by Eragon (lit)
It took them until noon the next day to descend through the foothills and arrive at the other side of the Spine, where the forested land quickly leveled out. Without the mountains to hide behind, Saphira flew close to the ground, using every hollow and dip in the land to conceal herself.
Beyond the forest, they noticed a change. The countryside was covered with soft turf and heather that their feet sank into. Moss clung to every stone and branch and lined the streams that laced the ground. Pools of mud pocked the road where horses had trampled the dirt. Before long both Brom and Eragon were splattered with grime.
is everything green?asked Eragon. ’t they have winter here?
but the season is mild. Mist and fog roll in from the sea and keep everything alive. Some find it to their liking, but to me it’s dreary and depressing.
When evening fell, they set up camp in the driest spot they could find. As they ate, Brom commented, should continue to ride Cadoc until we reach Teirm. It’s likely that we’ll meet other travelers now that we are out of the Spine, and it will be better if you are with me. An old man traveling alone will raise suspicion. With you at my side, no one will ask questions. Besides, I don’t want to show up at the city and have someone who saw me on the trail wondering where you suddenly came from.
we use our own names?asked Eragon.
Brom thought about it. won’t be able to deceive Jeod. He already knows my name, and I think I trust him with yours. But to everyone else, I will be Neal and you will be my nephew Evan. If our tongues slip and give us away, it probably won’t make a difference, but I don’t want our names in anyone’s heads. People have an annoying habit of remembering things they shouldn’t.
* * *
A TASTE OF TEIRM
After two days of traveling north toward the ocean, Saphira sighted Teirm. A heavy fog clung to the ground, obscuring Brom’s and Eragon’s sight until a breeze from the west blew the mist away. Eragon gaped as Teirm was suddenly revealed before them, nestled by the edge of the shimmering sea, where proud ships were docked with furled sails. The surf’s dull thunder could be heard in the distance. The city was contained behind a white wall—a hundred feet tall and thirty feet thick—with rows of rectangular arrow slits lining it and a walkway on top for soldiers and watchmen. The wall’s smooth surface was broken by two iron portcullises, one facing the western sea, the other opening south to the road. Above the wall—and set against its northeast section—rose a huge citadel built of giant stones and turrets. In the highest tower, a lighthouse lantern gleamed brilliantly. The castle was the only thing visible over the fortifications.
Soldiers guarded the southern gate but held their pikes carelessly. is our first test,said Brom. ’s hope they haven’t received reports of us from the Empire and won’t detain us. Whatever happens, don’t panic or act suspiciously.
Eragon told Saphira, You should land somewhere now and hide. We’re going in.
Sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Again, she said sourly.
I know. But Brom and I do have some advantages most people don’t. We’ll be all right.
If anything happens, I’m going to pin you to my back and never let you off.
I love you too.
Then I will bind you all the tighter.
Eragon and Brom rode toward the gate, trying to appear casual. A yellow pennant bearing the outline of a roaring lion and an arm holding a lily blossom waved over the entrance. As they neared the wall, Eragon asked in amazement, big is this place?
than any city you have ever seen,said Brom.
At the entrance to Teirm, the guards stood straighter and blocked the gate with their pikes. ’s yer name?asked one of them in a bored tone.
’m called Neal,said Brom in a wheezy voice, slouching to one side, an expression of happy idiocy on his face.
who’s th’ other one?asked the guard.
I wus gettin’ to that. This’ed be m’nephew Evan. He’s m’sister’s boy, not a
The guard nodded impatiently. yeah. And yer business here?
’s visitin’ an old friend,supplied Eragon, dropping his voice into a thick accent. ’m along t’ make sure he don’t get lost, if y’ get m’meaning. He ain’t as young as he used to be—had a bit too much sun when he was young’r. Touch o’ the brain fever, y’ know.Brom bobbed his head pleasantly.
