Chapter Ten
Murtagh supposed that he should be livid at being repeatedly insulted by Siobhan, but he found that he wasn't. He was merely amused at Siobhan's emphatic reaction. Murtagh knew, however, that had it been anyone else, Zar'roc would have been flashing. He wondered momentarily what made Siobhan exempt from that reaction. Only momentarily, though, as the answer was rather obvious. Siobhan was either paralyzed with fear or stuttering. Only rarely had Siobhan been so aggravated or angry that she didn't think to act on her fear. Murtagh realized with a smirk that the latter was becoming increasingly less rare. He wasn't afraid to admit it; it was a nice change.
Let's not become reckless, now. Thorn cautioned. Murtagh rolled his eyes.
Ever the voice of reason. Murtagh thought sarcastically. Thorn hummed as Murtagh gently rubbed his scales.
Someone needs to be. Thorn joked. Then he added, slightly more serious, Siobhan's not as helpless as you or she thinks. Murtagh sighed, resting his head on Thorn's neck.
I see so much potential in her, Thorn, but I'm struggling to find ways that will convince her to let me help her develop it. Murtagh admitted.
You can only do so much, Murtagh. You cannot make Siobhan do anything. This, overcoming her fear of us, is her first battle. And I have a feeling she will succeed. Murtagh lifted his head.
You think so? Thorn nodded.
Of course. Besides, if you don't have faith in her, it will take Siobhan twice as long to trust you. Murtagh sighed.
You are right, as usual. Murtagh conceded. Thorn hummed.
Oh how I love hearing those words! Thorn teased. Murtagh growled.
Don't push it, dragon. Murtagh warned playfully.
I'm quivering. Thorn said, deadpanned. Murtagh laughed. Don't forget, Murtagh, we're supposed to meet with Nasuada tonight to discuss the days events. Murtagh sighed.
Thank you, Thorn. I nearly forgot about that. Murtagh looked up. Think Siobhan will still be angry with me?
I would say that she will still be, yes. Whatever possessed you do that, Murtagh? It was certainly not the brightest decision you ever made. Murtagh rolled his eyes.
Thank you for your vote of confidence in me, Thorn. Murtagh thought dryly. Seriously, though, I have a bad feeling about that man. I just don't like him. Thorn hesitated.
He seems fine to me. Murtagh frowned. And Siobhan obviously likes him. Give him a chance. Besides, maybe if Siobhan has something else to occupy her thoughts she will become more at ease around you. Murtagh's frowned deepened.
True, but I don't want that at the expense of her health. Murtagh replied. Thorn groaned.
So you are convinced that Aedán is a bad man, then?
Yes. Thorn paused.
Then I shall have to disagree with you. The two fell silent.
So be it. It was bound to happen eventually. Murtagh murmured. He paused. How did work with Ailín go today? Do you think she has what it takes?
Without a doubt. She is young and curious, but she is strong. In fact, she reminds much of Siobhan, from what little I know of both females. Thorn paused. I am very much looking forward to these next few months.
Murtagh sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm glad." Murtagh murmured.
Come now, Murtagh. Siobhan was not a bad student.
No, she wasn't, but I have a feeling that I'll be at my wits end unless she gets over her fear. Murtagh replied. Thorn hummed.
That's why you have me, so you can vent. Murtagh gave a wry smile.
You know that's not the complete truth. Murtagh chided.
I know, but it worked! Murtagh frowned.
What do you mean? Thorn simple explanation made Murtagh laugh.
You smiled.
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Siobhan held Ailín close as she hurried to her tent. "Insufferable...idiot...insufferable...pig. Arrogant..." Siobhan's words came out broken and angry as she muttered into Ailín's tough scales. "Had absolutely no right... presumptuous..." Ailín simply cooed in response. "Who does he think he is, insufferable man!" Ailín rubbed her head against Siobhan's shoulder comfortingly. Siobhan sighed as she stepped into the solace of her quiet tent.
