Chapter 7

As the sun rose Garrow stood on Horst's porch and looked out at Carvahall, he knew that by asking the villagers to uproot themselves and leave, he had placed them in an impossible situation with only two ways out, his way or death at the hands of the empire. As he stood there, he saw several members of the village flit from house to house. He heard as Horst stepped up beside him, the smith stood with his arms folded "You've forced them into a tight spot Garrow, some will hate you, others like my boys will love you, but I think they'll all make the right choice for their families." He clapped Garrow on the back, "well I'm off to sort the forge out."

"Do you want any help?"

Horst stepped off the porch and looked at the floor before he looked up at Garrow "This is a task for me and the boys it is their inheritance, and we must decide what to take then I will destroy everything else the empire won't profit from my work."

Garrow looked at him and made a decision, "Horst don't destroy anything let me help you save the boys inheritance."

Horst looked at him with both hope and confusion in his eyes. "Can you really help with that?"

Garrow nodded "We won't be able to take it with us, but I can hide and protect everything we can't take with us with magic."

Smiling gratefully Horst headed towards the forge.

After he had eaten a cold breakfast of bread, cheese and cold meat washed down with a pint of water, he left the house and headed to the Sloan's shop where he found the butcher wrapping, salting and preserving his wares ready for the long journey ahead. He looked up as Garrow entered.

"Good morning Garrow, I must say I didn't think you or anyone else would be able to convince as many people as you have."

This peeked the old rider's interest, and he raised an eyebrow and Sloan went on. "From what I've heard this morning most everyone is quietly preparing to leave."

This pleased Garrow, Sloan however laid his cleaver aside "Remember Garrow if the truth is something far from the words you have spoken, you will pay for it, not from me and I don't think you'll have a problem with Horst and his sons, unless you fail to save Elaine, but the others! Give them hope and take it away and they will destroy you, my friend."

Garrow nodded he knew Sloan spoke the truth. "How long do you reckon it will take until we can leave?"

"If it was just us, Horst, Albriech and Baldor, we could leave at the end of today with everyone else?" he shrugged "Your declaration of two days will be tight, but I think we can do it."

"Do you need any help?" Garrow asked

"No, I've nearly finished."

Nodding Garrow left, he decided to visit the farm since he hadn't been back since he and Marian had moved into Horst's house when Morzan first attacked. When he arrived, he was upset when he saw that the fields, he and his family had tended for the past quarter of a century was now overgrown with weeds, though here and there were stray patched of beets, and barley. The farmhouse, and the barn were both still solid and he managed to salvage quite a bit all of which he packed into the back of the open wagon that Fisk's father had built for him, once he had everything that he wanted to take he hitched Burka between the wagons forks before he returned to the farmhouse one last time, drawing upon his magic he lifted the dresser under which he hid concealed Uluthrek opening the hidden space up once more. Piece by piece he carefully lifted out his rider armour, each piece was individually wrapped in oilcloth, the final piece he pulled out was his scale mail shirt which he pulled on before he left the house and climbed into the wagon.

Later that day when Horst and his sons arrived back at the house carrying several large, heavy looking bundles which when opened revealed a large heavy anvil along with several varying hammers as well as several sets of tongs, punches and a number of other tools that Garrow couldn't name but he knew were essential to Horst's work. Whilst Albriech and Baldor went through the house gathering supplies they would need Garrow and Horst returned to the forge where Horst had gathered the tools, he couldn't bring with him. Together the two men packed all the tools into several large chests before Garrow used magic to dig a large hole in the middle of the forge into which they placed the chests before Garrow covered it once more and added several wards that would hide and protect the concealed tools.

Once he had finished, he looked at Horst "That should hide them from most anyone and if they do try to dig it up then my magic will destroy the chests and their contents."

Together the two men headed back to the house, that evening they were once more joined by Sloan who brought with him a prime piece of wild Boar for them, as well as two large flagons of ale.

"It seems that since tonight is to be our last night in Carvahall we should celebrate." Said the Butcher

Once the meat was cooked the five men sat around the table and ate enjoying fresh bread and roasted vegetables as well as the Boar.

