"Hello, Roran."
A smooth, melodical feminine voice emanated from the bird of fire.
Roran was reeling.
"What are you?" He questioned, surprised at how steady his voice was.

The voice lilted a little in response, as though in humor. "I'm fire incarnate, of course."
Roran blinked, confused.
The bird approached him carefully, with elegant stork-like steps and paused just in front of his campfire. He'd raised his rock defensively.

It shifted it's wings like it was holding hands up in surrender. "Calm down, Roran. I'm not here to hurt you. Or anyone in Carvahall."
He lowered his excuse for a weapon. "What do you want?"
"To help you, of course."
He glared skeptically.
"Why would you, a creature so far from human, bother with one like me? What do you get out of it?"

She ruffled her wings. "Well now that's just hurtful." She complained, clacking her beak loudly. "Just because I'm powerful and different doesn't mean I don't care for those not like me. After all, things would be really miserable if humans like you were killed off by.. things like Galbatorix. I'm advocating to remove that mad king from his throne!" Her eyes seemed to say she was smiling.

"And since I see fates, I'm aware that you-" she lifted one talon off the ground to point a claw of flame at him- "are going to change the fate of Alagaësia." She finished. Roran scoffed, holding in his laughter so as not to offend this powerful entity. "Me? A lowly human without even a home to call his own and hunted by the Empire? You'll have better luck with an elf."

"Aye, you may think so now, but your strong and courageous heart of Determination is powerful enough to move mountains. You're only just beginning to unlock it's power. You are driven by love, the most powerful of motivators. I'd go on, but we're actually on a time limit right now and I need to get to the point."
Roran narrowed his eyes. "Time be blasted, I have a question."

She blinked, looking impressed. "Go on." She waved a wing to the side as a gesture. Roran crossed his arms. "Did you burn Carvahall's hay barn?"
She tilted her head. "I didn't start it, but it summoned me. As I knew it would. We were going to meet inevitably, so I wanted to warn you of what I can and do what I can to help you in your endeavors. Does that answer your question?"

Roran dared to glance behind him at his beloved village. "Well enough." He responded cautiously.
The strange one slapped her wings together like she was clapping. "Good! Forewarning, however. Most of what I can give you is vague, which probably irritates me almost as much as it irks you. Do you accept this?"
He ground his teeth and glared at the dirt as he considered that.
Then Roran squared his shoulders and looked the great bird in the blue blazing eyes.
"I accept."

She sighed in relief. "Thank you. I don't want someone innocent hurt." Her eyes then flashed as she seemed to stare into the depths of his soul.
"On your first battle with the enemy you will discover an innocent captive. Show them kindness, and they will join you. They have suffered since they had been captured and will fight alongside you to protect innocence, to protect children and the helpless. Do not fear them because they are of Magic, for they are from another world with very different rules. If you save them, you will gain a powerful ally. Save them, and more will join you, for the tales of magical creatures akin to elves is true. They are called skeletons."
She spoke with finality.

Roran eyed the great bird suspiciously. "That rumor? You believe it? And skeletons? That's absurd."
She huffed. "Well if you don't believe me now, then I suppose we'll have to wait and see, eh?" She cocked her head at him, feathers of flame curling up at her neck.

"What sort of creature are you?" Roran couldn't help but ask.
"Well, I'm proof that skeletons exist in many ways you wouldn't understand.." she began sarcastically. "But truthfully, I already told you. I am fire incarnate. I am flame given form and conciousness. In this world, I can be called Arucane."
"Your name is Arucane?"
"One of them, yes."

She sighed, her head sinking down as she bent her neck tighter. Roran looked past her predatory beak and studied her shape. She was much like a heron in general, though much larger and with more girth in her neck. Her wings had the shape of a soaring bird's, save for the tips. They resembled that of a glider. It gave mixed signals as to what she was. She seemed to notice him stare and snort, making Roran tense up.

