Brom clutched his stomach as men towered over him. Two of their own lay dead, killed by his hand. Blood poured from his wound, and he breathed raggedly.
They spoke, but he did not understand them; their voices far away and muffled. His eyes open and closed, opened again, and he saw a man with the face of a skeleton peering down at him. Brom opened his mouth, his voice playing on broken strings.
"Eragon . . . Saphira . . ." He stammered, and then there was blackness.
He remembered. He remembered when he had not been Brom, before the war, before Selena. Who was he? Durza had said it. Yes- That name, that cursed name.
Caomhim.
The morning breeze brushed through Caomhim's hair as he took a bite out of a ripe apple.
The juice dripped from his grinning face as he watched Morzan flail with his training sword, attempting to hit Galbatorix. Galbatorix laughed, turning aside each blow, and then tripping Morzan over his sword with a deft strike.
Morzan fell on his bottom. Caomhim burst out laughing, bits of apple flying from his mouth. Morzan looked up sullenly, his face red with exertion.
"You're getting better." Galbatorix offered a hand to the young boy.
Morzan took it, unsmiling. He rose, a hardy youth of fourteen, with short black hair and dark eyes. He was lanky but strong, intelligent as well. Personally, Caomhim found him to be one of the better prospects.
High Above them dragons flew, massive ancient beasts that bore magnificent Riders.
The air was filled with sweet smells: blossoming flowers and honeyed meat and fresh bread entering Caomhim's nostrils. Morzan looked up to the sky as a shadow of a large dragon passed over them.
"I hope I'm chosen." He said sadly, as if that possibility had already eluded him.
"You're one of the best students. You will be picked. If not, you'll still be trained. You could be a firemage, or a dragonguard . . ." Galbatorix offered. Morzan frowned.
"But not a Rider." He snapped back, and Galbatorix recoiled. He bore a smile, but said nothing. He looked to Caomhim for support.
Caomhim sighed, throwing his apple into a bush and approaching his two friends. They had quickly bonded with Morzan when he had arrived three years ago, a smart but quiet youth. The boy was well versed in history, bladework, and simple spells. He had the makings of a great Rider.
However . . .
Even the greatest prospects weren't picked sometimes. The eggs did not hatch for just anyone. Out of thousands of young and old sentient beings across the lands, only a handful of them hatched eggs. The dullest prospect could hatch an egg and the most brilliant youth could find himself rider-less, despite his skill. Caomhim understood Morzan's anguish.
"You just have to relax. Don't think- Just touch the eggs as they are presented to you."
Morzan looked up at him.
"How did you know when your egg hatched?"
Caomhim lifted his arm, pulling down his sleeve, revealing his scar.
"You burn." He said grimly. Morzan looked at the wound with wide eyes. After a few moments Galbatorix erupted in laughter. Caomhim failed in keeping a straight face, smiling and laughing as well. Morzan glared, until the laughter eased him, and he allowed a smile.
"Ah! The rare smile of Morzan! We should write this day down." Galbatorix teased, and Morzan pushed him playfully.
Caomhim watched them, finding himself filled with joy. They were his brothers, and he loved them as if they were his own kin. Is there anything better than this? Is there? He asked himself.
Suddenly, a bell tolled, once, twice, three times. It seemed to vibrate the air. Morzan squinted as the sound passed between his ears. Their smiles dropped as soberness returned to them.
"It is time." Galbatorix announced.
Morzan nodded. Galbatorix closed his eyes, and Caomhim knew he was calling his dragon, a massive beast called Shruikan.
The shadow of the beast brought night upon them.
"Shruikan!" Galbatorix bellowed against the heavy beating of Shruikan's wings. They stood in one of the many courtyards of the Rider's city, Doru Araeba. It was almost sixty feet long and the same length across.
It bore cobbled stone that tan in color, making up the ground as high rock walls surrounded it. Shruikan landed, almost taking up half of the yard. The black dragon regarded them, deep grumbling sounds coming from its throat.
"Galbatorix. Morzan. Caomhim." Shruikan greeted, making his words vocal for Morzan's expense.
Caomhim was still amazed by the creature's size. Shruikan had not hatched for Galbatorix- It had chosen him. Shruikan descended from the wild dragons, ones that had waged war with life for centuries upon centuries.
It was impressed by Galbatorix's drive and ambition, finding its own emotions were mirrored in his. The Elders were off-put by this paring, but allowed it none the less.
"How fares your Dragon, Caomhim?" Shruikan questioned cordially. Caomhim smiled.
"She fares well. She's learning more advanced flight technique. From Glaedr.."
