Chapter 11 (Rewritten)

"So, how do we proceed? Our contact have to see my Gedwaÿ Ignasia as a proof I'm a Rider so it'll be best if we disguise ourselves and meet him in person." proposed Eragon.

Pacing around the campfire as he hummed in thought, Alex's brain worked on how to resolve their current problem. He then stopped walking, turning in direction of his friend, an eyebrow raised. "With posters of us everywhere, we'll be found in no time, especially in place like this one. Our disguises are good but they will be suspicious if we go in together. Murtagh, do you have a better idea?"

The latter looked at the swordsman with a smile. "I have. I go inside alone, talk with your contact and ask him to meet us outside of the city. The Empire want you more than me, I'm not a priority to them for now. If I end up captured, I'll be able to escape but if it's Eragon, he will have to face the king. He'll torture you to death or until you accept to be his ally. Gil'ead is not a mere city, it has one of the biggest garrisons in the Empire. If you go, it's as if you were giving yourself to Galbatorix on a golden plate."

Alex clasped his hands and rubbed them together to warm them, quite happy with the idea. "I don't like to send someone else take a risk in my place, however, our options are pretty limited. We'll wait for you with a hot meal."

Murtagh nodded, memorizing from Saphira what he had to say to Dormnad and rode in direction of the city.

Hours passed by as the trio waited patiently, and in silence, but not without feeling some anxiety. Alex looked at the entrance of Gil'ead from time to time with his binoculars until he saw someone leave in hurry and riding at a fast pace in their direction. He quickly recognized their black-haired friend but something was wrong if he was coming to them at this speed.

"Eragon, be ready to pack our things when I tell you to."

The third young man then entered the camp, jumped from his saddle and drew out his sword, worried.

"Did you see someone following me?" he asked, his face turning into a scowl.

"Nope. There was no one who left the town after you. Why?"

Murtagh visibly relaxed, then went to the food and served himself.

"Dormnad is fine with meeting us, away from the city, when the sun will rise. As soon as he has checked that it's not a trap and you're really are a Dragon Rider, he'll take you to the Varden."

"Where do we meet him?"

"On a little hill, at the other side of the road."

The man took another piece of meat. "I had the infortune to find myself face to face with someone who might know who I am. I had to flee the city before he could alert anyone but thankfully, it was after meeting our contact. The question isn't if he's going to talk about me, but to who he will speak."

"Great. Now, we have to cross our fingers and hope they're not going to send someone to follow your trail." replied Alex, sarcastically. "If it's the case, we're dead meat and we can say goodbye to the Varden."

«Don't think like that, be a little positive. »

"Saphira, I know we have a chance to find them but we can't exclude the fact there's a possibility something bad happen."

«Maybe. »

After this, they waited until Murtagh had eaten to go to bed.

The young Rider was the first to wake up two hours before dawn, he walked to Murtagh and Alex and woke them up. He put a finger to his lips as a way to tell them to stay silent. "I don't know why but it's too quiet and Saphira smelled horses nearby, she said they reek. There's something wrong." he whispered to the other two.

Alex slowly put his gear on, careful to not make any suspicious sound and withdrew his assault rifle.

"Whoever you are, we know you're here so show yourselves!"

They heard the sound of rustling leaves and a group of Urgals appeared, surrounding the four of them. A tall man with pale skin and blood-red hair was also here, smirking.

"The three most wanted people in Alagaësia delivered to me on a silver plate. It's not every day something like this happens."

The leader of the quartet raised an eyebrow, totally unaffected by the situation. "Just who the heck are you?"

"My name don't have any importance. You are my prisoners and you're going to follow me to the city, wherever you like it or not."

A bright flash appeared, quickly followed by the sound of thunder and an Urgal fell to the ground, lifelessly. Blood gushed out of a hole in the middle of his head.

"I think you have your answer. I don't like having someone ordering me around, especially a freak like you so go fornicate yourself."

The young man rushed to the fiend, stopped less than two meters away, did a 360 on himself and gave a roundhouse kick aimed to the head. The red-eyed man stopped the blow with his palm. Surprised the unnatural reflex, his eyes widened in shock but before Alex could move a single digit, he saw a blur coming at him, followed by a sharp pain in the neck and then, darkness. He didn't even heard the battle behind him.

