Sitting on the docks, watching the seagulls dive around the fishing boats on the bay, I wait for the return of my daddy's boat. He and my brother are out there, catching our wealth in those nets. Daddy always favored my older brother. Andrew was going to inherit Daddy's fishing business, that's all they seem to talk about, or care about, since Mum died three years ago.
I sit here a lot, almost every day, wishing and dreaming of other places. All of Alagaësia is in peace since the war between the Empire and the Varden almost 30 years ago. Daddy was there, fighting for the freedom from the terrible dictator, Galbatorix. He tells stories of it over and over again at the taverns. He tells of his great adventures under the fearless leader Roran Stronghammer. He was young at the time, but the one story he always tells is of the battle at Uru'baen, or now, Ilirea. He was scurrying about as fast as he could to avoid the soldiers, bring messages back and forth from Stronghammer to Jormundur and King Orik. And the moment when he saw the legendary hammer, wielding it to defend him and save some lives. He was the one to return the hammer to its owner, staring at the battle wounds and seeing Stronghammer still standing tall.
Staring out at the bay, feeling lonely, I get up and walk about Teirm, my home. I was born in this city by the sea, along with my older brother, my daddy and my mum. Mum died here, too. She got really sick, and couldn't hold on before healers got to her. That was about three years ago. She was the only one who understood me. Daddy can't stand to look at me, he says I look so much like her.
For the last month, Daddy's been trying to marry me off, just to get me out of his life, I guess. His argument is always, "Sabell, I can't keep you here forever, and you won't ever get your mother's dowry this way!"
I refuse, though. We have been fighting all this time, but I keep telling him I'm not ready for this, not ready to be tied down. I wanna see more of Alagaësia, to see some of our age's landmarks. I can't take it anymore, so it's time to leave home. I turn, marching with determination back to my house. Moving quickly through the house, I grab a pack, stuffing in it clothes, bits of food, and a blanket. As I go to the door, I pause and grab some paper and ink, leaving a goodbye note for Daddy and Andrew, telling them that someday, I'll be back with the riches of adventure. I grab the kitchen knife, my only weapon.
Setting out, I get on a boat heading down the Toark River to the east and curving south. The only other passengers on this little thing are some fish traders and the crew. Lucky me, I the only freaking girl on this damn boat, peachy. Sailing a week down the calm waters of the river, surrounded by men sweating under the warmth of the summer sun, all of them gawking and staring, laughing and whispering about me. I'm just about fed up with this idea of running away, and while contemplating on just jumping into the river, I hear someone call out that Dras-Leona was about two hours away. I stick it through, ignoring the idiots.
Its late dusk by the time we dock in the old hell worshiping city. The shadows seem to move and shift, the wind whispering almost in a cadence. I stop in the closest tavern, requesting room and board. I'm all by myself in a corner, chewing on slightly cold pork, when the excited tones of some drunken gossipers floats over to me.
"Did you hear? There's a new batch of eggs going around Alagaësia, apparently the first ones were hatched to an Urgal and a Dwarf."
"HA, an Urgal? On a dragon? I doubt it, poor little thing would never be able to fly those hefty monsters. But what a sight it would be to see one of those stone dwellers in the sky, flying." the man scoffed.
The first gave a serious look to his partner. "I not be joking! Apparently the Shadeslayer made a new pact with the dragons, allowing all the races to be able to become Riders!"
"Whatever you say, but where are the new eggs going? Hopefully not to the elves, or any of the other races. We need more human Riders, like good ole Eragon. Though, that man looks more like an elf than a human himself. Beth those cunning bastards did something to him while back."
"I heard that the egg is heading to Belatona now, so we may just get lucky for a decent human this round."
"Bet you a round of ale that it'll be some noble of some kind, they always have good fortune, in both ways."
"I'd drink to that!" They hit their mugs together, gulping it down, mostly running in their beards.
