A/N: There is no excuse….
Unsure Footing
Light seeped in through the gap between the window shade and the glass pane. It crawled across the oak headboard and slowly upon the sun kissed skin of Eragon's face. His eyelids opened to the still new room and with a sigh he rolled onto his back and glanced at the empty bed beside him. He closed his eyes, remembering for a moment the stolen glances of the earlier morning as Aris had readied herself.
He had heard her shift in bed and had felt the blanket move as she'd thrown it off her body. He'd focused hard on keeping his breathing steady as he peered through his eyelashes at her. He'd mentally thanked Oormis vigorously for all the practice in meditation as he caught the sight of the supple skin of her calves as she pulled on the stockings of Empire royalty. His focus was strict as his pride refused to allow him to be caught watching her.
He'd watched as her sleeping gown slipped down from her shoulders and slide against the alabaster skin of her back. His eyes snapped closed as it reached her lower back. As much as he would have liked to continue watching, he felt disrespectful to even consider abusing her decency in such a manner…at least to that degree. He waited until he heard a new piece of cloth being settled against her skin and the laces of a corset being tightened before reopening his eyes. He winced at both her still apparent thinness and the lack of need for such a garment as the edges were cinched together. Yet he like the way that it did not squeeze in any way, but rather sat against her ribcage and complimented the flatness of her stomach. He closed his eyes a fraction as she turned toward the bed and stepped toward the wardrobe. He fought to keep himself from swallowing hard as his gaze fell upon her womanly chest and took in the purpose of the corset.
He was filled with guilt as he realized that these stolen glances really made him no better than a common peeping tom, worse perhaps because she trusted him, at least as much as she did anyone. Yet as she reached into the wardrobe his perusing glances began again, tracing her silhouette. She turned back toward the vanity and began pulling on the heavy garment of a noble woman. As she struggled to lace it up he allowed a small smile to grace his lips before he closed his eyes once more. As he drifted back to sleep his last thoughts had been in attempt to justify his guilt, he had only come up with the insufficient excuse that there was something between them and that at least for the time being, they were married…
Eragon rolled from bed as he shook his head from the teasing memory. He reached for the note on the vanity he had heard her write before she had left.
I've gone out to find a quiet place for practice. I also plan to check on Norvafrell. Do not concern yourself, I shall be discrete.
He thought back to when she'd actually left, he would wash and shave then go look for her if she had still yet to return.
o0o0o0o
Aris trekked through the dirt, dress caught up in her hands to save it from the settling of dust. She almost preferred the freedom of ratty clothes she'd grown accustomed to. The noble affinity for slightly heeled boots was not advantageous for quick precise movement. Though she much preferred the lightness and ease of bare feet, she knew she must grow accustomed to the boots. If the time ever came that she must fight in them, the awkwardness would only be detrimental.
She shook the dust from her dress lightly as she entered the inn and moved softly in the morning hours toward the staircase. Just before she rounded the corner she heard the loud creak of a door accompanied by the brash voice from the night before. She slowed and attempted to silence her steps by creeping on her toes as she listened.
"The sun has risen therefore so should they. I am up and I am surely of more noble standing so it could only be perceived as an honor to receive an invitation to breakfast from me." The same heavy steps began to travel away from her coupled with another pair of hurried steps, too heavy to belong to a woman.
The owner of the steps revealed himself to be male quickly, "But, I've heard they are quite different from the others."
"Of course they are! They're from Kuasta!"
"Yes, Lord Connar, but Talia said their minds were very different from the noble minds that she is accustomed too." The second man spoke hurriedly.
"Are you still bedding her?" Aris expression faltered at the sudden change of topic, "Ah, no matter either way, her knowledge is useful." Lord Connar gave the second man no room to answer, "We'll just have to acquaint these new lords with what is expected around here. Break them, so to speak, of their isolated ways."
A shiver stole down Aris' spine at his word choice as she stole around the corner and watched their feet disappear up the stairs. She swept down the hallway as quietly as the owls she used to watch at night.
"You would know best." The second man ceded.
"Indeed I would." The Lord's triumphant tone seemed presumptuous to Aris. She had the suspicion that this Lord was going to be a constant source of annoyance. She reached the bottom of the stairs as the heavy thud of men's feet climbing halted. As light has her body permitted she ascended listening to their slow steps as they searched for the proper room. She let her hand glide along the curved stone wall as she reached the top of the staircase. She peered carefully down the hall to watch the two men for a moment.
