Torn Between Two

Chapter 17

Fireflies blinked all around. Surrounding the ensuing battle, the fireflies swirled and danced, contrasting with the flames. Reilyn spun, sword drawn, to face someone.

"You?!" she roared, seeing the pale man of her past.

"Did you really think we'd just let you go?" he laughed, drawing his own blade.

Eragon! she thought, Where's Eragon?!

"Eragon!" Reilyn gasped, sitting up. She shivered, hugging herself, despite the sweat rolling off her body.

That didn't seem like any dream, her mind whispered. Almost a vision or something. . .

"I need to find Eragon," she said through chattering teeth.

She threw the blankets off her with one arm, rolling out of the bed. Her shoulder was stiff and shrieked in pain, but she ignored it and pulled on her boots and Eragon's cloak.

Saphira? she called.

Yes?

Where's Eragon? I need to see him. . .

With Murtagh, he sent Dogon away. Told them he'd be fine. . .I'd guess they are sleeping right now. . .What's wrong? the dragon spoke with a sleep-filled voice.

I just need to see him, make sure he's all right. A dream. . .

Go, see him. It sounds like you really need to be with him right now. The worry in Reilyn's voice had woken the dragon up, and it had seeped into her as well.

Reilyn didn't reply, hugging Eragon's cloak tighter, and she walked towards Murtagh's tent. She had to force her legs to walk, not run, like they wanted to. If people saw her running, they would assume the worst and chaos may break out.

She slipped into the tent, unnoticed, and crept to the bed. The brunette lay on his side, his face to the door and his bare back pressed into Murtagh's chest, sleeping soundly.

"Eragon?" she whispered, touching his tan arm.

The boy stirred and moved closer to the pale Rider, who stirred even more. Reilyn dropped down to her knees in front of the bed, eyeing Murtagh. He settled down and she risked trying to wake Eragon again. Creeping close to the boys face and moving his hair out of the way.

"Eragon?" she whispered just a little louder.

"Mmmm," he mumbled.

"Er, it's Rei. Wake up! I need to speak with you!" she hissed, shaking him carefully.

"Rei?" he grumbled groggily.

"Shhhh! Don't wake Murtagh!" she tugged on his arm, trying to get him moving.

"What's 'smatter?" he slurred, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Come back to our tent," she ordered, tugging his arm harder.

"Are you okay?" he asked, fully alert to her worry.

Reilyn didn't answer him, but scrambled back when Murtagh groaned and stirred, tightening his grip on Eragon.

"Eragon?" he mumbled, "what are you doing?"

"Back to my own tent," he faked drowsiness. "Someone'll suspect something. . . If no one's noticed already that I'm here and not there."

"Mmmm," Murtagh nodded and rolled over.

Reilyn watched as Eragon slipped from the bed, gently covering the other boy back up. Eragon pulled his shirt on and then slipped inside the cloak with her, putting an arm around her waist.

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"God! You're freezing!" Eragon hissed when he pulled the cloak closed around them. He moved so he was behind Reilyn, wrapping his arms around her middle, and felt her snuggle into him.

They snuck out of the tent in sync and quickly crept back to their own. Once there, Eragon shut the tent flap and whispered to Reilyn.

"What's wrong? You sounded so terrified! And why are you so cold, Rei! You're sweating like crazy! Is your shoulder infected?"

"I don't know why I'm so cold," she whispered, "maybe my. . .dream."

"Dream?"

"Er, I had a dream or something. . .we were in the Forest of Twilight, I'm sure it was that forest anyway, there was a huge battle going on and. . .I couldn't find you," she turned in the cloak to face him.

She's leaving something out, he realized. Something rather important.

"Rei, what aren't you telling me?"

"Er. . ."

"Rei, please! From how you're acting, it's not so much a dream as a vision. You need to tell me!"

"There was a man, someone from my past. He's not a good man, Er! This man is an epitome of evil," she whispered.

"And you couldn't find me?"

"No, I don't know why it scared me so much. Something about the man being there. . ."

"Hey," he nuzzled her neck, "I'll stay be your side the whole time we're in the forest, even before it. We'll never be out of each other's sights."

"Promise?" she whimpered, nuzzling back.

"I promise," he kissed her neck.

This is weird, he thought, she's never this scared, never.

"Thank you," she sighed into his skin.

"Mmmm," he murmured, "come on, let's sleep."

Reilyn nodded and allowed herself to be led to the bed. They lay close to one another, this time it was Reilyn who clung to Eragon, and fell into a deep sleep.

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"Dammit boy! Don't you ever learn?" the pale man yelled, backhanding him.

Murtagh was maybe fourteen and by now he'd been through enough of what his father could give out, to not feel the full extent of the pain.

His father grabbed him by the shirt, lifting him from the ground, and slammed Murtagh against the brick arena wall.

"You're too soft on that brat!" his father bellowed. "I told you to fight her! Now, fight her! And don't you dare hold back on her, got it?!"

Murtagh was released, and collapsed to the ground, seeing Zar'roc flung beside him.

"Pick up your blade, boy," his father growled. "Don't make me tell you again."

Murtagh sat up with a jolt, the blankets pooling in his lap. He panted and gasped, sweat running off him, and tried to clear his mind of the memory.

My god! I haven't seen her in five years, since she left. . . I barely even think about her anymore. . .

Murtagh wiped his wet hair from his eyes, still breathing heavy, and used the blankets to mop his face.

I still can't remember her name. . .or her face in complete clarity. . .

"Hey!" Dogon barked from outside the tent. "Start getting ready to leave boy!"

Murtagh winced at the last word, sharply reminded of his horrid father. He slowly got off of the bed, enjoying the sore muscles that screamed, and pulled on the walking boots with shaking hands. He was pulling on his vest when Dogon barged into the tent.

"I'm getting ready," he grumbled, fastening the belts with careful slowness.

"Good," Dogon growled. "When you're dressed get outside to be bound up and eat, we leave as soon as we can."

Murtagh nodded and decided to be a bit brave.

"How long until we reach the forest?"

"Nightfall," Dogon grumbled before leaving.

Murtagh was working on the last belt when pain ripped through him, driving him to his knees. His head screamed and his chest had a searing sensation that seemed to come from deep within.

What? Why?

Murtagh! a voice barked in his mind.

Father? How are you. . .? I'm blocked from speaking with my mind. Murtagh's whole body quivered with the pain of speaking.

You think some petty seal that some magic user placed on you is going to prevent someone with my power from speaking to you? Still a fool, I see. I can sense that this still pains you something terrible though, his father said, with joy in his voice. Joy at Murtagh's pain.

Yes, it pains me immensely! What is it you want? Hurry, I don't know how long I can keep my mouth silent.

When will you be in the Forest of Twilight?

By nightfall, hopefully.

Good! Remember your orders, boy. Take them both alive, be sure that they are separated by the time we get there. If they're together, we don't have much choice but to use more force than his Majesty is willing to allow.

Yes, Father.

We'll be there by nightfall to assist you in this task. I want you to take the girl first, we'll take Eragon.

Yes. . .

Murtagh gasped and coughed as his father left his mind. Even though the seal was thought strong, it was nothing to his father, but it still tried to do what it was made for: burning and searing his head and chest. Finally, the pain let up and Murtagh rose from the ground, still aching from the activities of the night and of the seal. Brushing himself off and trying to look unaffected, he headed out of the tent.

Shoe: Uh oh!! What is Murtagh doing?? We'll find out later...I swear!