Belatona's not that far from here, would be amazing to see how to become a Rider. What an adventure that would be! Setting my mind to it, I decide that I better get going now before I miss the showing. Cleaning my plate, I set out, wanting to leave this creepy city as soon as possible.
I get back to the dock, but its empty, the boat left already. Not sure what to do, not wanting to stay, I walk off to the main gate, but that's closed as well. Panic was seeping into my system. I walk at a more brisk pace more to the south and come across a smaller gate. I slip through, not making any eye contact with the guard. Once outside the wall, I run. I go as far, and as fast as I can, putting much distance between me and the city. I slow to a stop, hands on my knees panting. I look back, Dras-Leona's lights small and soft in the distance. Finally at ease, I set off south, going towards Leona Lake, following the shore.
I walk through the whole night, the moon and stars my only light. I whistle and hum tunes, keeping a pace with my stride. Early dawn comes around, the pale world slowly waking from its sleep. Birds making morning calls, I whistle back to them. Not too far off my path, I see a house in the distance, about a half mile. Hoping that the people are friendly, I take my chance and change my direction, heading for the cabin.
Nearing the door, the sun starts to climb over the horizon, dawns light spreading over the land. The whinny of horses in a nearby barn makes me smile. I knock, hoping that I'm not disturbing the residence. I can hear the scrape of a chair on ground and a gruff "Be there in a minute." I rock on my heel, going through my head what I should say.
A short, shiny bald man opens the door. His beard is short, but his eyes are beady. I get chills, thinking this wasn't a good idea. "What do you want, girl?" his beady eyes were going over me, and my unease grew, but I stuck to the plan.
"Umm, I'm sorry if I bothering you so early, but I am weary on a long travel and was hoping to be able to rest my head somewhere safe. I'll pay you if you could help me."
He thought for a moment then stepped aside, letting me pass. The cabin was small, simply furnished. He led me to the back to a bedroom. "How long you think you gonna take?"
"Just a few hours, I just want a rest; I still have a long way to go."
"So what's a pretty thing like you so far from home?"
"Oh I'm just traveling to my aunt's," I keep my eyes away from him, but I can feel his stare.
"Alright little lady. So, how much you paying for your stay?"
From my pouch, I pull out a gold coin. "Would this do?" He eyes it, almost a craving stare at the coin, "Yes, ma'am, you lemme know if i can help you with anything. I'll be out in the barn, tending my animals, gimme a holler." With that, he leaves me in peace.
With a deep relieved sigh that he wasn't going to do anything, I lay in the bed, keeping my pack close, knife in hand under the pillow.
Soon, I pass out from exhaustion. Dreamless sleep takes over.
Voices interrupt the dark, waking me. Men, rough, hushed tones coming from the room next to me. I keep my eyes shut, breath steady, pretending to still b asleep. My hand gips the knife tighter and my palms turn sweaty.
"She's young, very pretty. Would fetch a nice price."
"Aye," grunts another, " and if she's all by herself, it's a easy catch that landed in our laps."
"Wonder if she'll be worth something if we ransom her. Skin like that should mean she's a noble's daughter."
The three of them debated how much gold they should ransom me for, or if they should just sell me to slavery. I started to tremble in fear. DAMNIT...I should have just left well enough alone...I'm such an IDIOT.
In the other room, I heard shuffling and a door close. The voices stopped. I stir out of bed and creep over to the doorway and peer into the other room. One of the men stayed behind, the one that let me in was sitting near a fireplace, warm light flickering. His back was to me. Just across the room was the door, the way out, my only escape.
Sneaking to the door, softly turning the handle, soft crackle from the fire. The handle squeaks and I freeze. The man in the chair gets up, turning around.
"Ah, little miss, leaving so soon without saying goodbye? I save some midday meal for you before ya head off. Why not stay and rest a bit more?"
"Umm, actually, it seems I slept longer than I should have, and I'm already going to be late. My aunt's going to worry about me. I think I need to get going."
