Chapter 19: Sticks and Stones

Eragon began climbing from where he stood before the cliff. Riley paused a moment to look up at the wall of rock. She saw that the right side seemed more textured and hoped that there would be more foot holds there. She stepped over to the right and began lumbering up the wall. She hadn't climbed any surface like this before, but she had climbed up many houses and trees in Carvahall. She relished in the experience and the exercise this provided for her.

Eragon was ahead of her. She saw him pull himself up at a good speed. She examined the crags around her and saw that there was a line of rocks that would get her almost to the top with no problems. The rock scraped at her palms and she gripped harder the higher she got. She did not want to fall now. At last, she was level with Eragon on his right. He had slowed down.

"What's wrong? Don't tell me you're going to let me win?" She huffed in a ragged breath.

He grunted. "No. I wouldn't do that." He looked to his left and then his right. "I've hit a smooth patch," he scoffed. "Don't laugh!"

Riley laid her head against the cold rock and snickered. "Sorry...Well. Here. Take my hand. I'll try to swing you closer to me. There's a ledge both of us should be able to step on." She glanced at how far away he actually was and sucked in a breath, praying this would work. She adjusted her stance so that her foot tucked into a small crack for more leverage. She reached out her arm and Eragon gripped her hand tightly.

"Now!" She yelled. Riley pulled at the same time as Eragon pushed off the holds he was on. He landed lightly next her, but his momentum shoved Riley over and her left hand slid off the rocks. She was tipping sideways and lost her balance. She scrambled to find another hand hold. Eragon's hand gripped the back of her shirt and he pulled her back to him, wrapping his arm over her like a cage, pressing her against the wall.

They were both silent, both focusing on returning their breathing back to normal.

"Maybe this was a bad idea." Eragon admitted.

Riley chuckled now that she wasn't about to fall to her death. "Nah, we're fine. If we work together, we can make it up." She thought about all the things they did together as kids, and knew that with him there, they could take on the world if they wanted.

They continue to climb. Riley shuffled over so that Eragon could take the path she originally planned on taking. She didn't mind. The new path was easier and she over passed him. They were almost to the top. Riley looked up and saw a tail dip over the edge, sliding down like a vine passed Riley. It stopped in front of Eragon. He grinned and took hold of the tail. It quickly reeled him up. As he passed Riley, he stuck out his tongue.

"Cheater!" Riley huffs. She climbed up the rest of the way. When she got to the ridge, Eragon was there, his arms outstretched to help her over. She took it unwillingly, sour from the interference. "I win. You cheated."

"I didn't. We never specified any rules. Besides, she's a part of me. I can't help it if I have an advantage you don't."

Riley glared at him and Saphira. Coils of smoke sprang from Saphira's nostrils and she did her deep rolling laugh. Eragon shrugged then, a smile still on his lips. But apologized and also thanked her for looking out for him.

They were on top of the cliff, in a shaded area of trees. It was a pretty good spot to curl up and watch the city in the distance. Riley took a seat on a newly fallen tree, half of it hanging over the ledge. She wondered if Saphira had ripped it down in her anxiousness. She knew she didn't like to be away from Eragon.

Eragon tucked himself in between Saphira's front legs and she wrapped her neck around to face him.

He began telling them what he overheard while eavesdropping.

Jeod was a merchant for the Varden. He used ships mostly to get supplies to Surda. But a few months ago, fewer ships began reaching Surda. He had tried to switch the mode of transportation.

"Jeod was only able to send out a couple wagons. And they was guarded by Cori."

"Cori?" Riley breathed.

Eragon nodded. "Cori had come to be a guard for the first trade. And that one made it to Surda. But on his second round, they came into trouble. It never made it."

"No! He's got to be okay. He wouldn't be gone. I would know it." Riley clasp her hands over her face. "You should have told me right away!"

"Riley. He's not dead."

She stared at him.

"Cori got word out that he was alive. There was a terrible storm, and during the storm, the caravan was attacked. Most of the goods were destroyed or stolen, and many of his traveling companions were gravely injured. After the attack, Cori spent his energy on saving those still alive, and bringing them to the nearest town to recover." Eragon leaned back into Saphira. "Your brother is a lot stronger than I thought. Do you think he's part of the Varden as well or did Jeod hire any man willing?"

Riley looked up at the nearest tree, watching the leaves sway in the wind. She was glad he was alright. She knew he wanted to help where he could; the Varden would be exactly that. And it would make sense with the letters she found. But how he got hooked in it in the first place was a complete mystery.

Riley shook her head.

"I don't know. He would be one to get himself mixed up in higher powers." Riley chuckled. "But he should have told me about what he was doing. If something did happen to him, it would break my mother heart. We'd have no idea. When I see him next, he's definitely getting a piece of my mind. How could he do that to me?"

Eragon went on with something else that he found interesting. Brom had told Jeod the truths about their journey, even of Saphira.

"I think it would be difficult to keep up the pretense while staying with Jeod. But this really should have been discussed together. Hmm. Maybe we shouldn't let them know we know... yet."

Eragon agreed. "Do you think Brom knows more members of the Varden?"

Riley nodded. "With what knowledge he had gleaned to show us, he has to have had a life before Carvahall with friends in many places. Jeod is proof of that."

Eragon was quiet for a while, speaking to Saphira in his mind. Riley wished she could be included, but respected their relationship. She bid her time by categorizing the sparse foliage near her. She glanced over to Teirm and noticed the sky was a pretty purple and orange. She gasp and threw a stone at Eragon to get his attention.

"We need to get back. The gate will be closed for the night."

Saphira got up and spread her wings. "Come on. Saphira will take us down."

Saphira eyed Riley and bent her head down in a nod. Eragon smirked. "It's your lucky day. You get to ride a dragon."

Eragon climbed on first and gave an arm for support as Riley tried to follow Eragon's path up. She sat behind him and wrapped her arms around him. She looked over his shoulder as Saphira launched herself up a few feet and then she dived over the ledge. Riley squeezed Eragon tighter as the gravity lifted her a couple inches off Saphira's back. The air and trees rushed passed them and then it was over.

When she was getting off, Saphira shifted her wing and knocked Riley off balance. She slid down her side, and landed on her knees with a thud. Saphira chortled.

Riley simply got up and dusted herself off. Riley felt exhilarated by the short flying experience and she ignored Saphira's amusement. A pang of jealousy ran through Riley's mind. She wished someday, they could be on better terms. She sensed Saphira didn't see her as a friend. Even though they had spent months traveling together, Saphira had stayed at an arms length from her. She admired Saphira and secretly would have loved to ride with her again.