Erys: An Eragon Fanfiction - (Under Editing)

Chapter Forty-Eight

Sands of the Hourglass

"You really are the most dreadful swordsman I've ever seen," Taerolan drawled.  "You're weak.  Almost as weak as a woman."

Though her heart skipped a beat at the comment, she ignored his jib and continued to eat.  She dared not confront him and risk making herself a greater target.  Were she to provoke him too much his constant pestering might prove dangerous.  So she simply rolled a chunk of potato over her tongue and scraped her fork slowly against the plate, smiling at the hint of a sneer at his lips. She chewed slowly, electing not to make eye contact.

"You need to work on your form."

She swiped her bread across her plate.

"I'm speaking to you.  Brenn?"

She raised her eyes.   She said nothing, merely stared a moment and returned to her meal.  With a snarl, Taerolan swept aside her dish.  It clattered loudly, spilling the remainder of her meal across the floor.  Erys set her fork aside and stood, calmly collecting her plate though her emotions raged within her.  What little she had left she pitched before leaving the dining hall.  Eirdain followed silently.

"What was that about?" he asked once out of earshot.

"He's confrontational," she said simply.  "No use in fighting someone like that."

She led him toward the dragonhold.

"Hold up!"  Taerolan jogged to catch up.  "he doesn't belong here."

"We were just—"

"These are the Riders' quarters."  He glanced down the hall behind him and looked back to Eirdain.  "Are you a Rider?"

"I believe Jorren said he couldn't sleep in the Riders' quarters.  He said nothing about a simple visit."

Taerolan glared.  "What are you planning?"

"Who says we plot?"

"Who here believes you don't?"

"We're companions," Eirdain argued.  "We shared the road together.  Who says we should break ties because we're safe?"

He scoffed but stepped aside.  "Go then."

Erys strode past, Eirdain close by her side.  She led Eirdain to her room.  They spoke not until they had reached Erys' chambers and warded themselves from listeners.

"I wish I could've told you earlier," Erys whispered.  "There's an envoy coming.  Soon."

"There's nothing we can do but wait," he said.  "But I've learned plenty on my end too.  And we have an opportunity," he offered.

"Hmm?"

"Jorren leaves sometimes."

"Leaves...the mountain?"  Her interest piqued, she sat forward.

"Yes. More often than you'd think."

"For how long?"

He shrugged and shook his head. "For days.  Weeks.  Most he's been gone at one time is two months straight."

"And the least?"

"Three days."

"So if we judge by pattern?" she pushed.

"We have three days to learn about our host," he finished.

Erys nodded and settled back.  "Where do you think he goes?"

"I guess we'll find out.  He leaves tomorrow."

Erys straightened.  "When?"

"Early."