Chapter Twenty-Three

A King Chosen

The castle was in pandemonium. Now that Durza was dead and the Shades' magic dispelled, the controlling power in the minds of Urû'baen's citizens faded away and they were free. Free, in the first instance, to panic.

Several riots broke out in different parts of the city, as semi-crazed and infuriated people started attacking the guards that had oppressed them. And there was no-one there to bring order. Durza was gone.

In the throne room, Skade half-carried Galbatorix toward the door. He was so weak he could barely stand, but his mismatched eyes remained open and alert. The door opened before they reached it, and several guards came hurrying through. They saw Eragon's body, and Galbatorix standing there, and stopped.

'My Lord!' one of them said. 'It's you! And you, Queen Skade… kneel, you idiots!'

The guards knelt. 'We are yours to command, Sire,' their captain said.

Galbatorix raised his head with some effort. 'My sword…' he half-whispered. 'Bring me… my sword.'

'Yes, Sire,' said the captain. He stood up and pointed at one of his subordinates. 'You! Go and get the King's sword. Get the Queen's, too.'

The man hurried out.

'We're so glad you're back, Sire,' said the guard captain. 'And… so sorry for what we did. The Shade's magic…'

'I understand,' said Galbatorix. He made an attempt to stand unaided, but almost fell. Skade caught him and held him up.

'Are you all right, Sire?' said the man.

'I'm… fine,' said Galbatorix. 'Just a little tired right now.'

The guard returned carrying White Violence and Rǿđull-Viđr, and held the swords out toward his King and Queen with a reverential gesture. Galbatorix took hold of White Violence's hilt, pulling the weapon toward him. He couldn't lift it properly; it hung from his hand, the point touching the floor. But he seemed to take comfort from holding it. He made an effort to put it back into its sheath on his back, but was unable to. In the end Skade gently took it from him and put it into its sheath.

'Thankyou,' he murmured. 'All…complete now. Just me and my sword.' He laughed a short, sad kind of laugh.

Skade took her own sword from the guard, and put it back into its own sheath. Then she pointed at Nasuada. 'Take her prisoner,' she said. 'But don't hurt her.'

The guards advanced on Nasuada. She only put up a token resistance before she was overpowered and brought before Skade and Galbatorix.

'What shall we do with her, Sire?' the guard captain asked.

Galbatorix looked at Nasuada. She recoiled when she saw his red eye, but still had the courage to shout; 'You betrayed me! You used me! You liar, you-!'

'Treat her with respect,' said Galbatorix, his once-powerful voice barely audible. 'She is a rider. Lady Nasuada… Shur'tugal… I'm sorry.'

Nasuada stared at him, blinded by tears. 'Eragon is dead.'

'Murtagh… is waiting for you,' said Galbatorix. 'He loves you, Nasuada. He'll be a father to Sif… go to him. I will…' his voice trailed off.

'Sire?' said the guard captain. 'Shall we take her to the dungeons?'

'Take her to… a guest room. Give her clothes and food, but guard her. Captain… Murnoth… where is Lord Kullervo? Where is the lord of dragons?'

'He's in the dungeons, Sire,' said Murnoth. 'The Shades had him in there for a long time… shall we go and get him?'

'No. Take me to him now.'

'You should rest,' said Skade. 'Go to him later.'

'No, no,' said Galbatorix, waving an impatient hand. 'Now. Must be now. Lead the way, Murnoth.'

The captain nodded and walked out of the room. Skade followed him, leading Galbatorix.

They journeyed laboriously down through the castle, down endless flights of stairs, down and down into the lower levels. It took a long time; Galbatorix seemed to grow weaker all the time. But he made no complaint.

At last they reached the dungeons; a dark series of subterranean corridors, each one lined with cells. There were interrogation rooms and torture chambers, and a hulking dungeon master who showed them the way to a cell at the end of the deepest corridor. Skade looked at it in confusion.

'You're mistaken,' she told the guard captain. 'There aren't any dragons down here. There can't be.'

