Chapter 8: A Surprise for All
The sun poured into the room, falling softly across Roran's face. His mouth twitched and his eyes flittered open. It took him a moment to register where he was as he laid on his back, his head between two soft pillows. He sat up. Inspecting the room around him, he noticed the fine quality of the furniture which he had neglected the previous night as he fumbled in the dark. Beside the bed was a large circular floor rug, woven intricately from a fine wool. Across the room sat a large dresser, fashioned expertly from the massive stump of an oak tree. Atop the dresser sat his belongings, placed there by one of Galbatorix's attendants the night before.
Roran stretched his weary arms high above his head and yawned. He folded back the thin blanket and swung his muscular legs over the side of the bed. Standing, he realised that he felt sick. Not an illness sick, however a fear sick. He thought aloud to himself about his current position. I am taking residence in Galbatorix's citadel, today is the day I betray my cousin as he has done to me, but is it right? After all, I am ensuring Katrina's safety by doing so, however my treachery will haunt me forever. But alas, I cannot fall back on my word, as long as I am here, Galbatorix owns me. He shook the thought from his head, what's done is done and what will happen will happen. Roran walked over to his belongings and pulled on a fresh tunic. Also on the dresser were a few smaller bottles of cologne. Roran sprayed a little on his neck, enjoying the scent. He nodded once before slipping on his boots that were at the bottom of the dresser. Properly attired, he left his suite, shutting the door lightly behind him. Looking up, he was surprised to see two armed guards standing outside his door. "Are you ready to seek audience with the king?" asked one of the guards.
"Almost, you wouldn't happen to know where one could find a hearty breakfast would you?" Roran replied, attempting to hide the nerves that filled him.
"Of course," said the guard "we will guide you, you are not allowed to leave our sight."
"Yes, that is understandable."
With that Roran followed the two guards along the corridor and down two flights of stairs before they reached a kitchen. "We will wait here, return once you have finished," said the guard, his voice devoid of emotion.
Roran complied and entered the kitchen.
He sat down at an empty table, his stomach panging with hunger. Before long, a middle age cook approached him spared him an inquisitive look. "Haven't seen your face around here?" he said.
Roran observed the cook, his face was pale like most of the other citizens of Uru'baen. He had a large moustache lining the edges of his mouth and a goatee. "No, I'm not from around here, I have...business," Roran said.
The man's eyebrows raised as if to say, why on earth would you come here? "Oh well, that's nothing to do with me," he shrugged "what can I get you?"
Roran considered for a moment, what to get for breakfast. "Have you bacon with scrambled eggs and toast?" he asked.
The cook smiled, "why what kitchen doesn't have bacon and eggs!"
Roran smiled in return, feeling it only polite. "Well I shall have that then."
"Right away, I will bring it to you," the cook said as he hurried off back towards the stoves and fires. Roran inspected a carving in the wooden table as he waited patiently for his meal to arrive. It was not long before the plate was set down before him and he began to devour it ravenously. The bacon was cooked to perfection and the scrambled eggs were light and fluffy. When he finished he washed it down with a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice. He sighed with contentment as his belly was filled, however this did not push the anxiety from him. He thanked the cook for his meal and exited the kitchen, returning to the guards as asked. "I will see Galbatorix now," Roran said hesitantly.
The guard nodded and led him back up the stairs, after the third flight they reached the floor that Roran had met Galbatorix on the previous day. The guards left him with the guards that stood by the doorway. "Roran?" asked one of them.
He nodded. "In you go then, the king is growing impatient."
Roran turned the door handle and entered into the same familiar darkness, however this time he knew exactly what was ahead of him. He did not hesitate and instead walked forwards as the torches illuminated on either side of him. As he approached the platform where Galbatorix's throne resided, he noticed the large red banner that hung behind him. On it was an enlarged map of the land of Alagaesia, spreading from the west coast all the way to the Beor Mountains. Roran's eyes dropped to the high back throne, which in it, sat the slumped form of Galbatorix. "Roran, it's about time you showed up," he said.
