Disclaimer: Don't own Eragon.
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Years passed. Eight years to be accurate. Garrick served Fexir against his will, laboring, calculating prices, and repairing the cart whenever it broke down on the roads to the different cities across Alagaƫsia where the goods would be sold and profits were made. Garrick never got a share, being a lowly slave doomed to live out his life as a servant. Twice a year they returned to Dras-Leona, and twice a year was when Garrick managed to catch glimpses of his sister, Alycie.
Alycie had served as a servant in the palace ever since that fateful day when she'd been bought. Garrick managed to talk to her for at least an hour every other visit, while on the others Fexir taxed him down with much time-consuming work, hindering him from seeking out his sister.
He had grown taller and more muscular by far over the years. His wavy, light-brown hair now extended below his ears, curling every which-way at the ends. His green-blue eyes had dulled with the hardships of slavery, yet they still withheld a small speck of hope within them.
This speck grew to a definite brightness when he spotted the familiar head of light-brown hair weaving between the common civilians in the streets of Dras-Leona. He looked around quickly as a precaution. There was no telling when Fexir would be hiding nearby, watching for a reason to punish a slave. Usually said slave was Garrick, but not today.
Confident in his solitude, Garrick left the merchant's cart to another slave and sprinted along the street, weaving through the people to get to the petite, pretty girl walking along.
He reached her and spun her around, not breathing until his eyes met hers. His first grin in months crossed his face as the blue eyes sparkled in recognition and the friendly, thin arms wrapped around his neck with joy. Her soft, pink lips pressed against his filthy cheek lovingly.
"Garrick! You're back! Oh how I've missed you!" she exclaimed as she ran his fingers through her long, silky hair.
"And I, you, Alycie," he said, choking back happy tears as his lips issued her name. Alycie wasn't crying. She never did.
"You've grown again, I see. Soon I'll be talking to your stomach. How was Gil'ead? Where else did you go? Did you meet anyone? Have you met a girl? Are there any interesting stories to tell?" she asked quickly. Garrick laughed.
"I don't have much time to spare talking, Alycie," he said. "Just the moment to see your face and know you're safe."
"Could we meet later? How long are you in Dras-Leona?" asked Alycie, her arms still around him, her face against his chest.
"Fexir says a day, but that always changes once he's had ale that night. I'd say we'll be gone by tomorrow night," said Garrick. Alycie let out a sad sigh.
"I wait for months and months just for two words and a kiss and then it's back to waiting!" she said.
"The penalty of being born into slavery," said Garrick. "Still, many slaves don't ever see their families again at all. We should be thankful."
"It's little to be thankful for," said Alycie, staring at the ground solemnly. Her brow furrowed as a thought occurred to her and she looked back up at her brother. "Ask if Fexir will let you out tonight," she said. Garrick's eyes widened.
"What?"
"Tell him you want the night out. He'll be drunk as a pig anyway! I want to have a chance to actually talk with you."
Garrick was about to answer when a boy a few years younger than himself ran up, panting. He wiped his sweaty, long, dark bangs out of his eyes, panting, shot a brief up-and-down glance at Alycie, then began to speak.
"Garrick, Fexir's on his way back to the cart. You don't want to be caught away from your post. Just like I don't want to be caught away from my post. So if we could make this quick..." He gave Garrick an urging look. Garrick sighed, turning back to Alycie.
"I will request it," he said doubtfully. "Now I have to go."
"Bye, Brother," said Alycie sadly, standing on her toes to kiss him one last time. He nodded and turned away, walking with his fellow slave back to Fexir's cart.
"That's some sister of yours," said the slave, whistling.
"Kurik, if you try anything, I swear, I will chop off your manhood, and feed it to the pigs," he said. Kurik took a short step away from Garrick, looking down protectively with a gulp.
"Alright, Garrick. Just saying..."
"Yes, well don't say anymore," said Garrick, sending him a warning glance. Kurik didn't respond.
Alycie watched them leave, brushing a long lock of hair out of her face. She turned, walking once more. No doubt Vivaria would be angry if she was late again. The bakery was just around the corner.
"Three loaves," she said to the baker, an old man with a hooked nose and black eyes.
"You again. Why don't they send any of the other servants? They just have to send the one who can't leave without breaking something," he grumbled, taking a basket and the order and handing them to her. "You owe me quite a lot you know."
"I haven't broken anything," said Alycie defensively. "The cat broke your vase and the painting caught on fire because it was next to the oven and a spark flew out." The baker scoffed.
"Of course you would have some excuse. Stupid wench. Well, go on, get out."
Alycie walked hurriedly out of the shop. She'd not gone two paces from the door, however, when the brass sign reading 'Guin's Bakery' fell to the muddy ground with a loud clang. Guin's curses followed her to the corner. Soon, she was back in the palace kitchens, explaining herself to the head of the servants, Vivaria.
"And that's why I was late."
"That's why, is it? That's the reason you've kept me waiting so long? We'll be lucky if we finish baking in time. You've had us all running around in worry, you know, complete chaos!" shouted the frazzled, silver-haired woman, her hair falling out of it's tight bun on the back of her head.
"I'm here now, aren't I?" said Alycie.
"Watch your tongue," snapped Vivaria. "You'll be on cleaning duty tonight as punishment."
"It was only a few minutes!" argued Alycie.
"Punishment must be issued! I'm not head of the kitchen servants for nothing," said Vivaria haughtily. "Now put those loaves in the oven. Add more to that fire as well. You'll have to bake them extra quick."
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