Special cheers to my four faithful reviews: Feyndal, Angvard of Suburbia, lesliemashburn and Gruntsbreeder ;) and also cheers to the new faces,
Thank you: Londonvetgirl25, (Don't forget to read the authors note's anymore ;) R Writes I'm glad you could appreciate the point I was trying to make, by especially not doing that :P
And last but not least Fus Ro Duh and Sythe-elda: Welcome to the Discord fanbase, special privileges include chatting with me live, a voice in matters I want others opinions in, (like what pairings I should make or what color some new OC's eyes will be). It can be anything, also feel free to give me inspirational ideas, if you have any (I never make any promises for the final product, but know that your voice is heard and will be taken into serious considering).
Feyndal RE: You are right he did say that, you'll find out in this chap. And thanks for the "" heads-up, I went back and fixed it ;)
A/N: I completely revised the previous chapter too, so I recommend EVERYONE to re-read it. Also if you find you've already read this chapter, I'm so, so sorry, there was an issue with the update, but this will be the newest chapter for a while.
And here we have another chapter hope you'll all enjoy and leave me a review ;)
So Lena admitted to the caring family she's been staying with, that she can use magic. Which went reasonably well. But the town has ideas of it's own? Will she get torched after all? Or will Lord Grazehart have her send to Uru'bean? That'd be an out right disaster, right?
Quote of the day:
When the hunted becomes the hunter
And the tables have turned,
Shit gets real.
~~Me~~
Chapter 2, part 3:
Witch-hunts
However who barged in right in the middle of the debate between Halberth and head of the court, was none other than the stinking fat man called Randellson himself. Bellowing right out:
"She threatened to turn me into a toad your honer."
However even the court seemed averse to his smell that started to permeate the air at where the man stood. As they all wrinkled their noses and started to either move back or to raise their sleeve in-front of their face. For once I was able to hold my tongue, it mostly was due to me nearly gagging that my reaction was just a bit late, but it seemed to have been in my favor.
"Randleson, move back and wait your turn to speak!" "You were not called as a witness!" Mister fat-nosed-sexist-court-guy yelled at him. it seemed to kind of damper his spirits a little, but he was about to speak again. But another court guy interrupted.
"Miss Lena, did you in-fact threaten this man like he claims?" Finally there was a question directed to me again, but Halberth caught my attention. Seems I had to be careful with what I was going to say. I wonder if Halberth really thinks there's a way out of this? It's only because I heard Lord Grazehart speak about it before that I'm no longer that worried about being burned alive. He seems like a half decent man at least, so now I'm more worried that he'll send a messenger to the king. If I get sent to him, I'll have to kill myself before I stand in-front of him. Or Eragon and Saphira'll have no chance at winning anymore. And I'm pretty sure I would follow through, I am not condemning you for your choice to live Murtagh. But I really would rather die than serve that mad man. I really have no other choice but to. If he were to gain my knowledge it might actually mean the end of this world, I just wouldn't be able to live with myself if that happened. I just can't let myself be sworn into his service, not ever. But Halberth, he doesn't know that, does he? I just hope he only decided to get himself involved in this because he's sure enough it's going to be okay and he'll do such a good job, they won't even send a messenger at all.
"No your honer!" I proclaimed with conviction.
"She lies!" Randleson shouted out once again. His face tomato-red in anger, he looked as if he would roast me alive if he had a say in it. He kind of reminds me of Uncle Vernon, from the HP movies. I hated that character too. Though this guys not just a character in a movie or book anymore, at least 'not' to me.
"Be quiet when not spoken to, you are in the presence of a lord you bespawling, dalcopped, cumberground" the court-man bellowed back at him. I didn't know what those words meant, I'd never even heard those before, but I had the funny feeling the court guy was calling the fat-piece-of-shit names. Which despite the circumstances gratified me greatly.
"Miss Rebiena, did you hear this woman threaten this man?" The woman called Rebiena stood up to face the court once more.
"Though I'm not entirely sure what she said, I had only just arrived at the scene, It didn't sound very threatening, but I did hear something of the sort, yes".
"Miss Lena, Lying to the court is a grave offense and will only be added to your charges."
"I did not threaten to turn this man into a toad." (Piece-o-shit) "only-"
"If you'll not speak the truth, you shall remain silent."
"I spoke the truth!"
"Be quiet!" I eyed him sharply, it was as if he was making it deliberately hard for me to even finish speaking. But I had just had enough and just made a face at him. Before continuing as if I hadn't been interrupted.
"For my words were as following: 'If I was a witch, this man'. I gestured to piece-of-shit. 'Would already be a toad'. Trying to put extra emphasis on how I had constructed the sentence.
It seemed to give Halberth an idea, for he took the word. Telling the court 'that' if I had indeed 'such powers', why I had not already used them on the man. When Randleson had attacked me. When he had kicked me with his boot. And would have continued hitting me, if it hadn't been for Dempton who had interrupted. That if I had such powers I would have used them then to defend myself. I was very confused, because I didn't seem to remember any of that. However I came to the conclusion it likely it simply happened after I had lost consciousness when I was lying on the riverbed. Defenseless! How infuriating that, that garbage would have been able to lay a hand on me. What a failure on my part. I swear to god, if he ever so much as tries to touch me again when this trial is over with those fat fingers of his. I will cut of his hand.
