Free Riders
Author's Note: I do not own any part of the Inheritance Cycle. The only characters I own are Blaster, Char, and Saranya.
Chapter 6: Carvahall Tragedy
Blaster was busy packing his bag for what he thought would be the first of many times. He hesitated for a second before shoving his pistols into the bag, but he strapped Cratona to his belt. He placed three gold bars on the stand with a note saying that they were real. He didn't want Morn to worry that he had gotten the same fake gold that Sloan had received, though it pleased Blaster that Sloan was humbled. Until he needed more payment.
Blaster slipped out of the tavern as night fell. He took notice of his surroundings before he walked to the edge of town. He was surprised that no one noticed him, even though his personal cloaking device wasn't working. I guess all that work training to become a ninja with Yuffie turned out to be for the best, he thought. When he had to take a corner, he would pull out his periscope to make sure the coast was clear before advancing further. Once he had reached a good ways away from the town, he shouted with his thoughts to Saranya.
I come, Sara said. She then added, I sure hope you will tell me what made Saphira so angry.
What made Saphira angry? Blaster asked. Then he realized what the problem could be. As soon as Sara landed, softly as could be, she folded her wings and waited for Blaster. I know why Saphira became angry. He paused, then mentioned the strangers. Sara recoiled, reared, and roared.
Fire! Enemies! Death! Murderers! Blaster could feel the waves of bloodlust and fear emanating from her. He tried to get into her mind, but an iron wall shielded her thoughts. At least until Blaster employed his mind skills. He easily entered and shouted one word.
STOP! Blaster looked furious. That is why Saphira became angry, and I will not have you sounding off and letting them know where we are! You know that you are young and you fear them because they may kill you, but you failed to notice that I am here too, and that I will do my best to protect you. I also sensed some bloodlust in there. Be patient, my friend, for revenge will have to wait. But know this; you will get your chance at whatever revenge you want. However, I need you to focus on not getting us caught.
And that's why Saphira has yet to return with Eragon?
No, Blaster replied. His face softened greatly. I know she will return with Eragon, but I have this nagging feeling that things will not end well. Let us rest for the night in a clearing far from here.
Sara nodded then began to walk towards a clearing far from the town. However, on their way there, they heard what sounded like shuffling. They hid, for a few seconds before Blaster looked over a small snowbank. On the other side were the strangers. They were busy packing up their camp, and, by the looks of it, they were in a hurry. Blaster had to do all he could to keep Sara out of sight and out of trouble. As soon as the strangers left, hurrying into the night, Blaster saw someone on the edge of the camp, their head cracked open. It was Brom.
Blaster checked to make sure that the strangers were far enough away before advancing into the camp. While his hair was awry, and his head bleeding slightly, he looked as though he was only knocked out for he could still feel the old man's pulse. He then noticed that Brom had not carried a weapon other than his staff. Blaster being Blaster, he decided to probe Brom's mind, only to find it scattered, possibly due to the fact he was knocked out. He and Sara decided to stay until Brom regained consciousness before leaving the old man alone.
Blaster kept watch overnight, meditating instead of sleeping because it gave him a greater idea of what was happening around him. He soon spotted the strangers, far away but they failed to return to their original camp. He continued to watch them until they began to move in a direction that he didn't want them to go. They moved to Eragon's house in the early morning hours, then, as the sun rose, Blaster felt a slight twinge as something happened. Seconds later, he was rocked out of his meditation by a loud bang, one that usually came from an explosion.
The bang awoke Sara as well, but she tried to go back to sleep. It wasn't until Blaster yelled at her did she finally get up. He told her what he had seen in his meditative state.
Sara, I fear something terrible has happened.
I couldn't agree more, Sara replied. But what shall we do?
I want you to go to Garrow's farm. Find out if that is the source of the blast. I will remain with Brom until he wakes up.
Very well, little one, Sara said, dropping down on her haunches. Be safe.
Fly true, Saranya. Report if there is any new development. Above all things, let me know when Eragon returns, and keep yourself safe.
Sara, in an unusually human gesture, nodded, then took to the air with a powerful beat of her wings. Within minutes, she was giving Blaster what he needed to know about what she saw. He was glad that she got there so quickly, but she apparently felt that there was someone still in the building. Before he could ask her to check if it was Garrow, Brom stirred.
"Easy, ol' timer," Blaster said. "You need to get some rest."
"No," Brom replied. "I'm alright. I just need to get to Garrow's."
