The two state Mages were able to recover as while they had been drugged, their wards held up, which ultimately saved their lives. The coach driver hadn't been so lucky. Faris and Venka had insisted they give the man a grave. The investigators wanted them to move out quickly, Bergan had been the final vote, siding with Faris and Venka. Faris noticed the man had a locket, he took it, resolving to find out if the man had any kin. After burying the man, they decided to try and find the horses who had scattered, they ended up finding three of them, the fourth had unfortunately been lost to wolves, Bergan took one horse and placed Venka behind him. While Faris sat behind one of the investigators, he was the shorter of the two, and had a very self-satisfied look about him at all times, they didn't give their names, stating that such things had power, thus they would only give it to those they trusted. Faris wished he could attempt to humor them, but he just couldn't care. As far as he was concerned, they had been completely useless, and if they had gotten their way earlier and took Venka with them back to Ilrea without him and Bergan, she would have been in the clutches of the Black Hand, who'd be doing god knows what with her. He shivered, remembering Jahat, she was terrifying and beautiful at the same time, like a vengeful goddess, yet she had looked somewhat familiar, he could not pin down why though.

Their trip into Palancar Valley was uneventful, paranoia kept them from sleep, but they were fortunately unhurt from their trip, likely because of the failure of the last ambush. Venka had taken some convincing that she shouldn't sit on a horse with Faris, as neither of them knew how to ride, and they couldn't force one hold three people if they wanted to make it on time. As they reached the curve over one of the most northern of the mountains, Faris could only whistle in awe.

"He's a man of his word."

The investigator turned his head in annoyance. "What are you talking about?!"

"Nothing important," Faris replied dryly before turning his attention back to the thriving city before him. Carvahall was a much more impressive location than it had been before. A massive stone wall, several feet thick and several dozen feet tall surrounded the wall, 4 huge watch towers were placed on each of cardinal directions, with 8 smaller watch towers further out. Even from the distance Faris could make out the gigantic bells on the top of the watchtowers, likely for warning the inhabitants of eminent battle. Humans moved about quickly to and from a large gate under one of the cardinal watch towers, and he could see a flurry of movement underneath the two other watchtowers whose bases were visible to him.

As they got closer, he noticed that the people were in the midst of preparing a festival or celebration of some sort, men and women dressed in festive garments, children dressed in matching blue and gold colors ran about excitedly. Faris' group, disheveled as it was, was able to pass into the crown until they reached the gate, where Bergan approached a soldier, who after an exchange of words beckoned a few more soldiers over to escort them into the city. Faris whistled in in appreciation as they got down from their horses, which were led to the stables.

"Oh? You're impressed right?" A soldier stated, smiling brightly. "Carvahall is the second most secure city in the Broddring Kingdom!" He proclaimed with pride.

"No thanks to you." Another soldier quipped, jabbing him in the ribs with his elbow. His fellows chuckled in agreement.

Faris looked around in appreciation of the logistic marvel that was the city. The outer wall was the strongest, followed by an inner wall, then a mote surrounding the castle, with Farmland in between the walls. The most impressive thing was the large and wide buildings, which had gardens on the roofs. The second most impressive things were the ways many of the buildings were lined, forcing anyone into running into the maze-like corridors between some buildings. Leading to a wide courtyard surrounding the innermost wall and mote, 3 draw bridges arranged with even spread. Around the castle, and what a castle it was. The largest building Faris ever remembered seeing was a trip to the Coliseum due to his parent's business deal that they decided to bring him along to. The castle was maybe one and a half times wider and twice as tall. When Roran had stated he would make a hall big enough for Saphira to roost, he wasn't kidding. The most amazing thing though was the suspension bridges connecting the Castle to each of the 4 watch towers from the top.

Noticing his gaze upward, the same boasting soldier proudly declared.

"Duke Stronghammer commissioned a combined work with the Dwarves and Elves, as a gift due to his exploits from the War, this city is nigh indestructible, and despite the wind strength from that high up, those Bridges are as stable as you could ask for."

"Thanks for the history lesson." Bergan stated dryly. "But please, we need to speak with the Duke."

"We are heading to the Duke as we speak sir."

"But we aren't heading towards the castle." Venka said with curiosity. Sticking close by Faris.

"Oh, in fact we are young lady" An older solder spoke, rubbing his stubble.

They understood what they meant as they approached what looked to be a raised podium, in front of the podium was a crowd of men working together to lift and raise up a large carriage, full of fruits. As the men worked together to raise it another group of men fitted a large wooden wheel into one of the spokes, replacing a broken one that lay at the side. As they got closer, they could hear a conversation.

"My lord I cannot thank you enough, if you hadn't intervened I would a' never been able to take all the fruits up to the hall." A villager prostrated himself before a tall muscular shirtless man sporting stylish brown hair and a stylish beard. The man helped the villager up and smiled.

