The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Time Drags On

It had been a month-a very long and cold month at that-since the soldiers had come, and I was still stuck out here at Garrow's farm. Winter was well underway by now, and thick blankets of snow covered all of Palancar Valley and the Spine. Eragon's dragon had grown immensely in the short time span; its head now reached to his upper arm and almost to the top of my shoulder. Its rapid growth rate was sometimes a little frightening, but it was generally a sweet creature, except when it was hunting. One time, I saw it swallow a hare in one bite. I was just thankful it hadn't tried to eat me yet.

I had agreed to help Eragon raise the dragon, and while he was doing his chores I would go and stay with it at its hiding spot near the rowan tree. It was freezing cold as we sat in the snow one day. The little blue dragon was sitting on Eragon's shoulder, seeming to be weighting him down with its size, taking in its surroundings.

"I need to find out more about dragons, Tabby. I don't know enough and I'm concerned that it doesn't breathe fire yet," he said, petting the dragon's tail. "I want to give it a suitable name as well."

"And where will you go to find out such things?" I asked plainly, laughing a bit.

"To Brom's," he retorted with a bit of a curl to his lip. "When we went to town last when the traders came, Brom told the story of the Riders' beginnings and how Galbatorix rose to power. I figured he must know something about them. And who knows? Perhaps I might pick up some good names in the process." My heart fell a bit at the mention of the traders' fair, and I regretted that I hadn't been able to go. Their coming was always my favorite part of winter.

"While you're in town, please go to my aunt and uncle's again and let them know that I'm doing well," I said sadly. They had searched for me for the first few days, but Roran had gone to them secretly to let them know I was at Garrow's farm. They didn't understand why, nor did I expect them to, but they'd agreed to keep it silent. The soldiers had been conducting raids on farms all throughout the valley, but somehow had overlooked Garrow's farm. It could have just been the fact that it was the furthest one out of town, and completely isolated from anything else, but I liked to think that the spirits of my parents were watching over and keeping me safe.

"I will," he said. I thanked him silently with my eyes as he rose to leave. "I'll be back later, Tabby. Make sure it doesn't wander off too far."

"Do you think it's a boy or a girl?" I mused to myself, staring blankly at the greying sky. Fat, soft flakes of snow were falling slowly, settling on the already snow-covered ground with soft thuds.

"I'm not sure. Hopefully Brom will be able to tell me something." He turned to the dragon. I didn't believe him when he'd first told me that there was some kind of mental contact between the two of them, but then I realized that dragons are magical beasts and anything can happen when they're around.

As Eragon began to walk away, he stopped suddenly and slowly turned back to the two of us. "What's wrong?" I asked him.

"It just spoke to me," he said softly. I could feel my eyes grow wide. "It just said my name." I watched him for a moment as he stood in the snow in shock. He seemed to be contemplating something, but he never said what.

"Go on, Eragon. We'll still be here when you get back," I laughed. The sooner he left and returned the better. He turned away again, looking somewhat dejected, and slowly disappeared beyond the white horizon. The dragon gave out a low rumble as he went out of sight, and then turned to me, its sapphire eyes full of sadness and longing. Its blue scales shimmered in the white light of the snow as it shook flakes of cold snow off its back. I patted it on the head lovingly, rubbing behind where I thought its ears to be. "Don't worry," I said aloud, "he'll be back soon." The dragon slowly sank its shoulders and curled into a ball in the snow, looking mournfully towards the horizon.