Chapter 6: Revelations

The old castle stood silently under a starry sky, surrounded by the foreboding peaks of the spine. The night air was still and cool and filled with the chirping of crickets. From the shadows of the nearby trees, a lone figure stood completely clad on a dark robe. A scarf covered his face so that only his mismatched eyes, one blue and one black, were visible. The stranger silently made his way toward the castle wall, blending into the darkness like a shadow. As he approached the front gate, he caught sight of two guards. They did not wear the classic red tunics of Galbatorix's army but rather their uniforms were gold colored with a dark green stripe down the front. An emblem of a silver dragon head was emblazoned on the front of their tunics.

The Swalson Merchant Army? What are these scum doing in my castle? The stranger mused.

It's not your castle anymore. Don't forget why you're here. replied a deep male voice in the man's head.

And don't let anyone see you. If your identity is discovered then this whole plan is ruined. added a female voice in his head.

Alright, got it. said the stranger.

He carefully sneaked around to a portion of the exterior wall that was out of sight of the guards and looked up. The wall was at least fifty feet high.

Now begins the fun part. He said to himself.

The stranger took a running start and leaped into the air. He flew ten feet into the air, his fingers and feet quickly finding footholds on the wall. With speed and agility far beyond any normal human, the stranger scaled the wall in a matter of seconds before pulling himself up onto the battlement. The stranger looked around and after confirming that there were no guards nearby, he leaped onto the rooftop of an adjacent building, landing with a thud and rolling once before springing to his feet.

I never thought I'd have to break into this place! He thought to himself.

Running along the rooftops and leaping from one to the next, the stranger made his way toward the castle's central keep. The stranger looked up at the tower that loomed overhead.

Be careful. said the male voice in his head. If you fall, we won't be able to help you.

I'll keep that in mind. The man replied.

He took another running start and leaped across the gap between the rooftop and the central keep, grabbing hold of a window ledge on the side of the tower. Pulling himself up onto the ledge, the man peered into the window.

I could enter the castle here, but that would make detection more likely. I'll just have to climb up.

He leaped upward, finding another foothold in the old stones and then grabbed a window ledge on the next floor. Scaling the main keep was a lot more tricky than the exterior wall. Windows were placed in odd locations and footholds were sometimes difficult to find. After several minutes of climbing, the stranger finally arrived at the uppermost window on the tower. After prying the shutters open, the man peered inside. The pale moonlight provided just enough light that he could see that the room was unoccupied. Quietly lifting the window, the man stepped inside.

"Brisingr!" he muttered, waving his hand, and all the torches in the room lit simultaneously.

A fancy four poster bed which stood near the window was neatly made. Above the fireplace mantle hung a green and gold shield which bore the silver dragon head insignia of the Swalson Merchant Army.

"Who owns this place?" the man muttered to himself.

He walked over to a desk where a set of scrolls were neatly stacked. Opening one of them up, he saw a letter from King Galbatorix requesting mercenaries to be sent to the outermost reaches of the Empire. The letter was addressed to Agatha.

"Agatha? You gave my castle to Agatha? You've gotta be kidding me!"

Hurry! The longer you stay there the more likely they are to find you! said the male voice again.

The man noticed a set of armor standing in the corner. The armor was painted black with a crimson trim and had a matching black and crimson cape. The helmet sported a pair of short horns, giving the armor a particularly sinister and menacing appearance.

"Glad to see that's still here." the stranger said.

He tore the top sheet off the bed and spread it out on the floor next to the armor stand. Next, he removed the cape and folded it neatly before placing it on the sheet. Then he dismantled the armor piece by piece and laid the pieces on the sheet with the cape. When everything was done, the stranger tied the ends of the sheet together, forming a sack. Leaving the bundle of armor where it was, the stranger made his way over to the stone wall next to the desk. He grabbed an empty scroll satchel that sat on the floor next o the desk and slung it over his shoulder.

"Let's hope that crazy bitch didn't find a way in here." he muttered, feeling around the wall. He pushed a loose stone inward and a metallic clicking sound was heard. He reached down toward the floor and pushed in a second stone. Another metallic click. The man pressed on a loose stone in the center of the wall and there was a third click. He pushed a fourth and final loose stone at the base of he wall and there was another metallic click. A stone door slowly slid open, revealing a hidden vault filled with an assortment of valuables.

