A Rider's Blade (open)

[Quetzal]

"...so then as this side of the heart contracts- oh, hello, Isrydia," Eragon looked up as a figure stopped in front of him. He was sitting cross-legged outside a small group of tents. A seven-year-old girl had been sitting opposite, watching and listening with interest as he explained the workings of the heart, using his hands to show how the different chambers expanded and contracted. She fixed Isrydia silently with her piercing green eyes. "I don't think you're met Farria before. She's taken a lot of interest in animals and nature lately, so I've been telling her how they act and how they work. The medics like having someone to listen to them, too," he was annoyed at being interrupted in the middle of an explanation. He'd learned about the heart from various scholars, mostly elves he'd met in Ellesmera, and had had a little practical experience through the use of magic affecting them. He'd managed to make a decent explanation and wasn't happy at not being able to continue. "Can I help?" he sounded less patient than he'd intended.

Isrydia felt slightly embarrassed she'd annoyed the Rider, especially since she didn't know him well enough for him not to mind her taking him from what he had been doing. She smiled at Farria. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Isrydia, and my dragon is the small pale blue one called Arlyn. She's the one with the connection to the snow leopard, right? Anyone made any progress in figuring that out yet?"

Eragon scowled and Farria looked down at the ground. "You don't have to talk about her like she's not here. Just because she doesn't talk doesn't mean she can hear everything you say. But yes, she's bonded in some way to the snow leopard Sheratan and no they still haven't found any cases like hers. Why did you come to speak with me?" he had grown oddly protective of the child, probably because he'd been the only one there for her on the long journey from Therinsford. He'd really noticed how differently people treated her in that time, and had tried to change that. Isrydia's asking Eragon about Farria instead of talking to Farria herself was something that both he and Farria didn't like.

Once again Isrydia felt embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Farria. Eragon, I was going to get a new sword. It's high time I get a proper Rider's blade; my old one's just about good enough for a knight, but not a Rider. Rhunon's out of the question, and I've no idea where any brightsteel might be, but do you know of anyone else? The Varden must get their weapons from somewhere," she asked, hoping she would be forgiven if she kept it in her mind that Farria should still be treated like any other child despite her being mute.

Eragon nodded. "There's quite a few people who supply the Varden. For a Rider's blade, however, I'd say you should look into finding a dwarven smith named Throkk. I doubt you'll find any brightsteel, but from what I hear Throkk can work new metals out of others and has invented quite the impressive array of alloys. I've seen his work, and it's high quality. A little magic could help his work, too," he gave her directions. Farria looked thoughtful all the while, then stood up. "You want to go too?" Eragon asked her. She nodded. "Do you want me to go with you?" she shook her head. She didn't know Isrydia at all and she wasn't sure if she liked her, but she didn't feel at risk. "If you're sure... just contact my mind or Saphira's if there's a problem and we'll come and help," he promised.

Isrydia walked into Belatona, the young girl keeping close to her side. Farria felt safe with a Rider to protect her, but she didn't feel all too comfortable since she was a stranger. "You can contact people's minds?" Isrydia asked her, impressed. That was something which had taken her a lot of work to achieve and it amazed her that someone so young had managed it. Farria didn't look at her but nodded. "That's very impressive. You'll have to tell me if I go the wrong way to this Throkk person, I don't know my way around Belatona," she wasn't sure what to say or how to make conversation. Farria shook her head. There was a reason she refused to speak, and there was no way she would just speak with her mind to someone she only just met. That wasn't as bad as speaking aloud, but she didn't like it unless it was in an emergency or she really trusted the person. A silence fell after that. Isrydia thought it was awkward but couldn't think of how to break it. Farria was perfectly comfortable and was grateful for it, enjoying not feeling any need to share anything with the woman walking alongside her.

