Chapter Thirty-Nine

A Traitor's Heart

It was not until the following morning that Galbatorix and Morzan realised the two junior riders were gone. They were camped at the edge of Du Weldenvarden, not far from the shore of the lake known as Isenstar, and Galbatorix, rising early as his habit was, went to wake Kaelyn, only to find the clearing she had claimed as her own deserted. He ran back to the main campsite, where Morzan was splashing his face to wake himself up.

'Morzan, where's Kaelyn?'

Morzan wiped his face on his sleeve. 'Eh? Over that way somewhere, I think.'

'I just came from there. She's not there. Sartago's not there either.'

'Maybe they're with Gern.'

But Gern, too, was absent. He had left his bags behind, but both he and Leahdorus were gone. Galbatorix swore and climbed a tree in order to survey the landscape. A few moments later he slid down it again, landing neatly at its base.

'I saw them over the lake,' he reported. 'They're coming back this way.'

'What, from Gil'ead?' said Morzan, reaching for Zar'roc.

'Yes. We'd better get ready; someone might be following them.' Galbatorix put out the fire and hastily packed a few items back into his bag, gesturing at Morzan to do the same. They loaded up the dragons and hid themselves among the trees, waiting with their eyes on the sky.

A few tense minutes later, Leahdorus and Sartago landed in the clearing and Galbatorix ran to meet them, feeling a horrible coldness in his stomach. Something was wrong.

There were two people on Sartago's back, and neither of them were Kaelyn.

Gern jumped down from Leahdorus and ran toward Galbatorix. 'Master! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I swear it wasn't my fault-,'

'What's going on?' Galbatorix demanded sharply. 'Who are these people? Where's Kaelyn?'

Gern was nearly in tears. 'She just ran off. I tried to stop her but she wouldn't listen…'

'What happened? Is anyone after you?'

'I don't think so,' said Gern. 'But we went to Gil'ead, and-,'

'And what? Calm down, Gern, and just tell me.'

'They've got Kaelyn, sir,' said Gern, slumping down with his head in his hands. He was trembling with fright.

Galbatorix swore. 'Godsdammit. How did it happen?'

The two people managed to get down from Sartago's back, landing awkwardly but helping each other up and then walking toward Galbatorix, slowly and hesitantly. Sartago's stance was low. His wings hung loosely at his sides and his tail twitched compulsively. Then, quite suddenly, he raised his head to the sky and howled. Leahdorus charged at the grey dragon, hitting him in the chest, and pinned him down after a brief struggle, forcing him to be silent.

Galbatorix turned to meet the two people Gern had brought with him. They were a middle-aged couple, both ragged and exhausted, with dark rings around their eyes. He didn't need to ask who they were. The woman had light brown hair and a familiar small, narrow-shouldered build, and the man's eyes were light grey.

The two of them hesitated, then knelt before him. 'My Lord,' the man breathed.

'Get up,' Galbatorix told them impatiently. 'You're Kaelyn's parents, aren't you?'

'That's right, my Lord,' said the woman. 'And you're…?'

'Yes, that's right, I'm Galbatorix Taranisäii. Gern!' he pointed at the sobbing boy, his voice taking on a hard, commanding tone that did not invite any argument. 'You'll tell me what happened. Now.'

Gern stood up. 'I'm s-sorry, Master. I just…'

'Calm down,' Galbatorix said more kindly. 'Just tell me what happened. Where's Kaelyn?'

'Sh-she wanted to go to Gil'ead, sir. To rescue her parents,' said Gern, shuddering. 'I found her just as she was leaving. She'd scryed them again and knew they were being hurt, so she just… I told her not to do it, but Sartago just flew off, and Lee and I went after them. There was no time.'

'And she led you to Gil'ead.'

'Yes, sir. She was… it was amazing, sir, what she did. We went into the city at dawn. Very quiet. Left the dragons outside so no-one'd see us. She got us to the castle and used magic to break down the wall, and we got her parents out. We would've gotten away, too; the guards had run off. But then…'

'Menulis is there, isn't he?' said Galbatorix, grim-faced.

