Chapter 52: A Grave Error

Orúm stopped short, watching the black dragoness and her Rider in front of him. He scowled as the five men next to him cowered in fear as they watched their comrades being burnt alive in the black fire that the dragoness shot at them.

"Listen to me, Rider!" Orúm said, staring at the man wearing dark armor. "You are biting off more than you can chew, you cannot stop Alagaesia from falling to us, it is impossible . . ."

The Rider stared at him for a while, eyebrows raised, then he crouched and said, "This shows how short-sighted you are, Shade."

Orúm felt a wave of rage course through him, he never gave second chances to anyone, and the first time he had, he had been refuted. "You'll regret that, filthy Rider . . . Oh yes, and I know just the way to do that . . . your friend . . ." Orúm said, and he notice the Rider's jaw tighten. "I will make sure that her every waking moment is that of pain, and do you know how? . . ." He could see fury on the Rider's face, and he knew that the dam would break soon. "I will skin her hand first, then burn it with-"

"You won't dare touch her! I won't give you the chance you-" The Rider began to say, but his words were drowned as the blue dragon on the other side of the camp gave a loud roar and jumped, wings flapping, and flew towards their direction.

"Get them, attack!" Orúm yelled, drawing his sword. The Rider in front of him charged, as did his men. He himself ran towards the black dragoness, and ducked as she swiped her talons at him. Then he dashed to the left, and jumped above her tail came towards him. He was very close to her now, close enough to work magic.

As the black dragoness pulled her head back to breath fire at him, Orúm raised his left hand and yelled, "Garjzla!" An orb of shimmering green light burst out of his hand and sped towards her neck. In the meantime he sprinted faster and jumped forwards, sliding under her chest as he hit the ground. Then he got up, intending to stab her in the heart, but she roared and jumped back. On the other side, her Rider also yelled in pain. Orúm realized that his attack had worked, but it had given away his chance of killing the dragon. Then again, there was nothing for it. He jumped to right, and a huge paw landed where he had been less than a second ago.

That was too close for comfort. He thought, and just then, the blue dragon landed and swiped at the remaining three men, just as they ganged down upon the Rider. A man was thrown away wildly, his body bloody.

Orúm pounced ahead with his sword pulled back. As soon as his feet hit the ground, inches away from Jiarha's leg, he jabbed ahead, and pierced his sword into her leg. It penetrated into her flesh till it was just half out, and she roared in intense pain. Ephian fell to the ground, yelling "Jiarha!" and clutching his leg as well.

But, quite suddenly, something powerful hit Orúm extremely hard from the left, making him fly away towards the right, He dashed through the air for several breathtaking moments, until he hit the ground and rolled uncontrollably for a couple of seconds.

"Blasted dragons!" He swore.

"Jiarha!" Ephian yelled once more, feeling the pain she was feeling, and doing his best to control himself. There was still one man left, and Orúm had already been bashed away by Eridor. Ephian ducked under a blow from his attacker, then jumped back, avoiding any other incoming blows. The man cursed and swung his mace towards him again, but Ephian blocked the blow with Nuanen, and slashed apart the man's leather armor, clothing and chest. The man fell back, clutching his torn torso, then made to get up, but Ephian pierced his heart with Edoc'sil.

"Are you alright?" Ephian asked out loud, turning around while his dragon lay on the ground, unable to get up. Eridor was next to her, already taking a look at her injury. Ephian tried to run to her, but his leg was paining just has Jiarha's was, which forced him to limp.

"Jiarha . . ." Ephian said, then noticed a particularly horrible burn and gash on her neck, the place where Orúm had shot the magic orb.

Give her a minute will you? You are screaming her head off. Eridor muttered.

Ephian was too worried to rebut him, and instead said. Can you do something?

You are the magician here . . . you do something. Eridor replied.

I don't understand, I can't sense her thoughts . . . I mean, I can, but they-

She is unconscious, I think the magic blast that the shade made is the reason for that. Eridor cut in, then crouched and slid his forelegs under Jiarha's stomach.

What are you doing? Ephian asked him, watching as he heaved,

What do you think? I am turning her over so that we can do something about her wound . . . By the egg-breaker's thrice blasted beard! Eridor swore, roaring. There are more men coming . . . and the shade is coming as well . . . Rider, you take that shade on, I will take care of the men . . . I think I can do something to help Jiarha, but you will have to stall that shade long enough for me to put my plan in action. Eridor said, then jumped above Jiarha and landed in front of her, roaring.

Ephian didn't reply, but did as he had been told. He ran to the side, and looked around for Orúm, whom he saw running towards him, a different sword in hand. As Ephian saw it, he realized and that Orúm's sword was still embedded in Jiarha's skin. He turned around and sheathed Edoc'sil, then grabbed the other sword and pulled as hard as he could. It came out, covered in flesh and blood, and Ephian finally yelled in pain as it coursed through his left ankle.

I have to stop her from bleeding, and fast . . . Ephian thought and hurriedly held up his palm and said, "Waise Heil!"

Magic emanated from his hand, and covered the wound, and soon new skin was stretching across it. But he couldn't heal it completely, he stopped as soon as he was sure that there would be no more bleeding. Then, he stepped back and drew his black sword, knowing that Orúm would be very close.

