Eragon furrowed his brow in confusion, and squinted towards the clouds. The battle had raged on for two hours already, and amidst the clanking of armour, shouts of soldiers and twangs of bowstrings, he could have sworn he'd heard a dragon roar multiple times. Though they hadn't been sighted by any yet, Eragon and Saphira were both certain that Murtagh and Thorn were lurking close by; still not even the tip (or rather stump, since Glaedr bit off the tip) of Thorn's ruby tail had been seen. Even as the battle progressed in the Varden's favor, Thorn and Murtagh remained hidden (Eragon and Saphira suspected amongst the clouds) and Saphira refused to fly into them.
So, to the Varden's delight, both dragon and rider fought alongside them, giving them a huge advantage over Galbatorix's soldiers; still Eragon and Saphira restrained themselves, trying to conserve energy for a possible face-off with their more dangerous adversaries. Rather than fighting, Eragon was attempting to bolster his diamonds with energy from dying soldiers and horses, a task he detested.
Galbatorix's army needs them badly! Why do you think they're hiding Saphira?
Saphira snorted.
Probably scared. Thorn is scared, I mean, not Murtagh.
I doubt that. I am quite sure they're hovering in those clouds up there. But why don't they show themselves to any of the other soldiers. Thorn keeps roaring, but he's only being loud enough for someone with elf or dragon hearing to sense. It's almost like they want us to discover them, without alerting any others – what if it's a trap?!
I highly doubt it. Thorn would never do such a thing. He's not so sly and underhand as that.
Eragon rolled his eyes. Ever since what he considered Saphira and Thorn's "affair" for lack of a better word, Saphira felt indignant and defensive at even the slightest hint of an insult towards Thorn or Murtagh.
He is your enemy you know. How do you know what he was ordered to do?
Saphira snarled at Eragon, who crossed his arms angrily.
Fine then. So if it's so safe, according to you why don't we just fly up into the clouds and challenge them.
Saphira shook her head, her sapphire eyes gleaming.
I shall not stoop to such a level and attack my mate unaware.
Eragon grunted. This was getting rather annoying.
Fine then, why don't you fly up slowly, and alert him of our presence by roaring, so that before we reach the clouds, they can spring on us and capture US unaware?
Stop being so sarcastic. I shall not fly into those clouds.
Okay, you don't want to attack him, you don't want to be attacked by him, you don't want to fight the soldiers because you think you'll get a bit tired… what do you want to do?!
At this Eragon's mind was invaded with more obscene mental features and he lost his patience, shouting at Saphira.
"Stop being so damn hormonal and girlish, and get us up there! You're acting so un-dragonlike it's not even funny! Are you scared of meeting him or what?!'
Eragon expected a death glare, perhaps a bang on the head with a clawed talon, or maybe a slight singe from flames at this rather insolent remark. To his great surprise, Saphira smiled rather coyly. It unsettled him. Then suddenly, without warning she pushed off the ground with her muscular legs and they shot towards the clouds.
I am the female you know. I am never supposed to make the first move. Thorn is supposed to come flying after ME not the other way. But thanks to you, I have no choice. Just make sure you explain to Thorn that YOU made me fly to him.
Eragon groaned as frigid air whipped past his air. He really could not understand his dragon now.
Women. They're all the same – humans, elves and dragons.
--
When Eragon and Saphira surfaced above the clouds, Eragon summoned his magic reserves and drew Brisingr, expecting an attack. They were however met by none.
Thorn however, in all his ruby red glory, hovered rather magnificently a few yards away. Murtagh was seated on him, clad in shining black armor, but a helm covered his face, and Eragon could only see too gleaming pinpricks of his eyes. Eragon's heart leapt.
Whose the hormonal one now, Urgal?
Eragon chose to ignore Saphira's comment, as well as her tumultuous, excited emotions, which were strangely enough exciting him too.
The only reason I feel anything is because you're so damn excited that it's flooding my mind, too! Get a grip, Saphira!
Thorn's teeth were bared in a smug smile, and Murtagh seemed as relaxed and cool as ever, though Eragon noted his hand still gripped the pommel of a sheathed Zar'roc.
"Hello, brother."
It was Murtagh who spoke first, his voice lazy and drawling. Eragon's stomach leapt, and he gave Murtagh a curt nod, not trusting his own voice to be steady.
"I suppose you know that our dragons are – well acquainted…"
Eragon gave another nod, and nearly choked as Murtagh removed his helm. He stared at the haughty, handsome face framed by locks of dark hair, and nearly elapsed into one of his daydreams when Saphira snarled at him.
Tell him Eragon! And stop staring at him like that!
Annoyed by the ferocity of Saphira's command, Eragon finally found his voice, and addressed Thorn, avoiding Murtagh's smouldering grey eyes.
"Saphira wanted me to – HEY!" he exclaimed as Saphira nearly bucked him off.
Don't tell him I said it, you urgal-brained maggot!
"I mean – Saphira and I were on the ground fighting… she didn't want to come up, but I forced her because I thought you would-"
No, don't say we came to meet them!
"- because we wanted to get away from the chaos of battle… and get some fresh air."
Thorn snorted but locked vermillion eyes with Saphira. The dragons drifted a few feet closer. At this point, both Eragon and Murtagh began to feel extremely awkward and uncomfortable. They looked at each other with identical horrified expressions, until Murtagh finally smiled slightly.
