Chương 16: Chapter 16: Angela
[3,257 words]
Brom leaned back in his chair, his eyes glanced at Eragon as he spoke. "That night, when I retrieved the egg… I knew that the Empire wouldn't stop hunting me and I was fine with it, I already had my revenge. But I grew tired of all the wars and conspiracies, I needed time to rest, to recover from everything that had happened. So, I hid away in Ca-"
Brom stopped mid sentence, giving Eragon a side glance as he remembered his promise to him before he continued "I have hidden myself away in some random place. It was a hard decision to leave the fight, but except the need to rest, I also had some personal reasons and I don't regret leaving."
Jeod nodded slowly, glossing over the fact Brom obviously withholding some information. "And now? Why did you come back?"
Brom sighed. "Now, I'm considering my options. I will return to the Varden eventually, but for now, I need time to think. There are still too many uncertainties."
Jeod looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you need, both of you."
Brom smiled. "Thank you, old friend."
Eragon, who had remained silent for most of the conversation, finally spoke up. "I'd like to walk around the city for a while, if that's alright."
Brom glanced at him and nodded. "Go ahead. Just be careful."
'If there is a day I won't hear this old man telling me to be careful, I'll know he got possessed and that's not Brom...' Giving Brom a side glance and nodded.
He rose from his seat and left the house, stepping out into the busy streets of Teirm. The cool breeze of the coastal city greeted him as he walked down the narrow, cobbled road. The city was alive with people hurrying about their business, the sound of seagulls cawing in the distance mixing with the hum of voices and the occasional clatter of a cart.
As Eragon wandered through the bustling streets of Teirm, he couldn't help but notice the way women kept stealing glances at him. Their eyes lingered on him for just a second too long before they quickly looked away, some of them even flashing shy smiles when they thought he was paying them attention. It made him feel a deep sense of satisfaction. The attention was new, yet welcome. His lips curled slightly upward as he continued his stroll, letting the glances wash over him like a pleasant breeze.
Eragon thought to himself with pride, 'My Limitless Perk is truly something incredible. Not only had it allowed me to push my strength and abilities beyond anything I had thought possible, but it also seemed to be changing my body for the better.'
He could feel the effects with every training day, every glance in the mirror. He had grown close to six feet tall now, his lean frame packed with muscle that flexed beneath his clothes. His face, once softer and more boyish, had sharpened into something angular, almost strikingly handsome. The high cheekbones and sharp jawline drew eyes without fail.
He absentmindedly touched his face, lost in thought. 'Could the Limitless Perk have mutated after Saphira bonded with me?' The question lingered in his mind. Before Saphira chose him as her Rider, he had trained relentlessly for a year. His body had certainly evolved—he had grown taller, his muscles had filled out—but his face had stayed the same.
Yet after Saphira's arrival, everything started to change. His face began to transform, almost as if the bond with her had triggered something new. 'Could she be the catalyst for this shift? Brom was once a rider for far longer then me, yet he certainly can not be considered someone attractive... this can only mean the combination of Limitless Perk and being a Dragon Rider is somehow doing this.' he wondered.
At first, the changes were subtle—hardly noticeable unless he scrutinized his reflection. But over this 4 months, his features became more defined, more refined. He could see it in the way his jawline sharpened, the way his eyes seemed brighter, more intense. How his skin was turning a shade whiter and softer. Slowly but surely, he was becoming more attractive. 'It's as if my Perk isn't just about enhancing my strength anymore—it's perfecting me in every way,' he mused, a thrill of excitement coursing through him.
The idea that he was evolving into something beyond mere human potential fascinated him, and he couldn't help but wonder just how far these changes would go.
Eragon's smile widened slightly, and he walked a little taller, knowing that each step brought him closer to the future he envisioned—stronger, admired, and perhaps most satisfying of all, increasingly handsome.
He wandered without a clear destination in mind, his thoughts drifting between the conversation he had just witnessed and his new life as a Rider.
His other golden finger, Resistance Perk, too had been invaluable during the intense training with Brom. He never felt the burn of fatigue anymore, and his body could withstand the punishing pace Brom had set for him. His mental defenses had grown sturdier as well, making it harder for Brom to penetrate his thoughts during their sessions. 'I wonder if Brom realizes just how strong I've become recently. Although I haven't met an elf yet so I'm not sure how strong and fast an elf is, I believe I'm definitely not that far behind, maybe I'm already stronger, who knows...' he thought with a slight smirk.
As he walked, his mind drifted to thoughts of his future. The desire to be a hero, to be admired, to amass wealth, and to marry a beautiful woman was a constant undercurrent in his thoughts. Can you blame him? Which person who works 8 to 5 every day in a hard job doesn't fantasize about a different life.
Being a reincarnator with 2 powerful Perks and a Dragon Rider on top of that, had opened the door to making his dream on the verge of turning real , but he knew it wouldn't be handed to him easily. There were challenges ahead, and he needed to stay focused on gaining more power and forging the right alliances. For now, those dreams would have to wait—his priority was to grow stronger and make the connections that would eventually turn those fantasies into reality.
