Chapter Twenty-Five

The Great Betrayer

By the time Rangda and Durza returned to the cave, Galbatorix and Skade were sitting by the fire together and talking animatedly. Galbatorix looked up warily when the two Shades took their accustomed place on the other side of the fire, but said nothing.

'You seem better, half-breed,' said Durza.

'I'll live,' Galbatorix answered briefly.

Durza nodded. 'You are strong. Stronger than you look. When I first brought you here you were raving with fever. I did not think you would survive.'

Galbatorix paused. 'Thankyou for what you did, Durza. Forgive me, but I've never met a Shade before and I was always told that Shades didn't care for anything but themselves. Can I ask why you saved me?'

Durza watched him silently for a time, his blood-coloured eyes unblinking. At length he said; 'I had heard of you before I found you. When I saw you, I knew who you were. You have a unique mind, unique powers. You are not like other riders. You have a power no human or elf possesses. And I… I respect that. I saved you in order to preserve that power. If you would share your knowledge with me, it would be all the repayment I would ask for.'

Galbatorix listened suspiciously. 'So you're after my knowledge.'

'There is no shame in that,' said Durza. 'Knowledge is power, and power is what I value.'

'He speaks truth,' Rangda put in. 'I too want to learn. I brought Skade here and kept her safe because I want to find her father just as she does, in order to learn from him.'

'Knowledge is one of the greatest powers that exist,' Durza agreed. 'We seek it wherever we go and find it no matter what the cost. Knowledge entrusted to a Shade is never lost. We do not age. We do not forget.'

'I may be able to help you,' Galbatorix said carefully. 'But I can see what you're saying. You don't care about me, you care about what I know.'

'To me, they are one and the same,' said Durza. 'But I am sympathetic to you as well. Like me you know what it is to be shunned and hated, persecuted wherever you go when your only crime is that of having come into being.' He glanced around at the others. 'All of us here know what that is like. We are outcasts. And if the riders had their way, all of us would be dead.'

'But they'll be punished,' Skade said unexpectedly, taking hold of Galbatorix's hand and squeezing it. 'You're going to get revenge on them for us.'

Galbatorix shifted nervously. 'Well…'

'You said you were going to,' Skade said, almost accusingly. 'You said you wanted revenge, didn't you?'

'I did say that, yes. And… I hate the riders. More than I've ever hated anyone before in my life. But I'm not sure how I could fight back against them.'

'Easily,' said Durza. 'If you had heard what I have heard, if you knew what people were saying, you would not be doubtful. The time is right for you.'

'What do you mean?' said Galbatorix.

'Your name has spread,' said Durza. 'And your deeds. You have a new name now, one people of all races speak with fear. You are Galbatorix Taranisäii, the Great Betrayer. The only one the riders fear.'

Galbatorix was bewildered. 'The riders – fear?'

'Yes. They fear you, Galbatorix. They fear you as they fear no other enemy they have ever created for themselves. You are the only rider ever to betray his fellows. You know their secrets, their inner workings, you are trained in their magic and you carry one of their swords. You alone have defied them and lived to tell the tale. You have escaped from under their very noses, not once but twice. And you have already killed two other riders, on your own, when you were wounded and without your dragon. They fear you. It is said that you know dark secrets and that you cannot be killed, that you can make yourself become a shadow no barrier can protect against. In Teirm, the people you once governed are rallying together. They speak of all you did for them and have begun attacking city guards and spreading word of how the riders tried to execute you for freeing the slaves and how you will return to seek your revenge. You have become something the riders cannot fight – you have become a symbol, an idea, an inspiration. And they fear you.'

Galbatorix was thunderstruck. 'Me? But I'm just-,'

'You are the Great Betrayer,' said Durza. 'And your time is now. Regain your strength, gather your followers to you, and you may have your revenge, and it will be a revenge that Alagaësia will never forget. You will punish the riders for what they have done to you, and to so many others. And I will help you, if you will allow me to. I would be proud to fight by your side.'

Still Galbatorix hesitated. The Great Betrayer. Things had changed during his illness, and far more dramatically than he had ever suspected. But he saw what it meant clearly enough once his astonishment had faded. He was not alone, and nor was he forgotten. Riots in Teirm, the riders powerless to stop his fame from spreading. They fear you. And, at long last, he knew what he must do.

