Chapter 6: Enter the Varden.
His mind was in shock, he was truly speechless because no words could honestly portray his disbelief.
He heard Saphira barge from the woods, her tail raised and fangs bear threateningly.
'Be ready for anything' she warned 'He may be able to use magic.'
But that wasn't what was on Eragon's mind. The disgust as Murtagh had held Zar'roc, at their very first meeting where he was conscious occupied his thoughts. It hadn't been reverence for his father blade, nor even longing for his heirloom, it had been pure disgust at the sword.
He could feel the blade almost burn his side. And his hand gripped around its hilt.
Unfortunately he didn't realise how this act would look and combined with Saphira's ferocity it hurt Murtagh.
"I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS!" he screamed at them, his face twisted in agony, tears beginning to well up in his eyes. He frantically ripped at his own clothes, pulling off his tunic to expose his bare torso "Look!" he pleaded, desperately.
Eragon's eye cut through the night, and he saw, with ease, the knotted white scar that ran across Murtagh's tanned and muscular back, running from his right shoulder down to his left hip.
"See that?" he demanded "I was only three when I got it" he said frantically "During one of his many drunken rages, Morzan threw his sword at me as I ran by. My back was laid open by the very sword you now carry, the only thing I expected to receive as inheritance, until Brom stole it from my father's corpse."
He laughed humourlessly "I was lucky I suppose, there was healer nearby who kept me from dying. You must understand, I don't love the empire of the king. I have no allegiance to them, nor do I mean you harm?" his pleas were frantic now.
Eragon lifted his hand from Zar'roc's pommel "Then you father was killed by..."
"Brom, yes" he sniffed and pulled his tunic back on with a detached air.
A horn rang out behind them, and Eragon shouted over to Murtagh "Come on" Murtagh pulled on the horse's reigns and forced them into a tire trot, Arya bounced limply in Snowfire's saddle.
'Saphira go to the riverbed' he said after she was forced to smash through a dense web of branches.
'I'll not leave you with him.'
Eragon almost sighed 'If he wanted to hurt either of us he would have so by now, god knows he's had enough chances. If he wanted to turn us into the empire he would have just left us in Gilead. And if he wanted the location of the Varden why would he still be here, we've already given it to him, along with how to open it.'
Saphira just growled but remained.
He examined Murtagh's strained face, it was tight with emotion.
'Morzan's son!'Eragon thought to himself, but then pressed his thoughts into the now.
"I meant what I said" he said between strides "I won't judge you."
Murtagh nearly stopped at his words, but kept moving, his face now controlled, and Eragon wasn't sure whether he was trying to hide happiness or anger, after all Eragon sort of already had judged him and Saphira definitely had.
'Saphira, I want you to keep close eye on him when we reach the Varden. I don't want him killed and I can't keep my eyes on him at all times. Please?'
There was a moment pause before her answer 'I will, I promise.'
'Thank you.'
He felt something warn drip down his neck, only now did he learn that he had cut his neck on a branch.
He didn't glance back as Urgal horns sounded again, knowing it would only slow him down, then again they were barely audible above the roar of the waterfall as it pounded into the lake.
The forest ended, quite abruptly, and they pulled to a stop. They were on a pebble beach directly to the left of the mouth of the Beartooth River, the deep lake Kostha-Merna filled the valley blocking their way.
Two thin strips of shore on either side of the lake, both no more than a few steps wide, were the only path forwards.
"Do we go to the falls" asked Murtagh tightly.
"Yeah" said Eragon glancing behind him "Come on!"
He took the lead now, picking his way along the slimy and slippery shoreline, there wasn't enough room for Saphira between the sheer valley wall and the lake and she was forced to walk with two feet in the water.
"Urgals!" they were halfway across when Murtagh's warning rang in Eragon's ears and e glanced back, one the shore of Kostha-Merna, where they had stood only minute before, were the large figures of the Kull.
The massed before the lake, one gestured toward Saphira, a few guttural words drifted across the lake.
Immediately the horde split, and started around both sides of the lake, leaving no escape route. The narrows shores were forcing the Kull to walk single file however, and that was a bonus.
