Free Riders
Author's Note: Eragon is not mine. Char, Blaster, and Saranya are. Thank you.
Chapter 8: The Name of the Enemy
The sword, even now, seemed to gleam like starlight. The egg-sized ruby glinted in the firelight, and the hilt's silver wire made it gleam even more. Blaster looked at the sheath and realized that it was as smooth as glass, if not made of glass that was colored like a red wine. Eragon put his hand on the handle, and it looked as if it fit his hand. He drew the sword soundlessly from its sheath. Zar'roc's iridescent red blade shimmered in the firelight, and it held an air of power over it. It was beautiful, contrary to what it was created for.
"This was once a Rider's blade," Brom said gravely. "When a Rider finished his training, the elves would present him with a sword. Their methods of forging have always remained secret. However, their swords are eternally sharp and will never stain."
"Huh," Blaster said, more to himself than anyone else. "I wonder how they get their swords to remain unstained."
"That is a secret only they know," Brom said. "Now, the custom was to have the blade's color match that of the Rider's dragon, but I think we can make an exception in this case. The sword is named Zar'roc. I don't know what it means, probably something personal to the Rider who owned it."
"Where did you get it?" Eragon asked as he swung the sword. He reluctantly returned it to its sheath and tried to give it to Brom, but he made no attempts to take it.
"It doesn't matter," Brom replied. "I will only say that it took me a series of nasty and dangerous adventures to attain it. Consider it yours, Eragon. You have more of a claim to it than I do, and before all is done, I think you will need it."
"It is a princely gift," Eragon said, caught off guard. "Thank you." He noticed the symbol. "What is this symbol?"
"The Rider's personal crest," Brom said. Eragon tried to interrupt, but Brom stared him down until he no longer protested. "Now, if you must know, anyone can learn how to speak to a dragon if they have the proper training. And," he raised a finger, "it doesn't mean anything if they can. I know more about the dragons and their abilities than almost anyone else alive. On your own it make take years to learn what I teach you. I'm offering my knowledge as a shortcut. As for how I know so much, I will keep that to myself."
Saphira moved over to Eragon. He drew the blade again for her to investigate it. She seemed to sniff at it, then touched it with her snout. The sword shimmered and the color rippled like water as it met her scales. She snorted her satisfaction, then lifted her head, causing the sword to return to its normal appearance.
"Woah," Blaster exclaimed.
"That's what I'm talking about," Brom said. "Dragons will continually amaze you. Things tend to…happen around them, mysterious things that are impossible anywhere else. Even though the Riders worked with dragons for centuries, they never completely understood their abilities. Some say that even the dragons don't know the full extent of their powers. They are linked with this land in a way that lets them overcome great obstacles. What Saphira just did illustrates my previous point."
There was a long pause after that, in which time Blaster wanted to say something, but was unable to word it right. Finally, Eragon broke the silence.
"That may be," he said, "but I can learn. And the strangers are the most important thing I need to know about right now. Do you have any idea who they are?"
"They are called the Ra'zac," Brom said.
"So, they do have a name," Blaster commented.
"The thing is that no one knows if that is the name for their race, or a name they gave themselves," Brom added. "Either way, if they had individual names, they are kept well hidden."
"Still, at least we have a name," Blaster said. "So what's the skinny on these guys?"
"Skinny?" Eragon questioned.
"Info," Blaster replied. "I want to know what information there is on the Ra'zac."
"Well," Brom said, "they were never seen before Galbatorix came to power. He must have found them in his travels and enlisted their service. Little to nothing is known about them. However, I can tell you this: they are not human."
"Yeah," Blaster said. "They didn't appear to be human when I caught sight of them."
"Do you know what they look like?" Eragon asked, trying to keep things on topic.
"When I glimpsed one's head," Brom said, "it appeared to have something resembling a beak, and eyeballs the size of my fist. How they managed our speech is a mystery to me. Doubtless the rest of their bodies are as twisted. Hence why they always wear cloaks, regardless of weather.
"As for their powers, they are stronger than any man, and are able to jump incredible heights, but they cannot use magic," he continued. "Be thankful for that because, otherwise, you'd already be in their grasp. I also know that they have a strong aversion to sunlight, though it won't stop them if they are determined. Don't make the mistake of underestimating the Ra'zac, for they are cunning and full of guile."
"How many of them are there?" Eragon asked. It was starting to become obvious that he was wondering how Brom knew so much.
