Eragon – Oops! – Chapter 20

Why do people drink that shit? Payton hadn't even opened her eyes yet and her head was pounding.

I was wondering the same thing last night. Vanilor mocked her. Payton only vaguely remembered the events of last night but didn't know any details. Are you going to tell us your 'ingenious ideas' today? His tone was still mocking her but she knew he was curious.

You'll just have to wait. Payton beamed sitting up slowly. I have to find Eragon first. She didn't bother changing and went to his room. He opened the door, pulling his tunic on and laughed when he saw Payton.

"Feeling okay?"

"Fantastic," Payton smiled mockingly at him. "Did you want to hear my ideas or not?"

"Actually, I'm quite eager to hear what you've come up with. I'm sure it will be hysterical." Payton lead Eragon to her room and told him to sit on her bed. She pulled a changing screen from the closet and set it up in front of her outfits.

"I have three ideas; my first idea is to become one of his slaves." Eragon's face faltered.

"You think that Galbatorix will allow a slave to go near the last dragon egg?" Payton could tell simply by Eragon's tone that he didn't think she was sane. She threw her clothes in a pile next to her and dressed herself. Bending over she pulled her hair into a ponytail and pulled her bangs out on each side of her face. She emerged from behind the curtain and spun. "Is this your proof?" Payton's face faltered to give him a look as though he were stupid. She looked up at the ceiling; Eragon could tell her eyes were about to water. "I didn't mean to insult you." Eragon stood up and took a step forward as if he were going to comfort her. Payton fell to her knees and Eragon kneeled down next to her, holding her shoulders.

"King Galbatorix," Payton began her 'speech' slowly, taking deep gasps of breath in between, "I've discovered that I am incapable of bearing children," Eragon suddenly became confused, "as a woman, my future with a family is my only guarantee in life." She paused, looking into Eragon's eyes with tears falling down her face. "Please! My life has no meaning, I wish to serve the empire, make me a slave! Give me a purpose!" She continued to weep for a couple of seconds before smiling and wiping her eyes. "How was it?" Eragon could not fully comprehend what he had just witnessed.

"What was that?"

"That was acting! Marvelous, brilliant acting!" She heard Vanilor laughing in her head.

"You are going to use that to become one of Galbatorix's slaves?"

"Yes, and from there, I will work my way up to the head slave! I'll be the best damn slave you've ever seen and then when Galbatorix is so distracted with everything else, I will take the dragon egg and run away." Payton summarized her plan, a scenic victory displaying in her head.

"What are your other ideas?" Eragon was hoping for something less risky.

"Hmmm, well I don't think the other ideas are so good." She twiddled her fingers together. "One of them involved…" but she began to mumble and Eragon couldn't hear her.

"Involved what?"

"Presenting myself to Galbatorix as a possible wife." She mumbled it ever so softly so that Eragon had to strain himself to hear it. "I don't really like that one though…" She glanced off to the side.

"That's a terrible idea what about the other one?" Payton's cheeks blushed a slight red.

"I don't have anymore ideas."

"You said you had three."

"Not anymore." She continued to look to the side.

"It was really bad, wasn't it?" Eragon had a feeling it had something to do with the last costume.

"Kinda, it involved getting a group of girls." Payton started but dared not continue.

"A group of girls?" Eragon did not like the sound of it at all.

"Kind of like adult entertainment but I don't really want to do that so…" Payton trailed off and noticed Eragon's cheeks turn bright red.

"I don't really like your idea but it isn't bad." Eragon leaned his back against the bed. "There isn't any guarantee that Murtagh won't expose you to Galbatorix and it's really dangerous with too many unpredictable circumstances."

"Well it's better than going up to Galbatorix, 'hey I'm taking this egg now!'" Payton felt herself becoming annoyed with Eragon. "It's better than anything you've come up with! We can't just let that egg sit there and wait for it to hatch. If we want to win this war we have to get that egg!"

"And if we want to win this war we need you." Eragon turned it around getting just as frustrated with her as she had with him.

You're both right. Saphira interrupted. Vanilor and I have both discussed this, if we want to win we need that egg but Payton we still need you. Both components are essential to our victory, we need a safer plan. Payton and Eragon looked at each other disappointed.

