A lonely night

[Tavimh]

"A palace...and you have a whole house?" Much asked with disbelief. He didn't realize a lord could do that. He thought it would be like a mayor...of everywhere.

He bit his lip, would this Galbatorix let a boy work for him? Could he trust him...or even Eve for that matter...But Eve was still common folk wasn't she? She knew what it was like to be on your own. She was like him. Much decided to reserve judgment on her for now. She seemed kinda nice.

"Um.." Much said feeling unsure and fidgeting. He glanced back at Luta again and sighed. "Does...You know, um, Lord Galbatorix need...I mean, would he want a stable boy?" He said trying to get it to sound right. "I don't need anything special. I'll sleep with the horses and stuff as long as Luta and me can get some bread and things." He almost blushed in his embarrassment. Why would a lord need a ragtag boy to comb his horses? "Sorry." he apologized in a soft voice.

[Niniel]

Bingo. She widened her eyes a little bit as if shocked that he would ask. She spoke, "Never apologize for wanting a better life for you and your sister, Much."

She paused for a moment and composed what she would say, then began, "I'm sure that you don't want to be a stable boy. You know you're skilled, and I know you are as well. Lord Galbatorix could have a great many things for you to do, if you're willing enough and brave enough to do them. And I think you could handle it, plus he would train you further so that you could do so much more than you can now," she said as she took out a scroll of parchment. She unrolled it and showed it to Much, the scroll contained words written in the ancient language, "Do you know what this says?"

[Tavimh]

Much felt his hopes sink with her first few words...but then she wasn't telling him "no". He looked up at her again and listened. She seemed to be really nice and wanted to help him. "He could teach me?" He asked almost eagerly. Much had survived by what he knew long enough to value knowlage highly, it kept him safe...and to know more was something he wanted badly.

Much looked at the scroll for a long moment and then looked back up at Eve. "I can read...some words." He told her. "Master taught me some reading, I knew the words he just taught me how they go on paper." The boy said to her trying to show that he knew something.

[Niniel]

Eve closed the scroll and put it away, "While Lord Galbatorix would assist in your education as much as he possibly could, either myself or one of the other sorcerers that serve him would take you as an apprentice," she smiled again, "You show promise, Much, and I think that you could go far in life with the proper training. You know much more than I did when I was your age, so you have a head start."

She opened her mind a little and tried to sense how he was feeling at the moment, trying to judge whether now was the time for her offer to be made. She narrowed her eyes a little and pursed her lips as if studying him, "Tell you what, I'll let you come along with me on this mission, and I'll teach you somethings that I know if you'll do some simple tasks for me in return. Then, once we're done, I'll take you and present you to Lord Galbatorix and he can decide if you're of worth to him."

[Tavimh]

Much was undecided if he should listen to her...but he wanted to. She said nice things about him and she was right that he knew a lot. He wanted to be able to take better care of Luta. He stopped. "Could Luta stay with me...and...learn too?" He asked trying not to offend Eve.

Much looked at his hands. In truth he didn't have anywhere to go. They were just wandering...perhaps this was a solution. He looked back up at the lady, she had pretty hair he noticed. "You would do that?" He asked with gratitude.

[Niniel]

Eve looked at Luta, "I'm sure that Luta could come too. What kind of a person would I be if I told you to just leave her all by herself? You can even bring your wolf if you'd like," she said with a little smile at the wolf next to the little girl.

She looked back at Much, "You'll learn quickly that the Empire is kind to it's citizens," Partly true, she thought, "Lord Galbatorix is a generous man, but he is also feared for his bravery and strength. That is why there are rebels like the Varden who seek to destroy all that he has worked to build for Alagaesia. That's where I'm headed right now, to spy on them and to report to Galbatorix how he can best persuade them to come back and join him," Another partial truth, she thought, For now it's best that he doesn't know the not so good parts of the Empire. He'll learn for himself someday, and know that they're for the best.

[Tavimh]

"But can she learn with me?" he asked petting the wolf's tail. Much hoped that his sister would do better if they traveled with Eve, maybe she would start acting less wolf-like. A female human could do her some good. it wasn't healthy for her to think the wolf was her mother.

Much looked confused, "Why would they do that?" He asked her. This Varden sounded dangerous...but it was also exciting. "Will I get to see the Varden when I go with you?" Much asked then added, "I promise I won't tell!" He caught himself speaking too loud and hushed his voice making sure Luta was still asleep.

[Niniel]

Eve opened her mind and touched Luta's conscious gently so as not to wake her. She sensed a certain amount of power that could be honed to perfection, but doubted if she would ever be as strong as her brother could be, "Luta can learn as much as she would like to learn, and I would be more than willing to teach it,"

She listened srcutinizingly to him ask about the Varden. She came to the conclusion that he could be trusted, the boy was no fool, but she would have to be careful with what she told the girl; she might still be too young to understand. "You'll understand why the Varden are doing that as we go. It's far too complicated to explain tonight, but you'll learn all that I know. And yes, if you come with me you will see the Varden, you might even get to see some dragons and their riders if we're lucky. But you're right, no one can know what we're doing, because the good of Alagaesia depends on it. So what do you say? Do you want to come with me?" she asked.

