Disclaimer: I'm sorry, but since I am not a guy or have the name Chris, I do not own any of the characters from Eragon. But the twins, Agatha, and Sarin are mine.
A/N: Hey! Thanks for the reviews! Sorry that I've been gone for a little while, but I'm back now with the next chapter. Also, I am posting two "Morzan's Legacy" side-stories that delve deeper into the mind of our loveable Morzan after this chapter called "Part of Me" and "You Promised Me". Check those out when you're done with this! I also threw a little more Eragon into this chapter (I know, everyone just loves Eragon. Lol!). Anyway, enjoy!
Ch. 8: Morzan's Soldiers
Saphira… we are in Melian. Meet us there…Eragon anxiously looked ahead as they flew over the dark, changing landscape of Alagaesia, thinking about what his dragon had told him. You are sure that Thorn contacted you, right, Saphira? the Rider asked. We are going in the right direction, aren't we?
Yes. Saphira answered, sensing her Rider's anxiousness about his brother. They are in Melian, so you can calm down, little one.
I'm surprised that Murtagh escaped… Eragon commented, thinking mainly to himself. I haven't heard anything about the Empire attacking any nearby cities. Has Morzan even thought about going after him?
It does not seem that way. Saphira replied absentmindedly, her thoughts on Thorn. How are the others doing?
Eragon looked down beneath them, instantly seeing five of the finest horses from Ellesmera racing along the countryside. Arya, who was closely followed by Vanir and his wife, Seira, led the group. Nari and Lifaen were last, but all of them were keeping pretty good pace with the dragon since she was flying slowly.
They're fine. Eragon told her.
Suddenly, the Rider could feel immense concern radiating from his dragon. Saphira, what's wrong?
There's a dark cloud ahead. Saphira answered worriedly. It's hanging over Melian.
At first, Eragon wasn't sure what his dragon meant. The sky was filled with dark clouds since it was night, only to be penetrated by the light coming from the full moon. Then, he realized that he must have had to see through his dragon's eyes.
"Skulblakas ven." Eragon said, his vision fading for a moment before changing so he could see exactly what Saphira saw.
Suddenly, he knew what she meant.
It was not really a cloud like she had said, but it was more like a dark aurora that was hovering over the land… and it was directly over where Melian was supposed to be.
Breaking the spell, Eragon looked down on the elves below him and reached his mind out to the elf princess. Arya, listen. Something's happening in Melian and we have to get there quickly.
All right, Eragon. Arya replied through her mind. Don't worry about us. Go on ahead and meet Murtagh. We'll probably arrive by the earliest tomorrow in the late evening if we keep this pace.
Eragon was hesitant about this proposal. Are you sure?
Yes, Eragon. Now go!
The Rider cringed a little at the fierceness he heard in her voice, but then he sighed and turned his attention to the blue dragon. Come on, Saphira, let's go! Eragon said anxiously. Let's find Thorn and Murtagh!
Saphira growled in agreement, then sped her pace so she was racing full speed to Melian.
Xxxxxxxxxx
Your soldiers have been released, Morzan. It has begun.
The words spoken by Galbatorix echoed in Morzan's mind as he paced his large room. His dark soldiers had been released upon Melian to create chaos and hopefully draw out Murtagh. So… it truly had begun…
The dark Rider sat down on his bed and sighed, putting his head into his hands. He heard a low growl of concern from his dragon that lay in the shadows near the door, but he ignored it. Since Galbatorix had revived him, thoughts had been plaguing his mind that he did not want to have…
Letting out a sudden cry of frustration, Morzan forcefully got to his feet and walked over to the large window, leaning heavily on the stone ledge.
Master, what is wrong? Amafaer asked with concern, raising his head to look at his Rider more carefully.
Nothing, Amafaer. Morzan answered, raising his head as he looked out into the cool night air. Then, his right hand moved to his chest and lifted something that he always kept close to his heart, but was often hidden by his cloak. He pulled it over his head and held it carefully in his hand as it shone in the moon's rays.
A thin gold chain lay curled up in his palm. It was so simple yet so beautiful. As he began to absentmindedly weave it between his fingers, Morzan knew that this golden chain, though very simple, meant so much to him…
I give you a part of my heart… so that I will remain with you forever…Morzan remembered those words that had been whispered to him as he was given the golden chain. He had loved it then, and he loved it just as much now if not more. This was the only thing left that he had to remind him of her. Why… Why did she have to die?
The Rider's hand tightened around the chain, but not with enough force to break it. It was too precious to him, he didn't know what he would do if something happened to it. As he held it close to him, a single thought ran through his mind as a single tear fell from his eyes.
Selena…Xxxxxxxxxx
Agatha stared into the bowl of swirling water on the counter in front of her nervously, absentmindedly running a bony finger along the smooth body of the black snake that found comfort in the skull. More lines appeared on her wrinkled forehead as she looked at the picture that formed, and she looked up at the dragon skull in the back of her store longingly.
Araritha…"So… it has finally begun."
