As Alex woke up, slight pain coursed through his mind. He sat up an opened his eyes, finding out that his vision was slightly blurred.
How are you feeling? asked Thanatos.
"Apparently a lot better than Eragon and Brom" replied Alex, noticing the others groaning.
Saphira is quite amused by Eragon commented the black dragon. Alex laughed softly, and went downstairs to recover with his friends. They had a small breakfast, and then set out for the day. Brom went on his own, leaving Alex and Eragon to do their own thing.
The riders walked through Dras-Leona, and eventually came upon a heart-wrenching sight. A little girl was wrenched from the arms of her crying mother as an announcer shouted out a price.
"Slave trading…" whispered a horrified Alex.
"How can they do such a thing…" said an almost enraged Eragon. He started to use magic to free the girl, but Alex grabbed his hand to stop him.
"I'd like to help her too, but doing so would get us into worse trouble, and she would most likely get recaptured. I think I speak for both of us in saying that by out blades, we will see that this abomination is done with" he said determined.
"Aye, that you do" replied Eragon, walking away with his friend. Their travels eventually led them to the huge black church in the middle of town. They went in not to worship but to pay homage. The riders kneeled at the altar for a moment, and as they got up, they froze, for the Ra'Zac were standing in the doorway.
Fueled by the memories of his dead uncle, Eragon let loose a couple arrows which the Ra'Zac easily dodged. Alex searched around for a weapon, but Eragon grabbed his arm, saying
"Don't bother, they've brought soldiers." He looked up and noticed a group of soldiers with the Ra'Zac running up to the altar.
"Guess we'll have to kill them later" said Alex, escaping through a side door with Eragon. He nodded grimy as they ran through the church, looking for a way out. Suddenly a monk blocked the way with a fighting stick. Alex instinctively evaded and jumped out of a nearby window, barrel-rolling onto the ground. He got up and brushed himself off; hoping Eragon made it our okay.
He did came the voice of a concerned Thanatos. Meet Brom at the inn you stayed at. And by the love that binds us, Hurry!
"Don't have to tell me that" replied Alex, running in back of the buildings, keeping to the shadows. It was then that he heard soldiers calling out to each other, and thought "Crap, I'm surrounded." Thinking quickly, he jumped between two buildings and had Thanatos mentally transport his cloak to him. He put it on, covered his face with the hood, and walked out of the alley, looking for whatever the guards were.
"Halt!" called out one of the guards, running up to Alex. Apparently not recognizing him, Alex was about to let off a relieved sigh, but caught himself.
"Did you see anybody run past here?" asked the soldier.
"No, I was just walking along, trying to find the source of the commotion when I saw something running behind these buildings. I went to inspect, and all I saw was you running up to me" replied Alex. The guard cursed, then he and his companions resumed their search.
"Can't believed that really worked" said Alex to himself, walking out of the alley and looking for a different bar.
Yes, but you're too late. The gates are closed. came his dragon's urgent message. Walking calmly, Alex entered a cleaner tavern than the Golden Globe and took a seat at the bar, still concealing his identity.
"Then what do you think I should do? You can't come rescue me, for you'd be an easy target for the many archers around here." he replied, obviously quite worried.
I hate to say this, but you're gonna have to wait until things calm down. said Thanatos.
"And the others?" asked Alex, sipping a mug of fresh beer.
…There is no other choice. The black dragon sighed, adding I'm gonna have to withdraw contact with you. If the king comes, we can't risk him knowing any more than he probably already does about us. Goodbye for now, my friend.
And thus Thanatos regretfully withdrew from his rider, leaving him to his thoughts.
Alex sighed and stared into his drink. The bartender noticed him, and walked over, asking "Something wrong, buddy?"
"Oh, I'm just wondering how I'm going to get to Teirm to visit my cousin. With the recent tightened security, I have a feeling I won't be able to get out of here." replied Alex.
The barkeep leaned on the counter, and looked at Alex. "You know, you're very lucky the guards mistook you for someone else" he said quietly. Alex froze, and looked up at the bartender, caution dancing in his eyes.
