Chapter 9
"Roran wait up!" Isline yelled for Roran, so she could catch up to him. He stopped, and waited for her to catch up. He was so far away, that even with Isline used to running and hard labor, she was breathing deeply. When Isline finally caught up to him she was desperately trying to catch her breath. "Hey…" She breathed still not completely done catching her breath. "Can I join you? I have nothing to do, since Garrow dismissed me, and I have no desire to buy anything really."
He scratched the back of his head. "Sure. It would be helpful for help, especially because I do not know a lot of what Katrina would like." Men. Sometimes they are clueless.
"Okay we can just look around and I can tell you if there is anything that I think she would like." Isline always loved time with her cousin. There had been many times that Isline had gone to him, after the village boys had made fun of her for being too 'man-like'. He would always comfort her, and tell her that they were just jealous because she did what they did, like work in the field and hunt, but two times better. Then he would make her laugh. Both him and Eragon were her main anchors to life in general. Without them Isline would be so lost.
There were many carts, each having beautiful things, but none of them looking like what Katarina would love, at all. Roran had looked and asked Isline about many things, but they were either too big, too classy, not the right color, or just didn't look like her. He was starting to get a little frustrated, but Isline had to remind him it would be worth it to get her the perfect gift. She was worth it. Finally they arrived at one stand that had the most beautiful jewelry ever. Even Isline was mesmerized, and she was never one for petty things such as jewelry. There was every type of stone, in every type of color, in every type of cut. She shook her head and started looking super close at all the jewelry to find something that Katrina would love. After awhile of looking, Roran came up to her with the perfect necklace for Katrina.
It was simple yet complex at the same time. It was some form of knot that looked to go on forever. The trader who's shop this belonged to came up behind us. It was a man, who looked to be old, older than Garrow. He hunched a little, and had a little limp in his step. But his eyes had this deep look in them that held so much wisdom, and almost a twinkle in them. Isline nodded her head to him as a sign of respect. He smiled and nodded his head back, then turned to Roran. "Do you like this necklace?" He asked Roran. Roran then proceeded to nod his head. "It is no surprise this necklace called to you. It is a very special type of necklace. The knot on it seemingly goes on forever, with no beginning and no end. It is a symbol of everlasting things. Such as love for instance." He winked at Roran.
"How much for it?" Roran asked. It must be expensive depending on the craftsmanship. Hopefully we can afford it.
"For you? No money. I can tell a man in love when I see one. And consider it a gift." Isline just blinked, rendered speechless at the elders generosity.
"Thank you." Roran smiled at him warmly. Then he started to leave. Isline had to follow him, but she decided she would come back later to look more.
"I am really sorry to do this now, but I need to go and find Katrina, to give her this necklace."
"That's fine." Isline smiled a little sadly, but then put on her happy face, and pushed him. "Go! I will be fine. I can just find Eragon." He smiled apologetically at me, and then left.
Isline went back to the shop though, because all the things there were just so pretty. She was startled when she heard a voice behind me. "Beautiful aren't they?" I turned around to see one of the most jaw-dropping males in the whole world in front of me. He had light brown hair framing his face, but when he stepped into the sunlight, his hair had highlights of reds and gold in it. And his eyes were a blue so light and beautiful that Isline melted when she saw them. And to add to the perfection, he looked her age. Isline was rendered speechless. He then snapped his fingers in front of her face. "Hello? Anyone in there?" He asked jokingly.
"Oh sorry! Yes they are exceptionally beautiful. I can not seem to look away from them." Isline couldn't believe that she had actually stared, and that he had actually talked to her. She was known in this village as an outcast, so the male population usually tended to stay away from her, as well as the females. For a guy to talk to her, especially one so good looking as him, was astonishing.
"May I inquire to ask your name?" He asked for her name! Isline could not believe her luck. Keep it together Isline! she told herself. Just be yourself! But do not scare him off.
"My name is Isline. May I inquire for yours?" She asked keeping it light with a small smile on my face. Keep calm you can do this. You have killed and gutted animals and done work made for men. This should be easy.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Tell me what is fair maiden doing by herself on this fine day?" He said with a light smile on his face.
"Well my brother, uncle, and cousin ditched me." Isline kept her voice light and joking.
"And your suitor?" He asked.
"Don't have one. But I don't recall getting a name"
"That's a secret. If we see each other again, then I might tell you my name." He winked. "You know we may never run into each other again. But as a momentum to remember me by," He pulled out of a sack he was carrying a beautiful bracelet. It was three strands, a gold strand, a silver strand, and a bronze strand braided together to make a simple but beautiful result. "It dulls in comparison to your beauty. But it was the least I could do." Isline just blushed when he put it on her. "I really do hope I will see you again one day." She blushed so hard, she was convinced her face matched her hair. He then winked then left as swiftly as he arrived. Isline was left wondering about the good-looking stranger, as she walked off to finally try and find Eragon.
