Chapter 12: To Be True and Confused In Yourself
Evelyn's eyes widened at the sight of the beautiful brown horse, though she didn't go near it like she once had before. He snickered and neighed casually whilst she stood there partially frozen; she had only ever seen him in the market and had on occasion imagined riding him in a green hilly field and once by a cool blue river, she had never, not once, imagined seeing him here, in this dark dismal arena.
"You didn't have to," her lips a little dry from not speaking for a duration.
"Yes, but you were in need of a horse, transportation. You certainly cannot ride Velox everywhere. Tilda said you had a particular admiration for this one."
Evelyn eyed him charily but not too obvious. Tilda was not with her when she saw the horse in the market nor did she tell Tilda of the horse. Asteria was with her but Evelyn highly doubted that she paid any attention to what Evelyn did that day and she doubted even more so that Asteria hurried to Murtagh to gossip about her. It was unlikely to her that either of them had any interest in her day-to-day activities.
So how did he know about her particular interest and liking of this horse? She was taken aback a bit by his lying and the ease in which he did it, and wanted to point it bluntly out to him that she never once mentioned it to Tilda, but was unsure of where that might put her and ignored that pulling feeling at that back of her head that he was there, not to far off, when she was admiring the horse.
She did not need any confirmation that he might have been spying on her, especially when her alter ego has been flying through the dungeon and jail, freeing Varden allies or those who were unjustifiably trialed or not trialed at all.
She was unnerved by that and by how easily he could lie to her.
"You really didn't have to. He was a fortune, I could have paid for him myself, I am quite capable." She worried for a moment if he knew she was lying.
"It was a gift… if I offended you..." His voice deepened and Evelyn felt an immediate fear.
"No. No you haven't." She saved the situation, "I am just not used to receiving gifts." That was another lie. Then she immediately hoped he did not bring up Marcus and his many gifts-givings.
He nodded briefly and neither of them spoke. Evelyn, with a forcibly steady hand, brushed the coarse black mane.
"What will you call him?" he asked her. His attempt to clear the air of his affronted tone was welcomed but still looked upon. Evelyn might have tried if she thought it proper. She wasn't the one who needed to say sorry.
She pursed her lips as she thought of a name. She was clever when it came to name calling but hardly satisfied, it took her hours to come up with Velox's name and still she was unsure if she likes it, though Velox seems to like it and that was what really mattered. Evelyn named her cat; Mr. Meow and her goldfish Goldie. Her mind now was reeling through famous horse names. "Bucephalus" she said.
"Bucephalus?" he said strangely, "Is that a word from your world?" his voice was so much softer now compared to his previous slightly exasperated tones but still stiff.
"Yes," she did not meet his eyes and instead continued to brain the tall horse's mane. "It is Greek, one of the many languages in my world. Bucephalus was the famous horse of a very famous conqueror that united an entire Empire. That was long time ago though, 2313 years from current day in my world."
"You are very interested in him."
She turned her head around so quickly she nearly got whiplash. "No, I am interested in history overall. So is my father." The last part she had no intention of saying but came out any way. "If you don't mind I would like to go for a ride."
Evelyn got Bucephalus into a sturdy trot and led him outside of the arena, into a small lush green field where Velox was continently resting. The horse had a beautiful stride and pace and Evelyn easily fell into posting.
So this is my replacement?
Hardy, if you think a horse could replace a dragon then you've clearly lost it. Evelyn smiled to her green dragon.
Velox chuckled softly but then his scaly face fell into all seriousness. Evelyn, why did you refuse him so bluntly? You know it's unwise.
Yes, but Velox he knew I wanted Bucephalus, somehow he knew. I hate to admit it but I think he was following me down in the market, that or Asteria is a spy.
You don't really think?
Yes, it's both logical and reasonable and you know it. Velox tilted his large head in understanding agreement.
If he is following you, you know he might discover you are that thief he has a bounty out for.
You think I don't know that? It's my biggest fear! Can you imagine what could, what will happen if he does? What if he already knows? Her voice was panic stricken but Velox tried to remain calm.
I do not think he knows. He said.
Why is that?
If he did I think he would have already turned us in.
What if he is waiting to catch us in the act or waiting for a bigger crime?
Then quit being this thief. Velox asserted his opinion quite loudly.
I can't, she looked up at him from her perch on Bucephalus. I can't because we have to continue to prove our alliance to the Varden. If we stop doing these acts the Varden might think we've turned our backs on them and decided to join Galbatorix. And I made a promise to Angela; we owe it to Angela for the help she gave us in the beginning. We can't do one mission and then chicken out on her, on them.
