Chapter 9: Plans set in Motion
Galbatorix, Shruiken said, Eragon still refuses to obey your commands. He refuses to mate with the female. Shruiken had overheard Eragon in his monologue earlier that night. He kept asking questions like 'what am I doing?' and 'is this a good idea?'.
"Shruiken please, do you really expect Eragon to go through with this?" Galbatorix asked. Shruiken cocked his head in confusion, what do you mean?
"I never intended Eragon and Saphira to become mates."
This immensely increased the black dragons overwhelming confusion, then, why did you transform him into a dragon?
"All will be reveled when my plan is set in motion." Galbatorix was hiding something, but Shruiken was unsure
What plan?
Galbatorix chuckled, "You will find out soon enough, now leave me to my work." Shruiken was still confused, and had many questions that needed answering, but he believed it was best not to go against the king's judgment. He reluctantly left Galbatorix-who was now retiring to his study-, and decided to question Thorn; see if he knew anything about what the king was planning.
He came across the dungeon in his search for the red dragon. Eragon was awake inside, and Saphira had positioned herself up against his body. Shruiken felt anger overwhelm his emotions. He wanted Saphira, and it took everything he had to keep himself from barging in, killing Eragon, and taking the dragoness for his own……desires.
Eragon lifted his large silver head and his gaze met the black dragon's, what are you doing here Shruiken? No doubt trying to take advantage of Saphira again, I presume. Shruiken bared his teeth in annoyance, and let out a menacing growl at the opposing male.
Then, when he regained his composure, he asked Eragon, do you have any idea where Thorn is?
No, Eragon replied, in case you haven't noticed, I haven't been able to move since she fell asleep. Shruiken's anger grew when this comment reached his brain, but he did quite a good job concealing it with a slight chuckle.
Make sure you keep a close eye on her, Shruiken "advised", she could very well leave you for another male. Eragon ripped himself from Saphira's grasp-nearly waking her up in the process-and stood mere inches from Shruiken; his glare seemingly trying to pierce a hole in the black dragon's skull.
Are you trying to insult her? Eragon asked, we may not be mates, but I will still stand by the warning I gave you earlier.
What warning? Shruiken was playing dumb; just to annoy Eragon.
I'll spell it out for you, Eragon rebutted, I… will… KILL… you… if… you… touch… her; you had better keep that warning imbedded in your thick skull whenever you have one of your sick fantasies about my dragon.
WHAT? Shruiken yelled angrily.
You heard me, Eragon said calmly, you really need to learn how to shield your thoughts from others, and, in extension, learn how to avoid projecting them to everyone in the immediate area.
Shruiken retreated out of the dungeon; mortified, but was stopped when Eragon called after him, Shruiken, next time you see Galbatorix could you ask him, nicely, to consider letting Saphira and me move to a more…well…livable environment?
Ask him yourself, Shruiken called back, I don't take orders from the likes of you.
Eragon snorted in disdain, and a puff of smoke arose from his nostrils. He turned and was met with Saphira's scornful, and somewhat intoxicating, gaze.
Were you eavesdropping? Eragon accused playfully. Saphira merely chuckled and laid her head back on the ground. Eragon smirked, what am I going to do with you?
You could come back to sleep, Saphira replied, I enjoy your company- she muttered something after that but Eragon could only make out a 'something' in her words-Eragon wanted to but, was hesitant. He wasn't really sure if he wanted to go as far as Saphira was willing to go in their supposed relationship-which caused Eragon to find another question among the hundreds that circled in his mind every minute, how far is she willing to go?; plus he had much too much on his mind to even think about resting.
Sorry, Saphira, Eragon said, while turning to leave, I have too much on my mind right now. He left and Saphira resumed her slumber, slightly less comfortable than before.
Eragon walked around the castle for some time; slightly enjoying the stillness that came with the late hours of night. He turned a corner and, literally, ran into Thorn-who growled in retaliation.
Oh, it's you, Eragon, Thorn realized, wait…what are you doing sneaking around the castle at this time of night?
I was about to ask you the same question, Eragon said as a rebuttal, and I wasn't sneaking around, I was just thinking.
About Saphira, no doubt, Thorn joshed.
Don't act so innocent Thorn, Eragon said, I'm certain you think about her too.
Thorn stopped sniggering, and ceased eye contact with the silver dragon. Eragon began to leave, but before doing so he told Thorn that Shruiken was looking for him. He received a blunt 'thank you' from the red dragon. And continued on his way, enduring his self-disintegrating dilemma of trying to answer the now millions of questions that swarmed his brain like locusts. This went on for many hours, and Eragon eventually decided to retire to his "room" and rejoin Saphira. He was about to walk down the hall to the dungeon, when he heard loud chatter coming from an adjacent room. He got as close to the open door as he could and remained perfectly still and silent.
"…in which case the silver dragon will be incapacitated," a feminine voice said, "Then we will hand over the female to the red and black dragons; to do with her as they wish."
