Free Riders
Author's Note: Eragon is not mine. Char, Blaster, and Saranya are. Comment as you see fit.
Chapter 20: Literacy Exam
"Were the horses all right?" Brom asked as he opened the door back outside.
"Fine," Eragon said. Blaster could tell that he was upset about being kept in the dark. They untied their horses and left the castle. It wasn't long before they were back in the main body of Teirm.
"So, Jeod," Brom said, a cheery voice, "you finally got married. And," he winked slyly, "to a lovely young woman. Congratulations."
Jeod seemed unhappy with the comment. He hunched his shoulders and stared down at the street. "Whether congratulations are in order is debatable right now. Helen isn't very happy."
I can tell, Blaster thought to himself.
"Why?" Brom asked. "What does she want?"
"The usual," Jeod said, shrugging. "A good home, happy children, food on the table, and pleasant company. The problem is that she comes from a wealthy family; her father has invested heavily in my business. If I keep suffering these losses, there won't be enough money for her to live the way she's used to." He sighed, then put on a cheery tone. "But, please, my troubles are not your troubles. A host should never bother his guests with his own concerns. While you are in my house, I will let nothing more than an over-full stomach disturb you."
"Thank you," Brom said. "We appreciate the hospitality. Our travels have long been without comforts of any kind. Do you happen to know where we could find an inexpensive shop? All this riding has worn out our clothes." He looked at Blaster's nearly pristine outfit. "Except for his. I haven't found out why."
"I had a magician cast a spell on them to make them resistant to wear and damage," Blaster said. "But I have no idea how long the spell will last."
"Of course," Jeod said. "That's my job." He talked about stores and prices eagerly until his house came into view. He then asked, "Would you mind if we went somewhere else to eat? It might be awkward if you came in right now."
"Whatever makes you feel comfortable," Brom said. Jeod looked relieved.
"Thanks," the merchant said. "Let's leave your horses in my stable."
They did as he suggested, then followed him to a large tavern. Unlike the Green Chestnut, this one was loud, clean, and full of boisterous people. When the main course arrived, which was a stuffed pig, Eragon eagerly dug into the meat, but he especially savored the vegetables and the sweet apples that accompanied it. Blaster too enjoyed the meat and produce, having gone so far with the wild game they had eaten on their journey.
They lingered over the meal for hours as Brom and Jeod swapped stories. The other two didn't mind much. They were warm, lively music could be heard in the background, and there was more than enough food for everyone to have their fill. Blaster especially enjoyed the spirited babble of the tavern.
When they finally exited the tavern, the sun was approaching the horizon. "You guys go ahead; I have to check on something," Eragon said.
"I'll go along, just to make sure he stays out of trouble," Blaster added. He knew that Eragon wanted to check on Saphira, and he felt that he would have to do the same for Sara, lest she feel left out.
"Be careful," Brom agreed absently. "Don't take too long."
"Wait," Jeod said. "Are you going outside Teirm?" Eragon hesitated, then reluctantly nodded. "Make sure you're inside the walls before dark. The gates close then, and the guards won't let you back in until morning."
"I won't be late," Eragon promised. He and Blaster turned around and loped down a side street, towards the outer wall of Teirm. Once outside, they took a breath of fresh air. They called their dragons, both of whom were hiding in roughly the same spot. The dragons guided them off the road and too the base of a mossy cliff surrounded by maple trees. They saw Saphira's head poke out of the trees on the top and waved.
Find a clearing, and I'll come down to get you. Sara said.
Not necessary, Blaster replied. He eyeballed the cliff. I'm going to take the scenic route.
It's too dangerous.
Never stopped me before. I'll be up in a jiffy.
Blaster surveyed the cliff face, just as Eragon took off his gloves and began to climb himself. The alien smiled, then started up the cliff himself, several feet to the left of where Eragon started. It wasn't hard to find handholds on the ascent, and he was soon high above the trees. He passed Eragon stopped on a ledge to catch his breath. Unlike Eragon, Blaster was an expert of using as little energy as possible to climb. Within about a minute, Blaster had made it to the top. Eragon, however, was searching for another handhold. He then tried to back down, but was too short to reach his last foothold.
"I could use some help," Eragon said. Saphira began talking to him directly. This left Blaster to sit next to Sara.
Told ya I'd be up in a jiffy, Blaster said with a smirk.
And Eragon's in a bit of a bind? Sara asked.
You could say that, Blaster replied. He should have started either where I started or several feet to the right of where he did. Only Eragon would find the only dead end. It's a good thing that we're around, or else he'd be screwed. Seconds later Saphira barreled off the top off the cliff.
