Chapter 3: Conversations With a Varden
Ialana stiffened and shouted back, "Who calls? Are you of the Empire? If you are, know that I fear you not, and I have a score to be settled with one of your own!"
The man laughed. "I am not of the Empire! I stand for everything the Empire seeks to destroy! I am of the Varden!"
The Varden!
If this was an agent of the Varden, who would surely be headed to Du Weldenvarden, then perhaps he could help her find Eragon!
Only now does Durza tell her he works for Galbatorix. She is surprised by the revelation. "You are an agent of the Empire, master?", she asks. "I am," he replies, "and do not call me "master" anymore. I have trained you. Now you are mine - my student, my equal, my friend...and perhaps, someday, our relationship will grow into more. We will one day reign together!"
"Who are you?"
"Mine name is Stronghammer, and that is all you need know. Come ten paces closer, if you can. Reveal your face." With only a millisecond's hesitation, Ialana stepped ten paces forward, revealing to her a small tent. A dark-haired, twenty-something man wearing a red jacket and resting his hand on a fairly large hammer, like what a smith would use, was inside. It struck Ialana how much he looked like the young man in her dream.
"Are you...are you Eragon Shadeslayer?", she asked. The man looked up at her, startled.
"No, I am not, but I..." Then he noticed her visage. "Why, what in the name of...? You're one of those Shade things, aren't you? I'll be hanged if you don't look just like Eragon described..."
"Yes, I am."
"Why..."
"Do not fear me. I will not harm you, Master Strong-Hammer. I come bearing no weapon, and no ill-will." It was true, too. Ialana had left her knife at the inn where she had killed a man mere hours ago. I hope this Strong-Hammer person never finds out about that.
"How do you know of Eragon?", Stronghammer asked her.
"An elf-woman, by the name of Arya, told me he could possibly cure me of my possession."
"But...how did you mistake me for him? How do you know what he looks like?"
"A dream."
"A dream?" He laughed. "Man, oh man, my cousin would get a kick out of that. Actually he might be the only one who believes such tales. A dream. Ha!"
"Your...cousin?"
He looked at her. "My cousin. Eragon Shadeslayer is my cousin. My younger cousin, I might mention. We grew up together."
"Oh."
"In fact, what used to be our house is right down that hill."
"I know. I slept there this past night."
"Well, you can come to the Varden with me, as soon as this storm lifts", Stronghammer said, changing the subject, "but if you really wish that, you will have to come as my prisoner."
"What?"
"You are a Shade. It would be far safer for you to come as my prisoner than to simply walk into Du Weldenvarden. I will be sure you see Eragon, but beyond that, I'm afraid it will be up to Lady Nasuada to decide what to do with you."
Ialana sighed. He was right. "Nen ono weohnata, Strong-Hammer-vodhr."
"Excuse me? Sorry, but I don't speak elvish."
"It means, "As you will, honored Strong-Hammer.""