Harry groaned as he landed on the hard ground, traveling by Death's power was worse than portkey in his opinion, he grimaced as he remembered the conversation with his patron.
"So let me get this straight, there is another world where a human with massive magical power is escaping you and you want me to go kill him?" Harry asked, he had been enjoying a nice meal when Death had rudely brought his soul into his castle, something she did from time to time, mainly for a chat or on the rare occasion when she wanted him to hunt down a madman that was taking too long to die so she could collect their soul. Harry had collected all the Hallows and unknowing became Master of Death or as it would be more accurate Champion of Death. However Death nodded at his question.
"Yes the land is called Alagaësia and it is ruled by the Black King." Death then gave him a run down of the history of Alagaësia and the Dragon Riders and the Rise of Galbatorix. After learning of the suffering that the people were going through at the hand of this Black King a rage built up inside Harry that he had not felt since he faced Voldemort all those years ago. He agreed to the request gathering his many magical artifacts, books, scrolls, potions and gold into his Live In Trunk Death then sent him to Alagaësia.
He stood up adjusting the Sword of Gryffindor on his hip, he checked his Basilisk skin leather armor making sure the Elder Wand was secure and hidden in its holster, the ring with the Resurrection stone on his left hand and the Invisibility Cloak falling behind him, Death had thankfully shown him how to turn the invisibility off and on. Harry glanced up at a wooden road sign that seemed like it had almost been fully consumed by termites, reading the sign that read Carvahall Harry decided to head for the town to get more information. Death had told him a little of the future of the world and he knew he was on the lookout for someone called Eragon that would heavily impact the fate of this world. About half an hour later Harry could see smoke coming from chimneys and shortly after the village slowly came into view. Harry could see buildings made of wood and stone with thatch roofs and numerous people moving about. He stopped for a breath when he came up a large building with two large black horns that Harry recognized as Urgal horns from Deaths debrief, Harry read the sign as Seven Sheaves pleased that Death had gifted Harry with the knowledge of all languages in this land including something called the Ancient Language that controlled the magic of the land something that Harry would explore later. For now Harry decided to get some hands-on knowledge of the local area and what better place than the local pub. Walking in the few conversations in the room stopped to look at the newcomer's eyes narrowing when they saw it was a stranger, Harry swept his eyes around the room noticing that all of them looked like simply farmers or workers. His eyes stopped on an old man in the back smoking a pipe, Harry sensed magic from the man although it was greatly diminished. Putting the older man out of his mind for the time being Harry walked up to the bar sliding a gold Crown having already changed over his Gallons into the local currency. The bartender raised an eyebrow at the coin.
"A tankard of Ale and information." Harry said as the other patrons' conversations started up again leaving Harry to the bartender.
"What information?" The big man asked pulling Harry a drink.
"I'm new to the area and thinking about settling down, I've been looking for a nice out of the way village like this. My name is Harry by the way." Harry said, reaching over to shake the bartender's hand. The bartender placed the steaming tankard in front of Harry and reached over to shake as well.
"Morn." Morn reached down to take the gold crown but hesitated as a thought struck him.
"You're not running from the Imperial Army or the Law?" The man asked glancing at the jeweled sword at Harry's side, to him the man was clearly a warrior but for whom was the question.
"No nothing of the sort, I used to be a blade for hire near around Teirm working on the ships but grew tired of the work my friends mentioned. Carvahall might be a good place to settle down." Harry assured the man. Alongside the basics of the major players in Alagaësia Death had also shown him a map and told him basic facts about each city and major town. The tavern keeper frowned.
"We don't have much need for blades for hire around these parts. Our hunters tend to keep the more dangerous beasts at bay and Urgals don't venture up this far into the mountain. Do you have any more useful skills?" Morn asked, Harry nodded.
"I'm a decent healer and portioner but my best skill would be cooking I would say." Harry said, Morn nodded thoughtfully.
"You might want to talk to Gertrude to see if she needs any help, as for the cooking we are in need of a good cook here." Morn said, Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Really?" He asked.
"Don't tell my wife I said this but she isn't the best cook and I've had a few people complain about it." Morn said with a shy grin, looking around to make sure his wife wasn't listening in. Harry grinned at the man.