You are too strong willed. He shook his head, if you must, but we will use the utmost precautions.
…
He gently exhaled from his nose then lifted his right hand to the wooden door. It was quite late, the sun had set a long while ago, he himself just received the news and wasn't sure if Evelyn were still awake.
"A moment!" an elder voice called to him after he gave three knocks on the door. The voice was distinctively Tilda's, a voice he was all too familiar with from his younger years.
"Ah, milord." The nurse maid opened the door.
"Is Lady Evelyn awake? I have reason to speak with her."
"Who is it?" a younger, softer voice called in from inside the room.
"It is Lord Morzansson, milady." Tilda replied. Murtagh leaned slightly to his left to get a wider view of the room while his old nurse maid had her back to him. From his place he could not see Evelyn but if her room was anything like his own it sounded as if she were sited on the couch in the center right of the room. "Should I invite him in milady?"
There was a long pause before Evelyn answered. Whether or not Murtagh was invited into the room, he still needed to speak to his fellow dragon rider about pressing matters and with or without her consent he would speak with her. Still, by some strange cause, he wanted the permission to enter her room. To be willingly wanted to be spoken with and have the same keen interest shared.
There was a strange pull at his chest when she finally answered, "Yes let him in." Murtagh walked in and his eyes gazed across the room in a sweep until they landed on Evelyn. She was in fact sitting on the couch with a small clay cup in her hands and a dark blue shawl hung around her shoulders and was tightly held completely over her body.
"What can I do you for?" Ah, her language was different; at times he could never be completely sure as to what she was saying.
"We are leaving tomorrow for Bullridge and then to Teirm. We are to over see the signing of these bargains; Teirm's navy needs new and more accommodations."
"These bargains?" her eyes squinted for a moment; her face told him she thought this was ridiculous. He nodded. "Alright then, I'll be ready."
He took that as his cue to leave. He bowed politely and exited by the same door. Evelyn breathed a sign of relief when she confirmed he had left. "Tilda I'm going to go and change."
"Do you need help?" Evelyn shook her head in response.
She moved to the other smaller room and quickly closed and locked the door. She let out yet another sigh of relief. She dropped the feather mask she held tightly onto from underneath her blanket. He had come so close, so close to discovering her. She had just gotten in when he called upon her and she just barely managed to grab a blanket. Close call.
She dropped the blanket and took off her dark ensemble and hid it, along with the mask, in the large wooden trunk and changed into a white sleeping shift that laid on top of the wooden trunk. She reentered her bedroom while brushing her hair.
…
It had taken them hardly anytime to reach Bullridge. It was an unattractive village with a small strong hold that could keep the entire village safe in time of need, however most of the villagers left because the fear of Elvish army to the north in Gil'ead.
"We'll meet with the leaders of the Eastern Desert Tribes; they have often fought with the Wandering Tribes and are considering joining the imperial cause only because their enemies have joined the Varden and when we are victorious a considerable part of the desert will belong to them, which will end the dispute over it with the Wandering Tribes. They would be a great advantage for the Empire in the war."
There was a horribly low grumble to the east and the sky was getting darker and darker over the eastern center of the desert, the sky would light up in white from far off flashes of lighting.
The dragon riding pair flew over the city and headed east for the desert. There was a relatively small camp of brown and black tents on the horizon and quickly grew as they neared it, and once hovering atop the camp they landed. On the outer ring of the camp were large numbers of camels being fed and water by tan skinned men, most of them not wear shirts in this blazing sun.
Around the camp was one, maybe two, small farms that were now dead. Dead of life that is, actually Evelyn had no idea if they were farms or just long abandoned house. Small little wooden house had been over run by sand, they're roofs had caved in, long, sun dried planks jutted out of the yellow like a shipwreck washed to shore.
Evelyn placed a flat hand over her eyes to see. Few men walked the mild distance from the camp to the two riders. Murtagh muttered a few quick words to the heavy lidded men and made a few hand gestures, Evelyn stood close by Velox. These men wore long curved swords at their waists and small daggers at the ankle of their baggy black linen pants.
Murtagh made a gesture to Evelyn and Velox to follow him. The black and brown tents were large and spaced out enough to let pass Thorn and Velox. The four followed the guards to one of the larger tents. It had a heavy roof but light, see through drapes as walls to let whatever wind may come pass through.
The tent was filled with low ankle high tables and large elaborate pillows, cushions, mats and chaise longues. The air was grossly thick with a fragrant smell, Evelyn glanced up and assuredly there were sticks of incense alit laying in small dishes hanging from the tent roof.
