The Return (Open!)

[Aelodil]

(( I'm just gonna assume and hope Brenton would have taken the bait by Laetri's taunts and followed him outside.))

Laetri stared at Brenton with a hint of sadness in his eyes. The last thing he wanted to do was fight with his friend. But it didn't seem he had much of a choice. He held Thringa so tightly his hand began to drip droplets of blood. Aedel licked his hand, removing the blood droplets that were replaced with more."Brenton.. I don't know what has gotten into you but I'll make sure to beat it right out." He said, his voice now murderous. Leaving all sentimental feelings aside, he gave a tiny fast thrust, aiming for Brenton's sword and dashed back. His goal was to first get him outside of this inn. He kept taunting him with bad names, saying Eragon was more like Brom than he would ever be and such. It hurt him to say these things to Brenton, but Brenton was no longer there. Now it was just a moving, soulless body, bearing the name of Brenton. He forced himself to think he wasn't actually attacking his own friend and nodded.

As Laetri finally backed out of the doors and into the open, he took a momentary second to cast a ward on himself. A rather crude ward it was - all it would do would ward himself, Aedel, and Agaravel from any explosions or magic - but it would work for now. He had had a full year of training himself down in the Water Citadel with Riptide and was by now adept enough with magic and with the sword that he should be able to match Brenton's inhuman strength and prowess. As he continued to goad Brenton backwards, he finally halted right in front of a small pond. He dipped Thringa into the water, muttered a small spell to keep the water on Thringa no matter what motion he did with it and he gained absolute control over the water on his sword. This was a little trick he had learned during his training. He could now use the water to act as an extra edge on his sword when necessary or fling it at his foe and harden the water to give himself an advantage. Perhaps a dirty trick, but it was useful. And in a fight like this, he rather preferred his life rather than keeping a trick in the dark.

As Brenton approached, Laetri nodded and immediately Aedel leaped forward onto Brenton's sword arm in an attempt to get the arm in his jaws to keep it immobilized for awhile. Agaravel filled the air above Brenton with fire and swooped her tail down low to hit his legs out. After 2 years of growth Agaravel was large enough so that the only way to escape her tail was jumping upwards - a no longer possible feat due to the inferno above him. And finally, Laetri lunged for Brenton's chest. He swiped a large arc. With this combination of attacks it would be next to impossible to dodge every single one of them. Despite himself, Laetri smiled, pleased with the team work that had already formed between the 3 of them.

[Brenton]

Brenton shook his head with mild surprise at Laetri and the elf's words. He remembered a time when they had been friends and often trained together. As Laetri spoke, a glittering tear rolled down Brenton's cheek. How? The king had no idea but Laetri had never talked to him so cruelly. Still he was trying to get Brenton outside. So the king walked outside slowly, shaking loose Inferno's bracelet. Brenton stopped at the door as he concentrated. Slowly the armor disappeared and he began to look normal. Now he was dressed as he had been when he first met Laetri. With determination, Brenton sheathed Undbitr and walked out to meet Laetri. Time slowed and the seconds ticked by. Just as the three attacks came, a wall of energy sprang up into a shield. Laetri before I lower this shield I have a request. Tell Eragon I'm sorry he didn't know me until after the crystal. Arya is the Queen. Tell Isrydia...tell her I love her and I'm sorry for everything I did that upset her. With that he dropped the shield and whispered an apology so only Laetri could hear it. Brenton closed his eyes and waited for death.

[Quetzal]

Farria's legs dangled over the rooftop, swinging to no particular rhythm. She could see all over the village from here. No one could see her, either. She had to make an effort, but it wasn't hard to prohibit people from seeing her. It was weird, now she thought of it. Other people could hide, like Sheratan was, but she could hide in plain sight. She didn't need to duck beneath a ledge or shrub to conceal herself, she just had to get out the way. Sometimes the scholars speculated it was a spell she cast unknowingly, Farria didn't think so. You needed the Ancient Language for spells, and she wasn't like to speak a word of that for the foreseeable future. Turning into a snowcat was a bit like a spell, though. Maybe this was a similar thing. An innate ability she could just do. Another thing that made her weird. There wasn't much to see here, so she closed her eyes.

