Prompt: Eragon comes to you with a request. He left something in the Vault of Souls and needs you to get it back for him. However, he does not tell you what it is, simply where. to open the Vault of Souls, you must use your true name. However, for those who know their true names, the poison in the air on Vroengard will strip it from your mind. To help you, Eragon has given you an Eldunari to take with you. You must describe how you found your true name. You also must describe soem features of it, and what is in the Valut of Souls and why he needs it. 

 Rating: 9 out of 12, safe from voting

~~~~~~~~~~~

 Stepping out of the stone-rimmed arena, I wiped excess sweat off of my brow with my uninjured hand. Just today, I earned yet another laceration to add to my ever-growing list of aches and pains. However, it also marks my fifth training session with Eragon Shadeslayer, one of the greatest sword fighters of our age.

No less than a day after my duel with the blue-furred Blödhgarm, I sought Eragon out and asked if he would allow me to take private swordplay lessons under his instruction. After lots of pleading on my part, he agreed and had me sparring with him the next day.

Eventually, he questioned me on my motives towards having private lessons; my answer was quite simply that I meant to improve, for I knew that eventually, whether it be Blödhgarm or a different, stronger opponent, I wanted to be able to not only hold my own, but overpower, and defeat them. My fight with my uncle had worried me; my skills had never been put to such a test before, and to an onlooker, it had probably been amusing to see me that close to failing.

Over the past few days, my body had been worked to the point of exhaustion. Muscles stretched to the breaking point, bones displaced on more than one occasion and limbs covered in bruises every color imaginable. All the while, assaults on my mind were raging and occasionally, magic was thrown into the mix. It was strenuous activity, but it distracted me from my other pressing problem; Blödhgarm.

What was I to do? Leaving was not an option for either of us, but we couldn’t spend each and everyday avoiding each other. Eventually we would have to face each other, and with his threat hanging above me like a cloud about to burst, I worried that the confrontation would come only too soon.

Turning to leave, I heard a cry come from the other end of the arena. Heaving a sigh, I pushed thoughts of a nice cool bath and soothing nap out of my mind. Wrenching my blade out of its scabbard, I sent a rasping noise resonating through the corridor I stood in. As I walked back into the arena, I saw the Kingkiller striding quickly towards me, a worried look painted on his face.

Satisfied there was no lurking threat, I slid Sercyll back in the scabbard. Looking back up, I found that he was right in front of me, the look on his face decidedly worse. His eyes gleamed with evident trepidation, lines of worry creased his forehead and corners of his eyes.

“Lothiriel,” he began, “there is something that you must do for-”

He is interrupted by a large thwump, as Dae dropped down from the skies, landing gracefully next to me, her eyes glittering with both contempt and irritation. ‘You were supposed to meet me by the cliff by the Great Hall, ten minutes ago. What have you been doing that has trumped the meeting of your partner-of-soul-and-heart?’ Smoke lazily roiled out of her nostrils; a soft light illuminated the back of her open mouth and glinted off of her serrated fangs.

Quickly, I apologize and explain what she has just interrupted, stressing the importance of the issue. Meanwhile, Eragon stands silently but tense, patiently waiting for our conversation to cease.

Finally, Dae squinted at me, her pupils merely slits. Swiftly, she closed her maw with an audible snap, and swung her head to gaze at Ebrithil. I could only imagine what is going on between the two, as she had blocked her mind from mine. Abruptly, she looked back at me and stalked out.

As she went out of sight however, she told me, ‘Fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes and if you are not in this wretched leather-back-saddle by then, I will personally come back and snatch you up in my claws, as if you were a four-legged-river-bounder-deer.’

This comment made me smirk, but as I looked back at Ebrithil, it slid away and was replaced by a serious expression.

“As I was saying, before being interrupted by one very irritated dragon, I need you to do something for me. Or rather, get something for me.”

My interest piqued, I asked, “And where would this something be? The Isle? Beors? Du Weldenvarden? Or farther away than even there?”

“This item, is located in Doru Araeba, at the Vault of Souls, which can only be opened by the speaking of one’s true name. It is imperative that it returns to me immediately, for if it does not, the consequences could be dire.”

I’m stunned. Doru Araeba! The famed city of the Riders of old has never been seen by most anyone alive. And yet the Vault of Souls is even more secluded; the only person alive to have seen it stands right before me, offering me a chance to see this place of legend. My eyes widened at this conclusion. How could one say no? And yet at the same time, the prospect of using my true name, something I treasure more than anything, in an unknown place, scares me. But it is still Doru Araeba, a place that I have always dreamed of. My decision is final; I’ll go.

