Movement from Eragon caught both Lorena and Murtaghs' attention. Eragon had managed to struggle onto his knees, clearly in pain.
"Who are you?" asked Eragon, taking a shallow breath.
His hands tightened on his bow. "Murtagh." His voice was low and controlled, but curiously emotional.
Eragon pulled his hands underneath his legs so they were in front of him. He grimaced in pain.
"Why did you help us?"
"You aren't the only enemies the Ra'zac have. I was tracking them."
Eragon concentrated on his bound hands, "Jierda!" and the ropes snapped off of him. Lorena could hear Murtagh suck in his breath. Eragon tried to stand, but fell back gasping, almost hugging his side.
Murtagh tried to rush to his aid, but Saphira growled low and threatening. "I would have helped you earlier, but your dragon wouldn't let me near you."
"Her name's Saphira," said Eragon tightly. There was a pause and Saphira growled but backed away, lowering her wings. Murtagh eyed her, but helped Eragon to his feet, supporting him when he almost fell. Murtagh brought Eragon over to the fire, next to Lorena and Brom. "How bad is he?"
"Bad," said Murtagh as he lowered Eragon to the ground. "The knife went right between his ribs. You can look at him in a minute, but first we'd better see how much damage the Ra'zac did to you." Lorena averted her eyes as Eragon removed his shirt. "Ouch!"
"Ouch," Eragon repeated weakly. Lorena glimpsed a large blotchy bruise, with swollen and broken red skin. When Murtagh lightly pressed on it Eragon let out a yell, causing Saphira to growl again.
Murtagh grabbed the blanket and began tearing strips again. "I think you have some broken ribs. It's hard to tell, but at least two, maybe more. You're lucky you're not coughing up blood." Murtagh spoke as he bound Eragon's chest.
"Yes, lucky." Eragon said as he replaced his shirt. Eragon moved to the other side of Brom, and gave Lorena a queer look when he saw her holding his hand. Eragon began to untie the cloth from around Brom's chest.
"I wouldn't do that," warned Murtagh. "He'll bleed to death without it."
Eragon pulled the bandage off anyway and inspected the wound. It was short and thin, but obviously deep. It oozed blood. Eragon removed his gloves, and Saphira moved to his side. Eragon placed his hand over the wound and firmly said. "Waíse heill!" His palm glowed, and Brom's skin flowed together, as if it had never been broken. Lorena and Murtagh watched the entire process.
"Is he completely healed?"
"I can only mend what is on the surface. I don't know enough to fix whatever's damaged inside. It's up to him now. I've done all I can." Eragon closed his eyes, tired. "My... my head seems to be floating in clouds."
"You probably need to eat," said Murtagh. "I've made soup, it should be about done."
Eragon watched as Murtagh fixed their meals. "Do you know him?"
Lorena looked up from Brom to find Eragon staring at her. "We talked while you were unconscious. But I didn't know him before tonight."
Eragon stared at her with untrusting eyes, she could tell he was trying to figure out if she was trustful or not. Murtagh interrupted by handing them bowls of broth. "How long has it been since the Ra'zac fled?"
"A few hours."
"We have to go before they return with reinforcements."
"You might be able to travel," said Murtagh, then gestured at Brom. "but he can't. You don't get up and ride away after being stabbed in the ribs."
There was a pause, then Eragon said to Murtagh "Saphira can carry him, but we need a litter. Can you make one? I don't have the strength."
"Wait here." Murtagh downed his broth then left the camp, sword drawn.
Eragon made to stand up. "Stop, what do you need?" Lorena asked. Eragon told her so she went to his bags and picked up his bow. She strung it, found his quiver, then retrieved a red sword, which lay hidden in shadow. Last, she got a blanket for the litter.
Murtagh returned with two saplings. He laid them parallel on the ground, then lashed the blanket between the poles. After they carefully tied Brom to the makeshift litter, Saphira grasped the saplings and labouriously took flight. "I never thought I would see a sight like that," Murtagh said, an odd note in his voice.
Eragon limped to Cadoc and managed to drag himself into the saddle. "Thanks for helping us. You two should leave now. Ride as far away from us as you can. You'll be in danger if the Empire finds you with us. We can't protect you, and I wouldn't see harm come to you on our account."
Lorena and Murtagh exchanged glances.
"A pretty speech," said Murtagh, grinding out the fire, "but where will you go? Is there a place nearby that you can rest in safely?"
"No," admitted Eragon.
"In that case, I think I'll accompany you until you're out of danger. I've no better place to be. Besides, if I stay with you, I might get another shot at the Ra'zac sooner than if I were on my own. Interesting things are bound to happen around a Rider."
"I'll come too. I've got nowhere else to go, but I can hunt and I'm a fair fighter. I can be of some help until you are healed."
Eragon hesitated, then, "Join us if you wish." He shrugged.
Lorena mounted the white horse, and Murtagh mounted his grey war-horse. Then the three of them rose off into the wilderness.
It was near dawn when they came across Saphira sitting at the base of a broad sandstone formation that curved out of the ground like a great hill. Brom was not insight.
Saphira turned and climbed up the sandstone, her sharp claws digging into the rock. The horses had difficulty, as their shod hooves could not grip the sandstone. The three of them had to pull and shove the animals for almost an hour before they managed to reach a large cave.
The cavern was a good hundred feet long and more than twenty feet wide, yet it had a small opening that would protect them from bad weather and prying eyes.
"Impressive," said Murtagh. "I'll gather wood for a fire." Eragon hurried to Brom. He was on a small rock ledge at the rear of the cave.
Lorena moved the horses further into the cave and removed the load of bags from their backs, giving the beasts a deserved rest. After a few minutes the three of them gathered around the fire that Murtagh had built.
They tried to give Brom water, but the old man would not drink. They spread out their bedrolls, Murtagh tossed Lorena spare bedding, and they slept.