"Run!" barked Murtagh, slapping the horses on their flanks and forcing them forwards. Eragon stepped into the water letting them pass by keeping his gaze on the Kull.
Saphira took off and wheeled around to face the Urgals 'Stay safe!' he roared into her mind, turning to rejoin Murtagh and horses.
Zar'roc was draw from its sheath, the red lade glinting in the faint light.
Saphira dived at the Urgals, teeth bared menacingly, they tried to escape but the cliff prevented much movement and one Kull was caught between her teeth, it was lobbed into the lake seconds later missing an arm and a leg.
The Urgals continued, and Saphira dived at them again, a cloud of black arrows was fired towards her, she twisted and rolled around some, other bounced off of her scales but the rest pierced her wings.
Eragon could feel the pain twinge in his arms as the arrows struck and it took considerable effort not to rush to her defence.
The line of Urgals were closing in, and though he and Murtagh tried to run faster the rocks were too slippery and their muscles too tired.
With an almighty splash Saphira dived into the Kostha-Merna, she submerged herself completely, sending ripples across the lake, The Urgals nervously eyed the water lapping at their feet, one growled something indecipherable and jabbed his spear the water.
The water exploded as Saphira's heads shot from out of the depths, her jaws clamped around the spear breaking it like a tight as she tore it out of the Kulls hand with a vigorous twist.
But before she could seize the Urgal himself his companions thrust at her with their spears, bloodying her nose.
She jerked back with a hissed, beating the water with her tail, keeping his spear pointed at her he lead Kull tired to edge round her, but was forced to halt when she snapped at his legs.
The line of Urgals was forced to a halt as she held the lead at bay, on the other side however they still hurried towards the falls.
'I've trapped them' she told Eragon tersely 'but hurry I cannot hold them long' on the other side of the lake archer were already aiming.
They rushed forwards, a loose stone gave way under his boot and he pitched forwards, but Murtagh's arm held hum on his feet, and clasping each other's forearms they urged the horse's forwards with shouts.
The avalanche like noise was overwhelming as the closed in the on the waterfall. A white wall of water gushed down the cliff pounding the rocks below with a fury that sent mist spraying through the air, it then hit their faces and dripped down.
Four yards from that thunderous curtain the beach widened giving them enough room to move.
A Kull spear graze Saphira's haunch and she dived underneath the water in retreat.
The Kull advanced now with long strides.
"What do we do now?" asked Murtagh coldly keeping his gaze on the Kull.
"Let me think!" he shouted searching the memories for her final instructions, he reached down and grabbed a rock the size of an apple and cried "Ai Varden abr du Shur'turgal gata vanta!"
Nothing happened.
He tried again, pounding the rock all the harder, but all that was achieved was it shattering in his palm.
"Well what..." Murtagh's words were cut off as a dousing of icy water covered them as Saphira leapt from the water, landing on the beach and crouched, ready to fight.
Eragon calmed the horses with his mind before they tried to bolt.
'They're coming' called Saphira drawing his attention back to the Kull.
Up close they were like small giants, thick arms and legs and far taller than either him or Murtagh, in fact they were nearly as tall as Saphira.
The hand and a half sword of Murtagh was thrown with incredible speed, it rotated once then stabbed straight through the lead Kull.
It fell with a strangled cry.
"Jierda theirra kalfis" he called, twenty Urgals fell into Kostha-Merna, giving Murtagh chance to retrieve his blade, which he took ripping the sword from the chest of the beast.
Without missing a beat the Urgals advanced over their fallen comrades. A hail of arrows, invisible in the darkness, clattered against the cliff behind the two.
Eragon and Murtagh ducked, and Saphira threw herself in front of the arrows, letting her hardened scales locked the arrows.
"What now?" cried Murtagh "We can't stay here?"
Nothing had happened with the cliff, there was no opening, it hadn't moved, nothing.
"I don't know" Eragon shouted back over the roar of the waterfall "This is where we're supposed to be."
