Chapter 8: Captured
Link awoke groggily, shaking his head. He tried to touch his head, but found himself chained to the wall. The first thing that came to his mind was magic, but for some reason he couldn't muster the concentration to utter the words.
He realized he had been captured. The first noise that came to his ears was not pleasant. He could hear countless screams of those being tortured. Link took a moment to remember that the last things he had seen were the Ra'zac.
The Ra'zac must have captured me!
Link was instantly jolted to alertness, although he could not move. He was chained to the wall by his wrists and pinned into a sitting position. He looked around. The cell was miniscule, damp, and reeked of death. There was only the room for his legs to stretch out. There was nothing else within the cell. He thought he'd be driven mad.
It wasn't long before the Ra'zac showed up. Link was sitting in his cell, staring into the distance when he heard footsteps clunking down the hall in his direction. He wheeled his head around to see two figures headed his way. They were both garbed in black cloaks. Nothing could be seen of their faces. He could see armor under the black cloaks.
"Ah, here he isss," said one.
"Perhapss we sshould tell him of hiss friendss?" said the other.
"Where's Eragon?" Link asked defiantly.
"You won't be sseeing him," said the first one. "He'ss got a little meeting with the King."
"Galbatorix?" Link cried. He did everything in his power to cast a spell, but his tongue was bound.
"Don't bother. We have our methods of preventing you from escaping," said the second.
With a hiss, they both left. Link then began planning his escape. He knew he had been drugged somehow, so his only hope was to wait for the effects of the drug to wear off and also that he couldn't accept any food or drink the Ra'zac offered him.
It took an excruciatingly long time for the effects of the drug to wear off, and every time the Ra'zac put plates of food into his cell he had to hide them behind himself by expertly maneuvering his legs. Luckily they only came twice so they did not realize he had not been eating.
Finally, after hours, Link was able to touch the magic.
"Jierda!" he said, aiming for the chains. They were instantly snapped off, and he had to rub the feeling back into his hands. He then repeated the same spell, focusing this time on the cell bars. They were thrown against the wall. The spell drained a slight amount of energy from him, but he had much more endurance than the average human. Once he was free of the cell, he made his way down the hall, searching for Eragon and Roran.
It was then that he noticed the textures of the walls. It was all made of rock, which made sense since he was inside a mountain. The rock was a stale tan color, and was covered in bloodstains wherever he looked.
Link exited the hallway he had been confined in. It turned out he was the only person in that particular cell block, so he crept over to the next cell block, which was less than six feet away.
He found that this cell block was full of slaves from the Hadarac Desert. He checked every cell, whose occupants begged and pleaded with him to take them with him. Link couldn't find Eragon or Roran. He had only Jörmundur's descriptions to tell what they would look like, but none of these fit that description.
Link moved on to the next cell block to find that it was almost empty as well. He heard a sniffle toward the back and followed the sound. He found a woman hugging her knees to her chest, rocking back and forth. He couldn't see her face; it was concealed by her hair.
Something about her made him curious, but he waved the thought off and continued to search for Eragon and Roran.
He moved on to the next cell block. This one was as empty as his was but for two. He moved to the back as he had with the previous block and stopped before the second to last one. There was a boy that looked to be about Link's age that was chained to the wall in the same fashion he had been. He had shaggy brown hair and a steadily growing beard. He looked like an average human. Link couldn't see his face well.
When he moved on to the last cell, he knew he had found what he was looking for. The boy, who looked younger than Link, looked very much like an elf, but at the same time looked human. He had shaggy blonde hair, and wore an orange leather vest. This, Link knew, was Eragon.
"Eragon Shadeslayer?" Link said. Instantly the boy looked up.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Jierda!" said Link, making sure the cell door would not harm Eragon. He then repeated the spell to Eragon's chains.
"I am Link," he said. "I've been sent by the Varden to rescue you."
"The Varden?" Eragon asked. He looked like the drug hadn't worn off.
"You are aware they've drugged you, yes?" Link asked.
"Of course I am," he said. "I've felt these effects before."
"Is this your cousin?" Link asked, pointing to the brown-haired man. Eragon nodded.
"Jierda!" Link repeated the same process he had used on Eragon's and his own cells.
"How long have you been with the Varden?" Eragon questioned.