My hand went subconsciously to my brow on the left side, where I had noticed a painful sensation before. And from the pain I could only imagine that there was a nice dark bruise covering the space from my brow to my hairline. When I'd woken up on the bed at the family's guest room, I had simply assumed it been acquired by my not so soft landing on the riverbed, or after dropping myself on the gravel ground when I'd lost conscious. It made me even madder at the utterly disgusting piece-of-shit. I didn't realize that my subconscious was once again reaching for my magic.
My anger steadily melting the sturdy barrier separating me and limitless power. But more than just being mad at the pig-man. I was mad at myself, if Dempton had not been there to stop him I would have been defenseless. At the mercy of the utterly disgusting man.
"Why hadn't I used my so called 'power' to not get arrested in the first place?" "Why I hadn't all magicked them already so they would let me go?" "Why I wouldn't have used my power against the wolves to save my cousin?" Halberth kept calling the questions out to the crowd and the argument seemed to hold much sway with the them, as I saw many nodding their agreement as Halbeth talked. I had to hand it to him. His charm and sway he held with the crowd was really impressive. And it seemed we might just win this trial after all. Nearly forgotten he was there, Randleson banged his hand against the wooden stand of the judges, seemingly startling everyone. Having realized that things were not going his way. He had started to turn beet red. He looks like a rotten tomato ready to burst.
"If you'll not kill this filthy solner bitch, I will!" He leaped to his feet and started charging to the stand I was in. Chained to the floor and in a panic from seeing his incoming fist, I reached for my magic, realizing my anger at the man had reached an all-time high. That I was even wishing the man would simply burst into flames already, It wasn't until I noticed that my anger had finally melted through the barrier and my mind filled itself with limitless power that I realized, I actually can do so! if I simply just say the one right word for it. I was about to make a triumphant smirk, when I realized Halberth had already jumped protectively in-front of me and into the mans path. Heart-warmed by Halberth's actions, I forgot my anger for a moment and I made the more intelligent decision, despite my urge of still wanting to reduce the stinking pig-man to ash. I forced my mind to still and slowly let my magic flow back beyond my reach, safely behind the barrier again.
Halberth who was now...Starting a fist fight. Was now throwing punches at the man, it escalated quickly which resulted in a full out brawl with the gross fat man.
The crowd was cheering and some where joining the brawl, the spectacle had me so curiously shocked that I completely forgot about my anger and calmed down as I watched the fight. I remembered a moment that I had actually been able to break the barrier. And I reached once again for my magic to see if I could do it again. Only to find it was once again behind my now strong-as-steel barrier. It did however make me realize that; maybe being angry was the trick that might make it easier to break through the barrier. It was certainly something to try out when I was alone again.
"In the name of this court! Order! Order!"
At this some of the men that had joined the brawl together with Halberth held up the now bloody pulp that was Randleson. Though Halberth hadn't come out unscratched either, his nose was bleeding and but luckily didn't look broken. He had a gash on his forehead and a big bruise was forming on his left arm that started to turn a painful looking shade of purple. I looked at him both admiring what he had just done for me and a bit guilty that he had gotten so hurt for my sake. I was sure that the reason Halberth had helped me by becoming my lawyer, was because of that he felt he had been indebted to me for saving his daughter. But as far as I was concerned he never was. And even if I had it was now squared. But I hoped that with this, at least Halberth would think so too. I didn't want Halberth to think he would have to keep on paying some sort of life dept.
If I thought Halberth looked bad, Randleson was 10 times worse, it seemed that it hadn't been just a brawl, they had all ganged up on Randleson it seemed. His dirty piece of cloth that had been supposed to pass as a shirt was completely torn, his nose was broken and he was now sporting two black eyes and his lip split was bleeding, furthermore it looked like he had a broken wrist with the weird angle he was holding it and he was heaving and standing awkward because of the pain as if he had broken 1 or more ribs which I thought likely and it looked as if some of his hair had been torn out his scalp too. It did satisfy me greatly to see him that way. Call me a fucking sadist, but this guy just deserved it.
When he tried to get loose from the men holding him to get to me again, in my resentment I just couldn't help but spit at him. One of the men holding him gave him another punch in the face even knocking out one more of the few teeth he had left and he groaned. My sadistic side greatly enjoying his pain. He had nearly killed Mari! He would have seriously injured me, maybe even killed me and he had just tried to kill again, I had no mercy for this piece of shit.
"Randleson you smell-feast, if you come in here one more time without permission, we will have you on trial!" After the court had anonymously agreed to completely forgo his testimony, Randleson was roughly thrown out of the court-hall by the men restraining him.
