Christopher Paolini - [Inheritance 01] - Eragon.html

by Eragon (lit)

  Garrow lay on a bed piled high with blankets. Sweat covered his brow, and his eyeballs flickered blindly under their lids. The skin on his face was shrunken like a cadaver’s. He was still, save for subtle tremors from his shallow breathing. Eragon touched his uncle’s forehead with a feeling of unreality. It burned against his hand. He apprehensively lifted the edge of the blankets and saw that Garrow’s many wounds were bound with strips of cloth. Where the bandages were being changed, the burns were exposed to the air. They had not begun to heal. Eragon looked at Gertrude with hopeless eyes. ’t you do anything about these?

  She pressed a rag into the bucket of ice water, then draped the cool cloth over Garrow’s head. ’ve tried everything: salves, poultices, tinctures, but nothing works. If the wounds closed, he would have a better chance. Still, things may turn for the better. He’s hardy and strong.

  Eragon moved to a corner and sank to the floor. This isn’t the way things are supposed to be! Silence swallowed his thoughts. He stared blankly at the bed. After a while he noticed Katrina kneeling beside him. She put an arm around him. When he did not respond, she diffidently left.

  Sometime later the door opened and Horst came in. He talked to Gertrude in a low voice, then approached Eragon. on. You need to get out of here.Before Eragon could protest, Horst dragged him to his feet and shepherded him out the door.

  want to stay,he complained.

  need a break and fresh air. Don’t worry, you can go back soon enough,consoled Horst.

  Eragon grudgingly let the smith help him downstairs into the kitchen. Heady smells from half a dozen dishes—rich with spices and herbs—filled the air. Albriech and Baldor were there, talking with their mother as she kneaded bread. The brothers fell silent as they saw Eragon, but he had heard enough to know that they were discussing Garrow.

  sit down,said Horst, offering a chair.

  Eragon sank into it gratefully. you.His hands were shaking slightly, so he clasped them in his lap. A plate, piled high with food, was set before him.

  don’t have to eat,said Elain, it’s there if you want.She returned to her cooking as he picked up a fork. He could barely swallow a few bites.

  do you feel?asked Horst.

  The smith waited a moment. know this isn’t the best time, but we need to knowwhat happened?

  don’t really remember.

  said Horst, leaning forward, was one of the people who went out to your farm. Your house didn’t just fall apart—something tore it to pieces. Surrounding it were tracks of a gigantic beast I’ve never seen nor heard of before. Others saw them too. Now, if there’s a Shade or a monster roaming around, we have to know. You’re the only one who can tell us.

  Eragon knew he had to lie. I left Carvahall,he counted up the time, days ago, there were strangers in town asking about a stone like the one I found.He gestured at Horst. talked to me about them, and because of that, I hurried home.All eyes were upon him. He licked his lips. nothing happened that night. The next morning I finished my chores and went walking in the forest. Before long I heard an explosion and saw smoke above the trees. I rushed back as fast as I could, but whoever did it was already gone. I dug through the wreckage and found Garrow.

  then you put him on the plank and dragged him back?asked Albriech.

  said Eragon, before I left, I looked at the path to the road. There were two pairs of tracks on it, both of them men’s.He dug in his pocket and pulled out the scrap of black fabric. was clenched in Garrow’s hand. I think it matches what those strangers were wearing.He set it on the table.

  does,said Horst. He looked both thoughtful and angry. what of your legs? How were they injured?

  ’m not sure,said Eragon, shaking his head. think it happened when I dug Garrow out, but I don’t know. It wasn’t until the blood started dripping down my legs that I noticed it.

  ’s horrible!exclaimed Elain.

  should pursue those men,stated Albriech hotly. can’t get away with this! With a pair of horses we could catch them tomorrow and bring them back here.

  that foolishness out of your head,said Horst. could probably pick you up like a baby and throw you in a tree. Remember what happened to the house? We don’t want to get in the way of those people. Besides, they have what they want now.He looked at Eragon. did take the stone, didn’t they?

  wasn’t in the house.

  there’s no reason for them to return now that they have it.He gave Eragon a piercing look. didn’t mention anything about those strange tracks. Do you know where they came from?

