Dragon Rider of Alagaësia: Once again, your review is hilarious. Thanks so much.

Raindancer20: Glad you enjoy it so much.

Voyfan7: Yup. If Eragon could open the Vault of Souls, he'd have a much better chance of defeating Galbatorix.

Swampfire Leatherweed: New reviewer! Yay! It just seemed too simple that roots would be meant literally. Glad to see that you enjoy it.

Chapter Nineteen: Fall of the Mage

A raven was silhouetted against the dark, cloudy sky as it approached Galbatorix's foreboding fortress at Urû'baen. It was cold and about to storm; the weather was setting the mood for the disastrous events about to occur, events that would forever change the fate of Alagaësia. As the Varden prepared to march on Galbatorix's capital, Circe the sorceress flew closer to her destiny in the symbolic form of a raven.

It had been fairly easy for the shape shifter to escape the Varden guards assigned to her cell. The poor fools were baffled when she changed to the form of a raven and simply flew out. You would think that Nasuada would have made sure that there were some mages guarding her cell, but she must have been thinking about other things. With mistakes like that, it was a wonder the Varden still existed. Once she made it outside, it was all smooth sailing. Though she was sure that Murtagh knew of her escape, nobody else had thought anything of the raven.

She aimed for the window of her former chambers in Galbatorix's palace; that was where all of her things would be and she would need to have her clothes if she were going to confront Galbatorix. As soon as she was inside, she resumed her humanoid form and pulled on one of the gowns, similar to those she wore in Galbatorix's court, and a black cloak. Just as she was about to leave and find Galbatorix, something made her stop.

Did she really want to do this? Was she really going to betray the Varden to Galbatorix and Murtagh along with them to save herself?

Yes, of course she was.

So far, her life had been nothing but heartache after heartache from meeting Galbatorix to her father's death. Her father had been the only one who genuinely cared for her, her light in the darkness and he had taught her to do whatever she could to get ahead in the world, that there wasn't a place for pushovers except in the poor house. Then, Galbatorix had killed her father so he could have even more power. She wanted revenge and she had to come back to get it. If she stayed with the Varden, then Eragon would get to him first. She wouldn't have been able to bear it.

Then she met Murtagh, her first true friend. She had thoroughly enjoyed those days after the Battle of Isenstar Lake. She wished they could have stayed out in the Hadarac Desert or made for Kylria across the sea instead of running to the Varden in Surda. The Varden, how she loathed them so! If it weren't for the Varden, Galbatorix wouldn't have thought he needed more power and then he wouldn't have killed her father. The stupid Varden! They had desperately needed more power to fight Galbatorix, but what do they do when the second most powerful mage in Alagaësia turns up on their doorstep? They lock her up. Twice.

Driven by a desire for revenge, Circe clearly wasn't thinking straight at all. A hatred for both sides of the war and a love for her own life clouded her vision. It had become quite clear to her that this war would destroy her. She planned to put an end to both her enemies at once. Then, she would be free and she would leave Alagaësia forever and go back to Kylria. Perhaps Murtagh and Thorn would come too.

With renewed zeal, Circe stormed down the corridors of Galbatorix's palace of death, plowing past any servants that got in her way. She had a very important meeting with Galbatorix, one that would end one of their lives. There was no stopping her now. There was no turning back.

Galbatorix was right where she knew he would be, his throne room. He was spending most of his time there, basking in the glory of his golden hall. What a vain ruler he was! His lips twisted into a sly smile when she entered, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Well, well, well," he greeted her. "What have we here? A runaway child come back to beg for forgiveness?"

"Hardly," she snapped, walking hastily across the hall until she stood in front of his gilded throne.

Galbatorix laughed. "You're fortunate that I'm a merciful king. Such treason should be punishable by death." He rose from his throne and came closer to her, close enough that Circe could count every one of his eyelashes. "However," he whispered, running his finger over her cheek, "I think I can make an exception for such a fair creature."

