Kvistr by Melissa Nichols (elon musk reading list .TXT) 📕

"Rhunon-elda, are you sure you don't need her help? When you did it with me, I stayed until you used the finer stones on the blade." Eragon asked."I decided that while I cannot begin the process of a making a sword on my own, I can finish the job and this would certainly constitute."

"Yes, ma'am. It's what you think that matters when circumventing your own oath."

"Very good! You remembered. Now, enough chitchat. Good night." Rhunon closed the door, leaving Eragon and Alanna in the dark."Would you like me to return to training, Eragon?"

"Rhunon's right about the training. While I'm sure you'd appreciate a week away from your studies, it'd do more harm than good. Even with your considerable progress, Alanna, there is still much more you have to learn. But I'm not inconsiderate enough for me to ask you to be at the Crags this morning rested and ready. So, take today to sleep and recover and come back to training tomorrow."

"Yes, sir. Thank you." Alanna climbed into Faolan's saddle. She heard Eragon grunt in acknowledgement as he floated onto Saphira.

I'll be returning to training tomorrow, Alanna. Will you be alright on your own?

Yes, of course I will. Eragon's right. I should sleep. I probably won't even leave the tree house.

Okay. It just makes me nervous, leaving you alone.

I know. But I'll be fine. And I'm not as helpless as I used to be. She patted the sword Rhunon had let her keep for the time being.

I know. You've become quite deadly with that metal stick. I've been watching. It makes me shudder to think about how much more deadly you'll be with your new stick.

Yeah, this sword is great for practicing, but it's not very practical for a real battle. It'd break in my hands without the wards upon the first strike and then it'd be useless. A Rider's sword, however, will-

Never break or dull and can break through most magic spells. Faolan grumbled. I've heard about little else since you got that stick. But I'm glad you're excited, and you're right. I'd much rather entrust our lives to a metal stick that can't be depreciated. He said as he took to the air, angling toward the treehouse. Now, it's early and we should sleep.Yes, Alanna yawned. I agree. For the short flight to their treehouse, it was difficult for Alanna to stay awake. She actually slumped all of the way forward in the saddle to rest her body against Faolan's neck. She was asleep before long.

Alanna woke up the next morning in her own bed, tucked under the covers. Since she remembered only falling asleep draped across Faolan's neck, she figured he must have tucked her in. It wouldn't have been impossible; she had left her legs loose. When she looked around, she found the hallway connecting her room to the main room had scratches in the wood, a testimony to Faolan's scales raking across them. Chuckling, she tried to connect her mind to Faolan, but he was out of range. Immediately, loneliness engulfed her. She had had her mind connected to him every day since he had hatched. To have him out of reach was crippling.After a bit, she shook off her mood and washed, brushed her long straight black tresses, and dressed for the day. Faolan's rat tank was empty so she put it by the front door. Grabbing a small knapsack, Alanna emptied the fruit bowl into the knapsack and then slung it across her back. She didn't feel like staying indoors today. She was rested and no doubt would sleep very well tonight as well, but she couldn't sleep the whole day away. So, she jogged into the city. She wanted to talk to Rhunon. Seeing the sword unfold under her hands had really impacted her and she wanted to learn more.Rhunon was working over the fire when she got to Rhunon's shop."Rhunon-elda." She called. Rhunon looked up. "Alanna. I thought you would be abed all day."

"I slept, but I didn't want to sleep away the whole day. I'd be awake during the night when I should be sleeping, and sleeping during the day when I should be training. I'll sleep as long as I can tonight, though, to rid myself of any lingering tiredness."

"Whatever you please. So, tell me, what brings you here? Come to check up on your sword?"

"Partly. I also wanted to ask you if you'd be amenable to me watching you work when I have free time?"

"Of course. You weren't the only one who felt that click last night. Knowing that, of course you may."