[Brenton]

Arathale, under the alias of Mikkel once again, walked through the streets of Belatona with his head down and his mind clear of all worries. He was good at hiding his emotions or pushing them to the side until he could deal with them in silence so this was just another of those times. No today the dragon spirit had heard word of a man in the city who was tall and muscular that had bested many people and was currently working for a dwarven smith. That wasn't why he was looking for this man though, no not at all, but was in fact looking for him because Arathale had heard of him taking down an Empire spy. Tough to do in times like these and the dragon spirit wanted to know more about what was going on exactly.

---

Tash stood in the door of the forge looking out at the sky while he contemplated what he was going to do today for money, after all that bought everything now a days. He could go back to delivering packages but no, one just came yesterday and he had made sure the spies hadn't gotten to it because he had little else to do. Maybe teaching someone what end of a sword would cut them would make him some money but he couldn't stand the whining of people who got injured by his massive blade. Hmm there was always staying at the forge and learning some more about forging weapons from Throkk and that sounded like the least bothersome to him.

Tash, Fallen Angel that he was, turned around to look back at the inside of the forge and then at the way all of the tools were arrayed just so. Well another day of learning it was then. "Throkk, I'll be staying here at the forge today to see if I can learn more about smithing. It is a complicated art that I have yet to perfect and I can't stomach dealing with whining children today just to teach them how to fight with a sword." With that he started cleaning the anvil and tables of any debris and then swept the floor real quick so he could watch without getting anything important dirty.

---

Arathale could see people all around him, tall and short broad and thin, but he was looking for tall and broad. Then the dragon spirit caught sight of a girl who he briefly remembered from before but how did he remember her and who was she? Suddenly he could see snow leopards in his mind and how he had guarded this girl in case Nelfarion attacked while his adoptive half brother Eragon was there as well. Arathale walked at a slow pace for him, brisk for someone short, until he was right next to Farria.

"Well if it isn't Farria, child of great amazement. What a fine day to be seeing you walking along but I figured you would be with Eragon trying to sort out this snow leopard situation. Oh! Please don't turn into one of those and get testy with me again, please." Arathale was fighting hard not to laugh by the end of his little spiel but he was having fun joking around with someone like this girl. Then the dragon spirit caught sight of the person with her and he bowed slightly, now walking backward. "And a fair lady to accompany her as well in such a big city. You must be so kind but I do believe that Farria is one who can take care of herself." Arathale flashed a grin at Isrydia and Farria both before back flipping over a cart that was behind him. No sense in getting hurt today.

[Quetzal]

((I don't have much time right now, so this will be short, sorry))

Throkk smiled at Tashiel. He had to admit, at first he'd thought the burly man would be one of those arrogant heroes who wouldn't have anything to do with someone so low down in the Varden's rankings as a smith. Yet the fallen angel had been determined to earn an honest living. He'd seen nothing but hard work from him, and those arms had all the strength of a dwarf. "Excellent. Hopefully we'll get something interesting in today. I think it's great you're taking an interest in this work, too. I'd imagine it'd come in handy in the field, too; a good eye would be able to see how their opponent's blade was made and work to its disadvantages. Any slight hints at where the balance might be, what the material is like, any weak points or points to which more impact will be focused... all pretty useful, I hope," he mused.

Farria blushed shyly at being called 'child of great amazement'. She recognised Arathale and knew he was a friend, so she was not scared of him. As usual, her lips remained joined together, but they were curved upwards in a smile and her eyes looked happy. She was pleased to see the dragon spirit, although she was impressed at their chance meeting here. With wings, the world must be so much smaller. No doubt it wasn't much of a problem to Arathale to visit Belatona frequently along with a host of other locations. When Eragon had taken her to the Varden, that had been the first time she'd left her hometown and it was alien to her how easy it had been for them to get around, stopping off to visit towns and cities miles out of their way without any issue.

Isrydia bowed in return to Arathale. "Hello, my name's Isrydia. If anything, Farria's accompanying me; I've been to Belatona before, but she knows her way around better than me. We're on our way to visit a dwarvern smith named Throkk. And yourself?" she asked, blinking with mild surprise when Arathale flipped over a cart. That was an odd thing to do, but she'd met weirder people in her time. She was normally quick to trust anyway, but since the often timid Farria was comfortable with Arathale, so was she.