The man with light brown hair grunted as he opened his eyes with difficulty, his head throbbing in pain from the blow he took. Remembering the recent events, he immediately jumped on his legs, wobbling and his heart pounding as he took his fighting stance, but he wasn't at their camp anymore. "Sonavabitch." he croaked, massaging the part where it hurt him.

A little lost, it took him a few moments of observing his actual environment but Alex finally understood where he was: in a cell. That, was deduced pretty simply by the iron door on one side, a square with bars on the other, a little higher than him, a cot and a bucket for personal business. The young man felt a little dizzy, his thoughts were sluggish and couldn't remember a single word from the Ancient Language which mean one thing: they drugged him. Again. The familiar weight of his weapons was missing and as he auscultated himself, he remarked his pendant's absence. He swore under his breath. It seems they were pretty well informed to know what a gun was and how dangerous it could be if they removed his two firearms.

But for now, the most important question was: in which city was he?

The swordsman shook his head and blinked a few times as a method to wake up completely and grunted. "One-hundred chance I'm in Gil'ead, it's the closest city from our camp."

He jumped to the window, holding on to the bars, he saw a street filled with people and a rampart, not too far.

"Yep. Gil'ead confirmed. I have to escape from this room, find the others and leave."

However, before he could think of the beginning of a plan, the sound of metal against stone caught his attention and he walked to the door, curious to know who was doing all this noise. A long column of soldiers was walking by his cell, until there was a hole in the formation. An unconscious woman was carried by two of the guards. She had black hair, was wearing dark leather pants and shirt and knee high boots.

«Who is this girl to have so much soldiers around her? She doesn't look dangerous. »

At the second Alex saw her ears, his eyes widened and he understood the situation.

«An elf. Well, that change everything and answer my question at the same time. What is eluding me is: how was she captured by the Empire? From what Brom told me, they were hiding in Du Weldenvarden and the only one who often left this place was their ambassador. Is it her? »

When the column of soldiers disappeared from his sight, the same tall man from last time was here. He looked into Alex's eyes and smiled, revealing pointed teeth before leaving.

The young man frowned. «So this is what a Shade looks like…ugly. I really have to escape and soon. » His situation had just got even worse but he did not despair, an opportunity would surely present itself soon enough.

During the next hours, he walked in circle in his cell, trying to come up with one or several ideas to leave Gil'ead discreetly, without alerting the guards. However, none of them were viable, there were too many unknowns, possibilities and things that could mess up. At one moment, a jailor entered and put a tray of food on the ground. Smelling a rancid perfume coming from the food and water, he deduced it was full of drug but shrugged and ate the stale bread. Since Alex couldn't use magic, he didn't care about it and he needed the strength if he wanted to escape.

The sound of two voices talking in front of his door woke him up from his nap. He raised an eyebrow when the red-haired man entered his cell and stopped in the middle of the room, observing the place for a few moments before focusing on him.

"Your reputation precedes you. The King want you alive and without a single scratch on you. The Ra'zac think you're a dangerous man and I tend to agree. A sword, one knife and no less than two weapons totally unknown with what seems to be like their ammunition. It looks like you're going to war."

The swordsman quickly stood up, smirking. "Maybe I am. But after what the Ra'zacs did to me, anyone would have done the same. And I'll crush anyone who would try to stand on my way. Even a Shade."

"You're a fool to think you stand a chance." replied the man, so sure of himself.

"If Galbatorix ordered to bring me to him as soon as possible, doesn't it mean I'm a more dangerous threat than you think? One only he can take care of? So be careful to not underestimate me."

The Shade's grin widened. "We'll see about that. See you later for your transfer to Urû'baen."

It was on this words the man departed but at the moment he stepped outside, the swordsman talked. "I'm going to give you one chance, let me leave this place tomorrow with my weapons, the Rider and the elf if you don't want to find this fortress covered in blood. You have 24 hours to decide."

He refused to answer the provocation and walked away, leaving the jailor to lock the door.

