"I want to go to sleeeeeep," Wiktoria stated as they waited for Brom and Eragon to be back.
"I'm tired too," said Serzana, "oh, look. Here they are." She pointed at Brom and Eragon as they walked in.
"Hello," Eragon smiled at them.
Brom walked in and handed Wiktoria and Bero a bag. "Here, change into those. They call for less...attention."
"Thank you," Wiktoria smiled at him, "that's nice of you."
"Not nice, just cautious," Brom corrected.
"Okay, so...we will be back in some time...come Bero, let's change into these clothes," Wiktoria said and she and Bero left.
"Hello Eragon," Serzana smiled to him. "You should regret you weren't with us. We have eaten the best soup in this village!" she laughed. "So what about your business? Are you ready to travel? Or not yet?"
"Our business is taken care of. Do you wish to leave already?" Brom asked.
"If you want to leave tomorrow, we will leave tomorrow," Serzana smiled politely. "But I don't like to stay in one place for too long. I like to travel, even if it's tough sometimes."
"We could leave tonight...we are in no hurry. But traveling at night is much better for us," said Brom.
"You decide. I can leave today or tomorrow. It doesn't make any difference to me. What do you think Eragon? When would you like to leave?" Serzana asked. I would like to leave as fast as possible though. And I hope they won't know about my illusion, she thought, worrying a little.
"Then, let's leave tonight," Brom decided. The sooner we find out, the better.
"Tonight would be the best," answered Eragon. For him, the sooner he was close to Saphira, the better he felt.
"Good. When?" Serzana answered rather quickly. The sooner the better. I don't want to be recognized by accident in this village. Especially when some people know I am here.
"Right now," answered Brom, sharing a look with Eragon. "Eragon and I already filled up our supplies.
"Great. I am ready. We just have to wait for those girls," Serzana said.
"And why do you want to go to Tarik Roria?" Eragon asked as they waited for Wiktoria and Bero.
"I want to visit someone," Serzana answered with a mysterious smile.
"Who are you visiting? A family? Friend?" Eragon asked, curious as always.
"A friend. But that is all business. Nothing more."
"There. Is this better," Bero asked, coming back from changing into the clothes Brom had gotten for them. Now they didn't look so out of place.
"Yes, that is better," Brom answered. "Now, come on. We are leaving."
"Leaving? Now? Weren't we going to leave tomorrow?" Wiktoria asked.
"Not anymore. Leaving right now is better."
Bero looked at Brom confused, wondering why the sudden change, but just shrugged and went along with it. "Okaaaaay then..."
"So come on. My horse is ready," Serzana said and went outside. Everyone followed and soon they departed from the village. They traveled well into the night, silence being their faithful companion as they reached the forest and rode on the lonely road towards Tarik Roria.
I wonder why we left that soon...but we're in the forest now. We can talk to Serzana...but I won't start it, definitely, Wiktoria thought to herself, feeling nervous.
Bero kept waiting, willing herself to not fall asleep. She was tired. Especially after everything that had happened to them in such a short amount of time. After all, it was only a few hours ago that she had been home in Earth...wherever that was now. Never had she thought it would be possible to be in Alagaësia and she didn't want to miss a single second. And there was also the pending talk with Serzana. And the egg...could Serzana really have one? Bero guessed that if anyone would speak up about it, it would be Brom. But Brom remained quiet.
It was until nearly dawn that Brom spoke. "Let's stop for a break."
"Sure, it is about time our horses have a break. Right Eragon?" Serzana smiled to him.
"Right," Eragon smiled back, though he was feeling nervous. Would they confront her now? They hadn't had a proper rest yet, though if there was a fight, he knew he'd be able to fight back.
"Okay, this is a good place for a quick break," Serzana said and jumped off her horse. Everyone followed suit.
"Then, everyone, get some sleep. I will keep watch," Brom said and sat by a tree, leaning against it.
Eragon murmured that he would be back shortly and ran off somewhere. The girls watched after him, guessing that he was going with Saphira. I would like to see her, thought Bero, but maybe it wouldn't be nice to intrude their moment. Instead, she settled down to sleep and soon Wiktoria and Serzana fell asleep too.
