melli : Yeah, they'll be together but not right now.

reptoholic & bubbahcakes : thank you for your reviews, it gave me the motivation to continue and write this chapter even if I was procrastinating a lot x)

Chapter 14

While healing Saphira's injuries, Eragon listened to Murtagh's tale with interest. The latter revealed a good part of his life and the reason why he didn't want to go to the Varden: he was Morzan's son, the first Foresworn and Galbatorix's right hand until he was killed by Brom a few years ago.

After this, the rider turned his head to Alex, his arms crossed and a frown on his face.

"I think you owe us an explanation. Until now, I didn't ask you any question about you were or the weapons you had on you because Brom and Saphira trusted you but after tonight, I think I have the right to know… who are you?"

The grey haired young man looked at his friend, a little hurt by his words but kept a neutral look. Murtagh, even if he didn't show it, was also curious about this. "You're right Eragon. I've been keeping you in the dark for too long. Since the beginning of our journey, a bond was created between you and I, a bond that strengthened and became a friendship, thanks to everything we went through. As my friend, I can share some of my secrets but not all of them because… well, it's better if you don't know, especially if you're captured by Galbatorix. It's not that I didn't want to tell you before but you had more important things to think of, like your training. Yes, I'm an Ambassador from a very distant place. One that you couldn't imagine, even in your wildest dreams. If you want to hear the full story, you'll have to wait until we meet the Varden's leader. Not that I don't want to tell you but I hate repeating myself."

Eragon, now at full attention, wanted to extract more information from him but knowing the swordsman, it was useless.

He huffed. "Fine."

Saphira walked to the young man, her body slightly trembling. Saying she was happy to see him again was an understatement. She's overjoyed and couldn't restrain tears of happiness from appearing. But at the same time, she was still shocked to what happened earlier. She was supposed to be dead or at least, heavily injured. Her whole life had appeared in front of her eyes a few moments before the spear dropped to the ground. It was the second time her life was on the line and the second time the swordsman was here at the right place, right moment.

«Alex, you saved me… us again. »

He looked into her sapphire eyes, admiring them and smiling softly.

"I did my job, nothing more, nothing less. The most important is that you three are alive and in one piece."

Suddenly, her draconic lips touched his right cheek and she let out a soft purr. Alex's body went completely rigid at this, not sure what to do, while his head's color changed from light pink to full red. «Think of this as my way to say thank you. »

Immediately after this, he looked at the ground and began mumbling incoherent things, his brain overheating from embarrassment. The blue dragoness laughed and comfortably settled between the two adolescents and closed her eyes, tired from the recent events.

Alex didn't know what to say or think. His heart was beating rapidly against his chest and this small gesture confirmed what he was fearing: he had fallen in love with the big, blue and fire-breathing lizard with wings. Did she know it and was toying with his feelings by doing this kind of move?

But Alex being Alex (which mean an idiot), he decided to do the sole thing that was logical for him: ignoring his feelings for her and only stay friend. Yes, Alex just friendzoned himself but it's for the best. He was just a human after all and she was a dragon. A beautiful one but a dragon nonetheless.

Yes, that was the best thing to do.

Saphira had a lot of difficulties to understand what was happening in her mind and heart. It was supposed to be a small, chaste kiss. A simple gesture. So, why did she felt so conflicted each time she was thinking about the young man? He was just a friend, right? On one side, she's happy to call him this but something inside her was asking for… more? True, the adolescent was strong, independent, selfless and was keeping them all together since Brom's death. He was acting seriously when it's necessary but he still had a soft spot on the inside. This is what made him so interesting in her eyes. And the part of mystery he kept even after he revealed his true origin and intentions to her, too.

It was on those thoughts she fell asleep.

The three youth quickly did the same, completely exhausted and finally, relieved to have reached their destination in time.

It was the sound of the door opening that woke them up.

The bald man was the first to appear in their sight, quickly followed by Orik. "Ajihad want to see you now. Follow us." The trio of adolescents did as they were told, walking behind the two men without a word. Saphira was right behind them and a group of soldiers surrounded them. A few minutes later, they found themselves in front of a city made of white marble. When they walked through the front doors, the crowd stepped aside while cheering. Finally, the group stopped in front of another door, made of wood. They all stayed outside except the bald man.

A man with dark skin, like ebony, was sitting at an oak desk, waiting for them.

"Greetings, I am Ajihad. Leader of the Varden. Welcome to the place where we coordinate the resistance against Galbatorix's rule and our home, Tronjheim. You should sit, we have some things to discuss."

Eragon and Murtagh obeyed while the third boy didn't. There was a sound of footstep hitting the ground and a man appeared from a corner of the room. He walked and stopped at Ajihad's side. He was an exact copy of the bald man. They all stayed silent except Alex who slightly growled at this.

