He prowled across Carvahall, avoiding everyone until he heard a sibilant voice from around a house. Although his ears were keen, he had to strain to hear what was being said.
"When did this happen?" The words were smooth, like oiled glass, and seemed to worm their way through the air. Underlying the speech was a strange hiss that made his scalp prickle.
"About three months ago," someone else answered. Eragon identified him as Sloan.
Shade's blood, he's telling them...He resolved to punch Sloan the next time they met. A third person spoke. The voice was deep and moist. It conjured up images of creeping decay, mold, and other things best left untouched.
"Are you sure? We would hate to think you had made a mistake. If that were so, it would be most... unpleasant." Eragon could imagine only too well what they might do. Would anyone but the Empire dare threaten people like that? Probably not, but whoever sent the egg might be powerful enough to use force with impunity.
"Yeah, I'm sure. He had it then. I'm not lying. Plenty of people know about it. Go ask them." Sloan sounded shaken. He said something else that Eragon did not catch.
"They have been... rather uncooperative." The words were derisive. There was a pause." Your information has been helpful. We will not forget you." Eragon believed him. Sloan muttered something, and then Eragon heard someone hurrying away. He peered around the corner to see what was happening. Two tall men stood in the street. Both were dressed in long black cloaks that were lifted by sheaths poking past their legs. On their shirts were insignias intricately wrought with silver thread. Hoods shaded their faces, and their hands were covered by gloves. Their backs were oddly humped, as though their clothes were stuffed with padding. Eragon shifted slightly to get a better view. One of the strangers stiffened and grunted peculiarly to his companion. They both swiveled around and sank into crouches.
Eragon's breath caught. Mortal fear clenched him. His eyes locked onto their hidden faces, and a stifling power fell over his mind, keeping him in place. He struggled against it and screamed to himself, Move! His legs swayed, but to no avail. The strangers stalked toward him with a smooth, noiseless gait. He knew they could see his face now. They were almost to the corner, hands grasping at swords. One grabbed him, pulling him around the corner and pinning him against the wall.
"Spying, are you?" He said, his smooth voice making Eragon twitch. "Come with us." The stranger pulled Eragon into a nearby stand of trees, clicking excitedly. He threw Eragon on the ground. The other stranger rubbed his gloved hands together.
"Come now, you aren't frightened are you?" He hissed, cocking his head to look at Eragon. Eragon threw his hands up as the creature approached. They began clicking excitedly, pulling him up with surprising gentleness. "It's you. The egg hatched for you." Eragon stared down at his gedwey ignasia. "Yes, we know what you are, rider." The other stranger hissed.
"Our master sent us to find the dragon egg, but instead we found its rider! He will be most pleased." Eragon backed away, but the strangers didn't stop him.
"What is he going to do to me?" Eragon asked, reaching for Saphira but finding her too far away.
"We don't know. It's best that ones as low as us don't ask questions." The taller one hissed. "Don't worry, he will not harm you, of that we are sure." His voice seemed filled with glee. "We are Ra'zac, the King's personal dragon hunters. You will come with us to Uru'baen."
"What if I don't want to go?" The Ra'zac hissed violently, one of them clutching his sword tighter.
"We will have to bring you forcefully. You will go to our master, no matter what you do. And as long as you travel with us, laws will not bind you. Take what you want on the way to the city; it matters not to our master. All he wants is you." Eragon had no choice in the matter. He nodded slowly and the strangers put away their swords.
"Eragon!" He recognized Brom's voice, turning to look back at the village. "Eragon?" The Ra'zac hissed, grabbing him and pulling him along through the woods towards his farm.
"Is your dragon large enough to carry you?" One of them asked. Eragon nodded.
"Not for very far, it tires her too quickly." The Ra'zac hissed.
"We will go on foot, then. As soon as we have horses, it will be easier travel." It looked back at its companion, clicking. "We don't like the idea of crossing the plains on foot. We made that mistake once, we won't do it again." The farm came into sight faster than Eragon had thought it would, and the Ra'zac led him to where his uncle was.
"What's this? Unhand him!" Garrow rushed at them, but was he was held back by the shorter one.
"Calm yourself." He hissed. "Eragon is to come with us to Uru'baen, by order of the King. If you wish to go, you may, but it will slow our journey." Garrow looked at Eragon in surprise.
"Why are they taking you? You're just a farmer's son!" Eragon looked at the ground.
"I was meaning to tell you for some time. Remember the stone I found in the Spine?" Garrow nodded, brow furrowed. "It wasn't a stone, it was a dragon egg, and it hatched for me." Garrow gasped, backing up and falling to the snow. He sputtered several times, but the Ra'zac got impatient and pulled him to his feet.
"Are you going or not?" Garrow looked at the stranger in rage, making the Ra'zac back up a few steps.
"I will not leave my home, no matter what Eragon has done." He looked up at him with tears in his eyes. "I trust that you will not forget me, rider?"
"I won't, uncle. I'll come and visit you, whenever I have the chance." The Ra'zac hissed.
"Very well. Call your dragon. We must leave now." Eragon reached out with his mind, touching Saphira.
Saphira, meet us in the clearing. He said.
Us? Who's with you? She asked, taking off from wherever she was.
They are called Ra'zac; they are going to take us to the king. Saphira's mind seethed in rage.
I know that name. I will come, but don't expect us to be friends. She broke the connection herself.
"She's going to meet us in the woods." The Ra'zac nodded and followed Eragon clicking excitedly. They were obviously pleased with their feat of finding him, and rubbed their gloved hands together in what appeared to be joy. Saphira snarled at the sight of them, snapping her teeth inches from their faces. They didn't even twitch.
"We know you do not trust us, scale-flapper, but know that we will not harm you or your rider." Saphira growled but backed away. The Ra'zac turned to Eragon, drawing a sword from his cloak. "Take this, use it if we are attacked. The rebels will seek to capture you, and that is something you would not enjoy." Eragon could only imagine what torture he'd go through, and took the sword. It was very heavy, and he doubted he could use it, but he would try.
"Your dragon will fly above us as we travel, until we reach the plains. From there she may walk with us, for it doesn't matter if others see her. You are under the protection of the king, and no one will harm you."
Eragon followed the Ra'zac through the trees, wondering what the king had in store for him.