Chapter 18: Meeting an Old Friend

When Brom had knocked, it was almost a minute before someone opened the door. A light blonde haired woman cracked open the door and her face could only be seen. Riley saw her puffy face. Her eyes were swollen from crying. She had looked at them curiously and asked what is their business. When Brom asked if they could meet with Jeod, she said her husband is busy and suggested coming back at a different day. But Brom explained that they had traveled for a long way and it was very important to see Jeod as soon as possible. She relented, closing the door quickly, and went to relay the message Brom gave her to Jeod.

Riley put a hand on Eragon's shoulder. "She seemed very upset. What are the chances we came during a quarrel?"

"Even so, that wasn't very polite," Eragon said.

"You must keep your opinions to yourself. And don't say anything. Let me do the talking," Brom muttered while they waited.

Just then, the door flashed opened, quick as a spring. A tall man stepped outside. He wore a deep burgundy vest, thrown over a wrinkled top. His thin gray hair covered part of a scar that crossed his forehead. He took in each of them, but his gaze stayed on Brom, as he leaned against the door frame for support. After a moment of struggling to gain his composure, he whispered, "Brom?"

Brom smiled, but held a finger to his lips. He asked if there was a place they could talk and catch up. Jeod frowned and looked back inside. "Not here. But I have somewhere that will do the trick."

Jeod had brought them to the citadel where the lord of Teirm had declared all merchants must have their office. Jeod reassured them that they would be safe of eavesdroppers there. He showed them were they could tie up their horses and then led them into the thick stoned walls of the citadel. It was chilly and damp inside. The hallway was lined every thirty feet or so with torches, making the dimly lit building seem uneasy with shadows. They stopped in front of a wooden door. Jeod pulled out a key and quickly unlocked the door. Inside the room were a few large chairs and many bookcases fully filled with tomes. There was also a small fireplace, which Jeod lit with the torch as Brom and Eragon took a seat. Riley leaned on the arm of Eragon's chair.

Jeod turned back to them and took the last remaining seat. "You, old man, have some explaining to do."

After a little banter, Jeod pressed Brom to tell him the story of what happened after they last saw each other to now.

Riley bent her leg in and hooked it in the crook of the chair's leg to better seat herself. She was quite interested to finally have Brom relive his past out loud. She felt Eragon shift in the chair and figured he felt the same.

"Do you remember what we were doing in Gil'ead?"

Jeod nodded. "That sort of thing is hard to forget."

"When we were... separated, I couldn't find you. In the midst of the turmoil I stumbled into a small room. There wasn't anything extraordinary in it- just crates and boxes- but out of curiosity, I rummaged around anyway. Fortune smiled on me that hour, for I found what we had been searching for. Once it was in my hands, I couldn't wait for you. At any second I might have been discovered, and all lost. Disguising myself as best I could, I fled the city and ran to the..." Brom paused and flitted his eyes across his two younger companions before returning to his story. "...ran to our friends. They stored it in a vault, for safekeeping, and made me promise to care for whomever received it. Until the day when my skills would be needed, I had to disappear. No one could know that I was alive- not even you- though it grieved me to pain you unnecessarily. So I went north and hid in Carvahall."

Riley stood up slowly and went to lean against the wall farther from them, hoping that they wouldn't see the disappointment in her face, though she couldn't help but cross her arms to hold in her frustration.

Jeod was frowning. "Then our... friends knew that you were alive all along?" He sighed, "I suppose it was needed, but I wish they could have told me. Isn't Carvahall farther north, on the other side of the Spine?" Brom inclined his head. Jeod then took an interest in the two youths. His gray eyes took in every detail. He looked at Riley first as she was tapping her foot. A questioning look came over him as he noticed Riley's locket necklace. And then he inspected Eragon with a slight tilt of his head. "I assume, then, that you are fulfilling your duty."

Riley frowned again. She wished she knew what his duty was.

Brom shook his head. "No, it's not that simple. It was stolen a while ago- at least that's what I presume, for I haven't received word from our friends, and I suspect their messengers were waylaid- so I decided to find out what I could. Riley lives in Carvahall with her mother... and is in search of her brother. And Eragon is seeking revenge, and rightly so, on the Ra'zac. His uncle was murdered and they burned his farm. We have been following them for some time, but have stumbled into a quandary to find their trail again."

"But why have you come here? I don't know where they are or anyone else who does."