[Dragonkin]

"Tintaglia how much longer till we reach Belatona?" Saphone asked as he held on to a heavy load of weaponry but not just any normal weaponry (Hint Hint) (they were snuck out of Uru Baen with help from some mercaneries and Saphone paid good money to get these "Weapons" and was satisfied as he had obtained at least 20 of them)

"Not much longer Little One" Tintaglia said smiling at her rider
Soon the city was in sight and Saphone spotted Saphira outside Eragons tent and had Tintaglia land nearby.

"Hail to thee Saphira how i marvel at such magnificent beauty that radiates from one so fair as you, and is Eragon here. I need to see him"
Saphira smiled at the young half elf/human rider and confirmed that he was, as Saphone went into Eragon's tent

"Hail Shade..... oh I am sorry I didnt mean to interrupt your meditation"

Saphone said as he blushed from embarrasment at disturbing the older Rider

[Brenton]

((It's fine Quetzal and dragonkin please do stop powerplaying (controlling other people's characters) it is very annoying at times when they may have an idea for what to post but you already said something for them.))

Arathale grinned but the smile was guarded just slightly as he eyed the older girl with a careful gaze, trying to assess her loyalties. She seemed like she had seen many things and been around a people who were polite which mostly encompassed the grey folk or the elves unless she was an old rider. If it was the elves then she would know Brenton who was a son of Brom as well and maybe Mikkel Bromsson would be a better alias to use in her presence or if she was Empire hiding in the Varden then it would be better to use Arathale. The dragon spirit pursed his lips and nodded as he bounced from a tree to get over a low hanging branch.

Such moves had been learned by Brom and the elves which he had seen Brenton using before in his fighting styles back when the dragon spirit had visited briefly. So if this girl knew the king then she was sure to recognize something from the way he acted. With a very arrogant flip of his hair from his face and a half smirk, Arathale winked at Isrydia before introducing himself.

"Mikkel Bromsson at your service, m'lady. As for why I am walking these streets can't you tell it was so I could meet you because my entire life was destined to revolve around you." Inwardly he winced at the cheesy way he was talking but his words were melodious and sweet to the ear as he smiled at the two. This would take some explaining to Farria about why he was avoiding telling Isrydia about his real purpose in Belatona.

---

Tashiel moved a hammer into his hands and hefted it, testing the weight to see if he could wield the heaviest tool in the room. It was a challenge but the Fallen Angel was able to get the hammer up and then found the right position of his hands for being able to swing it repeatedly. "I'm sure we will have someone coming through here with interesting requests at some point in the day. Didn't you deal with that man, Derrik, not too long ago who agreed to help you out? His request was strange from what I could tell if you are still receiving this aid."

Tash had not yet met the dwarf at that time but he had heard tale of a Derrik, or Konner really, who was delivering materials to the smith so he could experiment. After all, that was why most of the Varden blades were now made of alloys that had yet to be introduced to the Empire. "Maybe we should use the materials from last weeks shipment with some iron and a little bit of bronze for coloring and strength in one of those blades that I mentioned selling." Tashiel had noticed that the Varden were coming with specific requests but they were all varied so he had spent awhile puzzling over the mechanics. Finally he realized a good blade didn't have to be double sided or very long just as long as it was sharp and heavy enough to deal a blow. So he drew up plans for a sword that was single edged with a taper to it, thin at the point that tapered to wide at the hilt. It had a hollow core with a single three metal alloy rod going through it that gave it weight in the center for that heavy blow. The hilt in the plan was undefined but he thought it would be best if the sword hilt wrapped around the fingers much like a cavalry sabre so that it stayed in the grip.

