Chapter Four-
Murtagh withdrew from the tall, powerful man. He had forgotten just how cruel Galbatorix's face was, how much strength was around his person. He looked over at Jazira, who was taking a close look at the man she had promised to defeat, and he could see the unwilling admiration on her face.
Murtagh's head snapped around as Galbatorix stepped toward him, black robes billowing around his feet. Slowly walking toward him Galbatorix addressed Murtagh in a cold voice,
"You were very wrong to leave me Murtagh, to spite all the years of care I gave to you, and for this I will have to punish you severely." Galbatorix came to stop in front of Murtagh, and towered above him despite Murtagh's considerable hight. Murtagh made himself look into the face he had never wanted to see again, and shuttered. Galbatorix's black eyes bored into Murtagh, making it feel as if Galbatorix could dig into his mind and extract every ounce of memory from Murtaghs past.
"But for now, that will have to wait, there are more pressing matters to tend to, and besides I will want time to enjoy my vengeance." Galbatorix continued. Jazira glanced at Murtagh, a look of bewilderment in her eyes.
Galbatorix smiled grimly at Murtagh before moving over to Jazira, who turned away from Murtagh to face Galbatorix and stood to her full hight, defiant.
"So you are the one." Stated Galbatorix eyebrows raised.
"The one who?" Jazira kept her voice even, staring at the King, never showing any sign of fear.
Galbatorix sneered at her saying,
"Yes, I suppose I have kept you in the dark long enough. I grow inpatient as well," He turned to the Twins. "Bring them."
The Twins turned and disappeared behind a tapestry of a golden Dragon. Galbatorix turned back to Murtagh and Jazira saying,
"It has taken me many years to find you. The ones who are meant to hold the highest honer in the world, but finally I managed to discover what I most wanted. I must say it wasn't what I had suspected. You girl have had my magicians very upset the past couple days. I must say I have never heard of anyone who needed the full dose of potion, and even it wasn't enough to suppress the power inside of you. You will be a valuable asset to my kingdom." Murtagh looked over at Jazira, confused.
"I would rather die then serve you!" spat Jazira, glaring at Galbatorix, fury clear on her face. Galbatorix smirked.
"Oh no, my dear there will be no need to kill you, and soon you wont have a choice in serving me." Jazira opened her mouth to respond, but at that moment the Twins appeared each carrying an oblong stone, one of red and the other gold. They set the stones down on a table on the far end of the room.
"Ah, here we are." Galbatorix swept over to the stones, running a hand over each.
"Here they are, the last two dragon eggs in the land, and to you they will belong."
Next to Murtagh Jazira scoffed, "You honestly think that we're the next Dragon Riders?" she asked bemused.
"I don't think, I know." Galbatorix stated. Jazira cast a perplexed look over at Murtagh, who shrugged.
"Shall we let the lady try first? Jazira, if you will." Caressed Galbatorix. Jazira gave Galbatorix a cold look before slowly saying,
"I can't move."
"Release her!" Barked Galbatorix at the Twins, who quickly released the magic that bound Murtagh, and Jazira.
Jazira took a deep breath before walking toward the table where the eggs lay. She reached the table, staring down at the large eggs. It was as if the whole room was holding its breath. She reached out her hand to the red egg, but before she made contact she drew back quickly, bitting her lip. Then as if forcing herself to, her hand shot out and she caressed the red eggs smooth surface. Nothing happened. She let her hand drop from the egg and reached out her hand again this time placing it on the gold egg. Again nothing happened. She turned from the table, and started back to the others slowly. Then a faint shaking sound came from behind her. She spun around, hair flying, eyes wide. The room was perfectly still as the gold eggs perfect surface started to crack and quiver. Then in one moment the egg burst and out hopped a golden Dragon.
"Yes!" Shouted Galbatorix, victory gleaming in his eyes as he observed the Dragon. Murtagh had eyes only for Jazira who seemed frozen in place, looking at her Dragon. Murtagh was afraid she was going to faint. He took a step toward her, but was pulled back roughly by a Twin, who's sharp nails dug into Murtagh flesh. The Twin hissed in his ear,
"Leave her. Your turn will be soon enough." Murtagh glared at him, but didn't move.
Jazira took a step closer to her Dragon, who spun around from the egg shell it was inspecting, to face her. Its scales glowed bright as the sun in the light of the torches, its eyes also gold, and seemed to go on forever. It cocked its head as if to say, "Are you going to come closer?" Jazira now advanced faster, and when she reached the table, the Dragon stuck its head out inviting her to pet him. She set her hand on the smooth scales. The instant her hand made contact with him the Dragon seemed to glow, and the light surrounded Jazira. The light glared forcing Murtagh to look away, but that couldn't hide the sound of Jaziras scream of torture. Murtagh forced himself to look into the light where Jazira, hand still on the Dragon, was doubled up in pain screaming as if she was under going to worst pain known to man kind. Then Jazira collapsed, the screaming gone to be replaced by heavy breathing. The Dragon jumped down from the table, and snuggled up to Jazira, who recoiled from it, fearing that the pain would return. But when nothing happened she settled down stroking the Dragons scales. She started to examine her free hand, but Murtagh couldn't see what it was that had her intrigued.
"Very well, take the beast, and let us test the second egg." Galbatorix looked immensely pleased with the whole proceeding. Jazira and her dragon both looked up at his words.
"Take him? Where? Where is he to go?" She sounded scared as she drew her Dragon closer to her.
"Have no fear my dear nothing shall happen to the creature. He will have the best of care, because he is valuable to me. A treasure that exceeds any price the crown could pay." The Twins stepped forward and reached toward the Dragon. He squealed and tried to hide behind Jazira, but when she whispered something to him, he gave her a sad look, and allowed the Twins to take him away. Jazira slowly got to her feet, and walked over to Murtagh.