Their appearance shocked her. The first man was large, as she had expected, but instead of the gruff bearded, cruel features she had assumed he would have, he was instead smoothly shaven and clean dressed in bright, pressed clothing. His companion she had guessed was a man servant of some kind but unless the Lords dressed their servants in finery she had been wrong on that account too. The man was slouched timidly and thinner than the first but his rich clothing spoke of noble wealth as well.
Her brow furrowed slightly at her mistakes, in her mind's eye they had been uncivilized brutes. And while the latter might be true, she took a breath and reminded herself that in the Empire, these men were the epitome of civilized. She watched as they paused before her and Eragon's door. Carefully she let a tendril of thought slither through the space between her and Eragon until she reached his carefully guarded mind. He dropped enough for her to release one thought into his mind.
'The man from last night, with another Lord as companion, is at our door. Warn Arabella."
She sensed his surprise and sudden spring into movement and she quickly withdrew into her own consciousness. She set down the hall toward the men as they knocked on the door. She was silent until she spoke, "Can I help you gentlemen?" She let her accent lightly coat her speech to enforce the idea that Kuasta was an unfamiliar place to all others.
Both men jumped slightly at her voice. The first Lord recovered quickly and turned to face her with his jaw slightly upturned. "And who might you be? Too richly dressed for a servant I'm sure." His gaze ran up and down her figure slowly, "Too fine a beauty as well."
A familiar roil in her belly followed his tone and a pang of unwanted nostalgia caused his appearance to momentarily flash from Lord to Slaver, not that she saw much difference. She fought to keep her expression controlled and quickly shoved the feelings back into the shadowy corner of her mind. "I am Lady Marian." She managed a tight-lipped smile and curtsy.
The men shared a look of interest as the larger Lord grasped her hand and bowed to kiss it, "I am very glad to meet the rumored Lady."
"Rumored?" Aris allowed mock embarrassment to take over her, "I arrived here with my husband only last night, surely we have no inspired rumors as of yet."
He maintained his grasp on her hand, "Oh I assure you dear Lady, it is nothing but kind words."
Eragon opened the door in the next moment, sparing her from the grip on the Lord's meaty hand as he quickly released his grasp on her thin fingers.
"Ah, my wife, how was your walk?" Eragon extended his hand and gently guided her to his side, sensing her slight discomfort.
"Quite refreshing." She allowed a gently smile to grace her lips. "I just had the honor of meeting two of our companions in our cause."
Eragon looped her hand under his arm to the crook of his elbow and turned his attention to the men. "I see, I am Lord Garrow of Kuasta." He said with a bow of his head.
"Well met Lord Garrow, I am Lord Connar of Uru'baen and my companion here is Lord Dothan on Gil'ead."
"Indeed well met, thank you for searching us out. Our home is far removed from the going-ons of the Empire and my wife and I will be glad to know someone." Eragon's easy manners inspired small smiles on the Lord's faces.
"We came to invite you to dine with us this fine morn. My wife Lady Silvia is eager to meet your Lady I'm sure and as the most well-known Lord here, I can make sure you make the…appropriateacquaintances." Lord Connar spoke firmly.
Aris fought the urge to lift an eyebrow at his arrogance. He was either to be a useful resource or a dangerous enemy. This game would have to be played very carefully.
Eragon's impression was lost on her as he dipped his head to the vain Lord, "Your invitation is graciously accepted by myself and my lady."
The Uru'baen lord stepped to the side with perceived graciousness and with excessive flourish swept his hand toward the staircase. Eragon gently pulled Aris with him as they stepped out of the doorway and shut the door behind them. She heard him lightly mumble under his breath and the corresponding click of the lock as they steadily moved toward the common room.
The Lords strolled in arrogance beside them down the hall, "A word of advice to you Lord Garrow." Lord Connar spoke, his request giving no room to be denied. Eragon's arm tensed slightly in Aris' grasp and she allowed her hand to squeeze in comfort as he wordlessly encouraged the man with a nod. "I know not of your Kuasta customs but I would recommend not letting your wife wander alone. It is most improper as well as dangerous. Gil'ead is a lonely soldier's city, Sir."
Aris' jaw clenched at the obvious implication. She was not weak.
"Those words ring true to me good sir; I will heed your advice." Eragon's response doubled the simmering anger inside her. Any ideas he had of restraining her would be abolished at the next opportunity.
