Free Riders
Author's Note: Eragon is not mine. Char, Blaster, and Saranya are. Thank you.
Chapter 9: To Therinsford
Dawn was grey and overcast with a cutting wind. The forest was quiet. After a light breakfast, Brom, Eragon, and Blaster doused the fire and shouldered their packs, preparing to leave. Eragon hung his bow and quiver on the side of his pack where he could easily reach them. Saphira and Sara wore the saddles, needing to carry them until they had gotten horses. Eragon carefully tied Zar'roc onto Saphira's back as well, as he didn't want the extra weight. Besides, the sword would be no better than a club in such inexperienced hands.
Blaster, for the first time, pulled out his pistols and holstered them near his belt, followed by his bow, also hung within his reach on the side of his pack. For the first time, Blaster felt safe in the bramble. Outside, he felt like Eragon, weary and nervous about the future. Sara and Saphira took off and circled overhead. The trees thinned as they returned to the destroyed farm.
They will pay, Blaster said to himself, looking at the remains. Blood was spilt here, and their protection under the king will come to an end. No one should be allowed to kill without consequence. He hefted his pack, but buttoned his pistols before looking towards the unknown south.
As they walked, Saphira and Sara veered west toward the mountains and out of sight. Even with his mind training, Blaster felt a little uncomfortable watching them go, but knew it was for the best at the moment. They had to stay hidden in case they met a fellow traveler, and they didn't want to have Galbatorix know that two new dragons were running free under his rule.
The Ra'zac's footprints were faint on the eroding snow, but neither Blaster nor Eragon was concerned. It was unlikely that they would forsake the road, the easiest way into and out of the valley, for the wilderness. Once outside the valley, however, the road divided in several places, making it difficult to ascertain which branch the Ra'zac had taken.
They traveled in silence, concentrating on speed. Eragon's legs continued to bleed where the scabs had cracked, even with Blaster's bandages pressed tight against the wounds. To take his mind off the discomfort, he asked, "So what exactly can dragons do? You said that you knew something of their abilities."
Brom laughed, his sapphire ring flashing in the air as he gestured. "Unfortunately, it's a pitiful amount compared to what I would like to know. Your question is one people have been trying to answer for centuries, so understand that what I tell you is by its very nature incomplete. Dragons have always been mysterious, though maybe not on purpose.
"Before I can truly answer your question, you need a basic education on the subject of dragons. It's hopelessly confusing to start in the middle of such a complex topic without understanding the foundation on which it stands."
"Like trying to do complex math before learning to add or subtract," Blaster suggested. Brom nodded.
"I'll begin with the life cycle of dragons, and if that doesn't wear you out, we can continue on another topic." Brom explained how dragons mate and what it took for their eggs to hatch. "You see," he said, "when a dragon lays an egg, the infant inside is ready to hatch. But it waits, sometimes for years, for the right circumstances. When dragons lived in the wild, those circumstances were usually dictated by the availability of food." Blaster muttered something about basic supply and demand, but earned a stern glare from Brom and let the matter be. "However," Brom continued, "once they formed an alliance with the elves, a certain number of their eggs, usually no more than one or two, were given to the Riders each year. These eggs, or rather the infants inside, wouldn't hatch until the person destined to be its Rider came into their presence—though how they sensed that isn't known. People used to line up to touch the eggs, hoping that one of them might be picked."
"Do you mean that Saphira might not have hatched for me?" Eragon asked.
"Quite possibly, if she hadn't liked you," Brom replied, smugly.
Blaster and Eragon somehow felt honored that the dragons they now possessed had chosen them. They wondered how long their dragons had been waiting. However, Eragon was the only one who shuddered at the thought of being cramped inside an egg, surrounded on all sides by darkness.
Brom continued his lecture. He explained what and when dragons ate. A fully grown sedentary dragon could go for months without food, but had to eat every week once mating season hit. Some plants could heal their sicknesses, while others would make them ill. Additionally, there were various ways to care for their claws and clean their scales.
Brom then explained the techniques to use when attacking from a dragon and what to do if one was fighting one, whether on foot, horseback, or with another dragon. Their bellies were armored, but not the armpits. Eragon constantly interrupted to ask questions, and Brom seemed pleased by the inquiries. However, when Blaster interrupted to make an analogy, he seemed upset with the interjections. Hours passed as they talked.
