|= So chapter two uh things to address I wanted to use some of the Ancient Language in this and other parts but there is not a full list for translations so I'll just be uh..putting the words in English and in another font Unless the word has been used and is known and can be looked up for spellings. Another thing: Should Guardian find a love interest? I'm not good at lovey-dovey but if the people want a small or big subplot of a love story for sure . Also, there are some Fan-Pairings that I know people may want to see but I don't like changing characters to force something I would rather take longer to try and get how the character would react still feels better to me like that . Anyway please enjoy and any feedback is welcome , Also i'll be looking for an editor soon =|
The early morning air was crisp, the ground still hard as Eragon moved from shadow to shadow trying to stay out of sight it has been two days since Garrow had passed and Eragon was gathering things from around town telling himself he would pay back the money from the stolen goods once he could, first, he stole some meats from the butcher Sloan , Then some hides and leathers to use for Saphire so her scales would not harm him again. Using the link with Saphira Eragon told her with his mind . "I'm gathering the leather now and hiding it in this tree I need to get a few things from the house then we will meet here" He then sent her an image from his mind of a place to meet if they cant meet at the tree which was just outside of the village in a small clearing surrounded by thick thorny vines and bushes.
On the other side of town in Horsts home Guardian and light were tracking Eragon's movements he was clearly planning to leave without Guardian so he was really glad light was able to put a tracker on him, They were picking up movement from all over the town but only the movement when someone would turn over in bed or get up to let a dog out a small blip would appear on his map on his hud. Guardian turned to look at Light who was floating next to a shelf that was in the room asking out loud but in a hushed tone . " should we follow him now or wait.." a blip had moved to where Eragon had come and gone back and forth a few times and was pacing it looked like .
Light bobbing in the air floating out to the guardian then inside him to hide then speaking out inside his mind. " we should see who that is first hopefully it's not the person or persons that attacked Garrow i know you're big but try and be a hunter for just a little bit " light teased from inside guardians mind getting no answer as the large titan got up from the bed his armor and sword appearing on him thanks to Light as he left the room and headed downstairs it was still early no one was awake yet, so the pair let themselves out of the house and slipped around back and down the hill taking a longer path around and into the forest. Planning to come up behind whoever or whatever it was they saw on the map.
Borm had been pacing back and forth before he sensed Eragon coming so he hid behind the tree holding the meat and leather that Eragon had stolen , lucky Saphira had talked to him when he reached out with his mind and she told him what Eragon was doing and where he had hidden the stuff . Borm was just an old storyteller in the village and had not been able to come to Eragon's aid when his farm was attacked; he had been jumped and barely kept the Ra'zac the same foul creatures that had attacked Eragon's home from ending his own life. Footsteps could be heard so Brom hid and waited when he heard the sounds of someone searching the tree he stepped out with a smirk holding the role of hides and meats speaking out loud which made Eragon jump , " And pray to tell where are you going with such supplies young Eragon? '' Broms' voice was not Angry but more amused.
It was at this moment that Guardian had finally gotten near so they could hear and see what was going on seeing the old man holding some hides and Eragon trying to explain his way out of it before Saphira came landing down behind him which shocked Guardian who thought no one was supposed to know of her . From his spot in the trees, Guardian could see the old man's face light up with joy as a few tears fell down his cheek and Guardian's mind he asked Light "This old man seems to know something he is acting ...odd, should we hang back and watch for now? "
Light was watching from inside the Titan, Light had heard of this old man his name was Brom a storyteller and a good one at that thinking about it light finally replied " That's the storyteller Brom I think we can trust him lets watch for now " Light wanted to see if this old man was hiding something. His body was not normal. He felt odd to Light who had done a passing scan once they were closer but to get a better scan he needed time and to be a lot closer.
Brom handed Eragon the supplies and said "I'll be coming with you so you don't get yourself killed the foe your after is a lot more than a simple boy could handle " Borm moved over to some bushes and pulled out a traveling pack and pointed for Eragon to lead the way the boy seemed to be talking to Saphira in his mind as he was staring at her Brom only watched a sad small on his face as he turned away and after a few moments Eragon started wordlessly leading the way into the woods he walked for two hours before stopping in a large clearing with thick thorny vines all around it .
