24/9/12

Disclaimer – I still don't own the Inheritance cycle … one day my love

Four Chapters … Five Days (I'm on a roll baby!)

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Restrained Freedom – You can't have a story with a violent lunatic without a little gore! Thanks for reviewing!

Chapter 14 – Dragon

"Wake up Murtagh," someone shouted gently shaking Murtagh's shoulder. Murtagh's eyes flickered and he groaned as they opened. "You told me you would try and stay alive," the man said.

"I am alive," Murtagh groaned. It was the court physician that healed Murtagh in Bullridge that was leant over him again.

"Only just; I thought I told you not to provoke him," he complained.

"I didn't provoke him; I was tied up and he came in drunk followed by his attention seeking entourage and beat me up," Murtagh croaked. He tried to sit up but restraints held him splayed across the table. He lifted his head up as far as he could and saw a small tube sticking out of his side where to stab wound was. It was hanging off the table and disappeared off the edge.

"I don't see why the king still tolerates him," the physician sighed.

"Why is there a tube sticking out of me," Murtagh exclaimed with his gaze fixated on the tube.

"When Alexus stabbed you the blood welled up inside you; when he kicked you the rib pierced a lung and blood poured in. That's why you were coughing blood and I am using the tube to filter out all the blood. You must not undertake in any physical exercise for a few days. Also your leg was severely broken so you will need a walking stick for the next week," the physician explained while examining some notes.

"I doubt I will be walking for a while," Murtagh sighed leaning back.

"You never know," the physician said shrugging. There was a knock at the door and the physician walked over to open it. "You have a visitor Murtagh," the physician shouted from the doorway. Murtagh stretched his head from as far as he could round to look at the visitor. He caught a brief glimpse and turned back around with a snort.
"Hello Murtagh," Galbatorix murmured standing where Murtagh could see him. Murtagh just snorted and stared at the ceiling. "I really don't want to see you hurt, Murtagh," Galbatorix announced and Murtagh laughed briefly before his chest contracted. "That's why I sent Sergeant Carter with the cart; he will be punished for what happened," Galbatorix said and sat down.
"No!" Murtagh shouted. "Don't punish Lucas!" He exclaimed turning so he was facing Galbatorix. Murtagh gulped as Galbatorix frowned at him.
"Why shouldn't I," he shouted.
"If it wasn't for Sergeant Carter, I would have died on the journey," Murtagh exclaimed.
"As you wish; he will not be punished," Galbatorix sighed.
"And while you're at it can you untie these bonds," Murtagh asked smiling.
"Don't push it Murtagh," Galbatorix complained trying to hold back a small smile. "I just need you to do one thing for me," Galbatorix asked and a crushing silence fell on the room. "Never, I will never give into you!" Murtagh shouted and squirmed in his bonds. He heard a small click and felt a stabbing pain in his side. Breathing became harder again and he started panting in panic. The physician ran round to his side And pushed the tube and chanted a few words. The pain dulled and his breathing became regular; his heart stopped pounding and he lent back. "Don't squirm Murtagh; this is a very delicate operation," the physical said moving back to stand by the door.
"We can make you do it," Galbatorix muttered. Murtagh slowly lent over to where Galbatorix and was a few inches in front of his face.
"Never," Murtagh whispered and laid back preparing himself for what came next.
"It won't hurt Murtagh," Galbatorix announced leaning into a bag he brought in with him.
"You've said that before," he snorted.
"It seems you still have that infamous spirit," he murmured and pulled out a small globe. It glistened with the brightness of a thousand jewels and was a beautiful deep red; one of the last dragon eggs. "I just want you to touch it," Galbatorix asked. Murtagh nodded hypnotised by the beauty. The physician unlocked the straps holding Murtagh's hands and shoulders and helped him into an unsteady sitting position and held out his hand. Galbatorix carefully placed the egg in Murtagh's lap and he reached out and stroked the top. It send and little spark of energy and Murtagh's hand recoiled. The egg wobbled and a crack appeared in the top. "You are now the proud partner to a baby dragon, Murtagh," Galbatorix laughed. The top cracked and a little red head poked out of the top.

