Many should laugh at this! Funny Draken moment and little fluffy brotherly moment with Eragon and Murtagh. You will all love it! FYI one tiny little swear that is said, but it is meant as a curse (used in biblical terms anyway). Don't worry it isn't major and it possibly is the only one I will use. After you read it, you will see why I tossed it in. Please, don't be angry 

Chapter 29: Bite Me!

Murtagh! Eragon shouted telepathically into his brother's head. He watched as the other rider landed in the clearing next to him and Saphira.

"I never saw you as a black dragon," Murtagh chuckled, but he quickly wiped the smile away. "I have some important news to tell."
What of? Eragon asked, watching as Draken hid behind him.

"Me and Thorn were attacked," Murtagh explained. "They wanted to take us and make a trade, but I knew that you would not give up your child for me…you never should. By law he is our nephew and we must protect him just as you and Saphira do."

Well said brother, Eragon said, bobbing his large head. Who attacked you? How many?

"It started with one man," Murtagh mentioned. "He called himself 'the Butcher' for some odd reason. Nasuada took Zar'oc from me as a part of punishment, so I was unarmed."

Not quite, Thorn interrupted, snorting and blinking his wounded eye. If I recall, your brother charged him with his fists as weapons. Rather courageous going against a human wielding a sword. Eragon cocked his head and looked at Thorn's eye.

What happened? Eragon asked, padding over to his brother's dragon. Thorn turned his head away.

It was something I asked for, Thorn replied. It will remind me of my treachery.

"Someone hidden in the forest loosed an arrow into it," Murtagh finished. "I healed his sight, but he demanded to have a scar in its place."

You two risked your lives for our family, Saphira chimed in, padding over to rub her muzzle against Thorn in a friendly manner. We are in debt. Murtagh looked up at Saphira and smiled.

"Well," he said with a grin. "We will do our best to keep him safe."

Kind words, little one, Saphira replied, lowering her head so he could rub it. Would you care to meet your nephew?

"Let us see the little fellow," Murtagh said with a bright smile. Eragon sidestepped to reveal Draken, who was sitting on his haunches with his back turned and his tail twitching nervously.

It is okay youngling, Eragon called comfortably. We are all family here. Draken still refused to budge and tossed his head up in ignorance, as if he was too good to be seen by them. Okay then, Eragon said in a chuckle. He reached down and clamped his teeth on the back of Draken's neck to lift him into the air. The little dragon squealed and chirped in a loud protest, but his father refused to let him go.

Behave little one, Saphira said to Draken, who immediately stopped squirming at her voice. Eragon padded forward until he was in front of Murtagh and Thorn before gently dropping Draken on his scaly rump. The young dragon rose to his paws and cautiously approached Thorn first, sniffing at his large claws. Thorn accidently moved, which spooked him and sent him running to hide behind his mother.

Child! Saphira snapped. Go to your uncle and stop playing!

Your mother is right, Eragon stepped in. This is no way to treat a member of this family. Draken lowered his head in apology and waddled back over to Thorn.

Hello youngling, Thorn said, gently rubbing his nose against Draken's. Thorn then lifted up his forearm to set it on Draken as if he were giving him a gentle side-hug.

He is not bad, Eragon assured. Draken turned to face him and chirped in approval before wobbling off to visit Muragh, who was crouching down in the grass. Instead of waiting for Draken to come near him, Murtagh reached out with his unmarked palm to pet him.

"Hello, my neph…OUCH!" Murtagh suddenly shot his hand back with Draken attached on his fingers, growling while he held on.

DRAKEN! Saphira and Eragon both screamed, roaring to gain his attention.

"Get…him…off!" Murtagh said between huffs. Eragon quickly reached in with his muzzle and clamped down hard against his son's neck, causing him to release immediately.

Oh dear, Saphira said. Are you okay Muragh?

"I suppose I deserved that," Murtagh muttered, shooting a hateful glace at Thorn, who was quite possibly laughing at him. "I want to try it again."

Very well, Eragon sighed, releasing Draken from his jaws and dropping him down more forcefully on the ground as a form of punishment for his disobedience. "Come here, nephew." He reached out his hands at a safe distance from Draken's teeth and continued to coax him over. Draken turned to look at his father, and then slowly waddled over to his uncle.

"That a boy," Murtagh said out with a smile. "See? I am not an enemy here, am I?" Draken reached out with his head and brushed up against his marked palm repeatedly, liking the tingling feeling it gave him.

I will have a discussion with him over this ordeal, Saphira said, padding in close to see if Murtagh was bloody, but thankfully he only had a few scrapes.

"It was my fault," Murtagh said, turning to look at Thorn. "He told me to wait until Draken was comfortable and I avoided his warning like we would avoid the Death Cap."

I am glad you are unharmed, Eragon said. He watched as Murtagh wrapped his arms around Draken into a hug, covering every part of Draken except his wings.

"I remember when you were this small," Murtagh said out loud to Thorn, who shot out a plume of black smoke.

Those were good memories, Thorn replied, at least until we grew older.

Murtagh sighed and released his nephew, who ran back over to his mom and dad.

"So what shall we do now?" Murtagh asked. "Do you want to attack Stave for doing this to you and your kin?"

We are still debating that issue, Eragon replied kindly. All we really need to do is keep Draken safe until he can leave us and start a life of his own. When dragons reach a certain age, they cannot be stolen.

"Have you given him his true name?" Muragh whispered low just in case any outsiders were listening in. Eragon nodded.

Saphira holds that information, he said. We will die before giving it to anyone else but our child.

"Good," Murtagh said louder. "I do not want this little fellow to go through what me and Thorn have."

We are on our way to Ellesmera, Eragon explained. If you would like, I may be able to get you inside with us. I am sure that you would be welcomed for defending us like you did earlier.

"I would have done it without your honor, brother," Murtagh replied with a kind smile. "I did it for family and that alone. You are my brother and your son is my nephew. I would be damned if I let anyone take that away from me." Eragon watched as Murtagh spat at the ground.

Thank you, Eragon said, lowering his head. What you have done in the past has already been forgiven, but as of now, it has been forgotten.

I agree, Saphira shot in, padding over to scoop up Draken in her mouth. As of now, you are no less than a trusted brother to our kin.

"Thank you," Murtagh said, bowing humbly. He turned and placed a hand on Thorn.

It looks as if we have been redeemed, old friend, he told Thorn.

Indeed, Thorn replied. We still must be careful. Those men may attempt to strike at us again when we least expect it.

I am well aware, Murtagh sighed. "When do you plan on leaving?" he asked Eragon, who flapped his wings out to stretch them.

Soon, he replied. We need to get our bearings set before leaving. He looked up towards the sun that was beginning to set. Northeast, Eragon said lowly with a small hum in the back of his large throat. We will have to fly in to where they can identify us well. I do not want any arrows launched at my son.

We will be beside you, rider, Thorn said respectfully. Eragon turned and watched Draken bounce around against Saphira's teeth while she moved.

Let's go!

Next one is going to be good so keep paying attention boys and girls. I also want to thank Marcus for being my editor for a bunch of these chapters. Anyways, there is going to be a lot in the next chapter…including a strange visit from a good 'friend.' Oh crap, too much hints! I better sign off before I give too much away. L8r

PEACE!