All canon characters and locations belong to Christopher Paolini. All OCs belong to me.
Chapter 10: Hatching a Plot
A brown dragon soared through the balmy evening air, a black haired elf dressed in a brown Rider robe seated in the saddle upon her back.
He's a wanted fugitive and no one has seen him in six months. Why would he contact us now all of a sudden? inquired the dragon, scanning the ground below.
I suppose we'll find out. Speaking with him is dangerous though. He's a wanted fugitive now. replied the elf. We must be cautious.
The dragon descended and touched down in the middle of a forest clearing.
Stay alert. Something doesn't seem right. the elf said to the dragon.
Six months had passed since Eridor had been dethroned. Since then, there had been no sightings of him and the dragon had been largely forgotten. That was all about to change.
There was a whooshing sound of dragon wings overhead and the disgraced dragon king himself landed with a ground-shaking thud before the elf and dragon.
"Eridor!" sneered the elf.
Hello, Enduriel. Eridor replied. He then looked at the brown female dragon.
It's always pleasant to see you as well, Parfa.
"Why did you summon us?" demanded Enduriel. "If we were to be seen with you…"
Eridor interrupted the elf. Oh, trust me, Enduriel, it would do little to your already tarnished reputation. But let's get down to business, shall we?
The midnight blue dragon looked from the Rider to his dragon. I have another favor to ask of you.
Why should we help you after what you did the last time? Parfa demanded. You said you only wanted to speak with Vervada! You said nothing of breaking her eggs!
Eridor sneered. Sorry. I forgot to mention that part of the plan. However, the way I see it, you and Enduriel have the blood of those hatchlings on your hands just as much as I do. After all, you told me where to find Vervada.
"Is that so?" Enduriel answered with a scowl. "Because the last time I checked, the Rider Council has a bounty on your head, dead or alive. Give me one good reason why we shouldn't just kill you right here and present your head to the council! It may even get us back in their good graces!"
"Because, if you were to try, I'd have to kill you and your dragon!" came a cold, smooth voice off to the left.
Parfa bared her teeth and growled at the voice's owner. Enduriel turned his attention to the direction it came from and was greeted by Galbatorix himself.
Galbatorix took a step toward the elf and dragon who both looked flabbergasted by his sudden appearance.
"Enduriel, is it?" said the disgraced young Rider in a smooth tone. "I remember you. You were thrown off the council when they discovered your corruption. And now you're collaborating with wanted criminals."
"What do you want?" demanded Enduriel as he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"I believe my comrade asked you for a favor. I suggest you grant his request."
Parfa looked to Eridor. What did you want us to do?
My request is simple. I just need you to bring me a young student Rider and their dragon.
Enduriel and Parfa looked back to Galbatorix.
"And what will you do with them?" inquired Enduriel.
Ask Galbatorix. It was his idea. the blue dragon replied, preening his talons in a disinterested manner.
Enduriel turned back to Galbatorix. Galbatorix chuckled.
"Oh, don't worry, elf. This won't be like that incident with Vervada. The student and dragon will remain unharmed. Well, mostly…"
The fallen Rider paced back and forth as he detailed his plan.
"As I'm sure you're aware, I lost my beloved Jarnunvösk, and the council cruelly denied me another dragon. So I need help getting into Ilirea to acquire a hatchling."
"That's foolish!" Enduriel exclaimed.
Even if you managed to steal another hatchling, it wouldn't replace your first dragon! Parfa added.
"You blame the Dragon Riders for the loss of your dragon, but Jarnunvösk's death was no one's fault but your own!" shouted Enduriel.
"That's interesting." Galbatorix said with a frown. His black eyes narrowed as he glared at Enduriel and Parfa.
"Because that is exactly what the last Rider and dragon I met said to me." Galbatorix's tone suddenly turned from a smooth monotone to an angry roar. "And then I ended their meaningless lives!"
The elf and the dragon were both taken aback by this sudden change in mood.
"Why do you need a student?" Enduriel asked, his voice shaking.
"Because you just won't do. The council doesn't trust you. If you were seen near the hatchery and then something went wrong, you'd be suspected. No one would suspect a student of being involved in the theft of a hatchling."
And if we refuse? Parfa snarled. You may have taken Razinir and Tarin by surprise, but we are far more experienced than they were!
Galbatorix just grinned. "I've learned quite a few tricks during my time in exile."
Without warning, he blasted the elf backward with a wind spell, sending Enduriel bouncing along the ground. At the same time, Eridor tackled Parfa, wrestling her to the ground. Try as she might, the brown dragon could not free herself from Eridor's grasp.