He had brought it up in comment once to Throkk but wasn't finished with the plans yet so he'd asked the dwarf to wait until he had finished the plans. Now that they were done and on the table, it was time for it to be brought up again. Maybe that would make the smith some more money for a little more materials from more exotic places. Still he wasn't sure the dwarf would listen because Tashiel had just started learning but he hoped anyhow.

[Quetzal]

((Yeah, please don't say how any character acts/reacts but your own, I'd have said how Saphira would respond in my post anyway. Also, general writing tip; when you have something you want to add that is related to the story, like you and your weapons, rather than going out of character to mention them in brackets you could just state in the description of said weapons that they had been stolen. Maybe Saphone could have remembered stealing them, or it could just be part of the general dialogue. It's not always possible to do that, of course, hence why notes at the top/bottom like this (which is getting too long now) exist))

Saphira had been about to warn Saphone to leave Eragon be for a time. She and Eragon knew the boy, but they had only met once and Eragon had more important things to do. He would be more inclined to listen to an acquaintance and Rider, but as the Varden's Champion he was busy. Presently he had a free moment and had been taking that time to do nothing. Saphira had joined him in letting their minds drift out and join the consciousness of the universe. It seemed like a waste of time but it was in fact important for them both; not only did it keep their minds sharp, but it also kept them alert to their surrounding and provided some much-needed relaxation for themselves. Eragon needed time shut off from the busy world of people asking things of him and noisily complaining about things beyond his power. Saphira was reluctant to allow Saphone and Tintaglia to disrupt that.

Eragon's mind did not have a single thought floating through it. He was connected to every spark of life around him, never thinking about what any of them meant but simply feeling and experiencing without any consideration as to what it was he was feeling. The moment Saphone spoke, his eyes shot open. In a moment the world returned to him and he was sitting cross-legged on the tent floor, scowling at Saphone. He sighed. "Never mind, happens all the time. Hello, Saphone. I hope you and Tintaglia are well after the ordeal with the Empire. What do you want?" his exasperation was clear in his tone.

***

Farria wasn't sure about the name 'Mikkel' gave. He'd never given her his name before but she'd seen him dealing with Nelfarion before but someone had referred to him by name then. She'd been very stressed at the time, having just found Sheratan, transformed into a snow leopard and possibly killed someone. She therefore had no recollection of what that name had been, so it may well have been Mikkel.

"Bromsson? I hadn't realised Brom had another son. Do his other sons know? Brenton will probably be pleased, but he might get a bit jealous if you saw Brom much. Eragon won't be so happy. It was bad enough when he learned he had to share Brom as a father with Brenton," Isrydia smiled at the memory of how stubborn the famed Rider had been when she'd first met him. It was still strange to her that not only had she seen the Rider she'd heard so much about, but he recognised her too and she supposed they might even be considered friends. Stranger still was how her closest friend was the king of the elves, but she tended not to think of that. That aside, Isrydia wasn't sure how she felt about Mikkel's phrasing and winking. Was he flirting with her? He wasn't unattractive, but she didn't really need any of that right now. "I think you're probably destined for things other than just living for someone else. We shouldn't really dawdle too much. You can join us if you want," she had noticed Farria was starting to fidget impatiently.

Throkk nodded to Tashiel. "Derrik's request was unusual in the extreme, yes, and I'm pleased to carry on making those odd inventions of his," he agreed, "Iron and bronze with the new materials, hm? Could work, I suppose, but the structure won't be so malleable in the works. Might end up brittle. Thinking along the right lines, though. Maybe I could work it in such a way that-" Throkk was cut off by a knock on the door. He'd been hoping to perhaps advance Tashiel's sword design by then, but a customer took priority. Waddling over to the door, the fat and muscular dwarf yanked it open. To his immense surprise, the person on the other side was of an equal height with him. After a very brief moment of shock, he noticed she couldn't be older than seven. That would explain it.

