Torn Between Two
Chapter 7
Burning flames engulfed the small shack that served as a home, contrasting greatly against the silver moonlight. The sound of swords being unsheathed drowned out the sounds of chirping crickets. Soon, screams of pain and terror consumed all else and the smell of ash and blood blocked out the scent of night.
A tall, pale man strode to the small child whom this chaos surrounded. Following him was a dark haired boy, pale as he was and only a year or so older than the child.
"Girl," the man growled, "come with me!"
"Never!" Defiance laced her trembling voice.
"Now!" he commanded.
"No!" she had picked up the broken blade of her fathers and lunged towards the man.
"Foolish girl!" he roared with laughter, side-stepping her and grabbing the back of her shirt, lifting her off the ground.
"I will kill you!" she kicked her dangling feet and swung the broken sword.
"Kill me?" he roared with more laughter. "You're merely a five-year-old brat!"
She looked down at the pale boy, her eyes pleading for help, and seeing none to be offered. Giving up her fight, she went limp and dropped the blade.
"Good girl," the man said and set her back on the ground.
"What's your name?" the dark haired boy asked.
"Reilyn," she whispered.
"Reilyn!" a voice called urgently, full of pain.
"Reilyn!" this time it hissed.
She opened her eyes to see who was calling her name.
"Oh god, Eragon! I'm sorry!" she said when she saw the boys tanned chest bloody under her hands.
She pulled away quickly, falling out of the bed as she scrambled back.
Eragon! I hurt Eragon! she thought, ashamed.
"Reilyn," he soothed, following her to the ground. He kneeled in from of her, patiently waiting for her to relax enough to let him close.
No! she thought, frantically trying to move farther away. I-I-I hurt him! I drew blood!
"Reilyn, stop!" his stern voice commanded.
"Eragon," she sobbed, gently touching the marks her nails had made in the boy. She must have dug them in deep while her nightmare tortured her sleep.
"Shh shh shh," he soothed, pulling her to him. "It's alright, I'm fine. Just some scratches."
"I'm so sorry!" she cried against the young boy. He stroked her hair and rocked back and forth.
"Nightmare?" he whispered into her ear.
"More like memories," she got control of herself, but remained pressed against the boy.
"Do you want to talk about it? Judging from how you were acting, they were pretty rough."
"No, I-," she choked back a sob.
"It's okay, you don't have to," he rubbed small circles on her back.
"How long until dawn?"
"A few hours, why?" he pressed his lips to her temple, trying his best to comfort her.
"I think I need a walk," she whispered into his neck, "to clear my head."
"M'kay," he held her just a little harder before releasing her.
She pulled her boots on, buckling them quickly, and then her shirt that she had worn earlier. She put her dagger snuggly into her right boot and briefly considered her sword, then dismissed it and started to leave.
"Reilyn, wait a second!" Eragon called, getting up off of the ground.
"Eragon," she whispered, eyeing the wounds she had made.
"Hey," he said, pulling her into an embrace, "listen to me Rei. These scratches are nothing, nothing! Please, don't tear yourself apart over this."
"I'm not, Eragon," she kissed his shoulder, "I'm just, well-."
"Thinking about Murtagh," he finished.
"What? How-," she pulled back and looked at his caramel eyes.
"Don't be so kind to him anymore," he whispered, his breath almost dying out completely.
"Eragon," she was confused.
"People will start suspecting something," he absently fiddled with her hair, "unless we both treat him like the prisoner he is."
"What?" she gasped. "Are you sure, Eragon?"
Why the sudden change with him? she wondered.
"Yes, I've put some real thought into this. It'll also help keep you out of trouble with Nasuada," he laughed weakly.
"I still won't allow him to be beaten," she stood defiantly.
"I figured you'd say that," he shook his head, "beaten, no, but punished, yes."
She searched his face, looking for some sign to his sudden change. He loved Murtagh and had done everything to protect him, yet now, he was turning the tables.