A tanned skin man stood at the center of the tent, with his arms folded behind his back regally. He was dressed in all black but the fabric was light in weight, something Evelyn noticed with most of the camps linens; a long embroiled tunic that came to his lower thigh and did not wear a belt and black loose pants and brown leather sandals. On his head he wore a scarf that wrapped around his head and drooped down around his neck and over his shoulder.
He motioned to his guests to sit before him. He was an old man, either it was his age that showed or the harshness of his living that made him appear old. He had a thick short bearded mustache and heavy dark eyes under eyebrows. His face was long with high cheek bones and bore many deep wrinkles around his lips and forehead, especially his brow.
"You were not where we planned to meet, Imad" Murtagh began the moment he took seat, he sounded slightly frustrated.
"We agreed on the edge of the desert, where sand meets grass, at Bullridge. So I am here."
"The agreed meeting place is not for another two and a half miles further east." Murtagh pointed out with forced.
The man, Imad, nodded his head slowly. "The desert sands have been moving."
"Moving? How long has it taken for these sands to move two and a half miles?" Evelyn leaned in, completely baffled.
"Less than three months," Imad said factually in his deep heavy acent.
"How is that possible? In only three months? You must have had hundreds of sand storms come through here."
"No, no sand storms. A few of my men have seen it; they say the green grass and brown dirt melts into gold sand before their eyes." The man's eyes widened as he spoke, his men around him clearly did not like this information being retold in their presence. "The desert may be getting bigger but it is much less friendly than before. It has never been this hard to cross before. We have been forced to guard ourselves on its borders."
"Would the storms be cause of this?" Murtagh asked, pinching his chin between his thumb and finger.
"The storms make it harder to cross…I do not know. The world is a changing place."
"Your whole world will be engulfed in sand if this rate keeps up!" Evelyn's voice raise in disbelief.
"Yes that is true…" he smiled oddly, if the whole world became a desert it would have no harsh effect on him and his tribe, in fact it would be more like home.
"There are strange thing happening," Murtagh's brow pinched, "I have heard reports that the Boar's Eye has considerably slowed down."
Boar's Eye.
Somewhere that name or thing was awfully familiar to Evelyn, "What's the Boar's Eye?"
"It's a massive whirlpool cause by the tidal pull between two islands, near impossible to cross."
"And its slowing down? Why is that?"
Imad raised his eyebrows as a sign of lack of knowledge and face Murtagh across from him. Murtagh also did not have a reason why and so remain quite.
"Hmmm. Well Boar's Eye sounds awfully familiar, did you mention it in studies?" she asked Murtagh but he remained quite. Evelyn didn't know what to make of his behavior but this wasn't something new. He always had the strangest behaviors still his abrupt coldness was simply rude, even Imad was aware.
"The sun has set and the moon will soon take its height." Imad stood up from his low embroider pillow and Murtagh the Evelyn followed. "Show you to your tent?" he held his arm outstretched in the general direction.
It was a marginal tent but comforting. There was an open space for Velox and Thorn head's to rest. The tent was split in half with a carpet like drape, one half for her and the other for Murtagh. It was unnerving to have to share a tent with him. Their rooms in the castle were a good floor apart; this was too close, too sudden.
Imad pointed to the wide beds, stating they were two of the most comfortable beddings with animal pelts and furs for its comfort. The beds were really a thick mattress atop a wooden plank, low on the ground cover with lush, large pillows, similar to the ones in Imad's own tent.
Just like Imad's tent, incense hung from the tent supports and candles were used for light. There was a hanging wall carpet; Evelyn was particularly taken by its beauty. There was a woman on it with long hair holding a flower that looked much like a lily or something similar. Around her were little balls or orbs of different colors and long script.
"It says; the price of life is grave, the atonement is yours."
"It's beautiful."
"I am retiring." Murtagh interrupted, moved away from them and carried his small pack to the closed half of the tent. "We shall draw up plans in the morning"
It was rudely clear to both Evelyn and Imad that their conversation was no longer accepted and both should follow Murtagh's lead and retire.
"That was a bit stark." she muttered just loud enough for herself to hear after Imad left. Velox grunted in agreement. Evelyn set her small satchel like bag on the table that also held a water basin and fruit.
Evelyn chucked her larger leather bag carrying her clothes and necessities beside her low bed and pulled off her boots with a long sigh. There was a small basin of water beside a wealthy sized plate of fruit, she splashed her face with water and tied her hair back.
"Put your dagger under your pillow." She caught her breath and jolted slightly from the voice behind her. She turned around to Murtagh.
