Okay so here is the next chapter!!! I hope ya like it!! Read and Review!!
Now i have changed this chapter a bit! i made a stupid mistake of the horse issue and now i have fixed it. thank you to the two people who informed me fo my stupidity. so it is now changed but not much!
italic words are telapathic (sp?) conversations
The next morning Rowan woke up earlier than Eragon and Brom. She wanted to get a head start on the morning like she did when she was at home. She looked around the clearing for some place to do her stretches and her warm up. Rowan spied a smaller clearing just off the one they were camped in. She walked over to it and started stretching. She started with her arms pulling one across her chest and holding it there for a few second then releasing and doing the same to the other one. Next she stretched out her legs. After a few minutes she was finished stretching she was ready for sword warm ups. Too bad she did have a sword. I wonder if Eragon would be mad if I borrowed Zar'roc for a little bit? Rowan thought to herself.
He doesn't need it while he is sleeping, Xavier's voice floated into Rowan's mind. Just be quiet and all will be well. He told her.
Rowan walked over to Eragon who was sleeping by Saphira. She knelt down and pulled Zar'roc from its sheath quietly. She walked back over to the clearing she was practicing in and began swinging Zar'roc back and forth. Soon she was lunging this way and that slicing the air around her in the complex movements that her father had taught her when she was in his classes.
Within minutes she fell into her well-practiced warm up routines. She twisted and turned, lunged and parried, sliced and blocked. She was so preoccupied with her warm up routine that she didn't see Eragon watching her. He leaned against a tree watching her do her strange moves. He wanted to get out there and work on it all with her but it was so intriguing that he didn't want to disturb her. Where do you think she comes from Saphira? I mean clearly it isn't Alagaesia. Eragon asked.
I don't know Eragon she could be from anywhere. She could be from across the seas where the Elves lived before they came here. I just don't know. You could always ask her though. Saphira's voice replied.
She looks so peaceful doesn't she? The way she lunges and swings Zar'roc she looks like she was born with it in her hand. Eragon smiled as he watched Rowan go through her routine.
When Rowan finished she was sweating her light blond hair hung softly framing her face. She whipped some sweat that threatened to drip into her eyes away with the back of her hand. She looked up to see Eragon staring at her. A smile was openly displayed on his full lips. "Were you watching me?" Rowan asked.
Eragon laughed, "Yeah I was you got a problem with that?" He looked at her with those blue gray eyes of his.
Rowan wanted to melt he was so gorgeous with his brown blond curly hair, blue gray eyes, muscular body, and all, he was the mirror of perfection. "No, not a problem I just don't like to be watched." Rowan stated calmly.
"Are you afraid that we will find out your secrets?" Eragon asked slyly. He smiled at Rowan as she stretched for her cool down.
Rowan looked up at him. "Our secrets are what keep some of us sane." She smiled back at him. "Like you wouldn't want me to know everything about you would you?" Rowan asked.
"That is a good point Rowan." Eragon looked at her intently. "What are your secrets? What are you hiding from us?"
"If I told you then they wouldn't be secrets anymore would they?" Rowan announced.
"Well another good point. How bout I ask you a question any question and you answer it?" Eragon said surely. "Then you can ask me any question you want."
"Who says I want to know about you?" Rowan asked instead of answering. "What if I like the unknown about a person?"
Eragon laughed, "You didn't answer my question. So I will not answer yours."
Rowan got up from her last cool down pose and walked toward the trail that connected the two clearings. Eragon who was leaning against a tree stood up on his two feet and positioned himself in her way. "Where are you from Rowan? You aren't from Alagaesia so where are you from." His gaze was hard and strong willed.
"What would make you say that I am not from Alagaesia? Have you been to all the parts of Alagaesia?" Rowan countered. She tried to step past him.
He stepped in her way not letting her pass. "I have been to enough of Alagaesia to know that you aren't from around here." Eragon said as if he knew everything in the world.
"Are you sure about that?" Rowan said. She stood up strait and even with doing this she was still shorter than he was by a few inches.
"Then where in Alagaesia are you from?" Eragon asked standing up to his full height, which made Rowan fell even shorter.
