Finally finished!

Shout outs to..

Tamerlain85: Had to make her like that! Am I right? ;)

Restrained. Freedom: I do appreciate what you have to say! But please no cussing on reviews.

Now presenting chapter 10!

"The last egg is guarded heavily. There are guards that switch off every hour on the hour. Even they are sworn to agreeing to not see what is behind the vault." Murtagh was explaining. How he knew so much about the safe house for the last dragon in the world was beyond Eragon. Did he watch it?

But Murtagh went on talking about the wards placed along the safe's doors, the alarm that would alert all the guards if a certain part of the threshold was crossed, and the entourage of Galbatorix's Eldunarí who would attack with their minds, without thought or feeling what they had done wrong. At this both a question and concern was surrounding Eragon's mind.

"What happened to Glaedr?!" as if the golden dragon could be somewhere in the room, the Rider of Saphira glanced one way to the next. Worry hung overhead like an unwanted storm.

The hand on the blue rider's shoulder cut the worry through like a knife. Looking upward, Eragon saw Murtagh smiling smally. But the blue rider's responding look was quizzical, as if he didn't believe his half brother.

Sighing tiredly, the red rider spoke, "That is one part of repaying my debt."

Raising an eyebrow, Eragon asked him once again, "What happened to my master?" Blinking slowly, Galbatorix's Rider turned to face Isadora, who was still seated in her corner, trying not to be a burden. She nodded her head slowly, understandingly. Eragon realized that Murtagh must've been talking with her telepathically. Mustering all of his waning strength, the Varden's former Rider touched the link between the nurse and the dragon rider.

I'm not the one to tell him. It was your decision Murtagh, and you must learn to live by it. Even though Galbatorix might not approve.It was Isadora, but she sounded much more confident than when she was talking to Eragon. Was it because he had inward injuries? The Rider had no idea.

I will show him the memory, but do you think my decision was wise? Glaedr might have helped us with this situation. Murtagh sounded both exasperated and regretful, which confused his half brother. What decision had the red rider made that caused him so much grief?

Was it terrible? Or was it right?

Eragon backed away from the conversation, as his body could not handle supporting him a second more. Trying not to catch Isadora's wandering eye, Eragon struggled to keep his panting breaths down to normal breathing. But his lungs still screamed for more oxygen.

At long last, the red rider faced Eragon with a forlorn expression playing upon his features like how a piper plays a flute. Except no music came from here, only the seriousness and dread that came from Murtagh's eyes.

"It's better to show, not tell," the red rider spoke so softly, it was like he was trying to talk himself into telling Eragon what had happened. Giving his half brother an irritated glance, the blue rider said, "Well than, enlighten me."

Still not meeting his eyes, Murtagh nodded. He whispered a phrase in the Ancient Language, and that was when the Rider of Saphira felt his mind slip from his tired and broken body.

The running through the camp had been tricky. He had Thorn fly over the hills, carrying the unconscious forms of dragon and Rider with them. Sympathetic, Murtagh thought for a split second that there was no way in Angvard that his half brother would survive the wrath of the mad king. But then the red rider knew better. If Eragon could survive months of his hardship of being the Varden's Rider, than Galbatorix would not be so terrible for a few days.

But Thorn's concern matched Murtagh's about what would happen to the dragon trapped in the golden gem. The bloody red dragon didn't want to harm Glaedr, even though a few short months ago Thorn's teeth became attached to the golden dragon's flesh.

His pain caused by us is punishment enough. I do not want to harm the honorable dragon anymore. Thorn's voice, as thick and rich like an elven instrument, sounded deeper as he showed the dragon of old his respect.

Bowing his great head, Thorn stooped to the ground and pressed his muzzle against the warm Eldunarí. Immediately, a torrent of emotions crashed over Murtagh and Thorn like how a wave crashes onto the shore. The most prominent, of course, was the rage over the loss of Oromis, the wise elf who was his rider.

Murderers! Traitors! Disgrace! A stain that must be removed from this earth! The golden dragon's might knew no boundaries. It brought both the red rider and his dragon to their knees. Even Eragon's sleeping face twitched in discomfort, while Saphira growled softly.

Murtagh tried to communicate, Please! Most high dragon-

Do not even pretend to repent for your mistakes. You are your father, and nothing will ever change. The red rider swore that if Glaedr's body were still alive, Murtagh would've been burned to a smoldering pile of ash.

But the dragon's words hung in his mind. Unwanted tears slid down his cheeks. The saying broke Murtagh inside, and what had hurt him even worse was that the words were true. Thorn tried to shield his rider from the old dragon, but Glaedr swept the barriers aside like dust in the wind.

And you, red dragon. Our race is disgraced, and you tarnished the name of the Riders. You are a pitiful excuse for a dragon, when you are barely able to have the honor of a rat.Murtagh then felt the hurt overwhelm Thorn in a flurry, like fire. Then he leapt into the air, leaving all behind but his grief.

Now, Murtagh himself was angry. He used his own Eldunarí to sweep under Glaedr's defenses and penetrated his mind.

You may insult me, Master Glaedr. But do not insult Thorn for things that can't be undone! It was my fault that he ended up in this position, not his!

And there is a matter I will entrust to you. So, will you at least hear what I've got to say Master? The red rider than backed away from the old dragon's mind and waited for judgment.

But what surprised Murtagh was the sudden burst of calm that came from deep within Glaedr, like staring into a deep pool of emotion. The angry storm clouds brushed away, Glaedr spoke in an even tone.

I…apologize for my earlier outburst. I may not forget, nor forgive… Murtagh braced himself for pain, grimacing, but I can understand that it was not your mind that swung the biting sword, nor was it Thorn's when he snapped my neck. I will listen… for now.

After explaining why Saphira and Eragon needed to go to Uru'baen, Glaedr initially refused, for good reasons of course. He was worried about his apprentices. But after Murtagh and Thorn, who had flown back after hearing Glaedr's apology, gave the main reason why they had to go now. Thankfully, but also very regretful, the golden dragon complied.

So, running into the camp, disguised as a man in a robe, Murtagh slipped into the tent of Arya. The elf wasn't there, but Murtagh knew that she would return shortly.

He had carried Thorn's saddlebags of Eldunarí, Glaedr's included, and set it upon the elven ambassador's cot. Leaving behind a note, Murtagh left like a breeze in the wind.

The note said only three lines.

I know I can never be forgiven. But at least you can defend yourselves. Eragon and Saphira should return with more.

The Red Rider

I'm sorry if the ending was cheesy!

Review Question: Was Glaedr okay?

Dragon Out!