Chapter Four

Eragon's breath swirled around in the cool Autumn air. He notched an arrow and took his stance. The doe stood about twenty feet in front of him. He released the arrow. A garish blue light filled the clearing scaring the deer away before the arrow struck. Eragon ducked under a bush to conceal from any danger. He stayed there listening intensely for any noise, but none came. Soon he stood up and looked around. Cautiously, he began to walk forwards towards the clearing. Where the doe once stood an oval stone now sat, dust and smoke surrounded the air around it. He knelt down and examined the stone. It was all blue with thin white lines running lengthwise down its side. He picked up the stone and noticed that it felt too light for its size. Where did this come from? He thought. He was going to set it down again and leave when an idea came to mind. He placed the stone in his sack and took off.

~*~

Back in Carvahall, Eragon headed into Sloan's shop. The butcher stood behind the counter chopping meat. He never looked up to acknowledge his customer which made Eragon aggravated. "Sloan I have something to trade."

Sloan raised his eyes away from the meat. "Really. What would that be?"

Eragon took off his sack, opened it up, pulled out the stone, and set it on the counter opposite Sloan. "What is this, some sort of stone?"

"I found it."

"Stole it more likely."

"I was hunting; hunting in the Spine."

Sloan looked Eragon in the eyes. "P-p-put it back then. It belongs to the King!" He shoved the stone towards Eragon.

"You won't accept this?"

"No."

"But I need meat."

"Not my problem."

"Look Sloan Winter is nearly upon us and my family needs meat!"

"Boy don't you dare raise your voice at me! This is my shop, I decide what is acceptable payment and what isn't.

Before punches could take place Horst stepped through the doorway.

~*~

Gwen doodled in the dirt with a stick. She was in the secret spot in the woods bored out of her mind. Ever since Eragon left to go hunting she felt different, she felt as if there was a piece of her missing and nothing seemed to cheer her up. She never had this feeling before which scared her a bit. What is wrong with me? She let out a sigh and threw the stick. It was then she heard a commotion in the distance. Eragon's back! Gwen stood up and ran back to the farm.