Go on through,said the guard, waving his hand and dropping the pike. make sure he doesn’t cause any trouble.
he won’t,promised Eragon. He urged Cadoc forward, and they rode into Teirm. The cobblestone street clacked under the horses’ hooves.
Once they were away from the guards, Brom sat up and growled, of brain fever, eh?
couldn’t let you have all the fun,teased Eragon.
Brom harrumphed and looked away.
The houses were grim and foreboding. Small, deep windows let in only sparse rays of light. Narrow doors were recessed into the buildings. The tops of the roofs were flat—except for metal railings—and all were covered with slate shingles. Eragon noticed that the houses closest to Teirm’s outer wall were no more than one story, but the buildings got progressively higher as they went in. Those next to the citadel were tallest of all, though insignificant compared to the fortress.
place looks ready for war,said Eragon.
Brom nodded. has a history of being attacked by pirates, Urgals, and other enemies. It has long been a center of commerce. There will always be conflict where riches gather in such abundance. The people here have been forced to take extraordinary measures to keep themselves from being overrun. It also helps that Galbatorix gives them soldiers to defend their city.
are some houses higher than others?
at the citadel,said Brom, pointing. has an unobstructed view of Teirm. If the outer wall were breached, archers would be posted on all the roofs. Because the houses in the front, by the outer wall, are lower, the men farther back could shoot over them without fear of hitting their comrades. Also, if the enemy were to capture those houses and put their own archers on them, it would be an easy matter to shoot them down.
’ve never seen a city planned like this,said Eragon in wonder.
but it was only done after Teirm was nearly burned down by a pirate raid,commented Brom. As they continued up the street, people gave them searching looks, but there was not an undue amount of interest.
Compared to our reception at Daret, we’ve been welcomed with open arms. Perhaps Teirm has escaped notice by the Urgals, thought Eragon. He changed his opinion when a large man shouldered past them, a sword hanging from his waist. There were other, subtler signs of adverse times: no children played in the streets, people bore hard expressions, and many houses were deserted, with weeds growing from cracks in their stone-covered yards. looks like they’ve had trouble,said Eragon.
same as everywhere else,said Brom grimly. have to find Jeod.They led their horses across the street to a tavern and tied them to the hitching post. Green Chestnutwonderful,muttered Brom, looking at the battered sign above them as he and Eragon entered the building.
The dingy room felt unsafe. A fire smoldered in the fireplace, yet no one bothered to throw more wood on it. A few lonely people in the corners nursed their drinks with sullen expressions. A man missing two fingers sat at a far table, eyeing his twitching stumps. The bartender had a cynical twist to his lips and held a glass in his hand that he kept polishing, even though it was broken.
Brom leaned against the bar and asked, you know where we can find a man called Jeod?Eragon stood at his side, fiddling with the tip of his bow by his waist. It was slung across his back, but right then he wished that it were in his hands.
The bartender said in an overly loud voice, why would I know something like that? Do you think I keep track of the mangy louts in this forsaken place?Eragon winced as all eyes turned toward them.
Brom kept talking smoothly. you be enticed to remember?He slid some coins onto the bar.
The man brightened and put his glass down. be,he replied, lowering hi
s voice, my memory takes a great deal of prodding.Brom’s face soured, but he slid more coins onto the bar. The bartender sucked on one side of his cheek undecidedly. right,he finally said, and reached for the coins.
Before he touched them, the man missing two fingers called out from his table, what in th’ blazes do you think you’re doing? Anyone on the street could tell them where Jeod lives. What are you charging them for?
Brom swept the coins back into his purse. Gareth shot a venomous look at the man at the table, then turned his back on them and picked up the glass again. Brom went to the stranger and said, The name’s Neal. This is Evan.
The man raised his mug to them. and of course you met Gareth.His voice was deep and rough. Martin gestured at some empty chairs. ahead and sit down. I don’t mind. Eragon took a chair and arranged it so his back was to the wall and he faced the door. Martin raised an eyebrow, but made no comment.
just saved me a few crowns,said Brom.
pleasure. Can’t blame Gareth, though—business hasn’t been doing so well lately.Martin scratched his chin. lives on the west side of town, right next to Angela, the herbalist. Do you have business with him?
a sort,said Brom.
he won’t be interested in buying anything; he just lost another ship a few days ago.
