Free Riders

Author's Note: Eragon is not mine. Char, Blaster, and Saranya are. Comment as you see fit.

Chapter 21: Fortune Telling

Blaster stirred late in the morning from his meditations, surprised no one had decided to wake him earlier. He washed up, and began combing his hair when he had to take a second look. He had sported a small beard in his travels, and he seemed to have a wild look to him. He let out a low whistle, then used a nearby razor to remove his facial hair.

He left his room with his sword, and he donned a black cloak that he had stolen so long ago from the now non-existant beings who used them, although he left the hood down. Before he had reached the end of the hallway, the butler approached and said, "Sir, Neal left with my master for the castle earlier. He said that you and Evan could do whatever you want today because he will not return until this evening."

Blaster thanked him for the message, then began his exploration of Teirm. He wandered for hours, entering shops he thought were interesting and chatting with people. Because he left some of his pocket change at Jeod's, he would walk out empty handed. It was mid-afternoon when he returned towards Jeod's to pick up some cash when he stopped in front of the herbalist's shop. It was unusual for a store like this to be crammed between expensive houses instead of by the city wall. He looked in the window, and saw them covered in a thick layer of crawling plants inside. He shrugged, and went in.

At first, he saw nothing because of how dark it was. His eyes quickly adjusted to the green hued light that came from the windows. A colorful bird looked at him from its cage with its sharp and powerful beak. The walls were covered in plants, vines clung to the ceiling, obscuring all but the old chandelier, and a large pot on the floor held a single yellow flower. An assortment of mortars, pestles, metal bowls, and a crystal ball the size of a basketball sat on a long counter.

He walked to the counter, avoiding various machinery, rock crates, piles of scrolls, and other unrecognizable objects. Drawers of every size covered the wall behind the counter, with some being no bigger than his pinky finger, while others looked as though he could fit his whole arsenal in there. A gap of about a foot separated it from the shelves.

A pair of red eyes suddenly flashed from the dark space, and a large, fierce cat lept onto the counter. It had a lean body with powerful shoulders and oversized paws. A shaggy mane surrounded its angular face, and its ears were tipped with black tufts. It had white fangs that curved down over its jaw. It sure didn't look like any other cat Blaster had seen. It seemed to inspect him with shrewd eyes, then flicked its tail dismissively.

Blaster held out a hand for the cat to sniff, simultaneously touching its consciousness. He gently tried to tell it that he was a friend.

You don't have to do that.

Well fine, Blaster replied. He sat up, then realized what had happened. Wait, just so that I know, that was you, right?

Who else? the cat replied. The voice in his head sounded like the cat was male.

Well, this makes things interesting, Blaster said. I thought you were just a normal house cat, but I can plainly tell now that you definitely aren't. He thought for a second. What kind of cat are you?

I am a werecat, the cat replied. I would have thought you had heard of us, let alone tell the difference. There are, after all, not many of us left.

I haven't heard anything, not even stories, Blaster replied.

I see. Well, I haven't heard stories of you, and I actually never knew someone like you existed until you barged in here and ruined my nap.

My deepest apologies for interrupting your little cat-nap, if you'll pardon the pun, Blaster replied.

I was getting up anyway. It leapt back onto the counter and began licking its paw. Oh, and don't touch that wooden rod in that is sitting on the counter. The other Rider wasn't as intelligent as you.

Eragon was here? Blaster asked. He paused. Never mind. I don't want to know what he did here. The werecat stretched once more, then jumped back up to where it was sleeping, sat down, tucked its paws under its breast, and closed its eyes, purring. Just two more questions before you head back to your nap. One, what shall I call you? And two, do you happen to know where Angela might be?

The cat opened up one of its eyes. I go by many names. If you are looking for my proper one, you will have to seek elsewhere. The eye closed. However, you may call me Solembum.

Thank you, Blaster said. And my other question?

"Did someone call for me?" Angela entered her shop from one of the rooms in the back door. She turned to Solembum and she looked startled. "He says you talked with him."

"And that is a big deal because…?" Blaster asked.

"Most of the time Solembum doesn't show himself to customers," Angela replied. "He likes you. In fact, he says you show promise. It sounds like that Eragon kid from earlier." She paused. "Wait a minute, you were the one who asked properly where Jeod lived."

