Day 1. Du Weldenvarden Forest.
*** Eragon had been in the forests of Du Weldenvarden for so long that he was already starting to miss the vast meadows, the cultivated fields, and even the mountains; he was tired of the endless trunks, branches obscuring the sky, and sparse undergrowth. His flights with Saphira gave him no hope that this forest would ever end – from above, they saw only an endless sea of dense vegetation.
Closer to evening, an elf suddenly emerged from the twilight. Sunbeams piercing through the tree canopy enveloped him in a golden glow, and he seemed clad in shining armor. In reality, he wore light, flowing garments, and a silver band adorned his forehead. The Elf was not young, but his face was striking in its nobility and serenity.
- Eragon, - whispered Arya, - show him your palm and Brom's ring. Eragon removed his glove and raised his hand, turning it so that the elf first saw the ring given by Brom, and then Gödwey Ignacia. The elf smiled, closed his eyes for a moment, and extended his hands in a welcoming gesture.
- The path is clear, - Arya whispered again, and, giving her horse some unheard command, moved forward.
"Who is he?" asked Saphira.
And Arya explained:
- This is Gildurien Wise, prince of the House of Miolandra, who possesses the White Flame of Vandal. He has been the guardian of Ellesmere since the time of Du Fim Skullblaka, our war with dragons. Without his permission, no one can enter this city.
***
Sitting by the fire,
Heroist slowly stirred something in a pot. Suddenly, behind him, there was a terrible, heart-wrenching scream.
Heroist was stunned and paralyzed with fear. Only in the morning did he regain consciousness.
Arandor was collecting medicinal herbs in the forest of Du Weldenvarden. Unexpectedly, he was struck by a clawed paw. Blue scales were the last thing he saw.
Larisa walked towards a goal known only to herself. Suddenly, all the moisture from the plants and trees surrounding her rose into the air and formed a fog. It was so dense that you couldn't see your hand outstretched in front of you. All night she searched for a way out of the enchanted clearing, and only in the morning did she find it.
TenshiCH was looking for something in the Spyna Mountains. Tired, she decided to rest in one of the mountain caves. Suddenly, a huge boulder blocked her exit. Only in the morning could she find another way out of the cave.
Sezam peacefully strolled through the pine forest. Her peace was unexpectedly disturbed by the smell of burning. Turning around, she saw a torrent of fire consuming the forest. She ran away, but the fire pursued her relentlessly. At the last moment, she felt someone grab her shoulder. A dragon with golden scales snatched her up and carried her out of the burning forest. The dragon's scales were scorched, but this was nothing for him.
Meanwhile, among the wardens, a schism was brewing. There were two candidates for the role of warden leader. Nasuada and Fadavar. The winner was to be determined by the Trial of Long Knives.
"You are completely unsuitable for the role of warden leader, and, according to my right, I propose that you undergo the Trial of Long Knives. If you win, we will bow our heads before you and never again question your authority. But if you lose, then you will step aside, and your place at the head of the wardens will be taken by me," said the chief of the tribe of dark-skinned nomadic tribes of Alagaësia, Fadavar.
Just before the start of the trial, Elva approached Nasuada.
- I had a vision; you will win - she whispered.
Inspired by Elva's encouragement, Nasuada honorably withstood the test. She inflicted more cuts on her forearm and lost consciousness later than her opponent. Waking up, she found Elva near her bed.
- In fact, I saw that you would lose...
Alive:
1.
Amber -
Sesame2.
Chrysolite -
Heroist3.
Ruby -
MasteR4.
Aquamarine -
Larisa5.
Emerald -
SnowmanV26.
Rock Crystal -
TenshiCH7.
Indigo Lite -
ToX8.
Topaz -
Olam Hével9.
Tanzanite -
Ment10.
Andalusite -
Drakkoska11.
Onyx -
Loreley12.
Agate -
Nefela13.
Malachite -
WishmasteR15.
Simbircite -
Alexeagle16.
Carnelian -
JinhaiDead:
14.
Lapis Lazuli -
Arandor