Torn Between Two
Chapter 9
Reilyn strode to Murtagh's cage, feeling the tension in her rise. She had promised Eragon that she would not be as kind to Murtagh, but could she really start treating the man like the prisoner he was?
Reilyn, Saphira called, relax! Just be a little less kind, not so much special treatment!
Thank you, she called back.
"Miss Reilyn," a blonde boy bowed.
"I'm afraid I don't know your name."
"I am Tolan," he said, " and Lady Nasuada has assigned me to guard duty as well."
"I see," she bowed slightly, "it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Ummm. . . Miss Reilyn?" Tolan asked very quietly.
"Yes?" she looked into his blue eyes.
"Lady Nasuada," he held up some rope, "has ordered that the prisoner's wrists be bound in front of him and the rest of the rope be used as a lead."
"I assumed she would."
"Well," Tolan looked around nervously.
He's maybe twenty years old, Reilyn realized, and he's scared.
"I'll do it Tolan, don't worry," she offered the young man a friendly smile.
"Thank you."
She took the rope from the blonde and went to the cage, where she was ambushed by Dogon.
"So you think you need to baby sit us?" he jeered, blocking the door.
Reilyn did not feel like fighting with the man, the day had barely even begun.
"Merely taking precautions, Dogon," she said, "now, please open the door."
The man regarded her with cold eyes, but did as he was asked.
"Come here boy," he growled, grabbing Murtagh by the arm.
She watched as Murtagh growled and bared his teeth like an animal, but he didn't resist. His hazel eyes fell on the coil of rope in her hands and he swallowed, frightened. He looked into her eyes, questioning her intentions.
"Do you think we'd let you go unbound?" Dogon laughed, noticing the boys face.
Reilyn shot Dogon a look, but kept her remarks to herself. Sighing, she motioned for Murtagh to put his hands in front of him.
"Wrists together," she ordered.
She tied his wrists together firmly, feeling his eyes on her the whole time. By his body language, she knew he felt something different in her actions.
She pulled her dagger from her boot and cut the rope. Then, after taking a look at the length she had left, she made a noose and held it up.
It's the only knot that would give the lead a comfortable length, she tried to tell herself.
"It's merely a lead, Traitor," she told him, "nothing more, nothing less."
Dogon burst into laughter when he saw the teen shaking.
"Do you understand?" she asked Murtagh.
He nodded and held eye contact with her. His hazel eyes reflected understanding, as well as fear. The teen shrank back when she tried to put the noose over his head.
"Stop that!" Dogon barked, grabbing he boys shoulders roughly to hold him in place.
Reilyn took a deep breath and went to put it over his head again. This time, he held still, bit flinched slightly. Carefully, she lowered the noose around his raven hair, noting that it was soft, despite how dirty it must have been. His eyes closed when the rope passed over his face and she thought she heard a noise escape him when her hands touched his skin. She let the rope fall around his neck and reached around to move it under his raven hair. Reilyn felt him shiver when her fingers grazed the back of his neck, so to show she really meant no harm she touched his neck again, and traced a line all the way to the front. She held his eyes to see if he got the point.
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Murtagh had been mortified when he saw Reilyn create a noose to lead him with.
She's acting different, he realized, why?
When she attempted to put the noose around him the first time, he had instinctually pulled back. This got him grabbed by Dogon and forced to be still, which he disliked even more than the thought of being restrained.
The second time he managed to remain still, but had indeed still flinched.
Stop it! he scolded. She won't hurt you!
He remained still while she lowered the rope over his hair, noticing that she slowed when her hands came in contact with the raven locks. He smiled inwardly and closed his eyes when the noose was passing over his face.
Oh god! he almost moaned when he felt her cool skin. Some sort of noise had left his lips against his will, but she either pretended to not notice or really hadn't.
He was appalled to find himself greatly drawn to her, especially considering the circumstances. He wanted to touch her sides and run his hands in her beautiful hair. He wanted to kiss her mouth, taste her lips, her neck, her salty skin. . .
Stop! he warned his body. Before control becomes impossible.
He felt her let the rope fall against his neck and opened his eyes, only to close them again when she started moving his hair above the rope. Murtagh bit the corner of his lip, his whole body tingled and felt too warm. A pleasant shiver washed over him when her fingers gently grazed the back of his neck and he bit back the moan that had wanted to escape. She had noticed this and did it again, slowly running her fingers on his skin, all the way to the front.
She just told me something, his mind said, but what?
He opened his eyes and looked into her brown ones, searching for the hidden meaning in what had just happened. Suddenly, he understood and she seemed to catch it.
