Chapter 8
Sacrifice
Murtagh was making his way from Thorn's cell. They had come to the agreement that they would do everything they could to help kill the dark king, no matter the consequences. Their reasoning was that no matter how much they were tortured and forced to kill people the king needed them. He wouldn't do anything too permanent to them.
When they were mentally going through their oaths in the ancient language, Thorn found a loophole. He couldn't tell Murtagh right away so he could gain entrance to the king's treasure room, but once Murtagh deactivated the wards around the door and was inside, Thorn was going to reveal his plan. For the wards could tell of someone's intentions to do something to or with the objects in the room while active.
Small one, are you in the room yet?
No Thorn, have some patience. I am almost there.
Murtagh made the final turn and came face to face with the kings true power. If any servant happened to be walking through the corridor with the kings treasures they would have looked at Murtagh like he was crazy. To anyone other than Murtagh or Galbatorix the hallway had no doors whatsoever, because of the dark kings spells of deception.
Murtagh said, "I am Murtagh son of Morzan" in the ancient language so that the wards protecting the door did not kill him, and stepped into the room. Thorn I am in the room what did you want me to do? Talk with the elder dragons and ask them to see if they can find a way to set us free?
No, what I want you to do is ask one or two of the dragons for energy then...
Wait wait wait. You had me break into that crazy old man's sacred room full of his most cherished possessions to get some energy? Murtagh was going out of his mind. Maybe the torture is finally going to his head. Murtagh thought to himself.
A mental roar came across their connection immediately stopping any train of thought that Murtagh had. Listen to me Small One! We don't have much time. Ask a dragon for some energy and transport the green egg to Eragon. Now!
But Thorn we can't transport anything into the Varden because of our oaths, and why would one of these dragons help me I've used them the same a Galbatorix time and time again?
Eragon won't be with the Varden. I have a feeling that he will be on his way to Gil'ead to be with the elves and the other dragon and rider we killed. Just do it quickly so you don't get caught before you can do this.
Murtagh gave up and started desperately went looking for one the eldunari that he recognized. After a few moments he found a smaller blue one that he used during the battle of the Burning Plains and expanded his mind so he could talk with the dragon. I need your help oh wise dragon.
Do you now? Will you tell me why I should help you? Murtagh guessed that it was a female dragon because it didn't sound anything like Thorn or Shruikan.
I am trying to give a terrible blow to Galbatorix and transport the final egg to the last of the free riders who opposes him. I am too weak from my tortures by that crazy man's hand to transport it myself. I ask for only enough energy to sent the egg away from this cursed place.
The dragon paused. Murtagh presumed that she was wondering wether or not this was a trick or trap. After a minute of thought, which to Murtagh felt like an hour, the female dragon consented and Murtagh felt a surge of energy into his body to the point where he felt he was going to burst. Quickly he thanked the dragon and ran across the room to where the green egg was on the pedestal. He grabbed the egg and started the spell while thinking of Eragon and Saphira. To his surprise Thorn was right about the loophole in the oath. The arrogant old man, just assumed that Eragon would always be around the Varden He made haste speaking in the ancient language as fast as he could without mispronouncing a word or syllable. When he finished there was a very bright flash of light in the previously dark room, which temporarily blinded him.
Before he regained his sight he felt a very familiar and unwelcome presence in his mind. Galbatorix has to be near. He started blindly groping the darkness trying to find the door and somehow escape. He gained his sight just before he reached the door and instantly stopped in his tracks. There he was, his face a deeper shade of red than Murtagh had ever seen before. Even when he returned with Zar'roc and without Eragon or Saphira. He instantly knew what was coming and was dreading every minute of it.
"What did you transport Murtagh?" Galbatorix said as his eyes swept the room looking for anything missing. Murtagh could tell that Galbatorix's eyes were fixed on the pedestal in the center of the room with a very significant item missing from on top of it. If it was possible Galbatorix's face turned an even deeper red in complete anger.