A young woman standing beside the girl spoke. "Are you Throkk?" he nodded with a grunt, "My name's Isrydia, and this is Farria. I'm interested in commissioning you to make me a new sword," she introduced herself. Should Mikkel had gone with them, she left him to introduce himself in whatever fashion pleased him. Throkk smiled and opened the door wider to admit them. There weren't so many female warriors around, and this woman didn't really look like a soldier besides. The child certainly didn't. It was a request from an unlikely customer, but it had yet to be seen whether or not the request itself would be unusual. Isrydia had chosen to dress in normal clothes that day; a plain white blouse, long blue skirt with a jacket and woolen gloves which served to protect her from the cold and to hide her gedwey ignasia. Throkk had no way of knowing she was a Rider, and the idea hadn't crossed his mind.

[Dragonkin]

"Forgive me Ebrithil but i was impatient as i have something to show you that i had a lot of trouble to obtain" Saphone explained quickly to his master as Saphone believed eragon to be his master since oromis was no more.

"I have just returned from the Empire with some things that are sacred to us Riders so if you follow me i can show you what i have retrieved from Galbatorrix's possession.

Saphone gestured outside waiting for a response from the older rider

[Brenton]

Arathale walked with the two girls, quickly standing straighter and smiling slightly, but with more steel in the way his teeth showed. This Isrydia would be someone he would have to learn more about if Farria trusted her and she wasn't swooning over common flirting like what he had just done. Maybe he would spend a little time getting to know what her business was with this Throkk while he looked for his own information in the same area. After all, his target was in the same area if not building as this dwarf smith that they were heading toward at that exact moment.

My name is Mikkel Bromsson, although I'm not actually here about their request fo... The dragon spirit was speaking to Throkk when he caught sight of Tashiel over in the corner waiting for something to do. That must mean he was a common smith or an apprentice if he was just standing around but if so then why was he so large and had such a reputation about him? Arathale would have to figure out more on this man as well and even possibly the dwarf that he was learning under. There is a man here in Belatona that I believe you would've met who stands tall with broad shoulders. He has an air of a warrior about him and helped take down a spy ring in the city after running a delivery for some tavern man. I seek out this man so I can figure out answers to my questions. It is my...

Tashiel was watching the proceedings and getting some tools ready for the woman who requested a new blade. Yet when he heard what Mikkel had to say he stopped and looked up, his eyes gazing at the man with interest. So Mikkel Bromsson did exist and he hadn't died yet then. "I am that man but if you think you are going to get answers while Throkk is working then you are mistaken. Sir, Mikkel, you will just have to wait until I am finished helping with this sword and while it cools then I can answer some of your questions. Oh and no fighting in or around the forge or I will be forced to escort you out of the city." Tash spoke with a calm manner but his tone left no room for misunderstanding.

Arathale nodded and stepped back to wait for the others to finish what they were doing. So this man thought he could take him and it was very likely he could but still it took some courage to say that. Well at least the dragon spirit wasn't dealing with some weak hearted man who had never seen a fight before.

[Quetzal]

Eragon was curious about the boy's discovery, whatever that was. He might not know the young Rider very well, but there was no reason for him to believe this was any sort of trap. Saphone was an innocent soul, loyal to the Varden and eager to please. Eragon got to his feet and followed Saphone outside. He cast a glance at Saphira, who pressed his mind with curiosity. He just shrugged back at her and let Saphone lead him to wherever this news was.

Throkk's face turned serious when Mikkel began describing Tashiel as the object of some search. He hoped this wouldn't escalate into violence. He only wanted to make this woman her sword and be done with it, and wouldn't stand for any petty arguments. Should there he a serious issue involved, of course he would take a bigger stand, but the dwarf was no-nonsense. It was a relief when Mikkel agreed to wait until the sword was cooling and Tashiel had a spare moment. Once inside the forge and out of Mikkel's earshot, he asked, "What was that all about?" in a low voice so Isrydia and Farria wouldn't hear if Tashiel didn't want them too.