"Do you really think that is necessary?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "These people need this arrangement as much as you do. I don't think killing anyone, even if it's me would do much for their cause."
"Yes I do."
She remained there, finding him to be ridiculous.
"You will arm yourself."
"Fine." She came to, knowing full well how childish she sounded. She pulled her hand sized knife out of her satchel and tossed it onto her pillow. "You'll be able to sleep peacefully now," she aimed sarcastically. "Besides, I'm more likely to cut myself on it than on an attacker."
He stayed there for a moment. "Are there any other precautionary things I can do for you? I'd like to catch up on my sleep."
She crawled into her bed after he left. The heat was impossible to sleep in. Instead of being under her covers she laid on top of them. The sand and the heat reminded her of her father's camp. Deserts reminded her of her father.
A blunt pang filled her—the missing of her father, of her family.
She smiled to herself bother bitterly and amazedly. She found herself taking her separation quite well. In fact amazingly well. She had all the hope and assuredness she would return to them all soon, when this ordeal was over and she would no longer have to deal with Murtagh and worry for her life and sanity.
The only ties she had to this place was Velox but something felt right about her leaving, that Velox would come with her. Velox felt it too, deep inside. He would always be with her, he was apart of her.
She would be home, where she wanted to be, with everyone she loved at the end of this. That was for sure, she told herself.
She woke with a small start; her hand brushed the cold metal of the sheath under her pillow.
She munched on a hearty meal of fruit and bread but avoided the meat; throwing it to Velox, as if he didn't have enough to begin with.
She exited her tent with a fresh start. Imad and Murtagh drew up plans for their two army's agreements. Evelyn, who was unfamiliar with these sorts of political things sat and observed with the highest intent. This was apart of her teachings.
Murtagh being ambidextrous at nearly every skill watched Evelyn closely as he appeared entirely focused on the agreement. Her dark eyes darted back and forth, from the persons to the paper utmost intensity. She stated her opinion few times; some Murtagh agreed with, some he did not, though he was impressed with what she said.
At last the final daft of the agreement was finished and signed by both parties. Evelyn, who had taken a likening to Imad and some members of his party, lagged their departure. And for obvious reasons this frustrated Murtagh. His frustration noticeability was at its peak when the four had to land somewhere between Bullridge and Teirm, closer to the Spine, because they need rest.
"You continued to speak with them for nearly three hours."
"If you had mentioned that we had to leave at a certain time then we would have left. You weren't so worried about being so rude the night before." She no longer wanted to argue and set out to gather kindle for fire.
She returned and started a fire with magic then pulled out a thick sleeping bag made of pelt and placed it at a desirable distance from the fire.
"The hours will be dived into shifts; Evelyn you will go first then Velox, I then Thorn."
Evelyn readied herself with Earth right by her side incase it needed to be used. The first hour was nerve wracking; the fear that someone should attack them but soon the fear wore off and she got used to the sounds of the night and she came dangerously close to falling asleep but forced herself to remain awake; Murtagh would kill her if she fell asleep.
She busied herself thinking about the implications of the agreement she signed just this morning and how it would affect the Varden and how she would get this information to the Varden. She did not see the entirety of Imad's army but surely it must be vast or strong if Galbatorix went out of his way to draft up an agreement treaty. And what of Teirm's navy too?
Her time was up and she switched with Velox. Evelyn had already begun falling asleep during her shift and quickly got to it.
Soon as the night passed Velox's shift was over, and then passed Murtagh's and it was coming to the end of Thorn's and to the morning.
There was a welcomed warmth on Murtagh's face, across his jaw and cheek, he leaned in but quickly the warmth left him. He opened his eyes as the chilled morning air touched the once cover part of his face, only to see little fingers pulling away. Evelyn sighed in her sleep and rolled over taking her warm fingers with her.
Murtagh pushed the thoughts from his mind and woke up, scolded Thorn for allowing what happened happen to which he replied; it was none of his business, his business was stand guard and if he had woken Murtagh up, Murtagh would be a far fouler mood than usual. Velox and Evelyn were both then woken up.
Again the pairs continued to fly to Teirm, which was just over the lowest rang of mountains on the Spine.
During Galbatorix's upheaval, Teirm became the Empires primary port city. The city itself had an impressive navy. Around Teirm was a tall white wall of a hundred feet and thirty feet thick, in this wall were two main and massive gates; one on the west side to the sea and one on the south side to the main road. In the north of the city was a citadel that housed a lighthouse which towered over the city's buildings. The city was also laid out in a strange way; the city's buildings grew progressively taller from the outside in; the tallest buildings were near the citadel. This protected it from pirate attacks but also made it incredibly easy for thieves and such to run and jump along the rooftops.