His resolve hardened. 'I'll do it,' he said. 'For Laela. For the dark elves.' He glanced at Skade. 'For you, Skade. And for you, Durza, and you, Rangda. For everyone the riders destroyed or tried to destroy. I will be the Great Betrayer. And the riders will have a war on their hands that they will never forget. I swear it.' He repeated, 'I swear it,' in the ancient language, and his new-found certainty, tempered with rage, brought a sense of power to him that reminded him of what he had felt with Skade. It was in that moment that Galbatorix Taranisäii was reborn, and he knew what he had been reborn as. He was no longer Arren Cardockson, newly-trained rider, and no longer Galbatorix Traeganni, King of the dark elves. He was the shadow that came in the night. He was the one whom the world had tried to destroy but failed to crush. He was the Great Betrayer. And he would rise again from the grave which the riders had thrown him into, and he would make them feel the pain they had inflicted on him a hundred times over.

After that there was no more uncertainty, no more despair, no more hesitation. He shrugged off his weakness and began to train with his sword, working tirelessly, hour after hour, building up the strength in his arms. He would go running through the forest and swimming in the stream, his wasted muscles slowly but surely becoming stronger, his bones and joints growing reaccustomed to physical activity. It wasn't easy. He returned to the cave exhausted every night, and woke up every morning with aches and pains. But he welcomed it. It was a vital feeling, one which reminded him he was alive. He no longer wanted to die, and the main reason for it was Skade.

Since the night when they had first come together, they had lost their uncertainty and shed their fears and reservations. They forgot the taboo that lay between them and pursued their relationship with a passion that put a fire into them both. Their new-found love gave both man and elf a new lease on life, and a new certainty as well. Both had suffered a loss that had destroyed their stability and thrown them into despair, but in each other they found something that gave them back their spirit.

The glittering brightness that Laela's death had extinguished returned to Galbatorix's eyes, and confidence came back into his stride. His voice lost its edge of quiet desperation, his sleep was more peaceful, his stare less listless. He began to fuss over his hair again; washing it in the stream every day and then combing it as well as he could with his fingers, even finding time to lament the fact that he didn't have a comb. When that wasn't enough to satisfy him, he made another nighttime raid on the village and came back with a pair of brushes and a bottle of herbal hair lotion stolen from a bedroom. He trimmed his hair as well as he could using a dagger, then washed and brushed it until it regained its shine. He left his beard as it was, since it would help to keep him from being recognised, but muttered irritably about how it made him feel untidy.

Skade watched all this with a mixture of incredulity and undisguised amusement. 'You're grooming as if you're about to meet a Queen,' she said, and laughed a harsh dragon laugh.

Galbatorix paused in the act of dragging a brush through his hair. 'I've always been very particular about my hair,' he said with wounded dignity. 'And I might be a fugitive now, but that's no reason to let my appearance go.'

Skade snickered, reminding him of Laela. 'People out there are probably wondering where the Great Betrayer is right now. If they knew he was busy brushing his hair…'

'…Then they'd say; "good, we don't want a leader who looks like a tramp",' Galbatorix answered promptly. He fingered his beard. 'I wish I could get rid of this. It looks terrible on me.'

'I like it,' said Skade.

Galbatorix grinned at her. 'I'd be less scratchy on you if I shaved it off. Not that being a bit rough around the face could be that terrible compared with what you've been doing to me.'

'I'm sorry,' said Skade. 'I keep forgetting your skin is so thin.'

Galbatorix dabbed at the scratches on his arms. 'Ah, I've got plenty of scars already. A few more won't kill me.' He checked his reflection in the stream. '…tell you what, how about I take off the mustache and the bit just under my mouth and just leave a bit of hair on my chin? I could style it a bit, make it pointy. That's how dark elves wear beards, and I'm technically one of them… what d'you think?'

'Try it,' said Skade.

He soaped the dagger-blade with some leftover hair lotion, and set to work. The blade was blunt, but he sharpened it with a few muttered words and worked on. He removed the coarse hairs from around his mouth and on his cheeks, leaving a patch on his chin. Once he was done, he trimmed and styled the remnant as well as he could, leaving himself with a small, pointed dark elvish beard.