If you kill us, the Riders will hunt you down!
"They already looked for me once, dragon." Galbatorix replied in a mocking tone. "They were too incompetent to find me. That incompetence will be their undoing. You can either help me or be destroyed."
Kneeling over Enduriel, Galbatorix sneered, "Now, elf, I suggest you do as I say. Swear an oath to me that you will bring me a student by tomorrow, or so help me, I'll slit your throat and watch you bleed out right here and now!"
"Alright." Enduriel said reluctantly.
Both the elf and the dragon swore the unbreakable vow in the Ancient Language.
Galbatorix nodded in approval. "Good. Now, I suggest you get to work."
.
.
.
The next morning, Morzan walked down the street with Ragnarök by his side.
"I can't wait to get my sword!" the young Rider said to his dragon.
Ragnarök chuckled. It will still be a while yet. Oromis says we must be further along in our training before you are gifted a sword.
"I know." Morzan said with a frown.
Enduriel and Parfa were watching from nearby.
Those two will do. said the brown dragon.
Yes, but those are Oromis's students. We must ensure they won't rat us out.
If you're going to make your move, now would be the proper time. urged Parfa.
Enduriel nodded in agreement, and then approached the pair of students.
"Greetings, young Rider." said the elf with a smile.
Morzan performed the customary elven greeting and Ragnarök dipped his head slightly to the elder.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Enduriel , and this is my dragon, Parfa."
Enduriel gestured to his brown dragon. "Parfa and I could use some help with some errands. I was wondering if you could perhaps assist us."
Morzan cocked his head, contemplating whether to say yes or no.
"I can make it worth your while." The elf said with a smile, removing a bag of coins from his pocket.
"I will pay you for your assistance. Two hundred crowns."
That's a lot of gold. Ragnarök said.
Morzan grinned. "You've got yourself a deal!"
had best be off then. Come, young ones. This way./i instructed Parfa.
The two dragons and Riders flew toward the outskirts of Ilirea.
So where are we going? Morzan asked the elder telepathically.
You'll see. Enduriel answered.
After about an hour of flying, Enduriel pointed to the clearing in the forest where he had met Galbatorix and Eridor the day before.
"Down there!" he shouted.
The elder Rider and Parfa descended and landed, followed by Morzan and Ragnarök.
As soon as the young pair touched down, Enduriel unexpectedly struck them both with a stunning spell.
Morzan cried out as he fell to the ground and Ragnarök's legs were bound in place.
"What are you doing?" demanded the young Rider.
"Well done, Elf. You actually did it!" said Galbatorix as he emerged from the woods. Moments later, Eridor touched down nearby.
When the blue dragon saw the young Rider and dragon, a sinister grin appeared on his face.
Well, well, well. Look what we have here! Remember me, hatchlings?
Morzan felt a chill run down his spine and Ragnarök let out a slight whimper.
Galbatorix knelt before Morzan and studied the young Rider.
"Do you know who I am?"
"N… No." Mozan replied, trying desperately not to appear scared. It wasn't working apparently.
"My name is Galbatorix."
Morzan gasped. "You're the one they've been hunting!"
Morzan glanced up at Enduriel as if expectign the elder to do something, but Enduriel just frowned and turned away.
Galbatorix nodded. "And what is your name?"
"Morzan."
"Well, Morzan," Galbatorix began. "I need your help."
"Why should I help you? You're a monster!"
"There is much you don't understand my young friend." replied Galbatorix.
He walked over to Ragnarök. "What's your name, dragon?"
Ragnarök didn't answer.
Growing impatient, Galbatorix drew the teal sword strapped to his hip.
"I'll ask you once more, dragon. Answer me or I'll cut out your heart!"
"His name is Ragnarök." Morzan said, trying to keep things calm.
"Tell me, Morzan, do you love Ragnarök?" inquired Galbatorix, walking back toward the young Rider.
Morzan nodded in reply. Immediately an image of an amethyst dragon flashed into his mind.
"Her name was Jarnunvösk, and I loved her more than anything in the world." Galbatorix said, kneeling before Morzan. The boy could almost see tears forming in Galbatorix's black eyes.
"I would have done anything in my power to save her, but I couldn't. Wouldn't you do anything to save your dragon, boy?"
Morzan didn't answer. Galbatorix was obviously a madman, but he couldn't help but feel a little pity for him.
"All I want is another dragon to make me whole again. And you can help me get one." the fallen Rider said.
"How?" asked Morzan.
"I need you to help me get into Ilirea. I'll do the rest."
Morzan shook his head. "I can't! They…"
Galbatorix's mood suddenly changed.
