Popularity War: Book 2

Villages of Despair

Popularity War

Book 2

Chapter 1

The front left wheel of the carriage landed in a hole in the muddy road. With a sharp tug, the wheel escaped the hole and continued forward. Inside, the passengers were jolted, but they ignored the movement as they focused on their conversation.

“I know you were only in Teirm for a short time, but how did you like the city?” Richard asked his niece.

Eva shrugged. “The sea was beautiful, I must admit, but I do not feel that city life is for me.”

“I understand. I will miss your company.”

“I will miss you too,” Eva said, which was surprisingly true. Her uncle was not a horrid man; he had treated her well during her stay in Teirm and she was grateful to get to know him. Within a month she noticed how similar he was to her father, Lord Whikim. Both prepared their tea the same way with extra lemon, cream, and a dash of sugar. His compulsion for perfection and polite, kind-hearted mannerisms were also very much the same. Even his appearance held a striking resemblance.

However, one of the main differences is that Richard respected the king while his brother had become wary. Eva was sure the king was to blame for most of the people’s distress, even though she had no real proof. To avoid arguments, she held her tongue around her uncle, silently dismissing what he said about the man leading their country.

The carriage hit another bump. Eva groaned as pain seared her bottom. “How much longer until we reach the village?” Not only did her bottom hurt, but her back as well; riding in a carriage for two weeks was not pleasant at all.

“We have roughly another week.”

Eva groaned again. “So long.”

Richard could not help but chuckle. “Oh, you will survive. Imagine how thrilled you will become once we get there. You won’t care about the pain caused from the journey when you see Eragon again,” he winked.

A rush of heat filled Eva’s cheeks at the mention of Eragon’s name. Her body ached, though this time for her love. The longing to hold him close and kiss his lips had become overpowering, making her tired. With nothing else to do, she allowed her body to rest, wishing that when she woke up, she would be in Eragon’s arms.

Four days later, Eva could see the outline of Palancar Valley. Her excitement grew until they passed through Daret. The village was barren, sending chills down her spine. It was a gorgeous Spring afternoon, but the sight of an empty village was enough to turn the day sour. As they passed through the village square, bodies of both men and beast could be seen rotting on the ground. Eva cried out in horror, fearing what had become of her village if Daret had become a place of death.

“This is not good. We should head back.” Richard was about to tell the driver to turn around, but Eva stopped him.

“Please, we came all this way. I have to make sure Eragon is alright.” Tears started to brim her eyes.

“Eva, look around. We are not safe here, I’m sorry.”

She refused to give in as she continued to beg her uncle. At long last, he relented. “Fine, but we will abandon the carriage and travel on our horses.”

Richard sent the driver back to Teirm while he pressed forward with his niece. He cursed under his breath for giving into her demands, but he had become strangely curious as well. Whatever happened in Daret must be reported to the king, and perhaps a person in a neighboring village had the answer.

They pressed on through the night eager to get to Yazuac. They did not even have to enter the gates to realize that the village had fared no better than Daret. To spare them the horrific sight of dead bodies, they skirted around the village and made camp in the afternoon a few miles away. Both needed rest, even if it was a couple of hours. It was well after nightfall when they could hear the rushing of the Anora River that marked the mouth of Palancar Valley. They made camp next to the water and fell into a deep sleep.

Richard awoke when a cold droplet of water landed on his face. He looked up at the overcast sky and drew his coat closer to his body. Next to him, Eva was still sleeping. He decided to take care of himself before waking her, giving her a few more minutes to sleep. When he came back, he found her already awake, chewing on some bread. She handed him a piece and they ate in silence. After, they mounted their horses and headed towards Therinsford, praying to any god above that the village was not lifeless.

Smoke could be seen rising from chimneys as they neared Therinsford, making Eva and Richard feel a sense of relief. The villagers were heavily armed and questioned the visitors, leaving them alone once they proved themselves to be no threat. Richard revealed what they saw in Daret and Yazuac and asked if anyone could explain what had happened, and most importantly, why it happened.

“Unfortunately, we do not know why their villages were brutally attacked. We had beasts come here, but they left quickly for Carvahall. It is as if they finally found what they were looking for.”

Richard thanked the man. “Carvahall is our destination. We will find out what happened and report back here, is that fine by you?”

The man nodded. “You be careful, you hear.”

“Thank you. We will.” Richard and Eva purchased a few supplies before leaving.  From the villagers, she also learned that Roran had gone back to his farm after tragedy had befallen his family. Eva’s heart sank, but she made herself continue on with her journey.

A day and a half later, Carvahall came into view. Excitement and happiness were two emotions that never arose as they neared the entrance of the village. Instead, worry and depression followed them and it never relented, even when Eva saw the faces of familiar people, like Gertrude and Horst. Receiving no welcome, Eva swallowed hard and dismounted her horse, Whikim.

Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Where’s Eragon?”

As if his name were a curse word, the people’s faces contorted into disgust. “He’s not here.” The voice boomed off the wooden houses and made Eva jump. Stepping out from behind the crowd, Roran clenched his fists and walked towards her.

“Then where is he?” Eva held her ground, demanding answers.

“I don’t know. He fled a few weeks with Brom, but not after destroying the farm and getting my father killed.” Roran shook as his emotions raged.  Never had she seen him so upset, and his news made her absolutely sick to her stomach.

“No…” she trailed off in disbelief.

“Go take a look for yourself if you don’t believe me. I hate him—I hate Eragon!” He spat at his cousins name.

With tears in her eyes, Eva scrambled onto her horse and sped down the path towards the farm as if she were racing time. Trees lashed at her face like the claws of a cat, but she ignored the scratches as she flew past. Then, suddenly, she halted her horse. The old farmhouse no longer had structure as it lay scattered across the property. Even the barn was destroyed, the corpses of the animals hidden under the rubble.

All the wonderful memories she had of the farm felt like a far off dream she gazed upon the wreckage. Before she knew it, she was crumpled on the ground crying uncontrollably where nothing existed except her grief.