Beta-reader: Dragonblooded
"Dras-Leona, really? Are you sure about this?" asked Eragon hesitantly. It was obvious he was not fond of the city. It reminded him of Brom's death, and the twisted religion which ruled there.
His brother nodded, looking fully certain. They searched the place and managed to find Murtagh's sword Zar'roc. The Blue Rider looked at it, torn. The Red Rider lifted his eyebrow and extended his hand for the sword expectantly.
"I want to find her just as badly as you. Have some faith." Murtagh would have liked to think he did not sound desperate when he said that.
"In you? Don't be ridiculous," Eragon spat back.
There was a tense silence between them until Murtagh broke it. "I can give you an oath in the ancient language." He waited for Eragon to nod and then swore, "I am going to help you find and capture her, and I will not cause you any troubles or harm."
Eragon bit his lip, uncertain. He looked to Saphira. He could still betray us. The ancient language is not perfect.
Saphira levelled her head with his and blinked at him with her huge deep-blue eye. When has trusting Murtagh ever been a mistake? We both know you missed him dearly. Why not try to reconnect? You can start by trusting him, but do not turn your back to him. Stay cautious.
The Blue Rider thought it over for a while. Then, he turned back to Murtagh and nodded, handing over Zar'roc. He gave his brother a stern look anyway. The Red Rider took the sword gratefully, appearing a bit more complete with it at his side.
As Eragon expected, the first hole in the ancient language appeared very soon. Despite promising not to cause any troubles, they hit their first issue before they even took off. Saphira had lowered herself so they could climb up on her back. Eragon started to climb into the seat, when Murtagh said, "I am not sitting in the front." He looked to him defiantly and crossed his arms over his chest.
The Blue Rider looked at him speechless. His brother just sighed and continued. "I am not sitting in between your legs. That is a lady's place. You take it. Besides, I am older and taller."
"What? But this is my dragon." At that, Saphira growled dangerously, and both of them eyed her cautiously. Eragon slowly murmured, "Well, I am Saphira's Rider, and as such, I am sitting in the saddle, and not in the 'lady's place'." Eragon formed mocking air quotes. They argued for another few minutes, until Saphira cut the knot and silenced them both, and they did not dare defy her. Murtagh ended up sitting in the front.
The snow storm raged around them, whipping against Saphira, until she managed to ascend above it. The air there was so cold Eragon had to cast a warming spell. His brother offered him his energy vaults, but he was refused.
Although still grumpy, Murtagh eventually brought himself to speak. "So," he started carefully after the long silence. "Is Thorn alright?" The question had been itching at him for ages.
His brother stiffened slightly behind him. Murtagh became immediately anxious. "Well," Eragon began slowly, "The ice saved him from bleeding out, but when I was leaving Ellesméra...he was unconscious, but mostly healed. We have been expecting him to would wake any day."
The Red Rider fought with his pride for a while, but in the end, he thanked Eragon, and it helped melt the wall between them. Slowly, they slid into a comfortable conversation, reminding them both of their common past.
Saphira flew quickly, sometimes only floating through the air, carried by the wind. In a short time, they were closing in on Dras-Leona. Throughout their entire flight, Murtagh had held onto the tiny string playing an anchor for their target. He told Saphira to fly a bit more east. Marzanna was not in Dras-Leona yet.
They found a somewhat safe spot in a forest east of Helgrind, where Saphira landed during the night, hidden from prying eyes. The snow storm covered every piece of land in inches and inches of snow. Trees wore new sparkly white crowns, and everything seemed to hide beneath a snowy duvet. Eragon worried for the lives of the people. This sudden winter would probably cause famine. Wars had been lost before due to famine and scarcity.
Eragon looked to Murtagh, completely focused on his little bond with Marzanna. His eyes were closed in concentration, his expression broken only by a shade of confusion. His eyes quickly snapped open. "I have a terrible feeling this will not be a fair fight."
"Dragon against dragon, we are two riders against one, but she has her special powers. It seems rather even to me," Eragon said. Murtagh just shook his head and remained silent.
"Anyway, I believe they are there." Murtagh pointed through the trees. They could not see where he aimed. Both riders struggled their way through the trees until they pushed aside the last branches and were able to see what stood where Murtagh pointed.