The trial went on for another half hour but nothing really new was said. The court was now discussing the case amidst it-self and I was getting impatient. My legs were started to get sore from standing still for so long, and I gavethe head of the court who's name I had learned earlier to be Alistair Candler a look. I thought the people here didn't have last names, so I wondered why he had one. I gave an exasperated sign and looked up to Lord Grazehart, who to be perfectly honest looked as bored as I felt, He even seemed to yawn behind his hand when he thought nobody was looking. But it seemed I was too obvious in staring at him because he caught my gaze. My first instinct was to look away guilty, as if I had been caught staring at my crush. But for some reason I didn't, after all I was innocent from any wrong doings in my eyes and I would not shy away from authority like a criminal. So and I couldn't help but send a little half crooked stiff smile his way, as if I was asking him to save us both from this snooze-fest.
I saw a fleeting small smile play on Lord G lips and it seems he got the message, he seemed deep in thought for a little while as if he was making up his mind. But then he unexpectedly called out:
"Alistair! The vote if you please". Lord G's voice re-vibrated with authority through the hall effectively drowning out all the other voices. And within a few seconds the hall had completely quieted down. I could swear you could hear a needle drop. When Alistair's voice echoed eerily through the hall.
"Those in favor to clear the accused of all charges", a few men in the court raised their hands and some in the audience as well. But it was hard to tell how many exactly but it did seem it was less than the half I presumed needed. Curiously to see what Lord Grazehart had voted, I saw that the man I presumed to be Christian had his hand raised. But Lord G had not. Disappointed I started working on an exit strategy. I would probably have to use magic to escape. I wonder if I would be able to do it on cue. After all it had been just luck with the river, if it was that easy to control magic every-time you were in danger Eragon wouldn't have needed to discipline himself so much to learn to do it every-time.
"Those in favor of further prosecution resulting in punishment at our Lord's discretion". Several men in the court raised their hands again this time including Alaistair himself, for some reason I had not expected differently from the sexist-hook-nosed-creepy man. But Strangely Lord G still hadn't raised his hand, and I presumed it was normal? Maybe he just never participated in the initial vote? Maybe it was because he had the complete power to overrule the court? I didn't know, but then I recognized Christian's voice, and it came indeed from the man now standing next to lord G.
"Your vote my lord". After wat felt like an eternity, the man finally spoke.
"The accused is exonerated of any and all crimes!" A cheer went up in the crowd alongside a fair share of booing. And I signed in pure relief.
Yes!
"But will remain under house arrest in the town hall until the emissary from the capital has come, conducted their secondary investigation and has cleared her of all charges as well."
Damn it. Out of the fire and into the frying-pan. I sweat-dropped at the irony of that though, and would've nearly face-palmed myself in-front of all these people, for thinking for even one second it would be that easy.
Alistair got up from his seat now as well to bring the trial to a close, "Lord Grazehart has spoken and his rule shall be abided by." He looked thoroughly displeased by this outcome though.
"This trial has hereby concluded."
"Have the defendant escorted back to the basement, visitor privileges will now be permitted."
And with that I was escorted back to my jail cell. The slight comfort being was that Halberth walked with me to the basement. And gave me a hug before I had to enter the cell. When asked for some privacy the jailer searched Halberth for any suspicious objects, which made him winch in pain. I gave him a pained smile as if I had felt his shock of pain too. When the soldier left us alone closing the basement door and when the door shut behind him we both let out a weary sign. The brown-eyed farmer had bags beneath his eyes and looked very tired. He must have been up all night preparing for the trial! The sheer fact he was willing to do so much for me, take such risk for me overwhelmed me. And I could do nothing but stare at him speechless.
"Well that went better than expected, my wife and the kids should be able to visit later as-well, they'll be glad to see you". He offered hopeful. But all I could do was smile sadly at him and shake my head.
"What's wrong?"
"Why did you do that? I thought you said you wouldn't put your family at risk?"
"Your life is worth more than just a bit of reputation loss, Lord Grazehart is a decent man, when I heard he would oversee the trial himself I couldn't just stand idly by and do nothing." "It was a calculated risk that I was willing to take and it was more than worth it." "If anything Lord Grazehart would have stopped the crowd from doing more that just take in out on me." "My family would have been safe and above anything, I owed you one". He added with a wink. I nodded, I had thought as guessed much after all.
I looked down it was time to tell him. Pained that I had to, just when things looked a little bit better too (from his vantage point at least).
"Thank you Halberth, for everything you and your family has done for me." "I'll always be grateful, but..." Remembering the overheard conversation, I halted and looked suspiciously at the door.
"I urge you to talk very softly from now on, that door doesn't keep much from being overheard." I whispered just loud enough for him to hear and motioned him to get as close as he could. "But you don't understand."
He sat on the stone floor crossed legged to listen more, his feet touching the iron bars of the cell. Right across from myself, Standing the whole trial had tired me out a great deal, especially since I hadn't had much room to rid myself of the stiffness. So I'd sat down trying to rub some feeling back in left calf.
