Popularity War
Chapter 13
"Uncle! The traders have come; they made it through the snow!" Eragon shouted as he dashed inside the small farmhouse. He was not expecting to see their tracks in the snow, so the sight filled him with excitement. Inside, he found Eva, Garrow, and Roran sitting in chairs near the fireplace to keep warm as the winter chill found its way through the cracks in the logs.
"Excellent," Roran replied in his father's stead. He knew how dire things have become for his family and the news was like sweet music. "Perhaps we should prepare for our journey now?"
Garrow nodded and said, "That's a good idea. We still have enough daylight to get things ready. Tomorrow morning, we depart for the village." He sat up from his chair to stretch and put on his winter coat, gloves, and hat. Roran mimicked his father while Eragon headed back outside to get a head start. Eva remained where she was sitting, knowing that she would be unable to help the men pack. Several minutes passed before she made herself get up from the chair to boil some water for tea. When the men returned, she wanted something hot for them to drink.
As she placed the kettle over the fire, she found herself thinking about the next day. With the traders in town, she was bound to have an exciting day filled with music, laughter, sweets, and dancing. Her daydream from the other day may come true and that made lips form into a huge smile. She had already kissed Eragon, so it would be the dancing part of her dream that she looked forward to.
Early in the morning the next day, they hitched up the horses to the wagons full of bagged vegetables. Before they left, Eragon ran back inside to grab something. When he returned, he had the large blue stone tucked under his arm, covered by a cloth. Instinctively, Garrow raised his eyebrows.
"What? I am going to ask the traders about it and maybe it can be sold." Eragon said as he hopped onto his seat.
"Fine, but I don't want to hear about you getting into any more trouble regarding that stone." His uncle grunted.
"I'll be fine."
Garrow was unconvinced but pressed the issue no further as the horses began to pull them towards the village. With the snow slowing their journey, it took them an extra two hours before they made it to their destination. Despite the frigid weather, all the villagers seemed to be out enjoying the company of the visitors. Music mixed with the wonderful smells of pies and candies intoxicating the people further.
Addressing Roran and Eva, Garrow said, "Why don't you two run along and enjoy yourself for a bit." He grabbed some coins from his purse and handed over two copper and a silver to each before continuing, "I am going with Eragon to have that stone looked at. Make no mention of it to anyone, you understand?" Eva and Roran nodded in unison while Eragon gave his uncle an annoyed look.
"Uncle, I can take care of this on my own." He had his arms crossed like a child pouting after he could not get his way.
"You have good intentions, my boy, but not everyone is like you. The traders have been known to give fair deals, however, this stone is not some ordinary gem or trinket. I am not sure what you may be offered and I want to be sure you will not be steered wrong. With that in mind, I warn you not to mention its magical qualities. I have a feeling that will do more harm than good."
"Fine, but can I please do the talking? You can step in if I missed anything or, if I do say something wrong." He didn't want to appear like some useless boy.
Garrow rubbed his temples as he thought over Eragon's proposal. "If you say something wrong, I am not sure how I can fix your mistake and still sound convincing. No, let me do the talking. I will not make you look bad if that is what you are afraid of. This stone came to you and that is not your fault."
Eragon relented, knowing it was pointless to have Garrow change his mind. Eva and Roran still stood nearby, listening to the conversation. When it was over, Eva walked up to Eragon. "Hopefully you can get a good deal and get rid of that thing." The blue stone had always left her uneasy when it crossed her mind. Everything about the stone was odd and she felt that it had no place on the farm. Magic was nothing to trifle with, so the sooner it was out of his possession, the better. Who knows who sent the stone to the Spine and who knows who could be looking for it.
Enveloping her in a hug, Eragon whispered, "We'll see." Although part of him shared her concern, another part of him did not want to become separated from the stone. The longer he had the object, the more attached he became. However, his family's needs had to come before his desires, so selling the stone had become a priority.
"I love you," Eva whispered back before she kissed his lips. They were freezing, but she did not care.
Eragon kissed back. "I love you too. I'll see you later, alright."
"Come meet us back here at the cart in an hour," Garrow instructed to Eva. They departed afterward, Eragon with Garrow and Eva with Roran.
"Are you going to look for Katrina?" Eva asked.
"If you do not mind?" Eva shook her head. "You sure you will be fine on your own?"
"Don't worry about me." She gave Roran a wide grin.