Helgrind.
The blood in Eragon's veins turned colder with every second he stared. Oh, how he hated that place. They observed it silently for a few hours, almost huddled together for warmth. Then, their patience paid off. Just before dawn, four figures emerged in a line, hidden beneath heavy black cloaks. What with the heavy snow, Eragon would have expected them to walk slowly, yet it seemed as if the snow jumped out of their way, easing their path.
Murtagh turned to him and whispered, as if they might hear them from the distance. "It is them."
"Four?"
"Try to check their minds. Marzanna and Boreas both protect their minds. Unlike you." He snickered. Eragon growled lightly and pushed Murtagh into the cold snow.
His brother huffed and moved back to his warmed spot. Eragon rolled his eyes. He opened his mind and carefully, fluidly expanded it towards those four figures. As he had worried, he recognized two of them – Ra'zacs. They walked on either end of the line. In the middle, he felt Marzanna's ice-cold mind, and in front of her, almost protectively, walked… a dragon's mind?
"Boreas – the dragon – is with them, too? How?"
Murtagh shrugged. "I am not sure how the magic works, but he is able to use an ice statue to do his bidding. You can ask her when we capture them."
To that his brother could only nod. They watched the four of them walk to a wall, which at first seemed impenetrable, but they disappeared through a strange entrance. Eragon shot Murtagh a questioning look.
"What? I don't know all the world's secrets. I can get us in the city, but it will be risky. And you won't like how," his brother told him.
Eragon really did not like it, but he found himself standing in a cloak hiding his face right in front of the main gate, a gag in his mouth and a rope around his hands, while Murtagh led him by it to a guard.
"My Lord!" the guard sputtered, completely stunned. "We thought you were taken captive! I will call for servants."
"No," said Murtagh calmly, but sternly. "The King wants people to believe I have been taken captive. The Varden will think we are weakened, and will become more reckless. Besides, I brought this," He spat in fake disgust, pulling on the rope around Eragon's wrist. He staggered a few steps forward.
"What is that?" The guard copied Murtagh's tone.
"A stupid elf. He has some answers for us, but before I deliver him to the king, I need to run some errands here." The Red Rider paused for a while, almost looking lost in thought. "I need of you to stay silent about my presence, or you could ruin my mission. Not a single mention of this, understood?"
The guard suddenly looked like a scared mouse. Murtagh decided to add more fuel to the fire. "If my cover is blown, I will assume it was you who talked too much." He leaned toward to the guard and whispered in a vicious tone, "And I will come for you."
Without a moment of hesitation, the Red Rider led Eragon into the city, slipping in before people began to wake. As soon as they could, they slid into some smaller, better-hidden alley and disappeared into the shadows, where the Red Rider freed his baby brother again.
They walked carefully through the city, following the little anchor inside Murtagh's chest, as he pulled on the string and listened to its quivering. None of them realized where it pulled them, until they stopped next to a three-towered monstrosity. Eragon's face twisted into a furious mask. He muttered, "Not there."
Murtagh pressed his lips into a thin line.
"We should hurry," Eragon told him. "They might be prepared to eat them any second."
"Don't worry. I don't imagine they're thirsty for water, so Boreas a least will be fine." Eragon glared, unamused. They both walked in through a side entrance, each constantly guarding the other's back.
Following Murtagh's string, they managed to get to the catacombs beneath Dras-Leona. They continued slowly, tense and ready for attack. Both swords ready. Eragon watched his surroundings carefully, until he caught what he needed.
There, a few meters away from them, flickered a shadow with a quiet rustling of fabric. The Blue Rider did not hesitate, immediately pursuing the Ra'zac, and ignoring the warning from Murtagh, which was cut off.
Eragon chased after him, sword raised, but the Ra'zac disappeared into the shadows of the dark room and tackled him from the side. Eragon barely had time to push away from its sharp beak. It still grazed his arm slightly. He kicked the Ra'zac in the head to stun him, giving himself time to raise his sword.
Eragon was certain that Brisingr could cut through any magical defences the king had put over the foul creatures. The sword was only a few inches away when the Ra'zac was swept aside. The Blue Rider barely had time to recover before he had to divert an ice sword, facing for the first time Boreas in his ice-form.