When she opened them, she was lurking in a scrappy hedge on the ground, and had four legs instead of two. She was far more graceful and confident. Paws padded softly on the ground as she stalked a narrow empty path, sticking to the shadows just in case. The town was large enough to have paved streets, but this was not one of them. The packed earth was softer underfoot than cobbles, but as a snow leopard she was born for tough rocky terrain. The ground was too warm for her liking. Spring was making things warmer, although thankfully being connected to Farria had made her more adaptable to different conditions just as humans were. She knew she could cope with a hot summer.

Her ears could pick up the sounds of people in the buildings, and there were voices and footsteps from other streets. She could smell them, too. A lot of people had gone toward the inn, probably hearing the commotion with Brenton and Laetri. That was out of human earshot now, but she thought she could just make out the faint sounds of shouting and steel. Farria was safe up on the roof provided she didn't fall, and there wasn't much she could do if she did, so she stalked off towards the noise, curious. There was the inn. A door opened, and a man who could have been Brenton stumbled out, dropping something. It smelled powerful. If anyone got their hands on it... she could hardly be described as the wrong hands if she had no hands. She would protect it until the man reclaimed it.

"Farria, are you all right? Where are you?" Farria stopped seeing through pale blue eyes as her warm forest green ones opened. The child looked up to see Saphira's blue shape flying above her. The dragon had found her mind, but seeing through Sheratan's eyes must have made it muddled up over the distance. She'd learned some basic mental defenses like stopping people finding you by touching your mind, too, which couldn't help. She sent Saphira a signal and moved to a point she knew the dragon would see her. "I'm glad you got to safety. Stay away from Brenton, Laetri and I, OK? We'll tell you when it's safe," her tone had force in it. It was order of sorts.

Saphira had no trouble finding the commotion, landing behind Brenton as he closed his eyes. "Don't kill him!" She doubted Laetri would, but she wanted to be sure. She paused, staring at the madman for a moment. Sheratan was sniffing at a bracelet curiously, she saw. Brenton seemed to have calmed down. At least, he wasn't in angry-attack mode right now. "Brenton... what are you? To attack someone who yielded, to kill so mercilessly, to be so aggressive your friend has to send people away from you and fight for his life just to make you stop... you need to learn some control." She wasn't angry. Her voice was full of sorrow and sympathy, even pity for the ruthless bloodlust-filled king. She'd never known Brenton before the crystal, but even so she'd noticed him getting worse and worse. This was the worst she'd ever seen him.

Farria was bored sitting up on the roof, so she decided it would be fun to climb about a bit. Getting to her feet, she walked up the sloped roof and ran along the top. She ducked behind the chimney and looked to the next house. Towns like this were always build with everything cramped and close together, so her running jump only had to cover a few feet before she was safely on the next building. Grinning, she ran some more, hopping between building, scrambling up walls and balconies, swinging on tree branches and ropes holding things up and balancing across narrow ledges and planks of wood. It was fun, simple fun. She steered clear of the inn. She kept out of sight, too, her skill telling her exactly where and how she should run or jump to be unseen.

[Aelodil]

Laetri heard Brenton's whispers and shouted with his mind to Aedel and Agaravel. Agaravel immediately stopped her tail and quenched the flaming inferno while Aedel bounced off the floor onto the inn and back next to Laetri who stopped his sword with a few inches to spare. Then he heard Saphira's voice. He looked up to find her looming above them. He scratched his head, confused. Why was she here? Still very confused, he turned to Brenton while sheathing Thringa and releasing the magic. He stared at Brenton for a moment with obvious sadness in his eyes. Straining to not cry, he reached out and hugged Brenton tightly. He was on the verge of tears and Aedel and Agaravel knew it. Agaravel rested her head in front of Laetri and stared at him in understanding while Aedel laid down next to him and gave a small whine.

"Don't you ever dare do that to me again. You got that?" Laetri whispered angrily, sadly, surprised and in general disbelief in Brenton's ear. He moved back and walked to where Sheratan had sniffed Inferno's bracelet. He picked up the bracelet and stared back at Brenton. He didn't know if he was to give it back. Did he trust Brenton enough? What if he lost control again and used Inferno's powers against them? It would be deadly. On the other hand, he didn't sure he would feel safe with a piece of Inferno's mind literally in his pocket. As the Elder of the Water Branch he had some weird connection to Riptide and they both felt strongly against Inferno. They didn't particularly hate him but at the same time they weren't the most fond of him. Last time they had met him resulted with terrible results. He sighed to himself and slipped the bracelet into his pocket. For now he would keep it on him, but he will make sure to give it to someone of high positioning in the Fire Branch before long.