Thinking about how to best tell Halberth what I had to do now. I can't put them in anymore danger. Yes, I won't be able to leave town without their help. But I can't make them accomplices by having them aid a fugitive. They'll get punished for that. I'll have to escape the jail at least by myself. I can't tell Halberth much either. If they read his mind they'll know everything I've told him... hmm advantage? of course. A mislead. Sorry for lying again Halberth.
"Understand what?" He whispered back.
"I can't stay anymore Halberth, If that messenger reaches Uru'bean they're going to find out about my magic. I will have to work for the king, I don't want that!" "I refuse to work for that mad man!" I spat out the last part with such hatred, I even surprised myself.
Halberth didn't as fiercely hate the Empire or the king as some of Carvahall did, none of the people of Therinsford seemed to. And trading with the Empire was good for business, But I knew unlike any other that the ranch-owner didn't hold any love for them either. With it's unfair tax-collecting and embargoing his horses for the kings unending war campaign against the rebels, he had more than enough reason not to trust in its fairness. And also unlike many in this town, I was sure he knew more about the shady side of the Empires affairs than he would usually let on.
The fact that Halberth had spoken so highly about Lord Grazehart, spoke more about the said head of this town himself, than about the king or the Empire. But a deeper understanding glinted in his eyes with a dark undertone as he realized what kind of work I'd have to do, should I be caught and have to pledge service to the mad king. But once again the man surprised me with his unexpected help, as he asked quietly how he could help. I'd already thought about this, but the only thing I could come up with was to somehow get my stuff from him with some food and water for a while. I didn't want to involve him any further. And I wanted to him to have an alibi for when I was breaking out.
"You can't I have to break out by myself." "If you get caught helping me you and your family will be in big trouble." "All you can do for me is get my stuff and a little bit of supplies in a bag and have it ready by tomorrow evening, meanwhile I want you to stay at home." "Invite friends and extended family. Have people there who are witnessing you at home." "That way if you get accused of helping me there will be people who can vouch for you that aren't just your immediate family." "Make sure they can't notice my stuff or that you're missing supplies. Don't invite town officials, they'll only think that you were making a diversion so I could escape unnoticed.
"Have the stuff ready tomorrow evening."
"If everything goes according to plan, there will be a big uproar in the morning when they've discovered me missing, just let them in when they come knocking on your door. Show them the proof I'm really not there, if they're keeping an eye on the house or trying to keep you inside just tell them your horses need attending too. And just leave the pack behind the bales of hay". And I'll get it, when I can find an opening to slip by unnoticed." "Just give them no reason to suspect you're helping me." "Because you're essentially not." "I am breaking out on my own. You're just giving me my stuff back." "Just think of it this way, even if you'd not helped I'd still escape."
"If they find out you helped me, tell them I threatened you and your family with magic." "Do whatever you have to, say whatever you have to, to protect your family and yourself." "Sell information about me if it means they'll leave you and your family alone, do whatever it takes."
I could tell he wanted to say something and I could guess, that it was to tell me off for saying such dark things. But I gave him a sharp look bordering on angry to tell him I was serious. And that he should just listen carefully and do what I said. I think it was the first time I had seen the normally more dominant man, become docile under my stare. And he nodded his head letting a forlorn sign escape his lips, before returning my gaze with a hard and resolute stare of his own. I could only assume he'd decided to listed to my well reasoned arguments for he said nothing after that.
"I'll tell you a bit about my plan so you'll have some leverage when asked." "I plan to use magic to break out of the cell then get my pack, after that I plan to travel along the Ninor river and then Ramr river until I reach the southern most point." "And go from there until I reach Feinster, from there to Aroughs and then to Surda, where I plan to ask the Surdan king for asylum." "As long as everything with hunting goes well, I don't plan to enter any other towns between here and Feinster." "But if I'll make it. That is the question."
Sorry for lying again Halberth, you're a good man, but you wouldn't be able to compete with the mind-reading of a real magician, if one is indeed going to be send here. But at least it's a plausible and believable plan. But still sorry for blatantly lying again. Since I'm just not even planning on heading that way. If it's possible to sneak by unnoticed, "this" would be the perfect opportunity to finally head for Carvahall and meet Brom.
Maybe if I can get him to trust me, he might start teaching me how to use magic up until the Ra'zac come. And after when they leave for Therinsford then, I'll just have to wear a hood. By that time the uproar about my escape will have long died down and they wouldn't be expecting me to come back. That is, if they don't extend the search to Carvahall...I hope they don't. It's going to be a pain if they do.
"I asked you for a bow earlier, I know you haven't had the time to get one and it would look suspicious if you were to buy one with this timing." "But if you could spare something to use as bowstring, I can make one myself." "I was lucky you see, my cousin." "He went against my mothers wishes and thought me how to make, shoot and hunt a little with a bow, I just need something to cut the wood with." "It will be hard at first, but I'll just have to make do with it." "If anything happens I still have my magic." And more lies, I just hope I'll be as alright as I'm making Halberth believe, I've never shot a moving target, let alone a LIVING one...