"How long will it take to come up with a really good plan though? It took the Varden how long to come up with a plan good enough just to steal one egg. Just let me try it, please?" Payton pleaded. "I won't wear my necklace so you can scry me at any time. I really have put a lot of thought into this; I'm not just making stuff up. While I'm there I'll get to know the castle like the back of my hand so if I need to escape at a moments notice I'll be able to."

"Tell me everything you know about this plan and we will all look at it, revise it, and look over it again until it's absolutely perfect. Then we can decide if we should go through with it or not." Eragon looked at the floor. It's a long shot, but if we all look into it, we might be able to do it. Eragon voiced his concerns with Saphira while Payton retrieved several scrolls of parchment on which she had written all of her ideas concerning her plan. "You weren't lying," Eragon sifted through all of the ideas, starting a new sheet of paper on where he thought it needed improvements. For the rest of the morning hours, they worked on the plan looking at where it needed revisions and what kinds of revisions were needed.

"What do you think?" Payton watched as Eragon sat up.

"It needs one more person."

"What do you mean?"

"I wanted to look over it myself before going to him, but Jeod actually helped steal Saphira's egg. He should have some sort of knowledge that can help us. We can get his opinion on what he thinks about this and if he's willing to help." Payton nodded.

"Do you really think this will work?" Payton looked hopeful.

"It could or it couldn't. There are a lot of factors we can't control which makes it riskier but I can't say for sure." Eragon gathered all of the papers together and put them in an understandable order. "Jeod should be here in the castle, he helped get supplies to the Varden when they were in the Beor Mountains." In order to find Jeod, they had to first find Nasuada. Nasuada told them that his room was surprisingly close to his, simply up the stairs one more level and it would be the first door on the right. They followed her directions and knocked on his door.

"Eragon!" Jeod answered the door, smiling when he realized who it was. "How have you been?"

"I've been busy, and yourself?"

"Life has been hectic, and who have you brought with you?" Jeod glanced over at Payton.

"This is Payton; she is the rider of Vanilor." Jeod's expression lifted.

"I've heard much about you! Did you stop by just to chat or did you need anything?"

"We have an idea that we would like your help with." Eragon presented the papers to Jeod, whose expression became more serious.

"Please, come inside." Jeod's wife gave them a soft smile before returning to folding the laundry. Jeod shuffled through the papers examining each one of them carefully, and then shuffled through them all again as though he had to be exactly sure of each and every detail. Eragon and Payton continually exchanged looks, unsure of exactly what they should do. After a long moment of silence, Jeod began, "this is perhaps the oddest, and yet most ingenious plan I have ever seen to steal the egg." He brought his thumb to his mouth as he stared at the papers. "It's so simple, but complicated."

"Do you think it will work?" Eragon wasn't sure which answer he was hoping for. He was sure that he didn't want the egg to stay in Galbatorix's hands but at the same time he knew that if they followed through with it, Payton would be playing with fire.

"It's hard to say," Jeod shook his head, "it could turn out very well, or very badly."

"Do you think I could do it though?" Payton pleaded, hoping Jeod would agree that it was indeed a good idea.

"You would be going?" Jeod's expression became troubled.

"Yes, I'm the most capable, and Galbatorix has no knowledge of my existence. I could blend in as just another servant." Jeod shook his head.

"If you went to Galbatorix with a statement like this he would probably feel the need to check-" Jeod paused and rethought the idea. "Actually," he smiled with a glint in his eyes, "if you plan on following through, and I mean you have to follow through one hundred percent, you must do it immediately. Galbatorix is so distracted with the war right now he will barely have time to meet with you." Jeod shifted through the papers in his hands. "Eragon, I will come see you tomorrow. I want to look through these plans and make sure that they will be the most beneficial. When I am finished I will go to your room and we can discuss exactly what must happen." Eragon and Payton nodded and Jeod bid them farewell for the night. Payton was giddy the entire way back to her room, but Eragon did not seem to share the same excitement. She stopped as they reached their rooms.

"What is your problem?" Payton finally got frustrated by his silence and he looked up, his train of thought broken.

"What do you mean?"

"I thought you would be glad that we're finally getting the last egg from Galbatorix but you're just moping. An entire race will have the possibility of surviving, all of Alagaesia could be freed but you don't seem to care." Payton was exasperated by him.

