Ugh. How sad is it that I'm looking forward to school tomorrow? I'll tell you. Very. And it's all because my stupid phone broke. It wasn't that bad when it broke. I was snowboarding. I had a blast. That night sucked, but whatever... Yesterday, not bad. I don't usually text much on Sundays anyways. Today? (shudders) And then I'm sad, cuz it's like... jeez. I depend on my phone. I'm such a stereotype. O.o

Anywhos, hope you like this chappy. We get to meet a very important person. And we're almost out of the stupid mountain. Only one or two more chappies of it. :D

Disclaimer: Seriously, do you think I'm one of those people who walks around in the middle of winter with flip flops and shorts? Nope. Guess who does? Christopher Paolini, of course!

Song: Water, Breaking Benjamin


Chapter 7: Turbulent Discussion

Saphira. Murtagh. Talk about bittersweet.

"Eragon, focus! We need to get up!" He barely heard the girl yelling from underneath him.

Why is what bittersweet? The rumble of his dragon was comfoting in the recesses of his mind.

"No we don't." This was going to be hard to explain. Saphira, Murtagh is here. He said that 'he' was here. Which means it'll be Galbatorix and Murtagh. Which means any chance of escape is reduced to none.

"Yes we do! This part was your idea!"

"No, Ayla, listen. Saphira woke up-"

"Well isn't that nice? So now that our ride is up, so we don't have to do anything? There is-"

"Wait!" People really needed to stop interrupting him. "Murtagh also contacted me. Said the knock on the door was actually the king. Or someone like that. It wasn't the Raza'ac. Put a block around yours and Addy's minds, and Saphira can help me with Roran and Katrina." Can't you?

I will try.She didn't sound too sure, which made Eragon halt and wonder why he had expected her to be able to already. Still, when he tried to protest, she replied with, I will put as much strength as I can to help you.

That is all I ask. "Okay, now Ayla, you're going to have to move over next to your sister. We have to act like we haven't coordinated a plan. Roran, sit next to Katrina like you were earlier."

"And you?" Katrina again. Could that girl be any more curious? I'm sure she could, Eragon. He really didn't care for Saphira's reasoning right now. You don't seem to remember her commenting on your appearance, other than the first comment. Surely she wonders about that, and the fact that you have all mentioned me more than once. She is not dim- surely she would realize that you are a Rider. And, you are different. If she was more curious, she would have questioned that too.

Surely. Everyone else does."I will be in the middle. If it is the king, or even Murtagh, I have the best chance against him. And I am the one person who they really need alive in here."

Ayla raised an eyebrows. "Excuse me? Eragon, they have kept me here for two months. Surely, they need me."

"Well, no offense, but without me the king's plans are ruined."

"Well, no offense, but the king's plans would be ruined if Addy and I escaped also."

"Well, no off-"

Eragon cut off mid sentence due to the shaft of light falling across his shadow. His shadow that had just appeared, owing the light. The light that was incomplete because of the shadow standing in it. Forgetting their argument, Ayla instinctively moved closer to her sister. Eragon instinctively raised his right hand. He felt the fire coursing through his body, the strength his dragon gave him to protect his cousin. Felt his palm begin to glow with anticipation.

When all of that went blank. Besides for the blocks on their mind, everything quit. The little light remaining from him and Ayla working together faded completely, and his palm went out, as quick as a candle in the wind. Worse, a candle in a hurricane. Because, with the sudden powerlessness, came a voice. One so unnaturally icy that it could hardly be called a voice, more a shriek in the storm.

It whispered, "Garjzla," and the shadow's palm began glowing, allowing them to see his face, which had been hidden by the fierceness of the light behind him.

The face had a short cut halo of silvery grey hair surrounding it, with numerous scars down the right side of his face. But the most frightening were his eyes- the color was indistinguishable because they were so light, but in the near darkness they seemed to glow.

"Now, my dear Rider, do you want to reconsider the answer you gave to my servant?" Behind him, Eragon could see the dark form of a man not much older than himself edging behind him, his own hazel eyes downcast.

