Popularity War

Audit of Death

Popularity War

Chapter 7

Lord Whikim grasped his chest after spending several hours of pouring over documents in his study. It was a sharp pain in the center of his chest and he found it hard to breathe all of a sudden. Seconds later, the pain relented and he was able to breathe normally again. His daughter was in the room with him helping, when she noticed her father’s behavior. “Father, are you alright?”

Unwilling to scare his daughter he nodded, managing to say, “I’m fine.”

“Are you certain?” Eva was uncertain, but did not press the issue when he smiled at her and said something about having a little heartburn, although he knew the symptoms he experience was nothing that minor. When she returned her attention back to the documents, he felt himself become relieved. She had enough to worry about in regards to his failing business that she did not need to stress over his failing health.  This was not the first time he had felt his chest become painful and his breath become short I the past few weeks.

Gazing at his daughter as she read through a scroll, he knew something had to be done to ensure she would be taken care of once he was no longer living. As he racked his brain for possible solutions, he realized that one was already staring him in the face. “Eva, I doubt we will be able to get through these paper’s today, so why don’t we stop and enjoy the rest of our evening. Tomorrow I can finish up.”

“Fine, but what about me? I can help you tomorrow as well.”

Her father nodded, “No, I have something else for you to do. I promised Garrow that I would give his farm an audit this week, and since I will be busy, will you take care of that task for me?”

Eva gave him a look of astonishment. “I do not know how to…”

Her father cut her off to explain that Garrow would know what to do. Reassured that she would be unable to mess up the task, she became excited to see Eragon and his family. This excitement lasted all evening and into the morning when she awoke early to be on her way. Bidding her father farewell, she hopped up on her horse, Trixie, and galloped away.

With the path so worn, and the terrain flat enough, she managed to arrive at Garrow’s farm about three and a half hours later. Upon her arrival, Eragon ran out to greet her. “Eva! I figured you would come, but where is your father? Did you leave him in the dust?”

She allowed Eragon to help her off Trixie before saying, “No, and I must apologize for his absence. He is swamped with reading documents for his business and sent me in his stead. He said your uncle will know how the audit process works and can help me.”

Eragon nodded, smiling. “Yes, he can. I am sorry your father is held up.”

“I know, he could really use some time outside his study, but he said it was too important to leave,” she sighed, think of her father all cooped up.

“Well, I hope he can finish up as soon as possible and enjoy the rest of the day.”

“Aye.”

Eragon took Trixie’s reigns and began to walk her towards the barn where she would remain for the duration of her master’s visit. When she was settled in, Eragon and Eva walked over to the fields where Garrow and Roran were busy working. With autumn already in the air, they had a lot of work to be done before winter came.

When all the initial greetings were complete, the four of them exited the fields for the small farm house. Eva had never been to Garrow’s farm before, so everything in sight was new and fascinating. Although she knew Eragon’s life was very different than hers, she never fully understood just how much until that moment. His house was merely a stack of logs with a thatched roof large enough for a medium sized family.