Chapter 11. Air Dueling
The sun had set and instead of practicing magic that day Galbatorix had Murtagh read all day. Then when the sun set he took Murtagh to the Dragon hold beneath the fortress. Murtagh gasped when he saw Thorn, because in just one months time his dragon was three times the size of a horse. Not as big as Saphira, but big enough to ride and he wore a molded saddle.
("Greetings Murtagh…It has been to long…") A male voice said in Murtagh's mind.
("How long have you been able to talk?") Murtagh finally asked.
Smoke streamed from his nostrils, ("For the past week now…I wanted to speak with you but the mad-one would not allow me…")
("Be careful Thorn…My patient has its limits…")
He snarled at Galbatorix, but stopped when Shruiken bent his head down on the smaller Dragon and growled at him he stopped. "Why did you do this…" Murtagh barked.
"I will do as I please…It fits my purpose and you will not question me like that again…" Murtagh put his head down, "Now climb onto your Dragon and we shall duel in the air…"
Murtagh sheepishly obeyed, but his mood changed when Thorn stood to his full height. The two dragons went into the courtyard and leapt into the air. They circled one another then they charged each other. Shruiken was much bigger than Thorn and the elder Dragon didn't mind using it to his advantage. Twice he knocked Thorn around in the air and it was only through Murtagh's intervention that he was able to put up any kind of fight.
("You need my help!") Murtagh said.
("I am a Dragon…my thoughts are wise and ancient and strength has no equal it is you little brother who need my help…") They argued back and forth until Galbatorix ordered them to stop.
"The two of you fight like children over a toy…How do you expect to defeat Eragon and Saphira when you can barely best us…"
("Shruiken is bigger than me…much bigger than Saphira would be and you are far more powerful than her Rider…")
"The foresworn were outnumbered at all times during the war against Dragons much more ancient than Shruiken here and sometimes bigger…So I will not accept that excuse…Go the both of you what a disappointment…"
Thorn was allowed to fly Murtagh up to his room under the invisibility spell of course. They said nothing to each other until they reached the room.
"I am sorry…I am still getting use to you being in my mind…" Murtagh said from his bed. He looked at Thorn and repeated it to him mentally.
("A Dragon does not apologize for anything, but you are my Rider and I should head you as you head me…I am sorry…")
Murtagh got up and walked over to his dais, ("I thought you said Dragons don't apologize…") Murtagh scratched him under the jaw causing Thorn to squirm. ("A ticklish Dragon who would have thought…")
Thorn yawned, ("Tell me about your mother…") Murtagh looked at him, ("You dream of her almost every night…Her and another woman…with Dark skin…did the sun burn her? What is her name?")
("I will tell you another time…") Murtagh said in fear that Galbatorix was listening. ("My mother was kind and brave…She always had a kind word for me…I adored her…She was very beautiful…She loved planting in her garden and her favorite flowers were roses. They talked most of the night on many subjects. Then they both fell asleep at the same time.
"Much better…" Galbatorix said after another intense air duel. Both Thorn and Murtagh were able to work better together as a team. Cadmuss entered the courtyard carrying a message. "The assassination failed milord…"
"Send a message to General Reckard…Tell them to march now…" He returned his attention to Murtagh, "Come with me…" Galbatorix lead him to the treasury. There was gold and other valuable pieces of treasure inside and an array Dragon Rider swords. "Choose one…A Rider needs a Rider's sword…" Murtagh walked up and down the rack of swords and three caught his eye. The first was a silver sword, it sat alone from the others, he was about to touch it when Galbatorix spoke up. "Don't touch that sword…"
He looked at him, "Why?"
"It once belonged to Vrael…No man can wield it…Not even me…"
Murtagh looked at the sword in wonder and withdrew his hand, then he went to a curved red sword. The cross guard was flat and horizontal instead of vertical. He swung a few times but it just didn't feel right for the type of fighting he was use too. The next sword he went to was a green hand and a half sword. It felt right but it was much heavier than his old hand and a half blade. This blade was made for a very muscular person.
Murtagh took a knee, "My King I thank you for bringing me here, but if I am to have a sword then I shall take Zarroc when I face Eragon. Until then I shall wield my old sword…"
Galbatorix shocked him by smiling, "Very well…"
