Alauinel inhaled the crisp air, letting it fill her lungs. She felt the wind move about her softly, brushing her skin like a loving mother. She savored the feeling for a moment, before letting her mind descend into the darkness of her planned betrayal. She straightened up with a start, moving across her room with innate grace and closing the large windows that allowed the renegade wind entry. She stood at the window then, looking at the moon that lazily hung in the sky, and then down to the city of Uru'baen below. Tiny lights were scattered about, flicking like the stars above. Alauinel didn't think much of humans, but she was always impressed by their productivity. Uru'baen, in the century that she had resided here, had changed. What was once a minor fort, a forgotten city of the first men, was now a regional capital, and quite possibly the strongest stronghold of Alagaesia.
Until now, Alauinel said to herself as she turned from the window. She closed her eyes, and in seconds her black nightgown glowed with godly rays; leaving in its wake red and white body armor that contoured to her body, scaled greaves and layered gauntlets with pointed sabatons. She then reached for her sword, which hung above her bed. Her hands hesitated, for just a moment, before grabbing the heavy handle and holding the blade out before her. The weapon shone as she moved it about in the light of the moon's grace, before she turned her dark eyes toward the door.
It was time.
Alauinel left her room, greeted by an empty hallway lined with fine linen tapestries, pictures of the past kings, who's line was deposed by Galbatorix and his rebellion. Alauinel smiled at that; it was humorous how history had a habit of repeating itself. As she walked to the throne room, she felt the presence of Osorion, her dragon, follow in step behind her. He was in human form, and although she could not see him, she perfectly pictured his joker's face, slanted eyes that held purple irises, and a mouth that was always molded into a half-grin. Dark and heavy hair fell from his head, reaching the edge of his collar bones.
"I assume all of my preparations are complete?" Alauinel asked.
Osorion laughed, as Alauinel knew he would.
"I would not dare to walk behind you if they weren't," He replied.
"The commanders are under the spell given to me by Hossa. They should swear fealty to you. A message has been sent to those out warring in the contested regions, telling them of the news." Osorion said.
"However, it might of'been wiser if you had made sure you were actually queen, first." Osorion added.
"Do you doubt my power?" Alauinel stopped, and she could feel a spark of fear light within Osorion, before being snuffed out.
"Of course not. But Galbatorix is powerful. And Shruikan.. I'd rather not think of'him."
"We will not be alone." Alauinel answered. But when she did, she sensed hesitation from Osorion.
"What has happened?" she looked at him with her brightening violet eyes. He held her gaze for a moment, before shying away.
"Farland and Kinure . . . they somehow discovered our plot. I found Hossa and his dragon dead, and they themselves were gone. They must've done it early in the night." Osorion whispered.
An alarm went off within Alauinel's mind.
Why was I unable to sense Hossa's death? Did Farland and Kinure warn Galbatorix? And if they did, why would they flee? Anxiety threatened to claw itself out from behind Alauinel's calm shell, but she beat it down into submission, and then threw it into the fire of her final goal.
"Hossa had outlived his usefulness. The curses he made to tie the Imperial army to my will were enough. After that, I had no use for him. His death means nothing."
"And what of Farland and Kinure? Two dragon riders with their mounts is no small threat." Osorion said.
"After tonight, no Rider will be able to stand against me. I will personally execute them both, and grind the bones of their bodies and that of their dragons into ash. They will rue the day they decided to align themselves against me." Alauinel gritted her teeth as she spoke. They both stood before the large wooden doors of the throne room. She placed her hand on the fine oak.
"He is within." She said, almost to herself moreso than Osorion. Her heart fluttered, and then hardened.
Caomhim.
The thrall awakened, and she could instantly feel his mind, a slave to her own thoughts.
Position yourself. Your role in this is crucial in killing Galbatorix.
Alauinel pushed open the doors, her eyes following the red carpet that led to the raised platform where the throne sat. And within it, Galbatorix peered down at her. His eyes seemed ablaze with blue fire, his hair a yellow sun orbited by gold celestial bodies, a crown that had been passed down age from age.
"Alauinel . . ." Galbatorix began. The she-elf walked down the carpet, Osorion behind her.
"Galbatorix." She said, almost cheerfully.
"I assume you know why I am here." She added.
"I do."
Silence broke the limits of time as the two stared each other down.
"Your followers have abandoned you." Alauinel said softly.
"I bid them to go."
"Why?"
"To aid Morzan."
Alauinel eyes shot open in surprise.
"You no longer wish to use Golhlobor to use his power to bring back-"
"Don't dare say her name in my presence. You lied to me. Lied to all of us. What is it that you really want?" Galbatorix rose from his throne, and behind it, Shruikan slinked from the shadows, and into full view.
Alauinel smiled beautifully.
"Not that it matters now, but how did you find out? I'm curious."
"Alauinel," Osorion whispered.
I know, she said back, within her mind. He no doubt felt what she did- Galbatorix and Shruikan's magic beginning to form into a malevolent force.
"Morzan left for the Sealed Elves. I knew as much, and desired to go after him, fearing betrayal. But I knew that he would never turn against me. So I waited, and he contacted me."
"And?" Alauinel scoffed.
Galbatorix narrowed his eyes into blue slits.
"He researched the writings of Golhlobor. His power. Even in legend, he never had dominion over the dead, let alone power to return them fully into the world of the living. No- he was sealed by the Laen Elves because he craved nothing but death- for all living things. What could you hope to gain by helping the Sealed Elves bring him to life?" Galbatorix drew his rider's blade, the jewel at the hilt glowing furiously with a red, ebbing flow.
"You always had little imagination, Galbatorix."
Alauinel held her sword out before her, and ran a free hand through her curly blond hair.
"Lets end this farce, then." She sneered.
The air snapped with energy, and Alauinel formed her magic within her, energy visibly reverberating around her feet as she hurtled ahead with dizzying skill, sword aimed at Galbatorix's neck. His blade intercepted hers, and a clash as loud as two armies meeting on the field filled the throne room. Alauinel twisted her blade free, twirling to the ground as Osorion tailed her, his hands contorted into talons.
"Did you think that pitiful display would end our battle this quickly?" Galbatorix asked.
Alauinel smiled, lowering her sword.
"No, I did not." She fired back, eyes setting deeply on Galbatorix.
"This duel will be short if you don't take this seriously," Shruikan glowered.
Alauinel stabbed her sword into the floor, splintering the stone tile.
"Oh, I am fully aware of that." She sneered.
"Rafona Ra'zacul Demona" she canted, Galbatorix's eyes widening in disbelief.
"Alauinel.. how far have you fallen?" He gasped as they were enveloped by a darkness.
"I have been to hell." She grinned as her body was hidden by shadow.
"And I have returned, with it on my leash."