Torn Between Two
Chapter 13
Reilyn woke slightly when she felt Eragon lie down next to her.
"Er? That you?" she whispered, groggy.
"Yes, shhh," he said, "go back to sleep."
"Who's watching Murtagh?"
"Tolan is," he said, curling to her, "don't worry."
"Eragon," Reilyn said, sitting up. She had sensed something off with the young boy.
"What?" he asked, propping himself on his elbows.
"You took a longer guard shift than the rest, why?"
Reilyn watched Eragon's caramel eyes go wide and he fumbled for words.
"Never mind," she smiled, putting the pieces together. He blushed a deep red and smiled.
"Well," she kissed his forehead, "I'm glad that you've worked things out."
"Me too," Eragon sighed and lay back.
"Spare me the story," she said, settling against his chest. He laughed and hugged her close.
--------------------------
It had been some time since Eragon had visited Murtagh, but the raven haired Rider couldn't sleep.
Eragon, he thought, sighing, you make things so difficult for me.
"Can't sleep Rider?" a voice asked, pulling a startled gasp from Murtagh's lips.
"Not really," he said cautiously, he still didn't know who guarded him and didn't feel like getting punished for speaking too much.
He felt the lead go tight and he gasped for air.
Great, he scolded, now I'm going to be choked to death or until I pass out.
"Stop struggling," the cool voice said, "you're making this difficult."
He noticed that the pull on the lead went slack and he relaxed a little bit.
"There," the voice said, "don't move."
"All right," Murtagh whispered, the fear coming back. Something in the voice was wrong, there was the sound of barely contained rage lurking just beneath the surface.
"So," it hissed. Suddenly, Murtagh was yanked to his feet and a rigid body pressed against him. "You think that I get on the nerves, huh?"
Tolan! Murtagh realized, totally consumed by his fear.
Something sharp pressed to his neck and a hand laced itself in his raven hair, pulling his head back and exposing the pale flesh.
Is he really that upset about what I said?
"Miss Reilyn will be mine, just you watch!" the lips spoke into his ear.
"Tolan," Murtagh rasped out, "she doesn't feel for you in that way."
"Quiet, Traitor!" the blade pressed into his neck, tasting his blood. "What do you know?!"
"Tolan?!" a voice barked. "What in the hell are you doing?"
Oh, perfect, Murtagh thought, I'm done for. . .
---------------------------
Reilyn hadn't slept when Eragon came back, not if Tolan was watching Murtagh.
He's been moody ever since this afternoon, she thought, eyeing the blonde. I don't trust him.
That feeling had paid off. She had seen Tolan untie the prisoner and pull him to his feet, but she didn't know what he was doing- his back was to her.
She snuck up behind the blonde, dagger stuck in her belt, and realized that he intended to kill Murtagh.
"Tolan?!" she barked. "What in the hell are you doing?"
The blonde guard spun around, Murtagh in tow, and looked very startled to see her of all people.
"He was trying to escape!" he hissed, pressing a blade to the pale man's neck. His blue eyes were wild and fierce, the eyes of a rage-filled creature.
"I know you're lying," she said, keeping her tone as even as possible. "Let him go."
"Is he telling the truth?!" Tolan barked.
"About what?"
"Don't try playing mind games with me!" he pulled the blade a little, slicing a line in the pale flesh. Blood trickled down the neck and she heard Murtagh hiss in pain.
"Tolan," she tried to soothe the man, "I really can't focus with you holding Murtagh, let him go."
The guard roared at her and hugged the prisoner closer, eyes darting undecidedly around.
Reilyn could smell what little blood that had been spilled and found it intoxicating as always, and as always she didn't know why it intrigued her so.
"Tolan," she whispered, taking a step.
"Don't!" he pulled the blade from Murtagh's neck and pointed it at her.
Perfect! she cried in her head. Exactly like I wanted!
Before the boy realized his grave mistake, Reilyn snaked her arm out and grabbed the wrist. She wrenched it to the left, away from Murtagh and herself, moving behind the blonde at the same time. She twisted his arm behind his back and he dropped the knife.
At some point, Murtagh had been released and was on the ground a few feet away, enrapt in what was happening.
-------------------
God, she's quick! Murtagh thought. He had been let go by the blonde and had scrambled away. Now, he sat on the ground, watching in complete awe.
Her stance, he puzzled, it's familiar. How?
"Sneaky little wench!" Tolan hissed.
Oh boy, he's pissed now.
"Arrogant, self-centered bastard!" Reilyn growled into the boys ear.
Murtagh watched as the girl pulled the blonde's head back, in the same exact manner Tolan had yanked Murtagh's back. Anger radiated from her whole body and Murtagh was sure she was going to kill the boy.
"What in the world?!" Dogon and Jierden yelled in unison, running toward them.
Reilyn looked up in surprise and Murtagh froze as he saw Tolan take advantage of the distraction.
Warn her! his mind screamed. Yet, his mouth disobeyed and he stared as the blonde managed to remove her dagger from the belt, without her knowing.
Murtagh felt himself being yanked up and found himself held tightly by Jierden.
"No!" he roared, trying to pull free of the man. "Reilyn, look out!"
--------------------
Reilyn realized her fatal mistake too late.
"Reilyn, look out!" Murtagh screamed, struggling against Jierden.
Her eyes went wide as the blonde guard spun from her grasp, her dagger in hand.
How in the hell? she thought, preparing for whatever was to come.
Reilyn managed to duck under his first stab, but still felt the sharp edge on her arm when he slashed sideways. Pain tore up her left arm and rage took the wheel.
She swung her right fist and connected with the boys ribs, smiling when she heard the breath whoosh out of his lungs. She swept her left leg and cut his own legs out from beneath him, only to be tripped by him as he went down.
God dammit! she screamed when she hit the ground. She scrambled and made it back to her feet, but not quick enough.