"Oh, don't worry. I'm no friend of the King, or those inhuman Ra'Zac. My names Tim" he said, wiping a dirty mug. "Though I should mention business has been a bit slow lately…" added Tim.
Alex sighed, and handed Tim a handful of coins. "Think that'll buy me a room for the night?"
"Yeah, I'll try to cover you if soldiers come, but I won't stop the Ra'Zac or Galbatorix" replied Tim, pocketing the money and handing Alex an iron key.
"Thanks. Well, I'm gonna turn in for the night, and try to escape later" said Alex, yawning.
"Goodnight" replied Tim, closing up the tavern.
Alex went upstairs to his room, locked the door, and went to sleep on the soft bed. A couple days passed while Alex hid in Tim's tavern when one morning he awoke to a sharp knocking on his door. He got up and opened to find a concerned Tim looking down at him.
"The King just arrived. He probably doesn't know about you, but I thought I should tell you just in case." he said.
"Thanks, Tim" replied a worried Alex, fishing the rest of his coins out of his pocket. He gave them to the bartender saying "Fix me up with your strongest drink, please. The rest is for any damages caused by possible future conflicts. You're a good man, Tim. Thanks for the hospitality."
Alex walked downstairs and sat down at the bar, thinking of any way he might escape the inevitable confrontation with Galbatorix. "Pour soul" muttered Tim, following the rider to the bar and preparing the drink. After passing Alex a mug filled with a bubbling black liquid, the bartender waited on the other patrons there. A few minutes later, Alex felt a powerful force brush across his mind.
"Must've been the king" he thought, taking a sip of the potent liquid, which bubbled in his belly and filled him with much energy. He looked around at the other people, but they apparently didn't feel anything. It was then that Alex heard heavy footsteps walking into the bar,
"Here goes nothing" thought Alex, pulling his hood over his face and drinking more beer to try and quell his pounding heart. Moments later, a man garbed in a black cape and armor strode purposefully into the tavern. A dark sword was in a sheath clipped to his belt.
"Galbatorix is it?" rasped Alex, his vocal cords damaged by the beer. He swayed on his seat, attempting to appear almost drunk. The King sat next to Alex, and stared at the rider with icy eyes.
"Yes, that is right. And you are?" he asked coolly.
"I…I don't remember. Lost in the beer perhaps" replied Alex, staring into the beer and trying to recall. Galbatorix tensed up for a moment, and it became apparent that he wasn't buying this act. Changing the subject, the king asked
"What do you know of the events that transpired the other day? And don't give me and crap; I know you had something to do with them." Alex thought for a moment, noting the innate anger in the king's voice, and came up with an answer.
"You are right, I did have something do to with what happened here while ago. I was about to leave to visit a relative in Teirm when I heard yelling and a couple horses charging around. I went to inspect only to find the gates were closed. I tried to get out, but the guards wouldn't let anyone through. And then I ended up in this tavern, passing time with beer."
"Is that all?" asked the king, forcefully turning Alex to face him. Moments before it happened, Alex gazed upon Galbatorix's grazed face, eyes betraying the emptiness he felt when he was bereaved of his loving dragon, only to be finned up by the resulting madness. Alex felt a moment of pity, but then the king raved through his mind and memories.
Thinking quickly, he grasped Galbatorix's mind and broke into the strange light which fluttered around his conscience like moths attracted to fire. The king tensed up for a moment, and tried to brush Alex's grip from his mind, but found that he couldn't.
"Release the light within me!" yelled Alex, forcing his power into Galbatorix's mind. The king cried out in pain, grasping his head and collapsing on the floor, unconscious. Wiping his brow, Alex thought
"Shards, that took a lot out of me, but at least I can escape now." He looked around at the stunned patrons, watching as some cautiously slinked toward the door. It was then that the king started twitching. Alex quickly chugged the rest of his beer and fled the tavern, waving goodbye to Tim along the way.