Unconsciously, a smile had crept onto my face. He seemed to take that as an answer.

“So is that a yes?” he asked, smiling slightly at my joy and amazement.

“Yes! Of course its a yes!” My excitement at this opportunity was tremendous, but sobering up, I add, “And don’t worry Ebrithil, it shall be back in your hands before the week is through.”

“Excellent,” he replied. “To help you on this journey, I have enlisted the help of an Eldunarí; Glaedr in fact. Now, you are dismissed.”

With that, I bowed and murmured my thanks before striding towards the arched exit and leaving him to his thoughts.

*****

Mere moments later, I was strapped into the molded leather saddle, on Dae’s back, with Glaedr in a leather saddlebag close to my thigh, and my cloak flapping noisily behind me. As we soared through the windswept clouds towards the distant island, I told her of the assignment bestowed upon us. She was not amused to say the least.

‘Why would he want us to go? Master-Saphira-blue-scales is larger, faster and stronger than any of us here. Why does he not take her to poison-air-Rider-city and get this, this...thing, himself. They certainly could do it much quicker than we could. Me, maybe not, but the both of us….’ She slowly trailed off, cockiness evident in her voice.

‘I don’t know,’ I replied, ‘but yet I don’t question it like as you do. I trust that he knows what he is doing, and I am sure he trusts us enough to retrieve it, whatever it may be.’

‘Remember younglings, that they too have a duty to stay behind and protect the other fledglings. Though you may all claim that you can take care of yourselves, of which I have no doubt, if something were to come about that were nigh impossible for a Rider in training plus their dragon to best, who would take care of that danger? Eldunarí can only do so much. Eragon and Bjartskular will be your best hope if something of that consequence were to come. As well, you should be quite proud that they have allowed you to go to Vroengard. Many would clamor for a chance such as this, and yet here you are Daenyris, Daughter of Lenora and Ohen the Strong. Criticising them for giving you such a high honor. You will do well to realize that,’ snarled Glaedr.

‘Yes Ebrithil,’ we chorused in unison.

‘Now, while we fly, I want you both to think of your faults and strengths and tell them to each other. It will not only strengthen your bond, but it will also help you when the time to discover your name of names. Daenyris, I want-’

‘Wait, what? I already know my true name. What do you mean when it comes time for me to discover it?’ I interjected, confusion running through my veins.

‘Did Shadeslayer not explain that to you? When we get to Doru Araeba, the poison in the air will force you to forget your true name. Once we are on that island, you will have no knowledge, nor inkling of your true name. You must rediscover yourself.’

*******

Over the next day, we flew straight and fast, stopping only for Dae to drink and eat. By nightfall, we were at the western edge Hadarac, the Ramr River in sight, a ribbon of silver against a backdrop of neverending beige.

Dae was exhausted. Spittle foamed at the corners of her mouth. Her wingbeats had become uneven and heavy, her eyelids fell farther and farther down with each passing minute. Slowly, I began to notice that we were losing altitude, and dangerously fast.

“Go down!” I shouted above the roaring of the hot, southern wind. “You can’t stay up any longer. Land and we’ll make camp somewhere.”

Without even the slightest hint of an argument, she dropped. Her wings were held out, billowing like purple sails, catching the wind to help slow our descent. As we reached the ground, she had next to no energy left in her. So we crashed. Grabbing Glaedr, I sprang out of the saddle, tucking and rolling before she hit the ground. With an audible thud, she smacked the ground belly first, wings tucked tightly to her sides. Clouds of dust surrounded her, and once they cleared, she was no longer awake.

Scanning around, I noticed how close we were to the river; only a mile or two west of where we had landed. Little specks of green popped up every so often, marking grass or small shrubs hardy enough to live in such harsh conditions. Walking back over to Dae, I grabbed some bread and an apple from the saddle bag. I ripped apart the bread, eating it quickly. The apple however, I savored, its sweet juices sliding down my throat. Eventually, the apple too disappeared. My hunger sated, and Glaedr on first watch, I sat down next to Dae and began to think.

The Vault of Souls. Speak your true name and it will open, revealing what waits inside. But what could be inside? A weapon perhaps. A Dauthdaert? Rider’s Swords? Or maybe not a weapon, but a spell. Possibly something from Galbatorix’s treasure room? But we would not know until we got there. Too soon, I felt my eyelids begin to droop, and finally, sleep overtook me.