"Why don't you ask the elf to make sure?" Murtagh sheathed his blade and grabbed his bow from Tornac's saddle bags, he loosed and arrow from between the spikes on Saphira's back, a second later an Urgal fell into Kostha-Merna.
"Now? She's barely alive! How's she going to find the energy to say something? Thrysta!" an Urgal was tossed backwards knocking over several of his comrades, the force had been enough to break all f his ribs and most likely puncture his lungs as he didn't get back up.
The Urgal just pushed him off and stood continuing the march.
"I don't know, but you better think of something because we can't hold of an army" Murtagh shot another arrow into the horde.
Focusing his mind Eragon thought.
'Eragon' growled Saphira urgently.
'I realise' said Eragon testily, having already come to that annoying revelation "We're on the wrong side!"
"What?" shouted Murtagh turning to Eragon.
"The entrance is on the other side, we need to go through the waterfall" he cried, then with a cried word, he let lose a blast of magic thrusting another Urgal backwards.
Murtagh's eyes shot to the violent thunderous water that blocked them from their goal "We'll never get the horses through there, even if we managed to hold our own footing. And what about the elf?"
"I'll convince the horses to follow and Saphira can take Arya."
Murtagh shrugged and glanced again to the falls "Better than being hacked to death" he deftly cut Arya from Snowfire's saddle and Eragon caught her before she hit the ground.
"On the count of three then" said Eragon as Saphira crouched up slightly.
Murtagh nodded "One"
"Three!" roared Eragon cutting their count short and with a cry of 'Thrysta' he pushed a few more Urgals back giving them more time, they strapped Arya into the saddle, the second they were finished Saphira took off and headed to the other side of the lake.
Forcing the horses on with thoughts of being eaten if they didn't pass through the falls they snorted and charged into the water. Murtagh followed soon after jumping in and bobbing up a few seconds later.
The Urgals were close now, but Eragon spared them no glance as he forced himself forwards, charging into the falls.
He was pressed under by the weight of the falls, his feet touched the rocks at the bottom and he thrust himself up. He took one gulp of air before being forced under again.
He kept moving forwards but soon a strong hand grabbed at the back of his tunic and dragged him through the water with quick stout movements. Eragon hoped to the gods it was Murtagh.
They finally emerged from the water onto a pebble beach, he looked around and noticed that the Urgals were now being harassed by arrows from the crevasses that pockmarked the cliff, and rows of warriors had appeared where the lakes met the mountains sides, they prevented the Urgals from moving from their exposed position.
Eragon took a few reviving breaths
A gruff voice right next to him muttered "Akh Gunteraz dorzada! What were they thinking! You would have drowned!" it was not Murtagh stood next to Eragon but a diminutive man no taller than his elbow.
'Clearly he wasn't watching, I was moving at a perfectly reasonable pace' thought Eragon keeping his eyes on the man who was clearly a dwarf 'So now I've met humans, elves and dwarves what a varied life a dragon rider lives.'
Eragon gave the dwarf, who was busy wringing water from his braided beard, a once over glace. His chest was stocky, and he was a chainmail jacket cut off at the shoulder to reveal muscular arms. A war axe hung from a wide leather belt strapped around his waist. An ironbound ox hide cap, bearing the symbol of a hammer surrounded by twelve stars, sat firmly on his head. Even with the cap, he barely topped four feet.
He looked longingly at the fighting a said "Barzul, but I wish I could join them!"
Zar'roc had remained in his hand, having never been sheathed or let go, and he kept it there, whilst he carefully looked around from Murtagh and Saphira.
Two twelve foot thick stone doors had opened in the cliff, revealing a broad tunnel nearly thirty feet tall that burrowed its way into the mysterious depths of the mountains. A line of flameless lamps filled the passageway with a pale sapphire light that spilled out into the lake.
Saphira and Murtagh stood before said tunnel, surrounded by a grim mixture of humans and dwarves.
At Murtagh's elbow was a man with a completely bald head, dressed in purple and gold robes. He was taller than all the other humans, and he was holding a dagger to Murtagh's throat.