'Yes, sir. And Kaelyn… she – she-,'

'What?'

'She told us to run,' Kaelyn's father interrupted. 'Not just told. Ordered. And Gern got us out of the city, and she…'

'She fought Menulis,' said Gern. 'She attacked him. But she lost. I saw her fall over; he'd paralysed her with magic. And then the guards just carried her away and Menulis fixed the wall with magic. And we had to run. We got to the dragons, and Sartago… I nearly had to hurt him to stop him going back for her, and – and – what're we going to do, sir?'

Morzan had drawn his sword. 'What d'you mean what're we gonna do?' he snarled. 'I reckon you already know. We're goin' in. We're gonna go into Gil'ead and we're gonna kill the bastards and get her out of there.'

'No, Morzan,' said Galbatorix. 'Stop.'

Morzan bared his teeth. It looked like he was about to explode in a temper, but he managed to restrain himself.

Galbatorix had gone cold and quiet. 'We can't just go in there and attack. We're not strong enough. There are three other riders there with Menulis. He's not stupid; he won't risk being caught on his own. And if we attack, they'll use Kaelyn against us. As a hostage. If we give them an excuse to do it, they'll kill her.'

'Well what're we going to do, then?' said Morzan, reluctantly sheathing Zar'roc.

'We need more help,' said Galbatorix. 'We're going to go and join Tranah. She can help us plan something, and she's not too far away at the moment. Only a few hour's flight, if she's still near Osilon.' He pointed at Kaelyn's parents. 'And what about you?'

'We don't want to be a bother, sir,' said Kaelyn's father. 'But…'

'Kaelyn said to come to you,' his wife put in. 'She said you'd protect us.'

Galbatorix nodded. 'It's my fault you were arrested, so it's my duty to protect you. You'll come with us. Go back to Sartago; he's strong enough to carry you that far.'

The flight to Tranah's camp passed quickly and miserably. They found the three riders camped at the base of a mountain, and the reunion was not a happy one.

Tranah, Strein and Tuomas ran to meet them. 'Good to see you, sir!' Tranah said immediately. She was looking a little tired and was bruised about the face, but was as cheerful and businesslike as usual. 'What's wrong?' she added, seeing his expression.

'Kaelyn's been captured,' said Galbatorix. 'She's being held in Gil'ead.'

Tranah and Strein both cursed. Tuomas looked horrified.

'Oh gods no,' said Tranah. 'What are we going to do, sir?'

'I'm not sure yet,' said Galbatorix. 'But we couldn't stay where we were. If they'd forced Kaelyn to tell them… it's just lucky she doesn't know where you or Roland are. What do you suggest, Tranah?'

Tranah looked gloomy. 'How many are there in Gil'ead?'

'Four. Elder Menulis and three others. Two elves and a human.'

'Oh, godsdammit…'

'Yes. And you know what'll happen if we attack. They'll threaten to kill Kaelyn unless we leave or surrender. And if we don't…'

Sartago, who had been crouched miserably by the foot of the mountain, suddenly let out a cry of pain. They turned to look, and saw him cowering against the rock, his wings trembling and his face becoming a blank snarl of fear.

Kaelyn's father spoke out. 'Please, my Lord,' he said. 'Please save our daughter.' His wife took hold of his hand, and both of them looked pleadingly at Galbatorix.

Galbatorix looked back, unreadable. 'I didn't ask you your names.'

'I'm Hugh,' said Kaelyn's father.

'And I'm Rikash,' her mother added. 'My Lord, I'm begging you. Save Kaelyn.'

'I'll do what I can,' Galbatorix promised. 'I just… need to think.'

