Well I'm back from Scotland! Thanks for the great reviews! This chapter is short, I only typed it up this morning.

Chapter 6

When Alexia awoke, she washed and changed into clean breeches and shirt. The butler had told both Eragon and herself that Jeod and Brom won't be back until evening and that they could do whatever they wanted until then.

Together, she and Eragon explored the many shops of Teirm for hours, chatting to various people and learning a little history of the town. They were heading towards Jeod's home for food when Eragon stopped them outside the herbalist's shop.

"Let's go inside, I want to know what sort of a place it is."

"Okay, seeming as we have all afternoon." When they entered, they had to let their eyes adjust to the darkness. Plants were everywhere, on the walls, floor, even the ceiling. On a counter there was an assortment of mortars, pestles, metal bowls and a clear crystal ball. Eragon stepped forward towards the counter when a flash of red startled them both and a large cat leapt onto the counter. It didn't look like a normal cat; it had oversized paws and powerful shoulders, a shaggy mane surrounding it's face and its ears were tipped with black tufts. To add to the strange look, white fangs curved down over its jaw. It inspected them before flicking its tail.

You ruined my nap, Rider. Startled, she looked around. Seeing no one else, she concluded it was the cat.

Sorry. The cat purred. Just then, Eragon fell to the floor, writhing and clutching a rod. Terrified, she went to calm him when the cat spoke again.

Don't touch him.

Why? He's hurt.

Don't touch him. It repeated. She stayed beside Eragon until he slowly stopped writhing and was gasping for air. The cat jumped onto Eragon. Alexia thought for a moment.

How can you talk to us?

Surely a Dragon Rider like you would know?

No.

I am a werecat.

Oh. Do you have a name?

I go by many names. You may call me Solembum.

Thank you. The werecat continued to speak to Eragon. Clearly he had a lot more questions than her. When they finished, Solembum's purring grew louder. The shop door swung open, letting in a bean of sunlight. The woman, whom Eragon told her was called Angela, entered with a cloth full of plants. Her eyes flickered at Solembum and she looked startled.

"He says you two talked with him."

"You can talk with him too?" Eragon asked.

"Of course, but that doesn't mean he'll say anything back." She set her plants on the counter then walked behind it and faced Eragon.

"He likes both of you, and says you show some promise, given a few year's work." Her eyes flickered to Alexia.

"Thanks." Said Eragon.

"It's a compliment, coming from him. There were only two other people able to speak with him until you two came along. The first was a woman, the second was a blind beggar, now there's two of you at once. But I don't run a store just so I can rattle on. Is there anything you want to look at, or did you come here just to look?"

"Just to look. Besides, I don't really need any herbs."

"That's not all I do." Said Angela. "The rich fool lords pay me for love potions and the like. I never claim they work, but for some reason they keep coming back. But I don't think you need those chicaneries. Would either of you like your fortune told? I do that too, for all the rich fool ladies." Eragon laughed at this.

"No, I'm afraid my fortune is pretty much unreadable. And I don't have any money." Angela looked at the werecat for a while.

"I think," she gestured at the crystal ball. "That's only for show anyway, it doesn't do anything. But I do have…Wait here, I'll be right back." Angela rushed out of the room into another at the back of the shop. She came back a few moments later, breathless. She was holding a leather pouch which she set on the counter.

"I haven't used these in such a long time I almost forgot where they were. Now, sit across from me and I'll show you why I went to all the trouble. They sat on two stools they found. Angela laid a piece of red cloth on the counter, then poured a handful of smooth bones, each slightly longer than a finger onto it. Strange symbols were inscribed along their sides.

"These are the knucklebones of a dragon. Don't ask where I got them, it is a secret I won't reveal. But unlike tealeaves, crystal balls or even divining cards, these have true power. They do not lie, though understanding what they say is, complicated. If either of you wish, I can cast them and read them for you but understand that to know one's fate can be a terrible thing. You must be sure of your decision."

Ayda, should I have my future told?

Do what you want.

What do you think?

It's your choice. She bit her lip. Then Eragon spoke.

"Why do you offer this?"