He reached for the magic but was stopped when the robbed man said in a sharp dangerous voice "Stop! If you use magic, I'll kill your lovely friend here, who was so kind as to mention you're a rider. Don't think I won't know if you're drawing upon it. You can't hide anything from me."
Eragon stared at him coldly, and then tried to speak.
"None of that! If you say or do anything I don't tell you to, he will die. Now, everyone inside" he backed into the tunnel, pulling Murtagh with him, a line of blood dripped down Murtagh's neck.
'Saphira, get ready to rip his head off.'
'I will little one, but we should not anger our new allies.'
'Nor should they anger us.'
She entered the tunnel herself, Eragon strutted into place next to her, nervous glances were shot to the two of them but the warriors followed, keeping their eyes upon both of them.
The dwarf walked a small ways behind him, a hand on the half of his war axe.
He followed the bald one, sticking to Saphira's side, but they walked quickly knowing Arya had to receive the antidote.
They entered a large room, big enough for Saphira to move around with ease, and stopped.
"There's an injured..." he began.
"Do not speak! It must wait until you have been tested" he shoved Murtagh over to one of the warriors, who pressed his sword against Murtagh's neck.
The bald man clasped his hands together softly "Remove your weapons and slide them over to me."
Murtagh sword was removed and dropped to the floor with a clank.
Eragon didn't move.
"Do it!"
'Eragon...' said Saphira warningly.
"No" Eragon's simple answer o the bald mans demand.
The man glared "Kill him" he gestured to Murtagh.
Eragon raised his palm as it glowed softly "Do that and I rip this entire mountain apart" Eragon warned.
The soldier hesitated.
"Enough of this!" roared the bald man, and Eragon felt it, a probe smashed into his mind.
One single memory was all that was viewed, one of his childhood, when he learned that Selena was his mother and that Garrow and Marian weren't his parents.
He smashed back with incredible force and the bald man cringed in pain. Eragon barely realised he was stood with his sword placed to the man throat.
"You are lucky you did not see any memory I hold close to my heart" said Eragon dangerous, ignoring the shouts and cries of the soldier "Else I would burn your mind and destroy everything you had."
Silence echoed throughout the chamber.
"Now this whole testing business can wait. Unless you are blind as well as bald you will notice the elf on my dragons back. Go on look" he gave them man the freedom to turn his head but little more "She was imprisoned in Gilead, and poisoned, she needs Tunivors nectar, see it done."
"He is right Ergaz Carn, Ajihad and the king would have our heads if she were allowed to die" said the dwarf, his axe was in his hands, but he didn't look like he was going to use it.
The man scowled, then he relaxed and said smoothly and calmly, like he wasn't being held at sword point "Of course, Orik, we wouldn't want that to happen. Remove her from the dragon" he said being very careful not to move too much.
Two humans approached Saphira with their swords sheathed, but they were hesitant.
"Now if you please" said Eragon fixing them with a glare.
They sped up after that and unstrapped Arya from the saddle "It's the dragon egg courier, Arya!"
The man turned his gaze to Eragon "Could you explain?" he said politely.
"I will once they take her for healing, Tunivors nectar, don't forget it" he warned the two.
"Very well. Take her to the healers, and tell them what she needs. Guard her until the ceremony is completed. I will have new orders for you then" the guards looked from Eragon and to the bald man carefully, then nodded curtly and carried Arya out of the room.
The man then fixed Eragon with a questioning stare, asking him 'What now?' with is eyes.
"Now from what I gather this test of yours is examining my memories, but you see I will let no man into my mind, if you try again I will rip every memory from your mind. And that is you only warning."
He looked worried now, he had felt Eragon's mental power when Eragon easily smacked aside his probe, that was little more than a poke with a twig when compared with Eragon's hammer like blow.
"No one may enter Farthen Dur without being tested" he said simply "We cannot take the chance the empire spies will enter this place and therefore none who have not been tested may enter."
"Then we reach a stalemate, I am unwilling to be tested and I cannot enter without being tested. But we are only here to deliver Arya to you, we will leave now."
"No" said the man sharply, then he calmed down "I'm afraid we cannot allow you to leave. You have seen the entrance, you led a band of Urgals to it. Whilst you have this knowledge we cannot allow you to leave."
