'Thoughts'
The following morning David started his new routine of twenty squats, twenty lunges, ten push-ups, and 40 crunches and then a lap around his camp site all before breakfast. Considering David never really worked out before he came to Alagaesia, he was quite out of breath when he dropped to the ground next to Aquila trying to get the breath back into his lungs.
Looking over at Aquila David told her, "I never realized how out of shape I was". The only response he got in reply was agreement.
After eating breakfast with David playfully ignoring Aquila, the duo once again set off in the direction of Therinsford with David showing Aquila pictures of objects over the bond and telling her the names of them.
Walking around Ada is told her how he would hunt so that maybe it would help her as she got older. He also had her hide with him while he hunted down a deer. He was surprised at how quiet she could actually be, and was grateful that she was a natural hunter because while his aim with his old spear was great, hunting with a bow is different and he was only able to hit the deeds leg. Although the injury slowed it down enough that Aquila was able to jump onto its back and try wrestling it down to the ground.
Suppressing the urge to laugh at the sight David quickly took the deer down with Aquila and shoved an arrow into the deers chest, effectively killing it.
Feeling a sense of accomplishment that wasn't his David looked to see Aquila sitting on top of the deers stomach with her chest puffed out with pride.
Shaking his head with a laugh David told her what a good job she did while sending his own pride of her through their bond.
Deciding the clearing they were in was a good enough place to camp David started preparing the deer so he could eat it while saving some chunks for Aquila.
While cooking the deer David would practice shooting the bow until it grew to dark and then he would start his workout routine before eating dinner with Aquila and falling asleep.
This routine lasted a week until David came across a hill/ mountain that went just above the tree tops. Wondering if he would be able to see anything besides trees from up there David decided to try and climb to the top.
Telling Aquila to fly up to the top David admired how quick she was able to learn how to fly in the few days that she's hatched and how big she's grown as well. Her shoulders were now up to his knees instead of just half of his calf.
Shaking off the thoughts David climbed to the top of the small mountain, and absently thought how Aquila would end up being than this mountain, when he turned to his left and saw something about a mile from the spine. Squinting his eyes David thought he saw a building when he realized that yes it was a building and that what he saw was in fact Therinsford.
David smiled with accomplishment. But the smile dropped when he remembered that he still didn't know whether or not he was going to go into the town or not.
David figured that while he could provide for himself and Aquila that having some money wouldn't hurt.
He didn't know what kind of jobs people did in alagaesia besides the blacksmiths. David knew that there was a stable here so he supposed he could work there. But there was the risk someone would see the gedwëy ignasia. And when he started learning how to sword fight his instructor would see his hand as well.
Digging through his bag David wondered if Garrow packed anything else that he didn't know about. Like a pair of gloves.
David couldn't believe his luck when he took out a pair of leather gloves. He figured Eragon must have told him how he was living in the Spine and maybe Garrow thought he would need them for winter or something. But whatever the reason he was glad for it.
Putting his gloves on David turned to Aquila and told her he would be back that night.
Turning to start towards Therinsfird David was surprised when Aquila jumped onto his shoulders.
Prying her off of his shoulders David set her on the ground and told her to "stay". Passing over their link the feeling of importance.
Feeling grudging acceptance from Aquila David started his descent down the mountain and set off in the towns direction. He wasn't sure how well received he would be considering he probably looked like the Alagaesian version of a hobo. He just hoped that once he got into town he would find some kind of paying job so he could get money for a sword, be able to stay a night in an inn so he could wash off all the dirt he's gathered in the Spine, and he definitely needed to buy some new clothes.
Walking over the bridge into town David wondered where the stables were. Deciding that would be the easiest job to do since horses were his second favorite thing next to reading.
Walking through town David noticed he didn't get as many strange looks as he thought he would. Deciding to risk it David went up to somebody and asked her where he could find the stables.
The lady he asked turned to him and when she saw him gave a gasp of surprise.
Not knowing what was wrong David asked, "What's wrong?"
The lady regained her senses and answered his question. "Hello dear. Yes well it just so happens that my husband, Haberth, works at the stables. Come, come let me show you where it is".
