A/N: sorry this so long, i really don't have time to write anymore, but summer is coming and i'll find time then.
Disclaimer: i don't own this world. all credit goes to Eddings.
Ch. 4: To the Vale
"This changes things." Garion said pacing. How does this change things? "Megar, go down to the docks and find the fastest ship, we'll be leaving for the Vale soon as morning comes. Geran, you'll keep an eye on her tonight. I'll tell Grandfather we're coming." I stood there dumbstruck. Garion just told Geran to watch me! And we're leaving this morning because I can do some sorcery? This is crazy!
"This is crazy!" I said but I was completely ignored. Garion walked out with Ce'Nedra saying something to his back, Megar ran off soon as he got his order. And I was left standing with Geran.
I gave Geran a cold look that clearly said that I didn't like him watching over me like I'll do something dangerous.
"The king's orders." He said.
"D'you do everything the king tells you?" I'm being a little harsh I know, but I'm enjoying it.
"He's my father and you are using the Will and the Word."
"Hey I didn't think it would work." I told him.
He raised an eyebrow my way. "You know if you thought that it wouldn't have."
"True." Damn, caught in my lie. "Why did he leave you here anyway, not like you're very talented."
"I can use the Will." He got defensive.
I shrugged and backed on to my bed. I gestured to the chair, "you can sit you know?"
He gave a slight shrug and then walked over to the chair. He looked at it before sitting down. Maybe he thought I left pins standing up so they'll poke him when he tried to sit.
My stomach gave another groan and I clutched at it like I could stop it.
"Are you hungry?" He asked.
"No, I'm fine." I lied and slumped back, lying down. There was no way I was falling asleep again. I slept maybe 20 hours in the last day and how many more before I don't know. I can't sleep anymore.
"I'm not dangerous you know." I whispered to him still staring at the ceiling. "I just want to go home." Or not, I just don't want to deal with people. So any place away from people would be nice. I let a sigh escape me.
"Where's home?" he asked. I didn't expect it, no one's taken a real interest in me since I got here.
Turning to the side and locking eyes with him I asked, "the planet I'm from? Or the place I was staying? Or where I live?"
He shrugged. His eyes were still engaged though, so I continued.
"The planet is called Earth, third planet from the Sun. Pretty blue. Two-thirds water, seven continents, lots of little countries. I was staying on an island nation called Sri Lanka. It's beautiful there. My mom was born there, my dad's American. We live in Houston. Small town trap in a large city. If you don't get out after high school, you'll get stuck there."
"High school?" he asked me.
"Secondary Education. Required by law. After high school is university."
"Oh." There was a pause. I didn't know what else to say. "Did you get stuck?" he asked.
"I'm not done with high school yet. I'm only 16."
"Oh."
"How old are you?"
"Nineteen."
Hmm… so it's been about 17 years since the Choice. I wonder what happened after. Obviously Garion is still ruling along with Ce'Nedra, Belgarath is still alive… but what has happened.
"Did Silk settle down? Have any kids?"
"Uh…" Geran looked a little shocked by the question. "Y-yes. He's a father now to Drasnia's most feared children."
That's nice. My eyes were feeling heavy. I guess using the Will takes it out of you. "Mmm…." I closed my eyes. "I'll sleep on this side, so if you need to sleep you have space on that side." I mumbled into sleep.
When I woke up I could feel a presence behind me, turning I saw I that it was Geran. Poor boy must have drifted off. I slowly got out of bed and ran to the carpet at the center of the room. I lay down spread eagle and stare at the ceiling. It's very comfortable here.
A second later there's a knock, the door opened and Garion walked in. I prop myself on my elbows and Geran suddenly popped up.
"What are you doing?" Garion asked Geran.
"Father-"
"Oh don't get your panties in a bunch. I fell asleep soon after you left, didn't wake up until a moment ago. You're boy was very good about watching me."
Garion seemed a little angry. "Get ready we're leaving in a few minutes." He said and shut the door.
I let out a groan and packed all my stuff away in a bag. I wish I had enough time to take a bath but I was afraid if I was late, Garion might rip off my head.
Geran was on his feet, watching me.
"Aren't you going to get ready?" I asked him while pulling on my boots.
He looked at the door and then looked at me. "I get it, you can't leave me unattended." I finished lacing up and jumped off the bed. "Okay, lets go get you some stuff."
He nodded and led the way. I grabbed my two bags and walked behind him.
He led us to another part of the Citadel to his apartment. The sitting room was lavish to say the least but his bed was small. Small and warm. His bed looked so good I wanted to curl up in it. And there was a small fireplace right across from the bed, the embers still blazing.
He was giving me a weird look. I suddenly remembered I was in his room and that I shouldn't be. It's culturally not acceptable. I backed out into the living room. "Sorry." I took a seat in one of the big comfy armchairs and curled myself in. The sitting room was not as warm as the bedroom. He was out soon and had a little pack with him.
"Lets go."
