A quickupdate for you all because I love you. Getting to something incredibly important by the way. I hope you like the next few chapters! :3

Don't forget about the poll on my profile guys, it's very important!


It was over those three weeks of on and off flight that brought the two brothers closer together than even their previous adventure to the Varden several years ago. They went from tense words and awkwardly skirting around the other to hunting together through the woods while their dragons slept, sharing skills and advice. Galbatorix watched as Eragon listened to Murtagh's stories of his childhood, and it seemed the two bonded over the neglect and struggles that lay in both their lives. The pair took to sparring to burn a little excess energy and Murtagh's joy at Eragon's improvement since the last time they sparred was painfully apparent. Surprisingly, the two shared a hug and tears were brought to the surface when they talked of their mother. Galbatorix felt like he was being kicked in the gut when that happened, but he understood it was necessary for them both to move on.

Humor arose when women were brought up in conversation. Eragon held a permanent blush on his cheeks while Murtagh laughed so hard he was forced to hold his sides, and Galbatorix leaned against a tree a few feet off, staring at the youngest rider in disbelief. "Y-you've nev-never been with a woman?" Murtagh tried to speak in between gasps, wiping the tears of mirth from the corners of his eyes. Eragon grew a darker shade of red. It was not fair they judge him on such things, as Eragon had grown up in a small farming village that did not have the population to house a brothel, and where young folk were promised to each other by their parents as soon as they came of age. Eragon told his older brother so, and Galbatorix found his reasoning sound.

"He is right, Murtagh. Carvahall has no whores to call upon like the capital." Murtagh had both the standing and the money to visit any of the whorehouses, and had gotten into the habit of doing so once he hit the age of fifteen. Had his mother been around she surely would have put a stop to such behavior and made sure he was promised to a nice young lady, but Morzan did not pay attention to the boy. This left Galbatorix to assign him Tarnoc, a retired member of the Kingsguard and a loyal soldier, to raise and mentor him. The King considered this both his greatest mistake, and his best decision. He should have been in Murtagh's life more and protected him from his terrible father figure, but Tarnoc had done a better job than he could have.

At his King's words, Murtagh's laughter quieted only to be replaced by a mischievous look. "Then I'll treat you to a cathouse as soon as we return!" He was already looking forward to the idea of sharing such a wonderful experience with his younger brother. "Whores are a gift from the gods," he nearly moaned, falling back on his makeshift bed and earning a laugh from the King.

Galbatorix shared an amused grin with Eragon, "it says something when a man must pay for all of his women." It was here Murtagh's weakness showed. He had neither the patience nor the experience to earn a woman without flaunting his rank or his purse. It was the Red Rider's turn to flush and he tried to recover some of his dignity.

"Well you don't give me much time to do much else, old man, let alone court a woman full time," he growled, and behind him Thorn stirred in his slumber. Galbatorix merely grinned at him, happy to be a part of their conversations for once. He usually felt like such an old man when they talked, leaving him the odd man out.

"So you're saying you want me to not only let you slack off, but arrange a marriage for you as well?" Murtagh glared at him and Galbatorix laughed, sitting near the fire like the both of them. The two brothers faced each other from across the flames, and Eragon took the opportunity to put his share in.

"I appreciate the offer brother, but I don't think Rhonny would like the idea too much…" He feared her reaction if she ever learned he spent a night with a prostitute after promising to marry her. His brother rolled his eyes.

"Don't you think you could use a bit of practice beforehand?" Murtagh chortled at his own taunt, knowing Eragon was completely smitten for the half dwarf girl he had kidnapped along the Beor Mountains. While he had to admit Rhonny was quite the looker, he didn't like the idea of settling down. Eragon was going to live forever, why would he marry a mortal woman? He didn't dare bring that up however, as even in his slight drunken stupor from gradually sipping his way through a small bottle of ale Murtagh knew such a topic would upset his next of kin.

Eragon returned to blushing, knowing there was no way Murtagh could connect to "I want her to be my first" as the older boy obviously did not hold sex very highly nor the woman who gave it to him. Galbatorix took the opportunity to move the talk away from something so controversial. They held conversations every night they stopped and made camp, sleeping in the saddle more than they established a mental connection and spoke with each other that way. The dragons themselves got caught up, both on things Saphira needed to know, and stories Shruikan deemed acceptable to share with them.

After twenty-three days of flying, stopping at Bullridge and then finally Gilead where Lady Mareen held the Northern front, they were all looking forward to resting for a little while and doing anything else but travel some more. They settled into the city with the elven army on the horizon, filling the King with feelings of dread and disgust at the same time. He ushered Eragon and Murtagh into their rooms, made sure Shruikan and the other dragons were comfortable as well, and then dined with the Lady of the Lake once again. Mareen was happy to see him, but their talks were grave with little room for flirting or word games.

