Free Riders
Author's Note: Eragon is not mine. Char, Blaster, and Saranya are. Comment as you see fit.
Chapter 28: Murtagh
As the final shot rang out, Blaster nearly fell to the ground, weakened by the drug and the amount of power he had used to both break his bonds and fight the Ra'zac. He slowly pulled the blade from his left arm before he realized someone was walking into the camp.
"What the hell was that?" a man's voice said.
Blaster turned around and saw a young man, dressed in tattered clothes, a hand-and-a-half sword on his belt and a bow in his left hand, both of the finest make. His right hand was digging out something from his right ear. Blaster could see the hilt of a dagger protruding from his boot. He had fierce eyes and brown hair, and about the same size as Blaster, though he looked just as young.
"And you are?" Blaster asked, cringing in pain and scowling in anger.
"Murtagh," the man said. He stopped digging at his ear as Sara walked into camp as well.
How are you doing? Sara said. It was the first contact that he had received from his dragon since the drug.
Head's buzzing and my arm feels like it's on fire, but other than that fine.
Is it a serious wound?
I hope not. He sat in front of the lantern, looking at the wound for a few seconds before covering it with his hand. "Murtagh, would you get me my med kit? It's a white bag that has a red plus-sign on the side."
Murtagh was over him in an instant with the bag. Nearly ripping the bag open, Blaster found two vials, one full of blue liquid, the other green. Using his non-injured arm, he pulled the stoppers on both vials and downed them in a single swig, the combination turning yellow for the second it was visible. The wound on Blaster's side healed up nicely, but the wound on the arm was still bleeding. Rolling up the sleeve, Blaster took another green vial and poured it over the wound. He winced as the potion burned, but he was able to slow the bleeding and heal the wound slightly.
Murtagh went off to do his own thing after a while, knowing Blaster was tending to his own wounds well. Taking some water from his canteen, he rinsed the wound. Then, he pulled a field dressing from his med kit, unraveled it, and wrapped it as tightly as he could around his wounded arm. Testing out the arm, Blaster found he had lost a little bit of functionality in the arm due to the injury, but nothing that would be permanent. He walked over to the fire that Murtagh started, Sara standing nearby.
"Did it work?" Murtagh asked as Blaster finally finished.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," Blaster replied. "It's just a nick to the arm. So, why help us?"
"You aren't the only enemies the Ra'zac have. I've been tracking them."
"We should skedaddle before they return with reinforcements."
"Sure, you might be able to travel," Murtagh said, "but you can't do much heavy lifting."
Blaster stuffed his pistols back into their holsters, put his revolver back in the bag with his black cloak. "Your assistance is not required, but it would be nice to have someone help out. Not to say anything, but if it came to a fight, I don't know what I would do if I could only fight with one hand."
"Alright," Murtagh said. "Where is your horse?"
"I do not have a horse," Blaster said. "I rode here on Sara." Upon looking at Murtagh's confusion, he added, "The dragon behind you."
"Ah," Murtagh said. Before he could say anything else, Blaster's wrist computer started ringing.
"Crap," Blaster muttered. "Not now, Alice. I've got other things to do. Like, hide."
"Do you have a spot in mind?" Blaster shook his head. "Then let's find somewhere."
"I'm going to run with Murtagh, okay Sara?" Blaster placed a hand on Sara's snout.
Of course, she replied, bobbing her head. With a massive beat of her wings and a powerful thrust from her legs, she took to the skies and glided into the darkness.
"I never thought I would see a sight like that," Murtagh said.
"You do know that you will be in danger if the Empire finds you with us," Blaster said. "We won't be able to protect you, and I don't want to see you hurt on our account."
"I have nowhere better to go, and, if I stay with you, I might get another chance at the Ra'zac sooner than if I were alone. Interesting things are bound to happen around a Rider."
"Be cautious," Blaster said. Murtagh nodded and mounted his grey warhorse. Blaster double checked everything, made sure he gathered all his supplies, then obliterated everything they had evidence wise of their departure with the wave of a hand. He turned to follow Murtagh on foot.
