Umm, this is quite gory, lot's of death decay and torture so...you have been warned.
Thank-you soooo much reviewers! You make me feel loved!
Disclaimer:It's all Christopher Paolini's and Random House.
Chapter Ten.
Blood for Blood.
Eragon tapped his fingers on the hilt of his word impatiently. Across the room from him, Roran too, was showing signs of impatience. Only Arya seemed completely unfazed. She calmly sat on her bedroll, an impassive look on her face, as if the thought of fighting the Ra'zac in little while was nothing to bother about.
They were waiting for the sun to reach the highest point in the sky, then they would set of to Helgrind. Finally it was time.
It is a good time to go now. Saphira told them, the Ra'zac will find it harder to fight in the daylight. Let us go.
Very soon everyone was seated on Saphira and she took of swiftly. As they flew smoothly away from the sandstone cave, Eragon looked back. Brom's tomb glinted in the winter light.
Little more than ten minutes later Helgrind was in view. Saphira landed softly and carefully half a mile away from the dark formation of rock. Arya and Eragon stealthily ran to it. Above, Saphira hovered above it. The plain rock door was guarded by only two soldiers bearing the Imperial crest, a red flame. They quickly took care of them, and entered.
Behind them Roran loosened his sword in it's sheath. Inside Helgrind it was at first just dark, even to Eragon and Arya's elven eyes. Slowly they adjusted to the darkness.
Below they're feet was uneven damp rock. Algae grew in a few stagnant puddles and faint drips could be heard falling from a stalactite's on the far off ceiling. A stale smell permeated the air. Along the far side of the great cavern was sweeping, slimy stair.
Eragon, Arya and Roran walked carefully up this, Eragon ahead as a scout. When they reached the top of the stair they emerged in a long, faintly lit corridor. Cells were studded along the walls. Eragon told the others the plan and he quietly jogged to the other end of the corridor. Arya stayed at the end while Roran checked all the cells.
The first one he looked in was empty, a small pool of slimy black water puddling on the uneven floor. The next one was empty as well, but for the small, fragile skeleton lying on the floor, empty eye sockets staring hopelessly into the darkness. Roran shivered and moved on. It was the third one where he got a real shock. The half eaten body of a fifty or so year old man lay on the floor. The face was bloodied and distorted, it was impossible to see his features at all except for a large, hooked nose. Roran felt very ill now and had to swallow a few times to stop the bile in his throat from rising any further. His slightly nauseous brain registered only one fact: The body must be Sloan. That meant that Katrina was near. Roran hurried to the next cell. This one was larger, and it took Roran a second or two to adjust to the darkness. The first thing he saw was a familiar glint of copper.
"Katrina?!" he rasped, stopping himself from being any louder just in time. The copper moved slightly but no noise came from her. Roran called along the corridor. "Eragon! Eragon, she's here."
Eragon's eyes glinted and he ran back to Roran. When Eragon saw her he looked slightly more satisfied and he muttered one word.
"Jierda." The lock broke with a snap and scatter of iron. Roran darted in, closely followed by Eragon. Katrina was slumped against the wall, hands held in black iron manacles. Eragon swiftly broke those and lifted Katrina up. She was light as a feather. The tatters of the white sleeping shift she had been wearing when she was captured hung off her in grey-black rags. Her ribs and pelvis stuck out from under her grubby skin. Eragon was going to turn round and carry her out when he heard Arya shout, "Eragon! They're here!"
Eragon didn't have to guess who 'they' were. "Hold Katrina. Try and get away somewhere safe. I will help Arya."
"I want to fight them Eragon!"
"I know, but you have an obligation to Katrina first."
Roran nodded and took Katrina from Eragon, "What shall I do with her?"
"Stay in this cell. If one enters, give it all you've got." Eragon left, drawing his sword.
Arya was locked in ferocious combat with a very tall, somewhat bulkier Ra'zac than Eragon remembered. As Eragon ran to help her, another one emerged from the other end of the dark corridor. Eragon sent a glance at Arya. Neither her nor the Ra'zac was gaining the upper hand, so Eragon made his way to the Ra'zac, this one was very tall, and it was thinner than the other one. It made a horrible hissing noise that could have been laughter.