It's time to get him back for what he did to her . . .to Elva . . . Ephian thought and yelled his rage, sprinting ahead towards Orúm, who was just a few yards away. The Shade was also running, and he swung his sword as hard as he could as soon as Ephian was close enough. There was a loud clang as the Rider parried the blow, then ducked and swung his left hand around, momentum carrying him closer to the Shade. Orúm blocked the blow, and Ephian tried to swing Edoc'sil at his head, but Orúm grabbed his wrist tightly, his face slightly strained due to the strength he was applying. Ephian struggled against him for a while, but after a while, Orúm heaved mightily and threw Ephian back.

Ephian stumbled, but regained the lost ground in a moment, jabbing Edoc'sil and Nuanen at Orúm simultaneously, and the Shade just jumped to the side, dodging both the blade. Ephian gasped and stumbled forward, and fortunately so, because Orúm tried to stab him behind. Ephian turned around and struck Orúm's sword with Edoc'sil, knocking it upwards, then ducked under a punch that Orúm sent at him, then swung Nuanen around blindly.

Orúm winced as a blue sword slashed his right leg, the cut wasn't too deep, but it was deep enough to ruin his balance. Orúm cursed and jumped to the side, but the Ephian was already upon him. He bellowed in anger and struck Orúm's sword aside again with Nuanen, then jabbed forward with Edoc'sil. Orúm ducked, knowing that it was impossible to block the blow now . . .

Edoc'sil sliced through the air, and Orúm's head went down, trying to dodge the blow. Ephian had aimed for the heart, and that was just the place which Orúm was trying to protect . . .

Edoc'sil pierced through Orúm's forehead, going through completely.

Ephian gave a gasp of surprise and jumped back, letting go of Edoc'sil completely. Orúm stepped back, the black protruding out from his face, and his hands hurriedly groping at it. He took several steps back, then, he dropped his sword and stretched out his hands. Ephian gasped as he realized what was going to happen. But he was too late at realizing it.

There was an extremely loud blast, and Ephian felt himself fly backwards, just as Eridor turned around in surprise, as did all the other men.
Ephian hit the ground hard, breaking off his back armor, and Edoc'sil came spinning through the air towards him. Before he could muster the energy to reach forward and stop it, the hilt of his own sword landed hard onto his own chest, making him choke out blood and knocking the wind out of him as well. Next thing he knew, a shield fell onto his head, bashing him extremely hard, and he knew no more.

Crugan stood in front of the hovering figure of the Alagaesian Rider, a fetid odour in the air. He stared emotionlessly at the Rider, not at all attracted by her beauty and her body. All he cared for was to get his work done. He had been spending a lot of time with this Rider, tampering her mind, trying to change it to his advantage. The arcane arts that he had learnt were the key to changing her thoughts, even though she was in a forced unconsciousness. When she woke, there were just two possibilities. She would help them defeat Alagaesia, or she would go mad, her mind unhinged.

She wasn't of much use to Crugan anyway, he had got all the information that he needed. He knew who the Lead Rider was, how Alagaesia was protected, and all about the great battles in the previous century. But, the greatest fact remained that Alagaesia was not at all prepared for him, it wasn't alert.

Soon, his faithful general, Zar'ac, and his armies would overrun the elven capital, and kill their king. He wondered who would rally the elves , his son, was doing a great job out there, rounding up the humans. He had already captured their Prince. Crugan was proud at his success. And finally Orúm, his commander-in-charge, had already conquered Galfni, and would soon call his army for the great attack on the dwarven capital.

Galbatorix failed when he attacked Farthen Dur . . . Even though it was Durza who led his armies . . . This Lead Rider, slew him, and his mate slew another Shade. They seem to be quite a strong pair, but I have faced stronger. Crugan thought. He was still in the central castle of the elven capital of Alalea, and he was waiting for the Rider to gain consciousness.

Ureimes had been quite difficult to capture, and the damage caused by his attack was irreparable, a mighty scar on a beautiful face. It showed how strong his forces had been. But now, that fool Eragon has rallied them all at Ellrion, even though I had nearly dispersed them permanently . . . Crugan thought, anger filling his mind. His greatest enemy, Eragon, was still alive, although most of his companions had been slain in the great battle for Ureimes. Only he and Anurin, and their dragons had survived.

Zar'rac had told him, through his trusted source, that Anurin and his dragon were already dead. Crugan was pleased at the fact that the Ra'zac had succeeded, he had one less threat. He suddenly heard a cough to the side, and he turned back to see the Rider awake. She had opened her eyes wide, and she was staring down at the ground, hovering and rotating on the spot.

"Ah, you're awake." Crugan said, stepping in front of her, knowing that as soon as she saw him, she would greet him with the word, "Master." But that didn't happen. As soon as he stepped in front of her, she stared at him as if he was some unearthly specimen, then rubbed her eyes and stared at him again.

"Who are you? And where in Alagaesia am I? This place is . . . wait, where is Eridor? And Ephian? Do you . . ." She stopped short as she saw the look on his face, which was that of extreme frustration and exasperation.