"Lord Morzansson, Dragon Thorn, Lady Evelyn and Dragon Velox." A tall man in formal armor bowed to the four. "I am the head of state; Lord Risthart."
Evelyn could only partially assume from vague indications that Murtagh just wanted to carry on and draw up navel plans but formality was formality and had to be carried out. Unlike Imad's band of warriors Teirm was filled with nobles and ranking officers to the brim.
Evelyn bowed to yet another lord and lady. The citadel, which they were given formal tour of, was beautiful. They cover all floors and levels of it from the look out point of the lighthouse which overlooked Teirm's massive and well laid out harbor to the cold and dark prison and cell holdings. Evelyn was amazed and alarmed to see size of the navy and the amount of construction they were doing to complete hundreds upon hundreds more.
They walked through a long hallway that held portraits of noble families. Evelyn lagged behind to look at them; convincing the others she knew her way back and wouldn't be long. Murtagh frowned in displeasure at this for unknown reasons but did not voice his objection.
She looked at each portrait with natural curiosity, like she would if she were in an art gallery. Each of these people once lived and they all sat before an artist and took the time to have their face permanently frozen in paint. Under each painting was a plack that had a name and date scribed into it.
She rounded a corner to continue her on looking but froze still in her place.
There in front of her was a boy her age or a little older dressed in darker, shabbier clothes. He was most defiantly not a noble or a servant.
Stretched out at her was an arrow ready to be fired, and in such a close range she would surely be killed. The blood drained from her face and she swallowed a loud lump. The boy's hand was shaky on the string, his brow was down and his lips were upturned; he was afraid.
"You're the Dragon Rider." The boy's voice shook.
Evelyn! Velox sounded in her head.
"Who are you?" her lips and mouth were dry, making speaking near impossible.
"Jakob." He spoke quickly. "Look I'm a good shot, it will be quick, I promise, you won't feel a thing."
Evelyn leave! Where are you? I'm coming after you!
"Why are you doing this?"
"Varden's orders."
"The Varden?" she barely let out. "That's impossible. They know…" she nearly let her identity go. Evelyn took in a large breath before continuing and put more force into this. "I can stop that arrow before it even hits me."
He didn't lower his bow.
"Don't do this. Think of all the things and all the people you are giving up over this stupid risk. Think of your family."
"My family is practically dead." His face shook with fear and anger.
"How?"
"What would an Imperialist like you care for?"
"I am not an Imperialist." She spoke softly even though he rose his voice.
"They are all sick from being used as slave labors to build Teirm's great navel fleet."
Evelyn lowered her head in understanding and sadness. This boy who, like his family and many others, has been starved and worked nearly to death built up enough courage for this risky and idiotic plan. Armed with only a bow and arrow Evelyn hated to think what would happen if he ran into Murtagh first.
Evelyn raised her head when she heard him lower his bow. "Go. I will speak with Lord Risthart over this matter. I will make an order of it. I understand your pain, I was once though that." That was a lie but if it got him to leave then so be it. "Go and if you are stopped say that I sent for you and have a safe return."
….
Evelyn straightened herself out from a landing crouch. She corrected the pack on her back and pulled her hood further down over her forehead and eyes. Her face was nearly all hidden; the mask covered her eyes and her hooded cloak came up high enough to cover her chin and mouth.
Inside her pack were several animal skins of water and basic medicine, medicine she had been taught by Murtagh on how and when to use. She moved away from the citadel and to the coastal housing, paying close attention to the dark alley-ways.
All way well and all went well. She eventually found the workers holdings. Inside were many, many ill, which saddened her naturally. She swiftly placed the water skins, medicine and food in various spots around the housings. Evelyn avoided being seen, commotion was something she especially did not want, it could get her caught.
She hoped when she snuck out it would be enough.
Evelyn's back was lighter without the heavy pack on it, allowing her to move more freely. She still stayed close to shadows and alleys between the tall buildings, avoiding fire torches and moonlight.
There was a faint whosh over her head. Evelyn looked up, the sound flew over the roof above her but all she saw were little white stars and the moon.
What the—
Evelyn come back now, leave it be. Velox called for her but she ignored him.
She heard it again but this time saw it too but had no idea what it was. A little flash of light flew through the air, over the rooftops, some 20 – thirty feet above, heading in the direction she just came from. Again but this time more, Evelyn caught glimpses of them through the cracks between buildings and roofs.
They were arrows, arrows lit on fire.
