Erys: An Eragon Fanfiction - (Under Editing)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Smoke Out the Rats

Erys sat on her cot, back against the wall. She balanced the staff in her lap and stared at the floor. After yet another day of feeding the prisoner, anger and resentment burned in her.  She'd made up her mind he didn't deserve to live; he may not have drawn the bow, but she held him just as responsible for Thalia's death.  She wanted him dead.  Needed him dead.

Despite the time she'd spent as of late contemplating murder, she could think of nothing to kill the horrid man without leading a trail directly back to her.

Magic wouldn't due; she wasn't strong enough, nor had they taught her the proper spells to take a life. She couldn't even guarantee they couldn't link the spells back to her in some way. Nor could she stab him or slit his throat; the gate was locked and any flesh wound might be traced to her.

A horrid squealing assaulted her ears as a rat scurried across the floor in front of her, fleeing from Du Thirr, having grown in size; much longer and they would be too large to keep company indoors.  They now nearly matched  an average horse in size, though with their muscle mass, they far outweighed one.  Erys had had to move from the homestead to the barn to reside with them, much to her chagrin.

They leapt at the rat; a swat sent in flying toward a wall.  As it righted itself and bolted for cover, an idea occurred to Erys.

"No!"

They stopped just short of killing it.  It remained pinned under their paw, a claw stuck through its tail.  They looked to Erys with, almost begging.

"Leave it."

Du Thirr looked longingly at the rat then released it. They returned to sleep at her side. She jumped to her feet and made for the kitchen, leaving them staring at her.  As usual, Koarna was preparing their late meal.  Erys pulled a chair from the kitchen table and settled comfortably into her seat.

"You have a rat problem."

Koarna stopped her chore and looked up.

"We always get rats this time'a year."

"You have a way to take care of them?"  Erys drummed her fingers against the table.  "Found one in my...the spare room."

"Poor thing, ya must be frightened."

"I'm not afraid; they're dirty."

"Maybe yar dragons can eat 'em."

"They're diseased," she objected.  "How do you usually get rid of them?"

"Fine. Here."  She tossed a coin sack on the table.  "Go into town'n buy poison."

Erys could barely keep the smile from her face.  She stopped herself from reaching for the coin purse; letting her eagerness show through her mask would gain her nothing.

"I would love to help, but I'm not allowed out."

Koarna sighed. "Anderr!"

He popped his head through the doorway.

"Yes, ma?"

"Take Ailden into town. He needs to buy poison for the rats."

She stood and pocketed the money.  He sprang forward, taking her by the hand and leading her toward the stables. Du Thirr trailed after them. They waited outside as Anderr saddled the horse, the Friesian Erys had borrowed earlier, Silverflame, Anderr had called him. She pulled herself into the saddle behind him and they rode from the farm. Du Thirr trailed behind them silently, their claws leaving soft impressions in the damp soil.