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The next few days passed exactly like the first. Murtagh gradually built up the trust of Eragon and Saphira. Eragon had regaled him with the tales of his travels up until he had appeared. He found himself genuinely impressed with Eragon's progression since he had started out from Carvahall. He had come a long way from the farm boy he had spoken of. They had begun to forge a strong bond, the sort that is formed under such circumstances. They talked and sparred each night; both happy to find a companion of their own age and interests.
Saphira was a different kettle of fish. Murtagh still found he was lost for words whenever he saw her. He could have sat for hours, just watching her. Her regal splendour was awe-inspiring. She was still slightly wary of him, but that was to be expected. The elf had been unconscious all of the time he had been with them so he had no idea what she was like. All that he had been able to conclude from what Eragon had told him was that she was a creature of unexpected strength and character. It was clear to Murtagh that Eragon had more than friendly feelings toward her. While he could see that she was indeed very beautiful, he didn't feel any kind of attraction to her. He had met a few elves in his life and he had found them all to be arrogant and narcissistic. He saw no reason for this one to be any different once she awoke.
Eden was by far the most puzzling of all the travellers. While Eragon would talk endlessly about Saphira, Arya and this Brom character he rarely mentioned Eden. This only enhanced his curiosity. From what he could gather something had happened between them; however he didn't want to anger any of them by asking about it. Not that he saw Eden enough to ask her anything. She was as good as her word and no more. She would appear a short while before sunset and spend a few hours with them before leaving to make her own camp. That was until Saphira spotted an Urgal scout fifteen miles to their rear.
"We'll have to speed up." Eden announced that night. "And I'll, I'll stay with you from now on." She finished uneasily.
Eragon was thrilled at the idea, but he could see how uncomfortable she was with it.
"That's great…but you don't have to protect me." He finished uneasily.
Eden looked at him with those lucid eyes. She felt an intense urge to punch him. How dare he make her feelings public like that? Then she saw the concern in his eyes and her resolve failed her.
"If I don't who else will?" She said, a hint of derision in her voice.
She unbuckled her sword and laid it on top of her rugs, her back turned to them. Eragon came up behind her.
"Eden… I…" He began.
"You're sorry, I know. That's all you seem to be this last few months." She said callously.
"I never meant for…any of this." He said miserably.
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions." She replied as coldly as she could.
Eden hated this between them. She didn't look at him, she knew it would break her heart if she did, but her anger was like a bristling ogre that burned her to the core and wouldn't allow her to forget. How could she forget?
Eragon's despair was quickly turning to anger and frustration. How long would he have to pay for what had happened to Brom? Did she think he didn't hate himself for it every day? Did she not know that every time he looked at the woman he loved it reminded him of what he had lost to save her? No, he couldn't take it any more.
"Well why the hell don't you leave? If you hate staying with us so much why don't you leave?" He spat bitterly.
He braced himself for her retort, but it didn't come. She turned slowly to face him. A single solitary tear shone as it slid down her face.
"Because I promised him I wouldn't… I promised him I'd get you to the Varden." She said softly.
"Brom?" Eragon asked, taken aback.
She nodded. A picture began to form in Murtagh's mind. Brom was the man who had died outside Gil'ead. He sat on the edge of the campfire; he wasn't sure what to do so he pretended to have a sudden interest in his shoes.
"But…" Eragon started.
"Don't. I'd rather not talk about it." Eden said as she wiped her eyes.
She then busied herself sorting the already sorted rations. Eragon made a move toward her but Saphira stopped him.
"Let us hunt Eragon, she needs time." She said knowingly. Eragon hesitated then climbed onto Saphira's saddle and together they climbed into the sky.
---
The Ra'zac were close. They could smell it, the stench of humans, and an elf. The thought of killing drove them frenzied with desire, the same desire a beautiful woman might inspire in a man. They urged their hideous steeds on as fast as they could go.
"Kill all but the dragon and Rider." The lead Ra'zac hissed.
The others thought of what it would be like to kill a dragon…the thrill, but the thought of their master's vengeance cowed them. Their mounts moved so swiftly along the ground that it seemed like the repulsive creatures were flying. They would be on them in an hour and the thought spurred them on all the harder. It had been days since their last kill.
---
Murtagh coughed. That was when Eden became aware of his presence. She span around and looked at him. Her cheeks turned a rather interesting hue of crimson.
"You shouldn't have heard any of that." She stammered.
"Sorry, I didn't really know what to do." He said quietly.
There was a long pause in which Eden turned her back again and began to sharpen her sword.
"How well can you use that?" He asked as he watched her.
"As well as any who can." She replied vaguely.
"Hmmm… I'd like to see that." He said brashly.
"You better hope you don't have to. The Ra'zac are hot on our tails. They'll be on us before sunset tomorrow." She said as she stared into the grim forest.
"How do you know that?" Murtagh inquired.
He knew they were close, but he thought they could reach the Varden before that.
"The horses…they're restless. Their minds are nervous." She glanced at her dark ebony mare lovingly.
"Besides a Ra'zac with the smell of a kill in its nostrils can move at an unnatural speed. She finished.
"Does Eragon know?" Murtagh asked.
"I'd doubt it, he's become careless when it comes to anti-tracking." She spoke with not a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"This is a complex one." He thought.
"It's about three hours from here to the Boers, and none of us have a clue how far inside the range the Varden are." Murtagh looked towards the Boers.
Eden stared at him and shook her head.
"Why are you here?" She asked forlornly.
Murtagh thought for a moment. Why was he here?
"I guess I don't want to take a back seat while history passes me by." He shrugged.
"You realise you could die." She said grimly.
"I know."
Well I hope that was to your liking! Happy Easter!
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