A hard knock went to his door and the guard pushed it open, no time for formalities this was an emergency. "Milord." The guard called with urgency with him up but Murtagh was already up and dressed and was latching his belt to his waist and heading for the door.
"I know."
Evelyn climbed up the side of a tall building to its roof. It was strange that the arrows were coming form inland instead from the sea. Perhaps they were under attack and the fire lit arrows were defensive but she did not see any or hear any such attack.
Vast volleys of fire arrows lit the sky above with flashes of red as she continued to climb the side. The bright moon faintly lit up nearby objects. Evelyn moved slowly as to not to draw attention to herself.
Finally reaching the top she looked in the direction the arrows headed. She was shocked. Outlined figures of burning ships glowed in red and yellow, smoke rose from the harbor.
"They are burning the fleet." She whispered in amazement and shock. She spun around towards the archers to see them. From what she could tell they too were seated on higher rooftops but no arrow came from the same spot twice.
Velox, it's fantastic. Do you see it?
Yes. This is a great blow to the Empire. Do you think they are Varden?
I don't know and I don't think I can get close enough to ask before they try to kill me.
You best leave. No doubt guards will be sent out.
She leapt from one roof to the next. Yells and screams came from harbor, small figures could be seen dousing the flames with water and few were using magic.
"They are on the roof top, sir." A guard explained the situation to Murtagh.
"Scatter your men. I want them found, search everywhere. Find them and bring them to me. Go!" he ordered.
Evelyn continued her roof hopping, wishing the citadel wasn't so far, though she could clearly see all its details now. The fiery ships glowed like a setting sun on the horizon. Getting to the citadel was becoming considerably harder as the guards were passing in growing numbers. Each time a searching troop passed she froze still, hiding behind any structure on that roof.
Evelyn pressed her back tightly to a chimney for cover. She tilted her head just over the edge enough to see a small band of guards carry out given orders, following down each alleyway. She grew increasingly anxious when she soon spotted some scouring the very rooftops she was hopping.
A force blew her from her seat and she cried out. Unable to stick into the stone chimney was an arrow lying right in front of her. She looked up to the direction from where the arrow came; a guard with an arrow.
"Ah!" she dove sideways before he could shoot her again and landed on her side. "Thrysta vindr." A gust of air knocked the man over, allowing Evelyn the time to get up and regain herself.
She jumped from the roof to the ground forming a large ball of air between herself and the solid ground to soften the fall. Despite her expert landing she still let out a yelp of fear.
Just when she picked herself up off the ground another figure pass the alleyway she jumped into.
"Oh no." she let out at the sight of Murtagh. She threw her hand up and yelled; "Hlíf lóga eimi!"
Murtagh hurried to the alleyway and looked in. He was lightened at the sight; it was that thief with the owl mask. He took notice of Murtagh and defensively used magic to cover himself in smoke and fog.
"Hrekja eimi" Murtagh said easily with a wave of his hand. It was done just in time to catch the thief turn a corner. Murtagh went in pursuit.
As he chased, Murtagh tried to make contact with the thief's mind and fight him. A battle he was confident he would win. But he could not find the thief's mind in the first place.
When in close and view rang, Murtagh shot a force that knocked the thief over. He came close and aimed a shot at him but the thief rolled quickly out the way. Murtagh slammed his foot down fast onto the thief's cloak making the man utter a horrible guttural choking sound. This promptly forced the man to unfasten his cloak.
Now the thief wasn't so hidden; Murtagh could see no weapons, but that didn't mean he didn't have any and now bit of the lower half of his face was visible. Murtagh pulled Zar'roc out and attack the now cloakless man.
But each swing was repelled with a strong force field of air as the thief jumped out of range. "Fight!" Murtagh yelled in annoyance. The reason why this thief was surviving was because he was so elusive.
The thief then blasted himself in the air and landed a few feet away. Murtagh watch him and was watched by him. Even now Murtagh tried to break into the thief's mind but he still could not find it. There wasn't even a block against attacks.
The man separated shaky hands very slowly, between them formed a stream of fire, of liquid fire. Murtagh readied himself. Just as Murtagh was going to offensively attack, the stream of fire spun around the thief and launched at him in such a way it looked like a red snake of fire jumped at him.
Murtagh again easily blocked the attack, but wasn't entirely ready for a flash of white light. It had its effectiveness and blinded Murtagh momentarily.
When he regained himself he found the man had disappeared. The fire whip and the light worked their effectiveness and the thief got away.
Murtagh cursed loudly at this.