For over five hours they sat and talked over their lives in Carvahall, for the most part Horst, Sloan and Garrow reminisced on their time in the village for none of them were born there, each had come to the village at different times Garrow had been here the longest and thanks to his bond with Ophelia he was able to recall things with greater clarity he remembered the first day he had met Horst when he had come at the age of fifteen to complete his training under Carvahall's previous smith Kelton, when his old master Bartram had passed away a year before the end of his apprenticeship. When his final year was complete Kelton had offered him a job and Horst had accepted, he had then returned to his family in Ceunon and set his affairs there in order before he returned and with him came his younger sister Ismira, after a few years when she came of age Horst had married Kelton's daughter Elaine, and it was then that Horst had built the grand house in which he and his family lived. It was about the time that Albriech had been born that Sloan had arrived in the village and set up his shop, he had been lean then, a figure whose muscles almost matched those of Horst and it didn't take long before he had approached Horst and asked for his sisters hand in marriage. The two were married in the early spring when the valley was still carpeted in snow but the few wild cherry trees around town had just begun to bloom. It was also during that year that Kelton had passed away and Horst took over the forge as his own.

It was late when the three men retired Horst two sons had gone to bed relatively early since they were both on the midnight watch that night. Garrow and Horst had to support Sloan as they climbed the stairs at an awkward angle, and when they reached the spare room Garrow had been using they laid him down and covered him before they each went to bed.

Garrow was woken by an explosion of sound and light, he sat bolt upright instantly, and his hand flew to the knife under his pillow and cursed when he found it was missing, presumably it had fallen behind the bed during the night. He had no time to worry about for he heard a hair-raising chittering, without thinking he cried out "Garjzla!" and in the centre of the room six inches from the ceiling hung a pale glowing orb of light emitting a soft radiance akin to that of the full moon, it was then with the room filled with a pale light that cast no shadows he saw them, two figures hooded and robed in black. The two figures hissed as the werelight sprang into existence and shrank back for a second before they turned in the direction of the door when they heard sounds of movement from along the house, clear evidence that the noise of the explosion had roused Horst and Sloan, without pause the two lunged for Garrow and he caught a glimpse of a long thick beak and he could smell the noxious fumes of the creatures breath and in his mind as he pieced this information together he came to a single solitary conclusion these creatures were Ra'zac, creatures of old, nightmare ghouls who preyed on the flesh of men, and Garrow's blood ran cold he dived for Uluthrek that was leaning against the nightstand but the larger Ra'zac got their first and blocked the sword by standing in front of it.

"None of that now my dear rider." The voice was cold, hissing and wet and it made Garrow's skin crawl

"You are coming with us to the king." Stated the smaller of the pair and it made a grab for Garrow's ankles, but the former rider managed to kick the creature in the face and it fell backwards, with a hiss its hood became dislodged and fell off to reveal a face the likes of which were only seen in your worst nightmares. It was then that Horst and Sloan arrived, the smith was wielding a large hammer in one hand and one of Fisk's shields on his other arm, Sloan however carried two great meat cleavers. As the two men came barrelling into the room the two Ra'zac hissed once more and the larger of the pair punched Garrow in the side of the head making him see stars, before the Ra'zac grabbed him and followed its smaller companion who had leapt through the exploded ruin of the window. Horst and Sloan watched in despair as the Ra'zac landed with cat like grace and begin to run for the edge of town.

As he rounded the corner Albriech saw two figures leap for the ruined opening that used to contain his bedroom window, across one of their shoulders was a limp figure, he watched as they began to run towards him and rather than confront them head on he took a step back and readied himself, he thrust his spear a fraction of a second to late and missed the first figure however he did manage to catch the second figure on the thigh and drew a line of blood and his face blanched as he saw its colour by the light of the moon, not red like ordinary creatures, this blood was a metallic blue green, and he heard the creature he had just struck hiss with pain and round on him with the figure still over its shoulder, he had a good guess who the figure was and as its head lolled to one side he confirmed his suspicions that it was Garrow. As the creature carrying Garrow bore down upon him he heard running feet from behind him and he heard the twang of a bow string, felt a searing hot line drawn across his cheek and saw a short white feathered arrow thump into the creature's shoulder and suddenly Baldor was by his side, Albriech had never been happier to see his brother, hissing the creature dropped Garrow and fled in pursuit of its companion.

