Awakening
Murtagh and Eragon duelled under a bloody red sky. Eragon was forced to spin his sword in every conceivable manner as Murtagh slashed with Zar'roc in the most complex patterns. Slowly, his arms grew heavy and his energy diminished. Finally, with one lazy flick of his wrist, Murtagh sent Eragon's sword spinning out of his hand to land about six feet away and knocked him to the ground simultaneously.
The next moment Zar'roc's tip rested on Eragon's chin, causing a thin line of warm blood to trickle down his neck. Murtagh said in a slow voice, "Join me, brother."
Eragon replied defiantly, "Never."
Murtagh said in the same slow voice, but with a tinge of emotion in it, "Then you leave me no choice." He slashed with Zar'roc at Eragon's neck and…
Eragon woke up with beads of perspiration on his face. Once again, the terrible truth crashed down upon him, that he was the son of none other than the first and last of the Forsworn – Morzan. Why, Saphira, why does it have to be so? Why does it have to be him, of all the people in Alagaesia? The one who betrayed the Dragon Riders to Galbatorix himself!
Peace, little one. Who your father is does not change who you are. Remember what Nasuada and Arya said yesterday? You have a good heart. The identity of your father will not change that.
I understand, Saphira, but I would rather be the son of any person in the whole of Alagaesia rather than him. I would even welcome that tyrant king himself to be my father rather than Morzan.
Eragon! Saphira exclaimed. You must start facing the truth with courage instead of running away from it. Do not waste your thoughts on wishful thinking. The fate of Alagaesia rests on our shoulders. The Varden cannot have their Rider sinking into depression.
You are right again, Saphira. I promise that I will try not to think about Morzan and Murtagh, and do my best to help the Varden no matter what my lineage be.
Now you are speaking like a true Rider! Get up immediately, it's nearly nine. Your cousin has been waiting for you since six. Let's not test his patience any longer.
Eragon laughed. Yes, let's not.
He got up, quickly donned his elven tunic, straightened his hair and walked out of his tent. Roran was pacing up and down restlessly, frowning irritably. On seeing Eragon, he quickly walked towards him, saying, "Good morning, brother. How have you been?"
"Morning, Roran," he said moodily, still in a bad mood.
Then Roran said, a bit accusingly, "When are we going to rescue Katrina? We should leave as quickly as possible. Her chances of dying multiply every second we leave her to the mercy of those…those desecrators."
"We'll leave as soon as possible, brother. I have to take permission from my liege to go."
"Then do it quickly!"
"Alright, but I have something else to do before that," he said suddenly, remembering Elva.
"What?" Roran asked, still with a shade of annoyance. "What could be so important?"
"Why don't you come and see yourself? It isn't easy to explain it, and all I'll succeed in doing will be to confuse you."
Roran gave him an exasperated glare, but grunted and followed him anyway.
Just then, a pageboy approached him timidly, and said, "Argetlam, Lady Nasuada seeks an audience with you immediately, if you are free."
I'm always free for her, Eragon told Saphira, amusedly. She must know that.
To the pageboy, he said, "Alright. I'm coming in a minute. Where is she?"
The pageboy pointed to a large tent in the distance, and said, "There, Shadeslayer."
"Thank you. You may go now."
Eragon walked to the tent, and asked Saphira, Why do you think she wants to see us?
I don't know. It could be anything.
Eragon entered the tent, Roran following him. Saphira, being too large, stuck her head inside through the flaps.
Nasuada sat on a wooden chair, deep in discussion with Arya, who was also present.
"My Lady, you called me?" Eragon asked respectfully.
Nasuada looked up, and said, "Ah, good. Good morning, Eragon. We were just discussing you. So, what are your plans for now?"
"My Lady, with your permission, I want to go to Helgrind to rescue my cousin's fiancé. She was captured by the Ra'zac in Carvahall, and they have imprisoned her in Helgrind. Also, we will try our best to destroy the Ra'zac too. With this, we will be rid of some formidable foes too." He tried to make his answer as convincing as possible, for Roran's sake.
Nasuada thought about it for a minute, her almond eyes sinking into thoughtfulness. After a long time, she finally said, "Very well, you may go, but you must take Arya with you. She is an experienced swordsperson, and is adept at magic as well. She will keep you safe."
"As you say, Nasuada." He looked at Arya, who stared back at him with her usual impassivity and inscrutability.
"One more thing, my Lady. I must heal Elva today. Would you like to come and watch? Perhaps you would come too, Arya Svit-Kona?" he asked deferentially.
"Yes, certainly. I suppose you will come too, Arya?" Nasuada said.
Arya replied, "Yes, I certainly will. When are you going to heal her?"
Eragon said firmly, "Now."
"Are you sure it will be within your limits? We cannot afford to lose you," Arya said.
"I think so. Besides, Saphira can lend me her strength too."
"Alright, then."
He slowly, but firmly walked out of the tent went to Angela's tent, followed by Roran, Saphira, Arya and Nasuada. Taking a deep breath, he pulled apart the flaps and resolutely walked inside, to offset the curse that had given him so many sleepless nights.