The Grey Chronicles (Eragon fanfic) Book 1: Emergence

Chapter 9: New Lessons

A.N: Since I've been updating again, I have this to say: Can you people please comment? I want to see what your ideas are, my head can't provide everything that is going on. You can send your brainstorming ideas in a PM, my message board, or just straight out comment. I feel nervous when my readers don't speak to me; makes me think they don't like it.

So anyways, we are getting off from the bitch-to-write-out part very soon. Probably in the next chappy or so. Arya has been distant in this story, so I will amend it for those of you who do like her. The whole aim of Jesse's character is for most everyone to like her. Otherwise they won't let her in on the action. Sure, she's the main character, but my bids to keep it realistic may drag this out.

So read, comment, and enjoy!

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The sailor blinked groggily as she walked down the hallways of Tronjheim, still sleepy despite having rested all night and day.

She noticed that the dwarves were a bit more rowdy around her, exclaiming what sounded like cheers in their language. Following the crowd to a nearby dining hall, she was greeted by an exceedingly humorous sight.

Eragon and Saphira were seated at the head of a long table, guests of honor, and drunk by the look of things. The Rider sang unintelligible verses with Orik and the others, making Jesse's lips quirk a little closer to a smile. The large blue dragon nearby was not to be outdone; she got herself thoroughly intoxicated with no less than four barrels of mead. Much to the horror of the girl's funny-bone, she then proceeded to stand on her hind legs and try to produce a bow.

The conclusion was instantaneous; Saphira toppled over, barely managing to crush more than a few dwarves, who laughed hard. At no point was Jesse going to start drinking the alcohol after witnessing what happened, and made a quick getaway to the library.

Surrounded by knowledge preserved in its medieval-style tomes, the girl felt very peaceful. This place was like one aspect of the sea, the sailor reflected, in that it had known many things.

Wandering the extensive shelves as she went, looking at the runes she could not read, it did not surprise her to find Arya sitting at an alcove. There was no book in her hands, though Jesse was sure that some of the tomes and scrolls were written in the ancient language (there was a distinct difference from the dwarf runes in that they were a lot more gracefully connected); perhaps she was here to enjoy a rare moment of peace. With her position as sole ambassador for the elves, it could not be that she would be relaxing most times of the day. The girl decided to leave her alone.

Just as she was about to turn and walk off, she caught the elf beckoning to her in her peripheral vision. Perhaps she needs to tell me something important, Jesse mused. Arya struck her as a loner; her company should never taken for granted. She walked up and took a seat across from her, noticing that the woman's usually serious face seemed more shadowed than usual.

"What is it, Miss Arya?" the girl asked. The elf seemed to have to raise herself out of her retrospective mood to answer.

"It is only that the summons for you has concerned me; no outsider has been in our forest for more than a century." Jesse understood; if they were to go to Elle's Coast right now, she would worry about them saying something wrong.

"And it does not help that I know next to nothing of your customs, correct?" Arya nodded, appreciating the open honesty that she showed for the situation. "Well, I know that I can carry a lengthy conversation if necessary in the ancient language, but perhaps there are a few phrases and rules I should know. If you are to teach Eragon on these gestures of respect as well, then perhaps you could teach me now before we leave, and save yourself the worry of another student."

It was actually a good idea, the elf thought.

"Very well. We will be leaving for Du Weldenvarden in three days, and I do not intend to teach Eragon in our mannerisms until we are close. He will be busy enough being given a tour before leaving the Beors. Meet me here tomorrow; your lessons will start then." Jesse nodded in confirmation and left the alcove, enjoying a last stroll among the bookshelves before walking up to her room.

Solembum was there, eating a rat with all the delicacy he could accord. Angela was busy sorting through several different kinds of mushrooms, probably to mix in variously useful potions. Really, she never really stopped despite leaving Teirm.

The sailor recognized the Fricai Andlat placed carefully on the table; the herbalist had told her of its properties on her way here. Though inherently dangerous, it could be used as a cure to the many different poisons the Empire used.

She also realized that she forgot to tell her mentor where she was going in two to three days.

"Angela, I'm afraid I can't come with you when the Varden goes to Surda," Jesse said as she took out her satchel. "For some reason, I've been called to Ellesméra."

"No need to be afraid, darling," Angela replied as she absently diced a toadstool. "And besides, no one gets an invitation to the northern forest for no good reason. It's better if you go and see what's in store for you there, though I don't think it'll do you good." The curly-haired woman gave her young assistant a look as Jesse smiled.

"No, I doubt it will." The sailor made sure that all the essentials were there along with her best weapons, then went to the baths to prepare for tomorrow's funeral. The day after that, Nasuada would become the new leader of the Varden. Oh, so much to do!

Learning starts tomorrow, the girl thought, fingering her sea charm.