So, is Brom's friend trustworthy? Sara asked as Blaster surveyed the landscape. Eragon and Saphira soon reemerged from over the cliffsice
I'm sure, Blaster said. There are forces around us, but we can all try to make the best of it. I fear that we may eventually join the Varden. However, the way that they keep their secrets…
It is the way of the world, Sara replied. I suppose we must trust in the nature of each individual. Brom is good, and means us no harm. There is no need to fear his plans.
That much is true, Blaster said.
This finding of the Ra'zac through writing is a strange way of tracking, she remarked.
Hey, when we get hard evidence, there is usually a paper-trail, Blaster said. We're just following it. The things you learn from CSI reruns.
But would there be a way to use magic to see the records without being inside the room?
No idea, Blaster replied. The combination of words needed must include distance, and that would expend energy. But, if there is a way, Brom would be the one to know.
I agree, she said. They lapsed into silence.
We might have the chance to stay in one place for an extended period of time, Blaster said at last.
And as always, I will be left to wait outside, Sara said. Blaster could tell she wasn't pleased.
For the time being, yes, Blaster replied. But we will soon travel together again.
May that day come quickly.
I hope it will, Blaster said, hugging Sara's neck. He and Eragon noticed that daylight was fading. We must go before we are locked out of Teirm for the night. Hunt well, and we shall see each other tomorrow evening.
She spread her wings. Come, I will take you down.
My pleasure. He got onto her scaly back and held on tightly and launched off the cliff, gilded over the trees, then landed on a knoll. He thanked her then, when Eragon drifted down on Saphira, the two ran back to Teirm.
They came into sight of the portcullis just as it was beginning to lower. Calling for them to wait, Blaster grabbed Eragon's hand and pulled him along at a faster pace. They slipped inside seconds before the gateway slammed closed.
"Ya cut that a little close," one of the guards observed.
"It won't happen again, sir," Blaster said in his British accent. Eragon was bent over, attempting to catch his breath. The two wound their way through the city to Jeod's house. A lantern hung outside like a beacon.
A plump butler answered their knock and ushered them in without a word. Tapestries covered the stone walls, and elaborate rugs dotted the polished wood floor, which glowed in the light of three gold candelabra that hung from the ceiling. Smoke drifted through the air and collected above them.
"This way sirs," the butler finally said. "Your friend is in the study."
He led them past a multitude of doors until he came upon one. He opened the door to reveal a room whose walls were covered in books of every shape and size. A fireplace full of burning logs warmed the room and cast a certain glow on everything. Jeod and Brom sat at an oval writing desk, talking amiably. Brom raised his pipe and said in a jovial voice, "Ah, here you are. We were getting worried about you. How was your walk?"
Eragon paused for a moment, then said, "Pleasant, but the guards almost locked us outside the city. And Teirm is so big, we had trouble finding this house."
Jeod chuckled. "When you have seen Dras-Leona, Gil'ead, or even Kuasta, you won't be so easily impressed by this small ocean city. I like it here, though. When it's not raining, Teirm is really quite beautiful."
Eragon turned to Brom as Blaster took a seat nearby. "Do you have any idea how long we'll be here?"
Brom spread his palms upwards as if to shrug. "That's hard to tell. It depends on whether we can get to the records and how long it will take us to find what we need. We'll all have to help as it will be a huge undertaking. I'll talk with Brand tomorrow and see if he'll let us examine the records."
"I don't think I'll be able to help," Eragon said, shifting uneasily.
"Why not?" Blaster asked. "There will be plenty of work for you." Eragon lowered his head.
"I can't read," Eragon said.
"That may be a problem," Blaster admitted.
"You mean Garrow never taught you?" Brom asked in disbelief.
"He knew how to read?" Eragon asked, just as puzzled. Jeod and Blaster watched them with interest.
"Of course he did," Brom snorted. "The proud fool. What was he thinking? I should have realized that he wouldn't have taught you. He probably considered it an unnecessary luxury." He scowled and pulled at his beard.
"Well, this puts a damper on things," Blaster commented.
"Yes, but not irreparably," Brom replied. He turned back to Eragon. "I'll just have to teach you how to read. It won't take long if you put your mind to it."
Eragon winced, probably because Brom's lessons were usually intense and brutally direct, and probably because Eragon was being taught a whole lot in a short amount of time. "I suppose it's necessary," he said ruefully.
"You'll enjoy it," Jeod said. "There is much you can learn from books and scrolls." He gestured to the walls. "These books are my friends and companions. They make me laugh, cry, and find meaning in life."
"It sounds intriguing," Eragon admitted.
"Always the scholar, aren't you?" Brom asked.
"Not anymore," Jeod shrugged. "I'm afraid I've degenerated into a bibliophile."
"A what?" Eragon asked.