Xxxxxxxxxx
Murtagh stared in horror at the outcome of the battle that he had just witnessed between the twins. Aie had attacked Aianna, and she had accidentally killed him in her defense. He hated seeing her like this, so vulnerable and so small… The Rider rushed forward, wanting to reach her.
Aianna looked up when she heard footsteps approaching, and she was surprised yet relieved to see her friend kneel down next to her on the pavement. "Murtagh…" she whispered, throwing her arms around his waist as she continued to cry.
"It's all right, Aianna." Murtagh said quietly in a comforting way as he gently laid his chin on top of her black hair and held her close to him. "It's all right. It's not your fault."
"I… I didn't mean to…" Aianna muttered through her sobs, panicked. "I… I…"
"I know."
From the shadows of the houses nearby, Sarin watched them with growing anger. He had just arrived a moment before, and he witnessed his own sister kill her twin. Why would Aianna… murder her own brother?
Then, he gasped as another thought came to him. What if Agatha was wrong? What if they really were working with the Empire?
They had to be stopped.
Murtagh suddenly looked at Aie's lifeless body, his eyes narrowing. He had a dark feeling in the back of his mind that was radiating from the corpse…
Aianna followed his gaze but turned away, not able to look at her brother. "What's wrong, Murtagh?" she asked, wiping some of her tears away.
"Something isn't right…" Murtagh muttered, his dark eyes on Aie. "Something just isn't right…"
Before Aianna could question him further, she gasped as a black mist began to appear around her brother's still frame. Then, it slowly began to rise out of him. "What is that?" she whispered, watching it fearfully.
The Rider slowly got to his feet, still covering Aianna protectively with his arms. "Morzan's dark influence." Murtagh told her heavily, watching as the mist rose toward the dark sky. "He must have infected Aie with it after Galbatorix revived him."
The elf gasped, looking at Murtagh with fear. "Do… do you think I'm infected with it too?" she said.
Murtagh looked back down on her. "If you are, then we have to get it out of you as soon as possible."
Aianna nodded, but then flushed with embarrassment. Why did she always have a strange feeling inside of her whenever she was close to Murtagh?
Suddenly, she gasped when Murtagh drew his sword, his eyes on the moon above them. The elf followed his gaze nervously, and she gasped when she saw more dark shadows forming above them. Some were in the shape of people while others weren't in a particular shape like the one that had come from Aie. "What are they?" Aianna asked, bending down and grabbing her sword when Murtagh let go of her.
The Rider twirled Zar'roc as he took a couple of steps back. "They are Morzan's soldiers." Murtagh answered. "They are shadows that can take the shape of anything and become solid or they can even enter any living object and take control of it. I can only assume that they're here for me. So as soon as you get the chance, I want you to leave and find Agatha."
"I don't want to leave you to fight on your own!" Aianna said, looking into his face anxiously. "I can't do that!"
"Aianna, please. It's too dangerous!" Murtagh replied forcefully. "Just listen to what I say!"
The elf looked back into his determined eyes sadly. She didn't want to leave him. She could fight as well as he could… couldn't she?
Suddenly, they both looked behind them at the market that jetted out onto the pier into the pond, hearing the loud sounds of things being destroyed as they were toppled over. Bird-like creatures began to appear out of the shadows around the area while large snakes crawled out of the water.
"More of his creatures… I'll stop them from getting near to the town." Murtagh said quietly. "Aianna, you find Agatha and defend the town. You should be able to hold off any danger until I return."
Aianna was about to reply, but she turned toward the main part of the town when screams reached her ears. She gasped when she saw a lot of the shadow men heading toward the buildings, spreading flames when they landed.
"Go! Hurry, Aianna!" Murtagh shouted, beginning to run toward the pier.
Aianna was about to head to the town, but she stopped and cried out in surprise when one of Morzan's soldiers brushed up against her when it barely missed her and vanished into the tree behind her. The elf watched with horror as it creaked loudly, its branches beginning to move while the tree uprooted itself.
Murtagh stopped and looked behind him when he heard the noises as well, and his eyes widened as he watched the tree come to life and make its way toward the elf. "Aianna!"
Aianna continued to back away from the moving tree, but she gasped when it raised one of its large, thick branches and moved it quickly down toward her.
The elf's scream echoed through the night air.
A/N: Ooh, a cliffie. I hope you enjoyed it!
MorzanWhy'd you have to show my soft side?
ToriI thought that it would add something to the story.
MorzanBut why'd it have to be me?
MurtaghWould you rather have her talk about Galbatorix and his pink teddy bear?
GalbatorixHow'd you know about that, you brat?!
MurtaghIt's in your room… under your mattress.
Galbatorix:………. My teddy bear!
ToriThanks, Murtagh! I didn't know about the teddy bear!
MurtaghNo problem. Anytime!
ToriPlease review!
AgathaOr I'll set my snake on you!
SnakeHiss…
ToriWhere'd you come from?! AgathaI like to sneak up on people.
ToriOkay… Anyway, reviews are much appreciated. Thanks!