The night's moon was oxbow in shape and threw very little light upon the world, but any more would give the Ra'zac an advantage when tracking them. They continued silently, conserving energy while they rode/walked. It was roughly dawn when Sara contacted Blaster about a location for the night two miles ahead of them.
They found her at the base of a broad sandstone formation that looked like a great hill. Hidden in the sides were various sized caves. Similar hills adorned the land in a random arrangement. Sara looked pleased with herself. I found a cave that can't be seen from the ground. It is large enough for all of us and then some, including the horse. Follow me. She climbed up the sandstone, digging into the rock with her sharp talons. The horse had difficulty as its shod hooves weren't able to grip the rock. An hour of hard work was what it took to get the horse to the cave.
The cave in question was at least a hundred feet long, at least thirty feet wide, and a small opening that would provide protection against unwanted eyes and bad weather. Darkness swallowed the far ends, keeping to the walls and floor.
"Very impressive," Murtagh said. "I'll gather wood for a fire."
Blaster nodded and began to organize his bag. Upon looking in, he realized he had left his sniper-rifle and AK with Samson. He'd be hard pressed to try to get them back at all. Though, they weren't of any use to anybody as the weapons were unloaded. The most they could be used for were bludgeoning people. Just as Blaster settled down, his wrist computer began to ring again. This time, he answered.
"Don't you EVER hang up on me again!" Alice shouted. "It is important that I talk to you!"
"Okay, okay," Blaster replied, calming the computer down. He could hear Sara snickering in the background. "What is it?"
"Char just pinged to your north," Alice replied.
"What do you mean by 'pinged'?"
"Her high-frequency distress beacon went off for a few seconds."
"HF distress beacon?" Blaster thought for a moment, then his eyes bulged. "Those only go off if…"
"Someone wearing a bracelet is either seriously injured or they are just about to die," Alice finished. "I'm thinking it was the former, as, if my memory banks are serving me correctly, it takes Char at least twelve hours to fully recover from dieing."
"Yes, but that's only because of her genes," Blaster said. "She didn't get much of the Torillian genes compared to me. Did you pinpoint a location?"
"No," Alice replied. "All I know is that the signal originated from up north. That's all I know."
"Thanks," Blaster said, trying his best to hold back his anger. "I'll be in contact with you again soon. Let me know if she pings again."
"I might," Alice muttered before closing the connection.
Blaster settled down to check his dressing again, but he was still giving off the vibe that he was furious. The dressing hadn't soaked completely through, which pleased him. Murtagh arrived a few moments later with enough wood to start a fire.
"So," Murtagh finally said as the fire lit and took off. "You have any plans?"
"Yes," Blaster replied, a passion in his voice accompanying the anger. "Head north, after a friend of mine. I think she might be somewhere up there."
"And I'll accompany you," Murtagh said.
"Wait, what?"
"You are injured, and you'll need someone to heft a sword for you. It's the least you could let me do for saving your life." The look on Murtagh's face nearly sealed the deal. However, Blaster was more interested in the offer than Murtagh's pleading face.
"Well, as I am sure you are as exhausted as we are, I suggest we rest up," Blaster finally said, pulling out his cloak for warmth. "Tomorrow, we head north."
"And you're taking me with you?"
"Why do you assume that by 'we,' I only mean Sara and myself?"
"So, that's a yes," Murtagh pressed.
"Yes, you may come," Blaster said. "However, just so you know, we won't be riding slow. As soon as we get to a small town nearby, I will buy another horse so as to keep up with you and make some time. My friend is in a prison somewhere." Blaster settled down. "Let's just get some rest and figure out a game-plan later."
Murtagh reluctantly agreed and the two fell asleep.
FRFRFRFRFR
Eragon woke with a start, Brom shaking him from his slumber. The fact that they were both still alive was proof that they were spared an encounter from the Ra'zac last night. Saphira stirred as well, rustling her scales as she stood up. A loud crack could be heard as she arched her back, but no one questioned it. In fact, Saphira arched her back again and managed a smaller crack from her back. Relieved, she sat by the fire.
"Do you think he's still alive?" Eragon asked Brom as the two started their breakfast.
