Chapter 8

Eragon opened his dreary eyes from his sleep and immediately noticed his surroundings were changed. He had fallen back asleep shortly after Galbatorix left him to go into one of the rooms he created, the opening closing behind him, leaving Eragon in the dark again. One of the rooms he created? He thought to himself. There's no way he can do that... It must be some kind of illusion, or trick. Maybe my drugs makes me hallucinate.

"Like the new look?" said a voice from in front of him. Eragons head snapped up to see Galbatorix walking towards him, gesturing at the room.

He found himself sitting, still bolted down, to a large, golden throne, atop a small staircase that stretched to either sides of the room in a curve. It wasn't a room though, Eragon realized. He was at the end of a large, grand hallway, that stretched back too far for Eragon to estimate it's distance. The walls were completely white, with very beautiful designs. There were huge beams that stretched up towards the arched ceiling along the walls, covered in gold trimming. The whole room is covered in gold trimming, he realized. The floor was clean, completely white, with a gold-outline pattern carved into it. The same pattern he'd seen so many times before. Along both the right and left sides of the floor, he could see the reflections of huge stain-glassed pictures along the walls, yet he didn't understand how the sun could shine from both sides of the building.

"I thought you might enjoy something to look at, instead of staring into darkness," he said, his voice twisting a knot in Eragons gut. "I designed it myself. I may be a powerful god, but I still care about the quality of my guests stay."

"I don't know what kind of tricks your trying to pull with me," Eragon said, keeping his voice steady, "but you should know that I'm smart enough to know this isn't real, and that you aren't a god."

"Oh, Eragon, Eragon, Eragon. I understand that you might not believe my status and what you're witnessing at first. That's understandable, it'll come with time. As for this being real, you're right. It's not. Not really. But... what is real? Is it what we can sense? What we can smell? Feel? Taste? Hear? See? You can find all of that here, if you wish. So how can you say that this isn't real?"

Eragon thought for a moment, considering his point of view, and sighing when he found it hard to argue.

"Now, Eragon." He walked up to Eragon, putting his hand on his. "We should get to discussing what I need from you."

"I'll never help you, you malevent, repulsive, evil king!" he spat on instinct, instantly regretting his choice of words. Galbatorix just stared at Eragon for a moment, his face decomposing into disgust and anger. He turned around to look down the hall.

"Evil? Am I, Eragon, so evil as you say?" He turned back at Eragon, razor-sharp knife in hand, smile returning to his face. "Or am I just a little heartbroken." He struck the knife deep into Eragons side, causing him to scream out in pain. "How would you know what evil is, Eragon. How do you know anything about me at all?!" He twisted the knife, pushing deeper. Eragons body began spasming in rejection. "You haven't witnessed what I've seen. You haven't felt the pain I feel every day!" he leaned up to Eragons ear, and whispered "Oh, but you will. By god, you will. And then we'll see who's the evil one." He pulled out his knife, and Eragon passed out from the sudden relief.

***

Galbatorix walked down the long hallway, deep in thought. Such a naive child... Still, he has potential. Not like Murtagh... He's different. He reached the doorway, and waved his hand. The door opened to a forest. Walking through, the door closed behind him. He's dangerous to keep alive.... but I can't kill him. Can I...? No, I need him for my plan to work.

He heard a roar above him, and he looked up to see the blue dragon he had stressed over so much beforehand, flying so close to him, unknowing of his existence there. Such a beautiful creature, he thought to himself. Her and Eragon really do compliment each other....

Galbatorix raised his hand to cast a spell. The ground beneath him changed, becoming an old geyser that has long been inactive.

It's a shame she might have to die, he thought as he raised his hand again, disappearing back into his world.

***

Eragon had awaken the second after the door closed behind Galbatorix, his body instantly spasming from remembering the pain he had just felt. It was like he had never been hurt. He didn't ponder upon that too long, and started squirming and struggling, trying to break free.

"Uncomfortable?" he heard a voice behind him. He froze, not daring to turn, as he already knew who it was.

"I can give you some cushions, if you like. Or would you prefer to lay in a bed?"

"The chair is fine," Eragon said emotionlessly.

"Well..... good then." He walked around to look at Eragon in the eye. "Now what do we say we get Saphira here to join us? You must be awfully lonely, and I'm sure she's worried sick about you. It would do her good to know that you're safe."

Eragon wanted desperately to see Saphira again... But what the old king had said before, and what he had seen that he was capable of, he wasn't sure that was such a good idea. "No."

"No? You want you Dragon to die from worry?" He shook his head. "That's not very nice to do to someone you love. You shouldn't take someone like her for granted."

"It'd be safer for her to stay as far away as possible," he simply said.

"Yes... I suppose you're right..." He looked off into the distance. "Well, it matters not. She'll find you, I made sure of that. And when she does-" he winked at eragon. "-then the real excitement will begin."

"I thought you said she couldn't find us?"

"I did. But now she can. Funny thing how things can change like that."

"Why are you doing this, Galbatorix? What do you want with me?" He decided to try to get an answer out of him again.

"Why, Eragon... don't you have imagination?" No reply. "You happen to be a very gifted dragon rider. One of the most powerful that I've ever seen. You even rised against me! You have the potential to be so much more than an errand boy. Following orders, doing what you're told.. No, you were meant to rule-" They heard crash coming from another room, and Eragon heard something that shot fear through his heart; a roar that was so familiar to him. "-but first, you need to learn the meaning of pain."