Chapter 28:

A Secret Revealed

Eragon and Saphira stood in front of the Rock of Kuthian in amazement. Before, on their journey to Belatona, he had left with a strange feeling that it had importance, but he would never have guessed that its significance was as great as this. As he walked around it, sliding a hand over the rough surface, Saphira said, I doubt it will open at a whim. You may have to invoke words of power. Can you think of anything that may be useful? Eragon racked his brain, but came up with nothing.

No, I don't have any ideas, do you? She snorted and shook her head. Well, we don't have much time, maybe thirty minutes, at the most. He stood back with a hand on his chin, wondering what could open the Vault of Souls. He thought back to the brief conversations he had had with Glaedr's Eldunari, but again, his mind was blank. He thought further back to his training, and then even as far back as his lessons with Brom.

A sudden pang of sadness struck him as he remembered his father's death in the sandstone cave so long ago. Slowly, his eyes widened, and he raised his head as he looked at the large gray stone.

He thought of the seven words that Brom had said to him before he died.

The words had been in the ancient language, and as Eragon thought back, they made perfect sense. He hadn't understood what the purpose of the words was, but now they fit perfectly. He raised his right hand and invoked the magic, while Saphira stared at him. What are you doing, little one?

Just lend me your energy; I don't know what this will do. He spoke the words, and the drain on his energy was tangible, but not incredible. He stood there for a few seconds, but nothing happened. Dismayed, he lowered his hand; there were no other options. He heard a roar in the distance, and remembered that Galbatorix was fast approaching. He hopped on Saphira, and she crouched down. As she unfolded her wings, Eragons power plummeted, and his fatigue was great. He felt dizzy for a few seconds, but recovered.

Eragon, look. The rock was slowly receding into the ground. Eragon swung off Saphira, elated. He stood there, watching this transpire, and the second the rock was out of sight, a bright green light shot out of the ground, momentarily blinding him. As Eragon's vision returned, albeit slowly, he beheld a great sight.

Sitting before him, in a massive vault, were a mass of dragon eggs.