As they entered the tabled room he caught her eye with an apologetic gaze and an internal sigh softened her resolve. He was merely playing his part well. Reminding herself that she had opted to do this she braced herself against the insults and demeaning nature of being an Empire woman.
o0o0o0o
Eragon wished they were surrounded by a more common crowd. Even with his elevated status as a rider his roots were with the masses. He longed for the ability to more freely communicate with Aris, with this 'refined' group, there was no telling who would pick up on it if he attempted mental conversation. He pulled back his wife's chair as they reached a square table already occupied by two jewel laden ladies. Aris graciously accepted his gesture with all the airs of her born royalty and he hastened to claim the seat beside her, fighting a smile at her antics.
"Weeeell, who might this be?" One of the ladies spoke as the lords settled in their chairs. Eragon felt his eyebrow twitch at her sickly sweet voice and determinedly did not look beside him for Aris' reaction. The woman smiled a grimace and Eragon fought a gag at the stains as her teeth leered at them through sticky red lips.
Aris gently nudged his knee under the table and he started. "Forgive me, I was struck by your elegance sweet lady." He fibbed. "I am Lord Garrow of Kuasta and this beauty is my wife Lady Marian."
The lady giggled at his compliment and extended her hand for him to kiss. "And I am Lady Lora of Gil'ead."
The lady beside her had watched them quietly up to this point, "I am Lady Silvia of Uru'baen. I assume you've made an acquaintance with my husband, he is the highest in power and riches here. Although I must say those jewels around your lady's neck are quite fine…quite fine indeed."
Eragon recognized the voice from the night before and was quickly struck by the less blunt method of scheming she hinted at in comparison to her husband. He surveyed her quickly as Aris bowed her head in acknowledgement and spoke demurely, "Family heirlooms Lady Silvia."
"Great family no doubt then." Her husband spoke gruffly eyeing the jewels as well.
Eragon watched as Aris smiled serenely, aching for the ability to speak freely with her. "Indeed Lord Connar, although my family might say careful instead." She replied softly.
The Lords eyebrows lifted and he visibly shook of his jealous suspicions off. His wife spoke again, "Tell me Lord Garrow, what brings you here?"
Her husband guffawed loudly, "I heard you were a merchant, surely the confines of Kuasta were too tight for one with a former profession such as that; even if your wife is such a pretty little thing. No woman can make solitude pleasurable to that degree for so long."
Eragon's jaw clenched at the implications. It seemed that despite their 'noble' standing the men were nothing but finely dressed soldiers maintaining their drunken crudeness in a sober state. He resisted the urge to take Aris away from the man, "I assure you good man that my wife makes Kuasta solitude worth it indeed." His words held the tone of camaraderie with a hidden rebuff. "But, travel did renew my urge for open lands and visits to our King's great cities. However, our journey here was spurred by an item we possessed that we believed would be a great help to our King's cause.
Eragon choked back laughter as all four leaned forward towards him in interest, but he had no intention of discoursing any more information.
"And you, Lords?" Aris spoke before they could press for more information.
"Our husbands are always involved in anything of great standing. Their reputations is enough to draw other benefactors and our backing is greatly beneficial to the financial standing of the operation." The lady with red lips spoke proudly.
"How very fortunate for the operation then." Aris looked the lady over. Eragon cast his supposed wife and the ladies into comparison for a moment as found that when placed beside their supposed finery he would always prefer Aris' subtle elegance.
The nervous Lord finally spoke after a quick unsure glance at his forward wife, "My wife is also skilled in sorcery. They also use our skill with weaponry when necessary."
"What do you contribute?" His wife suddenly asked Aris snidely.
"I have my own talents and knowledge in gramarye. My husband and I delivered the heirloom together and he is very skilled in swordplay." She replied with guarded reproach.
Aris held her gaze steady as the woman looked her up and down before plastering on a sallow smile again. "Well then we shall be working together quite closely, I look forward to forming a friendship with you."
Eragon watched her carefully as Aris dipped her head again, the formalities alone were going to be tiresome and hard to maintain. Not a moment too soon the servant girl of the kitchen scurried to their table, precariously balancing three plates on each arm laden with the rich, fatty foods of nobles. His stomach rolled with queasiness as the thick bacon permeated the air with its cloying stench. He picked up his roll and immediately went for the gravy instead, sopping up the gray substance as the man across from him did. The moment the sauce touched his tongue his stomach heaved, it was meat based gravy and he could taste the strong undertones of sausage.
"Hearty isn't it?" Lord Connar chuckled, "a true man's meal."
