Alagaesia High

Chapter 15

Yes, it's me, and yes, this chapter is unduly late. Forgive me. Life hits. HARD. But, it's here now, so enjoy it.

Du Hjlodhr Sundavar: Well, I don't hate him as much either. Oh, by the way, me promise me no pedophile. On a less disturbing note, Murtagh is probably done with his character. He's been concluded. So, now, the question is, how the hell am I going to hook up Ery and Nassy? Please help me. *In pitiful voice*

Axel 19: Well, nope. No more ExA. I shudder to think of the reviews I'll lose, but, alas, I think I'll make an ExA sometime later. It's definite now. NO ExA. Sorry. Well not really. Because I personally like the FxA, though I've never looked into NxE. Kinda weirds me out, honestly. Actually, Eragon shall be single. Ignore everything else. I do not, I repeat, do not, like NxE. So who knows? Certainly not me.

VoXR: Thanks for the positive review; I actually smashed my helmet while biking. 0.o

Mattchew Inheritance: Well, Arya's staying with Faolin. End of story. And thanks for the gratifying praise.

ExA: You seem docile. I would have expected flames from you of all people by now. I mean, your name is ExA, and it's not an ExA story, so…

The M.H.T. of R: On Word, there is a symbol. FF, not so much. I must figure out a good symbol!

Axel 19: (again) Honestly, I wish there were skillful writers out there kicking my butt, to drive me forward, but I fear I've grown complacent in my pride. Ugh. Hipster writer is ashamed of himself.

Eragon lunged forward, gasping, cold sweat beading his brow. "What the hell?" he panted, twisting to take in his surroundings.

First of all, he was naked. Thank God for bedclothes.

Second, he was in a house he recognized. Gertrude's house! Of course.

She was, by training, a teacher, but seemed more efficient at healing a wound up than the most expensive doctors, so Eragon knew he was in good hands.

The sheets were a homespun linen, rough and coarse against his skin. He grimaced.

He scanned the room for his jeans, but realized that, knowing Gertrude, they were most likely folded, washed, all the holes sewn up, and probably even ironed.

The room was decorated to reflect Gertrude's Mexican heritage. The colors that were once bright were now faded and dismal, but carried a sense of homeliness with them, due to sleeping in this house several nights when his house flooded, which happened saddeningly often.

Gertrude bustled in, a ball of life. She plopped, and truly plop is the best word to describe it, plopped into a rough wooden chair and began clicking away with her sewing needles.

"Er…" Eragon stared at Gertrude.

"Your friends will be here shortly." She replied, then added, almost as an afterthought, "Let's hope one of them had enough foresight to bring you clothes!" Eragon sighed.

A thought struck Eragon, and he twisted around to look at Gertrude. "How many days of school have I missed?" he demanded, glaring at the energetic Mexican woman.

"Why, the cheek of you young people! Of course you would have been at school! It's a Saturday, of course." She scoffed. Eragon sighed in relief. Brom would have assigned any extra push-ups he could have if Eragon had been absent.

Roran trudged in, tossed Eragon a Hershey's bar, and trudged out. Eragon glanced at the chocolate in his lap. "What's his beef?" Eragon asked, dumbfounded by Roran's hostility.

"Well, when he found you, well, Katrina, was with him, and- Oh you get the picture!" She cried, and then fixed her gaze on her needles. Eragon chuckled. He had suspected that Roran and Katrina were spending nights in the same house. Garrow, apparently, was not pleased.

Next, Saphira tore into the room, dragged a chair next to the bed, and slammed into it. Judging by her demeanor, she was not going to move. Eragon ruffled her neon blue hair affectionately, and was rewarded by an affectionate, though still painful, punch on the arm. He leaned over and kissed his sister on the forehead, a gesture that had been a silent 'Good to see you' for as long as they could remember. She slid him an Irish Cream truffle, Eragon's favorite candy. He turned to Saphira. "Where did the money come from for this?" he asked gently, fearing its source. "Oh little one, I've been saving up cash from my McSlave job for a gift to you, and I found that this was a good time and place." She replied, patting his shoulder. He grinned, and tucked into his pocket. He intended to save this for later.

Arya slid in to the room, Eragon's eyes following her every movement. She just sat in a chair, seemingly, for once, lost for words.

"Thanks for showing." Eragon said, though his body language and the gleam in his eye showed so much more. Subtext that Gertrude would most certainly be aghast to know. The whole shenanigan with Eragon at Arya's house. Eragon chuckled under his breath. Gertrude would indeed be shocked at that news. Arya smirked. Clearly her mind was entertained with the same thoughts. She swept out of the room, graceful and lithe as a lynx.

To Eragon's surprise, Faolin jogged into the room, patted Eragon on the head, and left. Eragon scratched his head, perplexed. Unfortunately, he scratched where the rock had gashed his head. He yelped in pain, but quickly stifled his exclamation in order to avoid catching Gertrude's attention.

Then, even more surprising than Faolin's appearance, Murtagh strode in. "God, everyone's concerned for my health." Eragon muttered. "Well, forgive the devil spawn for caring." Murtagh shot back sarcastically, and tossed a Hershey's bar to Eragon. "Eat it. You'll feel better." Murtagh quoted, smirking. He jogged out of the room, leaving Eragon dumbstruck.

He sighed. Well, doesn't everyone just suddenly care, he thought. Saphira smirked. "Oh, they've always cared, little one."

Okay, who wants it to end like this? I know I do! Time to set up, regrettably, yet another poll. I think that it shall be ExOC or no Eragon pairings at all. *Sighs* Sad face. Though, if this isn't the end, then next chapter will be. The Eragon vs. Galbatorix battle. NMMRPG style, of course. Well, farewell, and may all of you share in my happiness, but not my sadness. Because I was in a Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe play, and I miss Mrs. Beaver, and Mr. Beaver, and Lucy, and Aslan. They were amazing people.