'There!' he said when he was done, and rinsed his face off in the stream. He ran his fingers over the smooth skin on his face, feeling much cleaner now. 'How do I look?' he asked Skade.

She regarded him thoughtfully, and then smiled – something she was able to do much more naturally now. 'I like it.'

Galbatorix examined his reflection. He looked younger now, and much neater. But at the same time, the little beard on his chin made him look older. Not worn or decrepit, but more mature. He liked it. 'There you go,' he said triumphantly to Skade. 'Now you can see what I look like under all that hair.'

Skade grinned and pounced on him again, kissing him in that ferocious, nearly violent way she had. He dropped the dagger and kissed her back, and they embraced fiercely, suddenly overcome with passion yet again. Forgetting all else, wonderfully isolated in their little place by the stream, they lost themselves in that hot, half-savage energy, their hands in each other's hair, their bodies entwined, their life-forces becoming one for a few raw, heart-pounding moments.

Later, they lay side-by-side on the grass, utterly content.

'Skade?'

'Hmm?'

'Do you love me?'

She laughed and thumped him in the stomach, accidently winding him. 'Of course I do, you idiot. You're my mate. I chose you.'

I chose you… Galbatorix shivered slightly. 'No-one will ever accept it, you know,' he said, nursing his bruised stomach. 'They'll call it a-,' he grinned. 'I grew up to be just like my father. Fell in love with someone I was forbidden to love. But they won't cut my head off for it, or yours either. We're free, and we don't answer to anybody but ourselves.'

'No-one should ever be ashamed of themselves,' Skade said softly. 'Not their parents, not their birth, and never the one they love. I will never be ashamed of you, Galbatorix. Never.'

'And you know I'll never be ashamed of you either, don't you, Skade?'

'I know,' said Skade. 'Because I trust you, Galbatorix.'

They returned to the cave that evening to find Rangda and Durza waiting.

Rangda stood up when they entered. 'Skade,' the female Shade said. 'It's time. Durza and I are ready.'

Skade, who was holding Galbatorix's hand, glanced at him.

Durza too had stood up. 'It is time for the curse to be lifted,' he said.

Skade hesitated, still looking at Galbatorix.

Galbatorix couldn't stop himself. 'Please, Skade,' he said. 'Don't do it.'

She looked sorrowfully at him. 'I have to, Galbatorix. Please understand. I can't stay an elf forever.'

Galbatorix's heart clenched. He wanted to plead with her, to beg her not to do it, to stay an elf for him. But he knew that he could not. This was her decision, and he had no right to interfere. So he let go of her. 'All right,' he said softly. 'Go to them.'

Skade paused, looking into his eyes. Then she embraced him and kissed him again. 'My sweet one,' she murmured. 'My Galbatorix.'

Then she let go of him. He stood helplessly and watched her walk toward the two Shades, standing in the middle of the floor. 'I'm ready,' she told them in a firm voice.

Rangda and Durza glanced at each other, then nodded. They held the hands out toward her and spoke a string of words in the ancient language.

Galbatorix saw their magic envelop Skade. The silver elf shuddered and then went rigid, her body haloed in swirling red and silver light. Seconds passed, and then her outline began to warp and shift and change. It was the same changing he had seen Faegareth use, but much slower and without the easy grace of the shapeshifter. This was a forced change.

Skade began to grow. She dropped forward onto all fours, crying out as her body lengthened and broadened, the bones cracking and stretching. Her silver gown ripped as the wings unfurled, her delicate fingers became huge curved talons, her face bulged forward into a dragon's snout and horns sprouted from the back of her head. Her tail regrew, so fast it nearly knocked Galbatorix over. He scrambled out of the way, pressing himself against the cave wall and watching in amazement.

And then, at last, the light died down and Skade slumped forward, making the floor shake when she hit it.

Galbatorix ran to her. He crouched by her head, calling her name. Without thinking, he made mental contact with her. For one painful, bewildering second, as he touched minds with her, he thought he was back in the snow with Laela, begging her not to die. But the moment passed, and he saw that it was indeed Skade lying there, no longer an elf.

Skade's eyes opened and she looked up at him, and the expression in her eyes sent a horrible, icy thump into his stomach.

Without thinking, Galbatorix touched her head and said; 'Please don't die, Laela.'

Skade blinked, then got up. She towered over him, and he stood looking up at her in amazement.

