Disclaimer: NO, I don't own the Inheritance Cycle!
Chapter 1: Awakening
It was a warm day in spring. After a cold winter with strong snowstorms coming out of the spine, Eragon was happy. Finally the snow and the bone-chilling cold were gone and the mild climate was slowly creeping into Alagaësia. Eragon was a tall, 14 year young man with brown hair and eyes. He lived with his uncle Garrow and his cousin Roran, who was 16, in one of the biggest cities of the empire. He had been helping Garrow to prepare their shop for customers a moment ago. Now he's standing in front of their jewelry, which was one of the best in their city and watched the shadows wander through the street as the sun rises. It was completely silent as the city was still asleep but his uncle was early awake, like every day. Garrow couldn't stand sleeping long and so their shop opened at dawn every day. Eragon smiled as he thought back the days when he always wanted to sleep until noon and every day Garrow threw him out of his bed cursing, what the world will be in the future if everybody would get up that late. Eragon was watching the dance of the shadows as Roran walked up to him. "It seems to be a promising day," he said. And he was right. There was nearly any cloud at the sky and the warming rays of the sun slowly heated up the still fresh night air. Eragon nodded in agreement but didn't look at him. "Aye, it seems to be," he answered. They stood there until the city awoke watching the sun.
"Excuse me, is your shop open already?" a voice interrupted them in their daydreams. "Y-Y-Yes, of course!" Eragon stuttered after he recovered himself. "Come in and tell us how we can help you." They entered the shop and Roran called "Uncle, we have a customer!" "So … what are you looking for?" Eragon asked the stranger, who had dark hair and was clothed in a fine blue coat amongst other noble clothing. He replied "Well, I'm looking for a necklace for my wife." Roran went into the room behind the counter and came back with a big wooden chest. He opened it and presented the content to the man. There were small ones, large ones, with and without gems worked into and they were made out of a wide variety of metals. The stranger sighted at the amount and asked "Well, since I have no idea what my wife would like, can you help me?" "Of course!" a voice rang out. Garrow came down the last steps of the staircase and went next to them. "Well, to be able to help you, I have to know what your woman likes." "Red flowers, especially roses" the man informed. Garrow pulled out a few necklaces and laid them down next to each other on the counter. "Take a closer look. Here we have some with flowers and red gems, do you see anyone that you see fitting?" Garrow asked friendly. "Hmmm, I like the one on the left, but how much would it cost me?" was the shy response. Garrow thought for a moment before replying "5 crowns." The man considered for an instant before pulling out his purse and counted up the requested money. "I'll take it, I want my wife to look good, when the king arrives tomorrow" he said with a smile. Eragon looked confused. The king comes tomorrow? he thought. Then he looked around and saw the irritation on Garrow's and Roran's faces as well. It was the first time the king left Uru'baen since Eragon was born! And of all, tomorrow is my birthday, Eragon observed shocked. "You didn't know?" the new owner of the necklace asked. "Well, it's good that we know now," Garrow thanked the man. He just shrugged his shoulders and went to the door wishing them farewell.
It was noon way too fast for them and Garrow told them to go to the market to get some food. Eragon went to his room in the large house and got a small dagger he attached to his leather belt. When he left his room, he found Roran waiting for him outside with a sword on his side. Since the city was so big, there were criminals everywhere and since Eragon was robbed multiple times now, they never left the house without weapons. Together they went down the staircase and straight to Eragon's uncle. Garrow gave them a small purse which was filled with coins and they left the jewelry. "Try to get information if the customer earlier this morning told the truth," he called as they approached the door. After the man who bought the necklace had left the jewelry, nobody else entered the shop. Nevertheless Eragon's uncle stayed in their shop in case there would be more customers as he feared to miss some easy gained crowns.
The streets were crowded with people as they approached the market. Everybody seemed to prepare for the king's arrival. As they arrived at the market, the cries and begs from the beggars merged to a nasty song. But since they grew up here, it was normal for them. Also there were guards everywhere and if a beggar would be either too annoying or would physically attack someone, the unlucky person would be brought straight to the prison. Also the known fact that nobody who ever got imprisoned came out alive kept the crimes in the city partially under control. The boys quickly went past the beggars and to the merchants to buy fish, meat, vegetables and some sweets. They also talked with them and they confirmed that the king would come. The sellers also informed them about the salutation ceremony which would be hold at noon, when Galbatorix would reach the city. All citizens would come and welcome the king who would then give a speech to them.
When they came back and told Garrow everything they were informed about, he turned to Roran and Eragon. "Since the king comes tomorrow, we can't celebrate your birthday like planned, we have to shorten it," he told Eragon who just nodded with his head lowered. "Oh, come on Eragon you'll see the king, our king!" Roran tried to cheer him up. But he didn't succeed. "Well, it's just, I looked forward to it and now I can't enjoy it because Galbatorix visits the city…," Eragon said sadly. "Anyways, we have to prepare the shop later that day, because the king will surely not come alone and maybe we can sell a lot of jewelry," Garrow smirked with a sparkle in his eye. "Always thinking on improving the gain…" Eragon and Roran moaned at the same time. Garrow just smiled. Every time a high person would come to the city, Garrow wanted the shop to be as inviting as possible and since it was a large city they lived in, this happened quite often. Although this time it would be the first time the king would come.
At dusk, when the last customers were gone, Garrow took the earned money to his chamber and put it into a small chest with three different locks. He unlocked the three and put the earnings into the partially filled box. Afterwards he carefully locked it again and hid the chest underneath his bed and put the keys into different drawers located around his room. Then he went down into the now closed shop and ordered "Roran, Eragon, could you please clean the windows and the floor? I will polish the jewelry in the meantime." They nodded in agreement and got themselves a broom and some rags. With a sigh they started the long lasting work. They both knew it had to be done but it wasn't a pleasant task. It was late in the evening when Garrow was satisfied with their accomplishment and said "Well done now let's get ourselves our well-deserved rest. Let's see, what tomorrow will happen." With a sigh, Eragon went to his room and fell on his bed. Too tired to cover himself he drifted into his dreams.
A/N: Well since this is my first story ever written AND since english isn't my native language, please give me feedback.
Else I don't have much to say... well, I hope you enjoyed my writing style and/or the content.