"I'm sorry my king," Roran was unsure of whether or not the title applied but he used it anyway "I was still weary from my travels and so, missed the sunrise."
Galbatorix breathed sharply. "Of course," he said "I trust you slept well?"
"Indeed, the suite was delightful, I cannot think of what I have done to deserve so much."
"Ah, it is certainly not what you have done, it is what you will do!" Galbatorix said, raising his voice slightly.
Roran thought hard on the last statement as he remembered what he was about to do. "Yes, I must reveal Eragon's location," he said softly.
"Roran, think of it as ensuring your future abundance," he replied.
Roran nodded, it was true. He had vowed long ago that he would do anything to protect Katrina and his unborn child, and what better way than to make friends with King Galbatorix.
There was a silence as Roran thought. "The last I saw him, he was very comfortable in bed with my wife," Roran growled.
Galbatorix gave a fake cry of astonishment, "Your own cousin betrayed you to the women whom you love!" he said.
Galbatorix knew that agreeing with this man was the only way to get what it was that he wanted. "Yes he did and he hasn't a clue how much it hurt me! All he has done is think about himself all these months! He left our uncle to burn for troubles that Eragon had brought upon us!" he yelled with passion.
Galbatorix nodded along in false sympathy. "Yes, yes indeed. Have you any clue of his future plans?" he asked eagerly.
"No, I knew that Nasuada had given him a mission but regarding what, I have no idea."
Cursing his bad luck, Galbatorix changed his tactic. "Ah yes, Nasuada? What are her plans?" he asked with hope.
Roran had to think for a moment, the recent blow to the head and the heat of the desert had addled his brains. "She has planned a siege on Belatona, then Dras Leona and then onto your very own city," Roran divulged the information freely, kicking himself with every word he uttered.
Galbatorix sat back in his throne, his eyes glistening in the dancing firelight. "So that's her plan, she wants' to bleed me dry? Fool! She should know that that could never happen!" he said, turning his attention back to Roran "thank you Roran, you have been most helpful to me, it is a terrible shame for the Varden to have lost a man like you."
Galbatorix chuckled at his own twisted humour. "You are a noble man Roran, you know what you desire and you head for it, I could have use for someone like you," he offered.
There it was, Roran thought, the offer, the hand of friendship. Roran thought hard on his answer before replying. "I'm sure you could, but you promised me my freedom?" he said.
"Yes! When this war is finished you shall have whatever land you desire!" Galbatorix said, eager to clench the deal.
Roran could ask no more, his freedom and his happiness was all the desired. Then he spoke the words he vowed that he would never speak, "I will join you King Galbatorix."
The king's face split into a wide grin, exposing yellowed teeth beneath his beard. "Roran, I trust your word but there is something I require you to do," Galbatorix said softly.
Roran's ears perked up. "I need you to swear fealty to me in the Ancient Language."
"But I know nothing of the ancient language..." Roran said.
"That does not matter, you shall repeat after me," he replied with the shrug of his shoulders.
"I shall do as you say," Roran said as he bowed his head.
"Excellent, then repeat these words, finiarel, gánga fram garjzla, gath un reisa, yawë," he said slowly but definitively.
Roran struggled to repeat the phrases accurately but eventually he did. Galbatorix allowed his head to fall back as Roran completed the incantation, although Roran had not felt it, he had been bound to the king in more ways than he had perceived. "You are now one with the Empire Roran Stronghammer, a man who will have fortune wherever he walks!" Galbatorix said "would you like to take a look at something?"
Roran glanced sideways, "Yes, I would."
"Then follow," said the king, rising from his chair.