He might actually lose control. Murtagh thought. His thoughts of shock and fear must have found their way on his face, because when the dark king looked at him he let out a very sinister laugh which the king only reserved to traitors who were about to die a slow and painful death.
"Murtagh you finally have pushed me too far. The rest of the night will make everything else I have done to both you and Thorn seem like a vacation." True to his word he took the pommel of his sword and hit Murtagh across the face, breaking both the cheekbone and nose in one hit. Using Murtagh's true name, Galbatorix forced Murtagh to not heal the wounds and to follow him to his personal torture chamber, which Murtagh had only seen once before after the Burning Plains. Murtagh shuddered at the memory, while Galbatorix seemed to revel in it.
The room was wall to wall torture objects. Everything that could be used against his victim Galbatorix made sure he had at least one on hand. The walls had various pegs and racks on them holding up a large amount of whips and chains, along with branding materials, iron bars, and various poisons and antidotes. Some of the objects on the walls were of the dark kings own twisted design which only he himself could know the purpose of. In the center of the room there were chains that fell from the celling and floor. The area where the kings prisoner was chained was well lit by torches so that he could see the damage he was doing and find any areas that might have been overlooked.
He lifted Murtagh up using magic and chained him to the celing cuffs. Once Murtagh was hanging in the air by his wrists, Galbatorix bent down and strapped his ankles into the restraints. Now Murtagh couldn't move a muscle. He was stretched taught by his restraints. "Murtagh I will not invade your mind during this particular session to make your mind believe that your body is in pain. Instead all of those things that I have made you believe before will become a reality."
Relief went through Murtagh's mind at the thought that Thorn and Shruikan would be able to help with the unimaginable pain that he was sure to experience in a few minutes. He did not let his emotions show on his face to make Galbatorix do anything else, or betray his only friends in the castle. "Also Murtagh, I will not touch your dragon for the time being for I am going to send you both out on assignment when I am done with you."
Galbatorix muttered a spell that would not allow Murtagh's skill to burn and then said, "Brisingr." He set Murtagh on fire. While the fire could not burn him he still felt as though he was, and he felt the extreme heat. On top of that Galbatorix moved behind Murtagh and chose a barbed whip and coated it in seither oil and started to go to work.
Various different tortures ensued. Galbatorix was true to his word and did everything he could to make sure that Murtagh was in constant unfathomable pain. He didn't even pause to let him rest. He just transfered some of his own energy into him to make sure he didn't pass out and miss the brunt of Galbatorix's anger.
After five hours, the dark king finally brought Murtagh down. Galbatorix stopped Murtagh's bleeding and evoking his true name made sure that he would not be able to heal his wounds. The king forced Murtagh to hobble behind him in pain as they went to Thorn. Using both of their true names he instructed them to fly as fast as possible back to the elves and fight until they killed at least two thousand and then return.
Forced to comply they put on their armor and flew off to Gil'ead. Thorn's flying was still erratic because of his injury, but they both knew that this was going to be a near suicide mission so they didn't complain to each other. They shared all of their feelings for each other and talked non stop while they went on their journey.
Many times Murtagh tried to heal his body but was still unable to. Thorn I cannot fight like this. I can barely walk let alone fight elves.
We will have to make it work. Please protect yourself with many wards. I do not know what I would do if you fell today.
After this exchange they moved on to lighter topics to take their minds off of the impending doom. Murtagh thought to himself. Why does my fate always be to suffer and lose those around me. I finally found a friend in Eragon and now I am forced to become his enemy. I had the blessing to become a dragon rider like his friend Eragon, only to be forced to watch my dragon be manipulated by dark magic and tortured for mistakes. Even before I met Eragon he was an outcast because of my father's actions.
Jerking him back to reality was Thorn announcing his presence over the elves' camp. He was surprised to hear a ferocious roar in response.
