself had raised a host of questions in the duo's minds, but right now they didn't want to think about the terrible things the witches did or their friend's death or whatever was wrong with Brenton.

A second pair of blue wings, these a deep intense blue rather than a pale near-white, joined them. Isrydia smiled at first, knowing it would be a Varden Rider and so a potential new friend, but then she saw the Rider's face. He was scowling at her, a dark grim expression that in no way heralded any good news. Their dragons both held still in the air. Isrydia recognised the man, of course; it was Eragon. She'd met him once before, on that strange day when the dead had returned to life, and there was no way she could have escaped knowledge of his prowess in battle. She had never planned to cross him, yet it seemed she had done so unknowingly.

"Why are you back here? You were the one who helped Rerukusu steal that dragon egg, weren't you?" Eragon shouted. Saphira was much bigger than Arlyn, and let out a warning growl as she began to circle them.

Isrydia could have kicked herself. It may not have been her committing such a terrible crime, but it had been her's and Arlyn's bodies. "No! That wasn't us, honest. We were possessed by witches, and-"

"Sure you were. Convenient excuse, eh? You side with the Empire, there's no hiding it. Leave if you value your life," Eragon replied cooly.

"I'm telling the truth! Brenton Bromsson can vouch for me, and Grazael if he left an Eldunari behind," Isrydia paused. "Arlyn and I were possessed by witches when we aided Rerukusu and were not free until a few days ago," she insisted in the Ancient Language this time. It was impossible to lie in the Ancient Language, so Eragon and Saphira would have to believe them.

The other Rider and dragon spent a moment going over her words, making sure there was no way she could have found a loophole that allowed her to appear to say one thing but mean another. Finally they decided she must be telling the truth. They relaxed, but were not entirely trusting of her. "Grazael is dead?" there was a deep sadness in Saphira's voice when she responded to Isrydia and Arlyn. She had not know him that well, but there were few enough dragons around as it was. Arlyn bowed his head solemnly in response. She dipped her wings, heading towards the ground. "We should talk more on the ground where it's easier to hear each other," she insisted.

Arlyn followed the older dragon, and the two landed gently. Isrydia and Eragon slid off their respective dragons' backs and walked towards each other. There was still some tension in the air, but at least there was no more threat. "I met you before, on the Utgard mountain when the dead came back. They showed us a mental image of you after you and Reru broke in. It's Isrydia, isn't it? And Arlyn?" Eragon wasn't sure if he'd remembered their names correctly.

"Yes. We know who you are. If you didn't know Grazael was dead, I suppose news hasn't reached you, then. You're Brenton's half-brother, so you have a right to know. We've got a lot to talk about," Isrydia prepared to explain all she had noticed while sitting helplessly captive in her own mind.

[Brenton]

Brenton had, until recently, been holed away in Ellesmera learning about his powers that he still could not fully understand what was happening to him. Yet he knew enough to know that he need not be evil just because he was in possession of a cruxis crystal or because he was now formed from dark magic that few even remembered much less knew about. So the king had donned his old riding clothes, a simple leather vest that was tied from the bottom to halfway up with a silk undershirt underneath. His legs were covered by leather and cotton as well as metal, golden, greaves that he wore in honor of Grazael now. On his arms he had bracers that were also golden and shoulder guards made of the same material while upward was a gold and silver gem encrusted crown that he wore because few would recognize or respect the leaf crown. He had a dark blue riding cloak on that he quickly had drawn the hood up to hide his face as the king donned the leather belt that sported both his swords as well as his yew bow and arrows across his back.

As an afterthought, Brenton slipped a pair of leather gloves over his hands to hide the cruxis crystal before he walked to his horse, a white stallion with a blaze of black over his face. This was three days ago that Brenton had done all of this and made his trip to Belatona where maybe he could seek council from his half brother or even if he was lucky another rider. Too much was going on that the king could not explain anymore but he was going to visit the Varden and that was final.

It was on the third day that Brenton saw the ice blue dragon being confronted by a larger dark blue dragon, both of whom had riders on their backs. He knew both of these pairs and it pained the king, to a degree, to see his brother and his old friend fighting with each other for whatever reason. Going on instinct alone, Brenton spurred the stallion ahead and soon he was right next to where the two had landed, already dismounting but keeping his hood up to conceal himself from unwanted eyes.