"About a month and a half," said Link. Eragon was surprised.
"You were able to sneak past the Ra'zac?" Eragon asked, impressed.
"Not exactly," said Link sheepishly as he put Roran over his shoulders. "They captured me too. I realized they had drugged me and refused their food."
"That's what I did last time they captured me," said Eragon. "I guess they must have made it stronger this time."
Vanilor, can you hear me? Link asked.
Link! cried his dragon. I've been trying to contact you. What took you so long?
They drugged me so I couldn't speak with you or use magic. I found a way around the drug though and now I've got Eragon and Roran with me. Where are you?
I'm in the lowest level of Helgrind. There's another dragon down here with me. I think it's Eragon's dragon, Saphira.
I'll bet it is, said Link. I'll be there momentarily.
"Do you have a sword they might've taken?" Link asked.
"I lost the sword I normally use, but I have another one I brought," said Eragon. "Roran's hammer should be here somewhere too."
"We'll need our weapons before we get our dragons," said Link. He began to walk out of the cell block.
"Wait a minute, our dragons?" Eragon asked. Link nodded.
"I'm the next Rider," said Link bluntly. Eragon was stunned. "We can talk later. Right now we need to get you and your cousin out of here."
"Don't forget Katrina," said Eragon. Link turned around, having exited the cell block.
"Katrina who?"
"Katrina, Roran's love. She is the whole reason we came after the Ra'zac. They captured her a while ago."
"Does she have brown hair?" Link asked quizzically. Eragon nodded. "I know where she is."
Roran stirred. Link let him off his shoulders as he awoke groggily.
"I don't think he handled the drugs as well as we did," said Eragon.
"Where am I?" Roran asked.
"No time," said Link. "We have to get your girl."
"Katrina!" Roran cried, suddenly jolted awake. "Where is she?"
"Enough questions!" Link cried. "The Ra'zac will hear us. We must be quiet."
Link led the cousins to the next cell block, where he had encountered that girl. He found her right where he had left her.
"Is this her?" Link asked. Eragon was in shock, as was Roran.
"I hope so, yet I hope not," said Roran, falling to his knees. "Katrina?"
Slowly, the girl looked up. Her face was soaked with tears, and her eyes were puffy.
"Roran?" said the girl.
Roran smiled and reached through the bars.
"It's me, Katrina," said Roran, holding on to her hands.
"Step back, Roran," said Eragon. Roran complied and Eragon shot forth his hand. "Grind reisa!"
Instantly, instead of the cell door bursting apart, it rose through the stone ceiling. Link broke Katrina's chains, and she collapsed into Roran's arms. Eragon then quietly let the cell door fall.
"I should've thought of that," said Link. "Much quieter."
"I think the Ra'zac have heard us by now," said Eragon. "We must quickly find our weapons."
Link lead the three of them out of the cell block and around a corner, where he heard the sounds of slaves being tortured.
"You're going toward that sound?" said Eragon. Roran and Katrina's mouths were occupied, but Eragon could still speak freely.
"They're going to keep everything they've taken from prisoners close to where they torture them," said Link bluntly.
"Why would they do that?" said Eragon.
"So they have easy access to them in case they need to wriggle information from them. They could have a sketch of a loved one, or possibly valuable items granted from family."
"Trust me, they're not torturing them to get information," said Eragon. "They're doing it for fun."
"Well, trust me, I know what I'm doing."
"Who are you?" Eragon asked.
"I can explain that later," said Link. "You need only know that I'm a fellow Rider named Link who was sent by the Varden, particularly Nasuada."
"You know Nasuada?" asked Eragon.
"I have for about a month and a half, yes," Link replied. They then encountered two wooden doors. Link put his ear up to one and heard the tortured screams coming from within. He guessed the Ra'zac were inside. Link motioned for everyone to be quiet and entered the other door. It was a small room, with three wooden tables. The walls were of the same rock as the rest of Helgrind. There was virtually no light within the room, only from what came out of the room.
Link entered the room with Eragon, Roran, and Katrina close behind. Link instantly found the Master Sword, still sheathed. He relished the thought of the Ra'zac trying to harm it and their reactions to what the holy sword did to them. Link strapped his trusty sword to his back and shortly found the rest of his weapons: his Hylian Shield, his Deku Nuts, his bombs, of which there were slightly less, his Fairy Bow, and his hookshot.