Eragon looked over at Brom and set his bags down " we can rest here for a while and get a few things straight " Eragon looked at Borm who was already sitting on a small log looking at Eragon with a look that was waiting " ...okay first how were you able to talk to Saphira? I thought only I could do that" Eragon sat down in the dirt, legs crossed under himself as Saphira landed in the clearing carefully behind Eragon watching over the two keeping it to herself that their armored friend was just outside the clearing watching and spying.
Brom took the time to pull a pipe from his sleeve and packing away some tabaco before pressing his lips around the people holding it as he looked for his flint to light it seeming to enjoy taking his time and when it looked like Eragon was going to shout he pulled the Flint out and lights his pipe taking along pull on it before saying " Anyone can speak with their mind it just takes time and training " the smoke leaving Broms mouth was blown into rings as he took a second pull on the pipe before saying" just like anyone can learn to sense the minds of others.." This time speaking a bit louder and from the bushes came a laugh as Brom watched a massive man in Armor step out hands held to the side .
Guardian had been watching them talk and was about to step out and show himself when the storyteller called out to him and not one to hide anyway stepped out arms to the side smiling under his helmet thinking to himself and to light that this man does have something hidden we should be careful around him , Guardian stood with Eragon to his left and Brom to his right Eragon looked away in shame as he had left without Guardian, after he had offered the boy help.
Guragain kneeling down so he was more level with the two men looked over at saphira who nodded at him " well met storytelling , Eragon , saphira " gaudains voice made Brom look at him closer the tone in Gaudains voice was clearly on edge.
Brom smiled and took a long pull on the pipe and blowing the smoke away from the group as to not be rude he was taking his time to think about things using the long pulls on the pipe to think on one hand the armored man was clearly not working for the king but he seems to have come from nowhere and no one has seen what he looked like under the armor . Broms first thoughts are he could be an elf in hiding so Brom made the hand gestures for the elven greeting to anyone else it would look like he was waving the smoke from his pipe away but to an elf it would be clear and seeing the man not react Brom figures he is not an elf so greets him " Ah the Armor man i've heard about i had been wanting to speak to you but with the all that happened i could not find the time are you planning to join us ? '' Brom would not mind having the man with him from how his mind felt he would be a powerful ally the man felt odd like an elf older than the normal which is why Brom tested to see if he was an elf and seeing as the man did not react it made Brom wonder even more who this strange man was.
Meanwhile Eragon was watching Guardian wanting to meet his gaze but feeling too ashamed to look up past the man's chest armor tracing the wolves and the tree design on it soon getting distracted and getting a mental nudge from Saphira to rejoin the talks going on around him which made Eragon look around suddenly which made both men turn to look at the young boy that suddenly turned his head wildly Borm gave a small chuckle like he knew what must have happened. Eragon stood with a deep breath started pacing back and forth speaking as he did " Guardian im sorry for running off after you said you would help me hunt the men who did this but i could not put you in such danger it's not right we are strangers to each other , At least i've known Brom my whole life so taking him with me is not out of the question but…" Eragon rubbed his face and dropped back onto his back and grunted his wounds still healing and sore he leaned back on Saphira's leg looking up at the sky trying to think .
Brom watched as Eragon talked and listened carefully as the boy seemed to let out a bit at once like he was overwhelmed and who would not be when you've just lost your only known family and home . Still he needed to keep Eragon safe and take him to the Varden . " Eragon..and ..Guardian? Have either of you heard of the Varden..the rebels that fight to remove the king from power and free Alagaesia ?" Brom watched Eragon nodded softly he hand leaned forward off saphiras leg , while Guardian turned he head shaking his head no Brom nodded" well guardian its as i said they are rebels trying to remove the king from power but for now we should start working on tracking the Ra'zac down they are the ones that killed your uncle Eragon " Brom saw the hate in the boys eyes and took a long few pulls on his pipe watching Eragon.
The Guardian watched and took in this info. It was useful if this king is as evil as it sounds. Maybe joining the rebels would be a good way to spend his time here while Light could work on the ship but that would need to wait for now. Standing up, Guardian started pacing around the clearing rubbing his helmet's chin " what is a Ra'zac i've never heard of it before ?" Guardian did not like fighting unknown creatures and the way Brom spoke made him think these are not just humans. The Fallen , Hive and even worse the taken Guardian thought back on the foes he had fought but the ones he hated on a personal level the most had to be the cobal and the vex . As he was thinking about his old foes, Brom started to explain the Ra'zac.