She was telling me that she won't harm me! he thought, greatly relieved.
Murtagh watched as she tightened the noose to his skin, leaving a comfortable slack in it, and fought with his body.
It's almost like she's doing this to me on purpose! he thought. Teasing, torturing, touching! he repressed a frustrated growl.
Then again, maybe not, his mind responded. She seems to have no clue what she's doing to me.
Murtagh now noticed the air of confusion that emanated from Reilyn and immediately felt shame.
I'm such a fool, he groaned internally.
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Eragon felt jealousy consume him as he watched Reilyn and Murtagh. The way she tied his wrists, put the rope over his head, and touched his neck!
Why is she doing that?! he screamed with his mind. He was surprised by his anger but relished the feeling anyway.
Little one, Saphira jumped in, she knows how you feel for Murtagh, do you really believe that she would interfere with that?
Look, Saphira! he growled. See how she touches his neck!? Do you see how Murtagh responds?!
Eragon! Saphira scolded. Murtagh does not belong to you! He is a man, he can't help how he responds to her.
He told me he loved me! He said I was the only one in his heart! he cried, sorrow taking over.
He also told you that women appealed to him as well, yes?
Yes, he whispered. But he told me that they bored him anymore. He strapped his legs into the saddle, tears making him fumble.
Eragon, his dragon soothed, there is much you have yet to know about Reilyn. . . She had confided in me, so I am forbidden to tell you the details, but I will tell you this: trust that she will not harm your heart on purpose, she is troubled by memories and confused by the present. Open your eyes and look again.
Slowly, Eragon looked down to Reilyn and Murtagh, studying them.
What am I looking for?
See Reilyn's posture? Her body language. . . Saphira drifted off, letting him observe for himself.
Eragon saw Reilyn give Murtagh a confused look, she seemed uncomfortable suddenly, and Eragon knew her touch meant something entirely different that what both men assumed.
She was telling him that she means him no harm, he gasped. Murtagh noticed her acting differently and was afraid! She was only trying to put him at ease!
See, Little one? Saphira whispered. She loves you very much and would never hurt you.
I feel like an idiot! he wailed.
Remember that feeling the next time you allow jealousy to consume you, she replied, leaping into the sky.
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Reilyn felt odd. Murtagh had taken her gesture as something else at first. Something she never thought he would.
I though he and Eragon. . . she puzzled while she helped Tolan and Dogon load the cage onto a cart. Jierden stood watching, holding Murtagh's lead.
Pain seared in her sides and she almost let go of the cage. She ground her teeth together and kept going, she'd been through worse.
"Miss Reilyn?" Tolan asked, worried.
"It's nothing. I'm fine," she forced a smile, "keep going, we've almost got it!"
Tolan still looked worried, but continued to work. With a grunt, the blonde loaded his side of the cage onto the cart, then rushed to help Reilyn.
He's sweet, she thought. Not like the other men around here, besides Eragon.
"Got it!" Dogon cried, collapsing against the cart to catch his breath.
Reilyn touched her sides carefully, checking to be sure no more damage had been done. Satisfied, she moved on.
"Miss Reilyn?" Tolan called, catching up with her.
"Yes, Tolan?" The young man had barely left her alone since they met. It flattered her, but bothered her too. She did not like the boy in the way she guessed he was hoping she did.
"What is Alurra? I know it's a city, but I've heard some men talking. . ." he trailed off.
"You've never heard of the City of Illusions before?"
"No," he whispered.
"Well, Alurra is a large city that's surrounded by an enchanted forest, called the Forest of Twilight," she explained. "It's home to many powerful magic users, witches, and even some elves."
"Why is it called 'City of Illusions'?"
"Because sometimes," she picked up a small stone, "nothing is as it seems." The red stone in her hand shimmered, then transformed into an elegant, long-stemmed blue rose.
The blonde gasped with delight. He gently took the rose from her hand, inspecting it carefully. He touched the petals and even pricked his finger on one of the thorns.
"How did you-?" he asked, excited.
Reilyn smiled and looked at the rose in his hands.
"I grew up just outside of Alurra, in the forest," she took the rose back. "I learned a few things when I was young." The rose sparkled this time and soon a violet butterfly fluttered up from her palm.
Tolan clapped his hands and laughed like a child.
"Can you teach me how to do that?"
"I'm afraid not, Tolan." She felt her heart sink.
Reilyn, a voice called from her past, come, let Mummy teach you some tricks!
That voice, so sweet and gentle, stung like a blade in her chest, and she left to find Nasuada. Trying to block out the memory and the voice.