Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Eragon, but I own everything you do not recognize!
A/N: First official chapter, and I'm so happy. It's been a long time since I've written a fanfiction, and this is my first one from the world of Eragon. I'm not too fond of the title however, and if you have a good idea for it, tell me within a review. If your title wins… I'll be forever grateful! –smiles-
Also, I changed my mind about writing this in 3rd person. The whole thing shall be 1st.
-o-ψ-o-
Chapter Two
Behind the Church of Eherbe
I made my way back home slowly, dragging my feet as much as possible and stopping to stare blankly into space at regular intervals. My mind was scrabbling for an idea to get to that mystifying land across the sea, but none came. When I reached the mahogany face of my front door; I had all but given up hope.
Turning the handle, I tried stepping over the threshold, only be knocked backwards several millimeters by Zetch, my younger sister.
Olette! Olette! Where have you been? she shouted, her tiny voice high in excitement, I want to show you something I found… It's behind the church! Follow me!
Grabbing my hand, Zetch dragged me down the still streets of Juromun. I smiled softly, being very much used to this by now. Zetch's interest in anything she didn't already know about often spurred these little adventures. Most times the thing she wanted to show was an exotic looking flower or a beautifully colored stone, although once it had been a baby robin that had fallen from the nest.
A cold feeling welled up inside my body as I remembered. Zetch had been very young at the time, and she didn't understand why the little bird wouldn't move. I had been forced to explain about how the robin had broken its neck from the fall, and that it was now no longer alive. Zetch's eyes had grown wide with understanding, but not the horror I had expected.
Is that what happened to mother and father?
I had been left speechless by the shock and had simply nodded, but in truth, that was not what had happened at all.
Here we are! It's right around this way, Zetch freed herself from my grasp and rushed around to the rear of the huge marble structure. One again, I looked up to marvel at the beauty of our church. Taller than any other building in Juromun, the edifice was dedicated to the worship of Eherbe. On the other side, civilians marched in and out through the ever-open doors, and four guards glared around suspiciously with spears sharper than the steeple above.
Zetch was crouched down in a patch of dirt. Behind her was a large stained-glass window depicting Eherbe in all his golden-clad glory, and in front was the beginnings of the Parёendai Wood.
Look at this, Olette. Isn't in a strange stone?
I stooped down next to her and looked to where she was pointing. A smooth rock lay there in the dust, reflecting the sun's weakening rays off a gleaming ivory surface. I reached out and brushed it with the tips of my fingers, marveling at its perfection before carefully picking it up.
It certainly is… I replied softly, turning it over in my hands. It was perfectly oval, and surprisingly heavy. I strongly suspected it had been crafted for something in particular.
Can we keep it? It's so pretty! Zetch looked at me pleadingly, and squealed with delight as I nodded. I can put it in the rock garden! Right in the middle!
I'm sure it'll be lovely there, I smiled and handed the stone to her. She promptly turned around and started back home, literally bouncing in her excitement. Zetch, I'll be back later, ok? I think I'm going to stop at Frare's for dinner. I'll bring something back for you.
She nodded her understanding and disappeared around the corner.
-o-ψ-o-
Frare was a short, plump man with a permanent frown attached to his face due to all the times he was forced to deal with a man who could not hold his liquor. He peered skeptically at me from under his bushy brows as I approached the counter.
I'll have the special please, to go.
He pointed a fat finger at one of the few unoccupied seats around him and said, It'll be a few minutes.
I perched myself in the indicated chair and looked around nervously while Frare stated my order to the cook. The food was for Zetch, for I didn't intend to eat anything. My stomach had been rolling around ever since this morning, and I highly doubted black bean casserole would make me feel any better.
The thoughts filling the room was nearly deafening as usual. I spotted a few familiar faces in the crowd, but made no attempt to strike up a conversation with anyone. That day, I decided to listen. Opening my mind to everything, I waited for an interesting topic to come up before latching myself onto the discussion.
Oh, and tomorrow Lori will be going with Juroi…
This is terrible. I may have to have a word with the cook…
Alagaësia has some interesting news of late…
Stopping my scan immediately, I tuned into the thoughts of whoever was talking about the other world. Suddenly becoming very excited, I blocked out absolutely everything but the voice of a young man and woman.
Is that so?, said the female, and when did you hear about this?
A few days ago. I was listening in as usual on Teirm. They've been thinking of a man called Galbatorix, and a huge reward for a boy with a dragon.
A dragon? What is that?
I'm not sure. Images are fuzzy from such a distance, but it seems like a huge monster of some kind.
Interesting, is that all you found out?
Yes, but I plan on looking into it further of course.
I shuddered and released myself from their minds. These people knew about the land across sea! I craned my neck, looking around for their location but to no avail. Upon giving up, my mind was taken over by the mention of dragon. A huge monster, he had said it was. For some reason, my skin prickled with excitement. No where in Juromun would you ever find such a thing. Fiends had been vanquished from the land many centuries ago by the gods, or so that is what our priests told me. A completely new element had been revealed about the other land, and it had only heightened my curiosity.
So absorbed I was in this subject, that I didn't even notice as Frare approached with Zetch's food and jumped in surprise when he tapped me on the shoulder. I paid him quickly and left, failing again to discern a different pair of eyes watching my back as the door swung shut behind me.
-o-ψ-o-
I apologize in advance for any mistakes. I never read back though a chapter after I write it (I probably should), so there are probably lots of errors. Also, I case you didn't catch it, the people of Irewalņ speak with their minds, like Eragon and Saphira do.
QUICK PRONUNCIATION GUIDE:
Eherbe – HERB-AY
Olette – OH-LET
Parёendai – PAR-EN-DIE
Frare – FR-AIR