The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

It was pitch black by the time I reached the door to the farmhouse. Clouds had rolled in and covered the moon in a dark haze. It was frigidly cold, and I was glad I had my cloak, although the cold was beginning to seep through the heavy material. Frantically, I pounded on the door of the little house, and I heard movement on the other side.

"Who's there?" I heard a gruff voice call.

"It's Tabatha! Please! Open up!" I screamed. Suddenly, the door flew open and I saw Roran's large frame blocking the door.

"Tabby!" he cried in surprise, wrapping a thickly-muscled arm around my shoulder and ushering me in the warm house. "What are you doing here?" Eragon and Garrow ran into the front room just as Roran asked me the question.

"Tabatha!" Eragon exclaimed, trotting to join us by the door.

"Make some room," Garrow said, pushing past Eragon and Roran to lead me over to the warmth of the fire. He sat me down in a little chair by the blazing flames, and I thanked the gods above and below for the warmth that was now seeping into my bones. "Tabatha," Garrow began slowly once he was certain I was recovered from the cold, "what's the matter? Why are you here in the middle of the night?" I slowly exhaled and looked between the three of them. The expression on my face must have let them know that something was very wrong.

"Brom sent me," I said quickly. "We must speak Garrow... alone." He nodded and looked at the boys.

"Off to bed with you. We've got a long day tomorrow," Garrow said to them. Roran nodded and gave me one last squeeze around the shoulders. He was like my older brother and, if it came down to it, I'd take him over Albriech and Baldor any day. Eragon looked downcast and only stared at me before he finally left. "Come," Garrow continued quietly once they were gone, motioning for me to join him by the fire. "Now tell me, why did Brom send you here?" I sighed heavily.

"I was at his house and we were talking about the soldiers," I began slowly, leaving out the part about the talk of dragons and their Riders. "And then a group of them came. I hid under the floor while they spoke with Brom. The soldiers were looking for... me." Garrow's eyes widened slightly. "When they were gone, Brom told me to come here to hide and tell you about the soldiers. He said you'd understand."

He nodded solemnly and looked away into the fire, seeming to contemplate something for a moment."So it has begun," he whispered. His voice was so low that I could barely hear him.

"What's begun?" I asked anxiously. Did Garrow know what it was that Brom had been trying to tell me before the soldiers came?

"Unfortunately," Garrow sighed, "it is not my place to tell you that. It is between you and Brom." I groaned slightly to myself. Why will no one give me any answers! Garrow must have sensed my anger for he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I'm truly sorry, Tabatha, but you must know something. This involves you more than you think, and you must be extremely careful. Do you understand?" I nodded yes, but that was a lie. I had no idea what anyone was talking about! "You may stay as long as you wish, but I must insist that you do not leave while the soldiers are still here, for your own safety."

"Of course," I replied quietly. The old man gave me a kind smile.

"Good. Now, I'm sorry to say that there's not much room here. But I believe Eragon has another mattress in his room, if you'd like to bring it out by the fire. I daresay you'll be warmer out here," he laughed.

"Thank you for your kindness, Garrow. I shall not forget it," I said as I stood from the chair. "Now, where might I find the materials needed for breakfast?"

"Well! I'm glad to see you'll be making yourself at home." He showed me to their small kitchen. "The chicken coop is out back, and you should find some fresh eggs in there. And thank you."