Popularity War

Uncle Richard

Popularity War

Chapter 14

Eragon scowled at his cousin. “How can you leave now?”

Roran disliked Eragon’s sour attitude. “I don’t understand why you are so upset? I’ll only be away for a few months.” He was offered a job in Therinsford for the winter. “I need to save up some money so that I can marry.”

“Katrina?” Eragon questioned.

“Of course.”

The walk back to the farm was taking too long. Eragon had accompanied his cousin to the village to get a tool fixed never thinking that a man would offer Roran a job. His name was Dempton and he owned a mill in Therinsford, the next village to the south of Carvahall. Winter had arrived in full after the traders left several weeks ago. The snow piled up and now it was up to the men’s knees. 

Eragon hated the idea of his cousin leaving. Eva could be leaving at any time and that was bad enough, and now he had to endure the loss of his cousin as well. He found the whole situation unfair; what is he to do with them both gone? Life on the farm was dull enough as it is being winter. Without Eva or Roran, he will be incredibly bored. The chill added to his distress as he walked alongside his cousin. Hours later, he finally spotted the small farmhouse. Smoke arose from the chimney making him crave for warmth and food.

Eva opened the door for them with a bright smile and a friendly greeting, but Eragon was not in the mood. He brushed passed her heading towards the fire. Roran however greeted Eva politely as he paced over to the fire as well. “I’ll get you two some tea,” Eva said scurrying to the kitchen.

Garrow was hidden in his study until he heard the men come inside. He got out of his wooden chair, grumbling at the pain in his lower back, and walked into the living room. “How was the village?”

“Not as bad as the weather,” Roran joked. Next to him, Eragon rolled his eyes.

Garrow chuckled. “That is good to hear. I take it you got your tool fixed?” Roran nodded. “Good.”

Eva handed the men their tea before finishing dinner. She had been preparing beef stew all afternoon and was anxious to eat. It was already early evening and she figured it would be done within the hour. She was right. About forty-five minutes later she called the men into the kitchen to eat. Not much had been said about Roran’s trip, putting Eragon on edge. He wanted to know when his cousin would tell Garrow.

The first half of dinner was eaten in almost pure silence. Then, Roran cleared his throat. Eragon looked up from his bowl, having eaten very little, and gazed at Roran. Eva glanced from Eragon to Roran wondering what had caused tension between them. Only Garrow seemed oblivious to their behavior, though they knew he wasn’t; he simply does not make a ruckus over such things.

“So,” Roran started, “there was a man from Therinsford in Carvahall today.” He stopped to eat some more strew. If Roran didn’t quickly finish his tale, Eragon looked like he would.

“Yes?” Garrow prompted.

Roran wiped his mouth and then said, “He offered me a job at his mill and I accepted. I will only be working over the winter to save some money. I want the money to be able to support Katrina…I want to marry her.”

“I see.”  Garrow gently put down his spoon and addressed Eragon. “What do you think about this?”

“It’s insane!” Eragon exploded. “We need him here.”

Garrow waited for Eragon to finish diffusing before he gave his opinion. “We can manage fine this winter without Roran, Eragon. In the Spring we will need him, so I do not see anything wrong with him leaving for a few months.”