Murtagh smiled for the first time in months and reached out to gently stroke that little dragons head. The moment they made contact Murtagh's body convulsed with pain and an ice cold sensation. Galbatorix grabbed the egg off Murtagh's lap to stop it falling. The spasms only lasted a few seconds and before long Murtagh had returned to the position he was in before. The little dragon had pushed his way out of the egg and was crawling onto Murtagh.
"There is your little companion," Galbatorix smiled. "I'm sorry Murtagh," he whispered and waved his hand. Murtagh was about to shout but his reactions were too slow. A guard dived out of the shadows and had put the baby dragon in a sack. Murtagh yelled and thrashed around in his chains the physician had secured his hands down and Murtagh was trying to break the bonds. "If you swear using your true name then you and your dragon will be safe, if not then we will kill him," Galbatorix said emotionlessly. Murtagh shouted foul curses and tried to kick out. "One last chance," Galbatorix muttered. Murtagh shook his head and swore profusely. Galbatorix waved his hand and the guard walked towards the door. He was reaching out to open it when Murtagh screamed. "Don't hurt him; I swear, I swear! Just don't hurt him," Murtagh cried with tears streaming down his cheeks. Galbatorix had Murtagh swear an oath of loyalty in the ancient language and tell him his true name. Murtagh cried throughout but his tears dried up when the guard released the crying baby dragon onto Murtagh's lap. He stroked that little dragon and refused to let him out of his touch. The physician unchained Murtagh but advised him to stay still. He nodded solemnly and lent back and stared at the ceiling. The little dragon crawled up Murtagh's chest with his little feet scrambling; he nuzzled Murtagh's neck and curled up and purred. Murtagh had a small smile and sighed. He had brought this little baby into the world and had sworn him to a life of hell. Murtagh drifted in and out of sleep; constantly checking that the little baby dragon was still there.

The sun flickered through the shutters and shone into Murtagh's face slowly waking him up; he instantly reached for his neck but the little dragon wasn't curled up there. He sat up suddenly causing a sharp pain in his left side. Frantically looking around he spotted the a red dot of a dragon sat on the window sill eating a little mouse. He had grown slightly over night but he could still fit on Murtagh's palm quite comfortably. "All ready a hunter," Murtagh murmured to himself and smiled. The dragon gave a little chirp as he noticed Murtagh, jumped from the windowsill onto the end of the bed and waddled over with the mouse in his sharpened fangs. Dropping it on Murtagh's chest, he nudged it towards him. "I don't want any; you eat up," Murtagh said with a face of amusement. The dragon pecked away at the carcass and pulled large chunks off, too big to even fit in his own mouth. Murtagh's stomach grumbled, obviously noticing, the red dot looked up and offered the carcass again only to be rejected again. "You eat that, I'll find something else," He said and picked the little red blob up - with the mouse still in his mouth - and put him on the bedside table. Murtagh swung his legs over the edge of the table and slid onto the floor. He wobbled and fell grabbing onto the slab. The little dragon squeaked and hopped onto Murtagh's back and pulled on his hair. "I'm alright, little guy," Murtagh winced and carefully stood up. He rested on the table and pulled himself up and used the slab to walk round to where a walking stick was lent on the wall. He grabbed for it and propped himself up.