Not much more was said for some time. They sat around the camp in gloomy silence, each one busy with his or her own thoughts. Galbatorix paced back and forth, radiating a kind of furious energy, tugging absent-mindedly at his beard. Hugh and Rikash sat huddled together and tried to comfort each other, and Tuomas and Gern were talking in low voices as they did their best to look after Sartago, who had curled himself up into a ball and was whimpering softly, so paralysed by fear and worry that his eyes were glazed. It was nearly noon when Morzan broke the silence. 'What's that?' he said, pointing.

Galbatorix turned to look, and saw a large black bird perched on a tree-branch not far away from him. It looked like a perfectly ordinary raven, but then he saw the patch of silver feathers on its chest. There was a note tied to its leg. He held out an arm toward it and called it in the ancient language. It came to him, landing on his arm and holding out its leg so he could untie the note, then shuffled onto his shoulder and waited while he unfurled it.

The note was on a wafer-thin piece of paper that had been coated with wax to waterproof it. He recognised the handwriting straight away. 'Menulis,' he muttered.

What the note said was stark and simple.

To the Betrayer,

We have your apprentice, Kaelyn Rikashdaughter, in our custody at Gil'ead.

Come to the front of the castle at Gil'ead today at sunset and give yourself up, or she will die the traitor's death.

There is to be no negotiation. Come alone and surrender peacefully. At the slightest sign of anything suspicious, the prisoner will be killed on the spot. If you do not come, she will also die. However, if you give yourself up to us, she will be released unharmed at once.

For Justice.

Elder Menulis of Osilon

Galbatorix read the note several times. He stood there, utterly still and silent, holding it in his hands. His expression was unreadable.

Morzan plucked up courage and came closer. 'What's it say, sir?'

Galbatorix wordlessly handed the note to him. Morzan read it aloud for the benefit of the others. Their faces fell.

'Oh dear gods no,' Tranah whispered. 'How could they?'

'It's not a lie or a trick,' said Morzan. 'It's written in the ancient language.'

Galbatorix still hadn't moved. The raven shifted uneasily on its perch, and then, so suddenly it took them all by surprise, Galbatorix snatched the creature off his shoulder. He let out an unearthly scream of fury and ripped the unfortunate bird's wing off with his bare hands, then hurled it aside. It fluttered pathetically on the ground for a moment or two, until Shruikan snapped it up.

'GODS DAMN THEM!' Galbatorix roared, his whole face contorted. His fists were clenched, his eyes burned, his teeth bared. For a moment it looked as if he were going to explode, but then he fell to his knees and pounded the ground with his fists, shouting incoherently. 'Gods damn them gods damn them, godsdamned cowards, I will not let them get me in their clutches again. Cau dy wyneb a Ffwcio dy erwyrth! Cay dy geg a dos i ffwcio dy gath i fyny'r pen ol!'

It was the first time any of them had seen him really lose his temper. None of them dared interfere; they waited in shocked silence until he finally calmed down and stood up. Shruikan was growling, evidently affected by his partner's anger; they could see his big talons digging into the ground, making huge furrows in the dirt. Galbatorix, however, seemed slightly embarrassed by his outburst; he breathed deeply and brushed the leaf-litter off his robe. He looked about to speak, but before he had done so, Sartago screamed.

The grey dragon uncurled and began to thrash wildly, his mouth opening to emit a horrible screeching, howling cry. Tuomas and Gern dived out of the way, only narrowly avoiding Sartago's flailing claws. Hugh and Rikash started up, terrified, and were hustled out of the way by Tranah and Strein. Sartago started up suddenly, spreading his wings in readiness to fly away. Neither Ithír nor Leahdorus dared go any closer to him, but Idün shoved them out of the way and held the smaller dragon down, forcibly restraining him. He fought back, striking out wildly at her and roaring, teeth bared. Idün made no attempt to hit back at him, and simply turned her head away and took the blows on her shoulder. Eventually Sartago subsided and fell down on his side, twitching and jerking.

'What's happening?' Rikash exclaimed.

Galbatorix's jaw tightened. 'They're hurting Kaelyn.'