[Tavimh]

Much gave her a small smile. Luta had been too young to learn from father, and Master refused to teach her. Much thought that is she learned some magic she could protect herself if Much wasn't there. As it was he was constantly worried about her safety when she wanted to go play. At least she had the wolf with her, he reminded himself.

Much nodded a little with downcast green eyes, he had done it again, asking questions he shouldn't. It was a good thing she wasn't mean, but he still didn't like causing trouble.

He looked up again at the mention of dragons. It isn't just a story? he thought barely daring to think it was true. The dragons and their riders had always been the good guys in the story and saved the day. Eve said that Lord Galbatorix had a dragon too. He nodded eagerly in agreement, "I won't tell." He assured her. Trying to find any last excuse why he should not go Much came up with nothing. "I'll go with you." The boy told the dark haired lady knowing that this could change his and Luta's lives; but hopefully for the better.

[Niniel]

Eve smiled, "I'm glad that you've chosen to come with me, Much. This will be a great help to you and your sister in the long run, trust me. Now," she said, "You need to get to sleep, we've got a lot to get done tomorrow before we leave for Aberon."

She rested against the wall behind her and allowed her mind to wander where it would. Her dreams that night brought visons of her past dancing in front of her eyes, and for the most part, they were not happy memories. Eve woke with a start during one dream, and noticed with a small amount of relief that the sun was beginning to rise for the color outside was lightening.

She stood silently and walked outside. A few of the beggars who lived in the run down neighborhood saw her emerge from the shack and stared at her in wonder. Eve returned their stares with nothing more than an emotionless gaze. Soon none of them had any interest in looking at her anymore, and so she waited for Much and Luta to wake.

[Tavimh]

"Goodnight then." Much told his new traveling companion. He told himself that was all she was, a traveling companion, not a friend...yet. Unsure and wanting to stay close to Luta he curled up between her and Eve laying his head on the wolf's soft fur. Even after Much was asleep the wolf watched Eve with golden eyes, even in the dim light they bespoke of distrust.

Much slept lightly and fidgeted during the night until Luta in her deep sleep cuddled up to him. He seemed to relax after that with the warmth of his sister at his back. Broken images and dreams of his mother and father floated in Much's head while Luta dreamed of skipping rocks on the lake in the mountains.

Luta woke up with the dawn blinking sleepily and just laying there for a moment. Sitting up and rubbing her eyes she realized she was hungry. Rather than waking up Much she opened the canvas bag of supplied and took out a piece of dried meat. Chewing on the tough breakfast she waited for Much to waken; it didn't take long. Yawning widely Much opened his eyes and lifted his head. "ello Lu." He said sleepily. She beamed at him. "I got myself breakfast." She showed him proudly. The boy nodded and sat up facing her and took a piece of the dried meat from the pack too.

He quickly realized that Eve wasn't inside if she was still nearby, he looked back at Luta and her light green eyes. "Do you remember the lady?" He asked her between bites of food, she nodded. Luta leaned forward and whispered quietly "Is she bad?" Much almost laughed at her wide eyes but answered her question instead. "Not bad exactly." he said shaking his head. "She used to be like us. but now she works for a lord and lives in her own house...and sometimes a palace." Much told her still being quiet. Luta bounced up and down and asked him excitedly "Really? Like in the stories?" Much nodded and was silent for a moment. "She says that I can work for the lord too, but first we are going to go with her on a mission. She may be 'not bad' but she isn't a friend." Much told her seriously. "She has magic like mine and thats dangerous." Luta was confused at Much's words, he sighed and explained. "You have seen how I can hurt people with magic, right?" Luta said "yes" very softly. "She could hurt you with it." he told her gravely. "I protect you because your my sister but she doesn't have that, she could hurt you." Luta whimpered softly and scooted herself into Much's lap.

He hugged her tightly. "So, we will go with her but we have to watch her. I want you to stay with me, and if your not with me you need to have Momma with you." Much told her. "Okay" Luta said and hugged him back. "She might teach you some magic. but only when I'm there, okay?" His sister looked up at him and smiled "Really?!" She asked him. "Yes, she said she would." Much assured her.

Much saw a shadow on the ground through the cracks in the wall now visible in daylight. 'Must be Eve' he told himself. Much picked Luta up off of his lap standing her in front of him and stood up. "Come on, lets go say hello to Eve." He gestured toward the door and took her hand in his.

[Niniel]

Eve waited patiently as the sun slowly began to rise. She knew that she would have to travel slower now because of the children, and though it would try her patience greatly, she would never let it show because Much and Luta could be of great worth in the future. She knew that Much didn't trust her, and those feelings would certainly be conveyed to his sister. But that was of no matter to Eve; she was used to not being trusted, but she knew how to play certain situations to her benefit.

She opened her mind to the world around her and sensed that the children were awake now. Turning, she walked a few steps back to the shack to greet them as the came out.

