The power in insanity
Disclaimer:Eragon belongs to Christopher Paiolini
Freeing Muragh was surprisingly easy.Brom went in and as Galbatorix thought he was dead , Murtagh was not sworn to kill him.He told Murtagh how to free himself. Murtagh was surprisingly calm , but prone to the occaissional outburst. His serving under Galbatorix was not good for his sanity. But, as they later heard that was the plan...
Murtagh was sitting on a chair surronded by members of the Varden and Karris. Brom,Arya, Nasuada,Orrin,Angela,Trianna and Eragon stared at him. Karris was standing and drumming his fingers against his arms. Murtagh occasionaly cast looks at Nasuada but otherwise was completely composed. "Ah, forget it" said Karris angrily. Unless there was violence, he didn't enjoy interrogations. "Are you with us our against us?" Eragon straightined. Karris may be a master planner but he had little people skills.
"Murtagh in order to regain your macgical skill and lose your ability to lie just say , make Afrikaans magic." Muragh did this but still said nothing. Karris smiled. "Boy , you've done things you aren't proud of , we all have. But keeping it inside of you will just make it worse." Eragon smiled. Perhaps Karris was beter with people than he appeared.
Murtagh sighed and said "For the past year I have served Galbatorix. For the past year I have kileed and ruined lives due to the ravings of a mad man. I don't like talking about it." Said Murtagh before saying in the ancient language. "I pledge myself to the Varden and will never serve Galbatorix again." Eragon stole a glance at Karris.He nodded. They both saw a nice big loophole. He now knew how to break himself away from the ancient language so he only keeps the promise as long as he wants to. They didn't do anything about it. They both knew Murtagh wasn't to be trusted but he wanted Galbatorix dead. More ends to the ultimate means.
Nasuada looked at Murtagh and asked "How was service to Galbatorix? I mean how did he treat you? Do you know any of his plans?" Murtagh looked at her for a while before answering. "The reason your seiges have been so easy is simple. Galbatorix has drawn all his forces into one vast dark army that lurks at Uru'baen. He knows you will send every warrior at your dispossal to attack him. He has created a massive trap to crush everyone who ever stood against him." Everyone in the room looked nervousily at one another. All except Karris. "Very well , young rider but Galbatorix has forgotten that traps work both ways..."
Eragon and Murtagh were talking about the Varden when Karris and Brom showed up. "I've been meaning to ask you. How many souls have you absorbed?" Karris tried to appear casual but his eyes gave him away. They were a dark green without a hint of yellow. "Five" said Murtagh. Eragon was shocked. Five hedge magiacians gave him that kind of power? How much power would Galbatorix have then? Karris looked at Murtagh and said "This is important. Did these many have red hair?" Murtagh looked thoughtfull. "Yes , and I think they were Shades. Karris and Brom looked at each other and nodded. "It's as we feared" sighed Brom. Karris looked at their puzzeled faces. "Murtagh , how long have you been doing that?" "For about two weeks into my apprentisship." "Good , then there is still hope.Don't you get it?" asked Karris looking at Eragon and Murtagh. "He's started using everyone with magic to breed a shade army." They all stared horrified and wondered how they can fight this new threat.
Nasuada had called an emmergancy meeting when she was told of the latest develpment. The elvish,dwarvish and urgal armies along with the Varden had formed a single massive army. But everyone was nervous. Galbatorix had drawn them into a massive trap with even Karris not realising it. The trap was a brilliant one. Not only did it nearly make sure that Galbatorix would be able to kill everyone who opposes him, even if they discovered the trap they would stil have to attack , because that is the only option left. If they fled Galbatorix would take out his vengance on the villiges who were traitors and the Varden's seiges had shown the turncoats. Now the Varden need a plan to defend themselves. Galbatorix had over a hundred thousand men and at least a thousand shades.Things did not look good. It was Karris who spoke first "We cannot run, nor can we stay. We must strike." Arya looked at him with a look of pure rage. "The elves are the only ones who can stand against the shades. Any rash plan will cause hundreds , if n0t thousands of pointless deaths. If Galbatorix doesn't die this is all for naught." Eragon looked at her a bit more intently than neccasery,waiting for Karris's answer. "I'm not planning on crushing his army I'm planning to break a dragon sized hole in their ranks so that me, Eragon, Murtagh and Brom can strike Galbatorix down.Our dragons will help rip apart the shade army." "Why can't Saphira join us?" asked Eragon. He had greatly counted on her help in the final battle. Karris looked sad when he answered. "Due to Galbatorix's perverted union with Shruikan he cannot truly fight with him. If we daze Galbatorix enough he will lose control of him. Galbatorix will not take that chance and will not doubt have some way of ensuring that our dragons can't help us . Like he did to you at helgrind." Nasuada stood and every eye turned to her. "The plan might work." She admitted. "But you haven't been very in depth." Karris smiled at her and his eyes turned a bright yellow. Many averted they're gazes. "I suggest the dwarves lead the charge with the Varden as back up. The elves and urgals who are the fastest will charge the enmies flank." Everyone nodded and left and Eragon couldn't help but wonder if Karris didn't use his magic to be extra convincing.
Karris had drawn Eragon,Murtagh and Brom to him. "We need to devise a plan" he said looking at each of them. "Eridor is already briefing Thorn and Saphira." Murtagh looked a little confused but asked "Just how old are you?" Karris looked at him with a look of complete disbelief. However he recovered in time. "3012. Healthy living you know." Brom snorted and Eragon was slightly troubled. It must be hard being Karris he thought. He hates the elves so everyone he ever cared about is long since dead. "Anyway" said Karris "Galbatorix may be badly outnumbered but he is most certianly not overpowered. The news of the shades have increased my fears. To absorb to many souls is not a good idea. Your personality will change and you will eventually be driven insane. But the trouble is Galbatorix is already insane and does not care about his personality. He has found great power in his insanity.He was planning to also drive Murtagh insane. Have you never wondered why I'm not more powerfull than Galbatorix?" Eragon shook his head. "I was always carefull to absorb riders with simialar traits. Makes you change more but also makes it so that your personality doesn't fight with itself." Brom sighed. "So basically Galbatorix is more powerfull than the four of us together ,so what are we going to do?" Karris smiled and told them.
Eridor was explaining a battle plan to Thorn and Saphira. It was difficult because they were obviously bessotted with each other. Eridor had to work really hard to stop them from sending mental messages to each other. "Listen here" he said in the deep growl , that was his voice. "We have a large army to destroy and several shades to kill. Remember don't go to too much effort to stab them through the hart. We just need them out of the way for a while." Saphira looked up at the older dragon and asked "To you have a strategy?" Eridor smiled as much as a dragon could and told her his plan.