Author's Note: So I'm going to Michigan in a few days and I'm trying to get stuff done. There are chapters I have promised people and now, I'm in a hurry to get them typed. Hopefully, a new chapter of Lying Game will be up soon. And I'm reaching for the stars, trying to put together a Dwarf chapter for How to Evade a Hunting Ra'zac. So yeah.
Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon or Gannel; yes more dwarf religion jokes. Next chapter will hopefully be something different.
A Matter of Faith
After many months of training with the elves Eragon once again found himself in the dwarven city Tarnag. He had feasted with Orik that afternoon, and now as he wandered the city with a stuffed distended stomach, the sky was painted with the purple and orange glows that heralded the twilight.
The temple where he'd been first introduced to the dwarven gods stood, with its steps and columns jutting out of the rocky mountain side. The majority of the temple was within the mountain itself, the most important of the gods in the very back of the cavernous hall, and the lesser deities closer to the entrance.
Pausing, Eragon studied the thick oaken doors, before deciding to stroll inside. He had questions he wished to discuss with the priests. He gently pushed the doors open before silently slipping into the hall of statues.
As luck would have it, Gannel the priest who'd given him a tour of the temple before was in the hall speaking to a fellow priest. They were pouring over a stack of parchment discussing whatever text it was they were reading. Eragon paused a short distance away, waiting to be recognized.
"We'll continue this tomorrow," Gannel final stated, and after a short but respectful bow the other priest bustled away.
"Filion Bitus n'Piecus," Brother bits an' pieces, "what a pleasure to see you once more. How was your stay among the elves?" While the question was polite, Eragon heard a slight edge in the priest's voice when he mentioned the elves.
Eragon was aware of the fact that the elves and dwarves had very different religious views and as a result there was tension between the two groups. "The elves are gracious hosts, and I learned many things from, but that's partially why I'm here. There were some things they said and I'm confused."
"What is it that troubles you?" The priest asked concerned.
"I feel that I have lost my religion, and now I am questioning my faith, because I don't know who is right or who is wrong." Eragon groaned frustrated.
"Son, I have two things to say to you. First, it matters not who is right or who is wrong- but in this we are not mistaken- because a person needs to believe in something, even if it's wrong, because without belief one can easily be manipulated by their doubts. And second, the elves are under the impression that seeing is believing, but in reality believing is seeing." The dwarf gazed up at him sternly. "You understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes."
The dwarf allowed himself a tight smile, "Now then I wish to hear exactly what is troubling you."
"Well… I'm not sure where to start…" Eragon scratched his head. "When you told me about the gods the first time I was here you spoke of how coral is a living stone, but during my stay in Ellesmera I was told that coral is in fact produced by tiny creatures. I meditated and found this to be true. And then we were discussing Guntera, King of the Gods, and I was told that he controls the solices, but the elves believe the world in which Alageasia resides is round and rotates around the sun."
"And I would love,I would love to have the faith that you do, but … I have thoughts, and they're kind of screwing up the whole faith-thing. I would like to believe that the world was made by the bones of giants opposed to rising out of the ocean on its own accord. The elves are very meticulous record keepers; if giants had existed they would have written records somewhere-"
"Come, come with me," the dwarf took him by the hand and began leading him down the hall.
"So you want to believe? Then the solution is quite simple and I knowjust how to prove to you that the world was made by the bones of giants." The priest said nothing else, leaving Eragon to ponder his words as he was dragged up several flights of stairs and along many corridors.
Finally they came to a large door, inlaid with rubies and pearls. Still holding his hand in a strong grip, the priest pushed open the door and dragged Eragon inside.
Only then did the priest let him go, as Eragon gaped at the sight before him.
A huge skull, blackened by time was mounted on the wall, leering at him with long curved fangs and gaping eye sockets. The priest stood beneath the behemoth head with an air of smugness. "See that?"
Eragon nodded stiffly.
"Fossil," the priest pointed.
Author's Note: Granted it wasn't as funny as the last few, but there is one more Gannel story and I think it will make up for this one. It will be up soon, and I will divert my attention soley to Lying Game.