"Let me put this another way, child. Help me…"
He pointed the tip of his teal blade at Ragnarök's chest.
"Or I'll run him through and you can share his pain as he dies, just like my Jarnunvösk. Or maybe I'll just kill you and take him as my own!"
"What do you want from me?" Morzan whimpered.
"Good. Now we're getting somewhere." muttered Galbatorix. "Tomorrow night, I need you to distract the guards at the east gate of Ilirea. I'll take care of the rest."
Morzan was at a loss for words. "I… I can't do that!"
Galbatorix rolled his eyes. He turned his head to Eridor and gestured toward Ragnarök.
"Eridor, break a few bones for me!"
The blue dragon grinned with malice and started toward Ragnarök, who was still held in place by the stunning spell and unable to get away. Eridor reared up and backhanded the crimson dragon hard enough to knock him clean off his feet. Then the blue dragon grabbed hold of Ragnarök's left wing in his jaws and wrenched it upward. There was a loud cracking sound and both the red dragon and his Rider screamed in what could only be described as pure agony.
Galbatorix waited for a few moments before addressing Morzan. "See? It's not pleasant to share your dragon's pain, is it?"
Morzan trembled, unable to make himself speak.
"I don't think we've made our point clear yet." Galbatorix muttered. "Eridor, break his other wing too!"
Eridor grabbed Ragnarök again, a look of pure bloodlust his eyes and a sadistic grin on his face.
No… please… stop! moaned the red dragon as Eridor wrapped his talons around his right wing. The blue dragon gave a vicious upward jerk and there was another unmistakable sound of a bone breaking, followed by both Ragnarök and Morzan screaming again in unison.
"See how it feels to watch your bonded partner suffer, and know that you are completely helpless to stop it?" Galbatorix said coldly as he knelt before Morzan again. "Except that, unlike me, you still have a choice. You can still save your dragon. You can end his suffering right now. I just need you to swear an oath in the Ancient Language to do as I say."
Morzan gasped for air and looked over at Ragnarök¸ who lay on his side moaning in pain.
"Stop it! Please…. I'll do whatever you want!" Morzan stammered. "Just please don't hurt Ragnarök again."
"Good. Swear the oath and I'll heal his injuries." Galbatorix promised.
Reluctantly Morzan's lips formed the words of the oath. He didn't want to do it, but he could no longer bear to watch his dragon suffer.
Once it was done, Galbatorix stood up and walked over to Ragnarök. He pointed to the crimson dragon's broken wings and muttered the healing spell. The bones mended in an instant.
"Now, I'll need you to swear an oath as well. Or do I need to break your Rider's arms?"
No… said the dragon wearily, tears streaming from his ruby eyes. Reluctantly, Ragnarök swore the oath as well.
"Now then, Morzan, I will expect you to uphold your end of the bargain." said Galbatorix, releasing Morzan from the spell that kept him bound in place.
The boy jumped to his feet and ran to Ragnarök's side, flinging himself across the red dragon's snout and rubbing a hand just under his big eye, trying to comfort him.
"Before I release you two, you'll both have to swear one more oath for me."
Both the Rider and dragon looked at the deranged madman fearfully.
"I'll need you to swear not to speak of this meeting with anyone."
Without hesitation, Morzan swore the oath, followed by Ragnarök.
"Good. You're free to go."
"You're a sick man, Galbatorix." said Enduriel, who had been standing beside Parfa watching the entire spectacle unfold. "Oh, and before I forget…"
Enduriel took out the sack of coins and tossed them to Morzan.
"As promised, two hundred crowns."
Enduriel climbed into his saddle and Parfa took off into the sky without another word.
Morzan scowled and tossed the coins onto the ground before taking his place on Ragnarök's back. The crimson dragon took off into the air, flying away as fast as his newly healed wings could carry him.
Eridor stood beside Galbatorix and watched as the young Rider and dragon flew away.
I wish Enduriel had brought that hotheaded female as well. I would have loved to have knocked some sense into her. said the blue dragon.
Ignoring his remark, Galbatorix said, "I'll need you to be waiting nearby outside Ilirea. We may need a quick escape."
This won't work, Galbatorix. Even if you manage to get a hatchling, you cannot bind it to yourself once it has already chosen a Rider.
"We'll see about that."
As Ilirea came into view, Morzan felt an overwhelming sense of dread.
What are we gonna do, Rag? We have to tell someone about this!
There is nothing we can do, Morzan. We've sworn oaths not to speak of this to anyone.
We'll just have to wait and see what happens then. aid Morzan.
To be continued…