Author's Note: This chapter was fun to write. Wooo! Durza and evilness. (sorta)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for any OCs that may appear. The rest belongs to Christopher Paolini.
They travelled for most of the morning in silence.
Roran really wanted to learn more about the Shade and his intensions, but every time he tried to speak, Durza had told him to be quiet.
Roran decided to try once more.
He turned to look at the Shade, and began to ask, "Why does the king…"
Durza cut him off.
"For the last time, SHUT UP! I'm not talking here. Anyone could be listening. Ever thought about that boy?" Durza snapped, turning to face Roran.
"But…" Roran started.
The Shade suddenly jerked his hand into the air from fury and as he brought it back down again a deafening crack tore through the air.
Roran's right arm had been broken.
Pain rushed up his arm as he cradled his broken arm. He felt it throbbing and tried to ignore it. He didn't want the Shade to think he was weak. It proved impossible, as the pain reached an uncontrollable level.
The Shade saw that Roran's face had turned pale, and he laughed.
"You deserved that you know." He laughed again, a malicious look on his face.
What is wrong with him? Roran thought.
One minute he's nice, and the other, I think he's trying to kill me. No matter what he says, that Shade is still evil. There's no other word for it.
As he thought this, he remembered seeing Horst, dead in the road. He still couldn't believe that Durza had killed an innocent man when he said he wouldn't. But he had, and Roran wasn't able to forget it so easily.
Roran decided he had had enough. He didn't want to be near the Shade any longer.
Trying to stay in the saddle, he pulled on the left rein and turned his horse around. He swayed, but managed to stay on by holding onto the saddle with him free arm, while trying to keep hold of the reins at the same time.
He knew the Shade could easily catch him up again if he tried to gallop away. Either that or he would fall out of the saddle. But he couldn't just go along with the Shade and pretend nothing had happened. He didn't know what might happen to him when he tried to run away, but at least he could say he tried.
Durza turned round to face him. His face was set in a sneer.
"Going somewhere?" He asked.
"Yes," Roran replied. "Away from you!"
He kicked his horse into a canter, but only just managed to stay on. He wobbled alarmingly in the saddle. He would have to ride one armed, or not at all.
Durza also spurred his horse into a canter. Durza's horse was faster than Roran's and they were soon level with each other.
Roran turned to look at Durza, just a red fireball hit him in the face.
He fell from his horse to the ground and heard another crack. He had broken his left arm this time, which now stuck out at a strange angle.
Pain seared through him, as he tried to remain conscious. The sudden jolt as he had fallen had started his other arm throbbing too.
His horse had stopped when Durza's had, and now Durza was leading them toward him.
His sword was drawn, and a look of smugness was on his face.
"Well that was stupid of you wasn't it?" Durza said, sneering down at him.
He pressed his sword against Roran's neck, pricking his skin.
Roran felt droplets of blood running down his neck. He tried to stop himself from wincing. That would only make him look weaker, and he didn't want that.
Durza laughed again, enjoying him moment of triumph.
Did this boy really think he could escape him? He must be stupider than he looked!
Durza smiled as he thought this.
Roran, seeing the Shade smiling, was frightened. Thoughts were rushing through his head, making it hard for him to think straight.
What's going to happen now? Is he going to kill me or not? Roran thought.
No, he still needs me. Another voice in Roran's head reminded him.
But that doesn't mean that he won't harm me in any way. Another voice said.
If something's going to happen, I might as well get it over with.
Roran turned to face the Shade. He was still sneering down at him. Roran wished he wouldn't. It was beginning to creep him out.
"So, what am I going to do with you?" The Shade asked Roran, but Roran didn't reply.
"Are you not going to talk to me?" Roran shook his head. "Well then, I'll just have to make you."
He flicked his wrist, and Roran felt him mouth moving and his own voice coming out, but he wasn't controlling what he said.
The Shade was making him tell him what he was thinking!
"Just do what you're going to do, and leave me alone," Roran found himself saying.
"Really? Well I'm not going to leave you alone. You're coming with me to Urû'baen, even if I have to drag you there. Also, do you expect me to punish you quickly so you can get it over and done with after running away from me? If so, you are highly mistaken. I will not cause you physical damage, but a lot more can be done mentally." He laughed again, showing his pointed teeth.
"Like what?" Roran asked, still not able to control what he was saying.
Durza just laughed.
"I'm hardly going to tell you am I? That wouldn't be fun."
The way the Shade said this, made Roran fell even more scared.
The Shade flicked his wrist again and Roran was able to talk normally again. Not that he wanted to. He just wanted to be alone right now.
Durza bent over Roran, and muttered, "Waise heill," under his breath.
Roran gasped as he felt both of his arms healing themselves. He felt the urge to itch them, but knew he couldn't.
When Durza had finished, he stood up, and walked over to his horse, and swung his leg into the saddle. Roran didn't follow him. He wasn't so keen to be travelling with the Shade again, even though he knew he must.
"COME ON BOY!" Durza shouted at him.
Roran got up slowly, his arms feeling very strange, after being broken then healed again so suddenly. He rubbed them, and felt some of the blood flooding back.
He walked over to his horse, and clambered into the saddle. He took hold of his reins, and kicked his horse into a trot. Durza did the same.
They both rode along in silence for the rest of the day. They only stopped to eat, and give their horses a rest.
R&R please