«Operation 'Leave this hole called a city' has officially begun. »

Alex had waited until the day was over to act. He looked through the window of the door and didn't saw a single guard. This was the perfect moment. He lifted the right part of his jeans which covered his leg and unsheathed a lockpick kit tied to his calf. The young man put it in the lock and began to move it around to find the unlocked position, it took him a thirty seconds but he was rewarded with a faint click and the door opened. Fortunately, it didn't emit any sound as it moved, reassuring the adult that he was still in the clear.

He stepped outside of his cell, closing it behind him and walking as quietly as possible. The almond-eyed boy checked all the others rooms in the current corridor but didn't found his friend. Sounds of pain and heavy things dropping to the ground echoed not far from his position. Immediately, he rushed to where it was coming from before stopping in front of Murtagh, dressed in rags while holding a bow in his right hand and Eragon. The latter had just put down a soldier in a deep sleep while five other bodies covered the ground.

"Alex! How did you escaped?"

He shrugged and smiled smugly. "Well, a few lessons in unlocking always come handy. Those idiots forgot to check my body so I still had lockpick kit on me when I woke up."

The dark-haired fighter used this moment to intervene. "We have to go up before we're discovered. We'll have an exit door in a few minutes, we can't miss it."

"There's an elf in this prison, we have to rescue her! I need your help."

Murtagh growled but followed the Rider to the cell containing the elf. "We should leave while we can, before a patrol spot those guys."

"I agree with you but we can't leave her here. If she end up in Urû'baen, the king will discover all the secrets of the elves. We can't allow that."

The trio quickly entered the room and found themselves face-to-face with the woman. A moon ray came from the window, illuminating the elf's face. She stood up to face them, ready to accept her destiny. Her dark green eyes were almost shaped like an almond, like those of a cat. They all looked at each other for a few moments before she shuddered and collapsed. Eragon managed to catch her in time. Since the farmer was too weak for this, Murtagh decided to carry her all by himself and handed Eragon a dagger. At the end of the hall, they reached a staircase and decided to climb to the upper floor.

They arrived in a dining hall, filled with massive tables. Shields were hooked on the walls and carved beams supported the wooden ceiling.

Eragon turned to Murtagh, who had laid down the elf on a table, curious and worried at the same time. "I suppose you have a plan to get out."

"Of course." answered the other man. "Contact Saphira and tell her to wait a little more."

The three men heard the sound of soldiers shouting. Some passed in front of the room entrance.

"We have to retrieve our weapons. Eragon, hide under the table with the elf. Murtagh, come with me, I'll need your arms."

"Lead the way."

The two fighters stood up and ran out of here, trying to find the guard room. Meanwhile, ten fighters entered the room, exanimated it quickly and went on their way. The young Rider used this moment to snatch a mug of water and some bread. His friends came back a few minutes later, their arms full with guns, swords and a bow.

Alex put his tactical vest and his gear on him while Murtagh handed Zar'roc to his cadet. "I found the other sword and the bow with our equipment, I've never seen anything like those."

"And now? Sooner or later, the soldiers will find us."

"We wait." answered Murtagh. "I told you, our escape is arranged."

"We have to leave now; there's a Shade here! It's the man who ambushed us, we're dead if he find us!"

Murtagh paled. "Saphira must come right now. We can't stay here." The temperature in the room dropped drastically when they heard a chuckle coming from behind them. Slowly, they turned around and found The Shade at the other side of the room. He had a pale sword in the hand with a long scratch on the side of the blade. His body was thin and firm, yet, appearances were deceptive as he dissimulated an inhumane strength.

"Eragon, I'm letting you test him. You know what to do."

He unsheathed Zar'roc and advanced slowly. His foe laughed: "Do you really think you can beat me, Du Sundavar Freohr? I was waiting for more subtlety from a Rider."

The adolescent ignored the provocation, analyzing his enemy for any physical clue that would announce a movement. None of them moved when her ceiling shook a first time. Eragon raised his eyes, in fear to be stunned by a beam.

The Shade was the first to begin the assault. Eragon barely parried the hit but not without some difficulties. This opponent was insanely strong! He grabbed his sword with both hands and retaliated. The swordsman was on the side, observing intensively the fight while the third young man tried to find a way out for them.