"What did you say?" Crugan asked her quietly, as his temper slowly began to flare.

"I . . . I asked where I am." She replied, her voice extremely low now, but Crugan could see that she wasn't frightened, a fact that made even more furious. He reached forward and grabbed both her cheeks with his hands, and squeezed, forcing her to be quite.

"All that work, all those days spend with you, patiently working your mind, and yet you remain the same? How?" Crugan asked her, but she grabbed his hands with her own nimble ones and pulled them down, freeing her mouth.

"You! You are the one who had captured me, you bloody-"

"Be silent, you wretch, you have cost me a great deal of time, this is what the result is, the very same person . . . how is this possible, the arcane arts cannot be resisted when one's unconscious . . ." Crugan thought, then assaulted her mind. To his immense surprise, he found it fortified with the strongest barriers he had ever seen. He attacked them again, but nothing happened, his attack just ricocheted off them, not harming them at all.

"How? . . . Let down your guard, Rider, or I will break your body!" Crugan stated, grasping her face again.

"Such old-fashioned threats won't work on anyone. Now I would appreciate some answers." Elva replied, but he squeezed her face again and held it up, cursing.

Just then, he spotted something on her forehead, something that he had overlooked earlier. He then pulled her head down then, and she gave a moan of discomfort. "That's . . . a diamond?" Crugan asked, running a finger across the silvery patch on her forehead. Then he pulled his hand back hurriedly as the patch flashed brightly and gave him a slight burn on his hand. He raised an eyebrow, and moved his finger across once more, and it glowed again. His temper began to vanish now, gradually being replaced with triumph.

"Dragon magic! . . . that means that . . . wild magic exists within her body . . ." Crugan spoke to himself, and elation came to him as he realized what that meant. He had never had the chance to examine her Gedwëy Ignasia or her forehead, immersed as he had been with her mind.
She tried to say something, but he didn't care. Instead he muttered a spell that removed the region inside which she was hovering. She fell to the ground, with her face still held by Crugan, who smiled.

"I examined you mentally, Rider . . . Now its time I did it physically . . . oh, you're going to regret ever signing up for that mission . . ." Crugan said, and slapped her powerfully, knocking her out.

Ephian groaned in pain, as he regained consciousness.

Where am I? Ephian thought, then opened his eyes. He was still were he had fallen, but all the tents had been burnt to the ground, and corpses were present everywhere. Ah! . . . My head hurts. Ephian thought, rubbing his cheek where the shield had fallen. But something was not right. His mind felt extremely empty, and his thoughts were all running wild, making him come to stupid and unnatural conclusions.

Instantly, he realized what the matter was. Jiarha! Jiarha, where are you? Ephian thought, looking for her, but she was nowhere in sight, and nor was Eridor. "Jiarha? Eridor?" Ephian asked, getting to his feet. A growl from behind made him jump and turn around, drawing Nuanen. Edoc'sil wasn't in its sheath. But he sighed when he realized that it was just Eridor. The sun was towards the west, and was gradually sinking. Jiarha was lying next Eridor, and he had a wing draped over her completely, almost covering her from view.

Eridor, what happened? Ephian asked him, looking for his sword, at the same time sheathing Nuanen.

You were knocked out when that shield hit you in the face . . . Eridor said, laying his head on top of Jiarha, lying down as well.

And Orúm? Ephian asked.

You got him, but at the wrong place . . . you cut through his head, instead of his heart, and he blasted . . . I am sure his spirits will gather somewhere else and he will be reborn. Eridor told him, and Ephian cursed, kicking a rock as hard as he could.

I could have killed him once and for all . . . Ephian thought as he watched the stone sail through the air. He spotted his sword, lying just next to where he had fallen, and he picked it up, wincing in pain as his chest hurt.

How is she? Ephian asked, as he swung his sword around, wishing to do something with his hands.

She is fine, Ephian . . . she was tired, so I told her to rest while I kept watch. Ephian raised his eyebrows at Eridor.

Is that why you have a wing over her? Ephian asked him shrewdly.

Eridor stammered with his reply for a while. I . . . well, she was shuddering, with cold, so I thought . . .

No, I was just curious . . . I am glad you were there to help her, Eridor, she wouldn't have been as peaceful as she is had you not been here. Ephian said, smiling at him. Eridor growled in reply, and Ephian walked up to him, sheathing Edoc'sil.

Err . . . But why are you laying your head on top of her? Ephian asked him. Eridor gave low growl of irritation and stood up straight. No, I don't have a problem with it. Ephian said hurriedly.

Eridor gave him a blank stare, then flopped back down. I was tired of holding it up, I have a rather large neck, you know . . . so, I am lying it down. Eridor told him, and Ephian nodded, but he knew that there was much more to it than what Eridor was letting out, and Ephian couldn't help him. Ephian himself wouldn't tell Eridor that he loved his Rider.

A battle had been won, but, but Ephian had made a grave mistake. Orúm had vanished, and it was likely that he would reappear and accomplish that what he had come to do. Although, the fact that remained the Ephian had managed the process at least by a couple of days. It was more than enough time for them to consider what to do next.