After a while, Eragon found himself near the center of the city, where vendors were selling all sorts of goods—fruits, meats, trinkets, and even small animals. He passed by a stall that caught his eye, where an old man was selling roasted meat on skewers. His stomach rumbled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since morning.
Eragon bought a skewer of meat and bit into it, savoring the rich flavors. It wasn't the most refined meal, but it was delicious nonetheless. As he walked, enjoying his food, he couldn't help but notice the variety of people around him—merchants from far-off lands, nobles dressed in fine silks, and commoners bustling about their daily lives. 'So many lives, so many stories,' Eragon thought to himself. He was no longer just a farm boy from Carvahall; he was part of something much larger now.
After a few hours of exploring the winding streets of Teirm, Eragon found himself back near Jeod's house. The sun was beginning to dip low on the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the city. As he approached the street, his attention was drawn to the shop next to Jeod's house. The once-closed shop now had its shutters open, and a sign hung above the door, swaying gently in the breeze.
'Angela's shop,' Eragon thought, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and excitement. From what he remembered of his past life, Angela was a mysterious and powerful figure—a witch, perhaps even a seer. She had a reputation for knowing more than she let on, and Eragon knew that meeting her could be both a boon and a danger.
He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should go inside. 'It's better to confront her early on,' he told himself. 'What harm could it do to look around? Besides, as an herbologist she might be able to help me level up that annoying skill again' With that thought in mind, Eragon pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The shop was dimly lit, with shelves cluttered with oddities—glass jars filled with strange herbs and liquids, books with worn covers, and trinkets that glimmered faintly in the low light. The air was thick with the smell of incense, and a heavy silence hung over the room, broken only by the faint rustle of something moving behind a curtain in the back.
Eragon walked further into the shop, his eyes scanning the strange items on display. He felt a sense of perplexion. 'This place... it's different,' he thought. But he couldn't quite put his finger on what made it so.
As he stood there, unsure of what to do next, a voice spoke from behind the curtain. "You're not just any normal boy, aren't you?"
Eragon froze. The voice was soft but carried an undeniable weight to it. He turned slowly to see a figure step out from behind the curtain—a small woman with sharp eyes and a mischievous smile. She was dressed in simple robes, her hair tied up in a messy bun. There was something otherworldly about her, something that made Eragon's heart race with both curiosity and caution.
"You must be Angela," Eragon said cautiously, though he already knew the answer.
The woman smiled wider, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, so you've heard of me. That makes things easier." She walked closer, circling him slowly, her gaze piercing as if she were seeing far beyond his physical form. "You're more than you appear to be. I can sense it."
Eragon tensed but kept his expression neutral. He didn't want to reveal too much to her, especially not the truth about his reincarnation or his golden finger. "I'm just a traveler," he said, keeping his tone light.
Angela chuckled softly. "A traveler, yes. But not just any traveler." She stopped in front of him, tilting her head slightly as she studied him. "You have the scent of magic about you, boy. And something else… something older...."
Raising an eyebrow he replied "You try to sound mysterious where there is no need to. Yes, I'm a magician, but so are many others. As for the smell.... Well I trave with an old man all the time so.."
Angela chuckled "That's not what I meant, and you know it. I'm talking about your big scaly partner. Taking care of something so rare... and dangerous. Not everyone could manage such a task." Saying this, she gave him a knowing look with a sly smile.
Eragon's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew what she was hinting at, but he kept his expression neutral, offering her only a small smile. "I imagine it must be," he replied, neither confirming nor denying anything.
Suddenly, Saphira's voice entered his mind, sharp and filled with shock. 'Eragon, how does she know about me?!' Her confusion and alarm were evident.
Eragon mentally soothed her, 'I don't know, Saphira. She's... different. Maybe she can sense things others can't. But don't worry—I don't sense ant malicious intentions from her. Just stay calm.'
Saphira's response came back with a hint of wariness, 'I trust you, but be careful around her. There's something... unsettling about how she seems to know about me with just a single look at you.'
'I know,' Eragon reassured her. 'I'll keep my guard up.'
'She's perceptive just as in the books,' Eragon thought to himself. 'Too perceptive in fact. Though it seems she just speaks of Saphira and me being a Rider' He kept his face impassive, unwilling to give her any more information than she already seemed to have.
Angela didn't press further, though. Instead, she smiled again and turned away, moving toward one of the shelves. "You're here for a reason, even if you don't know it yet," she said over her shoulder. "Take a look around. You may find something useful."
'But I do know what I'm here for... does she get a kick from trying to sound mysterious?' Eragon hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He began to browse the shelves, searching for a specific thing.
Picking up various trinkets and odd objects, though none of them were what he was looking for. He felt a growing impatience within him. The shop was filled with peculiar items, some of which he couldn't even guess the purpose of, but he couldn't find anything that suited his needs. Eventually, with a sigh, he decided to stop searching and approach the counter.
As Eragon made his way to the counter, he noticed a tawny-colored cat lounging lazily on top. Its eyes were half-lidded, but there was an unmistakable sharpness behind them. Eragon knew this cat was more than it appeared, but he couldn't say the name he already knew.
Instead, Eragon bowed his head respectfully, quietly asking, "And what might your name be, werecat?"