Following the lady to where he assumed were the stables, David wanted to fill the silence that had settled between them.
Clearing his throat David told her, "thank you ma'am, for showing me to your stables".
David was surprised when she laughed. "It's no problem dear but they are not my stables they're my husbands. I run the house while he's gone, and there's no need to call me 'ma'am' you can call me Lora".
Nodding his head David fell silent until Lora asked him a question.
"What is a young on like you doing here in town. I don't think I've seen you before".
David didn't know what else to tell her so David told her the same story he told Eragon about how his family passed away and has been alone ever since.
He was surprised when she turned to him and gave him a bone breaking hug. Letting him go David was alarmed when he saw tears in her eyes.
"Oh you poor dear! Come you can go to the stables later, right now you need a nice, hot bath and warm food!"
David didn't know what else to do and could only follow as Lora grabbed his upper arm and started to drag him in another direction from before.
David's protests fell on deaf ears as Lora brought him into what he assumed to be her home, and lead him into what looked like a washroom with a tub next to one wall and a mirror on another.
Turning to Lora who was in the doorway David opened his mouth but was silenced.
"Now, child, you just wash up right in here and leave those, ah, clothes you're wearing outside the door. I'll bring you some of my husbands old clothes". Then she was gone.
Unable to argue David put his pack and bow in the corner of the room and took off his his shirt and pants. Looking at himself in the mirror since he has been unable to once he came to Alagaesia. He still had the same auburn hair and Aqua eyes, but he could see the difference between now and back home.
He was still about 6' but David saw that his body had more muscle from the workouts he's been doing. And the less amount of junk food he's eaten has probably helped. He could see the outline of a six pack starting, and when flexing his biceps was surprised at how little fat there was. He could also see that his legs were toned. His hair has grown to the tips of his ears and covered his forehead.
Setting his clothes in the hallway David turned to the tub and was surprised, once again, that there were taps attached to it. Wondering if tubs should even have been made like that yet David just shrugged and started washing his body from the dirt and grime.
Once done David checked the hallway for the clothes Lora mentioned. Grabbing them David shrugged on what looked like flannel dark blue shirt, and black pants.
Not having anything to cut his hair with David parted his hair to the right and let his, now side bangs rest on his eyebrow.
Picking up his pack from the corner and slinging he he bow over his shoulder, David headed down the stairs and smelled the most delicious thing since coming into Alagaesia.
Heading towards the smell David came across what he supposed was the kitchen and noticed that Lora was cooking some food and there was a man sitting at the table.
David cleared his throat to gain their attention. Both turned to him but Lora spoke first.
"Oh good you're done! Dinner's ready". Turning to the man, "Haberth this is the boy I was telling you about. I'm sorry dear I didn't get your name".
Smiling at them both David held out his hand to Haberth,"My name is David".
Taking his hand with a smile he received a, "Haberth" in return.
Dinner was rather silent until Haberth asked him why he needed to go to the stables.
Looking up at Haberth David told him that he had hoped to get a job helping out with the horses.
"Have you ever worked with horses?" Haberth inquired.
Shaking his head David replied, "No but I've always loved horses but I've never learned how to care for them".
The rest of dinner was silent after that.
Once dinner was over David thanked them for the delicious meal and started heading out the door, wondering where he could work now when he heard his name called from behind him.
David saw Haberth standing in the houses doorway looking at him from the porch. "I expect you to be at the stables at sunrise aye?"
Grinning from ear to ear David gave a "Yes sir!" and started walking out of Therinsford toward his mountain.
Once he reached the top he was almost pushed back off the mountain by an aqua blur. David laughed while pushing her off of him while he received happiness and love from Aquila and he returned the feelings.
David told Aquila that he was able to get a job in town, but he had to be there at dawn. David wondered why she was so sad when he realized he wouldn't get to see her that often now that he's gotten a job. David told her that while he was sad too he needed the job so he could save money for a sword so he could get lessons.
He could tell she wasn't happy about it but she seemed to accept it. He wasn't happy about it either but he would try to keep their bond open while he was in town but he wasn't sure how far it could reach.
Finishing his workout the only thing left to do now was to go to bed and see what the following days brought them.