Why do you two fight with each other when you are both basically on the same side of this war that we fight right now? Do you not realize that arguing with your allies, no matter what they may have done in the past, will only help the king in his mad tirade? If you continue then I will bash you both over the head and Arlyn should know that neither Saphira nor he can stop me if I so choose to attack my own kin or my friends. Now behave and listen to reason Eragon, Isrydia, or so help me I will follow up with whatever threats I make and then drag you both in front of Nasuada herself to have her deal with you.

[Dragonkin]

Saphone was flying away from the empire to join the Varden and hurt badly from wounds sustained at the hands of Murtagh because he had lived away from the elves empire and varden and when he heard what happened to Oromis he went to attack murtagh. He moaned and winced as the pain was becoming harder and harder to ignore soon he spotted 2 dragons with their riders and an elf of great power. Saphone was about to tell Tintaglia to land when he fell off her as Saphone crashed to the ground(close enough to survive the fall) and became unconscious. The last thing he heard was Tintaglia shrieking out of fear of losing her partner. Suddenly Tintaglia became very weak due to the extensive wounds she had received from Thorn and crashed to the ground unconscious beside him.

The crash made by Tintaglia was loud enough that the 2 riders and dragons and elf to stop what they were doing and looked up to see what happened.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia, Eragon, Saphira and Arlyn all turned as hoofbeats preceded the arrival of their friend. The hood would keep his identity hidden from most, but he was facing them and they could recognise his voice. Eragon spoke first. "Sorry, Brenton. It was a misunderstanding. I thought Isryida and Arlyn had turned, but apparently they were possessed. Is that true?" he trusted the king to be honest.

Isrydia was glad to hear Brenton sounding like his normal self. She and Arlyn did notice with a pang of sadness the gold glinting on his attire in respect for the fallen dragon. Saphira noticed it too. "Isrydia was just telling us about your loss. I'm truly sorry. I wish I could have been there to save him," she said this all completely seriously, the upset clear in her voice. There were more Riders come out of hiding or had dragons hatch for them since she and Eragon had firsts stumbled while thinking they were alone aside from Galbatorix as Rider and dragon. All the same, there were precious few dragons, maybe a couple of dozen.

"I hope you're doing well now. When we last saw you, there was something very strange about you," he and Isrydia had put it down to grief, but he hadn't seemed sad so much as just angry. They'd seen him sad before. He would have shown more caring and feeling, but not a tear was shed during that fight. Arlyn wasn't sure how much Brenton wanted Eragon and Saphira to know, so sent a few images of Brenton turning into Vaentr and looking and acting cold and furious. That should let Brenton know what he was referring to without giving anything away.

An almighty crash caught the attention of all four of them. A sound that loud had to be indicative of something tremendously large hitting the ground at speed. They'd heard something alive shrieking, too. Whatever it was would be hurt. Isrydia looked at Eragon and Brenton. "That sounded like a dragon. Come on, they must be in trouble!" she didn't wait for their response before she dashed off. Arlyn took off, using the advantage of height to see more around him and locate the people in trouble.

Eragon ran after her. His legs had elven strength so could run faster than her humans ones, but until Arlyn found their target that was of little help. Finally the ice blue dragon sent an image to Isrydia of a green and blue dragon lying unconscious next to a boy in his mid teens who must be his Rider. Isrydia picked up speed as she had a purpose, and Arlyn touched the minds of Eragon, Saphira and Brenton to relay the image to them as well.

Kneeling down next to Saphone, Isrydia and Eragon both checked his wounds. Eragon had seen more battle injuries that Isrydia, so was more capable of adopting the role of carer. He peeled Saphone's shirt off his bloodied chest to stop fluff getting in the wounds, then looked to Isrydia. "He's been in a fight, so we should keep out guard up. Arlyn should stay in the air and watch for anyone coming. We need to clean these wounds before we can see exactly where the damage is so we can heal them. The dragon's hurt badly, too, but it'll take more energy to heal her. Between us we should manage," he remained calm as he dealt out instructions. Arlyn's eyes scanned the area for any sign of attackers.

