Ok, so it's not 20 pages. It's 14. Close enough right? Review afterwards!
Chapter 12: The Rescue
Marie's mind was becoming fuzzier every day. She was now unsure of why she was here. A week passed by and the first footsteps she's heard came smoothly down the hall.
"Hello, Rider," said a voice just as smooth. Marie looked up groggily from her place on the ground.
There, now standing inside her cell was a tall man with red slanted eyes and hair. The look of him sent shivers down her spine. Who was this?
"Hello," Marie answered, pleasantly.
The man sneered in pleasure. "Don't worry about your dragon. He is being contained in chains until my master comes."
Marie couldn't remember a dragon. "What dragon?"
The man turned to a guard, not bothering to lower his voice. "Put a little less doses in her food and water. I'll be back in a week. Bloody girl can't even remember who she is…"
Over two days, Marie remembered everything except the ancient language. She suddenly remembered her meeting with the man.
"They're poisoning my food," she mumbled. She put her head in her hands at her insolence and tossed the next few meals out the window, hungry by the end of the day. The process continued and even though Marie could remember everything, she was still too weak to use magic.
By this time Eragon and Brom were fleeing from Dras-Leona. Three more days passed by and Brom was dead and Eragon was traveling with Murtagh. It is now the end of the week and Eragon is in Gil'ead.
Marie groaned as a whip came crashing down her back. Tears were poring down her face as it came down again, ripping holes in her clothing.
"Let's try this again, girl!" yelled the red haired man. "Where are the elves?"
"I…" Marie could only choke out a word before pain erupted from her lungs.
"Answer!" the man yelled dangerously.
"I don't know!" screamed Marie. She dropped to her knees. Chains were holding her on her hands, which were also in pain.
"Liar!" yelled the man and the whip came down upon her back again.
"No! Stop!" Marie screamed and then yelled in the ancient language that she wasn't lying.
The man stopped for a moment.
"Obviously, you are slipping from the truth. You say you don't know where they are but that doesn't mean you don't know where they live!" The man handed the whip to a guard. "Give her 10 more lashes and then throw her in a middle cell. I want her equally away from the elf and the other Rider."
Marie's mind began racing. Another Rider? Who else could be here but Eragon? Or maybe it was that black Rider…
Marie's thoughts were interrupted by the pain that was coming down apon her back once more.
Minutes later, Marie was dragged off, barely conscious. As she passed a cell a boy raced to the bars to look at her. "Marie!"
Marie was thrown into a windowless cell and was knocked out before she could answer.
Noise made Marie get up. She crawled feebly to the door and almost cried when she saw Eragon fighting guards. A man with a beard was helping.
The man helping arched an arrow at the last guy.
"No! Don't kill him!" yelled Eragon. He studied the man for a moment and then said with a hard and ruthless voice Marie had never heard from him, "You've seen what I can do. If you do not answer my questions, the rest of your life will be spent in utter misery and torment. Now where's my sword-it's sheath and blade are red- and what cell is the elf and the other Rider in? And where's the dragon?"
"Other Rider?" asked the man helping. Eragon just shook his head at him and continued to stare down the man. The guard kept is mouth shut.
Eragon pulled his face into a steely smirk. "Wrong answer."
Eragon's palm began to glow. "Do you know how much pain a grain of sand can cause you when it's embedded red hot in your stomach? Especially when it doesn't cool off for the next twenty years and slowly burns its way down to your toes! By the time it gets out of you, you'll be an old man."
Eragon paused, not taking his eyes off the man. "Unless you tell me what I want."
The guard looked panicky but didn't talk. Marie could feel her strength coming back to her and she stood, trying hard to ignore the excruciating pain in her back.
Eragon scraped a handful of dirt off the ground. "This is a bit more than a piece of dirt but be comforted; it'll burn through you faster. Still, it'll leave a bigger hole."
True to his words, the dirt began to glow cherry red.
"All right!" yelled the soldier. "Just don't put that on me! The elf's in the last cell on the left! The Rider is in the middle right one and the dragon is being chained in the armory. Your sword's probably in the guardroom upstairs."
Eragon murmured, "Slytha," and the man collapsed.
"Did you kill him?" asked the man.
"Murtagh?" demanded Eragon. "Is that you?"
"Yes," said Murtagh lifting the beard briefly. "I don't want my face seen. Did you kill him?"
"No. He's asleep. How'd you get in?"
"There's no time to explain. We have to get on the next floor before someone finds us. There'll be an escape route for us in a few minutes. We don't want to miss it."
"Didn't you hear what I said?" asked Eragon waving at the sleeping soldier and the cells around them. "There's an elf and another Rider in here. We have to help them. I need your help too."
"An elf and another Rider…" growled Murtagh thinking. He went and grabbed the keys. "This is a mistake. We should flee while we have the chance."
"Eragon…" Marie called out, surprised at the weakness of her own voice.