"You carry many weapons, stranger," said Roran.
"These are all things I've collected over my numerous adventures," said Link. "I've grown quite fond of them over the years."
Link saw Eragon belt an old sword to his waist and a bow to his back. Roran took merely a blacksmith's hammer and placed it in the loop in his pants.
"That's it?" Link asked, puzzled.
"The villagers of Carvahall call me Roran Stronghammer," Roran said proudly. "This is my weapon and always will be."
Link shrugged. He respected that. He was about to lead them out of the room when he realized there were no longer any tortured screams. He motioned for everyone to be quiet again.
Suddenly, Link heard the thud of armored greaves coming down the rock hallway. Link motioned for everyone to hide somehow.
The Ra'zac entered the room. They took a brief look at the tables. One of them screeched.
"Hiss weaponss are gone!" one shrieked.
"He'ss esscaped!" the other cried. They whisked out of the room, not even lingering to search it.
"We won't leave until they're dead," said Roran through clenched teeth. Katrina clutched him.
"No, Roran," she said. "You came to save me, and I'm safe now."
"It's not over yet, I'm afraid," said Link. "We still have to get our dragons and get out of here."
"I agree with Roran," said Eragon. "I've got a score to settle as well. They killed my Uncle Garrow, who was also Roran's father."
Link sighed. "Very well. You two go after the Ra'zac, and I'll take Katrina to Vanilor and Saphira."
They nodded. Katrina begged Roran not to go.
"Roran, please. Let's just leave. I couldn't bear it if you were hurt," she pleaded. She began to cry.
Roran did not speak, only held her in his arms. Eragon shook Roran's arm.
"We must catch them," said Eragon. "They're searching for us. We have the element of surprise!"
Roran kissed Katrina deeply but quickly and then followed his cousin in the direction the Ra'zac went.
"Come on," said Link, taking hold of Katrina's wrist.
Vanilor, are there stairs anywhere near you? Link asked.
Yes, there is a staircase right next to Saphira's cage, Vanilor boomed. Link then led Katrina past the torture chamber. He had no idea where he was going; Vanilor hadn't helped him much. To his luck, he found a staircase just around a bend past the torture chamber. The staircase spiraled downward and led into a large room with enlarged versions of the same cells that were upstairs. Enlarged by about fifty. There were about ten of these mammoth cages, but only two of them were occupied. The nearest one was occupied by a magnificent blue dragon that was much larger than Vanilor. Link guessed this was Saphira. Despite the amount of time she'd likely spent in there, she was very calm. Link noticed they had chained her to the walls as well. It must have taken a lot, or probably cowardice and trickery, to get her into that cage.
Who are you? a female voice said in his head. Link knew it was Saphira.
Eka aí fricai un Shur'tugal, said Link. I am a Rider and a friend.
A Rider! The green dragon is your companion! said Saphira with surprise.
Yes, Vanilor is my companion. Why did you talk to me? Link asked, surprised. It was only then that Katrina was looking at him like he was a maniac. He paid her no heed after that. Isn't it impolite for Riders to speak with another's dragon?
Yes, but it was I who spoke to you first, was it not?
Point taken. Now, how do I get you two out of here?
You are a Rider, yes? Can't you cast spells? Saphira asked.
Well, aren't you a dragon? Can't you just melt the cage with your fire-breath? Link retorted.
I wish it were that easy. I don't know what the Ra'zac did, but I can't seem to muster the strength.
I encountered the same problem. Hold on, he said.
"Grind reisa!" said Link. The door to the cage opened, and Link also broke the chains that bound her. The strength it required to do the deed took much more than it did to release himself, but he had the strength to go on.
Saphira thumped her feet out of the cage and hummed happily.
Thank you, Rider. What are you called? Saphira asked.
I am Link. I already know your name, Saphira. I was sent here to rescue you and your Rider.
By whom? Saphira questioned.
The Varden, Link replied. Link then turned to assist his own dragon, Vanilor.
"Link," said Katrina. Link turned to her. She was stiff as a board, staring at Saphira. "It's a dragon. You just freed a dragon."
"Dragons are nice," said Link slowly. "Notice she hasn't eaten you?"
Saphira nuzzled Katrina, who squealed quietly.