Saphira knew best out of the group which of Tintaglia's wounds were the most serious, being a dragon herself. Some of them were surprisingly bad. There was no way she would let another dragon die, however, especially not so soon after Grazael. Eragon was busy condensing water out the air and using it to wash away the blood. Once that was done, he used more magic to knit tissue and skin back together. The spells would take a while to complete, since he wanted to be careful to make sure he reattached everything correctly and the human body was complex. Since Eragon was busy, Saphira showed Isrydia and Brenton where the more serious of Tingtaglia's injuries were. Isrydia set to work on a nasty one near her right wing, using information from Saphira and Arlyn to work out how the different tissues to be worked back together.

[Dragonkin]

Tintaglia started to gain consciousness just as she was healed by Isrydia and Brenton she looked around in alarum and confusion then noticed her rider her dear saphone bleeding terribly and knocked eragon aside as she started to become protective of him.... She didnt know anything about these people and she wasnt gonna have someone she doesnt know messing with her partners body.....

[Brenton]

Brenton was getting ready to heal a wound just to the left of Tintaglia's wing when she woke up and attacked Eragon who was helping Saphone with his injuries. The king knew this rider and dragon from somewhere, Ellesmera, but how did he recognize them and what was he going to do? With his mind made up, Brenton stood up and cast his hood aside to reveal his face to the dragon while he spoke in a commanding voice. Tintaglia! Stand down and let Eragon heal Saphone or he is likely to die under your wing because dragons can't control their magic. Do not make me do something I will regret but if you attack my brother again then I will be forced to restrain you while we finish.

The king knew that the dragon would know who he was because he knew that she had been with Saphone when Osilon was attacked and had reported to him and Drayden about it. So Brenton expected the dragon to listen but at the same time he was holding back his anger to keep from changing into Vaentr who would be less likely to control himself.

I have changed since you left Ellesmera so long ago, one of those changes being my current condition. I can't shed tears or show emotions outside of anger, my body can be destroyed but I can not die, strength comes to me easier than it would to most, I am now able to connect with Vaentr through dark magic known as cruxis crystals that should have been forgotten. So I am fine but what you saw is who I am most of the time now unless I choose to avoid a fight which was impossible that day when you killed Grazael.

Brenton spoke to Arlyn through a mental link to explain why he was able to turn into Vaentr and rarely showed any type of emotion. It was difficult to explain but Brenton hoped that the dragon and his rider understood what the king was saying to them about his behavior. As for Eragon, Brenton looked at his brother and nodded in confirmation of the younger rider and her dragon having been possessed by witches at the time of his fight. He had driven them out, or one of them, while Arlyn and Isrydia put up a great fight to free themselves with Vaentr and himself helping them throughout the time.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia was relieved to see Tintaglia awaken. Less so was she to see her knock Eragon aside. He had been fully focused on visualising Saphone's injuries and working the spell. Tintaglia broke his concentration. It could have had disastrous consequences for Saphone but before the spell could break and leave him with a gaping wound trying and failing to close and whatever else the spell would do when gone sour, Eragon carried on. He hurriedly assessed the damage as he spoke flowing almost poetic words in the Ancient Language. Luckily he seemed to have returned to the spell just in time. Saphone's recovery could continue.

Isrydia and Saphira joined in Brenton's attempts at settling Tintaglia down. Isrydia was alarmed by the dragon's actions. She moved away from her for fear she might be struck too. "We mean to help you! You must have heard of Eragon, you must know he's a good person. He'll help your Rider,"

Saphira had been in this situation before, having to watch someone else lay their hands on Eragon while he was injured while she watched helpless. She sympathised with Tintaglia. "I know you must be confused to wake up and find us all around suddenly. Our kind of magic is random and can't help in this situation. It's frustrating not being able to help, believe me, I know. Eragon knows what he is doing. By all means watch him carefully to make sure he doesn't try anything if you don't trust him, but let him concentrate or the healing will be much harder. You should let Isrydia and Brenton here heal your own wounds, too. My name is Saphira, by the way, and up there Arlyn is keeping watch for us." she remembered to introduce the others to avoid confusion. She was trying to comfort Tintaglia in the same way she would want to be comforted if it were Eragon who was hurt.

While Isrydia below moved back to Tintaglia to try healing her, Arlyn above was saddened by Brenton's tale. It all made sense and he understood, but that didn't make him happy about it. "Unable to feel any emotion outside anger? Brenton, I would hardly call that fine... that sounds like a terrible existence to lead," his voice sounded tearful, if a dragon's could. His feelings were somewhere between sympathy, disappointment at what Brenton had done to himself, and sadness with a pinch of pity.