"Ahh, wonderful." the stranger said aloud, making his way inside. He first grabbed several handfuls of precious gems, jewels, and gold coins, stuffing them into his satchel. Then he grabbed a small, untitled, leather bound book and stuffed it into the satchel as well. Once the bag was full, the stranger turned his attention to a nearby sword rack at the back of the vault. There were various weapons stored on the rack but three in particularly caught his attention. The first was a white bladed yataghan sword. It was an elegantly crafted sword, with carious intricate designs etched into its blade. A white gemstone was embedded in the sword's hilt. The man removed the yataghan from the rack and slid it under his belt. Next he retrieved the second weapon, a white parrying dagger that matched the yataghan sword. The man slid the dagger under his belt as well. Finally he turned to a third weapon, a long sword whose aquamarine blade seemed to glisten in the dancing torch light. Embedded in the sword's hilt was a matching aquamarine gemstone. The blade itself was elegantly forged and decorated with glyphs similar to the white yataghan. The stranger quickly slid tucked the sword into his belt.

"Hey! What are you doing?" came a shout from behind him. The stranger turned around and saw a guard standing in the doorway. Fast as lightning, he drew the white dagger and flung it through the air at the guard. The knife found its mark and the guard cried out before collapsing to the floor. The stranger rushed over and retrieved the dagger as a second guard entered the room. The guard swung his sword at the stranger but the man ducked and drew the yataghan from his belt. He delivered a swift upward slash, causing the guard to scream and double over. Next, he drove his dagger downward into the guard's back, finishing him off.

A third guard stood in the doorway but when the stranger looked up, the guard dropped his sword and took off down the corridor screaming, "Intruder! Intruder in the castle!"

The stranger shouted a curse and sheathed the sword and dagger. He ran to retrieve the sack containing the armor, slinging the sack over his shoulder. He ran out into the hallway, heading for a ladder that led to the roof.

Hey guys, I'm about to have company! Get ready to come and get me!

They'll see us if we do! said the male voice in his head.

Wonderful! I told you this was a bad idea! added the female voice.

Well, we can bemoan that later! Right now I need to get out of here! I'm headed up to the roof!

Behind him, the stranger could hear voices and footsteps approaching. He reached a ladder leading up to the battlement and began to climb. Six guards rounded the corner, their weapons drawn.

"There they are!" shouted one of the guards.

The stranger moved awkwardly up the ladder, having to use one hand to hold onto the bag of armor. Finally he reached the trap door and pushed it open just as the guards reached the bottom of the ladder. The stranger kicked the door shut as soon as he reached the roof. Seconds later, the guards opened the trap door and emerged onto the roof, but the stranger was gone. All they could see was the unmistakable forms of two dragons quickly growing smaller and smaller as they retreated into the night sky.

"We must inform the master." said one of the guards.

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Murtagh lay awake in his cell with the red hatchling curled up on his chest. Try as he may, he just couldn't sleep. There was something unsettling about Galbatorix's palace that kept him awake at night, aside from the less than pleasant accommodations in his cell. Suddenly there was a rattling sound as a key was inserted into the lock on the door. The door swung open and two guards stood in the doorway.

"Get up! The king requires your presence!" said one of the guards in a flat monotone.

As Murtagh sat up, he realized that something was off. Both of the guards had a blank expression on their faces as if they were in some kind of trance. Scooping up his hatchling, Murtagh reluctantly accompanied the guards.

"What does the king want at this hour?"

Neither of the guards answered. They led Murtagh to the throne room and opened the door. The inside of the cavernous throne room was empty save for Shruikan's hulking form at the far end of the room, barely visible in the dim torch light. The black dragon lifted his head, fixing his steely blue eyes on Murtagh.

Leave us, gentlemen. I shall summon you when we are done.

Without a word, the two guards turned and walked from the room. Murtagh stole a glance at the guards as they departed.

Is… he controlling them? He thought to himself.

Murtagh felt the dragon enter his mind.

Thank you for coming, son of Morzan.

"I thought Galbatorix was going to be here."

