Chapter One: Carvahall
The next morning's walk to Carvahall was brisk and uneventful. Miranda matched Eragon's stride easily. They spoke quite a bit, and Eragon learned much about her past. She was rather vague, however. In turn, he too spoke of his favorite memories; about the time a vixen fell into Gedric's tanning vat and had to be fished out with a net, the time that he'd successfully hunted and killed his first deer, the joy he felt when the fields turned bronze under his care.
They reached the village shortly before sunset and made their way to a shop in the center of the village. "Wait here," Eragon told Miranda. Annoyed, she leaned on the doorpost as he disappeared inside. A heated argument ensued between Eragon and someone she could not identify. A woman spoke in soothing tones, and then she heard a deep base rumble. Miranda walked inside to see if she could alleviate things a bit. "Not selling to me would be a very bad idea," Deep Voice was saying. The butcher-for they were in a butcher's shop- muttered a steady stream of what Miranda assumed were curses and went into a back room. After several uncomfortable minutes, the man returned with a pile of wrapped meat. Deep Voice wordlessly handed over some coins, at which point the butcher began cleaning his knife and promptly cut himself, staining it with fresh blood. He ignored the wound and continued scrubbing vigorously. Miranda, Eragon, and Deep Voice headed outside with the meat. Eragon said, "Thank you, Horst. Uncle Garrow will be pleased."
"Don't thank me, " Horst chuckled. "I've wanted to do that for a long time. Sloan's a vicious troublemaker, he needed to be humbled a bit. Katrina heard what was going on and ran to me. Good thing, too; the two of you were almost at blows. But who's your friend? You left without a companion, as I recall. Getting sweet on a mountain girl?" Horst asked mischievously, a twinkle in his eye. Eragon blushed. "No, sir, she-"
" I was sent here by my parents to learn how to live on my own," Miranda cut in. Eragon was relieved; he wasn't that much of a convincing liar. "Eragon and I crossed paths, and he guided me the rest of the way to Carvahall. Although," she said, grinning," He is kinda cute!" Horst laughed heartily, saying, "Well, well, it seems Roran won't be the only one in love this winter!" This time, both Eragon and Miranda turned scarlet. "Nothing of the sort!" Eragon protested. "Speaking of Katrina, though, could you give her a message?" Horst nodded. They talked a bit longer, then went their separate ways.
About ten miles down the road, a farm came into view. Miranda halted. "Eragon, I'm going into the woods. If you wish to visit, I'll be a half-mile in. Eragon inclined his head. "I'll meet you tomorrow afternoon. See you then." Miranda nodded in turn, then they parted.