The Return

Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon or Eldest, just Arianna and Nolan

Chapter 7: Execution

That morning, Arianna and Nolan were moved to a tall tower for their last few hours alive. He saw the look on her face, she already knew and had resigned herself to reflecting. The sun was coming out of the gray skies and the guards came and pulled them away. Murtagh followed, smirking smugly. He knew too. She was brought into a darkened room and strung up by her hands as Galbitorix entered the room holding her blade.

"I thought I might ask you again about my offer." He said.

"I'd rather die than join you." She replied.

"Then you'll die at your own blade." He said, stroking it with pride.

She smirked now and looked around, seeming to wait for something. Then a roar shook the room, leaving the king speechless. A green beast had entered the room and liberated his rider, the girl before him. She took her blade back in all the chaos. She didn't strike, she looked around, seeing her brother and Murtagh, standing by them. He had been betrayed and it felt like a blow to his strategy.

"So you planned to be caught?" He said.

"I was hoping to bargain but your trap, changed things." She replied.

"You knew? You're too smart for this, I could use you." He said.

"You still think I'll join you after what you did to me and my brother?!" She replied. "You think that I'll work for someone that gave me that scar on my back!? You're wrong."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I wasn't the one that gave you that scar." He said, pointing to Murtagh. "He gave it to you."

"Your orders. You've never known the curse that comes with it." She replied, revealing the lengthy scar. "And you will."

Her brother held her back as Murtagh easily flipped Galbitorix over, he reached for his blade and made the same cuts as his own. He stopped as someone stepped out of the darkness, a Shade. And it was a very powerful one at that. As soon as he entered, the Riders felt weak like their own magic had been drained. He inspected the king.

"What a shame, you maimed our leader." He said, his eyes on Murtagh and Arianna. "And you are maimed yourselves. Perhaps I can start with you."

A splitting pain went through scars, as though someone were cutting the riders in half. The attacks went on, as they felt organs seem to churn. There was blood that they knew but how much escaped them. Even after the minutes passed, it seemed to go on.

Arianna! Don't move, these attacks aren't going to cease!

I-I'll be okay. I-I've been through worse.

No you haven't. Just let us take care of everything.

It happened again, this time her heart raced and felt like if it beat anymore, she'd die. They would both die. She wondered now, as she saw images flash before her. Her uncle, brother, and mother. Then a man without a face, with very knowing ice cold blue eyes. Who was he? Who? Now, she felt a wet cough and someone lift her, saying that they were going to die if they stayed here.

"What can we do? We can't get them back to the Varden in time!" Someone said. "And they're already coughing up blood, that isn't good."

"Alright, I hate to do this but Codas can fly me and Ari just fine." Another voice chimed in. "If he isn't doing too bad."

The connection was revived and she heard Codas's stubborn voice along with her brother's.

I wasn't even hurt! And I can fly just fine.

Sorry, but I thought this affect you too.

Stone ears.

Anyway, let's go!