You're Safe 29
A/N: I'm trying to update faster. You're Safe is probably going to end in the next few chapters, depending on how fast I can move the story along. There may be a sequel but I make no promises. So, on with the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon
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I have to dispose of Gallbatorix! Murtagh thought. I have to get back to Eragon. I promised mother I would keep him safe, and look at how well that's been working out! Murtagh scowled. But I cannot. I am bound to Gallbatorix and I cannot defy him. Murtagh pounded his fist on the table and cursed his fate.
"Thinking hard, Dragon Rider?" Lady Persephone asked as she entered the hut. Murtagh's angry expression did not go away. "Do not complain that a rose has thorns; rejoice that a thorn has a rose." Lady Persephone left Murtagh with his thoughts and he realized that Persephone was right.
Murtagh got up from his chair and walked into the sunlight. Thorn. Murtagh projected his thoughts to his dragon.
Yes? The ruby red beast replied.
I think the Lyall could help. Murtagh said. There are sixty plus of them. Surely they could kill Gallbatorix. Or at least they could aid the Varden.
But we could not make the Lyall go. We are bound to the king remember?
I guess I will just have to be persuasive enough to make them go of their own accord. Murtagh told his dragon, trying to be optimistic. He marched off to find the silver haired lady. He finally spotted her among some children.
"May I speak to you in private?" He asked. Persephone agreed and they headed to her hut.
"What is it?" She asked.
"You have seen my memories. You know the evil that plagues Alagaesia. You know of my betrayal, and surely you know of my promise." Murtagh began.
"Yes. Gallbatorix, the evil tyrant, aspires to take over Alagaesia. You were forced to swear loyalty to him. And you promised your mother you protect you younger brother, Eragon Shadeslayer." Murtagh nodded.
"Alagaesia needs to be rid of this monster and the only rebellion we have are the Varden. They don't have enough men to strike at the king head on and I know that they have failed in almost every attempt to make the king falter." Murtagh paused. "We need help, and there is nothing I can do. My bonds prevent me from doing that. I cannot send anyone into war against the king, but I can persuade them to go of their own accord.
"The Varden need extra people. They need strong warriors. They need someone like-" Persephone cut him off.
"Why should the Lyall help?" She asked.
"For that I have no answer, except that maybe you would find it in your hearts to help a helpless kingdom be free." Murtagh sighed, knowing the Lyall would not help. "And if you do not want to help the people, think of it another way. You would be helping Thorn and I escape our bonds and return to the ones we love." Murtagh did not mention that he would most likely be hanged. "Maybe you do not like Thorn and I. Even so, you could still help. And here's another way to consider it: If Gallbatorix manages to get us all under his belt, he will surely spread his reign to the rest of the world. Ylva would surely be attacked eventually."
Persephone was silent for what seemed like an eternity. "I shall think about it and talk to my advisors. I make no promises, Dragon Rider." Murtagh bowed and left the hut.
Did you succeed? Thorn asked.
We have a chance Thorn. Murtagh answered.
--
"So when do we move out?" Roran asked Nasuada. Nasuada had made him the head of a group of soldiers and they would be launching an attack on Furnost soon. The Empire's army stopped there frequently to take a break and the Varden hoped to wipe out the group of men.
"Tomorrow at dawn." Nasuada replied. Roran nodded and Nasuada dismissed him. She sat down at her desk and sighed. Hopefully this frightful war will end soon. She thought. The war had caused her a great deal of stress and sadness. She could not keep it up for much longer, even though she knew she must.
Drums interrupted her thoughts. "What's going on?" She shouted as she hastily exited her tent. People were frantically running around as the drums pounded out loud rhythms.
She raced to the front of the camp to see on the horizon a large group of people racing towards the Varden. She placed her hand on the hilt of her sword and called, "Men! Get ready!" They watched in anxious silence as the group approached. As they got closer, Nasuada realized that it was a large pack of wolves. What is this? She thought.
They stopped running when they were about fifty feet from Nasuada. The lead wolf transformed into a silver haired woman. "Queen of the Varden!" The strange woman called. Nasuada stared at the wolves, trying to conceal her thoughts. "Do not fear! We offer our services!"
For a moment, Nasuada did not know what to say. Finally she said, "Come with me to my quarters and let my men watch your people!" The woman bowed and followed Nasuada to her large tent. "Who are you and why have you come?" Nasuada demanded as they entered.
"I am Lady Persephone." The woman answered. "I am here to help aid you in your war against Gallbatorix." Seeing Nasuada's confused expression, she told her of the Lyall.
"But how did you know?" Nasuada asked.
"On Doru Areaba, a man told us of the war and his plight. He told us he could not make us help the Varden, but he begged for me to consider. After long hours of thinking, I decided that it was in everyone's best interest to stop this tyrant Gallbatorix. Once he conquered Alagaesia, I'm sure he would extend his rein far beyond his reaches."