Looking round the room, he spotted a tray on a table in the corner. It was a full cooked breakfast and a note stuck on the side. It read "Murtagh, when you awaken there are clothes hung on the back of the door and could you please meet me for an important meeting in the informal meeting room. Galbatorix." He folded the note back up and carefully balanced the tray and carried it over to the slab. He clumsily hopped onto the marble bench and sat so he could eat as comfortably as he could. In a flurry of scales and wings, the baby dragon perched on the end of his plate. He passed him some of the meat and he swallowed it whole. "We should name you before talking to the king," Murtagh murmured gobbling down as much food as he could. The bundle if red chirped and looked up at Murtagh. "What about fury?" Murtagh asked and the dragon snorted. "Umm Thorn," Murtagh asked tilting his head slightly to the right in thought. The little dragon squeaked and nodded. "Thorn it is," Murtagh muttered. Thorn jumped and frantically flapped his wings and landed on Murtagh's head. He pulled at his hair and opened one wing towards to door. "Ok, ok! I'm going," Murtagh rolled his eyes. He carefully dropped off the table and used his walking stick to support him towards the clothes hung on the back of the door. He changed as quickly as he could with Thorn constantly pestering him to speed up. He was dressed in plain black trousers, a red cotton shirt, a black trench coat like the one he wore in Bullridge and a leather knife sheath. He looked around and put the slightly sharp knife from breakfast in the sheath. Thorn clumsily flapped down and nuzzled his way into Murtagh's pocket. He stuck his little scaled head out of the pocket and chirped. Murtagh opened the door and tried to get him bearings. He was in the west wing medical bay and the informal meeting room was in the north of the west wing. He set off in the general direction he thought it was in and hoped he would find something he recognised. Eventually he found a room he recognised the royal armoury. He instantly remembered the layout and strode confidently in the direction of the meeting room. He tried to ignore the clumsy bows and gestures of respect he was receiving as he walked through the palace. Thorn was curled up in the bottom of Murtagh's pocket, quite content. They finally arrived at the meeting room and Murtagh knocked loudly on the door. "Come in!" Galbatorix shouted from inside. He was sat at the head of the long table with Alexus sat on his left and a gap in his right. To the left of that gap sat Sergeant Carter who braved a small forced smile at Murtagh as he entered. Protocol automatically kicked in and Murtagh bowed. "Come sit down, Murtagh" Galbatorix smiled. Murtagh walked over and pulled out the chair to the left of Sergeant Carter. "What are you doing? This seat is for you; my new right hand man," Galbatorix laughed. Murtagh bowed his head solemnly and pushed the chair back under.
"If that is what you wish, sire," Murtagh muttered emotionlessly. He sat down next to Galbatorix and looked across into Alexus' eyes. "Of course that is what I wish boy," he chuckled. Alexus' eyes were filled with a mix of different emotions but the overriding passion was complete smugness. He had finally achieved his goal. "Can we see the little boy," Galbatorix asked excitedly. Murtagh nudged his pocket slightly and a little squeak came out.
"Come out Thorn," Murtagh thought.
"No," Thorn said in his head. The voice shocked Murtagh and he nearly fell off his chair.
"You need to come out," Murtagh insisted.
"Don't like him," Thorn whinnied.
"Neither do I; he just needs to see you for a moment. I will look after you," Murtagh assured. Thorn growled and poked a little head out of Murtagh's pocket. Murtagh helped him scramble out and placed him on the table about ten centimetres away from his chest. Galbatorix grinned and reached out to touch Thorn. "I wouldn't," Murtagh shouted the beginning of a warning before Galbatorix's finger got too close to the terrified dragon. Thorn lashed out and bit his finger before clambering back into the safety of Murtagh's pocket. Galbatorix let out a small yell of surprise and sucked his finger before muttering a few words and the skin healed. "I'm so sorry sir, he's not used to people yet," Murtagh explained. A little snort came from Murtagh's pocket and he nudged it slightly. "He'll learn; in time," Galbatorix muttered, obviously unimpressed. Alexus was now full on grinning at Murtagh's luck. "Can you get him to come back out?" Galbatorix asked.
"Please come back out," Murtagh mentally asked him.
"No," Thorn shouted.
"You can just come and sit on my shoulder," Murtagh pleaded. He heard a small growl and Thorn climbed out of the pocket and scurried up to the relative safety of Murtagh's shoulder. Galbatorix smiled and examined the little dragon. "A fine specimen," Galbatorix muttered. Thorn hissed at his as he leant closer. "And with spirit," he murmured. "You two are perfect for each other," he laughed.
"We didn't come here only to talk about the dragon though," Galbatorix sighed. Murtagh nudged Thorn and he went sliding back into Murtagh's pocket.