Brom latched onto the news with interest. happened? It wasn’t Urgals, was it?
said Martin. ’ve left the area. No one’s seen ’em in almost a year. It seems they’ve all gone south and east. But they aren’t the problem. See, most of our business is through sea trade, as I’m sure you know. Well,he stopped to drink from his mug, several months ago, someone’s been attacking our ships. It’s not the usual piracy, because only ships that carry the goods of certain merchants are attacked. Jeod’s one of ’em. It’s gotten so bad that no captain will accept those merchants’ goods, which makes life difficult around here. Especially because some of ’em run the largest shipping businesses in the Empire. They’re being forced to send goods by land. It’s driven costs painfully high, and their caravans don’t always make it.
you have any idea who’s responsible? There must be witnesses,said Brom.
Martin shook his head. one survives the attacks. Ships go out, then disappear; they’re never seen again.He leaned toward them and said in a confidential tone, sailors are saying that it’s magic.He nodded and winked, then leaned back.
Brom seemed worried by his words. do you think?
Martin shrugged carelessly. don’t know. And I don’t think I will unless I’m unfortunate enough to be on one of those captured ships.
you a sailor?asked Eragon.
snorted Martin. I look like one? The captains hire me to defend their ships against pirates. And those thieving scum haven’t been very active lately. Still, it’s a good job.
a dangerous one,said Brom. Martin shrugged again and downed the last of his beer. Brom and Eragon took their leave and headed to the west side of the city, a nicer section of Teirm. The houses were clean, ornate, and large. The people in the streets wore expensive finery and walked with authority. Eragon felt conspicuous and out of place.
* * *
AN OLD FRIEND
The herbalist’s shop had a cheery sign and was easy to find. A short, curly-haired woman sat by the door. She was holding a frog in one hand and writing with the other. Eragon assumed that she was Angela, the herbalist. On either side of the store was a house. Which one do you think is his?he asked. Brom deliberated, then said, ’s find out.He approached the woman and asked politely, you tell us which house Jeod lives in?
could.She continued writing.
you tell us?
She fell silent, but her pen scribbled faster than ever. The frog on her hand croaked and looked at them with baleful eyes. Brom and Eragon waited uncomfortably, but she said no more. Eragon was about to blurt something out when Angela looked up. course I’ll tell you! All you have to do is ask. Your first question was whether or not I could tell you, and the second was if I would tell you. But you never actually put the question to me.
let me ask properly,said Brom with a smile. house is Jeod’s? And why are you holding a frog?
we’re getting somewhere,she bantered. is on the right. And as for the frog, he’s actually a toad. I’m trying to prove that toads don’t exist—that there are only frogs.
can toads not exist if you have one on your hand right now?interrupted Eragon. what good will it do, proving that there are only frogs?
The woman shook her head vigorously, dark curls bouncing. no, you don’t understand. If I prove toads don’t exist, then this is a frog and never was a toad. Therefore, the toad you see now doesn’t exist. And, she raised a small finger, I can prove there are only frogs, then toads won’t be able to do anything bad—like make teeth fall out, cause warts, and poison or kill people. Also, witches won’t be able to use any of their evil spells because, of course, there won’t be any toads around.
see,said Brom delicately. sounds interesting, and I would like to hear more, but we have to meet Jeod.
course,she said, waving her hand and returning to her writing.
Once they were out of the herbalist’s hearing, Eragon said, ’s crazy!
’s possible,said Brom, you never know. She might discover something useful, so don’t criticize. Who knows, toads might really be frogs!
my shoes are made of gold,retorted Eragon.