"I'm happy to give it a few days trial period to see what everyone thinks about my cooking?" Harry offered, Morn seemed to think about it but then nodded agreement.
"It's Thursday now so give it to Sunday to see what people think of your welcome to a free room in the meantime providing your cooking doesn't kill anyone of course." Harry laughed and they shook on it. Morn called his wife Tara over to introduce them both, they spent a few minutes going over Harry's duties Harry would cook breakfast and dinner leaving him free to do as he wished during the day. As it was nearing dinner time Harry went and quickly stored his sword and armor in the room giving him placing a Notice-me-not charm on them and his trunk which he took out of his pocket expanding it to regular size and changing into more comfortable clothes transfiguring them into leather pants and jacket and kept his wand in its invisible holster. Harry made his way to the kitchen and quickly got to work Tara watching him closely huffing when she saw that he far outclassed her. Noticing the time he had and ingredients Harry started making a Venison and Bean stew, he would have to ask Morn about game around the area and any herbs and spices that he could collect. After getting over her jealousy at him being a better cook she started asking for tips and he was happy to pass his knowledge along. He didn't want her to feel he was taking her place so instead set himself the task of improving her cooking as well. After a while the two managed to get into a rhythm and the stew was soon served with glowing praise for the new cook. Harry ducked his head in pleasure at the praise; it had been a long time since he had cooked for anyone let alone a crowd this large. Harry was sitting at a corner table by himself quietly enjoying the stew and an ale. The ale wasn't firewhiskey or butterbeer but it was still quite good. From the rumors he heard Morn's tavern was more known for its drinks than its food. Harry raised an eyebrow when someone settled into the chair opposite him, Harry recognized the old man from before the one with the traces of magic.
"May I help you?" Harry asked, the man chose not to answer and instead took the time to light his pipe, Harry smiled inwardly he knew what the man was doing was trying to seem mysterious. On another thought Harry wondered if this man could be an ally.
"Don't play games with me Magician." Harry warned he figured he could Obliviate the man if he needed. The old man jerked in surprise and Harry put up some privacy spells.
"There no one will be able to hear us even if we shout." Harry informed him. The old man looked unsure so Harry sighed.
"MORN I HOPE THIS TAVERN BURNS DOWN WITH YOU IN IT!" Harry yelled at the top of his lungs, the old man looked wide eyed but as Morn didn't even react he saw the truth in his words.
"I sense the diminished magic as well as a lost connection to something." Harry said gently, now getting a better look at the man Harry could sense. The old man flinched at Harry's words but slowly nodded.
"Aye long ago but how could you know that?" Harry smiled.
"I'm special." He answered, the old man narrowed his eyes on him.
"Who are you? I can sense how powerful you are more powerful than the oldest Dragon Riders. But I can't even tell how old you are, your face tells me you're no older than 20 but your magic tells me you're older than the oldest Riders." The old man seemed confused which Harry thought was old seeing as he himself was immortal or was immortal and now losing it, Harry could tell by looking into his soul a side effect of having the Resurrection stone on him was that Harry could look directly into someone's soul. While it wouldn't tell him anyone secrets it did allow him to know who was a pure soul or one corrupted by evil or even an immortal soul.
"My name is Harry Potter, Rider, I am more powerful than you can imagine, as for how old I am? I honestly couldn't tell you." Harry answered decided to be honest with him after looking at his pure soul.
"Can't or won't?" The old man pressed, Harry smiled sadly at him.
"Can't I have lived for so long that I lost count of how many years over 3000 years old at least." Harry honestly stated. The old man's eyes widened. He couldn't even imagine being so old that you forget how much, he knew that some of the oldest elves struggled with that problem.
The man seemed to accept that and reached over to shake hands, Harry happily took it.
"My name is Brom, Chetowä." Brom said, shaking his hand, Harry raised an eyebrow at the name Brom had given him but didn't question it.
"Can you tell me what you are doing in Carvahall? Something tells me that your story of being a blade for hire looking to settle down is a load of crap." Harry laughed.
"You're right about that only been in this world for about six hours." Harry answered, Brom's eyes went wide, Harry thought that he might as well keep them like that.
"This world?" The man asked, Harry nodded.