Evelyn made it to her room. She immediately hid the mask and switched her clothes. She was horribly exhausted from those spells. She checked herself in the mirror; on her neck was a faint red line from where she was shortly choked, it even hurt to swallow though she knew it would disappear by morning and she knew she would have bruises all over.
She quickly fell asleep, despite Velox's chiding.
The next morning she made way to the place she was called to. She had already eaten breakfast in her room and thankfully all her bruise and cut were hidden by clothing. The visible ones, she healed.
She waited in the throne room with Lord Risthart. Risthart was fuming anxiously bumbling about but Evelyn played no attention.
Murtagh entered with an angry face, obviously. She would be surprised if he wasn't and was humming a happy tune. Basing her idea on his current state, she wondered how angry he would get if he knew it was her he was fighting last night.
"Milord! I am so sorry." Lord Risthart slumped from his throne onto the ground in a pitiful way and cowered before Murtagh. "We will find who is responsible." Evelyn grimaced at the pathetic display.
"Get up." He ordered the lord with a cold and displeased voice and then spun to Evelyn. "Where were you? " he demanded loudly as he towered closely over her.
"I was asleep." She spoke lightly and to the point.
"Asleep?" his eyes narrowed.
"Yes. Night is usually the time where I aim to sleep." She said smartly but backed down when she realized how close he was to edge. "I didn't hear anything and no one came to wake me."
His eyes narrowed and surveyed her; he was studying her, seeing if she was lying. Evelyn eyed him back, portraying anger on her face and acting insulted that he would accuse her.
Though he kept an eye on her to see if her composure would change, he directed his attention to Risthart. "Narda and Kuasta have also built multiple fleets. Galbatorix will still be very disappointed. He has yet to decide your fate." Murtagh turned and left sharply.
"Wait!" Evelyn called after him and followed him down the hall before he turned around to her. "What, what will they do to him?" He did not reply but remained cold. "It was not his fault, he was attacked. It isn't just."
"He failed to defend His Majesty's property."
Evelyn stepped back from his frankness. "How can you say that?"
He didn't answer her but instead ordered her to pack her things and ready herself as they where returning to Uru'baen.
Never thinks for anyone else. Just himself. She thought, appalled.
She avoided speaking with him on the return trip and flew at a decent distance.
When she returned to Uru'baen regained certain normality. Her time was split up regularly. She had schooling and teachings with Murtagh, something that took up most of the day. Each day she improved her skills at the sword and offensive fighting, though her strong suite was defensive.
Her nights were occupied with her missions carried out as the owl masked thief. She kept her little escapades less grand than her pervious ones. One night she ran into a wanted poster of herself.
'Armed and Dangerous'. This made her smile. "Hardly," she said and tore the poster off the wall and crumpled it. Still she took pride in being called dangerous. She was a menace to the empire, even if it was a small one and even though she worked for the empire.
Much didn't change, though Marcus had taken a strong liking to her and tired to spend time with her.
He was a kind man, and very flirtatious. He had a fine sense of art and the political court. In other words, he was skilled at influencing others and was clever with his words. Something he had to be as his power and placement were always under threat because his father could barely hold down his throne as lord of Dras'Leona, which his sister has to marry well.
Evelyn and Marcus walked slowly through the stone cloister. Large rays of light covered the stone walkway in front of them and bathed them in soft flashes of light.
"My sister and I would like your company at dinner tonight, if you do not already have a previous engagement, of course."
"Your sister?" she could hardly believe Asteria would want her to join for supper.
"It is hard to believe," he chuckled. "Would it be more believable if I said; I, and only I, would like your company tonight…and Asteria may or may not show up?"
She agreed easily and he smiled cheerfully.
The three met in Marcus's room, smaller one than Evelyn's but much more decorated than hers. She was informed that Murtagh was supposed to come but refused.
"Probably because I'm here." Evelyn joked lightly thinking none of it.
"Probably." Asteria retorted coldly.
Why Asteria was so obsessed with Murtagh was something that Evelyn just couldn't wrap her head around. She knew Asteria needed a husband but didn't she think she was aiming a little high? There must be plenty of other men that are a little more reasonable. He was handsome, she'd give him that, and she was pretty too, so that is understandable but…personality? Morals?
How could she get over that? Well, they're both alike, she guessed. Annoying, snobbish, cold, and arrogant and above all else, shared a certain dislike for me. She may be able to look over all that but Evelyn could, would never, ever overcome his pride and apathetic behavior.
…..
Murtagh walked his normal pace, though to anyone else they would see a man of just 20 walking with right posture and a level head. He was aiming for his room but slowed when he noticed someone was just a head of him.