"Then once again we reach a stalemate, but you should know that even trying to kill us will not end happily for you, it might be a struggled but I reckon we could rip this mountain down, what do you think Saphira?"
Saphira roared in affirmative.
Everyone flinched.
"Anyway, we can consider that later, for now let's focus more on the diplomacy of our meeting."
"The diplomacy?" said the bald man cocking a nonexistent eyebrow.
"Yes, it has occurred to me that this is hardly a diplomatic meeting, so how about we come to an agreement, let Murtagh go and let him take his sword, then I let you go. Agreeable?"
Silence met his statement.
"Alternatively I can kill the soldier holding Murtagh and cut open your neck. Which would you prefer?" he smiled at them.
"How can we trust you, you could simply get your comrade and then keep me under your blade."
Eragon laughed "Whether my sword is placed against your throat or not you are always under my blade, but I am a man of my word" he let his crimson eyes meet the bald mans own "Whether I speak in this language or in the ancient language."
The man's eyes narrowed "Then give me your word."
"Clever man" complimented Eragon "You have my word" 'Not that my pride cannot bear to break my word so you better hurry up' he thought but didn't vocalise.
"Alright, let him go, and let him take his sword."
"Sir I..."
"Do it!" muttered Orik angrily.
Murtagh was let free, he pressed a hand to his neck.
"Take your sword Murtagh" ordered Eragon "Then get over to Saphira."
Murtagh followed his instructions and after grabbing his long hand and a half sword, ran over to stand by the dragon.
"Thank you" said Eragon seriously, letting the man go.
He stumbled backwards but soon regained balance.
"Now I believe I have a way to solve our argument. Brom was my mentor" shocked registered in the man's face "He sent a ring, using a messenger provided by Jeod, one of your suppliers, I believe" the man nodded hesitantly "Good, now he sent it, presumably to your leader, tell him that."
The bald man nodded, quickly "Very well, I will speak with him, but until then you will remain here."
"Agreed" said Eragon, turning his back on the man, but words of the ancient language were on the tip of his tongue, just in case.
But no attack came and he soon stood next to Saphira without any problems.
The man was much more hostile now he had been let go and Eragon could see the anger building just beneath his controlled face.
It was just a matter of time before some poor sod received a shouting at.
"I'll see some food brought" said Orik, fingering his axe and looking from Eragon to Saphira and finally to Murtagh.
"Thanks" said Eragon casually.
He nodded then headed out of the room, the door was bolted behind him, but Eragon could hear the bald man start shouting at Orik.
Murtagh sank to floor as they left, holding his sleeve to his neck, to stop the bleeding.
"Here" Eragon held out his palm, showing the faint glow to Murtagh, who thanked him and exposed his neck "Weise hell."
The small cut was easy to heal, and soon faded.
Murtagh rubbed the area the cut had been "That really itches."
"Deal with it" said Eragon playfully.
Murtagh just laughed, then a frown came to his face "Thanks for that, by the way."
"It's fine, you'd do the same for me."
Murtagh nodded weakly, and he started to say something, but closed his mouth then opened it again "Did you mean it? When you said you won't judge me."
Eragon frowned a few moments, thinking it over, drawing out Murtagh stress "You haven't changed Murtagh, only my perception of you."
He blinked at the wise statement.
"I can't honestly say that I won't ever judge you for it, but I will do my best not to, admittedly it affects how I think of you, how I perceive your actions, but you're still Murtagh."
He sighed in relief "Thank you."
"You're wel..." a warm liquid dripped onto his hand, it had fallen from Saphira's wing 'Sorry I forgot you were injured' he said examining the wing carefully.
'Be careful, it's easy to makes mistakes when you're tired' her own tiredness echoed through their connection, and she was right exhaustion had finally caught up with him, the long sleepless night had finally grasped him and he was utterly exhausted.
Murtagh watched as he carefully healed each hole in Saphira's wings, and those wounds on her nose, thankfully they were all easy to heal.
When he finally finished he slumped down against Saphira's side "I hope they bring food soon" said Murtagh.