"Because of Solembum. He may have been rude but the fact that he spoke to you makes you two special. He is a werecat after all. I offered to do this for the other two people who talked with him. Only the woman agreed to do it. Selena was her name. Ah, she regretted it too. Her future was bleak and painful and I don't think she believed it. Not at first, anyway." Tears welled up in Eragon's eyes. He muttered something, then;

"Do you remember anything to do with her fortune?" He asked. Angela shook her head.

"It was so long ago that the details have melted into the rest of my memory, which isn't as good as it used to be. Besides, I'll not tell you what I remember. That was for her and her alone. It was sad though, I've never forgotten the look on her face." Eragon closed his eyes. Opening them, he said solemnly;

"Cast the bones for me." Angela grasped the bones in each hand. She closed her eyes and her lips moved soundlessly. Then she said;

"Manin! Wyrda! Hugin!" and tossed the bones onto the cloth. The words sounded familiar to her. She remembered them almost instantly from the Ancient Language. Memory, fate, something. She's a witch. Alexia concluded from that.

Well spotted.

Ayda?

Who else? Everything was silent again in her head. The minutes ticked by and finally Angela heaved a long sigh. She wiped her brow and brought out a wineskin from under the counter. She offered it to both of them but they politely shook their heads. She drank deeply from it.

"This, is the hardest reading I've ever done. I've never known anyone's fate being so tangled and clouded. I was, however, able to extract a few things. I will start here." Angela pointed to one of the bones. It had a long horizontal line with a circle resting on it. "As it is the easiest to understand. Infinity or long life, the first time I've seen this in anyone's future. Whether it means you live forever or a longer span of years I do not know. Now the bones grow harder to read." She pointed to three other bones.

"The wandering path, lightening bolt and sailing ship all lie together, a pattern I've never seen, only heard of. The wandering path shows there are many choices in your future, some of which you face even now. I see great battles raging around you, some of them fought for your sake. I see the mighty powers of this land struggling to control your will and destiny. Countless possible futures await you, all of them filled with blood and conflict, except for one, which brings you peace and happiness. Beware of losing your way for you are one of the few who are truly free to choose their own fate. That freedom is a gift, but also a responsibility more binding than chains." Her face grew sad. "And yet, as if to counteract that, is the lightening bolt, a terrible omen. A doom upon you, but of what I know not. Part of it lies a death, one that rapidly approaches and will cause you much grief." Eragon glanced at Alexia for a moment. "But the rest awaits in a great journey. Look closely at this bone, you can see how its end rests on the sailing ship. That is nigh impossible to misunderstand. Your fate will be to leave this land forever. Where you will end up is a mystery but you will never again set foot on Alagaësia. This is inescapable, it will come to pass even if you try to avoid it." The witch rubbed her temples and breathed deeply. She smiled a little. "This next one is easier to read and perhaps a bit more pleasant." The bone had a rose blossom in between the horns of the crescent moon. "An epic romance is in your future, extraordinary, as the moon indicates, for that is a magical symbol, strong enough to outlast empires. I cannot say if this passion ends happily or not, but your love is of noble birth and heritage. She is powerful, wise and beautiful beyond compare. Now for the last two bones, the tree and the hawthorn root, which cross each other strongly. I wish that this were not so, it can only mean more trouble. Betrayal is clear, and it will come from your family."

"But Roran would never do that!" Eragon protested.

"I wouldn't know, but the bones have never lied, and that is what they say." They were silent for a while, and Angela offered him the wineskin. This tie, he accepted it.

"After all that, death might be welcome." He laughed oddly.

"It might be, but you shouldn't fret about what has yet to occur. The only way the future can harm us is by causing worry. I can guarantee you'll feel better once you're out in the sun. Now, how about you? Do you want me to cast the bones for you?"

Alexia thought a bit.

"Can I ask a question about my future?"

"You can, but I cannot guarantee I can decipher it." She sighed.

"Okay, how will I die?" Angela gave a weird look, but took the bones again. This time, she stayed silent, closing her eyes before saying,

"Manin, Wyrda, Hugin!" Dropping the bones once more onto the cloth, she opened her eyes and examined them closely. Alexia waited nervously and fiddled with her shirtsleeve. Angela looked up again and sighed deeply.