"The one and the same," Blaster said. "Blastbone Clarkson, but you can call me Blaster."

"Odd name," Angela said. "So, is there anything I can help with? Or are you just looking?"

"I was just looking at the moment," Blaster said. "Unless you happen sell healing potions, or energy restoring elixirs. That would be great."

"I don't have any at the moment," Angela said. "But, that's not all I do. I can read your fortune. Would you like to see it?"

Blaster chuckled. "My fortune is pretty convoluted as it is. I fear you might not be able to make heads or tails out of such things. Plus, I'm kinda broke at the moment. Left my cash at Jeod's."

Angela looked at Solembum curiously. "Well…" She gestured at the crystal ball on the counter. "That's only for show anyway. It doesn't do anything. But, I do have…Wait here, I'll be right back." She rushed into her back room again. Blaster could hear her sifting through stuff, saying stuff like "I just used them earlier." She finally came back, breathless, holding a leather pouch, which she set on the counter.

"What are those?" Blaster asked.

"Sit down across from me, and I will explain," Angela replied. Blaster sat on a stool. Solembum's eyes glowed from the gap in the drawers. Angela laid a thick cloth on the counter, then poured a handful of smooth bones, each slightly linger than a finger, onto it. Runes and symbols were carved into each side. "These," she said, touching them gently, "are the knucklebones of a dragon. Don't ask where I got them; it is a secret I won't reveal. But, unlike tea leaves, crystal balls, or even divining cards, these have true power. They do not lie, though understanding what they say is…complicated. If you wish, I will cast and read them for you. But, understand that to know one's fate can be a terrible thing. You must be sure of your decision."

But I have precognition, Blaster thought to himself. Although, with that, I know what may happen. Perhaps knowing what will happen for real might be worth it. "Why offer this?"

"Because of Solembum," Angela replied calmly. "He may have been a little rude, but the fact he spoke to you makes you special. He is a werecat, after all. I offered to do this for the other two people, besides Eragon, who talked with him. Only the woman agreed to it. Selena was her name. Ah, she regretted it, too. Her fortune was bleak and painful. I don't think she believed it—not at first."

"You don't remember that reading, do you?" Blaster said, a tone of knowledge in his voice.

"It was so long ago that the details have melted into the rest of my memory," Angela sighed. "It isn't as good as it used to be. Besides, I'll not tell you what I do remember. That was for her and her alone. It was sad, though. I've never forgotten the look on her face."

"For someone who looks so young, why complain about your memory?" Blaster asked. "I mean, it's still there, right?"

"I'm flattered," Angela said, "but don't be deceived; I'm much older than I look."

"I still say you don't look a day over thirty," Blaster said.

"The appearance of youth probably comes from having to eat my own herbs when times are lean."

"I hate to brag, but I've been looking like this for fifteen years," Blaster said. "And I probably won't age until I get closer to my time, whenever that may be in the future."

"You jest," Angela said.

"No, I don't," Blaster replied. "I have been looking nineteen for the past fifteen years, and I'm sure that you may find I have an extraordinarily long life."

"Really?"

"Anyway, we've digressed," Blaster said. He thought for a moment, then said, "Whenever you are ready, cast the bones, and let my fortune be laid out upon this table…er, counter."

Angela's face became grave as she picked up the bones in each hand. She spoke in a soundless murmer, eyes closed. Finally, she seemed to shout, "Manin! Wyrda! Hugin!" and tossed the bones onto the cloth. They fell jumbled together, gleaming in the faint light.

Well, that is magic, Blaster thought to himself. That was the ancient language, I'm sure of it. I mean wyrda means fate. Brom even said it last night. So, this is a true telling.

Minutes passed slowly as she studied the bones. She finally leaned back and heaved a long sigh, wiping her brow and pulling out a wineskin. "Do you want some?" she asked, but Blaster declined. She shrugged and drank deeply. "This," she said, wiping her mouth, "has got to be the hardest reading I've ever done. It's harder than Eragon's. You weren't kidding when you said your future was a mess. I was, however, able to wrestle some answers out of it. And I'll start here, since this is the easiest to understand."

Solembum jumped from his resting place to the counter to watch them. Angela pointed at a bone that had a long horizontal line with a circle resting on it. "Infinity or long life," Angela said quietly. "You were right, but I dunno whether this means you will live forever or you will have an extraordinarily long life."

