Long lost Friends

The next day progressed much like the days prior. Although today when the trio landed for lunch, they didn't eat anything. Instead Eragon asked Saphira to scout ahead and find a place near the city to hide.

'If I must then I must."

Was her only reply before leaping into the air south east toward Teirm? Eragon watched as she flew away, before turning to Brom.

"How long do you think it'll take us to reach Teirm?"

"Maybe a few hours at the most."

"Then let's be off."

Eragon then started down the path with brom closely following. As they walked down the path something occurred to Eragon.

"Brom? When we left it was nearly winter, yet here it feels like mid-spring?"

"That's because of the ocean. The warm air from the ocean keeps it warm all year round; I rather dislike it to tell you the truth."

Eragon had to agree with that he liked the snow, and he enjoyed spring and autumn, and when the seasons change. The he thought of something else.

"Brom, what's Teirm like? I've never left Carvahall so I don't know what to expect."

"Well you can expect to be amazed. I've already seen it so I know what to expect. But there's another matter we need to discus."

"Oh, what is it?"

"Names, while we're in Teirm we can use our true names. In case the empire has alerted them of us."

"Alright, who will I be?"

Brom though for several moments.

"I'll be Neil, and you're my Nephew Evan."

Eragon nodded his head in acceptance. For the next hour Eragon and brom discussed magic use and swordplay, Eragon was always eager to find out what the old man knows. When they were about a half hour away Eragon felt Saphira off to the south.

"Find a good hiding place?"

"Yes, it's a nice hiding place. There are trees and hills on all sides so the only way for someone to find it is if they looked really hard for it."

"Good. I'll contact you again when we meet with Jeod."

"Very well."

Eragon could tell she was a little irritated at being left alone when he and Brom went into the city. It wasn't a little more than a half hour later when they spotted the main gates of Teirm. Eragon gaped at how large the gates were. Two and a half stories of three foot thick cast iron doors stood open to Teirm. When the pair reached the main gate they were stopped by a pair of guards.

"Halt what brings you here?" the guard on the left asked the two.

Brom was the one who replied.

"Supplies, and to hear any new that might be floating around."

"And what's you're names?"

"Well I'm Neil and this is my nephew, Evan."

"Very well, you may enter. Let me warn you don't cause any trouble, or you'll regret it."

Eragon and brom nodded in unison and walked through the main gates and down the main road. Eragon was in awe at the size of the city, growing up in Carvahall he never saw any other town or villages, so this, this was amazing. Brom looked over at him and laughed.

"What did I tell you?"

"You were right. I'm definitely amazed."

"That all good and such, but we need to find out where Jeod lives. I think there's a tavern up here, we can ask in there."

Eragon nodded his head in agreement and followed Brom to an old tavern. When they entered Eragon saw that it wasn't in the best of conditions. The walls were stained with years of dirt and grim, the floor was dull and lusterless, the tables weren't any better, and the bar, the bar was covered in cracks and dents from patrons beating on it. There weren't many people in the tavern, Eragon counted three, an older man of in the corner of the room, a younger man who was examining two missing fingers, and the bartender. Even though business was lacking he seemed cheery enough. Brom approached the bartender.

"Pardon me sir, but would you know where I could find a man named jeod?"

The bartender though for several moments.

"Jeod, Jeod, Jeod, ah yes Jeod, he was in here a couple days ago. I guess his business finally caught back up, and he was in here celebrating."

"What do you mean, his business caught back up?" Brom looked concern.

"Well he's not the only one. Several other traders have been having bad luck recently, their shipments would get attacked and no one would be found at the sight. But all of a sudden their shipments aren't being attacked anymore."

"Well that's good news; I never did like it when people fell to misfortune. Any way can you tell me where he lives?"

"Aye, he lives over in the south eastern quarter of Teirm, next to Angela's shop."

"Thank you for the information."

Brom handed him two crowns then left the tavern and headed over to the south eastern quarter. It took a little while before they found angels shop, there was an middle aged woman, she had dark brown hair, almost black, her were a light brown. She was sitting on stool scribbling something on a piece of parchment. Eragon looked down.

"Who's Ajihad?"

The woman instantly looked up to see Eragon.

"You can read this?" She sounded awed, shocked, and confused all at once.

"Yes, it's in the ancient language." He said this in a hushed voice."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Who are you?" she asked accusingly.

"A friend of your associates." Brom replied

Her eyes widened a little.

"Can you tell me which house Jeod lives in?"

Her eyes widened even more.

"He lives on the right."

"Thank you."

She nodded in reply and walked back inside her shop. Eragon heard the door lock.

"Who was that?"

"That was Angela the herbalist."

"Oh, not what I was expecting."

"She never is." Brom replied while chuckling a bit.

"Let's go, we need to see Jeod."

Eragon nodded and followed Brom to the house Angela gestured to. When they arrived Brom went up to the door and hammered three times on the door knocker. A few moments later a woman came to the door and opened it just enough to show her face.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes we need to see Jeod, it's very important."

"What is this about?"

"Tell him a friend from Gil'ead is outside for him."

She looked hesitant at first, but then replied.

"Very well he'll be out momentarily."

"Thank you."

Brom then backed off the steps and waited for Jeod to Arrive. It didn't take long before the door swung open to reveal an older man; his hair was slightly grey but was obviously brown. He had a long nose, and dark brown eyes. He looked at Brom, with an expression of utter disbelief. He leaned against the door frame and whispered.

"Brom?" in a questioning tone.

Brom smiled and walked up to Jeod and shook his hand.

"It's good to see you again, old friend."