"That's enough sparring for today I believe" Brom said
"I agree, well done though Eragon, impressive skills" Ruth nodded, cradling her burnt left hand, palm up, in her other palm
"Thank you Ruth and I'm sorry about your hand it was an accident" Eragon said, a look of shame of his face
"I'm exhausted, I'm going to sleep early, have a nice night" she laid underneath Saphira's wing with her blankets wrapped snugly around her. She soon drifted into the warm welcome of sleep.
The next day, the three of them lunched at Fasaloft, a bustling, lakeside village. It had charming views for it was onlooking the lake on a rise.
***
The trail, which was now a road, was rocky and grew worse over the past two days. Wagon wheels and iron clod hooves tore the ground up making many pieces, making some parts impassable. Saphira hid during the day for there was an ever increasing number of travellers, she caught up with Eragon and Brom at night. For days they travelled around the Leona Lake, Ruth got to know more about Eragon and Brom which she found fun.
-Eragon-
Eragon rose early the following morning, his fingers twitched with the excitement of finding the Ra'zac.
The two of you must be careful, said Saphira, The Ra'zac might have spies that are looking for someone who fits your description.
We'll do our best to remain inconspicuous he assured her
She lowered her head until their eyes met Perhaps, but realise I will not be able to protect you like I have before. I will be too far away to come to your aid, follow Brom's lead on this hunt; he is sensible
I know Eragon said somberly
Will you go with Brom to the Varden? Galbatorix will be enraged with the Ra'zac's death it may be safest thing for us to do
Eragon rubbed his arms. I don't wanna fight the Empire all the time like the Varden do. Life is more than a constant war. There'll be time to consider it once the Ra'zac are gone
Don't be too sure Saphira warned before going to hide until the night.
The trio saw smoke in the distance before noon although it was until later that they saw the city. Unlike Teirm, Dras-Leona was a tangled mess next to the vast lake. Several miles east there was a nightmarish ship, with large bare, jagged black spikes that reached the sky.
"That is Helgrind, it's the reason Dras-Leona exists in the first place. People are fascinated by it, although it's an unhealthy, malevolent place" Brom said, he then gestured to the buildings within the city's walls "We should go to the centre of the city"
As they slowly approached the city Eragon noticed a large cathedral that looked similar to Helgrind. Especially when the arches and flared spikes caught the light.
"Who do they worship?" Ruth asked, echoing Eragon's thoughts
Brom grimaced in distaste "Their worshipers go to Helgrind. It's a cruel religion they practise. They drink human blood and make flesh offerings. Their priests often lack limbs, they believe the more bone and sinew you give up, the less you're attached to the mortal world."
"That's horrible" Eragon shuddered
"Aye it's disgusting" Ruth said, tucking her autumn-coloured hair behind her ears.
"Yes but don't say that to a believer, you'll quickly lose a hand in 'penance'" Brom said, shifting his gaze between the two of them
When they got to Dras-Leona's gates, they all passed without incident. The houses were tall and thin, the air reeked as though it was made from sewers.
-Ruth-
Ruth watched as groups of ragged children fought over bread in the street. Deformed beggars shrieked and cried for money, their shrieks like a song of the damned. Ruth shuddered, she glanced at Eragon to see he too looked unsettled, he caught her gaze; embarrassed she looked away.
"I won't stay here" Eragon said, now angry
"It gets better further in" said Brom "Right now we need to form an inn and form a strategy. Dras-Leona can be a dangerous place even to the most cautious. I don't wanna remain on the streets for any longer than necessary"
They forged deeper in Dras-Leona, the wealthier parts were more comfortable but Ruth wondered how they lived when the suffering around them was so obvious. They found lodging in the Golden Globe, it was cheap but decrepit. Two narrow beds were crammed against the wall in the room. The three of them shared a room, something Ruth knew she would not like especially that they were males. Eragon put his mattress on the floor.
"There are probably enough bugs on that thing to eat me alive, I'll sleep on the floor.""
Well I wouldn't what to deprive them of a meal" Brom said
"Same here," Ruth agreed, dropping her bags on the mattress.
"What now?" Eragon asked
"We find food and beer-" Brom began
"If the two of you will be drinking I shall not be joining you, the last time I drank someone died" Ruth said, the two boys stared at her, looking shocked
"That's– anyway. After that we will sleep, then we will find the Ra'zac." Before they left the room, Brom warned "No matter what happens don't let your tongue loosen, if so, we'll have to leave immediately"
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Unexpected Ally - Eragon fanfiction
FanfictionRuth was out hunting deer when she came across Saphira outside of Teirm. Soon accompanying Eragon and Brom on their perilous journey, helping and training with them. A big twist soon knots into their lives, will they survive? This is based on the fi...
