Well This took longer then expected, all I can say is life happens. Any who, I hope you enjoy reading this chapter.
Murtagh stood on a hilltop looking out towards the gate of Ilirea contemplating one last time if this was a good idea. True he longed to see her again even ached for it but was the risk worth the reward. Not just for him but for her. He would be putting her in a difficult position. No doubt her advisors would tell her that he needs to be dealt with and punished for his crimes. The dwarves alone would demand his head. Truth be told he wouldn't blame her if she handed it to them herself. But gods how he wished she wouldn't. They had been through so much and so much of it was together. It was those memories he cherished the most, that got him through the darkness. He wondered if she held on to them as much as he did. That's what he feared the most. Discovering that she had abandoned their time spent together. The time that they both clinged to one another for hope. She once told him that she could not forgive him, that she could only understand. Has time changed that? Could she forgive him now ? Is he ready to find out?
" Are you certain about this? Is there really no other way? I could just fly over head at night fall. A simple glimpse of her would do. Just to know she's alright."
" I believe I'm to big to be mistaken for a large species of bird. A dragon flying over head would only rise alarm. Besides at nightfall I would assume, that she would retire to her bed chamber and not walking about outside, you run the risk of not seeing her at all."
" Isn't that a risk I'm taking anyway? I mean she's the Queen Thorn. I can't just walk up and knock on her door. " " Oh hi Nasuada long time no see, How have you been? Oh just running a kingdom how about yourself? Not much really, just having nightmares about you. Just wanted to drop by and see if they came true is all, I'll see you later." This whole thing is ridiculous."
" You are ridiculous, you are a dragon rider not a child. Remember I chose you to be my rider. Even then I knew you were in pain but I knew you had the strength in you to over come it and rise to greatness. If you walk away from this, you will be denying yourself a chance."
" A chance for what?"
" A chance for redemption." Murtagh listened to the words of his friend and let them settle in his mind. Could he truly be redeemed? He was so unsure of many things but the one thing he knew for certain was how much he missed her. That alone is what gave him the drive to see this through. He let out a sigh and turned to his beloved dragon.
" Okay, how do I look?
" Like a whole new person." He let out a low rumble that Murtagh has come to know as a chuckle.
" Very funny, will you be alright while I'm gone?"
"Of course I will. It's been awhile since of hunted this land. I'm looking forward to it."
" Just stay out of sight. And call for me if you happen to be spotted."
" Yes, I know little brother, just go and leave me to do my hunting."
" Alright, stay safe." And with those last words Murtagh made the journey down from the hilltop towards the gates of Ilerea wondering all the while what fate awaited him there.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Murtagh made it pass the guards at the gates just fine. They bought his story that he was just visiting, which really wasn't a story because he was just visiting. It was the disguise he was worried about. Thorn was right he did look like a whole new person. Getting pass the guards did put him a little more at ease but he was still on guard on who are what he might encounter. They city was beautiful. Sure he had been there before but he rarely was allowed to leave the castle to enjoy it. The few times he did he was escaping so there wasn't much time for sightseeing. Though he guessed it wouldn't look anything like it does today. He was amazed by what he saw. Man, dwarves, elves and urgals all in one place. Nausuda did the unthinkable brought everyone together. If the urgals can find a place here maybe I can too, he thought to himself, maybe I do have a chance. He continued to walk the streets checking out the different merchants and picking up a few supplies here and there slowly making his way closer towards the castle when he heard a commotion. He looked around him and noticed that there was a crowd gathering the next block over. Curious he made his way towards the crowd. He managed to find his way to the front and there he found a little girl a guard and a young women standing between them.
" This girl is a thief and deserves proper punishment and unless you get out of my way I'll see to it you get the same punishment." He was a tall burly man with a thick neck and a voice to match.
" I will not let you harm her. She is just a hungry little girl. " The young woman was considerably smaller then the giant towering over her but if you look at her face you wouldn't know it. She was expressing such confidence even if right now she shouldn't be.
" I don't care what she is. The law is still the law."
" Surely you can find it in your heart to let this one go."
" I don't get paid to follow my heart lady. I get paid to up hold the law and right now your standing in the way of it."
" The queen would never allow this."
" Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize you knew her."
" Well I don't exactly but I know..."
" So you don't know her you just speak for her is that it?"
" No, I just don't think this is something she would want."
" You don't get to make those decisions. Now I've asked you for the last time." He began to raise he right hand revealing the sword he held in it. The women didn't waiver in her position as she watched him bring the hilt of his sword down upon her. She reached for something hanging from the belt around her waist but before she could reveal what it was a mysterious hand stopped the guard from hitting her.
" I don't think you want to do that. She is a Lady afterall." The last thing Murtagh wanted to do was draw attention to himself but he couldn't standby and just watch. He positioned himself between the young woman and little girl before speaking to her. " Run". She stood there with a look of shock on her face staring at the man in front of her. " Take the girl and go. Get out of here." She didn't waste another minute she quickly took the girl and went running through the crowd leaving Murtagh to take care of the rest.
" That wasn't very smart. Now you'll be taking on the punishment for both of them." He lunged forward with a lot of force, but Murtagh stepped out of the way with gracefulness and ease. The large man lunged again and again Murtagh evaded his attacks. He could use his sword and end this but Murtagh wasn't looking to hurt anyone. He knew he could out last the guard. He had strength he'd give him that but that was all he had, no agility, no conditioning. As soon as the guard became winded he made a run for it.
"Why are you running, has something happened?"
" Not now Thorn!" He couldn't be bothered by his dragon right now. Right now he needed to find a shadowy place to hide. He spotted a dark alley coming up on his right that he could turn into. Once in the alley he saw a large barrel the he crouched down behind. It was only when he saw the blurry figure of the man chasing him go right passed where he was hiding that he began to relax.
" Now may you tell me what is going on?" Thorn sounded annoyed as he often is when his stubborn rider ignored him.
" Nothing... but I probably need to change my disguise."
" Can I not leave you alone for a day. One might think you were the one that hatched six years ago."
" Humans aren't perfect Thorn, you should know that by now. Besides it wasn't my fault, what was I supposed to do let the her get hurt."
" Her?"
" Yes, a young women and a little girl. They were being picked on by some over grown ego. I had to do something. Nobody else was. I should probably go looking for her make sure she's alright."
" Do think that's wise with someone chasing after you?"
"I'll be fine. I know how stay hidden easy enough and there's no way he could ever out run me."
" Just remember why we are here and it's not to play hero."
" Trust me Thorn, I know why were her." Murtagh stands up ready to make his way back into the market. He brushed the dirt off of him the best he could and just as he turned to take his first step he felt a hand wrap around his wrist.
There you have it. Please review and thanks for reading:)