"A book lover," Blaster said. He, Jeod and Brom resumed conversing while Eragon skimmed the books. His hand stopped at an elegant book with golden studs. He pulled the book off the shelf, looking at the black leather that was carved with mysterious runes. He opened it, and saw the letters inside were painted in red ink, and the words in one column of script were long and flowing, made with graceful lines and sharp points. He took it over to Brom.
"What is this?" he asked, pointing to the strange writing.
Brom looked at the page closely before his eyebrows raised in surprise. "Jeod, you've expanded your collection. Where did you get this? I haven't seen one in ages."
Jeod strained his neck to see the book. "Ah yes, the Domia abr Wyrda. A man came through here a few years ago and tried to sell it to a trader down by the wharves. Fortunately, I happened to be there and was able to save the book, along with his neck. He didn't have a clue what it was."
"It's odd, Eragon, that you should pick up this book, the Dominance of Fate," Brom said. "Of all the items in this house, it's probably worth the most. It details a complete history of Alagaësia, starting long before the elves landed here and ending a few decades ago. The book is very rare and is the best of its kind. When it was written, the Empire decried it as blasphemy and burned the author, Heslant the Monk. I don't think any copies still existed. The lettering you asked about is from the ancient language."
"What does it say?" Eragon asked. Brom took a moment to read the passage.
"It is part of an elven poem that tells of the years they fought the dragons," Brom said. "This excerpt tells of Ceranthor, one of their kings, as he rides into battle. The elves love this poem and tell it regularly, though you need three days to do it properly, so that they won't repeat the mistakes of the past. They sometimes sing it so beautifully, it seems the very rocks will cry."
"Wow," Blaster said. "That is one way of telling history."
The hours went by as Eragon browsed the book, but it was soon apparent that everyone was getting drowsy. The butler showed them to their rooms, a cluster of three doors, then left. Brom entered the room on the right.
"Can I talk to you?" Eragon asked.
"You just did, but come in anyway," Brom replied. Eragon and Blaster entered, the latter closing the door behind himself.
"Saphira and I had an idea," Eragon began. He was stopped by Brom, who raised a hand and stopped him. He then pulled the curtains closed.
"When you talk of such things, you would do well to make sure that no unwelcome ears are present."
"Sorry," Eragon said, berating himself for the slip.
"It might be the same as the idea Sara and I had," Blaster said. "Would it be possible to conjure an image of something that isn't visible?"
"What you are talking about is called scrying," Brom said. "It is possible and extremely helpful in some situations, but has major drawbacks." Brom continued to talk about the drawbacks, like how one would only be able to see people, places and things already seen, but not the surroundings. Or how you'd only see black when trying to read a page in a closed book. Of course it expended energy, but it took more to conjure an apparition in thin air than it would on a reflective surface. Thankfully, Brom told them the words they would need in order to use the spell, but made them promise not to use it that night.
Eragon's thoughts turned to Roran, and how he would try to keep him safe. Brom countered this by suggesting that it would not be a good idea to reveal himself, especially by using Roran. Just when Eragon was about to throw in the towel and try his best to help Roran, Brom threw in another thing into the mix: The King himself.
"There is a bright side," Brom said. "The king cannot afford to have a couple of Riders roaming around that he doesn't control. Galbatorix is the only known Rider alive besides yourselves, and he would like another one or two under his command. Before he tries to kill you or Roran, or even your friend Charlotte, Blaster, he will offer you the chance to serve him. Unfortunately, if he ever gets close enough to make that proposition, it will be far too late for you to refuse and still live."
"And that is good?" Blaster asked, weary of the answer.
"It's all that's protecting Roran and Charlotte. As long as the king doesn't know what side you've chosen, he won't risk alienating you by harming them. Keep that firmly in mind. The Ra'zac killed Garrow, but I think it was an ill-considered decision on their part. From what I know of Galbatorix, he wouldn't have approved it unless he gained something from it."
"And how will we be able to deny the king's wishes if he's threatening us with death?" Eragon asked.
Brom sighed, then went to his nightstand to wash up for the night. "Galbatorix wants your willing cooperation," he said. "Without that, you're worse than useless to him. So the question becomes, If you are ever faced with this choice, are you willing to die for what you believe in? For that is the only way you will deny him." The question hung in the air. "It's a difficult question and not one you can answer until you're faced with it. Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it is actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe."
Will the Riders find themselves in a situation of being martyrs? Will they be unable to resist their call from destiny? Where is Char? Find out in the future. But next is an information-gathering chapter of Free Riders.
Please R&R. No flames, and a chapter focusing on Saranya will not occur for at least another ten chapters or so (because I am that far ahead in typing, but not exactly improving on my speed of making this stuff up.