Chapter 4: Betrayal and Regrets
Triston yawned and got out of his bed, eyes barely open. He felt as if someone had made him drowsy with a spell, but knew that wasn't possible. He came into the main room just in time to see Roran leave. He pulled on his boots and hurried after him, and called out,
"Roran! Where are you going?"
"I'm going to Therinsford, to get money from helping the miller. Didn't Eragon tell you about that?"
"No, he didn't. Why're you trying to get money?" Roran's lips cracked out a smile as he looked back at Triston.
"Marriage. I'm going to propose to Katrina once I get enough for a dowry,"
"Roran, that's great! I'm so happy for you!"
"I know, right? I have to go, and the traders should be here by now. Farewell!" Roran ran up the dirt path to Carvahall, and Triston watched him go with a tear in his eye.
He's making his way in the world. I guess I should start too. Triston went into the forest, and called to his dragon.
Rubyus! We are leaving once I get a map, if you can fly me. Can you?
I believe I could, but more time waiting might be necessary if you want me to fly you for extended periods of time.
We don't have much time. I think that Eragon's gone to find Brom to teach him, and I learned a lot of what I need for surviving.
Why does Eragon's learning from Brom impair your ability to stay? Rubyus wanted to know. Triston responded,
Because he'll want to get rid of Garrow for being a loyalist, and me because he dislikes me. I don't know if he'd kill me, but he might try, and he needs to save Alagaesia, and his dislike of me might get in the way of that.
Why must it be him? Rubyus asked. Why can it not be you?
Because I scryed it, and I'm one of the few who can scry the future, so I must be right!
I will not challenge you on this right now, but you must think on it. What really prevents you from thinking that you cannot be the savior of Alagaesia?
I know I'm right! Don't question that again!
You believe you are right. That is not the same thing. However, we were discussing why you must leave. Why must you?
Because I want to meet elves! I've heard they are beautiful, graceful, athletic and poetic! They must be works of art in and of themselves! Also, they are the best mages apart from Galbatorix himself, and they could teach me much. Why don't you want to go?
You misunderstand me. I do wish to leave, but if you do not have a saddle and adaquate provisions, you will die. Do you know how to make a saddle for a dragon?
Why do I need a saddle? And yes, I know that I need provisions. Should I get some money from Garrow and buy leather?
No, he would question what you were getting if you told him you just needed money, and if you told him, he would no doubt sell you to the Empire, from what you've told me of him. Steal some meat from your cellar when you're about to leave, and if you have any leather lying around from old saddles of mules, use that. If that fails, ask Brom to give you some money, because you want to see what flying is like, and your dragon wants it.
Alright, I'll see what I can find. Can you show me how to make a saddle?
Of course. The Balance taught me much when it visited me.
Good! I'll go look now. Triston went out to the shed where all the tools were kept, and did indeed find several scraps of leather, and a knife, which he assumed he would need if he was to make anything. Having gathered these items, he went out to the forest and began to work on the ground, and his dragon walked up to him. Startled, Triston thought,
Why are you here? What do you need?
I came to watch you make the saddle, and have you make it correctly. Here. Triston felt a rush of memories come into his mind, showing him how to make a leather dragon saddle, as opposed to, Triston realized as he felt the memories, a molded saddle, which took more time. He set about making it, and had finished it and was putting it on when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned and saw -
"Triston, what're you doing! Why didn't you tell me you had a dragon?" Garrow said with a hint of exasperation in his voice. Triston dropped what he was doing and told Garrow,
"Because I hate the Empire. The Empire doesn't care for us, Garrow, can't you see that? I'm leaving because I need to go to the Varden and help them. Leave Garrow, and learn what you couldn't."
"You have no idea what you're saying! The Empire is mighty! There's no way you could defeat it!"
"And will you hinder me?"
"Because I believe you're making the wrong choice, yes!"
"I'm making the right choice for me, and that should be enough for you, Garrow." His uncle's face darkened as he said,
"I'm going to tell the soldiers, if you're committed to this terrible path!"
"I don't understand why you'd rat your own nephew out to the Empire!"
"Because it's the right thing to do, for the greater good!"
"If I believed you, then I'd still be the cowering idiot I was when I was seven. I learned to hate, uncle - No, Garrow, you don't deserve to be my uncle. I learned to hate, with passion, and channel it towards a goal. You, on the other hand, only know how to cower in fear of power greater than yours, and exercise control on those you do have authority over." Garrow had begun to smile, and Triston didn't see why at all until he spoke:
"You are no nephew of mine, Triston. You're the bastard son of a traveling herbalist, who begged me to take you in. Eragon is better than you, because he at least is related to me by my sister. You have no claim to my blood," Garrow's eyes had become orbs of shimmering darkness, and Triston recoiled slightly.