One of the twin pointed at the swordsman. "It is him, the so-called Ambassador."

The dark-skinned man raised an eyebrow at this and looked at the swordsman, observing him.

"Is it true?"

"Yes." answered the young man.

"And… do you have any proof?"

He let out a small chuckle. "My clothes, weapons and I can also tell you how I arrived in Alagaësia and why."

"Very well." Ajihad then turned his head to the dark-haired man. "We accepted to let you enter into Farthen Dur because my spellcasters say they can neutralize you and in gratitude for your help saving Arya's life. However, I must ask you: will you let us search in your mind for anything suspicious?"

"No. And even if I do, you still wouldn't trust me."

"That voice. It's been a long time since I last heard it… Murtagh."

The Twins said they discovered his name inside Eragon's head but didn't know he was Morzan's son when Ajihad asked them if they knew his identity. In conclusion, for Murtagh's safety, he had to stay in a room away from the public's eye, and guarded all the time. He was escorted out of the room by a dozen guards.

"I want Eragon, Alex and Saphira to stay here, the others leave immediately."

They waited until everyone was out of the room to converse again.

"Soooooooo, you want to know who I am, why I'm here and how did I ended in Palancar's Valley? Alright, let's begin. I'm Alex Ethan Grey, nineteen years old. I come from Earth, a distant planet, far, far away from here. And this" He pulled out a small amulet with a small, rose crystal from around his neck. "is a crystal filled magic, energy and a spell. It can create a portal between worlds. This is how I landed in Alagaësia. Even Brom couldn't help me determine who created this. They used one of those things to go on Earth five years ago, maybe for reconnaissance, I will never know. The old man said it was technically impossible for me to walk on this ground but as you can see, I'm in this room with you right now. My objective here is simple: kill the Ra'zac to avenge my best friend's death. They were a little hungry and decided to use Robert as a snack and I watched them eating him without moving a single muscle, completely paralyzed in fear."

Eragon and Ajihad looked at him, mesmerized by his tale. Saphira was in the same state too, even if she already knew a large portion of his story.

"I decided to claim vengeance and trained during the following years until the day they decided to come back on my home world. We fought and I had the chance to stole this crystal from them during the fight but they had another one and used it to flee when the authorities arrived. One week later, after spending a good time healing, I was ready. I took anything I deemed necessary, I borrowed some weapons while 'promising' my government I would come here in peace. It lasted half an hour, just enough time to learn about what they did to Eragon's uncle."

"I see. This is an interesting story you have. I'd like to know if you're going to stay and help us fight the Empire or leave to track those monsters when you'll have enough rest?"

"I stay. I promised Brom I would protect those two until they're strong enough to watch each other's back or until the moment I kill the Ra'zac. After this, I leave this place for good."

At the moment she heard this, Saphira felt a deep pain in her chest, causing her to flinch and strong enough to be felt by her rider thanks to their link. He turned his head toward her, surprised by her reaction.

«Is everything alright? » He asked, concern evident in his tone.

«Yes. I think I'm fine, little one. It's just, when Alex said he would never come back here. I felt something strange in me, as if I didn't want him to leave. »

«Maybe it's because he's a very good friend and you'd like for him to stay with us. »

«Maybe. »

Then, Eragon explained everything that happened since the beginning of their journey. Ajihad and him talked about what was the program for the next days. After what seemed an eternity, the leader called for Orik.

"All morning I had to listen to the Twins complaining about your attitude and that your actions shouldn't go unpunished."

"I know and I will take full responsibility for this. But if I didn't intervene, Eragon and his companions would have been killed by the Kull even with their friend's arrival. The Rider shouted the phrase at the waterfall but the Twins didn't do anything to help them. I couldn't let a Rider die."

"Why did you oppose them during the test?"

"Because one of the two promised me he wouldn't try to pry into Murtagh's mind if I let him do it on Eragon to prove our innocence." intervened Alex, his arms closed and his face emotionless. "He tried to break it and Orik took our defense."

"I understand. However, he went against an order from his superior. For something like this, the punishment is death. But, considering the reasons behind his actions, there will be no such thing. Orik, from now, you're not in active service anymore and you'll our guests' guide during their stay here. Understood?"

"Of course."

"In a few days, you'll take Eragon to the training grounds so he can be tested. I think there's nothing more to talk of, you can leave."

The three men and one dragon walked out of the room.

"So, what do we do now?" asked the young Rider, curious to know what was going to happen now.

"We take a bath because we stink, we eat and we sleep. That's the program for today. At least, mine."

"In that case, I think I'll do the same."

Orik grunted and motioned them to follow him. "I'll show you where the baths are. Don't worry, we'll give you a new set of clothes and wash yours."

Alex smiled.

"Okay, let's go because I really need to get rid of that smell and hot water sounds good, far better than washing myself in a stream."