"I'm not from this world or plane of existence whatever you want to call it, I have been sent here to help stop the Black King." Brom looked at him surprised but at the same time hopeful.
"I have been told that someone in this village is very important for the future of this world, someone who could help the world prosper and grow or send the world into pure darkness." Brom's eyes yet again went wide with what he was being told. When he had sat down to confront what he thought was a powerful magician he did not expect any of this, he thought the stranger might be at best an old elf in disguise or at worst one of Galbatorix's pet magicians.
"Who told you?" Brom questioned but Harry shook his head.
"I can't tell you that." Brom huffed at being denied but he knew he wouldn't get all of the man's secrets straight away.
"How do I know you're telling me the truth?" Brom questioned, Harry tapped the side of his head.
"Take a look, I'll lock away my more private memories but I'll allow you to see most of it." Harry said, Brom looked at him questinly but nodded. Harry felt the psychic probe and allowed it to enter into his mind. Memories of his early years surfaced as Brom looked through them, his abuse childhood, his school years from the fight with the Basilisk to the tournament to his final duel with Voldermort. Finishing his schooling and his years after that. Then his travels between worlds that Brom took more time to look through. After about ten minutes Brom finally withdraw from his mind looking a little pale from what he had witnessed.
"You have been through a lot." Brom summed up, Harry laughed.
"You have no idea."
"What do you plan to do now?" Brom asked.
"For now I will integrate with the town, getting to know the locals and show that I'm trustworthy." Harry answered he seemed to think for a few seconds before asking.
"If you have the time I wouldn't mind if you told me the history of the world, I've been told the major points but not in great detail." Brom nodded slowly.
"In return I'm happy to part with some stories from other worlds that you can use in your storytelling." Harry offered, Brom smiled at that and nodded happily and the two shook on it. The rest of the night went by without incident, Morn came over and introduced Harry to a few of the locals, the local blacksmith Horst, his wife Elain and his two sons Albriech and Baldor, Quimby who brewed the beer and ale for the town and his wife Birgit, Fisk a carpenter, and Gedric. The youngest of them Baldor was 19 with his brother only a year older. Harry went to bed that night with a smile on his face, happy to be among people again.
Harry woke up early and made his way down into the kitchen, he decided to make a porridge and eggs with toast with the ingredients on hand. Tara joined him again. After breakfast was done and another round of praise Harry excused himself and left to explore the town and surrounding areas. A caravan had shown up and Harry took the chance to buy some more exotic food as well as herbs and spices. While he was browsing some of the bows and arrows on display Harry noticed some young men harassing a younger woman who was passing through that Harry recognized from the tavern last night but he wasn't introduced to her and the older man with her, he walked over to them throwing an arm around her. She flinched when she did but relaxed when she saw who it was.
"I would advise you boys to move on, clearly the young lady is rejecting your advances. Why continue to make fools out of yourselves?" The three boys grew angry and looked to be about to start a fight with Harry but one look into Harry's eyes and the boys walked away sulking. As they walked away Harry removed his arm from the young woman.
"Sorry about that thought if I pretended we were together they would go away." Harry said smiling at her, the woman smiled at him.
"That's okay, thank you for helping out, my name is Katrina." Katrina introduced herself holding her hand to shake but was surprised when Harry brought it to his lips placing a chaste kiss on her knuckles.
"Harry, I'm finished here if you would like me to walk you back to the village?" Harry offered, Katrina hesitated but nodded agreement, the man offered his arm and Katrina slipped hers though. During the short walk to the shop Katrina told him about a few of the people from last night and he told her one or two stories of his travels. They soon made it back to her father's shop and Harry upon finding it was a butcher decided to go in both to meet her father and to buy some more classic meat. Harry walked in on the same man Katrina was with last night cutting up a deer carcass.
"What do you want?" The man asked, placing his cleaver to the side and wiping his hands on his apron he narrowed his eyes when he saw Katrina slip her arm out from the strangers.
"Some Venison, pork and beef stakes." Harry answered in the same gruff tone the man used. The butcher grunted moving to the back to prepare Harry's order.