«This bastard is playing with him! He just wants to know what Eragon is capable of and can overpower him very easily. »

Alex decided that now was a good time to intervene.

"Eragon, switch!"

The farmer jumped back while his friend rushed in the fight, unsheathing his broadsword. Sparks erupted from the contact between his sword and the Shade's blade. They exchanged blows, ignoring the ceiling crumbling above them. Beads of sweat appeared on Alex's forehead, his arms grew heavier and his breathing became loud. The man with red eyes was stronger than expected, even more than the Ra'zacs but the swordsman could keep him at bay. However, the question was: for how long?

Suddenly, he was kicked in the stomach and pushed back to the others. The swordsman rolled a few times before stopping and ran back at his enemy immediately.

"Now I understand why the King wants you alive. You have potential, maybe enough to be the next Rider, even if you're not from here."

"I'll never join him! The Empire can rot in hell for all I care!"

Alex took his Glock17 from its holster and fired in the Shade's head. Slowly, his skin turned gray and the moment after, an eerie mist stood in his place.

"Good riddance."

Saphira ripped off what was remaining of the roof and jumped in the middle of the room. After a hug from her rider, she widened her eyes in surprise when she saw the woman. But now, there was a problem. A serious one.

«I can't carry four people to the camp, I'm sorry. »

"So," began Murtagh. "One of us has to stay behind and sacrifice himself for the others. Great."

"Okay, I have one hundred and twenty bullets for the rifle, one magazine in the handgun, a grenade, my sword and my combat knife. If I'm really lucky, I can get out of here without using all the ammo I have on me."

The others looked at Alex, with a dumbfounded look on their face. He walked to the middle of the room, facing the staircase and waiting for the soldiers to come.

«So, you're going to do it again? Just like in Dras-Leona? » asked Saphira, her voice filled with…sadness?

"Someone has to." He turned his head to them, determination and self-confidence oozing from him. "You need time and a bait to escape from here, I fit the job perfectly. Now go, get your scaly ass out of here!"

With some reluctance, the blue dragoness used her powerful legs to propel herself in the air and flew in direction of the nearest forest.

"The Shade failed!" yelled a voice. "Go in and capture them!"

A group of twenty guards, more or less, entered the dining room, finding themselves in front of a single man with light brown hair. The swordsman observed them with his almond eyes, smirking.

"You know, at first, I wanted to come in this world in peace. But now that I saw what the Empire is capable of, I don't want to be nice with you anymore. If you're searching for the Rider and his dragon, too bad, they've already left."

Alex took his M4A1 in his hands, clutching them until his jointures turned white. His smile widened as he waited for the massacre to begin, his body filled with adrenaline. He was in his element right now and nothing could spoil his fun.

"Sooooooooooo, who's first?"

They all unsheathed their swords, yelled and ran at him.

"Pff, idiots."

The young man aimed at them, his index pulling the trigger. Powerful detonations echoed in the room as bodies fell to the floor. The remaining soldiers remained unaffected by the loss of their comrades and continued to charge the enemy.

More gunshot coming from the room echoed in the fortress, followed by the sound of blades clashing and shouts of pain.

Saphira arrived in a clearing, and landed quite heavily on the ground. Eragon and Murtagh dismounted her and ran to the horses, but not before putting the woman on Cadoc and healing the wound in her wing. They were going to leave when the big lizard turned her head to the city. Her instincts were telling her to go back there, she couldn't abandon him. Not after all he did for them.

«I have to go back. »

Eragon's eyes widened. «What? Saphira, you can't! We're going to be captured again if you do that. Be reasonable. »

«I am. Don't worry, little one. We'll join you later. »

Without another word, she left them. Determined to do what she thought was the best thing.

"What is she doing?!" Murtagh grabbed Eragon's arm and pointed to Saphira. "Is she crazy?"

The farmer ignored him and jumped on Snowfire.

"Come on, let's go before they decide to chase us!"

The two men ran in the dark, to the south. Eragon hoped his dragoness and his friend would catch up with them soon.