FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Brand yawned as he woke up on the desk. Gazing about the room, he realized that he had fallen asleep in his library while crying by accident. Leaning back a little, he placed his face in the crook of his arm and sighed. Brand had to admit about one thing about this situation though: The tears seemed to have felt good, as though they washed away the pain a little.

His one eye gazed up through his arm and saw the daylight coming in from the window and swore. He was supposed to be at work an hour ago. Not even going to his room to change, Brand tossed his cloak on and headed out into the streets. The sounds of a bustling city in the midst of repairs met his ears as he walked down the street, away from an old demolished church that once housed the religious practitioners that worshiped the mountain Helgen and the monsters that once inhabited.

He was quite glad that the place was destroyed. Every time he walked past it, it sent shivers down his spine. Brand could never understand how the priests and followers did such bodily harm to themselves. It was horrible to see the men and woman with scars, missing digits, and even missing limbs. Brand had even once seen the head priest and he felt like he was going to be sick as it looked like the priest had lost all his limbs.

Taking a left, Brand soon came upon a book store and entered quickly. He slowly closed the door shut without a sound and began to quietly walk to the desk. His boss wasn't in yet and he believed he had time to get right to work without his boss ever being the wiser.

"You're late Brand." A male voice said from behind a bookshelf nearby. Brand groaned inwardly as he saw an older man come sliding down towards him on a ladder with wheels, his wrinkled face staring hard at the younger mans. "So tell me why that is Brand. You are never late to work. Ever."

Brand scratched the back of his head "Sorry Arnold. Old friends came over and I...had a flash back to some horrible memories. Cried throughout most of the night to be honest." He said embarrassingly. Arnold watched Brand for a moment before nodding and slowly made his way down the ladder.

"At least you cried." The old man smiled. "What most men don't know is that tears are actually quite good to help someone get through painful things. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you are healed." He walked over to Brand and placed his hand on the taller man's shoulder. "I do not blame you for being late Brand, and nor will I ask of your past. Men need their secrets, even if it drives them insane."

Brand smiled warmly and placed his hand on the old man's shoulder as well. "Thank you Arnold."

Arnold gazed outside and suddenly gave out an 'Oh!' Turning around, the old man walked over to the desk and grabbed his own cloak, this one a dark green, and threw it over his shoulders as he walked past Brand. He stopped when he placed his hand on the door knob and turned to face Brand.

"Right, My shift's over so have a good day Brand. I need to see how my house is doing." He threw the hood over his head and said a quick good bye before closing the door.

Brand was now alone in the bookstore and he doubted anyone would come in for the day. So he began to go through the bookshelves, organizing the books slowly to waste time. Soon he found this tedious and switched tactics by walking back to the desk in the room and pulled out a chess set in a drawer. With the pieces laid before him, he carefully began to polish the pieces. It was then that he heard the door open, the voice of a man coming forth.

"I will be alright. I just wish to find my wife something." Looking up, Brand gaze was met by that of a muscled young man with brown hair, an equally brown beard, and grey eyes. There was something familiar about the man, but Brand couldn't place it. Another voice was heard from outside.

"Do not tally Stronghammer! Lady Nasuada summoned you for an urgent meeting so please make it quick!" The bearded man merely waved his hand as he closed the door behind him.

Stronghammer? Isn't that...? Brand looked at the beard stranger more closely, only to grin suddenly when he realized who it was. Standing up, Brand made his way around the desk towards the man, who was simply staring at him.

"Well I'll be damned." Said Brand towards the man. "Roran Garrowsson! It's been too long! How have you and Katrina been, I heard that you and her are together now!"

Roran stared for a moment longer before his eyes went wide in realization ann a grin went wide across his handsome face. "Brand Orson! Ha! Eragon told me you were in the city, but he didn't tell me you work at a bookstore of all places." Both shook hands hard before pulling away from each other.

"That's because I never told him!" Laughed Brand as he looked Roran up and down, grinning slightly. "You've become a fine man Roran. I'm sure Garrow is looking down on you proudly." He saw his face sour and Brand switched subjects. "So what are you looking for?"

Roran walked towards one of the bookshelves and began to look about. "A little something for Katrina. Do you have any suggestions?" He questioned over his shoulder.

Brand shrugged. "Depends on what kind you want." He turned back to the desk and began to put the pieces away. "We have Romance, Drama, Fantasy, history, just about anything you could possibly want."