'See for yourself,' said the dungeon master. He unlocked the door and threw it open. Skade helped Galbatorix into the cell. A guard brought a torch, and they saw.

The cell's occupant was a man, who was slumped in a corner. He was pathetically thin and pale, clad in stinking rags. His hair was long and lank, flame-orange in colour, and he had a ragged red beard. And when he raised his head to look at them, they saw that his eyes were gold.

Skade's heart leapt. '…Kullervo?' she faltered.

The man watched her unsteadily. 'Skade,' he rasped. 'Skade, back from the dead. Have you…' he broke off into a fit of coughing. Skade carefully let go of Galbatorix, who steadied himself on the doorframe, and ran to her brother's side.

It was Kullervo. She knew it was him. The eyes were exactly the same. His fingernails were claws and his teeth sharp. His new face was strong and fierce, with a heavy, aggressive jaw and thick nose. He was broad-shouldered and looked as if he would have been very powerful and muscular if he had not been half starved to death.

Skade took his hand in hers. 'Kullervo, what did they do to you?'

Kullervo coughed. 'The Shades… their punishment… they kept me prisoner. Wanted to use my life-force to help them conceive a child. They failed. I mocked them, and they did this to me.' His hands curled into fists. 'Cursed me. Mutilated me. Took away my dignity. Made me into this…'

Skade hugged him tightly. 'It's all right now,' she breathed. 'Kullervo, you're safe. I've come to save you again.'

'It's too late for me,' said Kullervo. 'I'm lost. Nothing can change me back now.'

'Father is here, Kullervo,' said Skade. 'He came back to Alagaësia to save you. He can change you back.'

Light returned to Kullervo's eyes. '…Father? He's here?'

'Yes,' said Skade. 'Come with me, Kullervo.'

She helped him up and led him toward the door. There, Galbatorix was waiting. Kullervo, swaying where he stood, stared furiously at him. 'You. What… are you doing here?'

Galbatorix pulled himself up to his full height using the doorframe. 'The Shades are dead,' he intoned. 'Alagaësia is free. The riders can return. You can go back to your people, Kullervo, but… you must… there are new riders. Meet with them, and remake the oath. Renew the alliance. This is… my last request.'

Kullervo looked at him suspiciously. 'I will not submit myself to your rule. The dragons are free.'

Galbatorix shook his head. 'No. No rulers. No trickery. Just this. Dragons and humans must work together. They need you now, Kullervo.'

'I'll do what I can,' said Kullervo.

'Good,' said Galbatorix. 'Now… let's go, Skade. I want to see the sky.'

They emerged from the castle doors and then passed through the city, heading for the front gates. And every moment Galbatorix got weaker and weaker. Kullervo helped Skade to carry him; brother and sister took hold of his shoulders and half-dragged him, ignoring everyone they passed.

When they were about halfway there, he started to cough; deep, hacking coughs that shook his frail body in their arms and left him gasping for air. But he refused to stop and rest, and kept urging them to hurry on in his weakening voice.

The gates were opened to let them through, and that was where he tried to stand unaided. Skade and Kullervo loosened their grip on him, and he collapsed against the gatepost and lay there, his head lolling, eyes half-open.

Skade took his hand. 'Galbatorix, you have to rest,' she said. 'You're sick. Let me get someone – a healer, or…'

He clasped her hand. His skin was cold. 'Skade,' he whispered. 'Listen to me…'

'I'll get a healer,' said Skade. 'Just wait-,'

'No. No-one can help me now.' He opened his eyes fully and looked up at her. 'I'm dying, Skade,' he said.

No!' Skade almost shouted. 'Stop it! Get up!'

'I'm sorry, Skade. I wanted to… I have to speak with your father before I die. Take me to him. Please.'

'But there has to be something – a potion, magic-,'

'I've lived beyond my years,' said Galbatorix. 'I should have died a long time ago. The power that kept me alive… it's all been used up. It's my time. Justice… my life for the riders… I have given back what I took from them.'