Rikash watched Sartago as he continued to writhe in pain. Hugh put his arm around her and she started to sob into his chest.

'Sir, we've got to do something,' said Tranah, daring to face her leader. 'And fast.'

'But what?' Morzan interrupted. 'You heard what the note said. They got us by the short an' curlies. Can't attack, can't surrender.'

'There's only one thing we can do,' said Tranah. 'Nothing.'

They stared at her.

'Are you insane?' Morzan demanded. 'What d'you mean "nothing"? You mean we just let her die?'

'Yes,' Tranah said harshly. 'There's no other option. If we attack, she dies. There's no time to plan anything else; they made sure of that.'

'No!' said Gern. 'No, you can't. We can't. It's just…'

'Do something, sir!' said Tuomas, appealing to Galbatorix. 'Please, you've got to-,'

'Leave me,' said Galbatorix. He stared coldly at them all. 'Now.'

Tranah nodded. 'Yes, sir.' She gestured at the others to follow her, and quietly left the campsite. The others went, in ones and twos, some casting hopeful glances back at Galbatorix.

Once they were gone, and the dragons with them, Galbatorix sat down, his head in his hands. He hadn't missed the looks they had given him. Even now, they clung to the belief that he had all the answers, that he would somehow come up with a miraculous last-minute solution out of thin air. Even now, they trusted him. It made him want to scream at his own impotence. Because, even as he searched desperately through his mind for an answer, he knew that there wasn't one. No matter which way he turned, it always came back down to the same thing. Kaelyn was doomed.

As the day dragged on and noon came and went, the others waited in tense silence. Morzan was pacing back and forth, fists clenched. The others avoided speaking to him; the big rider looked like he was spoiling for a fight. Tranah and Strein were trying to console Kaelyn's parents. Gern was sitting a little way away, with Leahdorus beside him, white-faced and silent.

'It's all right,' Tuomas kept saying. 'He'll think of something. He can do anything.'

Morzan suddenly stopped pacing and stared at him. For a moment it looked like he was going to shout at him, but then he nodded jerkily and said; 'Yeh. You're right, kid. He can do it. He can do it.'

Sartago had continued to convulse from time to time, but now he had subsided and was lying still, whimpering softly. Now he raised his head and peered vacantly at something.

Morzan followed his gaze. 'He's back,' he said.

Galbatorix walked into the clearing where they had waited for him. He moved slowly and without his usual grace, and his face was pale.

The others looked at him, bewildered. He'd decorated his hair with feathers and silver beads, and his face was painted with the dark elvish signs of war. On his forehead was the triple-spiral, and there was an odd, faraway look in his eyes, as if his mind was elsewhere.

Shruikan was following him, and he walked to the centre of the clearing and there came to a halt. The others looked at him expectantly, saying nothing.

'I have… made a decision,' said Galbatorix, his voice flat and distant. 'I will…' he looked at Hugh and Rikash. 'I will go and rescue your daughter,' he told them.

'How, sir?' said Tranah.

Galbatorix clasped his hands together as if in supplication. 'There's only one way to do it,' he said. 'I'm going to Gil'ead. Alone.'

Tranah, Morzan and Strein stood up sharply.

'No, sir,' said Tranah. 'Absolutely not. I won't allow it.'

'She's right, sir,' said Morzan. 'That's madness.'

'Don't question me,' Galbatorix snapped, his voice suddenly sharp. 'I'm in charge here. There are no other options. I'll only make it to Gil'ead in time if I leave immediately. The rest of you will stay here.'

'But sir, they'll kill you!' Strein cried.

Galbatorix sighed, his eyes seeming to look through her rather than at her. 'If that's the only way to save Kaelyn, so be it.'

Tuomas and Gern were horror-struck. 'You can't do that, sir!' said Gern. 'You can't!'

'I can and I will,' said Galbatorix.

Morzan grabbed hold of his arm. 'No, sir. For the love of gods, no. You can't just throw your life away like this. Not after all we've been through.'

