I own nothing of the Inheritance Cycle!
Thoughts over bond
Neil=David
Ian=Murtagh
For the rest of the week David went to Galbatorix every evening to finish his lessons on how to read with his mind. By the end of the week David–technically it was Neil but David was able to obtain the knowledge for himself–was able to read any of the books place in front of him.
When he finished the days list of tasks Neil joined with Galbatorix in his study. He sat in the chair opposite of Galbatorix and waited for his master to speak.
"Now that you have learned how to read we can move onto better things." Said Galbatorix. The man stood from his chair and went to his bookcases and brought back a book that was about an inch thick. He set it in front of Neil and rounded his desk and sat across from him in silence, observing what he could of Neil's face.
Neil paid to attention to his master as he looked at the book sitting in front of him, "The Magic of the mind." He tilted his head at the title and looked back up at Galbatorix.
"That book in front of you," spoke Galbatorix, "contains everything you are going to learn."
Neil nodded. He was excited to move on from just reading to more useful and interesting things. He opened the book and started flipping to random pages until Galbatorix cleared his throat.
Neil set the book down with an embarrassed flush, "Sorry Master." Galbatorix waved away the apology.
"We will start at the first chapter. I will help you through the steps but you will have to do most of the work yourself."
"I understand Master." Neil flipped to the first chapter and listened to Galbatorix's teachings.
"This first chapter will explain to you how to use your mind to levitate objects." Galbatorix then took out a quill and set it in front of Neil. "Use your mind to levitate the quill off of the desk."
Neil apprehensively focused his mind on the quill and willed it to lift. When nothing happened he tried again, this time focusing as hard as he could but the quill still would not budge.
"I cannot lift it Master." Neil slumped in his seat.
"And I did not expect it too. When you return to me tomorrow I expect for you to have read the first two chapters regarding the levitation of objects by using just your mind. I want you to be able to tell me what you did wrong and I expect you to be able to lift that quill."
"Yes Master." Neil grabbed the book and left the study.
When he was out of the throne room David's memories returned. This time there was less pain then from when they first began separating the memories.
What use would it be to lift something with your mind? You could just use magic.
Indeed I could but the thing is that Galbatorix doesn't know about my magic. I don't even know if Neil can use magic.
Do not talk as if you are two different people David. I am taking your memories not your magical abilities.
I suppose that true but– David was interrupted when he accidentally ran into one of the castles rich nobles, knocking them both to the ground.
The noble stood up and brushed himself off, "Watch where you're going you little rat."
"Do I look like I can see where I'm going?" David recognized the man from when he had saved him from slavers some odd years ago. Oh man I hope he doesn't realize who I am.
"Oh, well whatever. Just be more careful when you're walking peasant." The man then started walking off.
David stood up and muttered "Bastard" Peasant?! Honestly I'm happy he didn't recognize me but peasant?
He started walking towards his and Murtagh's room when he heard the man speak, "What did you just call me?"
David stopped walking and straightened. He took in a long breath and sharply released it before he slowly turned towards the noble. "I called you a bastard." He took a step closer to the noble.
"A dumbass." Another step.
"A fool." One more step.
"An arrogant shit." He was chest to chest with the noble. He must have looked pretty intimidating because the noble was frozen and staring at David's blindfold in fear.
He leaned towards the nobles ear and smirked at the small flinch before whispering, "Slytha."
The noble slipped to the floor and David gazed at his limp body before sharply turning and continuing towards his quarters I'm probably going to end up regretting this.
What did you do kill him?!
Of course not! You know I didn't kill him, I just put him to sleep.
And you left him in the middle of a hallway? You didn't even take away the memory of your encounter!
I didn't think about it. Besides if I tried to do that I would probably end up messing up his mind.
Oh David what am I going to do with you?
Love me. David entered his room with a cheeky smile on his face and laid out on his bed, opening his new book and reading the two chapters about mind levitation.