"Please, let me call the shots from now on," he pleaded, "promise me you won't do anything unless it's an order from myself or Lady Nasuada."
"I promise," she sighed. She ruffled his brunette hair before leaving the tent.
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"Just what the hell is he up to?" she asked aloud as she walked in the clear night.
Merely protecting those he cares for, Saphira's voice intruded her thoughts.
Startled, she looked up. Without realizing where she was going, she ended up with the dragons.
"Oh really," she snipped, "how is he doing that?"
The blue dragon's scales gleamed like the stars themselves as the moonlight fell on her. Reilyn cast a glance at Thorn, who'd never spoken to Eragon or herself and was blocked from Murtagh.
The red dragon looked at her with calm eyes, seeming to be pondering something. His red scales looked like a sunrise in the moonlight, an excellent specimen. Strong and proud, just as his Rider.
By keeping you out of as much trouble as possible with Lady Nasuada! Saphira made her point by nudging Reilyn hard with her nose.
"And leaving his friend to the so-called 'mercy' of Dogon and Jierden!" she glared at Saphira.
Child, a deep voice, as rough as broken glass, filled her mind, I have seen your kindness to my Rider and I have greatly appreciated it.
"Th-Th-Thorn?" she stammered, staring at the red beast with a gaping jaw.
Who else would it be, girl? he growled, sounding annoyed.
Despite herself, she shrank back slightly from Thorn. Then on impulse and instinct, she knelt before him and bowed her head.
"Forgive me, Red Dragon," she breathed.
Continue to be kind to him, Thorn instructed, but listen to Eragon: treat him as a prisoner.
Rising, Reilyn gazed at Thorn, pondering why the dragon was siding with the enemy's Rider.
Do not question my instructions, child, he warned, baring teeth, just follow them.
"As you wish, Thorn," she growled, bowing.
The dragon severed the connection and turned to find a resting place.
You never show me that kind of respect, Saphira whined.
"Saphira, I don't believe I have to," she smiled at the dragon.
Saphira growled and snapped her jaws in response. I can change that!
"I didn't mean like that Saphira!" she snickered, "I meant that you know I respect you, it should go without me having to bow to you."
She snorted smoke and flame in disgust.
"Saphira," Reilyn knelt before her, "I have undying respect for you."
And I for you, Protector, Saphira said, bowing her head gracefully in return.
"Saphira," Reilyn fought tears. No one had ever shown her this much respect just because they could or that they wanted to, it had only been due to her rank.
Have you slept? Saphira asked, raising her head.
"Some," she sighed, "the nightmares are back."
Come, tell me about them. Saphira lay on the ground and stared at her.
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"They've been back ever since Murtagh has been in our custody," she whispered. She lay curled between the dragon's paws, absently tracing her claws.
I've noticed you haven't been rested lately, Saphira said.
"It's something about Murtagh," she yawned, suddenly exhausted.
What do you mean?
"He seems very familiar."
He should! He's tried to kill you!
"No, Saphira," she exhaled deeply, "I mean it's like he's from my past somehow."
You've never spoken about your past before, Saphira put her neck around the girl.
"I can't. . . Won't talk about it," she felt tears coming. "Not yet at least."
I understand. I won't pry, but I would like to know what about Murtagh seem familiar, if you don't mind.
She stayed silent for several moments, sitting up and drawing in the sand.
"His hair, his eyes, his scar, his body," Reilyn listed, "his voice. . . Just him."
I see, Saphira said, thinking.
"I swear I've known him in another time."
I don't doubt it, Saphira sighed, I believe he feels the same about you as well.
"What?!" she looked at Saphira's blue eyes.
The way he looks at you, the beast noted, as if he recognizes you, but can't place how. Just like you do him.
"Really," Reilyn bit her lip, thinking. "Thank you, Saphira, for listening."
Always, Protector, always. Now, rest for a while before the dawn comes.
Reilyn lay down on the ground, resting her head right on Saphira's sharp claws. She smiled when she felt the dragon rest her head on her body, to protect her and keep her warm.