Turning to Isrydia, he was professional once more. "What can I get you? You'll have to be more specific than 'a sword'. There's lots of different shapes and sizes," he would have smiled were he not concerned for his friend's confrontation. Women didn't usually know much about swords, and the little girl wouldn't know anything.

Isrydia raised an eyebrow, wise to his thinking. "Oh, I know. I plan on observing every step of this sword's making. It has to be a very good sword, you see. Despite being a woman, I happen to be a knight. Not to mention this," she held up her right hand and took off the thick woolen glove, revealing the shimmering pale silver-white mark on her palm. Throkk suspected he'd see a gedwey ignasia before the glove had even come off. Isrydia hadn't wanted to reveal it until she knew they were secure in the forge where no onlooker could acquire a Rider as their target. Farria smiled, and Throkk turned red.

"Now now, I was merely making sure you were aware of the specifics," he defended himself gruffly, thinking Isrydia had been too hard on him. "A Rider's blade... I couldn't turn down such an honour. Tashiel and I have been working on an alloy that may prove exactly what we need. If you could lend us your magic, we can do great things... show me a few moves with a sword so I can see where to put the balance. Then tell me; what dimensions should it be? Light or heavy? Fast? What colour is your dragon? The Rider blades of old were always the same colour as their dragon," he got more and more excited as he went along. By the time Isrydia drew Nettle from its sheath, he was buzzing with excitement. He was actually going to make a Rider's sword!

After a few strokes of her blade, Isrydia answered the questions. "Perhaps slightly on the long side, a little longer than Nettle. Light and quick. Not too thin, I'd like to slash as well as stab. My dragon is ice blue - if you let me into your mind for a moment, I'll show you an image," she felt Throkk permit her to gently brush his mind, leaving a clear image of Arlyn as though he was seeing the dragon with his own eyes.

"Great. Let's get to work," Throkk looked to Tashiel to help. "If you could get the alloy set up, I'll sort out the the equipment and anything extra to add to the metal," he requested, grabbing a load of tools and powders. "You could use some magic to infuse the blade with whatever spells you want. It works best when the metal is still being formed. The Ancient Language allows a magic user to tell the metal exactly how to form and what properties it should have," he smiled.

The process took a long time. Hours stretched by with Throkk acting the perfectionist, tweaking every last detail. Isrydia's singing voice was hardly up to scratch, but her chants were poetic as she wove words of strength and speed into her sword. She introduced herself to it as someone it could be a part of, encouraging it to fit her grip, balance and style perfectly. Arlyn watched through her eyes and had input on words and energy here and there.

Once the vague shape of a sword was formed, Throkk turned to the colour of the blade. It was hard to get it right; it kept fading. Finally, Isrydia smiled as an idea struck her. "Wait a second. The colour might fade, but I suppose it doesn't have to be the colour of Arlyn's scales. This could be something new. When the colour fades, it can still be beautiful," she began a new spell.

When she was done with the first part of the spell, the blade was the ice blue of Arlyn's scales. It was not just as though it had been painted on with some metallic paint, either. The blade was slightly transparent so that light passed through it, scattering into beacons of blue here and there around the metal. It was as though the entire thing was alive with a cold pale blue light. "And now, when it fades..." after more chanting, the metal changed colour through yellow, then orange, then red, before finally dimming to purple, navy blue and black. Each time the new colour blended with the old and seemed to originate in the centre of the metal. After a moment more chanting, pinpricks of light began to appear at various depths within the blade. Isrydia scattered these in a pefect replica of the heavens, marking out a cloud of purple and light down the middle of the blade for the Milky Way. She smiled at the sight of the pinpricks of swirling colour trapped inside the metal. With a few more words, the metal returned to ice blue in colour. "It should hold off fading until nighttime, and return to colour by day," she sounded proud of herself. Throkk stood gaping at the beauty for a moment before remembering himself and getting back to work.

After the pretty colours and stars, it was pretty boring for Farria. She wondered out to where Mikkel was waiting and looked at him quizzically. She wanted to know what had happened between him and Tashiel.