[Dragonkin]

Tintaglia began to move away so Eragon could continue healing her Rider

Saphone started to wake up as Eragon finished and moaned slightly after sitting up then felt like a million eyes were on him and ducked behind Tintaglia out of shyness and fear.

Who are you people and where am I? he said his voice shaking

[Brenton]

Brenton sighed and smiled at Saphone as he ducked his head that had already been uncovered from his hood. This rider should recognize him even though he was not wearing the leaf crown because few people could pull off such things as commanding a dragon without being killed. Saphone, my name is Brenton Bromsson. We met in Ellesmera when you were there to explain about Osilon being attacked and I had to deal with that shade. This rider who is helping you is my half brother, Eragon Shadeslayer, the Varden rider who brought hope to the land of Alagaesia and is the reason so many riders are coming forth again. His dragon is the blue one over there, Saphira Brightscales, majestic and named after our father's dragon for which she is colored the same. The female rider here is Isrydia, a very promising young rider who has brought many a times to my life where I was not angry teaching her. Her dragon is Arlyn, the...the adoptive brother of Grazael who was my old dragon.

When introductions were done, Brenton ducked his head to honor Grazael because he knew that it was partially his fault for not seeing the danger of his friends being possessed. Finally he looked up and smiled slightly to show all was well and moved over to Tintaglia in order to finish healing her wounds. The dragon was wounded along the side next to the wing and if it got any worse then there would be serious issues with flying because the muscles would tear more.

So Brenton started his spell, a complex singing that seemed to fill the air, while he placed his hands over the wound right next to the left wing. He was knitting together muscles and tendons while healing any internal bleeding that may have started. This was more difficult because it actually required internal healing and repair unlike simply healing a cut. Finally he got to the skin and Brenton finished by watching the skin and scales heal over to reveal what looked like perfect scales and flesh.

[Quetzal]

Eragon was too busy concentrating on Saphone to notice Tintaglia giving him space, but Saphira was grateful. There was just little more work to be done. When the worst of Saphone's wounds were closed up, he stood and stepped back, smiling in satisfaction. They were not completely healed - Saphone's body would restore the tissues back to how they had been organised before and it would have taken him a long time to repair each cell and rearrange them all. Saphone should feel an ache and would be tired and stiff in movement for a while. He could see the younger Rider was confused, too.

"Brenton covered the introductions," Eragon confirmed, "but as for where you are, you're outside the Varden camp around Belatona. Isrydia and I had just started talking when Brenton arrived, and soon after we heard you crash. How did you get so badly hurt?" his voice was gentle.

Isrydia remembered the golden scale that had hit her in the face when Grazael had quite literally exploded. She, or rather the witch possessing her, had caught a couple of scales as some sort of trophy. She still had the fading thin cut across her cheek and both scales, although she kept them for sentimental reasons. She took one from her pocket. "Brenton, I'd forgotten. The witch possessing me caught a couple of Grazael's scales. You can have one if you want," she offered it to him.

Saphira watched Brenton work a healing spell on Tintaglia. "These wounds are nasty. You should rest before you fly again, or you might fall again. Where does it hurt most?" she asked.

[Dragonkin]

I am glad to meet you Eragon Shadeslayer and me and Tintaglia were wounded by Thorn and Murtagh when we went to destroy them out of vengence for killing Oromis our master as well as yours no doubt and we just couldnt stay conscious much longer after we spotted you then when i started to fall the last thing i remember is Tintaglia giving a loud shriek out of concern for me then the rest you know Saphone explained to them..

Tintaglia was hurt more than i but i dont know how she managed to stay awake longer than i did....

[Brenton]

Brenton looked over at Isrydia and suddenly blushed from the memory or what he had done after the fight with the witches. In his desperation and concern, the king had kissed Isrydia and basically begged her to return instead of dying there on the ground. It had been strange because he had nearly forgotten until he saw how she looked when talking about the scales and he remembered how she had looked peaceful when on the ground. That had been what had done if for him the most, and was what he would blame, was her being there unconscious and peaceful on the ground.

Brenton shook his head slowly and looked away from the girl, letting his hair fall in his eyes while hoping no one had noticed his embarrassment. This shouldn't happen if he was going to be purged of blood but maybe that part hadn't happened yet and so the king would just have to be more careful around situations like this. I still have his eldunari just like I have Saphira's, because it is too difficult to let go entirely of that which is your past. You keep the scales because it will mean more to you and Arlyn than it will to me if you have them with you.