*******

After another day of uneventful flying and soul searching, we reached the edge of Alagaësia. Vroengard was visible in the distance, a small brown patch on the edge of a great blue expanse of ocean.

‘Now, you must remember what I said about the air currents over the ocean. They are much stronger than those on land, and can turn bad just as swiftly. I will help guide you and give you energy if you need it, but for the most part Daenyris, you are on your own. Lothiriel, you must help her if a storm were to come about. Tired as she is, she will not be able to make it by herself.’

Over our link, I could feel Dae’s annoyance at what Glaedr had just said, and her reluctance to recognize the truth of it. However, she made no comment and continued her strenuous flight.

‘I assume that Eragon taught you the spell to breathe in the thinner air in the upper portions of the atmosphere.’

‘Yes Ebrithil, he did.’

‘Good. You’ll need it.’ he replied. To Dae; ‘Fly up. Higher than you have ever flown before. The higher you go, the stronger the air currents, and the less resistance you will have.’

With that, Dae heaved herself up and up. The air began to get cooler and harder to breathe. Quickly, I muttered the spell. Around us, air gradually began to gather together, enveloping us in a bubble of breathable, warm air. At the same time, Dae’s wing beats began to become less strained.

‘To the left,’ we heard. ‘The air moves swiftly there. Place yourself in the middle of the current and let yourself relax; however, keep your wings taut. The longer you stay in the currents, the less energy you will have to use.’

Grunting her response, Dae angled her vast purple wings to the west, where a stream of fast moving air disrupted the sky around it. Eagerly, she winged her way over to the air stream, until the steady wind of the current picked her up. Immediately, she began to relax, closing her eyes and letting herself drift.

We rode in silence the rest of the way; breaking it only for Glaedr to show Dae the next current to ride. With the help of the air streams, we got there much faster than if we were to actually fly the entire way. Even so, as we landed in the middle of a moss covered, stone courtyard, sleep over took us instantly. In the morning, Dae was gone, huntingI presumed. Soon enough however, I too began to feel hunger pains in my stomach, reminding me that my last meal had been somewhere over the middle of the Spine.

Sitting in silence, I waited for Dae to come back, as the saddle never came off of her back after we reached the island, ergo, neither did the food. Meat was not an option, but nor could I get any greens or other plants to eat, as many I din’t recognize and the ones I did, were inedible and poisonous. And so I sat, hungry and alone, my mind wandering.

Eventually I circled around to my newest predicament. I no longer knew who I was; my true name forgotten. No hints, whispers or shadows of it remained, but somehow, I had to get it back.

Who was I? The daughter of Tinuviel and her lover, Kurin. The Rider and partner of Daenyris. Lover of none, beloved of none; orphaned and kinless. Scholar, fighter and friend. Subject of Arya Drottning, student of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular.

As my list went on, a series of words popped into my head. They encompassed that which I was and wanted to be. But as I whispered them softly, I felt nothing. No earth shattering blow, no tree downing wind, nothing. Slightly disappointed, I thought again.

Starting again, I reexamined. I was stubborn, occasionally temperamental, I trusted to easily, and to much. I became irritated easily, and held grudges. But I was not just my faults. I was loyal to those I loved, and stood up to those I didn’t. I was intelligent, and truthful. I was outgoing and courageous. Slowly, another set of words came to mind, but the result was the same; nothing.

By now, the sun was high overhead, and I still was no closer to fining me than I was earlier. Dae had also come back, belly full and no longer seeming to be on the verge of collapse. After sating my own hunger, I noticed that she seemed about to burst. Her own happiness was infectious, as even though I was excruciatingly disappointed in my self, I caught myself smiling as if I hadn’t a care in the word.

Slightly amused, I questioned her odd behavior. At that, she broke.

‘I found it!’ she bugled. ‘My name. My true name! I never thought I would be able to, but i have!’ With that, she spoke a few quick sentences which sent a quiver down her body. It was a beautiful name. Although it pointed out her flaws, it highlighted her strengths as well. Her  despair at not being able to meet her parents were evident, but her love for me outshone that with the strength of the sun.

‘It is a great name,’ I told her, ‘beautiful in fact.’

Slowly, she seemed to realize my own disappointment. ‘What is wrong small one? Do you not like it?’

‘No, no! I love it, I really do, but I’m angry and frustrated with myself for not being able to find my own as easily as you did.’ I replied softly.

‘Oh small one.’

********

That night, I slept uneasily. My mind was racing, piecing together words and phrases, trying to find myself.

