Chapter 4: A Destroyed Drawing

At least a week had passed since Riley's talk with Brom. In that time she had gone over in her head the possibilities of what he implied. Brom had not actually told her anything certain. He only made her more curious with his barely-scratching-the-surface-riddles. The few theories she came up with filled her with a nervous excitement. Somehow, Riley had used magic. She was sure of it. But whatever she did in Brom's house, she wasn't looking forward to do it again, even if she ever learned how to properly do it. It was the most uncomfortable weariness she felt afterward.

She stopped over to Garrow's to drop off that soup she promised herself to bring. Really it was just some bags of powdered ingredients containing some of her mother's best herbs and plants. While there, the atmosphere was clouded with a quiet mixture of sadness and joy. Riley could feel it through the silence and the distance between everyone in Garrow's house. Eragon was hardly ever in the same room as Roran. In fact, she only saw Eragon once in those few hours there. But the reason she found out, after Garrow told her over a cup of tea, was because Roran was leaving soon. He found an apprenticeship for a miller.

After that Riley went looking for Eragon around his place. She searched the barn but there were only the horses. She walked along the wood's border, when she noticed faint prints, coming and going in the snow. It looked as if he was trying to cover up his tracks by brushing them over with a branch.

"Why would he be going to the forest all the time?" She took a step in; the daylight darkened with the enclosure of the trees. Riley hadn't taken more than four strides further when she heard, before she saw, Eragon. He slipped out from behind a clump of birch trees a couple of yards to Riley's left. He must have known she was there, for Eragon rushed to her.

Riley said, "There you are. I've been looking for you."

"Have you?"

"Yes. Well, I only saw you a moment when I first got here." She looked up at him, "Hey, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine," was his detached answer.

"Garrow told me of Roran's apprenticeship. You want to talk at all?" Riley asked hesitantly for her friend seemed to be on an unbalanced edge of emotions. He had his arms crossed with fists clenched; his stance was stiff. Sadness and also nervousness played on his face during his silence. Just as Riley was trying to figure out why he would be nervous, Eragon replied with a contemplating tone, as if he was trying to decide how much he wanted to say.

"I wish… I could talk, but it's useless to. You have no understanding of what I've been through…and what I'm going through now." He paused, removing his crossed arms to let them fall to his sides. "I'm sorry. I want to tell you, but I can't just now."

Riley stared at him. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Eragon let out a laugh. "Yeah. I should be okay."

"Alright, well I see I'm not wanted here, so I'll be off." With a smile, Riley turned about face and waved behind her. She left the woods and strolled to the village. It was a quiet walk back; the snow firmly padded down for a smooth path. While walking in the brisk air, Riley thought of theories for Eragon's behavior. The most reasonable one was obviously that Roran was leaving and the bond between them was the strongest she ever saw. They were practically brothers. But Riley can understand that because she had something similar happen to her. Her older brother, Cori, went away, traveling around Alagaesia. She hasn't seen him in over six months and she didn't act all strange.

"But then again," she thought, "We're different. No one reacts the same, though something is off; like he's hiding something."

A few days later, on the day before Roran and Eragon came into town together for the last time for awhile, Riley was walking the streets around the village after her visit at Horst's. She was in eyesight of her home when she paused and glanced down an alley. The snow was untouched at the opening. Immediately, a scene came into Riley's head. She knelt down over the area and started drawing, slicing fast, lightly at first and cutting through the snow like butter. She pushed harder for the illusion of depth in certain spots. It only took her a few moments to finish her masterpiece. She knelt back to get a fairer look at her work. It was a detailed sketch (as detailed as one can be in snow) of a forest. Giant trees loomed over a root entangled ground, going on forever, the distance a dark shadow from the caving snow. But closer, there was a man and horse among the trees. His head half obscured by a hood.

As Riley was wondering why she drew that and who he represented, a wave of nausea swept through her. She frowned when it took her some effort to stand up. She used the wall to help her. Riley looked around slowly. The sky was bright through the winter clouds but the street behind, busy a few minutes ago, was now deserted. She took two steps back, away from the alley, just as black figures emerged from around the corner, entering the alleyway from the other side. There were two of them, heading straight for her. She wanted to run home; her legs only shifted less than a few feet before her will was over-powered by fear. Now she was rooted to the spot, immobilized, but at least she made it out to the open area of the street. She broke her gaze from the deformed looking creatures. They were about to stomp on her drawing and Riley let out an inaudible gasp with the thought. They paused as if they heard her and even read her mind. The one on the left made a course, coughing chuckle. They both looked at Riley as they dragged their feet through the beautiful snow, seeming to take their time over her art. Riley could only stare, holding in her hurt pride.

Finally, they were within several feet of her. They stopped and looked down at her. The men were at least a head taller than her. They didn't even look like men. Their protruding faces and long arms were covered with dark cloth; their wide eyes glinted a discolored yellow that sent chills through Riley's body. They reminded her of a hawk's. Not to mention, they looked disfigured under the long, thick, black cloaks they wore. While she was examining them, the opposite one who didn't make that creepy noise earlier, began to speak, addressing her in a low, slow voice.

"We would like for you to answer some questions." Riley waited for more. Now the other one talked.

"Have there been any strange occurrences lately?" He had a slightly lower voice.

She thought of Eragon first, and he was acting strange lately, and then of what happened with her at Brom's. She said nothing, only stared.

"Speak!" The previous one demanded. Riley flinched with the force of his tone.

"No." She shook her head, "No, I haven't." She found that her voice was steady and added, "Who are you anyways? Why are you in Carvahall?" The strangers exchanged looks of annoyance.

One said, "We are representatives of the Empire. Our business is of no importance to your kind." The other one added menacingly, "It would be very wise to show your loyalty to Galbatorix, so answer our questions honestly."

"Or what?" Riley said, immediately wishing she kept her mouth shut.

The first one who spoke to her earlier, moved his black hand to his side. Riley saw the jagged hilt of his sword jut out from his belt. Riley's momentary braveness shattered. She couldn't move again from fear. Her mind desperately searched for a way out of this mess. She came up with nothing that would work without taking too much risk.

Just then a form appeared in front of her, blocking her view of those horrid strangers. She realized it was her mother as she reached back to gesture for Riley to stay behind her.

"I'm sorry, gentleman, for my daughter's lack of respect. I assure you, she'll cause no more trouble for you." The strangers relaxed their stance but were still wary of her; they kept their hands at their sides, close to their weapons. Jocelyn turned her head to Riley. "Go back to the house and wait for me there," she said severely. Riley nodded, took another look at the strangers, and walked slowly back down the street.

It was only a few minutes later that her mother entered through their oak door, but it felt like ages with Riley's anxiousness. "Are you alright?" They asked at the same instant.

Her mother nodded in response.

"Yes, I'm okay," Riley answered. She followed Jocelyn to the kitchen, where Jocelyn began brewing some tea. Riley leaned against the dishes cabinet.

Her mother said, not looking at her, "Riley, I wish for you to stay here in the house, until they leave."

"You mean I can't even step outside?" She asked with agitation.

"Yes. It's for your safety, Riley."

Riley went to stand next to her, her hands on her hips. "Who are they that make you so afraid?"

Jocelyn finally looked at her. "They're called Ra'zac. I've only seen them once before. They do Galbatorix's dirty work." She paused, looking her straight in the eyes, "And they aren't human. They are strong, fast, and merciless. They'll remember you because you questioned them. It made you stand out. Please stay inside."

Riley nodded with a sigh. "Alright."

"Thank you." She handed Riley a mug with steaming tea. They sat down across from each other at the table; each silent with their own thoughts.