Chap 14 Magic

Kali woke up with Murtagh's arm around her waist. She looked at the window and saw light coming through the sides of the curtains. She gently disentangled herself from him and the covers before she sat up. She changed into her clothes and walked to the curtains. She ripped the curtains open and heard Murtagh groan. "Close them. I need to sleep!"

"You've slept all night!" Kali stated as she opened the door to Marcie's room. Marcie was curled into the warm blankets. "Marcie?" Kali shook her gently, "Wakey, wakey."

Marcie stirred a little and groaned. She opened her eyes and looked around for a second before seeing Kali. "It wasn't a dream?" she asked hopefully.

Kali smiled, "No. It wasn't a dream. Now, come on. Let's get you changed and go to breakfast." Marcie jumped up and started to change into the shirt and trousers beside the bed. Kali went back to the room and pulled the covers off Murtagh. "GET UP!!"

Murtagh sat up with blurry eyes and reached for the clothes by the bed. Marcie ran into the room just as he was putting on his trousers. Her cheeks coloured slightly but she didn't comment. She jumped onto the bed, the necklace from last night swinging wildly. "You slept with the necklace?" Murtagh asked.

Marcie looked down, "Oh! I forgot to take it off!" she reached up to remove it.

"No, leave it on. Actually," Kali bent down and took the sapphire in her hand. It glowed slightly before turning back to normal, "never take it off. It will tell me if you're in danger or you need me." She hugged her new daughter. Marcie kissed her cheek.

"Come on, daddy!"

Murtagh was just standing up when she said that. He stumbled and fell to the ground. Kali and Marcie burst out laughing. He grumbled as he stood up again, "What?"

"She said, 'come on, daddy'. You are her father now," Kali smiled. Murtagh stared at both of them for a second before smiling widely. "And I agree with her. Hurry up!" Murtagh shook his head and they started walking to the dining room. When they got there they saw an extra chair at the table. "Looks like we're not going to get kicked out," she stated.

Marcie giggled and sat down in the spare chair. Kali and Murtagh sat down as Eragon and Luka came in. "Looks like someone's staying," Luka laughed as Marcie grabbed some food.

"We noticed. Eragon, the oranges would help but don't have them on an empty stomach," Kali stated. Eragon nodded and reached for a roll. After stuffing it in his mouth he grabbed an orange. "What do we see in men?" she asked Luka.

"I have no clue," she replied looking at Eragon. The men looked at each other and shrugged before going back to shoving food in their mouths. "So what are we going to do today?"

"Ask Kali," Galbatorix answered as he came in, "I'm not teaching today." Luka looked at Kali hopefully.

"I guess I can," Kali smiled, "But we're having company," she looked at Marcie. Her eyes widened. There was an apple floating her way and landed on Marcie's plate. No one had noticed a thing. "Marcie?" Kali whispered leaning closer to her. She looked up, "How did that apple get there?"

"Daddy said magic was ok last night," she whispered sheepishly.

Kali smiled, "Its fine, sweetie." Everyone looked at her. "Mother, daughter secret!" Marcie giggled slightly. "Murtagh, why don't you train with Eragon and I train with Luka? I can teach her sword fighting and...I don't know what you guys can do. Marcie will come with me."

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Kali, Luka and Marcie made their way to the Dragon Tower as Murtagh and Eragon went to the training fields. "Why are we going to the tower if you're supposed to teach me how to sword fight?" Luka asked.

"You'll see," Kali said mysteriously as she opened the door to Eragon's room. She closed the door after they had come in and started looking at the books on the wall. When she had found the right one, she pulled it out.

"A book?"

"Not just any book. A key to the trap door under the bed," Kali smiled. Luka stared at her unbelievingly, "Check if you want."

Luka glared at her and bent down beside the bed before looking under it. "Oh, my..." she looked at Kali, "Does he know? What's it for? How are we going to use it?"

"No, he doesn't, for nothing and going down," Kali laughed. She took Marcie's hand and led her to the bed, "Do you want to go down with me?" Marcie nodded. They went under the bed and wiggled to the opening in the floor. She placed Marcie in front of her and slid down the tube. Luka heard Marcie and Kali laughing all the way down. "Luka, come on! It's not that bad!"

Luka hesitated before following. The slide slid vertically down. Luka screamed as she felt air around her and plummeted straight down. She closed her eyes until she felt herself hit something soft. Kali and Marcie were laughing hysterically across the huge room. The walls had several swords, daggers, long knives that gleamed with the light from the fire brackets on the walls. They shone brilliantly and looked very sharp.

"How do you like the room?" Kali asked as she stopped laughing. In the centre of the room was an area specially for fighting. Around the walls, under the knives, were places to leave belongings while they practiced or to sit and watch. "I know it's not very elegant but to teach you, you need to concentrate and I don't want any distractions."