Brenton still couldn't look at Isrydia, knowing that his cheeks were still red, so he looked over at Eragon and Saphira to see what they were doing. Eragon, there is much I must talk to you about. Most of it has to do with what you will eventually find out about and I would rather you find out about my condition from me than to hear a garbled version from elsewhere. Later we must talk. Now all Brenton was doing was stalling the inevitable of looking back at Isrydia and Arlyn.

[Dragonkin]

Saphone stared at the king confused and then more puzzled at everyone else because he was still unconfortable and then felt a shadow looming over him as Tintaglia stood by him comforting him as she knew he was still scared.

Little one these are friends you need to be more friendly. Alright ill do at least for you saphone said hugging her.
Oww he screeched still in pain from the damage murtagh inflicted on him and fell to the ground as he had no energy left in his body to sustain his weight and a wave of nausea passed but his body still hurt like a thousand horses had just run over him...

[Quetzal]

((Dragon, could you make it clearer when someone is speaking? Putting speech marks "like this" around speech makes it clearer, or you could make it bold or coloured to make it stand out. It's just hard to tell when someone starts or finishes speaking in your posts right now.))

Arlyn had been lazily floating above, listening through Isrydia's ears. When Brenton mentioned he still had Grazael's Eldunari, his wings stopped beating and he dropped a dozen feet in shock and happiness. He cried out joyfully to the whole group. "My brother's body is dead, but his mind lives on!" it was still a terrible thing to have happened, and even Grazael's mind would never be the same, but at least the dragon wasn't completely dead. He'd given up his Eldunari already after all. Arlyn himself hadn't planned on giving his up until he was larger so it could accommodate a larger, older mind. Should he die now, he'd be gone for good.

Isrydia nodded and returned the scale to her pocket. "That's good news. I hope Grazael learns to cope without a body," she thought it would be terrible to have all you were in just an orb. Unable to do anything a body could; move, eat, breathe, fly, taste, make a noise, hear, feel, smell, or see.

Eragon nodded to Brenton. "Might be I can help you if you need it," he replied. Even if Brenton didn't think he needed any help, the impression he was getting was that he would need some. Isrydia and Arlyn had made it seem that while he was stronger, emotionally and spiritually he was worryingly damaged and astray.

Saphone fell then. Isrydia reacted fastest, grabbing him and pulling him back to his feet. "Easy, you're still weak. Hold onto Tintaglia if you need to," she told him. Noticing another wound on Tintaglia, she healed it up quickly. It had been a clean and simple cut, but was oozing blood and had needed healing. She felt the sap on her strength and tried asking again. "I met Murtagh once. He didn't seem all that bad to me. I know he killed Oromis and Glaedr, but he and Thorn both seemed like normal people. More full of anger than most, but decent," she mused.

Eragon glowered. "Murtagh and Thorn did not kill Oromis and Glaedr," he said too harshly. Saphira touched his shoulder with her muzzle. "Little one," she murmured to him sympathetically. He softened a little. "Galbatorix was possessing them at the time. Glabatorix killed Oromis and Glaedr, not Murtagh and Thorn. My brother is strong, too strong, but he can't be evil. He has good in him, I know it," he said stubbornly. Inside he was deeply upset that Murtagh had attacked another Rider. They had been friends. They had saved one another's lives, and he refused to believe that Murtagh would do all this evil out of choice. It was a touchy subject for him. He didn't show how sad he was about where Murtagh had ended up, but he was clearly defensive about the young man. Eragon paused. "You were taught by Oromis and Glaedr as well, then? He seems to have trained many besides me while in hiding. I keep finding out about them. Glaedr doesn't see any point in just telling me all their names, either,"

[Brenton]

Brenton finally looked back at Isrydia and shrugged before he saw Saphone begin to fall as well yet no matter how fast he was he was too slow. The female rider had caught him first and that was a shock but still made sense that she was growing faster. Eragon you may not like what you find out about me since it is very dark magic in normal situations. But just know that I tried to avoid resorting to what I did because I can't stand dark magic anymore than I can the thought of what I did under Galbatorix. Trust me, he is very good at twisting people but I still believe Murtagh is good and he even allowed me to escape in the long run.

