Chapter 2

Waking up the next morning, Eragon devours his breakfast before getting back to work in the garden. Judging from the fruits and vegetables growing and the vivid green leaves on the trees he can accurately estimate that summer is in full swing. He remembers that the egg appears right before winter starts to set in so he has somewhere around four to six months to prepare. 

Once he is done with his chores for the day, he starts acclimating himself into his new life. He needs to gather as much information as possible so as to not embarrass himself when someone asks him about something he definitely should know and then he can't answer. He makes a layout of the farm in his mind, filling it with all the details he can. Once he is done for the day, he heads up to his room and practices his magic quietly before falling asleep once more. 

Eragon spends the next two weeks helping around the farm, gathering knowledge of the surrounding area, and training his body and magic, his training already bearing fruit. The baby fat around his face has mostly disappeared. His muscles are toned but not too bulky with a very appealing six pack if he says so himself. His magic reserves have also increased at a rapid pace. What once would use up an hour's worth of energy now just leaves a small aching feeling for a few minutes. His training hasn't gone unnoticed by his uncle and Roran. They have asked him what happened to change him so much and he just replied…

"I realized that the life I've been given is a gift and I'm going to make the most of it." 

Inspired by his younger brother's words, Roran asks Eragon if he can train with him as well. Eragon agrees, seeing as there is only a few short months till Saphira's egg appears. Eragon shows Roran how to stretch his body to make it more limber as well as his current training regiment of running, long jumps, push-ups, sit-ups, and the like. When he is not training, Eragon goes out and hunts for game in the woods to the west. With his newfound strength and smarts, he gathers a dozen rabbits and a deer. Garrow was mighty happy that things were looking up for this winter. As Garrow hauls the deer carcass away, he tells Eragon to take the next day off and have some fun in town. Happy at the prospect of going to Carvahall and meeting Brom, Eragon heads off to bed early. 

The next morning, Eragon gets up early and prepares for his trip to Carvahall. He gathers the little pocket money that the previous Eragon had hidden away. Once he is ready, he heads off towards town. It takes him around an hour before the road widens and he is walking through a medieval style town. A series of wooden cottages line the road as well as some people going about their business. Eragon takes in the sights while trying to put names to all the faces he sees. Luckily he still remembers most of them. Some of the residents wave at Eragon and he replies in kind. He mingles with the villagers for a while before finding Morn's tavern. Entering into the establishment, Eragon sees a few people eating and drinking but otherwise the tavern is quite empty. He walks over to the bar and sees Morn's wife Tara pouring drinks. As he sits down Tara glances at him and smiles. She finishes pouring drinks for a couple before walking over. 

"Eragon, it's so nice to see you. What adventures has the young hunter got to tell?"

Eragon smiles at her. "It's great to see you as well Tara. I caught a fat doe the other day so Garrow gave me the day off. One or two more and we will be set for winter already."

Tara nods. "That's great to hear. Hopefully this year won't be too bad. We need to wait till the traders arrive later this year to top up on our necessities." 

Eragon thinks to himself for a moment. "Oh. I forgot about the traders… I better save up for that. Well… It's been great seeing you but I shouldn't distract you from your paying customers any longer. Oh… Do you know if Brom is at his home?" 

Tara tilts her head slightly. "He should be… I don't see why he would be gone." 

Eragon nods before getting up from his seat. "Thanks Tara. I will see you again soon." 

"Goodbye, Eragon."