"Alright, I'll have it ready and packed in your pack." "I suppose you'll need a knife if you're going to make a bow, I'm glad I didn't throw that old thing out after all..." The last part he mumbled mostly to himself looking down deep in thought. Continuing on he looked at me again.
"I still have an old dagger that should work fine if I sharpen it a little." Great you're finally catching on. God, I'm manipulative, I suppose I've really dropped al inhibition against using people as I please as long as it's my own life on the line huh? No... no... That's not it. It's because... it's because it's not just my life on the line, it's theirs also, telling them the truth would not only endanger me... Eragon, the storyline, but also their own life. Gahhh..You know what, Oh well... I shouldn't even care... In the end I'm just self-justifying my own shameless actions, besides it's not like I ever was above using these dirty tactics before. And if there was ever a time to put them to good use, it is right now. Especially if you consider your enemy. Who does not put in any value at all to the word virtue at all. Galbatorix and his minions certainly wouldn't be above lying, manipulating and worse. So neither should you care, if your intention is just to keep yourself and other good people safe.
We discussed some more necessary items for my departure and decided to use a signal to let each other know it they were there. Just in case soldiers would be placed around the house. The whole conversation took maybe three quarters of a hour and was winding to a close as we were interrupted by a knock on the cellar door. The soldier from before opened it and behind him stood Marlene with Mike and Mari. As the door fully opened they called out to me. They ran to the cell and started to poke their short arms through the metal bars trying to hug me. The odd sight made me smile fondly at them I was saddened to go, but it was necessity. For staying was simply no longer an option. But I couldn't even really tell them goodbye, nor explain to them why I had to leave and 'that' was the hardest part.
They stayed for a while and Marlene had even brought a few things for me, like an extra thick blanket some socks and a flask of whiskey. I was puzzled about why she would bring me that, I didn't even particularly liked to drink in general and she knew that. I'd told her before when she'd offered ale before after I'd worked with Halberth on a especially tiring day. But she explained the whiskey would keep me warmer tonight. I realized she meant because 'it' (the alcohol) would dull the sense of coldness. I studied the pewter inlay, it was a simple design but stylish and had a good likeness of a horse on one side.
I took a sip to try, and started to cough for a bit. The whiskey was a lot stronger than I'd ever had before and not used to drink regularly I'm made a mental note not to drink to much of the stuff at once, with the situation as it was I couldn't risk getting even a little tipsy and messing up my break-out plan. But while it burned my throat, in my stomach the drink was slowly warming me and spreading to the rest of my body even to my already slightly flushed face. I was coughing so much that I didn't notice that both Marlene and Halberth had flashed amused faces.
I thanked Marlene for her thoughtfulness, but remembered this would probably be the last time I would see her.
"Thank you for everything Marlene, you too Halberth. You gave me a home when I had nothing and nowhere to go and you've both been so very generous, I'll never forget what you've both done for me." They looked lost in though when I said it, both probably realizing I was actually saying goodbye. I wanted to say I would miss them too, but the basement door was left open and I couldn't risk for obvious reasons the guard hearing me utter something even resembling a goodbye. So I only mouthed a quiet goodbye without voice.
When the moment ended. I watched and smiled quietly as Mike and Mari waved an enthusiastic goodbye. The kids both thinking they could simply come visit me again tomorrow, not realizing they would likely never see me again. I hoped the best for them. That they would grow up wonderful and peacefully, despite the war that would break lose in about a year or three.
It had gotten dark during the time I had spent talking with the family I owed so much too. And after about 15 minutes when they'd left. I wished I'd had more time with them. The guard came in a little later to extinguished all the candles, asking me if I wanted to keep one lit until it went out on it's own. It was the same kind soldier that had brought me the extra blanket the night before. I smiled grateful at him, but I was planning on trying to get at least a little shut-eye, it had been a tiring day after all. And I'd made up my mind, I was going to break out when the night was the most quiet in the town. Between 3 am and 5 am I had concluded would be best. After even the last drunk had gone home and before the baker would start making his bread and the first farmers would let their cattle out of the barn.
The time passed quickly and without much to it. I didn't feel particularly well rested when the time came, since it's hard to sleep when you constantly feel the anxiety, afraid you're going to oversleep and I wished I had an alarm clock. To wake up a lot earlier than you're used to, without something to actually wake you is quite hard. But the hardest part was yet to come. The escape itself. I got up from the cot shivering from the cold, staring at the iron bars. I'd been thinking how to escape since the moment Lord Grazehart had said he would message the magicians guild.
I'd been thinking long and hard about how to break out, but despite agonizing over it over and over again, the only way would be to break out of the cell by force. There was a word for "open" mentioned in the book. But it was never specified. Only that Brom used it on the door to the archive-room in Teirm to get to the records for that special oil. But the actual word was never mentioned.
The word I did remember and could possibly use was the word for 'Break', which I remembered to be 'Jierda' which was used several times. I'd even already found out the right way to pronounce it before the incident with the river, as well as several other words and short sentences, but none of the others had any value at the moment.
