Chapter 21. Teirm

While Eragon fought through Durza's curse to learn the ways of the Riders Roran and the refugees of Palancar Valley sailed up the coast to Teirm. It was a long journey as the coast was patrolled by Imperial war galleys. It took an entire month to reach Teirm as they had to stop once while traveling. When they anchored the barges they anchored in a cove that was the perfect hiding place.

"HAIL!" Davan yelled from the shore.

The refugees cheered when they spotted Davan on the shore. He had remained behind to throw the Empire off the trail of Roran and the refugees. "I am glad you are all safe…" Davan said to Roran, Horst, and Clovis.

"I thought we'd be captured by now without you…" Horst said.

"I have some good news…The Dragon Wing a newly constructed vessel is here in Teirm…More importantly we can hook up with Brom's old friend and ally Jeod Longshanks…"

"Can he be trusted?" Roran asked.

"Yes he can…For it was Longshanks who gave the Varden a way to sneak into Galbatorix's castle to steal Saphira's Dragon Egg…"

"So you want to steal the Dragon Wing…" Clovis said.

"Yes…But there is a problem…One of Galbatorix's pet magicians escaped me…I am a wanted man as well…Roran and I will have to sneak into the city…via the cloaks…We will have to send people in who wasn't seen in Narda…"

"Horst you are in charge until we square things away…"

"And what of me?" Clovis asked. I have had enough of this adventure…"

"Once we have stolen the Dragon Wing you may leave…" Davan said, "But first I must remove a few memories from your mind…"

The villagers made camp while Davan placed memory spells on Clovis and his men. Then Davan placed spells on the barges so that Clovis and his men can't leave until they had other means of transportation.

"Stronghammer may I speak with you?" Felda a widow of Carvahall. Her husband Bryd had died when Sloan betrayed the village to the Razac.

"Of course…What is it?"

She sighs in depression, "It's my son Mandel…He has grown rebellious and disrespectful…" She starts to cry and Roran places a friendly arm around her shoulder, "Since his father died I believe he no longer respects me…He stole my mother's ring and gambled it with those sailers…He has also taken food we need to pay off a few bets he made…He looks up to you can you…"

"Of course where is he…" Roran found Mandel behind a tree throwing knives at a log. Roran shakes his head, "You will probably hurt yourself before you kill your target, especially if you can't judge distances…And its always a bad idea to throw away your weapon…"

"I heard of a man in Kuasta who hit a bird at fifteen paces nine out of every ten times…"

"Is that why you have been neglecting your responsibilities…Disrespecting your mother and gambling with the sailors…So that you can master knife throwing…" Mandel looked away in shame, "I know what it is to lose a father…Brom was that to me and I never knew my true father…The path to becoming a man is not an easy one…You are of age now…Your mother and siblings look to you…"

"Yes sir…"

"I didn't come here just to scold you…gather your things you are coming with us…"

Lorsan, Hall, Neel, Gertrude, Birgit, Nolfavrel, and Davan were waiting when Mandel and Roran joined them. "Why is he here?" Lorsan asked.

"Because he needs to come…"

Davan hands Roran a cloak, "Roran and I will follow you into the city…" Davan touches their minds, ("Can all of you here me?") They shake their heads, ("Good now follow my instructions and we should have no problems…")

When Roran and Davan place the hoods over their heads they vanish from sight, "That is so cool!" Mandel says.

("Let's go!") Davan says.

They enter the city without incident. Roran and Davan follow behind Lorsan who has the largest feet. They follow behind him to hide their foot prints. "Wow…" Mandel says looking at the design of Teirm and its overlapping buildings. After a few discreet questions they found Jeod's house.

("We have a problem…") Davan says to everyone.

("What is it?") Roran asks mentally.

("Galbatorix's spies are watching Jeod's house…I will lead them away from the house so that the rest of you can approach Jeod…) The group walks past the house as if heading to the palace. Davan separates from the others and takes control of guard's mind. He kills another man with magic and forces a few people to leave the city on horseback at break neck speed. Four of the six spies watching Jeod's house go after the decoys. Of the two remaining one is a mage.

"Maybe we should contact the King…" The spy says to the mage. The man's eyes roll in his head as Davan takes control of his mind and he attacks the mage.

"Jeirda!" He shouts breaking his neck and killing him, "I know you are here…Show yourself…" Davan removes his hood and becomes visible, "An invisibility cloak! How clever…"

They lock minds and battle each other trying get past the other's defenses. Davan allows the man to think he is winning. Davan even throws a little fear into his façade, then he engulfs the man in his will. He tries to call out to his comrades, but Davan has him. "Slytha!" He screams in the ancient language. The man grabs his head and staggers back and forth before he hits the floor unconscious. When the man's comrades return they fall to sleep in a trap spell.