When evening came, they were near Therinsford. As the sky darkened and they searched for a place to camp, Eragon asked, "Who was the Rider that owned Zar'roc?"
"A mighty warrior," Brom said. "One who was much feared in his time and held great power."
"Pretty inspirational guy," Blaster commented, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "What was his name?"
"I'll not say." Eragon began to protest, but Brom was firm. "I don't want to keep you ignorant, far from it, but certain knowledge would only prove dangerous and distracting for you now. There isn't any reason for me to trouble you with such things until you have the time and the power to deal with them. I only wish to protect you from those who would use you for evil."
Eragon glared at Brom. "You know what? I think you just enjoy speaking in riddles. I've half a mind to leave you so I don't have to be bothered with them. If you're going to say something, then say it instead of dancing around with vague phrases!"
"Peace. All will be told in time," Brom said gently. Eragon grunted, unconvinced.
"I can wait," Blaster muttered. As they continued, Blaster lagged behind and pulled out a small communicator from his sleeve. Once it was in his ear, he called for his ship.
"Alice here," the computer replied. "I thought you'd never call back."
"Bit of an issue," Blaster said. "I might have to reveal my secret about you sooner or later, so, could you possibly look up how to block off parts of my mind temporarily without thinking about it?"
"Give me a bit," Alice replied. "I will need to search the database while trying to get through the interference. I still haven't been able to pinpoint Char due to the changing interference pattern. Even with you talking to me, I can't get a solid lock on the teleporter."
"So, something else is blocking the signal," Blaster mused. He shook himself before adding, "Thanks for the update. I'll chat again on the other side of Therinsford."
"Understood, Alice out!"
Blaster quickly took out his communicator and caught up with the rest of the group. He got there just as the meal was being set on the fire, along with Saphira and Sara.
Man you are slow, Sara said. If the three of you walked any slower, Saphira and I would be able to fly across the sea and back without falling behind.
I'm faster than I look, Blaster replied. Besides, we'll be faster on horseback.
Maybe, Sara replied, letting loose a puff of smoke. But will it be enough to catch the Ra'zac? They have a lead of several days and many leagues. And I'm afraid they may suspect we're following them. Why else would they have destroyed that farm in such a spectacular manner, unless they wished to provoke you or Eragon into chasing them?
I dunno, Blaster replied. Sara curled up beside him and he leaned against her belly. It was an odd feeling having something so warm as a makeshift pillow, albeit temporarily. Brom sat on the other side of the fire from Eragon, whittling two long sticks. He suddenly threw one at Eragon, who grabbed it out of reflex as it whirled over the cracking flames.
"Defend yourself!" Brom barked, standing up.
"Oh, this'll be good," Blaster muttered.
Eragon looked at the stick and saw it resembled a crude sword. He reluctantly stood up, possibly wondering if fighting against an old man was a good idea. Brom circled the fire as Eragon rose. They faced each other for a moment before Brom charged, swinging his stick. Eragon tried to block the attack, but was a little slow on the up-take. He yelped as Brom's attack struck him on the ribs, causing him to stumble backwards.
Without thinking, Eragon launched forward, but Brom easily parried the blow. Eragon whipped the stick toward Brom's head, but twisted it at the last second, and then tried to hit his side. The smacking sound of wood connecting with wood resounded in the camp. "Improvisation—good!" Brom exclaimed, eyes gleaming. His arm moved in a blur as he swung and struck Eragon in the head. The boy collapsed, obviously dazed.
"Go a little overboard?" Blaster asked, a smile on his face. Brom shook his head as he began to melt snow in a small kettle. "Honestly, I think he did good for his first time."
"Me too," Brom said.
Moments later, the small amount of snow was melted and thrown on Eragon. He sat up, sputtering, dried blood on his face. "You didn't have to do that," he said angrily, pushing himself up. He swayed a bit. Brom arched an eyebrow.
"Oh?" he exclaimed. "A real enemy wouldn't soften his blows, and neither will I. Should I pander to your…incompetence so you'll feel better? I don't think so." He picked up the stick that Eragon had dropped and held it out. "Now, defend yourself."
Eragon stared blankly at the piece of wood, then shook his head. "Forget it; I've had enough." He turned away and stumbled as his was whacked loudly across the back. He spun around, growling.