  Eragon shook his head. didn’t see them.

  Baldor abruptly spoke. don’t like this. Too much of this rings of wizardry. Who are those men? Are they Shades? Why did they want the stone, and how could they have destroyed the house except with dark powers? You may be right, Father, the stone might be all they wanted, but I think we will see them again.

  Silence followed his words.

  Something had been overlooked, though Eragon was not sure what. Then it struck him. With a sinking heart, he voiced his suspicion. doesn’t know, does he? How could I have forgotten him?

  Horst shook his head. and Dempton left a little while after you. Unless they ran into some difficulty on the road, they’ve been in Therinsford for a couple of days now. We were going to send a message, but the weather was too cold yesterday and the day before.

  and I were about to leave when you woke up,offered Albriech.

  Horst ran a hand through his beard. on, both of you. I’ll help you saddle the horses.

  Baldor turned to Eragon. ’ll break it to him gently,he promised, then followed Horst and Albriech out of the kitchen.

  Eragon remained at the table, his eyes focused on a knot in the wood. Every excruciating detail was clear to him: the twisting grain, an asymmetrical bump, three little ridges with a fleck of color. The knot was filled with endless detail; the closer he looked, the more he saw. He searched for answers in it, but if there were any, they eluded him.

  A faint call broke through his pounding thoughts. It sounded like yelling from outside. He ignored it. Let someone else deal with it. Several minutes later he heard it again, louder than before. Angrily, he blocked it out. Why can’t they be quiet? Garrow’s resting. He glanced at Elain, but she did not seem to be bothered by the noise.

  ERAGON! The roar was so strong he almost fell out of the chair. He peered around in alarm, but nothing had changed. He suddenly realized that the shouts had been inside his head.

  Saphira? he asked anxiously.

  There was a pause. Yes, stone ears.

  Relief seeped into him. Where are you?

  She sent him an image of a small clump of trees. I tried to contact you many times, but you were beyond reach.

  I was sick but I’m better now. Why couldn’t I sense you earlier?

  After two nights of waiting, hunger bested me. I had to hunt.

  Did you catch anything?

  A young buck. He was wise enough to guard against the predators of land, but not those of sky. When I first caught him in my jaws, he kicked vigorously and tried to escape. I was stronger, though, and when defeat became unavoidable, he gave up and died. Does Garrow also fight the inevitable?

  I don’t know. He told her the particulars, then said, It’ll be a long time, if ever, before we can go home. I won’t be able to see you for at least a couple of days. You might as well make yourself comfortable.

  Unhappily, she said, I will do as you say. But do not take too long.

  They parted reluctantly. He looked out a window and was surprised to see that the sun had set. Feeling very tired, he limped to Elain, who was wrapping meat pies with oilcloth. ’m going back to Gertrude’s house to sleep,he said.

  She finished with the packages and asked, don’t you stay with us? You’ll be closer to your uncle, and Gertrude can have her bed back.

  you have enough room?he asked, wavering.

  course.She wiped her hands. with me; I’ll get everything ready.She escorted him upstairs to an empty room. He
sat on the edge of the bed. you need anything else?she asked. He shook his head. that case, I’ll be downstairs. Call me if you need help.He listened as she descended the stairs. Then he opened the door and slipped down the hallway to Garrow’s room. Gertrude gave him a small smile over her darting knitting needles.

  is he?whispered Eragon.

  Her voice rasped with fatigue. ’s weak, but the fever’s gone down a little and some of the burns look better. We’ll have to wait and see, but this could mean he’ll recover.

  That lightened Eragon’s mood, and he returned to his room. The darkness seemed unfriendly as he huddled under the blankets. Eventually he fell asleep, healing the wounds his body and soul had suffered.