"It's not that I don't care." Eragon shook his head, "you wouldn't understand." He went into his room and closed the door. Payton felt like screaming in frustration decided against it. She went into her room and begun creating a pack that would resemble what most people had used in their travels.

What are you doing? Vanilor's tone was not only of concern but frustration.

I'm leaving tomorrow after I hear what Jeod has to say, whether Eragon likes it or not! I don't know what his problem is but sometimes you have to take risks to get anywhere in life!

And you believe he has not taken any risks to get where he is today? His uncle is dead because of his actions, Brom is dead as well. Eragon had risked many things with every decision he has made.

I didn't mean it like that. Payton paused what she was doing. He isn't the only one that has to take risks with their life and he needs to realize it. I'm doing what I feel is necessary and he just needs to accept it. Jeod thought it was a good plan and it is a good plan. Eragon just needs to give me the chance to prove it. She emptied out the contents of her backpack so that she could sort through what she would need to bring with her. She set all of the items that had been in her backpack aside, because she knew that if Galbatorix decided to check what she was bringing with her and found them that she would be in for a world of trouble. She packed only what was necessary and put everything back into her backpack. What will you do while I'm gone? Payton stood up and looked out the window.

I'm not sure, I may return to Oromis so that I can finish my training. Payton left her room, running to the staircase and down to the courtyard. Finding Vanilor there she hugged him.

I'm going to miss you. She sobbed into Vanilor's scales.

There is no need, I am always with you. Vanilor rubbed his nose on Payton's gedwey ignasia causing it to glow softly.

It won't be the same though. Vanilor lifted his wing and Payton settled down underneath it without hesitation. Payton knew she was going to miss Vanilor always interrupting her thoughts and giving her advice even when she didn't want it. Payton was stubborn and often acted as though she didn't need it, but the truth was she knew she wouldn't have made it thus far without him. She scooted closer to him and quickly fell asleep.

Payton awoke the next morning due to a small breeze that she felt encircling her. She opened her eyes to see Vanilor shuffling his wings, obviously unable to fall back asleep. It's okay, I'm awake now, you can get up. Payton stood up and hugged Vanilor around his neck who let out a puff of air, blowing Payton's hair back. I love you. She kissed his neck and skipped up the stairs and ran to her room.

I love you too. Vanilor took off into the air in search of food as he normally did in the mornings. You will definitely be leaving today?

Yes, I just have to confirm everything with Jeod. Payton made sure that everything was packed and sat in her room, hoping she could intercept Jeod before Eragon did. It wasn't long before she heard footsteps and she poked her head out of the door. Jeod stopped his hand just before knocking on Eragon's door and looked over to her. "Come in here," Payton waved her hand, ushering him to enter her room quietly.

"Is Eragon in there?" He entered her room whispering as she had.

"No, he was being stubborn yesterday so I've decided to continue with this regardless of what he thinks." Jeod nodded, understanding Eragon's thoughts a bit more than she had. "Have you found any problems with it?" They discusses every aspect of the plan in detail, since Payton would not be able to have the papers with her but would need to rely solely on her memory of what she would be doing. Jeod had not found many problems with the plan Payton and Eragon had come up with, simply suggestions that he thought would help it flow smoother than it would have otherwise. They reviewed the plan several times to ensure that Payton had it all set. "I should be going soon."

"Yes, time is of the essence." Jeod rolled each of the papers up and held them in his hands. "Be sure that you do not have anything, anything at all that would cause Galbatorix to be even slightly suspicious of you." Jeod gave her one last piece of advice before he stood up, preparing to leave her room.

"I won't," she assured him, standing up as well, "I'll travel near Tierm by dragon and at that point I will change my clothes and leave everything suspicious with Vanilor. I will then get a horse and be on my way to Uru'baen." Payton beamed happily.

"Good luck," Jeod nodded to her confidently and she made her way to Vanilor.

Let's go! Payton mounted Vanilor excitedly.

You sure you are ready? Vanilor eyed the girl on his back.

Yes, I've taken care of everything. She strapped her legs down and began on what would turn out to be her most difficult journey since she had arrived in Alagaesia.

Author Note: I liked this chapter better than the last and I hope you enjoyed it as well. Please review! Constructive Criticism is LOVED! If I have made any mistakes at all please feel free to point them out to me.