They duelled against each other for a time. While they fought, two things crossed Eragon's mind. First, that Boreas was not used to his body or fencing, and the only reason why he was still fending Eragon off was strength and speed. And second, the reality that Boreas was rather reckless.
The Blue Rider could not explain that to himself until he managed to strike Boreas right through his icy leg. The blade went smoothly in, as if he was made of butter rather than ice. But the leg did not shatter, as one would expect, and Boreas did not even show a hint of pain. It scarily reminded Eragon of the soldiers of Galbatorix, who felt nothing.
Before he recovered, he felt a sharp pain in his leg as well. The Ra'zac had awoken and attacked him, freeing Boreas of Eragon. They were protecting each other.
Eragon! Saphira shouted. For the first time, Eragon realized she had a plan as well. She had gone into Helgrind. An image shot to the front of Eragon's mind. She stood right in front of a seemingly sleeping white dragon. Without any warning, she swung her tail and attacked him.
While the Blue Rider was distracted, Boreas had prepared to stab him with his sword, but he froze in place. The strange light inside his eyes went out as his mind was transported to his real body, which was under siege.
The Ra'zac screeched angrily. "You won't harrrrm massssterssss!" Determined, he hit Eragon in the chest, sending him flying onto his back, and then disappeared into the shadows, taking ice-Boreas with him.
The Blue Rider panted for a few seconds, black spots clouding in his vision. He rubbed his chest and with a quick spell healed his leg. He was getting glimpses from Saphira, who was now in a huge fight with a white dragon. They rolled through Helgrind, the mountain rumbling loudly underneath them.
So much for keeping a low profile.
+BREAK+
"Eragon, wa-!" Murtagh began, but was interrupted as something slammed him into a wall. A cold forearm pressed against his throat, controlling his breath. In a matter of seconds, he was crushed against the wall by a layer of ice.
"How?" The Red Rider stared into the palest eyes he had ever seen. Despite her threatening presence, he felt the little bond in his chest grow stronger. A sense of happiness washed over him. He wanted so badly to hold her closer and renew their lost bond. "I knew it was a mistake to leave you alive. Boreas tried to convince me to kill you. I should have!"
"You should have," Murtagh agreed, staying calm. He tried to save his air. Even though the forearm pressed tightly against him was restricting his airways, he felt his skin tingle where she touched him. "And I should be mad at you for what you did."
She lightened the pressure on him. For a moment, she seemed regretful, but then a frown appeared on her face again. "Why? I set you free of that spell. You could have gone and found your dragon, yet you decided to go with Eragon on a hunt after me? Return to your bloody king and get out of my way," she growled.
"Eragon had a better offer."
"Such as?"
"Your presence. He was going to go after you anyway," Murtagh said too gently for someone being held against a wall. He watched the realization slowly creep over her face.
The ice retreated from where she put her hand over Murtagh's chest. For the first time, the Red Rider tried to free himself from her grip, wanting to cradle and protect the thin, disappearing thread. "No, don't! Stop!" Murtagh shouted. He closed his eyes, almost as if expecting pain.
None came, but the happiness inside him disappeared, as did Marzanna's presence. He opened his eyes and saw Eragon holding his arm around her neck, her back pressed to his front. He looked torn, almost as if he regretted hurting her. Murtagh noted that for himself for later use.
"Hello to you, too, Eragon," she stammered breathlessly. She tried to free herself from his grip, but he was stronger. When he did not answer, she continued, "I am glad to see you as well. You should have not come after me."
As she finished the sentence, something came flying towards Eragon's head from the darkness. It was stopped by his shields, but another few followed, and he felt as they drained his energy. As he tried to avoid them, his grip on her grew weaker, and she managed to escape. She stomped on his foot in the process, but staggered and fell on her behind.
Eragon used that time and copied his attackers. He hid in the shadows and used his hearing and night vision to slowly get closer to them. One Ra'zac carefully held the ice-statue, while the other held a crossbow and searched for him in the dark.
The Blue Rider used the moment of surprise and swung at the armed Ra'zac, It reacted with inhuman speed, blocking him with the crossbow. It continued to parry for a few seconds, until the crossbow broke into pieces, as it did not stand a chance against Brisingr. With nothing to protect himself, the Ra'zac was vulnerable.
