As Eragon turned back around to face the camp a hooded figure appeared from the shadows and clubbed him over the head with the butt of a dagger. Saphira roared and Eragon toppled to the ground. The hooded form grabbed Eragon's limp body and held a dagger to his throat while another appeared from the other side of the camp. Brom was up on his feet, sword in hand ready to kill. Lorena searched for weapon before it spoke.
"Ssstop!" Hissed the short creature, Lorenas' blood turned cold. It didn't sound human, but it's hood concealed it's form and she wasn't sure what it was.
It pressed a wicked dagger pressed against Eragon's neck. "I'll kill him."
The old man paused, wanting to shed blood but to not endanger Eragon's. The tall creature walk to Brom and forced the sword out of his clenched hand, then hit him in the temple with the hilt of his own blade. Brom fell to the ground unconscious.
A growl drew the attention of the group, Saphira sat ready to pounce, unquestionably infuriated.
"Behave, beast. We will kill him." The dragon sat still, her eyes never leaving Eragon as the one of the creatures approached her with a bundle of chains. Lorena stood at the edge of the camp, surprised to be unnoticed for so long.
I can either sneak out, and I may be able to get away, or I can help try to kill these bastards.
Lorena grabbed a large rock from next to her feet and began to sneak around the site, with the intension of beating the short creatures' skull. The short creature watched the other and had loosened its grip on Eragon. Steadying her breathe she snuck up almost close enough, before she kicked a small rock.
It was only a small sound, but the creature turned to see the noise. Spotted, Lorena did the only thing that she could think of, and threw the large rock. It scraped against the creatures head, and Lorena cursed, it would have left not much more than a scratch. The creature hissed in distaste, and dropped Eragon to advance on her. Weaponless, she threw a punch, which it blocked faster than she thought possible. It then retaliated by hitting her across the face with the hilt of its dagger, slicing open her cheek and knocking her unconscious.
"What a pretty thing for one so... insignificant. Maybe I will keep it. Or maybe, if you behave, our master will let you polish it." Lorena opened her eyes, her arms were tied uncomfortably behind her back, her head pounded and she could feel blood slowly dripping down her face. She look up and could see Eragon and Brom bound and grounded, with one of the creatures standing over them examining a sword. The creature then let out a screech and its companion rushed to its side. They spoke to one another in hisses and clicking that made her shiver, before they turned back to Eragon. "You will serve our master very well, yesss."
"If I do, I will kill you." Eragon spoke clumsily, as if he had just woken from a deep slumber.
The creatures chuckled. "Oh no, we are too valuable. But you... you are disposable." Saphira growled, smoke streaming from her nostrils. Brom then groaned, catching their attention. The short creature grabbed his shirt and effortlessly thrust him into the air. "It's wearing off."
"Give him more."
"Let'sss just kill him," said the shorter one. "He has caused us much grief."
"A good plan. But remember, the king's instructions were to keep them alive."
" We can sssay he was killed when we captured them."
"And what of thisss one?" the taller one asked pointing his sword at Eragon. "If he talksss?"
The other creature laughed as it played with its dagger. "He would not dare."
There was a long silence, then, "Agreed."
The two dragged Brom into the centre of the camp and shoved him to his knees. Brom sagged to one side. Lorena could see the fear plain in Eragon's eyes. The young man began to struggle against his bounds. "None of that now," said the tall creature, poking Eragon with his sword. The creature paused and sniffed the air, obviously troubled.
The other creature seemed oblivious to its comrade's discomfort, it yanked Brom's head back, and swept the dagger toward his exposed throat. At that very moment a low buzz sounded, followed by the short creature's howl. An arrow protruded from its shoulder. The taller one dropped to the ground, barely avoiding a second arrow. It scuttled to his wounded companion, and they glared into the darkness, hissing angrily. They made no move to stop Brom as he blearily staggered upright. "Get down!" cried Eragon.
