"Bloodstained"

by Hailie Jade S

Chapter Four – A Regretted Death

A/Ns: Here's chapter four! If you've read my profile page, you'll know this is the re-written version, seeing as I lost the first version that I wrote. (Growl) Which also explains why this chapter took so long to get out. Also, I don't think the Lethrblaka were described yet, but if they were, tell me, and I'll make the proper adjustments. I don't have a copy of either Eragon or Eldest with me right now, so please help me out if I messed up anywhere.

Anyway, here it is, and thanks to my so-far reviewers: T.B.C.J., Zenna, Tallacus, nejsaku12345, blizzardstar2000, siwenliu, meh, By Victoria, Zenna, and Miss Apple Pie! You all rock... A lot... I love you all... You're the reason why I update!

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Enjoy, and please review! (Sorry about the really bad chapter, too. I don't like this one.)


Murtagh and Thorn flew swiftly. The sunshine bounced off of the red dragon's scales, sending sparkling daggers of light shooting in all directions. They made no attempt to hide him, and even flew low and close to the ground. The idea, Galbatorix had told them, was to show the people the newest dragon of the land and inspire fear. Once, Thorn even let out a burst of ruby flame over a small town.

They had no way of knowing where Eragon and Saphira were. That they had been spotted near Melian was no telling information. Their best bet was to fly that way and hope the other dragon and Rider returned the way they had come. Of course, there was always the likely possibility that they were going to be wherever they were going for a long time. Well, Murtagh would just figure it out as he went along. If only it was possible to scry Eragon. But whenever anyone tried – Galbatorix himself had attempted it – they were repelled.

But they would find him. Oh, yes. There was no escaping Galbatorix.


The Lethrblaka loomed before the frozen trio of Eragon, Roran, and Arya. Mustering up his courage, Eragon reached for all the spells he could think of that might be able to do damage to such powerful creatures.

They were hideous. They resembled short, squat horses that were black and leathery. They had vast wings that sprouted out of their backs, but they were nowhere as beautiful as Saphira's. Their eyes were empty, bottomless holes that gaped in their faces. The disconcerting stare was enough to immobilize Roran and Eragon.

But Arya was an elf, and in no way prey to such hypnotism. She quickly shouted a few words in the Ancient Language, but they sounded like they were coming through a thick fog. Eragon found that the spells he had been preparing were slipping away, running out of his mind like water through a fishnet. He grasped weakly at them, but his thoughts were cloudy, and he failed.

Saphira, he called, but his mental cry sounded soft even to himself. He felt her mind pushing against his, but then, even that stopped.

He felt himself falling to the ground and everything was spinning, spinning…

Suddenly, there was an explosion of light and a loud bang! Startled back into consciousness, Eragon jerked upright, letting out a yell of surprise. Arya was standing with her hand out. She had apparently done something drastic to arouse Eragon and Roran.

But now the Lethrblaka were mad. The one on the left let loose a screeching sound that was too horrible for words. Eragon fell back, clapping his hands over his ears as the terrible noise assaulted his hearing, and Roran simply passed out.

The Lethrblaka lunged forward together, flaring their wings and emitting more piercing screams that rained down on Eragon like hammer blows, making him unable to move. Arya flung up her hands, trying to shout words in her defense, but Eragon could tell that she was losing.

He didn't see it when it actually happened, but he felt it. Felt it as though it was him that the Lethrblaka was smashing with deadly hooves, tearing at with nasty fangs, body-slamming.

Before he knew it, Arya was dead.

No. No! NOO! The word slammed through Eragon's mind, freezing his body as he stared blankly at Arya's prone form. She had fallen on her side, and her arm was at a funny angle.

Grief tore through Eragon like a wildfire, ripping him apart from the inside. Arya… Arya was dead! Dead!

The Lethrblaka that had killed her was in front of him. With a terrible anguish roaring through him, Eragon screamed one word. It was enough. The horrible beast keeled over, falling just to the side of Arya, as dead as she was.

The second Lethrblaka gave a spine-chilling bellow. It reared at Eragon, narrowly missing him with its sharp hooves. Eragon, tears pouring down his face and every fiber in his body screaming, grabbed Roran and dragged him down the passageway. Roran came to quickly and staggered after his cousin-brother until the two burst out into the sunlight.

Saphira was there to meet them, and she snatched them in her talons. She powered her wings and swooped off, over Helgrind. The Lethrblaka screeched until they were out of hearing range, but did not attempt to follow them.

Eragon dangled limply in Saphira's grasp. Her talons were digging into his chest and his legs were hanging. His right arm was pinned against his stomach, while his left one fell loose. Tears were still coming thick and fast, while his inner anguish was enough to make Saphira's flight turbulent as his emotions reached her.