"I'll go with Romance."

Brand grinned. "Good choice. Give me a moment; I'll go grab a book that I think she would love." Spinning around, Brand leaped over the desk and reached into a drawer to pull out a book with a blue covering. On the front, in gold lettering, were the words: The Lovers Bond. Standing back up, he saw Roran standing before the desk already and he handed the book over. Roran flipped it open to a random page to read a little before looking back up.

"So what is it about?" He asked, closing the book gently in his hand before placing on the desk.

"It is a story about how two people fall madly in love, one a warrior and the other a noble woman." Brand began slowly. "The warrior does everything he can to stop the war he is in so that he may return home and protect the one he loves." He pauses for a moment before continuing. "Back home, however, the noble woman's father wishes her to marry a different man, as the warrior was nothing more than a lowly peasant. Both go through many hardships, and...." Brand trailed off, causing Roran to blink.

"So what happens?" Asked the strong man as Brand grinned.

"I think it's best if Katrina read it first." Roran nodded and produced several coins and gave them to Brand. Brand walked behind the desk and placed the coinage into a safe behind the desk and handed Roran the book. Brand noticed that Roran was eyeing the chess pieces on the desk and smiled evilly at his old friend.

"Care to play?" He asked, crossing his arms in a smug expression. Roran blinked and looked up at Brands grinning face. He too began to smile.

"Never played a game in my life." He sat there for a moment. "But I'm sure I'll learn soon enough. Let's go."

For the first few minutes, Brand taught Roran how each piece moved and attacked, such as how a pawn could only move one space ahead and attacks diagonally, while a bishop moves and attack diagonally. After that he told Roran the goal of the game: Capture your opponent's king. Soon the game began and the two became immersed in the steady clicking and clacking of the pieces.

It was about halfway through the game when Roran spook up. "Eragon told me about how you're not taking sides." A pawn was moved forward and Brand sent one of his bishop's forward four spaces.

"Are you going to try talking me into the fight as well Roran?" Roran shook his head as he captured one of Brands pawns.

"No. You have your reasons and I will respect that." Now Brand had captured one of Rorans knights with one of his own, only to end up with it captured by one of Rorans pawns. "However, you may end up with a knife in your back. As a neutral party, I do not think either side will take pity should you end up dead."

Brand nodded as he moved his queen forward a little. Roran anticipated this and moved his knight closer. "Checkmate." He quietly said with a grin. Brand blinked and looked at the board carefully. Rorans bishop was placed so that the king would die if moved to the right. The knight defended the forward position, and a rook was off to the far right.

"By the gods, I actually lost." Brand quietly replied in shock as he stood up and stretched. "I have never lost to anyone from Cravahall. Well done! The door suddenly flew open and a soldier called for Stronghammer. Roran stood up as well and grabbed the book before turning to the door.

"Thank you for the game Brand. We should play again." Brand stared hard at Roran before replying.

"I'll get you next time, ya bearded bastard." He yelled in mock anger, even shaking his fist angrily at him before both broke out in laughter. "I'll see you around Roran."

Roran walked out with a farewell, leaving Brand alone once again. With a sigh, Brand began to place the chess pieces away, deep in thought. Roran was right. Since he refused to take either side, it would be likely for one side to try and beat the crap out of him for not choosing. This was a long, bloody war and almost everyone had a side. He was one of the few exceptions and because of this he would get glares from people who knew about it.

Hours went by without anything interesting happen and soon he found his shift over. Locking the door, he began to make his way slowly home and the streets seemed disserted. Soon after leaving, he realized something was wrong when he suddenly stopped. A mere moment after, Brand heard someone else's footsteps stop as well. He started back up, keeping an ear on the sound of the foot falls behind him, speeding up to hear them speed up and slowing down to hear them do the same. He was being followed.

Hmph. Roran was right. Brand turned down into an alley way and sure enough a tall muscular man with dark hair blocked the other side. I'll deal with this myself. Turning about, he was met by two more men.

"You Brand Orson?" One asked menacingly. Brand merely smirked at the group.

"What's so funny?" Another asked, just as rude as the other.

"What I find so funny..." he began, turning to grin at the men around him. "...Is that you corner a man and ask if he's the right one. Pathetic, most make sure they are following the man that they need."