She was as big as Laela had been, but rougher, heavier, longer in the body and shorter in the legs. Her scales were bright silver, shining like polished metal, and her wings were the colour of moonlight. Just like Laela's. She had six horns rather than four. A royal dragon. But he knew she was still the Skade he knew. There was a black mark on the side of her neck, shaped like a scar, and her eyes were just the same, focused on him with love.

Her mental voice sounded in his head. 'You look so small!'

Galbatorix reached toward her, and she lowered her head toward him, letting him touch her snout. Her scales were warm and smooth, and reminded him of the elvish skin she had had before. 'Are you all right?' he asked.

Skade bared her teeth in a grin. 'I feel so strong now… how do I look?'

He looked her up and down. 'Like a dragon. A beautiful silver dragon.'

Skade grinned at him again, then turned and walked sinuously out of the cave. Galbatorix walked beside her, and when she was in the open air, she spread her wings wide and roared.

The roar echoed over the mountains, and Galbatorix thrilled to hear it. It put a fire in his blood, and a ferocity as well. It made him want to rush into battle against a hundred enemies all alone. It made him want to breathe fire and smoke and crush the towers of Ilirea under his boots.

Skade stopped roaring, and without warning she launched herself into the air. The rush of wind nearly knocked Galbatorix off his feet, but he managed to stay upright and watched her fly up and over the mountains. He let out a wild whoop of excitement, and waved to her as she soared back into the sky that had been stolen from her. Skade roared back, and began to loop and dive and wheel, twisting and turning in a fantastic aerial dance. He longed to be up there with her.

When she came down to land again, he ran to her and put his arms around her neck, hugging her tightly. She nuzzled his back, growling deep in her throat. 'I'm free!' she said mentally. 'I'm free, Galbatorix, I'm free, oh I'm free! The curse is gone! I can fly again!'

She lifted her head to the sky, and breathed a massive plume of bright silver fire, so hot it singed Galbatorix's hair. But he felt no fear at all. He could feel her wild excitement and joy, and it got into him too. He let go of Skade and darted around her, laughing and teasing her, and she chased him through the trees, snapping playfully. They returned to the cave breathless and laughing, and Galbatorix said; 'Stay with me, Skade. Help me to fight. I can't fight a rider in the air without a dragon. Help me.'

Skade's grin faded. 'I can't,' she said aloud. 'Not now.'

Galbatorix's joy left him. 'Why not?' he asked.

Skade lowered her head and touched him in the chest with her snout. 'I must find my father,' she said gently. 'I have been looking for him my whole life, and now I am so close I cannot give up. But I will do what I can to help you. I can take you wherever you wish to go before I leave, and I swear that I will return. As soon as I have found my father, I will come back to you.'

'Do you promise?' Galbatorix asked quietly.

'I swear it,' said Skade, raising her head and looking down on him with power and majesty in her stance. 'There will be no other mate for me but you, Galbatorix. Just you. I swear here and now, with this cave and this forest as my witness. I will love you always, and one day I shall return to you.'

Galbatorix placed his hand on his chest. 'And I swear,' he said. 'You will be the only one for me, Skade. I will never love another. And I will wait for you for as long as it takes. If I have to wait for the rest of my life, then I will.'

Skade's eyes were fixed on him, full of love. 'Then let us go,' she said. 'I will take you wherever you wish to go, and then I will return here for Rangda and she and I will go over the sea to where my father is.'

That took him by surprise. But, when he looked into Skade's eyes and felt her confidence through their temporary mental link, a powerful feeling of confidence and resolution came over him. The time for waiting was over. His time was now. 'Wait a little while,' he said. 'I have to speak with Durza.'

Skade nodded and settled down to wait, and Galbatorix turned to the Shade, who had come to the cave entrance to watch, his red eyes incurious. He watched Galbatorix's approach like a wild cat, strong and wary.

Galbatorix did not fully trust the Shade, but he did not fear him either. 'Durza,' he said, his voice suddenly deep and commanding and certain in a way it had never been before. He fixed Durza with a calm stare. It was a leader's look: powerful and confident and direct. 'It's time,' he said. 'Skade is going to take me to Ilirea. I will begin this on my own. I won't stay in any one place for long. I'm going to move around for a while, until I've found my footing. I'll spread the word, gather followers, and see to a few things. I'll be less conspicuous if I travel alone, but I may have need of you. Is there a way to contact you from a distance?'