Despite his age, Galbatorix moved quickly, Roran struggled to keep up. They disappeared behind the large map and where Roran had thought to be solid stone, was in fact, yet another spiralled staircase. It wound its way upwards, even further towards the citadel. He wondered how many of the guards new about this secret stairway? As the last step neared him, Roran took a moment to recall his actions. Had he done the right or wrong thing this day? By himself he had done right, but for the Varden he had done a terrible wrong. Galbatorix stopped outside a large double door vault, his palms outstretched. Then he spoke in the ancient language once again, something unrecognisable to Roran. Then, the doors parted and a gaping entrance was left in the wall, a ray of light penetrating from somewhere within. "Come, within is something very special," he whispered.
Roran allowed his curiosity to take him over, forcing him forward into the vault. The majority of the room was dark, just like every other room in this god forsaken place, Roran thought silently. In the centre of the room was a raised pedestal which on top sat an object. Galbatorix led him closer to the pedestal, his footsteps making a dull thud on the cold floor. The closer they got, the more Roran's suspicion's gripped him. The object was definitely ovular in shape. Galbatorix stopped beside the pedestal, gesturing for Roran to join him. "Feast your eyes," he said.
Roran's jaw dropped as he gained an accurate view of the object. It was a emerald green stone that contained veins of a slightly lighter colour. It was at least a foot long and had a wide girth. "This is like something I have never seen before!" Roran said absently, his gaze transfixed on the stone.
"Yes it is something else," drawled Galbatorix as he watched Roran's fascination.
"May I?" Roran said, extending his arm slightly.
"Yes you may, but do be careful," he replied.
Roran extended his tender fingers and gently caressed the emerald stone. It was cool to his touch and seem to reverberate. He gave it a slight rap with his knuckles only to hear that it sounded immensely hollow. "What is this?" he asked, looking up.
"You do not know?" Galbatorix said perplexed.
"No I don't, should I?" he asked.
"I would have thought that Eragon would have shown you Saphira's egg?" Galbatorix said with a puzzled mannerism.
Roran gasped involuntarily. "You mean that this...this is a dragon's egg?" he muttered, once again transfixed by its beauty.
He extended his grasp once more, willing to have another touch of the unnaturally smooth surface. About an inch from the surface, the egg shook. Roran recoiled immediately, looking up at Galbatorix. He smiled at him and gestured for him to try again. Roran did so, his hand slightly shaking. Once again the egg shook, however this time one of the veins split into a hairline crack, spreading the length of the egg. From the crack stemmed several others, twisting their way around the egg until one of the pieces began to rise slowly. More pieces began to lift until a horned beak became visible to Roran who could not take his eyes off the display. As the last of the egg fell away, a small creature lay unprotected on the pedestal. "It's a dragon!" he gasped.
"Well of course it is! And he's chosen you!" the king exclaimed, overcome by a sudden burst of mirth.
Roran shook his head, "No, you mean to tell me..."
"Yes, you are his rider," he said.
Roran could not believe it, the shock of it all proved too much and he fell to his knees. With a hand, he regained his footing, looking down at the small dragon before him. "Give him your hand..." Galbatorix whispered.
Roran vacillated before tentatively offering his palm to the baby dragon. The dragon raised its head and as it met Roran's palm, a searing burst of white hot pain coursed through his body, leaving him tingling. Roran grasped his burning hand and cried out in agony before the pain subsided. He look down at his injured limb and squinted as he observed the strange symbol left burnt into his palm. It resembled the crude likeness off a flying dragon. "I have had this egg in my position for nay on three hundred years and not once has it looked like hatching," Galbatorix said with the shake of his head "and you come along and he hatches at your first touch!"
Roran could not believe it himself, he! A dragon rider! "Will you take him to your quarters?" the king asked.
"I..." Roran did not know what to do "will."
"It's perfectly fine to be nervous, I shall visit you later, there are things we must...discuss."
Roran carefully reached out again and expecting another burst of pain, touched the dragon. It looked up at him, his sparkling green eyes matching the emerald shade of his scales. What shall I call you? He thought to himself.
Without warning a force invaded his mind and an answer came to him, My name is Eridox...