Galbatorix pulled away from him. 'Morzan, please. Don't make this any harder than it has to be. Listen to me…' he looked around at the others, addressing them all. 'Kaelyn swore herself to me. She entrusted herself to me, and it's my responsibility to protect her, no matter what the cost. I would do the same for any of you. If a life must be sacrificed, then it will be mine. I have no right to let any of you die if I have a chance to save you. I've seen too many people I cared about die in my place. I won't let that happen again. Now, here are your orders-,'

'Sir, you can't,' Tranah said again. She was nearly in tears. 'Please, don't do it. We need you. Without you-,'

'You will stay here,' said Galbatorix, ignoring her. 'Don't leave this place. I will send Kaelyn here to join you. Once she's with you, you'll leave here. Take an indirect route, travel at night. The usual methods. Get to the Beors and make contact with Roland. He'll be in charge from then on. But tell him I said he's to listen to all of you equally and take your advice. Whoever leads the Forsworn is the first among equals, not a despot. Roland will know what to do. Listen to him. Especially you, Morzan.'

'No,' Morzan rasped. His fists were clenched. 'I'll never follow anyone but you.'

'Then as my follower, do as I tell you,' said Galbatorix. He paused, then took something from around his neck and gave it to his friend. 'Here. If… if anyone ever comes looking for me… give this to her. You'll know her if you meet her.'

Morzan's big hand closed around the iron dragon amulet. 'I understand, sir,' he said huskily.

Galbatorix glanced at the sky. 'Now I have to go.' He turned to Shruikan and began to climb onto his back.

The others ran at him, unable to stop themselves.

'No, sir! Stop! There's got to be another way-,'

'Please, Galbatorix, please. We can't do this without you.'

Galbatorix secured himself in the saddle and looked down at their pale, desperate faces. 'Don't worry about me,' he said. 'I'll… be all right. Just fight on. Always fight on. Never give in. Never let them win. Set Alagaësia free for me.'

'We will, sir,' said Tranah. 'I swear.'

Morzan's anger had died away and been replaced with a terrible helplessness. 'I won't forget this, sir,' he promised. 'I'll never… I'll never…' he bowed his head, his great arms and powerful shoulders hanging heavy and useless. 'I'll make them pay for it. For what they did to you. I'll make them pay a hundred times. I swear.'

Galbatorix looked sadly at him. 'I'm sorry, Morzan. I'm sorry to all of you. But…' he glanced up at the sky again. 'Perhaps the world will be better off without me.'

There was no more time. Shruikan turned and walked away from the clearing, his head low. Once he was well away from them, the black dragon took to the air with a weary flick of his wings, and all they could do was stand and watch him go.

Sartago struggled to his feet and ran after Shruikan, his wings beating clumsily. The other dragons did not try and stop him, and he took off and drew level with him, following him away from Du Weldenvarden and back to Gil'ead as fast as he could go.

The open space in front of the castle at Gil'ead was thronged. Hundreds of people had turned out to see what was going to happen that day, and no wonder.

A large wooden platform had been set up just outside the castle gates, and in the centre of it was the gallows. The noose had already been tied and was hanging at head-height, above a spot on the platform where there was a trapdoor. Not far away from that was a wooden rack with manacles fastened to it, ready to hold the victim still for the disembowelling that would follow. A pair of executioners were standing ready, and the prisoner had already been brought out and was being held by a group of guards, her hands shackled together.

Menulis and his three fellow riders were standing on the platform in a neat row, their swords shining in the sun. They looked calm, but there was tension in the glances they cast at each other, and occasionally one of them would shift restlessly, on the alert for any sign of danger.

Kaelyn was pale and red-eyed, standing a little hunched from the weight of her chains, but she was forcing herself to stay calm and still and not betray any sign of fear. Her clothes were torn, and she winced when she moved, as if she were still feeling the effects of some injury that was not outwardly visible.

