Eragon resigns himself to the fact that he and Saphira will not have time to train with their mentors, and instead reveals Solembum’s prediction in Teirm regarding the Menoa tree. Oromis has also never heard of the Vault of Souls or the Rock of Kuthian and suspects no weapons are buried there, but he encourages Eragon to try again. He also says Angela is known to him by another name, and while she is clever, she’s not omniscient. Oromis will contact two spellcasters about the tree. He gives Eragon advice about procuring a new sword; there are two options in Ellesméra. Tamerlein is owned by Lord Fiolr of the House of Valtharos. He will also be in touch with the retired weapon maker, Rhunon, for advice. Until tomorrow, Eragon and Saphira are instructed to rest and visit the tree.

Before they depart for the night, Oromis asks Eragon to pick one use of magic; in the time they have in Ellesméra together, he will teach him everything he knows about it. Eragon asks to learn how to summon spirits, but Oromis pushes against this. It is a dark art and a kind of sorcery so complicated it cannot be mastered without a minimum of three years training.