"Great! Thanks so much, Rhunon-elda!" She put her knapsack down in a corner away from everything and eagerly learned what she could from Rhunon as she explained all about refining and the different thicknesses that are needed for the different weapons. Once the first stage of refining Alanna's new sword was done, Rhunon showed Alanna how to pump the bellows while also drawing the sword through the fire until the edges were orange and the spine was bright red. Rhunon dunked the sword into some water and waited for it to cool a little before she removed it and went back to refining, using much finer stones this time. Once the refining was done, Rhunon carved the groove of the blade and set about polishing the blade, which was quite similar to how Alanna polished hers.After a few hours, they took a break, during which time Alanna showed Rhunon her temporary sword. Rhunon examined it and was pleased with how well Alanna had maintained it. Rhunon then examined it more in-depth, leaving Alanna with enough time to eat some fruit.After Rhunon returned the sword to Alanna, Rhunon went back to work, but this time she worked on another project so Alanna could continue to learn.For the rest of the day, until the sun began to go down, Alanna learned from Rhunon and helped where she could. Rhunon actually liked the enthusiasm Alanna showed and answered all of her questions with patience, even explaining things further than Alanna had asked for.Even though Alanna wanted to stay overnight to help work with the metal, Rhunon wouldn't hear of it and sent her home, promising she could stop by whenever she had the free time and the energy to do so. With the door closed in her face once again, Alanna went back to her treehouse to wait for Faolan.When Faolan came home, Faolan updated her on his day. Now that he was flying, he began to learn things instead of just exercising all day. He learned about the wind currents and what herbs are good for his digestion, how to go about getting a mate, which made the situation really awkward for Faolan, Saphira and Firnen, and other dragon things. So, today he learned about weather patterns, and since it was important, Faolan shared his lesson with Alanna and she fed him dinner, ate her own and went about her evening routine which consisted of washing, brushing her hair, honing her sword for tomorrow and transferring energy into her amethyst as she cared for it.With everything done, including Faolan's lesson, Alanna curled up under Faolan's wing and fell asleep.

Five days after Alanna worked with Rhunon to create her Rider sword, she received a missive from Rhunon. It said simply 'Come to my workshop immediately'. Needless to say, Alanna ran the distance from her treehouse to Rhunon's shop, Faolan trotting along beside her.Alanna leaned against the doorway of the shop and looked around for the trouble she thought the message was warning her about. All she saw was Rhunon sitting in a chair with a long bundle on her lap. Seeing this, Alanna's heartbeat picked up."Is that-?"

"Indeed it is. Your sword is almost complete, Alanna." Rhunon held it out and Alanna stepped forward to accept the bundle. She carefully unwrapped it and stared at it.The blade was long and not very wide, the outer sides a lighter purple while the spine was a darker purple. The edges matched Faolan's belly scales, the spine matching his eyes perfectly. The pommel fit in her hand with room for her hands to grow, a polished amethyst set into the handle."It’s beautiful, Rhunon."

It is very visually pleasing. And since it's a Rider's sword, I know it'll be a great weapon.

"Now all that's left to do is name it. Have you decided?"

"I've been giving it a great deal of thought and I've decided on Nuanen Delois, Delois for short." Alanna proclaimed proudly."Beautiful purple flower? Well, I must say that's certainly unique, and fitting. Very well then. Nuanen Delois it is." Rhunon gently took back the blade long enough for her to engrave the blade and its matching scabbard with its name, and then she handed it back. "Now, put it on and test it out."Alanna certainly did just that. She tied the scabbard around her waist and went outside to practice her forms, getting used to the blade's weight and reach. She was pleased to find that it was lighter than she imagined it would be, and easy to maneuver through the forms. Pretty soon, she was quite confident in handling Delois.Practice complete, she went back inside and handed over the regular sword she'd used after cancelling all of the enchantments she'd placed on the blade."Now then, shouldn't you be getting to the Crags? Go show that sword off!" Rhunon urged her as she herded Alanna to the door in a not-very-subtle manner. Alanna smiled and, giving in, hugged the older elf before she got onto Faolan's back. As Faolan took to the sky, she didn't see Rhunon, one of the more burdened elves in the nation, smile.Faolan flew straight to the Crags and Alanna couldn't get to her mentor and fellow apprentice fast enough. She desperately wanted to show off Delois. Eragon was quite impressed with the sword and its beauty, and he even chuckled when Alanna stated its name. But, soon after, Alanna had to put Delois away and begin another day of training.Eragon, is there something amiss? Father isn't here.