With everything major done, Laetri looked up to the rest who were looking at him expectantly. He tried the usual I-don't-know shrug with his cloak when he realized his cloak was still with Farria. That's when he remembered: Farria! Covering his face with his palm, he reached out with his mind - to find her merrily running around the village as if it was a little child's playground. He gave out a little bark of laughter. Here he was, ready to fight to his last breath and she was off running around the place enjoying herself. He gave a slight smile. He liked the fact that she was innocent. He could only hope she would remain so for awhile longer. It would be better for her to not know anything than know the ugly secrets of this world. Finally, he turned to Saphira and voiced his thoughts,"Em, not to be rude or anything, but, Saphira, why're you here? Weren't you supposed to be with Eragon at that meeting? Also, Sheratan, could you call Farria over? I really need my cloak. I would call her myself but I'm still technically a stranger to her, I wouldn't want to scare her."

((Sorry for the quality. I was just kinda running out of things to write))

[Brenton]

Brenton had his eyes closed and head tilted back, feeling the heat but not worrying about it. Fire could burn him anyhow since he was part of the Fire Branch but he wanted Laetri to think he was actually able to be harmed by that tactic. In case it ever did come down to a fight with Laetri then he would need to have the upper hand and that was one of the ways. Still he hoped that day never came, for fighting a friend was not something he could stomach, even on a good day.

That was when the gusts of wind rose up around him and he knew a dragon had arrived, Saphira to be exact. With a slight smile, sad but true, he let the female dragon talk to him. She wanted to know what he was but even the king wasn't completely certain of that to be honest. Saphira, I am what I have always been, an outcast. An outcast from the humans, the elves, my father, and now humanity itself. All that is different is that I can do more harm than good when I get angered. Yet that soldier deserved what he got, in Vaentr's mind, even though in his place I would have done the exact same thing. Please don't speak to me of control because I try daily to gain control of that which cannot be tamed, a dragon's wrath. Think of Shruikan and how he was twisted by Galbatorix. Now imagine what Vaentr is like since he has the same aspects of the black dragon now.

Brenton was hugged by Laetri as he opened his eyes, seeing the sadness in his friend's gaze. It brought guilt to mind but he hadn't exactly lied to them by not telling them what he would do. No, he told Laetri he would hunt the soldier down and seek vengeance for the attack. That was when Brenton saw the bracelet go into Laetri's pocket. With a sigh, and a slight flick of his wrist, Brenton muttered a chain of ancient words long forgotten by most. The flash of magic was bluish-gold with red blazing around until suddenly the bracelet was on his wrist again.

The king pitched to the dirt, suddenly weary from that spell that had required him using more than it should have to pass through to Inferno. Still he waited until he could stand and blinked a few times to rid the world of black spots in his vision. I still need this and Inferno gifted it to me. It is only fitting that I keep it until either I die or I deem fit to pass it to someone else.

With that, Brenton looked around and nodded to Laetri in farewell before dashing off toward where he had last felt his brother's mind. He needed to get some help and even if he had to interrupt a Varden meeting, he would speak to his brother. So he ran full speed toward the area where he hoped Eragon was, passing villages. Then another village, larger than the rest, came into view and Brenton slowed down to search.

He could feel Eragon's mind at a building off to one side so the king walked over and spoke in a clear tone, in the Ancient Language. My name is Brenton Bromsson, king of the elven nation and commander in chief of the elven army. I seek council with Eragon Shadeslayer, rider of Saphira Brightscales and champion of the Varden. The guards nodded and parted to allow Brenton entrance, with wary glances.

So they knew then that he was not to be fully trusted. That was good if he was as bad as he thought he was. In the room, lords and members of the Varden all sat with Eragon, speaking of whatever menial things they had on their minds. The elven king stepped forward and stood at attention next to Eragon, waiting for his half-brother to recognize he was there in the room with them.

