Wrath of Conviction
Krum Chick
Author's Note: Here is the fifth chapter of "Wrath of Conviction". I have received only five reviews to this story so far. It would be nice if the people who read this story would give reviews, thank you. Enjoy this chapter, because a new main character will come into play.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Trilogy, C.P. does. The only character I own is Rain and a future character that I will not yet be releasing.
Chapter Five
Where Ever You Will Go
Murtagh advanced down the hallway of the castle toward the sparring yards, Zar'roc buckled tightly to his hip. Many of the servants and nobles noticed that his step was lighter and his heart didn't seem as weighted down by his servitude. More or less, it made them all suspicious. Murtagh stepped out into the fresh air and took a giant inhale. He looked around and glanced toward the sky. It was close to evening, and this is the usual time when most of the sparring would be done and chores would be finished.
Thorn, where are you? Murtagh asked through his thoughts. He didn't get an answer, but he saw a red blur flash across the sky and swoop down to the ground, landing with a rumble next to his side. Thorn hummed contentedly and breathed a little through his nose onto his master. I'm here, young master. I'm glad to see that you are happy once again. Murtagh smiled and placed his hand on Thorn's side, feeling the vibration of his breathing before replying, Yes, I feel better now that I have been with Rain. And last night was almost perfect.
Thorn closed his eyes and seemed to bow his head. Murtagh chuckled and advanced down the pathway. He kicked a small rock around with the tip of his boot until he heard women chatting. He looked up to see that the servant women were at the laundry pool dunking tunics and other such garments into the water and scrubbing them. A smile spread across his face when he saw Rain talking with another young woman with a slight smile on her face as well. He couldn't believe servant women would have something to smile about, but Murtagh was glad that Rain finally had something to put a lovely smile back on her face again. He sighed and stood there for a moment before he grunted when Thorn used his snout to nudge him forward.
Do not get caught staring, Murtagh. That can be as dangerous as being in physical contact with her. Thorn said through his head. Murtagh's smile vanished and he nodded his head. He didn't reply to his companion, only kept walking, admiring the scenery in front of him.
The sparring yards looked almost as great as the gardens. Lush green grass swayed gently in the wind, having a sparkling appearance to it. The trees were in full bloom, and some of the flowered trees were being plucked from the branches by the breeze. The dirt underneath Murtagh's feet, however, was trampled by many footprints. Murtagh took in another inhale of fresh air before thinking how such an evil, cruel man would even think about tending to gardens as beautiful as these. Murtagh thought he would've only cared about dominating all of Alagaesia until his dying day, whenever that would be.
Please Eragon, do it soon. Murtagh thought to himself as he placed his hand on Zar'roc's sheath and pushed the gate open to the sparring arena. Men were already in there, but it wasn't crowded like it sometimes would be. Some of them looked to see him, glared, and went back to sparring and training. Murtagh didn't mind it. None of them really liked him ever since he came to Uru'baen as a slave dragon rider. Thorn sat outside of the gates and laid down, watching Murtagh with his steely gaze.
Murtagh stood there for a while, fingering the hilt of his sword. His heart jumped when a soldier came up to him with a cocky smirk on his face.
"My lord Murtagh, would you be obliged to carry on a sparring match with me?" the soldier asked.
Murtagh cocked an eyebrow and sighed inwardly before nodding his head, "I accept."
As Murtagh walked with the soldier to a spot in the arena to carry out the match, his instincts told him that something wasn't right. The soldier's look was all too cocky and all-knowing. Murtagh glared slightly from the corner of his eye before facing the soldier. He grasped his sword and drew it at the same time as the soldier. Murtagh took a feinting step forward and caused the soldier to make a move. Murtagh blocked it with an over the shoulder block and pivoted to face the soldier directly in the face. The soldier grinned.
"I know what you and your servant bitch did last night, my lord," the soldier hissed.
Murtagh's eyes widened and the pressure he was putting on the soldier's sword weakened, causing the man to push him down to the ground. Oh my God, how did he know!
"Tell me, how did you find out?" Murtagh asked as he scrambled to his feet and pointed Zar'roc toward him.
The soldier's grin didn't fade from before. He spun the hand-and-a-half sword and raked it down the side of Zar'roc and pointed it toward Murtagh's throat.
"Because you left your window open when I was on duty," the soldier said.
Oh shit. Little mistakes like that will get me killed!
Murtagh gritted his teeth and asked, "Who have you told?"
"That's for me to know and for you to find out, isn't it?"
"Bastard," Murtagh said, his rage building up in the pit of his stomach as he struck the soldier hard, making his body tremble with the force.
Murtagh hit him with the fiercest moves he knew, catching him off guard in a few moves. Thorn realized that Murtagh was mad just by the brain waves that he was sensing from his master. He watched intently, waiting for something to happen. Murtagh jabbed at the soldier's leg, cutting it deeply. The soldier cried out and stumbled back, blood gushing from his leg. Murtagh then slashed at his chest, causing the soldier to fall back. He placed his hand on the bottom of the hilt, his palm facing forward, and put his other hand to grip the sword as he pointed the sword right at the soldier's throat, murder flaring in his eyes. Thorn roared and stomped into the arena.
