Dras Leona: The City of Despair: Chapter 28

After the rabbit dinner Brom had Eragon spar using his left hand. "I am not going to let you become rusty. Besides as a Rider you should be able to master a blade with both hands."

"Great." Eragon grumbled. He was not in a sparring mood. The meal made him full and lazy. But he got up just the same, he knew better than to argue. Kiara unsheathed his sword and handed it to him.

"Brom will start you off. I will come in later"

"Alright."

He found it very difficult to keep up. Even though the blade was protected by a spell, it still hurt when he got hit. They continued on for a good half hour before Kiara took over. Seeing as Eragon was already getting tired, she took it easy on him. When they finally finished, she said "No need to worry. Your arm will get stronger as you go."

"Can you fight with both arms? I have never seen you try it yet."

"Yes, in a way. I mean my left arm is functional to say the least, but no where near the strength of my right."

"I see. Well maybe you too should practice using your left arm. It would make me feel less of an idiot."

A laugh escaped her lips. "That's not a bad idea. Brom, it looks like you have two to train."

"I guess so." Brom responded.

The sun had disappeared behind the woods and a cresset moon took over. The travelers went to bed along the shore of the vast glistening lake.

At dawn they were already gone. Much ground needed to be covered in order to reach Dras Leona before the weeks end. They stayed close to the lake as to avoid being seen from the road. It was late Spring judging by the warmth of the sun which would mean more traveling merchants and such. By the end of the third day, a small blur in the distance appeared. It was then that Brom had Saphira fly away from them as they were going to abandon the lake bed and take on the road. "Be careful Saphira. Too many people come and go."

"You be careful."

Saphira headed towards the middle of the lake where she blended in with the blue hues on both the lake and sky. "Clever" thought Eragon. The next day the city loomed dangerously in front of them. "I am assuming we are using the same excuse as in Teirm."

"Yes." Brom agreed.

The road was cramped packed with travelers of all kinds. Some were simple merchants with their carts filled with goods to sell. Others included men seeking work in the city and even some gypsies. Somehow he had a feeling that Dras Leona was no ordinary city. The variety of the travelers proved it to be a huge melting pot of different cultures.

He guessed right. Passing through the gate stood street upon street of diverse peoples. The city layout itself matched the diversity of its population. In the forefront, small, dirty buildings made up the poor side. Eragon was disgusted by the immenseness of the impoverished people. The housing was gloomy and infested with disease and crawling insects. The smell was enough to make him gag and their clothing was nothing more but old rags. He could not fathom how they could live like that. "I have to do something about this. No one should have to live in such conditions" he whispered to Kiara.

She turned and looked at him giving him a nod in approval. "I agree. But until that time, keep a low profile. This is a terrible city, the crime rate is enormous and only the elite make the rules. You will see what I mean"

They continued through the crowded streets making as little eye contact as possible. Brom stopped in front of an inn. "The Green Dragon. Well let's check it out."

Inside the innkeeper stood at the counter talking to an older fellow. He stopped as they got closer. The other man gave Kiara a sly look. Seeing this made Eragon move in front of her blocking his gaze.

"Fine, be that way" he spat. "Stupid to bring such a pretty young thing like that in a place such as this. If I were you I would keep her hidden. Many men would love to have their way with her."

"Not if I can help it." Eragon retorted.

Here the innkeeper interrupted. "What can I do you for?"

"I just want a room for the three of us. Nothing more."

"I can arrange that. I will tell you flat out that there are only two beds per room."

"Beds are not an issue. How much?"

The old man had already left by the time the innkeeper led them to their room. "By the way my name is Marvin. Yours?"

"Neal, Evan, and Mary."

"Alright. I shall leave you now. If you need anything, just holler." Marvin headed on back towards the main lobby.

The room was very plain. It consisted of a window showing the hustle and bustle of the outside world, two straw beds with a pillow and blanket on each, and a small table with two matching chairs. The walls were whitewashed and the floor an ugly hard wood color.

"Please tell me we are not staying here long." Kiara complained. Ever since that old man looked at her lustfully she has been uneasy.

"I do not plan to." Brom said. "Now here is what we are going to do…"

For hours Eragon and Kiara roamed the vast city in awe. Brom let them go on their own together so he could ask about the Seither Oil to the rich jewelers. Finding only a few, Brom made little progress. Seeing as he was getting nowhere, he simply asked around about the King and the Urgal attacks on other cities in Alagaesia. It was his curiosity that led him to learn of news so horrifying he ran to find Eragon and Kiara with no success. So he headed back to the Green Dragon and waited for their return.

As Brom was in the middle of his questionnaire and mission to find them, Eragon and Kiara were caught up in the middle of a slave auction. Both were enraged by this fact and desperately wanted to do something about the whole situation.

"I feel the same way Eragon, but there is nothing we can do. At least not yet. The same goes for all those who lived in poverty at the front of the city. The auction was being held in a large intersection adjacent to the largest houses in the city. Nearby in the opposite direction, up on a steep hill, a building stood where the people of the city went to worship. Many questions lingered in the back of Eragon's restless mind. "How can these people live in mansions while over half the city lie in poverty and despair? Exactly who do they worship or pay tribute to?" How can they sell human beings like chattel?" He had a feeling that he should keep these thoughts to himself as he was distracted by a horrific scream. In the front where the auctioneer rambled on and on, a young mother was torn away from her daughter who looked no older than a 6 year old. He clenched his hand into a fist and reluctantly walked away, Kiara following closely behind him.

"I have had enough, I cannot sit and watch anymore."

"I understand. Besides I do believe it is time to be getting back to the inn."

"Probably."

So it was. The two got back the inn. By this time it was late afternoon, although it felt even later than that because the buildings cast long shadows along the road darkening it. Inside they found Brom, a pale mess.

"Brom, what's the matter?!"

"We have to get out…now!"

"Wait? What!"

"I found out something today, something that will greatly hurt our cause. It is not safe here at all. Hurry get your things together."

Confused and frightened they gathered up their belongings which were on their beds and left. They told the innkeeper to keep the money for their sudden displacement. Out on the streets once more, they went straight to the city gate only to find that they were closed.

"Brom what is going on…why are the gates closed. Please do not tell me that my our identity has been uncovered."

"No…but it might happen soon enough."

Impatient, scared, and angry Eragon grabbed hold of Brom. "Tell me! What is going on!"

"Keep your voice down!" Brom said in a hushed tone. Still in his grasp, Eragon dragged Brom over where a fountain stood, water gushing out in parabola form. He set Brom down on the fountain's wide outer wall and asked again, "What is going on?"

"Seeing as we are stuck in the city, we need to not only keep a low profile but also disguise ourselves, especially you Kiara."

Brom looked at her as if in a trance, never before has Kiara seen him so distraught. "Brom get to the point."

"I am…" In a voice so low that both Eragon and Kiara had to strain to hear Brom said, "King Galbatorix will be here…tomorrow."