"Never turn your back to the enemy," Brom snapped, then tossed the stick at Eragon and attacked. Eragon retreated around the fire, beneath the onslaught. "Pull your arms in. Keep your knees bent," Brom shouted. He continued to give instructions, then paused to show Eragon exactly how to execute a certain move. "Do it again, but this time slowly!" They slid through the forms with exaggerated motions before returning to their furious battle. Eragon learned quickly, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't hold Brom off for more than a few blows.
When they had finished, Eragon flopped on his blankets and groaned. There were small welts everywhere as Brom had not been gentle. Both Saphira and Sara let out a long, coughing growl and they curled their lips until a formidable row of teeth showed. Blaster knew instantly what was going on.
May I ask what's so funny? Blaster asked. It didn't take him long to realize the dragons were laughing.
Nothing, Sara replied. It's just amusing to see a hatchling like Eragon beaten by the old one. She and Saphira laughed again, causing Eragon to blush before rolling to his side and falling asleep.
The next day, Eragon awoke to find bruises covering his arms, and he was almost too sore to move. Brom looked up from the mush he was serving and grinned. "How do you feel?" Eragon merely grunted and bolted down his breakfast.
Once on the road, they traveled swiftly so as to reach Therinsford before noon. After a league, the road widened and they saw smoke in the distance. "You'd better tell Saphira and Sara to fly ahead and wait for us on the other side of Therinsford," Brom said. "They have to be careful here, otherwise people are bound to notice them."
"Why don't you tell her yourself?" Eragon challenged.
"It's considered bad manners to interfere with another's dragon."
"You didn't have a problem with it in Carvahall."
Brom's lips twitched with a smile. "I did what I had to."
Eragon eyed him darkly, but both Blaster and Eragon told their dragons the instructions. Be careful, Sara replied. The Empire's servants could be hiding anywhere.
I'm well aware, Blaster replied.
As the ruts in the road deepened, Eragon noticed more footprints. Farms signaled their approach to Therinsford. The village was larger than Carvahall, but it had been constructed haphazardly, the houses aligned in no particular order.
"What a mess," Eragon said. Blaster thought about Roran, but he thought it wouldn't be wise to seek him out.
"It's ugly, if nothing else," Brom agreed.
The Anora River flowed between them and the town, spanned by a stout bridge. As they approached, a greasy man stepped from behind a bush and barred their way. His shirt was too short, and his dirty stomach spilled over a rope belt. His teeth looked like crumbling tombstones behind his cracked lips. "You c'n stop right there. This's my bridge. Gotta pay t' get over."
"How much?" Brom asked in a resigned voice. He pulled out a pouch, and the bridgekeeper brightened.
"Five crowns," he said, pulling his lips into a broad smile. Eragon's temper flared at the exorbitant price, and he started to complain hotly, but Brom silenced him with a quick look. The coins were wordlessly handed over. The man put them into a sack hanging from his belt. "Thank'ee much," he said in a mocking tone, and stood out of the way.
Blaster stepped forward, but stumbled a bit and caught the bridgekeeper's arm for support. "Watch y're step," the grimy man snarled, sidling away.
"Pardon me, sir," Blaster apologized. The three continued over the bridge.
"Why didn't you haggle? He skinned you alive!" Eragon exclaimed once they were out of earshot. "He probably doesn't even own the bridge. We could have pushed right past him."
"Probably," Brom agreed.
"Then why pay him?"
"Because," Blaster said, "you can't argue with all of the fools in the world. It's much easier to let them have their way, then trick them when they're not paying attention." Blaster opened his hand, revealing a pile of coins that glinted in the light.
"You stole those!" Eragon exclaimed, incredulous. Blaster handed the money over to Brom, who pocketed it with a wink.
"Anyone who has the nerve to rob innocent travelers for a living ought to know better than to carry large sums of money on his person," Blaster said with a smile. "Now, let's get out of here before our greedy little friend here realizes we robbed him blind. If you happen to see any watchmen wandering around, let Brom or I know."
Brom caught the shoulder of a young boy running between the houses and asked, "Do you know where we can buy horses?" The child stared at them with solemn eyes and then pointed to a large barn near the edge of Therinsford. "Thank you," Brom said, tossing him half a coin. They then set off to the barn.
Time to buy the horses. Still chasing the Ra'zac. New development: None as of yet, but, as soon as that happens, you'll be one of the first to know. Tune in next week for another installment of Free Riders.
(Author's top tip: Neither myself nor my characters support the act of stealing. Unless it is in a fictional story and relevant to the plot.)
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