Chapter five: the legend teller

Disclaimer: I own nothing

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The two girls rode up to the gates of the city pulling their hoods up over their faces. When they reached the gates Yuasa knocked on it. A man opened an eye hole on the other side. "What do you want?" he asked gruffly.

"We would like to come in we have traveled far at top speed to come here. It would be nice to have a place to sleep to night." Yuaza said deepening her voice trying to sound like a man so that they would be respected.

"What is so important that you ran all the way here?" the man said still suspicious of them.

"Umm… our lives!" Era said hotly also keeping her voice low "The Spine is dangerous!"

The man did not ask any more questions but he let them in grumbling about hot tempered travelers. The girls rode through the gates still keeping their faces covered. They rode up the main street through crowds apparently there was some sort of festival going on with jugglers, flame throwers, and story tellers. Of all these the girls favorite had been story tellers. When they were little when the traders came to Daret they would sit in front of the story teller's stand for hours listening to stories about the old times, when there was no king Galboratrix and the Dragon riders ruled over and there was peace. Now that the two girls were riders themselves the stories seemed even more amazing. Now that they knew how hard it is to cast a simple spell and to ride. But at that moment they could not spend their time listening to stories about the good old days, they had to find a place to stay.

They found a small inn that Era thought should have been condemned but the rate was cheap so they stabled their horses and set out through the city to find news about the Varden and some new supplies because Agni had eaten most of their meat and they were short on vegetables.

As they walked through the city they received many strange looks because it was so obvious that they were from out of town. Not only were the only ones that wore cloaks over their faces, they didn't do things right. Era had lost count of how many things these people differently then the girls did.

They stopped at a fruit stand were they bought some supplies, then at a butcher shop to get some meat. When they had finished their shopping they stopped at a story tellers stand to watch his next performance.

The story teller stepped out from behind the curtain and started his tale" Ladies and gentlemen, I am Hodse the Legend Teller. The legend I tell is that of evil and stupidity for both things go hand in hand. The legend is the legend of Morzan the first Forsworn. Our legend begins when Morzan became a rider. He was trained by Oromis and partner to Brom, his killer. Then on that fateful day when he agreed to help Galboratrix he signed his death warrant. He fought for evil and spread terror. Then he met a woman from Carvahall with her he made a family of three children. But when his second was born he cast out his pregnant wife and the child in anger. He raised his first born to be evil and like him. But his plan failed because his son Murtagh had grown to hate him and everything about him. His second child is to this day a faceless girl to the world. But his third child is Eragon the rider of the Varden and the giver of hope. Eragon was mentored by Brom, his unknown father's killer. Brom killed Morzan when rescuing an egg from evil. This is the very egg that Eragon's dragon came from. His first born Murtagh is now bond to serve in his hated in his hated father's place. Now is the time for a new rider to break the score and win the battle for better or worse. That is the legend of Morzan and now it is children's turn to have their own legends, even if they are destined to dye fighting each other."

The audience broke out in applause. Era and Yuaza stood there speechless now they finally got why Murtagh was so unpleasant about how they referred to him as evil. He wasn't evil he was destined to die fighting his brother. Which seemed to be unfair but life was never fair. Now Era was curious about her parents she did look like Murtagh enough to be his sister, though she was not sure if she wanted to be. Then she noticed the legend teller walking away from the crowds. Era quickly grabbed the back of Yuaza's cloak and made her way through the crowd toward the man. "Sir!" she called after him in a deep voice making the man stop. "We would like to talk to you."

The man turned around to face them "About what?"

Era stopped in front of the man "the story you just told it was amazing!"

The man examined her carefully then said "you want to know more."

It wasn't a question but Era answered it any way "Yes!"

"Then follow me we have many things to talk about." The man said then he led them through the streets. The girls followed him to a small hut on the other side of town. When they entered they saw a girl a bit younger than them place out after noon tea for two. "Ah, Maraya could you get two more cups we seem to have guests"

The girl left the room. Then the man sat down motioning for the girls to do the same. Then after handing them the two cups all ready prepared Hodse said " Would you be so kind as to remove your hoods there are no strangers in my house."