"I can tell you a bit about your death." She pointed to a bone with two other bones pointing to it. It had a single teardrop on it. "These two mean two deaths, the first time I've seen it. To put it simply, there are two paths you can take to your death. The only one I can see the whole of is this one." She motioned to a bone with three more bones touching it. They had strange runes on it. "It's complicated, but involves an arrow and betrayal. You have yet to meet the person, and you will journey with the person for quite a while. I don't know about the other one, but I can see a sword as well as a war. I'm sorry I can't tell you anymore, but I hope that helps." There was an awkward silence.

"Well thank you very much for you help Angela." Said Alexia.

"My pleasure. What I wouldn't give to see how the rest of your lives play out. Speaking to werecats, know of the Ancient Language, be loved by a noblewoman, and two deaths. Who are you?" Alexia realized they hadn't given their names.

"I am Eragon."

"Alexia." Angela pondered for a moment.

"Eragon. Is that who you are or your name?" Eragon smiled.

"Both."

"Now I'm all the more interested in seeing how your life will unfold. Who was the ragged man with you yesterday?" Eragon stayed silent for a moment.

"His name is Brom." Angela suddenly burst out laughing. She took a sip of wine and held back more laughter. Gasping for breath, she said;

"Oh, that one! I had no idea!"

"What is it?" He asked hotly.

"Now don't be upset." Angela said trying to keep a straight face, though her eyes gave her away. "It's only that, well, he is known by those in my profession. I'm afraid that the poor man's doom, or future if you will, is something of a joke with us." Alexia bit her lip to stop herself shouting at the woman.

"Don't insult him! He's a better man than any of you can find!" Eragon snapped.

"Peace, peace. I know that. If we meet again at the right time I'll be sure to tell you about it. But in the meantime you should-" She stopped when the werecat padded between them. He spoke to Eragon and then he walked away, waving his tail. Angela tilted her head.

"I don't know what he said and I don't want to know. He spoke to you and only you. Don't tell anyone else.

"I think we have to go." He stated, shaken.

"If you want to. You are welcome to stay here as long as you like, especially if you buy some of my goods. Go if you wish, I'm sure I have given enough for you to ponder for a while."

"Yes." Eragon made his way to the door, Alexia behind him. "Thank you for reading our futures."

"You're welcome." They exited and headed for their dragons' hiding place. When they were at the cliff top, Alexia told Ayda everything about her future.

Are you all right?

Yes, I'm fine. Well, I now know what to expect. I will be very careful of who I trust from now on.

Yes, I think that's the best solution. There was silence while they watched the sun go down.

You know, if the Riders die, what become of their dragon?

I suppose they die as well, dragon and rider are one. Without one another, they are lost. They continued talking until dusk, when they hurried back to Jeod's house.

"Is Neal back?" Eragon asked the butler, who opened the door.

"Yes sir, I believe he is in the study right now."

"Thank you." They found Brom smoking his pipe by the fire, a feel of anger in the room.

"How did it go?" asked Eragon.

"Bloody awful!" growled Brom.

"So you talked to Brand?"

"Not that it did any good. This administrator of trade is the worst sort of beaucrat. He abides every rule, delights in making his own whenever it can inconvenience someone, and at the same time believes that he's doing good."

"Then he won't let us see the records?"

"No. Nothing I could say would sway him. He even refused bribes! Substantial ones too. I didn't think I would ever meet a noble who wasn't corrupt. Now that I have I find that I prefer them when they are greedy bastards." He puffed furiously on his piped and muttered a steady flow of curses. When he seemed to have calmed down, Alexia asked;

"So what now?"

"I'm going to take the next week and teach both of you how to read."

"And after that?" A smile spread across Brom's face.

"After that we're going to give Brand a nasty surprise." Eragon and Alexia pestered the old man for details, but he kept his mouth shut.

Dinner was silent. Helen and Jeod were seated at the ends, Brom, Eragon and Alexia seated between them. She was dangerously close to the hard-eyed Helen and was relieved when it was finally over.