AN: This chapter is really short, but it was a good place to stop. I promise that the next chapter will make up for this... Really, I do. You have no idea-- it's going to be great.
But it wasn't just Lazuli—there was a man holding a glinting red blade, eyes flickering between Lazuli, Eragon, and Saphira. Something massive moved behind him.
At first, Eragon thought that there was somebody trying to violate Lazuli. Anger quickly rose in him, but upon closer inspection…
The red dragon stepped out of the shadows, beside his Rider.
"Eragon?" The battered looking man looked on in disbelief, then quickly sheathed his coveted blade as a sign that he came in peace.
"Murtagh." Eragon heard Saphira snarl in the back of his mind.
Suddenly, Thorn, the red dragon, whipped his head around and growled at Saphira. He projected his thoughts so everybody: Eragon, Saphira, Murtagh, Lazuli, could all hear him.
MURTAGH IS INNOCENT! HE IS NOT AN EGG BREAKER!
Saphira shot a small jet of flames out of her nostrils, but not enough to catch on and burn anything. She did this to display anger, but not bad intention.
Do not play with me, hatchling, you have much explaining to do!
I am not a hatchling… Murtagh will explain, O' dragon who believes she knows all.
Murtagh put a hand on Thorn, casting him a stern glance. Thorn immediately silenced.
"Eragon, I must say one thing before you decide anything else."
"Swear in the ancient language that you have not come here to harm us!"
Murtagh did so, then continued with what he was going to say, "I am broken from the black magic Galbatorix used to bind me with."
Eragon kept his face indifferent, but Murtagh could see the curiosity that sparked in his eyes. "Because," Murtagh lowered his voice, then instead of saying it, he projected his thoughts, Galbatorix made me promise that I would serve him under his glorious reconstruction of the Empire… but not destruction. I promised under what I would consider reconstruction… therefore, if he gives me an order, I can think of it as destruction, not reconstruction, and disobey it. It takes strength to break through his black magic, but Thorn severed Galbatorix's hold on the both of us… dragon magic.
When Murtagh finished, it was deathly silent, the only sound was the rushing of the Beartooth river.
At last, Eragon said, "Why have you come here?"
Murtagh looked up, and it was the first time Eragon noticed that Murtagh was covered in injuries. "Because, my brother, I know what lies under the Menoa Tree."
Eragon looked surprised—he had never mentioned what Solembum told him to anybody!
Seeing Eragon's expression, Murtagh added, "I was told of this by a reliable source."
"Solembum?"
"Y-yes! How did you know?" Now it was Murtagh's turn to be surprised.
"I met him in Teirm. Now, my brother, what is it that lies under the Menoa Tree?"
My attempt at a cliffhanger. Review, please. I already have chapter five written, and but I'm not posting it until I get at least 5 non-anonymous reviews. Please. By the way, shoutout to my friend, Jing, for getting her friends to review!