[Quetzal]

Sheratan watched the bracelet slip into Laetri's pocket, and thought that it was for the best. It smelled powerful, and arming someone like Brenton wasn't a good plan if he got like that again. Taking it away from him might make him angry though... she looked at him warily. Thankfully, he only seized it again with magic and managed to do so without killing anyone.

On Laetri's request, she sent her mind out to Farria. "Brenton's calmed down now. You should come back, I doubt you'll find any Empire people around." She guessed that the child knew Saphira was here. It was hard to miss a dragon flying low to land nearby.

It didn't take long for Farria to pick her way to the inn. She stuck to the rooftops. It was more fun that way, and no one could see her. Putting her feet in the right places, she could walk very quietly as well as safely. The people on the ground didn't see her, as far as she could tell. Things were different from up here, but she remembered the general direction and soon recognised the inn's roof. She jumped down to the roof of the stables where the tired horses of tradesmen and travelers could be housed at a small cost, considered jumping all the way to the ground then thought the better of it and swung herself down to dangle from the roof by her fingertips. She stepped down to a latched stable door, then sprung down to the ground and ran to the gathering of people.

She stood near Saphira and Sheratan, the ones she knew best out of the group. Saphira was saddened by Brenton's words. She felt sorry for him, but couldn't help but feel he was making a bigger fuss about his life. It wasn't as deprived and sad as he made it out to be, surely. The whole 'I have always been an outcast from all of humanity' thing just sounded a bit too melodramatic. "You aren't an outcast. How can you be an outcast from the elves if you're their king? Just being a half-elf doesn't make you an outcast from humans and elves, either. You can still make friends and fit in with humans and elves. If an elf can be friends with a dwarf, why can't they be friend with a half-elf? You fit in with the elves and the humans, just as you are an elf and a human. You fit in with the Riders, too, and the Varden and the kings and queens and lords and ladies. If this is all about Brom leaving you as a baby, I'm sure he had good reason. He was a good man, he would never harm his own son. Even if he wasn't around, you had others who raised you and cared about you as you grew up. Someone trained you, or you wouldn't have that skill, and your mother must have been there, else you wouldn't be recognised as king. Out of control you might be, but if you think about all the ways you fit in, and how you can fit in more if you somehow make Vaentr sane again, I think you aren't an outcast at all," she said firmly. Comparing Vaentr to Shruikan wasn't much help to her. She'd never met either dragon. Nor did she know in what ways Galbatorix twisted his enslaved black dragon. Had Brenton twisted Vaentr? She spoke again. "How did Vaentr get twisted? You didn't do anything to him, did you?"

Her tail flicked as she waited for an answer. She wasn't accusing him, but she did need to settle any doubts before they grew into a full-blown suspicion. Dragons had to take care of themselves. She wouldn't stand to see one harmed.

The meeting had been reaching a satisfying conclusion, the group talking over more minor things like how they could contact the Varden in future and should they train their men to defend themselves, as opposed to the bigger questions of 'should we go over to the Varden' and its like that they had been discussing earlier. All talk died when Brenton entered the room. Eragon turned around immediately and rose from his chair. "What they hell do you think you're doing? This is a private meeting! Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" He said, bristling with rage. It took effort to keep himself from raising his voice. The lords of the towns and villages were muttering their disapproval of Brenton's sudden entrance to one another. Eragon hoped it wouldn't reflect badly on him, although he knew it would. Thankfully they were already far enough through the meeting he could be confident in their loyalty to the Varden, but this would certainly hurt how generous they were willing to be in terms of supplies from their bountiful farms.

"Look, I sent Saphira to you. I told you, I am busy! Can you not see that?" He waved a hand at the table lined with rich lords. "Saphira was an important part of this meeting. We needed her to help think and plan, and these men were generous enough to allow her leave to go and help you. I did what I could. Saphira is perfectly capable of helping you, and yet you still feel the need to show up here? Look, as much I'd like to, I can't always drop everything at the last second - or in this case, well after the last second - to go do something else. I made this commitment, and I'm sticking to it. Stay here if you'd like, but you're going to have to wait for these lords to discuss everything they wish with me first. You see me all the time, this could be their only chance. I don't want to waste their time." He sat back down again adamant to finish this meeting. Brenton might be crazed and murderous, but he had thought he'd known enough of social skills to know that when someone was busy, that meant they were not able to talk. Was it really that hard?