Shruikan hmph'd, black smoke pouring from his nostrils.
They piled onto Shruikan's neck, using his spikes as handholds. They all wore protective leggings, so that his scales did not cut their clothing or skin. Galbatorix sat at the base of his neck, nearly on top of his head.
"We need to drop Morzan off at the Glass Chambers." Galbatorix commanded. Shruikan did not answer, but flapped his massive wings against the ground, and lifting into the air.
His webbed limbs grew as the wind touched them, black and red, and his front legs and hind legs dangled below his body. It was rare for a dragon to have six limbs- legs and hindlegs, and wings besides, not counting the tail.
Air brushed by Caomhim as they flew, Shruikan flying between massive stone towers erupting from dead peered over the side, watching as men and dragon both walked on streets that were as wide as four Shruikan's. The dragon swayed in the air, turning as the Glass Chambers came into view. Blackglass, crafted from molten rock, made up the building, a large oval surrounded by statues of past Riders.
Other dragons were there too along with prospects, young and old alike. Shruikan descended, bullying smaller dragons out of the way as he landed. Morzan jumped from his neck, and looked back up at Caomhim and Galbatorix.
"Don't be afraid." Caomhim said, smiling. Galbatorix parroted his statement, grinning as well. Morzan looked at them both, nodded, and turned away, walking into the Glass Chambers.
When Caomhim saw Morzan again, he was a Rider, a dragon babe cradled in his arms.
"What is his name?" Galbatorix asked as they huddled over the boy. Morzan smiled warmly, the dragon youngling glancing up at them with knowing eyes.
"Murtaghen." He said.
Caomhim whispered the name to himself, amazed at the tiny black reptile.
"Murtaghen . . ."
Brom remembered the war next, remembered the blood, remembered the death. He was Caomhim. He was of the forsworn.
"Caomhim! Why?!" one of his teachers screamed. Caomhim could only grimace as he brought his sword down, cutting the man as easily as one cuts soft bread. Overhead, His dragon fought, snarling and bellowing gusts of fire as Shruikan led the assault, Galbatorix astride him. Kinure was in the room as well, his small dragon plodding by him, reaching the boy's shoulders.
"The eggs, where are they?" He asked. His sword glistened with blood.
"The Masters must have moved them . . . Damn it, we only have three. How are we going to rebuild the Riders with three eggs?" Caomhim swore, slashing his sword across the wall. It sent a spray of sparks into the room.
Kinure flinched away from the light.
There was a roar then, loud and fearsome. Kinure looked at him, surprise in his eyes.
"Outside." Caomhim said, rushing out of the Glass Chambers.
The city was awash in flame. Stone glowed hot as fire attempted to catch on its smooth surface.
Armies belonging to Galbatorix and his family and those allied with them- Marched along the wide streets. Ballista quarrels shot over head, felling dragons as the massive bolts cut through wing and stomach and neck.
Dragonguards advanced on them then, dressed in gilded armor that shone in the fires. Longswords were in their hands, flashing with deadly intent towards Caomhim.
Caomhim danced in battle, striking and defending as Kinure took up position. Kinure's dragon, Gintoss, too young to breath fire, fought with his claws and teeth. Caomhim impaled a Dragonguard with his blade, then pushed the body into another one of his attackers. The guard tumbled on his dying comrade.
Caomhim snarled.
"Brisingr-Au Alyen!" Both bodies exploded in flame, the man who still lived screaming as his eyes boiled and dribbled from their sockets.
Caomhim turned, just in time to see Kinure jump away from an axe and then strike his attacker in the throat with the thin point of his sword, sliding between the Dragonguard's armor. He smiled at Caomhim as he shook his sword free of blood.
"Where's Galbatorix?" He cried, voice sounding over the flames. Caomhim looked up to the cloudy skies, black smog obscuring his vision.
The roar was heard again, thrumming and dangerous and awe-inspiring. It was then it crashed into the ground.
Yormag.
The giant dragon toppled stone towers as it fell, fire spewing from its mouth. Eleven dragons descended upon it. Yormag screamed as their teeth ripped and tore. Shruikan bit at Yormag's throat, and Galbatorix cast bolts of spells at the massive beast.
Shruikan was big, but even he was dwarfed by Yormag. Caomhim saw his dragon, brilliantly blue and rider-less, but ferocious at the same time.
The others were seen in the flames as well, black smoke shifting between the flaps of wings. He saw Morzan, who had been so young, so impressionable . . . Dressed in black armor, spiked spaulders hugging his shoulders.