The crowd was less settled. Most of the eyes were on Kaelyn, and many of the voices that could be heard from the spectators sounded angry. No-one, however, dared go too close to the platform. They still feared the power of riders.

Menulis and his three companions – the elves Sadron and Arasynya and the human Perrin – paid little attention to the crowd, or to Kaelyn. Their eyes were on the sky, and the four of them silently watched as the sun slowly sank toward the horizon. They could see it clearly over the surface of the lake, and when the great orb's lower edge finally touched the earth, Menulis sighed. Just once, quietly, but no-one missed it. The old elf glanced at his three underlings, and they looked back, inscrutable.

The crowd knew perfectly well what they were waiting for. The news had been leaked from the castle, and that was another reason why they were willing to wait.

Still, no-one moved.

When the sun was halfway down, and the first of the stars had begun to come out, Menulis finally spoke. 'Bring her forward,' he said, addressing Kaelyn's guards.

They obeyed, dragging her to the front of the platform where everyone could see her. Menulis came forward and began to speak. 'Well,' he said to Kaelyn. 'It seems that your beloved leader is not coming. Evidently he is too much a coward to care for your fate. No doubt he is hiding somewhere as we speak, plotting more murders while his so-called friend faces death because of his lies.'

Kaelyn spat at him. 'Don't you dare talk about him like that,' she said, her voice carrying over the heads of the crowd. 'You godsdamned coward, you locked up my parents to lure me here so you could try and force him to let you kill him. He's going to kill you one day. You can't escape from him. He'll find you no matter where you go, and he'll avenge me.'

Menulis slapped her. 'Silence, human,' he snarled, heedless of the angry mutters this provoked from the crowd. 'Don't you dare defile my ears with your threats. You are a traitor and a murderer. Worse, you swore your allegiance to the Great Betrayer. You would not listen to reason, and so you must suffer the punishment due to traitors.'

Kaelyn's head jerked back from the force of the blow, but she recovered with surprising resilience. 'You betrayed him first!' she shouted. 'You murdered his dragon. He told me everything. You tried to kill him because he wasn't an elf. You're a tyrant.'

'That is a lie!' Menulis thundered, this time unable to ignore the shouts of assent from the crowd. 'The Betrayer is insane. He has corrupted you with his lies, and now you will die because of him, and he will not save you.' He spoke to the guards. 'Take her to the gallows now and let the punishment take place.'

The guards started to drag Kaelyn away toward the waiting noose. She went struggling and kicking. 'No!'

Menulis looked on grimly, and then realised that something had changed.

He paused, not quite certain of what it was.

The crowd had gone silent.

Menulis turned to look out over the rows of faces, confused. The guards too had stopped. And that was when he saw the movement in the crowd. People were moving outwards, pushing against each other to get out of the way, to let a solitary figure walk through.

The figure was tall and slim, clad in a long black robe with a fur-lined hood hiding the face. But they could all see the long silver-hilted sword slung on its back.

The robed figure walked straight toward the platform, reached it, and then pushed back its hood.

'Here is thy Great Betrayer, Menulis.'

Menulis froze. 'You!'

Galbatorix smiled coldly. 'Why, were you expecting someone else?'

Menulis snapped out of his shock. 'Move her back,' he told the guards. 'Now!'

Kaelyn was taken back to the group of guards at the back of the platform, who had a hard struggle restraining her. She was trying desperately to get at Galbatorix, shouting his name all the while.

Menulis took a few steps back from the edge of the platform, his eyes fixed warily on Galbatorix. 'Are you alone?' he asked in the ancient language.

'Yes,' said Galbatorix, using the same tongue. He paused, then climbed up onto the platform.

'Galbatorix, no!' Kaelyn cried. 'Run! Get away! They'll kill you!'

Galbatorix ignored her. He drew White Violence, slowly and deliberately, and pointed it at Menulis.

