Torn Between Two
Chapter 19
Eragon walked side-by-side with Reilyn, who was abnormally silent, and went over what Dogon had told them shortly before leaving.
Why does Murtagh want to know when we'll be arriving in the forest? Up until now, he's never cared.
Eragon, Dogon already told you he lied to the boy, Saphira said. We'll be there by noon or late noon. Stop worrying! the beast left him alone after giving him his "orders".
He's acting different, Eragon thought, casting a glance at Murtagh. More distant, moody. . .
The raven haired teen glared back at him, rising his lip in a snarl.
"Miss Reilyn?" a tiny voice said from the other side of the girl.
Eragon leaned forward and looked around Reilyn to see a young girl with sandy blonde hair gently tugging on the leather pant leg. He made eye contact with Reilyn and smirked, kids have always been drawn to her.
"Yes?" she said, looking down.
"Did Guard Tolan really hurt you?"
"Yes, he did," Reilyn bent down and scooped up the young child with one arm. "But I'm strong."
Eragon giggled out loud as a peal of laughter erupted from the small girl. He looked as far up the line as he could, searching for the blonde guard. He found him, up front near Lady Nasuada, and smiled at seeing the boy in chains and heavily guarded.
Too bad he won't receive judgement until we reach Alurra, Eragon thought.
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Reilyn felt her fear rise in her chest as the trees of the forest came into view. She ran a hand through her hair roughly and rubbed the back of her neck. She rolled her shoulders, working the stiffness out carefully. So far, Elli's mixtures seemed to be doing their jobs.
"Hey," Eragon whispered, wrapping his arms around her. "You going to be okay?"
"I'll be fine," she smiled, "quit worrying."
"I'm supporting too, Rei," he giggled. "We should probably get up to the front with Lady Nasuada."
Reilyn nodded and sucked in a deep breath. When Eragon went to inform Dogon and Jierden about having to be up front, she shook her hands violently, trying to rid the excess anxiety.
Can I do this? It's been thirteen years. . .
Closing her eyes, Reilyn fought her emotions down and barricaded them behind a wall. She sighed and felt some of the weight evaporate from her body. Turning, she saw Murtagh glaring at Eragon.
He's been acting strange, she thought. Meaner, offish. . .why?
As if the raven haired teen heard her thoughts, he turned his attention to her. Murtagh looked her up and down, slowly, then made eye contact and gave her an evil smirk. Reilyn glared at the boy, refusing to back down and let her hand come to rest on her sword, smirking in return.
Eragon looked up from his conversation with the guards, seeing their stare off and then Reilyn's hand on her weapon. He shot her a very disapproving look.
Don't start causing trouble, Rei! he snapped.
I'm not, Eragon! she snapped back. I will not be intimidated by him!
Rei, just start moving up front please.
Sure. . .
Reilyn gave Murtagh one last look before turning and leaving.
I've got to speak with Eragon about that boy's sudden change, she thought.
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Murtagh was enjoying this whole 'mood change' he was 'suffering'. In truth, he was only acting like he normally would, offish and mean.
I'm not all bad, he told himself as he walked behind Eragon. It's just that evil runs in the blood, you can only take so much torture from your father before it starts to rub off. Or until you've been forced to swear loyalty to an evil king.
He knew there was some good in him, that had become prevalent when he met Eragon, shortly after running away from his father and the king. That light within him had shown itself before that even. When he was a boy, the girl at the castle had been his weakness, but then, at thirteen the girl had run away.
She left me there to suffer, he thought snarling. Left me alone with the king and Father, to be trained and tortured, transformed into this
"Wipe that snarl off your face!" Jeirden ordered, slapping the back of Murtagh's head.
Murtagh glared at the guard, but did as he was told, turning his focus to the forest in front of them. He could remember being here just once before, when he was six or seven, on a raid with his father. Galbatorix had told his father that something 'promising' lived in the woods, something very valuable, very special. The only reason Murtagh had gone to that massacre was due to the fact that Father thought it proper training for future battles.
To distract himself from those horrid memories, Murtagh watched Reilyn. The graceful teen, who had stared him down earlier, was walking surrounded be laughing children. It seemed as if the young ones were trying to get her to play some sort of game, and they were having a tough time. Murtagh strained his ears to listen.
"Please! Miss Reilyn! You're the only one who can play the monster best!" a small girl begged, tugging an arm.
"Why not have Eragon do it?" Reilyn asked, looking at the smiling brunette. "I'm sure he'd enjoy it."
"But you're the best, Rei!" Murtagh heard the boy say.
"Yeah!" the children cheered together.
Murtagh watched as the red-head gave Eragon a playful glare, baring her teeth like an animal and running her tongue over the very sharp-looking canines.
"Fine," she sneered at the boy. "Run!" she told the children, faking a leap at them.
The children shrieked in play terror and scattered. Reilyn undid her sword from her belt and handed it to Eragon, then howled like an animal and tore off after the kids.
"Sometimes I swear that girl is more animal than human," Dogon chuckled, watching the girl run after the children.
"Aye," Jierden agreed. "But the brats love it."
Animal. . .That does fit her, now doesn't it? Murtagh smirked, seeing the teen drop to all fours and stalk one of the young girls.
He bit his lip lightly when he noticed that she moved just like an animal, reminding him of some exotic cat Galbatorix had as a pet. Her muscles moved sleekly under her shirt as she stalked the children one by one, pouncing on them.
We're alike in that nature, he noted, both more animal than human. Yet, we hide that so well. . .For the most part, he added, remembering how he had bit and growled at Eragon the night before.
"Reilyn!" Lady Nasuada called, making Murtagh jump. "Play time is over for now! We're coming close aren't we?"
Now, Murtagh looked at his surroundings and realized they were deep in the woods. Anger filled him as he noticed that Dogon had lied to him about arriving at nightfall.
Bastard! he cursed silently.
"Yes, Lady Nasuada!" the teen girl called, getting all the children in a group in front of her. They sulked back to their parents, heads hung low form disappointment at ending the game.