Brenton took a glove and started at the fingers before pulling on it to remove the leather that was covering his skin. It covered more than just skin though, a lot more than skin. For there was a crystal underneath that he had made from Vaentr's eldunari that at the moment was swirling with light while Vaentr listened. The king felt the glove come off and the cruxis crystal was in the air but he hesitated before finally uncurling his fingers to show the crystal that was embedded in his palm.

Everyone in the group would be able to see the crystal but Brenton highly doubted anyone who wasn't trained in Ellesmera would know about the cruxis crystal. That was, anyone who wasn't able to read all of the tomes in Oromis' hut when they had the chance. Brenton had found the information about the cruxis crystal in the hut when he was looking at what he had missed out on. Now he knew that these three riders were likely to have at least seen mention of the dark magic at some point or another.

Isrydia is right in the fact that I am not like I once was, unaffected by the world and able to take anything. This thing in my hand here is called a cruxis crystal, made from Vaentr's eldunari, and it is the reason I am not like I was or why I can't feel pain or most other emotions aside from rage. There is a story behind what happened and I will explain that to you later if you must know but you will have to know what it can turn me into as well and for that I want Saphira, Arlyn, and Tintaglia to be ready to protect you in case my anger overwhelms me.

Brenton slipped the glove back over his hand and watched his half brother before he walked over away from the three riders and their dragons. He dropped to a knee and touched the ground with one hand, the one with the crystal, while he bowed his head to the world and closed his eyes. The king took a deep breath and then a bluish gold aura surrounded him while the consciousness of Vaentr filled Brenton's body. Wings sprouted from his back and his body grew while scales rippled from his skin to cover that which should have been flesh. His eyes grew feral but soon calmed down slightly while he grew a tail and his face elongated into Vaentr's. Within a matter of seconds the king was gone and Vaentr was there, staring at Eragon, Isrydia, and Saphone. Let them try and attack him, he would squash these pathetic humans where they stood and their dragons wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

No you won't, Vaentr! Eragon is my brother, Isrydia and Saphone are friends. They are not targets nor are they pathetic as you put it. Plus I'm sure Saphira is strong enough to distract you while Tintaglia and Arlyn beat you. You don't stand a chance now calm down and just wait for them to react.

[Dragonkin]

"I wasnt implying that Murtagh was evil nor is Thorn for that matter. So if i upset you I cry your pardon Eragon for i did not mean to upset you." "Wait Glaedr is alive?? I thought he was killed by "Galbatorix" at Gilead?" Saphone said.

Saphone started to cry tears of joy knowing that at least one of his teachers who he considered as an uncle (because Oromis and Glaedr had raised him since he was 12) was still alive and had been like a father to Tintaglia.

"Ahhh what is that thing" Saphone was frightened by Brenton's transformation (as he knew almost nothing about the Elven king) and started to cry and hide behind Tintaglia who tried comforting Saphone but sounded scared as well though she wouldnt admit it and said as much...

[Quetzal]

Eragon nodded at Saphone. "Glaedr is alive, in a sense. He gave me his Eldunari before he died, and lives on through that," he explained. As he spoke he reached out with his mind to contact said Eldunari where it lay safe and hidden in the Varden camp. "An old student of your is here. Saphone and Tintaglia?" he asked the old dragon to see if he did indeed know them. "Yes, I trained them for a few years. I'll talk to them later, but now you might want to turn your attention to Brenton," was the response, Glaedr looking through his eyes to see the king taking off a glove.

Eragon had read about cruxis crystals, but didn't make the connections. Isrydia, on the other hand, had just had a witch in her mind. They'd known a lot about all manner of dark magic, which had leaked through to her. "That's a cruxis crystal, isn't it?" she shook her head. "Brenton, what drew you to this?"

Eragon knew more about the crystals than the female Rider and was afraid for Brenton and their own lives should he lose control. His transformation shocked him and Saphira, but Isrydia and Arlyn had seen it before. He'd seen dragon spirits, who could naturally turn into dragons, but this was different and darker. Isrydia noticed Saphone crying and thought it was odd to see a Rider cry, but supposed she would be just as scared had she not known Brenton at all. "Your mind is out of balance. There's two of you in there. How do you keep control?" Isrydia remarked. She'd heard Brenton speak to her in this form before, and his mind was filled with Vaentr's.