"Hmph. Doesn't matter to us. We saw you talk to Stronghammer and you never helped with the defense against the Varden." One of them leaned dangerously close to Brands face. "We starten ta believe ya might not be so neutral after all." Brand didn't reply, instead he grabbed the man by either side of his head, pulled him around and slammed him into the wall. The big man grunted as the other two charged Brand.

One threw a punch and Brand ducked under it, slamming his own kick into the stomach of the attacker, sending him flying backwards. The other tried to grab Brand by the neck, only to see Brand suddenly worm his way out of his grasp and behind him. Here he leaned back and thrusted his upper body forward, slamming his fist into the big man's back, causing him to howl in pain and fall to his knees.

At this time, the first one was back up and charged at Brand, trying to smash him into the wall. Brand did a backflip, pushing upwards on the man's back as he crashed head first into the wall with Brand landing safely behind him. The large man collapsed on the ground, unconscious from his own attack. One of the other two thought it was a good idea to throw another punch at him, only to have his arm caught by Brand who spun around to the side and slammed his palm upwards. The man's elbow broke from the movement and began to scream, only to feel his head smashed against the wall by Brand. He collapsed silently at his feet

Brand slowly turned to the last conscious man, who seemed shaken by what happened to his friends. He had both his arms raised in fists as Brand slowly began to walk towards him. "Do you really want to do this?" He growled menacingly. "do you want to end up like your little friends?" The man stared for a moment before turning tail and run.

Brand merely made a tsk sound as he walked out into the street. He sat there for a moment before finally opening his mouth. "You may as well come out. I know you're there." For a moment, only silence met him, and finally movement could be heard from the roof of the building next to him. Soon the blue scaly head of Saphira peered over the edge of the roof to look down at him. "You could've done something you know."

He thought he heard something like a chuckle come from her. Yes, but by the time help arrived, you would've already dealt with the group. The dragon jumped down and landed on the street next to Brand. I knew you had a library, but I wasn't expecting you to work at a book shop as well.

Brand shook his head as he began to walk down the street. "I meant you could've helped me personally instead of sitting there watching me almost kill those men."

I merely wanted to watch how your fighting style worked against some men. She replied in a smart remark. Watching you practice last night was...intriguing to say the least.

Brand snorted. "Please, I doubt that's why you're still following." He looked up at the dragon "So tell me why that is Saphira." He stopped at a corner. "Why are you still following me?"

She remained silent for a moment before replying. Because both I and Eragon are worried about you. Saphira suddenly grinned, causing Brand to have a bad feeling in his gut. Now it's your turn Brand.

Brand looked up at her confused. "My turn?" He questioned when she suddenly plucked him by the hood of his cloak with her mouth. He gave a yelp and began to wiggle around, flailing his arms and legs about to get her to let him go. "What the hell Saphira?! Put me down!"

Hmmm...no. Saphira replied with a chuckle. At least not until you tell us why you are afraid of fighting.

Now Brand was getting pissed off. "No! That's for me to know only!" He refused to tell her, but he had to admire the dragon's persistence. He was suddenly lifted higher and was placed on a lamp hook located on a wall of small building. Underneath him was a window that leads into the building.

Then you can just stay right there until you tell me. Saphira sat down, watching him struggle with her sapphire eyes.

Brand struggled for a moment longer before stopping and smiled at her. "Or..." He began, slowly grabbing the lamp hook and rising himself up towards it. Saphira watched him intently, wondering what he was about to do. "...I can do this."

Suddenly, Brand shot himself downwards, using both his weight and his own strength to cause the metal to bend and he slid down. Saphira darted forward to catch him, only to swipe at air. Looking up, her gaze met Brand's rear as he sat on the window sill. Looking over his shoulder, Brand pulled his eyelid down and stuck his tongue at her. "Catch me if you can dragon!" He called as he darted inside.

Saphira couldn't help but grin as she darted around to the other side, towards the only door on the house. She jumped when she heard Brand laugh from the right, turning in time to see him dash into an alley. Saphira gave chase, trying to catch him as he ran into the street. He proved quicker then she had previously thought he would be, as he evaded several of her swipes. People all over moved out of the way as the dragon continued after him down the street.

"You're too slow Saphira!" Brand laughed as he leaped over her claws. He was so close. His home was literally right in front of him. He only had to push it open and... Saphira pounced in front of the door. "Damn it all!"