Murtaghen screamed, endless flame snaking from his mouth that blinded one of Yormag's eyes. Yormag swatted at Morzan, and he deftly evaded the blow, and Yormag's heavy paw connected with another one of the Forsworn. The Rider and dragon died instantly, crushed as Yormag's claws dragged them down to the earth.
It was Galbatorix who moved now, jumping from Shruikan as the dragon bit down on Yormag's neck. Sword held above his head, he fell upon the beast, striking its eye, blood and fire and pus sprouting from the wound. Galbatorix screamed as he pushed his blade deeper, his clothes set aflame.
Yormag shuddered, and then fell silent in death.
That was how Vroengard fell. The rest of the realm soon followed.
Galbatorix claimed the throne. Caomhim stood at his right, Morzan at his left. They were the highest lords of the lands, ones who held absolute power.
Years passed, decades upon decades. They lived, unaging, waiting in their period of peace. Peace so hard earned, peace paid with blood.
In time the common people forgot about dragons. The remaining Forsworn scattered across the realm. Some dying, others ending their own lives in shame. Caomhim stayed with his truest brothers in Uru'baen, assisting Galbatorix as he consolidated his power.
Great Houses came to swear fealty, some even offering their sons as wards to the new King. Rumors of the previous king's offspring rising in the South went unheeded. Nothing could oppose them.
Except each other.
It all began with Selena. She had long dark hair, curled and thick. Light russet eyes innocent and wide completed her fair face, with a small nose and a mouth that always smiled. Morzan had fallen in love with her the moment he saw her.
Selena belonged to House Ryk, a noble ally of Galbatorix's own family. As Galbatorix considered Morzan his own son, he thought it only proper that Morzan and Selena should be wed. She became Morzan's staunchest defender, his rock, his completion. In short time, she bore him a son.
A bright babe, he was the mirror of his father, ebony hair and solemn eyes.
Morzan named him after his dragon, Murtaghen. The boy came to be called Murtagh. Uru'baen was a large and vast castle, and Caomhim would traverse the winding halls, servants scuttling past him as he did so.
Selena would often look at the city from her balcony and after finding her there, Caomhim would join her.
Morzan was plagued by dreams of destruction. He spent his days locked in his library, reading old books that were scavenged from their former home.
"Leave him to his scrolls, they give him peace." Galbatorix had said.
Caomhim heeded his word.
That was until Morzan woke with madness, striking Selena after he dreamed of her stabbing his heart. Caomhim rushed to her aid, hearing her screams as he walked the snake-like halls of the castle.
He was able to snap Morzan out from his insanity, but there had been a rift growing between him and Selena.
It grew even wider after that incident. Caomhim found himself spending even more time talking with Selena, Morzan avoiding her purposely, shamed by the sight of her.
It wasn't long before Caomhim and Selena began to share each other. It was a horrid thing, wrong from the start, and after they had lain with one another, Caomhim became ripe with guilt.
Morzan was his brother, his friend . . . yet he lusted after Selena all the same. She had taken herbal remedies to make sure she was not filled with his seed, and one night, she came to him, her robe closed tightly around her body.
"I cannot do this any longer." Selena said, eyes tearing. Caomhim looked at her, and then turned his attention to his window, the starry night calm outside. He saw her reflection as well, her hands wrung over a shaking chest.
"I cannot speak for him, but I can vow that I would never harm you or your children as he has." Caomhim said finally, turning around to meet her.
She was everything. He did not know what he would do, how he would survive without her touch, her kiss. Selena stiffened, her mouth tightening.
"Morzan . . . is stricken. He- What I did, what we did is not fair, not to him. It ends now."
Caomhim smiled bitterly. "Where is he now? Where is your husband?"
Selena remained silent, looking at him with hatred and longing. Caomhim approached her, his hands caressing her soft cheek. He pulled her close, kissed her, softly at first, and then faster, his mouth enveloping hers.
She broke free of his embrace, only to be pulled back in. Finally, she broke away, and when he reached for her, she placed her hand firmly on his chest. The touch was soft and delicate.
It hurt more than any wound Caomhim had suffered during the war.
"Thank you Caomhim. For everything."
Selena left then.
That was the last time she had spoken to him. He saw her around the castle, playing with young Murtagh or talking with Galbatorix. He went to her spot, the balcony, desperate to speak alone with her, and he was heartbroken when she was never there.
She greeted him kindly when they crossed paths, but whenever he tried to pull her aside, she evaded him. During this time, he saw even less of Morzan. He heard the man scream at night, heard him as he rushed through the cold halls, retreating into his library. Soon, it came to be he never left the room, sleeping there and taking his meals inside the library as well.