He was forced to stop, for a plethora of soldiers stood outside the tavern with their spears pointed toward him. Tapping into his power once more, Alex performed a massive leap onto the roof of the pub. The guards stared in awe, and then readied their archers who fired at the tired rider.
"Good time for the beer to kick in" thought Alex as a rush of adrenalin surged throughout his body. "I just hope I get out of here alive."
Arrows whizzed by his head as Alex bounded across the rooftops of Dras-Leona. A couple got lodged in his mesh armor, but he quickly pulled them out. Soon he reached the walls of the city, though there was a large gap between the roof he was standing on and the wall itself.
Alex looked down as soldiers raced by, then jumped across to the wall. His feet got caught on the edge, causing him to fall over and land on his chest. He gasped and massaged his sore ribs, looking around for guards. Seeing no one, Alex ran into the forest, hoping to catch up with Eragon.
He was about to reach out with his mind to contact Thanatos when he heard large wings flapping toward him. Alex knew at once who this was, and threw himself on the ground so Galbatorix's dragon wouldn't see his face. Shruikan landed and trapped Alex under his arm, saying Don't try anything or I'll crush you.
"The king probably wouldn't like that too much" mentioned Alex, noting the reluctance and sorrow in the dragon's voice.
"He wants me alive for what I know, and possibly my skills. Say, I was wondering, do you honestly despise Galbatorix for what he did to you and your true rider?"
Silence was the response Alex got from Shruikan, but he could sense that the dragon did indeed despise the king for what he had done. "I feel pity for you, and wish to assist should you decide to turn against the king" said Alex discreetly.
I was twisted by black magic to serve him. Breaking that bond won't be easy, but if there's a way…Promise me you'll help. replied Shruikan, raising his arm.
"I will" vowed Alex, getting up and brushing himself off. "But for now I should leave. Goodbye, o cursed one." And thus Alex departed into the forest, leaving Shruikan to ponder the recent events and how he would explain them to the king.
The sun was at its peak as Alex came upon a rocky hill with a cave at its front. He was going to inspect the cave, but something more interesting caught his eye on top of the hill. A diamond tomb laid there, where Brom slept peacefully within it.
"Rest in peace, old friend" whispered Alex, kneeling in respect for the dead. He looked up and noticed the epitaph on the grave's headstone.
"So he was a rider…Thanatos!" Alex turned around excitedly as his dear friend walked up to him. "Fly, dear heart. We must leave immediately. The king is sure to be awake now, after I knocked him unconscious." said Alex, mounting his dragon after a brief hug. "What happened to Eragon and Saphira?"
It is good to see you well, my friend. We were attacked by the Ra'Zac, who chained us and drugged Brom. A man named Murtagh appeared to assist us, and we brought Brom to this cave, but sadly he didn't survive. After the burial, they continued north to a town called Gil'ead, and I decided to wait behind for you. And about the king, I did feel a surge of power earlier…Was that you? asked the black dragon, gaining much altitude and distance.
"Aye it was. Took a lot out of me. The beer isn't helping either" replied Alex, shaking his now aching head.
That'll teach you to drink said Thanatos dryly, easing himself above a cloud.
"Hey, I needed the extra energy to get out of Dras-Leona. And speaking of energy, how much farther do you thing you can fly before you get tired out?"
Oh, I just ate. I'm fueled for a long time. Pardon the turbulence. said Thanatos as a gust of wind slammed into him.
"Yeah, try to take it easy. I'm gonna try to get some rest" said Alex, laying down and securing himself on his dragons neck.
The day came to an end, and Thanatos had flown long and far. The dragon was getting tired, and landed in a clearing to rest. He laid Alex against a tree, and took off to find water. Upon returning, he saw from afar a group of soldiers and the same crimson haired man as before carrying his rider into a nearby city.
Not again… complained Thanatos, hiding himself on a tree-covered hill, plotting on how to rescue Alex. Gonna be even harder this time. Night flowed over the black dragon as he fell into a light sleep.