(k)

Stand up, take it like a man. You knew you would see him again… it's just a tad sooner than expected…

What, talking to yourself now? Because no one thinks you've gone crazy. Might as well let them know now, right? No time like the present.

Shut up, Thorn! I really don't need that right now. And he didn't. Because Murtagh was walking, no, crawling behind is beloved master. The one who beat him for letting Eragon get away. The one who had called him a filthy traitor in front of the whole court. The court that he would never belong to.

What's wrong, Murtagh? He knew he visibly shuddered, showing weakness. The master's voice could do that, slick as honey, sweet as syrup, and cold to the bone. Don't you want to see your brother? Or the precious lady who has eluded us for so long, thanks to you? Her sister? Your cousin? Or Roran's dearly beloved, who is here because you refused to betray your own?

Thorn growled in his mind, his mockery forgotten. Thorn, please. There is nothing we can do.

Indeed, nothing. Because you are bound to me, second only to the bond you have to each other. Sad, you'd have such potential with free will.

Tell him he can shove his free will up his- Murtagh hurriedly tried to nonverbally silence his dragon.

Remind your dragon there are no secrets. That he would not like to finish that thought.

Thorn growled again, and then went silent. He had always had a problem with the fact that someone besides his Rider could here his thoughts whenever they pleased.

Good, now that he's behaving again, pay attention. I want you to tell this to Eragon when I leave …

(k)

"No. I will stay true to myself."

The king smiled. "Are you hoping you will die for that? Because, although that would be brave, you are not going to die anytime soon."

"Many people have died for their beliefs. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe." Truer words were never spoken, little one.

Indeed. Brom was a wise man. Even Murtagh's mouth twitched. He had been completely silent through the ordeal. Only looking up to Eragon once, a pained look on his face, not even meeting his eyes; after that, he had glared at the back of Galbatorix's head. It was nice to see something relatively human in his expression.

While the change in Murtagh's expression was pleasant, the change in Galbatorix's was not. His face became a mask of hatred, and the color in his eyes started to grow darker. He sneered, and the scars on his face crumpled and grinded together. And the light coming from his palm grew.

"You are lucky that we need you, or else that arrogance would not be allowed." Although that should have bothered Eragon, all he could see were his eyes, almost entirely consumed by the swirling black that had formed out from his pupils, and all he heard was the fierceness running through the voice, just as powerful as the gale that had broken his power earlier. "As a matter of fact, your arrogance will not be allowed. And, my punishments are not friendly. Ask Murtagh." He was definitely calming down, the wind in his voice calming to an icy breeze, the blackness slowly blowing back to his pupils. "In fact, you should. I have business to attend to- believe it or not, you are not the most important thing on my plate. Now, finish this, Murtagh." He smiled, finally in full control of his emotions. But, before he turned to walk through the still open door, he met Eragon in the eye. What he saw caught him by surprise- there was something in the king's eyes- something like mercy- that told him that his mind was still secure because the king wished it. That was the last thing Eragon coherently thought, because the king's eyes were so staggering- a light green, filled, no, almost covered by hat looked like floating specks of a light brown, a dark purple, and a deep cobalt.

Eragon? It was Saphira that brought him out of his stupor. He sensed everyone staring at him, even Murtagh. When Eragon looked up to him, Murtagh didn't even look away. His eyes were carefully guarded, but he was looking at Eragon in the eyes. Do you have any clue what is going on?

I think the king is trying to get us to concede to his conditions without forcing us. Apparently, you are as needed as Murtagh said you were.

Unfortunately. Would you mind if I withdrew my strength from you're walls? The king just came to me, and I would like to have no connection to you.

Will you tell me what transpires?

Of course.

Then best of luck.With that, their connection was severed. And Eragon was left in the darkness of the silence. Which didn't last long.

"I'm sorry." Murtagh had just blurted that out, and all of a sudden looked very much like a puppy awaiting punishment.

"It wasn't your fault. And I truthfully don't believe I would have done anything different if it was Saphira's life at stake. Heck, I didn't do anything different when it was either Saphira's life or someone's whom I loved." Eragon knew he should hate Murtagh, but for now all he felt was relif at seeing his old friend.