  * * *

  THE MADNESS OF LIFE

  It was dark when Eragon jolted upright in bed, breathing hard. The room was chilly; goose bumps formed on his arms and shoulders. It was a few hours before dawn—the time when nothing moves and life waits for the first warm touches of sunlight. His heart pounded as a terrible premonition gripped him. It felt like a shroud lay over the world, and its darkest corner was over his room. He quietly got out of bed and dressed. With apprehension he hurried down the hallway. Alarm shot through him when he saw the door to Garrow’s room open and people clustered inside.

  Garrow lay peacefully on the bed. He was dressed in clean clothes, his hair had been combed back, and his face was calm. He might have been sleeping if not for the silver amulet clasped around his neck and the sprig of dried hemlock on his chest, the last gifts from the living to the dead.

  Katrina stood next to the bed, face pale and eyes downcast. He heard her whisper, had hoped to call him Father one day

  Call him Father, he thought bitterly, a right even I don’t have. He felt like a ghost, drained of all vitality. Everything was insubstantial except for Garrow’s face. Tears flooded Eragon’s cheeks. He stood there, shoulders shaking, but did not cry out. Mother, aunt, uncle—he had lost them all. The weight of his grief was crushing, a monstrous force that left him tottering. Someone led him back to his room, uttering consolations.

  He fell on the bed, wrapped his arms around his head, and sobbed convulsively. He felt Saphira contact him, but he pushed her aside and let himself be swept away by sorrow. He could not accept that Garrow was gone. If he did, what was left to believe in? Only a merciless, uncaring world that snuffed lives like candles before a wind. Frustrated and terrified, he turned his tear-dampened face toward the heavens and shouted, What god would do this? Show yourself!He heard people running to his room, but no answer came from above. didn’t deserve this!

  Comforting hands touched him, and he was aware of Elain sitting next to him. She held him as he cried, and eventually, exhausted, he slipped unwillingly into sleep.

  * * *

  A RIDER’S BLADE

  Anguish enveloped Eragon as he awoke. Though he kept his eyes closed, they could not stop a fresh flow of tears. He searched for some idea or hope to help him keep his sanity. I can’t live with this, he moaned. Then don’t. Saphira’s words reverberated in his head.

  How? Garrow is gone forever! And in time, I must meet the same fate. Love, family, accomplishments—they are all torn away, leaving nothing. What is the worth of anything we do?

  The worth is in the act. Your worth halts when you surrender the will to change and experience life. But options are before you; choose one and dedicate yourself to it. The deeds will give you new hope and purpose.

  But what can I do?

  The only true guide is your heart. Nothing less than its supreme desire can help you.

  She left him to ponder her statements. Eragon examined his emotions. It surprised him that, more than grief, he found a searing anger. What do you want me to dopursue the strangers?

  Yes.

  Her frank answer confused him. He took a deep, trembling breath. Why?

  Remember what you said in the Spine? How you reminded me of my duty as dragon, and I returned with you despite the urging of my instinct? So, too, must you control yourself. I thought long and deep the past few days, and I realized what it means to be dragon and Rider: It is our destiny to attempt the impossible, to accomplish great deeds regardless of fear. It is our responsibility to the future.

  I don’t care what you say; those aren’t reasons to leave! cried Eragon.

  Then here are others. My tracks have been seen, and people are alert to my presence. Eventually I will be exposed. Besides, there is nothing here for you. No farm, no family, and—

  Roran’s not dead! he said vehemently.

  But if you stay, you’ll have to explain what really happened. He has a right to know how and why his father died. What might he do once he knows of me?

  Saphira’s arguments whirled around in Eragon’s head, but he shrank from the idea of forsaking Palancar Valley; it was his home. Yet the thought of enacting vengeance on the strangers was fiercely comforting. Am I strong enough for this?

  You have me.

  Doubt besieged him. It would be such a wild, desperate thing to do. Contempt for his indecision rose, and a harsh smile danced on his lips. Saphira was right. Nothing mattered anymore except the act itself. The doing is the thing. And what would give him more satisfaction than hunting down the strangers? A terrible energy and strength began to grow in him. It grabbed his emotions and forged them into a solid bar of anger with one word stamped on it: revenge. His head pounded as he said with conviction, I will do it.

