Hola. I'd just like to say that yes, I've posted this before. Me. Not someone else. No copy right sadness happening here.
Anywhos, first chapter is up. Hopefully ya'll like it. Eyes of Rain: New and improved. Woo!
Disclaimer: If I owned Eragon, would I really have called the third book Brisingr? (snigger)
Song: Move Along, All American Rejects
Chapter 1: Exasperated
What was this feeling? Was there a word that describes this amount of dreariness and tediousness?
Exasperation.
Thank you, Thorn. Then I guess I'm exasperated. Shall I sigh in exasperation?
You already did. It happened when you were trying to find the word 'exasperation.' I guess you were distracted by the complication of the word quest.
Oh, well, in that case, why don't I go straight into my daily rant against these imbeciles?
I'd be elated to listen to it… again.
Why can't they do anything? Do they have to come to me for every single little thing, or do you think, maybe just once, they could do something for themselves? But, even if they could, you know they wouldn't. They never would- that was the way of the Empire, mindless bullies doing the work of the people who actually knew what was going on. The bigger bullies. People like his master. People like him.
Come Murtagh, let us fly. We can forget about Captain Forax in the air.
Okay, but do I deserve to? Do I deserve to forget? I'm just as bad as Forax; I'm just as much as a player in this war game.
No, Rider, it's different for you. You were forced into this- you're doing this to save the ones you love, and the ones who love you. The so-called captain does it because he enjoys other people's pain, he enjoys doing our king's bidding. Now, should I go East or West?
East, definitely. But make sure you fly behind the hill Thorn. I couldn't bear to lose you too.
What do you mean?
Murtagh paused to think how to word this. It was so… complicated. As he looked into the smoke stained sky, he thought that maybe it understood. With the birds sweeping through the air, forsaking the open sky for the constricting land, it must understand. How it felt to be forgotten, in the heat of the moment, and when it tried to make them understand, by sweeping under their wings with its wind, by trying to let them see the beauty of soaring through the heavens, only to be scorned by them, only to see them dive back through the haze to make a meal. In that moment, there was an undeniable connection between Murtagh and the sky, the moment when they both had no initiative as to why they tried to force their counterparts back into their amity.
Isn't it obvious? Were you not there? Did you not see his face? Or do you just not remember it? What in the worlds made me do it? Those weren't his orders. Of course, I'll probably be praised, for crushing his self-confidence, for taking my, our, father's sword. But he used to be my friend. I had thought of him as a brother, and now that he knows we are actually brothers, he'll hate me forever. And why did I smile like a maniac, like I enjoyed it? Oh, of course. He'll punish you if I show that I hate him. And, Thorn, can you believe I did that? The look on his face. And then what I told him! I don't even remember it. Something about how we were the same. 'Mirror images.' HAH.
I understand. I had to attack my own kin. The only one alive other than Shruikan, remember?"
I know. Hey, where are you going?
Until then, Murtagh hadn't been paying any attention to where Thorn had flying, or where he had been walking for that matter. But now, he realized where they were: behind a dune; right outside of The Varden's camp. And, less than 50 yards away, there was Saphira, regally standing outside of a tent. Are you mad? She'll smell you! Or, worse, see you!
No. I'm behind the dune for a reason, o Rider. And the spell you activated earlier is still on. She won't be able to smell me for another few hours.
Murtagh could feel the sarcasm in his dragon's voice. Still, he had to ask, are you sure?
Positive. Now shut up.
Why?
Slowly pronouncing each word, as if talking to a child, Thorn replied, so I can hear their conversation.
Murtagh was about to ask whose, when he realized- Saphira would only be outside of one tent: the one tent belonging to the one person he had been so preoccupied with this evening...
Are you insane! This is Eragon and Roran you're listening to. You're eavesdropping on my family! Oh no. This is not good. If we hear their conversation, we'll have to repeat it to Galbatorix!
Not if we're careful. We can make certain aspects sound obscure. He doesn't have to know everything we do.
Against Murtagh's protests, Thorn opened the link. Oh no. Oh no no no no. They were actually talking, as if inside the tent was actually a safe place to talk. Roran was relating his journey to Eragon, talking to him like a brother. A sharp pain ripped through his torso. Like we used to.
Wait a minute, Thorn... Did he just say that his betrothed was captured by the Ra'zac?
I think so, but didn't Galbatorix say that Roran was just attacking on a whim?
I believe so… yes, because I was arguing with him; I was angry that he was attacking Eragon's cousin, and he said that Roran had started it. But if Roran's telling the truth...
I thought so. And, while the moment's right, I told you so. Roran has his cousin's blood… both of them. Now, Murtagh, please, could you stop thinking for two seconds?
He's not a traitor. And, I guess I'm sorry.
Silence. What had he missed inside the tent? The more, the better.
Stop being so bitter.
Make me.
Do you want me to climb up there and really make you? I didn't think so. Now, please. Shut. Up.
Fine. I will.
Good.
Good.
Eragon's weary voice broke through their argument. "Aye, she's alive. And chances are, she's imprisoned in Helgrind, in the Ra'zac's lair." What does where she is have anything to do with it? If she was captured by them, she's either being held in Helgrind or Uru'baen, Eragon knows that… "The answer to your question, brother, is yes. I will travel to Dras-Leona with you. I will help you rescue Katrina. And then, together, you and I shall kill the Ra'zac and avenge our father."
IDIOTS! How does he expect to get into their lair? This is madness. Sheer and utter madness.
Well, Thorn, I thought we were paying attention to their conversation… But if you want to talk, I've been meaning to tell you, the saddle is starting to get uncomfortable on my backside….
Are you not upset by this? You met Eragon because he had been captured by the Ra'zac in the middle of a city. How does he expect to make it into their lair, a league away from civilization?
I don't know, but I think he can do it. And, remember, our dearest lord believed Eragon was the one who discovered the lair in Helgrind.
Sure, Eragon is smart. I guess I forgot about that. I must have been preoccupied with all of his other great qualities. Like how strong he is, weakening just after minutes of sparring. And sensible. You saw him. He let his love for his cousin almost kill him. If it weren't for your quick thinking, he would have killed himself taking Roran from an imagined danger.
First of all, he had been fighting through the whole day, saving people who would have been better off dead. Second off, Roran would have been in danger if I had decided to alert the Twins. Remember, I'm evil. I could have very well contacted them, like I was supposed to. So, that showed loyalty. More than I could say. I killed him today. Basically, he's an amazing Rider, and will do whatever he puts his mind to.
First of all, you didn't kill him, he's a big boy, he'll pull through. And, no, he can't make it into the Ra'zac's lair. It's impossible to penetrate; how many people have tried? Now, I'd love to continue to prove you wrong, Sir Madman, but we have to head back to camp. I see a patrol headed this way.
As Murtagh looked to the heavens, a gust of wind cleared the skies, and he caught a glimpse of clear, navy blue before the sulfur smoke came back to claim its place. Maybe, just maybe, something, somewhere, understood what he was going through, somebody other than the voice inside his head. Maybe they weren't alone in this world.
Gladly.
I know I know. What the hell am I thinking? All American Rejects? But that's okay. Right now I'm actually listening to Framing Hanley. Somehow, I don't think Murtagh is trying to say stuff bout his lollipop… XD
So, you know the drill. Pretty green button. Very large. Catches your attention. Press it and make its day!