The Twins entered the study as they left. Eragon stretched before looking to Orik. "I'm sorry that you're in trouble because of me," he apologised.
"Don't bother yourself," grunted Orik, tugging on his beard. "Ajihad gave me what I wanted."
"What do you mean?" said Eragon. "You can't train or fight, and you're stuck guarding me. How can that be what you wanted?"
The dwarf eyes him quietly. "Ajihad is a good leader. He understands how to keep the law yet remain just. I have been punished by his command, but I'm also one of Hrothgar's subjects. Under his rule, I'm still free to do what I wish."
"Ajihad just placed you in a powerful position, didn't he?"
Orik chuckled deeply. "That he did, and in such a way the Twins can't complain about it. This'll irritate them for sure. Ajihad's a tricky one, he is. Come, kids, I'm sure you're hungry. And we have to get your dragon settled in."
Saphira hissed. Eragon said, "Her name is Saphira."
Orik made a small bow to her, "My apologies, I'll be sure to remember that." He took an orange lamp from the wall and let them down the hallway.
"Can other in Farthen Dûr use magic?" asked Eragon, as the humans struggled to keep up with the dwarf's brisk pace.
"Few enough," said Orik with a swift shrug under his mail. "And the ones we have can't do much more than heal bruises. They've all had to tend to Arya because of the strength needed to heal her."
"Except for the Twins."
"Oeí," grumbled Orik. "She wouldn't want their help anyway; their arts are not for healing,. Their talents lie in scheming and plotting for power—to everyone else's detriment, Deynor, Ajihad's predecessor, allowed them to join the Varden because he needed their support... you can't oppose the Empire without spellcasters who can hold their own on the field of battle. They're a nasty pair, but they do have their uses."
They entered one of the four main tunnels that divided Tronjheim. Clusters of dwarves and humans strolled through it, voices echoing loudly off the polished floor. The conversations stopped abruptly when they saw Saphira; scored of eyes fixed on her. Orik ignored the spectators and turned left, heading toward one of Tronjheim's distant gates. "Where are we going?" asked Eragon.
"Out of these halls so Saphira can fly to the dragonhold above Isidar Mithrim, the Star Rose. The dragonhold doesn't have a roof—Tronjheim's peak is open to the sky, like that of Farthen Dûr—so she, that is, you, Saphira, will be able to glide straight down into the hold. It is where the Riders used to stay when they visited Tronjheim."
"Won't it be cold and damp without a roof?" asked Eragon.
"Nay." Orik shook his head. "Farthen Dûr protects us from the elements. Neither rain nor snow intrude here. Besides, the hold's walls are lined with marble caves for dragons. They provide all the shelter necessary. All you need fear are the icicles; when they fall they've been known to cleave a horse in two."
They exited Tronjheim through the same gate they had entered. Orik pointed at Tronjheim's white pinnacle. "Fresh meat and pure mountain water await you up there," he told Saphira. "You may stay in any of the caves. Once you make your choice, bedding will be laid down in it and then no one will disturb you."
"I thought we were staying together. I don't want to be separated," protested Eragon.
Orik turned to him. "Rider Eragon, I will do everything to accommodate you, but it would be best if Saphira waits in the dragonhold while you eat. The tunnels to the banquet halls aren't large enough for her to accompany us."
"Why can't you just bring me food in the hold?"
"Because," said Orik with a guarded expression, "the food is prepared down here, and it is a long way to the top. If you wish, a servant could be sent up to the hold with a meal for you. It will take some time, but you could eat with Saphira then."
Eragon looked thoughtfully at Saphira, then said to Orik, "I'll eat down here." The dwarf smiled, seeming satisfied. Eragon unstrapped Saphira's saddle so she could lie down without discomfort. She gathered up the saddle and Eragon's sword with her claws, then with an explosive leap Saphira swept off the ground and into the still air. The steady whoosh of her wings was the only sound in the darkness. As she disappeared over the rim of Tronjheim's peak, Orik let out a long breath. "Ah boy, you have been blessed indeed. I find a sudden longing in my heart for open skies and soaring cliffs and the thrill of hunting like a hawk. Still my feet are better on the ground—preferably under it."
He clapped his hands loudly. "I neglect my duties as host. I know you've not dined since that pitiful dinner the Twins saw fit to give you, so come, let's find the cook and beg meat and bread from them!" He looked at Lorena. "Especially you girl, you're all bones." Causing her to flush and duck her head.
They followed the dwarf back into Tronjheim and through a labyrinth of corridors until they came to a long room filled with rows of stone tables only high enough for dwarves. Fires blazed in soapstone ovens behind a long counter.