  He severed the contact with Saphira and rolled out of bed, his body tense like a coiled spring. It was still early morning; he had only slept a few hours. Nothing is more dangerous than an enemy with nothing to lose, he thought. Which is what I have become.

  Yesterday he had had difficulty walking upright, but now he moved confidently, held in place by his iron will. The pain his body sent him was defied and ignored.

  As he crept out of the house, he heard the murmur of two people talking. Curious, he stopped and listened. Elain was saying in her gentle voice, place to stay. We have room.Horst answered inaudibly in his bass rumble. the poor boy,replied Elain.

  This time Eragon could hear Horst’s response. There was a long pause. ’ve been thinking about what Eragon said, and I’m not sure he told us everything.

  do you mean?asked Elain. There was concern in her voice.

  we started for their farm, the road was scraped smooth by the board he dragged Garrow on. Then we reached a place where the snow was all trampled and churned up. His footprints and signs of the board stopped there, but we also saw the same giant tracks from the farm. And what about his legs? I can’t believe he didn’t notice losing that much skin. I didn’t want to push him for answers earlier, but now I think I will.

  what he saw scared him so much that he doesn’t want to talk about it,suggested Elain. saw how distraught he was.

  still doesn’t explain how he managed to get Garrow nearly all the way here without leaving any tracks.

  Saphira was right, thought Eragon. It’s time to leave. Too many questions from too many people. Sooner or later they’ll find the answers. He continued through the house, tensing whenever the floor creaked.

  The streets were clear; few people were up at this time of day. He stopped for a minute and forced himself to focus. I don’t need a horse. Saphira will be my steed, but she needs a saddle. She can hunt for both of us, so I don’t have to worry about food—though I should get some anyway. Whatever else I need I can find buried in our house.

  He went to Gedric’s tanning vats on the outskirts of Carvahall. The vile smell made him cringe, but he kept moving, heading for a shack set into the side of a hill where the cured hides were stored. He cut down three large ox hides from the rows of skins hanging from the ceiling. The thievery made him feel guilty, but he reasoned, It’s not really stealing. I’ll pay Gedric back someday, along with Horst. He rolled up the thick leather and took it to a stand of trees away from the village. He wedged the hides between the branches of a tree, then returned to Carvahall.<
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  Now for food. He went to the tavern, intending to get it there, but then smiled tightly and reversed direction. If he was going to steal, it might as well be from Sloan. He sneaked up to the butcher’s house. The front door was barred whenever Sloan was not there, but the side door was secured with only a thin chain, which he broke easily. The rooms inside were dark. He fumbled blindly until his hands came upon hard piles of meat wrapped in cloth. He stuffed as many of them as he could under his shirt, then hurried back to the street and furtively closed the door.

  A woman shouted his name nearby. He clasped the bottom of his shirt to keep the meat from falling out and ducked behind a corner. He shivered as Horst walked between two houses not ten feet away.

  Eragon ran as soon as Horst was out of sight. His legs burned as he pounded down an alley and back to the trees. He slipped between the tree trunks, then turned to see if he was being pursued. No one was there. Relieved, he let out his breath and reached into the tree for the leather. It was gone.

  somewhere?

  Eragon whirled around. Brom scowled angrily at him, an ugly wound on the side of his head. A short sword hung at his belt in a brown sheath. The hides were in his hands.

  Eragon’s eyes narrowed in irritation. How had the old man managed to sneak up on him? Everything had been so quiet, he would have sworn that no one was around. them back,he snapped.

  So you can run off before Garrow is even buried?The accusation was sharp.

  ’s none of your business!he barked, temper flashing. did you follow me?

  didn’t,grunted Brom. ’ve been waiting for you here. Now where are you going?

  Eragon lunged for the skins and grabbed them from Brom’s hands. Brom did nothing to stop him.

  hope you have enough meat to feed your dragon.

  Eragon froze. are you talking about?

  Brom crossed his arms. ’t fool with me. I know where that mark on your hand, the gedwignasia, the shining palm, comes from: you have touched a dragon hatchling. I know why you came to me with those questions, and I know that once more the Riders live.