As Eragon clashed blades with foul thing he was glad he had his elven ability. He had probably had no chance of defeating them in swordsmanship before.
"Sssso Rider, you are going to try and fffight me again are you?" It might have had a tone of derision in it's hiss.
"And I will kill you!" snarled Eragon.
"Sssss...you seek...revenge? Ahh, revenge for killing that old man...sssss...it was good riddance."
"You will pay!" Eragon twirled his blade faster than the Ra'zac had anticipated. The blow hit him on the place where a humans shin would be and was rewarded with a crunch of breaking bone. The Ra'zac howled and sank on one knee, blade clattering to the floor.
"Jierda Thierra Calfis." cried Eragon. The Ra'zac screeched in pain, it's foul mind reeling.
Eragon kicked the broken bone contemptuously, it howled louder. "I said I would have revenge. This is for Brom," Eragon drew his hunting knife and stabbed the Ra'zac in the side. It's screech intensified. "And the pain you caused him."
Next Eragon reached for the decorated flask at the creatures black belt. "And this is for Garrow." Eragon slowly tipped the sliver liquid onto the long curved beak. A smoking whole started to fizzle in it. The unearthly sound got louder, "For the suffering and slow death you caused him."
Eragon kicked the Ra'zac one more time, then leant over and picked up it's black sword and swung the decorated flask over his shoulder then ran up the passage to Arya. His heart nearly stopped. Arya was lying, slumped against the wall. Eragon ran quickly to her and dropped by her side. He felt for her mind, it was not unconscious completely. He reached out as hand to touch her face. Her eyes fluttered open at his touch. "Eragon!"
"Arya...What happened?"
"It threw some liquid at me. I-I don't know what it was."
"Where did it get you?"
Arya lifted her left hand. It was raw red and blistered. "Seithr oil. Hellfire! That'll take a while to heal." cursed Eragon.
Arya lifted herself off the ground. "I will be fine. The Ra'zac went after Roran, we have to get to them!"
Eragon sent her a searching look then turned to the Katrina's cell. As they neared the door, they heard a rattling gasping breath. Heart-in-mouth, Eragon entered the cell. Roran was standing over a writhing Ra'zac. He was holding his hammer and the Ra'zac's beak was dented and one of it's eyes was white and dripping fluids. Roran spared them a glance then lifted his hammer one more time. He brought it crashing down onto the Ra'zac's beetle-black head. It let out one bone-curdling wail and died.
Roran looked at them panting slightly, "We have to go. Those foul steeds must be around."
At that moment Saphira contacted him. Eragon! There are four Lethrblaka!
Four? Eragon worked it out swiftly,They have laid a new pair of eggs!
You have to come to the top! You and Arya can use magic. They are surprisingly tolerant of fire, though I have scorched the younger one and killed a parent.
We will be there right away.
"The Ra'zac have matured into Lethrblaka! Saphira is fighting them right now!"
All three of them, Roran carrying Katrina hurried along the corridor, lit by a floating blue flame and a glowing green one that Eragon and Arya had conjured. The corridor went upwards and emerged on the top of Helgrind. Saphira was furiously fighting the Lethrblaka, shooting fire at them whenever possible. The smallest one was indeed scorched, and it flew with it's wing curled slightly.
Eragon and Arya stared for a moment at the Lethrblaka. They had never seen them before, and were revolted by them and their foul stench that could be smelt on the air with their enhanced senses. The they snapped into action.
"Roran, hide Katrina round the corner and stay with her." cried Eragon.
Roran dragged Katrina round the corner, out of the way, and Arya and Eragon prepared to use magic.
"Malthinae!" shouted Eragon. A large ball of blue tainted air shot from him and hit the closest Lethrblaka. It got buffeted out of the way and Saphira took the opportunity to snap it's neck with her powerful jaws.
But it left Saphira vulnerable and another mount, enraged by the death of it's mate, flew straight for her.