Then he threw it down onto the platform. He held up his hands and spoke slowly and clearly in the ancient language. 'If you release Kaelyn now and let her leave unharmed and without being followed, I will give myself up. I will not try and fight or flee.'

'No!' Kaelyn screamed.

Menulis hesitated. 'Agreed,' he said. He turned to the guards. 'Release her.'

The guards let go of Kaelyn, and she ran to Galbatorix and threw herself into his arms. He held onto her, murmuring. 'It's all right, Kaelyn. You're safe now.'

'I thought you wouldn't come,' Kaelyn sobbed. 'I thought…'

Galbatorix held her close, and whispered in her ear. 'Listen. Sartago is waiting for you by the lake. Go to him. He'll take you to the others. Your parents are there. They're safe. Look for me in the shadows, Kaelyn. You'll find me if you look.'

As he let go of her, he realised there was a patch of wetness on the back of her tunic. It was blood. He stared at Menulis, horror-struck. 'How could you?' he demanded, his voice loud so that all could hear it. 'You coward! How could you do that to her? She's hardly more than a child, for gods' sakes, and you had her whipped? What were you trying to prove?'

Menulis ignored him. He nodded to the guards. 'Take him.'

They came at once, taking hold of his shoulders and dragging Kaelyn away from him. One of them removed her chains, and brought them to Menulis, who said; 'Let her leave.'

Kaelyn struggled wildly against the guards, reaching toward Galbatorix. 'No! No, please! Let him go! Let him go, you monsters! Galbatorix! No!'

But there was nothing she could do. One of the guards grabbed hold of his arms and snapped the manacles closed around his wrists. They had him now and they would not let him go.

Galbatorix looked straight at her. 'Kaelyn, go,' he shouted. 'Run! Get away!'

'I won't leave you!' Kaelyn cried.

Galbatorix reached toward her, trying to comfort her. 'It's all right,' he said. 'Go. I'll be fine-,' his voice abrubtly broke away into a cry of pain, as a guard brutally struck him in the face. He tried to shove them off him, but they pinned his arms and began to hit him, raining down blows on his chest, face and stomach. He made no attempt to hit back at them, but continued to shout; 'Run, Kaelyn, run! Please run!'

Kaelyn ran toward him, trying desperately to reach him, but Menulis grabbed her by the collar and hauled her away. 'Go,' he snapped, shoving her toward the edge of the platform. 'The half-breed has given up his life to save yours, so honour that and save yourself.'

Kaelyn had no choice. She ran. The crowd did not try and stop her. In fact, several of them helped her up when she fell over. When she was at the edge of the houses, she stopped and looked back. She saw them drag Galbatorix to the gallows and put the noose around his neck, pulling it tight, and saw Menulis come to the front of the platform in order to read the official notice of execution.

'Arren Cardockson of Teirm,' the elf began. 'You are hereby sentenced to-,'

'Who's Arren Cardockson?' Galbatorix interrupted.

'You are,' Menulis said coldly. 'Kindly refrain from wasting my time, half-breed scum.'

Galbatorix laughed. 'Arren Cardockson is dead, you old fool. Didn't you know that? He died years ago.'

Menulis looked irritable. 'Indeed? Then who am I addressing right now, may I ask?'

Galbatorix straightened up proudly, ignoring the guards holding him still. 'I am Galbatorix Taranisäii,' he said. 'If I'm going to die today, I'll do it under my real name.'

'Very well,' said Menulis. 'Galbatorix Taranisäii of Teirm, formerly of the Riders, you are hereby sentenced to the traitor's death for the crimes of rape, high treason, abuse of power, absconding from your duties, resisting arrest, the destruction of records, theft of valuable items, several counts of murder, and acts of terrorism against this country and against the Council of Elders too numerous to list here. You will now be hung, drawn and quartered as the law dictates you must be. Have you anything to say before the sentence is carried out?' He paused a moment, and then said; 'Why do this? I don't understand. How could you throw your life away like this?'