They stopped before a door with a wrought-iron knocker and marble doorstep. Brom banged three times. No one answered. Eragon felt slightly foolish. this is the wrong house. Let’s try the other one, he said. Brom ignored him and knocked again, pounding loudly.
Again no one answered. Eragon turned away in exasperation, then heard someone run to the door. A young woman with a pale complexion and light blond hair cracked it open. Her eyes were puffy; it looked like she had been crying, but her voice was perfectly steady. what do you want?
Jeod live here?asked Brom kindly.
The woman dipped her head a little. he is my husband. Is he expecting you?She opened the door no farther.
but we need to talk with him,said Brom.
is very busy.
have traveled far. It’s very important that we see him.
Her face hardened. is busy.
Brom bristled, but his voice stayed pleasant. he is unavailable, would you please give him a message?Her mouth twitched, but she consented. him that a friend from Gil’ead is waiting outside.
The woman seemed suspicious, but said, well.She closed the door abruptly. Eragon heard her footsteps recede.
wasn’t very polite.he commented.
your opinions to yourself,snapped Brom. don’t say anything. Let me do the talking.He crossed his arms and tapped his fingers. Eragon clamped his mouth shut and looked away.
The door suddenly flew open, and a tall man burst out of the house. His expensive clothes were rumpled, his gray hair wispy, and he had a mournful face with short eyebrows. A long scar stretched across his scalp to his temple.
At the sight of them, his eyes grew wide, and he sagged against the doorframe, speechless. His mouth opened and closed several times like a gasping fish. He asked softly, in an incredulous voice, ?
Brom put a finger to his lips and reached forward, clasping the man’s arm. ’s good to see you, Jeod! I’m glad that memory has not failed you, but don’t use that name. It would be unfortunate if anyone knew I was here.
Jeod looked around wildly, shock plain on his face. thought you were dead,he whispered. happened? Why haven’t you contacted me before?
things will be explained. Do you have a place where we can talk safely?
Jeod hesitated, swinging his gaze between Eragon and Brom, face unreadable. Finally he said, can’t talk here, but if you wait a moment, I’ll take you somewhere we can.
said Brom. Jeod nodded and vanished behind the door.
I hope I can learn something of Brom’s past, thought Eragon.
There was a rapier at Jeod’s side when he reappear
ed. An embroidered jacket hung loosely on his shoulders, matched by a plumed hat. Brom cast a critical eye at the finery, and Jeod shrugged self-consciously.
He took them through Teirm toward the citadel. Eragon led the horses behind the two men. Jeod gestured at their destination. the lord of Teirm, has decreed that all the business owners must have their headquarters in his castle. Even though most of us conduct our business elsewhere, we still have to rent rooms there. It’s nonsense, but we abide by it anyway to keep him calm. We’ll be free of eavesdroppers in there; the walls are thick.
They went through the fortress’s main gate and into the keep. Jeod strode to a side door and pointed to an iron ring. can tie the horses there. No one will bother them.When Snowfire and Cadoc were safely tethered, he opened the door with an iron key and let them inside.
Within was a long, empty hallway lit by torches set into the walls. Eragon was surprised by how cold and damp it was. When he touched the wall, his fingers slid over a layer of slime. He shivered.
Jeod snatched a torch from its bracket and led them down the hall. They stopped before a heavy, wooden door. He unlocked it and ushered them into a room dominated by a bearskin rug laden with stuffed chairs. Bookshelves stacked with leather-bound tomes covered the walls.
Jeod piled wood in the fireplace, then thrust the torch under it. The fire quickly roared. old man, have some explaining to do.
Brom’s face crinkled with a smile. are you calling an old man? The last time I saw you there was no gray in your hair. Now it looks like it’s in the final stages of decomposition.
you look the same as you did nearly twenty years ago. Time seems to have preserved you as a crotchety old man just to inflict wisdom upon each new generation. Enough of this! Get on with the story. That’s always what you were good at, said Jeod impatiently. Eragon’s ears pricked up, and he waited eagerly to hear what Brom would say.