[Brenton]

Farria could have died because of my being there if it weren't for Laetri and Saphira. Laetri was almost killed because I destroyed the inn and he stepped in to save the innocents. I think that, yes this meeting is important, but so are the lives of all of those who can be killed if I do go insane again. If you truly do not have time to listen to what I have to say then I will leave but know this. This may be the last time I see you for what I plan on doing could kill me.

Brenton spoke quietly right next to Eragon so that only his half-brother could hear. As he finished, the king looked at all of the lords and dignitaries. Forgive me for the intrusion. It shall not happen again. Brenton cast a meaningful look at Eragon before turning and leaving to find someone to help him. No I didn't twist Vaentr, at least not intentionally. It was the process and the dark magic that corrupted and hurt his mind. If what I have planned works then it will be helpful for Vaentr and at least will allow me to control his anger better, making him sane again.

The king looked around and ran over to a building, hopping up onto a windowsill and then onto the roof of the building next to it. He sat down and took out a pad of paper and a charcoal quill. Without really thinking about it, Brenton started to draw a picture of the cruxis crystal that was embedded in his palm, all of the facets made individually. He drew the eldunari that Vaentr came from originally with an arrow pointing to the crystal. Next came a circle of three humans with dragon shadows. Finally Brenton drew a picture of himself as he knew he had looked when he killed that soldier, including the soldier just before he blew up.

Under all of the images, Brenton wrote out the descriptions and then added in notes of what he thought each had an effect on the others for. Finally Brenton turned to a second page and began to sketch Isrydia, including detail that he hoped would look good. It did. Next to her picture he wrote a description of her strengths and weaknesses as well as her role in his plan. Then he drew a picture of Eragon with the sames notations next to his half-brother and a question mark for the role.

Brenton wrote up a letter explaining all of the information and then signed it with his insignia. Pulling all three pages out, the king concentrated on Isrydia and found an image of her in his memory. He cast a spell and all of the notes and images disappeared, heading to Isrydia now. Now to wait for Eragon and a reply from his old student who he heard was with a ship in the Northern Sea.

[Aelodil]

Laetri smiled in appreciation to Sheratan's response of his request. As he waited for Farria to return, he looked at Saphira. At first he began comparing her to Agaravel and was surprised by his results. Same color scales, roughly same size, and, as it seemed, close to the same age. Agaravel couldn't help but feel annoyed at being compared to someone else and whacked him gently with her tail from behind him. Stumbling forward and with a pained moan, Laetri apologized to her. His head shot up as Brenton darted off. He was about to take chase when Aedel barred his path, stating,"Leave him be. He has his own things to do. Besides, even if you were to cahse him, it wouldn't do much good for either of you. For the most part, you two will actually end up fighting this time. Trust me, I understand his perspective. It's similar to my own not too long ago." With a pained expression, Laetri nodded and agreed.

Laetri looked up as he felt Farria's mind nearby. Sure, he felt her mind, but she had came so close to the group and he barely even noticed her. She certainly was good at concealing herself. As she lowered herself from the roof and walked to Sheratan and Saphira's side, Laetri approached her and gently picked his cloak off her shoulders. Indeed the cloak had turned into one of those royal capes worn by royalty - the kind that draped off the person's back and dragged on the floor - on the young girl's back. Laetri donned his cloak. As he did so he couldn't help but feel the essence of the ocean in it. His whole attire simply felt like Riptide and the ocean. He shivered. He certainly didn't hope Riptide would show up.

A little ripple passed through a small pond nearby Laetri and the rest. A horse-like figure rose up from the water and, as he reached the surface, shook his mane. Ah! It had been so long since he, Riptide, had last visited human shores. He reached out with his mind, making sure to keep himself concealed from the others as he inspected their whereabouts. He began with a small canter towards their general location. He missed Laetri. He was the only Rider in the Water Branch who had interacted with him ever since the Branches had been re-instituted. As much as the young Rider tried to conceal it, Riptide knew he enjoyed his company. However, Riptide's upstart act and the fact that he acted like a young and immature child didn't really help the situations Laetri was usually in.