Durza nodded. 'Scry me,' he said. 'If you do so, I will be able to sense it and I will speak to you through the window. What would you have me do, half-breed?'

'You can't come with me. It'll be far too conspicuous. I want you to find someone for me. A year or so ago, near Dras-Leona, I fought a female Ra'zac. She was carrying eggs. I spared her life, and she swore that if she could ever repay me, all I had to do was ask. Find that Ra'zac and tell her I need her help. Can you do that for me?'

Durza nodded. 'I can, and I will. Contact me often, and I will tell you when I have succeeded.'

'Stay hidden,' Galbatorix ordered. 'Don't try and fight anyone, unless you have to. The riders can't know what's happening until the time is right. When we're ready, when we've gathered enough strength, then will be the time. I will give the signal. Until then, we run, we hide, we stay out of trouble. Understood?'

'I understand,' said Durza.

'One more thing,' said Galbatorix. 'Before we part, you'll take an oath of loyalty to me. In the ancient language. Swear that you will do as I command.'

Durza betrayed no emotion. 'Don't you trust me?'

'To be honest, no. If life has taught me anything, it's to trust no-one. Now take the oath.'

Durza was silent for some time. He was obviously thinking it over, but his face remained as calm as always. Galbatorix watched him, unflinching.

Finally, Durza nodded. 'I will take the oath,' he said.

The Shade knelt, and began to speak in the ancient language. 'I swear to serve you. I shall do your bidding at any cost, for as long as I live.'

Galbatorix nodded. 'Good. And see you keep your word, Shade. You know what will happen if you don't.'

'I know,' Durza said flatly, rising to his feet once more.

Galbatorix held out a hand. The Shade looked at it as if he had no idea what it was. 'Take it,' Galbatorix said.

Durza did so, and Galbatorix shook his hand. 'We're allies now,' he said. 'And you can trust me to help you as much as you help me.'

Durza betrayed a hint of surprise at this. Apparently, being spoken to respectfully wasn't something he was used to. Galbatorix nodded formally and entered the cave. There he strapped White Violence to his back and bundled up the blankets he had slept on, tying them into a neat roll around his few remaining possessions. He filled his pockets with whatever food was left – Shades did not eat, so Rangda and Durza would have no use for it – put on the new gloves he had made for himself, and returned. Skade was ready for him, and he climbed somewhat awkwardly onto her back, seating himself between her shoulders. Once he had anchored himself in place by holding onto her neck, the silver dragon took off.

And for the first time since Laela's death, he found himself flying on a dragon's back.

He hadn't realised how much he'd missed it. Skade was every bit as graceful in the air as Laela had been, and powerful as well. Her wings beat strongly, and she soared straight up to the clouds, up and up until everything went white, and then out again into a blaze of sunshine. They were flying above the clouds, and below there was nothing but whiteness and above there was nothing but blue. This was a world he had only ever visited with Laela, but now he had found a way into it again, with someone he loved just as much, and he whooped aloud for joy.

'Hold on tight,' Skade advised, and without waiting for an answer the silver dragon shot away South, heading straight for Ilirea and the beginning of a new life.

The journey ended all too soon. Skade landed in the forest by Ilirea at night, hitting the ground with astonishing delicacy and making barely a sound save for the faint crunch of dead leaves. Galbatorix climbed down from her back, on the alert for danger the instant he touched ground.

It was safe, so he turned and touched Skade's snout, saying; 'You should go now, Skade, before someone comes.'

Skade nuzzled his chest, nearly knocking him over. 'Oh, Galbatorix… be careful. Please be careful.'

He embraced her. 'Don't worry about me,' he said. 'They can't hurt me any more. I'll be all right. And I'll wait for you. Please come back to me, Skade. Come back quickly.'

'I will,' she breathed. 'I swear I will. Goodbye, Galbatorix. We'll meet again.'

The silver dragon touched him one last time, and then flew up and away with a quick flick of her wings, and was gone into the night sky in seconds. The last thing he saw was the moonlight glinting on her silver scales, and then she was gone, leaving him alone in the woods with a heavy heart, wondering if he would ever see her again.