Standing Brom would start gathering the leather and hide from Eragon's supplies sitting back on his log as he began explaining what the foe they are after is like . " No one knows for sure where they came from, others say they are birthed from hate and greed others say they are monsters the king himself made to hunt down riders or traitors , But what i do know is they are not human more like a bug with a hard shell and lidless eyes with pointed beaks they eat the flesh of man with foul breath that can hold a man in place; still they can be killed anything that breathes and bleed can be so we have that on our side " Chuckling as his hands worked Eragon was watching with held breath as Brom was explaining the foe he has chosen to hunt knowing that hunting a hunter was not a easy task but he was more interested in what Brom was doing now .
Standing behind the old story teller Eragon was watching him work the leather cutting it into long strips and putting small holes along the leather. When Brom stood up and walked over to saphira Eragon asked . " what are you doing Brom i was going to use that leather for .." Eragon stopped as Brom nodded looking back at him holding up the leather to Saphiras side showing he was making a saddle for her so Eragon could ride her .
" A rider should have a saddle don't you think? '' Brom asked before going back to the log and working on the saddle now and then peeking up from his work to watch Guardian who was still watching him as well. Brom wanted to ask the man more but did not want to reveal too much about himself .He was a patient man so he did not mind taking his time with this one earning his trust may be a big help in the long run at least that's what Brom thought at the moment . " this will take some hours to complete so if you both want to get some rest I suggest you get some now " Brom did not look up as he spoke this time he was working hard and did not want to mess this part of the saddle up .
Eragon taking this chance laid out his bedroll and layed down to rest his still healing legs and with his mind reaching out to sahpira making contact he would smile softly asking her " Do you think we should really bring them both along i know guardian can handle himself but Brom is just an old man " Eragon was worried the old story teller would get himself killed trying to help him. On what should be his quest after all it's his fault that the Ra'zac came to palancar hunting him .
Saphira snorted softly which made all the men around look at her Brom was the first to go back to work while Guardian kept staring through saphira was not sure if he was in fear or not as she could not sense his mind it was well guarded . " Listen little one you and I are still learning of our foes what is the harm in bringing them along the large metal one smells odd but he wants to help and Brom.. " she paused as she thought about the words to use for him " the old one knows much of our foe and like the metal one said fighting the unknown can be more deadly " She brushed Eragon's mind with hers leaving his so he could think on her words while she did so she tried reaching out to Guardian with her mind to see if he would react. Said man had looked back at Brom watching him work the leather but as her mind pressed on his he did not move but a voice warned her a voice that was not the Guardians .
" Don't push it big blue, You dont want to risk seeing what we know ..not yet " LIght had felt her mind pressing on guardians and was keeping him shielded from it warning the dragon. Light had sighed he knew they would need to explain things soon and expressed this to Gaurdain." Saphira just tried to touched your mind again i stopped her but she wont wait forever for me to explain thing's " Ligh held a small sigh in their mind.
Guardian stood and rolled his shoulders looking at the Dragon and speaking out loud " His name is light" Guardian held his hand out and summoned light, Which shocked Light himself as he turned and looked around bobbing in the air. Brom looked up hearing the guardian speak before summoning something. Both Brom and Eragon looked shocked, staring as light floated there. Sighing Light turned greeting them " Hello I'm Light..uh a Ghost but not a dead person thats just what we are called " Light floated over to Brom looking at the leather, While guardian spoke " He is my partner like Saphira is to you eragon, Bound together by a power stronger then either of us " Guardian was taking a big risk with this Light may be what makes him a Gaurdain but is his biggest weakness at the same time.
Brom watched the floating shape, the glowing eye on it looking at his tools and the had never seen or heard of anything like this before, Calming himself before speaking" so your bound by body and soul then? "
Both light and guardian turned and nodded, well one nodded the other bobbed in the air.
Eragon sitting up and staring in wonder " so ..what does light do for you then ? " Eragon said looking back and forth between Light and Guardian.
They looked to Eragon now and Light floating over next to Guardian just over his left shoulder before Guardian spoke " he channels my powers so I can focus them into a useable state." Gaurain and Light were speaking in their minds now. "Light i want to show them my face do you agree with this? " Light turned and his shell spun a few times as he looked over the people gathered around them before nodding/bobbing in the air replying out loud " yes i believe you can trust them with it ".