Brom kept a close eye on them. Especially Serzana. While they had been traveling, he tried to discern if anyone had been following them, but hadn't heard anything. What he had found out though, was how often Serzana would look at her bag.
He looked at Serzana and grimaced, noticing that she kept the bag close to her. He wouldn't be able to check it right now. He hoped they would clear this situation soon. They still had to hurry to Tarik Roria before anyone else found out..
Eragon returned later after having talked with Saphira, who insisted she remained close by.
"Is she okay?" Brom asked Eragon as the boy sat next to him.
"Yes, but she wanted to stay close. She only agreed to take a quick look around," Eragon stated. "How about the other situation?"
Brom only shook his head in answer. But that reminded him. Eragon had said he suspected Serzana was using magic. Brom stared at Serzana. It looked like she was sleeping. He decided to quickly check her for magic.
"Brom?" Eragon whispered questioningly.
"Nothing. Just get some rest," Brom whispered back. He didn't like what he had found.
Morning came and the girls woke up, feeling more rested.
"Wiktoria?" Bero called out. "Are you still here?"
"Yes...why?" Wiktoria asked.
"Just making sure I was not dreaming," Bero answered happily. She stretched and stood up, only then noticing Brom and Eragon weren't there.
"Serzana...have you seen Brom?" Bero asked.
"Yes, they are coming," Serzana said and pointed towards where Eragon and Brom were now coming from. Both their expressions were guarded and they kept a distance between them and the girls.
"Are we leaving now?" Bero asked.
Brom ignored her and turned his gaze to Serzana. "Serzana, before we travel any further, may I look into your bag?"
"Why do you want to do that? It's mine and it's definitely not your business, right?" Serzana said politely but raised her eyebrow a little. Is it possible they suspect something?
"Normally it wouldn't be my business. But we are traveling together and something is off about you. Why are you in a hurry to leave?" asked Brom.
"I don't like to stay in one place for too long," she answered quickly, as if she had been taught what to say.
"Then if you aren't hiding anything, there won't be a problem if we checked your bag?" Brom asked, his hand ready to draw his sword if needed.
"No. You can't do that. I won't let you check it," Serzana said nervously, her gaze going to where her bag laid, only a few feet away.
"Then we will have to by force," Brom said and nodded his head to Eragon and they both took out their swords.
Bero and Wiktoria looked at each other and then quietly parted away from Serzana and the men, putting as much distance as they could from the oncoming fight. They wouldn't be able to help even if they wanted to. Hopefully they weren't wrong about the egg though, otherwise Brom would be sure to doubt their word from then on.
Serzana's hand rested on her sword, ready to attack if needed. She looked at Brom and Eragon, letting them know she wouldn't be changing her mind.
"Should we do something?" Bero whispered to Wiktoria. She couldn't help but ask, nervousness clinging on to her.
"That could be dangerous," Wiktoria whispered back, just as nervous as her, "let's just watch for now. If they need our help, we will help them."
"Mmkay," Bero nodded slowly. Both sides remained still, watching each other as they waited for the first move to be made.
"Let me leave and it won't have a bloody end," Serzana said slowly.
"What is it you are hiding, Serzana?" Brom asked while he and Eragon slowly cornered her.
"Stop doing that," Serzana hissed, noticing what they were doing. "I don't want to fight. Let me leave."
"We can't do that," Brom answered," just give us your bag or tell us what you are hiding and we won't hurt you."
"It's nothing more than some daggers, food and money," she stated nervously.
"That isn't valuable enough to protect with you own life," Brom noted, narrowing his eyes.
"Stay away from me!" she screamed at him.
"Serzana, calm down," Brom said
Eragon slowly inched closer to Serzana while her attention was still focused on Brom.
"What if I don't?" Serzana asked with anger in her voice, even if she was feeling scared.
"Do you have to ask? Brom raised an eyebrow and shook his head.
"I will say if one more time: let me leave and I won't hurt you," Serzana promised, her focus still on Brom.
"The answer is no. We won't let you leave." Brom lunged forward and attacked, distracting Serzana when he noticed Eragon had made his way around and was now behind her. Serzana defended herself, not noticing Eragon.