"Ok," Luka replied meekly.

"Marcie, go and sit over there," she said pointing to a cushion on the floor by the wall. Luka stepped into the training area and Kali threw her a wooden sword. She caught it. "Now, I'll show you a few basic things and we'll see how it goes from there."

Kali showed her how to hold the sword properly and the moves to defend herself. After an hour, Kali said, "I'm going to attack you. I want to see if what I said sunk in." Kali swung the sword just as the words left her mouth. Instinctively, Luka brought it up to defend herself. Kali did several attacks, Luka blocking each one. "Good," Kali stated as she disarmed Luka. "Let's work on how not to lose your sword."

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Murtagh and Eragon walked in that evening looking like they had been run over by a herd of horses. Kali, Luka and Marcie were chatting about different things already eating. They turned when they heard the door open. Kali and Luka chuckled. Kali opened her mouth.

"Don't," they both said warningly. She held her hands up in surrender.

"Mummy? Are you going to teach me what you taught auntie?" Marcie asked as she reached for the glass of water.

"When auntie learns everything, then I'll teach you," Kali replied, "You boys enjoyed your day?"

"No," Murtagh huffed as he reached for some chicken, "We did nothing new and Eragon started going on and on about something."

"I was not the one mooning about were Luka and Kali were," Eragon shot back, "I swear, you were more out of it than I was!"

"That is not true!"

"BOYS!" both of them stopped and looked at Kali, "Enough."

"Up to where have you gotten to?" Murtagh asked.

"The fantastic art of double swords," Kali smirked.

Murtagh started choking on what he was eating. "What?! You have got to be kidding! You can't learn everything like normal sword fighting in one day!"

"It's not the first day!" Luka stated angrily, "You're just a bad teacher that has no patience! With Kali I can actually understand what she's saying!"

"Shall I leave?" Kali suggested. No one answered her but they all shut up and ate in silence. Galbatorix walked in when Kali and Marcie had finished.

"Do I want to know?" he asked as he sat down.

"I don't think so," Kali replied. She looked around the table, "I was wondering, how about you practice flying tomorrow? Okapi is old and strong enough to carry Luka. They both have to learn."

"What about Marcie?" Murtagh asked.

"She can come with me," Kali smiled.

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They woke up early the next day. Once everyone was ready, they saddled the dragons and mounted them. Marcie held on to Kali's neck as she turned into a dragon. She sat up, holding onto one of her spikes.

"Isn't it better if she was in a saddle?" Eragon asked.

There is no need for one, Kali replied. She opened her wings and took off, Marcie laughing as they gained altitude. Eragon, Murtagh and Luka followed with Saphira, Thorn and Okapi. Kali flew around them while they 'attacked' each other, Marcie loving the feeling of flying.

After a half an hour Kali asked, Marcie? Do you want to try something? Talk in your head so I can hear you.

What are we going to do? Marcie asked.

Do you trust me? She felt her nod. Kali turned upside-down and Marcie started falling through the air towards the ground. Instead of feeling scared, Marcie felt terrifically happy. She opened her arms and let the air calm her down.

"KALI!"

Kali watched as Marcie enjoyed the air around her. She saw Murtagh, Eragon and Luka rush to Marcie. Wait. Watch. The dragons stopped their rapid speed and they all watched as Marcie grew closer and closer to the ground. Just as she was metres from the ground, she turned so her back was to the ground and suddenly stopped. Kali heard everyone's sigh of relief.

Who stopped her? Thorn asked.

No one. She stopped herself, Kali replied as she flew down to Marcie. Her daughter giggled as she flew just under her and she sat back on her, grabbing onto one of the spikes. You tired?

Not really. Can I do that again?! Marcie asked excitedly.

No once was enough. Kali flew up to the others. I'm going to take Marcie back.

But-!

Marcie, listen to your mother! Murtagh ordered.

Yes, daddy, she replied as Kali turned and flew back to the castle.

Kali landed in the Dragon Tower and changed back into herself. Marcie looked very sorry. "Marcie, no ones angry. Well, they are," Marcie looked up, scared, "But not at you; at me. I knew you weren't going to get hurt. They're angry at me for not telling them. Don't worry," Kali smiled, "I won't let anyone hurt you." Marcie smiled. "Maybe we can do that again, but not with anyone, yeah?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" she jumped excitedly. Kali picked her up and walked to Eragon's room.

"Do you want me to teach you what I showed auntie Luka yesterday?" Marcie nodded excitedly.

Just as they passed the window in Eragon's room to open the trap door, Kali sensed someone entering the city with a lot of power. Pushing it to one side, she opened the trap door and they made their way down to the secret training room.

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"Did you sense anything strange today?" Kali asked when she and Marcie arrived at dinner.

