Raid, Kill, and Capture
The gates, as promised, were unlocked and open. Slipping in, quickly yet quietly, none of the guards noticed the shadow that moved through the gilded bars, as Galbatorix slinked past Illirea's supposedly impenetrable defenses.
How ironic that on such a peaceful night, the wheels of wicked machinations are about to be set in motion, thought Galbatorix maliciously. Though dressed in a black cloak and layered with many spells of invisibility, the fugitive refused to abandon caution and remained in the shadows of the many buildings lining the main street. With each silent, purposeful step, the one who had been banished from the order of Riders came ever closer to regaining that very title.
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Huthvir, named by his parents for the sharp, formidable weapon wielded by those of Durgrimst Quan, reached within his consciousness for the barrier that separated him from the river of magic that flowed just behind the mental wall. Just as he was about to penetrate it and release the spell that would extinguish his light lamp, the small, black bundle beside him on his bed jabbed him sharply in his mind.
Huthvir froze in mid-action. What? I need to get my sleep else I face Oromis's wrath, he demanded exasperatedly of Pandora, his week-old dragon. The only reaction from the small creature was innocent blinking. Then suddenly, without any hint of forewarning, he crashed and melded his consciousness with Huthvir's, forcing the young 13- year old boy to view the world through the hatchling's eyes, which had incredibly sharp night vision because of the black irises that surrounded its pupils. The light of the moon illuminated everything outside of his bedroom, shining particularly brightly, however, upon the smooth, flowing cape of a figure moving swiftly and deftly towards the entrance to the castle of Illirea. Huthvir would not have been able to see this stranger had it not been for his dragon's proficient night vision.
Who is that person creeping towards the gates? came Pandora's question.
How would I know? Huthvir replied, peering over the edge of his dusty windowsill. I say we go check who it is, just in case.
Good idea, agreed Pandora.
Snatching Mor'ranr, 'Peace', his solid black Rider blade, off of its perch on the top shelf of his dresser, Huthvir opened his bunkroom door, fervently thanking the gods above that it was not as creaky as the doors to the bedrooms of his fellow Rider apprentices. Pandora bounded softly past Huthvir on padded paws into the hallway beyond, then waited for his Rider to step out silently and lock the door. Moving along the cold, stone floor, Huthvir encountered no one along the way to the entrance hall of the castle.
Finally, he staggered into the grand, high-domed room. As he stooped over to catch his breath, a strong arm clutched him roughly around the neck. Before he could cry for help, a wad of cloth was stuffed into his mouth. He could hear similar things being done to Pandora based on the muffled squeaks emanating from the dog-sized creature by his feet.
It was only when he was wrestled mercilessly to the ground that he was able to see who his captors were.
Morzan? Galbatorix? What are you doing here? Huthvir cried out with his mind.
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Galbatorix could not believe his luck. Not only had the plan been executed perfectly, with Morzan already at the gates waiting patiently for him, but their prey had foolishly wandered right into their hands.
What's the meaning of this? came the bewildered voice of the young Rider, whom Galbatorix recognized as Huthvir, one of the apprentices in the class below his and the son of Tenga, one of the Council who had denied him his wish. A cruel smile twisted his lips as he pointed the tip of his mud-brown sword to the throat of his victim.
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This is the end of me, Pandora. We had a good time together, even if it was only a month, came the resigned voice of Huthvir, his beloved soul mate.
NO! This not the end! It cannot be!
Do not mourn me when I die, my dragon. Live on and be strong.
NO!!! We have not even gotten to fly together! While Pandora wailed on the inside, he could only whimper softly on the outside as the murderer-traitor-Galbatorix drew back his blade and drove it through his Rider's throat.
We will fly together some day, Pandora, be it in heaven, or be it in hell, I promise, we shall meet again. Now...Live on...Pandora...