[Dragonkin]

Saphone led Eragon to where Tintaglia was sitting and retrieved the chest Tintaglia had on her back and set it in front of Eragon. Saphone then opened it and inside were 20 colorful swords

"Ebrithil I have just returned from Uru Baen and have successfully retrieved 20 swords that belonged to the riders of old and it took a lot of caution but i am glad i am able to retriev that which was stolen from us" Saphone explained everything to Eragon who he now considered his master.

"I know that the Riders of the varden need swords that are better suited for them and these are made of brightsteel and i dont know the history behind each sword but i made sure that there were no spells that would harm those who use them and I wished you to take custody of them since you are the leader of our order within the Varden" Saphone stopped speaking and waited for Eragon and Saphira to reply

[Brenton]

Tashiel walked away with Throkk just far enough way to where he could speak quietly without being heard easily. "I have no idea what he wants but it looks like this man is from the wilderness. His name is famous as well, from legend really, much like mine in some tomes. So I must speak to Mikkel later to sort it out." The Fallen Angel turned and listened to what was being said, a faint smile touching his lips as Isrydia spoke for he would have said what Throkk did himself. As the dwarf spoke of the alloy, Tash beamed proudly because the alloy had been his idea originally.

Quickly he started the forge fire and used the bellows before grabbing some of the metals from their individual areas to place nearby. He melted them down and mixed them until they were soft enough to be worked with before stepping away from the master smith to work. Tashiel was still learning so he didn't expect to do much but still he helped as much as he could for his talents. The sword formed and soon was being colored as Tashiel watched in awe. He knew of magic and how it could change some properties but metal colors was a new one to him.

When the colors changed to look like the galaxy, Tashiel blinked away a few tears as he remembered being closer to those constellations than the human was. He missed his old home but the Fallen Angel had committed a crime punishable by banishment by leading a revolt against the elders. Tashiel sighed and stepped back as the sword was set to cooling just as Mikkel appeared near his back with a silent movement that he had only encountered by werewolves, dragon spirits, or rangers.

The Milky Way is not as beautiful as you make it seem by crying when you see the colors of it in the blade of a sword so you have more to explain. Anyhow, sir, you have to tell me something about why you helped take down that spy ring when it had nothing to do with you. Don't worry, I am not going to harm you for hurting the Empire since I hate them just as much as you do. Arathale spoke quietly as he watched the blade cool down on the table.

"I doubt you are as spiteful at them as I am for what they have done but I am willing to explain what I can. Some of the information is not mine to share and if you need it then you will have to either ask Throkk or seek out Derrik who was the one who sent the package. Now then, I came to the city because I was looking for food and water as well as a place to sleep but the tavern keeper refused to give me anything unless I delivered a parcel to Throkk. I accepted because it was an easy task and found out the parcel had valuable items in it that the Empire had been searching for. When I delivered it the dwarf invited me to help him with his work but first to go have a drink. On the way we were nearly attacked but in the tavern we were and the tavern keeper was found out to be a spy. I dealt with him by telling him off and knocking out the others. One spy got away but since then there has been no more attacks even though I make sure to escort the delivery of the packages when they come."

Arathale nodded and bowed his head in respect to Tashiel as he finished his story, even looking over at the dwarf who had been with Isrydia. Okay the truth is, I know you are not as you seem, Tashiel. I came here to discover why someone as powerful as you would flee the Empire and then wander for so long just to start working as a smith. It's not very understandable as to that. I mean I left but I was a spy and have been helping the Varden since then. You left and have been helping by making weapons and training brats with runny noses.

Tashiel glared at Arathale and bowed his head just slightly. "Out of respect for my master, Throkk, I will ignore your comments about this being less of a choice than yours but do not make the same mistake twice. I am powerful, granted, but I am still a danger to the people I fight beside because of my past. The last time I fought a true war and didn't back out, I was banished along with my brothers in arms. Since then I have seen none of them and have yet to earn my way back to my home. You act like you are better than me, Mikkel Bromsson, but you are not for you won't admit who you truly are."