Link then released Vanilor using the same process he had used to free Saphira.
It pleases me to be rid of that filthy cell, said Vanilor. But I was able to speak with Saphira. She shared with me some of her and Eragon's adventures. They pale in comparison to yours.
Link laughed quietly; Saphira did not hear. Now they had but to wait for Roran and Eragon.
Saphira, said Link. Contact Eragon. Ask him where he is.
It was a moment before Saphira replied.
They are at the very top of Helgrind. They have chased the Ra'zac there. We must help them!
I thought Eragon could handle himself, said Link skeptically. He's killed a Shade, surely he can do this.
I know he is capable, but I fear for him, said Saphira. There is an exit from where the Ra'zac fly their Lethrblaka right over there.
Link looked over to where her mind suggested and saw some kind of tunnel that curved upwards. It looked large enough for Saphira.
We can fly to the top from it, said Saphira. Link nodded.
Saphira, you bear Katrina. I'll ride Vanilor, said Link. He then repeated the message to Katrina. At first she was horrified, but then she let Link help her onto Saphira's saddle and tie her legs to it.
"Do you have a weak stomach?" Link asked.
"Why?" Katrina asked frightfully.
"Because I'm telling you now you'll wish you hadn't," he said. He then went over to Vanilor and secured himself.
Lead the way, Saphira, Link said. Saphira nodded and thundered toward the exit. Already Katrina was screaming. At the bottom of the curve, Saphira opened her wings and gave a mighty flap, blocking herself from Link's view.
Shall we? Link asked.
Let's, Vanilor replied. Vanilor copied the same thing Saphira had done and raced out the tunnel. Instantly Link felt fresh air smack him in the face. Normally it would have hurt, but to Link it freed him.
Quickly! said Saphira. Link saw her rising to the top of Helgrind, already near the top.
Fly, Vanilor! Link cried. Vanilor flapped his wings with all his might. They rose extremely quickly and were at the top mere minutes after Saphira. The top of Helgrind was enormous. It was a large disc-shape in the rock that was probably a square mile in circumference. Link could not see Eragon, Roran, or the Ra'zac. Then Saphira breathed fire and illuminated four figures on the top; she missed her apparent target.
Attack the two dark figures! Link cried. Vanilor instantly swooped down in the direction the Ra'zac had been seen. Link secretly wished Vanilor could breathe fire. He wouldn't be old enough for another two months, or more.
Vanilor locked on to the smaller Ra'zac and lowered his talons. The Ra'zac never saw or heard him. Link felt Vanilor's body vibrate as his talons smashed into the Ra'zac. Vanilor made to bite off its head, but it stabbed his left talon with its wrist-blade. Vanilor roared and dropped the Ra'zac. It crashed to the summit of Helgrind, and seemed dead, but after a moment it resumed fighting Roran. Eragon was handling the other Ra'zac expertly; Link had only seen such skillful fighting from Arya, only Arya was slightly better.
Saphira breathed fire again, this time catching Roran's opponent. Roran took advantage of this and smashed his hammer into the skull of the Ra'zac so hard that Link heard it. The Ra'zac collapsed near the edge of the summit. Roran stared at the body with hatred, and then smashed his hammer into its burning chest. Link was surprised by the sound it made; it sounded like Roran had broken rock. The Ra'zac's flaming body then toppled over the edge to break into pieces at the base of Helgrind.
Link then turned to watch Eragon fight the other Ra'zac. Roran rushed to assist his cousin, but the Ra'zac was dead before he got there. Expertly, Eragon dealt swipes and swings all around the Ra'zac's body; it hastened to keep up. Even then, it wasn't enough. Eragon's blade caught in the Ra'zac's knee, and it howled. Eragon wrenched the blade from the Ra'zac's leg and spun around to decapitate it. Link then understood that it had some sort of exoskeleton, and for Eragon to be able to decapitate it took a large amount of strength. The Ra'zac toppled and fell off the summit of Helgrind to join its fell brother.
The Ra'zac, faithful servants to King Galbatorix, were no more.
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A/N: Dang, that was long! I started typing and the next thing I knew I had written over 3000 words! That's pretty long for me; I've only written one other chapter of this length, and it's not for this story. Anyway, read and review! This is by far the most exciting chapter yet, so I NEED reviews!