Circe drew away from him quickly. "Keep your forked tongue between your teeth," she hissed. "And do not be so quick to judge. I was kidnapped and did not go by my freewill."

Galbatorix frowned. "Do you really think that I'll believe that?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "You and I both know that you could have overpowered Murtagh easily if you wished to stay. Did you really think for a moment that you could fool me with your silly magic images? That I wouldn't know what really happened? I never thought you were stupid."

Circe lowered her gaze. She should have expected that.

The Rider King's frown turned to a malevolent smile. "Yet, you came here of your own free will even though you were advised not to by Murtagh and imprisoned by the Varden in an attempt to keep you in Surda. Tell me, my dear, why have you really come back? Tell me or I will pry it from your mind."

Circe glared at him. "You want the truth?" she asked. "Fine. I'll give you the truth. I came here to destroy both of my enemies. I despise the Varden nearly as much as I despise you. Nasuada plans to attack Urû'baen. They should arrive, at the earliest, tomorrow night. Murtagh, Eragon, Roran and the dragons are with them, as well as the Elves, Dwarves and Urgals."

Galbatorix grinned in satisfaction. "See? I knew you could be helpful. I will make sure that my best men are waiting on the plains for them. They will not survive this." He paused, breathing down her neck. "Now, please tell me, how do you plan to destroy me?"

Circe took another step away from him. "I'm going to kill you," she stated gravely. "You're going to join those you imprisoned in the Vault of Souls."

Galbatorix's laugh sent shivers down Circe's spine. Finally, he stopped and addressed her. "You are more foolish than I thought, my dear. You know that I've taken your father's power and you know that I've opened the Vault of Souls. How can you possibly hope to defeat me?"

Despite the fact that she asked herself the same question, Circe's gaze did not falter. "I'm going to kill you or die trying," she repeated. "No matter what you think of yourself, you are evil and despicable. You are manipulating and traitorous. You are a danger to everyone around you and you will die."

Galbatorix laughed again and stepped towards her again, holding her quivering form in place with his magic. "You may be strong," he whispered dangerously. "But you will never be a match for me. Nobody in Alagaësia is a match for me now that I have the power of the Kylrians and the power of the Vault of Souls. The new Riders are no match for me. Your pathetic hopes for a future without me will never come true. I know your thoughts. I know your weaknesses. I've killed your kind before." He paused and smiled. "But don't worry. I shall tell Murtagh what has become of you. He will know all about how you begged me to end your pathetic existence, and, though it pained me to dispose of such a pretty thing, I was kind enough to oblige. Ah yes, I will tell him right before I kill him."

He paused, admiring the terrified expression on her face and seemingly pondering a new thought. "But perhaps I won't kill you, at least not permanently. I just have to stop you from interfering with my plans until the battle is over and there is no one left to challenge my rule. Then, you and I shall rule this land together. What say you to that?"

Circe gasped for air, temporarily free from Galbatorix's spell. "I will not cooperate," she vowed.

Galbatorix laughed, resuming control of her body so she could no longer speak or move. "Don't worry. In time you shall find me quite difficult to resist."

Darkness covers everything. He cannot see a thing. He does not know where he is or why he is there. An incredible sense of foreboding comes over him as he stares out into the darkness, searching for something unknown. As he reaches out with his mind, he feels his connections to his friends suddenly cut off. He is terrified.

Suddenly, there is a hoarse birdcall. He turns his head frantically, trying to find the source of the noise. A white shape whizzes past his face and he can hear the call distinctly now.

"Wyrda! Wyrda!"

He is puzzled by this call, but knows that 'wyrda' is the Elven word for 'fate'. What could that possibly mean now, in this situation.