"If you are going to ask about that trader again," Blaster said, "I think you're going to get the same answer. Kid's mind is like a sieve sometimes." However, Brom was more interested in the tracks around him. Blaster knew it was coming.
"What are these?" Brom asked. "To me they look like dragon prints. There was a dragon here?" Then it dawned on him. "It's you. You had the other egg."
"I have no idea what you are talking about, sir," Blaster lied.
"Don't give me that," Brom replied, gruffly. "You were here last night because I felt your presence in my head while I was out. And, there are traces here and there of a dragon being here. So are you going to tell me straight or not?"
"I guess there is no avoiding it anymore," Blaster muttered. He slowly pulled off his right glove and showed Brom his palm, the silver circle in the middle. "I suppose that this is what you wanted to know."
"That is," Brom said. "And where's your dragon?"
"She is up ahead," Blaster said, putting his glove back on. "There appears to have been an explosion at Garrow's."
Eragon comes, Sara said, startling Blaster. He and Saphira are coming in fast. I will assist in any way possible.
Thanks, Blaster replied. "Sara says that Eragon has returned. We should go."
"Sara?" Brom asked.
"Short for Saranya," Blaster replied. "A religion from where I come from names her as the goddess of the dawn and clouds."
Brom nodded in approval before asking, "And what is Eragon's dragon's name."
"You're gonna have to ask him, sir," Blaster said. "But now, we must go. We must help bring Garrow in. Who knows what kind of condition he's in..."
Brom nodded again, then the two got to the road as fast as they could. Less than a league away from Carvahall, they spotted Eragon. His legs were scraped up really badly, and he was dragging Garrow's life-less form. The two ran up to help out, Blaster focusing more on Garrow. Thankfully, he was still alive, but he looked like he was in the center of the blast. Seconds later, Eragon collapsed, causing Brom to run over to prevent the boy from falling on the ground. Blaster and Brom did their best, and raced Eragon and Garrow back to Carvahall.
Blaster walked out of Horst's house, wrapping his jacket around him tightly, but leaving enough room for him to draw his sword if necessary. He walked over to Brom's house, knocked once, then let himself in. He saw the old man at the lit fireplace, a kettle full of warming water inside. Blaster sat down gingerly in a chair opposite Brom. The old man had a bandage wrapped around his head, covering the wound on the side of his head.
"How is he?" Brom asked.
"He is awake," Blaster replied. "Gertrude did a good job on his legs, but I don't think they will fully heal if he keeps riding his dragon bareback like that. However, he must be feeling better since he pretty much demanded he see Garrow."
"And how is he?" Brom asked. Both he and Blaster knew that there was something that neither could do.
"He's not doing very well," Blaster replied. "His wounds will not close and will not heal. Gertrude has found nothing to help. Honestly, I even tried the powers I was born with to help, and even that had no effect. It's as if there is something wrong within his body that is preventing anything from working."
"Have you tried the ancient language?"
"Yes sir, I have, but I am unable to access that magic at this point. But it is early yet. Barely two months. It'll take time before I will be able to breach that barrier."
"Then tell me," Brom said, pouring out some hot water for the tea, "these powers you spoke of. These are only yours?" Blaster nodded before taking a sip, scalding his tounge. "And you are from another universe that runs parallel to this one?" Blaster nodded again. "Then you must remain secretive about it as you have with the secrets I bestowed upon you. Who knows what Galbatorix will learn from someone like yourself. Especially with such weapons you have. You must promise me, in the ancient language, that you will tell no one of your powers until there is no other option. In turn, I will promise not to reveal you."
"I promise," Blaster said. He paused for a second, then added, "Vel eïnradhin iet ai Shur'tugal."
"Vel eïnradhin iet ai Shur'tugal," Brom replied. "So, will you tell me Eragon's dragon's name?"
"I still believe that Eragon should be the one to tell you," Blaster replied.
"I understand," Brom said, sipping his tea. "I do know that you are not bound by the ancient language to keep it hidden, but I suppose that is information I can wait for. To think that there are two new Dragon Riders in the land."
"But you must keep your appearances," Blaster warned.
"I am aware." Brom rifled through his belongings and finally found two things he was looking for. Two swords. One was a short sword in a brown sheath, but the other was red, a leather wrapping beneath it, ready to protect it. Upon it was a strange symbol that Blaster had never seen before. "I see you haven't seen Zar'roc yet."