Eragon spun around, keys in his hand. "Marie?"
He raced to her cell and threw it open, wrapping her into a tight hug. "Are you ok?"
"I am now…" Marie mumbled as Eragon held her shoulders.
He pulled away and looked at her. "Are you strong enough to walk fast?"
Marie nodded. "Where's Oropher?"
"The guard said he's chained in the armory. You need to get to him," said Eragon. Marie nodded and started down the cell hall."
"Marie!" called Eragon. Marie spun just in time to catch a sword that looked like Brom's.
"Where is.." Marie began. Eragon shook his head. "Not now!"
Marie just nodded and raced down the hall. She opened the door and began searching. She opened the door on a bunch of guards.
"Oops. Wrong door," she mumbled sheepishly, slamming the door shut and closing it with magic.
Minutes flew by and as she raced down another hall, a door burst open with three soldiers popping out of it. Marie pulled out the sword. A soldier rushed at her and slashed down. Marie parried and stabbed him.
Temporary shock swept through Marie as the man fell dead at her feet. I just killed him!
Suddenly Marie felt a familiar presence pushing at her. She welcomed it in. Oropher?
Marie! You're alive! I can't believe it! Marie was so overjoyed by his voice that she was almost stabbed by the other two guards.
Where are you? I need you. I can hardly fight. I feel like I'm going to collapse. Marie swept her sword down and shoved it through a man's foot pulling it up and across his face. She immediately stabbed the other guard.
The sword dropped from her hands weakly.
Marie. I will strengthen you until you get to me. Then it'll be up to you to get this muzzle and these chains off. I'll send you my coordinates. Marie got the message and spun around, picking up the sword and going to an earlier hall, finding new strength inside of her.
On the last hall to Oropher, a man burst through the armory with an axe. Marie stopped abruptly, palm glowing and yelled, "Jierda!"
The man was immediately thrown against a wall and knocked out. Marie ignored the fatigue and raced into the armory. Her heart screamed with anger as she saw Oropher chained by the neck, legs and even a very tight one for his tail. His silky wings were pinned to his sides and a spiked muzzle was clamped over his snout.
"Oropher!" she cried and began using magic to get everything off.
She slumped to the floor weakly and marveled at her work. Oropher's golden eyes flashed as he gave a flap of his wings and thrashed his tail.
His now massive head weaved over to Marie and bit her shirt gently, lifting her up and onto his back. Marie threw her arms around him momentarily, the dragon humming in response.
You got big. Marie said appreciatively.
And even though you are weak now, you have become strong. Was the reply. Marie hugged him tighter, rubbing her hands over his scales. A thought struck her and she sat up.
Eragon and a friend are here. We need to help! They're upstairs! Marie said.
Hold on tight and try to move your legs with my scales. Less chance of injury that way. Marie nodded in response and wrapped herself around Oropher's neck again.
With a rumbling growl Oropher flew up and then curved down, slamming his powerful tail into the roof. It cracked but did not break.
An explosion and yells came from the floor above. Marie's eyes darted to the roof. She patted Oropher encouragingly. Hurry, hurry, hurry!
I'm going! Oropher snapped. Marie silenced herself, not knowing this side of her dragon.
Oropher shot up again and slammed his tail into the roof.
"Oropher!" cried Marie as rubble began falling. The white dragon shot out of the way and pressed himself against the farthest wall as half the ceiling fell.
Are you ok? Marie asked. The only reply was determined reassurance.
After the rubble stopped falling, Oropher opened his wings and took off through the opening. Marie had never felt so alive. Air was rushing around her, the ground wasn't touching, and she was flying! Her excitement was dampened as Oropher had to land abruptly on the floor, as there was still a roof in the room.
But the sight wasn't as pleasant as Marie hoped. The Murtagh guy was standing off to the side staring helplessly as Eragon fought with the red haired man.
Marie jumped off Oropher and raced over to 'Murtagh'. "Who is that?"
"If you mean that…creature Eragon is fighting…it's a Shade," said Murtagh.
Marie gaped as the battle raged on. Suddenly, her legs buckled and she collapsed to her knees. Fatigue had hit her like 20 arrows and she could hardly stay up.
Murtagh looked down at her just as the ceiling began to crash. He looked at Eragon who was still fighting the Shade to notice. He acted quickly, gently setting the elf down and lifting Marie up. Oropher growled menacingly.
"I'm putting her on your back!" snapped Murtagh. The ceiling broke and Saphira's head weaved in. Oropher grabbed the edge of Marie's shirt and lifted her onto his back as Saphira began clawing in.
Once Murtagh was rid of Marie, he swiftly pulled out his bow and arrows and began shooting at the Shade. An arrow pierced his arm and the other his forehead. The Shade yelled and vanished.
Eragon raced over to Murtagh as he lifted the elf back onto his back. "You killed him!"