"No, that's Eragon's job."
Eva laughed at his comment before giving him a quick hug. "You have fun with Katrina," she winked.
Roran gave her a sly look, "I will." They laughed once more before separating. Eva headed straight for the traders' camp. She browsed around looking at jewelry shops and shops full of gorgeous hand crafted pottery. She also took the time to look at the shops selling fabrics, admiring their silky qualities and bright colors.
When she felt an hour had passed, she followed Garrow's instructions and walked back towards the cart wondering about the stone. She was halfway across the main square when a high pitched female voice called after her. Instead of stopping, Eva continued away from the woman. However, she was persistent and continued to call after her. Finally at her limit, Eva turned around and trudged toward Cassandra, the woman calling her name.
"Will you never leave me alone?" She hissed.
Cassandra narrowed her eyes, irritated as well. "Trust me, I have intentions of being around you more than I have to."
"Fine, now what do you want?"
"My father told me to give you this whenever I saw you again. He also said that if you became violent with me like before he will punish you most severely." She handed Eva an envelope as she spoke.
Eva's stomach churned as she stared at the white envelope with her uncle's seal in Cassandra's hand. With shaky fingers, she took the envelope and said a curt thank you before leaving the girl. Cassandra rolled her eyes and continued on with her day, glad that her task was completed.
At the cart Eragon waited for Eva to arrive. When he saw her appear from around a corner, he noticed her distraught visage right away. Immediately he ran towards her. "Eva. What's the matter?" Without responding, she handed him the paper in her hand. She had already read the letter and had no strength to explain what it said. Eragon knew it was from her uncle and carefully read what he had written.
My dearest niece,
My heart grieves at the loss of my brother, your beloved father. He was a good and gentle man, striving to be the best in anything he set out to do. He loved your mother as much as he loved you, and I encourage you to never forget that. No matter how difficult your life will become, your father will be there to guide you in spirit.
His failing business passed on to me and I have been taking care of his unsettled matters. I find it a shame that after so many years of success his business came crashing down. There are ill deeds afoot here in Alagaesia and it not only made my brother suffer but many other business men as well. I am sorry to hear that all his misfortune had to make you suffer. Life is unkind at times.
However, there is hope for you. As your primary caretaker, I feel it is in your best interest to come live with me in Tierm. I understand your life in Carvahall is quiet compared to the city, but spending time away from the village will do you some good. Here, you will be well looked after and be provided with various outlets to keep yourself busy. The mind is not always your friend and I hope to keep your thoughts away from the pain you are going through.
You mention a young man named Eragon. I do not doubt your father's word that he is a good man, however, you are not of age yet and I want you here with me until you turn 16. I promise that you can return to Carvahall when you are of age. I will do my best to schedule visits to the village so you can see your friends. My desire is not to take you away from them; I simply cannot have a young woman such a as yourself living alone, especially under the dreary circumstances.
I admire your desire to work. When you are here, you may find a job. In fact, I might even have a job for you. Anyways, I will pick you up after I am finished in Uru'baen. I have to be there to take care of some unsettled debts related to your father's business. I may not be able to send you a letter before I depart, but I estimate that it may be another two weeks or so before I can leave and then it is about a three week journey to Carvahall. Until then, you take care of yourself. Hopefully you found a job and will be working to pass the time.
Whatever you may be doing, stay safe and keep your chin up. Brighter days are coming.
Much love,
Uncle Richard
Eragon folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope when he finished reading and handed it back to Eva. "I'm sorry," was all he could mutter.
"Don't be. I was foolish to think that he would let me stay here with you." Eva put away the letter and sighed. "Sounds like I may only have a month left before I have to go."
"Well, in that case, let us enjoy our time together while we can." Eragon grabbed her by the hand and started to lead her towards the traders' camp.
By evening, Eva was in a pleasant mood again. Eragon had taken her dancing fulfilling her goal for the day. Being in his arms as they twirled around to the riveting sounds of a lute took her away from all the concerns she had earlier as he mind became consumed with bliss. She remembered giggling a few times when she became dizzy but did not stop spinning. They got some hot drinks afterward and walked over to the large campfire where Brom the story teller was about to tell a tale about the Dragon Riders.
Eragon loved that story and was anxious to hear it again. He had only heard it once before when he was young and Eva had never heard the man tell such a story. With both their interests peaked, he began, enchanting the spectators with his words.