"Wait," Blaster said, doing a double take. "The sword's name is 'misery'?"
Brom nodded, then added, "It's no different than calling your sword 'Defender' in the language of your ancestors." Blaster gripped the hilt of Cratona as it sat by his chair. "This blade was once the blade of Morzan, the first and last of the Forsworn. I intend to give it to Eragon when the time is right."
Blaster nodded, and relayed some of the information he had learned to Sara so that she could tell Saphira. Blaster did his best to not inform them about the strangers, but there wasn't much he could do in the matter. Brom hadn't even given him the pleasantries of letting him know what the strangers were, but he did know one thing. Like himself, Blaster knew that these strangers were anything but human. The strangers had a good two-days head start so far, too, so he could do nothing to catch up unless they were really slow, or he used his inhuman speed, thus revealing his powers.
"Word has been sent to Roran, I presume," Brom said. Blaster, shaken from his thoughts, nodded. "Do not tell me you are planning on following them for revenge."
"No," Blaster said. "My motives aren't for revenge, but for justice. I care not that they are under the protection of the king, they must pay for the crime they have committed. To me, attacking an innocent is enough." Then his heart suddenly sank, "I hope for Garrow's recovery, but, if he were to die, then I can nail them for manslaughter, or outright murder."
"I have a feeling that I might know what's ailing Garrow, but I am not certain," Brom said. "Let's just hope things turn out for the better."
A couple days later, Blaster went over to Horst's house several hours before the dawn. He entered the house and immediately walked up to Garrow's room. Gertrude was still there, keeping silent watch over Garrow, breathing shallowly on the bed. Something twisted in Blaster's stomach as he watched the man before him fight for his life. True, he was looking better, but Blaster's scans from his wrist computer showed significant internal damage. It would take a miracle for Garrow to pull out of this.
Gertrude left the room upon Blaster's request. The strangers dominated Blaster's thoughts as he sat down to watch over Garrow. If only he had sent Sara ahead to head off the strangers, or even have her warn Garrow about his impending doom. He took the time to do one more quick scan from his wrist computer, only to find that everything was just above the lower limits, and dropping. He heard Garrow exhale, but didn't hear him inhale right afterwards. Another scan, and he was flat-lined.
"No, no, no!" Blaster shouted. He stripped his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves. "Don't do this to me now, old man!" He proceeded to do CPR, trying to resuscitate the man under the covers, but there was a pang in his heart that told him otherwise. His shout alerted Horst, Katrina, and Gertrude. They burst through the door as Blaster kept trying the chest compressions for another half a minute. Finally, Blaster gave up conventional means, knowing it was too late. Garrow, a man he had only known for about three months, was gone.
They set up a privacy curtain, and, behind it, Horst and Blaster dressed Garrow in clean clothes, and combed his hair flat. They placed him back on the bed, and crossed his arms. A silver amulet and a sprig of dried hemlock were added from Elain, the last gifts from the living to the dead. Blaster could sense that Eragon had woken up again, but he was too occupied with finishing his preparations.
"I had hoped to call him Father one day…." Katrina whispered. She stood next to the bed, downcast eyes and a pale face.
Blaster did one last thing as Gertrude led Eragon away, uttering condolences. He lifted the covers over Garrow's body and covered his head before giving his last rights. It created quite a stir in the room, but no one questioned Blaster's motives. He stood there for a few seconds before he became slightly enraged. He had a new fire in his soul, and it told him that he needed to find those strangers, and maybe evidence that they premeditated their attack so that he could nail them for first-degree murder. He was shaken from his thoughts as Eragon shouted to whatever god killed Garrow to show themselves, and claiming that he didn't deserve this.
They will pay, Blaster thought. Revenge is a dish best served cold. And there will be no rest for the wicked. He then thought about Brom. Sara, send word to Brom. Garrow has passed. Those strangers have now officially committed either manslaughter or murder. Justice must be served.
Understood, Sara replied. About a minute later, she asked, What are you planning to do now?
I plan to chase them down and confront them, Blaster replied. As soon as Eragon makes up his mind, we begin the hunt.
What will happen now? What is Brom's secret. How is it that I keep asking questions no one else can answer? I mean, seriously, I'm the one writing the story...
Anyway, tune in for another exciting chapter of Free Riders.
(NOTE: Yes, he is talking about his time in the Kingdom Hearts Universe as he is leaving. I do not own that either.)