Orik spoke words in an unfamiliar language to a stout ruddy-faced dwarf, who promptly handed them stone platters piled with steaming mushrooms and fish. Then Orik took them up several flights of stairs and into a small alcove cared out of Tronjheim's outer wall, where they sat crossed-legged. They ate, enjoying the silence.
When their platters were empty, Orik sighed with contentment and pulled out a long-stemmed pipe. He lit it, saying, "A worthy repast, though it needed a good draught of mead to wash it down properly."
Eragon surveyed the ground below and asked about farming. Orik told them of how they get supplies from other dwarf cities that are located throughout the mountains. He spoke of how large Tronjheim truly is and how empty it currently is. They also spoke of how many people had left the Empire, and how most had travelled to Surda. There were only four thousand humans in the Varden.
When they returned the platters to the cook, they passed a dwarf in the hall. He stopped before Eragon, bowed, and said respectfully, "Argetlam."
Eragon flushed with unease. He leaned close to Orik, "What did he say?"
Orik shrugged, embarrassed. "It's an elven word that used to refer to the Riders. It means 'silver hand'. Do you wish to return to Saphira?"
"Is there somewhere I could bathe first? I haven't been able to wash off the grime of the road for a long time. Also, my shirt bloodstained and torn, and it stinks. I'd like to replace it, but I don't have any money to buy a new one. Is there a way I could work for one?"
"Do you seek to insult Hrothgar's hospitality?" demanded Orik. "As long as you are in Tronjheim, you won't have to buy a thing. You'll pay for it in other ways—Ajihad and Hrothgar will see that. Come. I'll show you where to wash, then fetch you a shirt. As for you," He turned to Lorena. "I'll have to get you a dress, we can't have you walking around like that."
"I don't have any money neither."
"You both insult me! You helped Eragon here safely. You've paid at least for a new dress."
"I'm a pretty good cook, maybe I can start working in kitchens." replied Lorena with a smile.
"If you stay here long term that sounds like a good idea, as for now you all can rest and recover from your journey."
Orik took them down a long staircase until they were well below Tronjheim. The corridors were tunnels now—which cramped the humans, Eragon more so, since they were only five feet high—and all the lanterns were red. "So they light doesn't blind you when you leave or enter a dark cavern," explained Orik.
They entered a bare room with a small door on the far side. Orik looked to Lorena and pointed. "The pools are through there, along with brushes and soap. Leave your clothes here. I'll have new ones waiting when you get out." He turned to Eragon. "There are other pools further down the corridor; I'll take you to those so you don't have to share."
Lorena thanked him and when they left started to undress. Embarrassed by her nakedness and at unease of anyone entering she quickly hurried through the door, into total darkness. She inched forward until her foot touched warm water, then eased herself into it.
The pool was mildly salty, but soothing and calm. She waded through the water to discover it did not reach higher than her chest. She found the soap and brushes next to the pool and got to work scrubbing at her skin. She remembered once when her skin and been almost milky. It had tanned during her march with the slavers, and had reddened through the flight through the Hadarac Desert. As she scrubbed off the dirt she wondered what colours were coming through.
She felt her body and in horror realised that Orik's earlier description of her may not have been totally inaccurate. The lack of food and constant travel had made her bones begin to stick out. Her shoulders and collar bone were prominent. While her once endowed breasts had begun to shrink, no longer balancing out her child bearing hips. The muscle was evident in her thighs, and her calves retained a good shape. I'll be able to put some more weight on soon, Lorena thought as she ran her fingers over her rippled ribs.
She used the soap to wash her hair and scratch the dirt from her scalp. Then she allowed herself to float, enjoying the time to herself. When she emerged she made her way back to the door. She peaked her head through, then entered. She found a towel and a purple dress, simple of make and fabric but much more appealing than her travel clothes. She allowed her long damp hair to fly free. Satisfied with the fit she made her way into the tunnel.
Orik and Eragon were waiting for her. They climbed the stairs back into Tronjheim then made their way another two flights up. They stopped beside a door before Orik turned to Lorena. "This is your room, you can sleep here while you stay in Tronjheim."
Lorena smiled at him, "Thank you." She turned to Eragon "Bye." She gave him a quick hug before going inside, Orik closing it behind her. She was alone again. She stood in a receiving room; it contained a small table and three chairs. In the back left corner there was a second room, slightly smaller than the first. This room contained a single bed, wash basin, and a simple wardrobe. Inside she found three dresses, identical to the one she was wearing in all but colour. Red, blue, and green.
Lorena couldn't help but smile, she was out of the Empire.