"Sorry about my father, he doesn't like strangers much." Katrina said, Harry waved away her concerns he was used to it. Katrina thanked him for escorting her home and moved to the back of the shop. The man came back out with several bags of meat placing them on the counter waiting for Harry to pay him looking like he half expected him not to have the money. Harry glanced at the price board in the shop and smiled at the man, his hand slipping into his coin purse that was enchanted to draw coins from the vault in his trunk. Harry placed the gold coins on the counter, the butcher raised an eyebrow but didn't comment, swiping them into a pocket.
"Right then anything else?" Harry shook his head.
"My name is Harry by the way, I might end up being the new cook for Morn's Tavern so figured I'd best introduce myself as I will properly be here a lot." Harry said, holding his hand out. The man looked at it like the last thing he wanted to do was touch it but he seemed to forced himself to shake his hand.
"Sloan." The man said Harry nodded, he left the shop after saying goodbye to Katrina which caused Sloan to frown at him but Harry ignored it. Harry made his way back to the Seven Sheaves however he stopped dead when he saw two young boys heading into town from the road leading further up the mountain. His eyes on the younger boy, Harry could tell he was fate touched the moment he looked at his soul. Harry watched as Eragon, who couldn't be older than 13 and the other slightly older boy walked over to Horst's smithy. For the time being Harry ignored them as he wasn't meant to have known them and continued on his way to the local watering hole.
With better ingredients the night was a roaring success and at the instance of the townspeople Harry was now drinking with several of the older men, Horst sitting to his right and Quimby to his left. After a break in conversation Quimby turned to Harry.
"So Harry tell us about your family?" Harry smiled sadly.
"Not much to tell. I'm afraid both my parents were killed when I was only a year old, I was sent to my aunt and uncles but they didn't care much for me leaving me pretty much on my own." Harry answered, he was a little surprised to see the horror on their faces but then remembered that this was a tight community.
"Your father and mother were killed when you were a babe?" Baldor asked, looking over at his own father he couldn't imagine a life without him or his mother in it.
"Please tell me you got the bastard who did it." Horst pleaded, Harry grinned at him it wasn't a pretty sight.
"Yeah I got him." He obviously couldn't tell them the full story of him and Voldermort.
"What about a lover? You're a fit young man, surely you have had a girl or two?" Horst asked, trying to steer the conversation into safer territory. Harry laughed it had been a long time since he was called a young man.
"Yeah there was someone, a long time ago." Harry answered, thinking about Tracey. The night ended shortly after that and Harry made plans to meet Gertrude the next day
The next day Harry went into his trunk for a few healing pastes and non magical potions that people without magic could easily make, Brom had warned him that most people disliked and didn't trust magic so he resolved to use it as little as possible outside his trunk. After breakfast was made Harry asked Tara directions to Gertrude's home and took off, waving to Katrina when he saw her doing her morning chores, she waved back happily. Coming up to the quint looking at home Harry knocked twice and opened the door when he heard a soft 'come in' Harry walked in smiling when he saw an older woman standing by a doorway, Harry was surprised to see Eragon watching him, Harry smiled inwardly when he saw Eragon place himself between Harry and Gertrude.
"Good." Harry thought.
"Are you the Healer Gertrude?" Harry asked, looking the older woman in the eyes. Gertrude nodded.
"And you're the new cook at Morn's Tavern." Gertrude responded, Harry nodded.
"Harry's my name ma'am." Harry glanced at Eragon and smirked.
"Who is your bodyguard?" Eragon flushed realizing that he had been rude by not introducing himself.
"Sorry my name is Eragon." Eragon said, stepping forward to shake Harry's hand.
"Charmed." Harry answered, shaking his hand. Harry moved back to allow Eragon to finish his business, it only took him a few more minutes and he left smiling at Harry as he passed.
"What can I do for you today young man?" Gertrude asked.
"As well as my skills in cooking, I have skills in healing, mainly I use pastes and potions." Harry said, Gertrude looked up sharply at the word 'potions'.
"Nothing magical I assure you ma'am my mother taught me how to blend local plants and liquids to make a few healing potions." Harry answered, he it wasn't strictly true he was close enough. His own mother had of course not taught him but the woman he had come to think of his mother did. Harry told her what each paste and potion did, Gertrude was happy for the help and promised to show him local plants that helped. Harry smiled, wishing both Gertrude and Eragon who had stayed a good day leaving some of the pastes and potions with her.