I jumped out of the chair excited. Yes I worked myself up to excitement. I am going to be getting on a ship headed to the Vale.
--
"Urg…" I groaned. "I'm dying!"
"You're going to be okay." He said with a sigh, patting me on the back.
Thirty minutes into the trip on the ship and the ship really gets going. The waves start crashing against the ship and I really start to feel the motion. Then I find I'm feeling sick and before I know it I'm hanging over the edge of the ship ready to throw myself in.
"Okay! Ok…" I leaned over the edge again. "Ugh…" I wiped my mouth. "Can't you do something?"
"Like what?"
"Like put me to sleep!" I start to sound panicked. This trip takes three days and I can not throw up over the edge of the ship for three days!
"I can't, but my father can."
I hesitated at this, but the bile rose up in me again and I lost all sense of privacy. "GO, get him!" and I leaned over the edge.
I stood there at the edge, feeling very tired from all the throwing up. I felt horribly weak; I was never too good at the eating disorders. I'm pretty sure I could have gone to sleep, but this constant need to throw up kept me running to the edge.
By the time Garion and Geran got there in a few minutes I was on my knees on the deck still holding on to the railing if I needed to pull myself up in a hurry.
I looked up at him sideways. Internally pleading to put me to sleep.
"You're going to have to let me into your mind." He said softly as he bent down next to me. I nodded slightly to this. Closing my eyes and relaxing my mind. I felt a hand touch my forehead and something probing my mind.
--
I felt a hand at my shoulder, I groaned and turned over in my bed. Wait… crap! I sat up quickly. I was staring at Garion standing in front of my bunk.
"Um… where's Geran?"
"He's getting your things ready, we're about to leave."
"How long have I been out?" I asked rubbing at my eyes, which felt dry.
"Two days."
"Shit." It came out more as a statement.
He turned around and began walking out, "get ready and come up." He was out of sight now and I was still sitting in bed. I push myself off and try standing but my legs are weak… too much sleep, not enough food, still tired.
---
We got off at Aldur's Ford and thank god! Either awake or not I would have starved to death if it took any longer. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but it was getting pretty serious.
Now we're on horseback and no one's yet to feed me. And did I mention that I don't know anything about riding horses? The getting on part was um… troublesome and now I have no control over the horse.
Garion and Ce'Nedra and some, what I'm guessing are local herdsman (from the descriptions in the books) were riding a little a head of me. Geran was next to me, quietly riding along. My horse starts to veer off of the side and Geran is there taking hold of my line and steering the horseback.
"Um… thanks." I mumble and he nods.
--
That night we make camp behind a hill. All the men put up the tents and make a fire. One of the Algarians makes something for us to eat and I refuse, it just didn't look all that appetizing. Then Garion points to a tent and tells me that it's mine. I crawl inside and there's a blanket on the ground and I lay down.
A couple of hours later and I can't fall asleep. I get up and crawl right back out of the tent.
The night sky is clear and the moon is bright. I walk up the hill and find a wolf sitting on its haunches watching something beyond. I walk up next to him and look where he's looking. He was walking a younger wolf run in the meadow below.
I sit on the ground and wrap my arms around myself. "Is that Geran?" I ask the wolf I know is Garion. I don't know how I know this, but I do.
"It is." He responds, but it's not so much in words. I feel him pressing my mind again and I let him in mostly because I'm too tired to struggle and also because he's gentler as a wolf.
I let him roam and he brings up memories some pleasant some indifferent others but when he stumbles into my memories of cutting myself, my mind panics and pushes him out, and he doesn't resist so it doesn't hurt me.
Garion's wolf self comes up to me and nudges my arm. "Show me." He says.
I unfold my arms and show him my right wrist where there are dozens of scars or cuts.
He cocks him head, "Why?" he asks.
But I don't know how to answer him so I stand up and start to walk down the hill and he lets me which I'm thankful for. I never could explain why.
Down at the meadow, Geran continues running around freely, pouncing from place to place. But when he sees me he slows and walks to me. I sit on the soft grass and put my hand out. He sniffs it in the traditional dog greeting and trots away again. I watch him for a while until my head gets heavy and I lie down.
--
I woke as the sun rose and the bright beams of the sum penetrated my lids. There was warmth next to me and something heavy across my stomach. I blinked my eyes open, it was still dawn and pretty dark. I looked to my side and found myself face to face with Geran.
I slowly remove him arm from around me, but he wakes. I put his arm down and sit up. Trying to bring my mind to full awareness.
He sat up quickly and looked at me. "S-sorry." He looked embarrassed. "I didn't mean to fall asleep. You just looked so comfortable and I didn't want to leave you out here alone." The words stumbled out his mouth.
I smile, amused at his reaction and he shuts up also smiling.
"Sorry." He apologizes again but this time with a smile instead of a disturbed look.
I stand up and offer him a hand which he takes and almost pulls me down helping himself up. "Do you do that often?" I ask him while walking back to camp.
"Do what?"
"Turn into a wolf and run around?"
"Oh that."