Saphira, Eragon gasped silently, and then continued to listen to the conversation. A raspy male voice-which Eragon recognized as Galbatorix-said, "very good Athena and, you are sure that the spell you placed on Eragon's leg when you 'healed' him will fulfill its purpose?"
"Absolutely, master, with it you will be able to duplicate his appearance as you did for Saphira. All you need to do is have Shruiken think of Eragon's form and he will become an exact replica," Athena answered, "but I must warn you if the bone is broken again the spell will be released."
"I honestly doubt that will come to pass any time soon."
Eragon turned and quickly ran to his quarters. Where he closed the large metal door with his tail, and, surprisingly, fused it shut with a quick stream of fire from his maw. Saphira jolted awake and yelped in surprise when she saw Eragon sitting on his haunches; ripping into his right hind leg with his teeth.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Saphira roared in his head. Eragon ignored her and continued to rip into his leg; spitting large chunks of his own flesh out of his now blood-filled mouth. His eyes were pouring out tears uncontrollably; induced by the nearly unbearable pain of his self-torture. Suddenly, Saphira roared and plowed into Eragon pinning him on his back. Her hind legs and tail were getting splattered by the blood that poured out of Eragon's leg.
Saphira you don't understand, Eragon pleaded to the dragoness lying on top of him. An idea raced into his mind but was quickly ejected when repeated banging came from the welded-shut door.
"ERAGON," Galbatorix yelled through the door, "I KNOW YOU WERE EAVESDROPPING, NOW OPEN THIS DOOR OR SO HELP ME…"
Eragon managed to get Saphira off of him and continued to rip into his flesh. Saphira desperately tried to advance on Eragon, but was stopped in her tracks when Eragon roared at her, both as a warning to stay back and in excruciating pain. He took another bite and heard a small crack. He had hit bone. Galbatorix was still banging on the door and Eragon could even hear Shruiken and Thorn. He took one last desperate chomp and a loud sickening crack echoed throughout the dungeon, followed by an ear-splitting roar from Eragon. Then a silvery aura discharged from Eragon's exposed bone.
Saphira, you have to leave NOW, Eragon yelled, his voice shaken from pain.
What? NO, I'm not leaving you.
There is no time; you have to go; fly to the Varden as fast as you can; don't stop for anything, Eragon looked back at the door and realized that Galbatorix was trying to break through it.
What about-
SAPHIRA, Eragon yelled, they will kill you, now GO
You can come with me, Saphira pleaded.
I can't fly, Eragon argued, and we won't get far if you try to carry me, now please, leave me to my fate.
She looked down at Eragon's maimed leg and then back into his pain-stricken eyes. She quickly nuzzled him and turned; positioning herself beneath the hole in the dungeon ceiling. She took one more look at Eragon. He could feel her sadness and grief through their link. She dipped down and propelled herself into the sky. Her wings thrust open and Eragon watched as she disappeared from sight.
Eragon turned back to the door as it was knocked from its frame and fell to the ground; in its place stood a furious Galbatorix along with Shruiken and Thorn.
"Where is she?" Galbatorix asked Eragon angrily.
Where's who? Eragon replied
Galbatorix turned to Shruiken and Thorn and Eragon was suddenly engulfed in flames. His body was being charred and melted from the intense fire from the two other dragons. He felt Saphira brush against his fading consciousness, and he reluctantly shut her out of his mind and waited for the torturous fire to subside. Galbatorix ordered Shruiken and Thorn to stop, and turned to face Eragon-or what was left of him.
"I am going to ask you one last time, Where is she?" Galbatorix demanded.
If you want answers you will have to rummage through my charred remains and find them.
"That can be arranged." Galbatorix stepped back and Eragon was hit with another jet of flame. He was dying, and he knew it. He reached out to Saphira and severed their connection. Then before he slipped into darkness, he struggled to say, goodbye Saphira, I'll miss you. Then he collapsed lifelessly on the ground
Eragon…Eragon…ERAGON? Saphira screamed. Tears filled her eyes as Eragon's presence was ripped from her consciousness. She could see the Varden far off on the horizon, but was unsure what she would do once she got there.
ARYA, she yelled across the landscape, Arya, can you hear me?
Saphira, Arya was relieved to hear the dragoness's voice, we thought you were dead.
I live, Saphira paused and tears began to fill her eyes, but Eragon was not so fortunate.
I'm……I'm sorry.
Could you please make sure I do not get shot at when I arrive, Saphira asked; doing her best not to dwell on the subject.
Consider it done, Arya answered and she broke off from the conversation. Saphira looked up into the stars above her; sadness turning into hatred.
Mark my words, Eragon, She screamed to the heavens; tears nearly blinding her, I will not stop until you are avenged. I will tear that tyrant to pieces and burn his entire castle to the ground. I will make sure you will not have died in vain.