Murtagh shook his head. "I'm not so sure."
Suddenly soldiers raced in. Saphira roared and three soldiers fled. Oropher and the boys pressed themselves against the walls as Saphira began ripping the roof off. Ruble fell and crushed the remaining soldiers as they fled and with one final heave, the roof was off. Saphira jumped into the hall, her weight making the floor sink slightly.
Eragon greeted her warmly and told her about Marie. Oropher roared happily at her and Saphira gave a snort back.
What is wrong with Marie? Saphira asked.
No time to talk now. We need to leave! Eragon waved Murtagh over and he slipped the elf onto Saphira's back. Eragon held out a hand and jumped onto Saphira behind the elf.
Eragon reached out to Oropher. It felt very strange contacting another dragon. Oropher opened up.
We're flying out of here. You go first. Oropher nodded and opened his wings and flew out. Saphira followed. As they flew higher, the dragons gave roars of pain as archers shot their wings.
The dragons flew on, gliding as much as possible, farther away from Gil'ead. They landed in a large clearing where Cadoc, Snowfire and Murtagh's horse were tied.
Eragon and Murtagh slid off and Eragon stared painfully at the state the dragons were in. They both were trembling and had their wings draped out on either side of them.
Eragon lifted the elf off Saphira and then went to Marie. She wasn't in as bad of condition as the elf, but he knew that the elf had only survived because of what she is. Marie on the other hand was still human and was weak and wounded from her torture.
He pulled Marie down pushing a guilty thought of the elf being lighter out of his mind.
He turned to Saphira. I do not know if I can heal you both. But I can try.
Do your best. Saphira pinned her wings down as Eragon began to heal. Suddenly he came to a spot where the arrow had not left her wing.
"Hold her wing down. I have to remove this arrow," said Eragon. Murtagh obeyed.
You can't thrash around, ok? Eragon asked. Saphira replied by pulling a tree out of the ground and clamping her teeth tightly around it.
"Hold on," said Eragon. With one quick motion, Eragon yanked the shaft out. Saphira flapped her wing in pain, hitting Murtagh under his chin and knocking him to the floor. Saphira threw the branch away and than let Eragon hug her tightly. He pulled away and Saphira looked at Murtagh. I'm sorry.
"She didn't mean to hit you," said Eragon helping Murtagh up.
"You better hurry and heal your friend's dragon. We need to leave," said Murtagh. Eragon nodded and began healing Oropher. After he was done the dragon nuzzled him gratefully.
You're going to have to hold that elf about longer. Eragon told Saphira as he lifted her onto her back.
I will do it. Eragon smiled at her as she dipped her head.
Thank you, said Eragon. What you did back there was incredible. I'll never forget it.
I must go now. Saphira nuzzled him as he backed away. Saphira took off, the elf's hair streaming around in the sky.
Eragon went to Marie. She groaned slightly as he lifted her up. She opened her eyes and sat up in his arms. Her back was letting off horrible protests but Marie ignored them.
"Hey. Do you think you can ride Cadoc by yourself?" asked Eragon.
Marie looked around. "Where's Brom?"
"Not now. We're still in danger. Can you ride?" asked Eragon.
"Yes…Oropher! He was hit by arrows!" yelled Marie struggling out of Eragon's arms to Oropher.
Don't worry little one. Eragon healed me. In return, I gave him a little more strength for our flight. Oropher nudged her happily.
Marie turned to Eragon with a grateful smile. "Thanks. I might need help getting on Cadoc though."
Marie stumbled over to the horse, calming him with her mind. Cadoc whickered and nuzzled her in return as Eragon lifted her into the saddle.
She gathered up the reins and waited while Murtagh and Eragon mounted.
"Good thing you decided to keep Cadoc," said Murtagh as he kicked Tornac to a trot leaving them behind. He felt they needed to catch up.
Marie and Cadoc trotted in front of Eragon's path. "Why were you going to sell Cadoc? Where is Brom?"
"Marie. We have no-"
"No!" snapped Marie. "I'm so confused. Tell me now!"
"Well…after you left-"
"Wait, left?" asked Marie. "I was kidnapped by a guy on a huge black dragon."
Eragon looked truthfully stunned. "Kidnapped? I knew it! Brom wanted to believe you had left but I knew you wouldn't!"
"Ok…so where is Brom?" Marie demanded. Eragon's face became screwed in a tight frown.
"He-he…" Eragon mumbled. Marie shook her head. Tears began streaming down her face.
"No…" she said. Suddenly and arrow landed right in front of Cadoc and Snowfire. The horses reared in fear tossing their heads.
Eragon and Marie immediately kicked them to a gallop and willed them to run harder with their minds.
"C'mon!" yelled Eragon to Murtagh who was still trotting Tornac. Murtagh looked behind him to see that the soldiers had set the forest a light and now there was archers and Calvary out for them.