Why are you not killing him? I can sense that you want to, and it would be the wise thing to do so he cannot report you. Rubyus said in his head.
Because he's my uncle!
Apparently, he is not.
He still raised me!
And that should mean nothing in the face of his future attempt to put you in a life of slavery.
"Garrow, I think -" Triston was cut off by his uncle drawing his knife.
"Come with me, or I'll kill you." Garrow's voice was low and dangerous, as if he was going to murder someone. Which, Triston realized, was quite possibly what was going to happen. He let out a small sigh, a single tear, and prepared to face his uncle.
Eragon ran up the main road to Carvahall, thinking furiously.
Brom has to know whether Triston has a dragon, and if he does, he'll help me fight him. Saphira!
Yes? Saphira responded. What is it?
Do you think Triston has a dragon?
It's possible, because there was a red dragon in the forest -
Yes, I know, but do you think it's his or Roran's?
What about Garrow's? Why do you not consider him?
Well, I don't know... He just seems, I don't know, normal?
You should check his hands the next time you see him. And Roran's, while you're at it.
That won't mean anything if Triston is a Rider!
You're really focused on this, aren't you? Saphira said in Eragon's mind with a touch of amusement.
Yes! Triston being a rider would be terrible for Alagaesia, he would side with Galbatorix and give that bastard even more power!
You know this for certain? Saphira asked, seeming uncertain.
Yes! He's the kind of person who desires power over anything, even morality! He's power-hungry, like he's been since he started taking the lessons with Brom! He just wants magic and knowledge for the power, so he can do whatever he wants! Galbatorix would have no trouble persuading him to his side!
I understand.
Thank you, Saphira!
We are both hatchlings, in a way, and so we must be together.
Yes, Saphira, I will stay with you forever, and I hope you will too.
I will. Eragon had reached Carvahall, and proceeded to run to Brom's house, ignoring the stares he got from the various locals.
Eragon knocked on Brom's door, and waited, panting in the chilly winter air, trying to regain his breath. The door was opened, and Brom motioned for him to come inside. He complied, and stepped inside. Walking to a chair, Brom intoned,
"Heyra Neo," as Eragon shut the door and came over to a chair himself. They both sat down and Eragon quickly asked his question.
"Does Triston have a dragon, Brom?" Triston saw Brom's head incline slightly, and opened his mouth to say something when Brom spoke:
"He does have a dragon, Eragon," Eragon said what he had been waiting to then:
"But he'll join Galbatorix and destroy Alagaesia's hope of ever getting rid of him!" Oddly enough to Eragon, Brom laughed and said,
"No, he will not join Galbatorix. If I know anything of the boy, he hates Galbatorix more than anyone else. He won't join him, no matter what promises of power Galbatorix uses to try to convince him."
"But... He wants power more than anything else!"
"No, he does not. He wishes for power, that much is true. But more than anything? He wants Galbatorix gone, Eragon, and not anything else."
"Is this true? Are you lying to me, Brom?"
"No, I am not. Triston truly wishes for power, but not so he can conquer. He wants to protect and create, not destroy."
"I hope you're right," Eragon said, with a touch of regret. "Otherwise Alagaesia is doomed."
"I am, from what what I know of Triston." Brom stood up and ushered Eragon out the door. "Lúka Heyra Neo. Have a good day!"
"Oh, and Brom?"
"Yes Eragon?"
"Why are the traders late this year?"
"I don't know, Eragon. Be safe!" Eragon walked away from Brom's house, feeling slightly hurried out. He walked out of Carvahall and began the trek home.
Brom sat back in his chair and stroked his beard. He then let out a small groan, and began to wonder if he could possibly tell the two young men that he was their father, and shook his head.
Now is not the time. I must rid Triston's head of his ideas of the Balance quickly, before he goes down the same path I did. The Balance is too self-righteous in thinking its problems are the greatest in Alagaesia - No, the world. It truly believes that it is the greatest being ever, and expects absolute loyalty from its members. That's why I left, right?
The Varden truly is better than the Balance. That's why I joined the Varden, correct? I knew that I could serve the Balance no longer, so I left. Those were the terrible days, weren't they? Now I'm only training the future of Alagaesia, instead of trying to do everything myself. But is this truly better? Was I not a great help to the Varden when I was with them? Brom pondered his memories of his time with the Varden, and wished he was with the elves again.
The elves would be able to train Eragon and Triston better than I ever will be able. However, we have no time if we wish for Galbatorix not to notice us. I will fetch both of them tomorrow and tell them that they must bring their dragons with me to the Varden. Eragon will agree instantly, but Triston... I'm not sure. I wish I could be sure that he wants to help the Varden, but his dragon evidently has told him about the Balance and the things it wants. Brom let out a yawn. I must sleep now, and the morrow brings change. I can feel it.