(A/N) Sorry this is coming so late. Also thanks to the ONE person (Lol) who liked the page and the two people who enjoyed the map . . . the reason I made both of those things was for you readers because you expressed interest in it. I guess not . . . anyway, Eldest is actually almost over. A question for you all : Would you rather I focus on the characters and move the big fight into the beginning of brisingr or if I should just make eldest a wee bit longer so everything stays together? Believe it or not Killian's arc will be over within a chapter, and Murtagh's will be done in 3-4. Eragon is close to a finish, and Nasuada's arc with her brother will be coming to a close. Orrin is really our eyes into the war so his arc won't conclude in this book. Also, early spoiler : Golhlobor will be in Eldest. So stay tuned!
- 18-
"He is giving you the entire realm."
Vermal rubbed his fingers together as he re-read the letter Naise had sent him.
I did not see the dark woman's betrayal coming . . . humans really are fickle creatures.
Vermal settled his eyes on the plump-faced Olyvar Dagger, who sat across from him on a red cushion in Vermal's quarters.
"If I become the Varden's new vizier, I will become part of their nation."
"Another Nyste can occupy the position while you do what you need done." Olyvar pursed his lips together as he regarded Vermal with black eyes devoid of pupils.
" This is true. But the only candidate is Nune . . . but his ambition could mean my downfall." Vermal rubbed his chin in reflection.
" But Vizier . . . a position of great power, this is." Vermal mused. Olyvar let out a high-pitched laugh.
"Greed was always a problem for you Nyste. A lust for power. If Nune gets out of hand I will deal with him. Better yet, if the situation in the South Sea grows more dire, Nune can take the fall." Olyvar moved a long sleeve in front of his mouth as he smiled slyly.
It's true. Many in the family have begun to question my authority as Eoitog. If I name Nune my heir . . .
Vermal laughed softly as Olyvar rose from his seated position. He wore a sleek black body-suit made of silk, while long sleeves covered his soft hands. He pulled his hood over his head and then rose a scarf from around his neck to cover his mouth.
"If you were not a secondson, I would have killed you already. You're far to crafty, Olyvar."
The secondson assassin let out a muffled giggle.
"Then we should both consider ourselves lucky I was born without family or wealth. So will you accept Orrin's request?"
Vermal nodded slowly.
"Naise was wise enough to hint this to Orrin. She knows that as Vizier I will in effect rule his Kingdom. It will be simple to subvert his authority."
"I heard the Varden has lost the north, however."
Vermal scoffed.
"That is of no matter. As we speak Orrin marches upon the gates of Feinster. He gains the poorly defended South."
"The Forsworn will be a hard enemy, either way." Olyvar warned.
Vermal smiled deeply as his thoughts went to the subject of It.
" I have received more letters from the New World. Some rogue pirate has attacked our poor settlers, and it seems an ancient dragon has awoken from our mines. I have given governor Kliss authority to use the weapon. Once he has defeated this Pirate King, he will return to us. With the weapon, the Forsworn will become nothing but an ashen memory."
"Let us drink to the occasion." Olyvar's smile was so wide, it could be seen through the cloth covering his face.
(Line Break)
Murtagh pushed Kinure back, the Forsworn grunting in effort as his small blade flipped about his body. Murtagh leaned backwards as Kinure's sword nipped at his chin, drawing blood while Alauinel hissed with annoyance.
"You should have seen that coming. Kinure isn't even trying." Alauinel criticized. Kinure halted his attack as he laughed and gathered his breath, moving a lock of blonde hair out of his eyes while the rest of it cascaded to his ankles. He had a young boyish face, which is not surprising, considering he became a Rider at thirteen.
"I am trying. A little, anyway."
Murtagh smiled as he renewed his assault. Vrael's blade felt strong and heavy within the grip of Evander's gauntlets, the two elven artifacts fueling him with strength. Despite this, Kinure was strong, and Murtagh found himself using up much of his stored magic just to keep up with the Forsworn. They danced on a terrace that jutted from one of the many spires that rose from Uru'baen's castle. The city spanned for miles below them, an organized circumference of buildings that spread outwardly from the center, where the castle was found. Boots tapped onto stone with loud clicks as clothing rushed together, whispers in the windy air. Kinure jabbed at Murtagh's head, who barely avoided the blow as his neck bore a long superficial scratch that sent warm blood trickling down his back. He threw his own sword back, and then savagely struck down at Kinure with a heavy-handed overhead strike. Kinure slipped from underneath vrael's blade, rolling behind Murtagh as the Forsworn's hair flew like a cape at his back. Murtagh's sword hit the stone of the terrace, ringing loudly while Murtagh felt Kinure strike for his side. Murtagh let go of his sword, rolling to his right as Kinure's weapon narrowly missed his nose. Kinure gave Murtagh a look of surprise as Murtagh jumped forward on all fours, tackling the Forsworn and disarming him with one twist of the wrist. Kinure's blade went clattering away from them as they writhed on the stone flat.