"So far as I know, just the two you've seen," Brom replied. "There might be more, but I've never heard of them. Perhaps they are the last of a dying race. You see, they are the king's personal dragon hunters. Whenever rumors reach Galbatorix of a dragon in the land, he sends the Ra'zac to investigate. A trail of death often follows them."
Brom puffed a few rings from his pipe, and they were mostly ignored. At least, until the rings started changing colors and moving around erratically. Brom gave a sly wink. Blaster thought for a second.
"This seems unlikely," the alien said. "No one could have possibly seen Saphira or Saranya, so how is it possible that the king knew about them? It seems highly improbable, even more so for anyone from Carvahall."
"You're right," Brom said. "It seems unlikely that someone from Carvahall could have informed the king. Why don't you two tell me how you found the eggs, and how you've raised Saphira and Sara. It might clarify things."
Blaster and Eragon both recounted all the events since encountering the eggs in the Spine. Blaster left out the parts where he beamed down to the planet's surface, his weapons stash, and his contact with his ship. Brom asked few questions when hearing the two stories, but listened intently for the most part. The sun was about to set when the whole story was told. There was a long pause, before Eragon said, "I just wish I knew where they came from. Saphira doesn't remember. And I doubt Sara would either."
"I don't know," Brom said, cocking his head to the side. "You've both made many things clear to me. I'm sure no one besides us have seen Saphira and Sara. The Ra'zac must have had a source of information from outside of this valley, who is probably dead right about now." He paused for a few seconds. "You have had a hard time and done much. I'm impressed."
Eragon stared blankly into the distance, then asked, "What happened to your head? It looks like you were hit by a rock."
"Good guess, but no," Blaster said. "Mr. Storyteller here got in a little fight with the Ra'zac."
"It wasn't so much of a fight as an ambush," Brom protested. He took a puff from his pipe. "I was sneaking around the Ra'zac's camp after dark, trying to learn what I could, when they surprised me in the shadows. It was a good trap, but they underestimated me, and I managed to drive them away."
"Not without a sign of their gratitude, though," Blaster said, pointing at Brom's head. "By the time I got to you, you were already out, and you didn't wake back up for another several hours. And it was by then that they had already reached your farm, Eragon. We knew it would be a bit too late to stop them, but we proceeded anyway. And that's where we met you on the road." Eragon thought, which gave Blaster time to voice his opinions. "It was rather stupid of you to try and fight off the Ra'zac singlehandedly. And at night of all times, when they aren't afraid of attacking out in the open."
Brom nodded, but Eragon spoke again before the storyteller could.
"When you saw the mark, the gedwëy ignasia, on my palm, why didn't you tell me who the Ra'zac were?" Eragon demanded. "I would have warned Garrow instead of going to Saphira first, and the three of us could have fled."
"I was unsure of what to do at the time," Brom sighed. "I thought I could keep the Ra'zac away from you and, once they had left, confront you about Saphira, and confront Blaster about Sara. But they outsmarted me. And it's a mistake I deeply regret, and one that has cost you dearly."
"Who are you?" Eragon demanded, suddenly bitter. "How come a mere village storyteller happens to have a Rider's sword? How do you know about the Ra'zac?"
"Eragon, settle down," Blaster said, attempting to calm the boy down. He, however turned his attention to the alien.
"And for that matter, who are you?" Eragon demanded. "How come you show up just before the eggs do? Where do you come from anyway?"
"I told you, from the north," Blaster said. "I will not delve any further into what I know, and I believe Brom has already said that he's not divulging how he came across that much info either."
"My uncle is dead because of this. Dead!" Eragon exclaimed. "I've trusted you two this far because Saphira respects you, and Blaster's got Sara, but no more! You're not the person I've known in Carvahall for all these years, Brom. And you are not from the north, Blaster. Explain yourselves!"
"I need not explain myself," Blaster replied. "I am from a place far away, and that is all I can tell you."
Brom thought for a moment, then said, "You've probably never thought about it, but most of my life has been spent outside of Palancar Valley. It was only in Carvahall that I took up the mantle of storyteller. I have played many roles to different people. You could say I've got a complicated past. It was partly through a desire to escape it that I came here. So no, I am not the man you think I am."
"Then who are you?" Eragon demanded.
"I am one who is here to help you," Brom said with a smile. "Do not scorn those words, for they are the truest I've ever spoken. But I am not going to answer your questions. At this point you don't need to hear my history, nor have you earned that right. Yes, I have knowledge Brom the storyteller wouldn't, but I'm more than he. You'll have to learn to live with that fact and the fact that I don't hand out descriptions of my life to anyone who asks!"
