Thanks once again to all reviewers. No thanks to those who read and don't review, as usual.
Black Magic
Flamecrag Tower perched delicately on the edge of the mountain, hidden from anyone but those standing right before it, as Kalon and Shruikan now were. It was a dark ash-colour, as though it was completely covered in scorch marks, and the roof was smoothly domed.
I do not like it. Shruikan said, his mental tone distressed. He moved closer to Kalon as he scrambled over the loose rocks on the narrow path, sending stones bouncing down the mountainside dizzyingly.
I don't either, dear creature. Kalon said as reassuringly as he could manage. But Talia and Eilara want us to see if we can help Galbatorix, or at least find out what he's up to.
We always have to obey the women. Shruikan moaned, and Kalon laughed and slapped the flank of his dragon affectionately.
There was no door, just a gaping hole in the front of the tower, and beyond it a circular stairway that twined its way up the wall. They ascended, glad that Eilara had agreed to take Galbatorix into the forest so that they could investigate, and after a short while they were standing in the little room that the Ex-Dragon Rider shared with his lover.
An ancient wrought-iron bed draped in new furs dominated the room, and beside it another tightly curled stairway led up to the highest floor. Resting his hand on Shruikan's broad head, Kalon made his way up to the top floor, and when he reached the last step his heart fluttered.
An enormous drawing took up the left wall, a drawing of Aranth, Galbatorix's dead dragon. It was etched onto the wall with magic, for no ink could have brought out the beautiful details of Aranth's silver scales, nor could any mortal pen have crafted the great, intelligent eye that watched them from the wall, sparkling with mischief.
Shruikan made a soft crooning noise in his throat and touched the drawing with his nose. It seemed to shimmer at his touch, though when it stilled it was still just a drawing. Poor soul. Shruikan remarked mournfully. I shall never put you through that.
Hush, my Shruikan, it was not Aranth's fault, she was protecting him. She was beautiful, wasn't she? None of the elders' dragons are quite as lovely as she.
Shruikan dipped his head in sorrow and laid down beside the drawing as Kalon crept around the room, searching for anything unusual that might give away Galbatorix's plan.
He found it in the form of a fresh piece of paper lying amongst the yellowing ones. It was clearly written by Galbatorix, though the writing was shaky, and it said,
I do not like what I am about to do any more than you would, Aranth, but it must be done if I am to find you the proper revenge that you deserve. I will not love the new one even a fraction as much as I did you, and I think it shall hate me, too, but it does not matter now. I cannot just steal an egg, that would not work now. I am no fool, I understand that no dragon would hatch for me now, not after you… but I must have another dragon, if only to save Alagaesia from the Riders' corruption. My heart yearns for you, my beloved, and I will be with you one day.
The bottom half of the paper had been burned off, and the words were blackened with scorch marks, as though someone had been about to burn the paper, but had been interrupted.
It is a message to Aranth, Shruikan… Kalon told his dragon warily. Do you think he has gone mad?
No, there is no insanity in those words. Shruikan mused as he read the letter via Kalon's eyes. He misses her, I suspect it is the only way he can feel he is talking to her. Come now, the contents of the letter are far more important. What does he say? 'I cannot just steal an egg?' then he plans to get a new dragon!
"But how, if he isn't going to steal an egg?" Kalon asked aloud.
Dark magic. Shruikan shivered and scrambled over the scraps of paper and parchment that littered the floor to reach his rider.
"You cannot bond with a dragon that has already hatched." Kalon said, though he sounded uncertain, he led Shruikan back through the tower and out onto the mountain, deciding he no longer wanted to be around Galbatorix's horrible suffering.
Perhaps not, but Galbatorix is an intelligent man, and he seems to think that he can. Maybe Morzan does, too, they were both working on something in the tower that day, remember?
But why…? What do they hope to achieve? A new dragon would only hurt poor Galbatorix more, surely? I know I wouldn't want another dragon if… Kalon stopped short, and they continued the journey back to their cave in silence.