Arya… Angela's prophecy had said that he would love someone of royalty, love them with enough love to… do something or another. He couldn't quite remember properly. But she'd never said that his love would return his affections, or that their relationship would ever work.

And now Arya was dead.

Dead.

When they were far enough from Helgrind, Saphira set Eragon and Roran down, then tumbled onto her side, gasping in huge lungfuls of air as Eragon sobbed passionately. It felt like his heart had been ripped from his chest.

Roran lay in the grass, also gulping, rubbing his ribs and moaning. "There was no better way to carry us?" he demanded in a raspy voice, wincing in pain.

Eragon ignored him, crawling to Saphira. He flung himself at her head, crying harder.

Saphira! he wailed. Saphira!

Eragon, she said in a broken voice. Eragon…

Why? Eragon asked in a mental whisper. Why?

Wyrda, Saphira replied sadly. It was her wyrda, her fate.

Eragon's hands balled into fists and he pounded on her neck, choking on the air he tried to breathe. WHY?

He couldn't hurt her, and Saphira had nothing but pity for her Rider. She craned her neck around to nuzzle him. Her deep blue eyes would have shed tears if it were possible. She grieved, but not so much as him. In a very small, private corner of her mind that she would keep him out of, Saphira was relieved. Arya had been… Well, partly a distraction for Eragon. Despite his devout assurances that he would not pine over the elf, Saphira knew he still had. He would always have kept going back to Islanzadí's daughter.

And, in a very, very quiet and very, very tiny part of her consciousness, Saphira admitted that she had been a tad bit jealous.

But only a little.


Eragon sobbed and screamed and cried and basically carried on for quite awhile, every so often demanding why and vowing to kill… well, pretty much everyone that came into his mind.

Roran paced impatiently, annoyed by his cousin-brother's actions. Why such a fuss about the elf? Katrina… They hadn't rescued Katrina. Katrina was still in there with those horrible monsters! Roran couldn't stand it.

Finally, he spun on his heel. "Eragon!" he snapped.

Eragon cried some more, ignoring Roran.

Furious, Roran raced forward and, drawing back his hand as far as he could, slapped the Rider across the face. Stunned, Eragon fell back against his dragon, staring at Roran in shock, his tears forgotten. "What was that for?" he wailed piteously, rubbing his cheek, where there was already a red mark blossoming.

"For moaning and going on about it!" snapped Roran. "Katrina's still in there! We need to get her out, Eragon!"

"I shall never be able to do anything again as long as I live," Eragon said in a deadened tone, turning away, more tears trickling down his face.

"I need to get her out, Eragon!" Roran cried, grabbing for Eragon's arm.

The Rider icily pulled it away. "Then do it yourself," he hissed, then stalked away, around Saphira's head. She watched him go mournfully, and when Roran, seething, began to chase after him, she stopped him with her huge nose.

Patience, she said heavily, speaking in his mind. He needs time to deal with his grief.

"We need to help Katrina!" Roran said, massaging his knuckles to release some pent-up energy.

He is in no shape to do that right now, Saphira pointed out quietly. If he does not return in a better mood soon, then I will go and help you. But he is of no use as of the current moment.

Roran frowned. "What's so important about that silly little elf, anyway?"

Saphira blew out a gusty breath, sending Roran reeling. Sorry… She blinked apologetically. Eragon had… feelings for her, but she did not return them. And yet he never gave up. He was quite persistent. She blinked again. Almost embarrassingly so.

Roran sat down, feeling a little guilty. If Katrina died… he wouldn't want someone to go slapping him for crying over her. "Maybe I shouldn't have…" he began, trailing off. He bit his lip.

Don't worry, Saphira said. She extended a wing, offering him shelter and warmth as a wind started up. All we can do now is wait.


Thorn flew on, grumbling to his Rider about how tired his wings were, how thirsty he was, and how it would be impossible to find Eragon and Saphira. They could be anywhere in Alagaësia, after all. What was the chance they had of finding them? Not very good, he thought. In fact, they had almost no hope at all…

Stop your moaning, Murtagh finally said, rolling his eyes. We'll find them. Just shut up!

Abruptly, Thorn stopped flying, hovering in midair. His head was upright, and he swiveled it around, smelling the air while his tail thrashed around like a whip.

What? Murtagh asked, bewildered by such behavior.

N-nothing, Thorn said, sounding deeply shaken. Never mind.


Thank you for reading! Sorry about Arya, to all you Arya-lovers. I just happen to hate her. Please review!