Eragon stepped closer, careful not to make a sound, and took Serzana's bag and quickly hid behind a tree.
"Serzana, we don't have to fight," Brom said as he noticed Eragon had gotten the bag.
"We don't have to? You attacked me first!" She hissed. "I have never wanted to fight."
Eragon took a look at Serzana. She still hadn't noticed. Holding his breath, he looked inside her bag. No way. The girls weren't lying. Inside was a real dragon egg. It looked similar like Saphira's had been. Except this one was in a yellow, golden hue.
"Brom!" Eragon exclaimed and took the egg out of the bag, coming out from behind the tree and holding the egg up for all to see. And see they did. Everyone turned to look at him.
"It is an egg!" Bero gasped.
"Oh no!" Serzana covered her mouth with her hand. Her shock soon faded into anger. "Give it back!" She yelled at Eragon, completely forgetting about Brom. She felt scared and lost. She didn't know what to do anymore.
Brom took the chance and knocked out Serzana's sword from her hand. "Speak," he said as he pointed his sword at her.
"Eragon? Please...stop him," Serzana turned to Eragon and begged, fear evident in her voice. "I don't want to die! I saved your life, now save mine!" I could of course use magic, but I don't want to hurt them, she thought.
"How did you get this?" Eragon asked instead. He didn't like seeing her beg, but they had to know about the egg.
"I received it from the man I was talking with," Serzana asked. No matter what I can't let them see my... real me. I'll use magic to underpin my illusion, she thought and did so.
"Which man? And in exchange for what?"
"There wasn't any exchange."
"It's a dragon egg! No one gives you a dragon egg for nothing!"
"If he knows me, he does. Why do you both treat me like an enemy? I'm with you, not against you," Serzana answered nervously.
You definitely don't behave like you're with us, thought Wiktoria
"You are keeping secrets," said Brom, "and that is dangerous for us." He sensed the magic again coming from her. But could he stop it?
"I can't tell you everything. You won't understand," Serzana rolled her eyes.
"Try us,"said Eragon who still had the dragon egg in his hands, remembering when he first held Sapphira's egg. Meanwhile Brom diligently worked on stopping whatever magic it was that Serzana was using.
"I won't te-" Serzana began answering, but stopped when she felt something. Whatever Brom did, it worked. The illusion spell Serzana had been using disappeared. Her eyes turned from hazel to green. Her brown hair was now straight, long and red. Red as the color of blood.
Silence took over as everyone remained frozen in place, stunned by Serzana's change.
"Who are you?" Brom asked.
"My appearance changed but not my name," Serzana answered quietly.
"Never mind the name! Who are you, who do you work for, and how did you get that dragon egg," Brom snapped.
"I don't work for anyone," she said unsure of what she could and what she couldn't say. "I wanted a dragon egg so I received it, and now let me go."
"We can't let you go," Brom said, "unless you let me check your memories..."
"What? No!" Serzana shouted. "Why?!"
"Because we can't trust you. Either it's that or you will have to travel with us with your hands bound until we know more about you."
"E..Eragon? Say something!" Serzana turned to him and pleaded.
"I'm sorry, but he is right," answered Eragon, although he was unsure. He debated the topic with Saphira, who wanted to be by Eragon's side at the moment. We don't know what she is capable of, Saphira stated. We got it under control, Eragon said, just stay close but don't let yourself be seen.
"But...you see? That's why I always wear this illusion. This is what happens when people see me without it!" Serzana looked lost and worried.
"Our main worry is the dragon egg. Dragon eggs are not just laying about for anyone who wants one, so where did this one come from? How did you're friend get it? Or are you working for Galbatorix?"asked Brom.
"No! I don't work for him. I'm not like my father," Serzana muttered.
"And who is your father?"
"Oh come on, look at me! Don't say you don't know!" Serzana hissed.
Eragon cocked his head to the side, confused, and took a good look at her. And then it hit him. Why didn't he think of it earlier. But was it even possible?
"...Durza?" asked Eragon quietly, hoping it wasn't true.
"Yes."