The next day David was going through his daily chores, going over in his head everything he had read the night before and copying a memory of it for Neil. A throat being cleared stopped all of the servants in their tracks.
David stopped what he was doing and looked to see it was the man from last night. One of the servers went up to him and asked what he needed.
"One of your servers, the blind one, has wronged me last night and he needs punishment."
Wronged my ass. All I was did was insult him a little and then send him to sleep.
Well David he obviously took it rather badly, like anyone else would.
"Oh! Uh, Neil could you come here please?" The servant who had went up to the man called for David.
He silently sighed and walked towards the two men. "Yessir?"
The man (If David's memory was anything to rely on he was pretty sure the Generals name was Ephiram) roughly grabbed David's collar and began dragging him out of the room. "You'll get what's coming to you boy."
"What are you doing? That's my brother!"
Ephraim stopped but didn't let go of David, "Well your brother assaulted me last night, and now he shall be punished for it." And without another word he left, dragging David with him.
He led David to the large doors that led to the streets outside of the castle. "Where are we going? I thought you were taking me to Galbatorix."
"I am, but the King isn't in his throne room at the moment. Now be silent!"
David shut his mouth and wondered where Galbatorix could possibly be if not in the throne room.
You should have left the man alone David.
Yea well not much I can do about it now.
Ephraim was leading him through the bustling streets of Urû'baen. People were rushing with their kids in the same direction they were. It looked as though everyone in the city was in the streets, all bumping and shoving into each other.
"Sir what is going on?"
"I said be silent!" Barked Ephraim.
A large crowd seemed to be gathering some ways ahead of them in the city's center square. Ephraim made a grimace at the sight and started bringing David through side alleys, bypassing the crowds as much as he could before he forced his way through the dense crowd, trying to reach the middle where crowd stopped. There seemed to be a line of children standing a little ways from a stone pedestal with two colorful stones resting on top of it.
David's breath caught in his throat when he saw the two bright colored stones. Aquila.
Are those…?
Yes. Yes those are the eggs. David felt elation course through him. Finally, I've found them!
I was beginning to believe they didn't exist! Why are they out here?
It seems that these people have brought their kids so the eggs might hatch for them.
Then thank God Murtagh isn't out here. That would bring problems neither of you need.
David could only agree but couldn't respond to Aquila as he and Ephraim broke free from the crowd. Ephraim shook himself slightly and continued to drag David to the man sitting in a throne-like chair a little ways behind the eggs. David paled a little when he realized it was Galbatorix.
Ephraim did say he was going to bring you to the King, David.
Yeah and, well, I forgot.
Besides, why wouldn't the Mad King be here for such an event? He would want to see if one of the eggs hatched.
True but to bring them out in the open like this? Is he just that desperate?
Who knows David. Why don't you ask him yourself?
David was roughly shoved to his knees in front of the King. Galbatorix looked at him with disinterest before looking at Ephraim. "What's this?"
Ephraim bowed at the waist before straightening once more and pointing to David, "This little rat ran into me last night and gravely insulted me." The crowds around them have started to settle, some were watching the exchange intensely.
"Oh?"
"Yes your Highness."
Galbatorix beckoned him forward and stared into Ephraim's eyes. Oh shoot he's looking through his memories.
So? You knew it would have happened.
Yea but how am I going to explain the magic?
Your problem not mine.
Thanks for the love Aquila! Id like to see this disinterest when I'm being tortured in his dungeons because he found out I've been lying this whole time!
Aquila stopped talking and David watched as Ephraim walked to Galbatorix's right. The King was looking at him with intrigue and he could have sworn slight amusement, but he was seeing with his mind so he could be mistaken.
"It seems you have indeed wronged my General." Some people from the crowd behind him gasped and started murmuring to the people around them. "You will be punished, but not yet."
"Of course your Majesty." Should I have said Master?
Galbatorix didn't seem to notice as he patted his left hand in the arm of his chair, "Come and stand behind me."