"No," Galbatorix stated.

"Us neither," Eragon replied.

"Huh, funny. I did. Someone with a hell of a lot of power entered the castle. Much more power that what any of your magicians have," she said looking at Galbatorix, "It was five, six hours ago possibly."

"Do you think it's someone from the Varden?" Luka asked.

"Not a Varden magician but maybe an elf. Eragon, do you know any elf that can get in without being noticed too much?" Kali asked.

He thought for a second, "The males would cause too much suspicion and the only one I know that is female and close enough to Uru'Baen is Arya. But I don't see why she would be here."

"Neither do I," she mused, "but as far as we know, they're not here by coincidence."

"You think they'll try something?"

At that moment, Marlon flew in through one of the windows with a roll of paper in his claws. He landed in front of Kali and dropped it. He flew away as Kali opened it. "I don't think," she stated as she read the letter, "I know they will."

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Kali lay awake. Beside her, she could tell Murtagh was to. It was dark outside and it had been for a few hours. She knew something was going to happen, she could feel it, but she didn't know what. "I don't want to leave her by herself," she whispered.

"Neither do I," he replied quietly. Kali slowly got out of the bed and went into Marcie's room. She saw her sitting up, playing with the little stuffed lamb Kali had found in her chest. It used to be hers when she was smaller but had hidden it thinking someone might have found it and laughed at her.

"Marcie?"

"I can't sleep," she murmured, "I'm scared."

Kali gently picked her up and walked back to her room. She placed Marcie in the middle of the bed beside Murtagh and blew out the candle from both of the rooms. She got into the bed on Marcie's other side. She felt her cuddle up to her.

Kali felt Marcie drift off to sleep after a few minutes. She looked at Murtagh. "What do you think they're going to do?" he whispered.

"Try something that will weaken us or destroy us but I can't say what. All I can tell you is that they are desperate if they want to try something like this. No one's crazy enough to try if they think they can win without doing this." Outside, the storm that had been growing overhead for the day, broke and the rain instantly started to come down in torrents.

"Kali," Murtagh said softly.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't stop it. You know the storms are made by emotions not by wanting to," she replied, "I'm just...scared they'll try something really bad."

"Nothing's going to happen," he reassured.

"I'll believe it if this night finishes without any catastrophe happening."

They fell silent again. No matter how much she wanted to, Kali couldn't sleep. They both looked at Marcie as she slept soundly. Although she didn't sleep, she fell into a sort of doze but she could sense everything around her. It was a bit like an elven trance when they went to 'sleep'.

Kali knew that they were going to try something. The street rats had told her that people had been asking strange questions but that day they knew something was going on. The message they had sent told her that a few people had said that she lived in the castle and had two children but had adopted a slave. Things like that spread like wildfire. It seemed that there had been a person asking questions before the one who had power entered the city that day. They must have had all the information they wanted.

She felt around the Dragon Tower with her mind. Eragon and Luka were in the same room, both sound asleep. Murtagh was snoring beside her and the dragons were all asleep except for Shruikan. She searched for anybody that wasn't supposed to be there but found nothing. Shruikan?

Yes, Kali? Shruikan replied.

How come you're awake?

I cannot sleep, not after what we found out. Your father's the same, he answered, Kali? What are you hiding? You've been acting as if something is going to attack any moment and even now I can feel you're troubled. The weather is also a bit of a giveaway.

She laughed slightly, Its nothing really. I'm just...a bit scared.

Why? If you're scared it's for a reason.

The message said that they were asking about Murtagh mostly and about me when one of them said he had a wife. I'm scared because they're mainly only interested in both of us and no sane or insane person would think of trying anything to harm us straight on. But I think that they would try weakening us first before trying to kill us. If we're confused or hurt as to why someone else is harmed, they can easily catch us off our guard.

So what do you think they'll try and do? Shruikan asked.

I think they'll try going for Marcie. She's the only one who can't defend herself, she's close to both of us and they can't hurt Hunter or River because they're not here. I think she knows it too. She was scared and couldn't sleep until we let her sleep in our bed.

Eragon, Luka and the others are all asleep then? I'm not that surprised really but- He cut off. Kali waited, confused. Kali, check the west wall of the tower. There's something there but it has shields I cannot break.

Kali stretched her mind to the west tower wall. It was easier for her because she was closer. She felt strong shields surrounding the mind of an elf. She prodded it slightly but it didn't waver. The being kept moving around the tower, going upwards all the time until it stopped under their window. She opened her eyes and gently shook Murtagh without disturbing Marcie. He opened an eye instantly. "Window," she whispered.

They both got out of the bed and they opened the window carefully so that it didn't make a noise. He quietly got onto the ledge and peeked out. "It looks like Arya," he said quietly.