"You are indeed a hunter, I don't judge you." She held out a flaming wing, stretching out the feathers of fire. "You're welcome to look at it while I continue." She said with an audible smile.
"But I'll tell you that you are destined to leave Carvahall. You and the entire village. Don't bother asking about it, I can't tell you anything else." She folded her wing back in, glancing to the side.
"I must go soon.."

She shuffled her wings again and faced him. Forward facing eyes like a predator. Roran automatically noted. "I want to make you an offer, Roran." She explained kindly.
"You are a strong, very Determined human. You will get what you want, because you will always find a way. But fear is a terrible thing, despair equally dangerous. What I offer is this: any time you feel like all hope is lost, just speak the name of the living flame and you will soon feel your will to fight blazing powerfully within you."

"How will I know what that name is?"
She was definitely smiling.
"I think you'll figure that out."
Flames started peeling off and floating upwards, vanishing as they did so. The great bird of fire drew nearer, rapidly dissolving as she did so. The heat was faintly radiating onto Roran's skin with how close she was now. He fought the urge to attack or flee the danger.
"Remember, Roran. Skeletons are hermaphrodites, they have no true gender so they often identify as male. Keep that in mind when you meet them. Alter.." too late, she had faded before more could be said. Only embers remained, hovering in the air.

Finally Roran heard the footsteps, snapping his mind into gear. He decided to explain his encounter after the visitor had explained recent events.
Not the predictions, though...

Albriech arrived, morose in attitude. He faced Roran without sitting and spoke bluntly. "Come with me."
"Why?" Roran immediately countered.
"Because." Albriech tightened his jaw. "It was the soldiers that started the fire. Morn banned them from the Seven Sheaves, but they still got drunk on their own beer. One of them dropped a torch against the hay barn on his way to bed."
"Was anyone hurt?" Roran quested.
"A few burns. Gertrude was able to handle them. We tried to negotiate with the Ra'zac. They spat on our requests that the Empire replace our losses and the guilty face justice. They even refused to confine the soldiers to the tents."

"So why should I return?" Roran asked, wary. Albriech chuckled humorlessly. "For hammer and tongs. We need your help to... remove the Ra'zac."
"You would do that for me?"
"We're not risking ourselves for your sake alone. This concerns the entire village now. At least come talk to Father and the others and hear their thoughts... I'd think you would be glad to get out of these cursed mountains."

Roran considered the offer for a while, weighing his options. After some time he reached his decision, retrieving the mare and and saddlebags, following Albriech back to the village.
Together they snuck through the town, hiding among the lengthy and black shadows before slipping into Horst's forge.

The workshop within was cast in darkness, a ring of faces illuminated by a lone candle. Horst, Delwin, Gedric, and Loring were among the adults. The rest were Baldor, Loring's sons, Parr, and Quimby's son Nolfavrell. All turned toward Roran upon his entrance. Horst spoke first.
"Ah, you made it. You escaped misfortune while in the Spine?"
"I was lucky." Roran grunted.
"Then we can proceed."
"With what, exactly?" Roran inquired as he tied the horse to an anvil.

Loring answered, shadows cast over his lined face. "We have attempted reason with these Ra'zac... these invaders." He wheezed venomously. "They have refused reason. They have endangered us all with no sign of remorse or contrition." He made a phlegmy sound before speaking slowly and hatefully. "They... must... go. Such creatures-" "No." Roran interrupted.
"Not creatures. Desecrators."

They all scowled and mutely agreed. Delwin took up the monologue. "The point is, everyone's life is at stake. If that fire had spread any further," they all shuddered. "Dozens of people would have been killed and those who escaped would have lost everything they own. As a result, we've agreed to drive the Ra'zac away from Carvahall. Will you join us?"

Roran paused. "What if they return or send for reinforcements? We can't defeat the entire Empire."
"No." Horst said gravely. "But neither can we stand silent and allow the soldiers to kill us and destroy our property. A man can endure only so much abuse before he must strike back."
Loring suddenly threw his head up and bellowed laughter at the ceiling. Then he whispered psychotically.
"First we fortify, then we fight. We'll make them regret they ever clapped their festering eyes on Carvahall! Ha ha!"