Laetri turned around. The wind had suddenly shifted. He felt a familiar presence coming from the direction of the wind and took a step back and put his hands up as if to ward evil. He gave a rather odd screech, and as Riptide emerged from the trees, Laetri jumped in front of him, pointing at him as if he was the devil."You! What are you doing here?! Weren't you supposed to help the younger ones back in the Citadel? Why is it you never do anything right!? Agh!" Laetri yelled right in his face. An interesting dialogue indeed, thought Riptide. He neighed in a response and Laetri's expression went from surprise to straight-out anger."Eh? You trying to make me look crazy, Riptide? Come on, come on! Talk! Explain why on earth you're here." Laetri said, now a little in control despite his anger. Riptide reared back on his hind legs and let out a bray of laughter which earned a glare from Laetri."I apologize, I apologize. My name is Riptide, and, if you haven't heard of me, I'm the Water Branche's Guardian-" Riptide began before being interrupted by Laetri,"A rather impolite and immoral and immature Guardian at that." Riptide ignored the comment and continued,"You must all be wondering as the ever-polite Laetri here is, why I'm here? Well, to be honest, it's because I wanted Laetri to entertain me. That's my only reason. If you don't mind then, continue, act as if I'm not here."

With a look of outrage and anger on his face, Laetri sat cross-legged. However, despite his looks, deep inside he was happy. He truly enjoyed Riptide's company and had grown a rather close bond with the Guardian as Elder of the Water Branch. He let out a sigh."With all that out the way," Laetri started,"Now what do we do? I mean, I have no clue as to why Brenton ran off or to where, but, it seemed important. But I believe we should let him do as we wishes... for now. But in the mean time, Saphira, might you explain to us to what we owe your arrival?"

[Quetzal]

Brenton was ever so dramatic. 'This could be the last time you'll ever see me', 'people could die because of me', and so on. Far too over-dramatic. Eragon was asking him to wait for him for half an hour, not sending him off to war. Honestly, the elven king could be so ridiculously over-the-top sometimes. A lot of the time. He had to agree that people could die because of him, but he doubted he would go into a murderous rampage any time in the next few minutes so soon after the last one. Eragon was in a dark mood indeed as he carried on with the meeting, hurrying through things. The lords plainly resented the rude interruption but did their best to carry on as if nothing had happened.

They only had a few issues left to mull over. He couldn't spare so many guards as was required to protect them all, but he could spare a couple of older men, tired enough to have slim chances of survival in the upcoming battle, experienced in fighting to teach their own men how to fight and defend themselves. That suited them all well; the Varden men would be glad at the increase life expectancy and the opportunity to bring their families here for a comfortable life of good employment in a calm, pretty town in the countryside. Some of the lords had second or third sons they wouldn't mind training up as commanding guardsmen, and it would provide employment for any men or boys struggling to get by. They felt better trusting the villagers rather than outsiders, too. Eragon found Brenton's mind. "I won't be long, give me a few more minutes and these lords will be trotting away happily. Just don't do anything stupid. It's only a few minutes." He was firm, the annoyance still clear in his tone, but at least he wanted to help.

Sheratan's ears pricked up, head jerking around to follow Laetri's gaze. Her eyes were good for night vision, but her ears were sharper. She heard the sound of hooves before Riptide emerged through the trees, but they sounded wrong. Farria closed her eyes and listened through the snowcat's ears, noting the oddness about the noise. Laetri's odd screech shocked her back into her own skin. As he shouted, a horse cantered up to them. No, not a horse. He was like a horse, but something else entirely.

He looked as though he were made out of water. Glittering and transparent, the magnificent creature may as well have been carved out of some kind of precious stone, but the way the light cast dazzling rays through his body was just like the ones you saw underwater. Farria had seen them before, when she used to paddle in a pond when she was younger. She couldn't swim, but the water was clear and had barely reached her chest. When she'd stuck her head under the water, the sun had stabbed down through the gloom in a brilliant light display. Seeing Riptide had brought back that memory.