Eragon's eyes drifted to Aris plate that consisted of more fruit and bread with only one slice of bacon. She picked at the fruit delicately and he envied her as the berries slid past her lips. He grinned at the lord and picked up the hardboiled egg, trying to convince himself that it was unfertilized just as the elves had given him. The eyes of the table's occupants watched them closely as they picked at their meal, obviously suspicious.
"Is there something wrong Lady Marian?" Lady Lora asked after a long moment.
"Forgive me, we are simply unaccustomed to such a large breakfast and food of this kind." Aris quickly provided.
"What is it you normally dine on?"
"Fresh fruit, bread perhaps." She replied.
Eragon grimaced, wishing he had interrupted, quickly he interjected to save her slip, "My wife has a sensitive stomach, and she cannot eat such rich foods for fear of falling ill, I eat dried meats and eggs every morning, but this is a treat."
The Ladies nodded slowly, accepting his qualification and returned to their meals. Eragon indulged in a small sigh of relief. Aris looked at him in confusion and he merely smiled, now was not the time.
The meal wrapped up quickly and they managed to escape eating most of the meat. They stood to take their leave when Aris suddenly paused.
"How is it the servants get fed?" She suddenly asked to anyone.
The Ladies giggled behind their hands, "Have you never had a slave? They are fed the scraps of the morning meal when we are all through, like the swine they are."
"I see, I merely wished to see that they do not receive too much good food, it would be unseemly for them to think they are equal in any way." Aris covered. "Thank you for having us dine with you, I wish to prepare myself for the mornings work if you would excuse us."
"While your wife is occupied Lord Garrow, we expect to see you on the training grounds!" Lard Connar called as they exited the common room.
As soon as the door was shut to their room and spells in place Aris dropped her guard. "Of all the insufferable, pigheaded, disgusting people! Do you know that Lord Dothan is sexually involved with that flirt from last night? It would seem that she is more than just a flirt, but a whore! I cannot stand these people and their high and mighty ideals and pretenses. They're nothing more than finely dressed mules."
Eragon's laughter interrupted Aris mid rant. She spun on him and fixed him with a glare, "And what is so funny Shadeslayer?"
"I just enjoy hearing your thoughts, I was curious the entire time." He grinned and swept a hand through his hair. "You must watch your comments though, in the Empire, and among humans, most eat meat with every meal, if not as the only thing in the meal. Fresh fruit is a largely elven thing, here…its most likely riddled with insects and considered food of peasants."
"That would explain the heavily honey soaked preserves from the meal." She huffed, "I am going to starve here."
He sighed, "Unfortunately, we're going to have to eat meat Aris, it'd be too suspicious not too."
She frowned unhappily and crossed her arms, "Fine…Eragon there has to be a way for us to communicate while we're here."
"I agree but how?"
Aris lightly stepped over to Arabella's door and cracked it open to see the girl still sleeping on her cot. She watched the child's peaceful face for a moment as she thought, "it seemed that they were unable to detect Saphira in our minds last night. Is it possible that she can provide a channel for us? That would keep her involved as well."
Eragon nodded thoughtfully. "I'll discuss it with her."
Aris slipped into Arabella's room at the words and gently rubbed her shoulder. The girl rolled over and rubbed bleary eyes, "Aris!" she smiled, "Eragon told me I could sleep till you returned."
The princess smiled softly down at the child, "Indeed but you must rise now."
The girl nodded and quickly sat up, stretching and moving to sit on the edge of her cot. "What must I do today Aris?"
"Well…I think I'm going to keep you with me. But if I do you must remember a few things." She spoke seriously.
The glint of innocent determination sparked in the tiny girl's eyes as she focused hard on Aris' mouth as if it would help her remember. Aris could not help the small laugh that escaped her at the sight. "Oh Nuanen, you are becoming very dear to me." Aris' fingers combed the thin golden strands of Arabella's hair behind her ear.
Arabella grinned up at her then frowned, "What does that word mean?"
"Nuanen?" Aris asked and Arabella nodded, "It is a word in my language that means beautiful."
Arabella squeaked with delight, "I'm beautiful? Yay! I'll be just like you and mommy and Katrina then? And find a nice husband?"
Aris was taken aback slightly, "Arabella, Eragon and I are not married, we are pretending."
"But he likes you." She retorted.
"And why do you say that?" Aris could not resist her curiosity.