I would have to use the spell and get out the basement before anyone could get to it and hide, before anyone would see me. If I couldn't, I would probably have to bluff my way out. The only problem with that would be, that if I broke out in such a spectacular manner, I would most definitely be hunted down by the empire's magicians vigorously when either word would arrive in Uru'bean about it. If it is kept small they might not suspect actual magic at work.
The main problem is that I don't know how much magic it will cost me to break out. I really hope I don't faint again.
At this very moment I was still trying to calculate the amount of effort it would take to either break the wall or the iron bars and which of the two would take more energy to do in the end. For the wall was a sure way to be out of sight from the guard right away, but breaking it down enough to be able to get through would take quite the effort all at once, not to mention the noise it would make.
But on the other hand just breaking one bar would be enough to get out of my cell, yet I would also have to break through the cellar door and then go through the building's maze-like hallways. The last part being the biggest problem for I would likely be seen by a guard.
For I knew there was at least one soldier stationed in the building making rounds every hour and I didn't know where he was at the moment nor where he would be when he wasn't making his rounds. He could be in some room in the back or he could be stationed at the only entrance and exit of the building, not to mention their might be more guards around.
The calculations ended on an impasse and I was at a lost of what to do. In the end it came down to a coin-toss, I had no way of knowing what would have the most chance of success, if they would both fail, or maybe both work. I could only gamble on what my instinct told me was the right thing to do.
Just then a light-bulb-moment hit me. And I could have hit myself for only realizing it now. In the end it came down to magic. There was no guarantee, that with my capabilities I could even break a wall possibly killing me if not, leave me completely incapacitated after. It would be safer to be able to use magic even after the initial break. I should make as little use of it as I could. "Maximum results, for minimum effort", as they say.
I should just only break the part of the lock on the cell door! With a bit of luck the energy cost will be so low that I'll be able to do the same with the cellar door. And with some more luck the echoing sound will be so small it'll go unnoticed too. After that I'll just have to remain unseen as I make for the exit.
You could say I wasn't consciously preparing myself. But I was steeling my nerves for what I might have to do in case I would run into a soldier on watch. Using "jierda" to break their neck would effectively take them out before they could raise any alarm. And while I didn't have much inhibition against killing, I had long prepared myself for it from the moment I'd realized I'd landed in Alageasia. But, It seemed deep down, my stomach was rebelling against the idea after all. Against actually having to kill someone just to break out. And it seemed to want to tell me I should just try to bluff my way out first and that it would likely be the only thing needed. The scene from the book, where Eragon was threatening a soldier with red-glowing sand flashed even more lifelike before my eyes than it had ever been before than when it'd been just words on a page.
I guess, something in me was somehow actually valued life of sorts it seemed. Or maybe it was my own values not wanting me to become a murder that easily. Though I subconsciously knew, I would sooner or later become one anyway. Especially if I joined Eragon in his war ventures and I had no scrap of doubt I would do so, that was if I made it that far without dying.
After some more brooding, I ended up resolving myself to stick one plan. Trying to ignore the jitters taking hold in my stomach, I walked over to the cell-door to inspect the lock further. The time for thinking was over.
It was time for action.
After inspecting the lock and adequately imagining the latch that held the door to the frame breaking. I started to concentrate digging for my magic, I reached the barrier at the edge of my being with relative ease. All the practice and meditating I'd done since I first tried to lift the black-pebble-from-hell had paid off. Just breaking the barrier was still the problem.
I spoke the words, but as predicted that only resulted in me starting a headache. I signed in exasperation a d annoyance. I didn't have time to forcibly learn and master the magical discipline required like the king and the riders of old had. Nor was I apparently the genius Eragon was, since he'd been able to do it in only a matter of a few tries after he'd done the fiery arrow move. But it was possible he maybe just had the unfair advantage of being a dragon rider. Regardless, my repeated failure was making me immensely frustrated as I started to get impatient. The fear and apprehension of possibly missing my window or being found out growing with each passing moment.
It was then another light-bulb-moment hit me again. As I remembered what had happened during the trial about my anger making the magic flare up.
My already pent up frustration had already paved the way to anger. I simply focused on how angry I had been at the gross-piece-of-shit during the trial. My anger remembered spread through my body like wildfire as I imagined the neck of miscreant breaking instead of just the lock's latch.
This time also diverting a little attention to keep an eye on the barrier keeping me from my magic. It seemed I had still half expected to fail, because when I could consciously feel the magic behind the barrier growing stronger and stronger I was surprised. However I knew from the books that couldn't really be the case. Reaching that conclusion, I was sure it was simply the barrier becoming thinner. Excitement and motivation propelling me forward. Pushing my fear down, I threw caution in the wind and focused completely on all my emotions, as if to be consumed by them. Gathering all of them, everything I had, my very being. I launched a pitched attack on the barrier that now shattered like a panel of thin ice. This time there were no shards from the remainder of the barrier to cause yaps of pain. This time they'd vanished as soon as the barrier broke, as if they'd melted away like snow for the sun.