"It's ridiculous brother." A sharp female's voice continued.
"Yes, well you will have to wait."
"I cannot! I haven't the patience." She whipped at the man.
Murtagh recognized the voices; Marcus of Dras-Leona and his younger sister Asteria. He rounded the corner slowly and the couple startled at him.
"Friend." Marcus said in a breath.
"Marcus, Lady Asteria." He thought of titling his head out of politeness but the thought was fleeting and Marcus spoke anyway, interrupting.
"My sister has been hounding me constantly of your absence." Marcus smiled and Asteria hid her face in mock embarrassment. Murtagh held himself from rolling his eyes and pointing out her childish behavior. Small talk and idle conversations did little to nothing for him.
"She feels the reason you didn't come was because of Lady Evelyn."
"Marcus!" she yelped with bashfulness.
"The presence of Lady Evelyn does not vex me." Murtagh said plainly, in a flat tone.
"I cannot say she thinks likewise of you." Asteria putted out.
"So I'm aware of," his tone remaining the same.
"Well, Marcus dear, has been spending a considerable amount of time with her. We should let him be the judge." She spun her little blond head to her brother and with a coy smile asked; "How has your time with our dear friend Lady Evelyn?"
Murtagh did not have the time for this. Asteria's antics were frivolous and she must be so naïve to put so much time and effort into socials. Is she not aware of what was going on? There are more important things to deal with, other than insulting another.
"Oh, what an enjoyable creature, I must say. She is quite amusing. She speaks so strangely." Marcus said sweetly. Murtagh never trusted Marcus, something did not settle right with him.
"Yes, amusing." Asteria forcefully chuckled.
"And handsome." Marcus continued.
"Really," she unconvincingly smiled, "Lord Morzansson, your opinion? After all my is already well known."
"She can be very troublesome, I find." He answered.
"Well, I for one must confess that I could never see any beauty in her. She's a skinny girl, no womanly traits at all, looks boyish, the way her hair is cut. Her face and nose are too thin; her complexion is weathered, bronzed skin," she scoffed. "Completely intolerable, for a woman of her status. One would think she is a peasant boy! Can hardly find a handsome feature on her. Lacks character. Tolerable, perhaps, but that's all."
"You are so blatant with your opinion. Perhaps you are being too harsh with your judgment."
"Lord Morzansson, one might assume."
"What might one assume?" he kept his face in check.
"As you are so confident there is an attractive feature on her, pray, do tell us where it may be hiding." She smiled and bobbed flirtatiously.
"Asteria!" Marcus scolded her.
Murtagh frowned. He wasn't entirely sure what Asteria's plan was but he was sure he had enough. His patience was becoming apparent. With that he took his leave still aiming to make it to his room.
However, again he heard more footsteps, but this time it was Evelyn.
She held a small book in her hands and was immersed in it, she hadn't noticed him. She paced back and forth in front of one of the stained windows. It cast a warm glow into the hallway which she passed over, covering herself in the orangey light.
Murtagh recognized the book, it was a little one he had already read, and she must have gotten it from the library. It was a small but in depth descriptions of various species of dragon with excellent diagrams and fairths depicting them. He knew she couldn't read that kind of script, so he took it as the attraction of the pictures.
She spun and now faced him but her attention was still in the fabric bound book. Only then did she take notice of him. She stood still for a moment, perhaps in shock from someone stumbling in on her privacy. Her bookmark slipped and fell out of the book; she retrieved her attention to pick it up.
"Lord Morzansson." There was no reason to raise her voice in the quiet place.
"Good evening."
She waited, maybe politely to see if he would say anything else. But when neither of them did Evelyn took the lead to leave. "I suppose I should be going; it's getting late." Murtagh nodded. She passed him quickly and hurried down the hall. Murtagh, with atypical interest looked over his shoulder at her leave. She glided and tapped her fingers along the stone walls as she passed.
Murtagh frowned at himself.
Ohhh notice the lightening over the desert? Something's afoot!
Any questions? Opinions? I listen to 'em!
READ!
So I don't own any one. All characters I use are real and are in the book. (Except tilda, Asteria and marcus). Risthart is in the actual book and is the lord of Teirm. So im surprised at how well im story fits with the actual book. I must say im doing one bitchen plot line. Don't believe me? Compare on inheriwiki!
Im actually trying really hard to get the facts right and have my story compatible with the actual one, which is partially the reason why im so slow. (making the plot woot!)
******Also I have started a new story: Sins of Our Fathers. It is about Galbatorix's life, childhood and all. You should really check it out. Ive got the whole plot planned out for it.