"That is one of those secrets that I think that will keep me sane if I don't tell anyone," Rowan answered.
She reached out with her hands as to push Eragon out of the way. But Eragon caught her arms around her wrists. He pulled her close to him where his chest was touching hers. "Why don't you trust me? I will keep your secret." Eragon said.
His arms were around her. They were so close that she could feel his lungs filling with air as he breathed. She wanted to stand on her tiptoes and kiss him but thought against it. "It isn't that Eragon I do trust you. But I just can't tell you. It is something about me that I don't want anyone to know." She looked down at her feet.
He lifted her chin up with one finger. Her eyes met his. "You shouldn't fear trusting me. I wont do you wrong. I will never tell anyone any of your secrets unless I am unable to control what I say."
"And that is one of the reasons that I can't tell you anything about myself. What if Galbatorix was to capture you? Then you would have to tell him you wouldn't have any choice. That would be horrible and I wouldn't be able to stand it." Rowan said calmly. Eragon still had his hand under her chin it was warm and soft.
"I would kill myself before I let that happen." Eragon said strongly. "I would never want to hurt you." He looked down at her. Their eyes met and Eragon smiled. He bent his head down, their lips met. He was kissing her.
Rowan pulled away first. She turned her head away from him. She didn't want it to end but it had to. He was a fictional character form a book and she was real. But this all seemed so real. Their kiss, the mark left by Xavier when she touched his head, everything. But she knew it wasn't it couldn't be.
"What is the matter?" Eragon asked as he looked at her. "Did I say something or do something wrong? I am sorry that I kissed you it just seemed right… it felt right."
Rowan shook her head. "No it was nothing. The kiss did feel right. You just surprised me." Rowan said calmly.
"I am sorry that I surprised you." Eragon let his arms fall from around her and under her chin. "I shouldn't have it was wrong of me." He was beating himself up for something that felt so right.
"No I think you did something right." She got up on her tipsy-toes and kissed him again. This time their kiss lasted for more than a few seconds. It was sweet and felt so good, so right. He wrapped his arms around her waist. She felt safe for the second time in the time that she was there. They broke away only so both could get a breath. She looked at him. "We should get ready to go. Brom will be up soon."
Eragon nodded, "That was nice," he said. He released his arms from around her and let her pass. He followed her to the clearing. She walked over to where Xavier lay and Eragon proceeded to Saphira.
Did you two have fun? Saphira asked. She opened one sapphire eye to look at him.
We had a nice chat. Eragon replied as he started to get all his supplies together. He rolled up his bedroll and tied it with strips of leather so that it wouldn't come undone.
Just a chat. Chats don't leave people with their hearts beating as fast as yours is. Saphira pointed out.
Yeah well some leave your heart racing like this one did. Eragon said. Are you getting jealous that I like talking to her too? Eragon teased.
No I am not. I think it is good that you are talking to someone your own age. It is better than talking to old Brom all the time. Saphira answered,
On the other side of the clearing Rowan was having a similar discussion with Xavier. I saw you two kissing. Xavier said in an 'I'm going to tell on you' voice.
Hush Xavier. It isn't illegal to kiss someone is it? Rowan glared at the purple dragon that was now taller than her. He had grown a lot faster than she could have imagined.
No it isn't but you have got to be careful Rowan you know what Eragon's destiny is and you wouldn't want to change it would you? Xavier's voice sounded in Rowan's mind.
Look just by me being here Eragon's destiny has changed. Wait how did you know about all that? Rowan looked at the purple dragon that was still lying down.
Rowan I am always in your head I know your every thought. I know you used to live in another world you all call Earth on a continent that you call the United States. I even know that you lived in the state of Texas in the city of San Antonio. Xavier thoughts entered Rowan's mind like a knife through butter. I know all about your other life. But I am the only one you should trust with this information understand. Other people might try to use it against you. I know Eragon, Saphira, and Brom want to know where you are from but you should never tell them. If anything should happen Galbatorix might find out your secrets and that would be very bad, his voice was stern but nice.
