Christopher Paolini - [Inheritance 01] - Eragon.html

by Eragon (lit)

  The squat room was filled with wooden racks piled high with scrolls. A barred window was set in the far wall. Jeod threaded his way between the racks, running his eyes over the scrolls. He halted at the back of the room. here,he said. These are the shipping records for the past five years. You can tell the date by the wax seals on the corner.

  what do we do now?asked Eragon, pleased that they had made it so far without being discovered.

  at the top and work down,said Jeod. scrolls only deal with taxes. You can ignore those. Look for anything that mentions Seithr oil. He took a length of parchment from his pouch and stretched it out on the floor, then set a bottle of ink and a quill pen next to it. we can keep track of whatever we find,he explained.

  Brom scooped an armful of scrolls from the top of the rack and piled them on the floor. He sat and unrolled the first one. Eragon joined him, positioning himself so he could see the door. The tedious work was especially difficult for him, as the cramped script on the scrolls was different from the printing Brom had taught him.

  By looking only for the names of ships that sailed in the northern areas, they winnowed out many of the scrolls. Even so, they moved down the rack slowly, recording each shipment of Seithr oil as they located it.

  It was quiet outside the room, except for the occasional watchman. Suddenly, Eragon’s neck prickled. He tried to keep working, but the uneasy feeling remained. Irritated, he looked up and jerked with surprise—a small boy crouched on the windowsill. His eyes were slanted, and a sprig of holly was woven into his shaggy black hair.

  Do you need help? asked a voice in Eragon’s head. His eyes widened with shock. It sounded like Solembum.

  Is that you? he asked incredulously.

  Am I someone else?

  Eragon gulped and concentrated on his scroll. If my eyes don’t deceive me, you are.

  The boy smiled slightly, revealing pointed teeth. What I look like doesn’t change who I am. You don’t think I’m called a werecat for nothing, do you?

  What are you doing here? Eragon asked.

  The werecat tilted his head and considered whether the question was worth an answer. That depends on what you are doing here. If you are reading those scrolls for entertainment, then I suppose there isn’t any reason for my visit. But if what you are doing is unlawful and you don’t want to be discovered, I might be here to warn you that the guard whom you bribed just told his replacement about you and that this second official of the Empire has sent soldiers to search for you.

  Thank you for telling me, said Eragon.

  Told you something, did I? I suppose I did. And I suggest you make use of it.

  The boy stood and tossed back his wild hair. Eragon asked quickly, What did you mean last time about the tree and the vault?

  Exactly what I said.

  Eragon tried to ask more, but the werecat vanished through the window. He announced abruptly, are soldiers looking for us.

  do you know?asked Brom sharply.

  listened in on the guard. His replacement just sent men to search for us. We have to get out of here. They’ve probably already discovered that Jeod’s office is empty.

  you sure?asked Jeod.

  said Eragon impatiently. ’re on their way.

  Brom snatched another scroll from the rack. matter. We have to finish this now! They worked furiously for the next minute, scanning the records as fast as they could. As the last scroll was finished, Brom threw it back onto the rack, and Jeod jammed his parchment, ink, and pen into his pouch. Eragon grabbed the torch.

  They raced from the room and shut the door, but just as it closed they heard the heavy tramp of soldiers’ boots at the end of the hall. They turned to leave, but Brom hissed furiously, It’s not locked. He put his hand against the door. The lock clicked at the same time three armed soldiers came into view.

  Get away from that door!shouted one of them. Brom stepped back, assuming a surprised expression. The three men marched up to them. The tallest one demanded, are you trying to get into the records? Eragon gripped his bow tighter and prepared to run.

  ’m afraid we lost our way.The strain was evident in Jeod’s voice. A drop of sweat rolled down his neck.

  The soldier glared at them suspiciously. inside the room,he ordered one of his men.

  Eragon held his breath as the soldier stepped up to the door, tried to open it, then pounded on it with his mailed fist. ’s locked, sir.

  The leader scratched his chin. ’right, then. I don’t know what you were up to, but as long as the door’s locked, I guess you’re free to go. Come on.The soldiers surrounded them and marched them back to the keep.