"This is weird… we're supposed to be fighting, but Thorn won't attack her."
Eragon relaxed a bit.
"Yeah, Saphira too. I don't think you and I would be able to fight much if our dragons refuse to come within 5 m of each other…"
Murtagh nodded and continued in an amicable, conversational tone.
"Well we could try attacking each other's mind, but I have way more Eldunari so I'll probably beat you, only Thorn won't let me."
His casual, smug tone shocked and irritated Eragon.
"I'm stronger too!" he snarled through clenched teeth. Did Murtagh really think so lowly of him? The thought depressed Eragon; he wanted to prove Murtagh that he was strong, and impress him and-
Oh dear, you're as bad as me!
Saphira sounded delighted.
Murtagh just laughed openly and Eragon hated him… or he tried to hate him.
"You know you can't. Arya and the others are occupied, so your mental connection isn't even there since you forgot to inform them you were coming to meet us – and Saphira won't allow any stranger into her mind after her little fling with darling Thorn here-"
Thorn and Saphira both growled at this, but Murtagh continued lightly.
"-so basically you don't have back-up energy like you did last time."
Eragon stared at him open-mouthed. How could Murtagh have figured out that Arya and the elves had been helping him. And how could he be stupid enough to fly up here without the mental connection –
Saphira! It's your fault! You flew before I had a chance to make contact with Arya!
Saphira ignored him.
Saphira! Fly down now, and quick.
No, Eragon. There is no way I shall turn my back and fly away now. That is just so pathetic.
Murtagh smirked, and Eragon could see his grey eyes twinkling. Still he wasn't afraid. He could tell that Murtagh wasn't going to attack him now; still he was unnerved by how much Murtagh and Thorn knew. At least Glaedr's Eldunari was a secret-
"And you may find problems using that Eldunari because Glaedr may not want to even converse with anyone yet, Oromis's death being so near."
Eragon blinked and stared at him wide-eyed. Murtagh raised his eyebrow, gesturing towards Thorn. Then Eragon looked downwards, at the blue-scaled, glimmering neck.
SAPHIRA YOU LITTLE TRAITOR!
She twitched.
I'm sorry, but I didn't mean to! It just happened when we – when we – you know, performed the final act! Our minds just melded and our thoughts just overflowed…
Eragon banged his fist on the saddle in frustration. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see Murtagh still laughing on Thorn.
Why didn't you tell me anything about THEM!
I don't know! I think some of Galbatorix's magic prevented too many of his thoughts from coming into my mind, I don't know! It's just they know a lot of stuff about us now, but I don't really know much, I don't know why!
Eragon snorted.
I think it's Galbatorix's magic that made that happen.
Or maybe you can just admit that he had TOTAL control over you, mentally and physically.
At this Saphira let out such an indignant squeal that Eragon and Murtagh had to cover their ears in disgust.
"I never thought I'd hear that from Saphira – a mouse maybe – but not a dragon!" was Murtagh's comment.
"Shut up and keep your smart comments to yourself, will you Murtagh!" Eragon snapped. Murtagh grinned at him, and then winked. Eragon's heart skipped a beat and he promptly dropped Brisingr – luckily, with his Elvish reflexes he was able to snatch it back before it fell further. He straightened himself on Saphira's saddle, blushing furiously.
Saphira don't say a word.
Eragon felt his heart skip a beat, and he knew his cheeks were red – from his own mortification or Saphira's he was not sure. Murtagh was struggling not to laugh, though a triumphant smile was plastered across his handsome face.
"So now what do we do now" he grunted, addressing a point about 10 feet to Murtagh's right. Why did he feel like this near Murtagh! He was worse than Saphira!
"I thought we could go someplace more secluded – the woods maybe – where we'd be alone and undisturbed for awhile, away from Galbatorix's soldiers and the Varden-" Murtagh said silkily.
Eragon felt longing and excitement well up inside him at the implications of these words. What was Murtagh implying? Did he really want-
"We could pretend that we're fighting and just got carried away- it's Thorn's idea, he wants to – be with Saphira and seeing they're not going to fight it's best we go somewhere hidden." Murtagh concluded, and Eragon's happiness deflated rapidly as he realized Murtagh was talking about a secluded woods in reference to the dragons and no them. Eragon felt immensely stupid.
Don't worry. You and Murtagh will have loads of time together when Thorn and I wander off.
Eragon jolted up at Saphira's sympathetic response. What were they supposed to do in a lonely forest whilst their dragons did – god knows what.
"Is that alright? Or are you afraid?" was Murtagh's next cocky question.
"It's fine with me. Let's go. We fly north I suppose." was Eragon's answer as he unsuccessfully attempted to suppress his riotous emotions. At this, Saphira wheeled around, winging northwards, followed by Thorn.
Oh no. Oh no. I'm alone with him. What do I do! What do I tell him! Saphira, you're supposedly an expert on this, help me! He's my brother! My sworn enemy!
Maybe you should try those meditation techniques the elves taught you.
Eragon, however could not meditate, when every fibre of his being was throbbing with excitement and anticipation for what would happen in the next few hours. He'd never really been alone with Murtagh, not fighting, for – for a very long time…