((Would have been longer/better planned but I was short for time))

[Brenton]

The rider, Saphone called him a thing?!? Brenton could feel the anger building in Vaentr just before the blue dragon roared and shot fire at the Halfling rider who was cowering and crying. He would not be called a thing and let the person get away with it. Yet the searing flames never reached Saphone for a bluish-gold light shot up in front of Tintaglia and the flames disappeared right before Brenton collapsed to his knees. He fought his way past Vaentr and forced the angry dragon back into the crystal but now his body was shaking with residual anger as well.

Finally he looked up and his eyes were haunted as his gaze fell upon the rider behind his dragon. Do not ever call me a thing again or I will not stop the attack from my angered dragon. You are lucky I was able to force Vaentr back into the crystal because you know not what he can do or how you have made him feel with your careless wording. As for what drove me to this, there are many things that happened but it was not willingly that I resorted to using dark magic. Vaentr was my first dragon, given to me when I went to see Brom after leaving Ellesmera. He was there for me when I was confronted with being cast out of my father's house, there for me when I was captured by Galbatorix and his men, there for me when I trained Feanaro Shadeslayer. Vaentr was there for me for so much of my life and when I lost him I was cast into turmoil and forced to accept it. So I went on with life. Yet I discovered it was possible to fuse the essence of a dragon with the human body and turn into a dragon spirit and so I was going to try that. Unfortunately the eldunari chained Vaentr to his own prison even with three dragon spirits helping me so I created the cruxis crystal because I could not go on without having him there anymore. When it was completed I started to grow angrier and more powerful but there were benefits. Yet I am also going insane with each time I am forced to fight with him and so it is best I don't call upon Vaentr like that because he is already gone.

Brenton sighed and stood up, feeling his anger subside and his mind clear from the fog that had gathered over him and his thoughts. At least the anger didn't last very long when he could get control again but how could a rider be so narrow-minded as to cry over something like that. Saphone wasn't strong enough to take on Murtagh and it was no surprise he had been beat in the fight when he tried in the first place.

[Dragonkin]

" I did not mean to cause offense and i was frightened when you disappeared Brenton and Vaentr took your place and Vaentr i cry your pardon" Saphone said in the Ancient Language gazing at the Elven king though still clearly scared by what happened. "I just wish that Oromis was here" Saphone said privately to Tintaglia."As do I Little one but do not think of sad things" Tintaglia said as she nudged her Rider with her snout.

"Eragon, Saphira, Isrydia, Arlyn, and Brenton I apologize for not explaining my story in full and i think you have earned that right.... LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU ERAGON" Saphone said....

But before Eragon could react Saphone jumped up and drew Islingr  from its blue sheath and vaulted over Eragon and the others and caught the blow from the Imperial soldier on his sword as more converged on their location." Everyone please get Tintaglia to safety and dont worry about me i will be fine" Saphone said knowing that it wasnt true

"I have had enough with losing people i care about and you will not take my new friends lives" Saphone declared as he defended the weary group that were now his friends. Saphone was driven by a fire in his soul that stated i will not let them hurt Tintaglia. But sadly the Imperial soldiers just kept coming and he was overwhelmed by sheer force and fell to the ground then hauled away in chains as he was captured by the Empire once again.. At least everyone else is safe as he saw the group nod and helped Tintaglia to safety....

[Brenton]

Brenton was shocked as he felt Saphone push him aside slightly to block a sword that had been traveling toward his throat. Foolish boy for thinking the king was actually in danger but he stopped short when he asked them to get Tintaglia to safety. Brenton couldn't do that because it would require him to leave Saphone behind so the elf king looked at Eragon and shrugged before drawing Undbitr and Argetadurna both. I can't let him have all the fun and then get captured now can I? If you want you can join but someone should stay with Tintaglia who is still weak from their last fight.

With that he was gone, running toward the Empire soldiers at full speed and cutting down three that had Saphone surrounded. This was not going to happen if he had anything to say about it so Brenton continued to cut them down. Some of the soldiers stopped fighting when they saw who it was fighting them but most of them just continued on anyhow. After all, Brenton was nothing but a deserter who had found a way past Galbatorix's oaths and then betrayed the king by taking up the mantle of elven king. Such mockery to the throne would not stand and could not be tolerated from anyone and if they killed Brenton then they would be revered as heroes.