He approaches me, eyes seeming to burn into me. "You'll get weak traveling on a empty stomach, here, sit." He comes by me; meaty, hard hands slightly shove me forward to the table.
"No, thank you. I'm good on my own." I turn, spinning away from him and closer to the door. I tug the handle and throw open the door, trying to make a run for it. Two steps out the door, his bulky arms wrap around me, yanking me back.
"I Said Stay!" He shoves me against the table. I bite my tongue, tasting blood. "Little girls like you should know better than to go wandering about. You never know what could happen. Maybe you need a lesson taught!" He raises his hand, as if to strike, and as it comes swinging down, I pull out my knife and stab into his palm. He recoils, stepping quick away from me. "You little wench!"
I dash around him, going out the door. After about ten feet, I turn, looking where to go, and hear the whinny of horses. Running towards the sound, I find a barn, but the other two men I heard were inside, taking saddles off two horses. They look at each other, then at me, and come rushing at me. I freeze, then duck out of the way, slipping between them. One swings his arm back. An explosion of lights dance in my eyes, and my world goes black.
My world spins as I try to open my eyes, staring up at the sun, I become blinded. I feel groggy, not sure where I am. Rolling over, the sun out of my face, i can see my surroundings. I'm not outside, as my first thought was when the sun staring me down. I'm in a small stone walled room, by myself. My hands are bound together, straining while I pull at the rope. With no luck I look about. No furniture in this small space, but my pack is by the door. I get up to my knees, practically crawling towards it. I look inside, and laugh to myself. Who's the idiot now? They actually gave my knife back? Kinda sad.
Pulling it out, I use it to try and cut through the rope. It takes forever, but I become loose. Putting the knife in my belt, and putting on the strap of my pack. I try the door. Locked. Slightly frustrated, but not surprised, I look at the window. It's high, just barely in reach. Standing under it, I jump up, fingertips grab hold of the ledge, but I slip, unable to pull myself up. I try again and again, each time just barely grabbing onto the ledge. I hear a bang from the other side of the door and freak out. I don't wanna die, my life can't end like this! With renewed vigor, I jump, grabbing the ledge and heaving, pulling up, feet scraping on the wall, trying to get a footing. Pull, pull. I slide one forearm over the ledge pulling. I reach the window panes, pulling at them. Finally, I can slide my hips up and over the edge.
Panting just slightly, I turn and kick out at the pieces of wood bearing the window. I hear yelling from the other side of the door and a click from the lock opening. I jump down the other side, not giving my captors another glance. When I hit the ground, I take off running through the streets. Streets? Where am I?
I running zigzagging away from the small house they held me in. Away as far as I can. My feet pound down a dock, I finally stop and catch my breath. Staring out over the calm water of the lake, I collect my thoughts. This dock doesn't look the same as before like in Dras-Leona, so we must be in a different city, and with this beauty and size, I must be in Belatona, right where I wanted to be. Heh, at least I survived this far.
I wander the streets, going towards the noise of cheering and fanfare. In the town square, hordes of people are crowding someone, but it's hard to tell. Rumors must have been true, and all these people have come from miles just to get a brushing touch of the egg. I try to wiggle through small batches of people, but everyone is so jam packed together, I never gain even a glimpse. Not today, nor the next.
On the last day, I camp out by the gate watching as the party is leaving. I see the long smooth stone, deep violet. I bolt up to the person on horseback, an elf, for the person does not look human, too pointy of ears, jaw too sharp. I tell him of my plight, and how I wished for adventure, as if this could be my chance of a new life.
He looks at me, not sure whether to believe me or not, but lets me touch the stone. I feel it, as if there was a heart beat inside matching my own pulse, both starting to race. A shiver goes through my body and a rush emotions. For some reason, the elf does not notice and pulls it away from me. He and his companions spur their horses, riding away. My heart starts to break staring longingly after them.
I rush off to find a horse, riding after them, determined and in my heart that I now know what I'm meant to be.