  I can’t believe it, thought Eragon. They’re helping us get away!

  At the main gates, the soldier pointed and said, you walk through those and don’t try anything. We’ll be watching. If you have to come back, wait until morning.

  course,promised Jeod.

  Eragon could feel the guards’ eyes boring into their backs as they hurried out of the castle. The moment that the gates closed behind them, a triumphant grin stretched across his face, and he jumped into the air. Brom shot him a cautioning look and growled, back to the house normally. You can celebrate there.

  Chastised, Eragon adopted a staid demeanor, but inside he still bubbled with energy. Once they had hurried back to the house and into the study, Eragon exclaimed, did it!

  but now we have to figure out if it was worth the trouble,said Brom. Jeod took a map of Alagafrom the shelves and unrolled it on the desk.

  On the left side of the map, the ocean extended to the unknown west. Along the coast stretched the Spine, an immense length of mountains. The Hadarac Desert filled the center of the map—the east end was blank. Somewhere in that void hid the Varden. To the south was Surda, a small country that had seceded from the Empire after the Riders’ fall. Eragon had been told that Surda secretly supported the Varden.

  Near Surda’s eastern border was a mountain range labeled Beor Mountains. Eragon had heard of them in many stories—they were supposed to be ten times the height of the Spine, though he privately believed that was exaggeration. The map was empty to the east of the Beors.

  Five islands rested off the coast of Surda: NParlim, Uden, Illium, and Beirland. Na was no more than an outcropping of rock, but Beirland, the largest, had a small town. Farther up, near Teirm, was a jagged island called Sharktooth. And high to the north was one more island, immense and shaped like a knobby hand. Eragon knew its name without even looking: Vroengard, the ancestral home of the Riders—once a place of glory, but now a looted, empty shell haunted by strange beasts. In the center of Vroengard was the abandoned city of DorAreaba.

  Carvahall was a small dot at the top of Palancar Valley. Level with it, but across the plains, sprawled the forest Du Weldenvarden. Like the Beor Mountains, its eastern end was unmapped. Parts of Du Weldenvarden’s western edge had been settled, but its heart lay mysterious and unexplored. The forest was wilder than the Spine; the few who braved its depths often came back raving mad, or not at all.

  Eragon shivered as he saw Ur’baen in the center of the Empire. King Galbatorix ruled from there with his black dragon, Shruikan, by his side. Eragon put his finger on Ur’baen. Ra’zac are sure to have a hiding place here.

  had better hope that that isn’t their only sanctuary,said Brom flatly. you’ll never get near them.He pushed the rustling map flat with his wrinkled hands.

  Jeod took the parchment out of his pouch and said, what I saw in the records, there have been shipments of Seithr oil to every major city in the Empire over the past five years. As far as I can tell, all of them might have been ordered by wealthy jewelers. I’m not sure how we can narrow down the list without more information.

  Brom swept a hand over the map. think we can eliminate some cities. The Ra’zac have to travel wherever the king wants, and I’m sure he keeps them busy. If they’re expected to go anywhere at anytime, the only reasonable place for them to stay is at a crossroads where they can reach every part o
f the country fairly easily.He was excited now and paced the room. crossroads has to be large enough so the Ra’zac will be inconspicuous. It also has to have enough trade so any unusual requests—special food for their mounts, for example—will go unnoticed.

  makes sense,said Jeod, nodding. those conditions, we can ignore most of the cities in the north. The only big ones are Teirm, Gil’ead, and Ceunon. I know they’re not in Teirm, and I doubt that the oil has been shipped farther up the coast to Narda—it’s too small. Ceunon is too isolatedonly Gil’ead remains.