[Tavimh]

"Hello." Much said when he met Eve in the doorway. Luta following him with a quick "G'morning" as she hung on to her brother's tunic. "Should we pack up?" Much asked wondering if she had any further business in the area or if they would be leaving as soon as they could. Luta edged halfway behind Much, the idea that she could hurt her with magic was still fresh in her mind.

[Niniel]

Eve smiled as sweetly as she could at the children, this was going to be a whole new experience for her. She thought for a moment on Much's question about packing, "I suppose that you can pack, but we will be stopping in the town for a few things. I was thinking that we could get you two some new clothes and a proper breakfast," she said.

"I'll just wait out here while you two pack and then we can put your thing on my horse and get started," she said, then turned and walked around to the front of the house and called her horse with her mind. The magnificant horse walked up to her from around a corner and lowered it's head. She rubbed it's head and neck affectionately and then led the horse to the back of the house and waited for the children.

[Tavimh]

"It won't take me long." He mentioned, it wasn't like they had much to pack. "But we have clothes...and we already ate breakfast." Much said a touch defensively. It was a slight to his meager pride of being his sister's care taker to have someone else help, But he knew that Eve was right.

The wolf came to the doorway to stand by Luta; she wrapped her arms around it's neck. Much gave her a glance and then went to retrieve the pack. Luta's eyes widened and sparkled when she saw the horse. She loved animals. Her brother said she knew magic because she could call them if she wanted them to come enough. That made her feel happy and proud when he said that.

Much came back out with the dirt stained canvas bag. He looked to Eve, "Did you want to take the coins?" He asked her. He still didn't want to touch them...the idea of a trap was still to strong to him.

[Niniel]

Eve was tempted to laugh a little bit at the pride that Much showed. He reminded her of herself, and not that that was a good thing, but she knew that he would work hard. She watched Luta carefully as they waited for Much to reappear, and she saw how her eyes lit up when she saw the horse standing next to her. Eve made a note of it, and looked up when Much emerged from the shack carrying a canvas bag.

Eve didn't particularly need the coins that were in the house, so she said, "I think we'll leave them there for someone who needs them. I have plenty with me now," she walked up to Much and held out her hand to take the bag, "So what do you guys want first? Clothes or food?" she asked.

[Tavimh]

He looked at her skeptically as she took his bag and put it on her horse. She was just going to leave coins in the dirt? He didn't think even rich people would waste coins like that... or maybe they were a trap he thought with a sidelong glance at Eve. Much swallowed and pushed it from his mind.

The boy was going to say something to answer her question but Luta beat him to it, "I'm hungry." She said loud enough to be heard. Much looked at her and shrugged reluctantly; It had been decided then. He noticed Luta looking at the horse, she always did have a strong affection for animals, especially pretty ones. He just didn't want her near Eve more than she had to be.

[Niniel]

Eve turned around and looked at Luta, "You're hungry? Sounds good to me, come on. I know a nice little tavern in the market place," she took the horses reins in her hands and began to walk away, then stopped and looked at Luta, "Do you want to ride the horse on the way there?" she asked. She figured that if she could start to earn the girl's trust, Much would follow close behind.

She thought of the question that she had asked and then realized that the children might find that a little suspicious, so she quickly added, "Much, maybe you could ride behind her to make sure that she doesn't fall off."

[Tavimh]

Much was about to tell Eve no but then she made the second offer. Luta looked up at him with pleading eyes "Please?" She asked. Much looked from her to the horse. If he was there too it might be okay..."Alright. Just this once." He told her. She clapped her hands and smiled widely. Approaching the horse neither fast nor slow she reached up to try and pet it's nose, it was too high so the horse obliged and lowered it's head to her height and made a soft noise of contentment as she stroked its velvety, Luta giggled. "What is it's name?" She asked Eve.

[Niniel]

Eve smiled and bent a little to pick up Luta. As she set her down on the saddle, she showed Luta where to hold so that she didn't fall, "Her name is Fricai," she said simply. Then she turned back to Much and looked at him for a moment. She knew he wouldn't like the idea of being picked up, but it was necessary. She held in her laugh as she picked him up and set him carefully behind his sister.

She picked up the reins again and began to lead the horse towards the marketplace. For a few moments she said nothing, she thought on the mission that lay ahead of her. Doubt entered her mind briefly, what if she was caught, the children would be punished right along with her, and that would be the last thing that she wanted. Even though she had just met the pair, she felt something for them because in a way she was just like them. Alone in the world trying to make a better life for herself.

She knew that following Lord Galbatorix was not the safest choice for herself, but it was the better way to make sure that she had everything that she could ever wish for. Among the Varden she would still have been poor, but in the Empire, she was one of the most respected women ever. But at times she wondered how different her life would be. It was good that she was able to hide her emotions and thoughts expertly from Galbatorix, otherwise she would never have been allowed to do anything important for him and would have been one of the many lesser sorcerers.

She shook the thoughts from her head, this was her life. Nothing could change that now. And so she continued to walk, glancing back and smiling at the children every once in a while.