David slowly stood from his knees and walked to Galbatorix's left, standing slightly behind the chair. If I have to wait for all of these children to finish touching the eggs were going to be here all day.
Quit whining and focus on the eggs.
Why? It's not like I could steal them right now my anyway.
Maybe not but I have never seen another egg before and I wish to see one. Now I can see two if you just looked at the eggs!
Alright alright! So David focused on the eggs and admired their beautiful coloring. The first egg was a rich blood red color, the white veins that webbed across the egg was a stark contrast against the redness That'll be Thorn, should he actually hatch for Murtagh. The other egg was a beautiful dark emerald color. This one also had white veins webbed around the whole egg There's Fírnen. You know, if he hatches for Arya.
What's with the "If"?
Well you said I couldn't rely on the books, so for all I know the eggs might hatch for one of these kids.
Well they better not. We don't want them hatching for anyone supporting the Mad Man. Arya and Murtagh will make worthy riders.
I couldn't agree more.
Galbatorix stood from his seat and spread his arms to the crowd. An instant hush fell upon them as they waited for Galbatorix to say something. "Let us begin." And with those words he sat down and the first kid walked up to the eggs.
Galbatorix rested his elbow on the arm rest and beckoned David. He bent down level to Galbatorix's ear and murmured quiet enough so only they could hear, "Yes Master?" I never want to say those words to him again while not in the mindset of Neil.
"Tell me, what do you think of this child?"
David sent his mind towards the kid. He analyzed everything he could before speaking to Galbatorix in the same quiet tone, "He would run at the first sign of danger."
"You believe so?"
"Yes. He is shaking like a leaf, and I would think that a rider would out on a strong front when in the presence of a crowd. Though he does have some determination."
When the kid finished touching each egg he was dismissed, signaling the next kid to step forward and try her luck with the egg. She too was rejected by the eggs and the cycle continued. Each kid would walk up to the egg and Galbatorix would have David observe whether or not an egg would hatch for them before the kid was rejected.
The line of kids grew smaller and smaller as the day went by. Some of them were so young they weren't tall enough to reach the eggs, and some of the kids were as old as twenty. When the line finally diminished into nothing the sun was starting to set. Both eggs were still sitting on the pedestal, glinting in remaining the sunlight.
Galbatorix stood once more, "It would seem that none of you have been chosen as worthy to become a rider," was that an insult? "But I thank you all for coming to try. Although there is one person left I would like to try." Here he turned to David, "Neil, if you would please."
David stood rooted in place with shock I'm sorry, what? "Y-Your majesty! Are you sure yo–?" Galbatorix interrupted him "Neil." His voice was cold and stern.
David nodded and hesitantly walked towards the eggs. He stood before the pedestal, his back facing the king. He reached a shaking hand out towards the green egg This is my chance. I could just take the eggs now and you could come and fly me away and to the elves.
You could, but then we would be leaving Murtagh.
Damn! There's always got to be something holding us back.
David set his hand on the egg. It was warm to the touch and seemed to be vibrating just the slightest bit. Probably warm because all those people touched him. I hope they washed their hands.
Honestly David your touching a dragon egg and all you can think about is how it might be dirty. Now touch the little ones mind, I wish to speak with him.
David complied and ouch end the little dragons mind. He said Hello there at the same time Aquila said Hello little one.
The small conscious was confused at first, but when he heard David and Aquila the confusion was accompanied with happiness. You feel that David? He's happy to here his mother.
Mother?
Well he needs someone to be a motherly figure, and that's me.
And what about Saphira?
Too young. Someone with experience would be better suited for the job.
You have experience?
Yeah. I raised you didn't I?
Hey!
As they conversed the egg under David's hand began to shake, it was just vibrating with happiness and amusement. He had to hold it down with both hands to keep it from rolling off of the pedestal. Quit it! You're going to fall off and break your shell. And with your rider not here you would probably be forced to bond with somebody and that wouldn't be good.