"Unorthodox. I like that." Alauinel complimented, and Murtagh could picture the comely elf smiling now, those full lips of hers shining. Despite his age, Murtagh knew Alauinel desired him. He had been told by Kinure that Alauinel had lusted after Morzan, and he had been told by numerous people that he looked much like his father. It seemed only natural to him that she would want him in his bed. Despite that attraction; or perhaps because of it, she was a hard teacher, sending him to his chambers with welts and bruises.
"Okay, you win. Get off me." Kinure grunted. Murtagh freed himself from the boyish man and helped Kinure to his feet.
"I wasn't moving as fast as I could have, but maybe I should next time we spar. You've gotten strong fast." Kinure said with a nudge.
"The next time he trains, Murtagh will fight me." Alauinel said as he approached them. She wore a dark brown corset that gathered together her bosom, giving her shapely curves while a purple mantle graced her shoulders. Tight breeches revealed strong legs and hips fit for bearing stronger sons as blue eyes gave Murtagh a sneering glare from slanted eyelids, half hidden behind a veil of blonde hair.
" You? One of the strongest of the Forsworn? I don't think he's ready yet. Maybe he could fight Hossa or Avey.." Kinure began, but halted as Alauinel gave him a sharp glare.
"We will be going to war soon. Once Murtagh's dragon has finished the turning, we will join the battle. Morzan returns to us as we speak. He has tamed the North, and House Pike has yielded their lands to us. They have betrayed the usurpers."
Kinure nodded in approval.
"Lord Pike is wise. He would not doom his people to the long sleep for a fickle thing as pride." He commented.
" The Varden will fall," Murtagh said as he looked at his sword. Without uttering any incantations, he lifted the weapon into the air and gently dropped it into his waiting hand. Impressed, Kinure did the same.
" Ah, spellweaving without words. The makings of a Warlock." He gave Murtagh another childish smile.
"I have taught him the art. I am the only witch among us." Alauinel said as she looked at Murtagh thoughtfully.
" Every day I gain new powers, thanks to her teaching." Murtagh nodded his head towards Alauinel.
"Maybe you should take lessons from her, Kinure."
Kinure laughed happily, and even Alauinel smiled. Murtagh allowed himself to grin as well, for the first time truly felling as if he belonged within a group.
I don't need you, Nasuada. Or the Varden. I have my own people, now.
"I beg my pardons, but I must seek out Galbatorix." Murtagh informed. Alauinel let him go with a wave, and Murtagh made his way back into the castle. Stairs leading from the terrace twisted downwards, carefully cut stone marking each step as Murtagh descended to the main levels of the citadel. A cool draft traveled with him, pushing his long black hair into his face as he descended.
"She likes you." Kinure said, suddenly right next to Murtagh.
"How did you-" Murtagh began, and Kinure gave him a sheepish smile.
"I'm fast," He shrugged. The pair began walking together.
"How do you feel?" Kinure asked after a long stretch of silence. Murtagh gave him a questioning look.
"About what?" He said with a knitted brow.
"About this war. We're going to be killing soon. I know you spent some time with the Varden . . . you will be felling former comrades." Kinure looked at Murtagh from the corner of his massive blue eyes.
" I will not feel any regret once I face them. They have given me scars that have sealed their fate, just as my blade will seal theirs." Murtagh said. Kinure gave him a worrying look.
" You must be careful, Murtagh. Revenge is what drove your father to madness." Kinure spoke softly, barely above a whisper. Murtagh glared at the Forsworn, lips curled backward.
"What do you know of my father?" Murtagh snapped. Kinure's face softened, as his mind traveled back to a different time.
" Morzan was quiet. Older than me, but quiet. Some darkness always haunted him, but I do not know what. Oromis was chosen to train him, you know. But the elf was a hard teacher. Soon, Morzan grew to hate Oromis as he hung around Caomhim and Galbatorix. That hatred for Oromis soon grew to include all of the Order. Morzan was the first to join Galbatorix after Vrael sentenced Galbatorix to death to appease the Dwarib King. We all followed . . . but Morzan joined Galbatorix out of nothing less than a desire to kill everyone who he believed mistreated him." Kinure explained.
"The problem with that is once all of your enemies are dead, who do you blame? He was upset with himself, guilty more often than not. Then the dreams began. I left before you were born, but I know of what transpired from Galbatorix. If you wish to be a man, Murtagh, if you wish to be a father, you cannot cling to revenge. You fight for just reasons, not for bloodshed. If you fail to do so, you will end up driving everyone that you love away as you descend into a mire of your own agony."
Murtagh was silent as they reached the last step. Kinure went on ahead, opening the door that lead to a wide hallway. He looked back at Murtagh expectantly.
"The throne room is this way, if you have forgotten." He said.
"Go on without me . . . I have a change of plan." Murtagh responded with a small smile. Kinure shrugged and went on, whistling to himself as he did so.
" Nasuada . . . " Murtagh curled his hands into fists.
I refuse to be the man that Morzan is. But I cannot let go of revenge. I will only let go of my hatred after she is dead. After everyone is dead.
With a heart corroded with darkness, Murtagh climbed up the stairs again.