Once they had carried Garrow back to the house Baldor went to find Gertrude who arrived after only a few minutes, it took the healer over two hours to wake Garrow but when she did, he was alert in seconds, and mercifully he was whole, it was still late he reckoned as he looked out of the hole where the window had been beside him sat Gertrude and Baldor stood by the opening in the wall fingering his bow string.

"What happened?" asked Garrow

"Those foul creatures knocked you unconscious and tried to steal you away." Answered the healer as her knitting needles flashed in the light given off by the half dozen candles that stood on his bedside table, she handed him a cup and said, "here drink this it will help the pain." It was then that Garrow noticed the dull aching throb in his head where the Ra'zac had punched him.

As he put the cup down, he spoke once more, "How did they get into the village?"

It was Baldor that answered this time and he looked mournful. "It was when Quimby and Byrd came to relieve me Albriech at the north entrance, it happened so fast, I turned to greet Quimby, the next thing I know I'm face down in the dirt with a weight on my back, then when I managed to get to my feet, I saw Quimby and Byrd just lying there," the young man looked at him, "they're dead Garrow, they killed them both."

Garrow's heart sunk he had liked Quimby and Byrd, the brewer and the old trapper were some of his closest friends and now they were slain at the hands of the foul abominations that served Galbatorix and the empire.

"Where's your father and brother, and Sloan too?"

"Dealing with the bodies they need to be properly laid to rest before we leave."

"And what of Birgit and Felda and the children?" Asked Garrow

"I don't honestly know Garrow no doubt someone has informed them by now." The younger man shrugged.

Garrow looked at Gertrude, "Am I fit to walk around?"

"I would advise against it, but I know that no matter what you'll be out of bed before I can even object." And she was right for as the last syllable left her lips, he swung his legs off the bed and stood, where he swayed for a few seconds before he began to walk slowly.

As one the three of them slowly left the house and made their way to the northern entrance of the town, there they found most of the villagers gathered around the two bodies of Quimby and Byrd who had been lifted from the ground and laid upon two quickly erected trestle tables, by the feet of the men stood the two new widows Birgit and Felda who wept holding each other. By the heads of their fathers stood Nolfavrell and Mandel both with grim expressions on their faces. Nolfavrell stooped and from the ground lifted his father's fallen sword and the longbow that belonged to Byrd, he handed Mandel the bow and clasped his friend on the shoulder and spoke so softly that only Mandel heard, even Garrow with his advanced hearing couldn't make out what was said.

Eventually Horst spoke "Birgit, Felda I know this isn't the time, but we must think about the funerals." He went and enfolded the pair in his massive arms.

As the first rays of the new days sun crested the top of the spine and gently illuminated the valley Garrow found himself and the rest of the villagers gathered in the small graveyard behind Gertrude's house. Side by side in adjoining graves lay Quimby and Byrd upon their eyes were two silver coins and in their hands which were clasped upon their chest they held a sprig of hemlock. Solemnly Gertrude performed the funeral rites, and after an hour they were all gathered outside the remains of the seven sheaves toasting the lives of the two men they had just laid to rest. As noon rolled round Garrow set aside his tankard and stood, all eyes followed him as he left.

Solemnly he made his way back to Horst's house and planned the route he would take through the spine; he knew that once he made it through the mountains, he would most likely head to Du Weldenvarden and seek the aid of the elves in tracking down Roran and the other riders and then he would track down the Ra'zac and rescue Marian and Elaine.

As he was halfway through filling his saddle bags Horst walked in and looked at him, "So you're leaving then?"

"I have to get Marian back Horst! I can't lose her, and I won't let her, and Elaine suffer at the hands of the empire."

"So, you would abandon Carvahall to the empire?"

"I do not wish to abandon everyone but what other choice by I have?"

"We stick to the plan." Came Sloan's voice from the door, he wore and thick travelling cloak and carried a heavy pack which he set down on the floor.

"I spoke with everyone after you left Garrow and they are all in agreement that we must leave, I think Quimby, and Byrd's deaths solidified their decisions especially of those who were unsure. I told them to be gathered by the southern end of town in an hour."