It was another week and then Shruikan reported word from Blodgharm, who said they were nesting in the remains of Ceunon and waiting for orders. Galbatorix sent Murtagh and Thorn to fetch them, something the pair did not seem to like the idea of. Murtagh cinched Thorn's saddle tightly, glaring at the thick, magic enhanced leather. His body had finally ceased aching after weeks of lying on the ground and hunching over in the saddle, and now Galbatorix was bidding he return to his punishment? Murtagh growled and buckled his saddle bags in place, lacing the knots in an intricate pattern as he had been taught. Zarroc hung from his hips, but he removed that seconds later to tie it to Thorn's back as well. When he swung up and secured himself into place, he looked down at his King and couldn't fight his frown.

Galbatorix offered him a sad smile, handing the poor man a small gift from Lady Mareen. "Cornbread. She heard it was your favourite," Murtagh scowled still, but he accepted the small square package regardless. This journey would be nearly as far as the one they had taken to arrive in the northern city, and another few days were added to the time needed as they had to fly around enemy occupied territory. "Fly fast, but do not strain yourself." Galbatorix added, and Murtagh nodded, shifting in his seat. Luckily for both he and Thorn, Galbatorix had enough magic to spare, enough to cushion their journey and make it bearable.

With one final snarl towards his terrible luck, Murtagh swung Thorn around and the pair launched into the sky. They gained speed and flew with the wind, another comfort, but they still weren't happy about it. Galbatorix sighed and shook his head. "I hate to do this to him, but I need you with me," he spoke to Eragon, who had also come to say goodbye to the Red Rider. His purpose here was merely for show, which he was okay with, but he was eager to get started.

"What would you have me do, my King?" Eragon asked, and they shared a look. This was the first time Eragon had acknowledged him as his liege lord. He wasn't exactly Galbatorix's vassal, but he did use the King's land, and he was now in his army, so while he was not in the records as such, he worked for the King. He was no conscript, the base of the whole Imperial Army. So really, Eragon did not have a place. He chose to serve, and owed nothing. But maybe he did owe something? Not funds, certainly, but something.

"I would have you and that dragoness of yours make yourselves seen by every soldier housed in this city and on the plains," Galbatorix answered and watched Eragon nod. The boy bowed his head once, already knowing what he could do to fulfill this request.

"As you say, your grace," he bowed his head again, trying not to lay the courtesies on too thick, and turned away. He headed to where Saphira rested, happy to have something to do. Galbatorix merely shook his head and remained watching the direction where Murtagh had flown. Worry could be in his eyes if one dared look close enough, but the King was forced to brush that aside when Mareen called his attention.

"So I hear you have a new BlackHand," the Lady of the Lake looked him up and down calmly, sipping from a small glass of wine. Galbatorix looked up at her from his seat, hunched over with his elbows on his knees and his feet shoulder width apart on the floor. His hands were clasped together in front of him, his only way of keeping them from fluttering and flying as his mind raced. The topic change was a much needed distraction, one Galbatorix appreciated dearly. He smiled at her, knowing she was sizing him up.

"You've heard correctly, milady. Her name is Trianna," he spoke smoothly, wondering what she was playing at or if she was just curious. Unlikely, but still possible. After all, he and the ruler of Gilead had shared a bed many countless nights, so maybe that's what this was all about. Mareen nodded once or twice, seeming to consider this.

"I'm assuming she is a BlackHand in all aspects of the position," she prodded. Galbatorix grinned. He had guessed correctly. Mareen was an attractive woman; any man would be lying if he said otherwise. She had the full figure of a woman, ample breasts and round hips, her face was soft and clean and the hair on her head was thick. The King had to admit he would not mind fucking her once again, especially with Trianna so far away and out of his grasp. She was obviously still interested in him, so why not?

"Very much so, Mareen. She has proven she can handle the job," he added and Mareen poured herself more wine only to turn back around and pin him with a hard stare.

"But can she handle you?" She dared, and Galbatorix's eyes darkened, his grin now wicked. Standing, he made his way over to her and looked down at her, knowing he wouldn't have to try very hard to get her in bed. That was not to say she was easy, but the Lady of the Lake had always had a weak spot for her King, the first man to dare enter her bedchamber after her husband's untimely death.

"Not like you can," he whispered, knowing it was an absolute lie. Trianna was always on his mind, he pined for her daily when he could not have her. Those three weeks of flying had left him very frustrated, but he refused to stoop so low and pleasure himself. That was not what King's did. Perhaps that was why he wanted Mareen again? She knew his tastes and he knew hers. She was familiar, she was safe, but most importantly, she was there.