"I don't give a damn who it is!" she hissed quietly. He looked out again before jumping out and falling towards the elf. Kali heard a female scream. Marcie woke up looking scared. "Marcie, listen to me ok?" Kali said quickly, "I want you to get into your room and not come out until I say so alright?"

Marcie nodded and dashed to her room in an instant. The moment the door closed, a body was thrown through the window. It was Arya. Kali remembered her well especially after throwing her above the Varden camp. Arya got up quickly just as Murtagh came through the window. "Why are you here?" Kali demanded.

"To do what I have too!" Arya screamed, producing a long knife from her belt. Kali ducked as she threw the knife at her. Murtagh grabbed Arya's arms and twisted them making her cry out in pain.

"Don't be so cryptic," Kali sneered, "Why are you here?"

Murtagh twisted her arms a little more when she didn't reply immediately, "To help the Varden, the elves and the dwarves," Arya derided, "The things you try and destroy!"

"What I destroy?" Kali laughed, "I wasn't the one who tried to destroy every demon in existence." Arya looked at her in astonishment. "Didn't you know that something like that could not be kept a secret? It was very well hidden, especially with Brom hiding the only existing copy. I found the book very biased though. I don't find all demon's evil," she smirked. Shruikan, we've got her. Tell father.

"What did you want to do?" Murtagh asked.

"Kill your brats!" she spat.

Murtagh let Arya go as Kali kicked and punched her. She couldn't help it. "THOSE BRATS ARE MY CHILDREN!! AT LEAST I LOVE THEM ENOUGH TO LET MYSELF GET TORTURED SO THEY COULD LIVE! I HAVE A FAMILY THAT LOVES ME!! WHAT DO YOU HAVE?! A! BLOODY! F-ING! BITCH! WHO! CALLS! HERSELF! YOUR! BLOODY! MOTHER!" She kicked and punched her after every sentence, "YOU'RE LUCKY! YOU HAVE A MOTHER! I DON'T! MY BLOODY FATHER KILLED HER! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT'S LIKE?! WATCHING YOUR OWN FATHER KILL YOUR MOTHER?!"

She stopped. Arya lay on the floor, bruised and bloody. She looked up at Kali with wide eyes. Kali felt everyone staring at her back. While she had screamed, Eragon, Luka, Galbatorix and a few soldiers had arrived. "Get her out of here before I kill her with my bare hands," she hissed.

The soldiers came in and dragged Arya away. She didn't even struggle but kept on staring at Kali. Once Arya was gone, she opened the door to Marcie's room and slammed the door behind her. She sat down beside Marcie who was playing with the toy lamb. "Are you ok, mummy?" she asked.

"I'm fine, sweetie," Kali said quietly, "You can come out now. We got the bad person."

"Mummy?" Kali looked up, "Do you want a hug?"

"I'd like that a lot." Marcie gave her mother a huge hug. Kali felt her eyes water but pushed the tears back. She let her go, "Do you want to come back to our room or do you want to stay here?" she asked.

"I want to stay here. Daddy snores," Marcie giggled.

"I know," Kali smiled, "And he says he doesn't!" Marcie giggled again. "I'll see you tomorrow, sweetie. I think we're all going to sleep late anyway." She got up and kissed her forehead, "Night. Love you."

"Love you too."

Kali blew out the candle by the bed and made her way to her room. She closed the door quietly. Murtagh was sitting on the bed, staring at the floor. The others had left. "What're you thinking?" she asked.

He looked up, "I was wondering about what you had said," he started, "Not now, but before. When we were flying. You knew she was going to stop herself like that, didn't you?"

"I won't deny that I knew she wasn't going to crash but I didn't know how she was going to stop herself. She's a bit like us and she didn't get as tired as I thought she would. She's powerful, more powerful that Eragon and Luka but less than us. She will never be able to be as powerful as us but she's still strong. Marcie...she's...there are other creatures Alagaesia has that people do not know about. Marcie is...like one of them. She isn't! But I think one of her ancestors were."

"Were what?" Murtagh asked.

"Druids. A magician but not. They are more powerful than elves, dragon riders, magicians, shades but demons are more powerful than druids. In a way, we're alike. They can change shape, they have a lot of power, they live for at least seven thousand years but they don't have mates until they choose.

"For example; When Marcie finds the right person that she knows won't care about her abilities, they make a sort of bond together. They don't do it intentionally; it just happens but that person will live as long as she does. If he dies, he stays dead and Marcie could find another mate and, if the same happens, the bond will form again. The man doesn't share her magic, only the lifespan and can change into the same animals but he won't age and neither will Marcie after they form the bond."

"How do you know all this?"

Kali sighed and sat down beside him, "Sometimes, I wonder that myself."

N/A: What do you think?