  Ra’zac might be there,conceded Brom. would have a certain irony.

  would at that,Jeod acknowledged softly.

  about southern cities?asked Eragon.

  said Jeod. ’s obviously Ur’baen, but that’s an unlikely destination. If someone were to die from Seithr oil in Galbatorix’s court, it would be all too easy for an earl or some other lord to discover that the Empire had been buying large amounts of it. That still leaves many others, any one of which could be the one we want.

  said Eragon, the oil wasn’t sent to all of them. The parchment only lists Kuasta, Dras-Leona, Aroughs, and Belatona. Kuasta wouldn’t work for the Ra’zac; it’s on the coast and surrounded by mountains. Aroughs is isolated like Ceunon, though it is a center of trade. That leaves Belatona and Dras-Leona, which are rather close together. Of the two, I think Dras-Leona is the likelier. It’s larger and better situated.

  that’s where nearly all the goods of the Empire pass through at one time or another, including Teirm’s,said Jeod. would be a good place for the Ra’zac to hide.

  Dras-Leona,said Brom as he sat down and lit his pipe. do the records show?

  Jeod looked at the parchment. it is. At the beginning of the year, three shipments of Seithr oil were sent to Dras-Leona. Each shipment was only two weeks apart, and the records say they were all transported by the same merchant. The same thing happened last year and the year before that. I doubt any one jeweler, or even a group of them, has the money for so much oil.

  about Gil’ead?asked Brom, raising an eyebrow.

  doesn’t have the same access to the rest of the Empire. And,Jeod tapped the parchment, ’ve only received the oil twice in recent years.He thought for a moment, then said, I think we forgot something—Helgrind.

  Brom nodded. yes, the Dark Gates. It’s been many years since I’ve thought of it. You’re right, that would make Dras-Leona perfect for the Ra’zac. I guess it’s decided, then; that’s where we’ll go.

  Eragon sat abruptly, too drained of emotion to even ask what Helgrind was. I thought I would be happy to resume the hunt. Instead, I feel like an abyss has opened up before me. Dras-Leona! It’s so far away

  The parchment crackled as Jeod slowly rolled up the map. He handed it to Brom and said, ’ll need this, I’m afraid. Your expeditions often take you into obscure regions. Nodding, Brom accepted the map. Jeod clapped him on the shoulder. doesn’t feel right that you will leave without me. My heart expects to go along, but the rest of me reminds me of my age and responsibilities.

  know,said Brom. you have a life in Teirm. It is time for the next generation to take up the standard. You’ve done your part; be happy.

  of you?asked Jeod. the road ever end for you?

  A hollow laugh escaped Brom’s lips. see it coming, but not for a while.He extinguished his pipe, and they left for their rooms, exhausted. Before he fell asleep, Eragon contacted Saphira to relate the night’s adventures.

  * * *

  A COSTLY MISTAKE

  In the morning Eragon and Brom retrieved their saddlebags from the stable and prepared to depart. Jeod greeted Brom while Helen watched from the doorway. With grave looks, the two men clasped hands. ’ll miss you, old man,said Jeod. you I,said Brom thickly. He bowed his white head and then turned to Helen. you for your hospitality; it was most gracious. Her face reddened. Eragon thought she was going to slap him. Brom continued, unperturbed, have a good husband; take care of him. There are few men as brave and as determined as he is. But even he cannot weather difficult times without support from those he loves.He bowed again and said gently, a suggestion, dear lady.

  Eragon watched as indignation and hurt crossed Helen’s face. Her eyes flashed as she shut the door brusquely. Sighing, Jeod ran his fingers through his hair. Eragon thanked him for all his help, then mounted Cadoc. With the last farewells said, he and Brom departed.

  At Teirm’s south gate, the guards let them through without a second glance. As they rode under the giant outer wall, Eragon saw movement in a shadow. Solembum was crouched on the ground, tail twitching. The werecat followed them with inscrutable eyes. As the city receded into the distance, Eragon asked, are werecats?

  Brom looked surprised at the question. the sudden curiosity?

  heard someone mention them in Teirm. They’re not real, are they?said Eragon, pretending ignorance.

  are quite real. During the Riders’ years of glory, they were as renowned as the dragons. Kings and elves kept them as companions—yet the werecats were free to do what they chose. Very little has ever been known about them. I’m afraid that their race has become rather scarce recently.

  they use magic?asked Eragon.

  one’s sure, but they could certainly do unusual things. They always seemed to know what was going on and somehow or another manage to get themselves involved.Brom pulled his hood up to block a chill wind.