The egg stopped shaking and David pulled his mind away from the egg along with his hand. His mind told him that everything was watching him and the intently. "Uh, sorry! The shaking was my fault." Everyone seemed disappointed with what he said, but Galbatorix was staring at him with intense eyes.
He ignored the stare and continued into the next egg. He placed his hand and found the egg to be cold, it wasn't vibrating at all, unlike the other. Cold, just like your rider. All David received from the egg was confusion and slight interest.
Hello little one. The dragon hatchling didn't understand the words but it knew they were full of warmth and happiness. The egg got a little warmer and its mind held slight happiness and still the lingering confusion. It stayed like that for a while before David drew his hand back.
He stepped back and looked at Galbatorix as the King stood from his seat once again and spread his arms to the crowd, "I once again thank you for coming here to test your luck with the eggs. Should anything happen with them in the future we will let you know. You are dismissed." The crowd then slowly began to trickle away.
Galbatorix walked up to the eggs and picked them up. He walked over to David and held them out, "Will you carry these for me?"
David wanted to raise his eyebrows, to let his jaw drop. But he did neither as he took the eggs from the King. Is he joking? He just handed two of the most valuable things in all of Alagaësia to–what he believes–a blind servant. He's mad! What if I decided to run off?
He is testing you.
What?
He gave you the eggs to test your loyalty. To see whether or not you are actually trustworthy. Although I will agree that this is an odd way of doing it.
He followed Galbatorix back into the palace with Ephraim behind him. They walked through the hallways and reached the throne rooms doors.
Upon entering Galbatorix turned to Ephraim, "You may leave general. I will take care of his punishment."
Ephraim bowed, "Thank you your Highness," before leaving the room.
Galbatorix then looked at David, "Come."
He began walking to the side door and up to his study. He watched Galbatorix t
In the doorframe as he went to he bookcases and pulled a seemingly random book from the shelf. A moment later a part of the bookshelf fell away and revealed another dark and long passageway. These things are everywhere.
Galbatorix entered the passage and David hurried to follow. At the end of the hallway they reached a blank space of wall. Galbatorix set his hand on the wall and David watched as it also fell away, revealing a large room filled with gold, shining jewels, and three bare pedestals with cushions, both large enough to fit one egg.
David walked towards two of the pedestals and set the eggs down. He tilted his head towards the third, and empty, pedestal before he asked, "Where is the other?"
"It was stolen from me by those pesky Rebels. You know of whom I speak yes?"
"The Varden?"
"Indeed. They had broken in here and stolen it. Luckily it was just the one before I was able to stop the thief from stealing the other two." The dumb ass should have taken all three. If he had I wouldn't be here!
"It is a relief to know that the rebels did not take all three of them."
"Indeed. Now come and tell me more of your encounter with Ephraim."
They left the room and David made sure which book was taken out of the shelf before he turned his attention to Galbatorix.
"When I had left you I was walking towards the servants quarters when we ended up running into each other. I had been lost in thought and so had not sensed him before hand. He commented on how I should watch where I was going and that made me rather defensive. When he started to leave I said a…rather not so nice word about him, but unfortunately he had heard me. He asked what I said and so I repeated it–along with a few others–before he dropped to the floor."
"And did you say anything before he fell?"
Shit "I did. But I'm not sure what it was. I believe it started with an S."
"It is just as I thought. You have the ability to use magic."
David adopted a proper stunned look, "Magic? But I've never used magic before! Forgive me for yelling master but it just seems so…so…absurd." I should be given an award for my acting.
"Are you saying that my claim is absurd?" Galbatorix's voice warned of impending anger should he say yes.
"Never Master! It's just hard to believe is all."
"It should not be so surprising, considering your skill with the mind. But we will talk of this later, for now we will continue your training in levitating the quill."
"Master? What of my punishment?"
"I believe that waiting for all of this kids to finish with the eggs was punishment enough."
That got a genuine smile to come to David's face as he began exercising his mind to lift the quill in front of him. For the first time he was learning as David instead of Neil.