It was tense for a minute, then Eragon stated, "I'm going to bed." He promptly left the fire and went to sleep by Saphira.
"I'll take the night watch," Blaster said. He could feel the sorrow coming from Brom, but never said a word as he fell asleep.
Next morning, after breakfast, Eragon removed his stolen leather and spread it on the ground.
"I may be strong, but there is no way we can carry all that with us," Blaster said.
"I'm going to make a saddle for Saphira," Eragon replied. "Maybe you should make one for Sara. I think there may be enough."
"Well, there are two kinds of saddles," Brom said. "One was molded for comfort, like a horse's saddle, but those take time and tools to make, which we don't have. The other was thin, lightly padded, and flexible. It was merely an extra layer between the Rider and dragon. They were used for speed and mobility, but weren't as comfortable."
"And you've seen one?" Blaster asked.
"Better," Brom replied, smiling. "I can make one."
"Then please do," Eragon said while backing away.
"Very well, but pay attention," Brom said. "One day you may have to do this yourself."
Once he got permission from the dragons, Brom went to work, measuring their chests and necks. He cut bands, then outlined about two dozen shapes on the hides. After the shapes had been cut, he sliced what remained into long cords, which he used to sew together. For each stitch, two holes had to be bored through the leather. He made intricate knots in place of buckles, and straps were made extra long so the saddles would still fit in the coming months.
The saddle itself was made of three identical pieces sewn together with padding inbetween. A loop on the front attached to one of the many neck spikes, and wide bands would wrap around the belly. A series of loops took the place of stirrups down the bands, each able to tighten to hold the Rider's legs in place. A strap was designed to go between the front legs and back to the saddle behind them. After a few adjustments, Brom was satisfied with the two saddles.
"Nice," Blaster said, writing down the last of the instructions and diagrams in a small notebook he had.
"One strives to do his best," Brom replied, joyously. "It should serve you well; the leather's sturdy enough."
Will you try it out? Sara asked.
Not yet, Blaster replied. I want to make a checklist of things I should check before we take flight together. It's so that I am a bit safer.
"Will we leave tomorrow," Brom asked at dinner about an hour later.
"There isn't any reason to stay," Eragon replied.
"I suppose not…" Brom said. He shifted a bit. "Eragon, I must apologize about how events have turned out. I never wished for this to happen. Your family did not deserve such a tragedy. If there were anything I would do to revere it, I would. This is a terrible situation for all of us." He paused for a moment, then said, "We're going to need horses."
"I don't know about you, but we have Saphira and Sara," Eragon said. Brom shook his head.
"There isn't a horse alive that can outrun a flying dragon," Brom said. "But Saphira and Sara are too young to carry all three of us. Besides, it'll be safer if we were to stay together, and riding is faster than walking."
"But that'll make it harder to catch the Ra'zac," Eragon protested. "On Saphira and Sara, we'd probably catch them in a day or two. On horses, it'll take longer. That is, if it is even possible to overtake their lead on the ground."
Brom spoke slowly. "That's a chance you'll have to take if I'm to accompany you."
"I'm in," Blaster said. Eragon thought it over.
"Alright," he finally said. "But you'll have to buy the horses. I don't have any money, and I don't want to steal again. It's wrong."
"That depends on your point of view," Brom said with a slight smile. "Before you set out on this venture, remember that your enemies, the Ra'zac, are the king's servants. They will be protected wherever they go. Laws do not stop them."
"Might slow them down a bit," Blaster said. Brom shook his head.
"Even then, they would be protected," Brom said. "In cities, they'll have access to abundant resources and willing servants. Also keep in mind that nothing is more important to Galbatorix than recruiting or killing you—though word of your existence probably hasn't reached him yet. The longer you evade the Ra'zac, the more desperate he'll become. He'll know that every day you'll be growing stronger and each passing moment will give you another chance to join his enemies. You must be very careful, as you may easily turn from the hunter to the hunted." There was a silence between them as the two young Riders mulled his words in their thoughts. Finally, he said, "Enough talk. It's late and my bones ache. We can say more tomorrow."
Eragon nodded and banked the fire, while Blaster sat down to take the overnight watch again.
They have their initial heading. They have their determination. They just need horses. What happens next? Stay tuned for another episode of Free Riders.