  ’s Helgrind?asked Eragon, after a moment’s thought.

  ’ll see when we get to Dras-Leona.

  When Teirm was out of sight, Eragon reached out with his mind and called, Saphira! The force of his mental shout was so strong that Cadoc flicked his ears in annoyance.

  Saphira answered and sped toward them with all of her strength. Eragon and Brom watched as a dark blur rushed from a cloud, then heard a dull roar as Saphira’s wings flared open. The sun shone behind the thin membranes, turning them translucent and silhouetting the dark veins. She landed with a blast of air.

  Eragon tossed Cadoc’s reins to Brom. ’ll join you for lunch.

  Brom nodded, but seemed preoccupied. a good time,he said, then looked at Saphira and smiled. ’s good to see you again.

  And you too.

  Eragon hopped onto Saphira’s shoulders and held on tightly as she bounded upward. With the wind at her tail, Saphira sliced through the air. Hold on, she warned Eragon, and letting out a wild bugle, she soared in a great loop. Eragon yelled with excitement as he flung his arms in the air, holding on only with his legs.

  I didn’t know I could stay on while you did that without being strapped into the saddle, he said, grinning fiercely.

  Neither did I, admitted Saphira, laughing in her peculiar way. Eragon hugged her tightly, and they flew a level path, masters of the sky.

  By noon his legs were sore from riding bareback, and his hands and face were numb from the cold air. Saphira’s scales were always warm to the touch, but she could not keep him from getting chilled. When they landed for lunch, he buried his hands in his clothes and found a warm, sunny place to sit. As he and Brom ate, Eragon asked Saphira, Do you mind if I ride Cadoc? He had decided to question Brom further about his past.

  No, but tell me what he says. Eragon was not surprised that Saphira knew his plans. It was nearly impossible to hide anything from her when they were mentally linked. When they finished eating, she flew away as he joined Brom on the trail. After a time, Eragon slowed Cadoc and said, need to talk to you. I wanted to do it when we first arrived in Teirm, but I decided to wait until now.

  what?asked Brom.

  Eragon paused. ’s a lot going on that I don’t understand. For instance, who are your ‘friends,’ and why were you hiding in Carvahall? I trust you with my life—which is why I’m still traveling with you—but I need to know more about who you are and what you are doing. What did you steal in Gil’ead, and what is the tuatha du orothrim that you’re taking me through? I think that after all that’s happened, I deserve an explanation.

  eavesdropped on
us.

  once,said Eragon.

  see that you have yet to learn proper manners,said Brom grimly, tugging on his beard. makes you think that this concerns you?

  really,said Eragon shrugging. it’s an odd coincidence that you happened to be hiding in Carvahall when I found Saphira’s egg and that you also know so much dragonlore. The more I think about it, the less likely it seems. There were other clues that I mostly ignored, but they’re obvious now that I look back. Like how you knew of the Ra’zac in the first place and why they ran away when you approached. And I can’t help but wonder if you had something to do with the appearance of Saphira’s egg. There’s a lot you haven’t told us, and Saphira and I can’t afford to ignore anything that might be dangerous.

  Dark lines appeared on Brom’s forehead as he reined Snowfire to a halt. won’t wait?he asked. Eragon shook his head mulishly. Brom sighed. wouldn’t be a problem if you weren’t so suspicious, but I suppose that you wouldn’t be worth my time if you were otherwise.Eragon was unsure if he should take that as a compliment. Brom lit his pipe and slowly blew a plume of smoke into the air. ’ll tell you, he said, you have to understand that I cannot reveal everything.Eragon started to protest, but Brom cut him off. ’s not out of a desire to withhold information, but because I won’t give away secrets that aren’t mine. There are other stories woven in with this narrative. You’ll have to talk with the others involved to find out the rest.

  well. Explain what you can,said Eragon.

  you sure?asked Brom. are reasons for my secretiveness. I’ve tried to protect you by shielding you from forces that would tear you apart. Once you know of them and their purposes, you’ll never have the chance to live quietly. You will have to choose sides and make a stand. Do you really want to know?