No. Just us. Shruikan replied, getting to his feet.

Murtagh felt a chill run down his spine as he stared up at the massive dragon. Shruikan was at least a hundred feet from head to tail. Murtagh noticed something peculiar about the black dragon. Around his neck was what appeared to be some sort of amulet. The amulet was round and made of a black material with a glowing white gemstone embedded in the center of it. It was secured to the dragon's neck by a thin chain. A strange, unnatural energy seemed to emanate from the trinket.

Shruikan took a step toward Murtagh, who held his hatchling close to his chest.

Now then, we need to talk. Shruikan said.

His blue eyes fell upon the hatchling. Have you named it yet?

"No. Not yet." Murtagh replied, trying not to appear nervous.

You shouldn't wait too long.

Murtagh's eyes returned to the amulet.

"What is that thing?"

Oh this? Said the dragon. Just a souvenir from my travels. Now then…

Shruikan lowered his head until his large blue eyes were level with Murtagh's.

I just need to ask you a favor.

"What sort of favor." inquired Murtagh. The hatchling in his arms stirred and Murtagh could feel his fear.

Galbatorix will likely try to discover your true name and bend you to his will. However, I can protect you from his influence if you'll agree to help me.

"What do you want?"Murtagh asked.

First you must swear an oath not to speak of this meeting to anyone. Especially Galbatorix.

"You're plotting against him, aren't you?"

Shruikan gave a subtle nod.

I think it's time I let you in on a little secret. You see, my name isn't really Shruikan.

As the dragon spoke, his black scales began to dissolve into a black cloud of smoke, revealing midnight blue scales underneath that matched his eyes.

It was vital that I conceal my true identity from the rest of the world. I need the wild dragons, the Riders, and everyone else to believe I was dead, so Galbatorix and I devised this new identity for myself. My real name is Eridor, king of the dragons!

Murtagh gazed up at the blue dragon standing before him. He still couldn't believe what he was seeing. This dragon could apparently change his scale color at will, or so it seemed.

"But… why? Why go through all this trouble?"

The blue dragon sighed. It's a complicated story really. Galbatorix and I both shared the same goal, the destruction of the Dragon Riders, but for different reasons. Galbatorix wanted revenge and I wanted the dragons to be the rightful rulers of this land. Galbatorix thinks I'm still his loyal puppet though.

Murtagh didn't know what to say. He was backing up toward the door as Eridor advanced on him.

I've allowed Galbatorix to have his fun and rule over Alagaesia, but the time has come from the dragons, for me, to reclaim this land!

Murtagh had finally had enough. He turned and ran toward the door. With Galbatorix nowhere to be seen, perhaps he could escape.

Eridor rolled his eyes and raised a talon. A black shadow leaped from his talon and spread out like a spider's web across the doorway. A tendril of dark energy then shot from the shadow and struck Murtagh, knocking his backwards. The hatchling tried to scurry from Murtagh's arms and he had to quickly grab the small dragon to stop him from running away.

That was a very poor choice, boy! Eridor growled. I can be your best friend or your absolute worst nightmare. It's up to you.

"Alright!" Murtagh uttered.

Good. Now I need you to swear an oath to serve me. Do this and when I take control of this kingdom, I'll see that you and your dragon have a place in it. Refuse and, well... just use your imagination.

Reluctantly Murtagh's lips formed the words of an unbreakable oath. He stared up at the blue dragon that loomed over him.

Excellent. said Eridor, forming his teeth into a sinister grin. And as promised…

Eridor pointed a talon at Murtagh and a dark energy shot from the talon and went into his head. Murtagh felt a cold sensation surge through his body before it faded.

Now no matter what oaths Galbatorix tries to make you swear, they will be null and void. For the time being, I want you to play along though. Pretend like you serve him until I finish making preparations.

Murtagh nodded, cold sweat running down his face.

You look like you need some rest. I'll allow you to return to your cell now. I bid you farewell for the time being, son of Morzan.

Without another word, the guards entered the throne room and hauled Murtagh to his feet.

Return him to his cell. Eridor ordered.

"Yes master." Said both of the guards.

Murtagh took one last glance back at the midnight blue dragon before following the guards down the corridor.

To be continued…