You're Safe 25
A/N: OMG I feel horrible! I haven't updated in forever! I'm so sorry! Oh man I'll never wait that long again, I promise.
I didn't update for so long because I was busy and I had a bit of writer's block, but I've decided what I'm going to do now.
Again, I'm so sorry!
Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon.
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The tendons in Murtagh's arms throbbed with insurmountable pain. It had been a day since Gallbatorix had ended the torture session but still his arms protested any movement with more pain.
Hours passed as Murtagh lied in his bed, trying to sleep but the pain kept him awake. He tried to rest his mind, but he could not divert his attention from the bruises all over his back. He tried to stop thinking about the pain, but it was inevitable. Finally he muttered a few words in the ancient language and passed into a forced sleep.
When he woke up the net morning, Gallbatorix was standing in the doorway. "Good morning, sunshine." He chided. "Sleep well?" Murtagh just looked at the ceiling. "I have a request for you. Well, not a request. I have an order, one I think you will enjoy." Gallbatorix closed the door and walked closer to his apprentice. "You are to go to Doru Areaba, the capital of Vroengard. Usually I don't pay attention to Vroengard because only uncivilized beasts reside there. But there are rumors that it's being occupied by species that can reason; humans are ba0ck on Vroengard. I want you to go there and if there is any proof that humans are there, find and killed them." Murtagh nodded, understand his mission. "And one more thing- Thorn is back, so I expect you to leave by tomorrow afternoon."
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"Brisingr!" Almos shouted. A small burst of fire erupted from his palm.
"Good, good!" Eragon praised. "You're progressing very well!" Almos smiled a wide smile at Eragon's praise. "And look at how big Nyx has gotten!" Eragon seemed full of enthusiasm and joy. Something about Almos made Eragon lighter, happier. He wasn't sure what, but there was something.
Nyx had grown considerably since they had reached the Varden and now she was about fifteen feet long and reached Almos's waist. She chirped at Almos and went back to playing with Saphira.
Almos looked around, realizing that life was good in Aberon.
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Murtagh looked down at the island below. "Thorn, you can land." He said. Murtagh tried to move his hands to adjust his grip on the spike in front of him, but it hurt too much.
Don't hurt yourself. Thorn cautioned.
I'm afraid I have to my arms and ignore the pain. Murtagh answered. Thorn nodded, He land and Murtagh looked around. An old stone structure that was mostly in pieces littered the ground. The once spotless white marble was now a duller gray with hints of its old white stone in few places. Vegetation grew all over the stone and took it over like the sea devours a sinking ship.
Riders trained here… Murtagh thought. They lived here. Now I am here to find humans that may or may not be here.
Murtagh looked at the trees beyond the stone structure. He was surprised Thorn had found a place to land at all. The forest was thick and dense and Murtagh could see no farther than a few yards in. Green vegetation dominated the woods and exotic plants grew in every place imaginable. Above the tree line, Murtagh could see the out line of mountains reaching into the sky.
Murtagh explored around the broken structure but found no signs of life. "Thorn!" Murtagh called. The dragon turned around, leaving behind the ruby red flower he was smelling. "I'm going into the woods. You probably can't get through all that brush, so fly above me. If I call you, don't hesitate to crash through the trees." Thorn nodded and launched into the air. Murtagh headed off into the woods.
He tromped through underbrush and vegetation for hours on end, swinging his sword to cut down vines. His arms protested, but he kept going. Soon, dusk rolled in and the sun set behind the mountains. It bathed the sky in a blood red bath and orange and yellow flames rolled over the sky.
Thorn, I can't find my way out and it's getting dark. Murtagh contacted his dragon.
I'll come get you. Thorn responded. Murtagh climbed to the top of a tree and jumped on Thorn's back. They flew over the trees to a clearing. In the middle was a tall stone statue of the first dragon rider and his dragon. Murtagh did not realize this by looking at the statue; he read the plaque that went with it. The statue itself had been defaced. The heads were missing and so many other pieces were gone that one might thing it was two legs, one dragon and one elf.
Murtagh laid out a blanket for his bed on the ground a few yards from the statue. He collected firewood and started it on the platform of the statue. Murtagh lied down on his blanket and Thorn curled up next to his rider.
Soon Thorn was in a deep slumber, but still Murtagh could not sleep. He thought about many things, and was not sure which one he should focus on. Suddenly, a howl ripped through the black night.
Wolves… Murtagh thought. Murtagh got up and set a protective barrier around the camp. Finally tired enough, he blew out the fire and closed his eyes. He fell asleep, but not before he heard the howl again, only much closer.
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A/N: I hope you liked it! And again, I'm sorry for not updating as quickly! I'll update sooner next time!