But he did not remain there long. An eerie rustling of leaves nearby reminded him of where he was, and, slinging his possessions on his back, he melted away into the shadows and was gone. He knew what to do. He knew exactly what to do.

As he moved silently through the trees, he could see the walls of Ilirea rising over the forest up ahead, pale and ghostly in the gloom. His reaction to seeing it again surprised him. He felt no fear at all. Instead, a steady, controlled rage rose up inside him. He was looking at the symbol of the power that had destroyed him, and after all his pain and suffering it was still there, standing solidly and arrogantly in the midst of the forest, a monument to power and corruption. His back twinged sharply. Take him away and whip him, the boy is insane…

Galbatorix shuddered, but controlled himself and moved on. Silent as a shadow.

And then he saw light up ahead. Firelight. He tensed and paused, a hundred possibilities flooding into his mind. If it was a guard patrol… if he was caught…

He pulled himself together. There were no guard patrols. Not like this. Only other riders guarded the city, and they never did it from the ground. He moved on, determined to find out what it was. If he decided he didn't like the look of it, he could slip away before anyone knew he was there.

What he found was very different from what he'd expected. It was a small campsite, tucked away out of sight of Ilirea's walls. Sitting by a fire was an elf.

Galbatorix's eyes narrowed. He knew this elf. And beside her crouched an orange dragon hatchling.

Elf and dragon glanced at each other frequently, saying nothing aloud. Galbatorix knew who the dragon must be. Kullervo. And the elf. Einás. The old egg-guardian, looking a little the worse for wear. But here was the one who had betrayed Skade to the riders. And she was an elf.

Galbatorix reached a decision, and began to move closer. He slid through the darkness until he was on the opposite side of the clearing, within touching distance of Einás. There, still unseen, he put down the bundle of blankets. Then he straightened up and drew his sword. He took in a deep breath, and spoke from the shadows.

'Betrayer…'

Einás looked up sharply. 'Who's there?' she demanded, reaching for her own sword.

'Betrayer,' Galbatorix whispered again, his voice carrying through the darkness, so soft it was nearly impossible to trace. 'Einás, you are a traitor.'

Einás stood up, her sword at the ready. 'Show yourself!'

'As you wish,' Galbatorix replied, and, just as the dark elves had once done, he slipped out of the shadows and into the light, appearing as if out of nowhere, White Violence ready in his hand.

Einás let out a cry of fear. Kullervo sprang to her side, snarling.

Galbatorix grinned horribly. 'Einás Egg-Guardian,' he intoned. 'Do you know who I am?'

Fear was in Einás' eyes. 'The Great Betrayer…'

Galbatorix laughed. 'You would know all about that, wouldn't you, Einás? You're wanted for high treason, you know, just the same as me. But I couldn't care less that you betrayed your Queen, or the riders either. You betrayed someone else. Someone who trusted you. Someone who thought you were her friend.'

Einás' eyes widened. 'Skade…'

'Yes, Skade,' said Galbatorix. He was inching forward as he spoke, almost imperceptibly, slowly moving into position to attack. 'Remember her, Einás?'

'Where is she?' said Einás. 'What have you done to her?'

'Me?' said Galbatorix. 'Nothing. But I've seen her. Or what was left of her after what the riders did to her. You betrayed her, Einás. You let the riders take her, and they destroyed her. She's safe now. But you aren't.'

Einás saw her danger. She raised her sword in readiness to defend herself. 'Please,' she said. 'You don't understand. Let me explain-,'

It was the wrong thing to say. 'Explain?' Galbatorix bellowed. 'Explain? Did anyone ever give me the chance to explain? And did any of you ever listen to a word of it? Well? Did you?' All his sorrow and rage volcanoed inside him, and he rushed at the old elf, snarling and vicious. His attack was so sudden that it caught Einás unaware, but in spite of her great age she still had elvish reflexes and strength. A human would have been killed in seconds, but Einás was just fast enough to raise her sword in time, and she and Galbatorix began to fight. It was fast and brutal. No words, no mercy, no cease – nothing but a quick, inelegant scuffle that was over almost as soon as it had begun. Galbatorix drove forward recklessly, his sword flicking back and forth with lightning speed, and in less than two minutes it was over and Einás was down. She landed heavily on her back, her sword flying out of her hand, and Galbatorix stood over her, drawing White Violence back to deliver the fatal blow. But before it had landed, something hit him hard in the side of the face. It was Kullervo. The little dragon's claws tore down the side of Galbatorix's face, inflicting a dozen deep gashes in seconds. Galbatorix yelped and struck him, flinging him across the clearing. Kullervo landed heavily, but his intervention had been enough to give Einás time. The elf scrambled to her feet and ran.