The girls exchanged a look then both hastily removed their hoods. Hodse didn't seem surprised to see they were girls "So what do you want to know?"

"We want to learn more about the Varden, and this Murtagh character we heard about in your story today." said Era bluntly.

Hodse stared at her for a moment then said "Faceless no more."

Era looked confused "What? I have always had a face."

"Never mind, your questions are good ones but first I do not tell stories I tell legends."

"Is there a difference?" Yuaza asked

"Yes, stories can be anything, but legends are true and they inspire. Just as the legend of Morzan has inspired you, your legend will inspire someone else. Now to your first question about the Varden. If you seek them you must look south. They were last known to be in Surda. For your second question Murtagh wanted to fight for the Varden but shortly after the battle of Farthen Dur, he was kidnapped by a pair of twins that were evil. These twins took him to Galboratrix. Who made him try to get him to make a dragon egg hatch. When the dragon hatched Galboratrix made them both swear to him in the ancient langue, which you cannot lie in. So now the poor boy is forced to sever his enemy."

Hodse then drew quiet until Maraya came back. Then he said "Maraya! Please stay for a moment. These girls are just like you. They fight. Why don't you show them your skill? I'm sure they would enjoy seeing a true master in action."

Era was surprised this girl looked like a twig and was as quiet as a mouse. Maraya looked remotely pleased by Hodse's suggestion and quickly untied a not in the back of her dress that made her outer skirt fall off, revealing a pair of baggy pair of pants. Then she jumped into action she jumped into a backward flip then started a series of kicks in the air that would have knocked out any man. Then she flipped again landing in a handstand she spun down to a two leg coffee grinder then she jumped to her feet and bowed. Hodse immediately began to clap while the other girls sat there speechless. "So what do you think?"

Era cleared her through then said " She's good."

Yuaza nodded in agreement to stunned to speak then she said "How do you know so much about the outside world?"

Hodse looked thoughtful then said "Once in another life I was a powerful sorcerer but when I saw my friend fall to evil I saw what might happen to me. So in fear I turned my back to magic and became a father and a legend teller. Now I only use magic to scry my legends. I see everything and nothing. But before you leave tell me, who's side are you on?"

Era and Yuaza looked at each other up till now they were going to help the Varden but now that they thought about it. Both sides were tided they had the power in their hands to control the out come of the war. If they chose wrong there would be a hell to pay. Then it Era "We are on out own side."

Hodse nodded "A wise decision. Now before you leave I have a gift for each of you." He reached into the sack that had just appeared by his side out of it he grabbed three swords. The first one he held out to Era "this blade belonged to Bleta the first female rider use it well." Then he took the second sword and gave it to Yuaza "this belonged to Vrael himself it is a powerful sword keep that in mind." Then the third sword he had he gave to Era "this is not your sword but Eragon's when you see him give him it and tell him it was the sword of the hero of Kuasta and a dear friend."

The girls were surprised at these generous gifts they both unsheathed their swords to reveal two blood red blades. They were amazed. Yuaza asked "How did you get these? And why should we get these valuable blades?"

Hodse smiled " I found them beneath a red sky when the black dragon sailed over. You deserve them by being who you are two young dragon riders. Keep in mind that time grows short and your destinies are about to be filled."

Without an other word he led them out of his home. As soon as he closed the door the two immediately drew up their hoods. Then they ran through the now empty streets because the sun had set. When they reached the inn the quickly tacked their horses up and rode to the gate. The gate was closed so they ran through it. Then they mentally called Agni. Then they rode south through the mountains to the other side. The next morning Era woke up with an urge to ride Agni.

AN: how's that? Now you know who Era is and now they have swords originally they were just going to have knifes but I like the swords better. By the way this is my longest chapter ever and it was written in one day! Boy an I tired so please I'm begging you review. Thank you to my reviewers so far thank you thank you thank you! I really appreciate it. Another thing I got Agni from avatar the last airbender so just to let you know I am a fan of that. bye