As soon as the barrier broke it was as if a great wave had hit me and completely engulfed me. Just not with water, but the smothering sensation of pure raw power. Living energy, living magic. It felt so powerful, so hot and yet so cold. It felt as if I would melt, no rather explode if I didn't let the power out. The heat and yet cold sensation, made me sweat profoundly yet sent shiver down my spine. It was so exciting yet so terrifying it made my hairs stand on edge, and I could've sworn even my half-long hair was standing upright like it would if it was lifted up because of static electricity. I imagined myself looking quite a terrifying sight. It was a additive sensation. But the power growing, I could feel it burning inside me. I knew I needed to let it out, I needed to let it out now. Before it would consume me, or really made me explode.
"Jierda" I just short of yelled. I hadn't been able to really control my voice's volume, again. But I was glad I hadn't full out screamed it. It had even been quieter than when I'd first tried to lift the black-from-hell-pebble that was probably still back in the guest room I had occupied at the family's house for the past month.
However the lack of sound from my voice didn't really put me at any ease at all. For as soon as I'd said the word, I could feel my energy, or rather my magic being drained. And I saw it take effect immediately as the lock was nearly blasted apart. Instead of my small intentioned simple break of the latch. It had made a hell lot of racket as the lock broke apart and the cell door flew wide open creaking as it went.
Both panicked and exited I ran out of the cell only to see the floor drastically approaching. As all my strength failed to keep me upright out of reflex I grabbed the side of the cell door, avoiding a face-first nose-dive into the stone-made basement floor. I tried to walk but it felt like all the energy necessary to move had drained from my body, even though the magic consumption had stopped. I knew it was just the after affect of the magic, but it was inconvenient as hell to not be able to accurately guess, just how much energy something would cost. Or rather not having the discipline in magic yet, to be able to do just light-weight magic, that shouldn't even cost that much energy to begin with.
There was an upside at least compared to last time however. This time my mind remained clear. The world wasn't even spinning, there was no dizziness or a fogged-up mind this time around. And the only reason I had nearly collapsed was because my body had just given out for a moment. It was already getting better, but it felt like there was a 40-pound weight on my chest. My limbs felt like they'd just run a marathon, as they felt like the start of muscle soreness.
I hauled myself to the basement door, only to find it unlocked. Lucky. I never had this kind of luck in my old life. Thank whatever magic or deity is out there for this luck. If it was even their doing.
However I was just about to open the door when I heard shouting from the other side of the door. Stricken by fear. I was sure I'd lost my chance to escape unnoticed. I tried to mentally prepare myself for bluffing or attacking. But my panic got the better of me as I stumbled back and sprawled myself onto the floor.
When I hit the floor a new perspective hit me like a thunderbolt. As my panic stricken mind was in a flee, rather than fight mode. And came up with a new plan altogether. As I laid on the floor I could see the entire basement. Only just remembering it also doubled as a store-room. There were crates and barrels stored, stacked against the farthest wall. And the idea to just hide quickly popped in my mind, racing I started to crawl and get up at the same time. As I haphazardly ran to the the back, but I crashed into the open cell door making it swing back in the frame, I tripped a bit but remained upright. Only to nearly topple over when one of the big barrels I'd used as a handhold to keep myself from falling came down behind me. I hadn't supported my weight because it was apparently empty. It hit the floor relatively soft but the lit came off. Making an awful lot of noise, or at least it did to me. Spurred on by the moment I grabbed the lit and pushed the barrel upright again and quickly stepped in it as I heard the footsteps getting very close.
I'd just put the lit over my head when I could hear the basement door creak open. And my breath stifled in my throat. Was I on time? Did he see the lid moving? What if they find me?
Trying to avoid my mind in going overdrive from the panic, I used my skirt to muffle my breath. Closing my eyes I tried to meditate using deep breaths, hoping the sound was inaudible to whoever had opened the basement door just now. However it only remained quiet, eerily quiet, before a booming voice I recognized as one of the guard's yelled:
"Hey, Kurk, get ya'r ass over here with some light."
I heard light footsteps, so light the owner couldn't possibly be wearing sabatons, with a few more seconds I could see a little light coming through a small crack in the barrel. And as I expected then came.
"SOUND THE ALARM, THE PRISONER HAS ESCAPED!"
(Sabatons are metal shoes, Usually worn as a set with greaves(shin protectors))
I heard the the light footsteps fading. And in about a minute or so that I heard the the bell of the town-square ringing above me in alarm. I heard the guard walking around some more and prayed with all my might he would not find me. But then I heard the loud tinkling of his metal shoes fade, before the basement door shut with a startling "Wham!" I listened to the clicking sound of the basement door being locked, but surprisingly it didn't happen. I was tempted to get out of the barrel now and use this opportunity to get out the basement. But when I tried lifting my arms they protested so vehemently, I couldn't even lift the top off the barrel. Stuck in the dark barrel I had to keep using the meditational breaths to remain calm.
But for better or worse, my lack of sleep and the magic usage was taking it's due keep back from my body and despite the still tolling bell, I soon fell in a deep sleep.