Aww. Saphira whined in a voice that souded like she was talking to a baby. Is the quick man sad that he won't be able to go home?

Brand merely gave her a glare before darting off to the side and into a small alley. He heard Saphira give another swipe, so close this time that he literally felt her claw touch his cloak. Inside, Brand jumped and placed his foot on the wall. Here he propelled himself off and onto the other where he did all over again. He was quite happy to see his bedroom window open and he jumped inside, landing safely next to a common bed found in most homes.

Brand heard Saphira chuckle and he looked at another window in his room to see one of her eyes staring back at him. You win this time Brand, but just you wait. He heard her laugh loudly, her voice booming both inside and outside his house. I'll get you tomorrow, I swear it!

She began to walk away and Brand walked over to where she was, leaning out the window to watch as she disappeared around a corner. "We'll see about that Dragon!" He called out after her before turning back inside.

Inside, Brand made his way downstairs and walked back into his library. His journal and pen were still sitting there as he had never written in it the night before. Whistling a tune to himself, he walked over to the desk and sat down, pulling the book closer to him and turned back to the blank page. Now in a better mood, he wrote down the events of the last few days.

Once finished, Brand placed the book back on its shelf and made his way into his kitchen, where he cooked himself some soup using vegetables and some freshly cut cow. With a bowl in hand, he sat down and began to eat in silence. Normally a sociable man, Brand couldn't help but feel a little lonely.

Soon finished his meal, Brand looked up to see night had fallen. He placed his bowl near a basin he used for dishes and made his way to his front door where he threw a darker cloak over him and opened the door. He disappeared into the night. At least, that's what he thought until he saw the large form of Saphira watching him in the night. This time she wasn't alone, as Brand saw the form of Eragon on her back.

Brand just shrugged. Let them do what they want. He thought, making his way quickly to the wall. He leaped far above and landed on the other side where Brand dashed across the field, making his way to Lake Leona. Looking over his shoulder, he spotted Saphira's dark form in the cloudless night. He knew she was there as several stars would suddenly disappear, only to reappear a moment later.

It took little time to reach the shore. Here Brand grabbed several dry logs from the nearby alcove that Saphira hid herself in the night before. Placing them in a pile, Brand held his palm out to the wood and whispered Brisingr, causing the wood to light up in flames as he saw Saphira land in the corner of his eye in the brush. Obviously they thought he hadn't seen them.

The two did hope this and Eragon had seen Brand light the fire with magic instead of any traditional ways. This proved to Eragon that Brand did have things hidden about himself that brand did not want others to know, as the day before Brand said he did not know. Eragon wanted to know why he had lied to him, why he didn't want to fight saying that 'he would only cause more grief.'

The two sat in the trees in silence, only wishing to observe. Brand however, did not seem to be doing anything particular, just sitting around the fire as though he was waiting for something. Why is he just sitting there? He asked himself, placing his hand gently on Saphiras side. He came all the way out here to wait for something? What is it, and Why?

Brand suddenly snorted; amused that Eragon had not realized it yet. Brand had started the fire so that he and Eragon could better see each other, and since he was not coming out of hiding, Brand would have to do something just like what he did to Saphira.

Reaching out with his mind, Brand soon found the mental barrier of Eragon`s mind and tapped it lightly. Almost immediately, Eragon shielded his mind further, trying to prevent Brand from access but only managed to make Brand laugh. Giving an even stronger tap, Brand smashed his barrier into pieces and went inside Eragons mind where he calmly said:

I do not believe friends spy on each other Eragon. If you have questions, then I suggest that you come out here and talk to me instead of resorting to subterfuge, which needs work on mind you. He resided from Eragons mind and propped his elbow up with his knee, hearing Eragon and Saphira coming through the trees. Soon, he could make out their shapes in the trees and he turned to look at them.

"Good evening Eragon and Saphira." Brand greeted. "Tell me, why do you hound my every steps? Your concern is appreciating but I would be more concerned about yourselves and the coming fight of Galbatorix."

Eragon stared hard and long at the fire before opening his mouth. "You lied to me." He stated calmly, taking a seat on the ground nearby. "What else have you kept from me Brand?"

Brand leaned back, breathing out a sigh, deciding that it was time for them to know. "A lot of things, Eragon. My age being one of them." Brand opened his eyes and looked at his young friend. "I was born well over one hundred years before humans came to Alaegaesia." Brand raised his hand when Eragon was about to answer, but Saphira was the one to ask first.