Which only got them both a puzzled look from the two men Brom asking " trust us with what? " Eragon agreeing " yeah what do we need to be trusted with ? " Eragon had stood up so was Brom who looked to be reaching for his fallen tools.
Guardian sighing and hoping this would go well reached up saying " My face.." his hands pulling the wolf helmet off in the morning sun his blue skin looked brighter and his red hair stood out more. Both men looking on in shock before his orange eyes came into view.
Brom felt his breath leave him as he looked at the man the skin and hair did not make a shade but he would not think of anything esle the man could be. But he did not feel like attacking something held him back. So he camly gathered his dropped tools taking his time to compose his mind " so...what are you then? Clearly not human..and not a shade they dont have blue skin lest none i'v heard of " Brom could not help looking into the man's eyes. They held a power to them that he had only seen in the oldest of elves.
Eragon was less worried walking up to Guardian and looking at him inspecting his face saying" are you cold all the time or something ? " This man everyone chuckle even saphira thought her chuckle was a rough rubble.
Guardian held a small smile and held back a laugh " no no im not cold, my people are called Awaken. Uh " he rubbed his chin looking down at Eragon trying to think of a way to explain what he was so that they could understand him before snapping his fingers " ah think of my people like humans that are just..stronger and blue? " he rubbed his next softy and laugh's nervously while Light let out a sigh of disapprovement before stating " Awaken are not just strong blue humans they are a evolved version of human's" Light bobbed and floated disappearing in a small Flash of light. Brom and Eragon looked shocked Brom having a better understanding of who and what Guardian is but Eragon now really understanding just slumping back into Saphira.
Guardian just sighed he knew light did not like this, exposing themselves like this put them both at big risk. But the guardian knew what mistrust can do to people and how fast it one misunderstanding can turn into a fight to the death. And he really did not want to fight a dragon. Letting out a sigh and sitting down himself looking up into the blue sky " My home is so far away i dont even know if i'll get back there .." Guardian felt a deep sadness and sighed shaking his head telling himself "don't let doubt slow your aim and dull your blade" Looking back down he would find all three members of their little camp staring at him still " ….what ? " he asked and Brom was the first to speak " It's just ...now i don't know about Eragon but i cant help but wonder more abou tyour people your home land would you tell us about it?" Brom wanted to know as much as he could about this man even more than before now. Eragon nodding his head, always loving a good story.
Guardian chucked and lifted and slide his helmet back on before getting comfortable " well..i can only tell you so much , starting with more about myself i guess. " Crossing his arms and thinking" Firstly i don't need to eat or sleep as much as a human i can go days longer without food and weeks without sleep , thought small naps still feel good " he chuckle's. Both men listening, Saphira laying her head down watching with one large eye and clearly listening. Continuing " Well lets see uh..thanks to light i can use power's.." Holding out his hand in a fist then pulling it to the side he would form a void grenade. The purple burned and hummed in his hand before he let it disappear harmlessly " that ball could wipe out this whole clearing leaving nothing but Blackened earth."
Brom was shocked , No words where used to summon the orb he felt the power in it thought like a void of nothing but at the same time full. Whipping his forehead Brom would ask " w..what esle can you do then?" he could not help but feel like this man would be able to turn the tide of war maybe even more then Eragon and Sahpira, If even half what what he said was true.
Eragon was covering his mouth and mumbling softly before half shouting " IF YOU COULD ,...If you could do stuff like that ..like magic why did you not save garrow! "
The clearing went silent. Brom looked away , He understood that even magic has a limit. Guardian looked back up to the sky before standing and looking at Eargon and in a firm voice " He was past saving I'm sorry i could not save him. '' Guardian walked over slowly. Sahpira let out a small warning growl which stopped him so he kneeled there. " The world is full of ..things no one can fully understand, People who can do nearly anything. But..im not able to save life's like that..im sorry " guardian felt bad that he could not help Garrow he felt useless. He was a Titan a Hammer to sunder his foe's. Sure Light can bring him back to life but not other people. " I'm not a healer Eragon ..im a Titan..a warrior i can kill and kill but i cant heal…" Guardian's hand rested on his hip on his Lumina, Before he stood and moved back to where he was sitting and dropped down, one knee up so he could rest an arm on it as he watched the camp.
No one spoke for a few hours after that while Brom took in this info and just kept working on the saddle it was nearly done by now.