Eragon prepared to cut off the Ra'zac's head as it screeched loudly, almost deafening the Blue Rider. A white sword stopped the blue blade.
With a betrayed look, Eragon started at Marzanna, who watched him with a stone-cold mask, prepared to fight for the monsters' lives. "How can you? They killed my family!" Eragon shouted, shocked. He still paid attention to his surroundings. He fully realized he was outnumbered.
Marzanna pushed against him with her full force, making him stagger. But he kept his balance, lifting his sword to block her attack. "You wouldn't understand," she grunted through clenched teeth. Eragon expected to be attacked by the Ra'zacs, but he noted Murtagh had freed himself and distracted both creatures.
The Blue Rider sadly noticed that both of them were dampening their attacks, reluctant to harm the other. Neither of them was advancing on the other. Eragon waited for her to lose concentration. And he did not have to wait long.
Murtagh was about to kill one of the Ra'zacs, when Marzanna looked in their direction with wild eyes. Suddenly, rime appeared beneath the Red Rider's feet and he slipped, soon ready to attack again. "Run!" she shouted to the monsters. "Run, leave us!"
The Ra'zacs almost with holy obedience dropped the ice-statue and disappeared into the halls. Meanwhile Eragon used the moment to thrust the pommel of his sword into Marzanna's belly, forcing an exhale out of her. She stumbled two steps back, directly into Murtagh's arms.
The Red Rider pressed her tightly to himself with everything he had, stopping her struggling. He winced slightly, still privy to the pain he caused her somewhere in his chest. Everywhere their naked skin touched, cold spikes attacked his skin.
Before he could moan out in pain, Eragon jumped to them and with the pommel of his sword hit Marzanna in her temple, immediately sending her towards unconsciousness. At the same moment, Boreas stopped fighting Saphira and yielded to her with a low growl.
Immediately, the Blue Rider whipped out a strange white metallic headband and put it on her head. It was a perfect fit. Murtagh gave his brother a questioning look, but understood when the cold spikes retreated and seemingly melted away, just like the rime in front of them.
The Red Rider lifted Marzanna bridal-style, and Eragon took the ice-statue. Wordlessly, they followed the path down which the Ra'zacs had disappeared. The hall led them directly out of Dras-Leona. Both the Riders realized they had probably attracted attention, so they hurried to Helgrind, where Saphira waited hidden behind some rocks with Boreas grumpily behind her, not daring to fight and endanger his own Rider.
They decided to fly on Boreas, since Saphira wouldn't be able to carry all four figures and keep an eye on the white dragon as well. The Blue Dragoness ended up carrying the ice-statue and Boreas carried Eragon. In front of him, Murtagh cradled Marzanna's limp form to his chest. When she started to slowly come to, the Red Rider put his hand over her eyes and muttered, "Slytha," and sent her to the land of dreams.
He expected to feel some satisfaction, but it instead reminded him more of how she had almost broken their bond and forced him asleep. Any happiness he felt turned to ash in his mouth.
Eragon watched the exchange with unease. "Could you stop touching her? It's inappropriate," he growled at Murtagh, who was caressing Marzanna's face idly.
"Hm?" His older brother looked back at him. "Oh, I don't know. You didn't have a problem with this with Arya, did you?"
The Blue Rider forced back a snappy retort. He guiltily realized that Arya had not been on his mind at all lately. That alarmed him. She was the noble lady he was meant to be with, he recalled from Angela's fortune. His eyes fell back to Marzanna and he swallowed.
Murtagh watched him with a knowing smirk on his face. Eragon scowled and answered, "That was different. She was hurt."
"I am not so sure," Murtagh replied, completely serious. "But she seems to be getting a fever." He wiped off her forehead with his sleeve, looking genuinely worried.
His baby brother shot him a disbelieving look. "Come on. Don't tell me the Lady of Winter is getting a fever."
Murtagh shrugged. After a pause, he retorted, "Anyway, I bet you envy me my 'lady's place' now."
Eragon felt even the tips of his ears go red. In this way they bickered the entire way to Ellesméra, trying to avoid the reality of the slowly deteriorating state of Marzanna.