Protection by Annoyance: Chapter 25
In the morning they quickly ate breakfast and headed off, Eragon on Saphira and Brom and Kiara on the horses. Cool air rushed past Eragon's face waking him up even more. "Any higher and ice will be accumulating in my hair!" he exclaimed.
"If only you had on warmer clothes I would be able to take you that high."
"True, but the air is thinner too, breathing would become difficult. I wouldn't try it even if I had the clothing."
"Maybe not with you!"
The two laughed in enjoyment. Down below Brom and Kiara pushed the horses to the limit. They were determined to reach Leona Lake by the end of the week. After that , it would be a few more days to travel around and reach the city of Dras Leona. The sun was high in the sky staring down at them.
Days passed. No Urgals have been sighted thus far and they covered much ground. Leona Lake is just barely visible; a thin grey line in the distance. Out of the forest, they now camped on the open plains. Despite no signs of Urgals, they still did not light a fire.
"We cannot risk a fire in the open. Urgals might not be in sight now, but who knows how far behind they are. A fire would be equivalent to saying 'Here I am…Capture me!'"
"Brom, we know." Kiara stated, a bit annoyed. She knew perfectly well how to survive in the wilderness a fugitive. "It is common sense."
"For some, yes, but there are those who are dumb and light a fire anyways."
Eragon took the saddle bags and distributed small amounts of bread and jerky. "I hope we get to Dras Leona soon, our food supply is low. In the woods it was not an issue, plenty of game to catch. But here…"
Kiara cut him off. "Here you are lucky to see a rabbit scamper by."
"Exactly!"
Brom listed to his argument and answered him.
"Another week! I do not think we have enough to last three days let alone a week! What do you suggest we do then" His sarcastic tone angered Brom.
"Boy, do not get fresh with me! We will be by Leona Lake within two days, there is your game, now shut your mouth!"
The venom in Brom's voice startled him. Never had he seem Brom go off on him over something like food. Pretending like nothing happened, he sat next to Saphira. Her large belly kept him warm.
"Little one are you ok?"
"I'm fine Saphira. What's with Brom?"
"He is tired Eragon, like you, Kiara and I. We have journeyed long and far and well let's face it, you get annoyed with each other after a while. "
"But not like that! I barely even did anything. Humph. At least Kiara is not annoyed with me…or is she. Saphira, call me crazy but, do you think she is distancing herself from me? I only ask because she doesn't talk to me that much anymore and when I go to kiss her, the feeling is not so strong as before."
"Oh stop it. She loves you just the same. If she is distancing herself from you then she is really doing you a favor."
"What do you mean?"
"What do I mean?! Eragon, are you really that dense?" Her words stung his pride.
"NO!"
"Then figure it out yourself."
"Damn it! Saphira, there are many reasons why she would do something like that, but I am not sure which one!"
"Well, that's a start."
"Ugh! Ok, do you think that it is to keep me focused on…" he faltered as he came to the conclusion, "…you."
"Not just that but how would it look if the King found out his daughter is 'dating' a Dragon Rider, a Dragon Rider who opposes him. She is not only trying to protect you from this danger, but also herself. Eragon, I need to tell you something…"