Skade clung onto him desperately, and she saw something dark fall from his sleeve and onto the ground.

It was blood.

She grabbed his hand, pulling back the sleeve. More blood was running down his arm. It trickled over her fingers and soaked into her gown, staining it.

'Take me,' Galbatorix whispered again. 'Take me to Lord Ravana. Please.'

Skade, tears running down her face, looked around at Kullervo. 'Help me,' she said.

Kullervo came to her side, and between them they lifted Galbatorix and carried him out of the city and into the open air.

Katana was still there, but people were taking off her chains. The black dragon shook off the last of them and ran toward her parents. She spread her wings over them in a protective gesture, and brought her head down to look at them.

'What happened? Are you all right? What's wrong with Father?'

'He's sick,' said Skade. 'Katana, are you hurt?'

'I'm fine,' said Katana. 'The humans set me free – what happened to the Shade? Did Father kill him?'

'Yes,' said Skade. 'Durza is gone. It's over.'

'But who is this?' said Katana, sniffing at Kullervo.

'This is Kullervo, my brother,' said Skade. 'Kullervo… my daughter, Katana.'

Kullervo touched Katana's snout. 'You have your mother's look about you, Katana,' he said. 'And your father's as well, I think.'

'Lord Kullervo?' said Katana, bewildered. 'I don't understand. How can you be human?'

Kullervo snarled. The deep, guttural sound rumbled dangerously in his throat – a dragon's voice coming from a human. 'I am a dragon,' he said. 'Never call me human, Katana Nightscales. Never.'

'I'm sorry,' Katana said hastily. 'Father… what's wrong with you? Did the Shade-?'

Galbatorix looked at her, then up at the sky. 'Here,' he whispered. 'Let me rest here, and… wait for him.'

Skade and Kullervo laid him down as gently as they could, and Skade did her best to make him comfortable. He lay very still, his expression strangely peaceful. Skade took White Violence from its sheath and put it into his hand, and he held onto it, seeming to take strength from it. Before she could withdraw her own hand, he grabbed it with a sudden movement. 'Skade,' he said. 'Don't… don't leave me. I don't… want to die alone.'

'I'll stay,' Skade promised. 'Galbatorix, you can't die. You can't.'

'Can. Will. Skade, listen… my robe. In the pocket. There's – bottle of potion in there. Strengthening. Will keep me alive until he comes.'

Skade obeyed. The bottle was small and had a crack in it, but was full of a thick greenish potion. She took out the cork and poured some into Galbatorix's mouth. He swallowed it, and a little colour came back into his face. He sighed. 'Thankyou.'

Skade stayed by him, holding his hand, Kullervo by her side. And, from the city, people slowly began to gather around their dying ruler. They formed a silent crowd around Katana, who lay down by her parents, not taking her eyes off them.

Galbatorix drifted in and out of consciousness, sometimes mumbling something inaudible. Once or twice Skade thought he had died, but his hand maintained a little pulse of life in hers.

After an hour or so had passed, he shuddered and let out a little cry of pain, and a patch of wetness appeared on the front of his robe. Skade pulled it open, and saw something that shocked her.

The arrow-wound on his chest had started to bleed.

'Galbatorix, what's happening to you?' Skade half-whispered.

He didn't seem to hear her. His head moved a little, and she felt his fingers twitch a little in her grasp. Then he started to speak, his voice only just audible. '…of earth formed… in fire forged… then to be blown away by a gust of wind in the night… from the void we come, to the void we return…' he broke off in a fit of coughing. On his chest, a cut left by Eragon's sword long ago started to ooze blood.

As the time dragged on, he stayed awake, and spoke on in a low, fevered voice. 'I remember the words… at the coronation…' he lifted his head slightly to look at the people standing all about. 'Words in the ancient language. They… spoke them over me before they put the crown on my head. May you be judge and warlord…master and protector… care for your people before all else… may you live long and may you shield us from misfortune. I did… a shield breaks. But you… had me all the same, and I never stopped… may I be remembered for what I tried to do, even though I failed.'