Katrina just looked at Eragon, obviously confused. In fact, the only one who didn't look completely lost was Roran. But Ayla, who looked even more confused than Katrina, spoke up, "Katrina, someone stayed behind after the bastard left. His name is Murtagh, right?" pausing for Murtagh to nod his assent, she continued "He knows Eragon somehow, and we will be stuck in the dark for the most of their conversation, as we were when the king himself was in here."

"So you told no one?" Murtagh looked at him, his eyes questioning.

"Told no one what? That you were the red Rider or… the other thing. Because I told Roran, Arya, and Nasuada of both." At the last name, Eragon could've sworn that he'd seen something in Murtagh's face. But, he continued, "We agreed that no one else should know- how would you feel if you had been told that one of your fellows, who you had grieved for when you believed him dead, was the one that killed a beloved king? How you would feel if your hero was… well, you know. Even Orik was left in the dark." The damn dark. Maybe it was selfish, but Saphira really needed to hurry up.

"Good. And I'm sorry you had to lie to Orik—I know you were close to the dwarf. Still, it's nice to know that they don't hate me. Yet, at least. The king's plans for me include my name being spread through the Empire, much as yours was." At this, a hint of the old Murtagh appeared in his eyes- "You always told me that you didn't care to be world renown- was that a lie?"

"Of course not! I simply grew up. Realized that fame might not be so bad." Maybe it was useless, but it was nice to joke with Murtagh as they used to.

Murtagh smiled at him a moment, completely unguarded; the moment was cut short by him flinching, and then he scowled. "This conversation is not as private as we might wish it. I was just informed that I must, as he says, finish his business. First, strengthen your defenses."

Eragon did as he was told, trying to feed more power through to Katrina and Roran. He felt a slight impact on all three, and saw Ayla flinch as Murtagh attacked the walls she had around herself and her sister.

Murtagh looked up at Eragon, apologizing with his eyes. "I had to. I was supposed to try to break your defenses. So, I tried. By the way," directing these words to Ayla, he said, "yours were very good—I almost didn't find them." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ayla try to hide her expression, but it was clear she was pleased. Murtagh looked back at him. "Also, I have to tell you that you will be punished first thing upon arriving at Uru'baen. You will be rewarded if you continue your good behavior and refrain from attempting to escape. Apparently, your companions will be killed if you do try to leave. Just so you know."

He was slowly retreating back into his shell. For a few moments, Eragon had felt as if things were back to normal with Murtagh. Wishful thinking. Eragon? Galbatorix just left here. We have a lot to discuss, preferably when we are alone.

I know. But when will that be again? "Murtagh, if I do get taken to Uru'baen, will we talk?"

Murtagh smiled grimly. "Of course. We will keep each other from going insane."

The door opened. Once again, Eragon was struck silent by the very presence of the king. He smiled, "Good-bye Eragon. I will return within the week. Oh, and Ayla? You and your sister will be coming with us."

With that he left.

And the dreaded silence returned. Thankfully, it was only for a moment. It was Ayla who broke it, saying, "We will still attempt to escape, right? Because if we don't, then you are certainly no Rider. And what was all that about? What was 'that other thing'? Because, I don't think you should leave all of us in the dark any longer."

"You are in the dark less so than I am. You at least know why I was imprisoned. So, you have stars and the moon to guide you. I'm stuck with a lightly glowing lamp." Eragon was struggling to contain his emotions.

"Better a lamp than the moon. You never know when the clouds will appear out of no where and hinder your sight." The way she was looking at him, it was as if she had just given him a hint. As he opened his mouth to ask about it, he was cut off, again, by the door opening. They assumed their defensive positions again, when they heard the hissing of voices behind the wall, talking about whether or not this was the right door.

A figure stepped into the room, an emerald light shimmering softly above her open palm. It sharply told the voices behind it to shut up, and then let the light glow lighter.

"Eragon, how do you get in these situations? And how did you survive an encounter with the king? We saw Shruikan leaving with two figures on its back. Was one of them… our old friend?"


The green box is feeling lonely down there. All rejected and sad and stuffs... it wants to be pressed :)