Waves of Mercy Chapter 10

Nadlyn did not travel very far that first day. In fact, once she made it to the path, she immediately got off and hid herself in the woods. She was so confused with her feelings and was unable to leave Carvahall. So, she made camp there and spent the day think about what she wanted in life and ended up realizing that she wanted to spend it with Eragon. By that time, it was evening, so she spent the night in the woods, deciding to head back to the farm the next day.

When the sun arose the following morning, Nadlyn got up and began walking back to the farm. Along the way, she came across a band of Ra'zac. Hiding among the trees, with her heart pounding, she watched as they were heading towards the farm themselves. Fear gripped her as she thought about Eragon and Saphira being attacked by the big brutes. As quietly as possible, she walked away from the group and ran as fast as she could to the farm.

Unfortunately, she was too slow for the creatures were already there by the time the farm came into view. She crept from the trees and into the open. She ran to the barn and went inside through the back door. Finding no one, she ran to the front door, and opening it slightly, peeked out. She saw the Ra'zac enter the house. When they were inside, she left the barn and crept up to the house and peered in through a window. She was the creatures talk to Garrow, and then, attacked him after they did not like what he said.

Nadlyn watched in horror as Garrow fell to the ground and began rummaging around the house, damaging anything that got in their way. She was unsure if the man was dead or just unconscious. When they found nothing of interest, they started to make their way outside. Faced with no other option, Nadlyn ran back into the barn to hide. She heard the Ra'zac approach and knew that if she was found, she would fare no better than Eragon's uncle.

Before they entered the building, she climbed up onto the loft without using a ladder and lied down against the wall hoping that no one would see her or decided to look up there. She held her breath when the door creaked open. "Letsss check in here and see if anyone isss hiding." The voice sent chills down her spine. She hid up there for what felt like hours before she heard them departing. "Come on, no one isss in here, ssstop wasssting time."

She still did not move until she heard a loud swoosh and a thud outside the barn. Carefully jumping down from the loft, she heard Eragon curse and run towards his house. Nadlyn exited the barn as saw Saphira, but ignored the dragon as she made her way towards the house as well. The door was torn off its hinges, so she was able to walk inside without making any noise.

She saw Eragon weeping as he held his uncle in his arms. Tears began to fall down her cheeks as she realized that the man was dead. Eragon's head whirled around when he heard someone behind him. When he saw Nadlyn, his jaw dropped. "Nadlyn, what are you doing here?"

Through blurred vision, she looked at him. "Eragon, I'm so sorry." She ran into his arms when he stood up.

In that moment Eragon experienced deep sadness and happiness at the same time; he was upset about his uncle, but was happy that Nadlyn had come back and was all right. "Why did you come back?"

"I realized that a life without you is no life at all." Nadlyn said, her head resting on his chest.

Eragon sighed and said, "Well, now my home was destroyed and my Uncle is dead, so what life can I give you now?"

Nadlyn brushed his hair out of his eyes and said, "Whatever you choose to do, I will be right there beside you."

Holding her and hearing those words brought him comfort, and he felt that as long as he had her support, he could do anything. "Then let us pursue the ones that killed my uncle and strike them down."

Nadlyn understood his lust for revenge, but knew that there was no way he could defeat them without proper training. "Eragon, the Ra'zac is trained to kill, and they were looking for Saphira's egg. If they learn that she has hatched for you, they will bring you to the King."

Eragon pondered her words then said, "What other choice do I have? I cannot stay here, and I cannot just aimlessly live in the wild. Pursuing the Ra'zac gives me something to do."

While they were talking, they did not notice Brom walk in. "Eragon it is not safe here!"

Eragon placed himself in front of Nadlyn at the sound of the voice. When he saw that it was only Brom, he relaxed. Brom was surprised to see Nadlyn, but made no comment about it. "Come with me, I brought horses."

Eragon wanted to question the old man's intentions, but ended up doing what he was told. When they were all on horseback, Brom took the lead and led them away from the farm, Saphira flying high above them.