Chapter 12

How did your duel go? Asked Thorn.

Murtagh sighed. He was so tired, he just responded verbally. "I purposelessly pounded a tortured child for no reason."

Thorn was confused. And, why would you do that? Thorn was satisfied that his voice (as usual) had calmed Murtagh down significantly. He had that effect on most people. He had a deep, melodious voice that he was proud of, but not overmuch.

"Because he fought like a Shade. I assumed that he was a spy. Evidently, he was just a poor child that had been abducted as an infant, and trained by a Shade. He escaped eventually, destroying the rebellion's base in the process."

But why did you damage him so? Certainly, you could have found a way to immobilize him without harm.

"I was angry with him."

Why? I am tired of repeating myself, Murtagh.

"Because…"

Answer me, Murtagh.

"Because he cut off my pants."

The idea was so preposterous to Thorn, he just found himself laughing.

I must meet this boy! What else did he do?

"He made me look like a fool in front of my-" Thorn realized that Murtagh had been about to say, "My students."

"-Eragon's students!"

It sounds like someone is beginning to grow fond of these hatchlings. Thorn teased.

Murtagh blushed, embarrassed. "You seem to be getting along with the dragons quite well too, and you are looking at some of the females as if they are an oasis after being stranded in the Hadarac Desert for a year." Murtagh teased back.

Thorn was embarrassed now, his tail twitching, a dragon's version of blushing. Preposterous. They're all too young.

"That didn't stop Arya, or Saphira, or Solembum, or-"

Thorn loosed a small jet of fire at Murtagh. It didn't reach him, but it did warn him.

Murtagh let out a small yelp, as he was unaccustomed to dragon fire.

"Why did you do that?"

You were trying my patience.

Murtagh sighed. "You dragons, one small blow to your pride and you tear the perpetrator to shreds. I will never get used to you."

Nor I to two-legs. We should confer with Tyrande and Malfurion's dragons, let them know what happened.

"You promise that you will not let them eat me?"

Thorn chuckled, amused. No, I will not. This will be interesting, as I've only spoken to them, never met them.

"Well, here's your chance. And please try to avoid looking on Niernen with lust. Islingr may try to blind you."

How would Islingr blind me?

"Malfurion told me that Islingr's scales were luminescent, and not just in the light. They glow." Explained Murtagh.

That is odd. Thorn observed.

"Just wait until you see what Niernen can do."

Oh?

Murtagh smiled. "You'll see."

Thorn huffed, but did not protest. He did wonder, however, What can Niernen do?

After walking through the fields for a time, and flying up the rock face of the Rider's mountain, Murtagh told Thorn to stop.

"We're here." Said Murtagh. Just then, Thorn and Murtagh noticed to smaller dragons flying towards them. One didn't seem to do anything special, but the other one, Thorn recognized as Islingr, stayed true to his name. He didn't just glow, he looked like the night sky. Bright patterns and swirls decorated his luminescent scales, constantly shifting and spinning, and his eyes were constantly changing color. Green, red, purple, blue, yellow, silver, gold; all of these colors flashed within his irises in a matter of seconds.

Why do you change color, hatchling? Thorn asked Islingr.

Islingr laughed. How should I know, Thorn-elda? I was born like this.

Thorn was intrigued. What color is your fire?

In response, Islingr let loose a tongue of jet black fire.

Interesting, what color is your rider's magic? Asked Thorn.

Black as well.

The other dragon landed. She (Thorn knew a "she" when he saw one) didn't seem as remarkable as her brother. She was a light blue color, the color of aquamarine, but more opaque.

You told me that she was special too. Thornsaid to Murtagh.

"She is. Watch." Just then, The female dragon opened her mouth, and looked as if she was about to loose a jet of flame, but her throat did not glow. Instead of flame, an arc of lighting flew from her maw, and caused a boulder to erupt into a rain of pebbles.

How does she do this? Asked Thorn, broadcasting his quizzicality to every mind within ten leagues.

You could always ask me, you know. Asked the female dragon, Niernen, in a voice similar to his, only feminine.

Well then, how?

Her tail swung back and forth, playfully. I don't know. She said, obviously provoking him. Thorn instantly believed that he had found his mate, but did not show it.

Murtagh sensed his feelings, but was surprised that he found love, and not lust.

You actually want to get to know this dragon? Not just mate with her? Murtagh asked incredulously.

Yes. Responded Thorn, honestly.

Murtagh laughed. Well that's a first.