"Brisingr!" shouted Arya. She had strung her sung-wood bow and had ignited the arrow as it flew. It hit true and pierced the creatures eye, penetrating it's brain. It fell shrieking to it's death. The youngest Lethrblaka looked loon in dismay and tried to flee. Saphira dived after it and engulfed it in fire. It fell in dusty ashes to the far-off ground. Saphira hovered for a minute then turned back to Helgrind. She landed heavily, showing her weariness.
We did it Little Ones! We did it!
Eragon smiled, Are you very tired?
I can take you far enough.
Eragon frowned. "Arya and I can run below you. That way we will get along faster."
"You can't run!" Roran said, "You won't be able to keep up!"
"You'd be surprised." said Eragon.
"If you say so." said Roran doubtfully.
"Oh, we can. Right, we need to get Katrina somewhere we can heal her. I don't know what the Ra'zac have done to her."
Everyone snapped into action. Eragon and Roran secured Katrina to the saddle using the leather thongs, then Roran climbed up behind her.
"Are you sure you can keep up?" asked Roran worriedly.
"Yes Roran, now go."
Saphira launched of, gliding when ever she could on the updraughts.
"Shall we go then?"
Arya nodded. When they reached the body of the Ra'zac Eragon had killed, Aya looked at it impassively. "You really had your revenge, didn't you?"
"I made it feel their pain."
Arya looked at him sadly but said nothing.
Finally they reached the small door leading to outside and they passed through, grateful to see the daylight again. In the distance they heard a shout.
"OY!"
"Imperial soldiers. Let's go." said Arya tersely. As they left, they passed the body of one of the parent Lethrblaka's and Eragon stopped by the body for a moment. Arya couldn't see what he was doing, then he turned and the two set of running at speeds so fast that if a human saw then they were nothing more than a blur. If Eragon looked up, it was sometimes possible to see a large shape with outstretched wings, just above the clouds. Faster and faster the two elves went, jumping fences easily and swerving round objects effortlessly. A few hours later, Saphira contacted them.
Eragon, we can camp in safety a little way ahead. She sent him a mental image of the place.
All right. We will follow you.
Saphira landed in a clearing in the middle of a wood. It had a small brook and logs and places to shelter from the wind or rain. Roran was struggling to get Katrina from the saddle. Eragon ran up and helped. Roran looked at him in surprise. "So you did keep up."
Eragon nodded and lay Katrina down near the fire that Arya was lighting. Eragon sucked in his breath. Arya heard and looked up in consternation. Katrina's body was thin and emaciated, skin grey and bruised. Her hair was a mangled mess, though it retained it's copper colour. Eragon checked her over then announced; "She is severely emaciated but she doesn't appear to have been tortured. Arya, can you heat some water? I will wake her."
Eragon reached out his mind and touched hers. "Milnar." there was no reaction for a moment or two then she started to splutter, and her eyes fluttered open. The first thing she saw was a face with catlike brown eyes and fair skin . She tried to shriek, but all she could manage was a dry gurgle. The one with the catlike face said gently in a strange language, "Tawell, Katrina, dwi'n ffrind."
She didn't under stand what he had said but the words touched her mind as well, and she felt a little safer. Then another face came into view. "Ror-Roran?"
"Katrina!" Gasped Roran and he reached down and hugged her. She clung to him like her life depended on it. She couldn't believe she was with him again.
Eragon watched the two elder people meeting again, hugging and sobbing. Finally he had to separate them. "Roran? I'm sorry, but I need to heal her."
Roran nodded and sat near to her. Eragon asked gently, "Where does it hurt?"
Katrina's eyes opened wide in panic, "Who-who is this? Roran?"
Eragon looked at Roran sharply and said mentally, Don't say. It's best if we tell her later.
Roran agreed and said gently, "he is a friend. He will heal you."
Katrina gave a faint noise of assent and Eragon started checking her for bruises. Every time he found one he healed it easily and Katrina was soon free of physical wounds. Arya came up with a bowl of warm water. "Here," she said softly, "You can wash in this."
Katrina's eyes widened again, but bent to weakly wash her face.
Roran pulled out a shirt and breeches and handed them to her. Eragon, Roran and Arya looked a way while she put them on. Finally Arya handed her some warm vegetable and rabbit stew. Katrina pulled the food towards her and started devouring it hungrily.
Where did you get the meat? Asked Eragon, surprised.