She didn't know what to make of him, so stared, part in awe, part in something that was almost but not quite fear. She wasn't scared of him as he didn't look like he was threatening them, but she did feel uncomfortable seeing a creature she'd never even heard tale of before. Laetri's anger and the horse's laughter made her giggle all the same. The thing introduced himself then as Riptide, guardian of the Water Branch. That a Rider thing, wasn't it? She tried to recall what she knew about them. Laetri's cloak bore the Water Branch's sign and Agaravel was blue, which must mean he was in the Water Branch. That made sense. Blue like water. That meant Saphira must be Water as well. She tried to continue as normal as Riptide suggested, but it was hard not to keep staring at him.

Saphira bowed her head to the Guardian. "Riptide, good to meet you at last. I am Saphira. Myself and my Rider Eragon are technically a part of your Branch, my scales being the colour they are, but I'm afraid we've been otherwise occupied for a good while," she greeted him. She was relieved Brenton hadn't twisted Vaentr himself, but wished to see the poor dead dragon recovered. "Brenton contacted Eragon a number of times, but he was still busy with his meeting so sent me instead." She touched her Rider's mind gently. "It can't have been enough. Brenton's run off to Eragon. He interrupted the meeting, but Eragon told him to wait and is pretty annoyed by it all." Rightfully so. Her own pride was hurt by the petty king. Was she, a dragon connected to Eragon and just as smart if not more intelligent, not good enough for him?

((Brenton, that plot of yours probably wants its own thread. It'll be a big thing, and this thread was supposed to be about Laetri returning))

[Brenton]

((Oh that plot won't happen in this thread. This is just to lead into Brenton leaving the thread. He still has to go tell Laetri everything and possibly apologize to Saphira for running off like that.))

The mind of an Elder was powerful and could be sensed by all of nature easily, but far easier by a Guardian who was in tuned to such occasions. So when Laetri had returned to the land, Inferno had felt it but he had deemed it unimportant. That was until the bracelet was picked up by the Water Elder and then Riptide showed up. Maybe he would have to go and say hello to Laetri who he had yet to meet properly. Being of Fire did not mean he was cruel enough to ignore his equals or their counterparts. Inferno was a respectful being and so the large red dragon rose from his volcano home, past the Fire Citadel. He flew toward where he had sensed the disturbance and rumbled a deep pleasant note in his chest as he neared those he had thought were there.

When the Fire Guardian was there within landing distance, the dragon touched down on the ground outside of the village and lowered his head to look at the Guardian and Elder of Water. Good day Riptide and Laetri, Guardian and Elder, I must introduce myself to you and your dragon for it is pleasantries. My name is Inferno, the Guardian of Fire. Please do excuse the rash behaviors of those who are in my Branch but you must realize that I can feel the touch of Water on his soul because of Brenton's first dragon.

---

On the rooftop, Brenton nodded to himself as Eragon contacted, but he was slightly surprised by the annoyance in his half-brother's mind. Kin should not be so frustrated with someone who came to them for help, especially when Brenton only wished to ask him to be there when he tried to revert Vaentr back to normal. It would take some careful planning and Brenton was not known for his planning.

I shall be back with Saphira and the others. It is important that I apologize to them for what I did and tell Saphira thank you for showing up when she did. See you when you can be there. With that, the king stood up and jumped off the roof, instantly shifting into the form of a twelve year old blue dragon who roared in triumph. He rarely used this form but it was faster to fly to where his friends were than to try and run there. Brenton flew as fast as possible, imparting upon Vaentr the knowledge of what he planned. A sense of pride came over the dragon briefly before he felt the distant anger take over again. It was always like this when the king got through to his dragon.

Saphira, Laetri, Farria, Sheratan, Agaravel, Riptide, and Inferno were all in the area where he had last been as well as the wolf that he had yet to find a name for. As Brenton got closer he shifted back to his humanoid form and dropped down to the ground, landing lightly on his feet with his hands touching the dirt. Brenton stood up and walked slowly toward Laetri and the group, bowing to the two Guardians, before he looked at Saphira. I am sorry for leaving so suddenly, Saphira Brightscales. It is not that you are any less important than my brother but more that I need to ask him for help in a problem and so it would have been better to ask personally. Don't take my actions offensively please. Next Brenton turned to Laetri and sighed. I may not be able to say it after today but thank you, friend, for helping me with everything. I do appreciate all that you do for me but now it is up to me to find those that can help and go change what happened to me. Hopefully one day I will return and we can talk without worrying about my explosive anger harming someone else in the crossfire.