Eragon grunted too exhausted to be hungry, he felt Zar'roc's weight against his waist "Why are you here?"
"What?"
"If you are Morzan's son, Galbatorix would hardly let you wander around freely. How is it you managed to find the Ra'zac by yourself? Why is it I never heard of any stories of the Forsworn having children? And why are you here?" his voice was calm, his crimson eyes searching.
Murtagh ran a hand over his face "It's a long story."
"We're not going anywhere" rebutted Eragon.
"It's late..." he stared into those crimson eyes, and knew that Eragon wouldn't give up.
He wrapped an arm round his legs and rested his head on his knees, rocking back and forth slightly "It's not a..." he stared, then interrupted him "I don't want to stop... so make yourself comfortable. My story will take a while" Eragon didn't even shift from his lounging position with both arms draped across the gently limply and his head propped up against Saphira's belly.
"As far as I know... I am the only child" he paused here "Of the Thirteen Servant, or the Forsworn as they're called" and so he talked, he spoke of everything, how his mother had met Morzan in a small village, how he had charmed her and then how she fell in love with him.
He spoke of how she became pregnant, how she was taken from Galbatorix's palace and hidden until the child, Murtagh, was born. How his mother vanished after his father went on the hunt for Saphira's egg and how she returned just before news of Morzan's death reached them.
Eragon remained utterly silent and still as Murtagh spoke of how he was then raised in the castle, how Galbatorix, on his eighteenth birthday, invited him for a meal. How Murtagh was entranced by the vision the king wove before his eyes, and how Murtagh had agreed to help him.
And then when Galbatorix finally called upon him for aid, how angry he was, how he was charged to destroy Cantos were the rebels hid. How the kings ranted about how he would destroy all his enemies.
How Murtagh, and his faithful servant Tornac, fled Uru'baen, enlightened to the horror that was Galbatorix. How they fought soldiers at the gate, and how Tornac had been killed.
And then how Murtagh fled to a friend who hid him, where he listened to rumours. How whilst there word of the Ra'zac reached him and how he, remembering the kings words of reviving the Riders, decided to follows them just in case they did discover a dragon.
"And that's how I found you... I have no more secrets."
'We still don't know if he's telling the truth' warned Saphira.
'After all he's done for us, all we've been trough together, you still doubt him?'
Saphira faltered at his words 'I don't know' she growled moodily.
Murtagh was silent waiting for his assessment.
"Then why don't you join the Varden, they'll distrust you for a while, but eventually..."
"I don't want to destroy the empire" Murtagh interrupted, sighing "That's the Varden's goal. The king, I admit, is flawed, but the empire itself is sound. I don't want to cause the chaos that would emerge from destroying that!"
He took a breath "And I don't want the king knowing where am I, which would end up being inevitable if people started saying I sided with his enemies. As for them distrusting me, once I'm exposed they'll treat me like a criminal, or worse. Not only that, suspicion will fall upon you because we travelled together!"
'He's right.'
Eragon frowned "Then it's a good thing I don't care" Murtagh gaze was drawn from the floor to Eragon "You are my friend Murtagh, that won't change it doesn't matter if Morzan is you father and Galbatorix your mother" Murtagh snorted at that "You are my friend. They harm you, I kill them."
"Thanks... I..." but whatever he was going to say was cut short as the door opened a hands breadth and two bowls were pushed through the space. A loaf of bread and a hunk of raw meat followed, and then the door was shut again.
"Finally" grumbled Murtagh, going to the food. He tossed the meat to Saphira, who snapped it out of the air and swallowed it whole, then he tore the loaf in two and gave one to Eragon, picked up his bowl and retreated to a corner.
They ate silently, each deep in thought.
With a yawn Murtagh announced he was going to sleep.
"Good night" muttered Eragon, sitting against Saphira.
'You should sleep to little one.'
No more encouragement was needed and he flopped to one side, lying alongside Saphira, one of her wings extended over him like a blue tent, enveloping him in darkness.
'Good night little one' she said quietly, but Eragon was already asleep, a small smile on his face.