"Who was this man?" Nasuada questioned warily.
"No one, really." She answered.
Nasuada eyed the Lady suspiciously. "I cannot trust you until my best magician searches your mind."
"I guess it is inevitable." Lady Persephone bowed her head. Nasuada summoned her guard and told him to fetch Eragon. Soon the dragon rider arrived and Nasuada informed him of the situation. He nodded and walked to Lady Persephone.
He sifted through her mind and what he found astounded him. When he finished, he told Nasuada, "She is to be trusted." Nasuada let Lady Persephone go back to her people, with a few guards watching her. "Nasuada." Eragon whispered as soon as Lady Persephone was out of earshot.
"Yes?" She replied.
"Murtagh was the man she was talking about." Eragon told her.
"It seems that my ears betray me, Eragon. Did you say it was Murtagh?" Nasuada asked, disbelief covering her face.
"Aye." Eragon said. "You heard correctly."
"…I have no idea what to make of this." Nasuada sighed as she sat down. "I guess we should just be…" She trailed off, unsure of the situation before her. "Let's go see what these Lyall can do." Nasuada got up and walked out of the tent, her confident walk the complete opposite of her confused mind.
Nasuada, Eragon and a few others watched as the Lyall demonstrated their abilities. After they watched the exceptional performance, Nasuada said, "And there's sixty of these warriors?" She sighed, glad that she had extra fighting forces.
--
"Did you behave yourself while you were gone?" Gallbatorix asked Murtagh. He did not reply. "Oh, Murtagh." Gallbatorix sighed. "Aren't you glad to be home?"
No. Murtagh thought, but didn't dare say.
"Well, I'm glad you're back." Gallbatorix said. "Soon we march to war. It's time to end the Varden once and for all." A sneer crossed Gallbatorix's face. Murtagh gulped, wondering if the Lyall had made it to the Varden yet. "And to aid you in your fight, guess who will be going with you into battle." Gallbatorix said. When Murtagh did not reply, Gallbatorix smiled a sinister smile. "Me."
Murtagh tried to keep the shock from his face. "Really?"
"Yes, really." Gallbatorix said. "Are you happy?" Gallbatorix asked. Murtagh said nothing. "I'm sure with the help of the Eldunari, you and I can beat these wretched rebels." Murtagh nodded absentmindedly. "You're dismissed." Gallbatorix waved his hand toward the door.
Murtagh went to his chambers, unsure what to think. If Gallbatorix was going with him to destroy the Varden, there was no way the Varden could win. Even if they had the help of the Lyall, Gallbatorix could slay them all with ease.
What is troubling you? Thorn asked his rider. Murtagh told his dragon about his meeting with the king. Not all hope is lost, little one.
What do you mean? Gallbatorix could easily slaughter half the Varden in a split second.
There are to other dragon riders, Murtagh.
I'm sure Nyx is nowhere near being fully-grown, and I doubt the Varden would let Almos fight Gallbatorix. And while Eragon is strong, we have the help of the Eldunari and he does not.
Do not be so grim! Thorn told his rider. The chances are slim, but there is still a chance.
I guess you are right, Thorn. Murtagh thought. He walked over to a chest near his bed and opened it. In it were many small pouches. He picked it up and let the pouch fall around the object it carried.
Murtagh took the white Eldunari from the sack and held it in his hands. Bjartskular. He thought. Murtagh was holding Tornac's dragon's Eldunari. He stared at the Eldunari, memories flashing before his eyes. He hadn't been able to go to Tornac's grave since the day his mentor died, and this was the closest to Tornac Murtagh had been in a long time.
Are you here to take more of my energy, old-friend-of-Tornac? The dragon in the Eldunari asked.
No. He answered.
Then what? Bjartskular responded.
The Varden is doomed. Murtagh answered. And I cannot stop Gallbatorix. I do not know what to do. I wish Tornac were here.
What do you want me to do? Bjartskular asked. I can do nothing but give you energy and words. Wishing will get you nowhere. Actions create results. I have no doubt in my mind that there is a loophole in your bonds. If Tornac were here, he would tell you he believes in you and that not all is lost. Just keep fighting. An answer does not bring itself to you. You must search for it.
Murtagh nodded and slipped the Eldunari back into its pouch. He placed the pouch back into the chest and closed it. He would find a way to help the Varden. He swore to himself that he would.
--
"Eragon, it could be a trap." Nasuada said to the dragon rider. They had finished watching the Lyall show their skills in battle. They seemed to be formidable, challenging opponents. "We don't know anything about them and we have no idea what Lady Persephone can do to protect her memories."
Finally Eragon answered, "You're right. We cannot accept their help."
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A/N: Sorry this chapter wasn't that great and that it took me so long to put up. I hope you liked it and sorry if it wasn't too great.