'You didn't fail,' said Skade. 'You did what no-one else could do.'

He looked at her, his eyes darkened and fading. 'Skade,' he said. 'Have to… I'm sorry. So sorry for… ruining your life.'

'You didn't ruin anything,' said Skade. 'My life… my life was only complete when I was with you.'

He smiled. 'As was… mine.' He shuddered and winced again, and the arrow-wound bled more profusely. Then, as Skade watched helplessly, it happened.

Every old wound, every scar that should have killed him, slowly reopened. The faint pockmarks from the plague that had ravaged him years ago became a raw and horrible rash. He began to shiver, and sweat beaded on his face.

Skade started to cry. 'No, Galbatorix, no!'

His eyelids fluttered, but he said no more. He was no longer able to. But she felt a familiar presence touch her mind. 'Skade,' it said. His voice. 'I want to ask you for something.'

'Anything,' said Skade.

'After I die, take me to Teirm. To the vault there. Lay me to rest in the tombs of the House of Taranis, beside my mother. Carve my name on the stone. My true name. I'll tell it to you now, Skade.'

Skade fought herself back under control. She knew how important this was. Revealing your true name to someone was the ultimate sign of trust.

'Fárbjóđr,' he said. 'It is Fárbjóđr. My true name. Destroyer. That's all I ever was. I fought against it, but there was nothing I could do. But the tomb – my tomb – can you do that for me, Skade?'

'I will,' Skade promised.

'Thankyou.'

He said no more after that.

And then, at long last, as Galbatorix lay hovering between life and death, the sky began to darken. Clouds gathered – black, roiling clouds. A fresh, green smell arose in the air, and all those there breathed it in and felt refreshed. Then a great fork of lightning split the sky.

Galbatorix's eyes snapped open. He looked up at the sky as the rain began to fall, and a faint smile appeared on his face. I know this storm, he thought.

Ravana came from the West. Katana saw him first; the massive shape of the black dragon, riding on the wings of the storm, so big he was less like a living creature and more like a kind of natural force.

Katana raised her head and roared. Skade looked up, and her heart leapt when she saw Ravana coming. She looked down at Galbatorix again. 'He's coming,' she told him. 'My father is coming. He'll be here soon. He can save you, Galbatorix. His magic can do anything.'

Galbatorix looked at her, and the hint of a smile showed in his mismatched eyes.

When the people saw Ravana coming, they fled back into the city in panic. Only a very few remained, standing about the base of the walls, poised to run but wanting to see what was going to happen next.

Ravana came flying steadily, and his family was with him – Lifrasir, Balisong, Skirnir, Valdyr, Skömm and Dreyri. And behind them came the wild dragons.

Hundreds and hundreds of them, their scales glittering in every colour of the rainbow, following Ravana in a vast flock. Many were large. But none were as large as him.

Ravana came down to land by Katana, who moved aside to make room for him. The old dragon stood taller than the walls of Urû'baen, so big he could have demolished the entire city with his bare paws. But he brought his great head down to look at Skade with an almost graceful motion, while behind and around him the dragons landed. Soon the landscape was thick with them; all huge and proud, uneasy to be gathered like this. Occasionally one would snap at another and a brief scuffle would break out, but every dragon kept its eyes on Ravana.

Skade stood up to talk to him. 'Father,' she said. 'You must help us.'

Ravana sniffed at her. 'You are uninjured?'

'Yes,' said Skade. 'But Galbatorix is-,'

'Kullervo,' said Ravana. 'Where is he? Have you found him?'

Kullervo stepped forward boldly. 'I am here, Father.'

Ravana peered at him. 'You are not my son, human.'

'He is,' said Skade. 'He is your son. Trapped in human form, but still your son.'

'I am,' said Kullervo. 'Father, I… is it truly you?'

