After their conversation, Ryan went below deck.
Femur didn't have a reason to lie unless he wasn't who he said he was.
As he entered the shower, he started laughing at his paranoia.
It didn't really matter.
If Femur were lying, nothing much would change.
On the other hand, if he were telling the truth, the world could be saved.
As he washed his hair, he thought back to what Femur had said about Bell.
He felt a familiar pain in his heart when he remembered how she slapped his shoulder.
If she hadn't walked away when she did, he would have hurt her.
With a quick shake of his head, he prepared for bed.
The only problem was that sleep didn't want to climb into bed with him.
After a few hours of rolling around, he decided to get some air.
As he walked above deck, he saw Femur dancing with an apparition that looked just like Bell.
While they were dancing, he heard Femur singing.
"Soon I shall move the sea,
Only then will you be with me.
Soon, my suffering will be through,
I cannot wait to spend eternity with you."
After he twirled the ghostly Bell a few times, she disappeared.
Femur then turned his attention to Ryan.
After a quick bow, he gestured to a table with tea.
As Ryan walked with him to the table, he realised something.
"You knew I would be there that night. Is that why you sang that song?"
When they took their seats, Femur chuckled.
"Yes and no. I knew you would be there, but that song was always close to my voice."
Ryan rubbed his forehead for a moment.
"It is so hard not to trust you when you say something like that."
Femur was quiet for a moment.
"Ryan, before I say anything else. I would like to apologise first. Our relationship was built on dishonesty, and I wish to correct that."
He stood up and bowed deeply.
"Would you accept this ancient Skeleton's apology?"
Ryan swallowed a few times before he answered.
"Yes."
He wanted to say more and to ask more, but he decided to let the Skeleton speak first.
When Femur sat down, he gestured for Ryan to have a sip of tea.
"Ryan, my story is a long one. Do you wish to spend that time with me?"
After his sip, Ryan nodded.
"I am curious how I turned into you."
Femur nodded, and he stared at the stars as he began speaking.
"I won't bore you with too many details and names. So I will start at the beginning of the end."
Ryan frowned but stayed silent.
"The Changelings' plan was a success, and they crossed over, while the island did the same. The only reason I escaped was that I was on it as it crossed over."
Femur stood up and, with his magic, he showed Ryan a picture of the other side of the portal.
It was a forested scene with mighty creatures flying in the distance.
"One thing we didn't know was that anyone who had the magic of the Dragon god couldn't survive. Unfortunately, that was almost everyone except the Orcs, Aleksandar, Eragon, Angelica and me."
The scene shifted to hundreds of graves being dug by the group.
"During the crossover, Angelica wanted to kill me, and she inadvertently saved her own life. In the years that followed, she saw the error of her ways and became a good friend to you and the noble Eragon."
Femur showed Ryan scenes of them fighting in various battles.
Ryan saw his image teleporting through the battlefield.
No changeling could know about that ability.
"Before I continue, are there any questions you have?"
Ryan rubbed his chin for a second.
"What was Eragon like in your timeline?"
Femur changed the picture to Eragon.
He sat on a throne with other Draconians of differing earth tones kneeling before him.
One of his horns was broken off, and he had a deep scar on his chest.
"As time went on, he became more violent and eventually rejoined his people and took his place as Prince."
To any other viewer, Eragon was a monster, but Ryan could see the deep sadness in his expression.
Ryan let out a sigh as he continued.
"What about Angelica?"
The picture morphed into her in a suit of black dyed leather armour.
"She did fight beside you as you tried to gather materials for Aleksandar's experiments. She died saving your life."
Ryan was shown how she grabbed him and used herself as a shield to protect him from arrows.
"Is that why you and Aleksandar helped her?"
With a smile, Femur nodded.
"It is the least I could have done. Without her, I would not be here."
"What about Aleksandar?"
Femur sighed.
"He tried his best for many years, but he failed. On the other side, he began losing his humanity. Before he lost himself, he gave me immortality and taught me how to use magic."
The scene shifted to the Baron on his knees.
He handed Ryan the Blood Rose dagger, and Ryan stabbed him in the heart.
Ryan stood up and paced.
"I have seen enough for now. I need to process what you showed me."
Femur nodded.
"Go to bed. I will tell you the rest tomorrow. Call Isabelle; I am sure she missed you."
Ryan went below deck, and as soon as he closed his door, he called her.
The phone rang twice before she picked up.
There was panic in her voice.
"Ryan, are you ok?"
With a smile, all the anxiety melted from around his heart.
"I am now."
He heard her sigh on the other side.
"Where are you?"
He decided to keep all the details to himself.
"Femur found me and picked me up. I will be back in a few days."
After a few seconds of silence, she spoke.
"How was it with the Elves?"
With a smile, he told her all about the tragedy of Ayeden and Aeriath.