Thanks Xavier I will keep that in mind. Rowan finished packing up her things. She put on the gloves that Brom had given her and walked over to Eragon who was still fiddling with a few of his things. "I think this is yours. I kind of borrowed it without permission this morning because I needed a sword to practice with." Rowan handed Zar'roc back to Eragon.
He smiled up at her from what he was doing and received Zar'roc from her gratefully. "Thanks. Tomorrow wake me up. I think it is a good idea to practice in the morning and the evening." Eragon laughed joyously. "Where did you learn such good habits from?"
Rowan smiled this was one question that she could answer that wouldn't get her into trouble later on. "My father ran a school in the village that I grew up in. At first he didn't want to teach his only daughter but then he caved once he saw what a knack for the sword I had. His modo was that in this day in age one must live and learn by the sword they wear at their waist." Rowan said with confidence. Most of what she had said was true. Her father did run a school for those who wanted to learn the art of the sword. Though he did want to teach Rowan her mother did not. Rowan convinced her mother that it was wise to learn it and her mom caved. Though the modo was from the books Tamora Pierce wrote when Alanna was going through her page and squire training to become a knight. "Dad would make us all get up early and greet the day with a warm up, a few short practices, and a cool down. Then we had to get to doing chores and after those were done we went back to training." This was mostly true as well. Her dad always said 'Greet the new day with a smile, exercise before breakfast, get chores done, then exercise more, leave the day the way you started it with a smile on your face.'
"That is a brilliant modo. And it is really cool how your dad taught you to be a swords man." Eragon smiled. He had finished his gathering together his belongings. He wiped his hands on his pants leg. "All done here how about you?" he looked over her shoulder at her bedroll.
"I am all done. We just need to get Brom up and eat some breakfast then we can get going." Rowan answered his question.
"I am awake and breakfast is ready. Let us eat and get going. It doesn't set right with me that we have stayed a full day here." Brom voiced loudly. He sat with some meat in his hand.
"Okay Brom what ever you say." Eragon and Rowan headed over to were Brom sat. They ate quickly then saddled up. Rowan was once again going to be riding behind Eragon on Cadoc. Like last time he started to help her up but before she was in the saddle he looked at Brom to check if he was looking at them and then turned back to her and kissed her. He helped her up into the saddle and jumped on in front of her. This time she enjoyed being behind him more. She didn't feel weird hugging Eragon around the waist now that they had shared three kisses.
On the way to Duret Rowan thought a lot about what Xavier had said. He told her that she would never be able to completely confide in Eragon, which would be bad. If he and her would ever be truly together she would have to trust him. He already said that he'd rather die than reveal her secret to Galbatorix. Maybe she could trust him with all this stuff. But what about the Twins. They would be searching through his and her mind for information. She'd just have to wait and see.
The ride to Duret was slow and steady. They only stopped once and that was for lunch then they rode on to Duret. When they reached Duret it was like the book described the streets were deserted even though there were fresh tracks of life in the dirt. "We need to watch out there is a procession of people ahead that will block our path. Their intentions aren't bad just wanting to protect what is theirs." The words flew out of Rowan's mouth before she really knew what was going on.
"What do you mean Rowan?" Eragon looked over his shoulder at her. "Do you mean to say that the inhabitants are waiting to ambush us?"
"No not an ambush just wanting to know why we are here and stuff like that." Rowan supplied the answer.
"Oh right. And you know this how?" Before Rowan could answer Eragon's question the convoy of wagons were pulled across their path.
The one man stepped out and asked, "Why have you come here?"
"To purchase supplies and we will be on our way," Brom answered. Not exactly to the book but what was going to be any more.
"Will it be okay if you stay here where my archers can watch you while we go and get you the supplies you request. Then when we get them you pay and then leave," the man asked hesitantly.
"That will be just fine," Brom answered.
"What is it that you need?"
Brom listed out a few things that they were in need of then said, "And we need a good horse for my niece. Hers wasn't tied right, got spooked and ran off a few days back. Her and my poor nephew has had to share a horse as we rode here." Brom gestured to Rowan and Eragon.
