Chapter 9. A Day Off

Eragon slept in and it was an hour after sunrise before he got up. He practiced the dance of the snake and crane after bathing. Then he met with Blodgharm who was unpleased with leaving him without a guard even in camp. A compromise was reached between the two for at least one guard to follow Eragon around. Ryu was assigned to Eragon and Saphira for the entire day. The first thing Eragon did was go to the edge of camp and gather up some gold from the ground.

"Kuldr, rïsa lam iet un malthinae unin böllr…" Gold dust arose up into the air before Eragon and he made 30 small gold orbs. Then he set out towards Jeod's tent. Rolph was outside hanging clothes while Helen was washing them.

"I shall announce you sir…" Rolph said.

Helen glanced at Eragon, "So where is your Dragon?" she asked.

"Saphira has gone hunting…" Eragon said with a smile, "How are you Helen…"

Before she could answer Jeod came outside, "Eragon! Please come in…"

"Jeod! How are you?"

He looks at the tent entrance and to Helen who is just outside, "Beside myself…"

"Why what is the matter…"

"I…Well…I am content to start a new life…But things are slow…I am more concerned with Helen…She thinks I should press Nausada for just compensation or advancement for helping secure Saphira's egg…I thought it would be wiser to prove myself by taking old maps of Urubaen and looking for another secret passage into the fortress of Urubaen…Something maybe Galbatorix overlooked…"

"How is it going…"

Jeod sighs, "Not well…"

"I could speak with Nausada if you wish…" Just then Helen enters the tent and Jeod nods a no as she grabs a basket full of clothes. "Wait…" Eragon says grabbing her arm and earning him a stern look. "I have something for the both of you actually…"Eragon takes out ten gold orbs, "I feel I owe the two of you for the hospitality you showed me and Tornag when we first visited you…Also I here that King Orin is looking for someone to reorganize Aroughs shipping…and I recommended the two of you to him…" Eragon looks at Helen, "As I understand it you are a student of the merchant and trade industry…"

"I am taught by my father…Oh thank you Shadeslayer…You have given me hope beyond measure…I shall turn this into a fortune to rival all my father's endeavors…"

"Thank you…" Jeod says.

"Also I have spoken with Saphira and as way by thanks she has agreed to allow you to fly on her back…"

Jeod grinned like a small boy who just got a present on his birthday. "I am speechless…Thank you Eragon…" Jeod then reaches under a pile of maps and pulls out a book. "This is the book Dominance of Fate written by Heslant the Monk..."

"I read about him in my studies while in Ellesmera…"

Jeod nods, "Yes…He lived many years ago…His work was banned by the Empire…It is an accurate detail of the History of Alagaesia all the way up to the Wyrdfel…" He hands the book to Eragon, "And I would like you to have it…"

Eragon smiles, "Thank you I appreciate it…"

After leaving Jeod's tent Eragon goes to visit the people of Carvahal and Therinsford to speak with them, to the people Eragon is closests to he gives gold and asks them not to tell others as not to stir up jealousy. Then he has lunch with Arya, Blodgharn, and the Elves. Then Eragon visits with his uncle Corran. In greater detail he explains how he found Saphira's Egg and why his wife and children died. After speaking with Corran Eragon goes riding on Saphira then he and Nausada visit the wounded soldiers of the allied forces. Eragon heals a few soldiers that the healers could not handle. He asks Blodgharm and the Elves to employ their vast knowledge of healing to helping the wounded as well. Then after dinner Eragon sits outside his tent with the Elves replacing the energy of his belt and ring. Before going to bed he turns two gold orbs into rings for Katrina and Eragon, then he places spells on them.