He was well on his way to undressing her when someone banged their fist on the door repeatedly. "Galbatorix, word from Teirm!" Eragon's voice sounded from the other side. The King quickly retracted his hands from her bodice and barked a spell to redo the lacing up the front of her dress to hide what they had been doing. He left her flushed and flustered to stride over to the door and slam it open.

The younger rider immediately let himself in, handing his King the sealed letter sent by spell all the way from the port city. The magic needed had most likely knocked out one of their local spell casters and at that Galbatorix rolled his eyes. Could the damned sea rats just use a mirror to scry or something? He tore the message open and read quickly, the muscles in his neck straining with tension as his nerves skyrocketed. Galbatorix glanced at the brown haired boy once and gestured for him to follow before he was suddenly stomping down the hall barking orders as he went. "Eragon, call in your dragon and gather your things, we leave for Tierm tonight."

"Without the Rid Rider, sire?" At this, Galbatorix slowed and finally stopped, looking down a giant staircase with city officials and castle guards alike looking back at him. Eragon brought up a good question: Should he wait for the Murtagh to return in a month's time? Should he return alone and instead leave Eragon here? Should he bring Shruikan if so? He shook his head and growled.

"Yes, without the Red Rider. We will not be flying, I will be teleporting us, so expect me to take energy from both you and Saphira. Go boy go!" He shooed the younger man away, taking the steps down four at a time in a very un-Kingly way. At the bottom of the stairs he turned and projected his voice back up to Mareen, who stood there, completely uninformed. "Lady Mareen, regretfully I have to excuse myself from your lovely city ahead of schedule. I beg your pardon at the unpleasant interruption, but it seems the Red Empire from across the sea has come to our aid!" Galbatorix's deep voice boomed over the cheers and clapping of the hall as he bowed to her one last time before charging towards the door.

He headed for the stables, where ironically Shruikan and Saphira had been lounging in the sun. Eragon had already set his saddle down nearby and begun to pile his possessions around it, spiking everyone's interest. Galbatorix knew he had to fill them all in and then address the mass of his army. The riders were leaving before they had planned, and news of new reinforcements would undoubtedly raise morale even more than their presence could. Shruikan took everything he needed to know from this rider's mind as Galbatorix made his way to the lower levels of the city, climbing the stairs to the top of the wall as fast as he dared.

There lay his forces, 40,000 strong, camped over miles upon miles of trampled prairie grass and under an endless sky. There were mountains in sight save for Marna, resting alone across the giant river to the east. To the north, Isenstar glistened in the afternoon sun, reflecting the light for all to see. Such good weather and pleasant conditions helped the men rest, made it easy to forget just beyond the raging white currents of the Rarm lay hordes upon hordes of forest dwelling "fair folk". The river was the last blockade between his army and Islanzadi's, and once the rains ceased and the water level fell, he would have a fight on his hands. For now, however, he looked over a still mass free of fear and frustration. Galbatorix grinned from ear to ear.

Behind him, Shruikan perched on the wall and stretched his neck to the sky, letting loose a frenzied roar. Immediately Galbatorix felt 40,000 pairs of eyes swing up to him, granting him their full attention. He expected nothing less, and he quickly muttered a spell that would let his voice be heard in the ears of every man camped before him. "Alagaesians, hear me! Fate turns in our favor, for after ten long years of war the precious Blue Rider has finally joined us, giving us an advantage. And let me give you another: while those tree fucking cowards have hidden in their forests and behind their self-proclaimed Queen, the Red Empire has sent a fleet of 10,000 strong to aid us. This war, this sorry excuse of a fight, will be over before those knife ears have time to pull their cocks from the roots of the trees and pull up their pants. Soon you will be back to your wives, your children, your homes. That, I promise you."

The din from the resting army nearly deafened him, and he was glad he had chosen not to announce this in an enclosed area and instead out over the open plains. The cheers and hollers were enough to make him smile and leap unto Shruikan's back ceremoniously. Shruikan motioned for Saphira to follow him into the air, and soon they were dancing around each other above the great army. They twisted, flying straight to the sun, only to fall back and swoop down, flaring their wings over the crowds. It was only when they turned back around and met in the middle again, shooting straight up, that Galbatorix barked the enormous spell needed to send them to Tierm.

Eragon had to close his eyes and hold his breath as there was no air to breathe, only to suddenly feel the sun on his face once again. He peaked out from under his eyelids and found himself looking down on a sea of ships that floated on waves of white and raised sails of red. Shruikan hovered next to them, careful not to hit them with his giant wingspan. The giant black dragon graced them with a gruesome grin, and Galbatorix matched it with one of his own. "Eragon, prepare to meet the Red Empire."


Introducing the Red Empire! 8D Awayyyyy~

Also, expect a bit more of Murtagh than ever before once he gets back from this little "ridin solo" expedition.

Next Update: It's a surprise.