"I seem to have absolutely no luck in life." Siobhan lamented to herself. Ailín simply stared up at her with her big green eyes. "But I think that my luck may be changing." Ailín hummed happily, jumping into Siobhan's welcoming lap. She stroked the small green creature in her arms. Siobhan knew that Ailín soon wouldn't be able to do this, and she knew that they would both miss it.
"You know, I don't know what I'd do without you, Ailín." Siobhan murmured. "Of course, you're the reason I have this much drama in my life, but I can forgive you for that." Siobhan teased. Ailín rolled her eyes and snuggled closer to her Rider.
"How did your lessons with," Siobhan took a deep breath. "Thorn and Saphira go, Ailín?" Ailín moved her head up and down in Siobhan's lap causing Siobhan to giggle. "I'll take that as 'They went well, Siobhan'. Well, that's good.
"I suppose you could say my training itself went well today, all the way 'round. I don't know. Murtagh just makes me feel so angry and frustrated! I just want to...I just want to smack him upside the head! I mean, what was he thinking! He probably wasn't. That's the problem. I've been on my own for how many years now? I think I can take care of myself, thank you very much! Honestly! I'm not some helpless little chick who needs a mother hen!" Siobhan quieted, taking calming breaths.
"However, Arya is a wonderful teacher. I seem to have an aptitude for languages. It's rather exciting, you know, learning a foreign language. It makes you feel... good. Does that make sense, Ailín?" Siobhan looked down and ceased stroking her dragon. "Ailín?" A soft smile graced Siobhan's features. Ailín had fallen asleep. "Sleep well, little one."
Gently lifting Ailín off her lap, Siobhan stood and stretched her arms over her head. Moaning softly, she placed Ailín in a blanket-padded basket and exited into the warm sunlight. It was too gorgeous a day to be inside.
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Siobhan smiled to herself and lifted her head up to the sky as she knelt in the warm and rich soil. Ailín lay soundly sleeping in the basket at Siobhan's side. "It's a beautiful day for gardening." Siobhan murmured to Ailín. "A beautiful, beautiful day." Siobhan emitted a contented sigh. "It's so calming, feeling the earth between your fingers."
A shadow fell across the ground, causing Siobhan to readjust her gaze. Her eyes widened and her skin paled. "Nasuada sent for you." Eragon informed gently. Siobhan nodded hastily, ducking her head.
"I...I'll be...I'll be there presently." Siobhan managed, wiping her hands on her pants. Eragon smiled.
"I was to escort you." Eragon continued. Siobhan's eyes widened.
"Wh...what!" Siobhan gasped. Eragon's shrugged.
"Nasuada's orders, not mine." Eragon explained. Siobhan stared up blankly, wondering what exactly Nasuada had been thinking. Nonetheless, Siobhan gathered Ailín and silently followed Eragon to an open field where Nasuada, Arya, Saphira, Murtagh and Thorn were already assembled. Guards stood a distance off, ready to protect the people at a moments notice. Though Siobhan wandered if they would even be necessary considering who they were safeguarding.
"Welcome, Siobhan." Nasuada greeted cordially. A small smile tugged on Siobhan's lips. The smile died, her posture stiffened and her eyes turned cold when they fell upon Murtagh. Arya noticed the sudden change and arched an eyebrow.
"Thank you, my lady." Siobhan replied coolly, turning her back to Murtagh. "Greetings, Lady Arya." Thorn and Saphira received a barely perceptible nod, but Siobhan ignored Murtagh completely. He knew she was still angry with him. Nasuada, Arya and Eragon looked at Siobhan quizzically but did not comment.
"So," Nasuada began. "This was your first day of lessons, Siobhan." Siobhan nodded. "How do you feel that they day went?" Siobhan squared her shoulders and there was a set in her jaw.
"I believe that they afternoon went very well. I think I shall enjoy learning the Ancient Language." Siobhan informed.
"Siobhan is indeed an apt pupil. She progressed nicely this afternoon." Arya interjected. Nasuada nodded.