Saphira leant me some of her kill. It was rather unpleasant. She added disgustedly.
Ah. where is Saphira?
She is on the far side of the trees, in another small clearing. She says she will not come just yet.
Yes, Katrina may faint from horror.
She thought so too.
Katrina had finished her soup. "Can I have some more?"
"I'm afraid not," said Eragon, Roran sent him a glare, "If you are severely hungry and have been relatively staved for a long while, a large amount of food will upset the balance of your stomach, and it won't be able to handle the sudden intake of food."
Katrina sighed and looked wistfully at the food in the small cauldron, then nodded.
"Good." said Eragon. "You can again eat soon."
"Eragon, do you want some food?" asked Arya.
Eragon walked to the fire, leaving Roran with Katrina. "Isn't there meat in it?"
"Yes. You'll have just have some dried fruit."
"Could be worse." said Eragon.
Arya nodded in agreement and asked in a low voice, "How is she?"
Eragon sighed, "Well, I have healed her wounds, and we will have to regulate her food, but she should be all right. However, who knows what horrors she had to endure in Helgrind?"
Arya nodded thoughtfully, "Was she the only prisoner?"
"The only live one."
Arya turned to the stew and stirred it. Eragon noticed that she was wincing and holding the spoon lightly.
"Arya! Your hand, I forgot! Let me see."
Arya showed Eragon her palm. It was red raw and clear pus dribbled in places. Eragon cursed violently under his breath. "Hellfire, but I forgot! There is no real cure for Seithr Oil, I will have to heal it in very small parts."
"Eragon, you don't have-"
"Yes, I do. You came with us, and I am at least responsible for looking out for you."
Arya was touched and she kept still as he inspected her hand. "Waise Heil." he said. A small part of the pus left. Eragon kept speaking the healing words over and over again until all that was left was the inflamed skin. Eragon looked at that carefully, then stood up and walked to his pack. He pulled out the white shirt that Arya had worn and he ripped a strip from the bottom. He dropped it into the pot of boiling water on the fire. A little while later he fished it out. He sat down opposite her again and gently wrapped it round her hand and tied it.
When he finished it, he looked up and they locked eyes. Arya felt caught and couldn't look away. Eragon smiled and dropped his gaze, a small flush rising on his cheeks.
"You are very good at healing." murmured Arya to him.
"Thank-you." he answered quietly. "I was taught well."
Arya smiled and was about to answer something when she caught sight of Katrina across the fire. Katrina was looking at them, a thoughtful look in her eyes. Arya was startled, what was she thinking? Roran walked to Katrina an sat down next to her. He slipped his arm round her waist and they kissed passionately. Arya felt herself colouring and looked away. Eragon followed her gaze then smiled a little and looked away to give them privacy. He noticed Arya's slightly flushed cheeks. He smiled inside but didn't change his expression. To cover the awkward moment he asked, "When do you think we should introduce Saphira?"
"Well-what does she say?"
"She say whenever we're ready."
"Ah."
"Perhaps when they," he jerked his head towards the other two, "Have finished."
Arya coloured again and mumbled assent. How could he be so...unfussed? And he was younger than her!
Roran and Katrina were sitting by the fire, arms about each other. "Do you want some more food Katrina?" asked Eragon.
She nodded and Arya handed her another bowl half filled with rabbit stew. Katrina met Arya's eyes again, and looked at her with something close to wonder, before dropping her gaze to the bowl in front of her.
Eragon? When are you going to 'introduce' me?
I would like to do it as soon as possible, but it may be too soon for Katrina if we do it now. How about to morrow morning?
If I have to. But I would rather be there with you. This little clearing is not the comfiest place to spend the night.
I'm sorry Saphira, I will come to visit you now.
No, no Little One, I will be fine, it's best if you stay with Katrina, they might need you.
All right. But I will miss you too.
I love you Little One.
I love you too Saphira.
Saphira sent warm appreciation through their mental link and laid her head on the ground, while Eragon sighed and gazed into the fire. He felt much safer when Saphira was around.
"What does she say?" asked Arya.
"We think that it would be best if we do it tomorrow."
"So is she going to stay in that clearing?"