Ravana blinked. 'Yes. You are my son, Kullervo. Stolen from me while you were still in the egg, then lost for a thousand years… my son. I have come to find you and protect you. Who did this to you?'

'The Shades,' said Kullervo. 'It was punishment.'

Ravana snarled. 'Tell me where I may find them. I will make them suffer.'

Kullervo shook his head. 'They are dead, Father. Both of them.'

'You are certain?'

'Yes. Father, listen to me.' Kullervo knelt by Galbatorix, entreating his father to look at him. 'The human is dying. He killed Durza and gave up his own life to undo the Shades' magic. He made us bring him here to speak with you. He saved my life. I beg you, Father – save him. Heal him with your magic.'

Ravana peered at Galbatorix. 'You are badly injured, human.'

'My… my Lord,' said Galbatorix. 'I waited for you. I had something I wanted to ask you.'

'Speak.'

Galbatorix managed to lift his hand. He reached out as if to touch the giant dragon, but his arm fell back onto his chest. He lay still for a few moments, his breathing harsh and shallow, and a slow tear trickled from the corner of his red eye. 'Take – take care of Skade for me,' he said. 'Keep – our children safe. Please.'

'I shall,' said Ravana. 'Die in peace, human. I shall… remember you.'

'Father, you have to help him!' said Skade. 'Use your magic, please!'

Ravana's great eyes turned slowly to look at her. 'I cannot,' he said. 'What must die, dies. There must be no interference.'

'But he leads the humans,' said Kullervo. 'He honours the dragons. Who will lead his race now, if not him?'

'I shall lead,' said Ravana.

Skade and Kullervo stared at him. 'But-,' Skade began.

'Be silent,' said Ravana. 'Alagaësia is where I was born. I was content to remain in my new land, but you brought me back here. Now I shall make this my country, and rule here over man and dragon alike.'

'You can't,' said Skade. 'Alagaësian law says that-,'

'I will be Lord over this land,' said Ravana. 'No-one may stop me.'

Galbatorix started to shake. For a moment Skade thought he had gone into the final convulsions of death, but as she tried to hold him still she realised that he was laughing.

'The throne – the throne of Alagaësia is yours, Lord Ravana,' he gasped. 'I give it to you. And may you… be the King no human ever could be.' He stretched out his hand toward the great dragon, and intoned; 'May… may you be judge and warlord… protector… master… live long… care for your people above all… be a shield from misfortune.'

Apparently exhausted from the effort, he let his hand drop and became still once more. But his hand still maintained its new strength. He reached into his robe and brought out a large white river stone, resting it on his chest amid the drying blood. So much like an egg. Frozen tears and bloodied snow… Laela.

With his last strength, he gripped the stone. 'I'm ready, Laela,' he whispered. 'Ready to see you again.'

From somewhere far, far away, he heard Skade's voice. 'I don't want you to die.'

Galbatorix smiled faintly. Frozen tears, blood in the snow…

The stone fell out of his hand and rolled away, coming to rest on the ground beside him. He watched it as his vision slowly faded to grey. He was no longer aware of any pain. All he felt was the cold, slowly numbing his body.

Everything was going white. White and cold. The snow, blood in the snow and frozen tears on his face… he could almost see the snowflakes drifting down from the sky to melt in his hair.

And then she was there. Laela. The great ghostly dragon, looking down at him with her silver eyes. He drifted amid the whiteness, and she was there with him, her warmth and her love enveloping him. It's time, Galbatorix, she said.

Yes, he said. Yes, Laela. Time for me to go to you.

She grinned, her eyes full of mischief and wonderful life. You always get it wrong, she said. Always and always. Silly boy. You're not coming to me. I'm coming to you. See?

But we'll be together again?

Yes. Forever.

In the world of the living, Skade saw Galbatorix gasp one last time and finally stop breathing. She let out a terrible cry of despair, one which rose into the sky where the clouds of Ravana's storm still cast a shadow over the earth.

It started to snow.