Eragon: A Different Story

Chapter 5: A Bender in Our Midst

~Eragon~

Brom sat on the grass at the base of their tree house with Saphira curled around him with her head in his lap. He stroked her head and looked at Eragon and Jenna. They couldn't do anything but stare at the old man. Finally Jenna stepped forward, breaking the silence, "What are you doing here?", she demanded.

Brom casually stood up and smiled, "I knew it, you're a Rider," looking at Eragon.

"How'd you know?" Eragon asked.

But Jenna hit his arm, "Of course he knows, there's a dragon right in front of him, you're hopeless!" she whispered.

"Actually I found out a few days ago. When you were rushing back to your farm, I looked at that scar of yours and that was when I realised that you were a Rider," said Brom.

"But what does that scar have to do with being a Rider?"

"That scar is the mark of the Riders. It appears when the Rider touches his dragon for the first time. Enough questions we need to get going before the villagers realise that you and Jenna have disappeared."

"Wait, what? Why would you want to.......? Do you know where we're going?" Eragon looked up at the old man, shocked.

"I overheard you two talking in the village, you're avenging the death of Garrow. Of all the things, you don't even know what you are up against," said Brom. He saw Eragon's surprise and Jenna's glare and explained further, "I followed Eragon into the forest but lost track of him. When you two were being hospitalised, I went back to investigate and I found the dragon. But getting back to the main point, you are up against the Ra'zac. They are the most deadliest creatures in Alagaesia. They are the strongest race after probably the Elves and the Benders and of course the Riders. That is why you need me to come along. You need someone more experienced in these things." Brom patted his sword in an old, worn scabbard that hung by his belt. Then, quickly changing the subject to avoid further questions, he turned to Saphira, "What a magnificent beast," Brom commented.

Saphira let out a satisfied grumble, "He'll do."

"By the way what is his name?" Brom asked.

"Her... It's a girl. Her name's Saphira," said Eragon, noticing how Brom's eyes clouded at the mention of the name as if the name pained him in some way.

~Jenna~

They stayed at the tree house for the night. Jenna convinced Brom and Eragon that the tree house was well hidden. Saphira slept at the base of the tree along with Eragon, who was wrapped around by Saphira's neck. They all slept deeply, not noticing the still awake Jenna, who had woken up and was looking through her small bag by a weak candle light.

Jenna took up one of the books which said "THE ART OF WATER BENDING". She flicked through the first few pages and found the contents page. One of the headings caught her eye, "Healing". She looked at the chapter and found pictures showing the process and different styles of healing. She flicked through the pages and found different fighting styles and other useful techniques of Water Bending.

Slowly climbing down the ladder with the book in hand, Jenna carefully stepped around the sleeping dragon and its Rider and ran to the stream nearby. She lay the book down by the bank and poised herself with her legs and knees apart, she followed the movements from the book. She tried to gather the power she felt when she had healed herself but it wouldn't come. She tried again this time putting all her weight on her legs and shifting the weight through her body, this time she could pull the water a few centimetres into the air, "Yes!" Jenna exclaimed, punching her hands into the air, immediately causing the water to drop back down to the stream. She tried every move in the book before dawn came and practiced the moves over and over again until she could do it with her eyes closed. She was so busy practicing, she didn't notice Brom and Eragon had already woken and were watching her water bend. Brom's eyes were shining and Eragon's eyes were wide with amazement.