Murtagh and Thorn heading out to face Eragon at the battle of the Burning Plains
MURTAGH HAD COME TO the battlefield to die. He knew who he was going to face, knew who his master had sent him to face, and knew to whom he must submit himself, regardless of what was expected of him. It would be agony for his prideful self to step down in a fight when he could so easily be victorious. He wasn't sure if he was strong enough to allow his opponent to beat him.
Murtagh strained to keep his plans to himself, despite years of keeping his mind private. It was much more difficult through the bond of dragon and rider. Concealing his thoughts across the link took a whole new kind of mental effort. Thorn was aware that Murtagh was hiding something and probed softly around the defensive wall, searching for any weakness. Murtagh would have been unsurprised if Thorn already knew what thoughts he was tossing around, sure that they had discussed it in the past, but still hopeful that his mind was his own.
It had been difficult for Murtagh when Thorn had hatched for him, when he had had to share his mind with another being after spending his life hiding his thoughts from all others. His mind had been the only thing that was solely his own and he had never imagined that he would lose privacy so suddenly and completely. He and Thorn had bonded and he had begun to use their connection and have pride in it, but he never completely lost the habit of attempting to wall off the rest of the world.
Murtagh's concentration nearly broke when Thorn began to speak. "We've overly discussed the plan of battle, but what shall we do if we fail?" Thorn asked. "I have never faced a dragon before, let alone a full grown one. I don't care how strong we think we are, we can't beat them. They have been together so long and our bond is so young!" Thorn often seemed cocky and overconfident to outsiders, but Murtagh knew better: Thorn was very unsure of himself, and the magic-induced growth that Galbatorix had forced on him had made him all the more confused and clumsy. It intrigued Murtagh that two minds so fundamentally different from each other could be bonded together as if they were the same being. Murtagh had been steadfast and independent since toddlerhood. He never allowed their personalities to meld. He wanted to keep himself distinct, keep himself as one person, not the product of two.
"We will not fail," Murtagh responded, as calmly as he could. "We cannot fail. We are too strong. We can easily overtake them, and, if not, we will return to meet the wrath of Galbatorix. If you cause us to fail, it will be unfortunate for us both." But, Murtagh thought, perhaps we shall discover that it would have been preferable to the death that I may bring upon us.
Thorn shook himself, swinging his tail dangerously close to the necks of those following behind. He set his eyes determinedly forward and prepared himself for what was to come.
Murtagh did the same. He did not wish to come out of this alive. It would be far easier on them both to be finished than to submit themselves to torture that may lead to the same fate.
This is my first ever attempt at any sort of fan fiction. If you like it (or not), please let me know. If you have constructive criticism for it or want more, you can let me know. Thanks!