Eragon nodded gloomily, "Yes."
Arya made a little 'o' with her mouth and turned to her pack. "Here." She handed him something from her bag of food.
"What is it?" asked Eragon.
"It's an Elven waybread, we call it 'Havar' it keeps for a long time and is very nutritious. We used it when elves used to travel from one end of Alagaesia to the other."
Eragon tried the bread, it was dry and floaty, like savoury meringue. Arya smiled as eh saw that he liked it.
"Good?"
"Mmm, very, thank-you."
She laughed a little, "My mother used to make it with me sometimes. Then we use to eat it at meal-time. My father crunched it and make exaggerated noises of approval and I would giggle and..." Arya sighed wistfully.
"He was killed in the Fall?"
"Yes. I found out later from the few survivors what had happened. My father had been fighting Galbatorix and he seemed to be getting tired when he was stabbed from behind. I was too small to really know a lot bout what was happening. I knew there was a rebellion, and that the riders were being killed. My father was so sure they would defeat Galbatorix and the Forsworn. They said afterwards that was his undoing."
Eragon's heart clenched painfully at the mention of the Forsworn. " Who stabbed him?"
Arya didn't really want to say but- "It was Mor-Morzan."
Eragon looked down and clenched his round his sword pommel. "Morzan." he whispered.
Arya opened her mouth uncertainly, but Katrina suddenly said; "Who are you?"
Eragon shot his head up and Arya was startled. "Who?" asked Eragon.
"Both-both of you."
Eragon sighed and looked back down. He knew this would come, but he would have preferred to do it ion the morning. And who was he anyway? Not the same Eragon that had ran away from the Palancar Valley, or the same Eragon that had nearly started a bloodfeud with her father. He was Eragon Shadeslayer, Rider of Saphira, vassal of Lady Nasuada of the Varden, Vinr Alfakyn, Elf Friend, a Knurla of Durgrimst Ingietum, and he was the one gifted by the Dragons. But for all the different names and titles, he was still a son of Morzan. Morzansson. Urrgh! Eragon's curled with disgust. But Katrina needed an answer.
Little One, just tell her your name first. She will cope.
All right. Thank you Saphira.
You are welcome, Little One.
Eragon lifted his head and caught eyes with Arya. What are you going to tell her? She asked.
Just my name. He answered in dull tones.
Arya let her approval filter through the link, before severing the contact.
Eragon looked at Katrina. Her eyes were fixed hesitantly, but determinedly on him, with slight frown on her face too. Eragon looked down at the fire an back up again. "My name is...Eragon, Katrina."
She still didn't realise, and she looked confusedly at Roran. Roran tightened his arm round her waist and said gently, "My cousin."
Katrina's eyes widened, she gasped and looked at Eragon. "Eragon?" she breathed.
He nodded, and smiled slightly, though his face was still grim. "Hello Katrina. I darsay I look different."
"Yes-yes, you do, but how? You went with Brom and then the Ra'zac and father..." She trailed off.
Eragon sighed inside, this was not going to be enjoyable. "Remember that blue stone I tried to sell to your father?"
Katrina nodded, "I couldn't really forget. He was fuming for the rest of the day." she managed a weak smile.
"Well," went on Eragon heavily, "It was not a stone. It was a dragon egg." he didn't stop for Katrina's gasp and faintly said 'what?' "The egg hatched for me. I touched her and received the sign of the Dragon Riders, the Gedwey Ignesia." He showed her his palm.
"After the Ra'zac killed Garrow, we left to pursue them, and Brom offered his help. So all three of us left. We bought horses in Therinsford and tracked the Ra'zac. We followed them all over Alagaesia until we reached Dras Leona , where-" Eragon continued with a rough sketch of his story, making it as short as possible. Still, it made a very exciting tale, something, Eragon thought sourly, that you do not think of when it's actually happening.
When Eragon's story was done Katrina was quiet for a while. Then she asked, "Where is your dragon?"
"Her name is Saphira. She is in a clearing close by. We didn't want to shock you when you woke. Would you like to meet her?"
Katrina nodded faintly so Eragon asked Saphira to come.