Brom tossed him the flask they had found. "We need to look into the shipping records. We'll be able to find the Empire's purchase of the Seithr oil, and that will lead us to the Ra'zac's lair."

"That is a heavy feat you are putting yourself in. It could take months to read through all the records, and besides, the records you'll need are held under lock and key in this castle."

Brom began to rise. "I can deal with that when the time comes. But we'll need a few days rest before any other progress can be made."

Jeod offered, "Of course. You may rest up in my house. What is your name this time while you are here?"

Brom smiled. "I'm Neal. The boy is Evan, and this is Amira." He gestured to Riley.

Joed smiled politely and raised his arm out. "Well, it's nice see an old friend and hopefully gain some new friendships." Eragon shook his hand.

She moved to finally greet Jeod properly. Riley held out her hand to clasp his. His ring caught on her woven bracelet and unraveled the thread. Embarrassed, she excused herself from the room. Outside, in the hallway, she fidgeted with the bracelet. Finding no quick way to save it, she gingerly tucked it in a pocket, sad it was ruined. Cori had brought it back for her after his first venture away from Carvahall.

Not even a minute later, Eragon emerged from the door, closing it roughly. He trudged out the building with out speaking to Riley. She decided to follow him out. As they walked out the main building door, Eragon blurted out, "It's not fair. They're trying to hide something from us. If only I could here what they are saying."

"There might actually be a way," Riley hedged. "Use magic."

Eragon brightened. "Yes, that's right. I'll give it a try." He concentrated. "Thverr stenr un atr eka horna!"

Riley watched him silently as he listened. His face kept changing back and forth from surprise to incredulous to frustration. She wished she could have done the same, but she knew it would be pointless to try. She still had that mysterious barrier around her source of magic. Riley opened her mouth to ask what was going on, but he shushed her. "Later," he whispered. She would just have to make sure to get Eragon alone so he could relay everything he was eavesdropping on.

There became a very surprised look on Eragon's face and he slapped his leg with a laugh. "They mentioned Cori." He stood up straighter and looked at her with a smile. "They're coming out now," he said before he could explain more.

As they returned to Jeod's house, Brom asked him about married life. Jeod didn't seemed enthused with the subject. When pestered, he admitted that with his business not going so well, that Helen wasn't very happy with what he could provide her. She was used to being lavished with good housing and an abundant amount of amenities. With that conversation being said, Jeod felt more comfortable taking them out to a tavern for that afternoon's dinner.

The tavern was packed and a chorus of conversations filled the room. The food was delicious; the main course was stuffed pig with potatoes, carrots, turnips, and sweet apples. Riley savored her meal. It had been a very long time, since she'd had freshly cooked, steaming hot vegetables. When they all finished their food, Brom and Jeod chatted about small things that happened over the years. Occasionally, Jeod would ask Riley or Eragon something, but it all seemed trivial. After an hour, Riley started to get fidgety. She was too curious to hear what Eragon found out, and wanted to get back to the house. She tapped her fingers quietly, wondering if it would be rude to excuse herself and Eragon. Just as the idea of speaking to him mentally came to mind, she heard Brom grunt, "Thank you for the meal. We greatly appreciate having something other than dried meat and broth." Jeod patted his belly, "It's my pleasure. Now, after a meal like this, a good rest is in order. We shall head back, and I will have the butler set up the extra rooms." They got up, scraping the wooden chairs on the floor. As they were leaving the tavern, Eragon mentioned that he had something to do. He ran off before they could say anything.

"Ah. I forgot to tell him that if he's going to go outside Teirm, he'll need to be back before sundown. They lock the gates." Jeod smacked his head.

"Don't worry. I'll go with him, and let him know," Riley grinned.

She jogged to the wall, dodging people heading home for the night, and getting funny looks from them. She didn't pay them any attention. She needed to catch up to Eragon. She wasn't sure where Saphira had nested for the night and didn't want to waste time tracking them down. Riley caught sight of his wavy brown hair heading to the left of the trail. She put on a burst of speed after she passed the gates. He had just entered the thicket of trees when she caught up to him.

"Hey, Eragon! Wait up," she yelled. He slowed his pace and glanced back at her, waving his hand for her to hurry up.

When they reached a small cliff face, Eragon stopped. He looked up.

"Let me guess, she's up at the top?"

He nodded. "Saphira could come get us...Or we could race up." Eragon slapped his hands together and smirked. "Ready?" Riley laughed, but inclined her head. "Go!"