Garrow nodded in defeat, he couldn't just run away, not now, not when he had convinced the entire village to pack up their entire lives and leave with him.

Together the three men began to gather all the belongings that they would need, eventually Albriech and Baldor joined them and together they headed for the southern entrance to Carvahall, where Garrow was surprised to see almost everyone had gathered and were milling around waiting for something, the farmers had driven all their flocks and cattle to the edge of town and were now working together to keep the animals from becoming too restive.

As the five men drew near to the large group leading Garrow's two horses and open topped wagon as well as Horst's mare, they were approached by Birgit who looked hard into Garrow's face "I don't blame you for what happened to Quimby Garrow, but I do need your help if Felda and I along with the rest of our families are to get the revenge we sorely desire."

"I promise you Birgit I will see to it that Quimby and Byrd are avenged."

As Garrow looked around to see who was missing he saw Ivor making his way over to him, the farmer didn't seem to be carrying any supplies for the upcoming journey and Garrow's heart sank.

Before the farmer could speak Garrow said, "You aren't coming with us, are you?"

Ivor smiled at him "No Garrow, Svart doesn't want to leave, and I can't just abandon him."

Garrow looked his old friend in the face, he would miss Ivor and Carvahall wouldn't be the same without him. From within his pack Garrow pulled out a heavy coin pouch and handed it to the farmer, "Take this Ivor and if you can persuade him take Svart to Therinsford and find refuge there, hopefully that will keep you safe."

"Thank you Garrow this means more than you know." With that Ivor left clutching the money pouch tight.

Garrow watched sorrowfully until he lost sight of the farmer, he sighed and turned he looked at the others.

"So, what now?"

Horst looked at his sons, "Albriech, take your brother and go see who else is coming." With curt nods the two young men set off into Carvahall.

Whilst the brothers were gone, Garrow along with Sloan and Horst moved amongst the crowd and helped people redistribute the weight amongst the horses, mules and other pack animals to evenly spread the weight. Eventually Baldor returned after half an hour with Fisk and Isolde and the horse they had borrowed. Bustling through the crowd Isolde made her way to Garrow and Horst who were discussing those they had yet to see, "Sorry we're late Fisk had trouble closing up the shop, he didn't know what tools to bring and what to leave or destroy."

"Don't worry Isolde I know how he feels." Said Horst, though he made no mention of the fact that he and Garrow had hid all the tools the smith couldn't bring with him.

"Where's Albriech?" asked Garrow nervously

Horst looked around and smiled, "Look over there." He pointed towards the north and sure enough there was Albriech, to his back were fastened three beer casks and he carried another one in his hands. His face was screwed up against the pain of all the weight he was being made to carry, on either side of him was Morn and his wife Tara, each of them carried an enormous pack and together they led an equally heavily laden donkey and a pair of goats.

"They can't be serious; how do they expect to survive carrying all that? And what about food do they expect us to feed them?"

"We'll manage Garrow, if nothing else Morn's beer will be good for morale."

"Fine let's distribute the casks and repack the wagons, I refuse to let them carry all that from here to Surda."

Horst grunted in agreement and the two men moved and each took a cask from Albriech's back and began to reload Quimby's wagon that Horst had been repairing prior to Morzan's arrival.

Once the wagons were packed to Garrow's satisfaction he looked around.

"So, I guess this is it then."

A ripple of excitement and trepidation ran through the crowd and six men pulled open a section of the wall and laid thick planks over the ditch that ran around the outside of town.

"You should take the lead Garrow." Said Horst

Garrow shouldered his pack and took hold of Burka's reigns and made for the gap in the wall, before he took his first step, he was stopped by Fisk who held out a six foot long gnarled and knotted hawthorn staff at the top was a polished twisted knot of roots and the base was made up of a feral looking spike of blued steel.

"I know you have your rider's sword, but I thought that you would find this useful."

Garrow looked at the staff in awe "Thank you Fisk it is remarkable."

Removing his pack, he fastened it to his horses saddle along with Uluthrek and then with staff in hand he set off casting a sad look back at Carvahall, before he crossed the short distance into the forest beyond.