Chapter 7: Whispers of the in the Spine

The days passed slowly in the Spine, with Bahamut embracing his solitude as he observed the world changing from a distance. His scales gleamed a deeper purple with each passing month, the strength of his body and his flame growing steadily. The Spine became more than just his refuge—it became his domain. The dense forests, the craggy peaks, and the hidden valleys were his to explore, and he guarded them like a silent sentinel.

The occasional echoes of life beyond his sanctuary—rumors carried by birds, distant smells of wood smoke, or faint voices drifting up from Carvahall—kept him grounded. Though his heart ached to be a part of the human world he had once known, he remained resolute. For now, the dragon named Bahamut would stay hidden, a secret kept by the mountains and the sky.

Brom's Arrival at Carvahall

Far beyond the quiet solace of the Spine, the world churned with rebellion and unrest. The independent country of Surda had recently declared its sovereignty, and in the ensuing chaos, Brom capitalized on the distraction to found the Varden. With a few trusted allies, he merged various dissident factions across Alagaësia, rallying those who had resisted Galbatorix's iron rule. 

Brom's charisma and determination also secured support from the Dwarves and the Elves. In Farthen Dûr, King Hrothgar pledged the dwarves' protection, while Queen Islanzadí promised elven aid when the time came. The Elves, recognizing Brom's unwavering resolve, bestowed upon him the rare title of Elf Friend, a mark of high honor. During his time in Du Weldenvarden, Brom even attempted to convince the legendary swordsmith Rhunön to forge him a replacement for Undbitr, the Rider's sword he had lost. However, Rhunön, bound by an oath in the Ancient Language, refused, prompting a fiery argument that ended only when Oromis himself intervened to subdue Brom's anger.

Brom's travels brought him into contact with countless individuals who would shape his mission. Among them was Angela, a mysterious herbalist whose cryptic insights and eccentricity both intrigued and exasperated him. Angela once remarked that Brom's destiny was to fail at all but one goal, a prophecy that haunted him in moments of solitude.

Though Brom worked tirelessly to bolster the Varden's strength, his ultimate goal remained unchanged: the downfall of Morzan, the first and most loyal of the Forsworn. Using his cunning, Brom infiltrated Morzan's castle, disguising himself as a gardener. His original plan was simple: seduce and kill Selena, Morzan's agent and consort. But fate intervened, and Brom fell in love with her instead. Their brief, tumultuous romance led to the birth of a child, though Brom remained unaware of this until much later.

Brom's vendetta against Morzan culminated in a deadly confrontation after the theft of one of Galbatorix's dragon eggs. Working with the scholar Jeod, Brom orchestrated the theft, only to face Morzan in a final, grueling duel. Brom emerged victorious, slaying Morzan and his dragon, and claiming the sword Zar'roc as a grim trophy.

Haunted by fears for Selena's safety, Brom returned to Morzan's castle, only to discover that she had died from illness. Suspecting that she had carried his child, Brom traveled to Carvahall, where he found a young boy named Eragon living with his uncle Garrow and aunt Marian. Though he longed to reveal his identity, Brom chose instead to remain in the shadows, watching over the boy from afar.

Observing From Afar

As Brom settled in Carvahall under the guise of a wandering storyteller, Bahamut continued his quiet vigil in the Spine. Time marched on, and life at Garrow's farm evolved. Roran was no longer a toddler but a spirited young boy, full of energy and curiosity. Bahamut watched him from a distance, perched high in the trees or hidden behind rocky outcrops. He marveled at how quickly the child was growing, his laughter a constant reminder of the innocence that still existed in this world.

But Bahamut also noticed a change in Garrow. The farmer's shoulders seemed heavier, his face lined with worry. The absence of Selena was a shadow that loomed over the family, though they rarely spoke of her. Bahamut wondered how much Roran would remember of his aunt when he was older—if he would remember her at all.

One evening, as Bahamut watched the farm from his usual vantage point, he saw Garrow pause in the field, leaning on his hoe. The man's gaze drifted toward the horizon, where the mountains met the sky. It was a look of longing, of questions unanswered.

He misses her, Bahamut thought. But he doesn't trust her. And he shouldn't.

Selena's role in Morzan's schemes still weighed heavily on Bahamut's mind. Her love for her children had been genuine, but her loyalty to the Empire had been her undoing. Bahamut knew she would not return to the farm—not unless it served Morzan's purposes.

A Decision to Wait

As the years rolled by, Bahamut continued to grow, both in size and in strength. His flame had become a powerful weapon, and his flying skills were unmatched. But his heart remained heavy with indecision. He thought often of the elves in Du Weldenvarden and the wisdom they could offer. Oromis and Glaedr, the only remaining Rider and dragon besides himself, were likely already in hiding, their connection to the Riders severed but their knowledge still vast.

"If anyone could help me understand what I've become, it would be them," he mused. But the thought of approaching the elves filled him with unease. They were cautious, secretive, and not easily swayed by outsiders—especially a dragon without a Rider.

He remembered the stories of how fiercely the elves had guarded their borders, how they had fought to protect their way of life from the Empire's reach. If they saw him as a threat, it could lead to disaster.

"No," he decided one quiet evening, as he perched on a high ridge overlooking Du Weldenvarden's edge. Not yet. I need to be stronger, wiser. When the time comes, I'll seek them out. But for now, I'll stay here.

The Spine had become his home, its rugged beauty a source of comfort and strength. He would wait, biding his time, until he was ready to face the world beyond its borders. Until then, Bahamut would watch, learn, and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.

A Shadow in the Spine

Meanwhile, Brom's life in Carvahall was anything but idle. Though he played the part of the jovial storyteller, he kept a watchful eye on the village and its surroundings. Stories of the Spine's dangers were well-known, but Brom sensed that something unusual was afoot. Whispers of strange occurrences reached his ears—hunters reporting sights of shadows moving through the trees, livestock disappearing without a trace, and an eerie silence that would sometimes settle over the forest.

Brom couldn't shake the feeling that the Spine was hiding a secret. The tales he told by the fire often masked his true intentions, as he subtly gathered information from the villagers. His suspicion grew stronger with each passing day, and he resolved to uncover the truth.

Late one evening, as he stood at the edge of the forest, Brom gazed up at the towering peaks of the Spine. The wind rustled the leaves, carrying with it a faint, almost imperceptible sense of unease. "Something's watching Carvahall," he murmured to himself. "And I'll find out what it is."

With that, Brom turned and walked back toward the village, his mind set. Whatever lay hidden in the depths of the Spine, he would uncover it—even if it meant venturing into the heart of the wilderness itself.