"Told ya," Blaster said.

"However, this one seems to contradict it." She pointed to the one right next to it. "The skull and crossbones. Death. You are destined to die. How that is possible, I don't know."

"I wish I knew," Blaster lied.

"From there, the bones get harder to read, as the rest are in a confused pile." She touched three more bones. "This is something I have only seen once before, and extremely recently too. The wandering path, lightning bolt, and sailing ship lie together. The wandering path shows that you have many choices in your future, some of which you face even now. I see great battles raging around you, some fought for your sake. Mighty powers of this land will struggle to control your will and destiny, as well as the powers from beyond." She looked up. "You are definitely not from around here." She returned to the bones. "However, you do have a countless number of possible futures, all filled with blood and conflict, but one will grant you peace and happiness. Beware of losing your way, for you are one of few who have the freedom of choosing their own fate. It is a gift, but a responsibility more binding than chains."

"Or oaths in the ancient language," Blaster added. Her face grew sad as she continued.

"And yet, as if to counteract that, here is the lightning bolt. It is a terrible omen. There is doom upon you, but of what sort I know not. Part of it lies in a death—one that rapidly approaches and will cause you grief. The rest awaits in a great journey. Now, look closely at this bone. You can see how its end rests on that of the sailing ship. That is impossible to misunderstand. Your fate is to leave this land forever. Where you will end up, I do not know, but you will never again stand foot in Alagaësia. It is inescapable, and will come to pass even if you try to avoid it."

"I have to get back to where I'm from sometime," Blaster said, smiling.

"This next one is easier to read, and much more pleasant." She pointed to a rose blossom surrounded by the horns of a crescent moon. Right next to it was a pair of circles intertwined with each other. "An epic romance is in your future. You've already met the one you love. And this, the moon, the love is shown to have power to outlast empires. I can tell you that this passion will end well. See the intertwined circles? You will marry your love one day."

"Better get on that," Blaster muttered.

"Now, the last bones I have managed to decipher are these: The hawthorn root and the tree. Both cross each other strongly. You will be betrayed, and it will be from a member of your own family. But fear not, for the olive branch crosses the hawthorn root strongly as well. This means that, while your family member will betray you, they will in turn betray those who forced them to do the same to you."

"Playing both sides?" Blaster asked. Angela nodded. "Anything else the bones read? Or is that all that wyrda has in store for me?"

"Not that I can tell," Angela replied. "What I wouldn't give to see how the rest of your life plays out. You can speak to werecats, know of the ancient language, and have a most interesting future ahead of you. You are a very interesting, man, Blastbone Clarkson. Of the things I haven't been told by the bones, you look young, but you are getting older and wiser and more powerful with each passing day. You have the look of a mighty warrior, yet something tells me you have the cunning to even thwart a fox."

"Trust me," Blaster said. "I know. If I ever get the chance to…" He stopped when Solembum padded between them. The werecat looked directly at Blaster, unblinkingly. Yes?

Listen closely and I will tell you two things, but only this once. When the time comes and you need a weapon, look under the roots of the Menoa tree. Then, when all seems lost and your power is insufficient, got to the Rock of Kuthian and speak your name to open the Vault of Souls.

Need a weapon, look under the Menoa tree roots, and speak my name at the Rock of Kuthian to open the Vault of Souls when my power seems insufficient, Blaster repeated. But what do they mean?

Solembum had already walked away, waving his tail gracefully. Angela tilted her head. "I don't know what he said, and I don't want to know. He spoke to you and only you. Don't tell anyone else." She then paused. "Although, I do wish I knew why he told you and Eragon something."

"I should go ask him about it," Blaster said. He stood up and extended a hand. "I must go now, but I will visit again soon, with money, and buy some healing potions and energy restoring elixirs, as soon as you have them in stock."

"Of course," Angela replied. She shook his hand.

"And thanks for that fortune," Blaster added. "As soon as I find out what it means for me to die and have an extraordinarily long life at the same time, I'll send word to you in one form or another."

"You're welcome," Angela said, smiling.

They broke the handshake, and Blaster, after one last "Good bye," left the store, heading for the exit to Teirm.

When will Blaster find Char and actually marry her? How is it Blaster knows that he will die, yet live a long time? When will the similarities between Blaster and Eragon end? Find out next time on Free Riders.

Please R&R.