Eragon: A Different Story

Chapter 4: An Unfortunate Turn of Events

~Eragon~

The next morning, Eragon and Saphira flew back to the farm. Eragon climbed onto Saphira, wary of her scales. They flew to the farm, which Saphira deemed to be safe. Eragon could see a black plume of smoke that hung where the house used to stand. The house had been burnt down to the ground and torn apart, what was left were ash and numerous burnt planks of wood.

“Sorrow breeds here,” said Saphira, solemnly.

Eragon shouted out his uncle’s and Jenna’s name repeatedly till his voice was sore. He poked around the ruins, to see if he could salvage anything. Out of the blue, he heard a weak cry for help and Eragon rushed over. Eragon found Jenna under a plank of wood. She was incredibly weak, one of her hands held a beautiful sword that appeared unharmed. Her face was covered with streaks of soot and ash. When she spoke, she pointed at what used to be the door to the kitchen, she said, “Garrow,” and slumped as if talking was too much for her to handle.

Eragon looked to where she was pointing at and saw a pile of rubble. Once the rubble was cleared, Garrow was unconscious and barely alive. He draped his uncle’s arm over his shoulder and slowly walked over to Saphira. Then Eragon turned to find any piece of leather. Fortunately he found four long pieces. With the help of Saphira, Eragon poked four holes in each of the four corners of a large plank of wood, and used the strips of leather to tie the plank of wood to each of Saphira’s legs. “Saphira, you’re going to have to carry all three of us, will you be able to do that?” he asked her mentally. Saphira nodded. Eragon dragged Garrow onto the board, and turned to Jenna but she was already standing supporting her weight on a stick, the sword had disappeared. He reached out to help her into the makeshift cradle, but she refused. Instead, Eragon help her onto Saphira’s back.

Saphira flew slower and nearer to the ground compared to the time that she had flown with just Eragon riding her. When they had gotten closer to Carvahall, Saphira landed with care. Slowly, Eragon and Jenna pulled Garrow, who was still on the plank of wood. The two dragged the plank until their hands bled and until they were exhausted. Eragon finally saw the fuzzy outline of Carvahall on the getting closer. But before they could reach the town, their knees buckled and the ground met them. The last thing Eragon saw was Brom running towards them.

~….~

When Eragon woke up, almost falling out of the bed, he found himself in a small cottage which he recognized as Gertrude’s, the town's healer. She was sitting on the edge of the bed he was in and was wringing out a wet cloth. She placed the damp cloth on his forehead, “Don’t sit up, you are still weak from that fever. When you’re stronger you can go visit your uncle and sister. Your sister was hurt very badly when we looked at her, both of her hands were bleeding and she was very weak from inhaling too much smoke, but she’s all well now, just woke up yesterday. You know your sister is very strong.”

Eragon was relieved that his sister was alive and healthy, but that relief was quickly taken over with worry for his uncle. Gertrude saw his look of worry, “You might want to see him for yourself.”

Garrow was lying on a bed with a crisp white sheet tucked underneath his chin. On his wrinkled forehead was a damp cloth. Eragon slowly approached the bed and knelt down next to Jenna, who had bandages on both her hands and one on her head. Despite her injuries, Jenna still smile her usual bright smile and greeted him, though her voice was hoarse and cracked, as if she hadn't talked for years.