Hope for the Future [An Eragon FanFiction]

Chapter 3 - Woven in the Fabric

"Is Ilisma as grand as you pictured it?" Mailen asks.

I gave up in awe at the huge outcropping of rock. At least half of it had been blasted away at one point but it was still breath taking. "No," I say, trailing my gaze down to the maze of streets. "It's even grander!"

Mailen laughs. "It's a good thing my father stays near the castle. We'll get to see it at least, and if we're lucky, maybe even enter the courtyard."

"I want to visit the other book vendors," I say. "Do you think there are any?"

"In a city this size?" Mailen says. "Definitely. Come on, let's get closer." He clicks his tongue at the horses and they wearily heave once again at their harnesses. The cart creaks as it rolls forward.

"How long will we stay?" I ask, eagerly squirming in my seat.

"Hmmm." Mailen studies the sky for a moment. "A week? Maybe longer though. My dad like to entertain visitors."

I grin. "Don't worry. I don't mind."

~*~

We reached the winding streets faster than I though we would. The first thing I notice is the smell: a horrible mix of animal manure and human stench. I wrinkle my nose and for the first time since I left, miss Palancar Valley.

"How can they stand it?" I ask Mailen who only shrugs.

"I thought Palancar Valley smelled when I first moved there," he says. "These people are used to it the same way you're used to Aarorn's tanning beds."

I grimace as I think of the mugginess of the business. "Good point." I say. "When are we going to eat."

"At my father's house!" Mailen says with a bark of laughter. "You can wander the streets later."

"Not if we get into the castle," I say. "That's the first thing I want to explore."

Mailen nods with a smile of his own splitting his face. "And find Eragon, of course. If he's actually here. I wonder where the dragon eggs are. It would be amazing to see one hatch. Don't you think, Hope?"

"Yes," I admit. "But how do they know the right person is there? How do they recognize their Rider?"

Mailen winks and whistles a quick, five note tune. "Magic," is his cryptic reply.

I scowl and settle in for the ride, enjoying watching the diversity of the people around us. As we travel closer to the castle, the houses become grander and large. No longer in shambles, they tower up, huge compared to the ones back in Palancar Valley. Not many people roam the streets. The residents here make enough money with the ships they own; there is no need for them to open a shop in front of their house.

"Here we are!" Mailen says as he coaxes the horses past the curling iron gates that guard the entrance of a large estate.

My jaw drops open. "Your father is —! This house — what does —?" I can't seem to formulate complete sentences.

"Come on," Mailen says, jumping down from his seat as a stable hand takes the horses' reins. "Wait until you see the inside."

True to his word, the inside of the house is grander than anything I have ever seen. Most of the floors are marble covered in plush, exotic rugs. Colorful woven tapestries hand from the walls, depicting war scenes and heroes. There is even one of a light brown haired man riding a majestic blue dragon. I grimace when I realize it must be Eragon.

"Ah! The Victory at Urû'baen. A breathtaking piece if I do say so myself. I had my ships bring back only the best dyes when it was being made. I actually raised the silkworms myself instead of importing the thread. Marvelous piece all in all."

I turn around at the beginning of the rant to see Mailen and a confident older man striding toward me. It had been the man who had spoken.

"Hope," Mailen says. "This is my father, Jeod. Jeod, this is my most loyal customer and friend Hope."

Jeod's eyes brighten at my name. "The young lady!" he says, enthusiastically pumping my arm. "Yes, yes, the only baby born to the Varden while it roamed the wild lands of Alagaësia! I would recognize your face and name anywhere!" His eyes flick to the tapestry. "Admiring Eragon, eh?"

I'm about to protest when I see Mailen give a subtle shake of his head. I keep my mouth sealed and give a polite nod as Jeod continues on.

"It was his magic that saved us, bless my stars! I remember when he first stumbled onto my doorstep. Like a lost puppy, he was. With Brom no less!" He trailed off with a contented sigh. "Yes, marvelous time, marvelous. Now, you must be hungry! Supper was just being set out when you arrived! Fates be praised!"

I smile at his spontaneous way of speaking; I can easily see Mailen in Jeod's smile.

"The journey was wearisome," Mailen says, and Jeod quickly cuts in.

"No, no!" he says, leading us down in the hall toward what I hoped was the dining area. "Let us not speak of travelling when you've only arrived. Tonight is a chance to be merry! We can dig through the crate of books my ships have brought back, speak of legends and lore." He winks. "Perhaps even meet Eragon."

Mailen ands I exchange knowing looks, and I smile.

"Now, let's get food in your stomachs before we do any of that," Jeod says and gestures for us to go through the door he has stopped in front of. "Come on! The night is young, unlike me. We shall start early and end late."

"Do you think we will be able to get into the castle?" Mailen asks as we enter the dining hall. Exposed wooden beams hold a glimmering chandelier, and a long banquet table stretches the length of the room, much to big for practical use. Only a quarter of it is laden with food which fills the room with tantalizing scents.

"Perhaps," Jeod says, taking a seat in one of the high backed chairs. "The Queen often takes audiences. I could even put a good word in for you." He laughs, tucking a handkerchief into the collar of his shirt. "I may go with you! I haven't been spoken with Nasuada for — oh, it has probably been months!"

"Thank you, Father," Mailen says, serving food onto his plate. "I told Hope we could see it once we arrived."

Jeod winks at me. "Well, my beautiful maiden, you won't be disappointed!"