Lover of the Legacy: A Hidden Desire

Chapter 4: The Friendship Begins

It was the day after Eragon had arrived in Surda. Orrin and Nasuada had finished briefing Eragon and Saphira about their plans to send their armies east towards the Burning Plains. After poring over maps and from what they heard from their messengers, the King's army seemed to be heading in that direction. "By the week's end, we hope to have everything ready to leave." Nasuada said.

"Good. I will stay here and defend the castle. A smaller group of the King's soldier's was seen and we think that they will strike the capital. Satine will be the one to lead my army while I am absent."

Nasuada nodded and the group was dismissed. Eragon was glad to leave the stuffy room; he had a headache and was tired from the night before. He left Saphira, who wanted to explore Aberon and hunt, for the kitchen. Orrin had instructed him that there would be no more formal dinners and said that he could go to the kitchen whenever he wanted to eat. Along the way, he passed a few nobles and servants who all bowed before him making him feel awkward. At first he enjoyed the attention, but when every person bows at him, it gets quite annoying. Still, he hid his annoyance with a smile and continued walking towards the kitchen.

He opened the door to find the room completely empty. When no one showed up after a few minutes, he decided to simply prepare a meal by himself. He rummaged through the cabinets and grabbed some bread, cheese, fruit, and a cup of wine. After a few bites of the food and a drink of the wine, he began to feel much better.

He had finished most of his food and was pouring another glass of wine when the door opened. Looking up, Eragon saw Satine enter. "Oh, excuse me; I didn't know anyone was in here." She closed the door and headed towards Eragon, never bowing once.

"It's fine; I was just finishing up anyways." Eragon popped a grape into his mouth.

"I don't mind the company; it gets lonely always eating alone nearly every day." She walked passed him to grab a cup. "May I?" She pointed at the wine bottle in his hand.

Eragon had forgotten that he was holding the bottle. "Oh yeah. Here, let me get that for you." He took her cup and poured her some wine.

"Thank you." She smiled, grabbing the cup back. "I hope the food was to your liking. Coming from a palace, I am sure you expected more, but given the war, we have been forced to eating less sophisticated dishes, with the exception of last night's feast."

"The food was fine, and this wine," he held up his glass, "Is superb." He took a sip.

"I will tell Orrin of your compliments." She set down her glass and began to gather her meal while Eragon continued to finish his. When she was done, she took a seat across from Eragon and began to eat.

"From what I have seen, Aberon seems to be a pleasant city." Eragon said when their silence became unbearable.

Satine swallowed a piece of cold chicken, wiped her lips, and replied. "It is. If not for such pressing matters, I would have loved to show you around. I only hope that Orrin can fend off the King's men before the entire city is destroyed."

"I would have loved that, however, if we survive this fight and the city is not in shambles, perhaps we will get to take that tour."

Satine nodded. "Perhaps." She began to eat some grapes while Eragon took his dishes to the sink. "So, what do you like to do in your spare time, Eragon?"

The question was simple, but it still caught him off guard. Not once since he had been forced to leave Carvahall to go off on an incredible journey had someone asked him what his hobbies were. In fact, as he thought about it, he realized that he never really did much in the little time he did have off. "Well, I do like to read, if that is what you mean." He said, finally.

Satine suddenly became giddy as her eyes lit up and she exclaimed, "That's wonderful! I love to read as well."

Her excitement caused Eragon to shake off his nervousness as he began to feel more comfortable around the young woman. "I do, especially since I have recently learned to read."

"That's right; you grew up on a farm. Anyways, I am glad that you were able to learn to read; there is so much that we can learn from books, and I wish that more people would take the time to enjoy the written word."

"What is your favorite story?" Her passion for books astounded him, and he was anxious to learn more.

"Let's see," she said, as she began to think. After a few moments, she finally responded. "I don't really have a favorite, I love so many, but I can narrow it down to at least five that I really enjoy." Eragon listened to her ramble off the book, and after, she explained why she loved them. Eragon then told her some of the books that he had enjoyed adding how he would have to read the ones she loved. "After I read them, I will have to tell you my opinions."

"I would love to hear them." She had finished her lunch and took her dishes to the sink. Turning around, she then asked, "How would you like to see the gardens? I do not have anything going on at the moment, and I am guessing you don't either."

Eragon smiled and nodded, "Sure, might as well enjoy what little pleasantries we have before we have to leave." The remainder of the afternoon was spent in the garden where Satine and Eragon talked for hours about various topics. By the end of the day, they departed as friends.

Eragon was heading to his chambers when he stopped to find Satine asleep in the library. He walked in and tapped her on the shoulder, but she didn't wake up not surprising him at all. Nearly all week she was found sleeping with a book in her hand. Eragon chuckled and left her to find Orrin, who was in his room talking to Nasuada and looking at a map. "Eragon, what is it?" He suddenly became concerned considering that he had dismissed his not too long ago, and hoped that nothing was amiss.

"I am sorry to interrupt you, but I thought I should let you know that Satine is asleep in the library, again."

At the news, Orrin heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Eragon." Eragon nodded and was about to depart when Orrin addressed him again. "Do you think you can take her to bed? I would do it myself, but I really am very busy at the moment."

Eragon assured the king that he can perform the task and left. Back in the library, he gently lifted Satine bridal style and carried her down the hallway. He was nearly to her chambers when Satine began to stir, making him come to a halt. He looked upon her and saw that she was still sleeping despite her movements. He watched as she snuggled closer to his chest, wrapping an arm around his neck.

Eragon felt his heart begin to race, but ignored it as he resumed his walking. In her room, he laid her down, whispered his good night, and left trying to forget how much he wanted to be near her.