She was too slow. Galbatorix caught up with her in three long strides, and ruthlessly cut her down from behind. Einás thumped onto her stomach, and before she could rise White Violence came down, snuffing out her life.

Kullervo screamed.

Galbatorix turned and saw the orange dragon writhing on the ground, screaming as the pain of Einás' death cut through him. He swore and ran to him. In his rage he hadn't stopped to consider that this would happen, but now he saw it he reacted quickly. He forced his way into Kullervo's mind, and poured his own life-energy into the dragon, encircling the dragon's consciousness with his own and protecting him against the worst of his suffering. In doing so, he felt Kullervo's pain rebound into his own mind. The hole where Laela had been spewed forth fresh agony, and he went cold all over. But he fought to remain conscious and to keep his mind stable, and when it was over and Kullervo became still he carefully withdrew.

Kullervo lay on his side, not moving but for the heaving of his flanks. Galbatorix reached toward him. 'It's all right,' he murmured. 'It's all right, Kullervo, I'm here, you're safe. I came to help you.'

Kullervo's eyes opened, and he looked up dully at Galbatorix's face.

'It's all right, Kullervo,' Galbatorix said again. 'I'm sorry for that, but it was the only way. I had to set you free. Listen to me. I know where Skade is. She's safe. I've talked to her, and she told me where to find you. I need your help, Kullervo. The riders cursed Skade; they tortured her, tried to kill her. They did the same to me. Einás was helping them. She betrayed Skade. But you're free of her now, Kullervo. I set you free. And now I'm going to get revenge on the riders for what they did to Skade, and to me. Help me, Kullervo. Choose me as your rider. Bond yourself to me, and I can take you to Skade, and she can take you to your father. And we can fight the riders together. Your pain was their fault. You can make them pay, Kullervo. Just let me help you.'

Kullervo made no reply. Galbatorix watched him closely, hoping his words would have the right effect. He gently lifted Kullervo to his claws. 'It's all right,' he said again. 'I won't hurt you, Kullervo. I'm your friend.'

Then Kullervo moved. His head shot around like a striking snake, and he sank his teeth into Galbatorix's hand. Galbatorix cried out and let go of him, and Kullervo ran away into the forest. Galbatorix ran after him, but the orange dragon took off as soon as he had reached open space, and flew away into the night sky, vanishing in moments.

Galbatorix vanished into a shadow. Only then did he curse softly. The cuts on his face stung, blood slowly running down into his beard. He healed them with a quick spell, but left the bite-mark on his hand as it was.

Once he was sure that no-one had heard the noise, he crept back to Einás' camp and padded silently over to where the old elf's body lay. He wiped White Violence's blade clean on his tattered robe, and put it back into its sheath. Then he turned Einás over, almost gently. She was dead, her face pale and serene. He arranged the body carefully, neatly folding the arms over the chest and smoothing down the bloodied gown. He found Einás' sword and placed it on her body, the hilt under her hands. Then he walked slowly around it, drawing shapes and symbols in the earth around the body and murmuring ritual words under his breath. Once this was done, he spread his hand over Einás' cold face and intoned; 'Of earth born and in fire forged, by magic blessed and by cool water soothed, and by a breeze in the night blown away to a land of silver and bright flowers.' As he spoke the final words, he cast the spell. Black flames enveloped Einás' body, hiding it from view, burning silently, hot but smokeless. Galbatorix stood and watched it expressionlessly, watching the visions swim through the flames. Visions of a long life that was now ended. He even caught a brief glimpse of the face of someone who had to be Eragon himself; a haughty-looking elf with shaggy blonde hair and brown eyes that reminded him of Lanethial. The memories disappeared and the flames died down, leaving behind nothing but ashes which blew away in the wind.

Galbatorix sighed. It was done. He watched the swirling black flakes for a few moments, and then he too was gone.