When Murtagh was two years of age, Selena bore Morzan two sons. They named the larger one Hagganthil, after Selena's own father.
The smaller one was called Rahadon, a Rider from ages past. Things seemed to go back to normal- Morzan began spending more time with his wife and children. Selena seemed happy. Even Galbatorix was jovial, his throne room filled with the innocent laughter of children.
But then Morzan's dreams returned. It happened at night, Selena's screams filling the castle. Caomhim and Galbatorix were both at her room at once, finding the horror with their own eyes.
Murtagh . . . the toddler was covered in blood, scrapes and bruises all over his naked body. Morzan stood behind the crumbled child, his sword gleaming as he loomed over Selena, who huddled their two babes.
"Morzan, STOP!" she cried, and he raised his blade to strike . . . until Galbatorix spoke.
"Morzan. Enough." Morzan dropped his sword then, turning, his eyes sleepy and his face weary.
"I- I saw him kill me . . ." He stammered, and then fell over, crying. Galbatorix took Murtagh then, the boy whimpering as he was lifted. He nodded to Caomhim, and Caomhim went to gather Selena. He brought her to his chambers, the children she held screaming in fear as she stared ahead blankly. He stood before her, wanting to touch her, but at the same time refusing to move.
"I have to go." She said finally.
Caomhim understood.
They left shortly after, astride Caomhim's dragon. Selena sat behind him, her two children strapped to her person. They flew high above the night's clouds, silent and cold.
She had not said where she wanted to go, so Caomhim went as far as he could from Uru'baen as possible. He flew north, heading for desolation, heading for someplace where they could be alone.
It was then Morzan was upon them. He rose from the clouds below, Murtaghen snapping at Caomhim's dragon. The two beasts were caught in a whirling ball of blood, fire, and claw, each one wounding the other. Morzan looked upon him with frenzied eyes.
Selena screamed, her babies crying as well.
Morzan was silent but his power was bellowing, his sword flashing across Caomhim's own blade.
Their dragons separated, flew, and crashed together again, roars filling the skies. Murtaghen clawed Caomhim's dragon across the neck, splitting skin and muscle and blood. His dragon, Saphira, yipped in pain, and then began to fall as life left her.
Murtaghen flew above them, then came hurtling down. Morzan himself jumped from his dragon, landing behind Selena on the dying beast.
Caomhim moved too slowly, turned when it was too late. He saw Morzan's blade slip between Selena's breasts, narrowly missing his two sons. He pulled the sword out from her body, and she looked ahead, her mouth opening and closing, until she went limp, her body falling from the saddle . . .
"No!" Caomhim cried as he leapt from his dying dragon and went after Selena, the two babes falling behind her.
"Sternya Habentul!" He stretched out his hands, and the two children vanished from the sky, saved by his desperate magic.
He turned himself in the air, only to find himself basked by fire.
Murtaghen's blaze stopped. Caomhim opened his eyes, the silhouette of Murtaghen above him.
These were the last words Caomhim heard from Morzan.
His brother.
"Treyna Obdhulorian."
Lighting struck between Caomhim's ribs. He felt himself falling faster and faster, but other than that his body was numb. Then there was darkness.
Then nothing.
Brom opened his eyes.
Morzan sat beside him.
"Brom!" Morzan said happily, touching the man's hand as he rose. Brom opened his mouth, began to beg for forgiveness, until he saw that Morzan was not there . . . only Eragon.
He wondered how he had not seen it sooner.
Their hair and eyes were different, but he bore the same chin, the same ears, the same nose and cheekbones.
Eragon looked like Morzan, but with Selena's brown hair and softer eyes, a kinder mouth. Innocent, whereas Morzan had a face that bore a look of youthful wisdom.
He was bandaged. Eragon excitedly left the room, yelling something that Brom couldn't quite discern.
The coolness of the stone walls told him that they were still in Gil'ead.
He remembered the creature. Durza. He had escaped.
Eragon returned with a grim-faced man, and another youth. This new boy looked like Eragon, except with sterner features and a stockier build. Brom couldn't help but smile. He had done well, both of them lived. The dark man regarded him with cruel eyes while he touched the hilt of his sword.
"I am Newlyn Pike, Lord of Gil'ead and defender of Mhmapir's peace, Leader of House Pike. You killed two of my men, but this boy tells me that you are a Rider, much like himself. We will send you to Mhampir, to decide what is to be done with you."
Brom looked at him, hearing his words but not understanding.
They live, Selena.
They live.