[Quetzal]

Eragon stared at the collection of Rider blades in stunned silence for a moment. Twenty? He'd taken Saphone to be someone who could do with some more experience of the world, but here he was with twenty Rider blades stolen from Uru'baen itself. He looked at the them for a moment, wondering who could have wielded them before. Each sword would have a great history in the hands of a Rider. There was no way of telling what that history was without a lot of research, but their shapes gave some clues. None had dents and scratches, as was the way with brightsteel, but their shapes betrayed the fighting style of their previous owners, and a little of their Riders' build and height based on how they were balanced. The colours told of the dragons they had once served beside. No two were quite the same; purple, bronze, grey, brown, red, pink, orange, turquoise, yellow, and more. "How did you get into Uru'baen? Precious few have ever managed that," he said, impressed.

There was the matter of who to give these swords to to consider. It would be better to give them all out sooner rather than later, as they wanted their soldiers to be as well equipped as possible and there was no telling how close their next battle would be. It was preferable to give them to Riders, since that was their intended purpose, but they didn't have enough Riders for these swords. Most of their Riders already had acquired Rider blades in one way or another. He'd gift one to Isrydia if she hadn't just left to get a sword of her own made. She wasn't strictly in the Varden force, but he thought he could probably persuade her to fight for them if need be. "I think it's best if we give these to our strongest, most loyal and most valuable soldiers, not just Riders. We don't have enough Riders to claim all these, after all. I'll hold back some in case any new Riders emerge, but if we go into battle before then I'll give them to the most deserving generals anyway. It's better to have our men better armed than hoard them on the off chance a Rider appears to join us," he explained his thoughts to Saphone.

Throkk was keeping himself aware of what Tashiel and Mikkel were saying, but his main focus was on his work. The shaping of the blade had to be precise. He wanted this sword to be perfect, fit for a Rider. That was going to take a lot of work. He was already thinking through some designs for the hilt, which would require less precise balancing but a lot of fiddly delicate decorative work. Isrydia watched him, mulling over words for a spell and using more magic every now and then. Very slowly the sword was taking shape.

Farria was paying more attention to Mikkel and Tashiel. She was trying to figure out why exactly the two were angry at each other. Tashiel seemed to be upset at Mikkel because Mikkel was angry at him, and Mikkel was angry because Tashiel hadn't lived up to his expectations. Something like that. So what if Mikkel was disappointed? A person didn't have to show off to be a great and respectable person. Farria actually thought she liked the sound of Tashiel more as a person who was content to work hard and learn and teach the skills he had better than a Tashiel who flaunted those skills. She liked that even though he was clearly strong as he'd brought down a group of spies, he wasn't the sort who went around bragging and making sure everyone knew how great he was. He seemed like a modest, quiet, thoughtful person who did things because they were right and because he wanted to rather than because he thought it would make people like him and think he was amazing. Farria liked that a lot, and carried on listening to see what else she could hear.

[Dragonkin]

I understand Ebrithil and well as for my tale I am weary and parched of thirst might I have a drink with you before i tell my tale to you?" Saphone bowed politely and spoke true to eragon with each word and gently said "might I have a talk with you saphira I have many questions" the two spoke to the others counterpart and bowing respectively to the two of them afraid of causing offense*

[Brenton]

Arathale growled slightly, his hand dropping to his hilt on his belt while his other hand clenched into a fist. You may be older and stronger but from birth I have slain those who wished to infringe upon my honor. For your words you will be sorry. He went to draw his sword but by that point Tashiel had already seized him by the throat and thrown him violently from the forge.

"You will not cause trouble around here Arathale! Now leave and bygone with you, pest." Tashiel stood in the door until Arathale was out of sight. Then he turned around and bowed apologetically. "Forgive me for the disturbance. If I'd known he'd get violent then he would've left before we talked." Tashiel resumed watching as Throkk created yet another masterpiece.