"We have one really good horse that we'd be willing to sell but it is going to cost you a bundle," the man said. "He is a stallion frightfully hard to come by but we are willing to pass him on." The man gestured to a young boy who ran off. A few minutes later the boy came back with a pure black stallion following him. "His name is Darkness. He is a fast runner and hardly tires. He will do well for your niece. He doesn't scare easily and once he is with you for a few days he will stay with you till the ends of the earth. That is if you are good to him and don't abuse him."
"He will do perfectly," Brom announced. "We will need a full tack for him."
"Will that be all or is there something else you need?" the man asked wearily.
"I think that is all." Brom looked back at Eragon and Rowan. Then he noticed her lack of weaponry. "No I am sorry it isn't. Do you have a blacksmith that has an extra sword that we could purchase? It would have to be good and strong."
The man's eyes grew to the size of platters, "Are you going to use this sword to end us all?"
Brom laughed. "No, no good fellow we are not. My niece needs a weapon so that she can protect herself if my nephew or I am not around and something goes wrong. That is all."
The man motioned to another. The other walked off. "We have a few but they will cost you even more."
"Cost is not the problem we need what we need that is all I can say." Brom looked at the man standing in front of him.
The other man came back with a bundle covered in cloth in his hands. He walked up to the leader of sorts and handed the bundle to him. "Here you may choose one that you like young lady." He nodded to Rowan.
Rowan looked from Brom to the man who was standing before them and then to Eragon. She quietly slid from behind Eragon and walked over to the villager.
He lifted the cloth off to reveal two swords. One was simple made, steel blade and a brown leather wrapped hilt. But the other caught Rowan's eye. The sword held a violet stone at the end of its hilt; the rest of the hilt was adorned in black leather, by the looks of them there were Elfish writing that ran the whole way down the flat of the blade, which was made of some reinforced steel it was thin. The cross guard held a metal dragon's head on each side. The sword was beautiful. The sheath of the sword lay underneath it. It was metal with even more Elfish writing along the length of it. "This one is glorious." Rowan whispered more to herself than anyone else.
"Your niece has a fine eye. She picked out the one that is supposedly a Dragon Rider's sword. Legend says that the first Rider, Eragon, held this sword. But that is only legend and I will give it to this fine lass because off her keen eye." He handed the two swords back to the other man and then pulled the sword Rowan and been admiring out and sheathed it. "Here you are lass. May it bring you fortune."
Rowan took it from him and held it lightly. The sword was light and slender. Rowan wondered to herself if it would break during battle. "Thank you."
The man turned from Rowan to the boy who had finally come back with the horse. The stallion was now fitted with a full tack and saddlebags. "All of your purchases are in the saddlebags. This will all cost you 400 gold crowns will be the price for it all." The man turned to Rowan, "Do you need help saddling up or can you manage by yourself?" he asked.
Rowan looked up, she had still been studying the sword in her hands, "Oh I can manage thank you." She walked over to the stallion, letting the horse smell her hand. "You're a good boy aren't you?" Then she gripped the saddle like her mom taught her to do when she was a child and climbed into it, with the sword still balanced in her right hand.
Brom counted out the coins and handed them to the leader. The man looked back at Rowan who had laid the sword across her lap so that it wouldn't fall and because she had nowhere else to put it. "Do you need a belt for that lass?" the man asked her. "No extra cost." Rowan nodded. The man looked at the man who held the rejected sword. He walked off the other way only to return a few minutes later with a leather belt in hand. The leader walked up to Rowan and handed her the belt. "Here you go. If it doesn't fit right then alter it yourself." He turned to Brom. "All is paid for in full now be on your way."
Brom nodded to the villagers as they made a path in the convoy. "Farewell." He waved as he prodded Snowfire into a trot. Eragon followed suit with Cadoc, and Rowan ended the line.
REVIEWS!!!!
DaRkSxXWiiFEyYX3: Yeah i know it was great he is very toned!! lol, thanks for reviewing i hope you like this chapter as well
Alanna.Queen.OfTortall-LLBlack: Thank you i am glad you liked it.
CaptainUnderpants92: Yeah it is too bad for all the other girls that like him and wishes that they were his girlfriend. well i hope you like this chapter!!
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