Galbatorix gave him an incredulous look. 'Don't you know?'

'I can't say I do,' Menulis said carefully.

Galbatorix shook his head. 'Don't you understand? Don't you know anything about being a leader? Are you really that stupid?'

'I have been a leader in this country since before your grandparents were born,' Menulis snapped.

'Well you can't have been a very good one,' said Galbatorix, which provoked jeers from the crowd. 'So people are loyal to you. So they'd die for you. Who cares? It means absolutely nothing unless you're willing to do the same for them in return. Fight your own battles, win your own wars, and never sacrifice another life for your own benefit.'

Menulis could see the crowd agreeing, and pointed accusingly at Galbatorix. 'Don't listen to him!' he shouted. 'This is the man who ran away from a fight at Orthíad and left his followers to die in his place.' He winced and hastily lowered his arm.

'What's the matter?' Galbatorix jeered. 'Does your arm hurt? I seem to recall it was looking rather mangled last time I saw it. Strange how I managed to do that and kill two of your minions while I was running away like a coward. Pretty good, aren't I? I'll bet that smarts. The mighty Menulis can't lift his own sword any more, but he can still torture children and use them as hostages.'

This time the crowd did not mutter. This time there was a definite growl.

'That's what your leaders do,' said Galbatorix, addressing them. 'All this time I've been trying to liberate you all from the tyranny of the elves… where's Vrael been? Hiding away in Ilirea like the godsdamned coward he is, that's where. He doesn't care about you. He doesn't care about anyone but his own race. He's an elf. What does he care about humans? You're just servants to him.'

'Shut him up!' Menulis hissed at the guards. Galbatorix yelped as they hit him in the stomach, and fell silent at last.

'Galbatorix Taranisäii,' said Menulis, trying to take charge of the situation again. 'Have you anything else to say before your sentence is carried out?'

There was blood leaking from the corner of Galbatorix's mouth. He seemed to have had the defiance knocked out of him, because all he did now was nod briefly and say; 'May I have a moment to say the funeral rites? I doubt anyone else will bother.'

'You may,' said Menulis.

Galbatorix bowed his head and began to mutter the ritual words to himself.

That was when the crowd began to chant. Quietly at first, starting from somewhere up the back, then louder and louder as more people joined in, adding their voices and letting the chant become deeper and stronger.

'Rider's Bane, Rider's Bane, Rider's Bane…'

Menulis heard it and shivered slightly. But he pretended not to notice. He waited patiently until Galbatorix fell silent.

'Are you finished?'

'Yes.'

Menulis nodded to the guards, who let go and moved away from their prisoner. One of the executioners pulled a lever. There was a clunk, and the trapdoor opened.

Kaelyn, still standing frozen at the edge of the crowd, heard the sound even over the growing chant. She saw Menulis make a sudden movement, saw the dark figure drop and the rope go taut, and then she could see no more. Screams rose from the crowd, and Kaelyn couldn't bear to watch any more. She turned and ran away as fast as she could go, barely aware of anything, even the sound of her own sobs. She ran and ran, tears streaming down her face as blood began to trickle down her back as the lash-marks reopened. Behind her she could hear shouts and screams, rising high over the rooftops, and she knew it was the sound of the crowd as they witnessed Galbatorix's awful death up there on the platform, alone and lost forever, with only the cold eyes of Menulis to watch over him.

No-one tried to stop her. She ran on, leaving the city and the horrors it contained far behind.

Sartago was waiting for her by the lake, and she ran straight to him, burying her face in his warm grey scales. He wrapped his wings around her and clumsily put a foreleg around her, pressing her to his chest. 'Oh gods, Kaelyn. Oh thank gods, thank gods, thank gods…'

Kaelyn let his warmth encircle her, protecting her, and cried as though her heart would break. 'He's dead,' she said, again and again. 'He's dead, Sartago. Oh, please, gods no, please…'

But she could not make it untrue. It was all over. Galbatorix was dead.