"Because he shares a bed with you, and mommy says that when men and women share a bed that means they are doing things that only people who love each other do." She stated matter-of-factly. Aris felt her cheeks flush at her statement. "Mommy also says that girls do that," she pointed at Aris' cheeks, "when they like a boy."
"W-well, that's very observant of your mother…but Eragon and I are only faking it." Aris regained her composure, "So here are the things you have to remember okay?" She continued at the child's nod. "Eragon is Lord Garrow, and I am Lady Marian. You've never met any of us before and you must not hold my hand or hug either of us in front of other people okay? You also can't speak to us unless we are in this room or Eragon's and mine and Eragon has said the special words first." Arabella nodded firmly. "If it's something really important and you have to tell me something then come stand next to me and tug gently on your hair three times so I'll know okay?" Aris sighed as she wracked her mind for anything else. "Lastly Arabella, and most important, I want you to remember that nothing Eragon or I say in front of or to the other people here is true. We have to play make believe that you're a slave so they don't take you away from us, but we don't mean anything bad we say okay?"
Arabella nodded slowly, "So…only what you say in here matters?"
"Exactly," Eragon's voice cut into the conversation behind them, "We care about you and we're going to protect you so just remember that okay? Trust Aris and I."
Arabella nodded then smiled, "I'm good at make believe, I can do it!" She jumped up excitedly.
Aris sighed and grasped the girl's hand, leading her to the main room as a knock sounded at the door. Aris released her hand as Eragon opened the door to a sloppy looking man.
"Which 'un do you 'ave?" he slurred.
"Um, excuse me?" Eragon asked in confusion, balking slightly at the man's offensive smell.
"You got a small 'un, woman kind, man kind? What kinda slave?" He asked again.
"Oh, we have a female child." He answered slowly.
The man nodded slowly and picked a small bundle from his bag wrapped in cheap cloth. "That's her first meal, she'll get another tonight." He said as he trudged down the hall.
Eragon picked the bundle up from where the man had tossed it on the floor and shut the door behind him. He looked at Arabella with apologetic eyes as he handed it to her, "I'm sorry, we'll make sure to get you better food."
Arabella leapt forward with haste that shocked him, quickly taking the bundle and unwrapping it, "Oh, it's okay, this is much better than the mushy brown stuff we were eating before!" She smiled before tearing into a scrap of bacon.
Aris heart clenched as she recognized the vigor in which Arabella ate the food. She met Eragon's gaze momentarily before another knock sounded on the door. This time it was General Tyrone.
"We request your presence Lady Marian; we are looking over the scroll. Until we figure it out we require your attendance every morning ten minutes from this time. Today I will show you the way."
Aris hesitated as she from at Arabella to Eragon. "Very well, child you must take it with you if you wish to finish. I shall see you soon my husband." She crossed the room carefully and kissed Eragon on the cheek while whispering, "Saphira?"
"Of course." He responded aloud, as if answering her first statement.
She passed him at the door and followed General Tyrone down the hall as Arabella followed her obediently, still chewing on a hunk of bread. Already there'd been no time to further discuss Carvahall, their take on the people, what to do with Norvafrell, or even just to have more than a few unguarded words between them. Aris felt a trickle of trepidation steal down her spine; day one and their bearings had already been pulled from beneath them. And now she was walking alone to the wolf den.
As the unsettling thought settled into the pit of her stomach she felt Saphira's comforting presence rumble through her, "I am here little one, we three shall never be alone."
A/N: This is my explanation, as clearly as I can give, about this story. You don't have to read it, but if you want to know why the hell it seems like I've abandoned my stories, here it is.
I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder many months ago, and before that had been experiencing 'unexplained' symptoms for quite some time. It threw my life, my school, my relationships, both friends and my boyfriend, into chaos. I was new to college, surrounded by new people, new things, and a sudden lack of ability to cope. Needless to say updating my fanfiction was not high on my priority list as my world crumbled.
Thankfully, I have a very supportive boyfriend and I am once again back on my feet, feeling better every day. As the weeks have gone by and I have started to feel better I surprisingly began to receive story alerts for this story. I revisited it and reread the entire thing…and well…I fell in love with my characters all over again. I'm a writer at heart and the fire was once again lit within me. I realized that this was still great practice as a Creative Writing major and I picked up my proverbial pen and began writing away. This is probably more info than you care for but hell…I really needed to say it…Thank You, to all you who recently discovered this story and alerted it, this is dedicated to you.
I hope to be able to maintain my updating again, and I have one last thing to say to you who might be reading.
REVIEW! It would make my day
~Zara