"Good, good. And what of the morning?" Nasuada probed. Siobhan's eyes narrowed.
"It went." Siobhan ground. Nasuada arched an eyebrow.
"I see." Nasuada replied carefully, glancing at Murtagh. "What say you, Murtagh?" Siobhan's eyes narrowed further as she spun to face him.
"The morning went rather well, considering." Murtagh answered truthfully. Siobhan crossed her arms but remained quiet.
"Yes, so, as you can see, Nasuada, everything is fine." Siobhan added cheerfully, though there was still steel in her eyes. Murtagh wondered if Siobhan was going to ever forgive him. He certainly didn't regret his actions. Eragon cleared his throat.
"Did something...happen between the two of you that we should know about?" Eragon asked softly.
"Nothing, nothing a'tall." Siobhan muttered. "Now, if that is all, I would like to be excused." Nasuada looked rather startled.
"Y...yes, that is all, Siobhan. You are free to go." Nasuada agreed. Siobhan walked away with a stiff back. Simultaneously, Nasuada, Eragon and Saphira's gaze swiveled to Murtagh.
"I don't even know Siobhan and I know that wasn't a 'nothing at all' tone. What happened." Eragon announced. Murtagh sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Siobhan is rather...annoyed with me because of something I said." Murtagh explained. Arya sighed and Nasuada frowned.
"Tell us something we don't know, Murtagh." Eragon replied. Murtagh glared. His half-brother shrugged. "Anything you say is most likely to either scare her out of her wits or annoy her. One of the two. Murtagh, a blind man could have told us that Siobhan was annoyed at you."
"I do not like the creature that has decided that he wants to court Siobhan. I do not have a good gut feeling about him. Thorn disagrees." Murtagh expounded. Thorn nodded.
Indeed I do. Thorn broadcast.
Who is the man? Saphira queried.
Aedán is his name. Thorn supplied. Nasuada blinked.
"He is one of my regular guards!" Nasuada exclaimed, surprised. Murtagh nodded.
"Yet I do not trust him." Murtagh replied. Nasuada frowned.
"He has always served me faithfully." Nasuada objected. Murtagh shrugged.
"That may be the case, but I still do not trust him." Murtagh held fast. Arya sighed again.
"Please, let us simply drop the matter. Nothing will be accomplished by continuing this conversation." Arya put forth. Thorn and Saphira heartily agreed.
I always knew you spoke true. Thorn praised. Arya arched an eyebrow at him, refraining from commenting.
Oh, hush, Thorn. Saphira chastised. Thorn rolled his eyes.
As you command, oh wise sister. As of late, Thorn had taken to calling Saphira 'sister', vocalizing their now close relationship. They had helped Eragon and Murtagh rebuild their odd semi-friendship. As Thorn once put it to Murtagh, it was one of the many services dragons provided.
"Well, if you will excuse me." Murtagh finally said, barely pausing before walking off. There were better things he could do.
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Siobhan sat alone on the large rock overlooking the open field quietly eating her supper and wishing she had someone to eat with. A human someone, that is. It was nice to eat with Ailín, but it just wasn't the same as a human.
Naturally, Siobhan's thoughts flicked to Aedán and his wonderful smile and kind demeanor. She smiled. He was such a nice man, and seemed to truly care about her. Why couldn't Murtagh see that what he did was wrong? Even if out of courtesy, he should have told me how he felt about Aedán. I mean, it's my business not Murtagh's! Honestly! What was he thinking. Siobhan looked down at Ailín. "You agree with me, right?" Ailín looked up, blinking owlishly. "I'll take that as a yes." Siobhan laughed quietly, dragging Ailín into her arms. "Oh, Ailín. You do wonders for my heart."
Rambling With Ranger: I am sooo sorry for not updating sooner! Fear not! I shall never abandon a posted story! My honor as an author will not allow that. I hope to update sooner next time and not make you wait as long. I do hope you enjoyed this chapter. I had a major writers block a page into the chapter. Thankfully, I overcame it. :)