Your one of the...settlers? Saphira asked in awe, her eys staring wide at Brand. How can that be? That would make you centuries old. Brand shook his head slowly.

"Not...exactly." He started once more. "While your ancestors hail from a land over the seas far to the west, I came far from the east. A far away land whereeverything was born with magic flowing through their very veins."

He raised his hand and stared at the bandages that covered his arm, before sighing and placed it back down next him. "It was a land where the common language was not known and only the ancient language existed."

"Only the ancient language?" Eragon asked suddenly, confused. "But the ancient language is used only for true names, how can you possible use it as a true language?"

Brand shrugged. "When one is born with magic flowing through their veins, one has certain...strengths and weaknesses to it as well. In other words, we were resistant to it but were also unable to actually use it." He saw Saphira give a confused stare at him.

Then what about you? She questioned. How can you use magic if all others could not? He shook his head sadly.

"While my mother hailed from that land far to the east, my father however, hailed from a land far to the north from my home."Brand shook his head once more. "I was born... with a unique gift. Like flipping a switch, I was able to use our language to create magic and at one point, I was hailed as the incarnation of a god."

Eragon suddenly stood straight up with rage plastered across his face as Brand only watched him with sadness. "If what you say is true..." He began, fists clenched and shaking at his sides. "...Then why didn't you stop Galbatorix?! If you're so powerful, you could've done something! Instead you're wallowing away because of your past!" Eragon looked Brand right into the eyes. "Just what did you do that would cause you stay out of this?"

Brand looked away, sighing deeply. "While it is true that Galbatorix's madness began when he lost his dragon, there was one detail left out at that time, one that only he and one other knew about." Brand looked up at both Eragon and Saphira with tears in his eyes. "I convinced Galbatorix... to hunt the Urgals all those years ago. I was the one that got his dragon killed."

Brand placed his hands on either side of his face and began to cry. "I caused so much pain and grief because of that one mistake." He wailed softly. "I tried to fix it years ago, but I only made it worse! I try to fix that one, and it became worse too! Every goddamn time I try to fix my mistakes, more pile up!"

Eragon and Saphira sat there, watching him cry into his knees. Soon, Brand calmed down and he wiped his face. "That is why Eragon." He finally answered. "That is why I cannot join this fight." Eragon looked down at his feet for a long moment before asking something else.

"What do you mean by 'more pile up' Brand?" Eragon asked in a whisper. "What other sins have you committed?" Brand did not answer at first. Eragon was about to get back onto saphira and leave when Brand suddenly sighed.

"I have committed many sins Eragon, sins that I have tried to fix a long time ago only to have more built up until I couldn't take it anymore." He looked up at the sky. "That was when I arrived in Cravahall."Eragon stared at him for a moment longer before he finally crawled into the saddle on Saphiras back.

"We'll just..." He began, not meeting Brands tearful gaze. "We'll just leave you alone for now." Saphira leaped into the air and with several flaps of her massive wings, was airborne. In the air, Saphira began to head back to the city. Brand turned to look at the flames of the fire, tears slowly streaming down his face as they flew away

He didn't know how long he was there, but he heard the flaps of Saphira coming towards him. He heard a loud thud from behind but Brand didn't look over his shoulder when she landed behind him, he merely hugged his knee closer to his chest as she came closer to him. He was confused as to why she was returning, but his sadness kept him from asking her why she returned.

Brand... She quietly began. ...Are you Okay?

Brand kept his back to her. "Leave me alone Saphira." He whispered. "I just...want to be alone." He heard her begin to move closer to him and suddenly felt her press herself to him. Looking up Brand saw that she had also covered the two of them with her wing. "Why?"

He looked over to see Saphira head facing towards her, looking off to the side as though she didn't want to meet his gaze. Was she...blushing? W-well you're my friend Brand. Now she definitely was blushing. And I care about you.

He sat there, staring at her, before finally moving back to lay his head against her side. He had heard that Saphira usually only allowed Eragon sleep with her like this. He couldn't help but feel honoured. "Thank you." He whispered as he suddenly felt drowsy. Soon he closed his eyes and was fast asleep. Saphira watched his chest rise and fall steadily for a long moment before she too, fell asleep.