Suddenly, the darkness fades to the plains just outside the city of Urû'baen, Galbatorix's city. An epic battle is in progress. Men in the scarlet tunics and black armor of Galbatorix are locked in combat with soldiers of the Varden, Elves, Dwarves and Urgals. He looks to the sky, expecting to see four dragons locked in combat high above, but there is nothing there except dark storm clouds. Thunder roars ominously as the Empire's soldiers rout the warriors of the Varden.

Then he looks to the wall of the city where a gigantic black dragon has just appeared. As he tries to see the two figures riding the beast, he vision adjusts so he can see them clearly. He gasps as he recognizes both of them, but only expects to see one of them.

His vision changes again. Now, he is in the gilded throne room of Galbatorix's palace. There are two shadowy figures standing at the opposite end, seemingly fighting or arguing. One figure is threatening another. He manages to catch a few words of what is being said.

"But perhaps I won't kill you, at least not permanently. I just have to stop you from interfering with my plans until the battle is over and there is no one left to challenge my rule. Then, you and I shall rule this land together. What say you to that?"

"I will not cooperate."

"Don't worry. In time you shall find me quite difficult to resist."

His vision begins to fade back to darkness and only one thing is visible to him: a white raven floating directly in front of him. The bird opens its mouth and begins to call:

"Murtagh! Murtagh! Wake up! Wake up, Murtagh!"

It felt like he was being thrown back into reality from another realm. Murtagh groaned and opened his eyes. As his vision adjusted to the darkness, he could see that a concerned Eragon was leaning over him. "Where am I?" Murtagh moaned, temporarily forgetting what was going on.

"About a day's march from Urû'baen," Eragon answered. "I think you were having a bad dream."

"No, it was a nightmare," Murtagh corrected him. He found that he had been sweating in his sleep as he sat up and ran his fingers through his hair. Then, suddenly, he began to speak with renewed vigor and urgency. "Eragon! It was like a vision!" he exclaimed. "I saw the battle. The Varden are going to lose. Galbatorix is going to win! He's got Circe. She's in great danger. We're in great danger!"

Eragon tried to calm him down. "Murtagh! Be quiet for a moment; there are still people asleep. Now, tell me, slowly, what did you see?"

"There was… a white raven! It was screeching, 'Wyrda! Wyrda!' Then I saw the battle. Galbatorix's army is going to annihilate us. There was no sign of Thorn, Saphira, Garrow or any of us, only Galbatorix and Shruikan… and Circe. Then I was in the throne room where I saw Galbatorix threatening Circe. He's going to do something vile to her. Eragon, we have to rescue her!"

But Eragon wasn't so sure. "The white raven," he said. "That must have been Blagden; he belongs to Queen Islanzadí of the Elves. He's supposed to give warnings of the future. Your vision will not necessarily come true. We can still win."

"I don't believe that," Murtagh said. "It was too real. We've got to help her."

Eragon shook her head. "She went back of her own accord. Her fate is in her own hands now."

"You went running for Arya," Murtagh pointed out.

"I was young and stupid," Eragon scowled.

"But you don't regret going to her."

"Perhaps not," Eragon admitted. "But this is different."

"No," Murtagh said sternly. "It's not different at all."

AN: All right guys, I need your help on something. I would like to know which one of my plot bunnies you would like me to pursue after Era is finished. They are posted below. Please tell me in a review.

In The Beginning: How Galbatorix fell to the dark side and betrayed the Varden. Everything you ever wanted to know about the Fall.

My Heart Will Go On : During his stay with the Varden in Farthen Dûr, Murtagh falls for one of Ajihad's healers, but can their relationship endure the trials that Galbatorix puts it through?

Untitled (EragonxStarWars): During their arial battle at the Burning Plains, Ergaon, Murtagh, Thorn & Saphira are mysteriously transported to the galaxy far, far away during a very pivotal point in its history.

Now for my advertising point. Recently, I have created a forum roleplay of Alagaësia in need of members. Please check it out at least. It won't let me post the link here, so you'll have to go through my profile. Thanks in advance.