Very soon they heard rustling in the undergrowth and a huge, sapphire blue dragon emerge into their copse. She settled down near Eragon and the other black-haired one and fixed her brilliant eyes on Katrina. All she could do was emit a faint squeak and stare.
Finally Saphira said, It is a pleasure to meet you Katrina.
"You can talk?!"
Of course! Did you think I was dumb as a rock lizard?!
"I am sorry. I didn't realise dragon were so intelligent. I am only a poor village girl."
You do not look so stupid to me. You should raise your opinion of yourself.
"Thank-thank you" gasped Katrina.
You are welcome. I am Saphira, daughter of Vervada.
"I am truly honoured," said Katrina, "I never thought I would meet a dragon, nor one so mighty!"
Saphira gave what might haver been a smile laid her head on the ground. Katrina stared a little longer at her then turned to Roran, "So" she said planting a kiss on his lips, "What did you do after I was captured?"
Roran began his tale and Eragon stopped paying a huge amount of attention. Arya was listening to the story as well, she had never really heard it completely first hand before. As Roran was telling her about the killing of the Twins, Arya turned to look at Eragon. He was dejected, his hand on the pommel of his sword face discomfited. "What is wrong?" she asked.
He sighed, "I-well, I suppose it's just, you know, having to recount all this again. It was bad enough when I had to tell Ajihad, and the Queen. But it's different telling Roran and Katrina because they mean most to me. They're my only family now. What they think matters more than what Islanzadi and the twenty-four elf-lord and ladies of Ellesmera do."
"I know." she said softly, "I know."
Eragon looked up at her. Different emotions were showing in her dark green eyes. She seemed to be far away in her thoughts, though her eyes held a soft portion to them as she met his gaze.
"Er-Eragon?" It was Katrina.
Eragon looked away from Arya and over to her. "Yes Katrina?"
"You have not introduced everyone." she said softly.
Arya smiled and Eragon hadn't quite realised what she meant until Arya said, "I am Arya Drottningu of Ellesmera. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Katrina looked at her, "It is a pleasure to meet you too. You are the one they rescued from Gil'ead, aren't you?"
"I am."
Katrina looked at her a little longer before turning her gaze elsewhere. Silence fell on the little camp.
I think you should sleep. Said Saphira, You all have had a long and tiring day. I will keep first watch.
That's not fair Saphira! You have done more than us, objected Eragon, I will keep first watch.
Thank-you Little One.
"We should sleep," Eragon told the others, "We will have to travel fast tomorrow."
Roran and Katrina nodded and curled up in the blankets that Arya had given them and seemed to fall asleep quickly, not surprisingly, Katrina slept heavily, it was her first sleep in a safe place for a month at least. Roran, with his arm round her waist, slept well too. Only Arya took longer for her to fall into her trance-like state. Her hand didn't hurt, the linen stopped any more pus escaping, and the Havar had filled her up. It was Eragon's behaviour that worried her. He had seen so many horrors, withstood so many losses of family and friends, yet he still stood strong. It was when he was faced with this copper-haired prisoner that he became weak. True, he seemed to like Katrina, it was telling her his tale that made him unhappy. And then she had told him about Morzan killing her father. That had made him miserable too. She hadn't wanted to tell him, but she couldn't avoid it. Arya had felt so close to him then. It was a bit disconcerting.
Arya yawned and she snuggled into her bedroll. Saphira was right, they would have to travel fast tomorrow.
--
Katrina snuggled into Roran's arms and felt sleep just at the edges of her consciousness. She yawned and let it take her. She fell into the first sleep that hadn't been in dungeon owned by the Ra'zac for a month.
--
Murtagh swung his sword into the ground with an angry yell. His master would nor be pleased with this at all. The soldiers around him winced.
Murtagh was standing outside Helgrind by the body of one of the Lethrblaka. He had been flying for a long time to get here but Eragon had beaten him. Galbatorix had thought that they would try to rescue the girl and they had. But they weren't supposed to get away.
Murtagh looked at the body of the Lethrblaka again. Galbatorix would really not like this either. On the flank of the foul beast, there were words in the ancient language daubed in the creatures own blood;
Blood For Blood.
And underneath;
My debt is paid.
--
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