Brom wavered, then tottered toward Eragon. As more arrows hissed into the camp from the unseen attackers, the creatures rolled behind some boulders. There was a lull, then arrows came from the opposite direction. Caught by surprise, the creatures reacted slowly. Their cloaks were pierced in several places, and a shattered arrow buried itself in one's arm.
With a wild cry, the smaller one fled toward the road, kicking Eragon viciously in the side as he passed. Its companion hesitated, then grabbed the dagger from the ground and raced after it. As it left the camp, it hurled the knife at Eragon.
A strange light suddenly burned in Brom's eyes. He threw himself in front of Eragon, his mouth open in a soundless snarl. The dagger struck him with a soft thump, and he landed heavily on his shoulder. His head lolled limply.
"No!" screamed Eragon, though he was doubled over in pain.
A young man, maybe a couple of years older than Lorena, walked into the campsite with a bow in hand. He looked down at Eragon as he lost consciousness.
Lorena struggled to her knees, closing her eyes and letting out a soft groan as her head started spinning. When she recovered she opened her eyes to see the man standing above her.
"Could you please untie me?" asked Lorena, as she looked up into grey eyes. The stranger paused and she could feel her heart in her chest. Had they simply gone from one captor to another?
He then stepped behind her untied her bonds and helped her to her feet. "Thank you."
"Could you please start a fire, and release the dragon while I take care of the old man."
"We just escaped from the city, wouldn't a fire just draw attention to us?"
"We're far enough away," the stranger let go of her of her arm, and made his way over to Brom. "besides, I don't think he'll be able to travel. We'll have to stay here the night."
Lorena gathered a few sticks and began a fire as the stranger inspected Broms' wounds. Then made her way to Saphira and began removing all the chains constricting her. By the time she was done the stranger was binding Brom's ribs. "How is he?"
"Bad, he's taken the knife between the ribs. Hold this bandage down." She assisted in finishing off the bandaging. Lorena was looking down at Brom's face when a hand entered her field of vision. She started and backed away. "I was trying to inspect your wound," he scowled.
Lorena slowly leaned forward and allowed him to gently, but firmly take hold of her face. He placed a finger under her cheek bone, just under the gash, and gently pushed down. A sharp burning sensation erupted in her face and Lorena let out a strangled gasp. She could feel fresh blood begin to ooze down her face.
"It's nasty, but not serious. I'll see what I can do after I take care of your friend." He stood up and began to make his way over to Eragon when they noticed Saphira standing over him. She opened her wings and growled. "I just want to see if I can help him." The dragon growled again, this time deeper vibrating the ground around them.
The stranger backed away, and turned to Lorena. "I think I'll take care of you now."
"What's your name?" Lorena asked as she watched the stranger rip strips from a blanket.
"Murtagh." He ripped a few of strips then sat in front of her. "What's yours?"
"I'm Lorena," she then gestured to the others, "this is Brom, Eragon, and Saphira."
Murtagh picked up a strip of cloth bunched it and held it onto the wound, he grabbed her hand and had her support it, as he wrapped another strip around her head, holding it in place. "They your father and brother?"
"No, I only met them a few hours ago. They helped me escape Dras-Leona, though it turns out they were also trying to escape."
"You were all running from the Ra'zac?" Murtagh tied off the first strip and grabbed another.
"Is that who attacked us?" Lorena watched him intently as he nodded in confirmation, "They were, I don't know their whole story. But I was escaping the slavers."
"You're a slave?"
Lorena scowled, "Was. I got away."
Murtagh grunted and finished tying off the bandage. He went and sat next to the fire, prodding it with a stick. Lorena reached out and picked up Brom's hand, she sat with him for what felt like a lifetime.
"Thank you." said Lorena. Murtagh looked up at her from the fire. He was dressed in battered clothes, with a bow, a hand-and-a-half sword, and a white horn. "They could have easily killed us, taken Eragon and Saphira captive. I'm sure Galbatorix would have wanted them. But you saved us. Thank you."
There was a short silence, "It wasn't completely unselfish. The Ra'zac are enemies of mine, I've been tracking them for a while."
"Still, thank you." Murtagh's grey eyes met her hazel.
"You're welcome."