"I don't know for sure," Brom said. "But we can find out." He held out a bowl, filled it with water and muttered "Draumr kópa." Instantly, an image of Blaster appeared. He was on his back, covered in his black cloak. Were it not for the steady rise and fall of the cloak, the two would have thought he was dead. He stirred, but didn't wake up. Satisfied, Brom closed the link and released the magic.
"Now what do we do?" Eragon asked. He packed up the bags and prepared for their flight to continue.
"Now?" Brom replied. "Now, we find a way to get to the Varden."
"But, I never got the chance to kill them?"
"Doesn't matter," Brom said flatly. "If they told Galbatorix, then you'd be hard-pressed to find a chance to tackle them again. As I said last night. Dras-Leona is closed to us for several years, and with Galbatorix learning that you may be a threat, the only safe haven for you is with the Varden."
"And then?"
"Then, you will be trained by the elves until you are capable of being called a true Rider," Brom said.
"What?" Eragon was practically in shock at this revelation.
"You will be led into the heart of Du Weldenvarden to complete your training as a Rider by the elves." Brom looked slightly depressed. "It would have happened anyway, and definitely would have happened sooner if I had passed away before the eggs hatched."
"But, Blaster's training," Eragon said.
"His training has been nearly complete for a while now," Brom said. "He's one of the two best students I've ever had, the other being you, of course."
"So, I'm almost done too."
"Yes. Your swordsmanship has improved greatly, your magic is coming along nicely, but I'm going to take this time to teach you the grammar of the Ancient Language. But, I will warn you now, your elven teacher will be much more strict that I have been. He will test you himself, so be sure to show him what you've got." Brom smiled. "You have come quite a long way, Eragon. From simple farmer almost to a battle-worn Rider."
Eragon nodded in agreement, saddled up the horses and, with one look at Samson, thought about Blaster again. Eragon suggested they take the saddlebags and sell the chestnut, but Brom protested strongly. "If Blaster were to return, what would he ride in place of Sara?" Eragon finally relented and tied Samson to Cadoc and left their camp. Saphira took flight a few moments later, following them to the south, hoping to get as far away from the Dark Gates as possible.
FRFRFRFRFR
Blaster stirred late in the morning, realizing that he had actually fallen asleep instead of meditating for the first time in ages. Murtagh was still asleep, causing Blaster to smirk a bit. Even when he did need to sleep, he didn't need more than a few hours. Sara was asleep in the corner, a slight rumble in her breath as she slept. Great, Blaster thought. She snores in her sleep. Shaking his head and smiling in amusement, he walked over to the cave entrance.
Just outside was a white backpack with a red cross on the side of it. Blaster nearly ripped it wide open to see what was inside and was surprised to find that there were a number of wrapped field dressings, ready to be used. Thanks, Alice. Taking one, he removed the used field dressing, noticing that it had finally soaked through during his time asleep. He rinsed it with water from his canteen, made sure it was healing well enough with the oil now in his system, and wrapped the wound with a fresh dressing, trying his best to keep it tight. Flexing his arm yielded a slight improvement.
Once he was finished repacking the medical supplies, he looked over to Murtagh and Sara before he thought of the reason why they were the only two in the cave with him. Quietly, Blaster poured some water into a small bowl and called upon his magic. Uttering the ancient language, he thought of Brom, Eragon, and Saphira and was amazed to see them riding. All of them alive and riding, Samson led by Eragon and Cadoc.
Relieved, Blaster settled down. He had to think about what was up north, plot a path, and try his best not to get himself, Murtagh, or Sara in any danger. And, after looking at his map on his wrist computer, he needed to get around Urû'baen, and, if he were to find Char in Gil'ead, even with his left arm functional, he'd need all the help he could get.
Will Brom and Eragon survive another night? Will Char be in Gil'ead? Can Blaster heal quickly enough to help save her? Find out next time on Free Riders. Now updating Tuesdays and Fridays.
Please R&R. Blaster will follow Eragon's path closely, just so you are aware. There will be some things that don't happen in this story that do happen in the actual book, so the story line is still similar, just the actual story has been changed dramatically from this point on.