As the sun rose above the tree tops, finally, I reached one that seemed as if it could work. In a faint voice, I whispered it, no louder than the breeze blowing through the abandon city. Only a sentence long, and surprisingly simple, it sent a shiver through my body; my gedwëy ignasia burned with a muted lavender fire. Swiftly, a smile covered my face. I had found myself.

After a while, Dae woke up. My grin still plastered on my face, I told her who I was. I had my flaws of course, more than I would have liked, but like hers, it too was beautiful.

Moments later, we found ourselves before the Rock of Kuthian. Gathering my courage, I stood straight and tall, full of confidence and said my name. Same as before, my gedwëy ignasia burst into a pale flame, lavender flame flickering in my palm. As I said each syllable and word, a small crack appeared at the base of the rock.

In one swift movement, I stepped back and let Dae take my place. She then said her name. As with mine, with each syllable, the crack grew higher and larger.

Finally, from his place in a velvet bag inside my saddlebag, Glaedr said his name of names. It was very long, spanning several sentences. Full of sadness over losing Oromis, his own Rider, it had a certain feeling of both majesty and melancholy. When the last sound of his true name faded, The crack on the face of the rock, branched out, revealing to us a door which swung open soundlessly, as if on perfectly oiled hinges.

Slowly, we walked into the dark maw of the cave, from which came a dull light at the end. As we walked towards the light, It became hotter and hotter.

Ultimately, we reached a large cavern bathed in a reddish gold glow. On each wall, there were hundreds of alcoves. In each, an Eldunarí or dragon egg would have sat. In the middle of the room, sat a large stone chair in which Cuaroc, the Hunter of the Nidwal and guardian of the Vault of Souls would have sat.

In his place however, sat a sword. White as snow, and pale as death, it rested upon a cloak, black and leathery. Upon closer examination I realized it to be a Rider’s sword; the leather cloak to be dragon skin. Slightly horrified, I backed up slowly.

Confused, Dae asked, ‘What is it?’

Stuttering, I answered, “D-dragon sk-skin. That cloak is made of dragon skin.”

In our minds, we heard a deep, vicious snarl. ’Tis the sword of the bastard king, Vrangr, originally Islingr, “light-bringer”. His cloak as well; cut from the wings of Belgabad the Great. Why Eragon would keep them here I do not know, nor do I know why he would want them.’  With that, he fell silent, brooding over this new discovery.

Swiftly, I snatched both the sword and cloak from the chair, and placed them in another saddlebag. I then climbed onto Dae, and simply said, ‘Let’s go home.’ My words hanging in the air, she bounded out of the cave and sprang into the air, finally on our way from the abandoned island for good.

********

Two days later, we are back on the isle, sword and cloak in hand. Stiffly, I stride into Eragon’s quarters and drop them on his desk, as he looks at me through wide eyes.

“Would you mind, Ebrithil, telling me why Galbatorix’s sword and cloak were in the Vault of Souls.” I ask, irritation dripping from my voice.

“I thought you might ask that, once you figured out what it was that I wanted you to get,” he replied, his voice strained.

“Well I did, and I want to know, so if you could get on with it, that would be just fantastic,” sarcasm shooting from my lips.

With a sigh, Eragon begins. “When we came to this island, we believed there to be no human, elvin, or dwarvish life here. After combing the island with our minds multiple times, none of us found any intelligent life to be here. We apparently were mistaken.

Many years ago, a group of both elves and humans left Alagaësia for a new life. Like us, they found this island, and found it suitable for habitation. This group believed that, from the start, the Dragon Riders would become too corrupt with the power the wielded, and believed that the people should govern themselves.

But they did nothing about it, until about 120 years ago. When Galbatorix rose to power, they left Alagaësia, and, like me, sailed to the east in hopes to find a land free of the Rider’s influence. They settled here, and learned to block their minds from any and everyone. Because of this...trick, we could not find them on any searches of the island.

For the past 10 years, we have lived together without knowing it. Finally, one of their patrols ventured over to the mountains and saw dragons. The day I sent you on your mission, they had sent emissaries to talk to me. they wanted to know why Dragon Riders were trespassing on their land. I explained what had transpired since they had left. They didn’t believe me. So I told them I had proof. If I got Galbatorix’s personal cloak and sword from Alagaësia, I would show them that the King had truly fallen. They agreed to this, and also agreed to leave us be if we would do the same to them, on the condition they saw proof of Galbatorix’s death.”

After that, he fell silent, eyes watching me, waiting for my reaction. To his surprise, I simply nod and say, “The you better get going.”

As I walk out the door, I say over my shoulder, “And you’re welcome.”