Popularity War: Book 2

Loyalty

Popularity War

Book 2

Chapter 2

Darkness. Nothing but the never ending darkness. That’s all Eva could see. Once in a while muffled voices could be heard, and she tried to follow them, but then they will disappear and she would be alone once more. Time did not exist. She did not know how long she had been stuck in the dark, left to wander on her own. She remembered crying. She remembered grief. She remembered screaming into the constant night, but no one could hear her. When the voices came, they never responded to her misery. They were there to mock her instead.

“Eva.”

“Eva.”

“Eva!”

Bright light penetrated her eyes, making her wince and close them right away. “Oh, sorry.” It was a male voice that spoke softly to her. “I’m glad you are awake now. I was so worried about you.” She felt him touch her arm, the warmth seeping through her body like a hot beverage.

Eva swallowed the little moisture she had in her mouth and croaked, “Where am I?” Her eyes still ached, so she kept them closed.

“You’re at Gertrude’s. She’s been taking care of you for the past three days.”

“What about you? Do you still hate him…and me?”

She felt the man stiffen next her. “What? I never hated you. I was upset, that’s all. Anyways, let’s not talk about it while you are ill.”

Eva slowly opened her eyes to look up at him. She could tell he was exhausted, but he forced himself to stay awake to make sure she was watched over. His eyes were soft, but his appearance was hard with unkept hair on his face and head, dirty clothes that had a few holes, and his skin looked pale in the dim light.

“You must be hungry?” Eva nodded. “I’ll have Gertrude bring you some soup.”

He stood up to leave, and before he did, Eva grabbed his hand. “I’m so sorry, Roran.”

Roran gave her a quizzical look. “It’s not your fault.”

“I kept the secret too. I knew it was dangerous and I still said nothing, so yes, I feel guilty.”

Roran took a deep breath to steady himself and then left, saying nothing.

~*~

The next day, Roran came to visit her again. Eva was doing better and after their brief conversation the other day, he wanted some answers. Sitting in a chair next to the bed, he quietly asked, “What are you hiding?” Behind him, her uncle could be seen and his ears perked up when Roran asked the question.

Eva sighed. “I can’t tell you, Roran.”

“My father is dead and my home destroyed, don’t you think I deserve to know?” He growled.

“Probably…” She trailed off.

“Probably?” Roran looked disgusted. Before he could say anything else, Richard spoke.

“If I am the reason you can’t tell him, I will leave.” In fact, he started to do so afterward.

“No, please don’t go. I can’t tell him for other reasons, not because you are in the room.” Eva said frantically.

Richard stepped closer to the bed. “Fine, I’ll stay if it makes you feel calmer.”

Roran still had his nose crinkled at her. “What can you tell me then? Hmm.” His voice boomed, making Eva flinch. After, he softened his demeanor and apologized. “I just want to know what happened.”

Eva turned her eyes away, ashamed. “I know.”

“Then tell me.”

“Please, don’t. I can’t.” Her lips began to quiver.

Still, he remained steadfast. “Tell me.”

“I…I…”

“Tell me.”

“It’s the…” she stopped herself before she could continue, an image of Eragon in her mind. “No, I won’t say, so do not ask me again.”

Roran pounded his fist on the nightstand, cursing under his breath while Richard told him to take a deep breath and calm down. Eva started to shake as tears streamed down her face. She was terrified but she had to stay strong.

When Roran had controlled his temper, he only asked her one question, “Why?”

“No one can make you tell them what happened if you are ignorant. They would have to leave you alone, unlike me who has to be tormented by the same question over and over again.” Eva played with her fingers as who spoke.

She heard Roran exhale before he said, “Not knowing is more torment than hearing the same question again and again.”

A strange sensation overcame Eva. Her head began to throb and she felt as if she was no longer in her body. The feeling lasted only mere seconds, going almost as fast as it came. No one around her even seemed to notice behavior so she made no fuss about it. She remembered what Roran had said and replied. “What if something happened to Katrina?”

“What?”

Eva froze, feeling weird again. She felt dizzy and decided to lie down in her back. Her breathing became heavy as she tried to calm her churning stomach. “You need more sleep.” Richard put a hand on Roran’s shoulder. “We should go.”

“Hold on.” Roran growled before addressing Eva again. “What do you mean if something happened to Katrina?”

Staring deep into his eyes she whispered, “You would do anything to protect her.”

Roran stood, defeated. Her love for Eragon prevented her from saying anything about the situation and she made him understand that he would do the same for the one he loved. He grabbed Eva by the hand, kissed it, and then said, “He should feel honored if he knew how loyal you are to him.”

There was a knock at the door. Richard was standing next to it, so he opened the door to reveal Gertrude. “Sorry to intrude.”

“No, you’re fine,” Richard smiled. “We are just about to leave.”

“Well you may want to stay put a while longer. I have something for you.” The middle aged woman pulled out a letter.

“Who gave this to you?”

“Lord Hamish, which worries me.”

“Oh?” He was unfamiliar with Carvahall’s tax collector. Gertrude didn’t say anything else, so grabbed the letter and opened it. All eyes were on his when he read the letter, and then rub his forehead, his indication that he was troubled by the news. “It’s from the King. He is requesting Eva at court.”

~*~

Eva begged, her uncle, telling him that the king would want answers like Roran. She told him how the king will not be as forgiving, forcing her to say what she cannot reveal. However, when she recovered, Richard took her to Uru’baen, the capital of Alagaesia. As she gazed at the castle looming before her, she became scared for herself and for Eragon.