The cat stared at him for a long moment, its gaze piercing, before Eragon felt a voice brush against his mind. 'I go by many names. If you are looking for my proper one, you will have to look elsewhere. However, you may call me Solembum.' The name echoed in his thoughts, clear as day.
Eragon smiled faintly at hearing the exact same line as in the book, nodding his thanks, and turned his attention to Angela, who was rearranging bottles on a nearby shelf.
"Excuse me," he called out to her. "Do you have any potions that can make people... sick? Like, extremely sick"
Angela paused for a moment, her back still to him. She turned slowly, a curious glint in her eye. "Now, that's not a request I hear every day." She tilted her head. "What exactly do you need it for?"
Eragon met her gaze, keeping his expression neutral. "Let's just say I have a need of it," he replied. "There's a certain circumstance that gave me the necessity to look for such a potion. Though my reasons and circumstances are my own to know."
Angela studied him for a few moments, her smile never wavering. "Fair enough," she said, reaching beneath the counter. After a moment of rummaging, she pulled out a small vial filled with a dark green liquid and set it on the counter. "This is potent," she warned him. "A single drop is enough to make anyone terribly ill. Use it very cautiously."
Eragon picked up the vial, inspecting it carefully. "I understand," he said, nodding. "How much?"
Angela grinned. "Fifteen crowns," she said lightly. "But, if you'd be willing to tell me your name, I might consider waiving the payment."
Eragon didn't hesitated for a moment before reaching into his pouch and pulling out the fifteen crowns. He placed the coins on the counter. "I don't need charity," he said firmly. "My name is Eragon."
Angela chuckled softly as she took the coins. "Oh, I like you already," she mused. "Eragon... It's a good name." She then raised an eyebrow and leaned forward slightly. "Would you like me to read your future?"
Eragon knew this suggestion might arise, he shook his head with a small smile. "No thanks. The future is only exciting if you don't know what it has in store. I'll pass."
Angela laughed, a rich and warm sound. "Wise words for one so young," she said. "Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me."
Eragon nodded and pocketed the vial carefully. "Thank you," he said, turning to leave. He cast a final glance at Solembum, who blinked lazily at him before he stepped out into the night.
After leaving Angela's shop, Eragon made his way back to Jeod's house, the green vial secured carefully in his pocket. His thoughts wandered to the conversation with Angela, but he pushed them aside as he stepped through the door and made his way upstairs to the room that had been allocated to him.
Once inside, he shut the door and leaned against it for a moment, exhaling slowly. His hand slipped into his pocket, retrieving the small vial. It shimmered in the dim light of the room, the green liquid within almost pulsing with a sinister glow.
"I hope this works.." Eragon's brow furrowed as he uncorked his flask, then took out his waterskin. Carefully, he held his breath and let two drops from the vial fall into the water. The green droplet mixed with the clear water, and for a moment, the liquid seemed to swirl unnaturally.
Eragon stood there, staring at the flask for a long moment. Angela had described the potion as highly potent, something capable of making even the strongest person dangerously ill. He hesitated, feeling a flicker of hesitation. But then his resolve hardened. 'With my Poison Resistance and strong body, I should be able to handle 2 drops,' he thought to himself. 'And the benefits will be worth it...'
Taking a deep breath, Eragon lifted the flask to his lips and drank. The water tasted honey sweet, making him surprised slightly. He put the flask down and moved over to the bed, lying down on the soft mattress, his heart pounding with anticipation.
Not long after, the effects began. His skin flushed as a wave of heat swept through his body, followed by an intense cold. Sweat poured from his skin, soaking the sheets beneath him. Droplets of cold sweat trickled down his forehead, and his breath came in short, ragged gasps. The room seemed to spin as nausea roiled in his stomach.
'Shit, this poison is indeed very potent.. Angela wasn't kidding at all!' Bering with the heat and cold that came and went, Eragon thought to himself.
[Poison Resistance Level 38]... [Sickness Resistance Level 4].... [Sickness Resistance Level 5]... [Pain Resistance Level 164]
Through the haze of discomfort, Eragon heard a familiar series of dings in his mind. Notifications from his system rang out as his Poison Resistance and Sickness Resistance both began to level up rapidly. The steady sound of progress filled his thoughts, a small comfort amidst the overwhelming sickness that gripped his body.
Hours passed like this, his body wracked with the effects of just 2 drops from the potion, but Eragon remained still, able to endure the effects easily thanks to his high pain resistance. His eyebrows knitting was the only indication he was suffering from pain, pushing through the waves of sickness with a single-minded focus. His skills were improving; he could feel it. Each notification was like music, telling him that the suffering had purpose.
As dawn began to creep through the window, the worst of the symptoms finally subsided. Eragon lay on the bed, slightly exhausted but alive. His body ached, and the pain was fading, replaced by a feeling of quiet strength.
He sat up slowly, wiping the sweat from his face. He felt strangely invigorated, his body now more attuned to the poisons he had faced.
With a deep breath, Eragon swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He had endured, and he had grown stronger because of it. And as the first light of morning filled the room, he knew that today, he was a little closer to achieving his goals.
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