I was rudely jolted back to reality and my current predicament from the land of sleep by a pair of loud male voices. Still inside the barrel I could tell I had control of my body again. But with those voices that couldn't be far off, I didn't dare move a muscle. Even in spite of it being terribly stiff it was hard to resist the urge to stretch. I didn't know how long I'd been sleeping inside the barrel but it had been at least a few hours. My back hurt like hell and my left leg was all tingly from the blood flow being impaired. But it is the truth when they say fear keeps you paralyzed. And I remained in place, breathing through my skirt again when I noticed the voices coming closer and closer. I recognized one of the voices to belong to Lord Grazehart. I had to train my ears, but at last I could finally hear a bit of their conversation that went as follows:
Lord G: "Did you send the messenger yet?"
Random soldier: "No, not yet my lord. Our usual rider has not returned yet so we had to find another volunteer and a get a good horse, he was scheduled to depart first thing in the morning. But when he came here to get some traveling gear and his travel expenses covered he and the guard noticed the girl missing. I ordered him to stand by and wait for your assent in case you had new or altered orders." Ah, so that's why the guy had such light footsteps earlier, I mean even Lord Grazeharts footsteps make small ticking sounds because of his spurs.
Lord G: "Good. Because it seems we really do have a magician on our hands," he said while I could hear him walking around, probably as he inspected the lock and cell. "This is beyond our means to handle." "The lock was broken apart in a way that could never have been done a mundane way, and quite forcibly too." "No beginning magician would have this level power, it's too dangerous for us to ." "So she either did this herself or she had help from someone from the outside." "But no one originally from Therinsford has any magic, nor history of magical bloodlines, the mage from the guild proved that a few years ago remember?"
Soldier: "My lord?"
Lord G: "I think it is safe to assume the girl had no help and broke out on her own." "But to be safe check the town and Halberth's farm, have a small detail patrol the area in case she goes back there." "And notify me immediately if she's seen." "Make sure to gauge how she is, if she seems tired or shows any weakness at all, take her in or take her down." "If she shows off and threatens to use magic, stand clear." "It won't do for them all to get killed by the frivolous moods of a magic user." "Let the magicians deal with their own kind." "No need to sacrifice the life of good men for something like magic." "But don't let her get away without even tying to follow."
Soldier: "But my lord, why would she break out now?" "Your lordship cleared her in the trial, she would have been free."
Lord G: "It's probably because she's afraid of the magician from Uru'bean that would have been sent here." "She would have been found out and dragged before the council of the GOMC (Guild Of Magic Control) and be made to swear an oath of fealty to the king." "It is impossible to hide magic in the presence of another magic user you see..." "She probably took this timing because we lowered our guard." "To be honest, I personally don't think she had any ill will and probably never meant for anyone to find out." "And someone with this kind of talent... It's not a stretch to she will probably be forced to join the GBH when found." "I think that's why she ran." "If I know one thing, it's that it is not a job anyone can handle." "But even if that's the case it takes a lot of courage to go against the king..." "However when she's captured she'll be even worse off and I pity her." "But then again, I can't turn a blind eye now that I know."
I heard him take a breath and sign. It seems I'm a unicorn. That level of power? Haha maybe, in my own opinion I suck, I had barely any control, nor was it my intention to make my magic blast the lock like that. Just to break the latch in half. And the sound! If I had such good control nobody would've noticed me breaking out at all. Haha, and if I really was powerful I wouldn't have dropped again right after.
But, call me impressed. At least Lord Grazehart is not as dumb as half the town. I still don't know if GBH has something to do with the Black Hand, but I think it's safe to assume so. And if joining the GBH is equivalent to standing before Galbatorix, it means he's completely accurate. His reasoning skills amaze me. And I couldn't help but smirk the famous Sherlockian smile under my skirt. But, he thinks so highly of me that he assumed I already escaped. Crucial mistake. Lucky for me though. Hihihi
Lord G: "As for the messenger... Speed is of the essence."
Soldier: "Should I tell him to leave right now?" How do you want the girl's escape mentioned in the message he is to relay?"
Lord G: "Christian gave him a scroll right? Just have him alter it to explain the situation. Stress the part that we know next to nothing about this girls background and that she's not originally from Therinsford but according to sources from Narda, where they could possibly discover clues as to who she really is. And this might be a powerful magician we're dealing with, not everyone can just blast a cell door open like this twice and run away right after." "She must be quite skilled."
"But, we can't let her escape the kings rule that easily, raise the security to maximum level and have all the towns people on the lookout for her too, but make sure they know not to engage until my orders."
Soldier: "Yes my lord, Right away my lord."
End of chapter 2
A/N: And we are at the end of chapter 2 :) How was it? Let me know in the reviews :D For this chapter I used some fancy name calling I'll probably use in the future too. It makes the wording a lot more colorful, don't you think? :P I used a particular site for reference, I'll be using it in future chapters as well. So if you find any words that you don't know the meaning of, feel free to use this site: mentalfloss dot com /article/61819/42-old-english-insults In case you want to look up any..