"Come on, I was only one of the people who lifted up the wagon, the rest deserve more thanks than me." He leaned in a said quietly, "Eh… if you can spare a basket's worth of fruits though, my daughter loves them." Before giving a hearty laugh and sending the smiling villager off with his carriage.

Bergan walked forward and bowed to the man, he stood a good 6 feet evenly, and was of a build akin to that of a WWE wrestler, or MMA fighter. The rest of the group followed suit as the man appraised them with his warm blue eyes.

"I see much has happened to your group, from your appearance and clothing I assume you are State Mages straight from Ilrea right?"

Bergan nodded. "We had a bit of trouble on the way."

The man nodded, beckoning a soldier who walked over and handed him a simple white tunic. After placing it on, he turned. "Come! Come join me for dinner. There's a lot we need to discuss it seems."

"Thank you, my Duke." Bergan nodded, before turning to everyone else. "Alright gents, you heard what Duke Stronghammer said, let's get a move on."

Faris' arm by this point had gotten sore from being clutched by Venka's this entire time, and his face reddened remembering the stairs the villagers gave them as they travelled towards the castle. As they reached the castle gates, soldiers lined up asking them to open their packs and reveal any weapons or questionable substances they had on them. The only thing Venka had was a brooch belonging to her mother, and her father's hunting dagger, Bergan revealed his long sword, a few daggers, and a wineskin. The inspectors both had wands with tiny amber attached to the tapered end, as well as several books, maps, and charts. It became trouble when they got to Faris.

"Alright son, show us what's in this thing." Faris smiled nervously as he opened his bag. Revealing: several knives, a dozen or so crossbow bolts, a miniature wrist mounted crossbow; adult sized so regular for him, 5 dull looking quartz stones, 15 ft of rope, steel climbing claws, a sling shot with 20 or so bullets, 5 smooth stones perfect for skipping, wood chips, a simple lens acting like a magnifying glass, a simple mirror, 24 different herbs, 16 of which were dangerous in some way or another, 3 tightly sealed bundles of purple soldiers, and a ball, filled with oil, covered in spikes.

"My god son, preparing for war?!" Bergan asked with a mix of admiration, surprise, and horror. A few soldiers moved to get their blades, but Roran raised his hand to stop them, walking over to Faris, who looked up at the man nervously.

"How old are you?" He asked.

"Ten sir" Faris replied, swallowing nervously.

"Hmm…. When I was your age I had at least ten more knives."

Faris laughed at his outlandish statement.

"of course, such items aren't safe, I'm going to have to ask you to surrender them to us."

The inspectors and Bergan gave very unsubtle cues that Faris should comply.

Faris nodded, before adding, "Only if you promise to return them when we leave."

A silence filled the air as everyone stared at those two. Faris kept his eyes locked on Roran's for a good minute before looking away. "Please?" he added.

Roran's laughter filled the hall as he patted Faris on the shoulder heavily. "You have resolve, but you should mix that with a bit of humility."

Faris sighed with relief. From what he remembered from the books, Roran liked straight-forwardness from those around him, and while he didn't warm up to strangers immediately, he tended to be agreeable enough as long as no one posed a threat to his goals, Faris was a kid, a kid equipped with some nasty toys yes, but Roran didn't seem to consider him a threat. Even then, Faris didn't want to fight him, the man had the Devil's own luck when it came to situations like these, and Faris wouldn't want to test his mettle against that, nor did he want to be Roran's enemy, he had spent so much time reading in his perspective that Roran ended up being one of his favorite characters in the book, despite having at first been turned off by his abrupt introduction into his life.

Roran nodded to two of his guards, who gingerly picked up the now refilled pack and put it away with everyone else's weaponry.

"All right, with that out of the way, I ask that you all join me for dinner, I'm curious as to what has befallen you."

As they were led away by servants Faris could observe a beautiful woman with copper hair walking down to Roran, holding a little girl of about 2 years old. Tagging behind her was a little boy, maybe 8, skipping along happily, and finally a teenage girl. Faris assumed the girl was Ismira, the child given birth to right after the war ended. Faris turned back and smiled to himself, happy Roran was able to achieve such a happy family.
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Afterword:

Well, hi again, another chapter done huh….

*Breaths huge sigh of relief*

I'm honestly surprised I've been able to belt things out this rapidly. I'm aware though its probably not the perfect story, but even then, it's a story I'm working on, and I want to complete it, even if only to get the satisfaction of it being complete. Don't forget to keep your eyes on the new book by Christopher Paolini coming out this December! At least I think it is, could be wrong.

Be on the look out for the next chapter in the next few hours, I'm feeling…. Inspired.

:)