MURTAGH! What are you doing! Thorn shouted in Murtagh's mind. Murtagh's breathing came in fast wheezes as his muscles tensed, readying himself to plunge the sword into the soldier's throat. The look in the soldier's eyes was pleading; he didn't want to die. HE KNOWS! He found out what Rain and I have done! I cannot allow him to live with that information! Murtagh exclaimed in a panic, his body shaking with anger and fear. If you kill him, it would only raise the suspicions. Just let him go, he will not tell anyone now with his life at stake at your hands and my jaws.
Murtagh hesitated before removing the sword tip from the soldier's throat. The soldier backed away frantically, clutching onto his bleeding leg. Murtagh looked up, sweat dripping from his brow and down his nose. The soldiers were sparring before were looking at him, whispering things that he could not interpret. Murtagh's nostrils flared and he gritted his teeth before sheathing Zar'roc in a forceful manner. He glanced up at the sun, seeing that the sky was beginning to turn a pinkish color.
It is turning into nightfall, and the servant ladies should be done with the laundry by now. I just hope that the news hasn't reached the king's ears. I must get Rain out of here before any harm befalls her. Murtagh thought in his head.
He grasped Zar'roc's sheath and ran like a bat out of hell out of the sparring arena. He passed the laundry pool to see that the women had gone back into the castle. Thorn had not followed him, nor had his thoughts. Murtagh brushed passed the guards and ran frantically toward the servant quarters. The hallways were now only dimly lit by the torchlight. Murtagh's stomach seized when he neared the door to the large quarters. He jerked the door open and saw the young women screamed with surprise.
"Where is Lady Rain?" Murtagh asked frantically.
One of the young women looked at Murtagh and replied, "Lord Murtagh...she...she went up to your room to place your laundry away and bring your dinner..."
"Damn it!" Murtagh cursed before slamming the door and running back up the hallway and toward the tower where his room was located.
When he reached his door, it flung open, sweat now pouring from his brow and dripping from his face. His hands were shaking in fright and he knew what was going to happen if Galbatorix had found out what they had done. Rain gasped loudly when Murtagh opened the door with widened eyes.
"Murtagh! What's wrong, why are you shaking?" Rain asked as Murtagh made his way toward her, taking her shoulders in his tightening grip.
"Rain, I must get you out of here. Soldiers have found out what we have done. If Galbatorix finds out, he will sentence you to death in front of my eyes, and I cannot bare the sight. I'll tell Thorn to fly you somewhere safe," Murtagh rambled, panic written all over his face.
Rain's eyes were wide with fear and she gasped when Murtagh told her what he had found out. She was about to open her mouth to say something until the door to the room was being pounded on loudly. Murtagh's breath whooshed out as his breathing quickened at the sound. He went over to it, taking the lock and shutting it firmly down over the door.
THORN! COME TO MY WINDOW, NOW! Murtagh screamed madly in his thoughts.
Rain had no idea what was going on. Her mind was too full of surprise to even figure out what the idea was. A few seconds later, a loud beating noise came from outside of the window and Thorn's massive red form floated in front of the large window. Rain went to the window and opened it, and Thorn's claws dug into the side of the stone.
Murtagh ,what is it? Thorn asked, making a growling sound. Murtagh looked toward his dragon with frightened eyes. You must take Rain from Uru'baen and flee far away from here! Don't let her be found! I will come and find you as soon as I escape! I don't want anything to happen to her! Please do this for me, my friend!
The door was suddenly being rammed hard and voices were shouting outside of the door. Murtagh bounced back, knowing that the lock wouldn't hold much longer.
"Murtagh, unlock this door immediately! You are subject to see the king for insubordination!" a man's voice came from behind the door.
Murtagh looked at Rain and Thorn. Rain's eyes were filled with fear and her body trembled. Murtagh walked toward her and embraced her tightly while she did the same.
"Rain, you must leave with Thorn. You will be free from here and he will take you where Galbatorix will never find you," Murtagh whispered in her ear.
Rain's eyes widened and she shoved herself away from him.
"But what about you!" she cried.
"I have to stay here to make sure you get away safely. I will find you. I made a promise to you. I'll go where ever you will go...even if will take me years to get to you..." Murtagh told her, stroking her cheek with his hand.
Tears spilled down Rain's face and she shook her head as she grasped his hand in both of hers. The pounding became louder and Murtagh looked up at Thorn. Thorn's eyes burrowed into Murtagh's, knowing that this was his master's wishes, but did not want to leave him behind.
If you die, I die with you, Murtagh, you of all people should know this. Thorn said. I know, my friend. But I'm going to survive for you and Rain. If I do die, please...make this my final request to you. Take Rain someplace safe...don't let Galbatorix find her. Please.
Thorn didn't move or speak for a long time before closing his eyes and bowing his head once more. I will do as you say, young master. Murtagh nodded his head toward Thorn and looked at Rain. He walked her toward Thorn and looked into her green eyes.
Rain shook her head frantically and hugged him.
"No, no don't let yourself be captured. Don't give yourself up for me," Rain pleaded.
Rejecting his heart, he grasped her by the arms and jerked her away from his body. Rain's face was covered by tears, making the light in his room reflect off of them. Murtagh kissed her passionately, thinking it would be the last time he would kiss those tender lips. Rain kissed him back, hoping that he wouldn't stop, but it did.
"You must go now. Don't look back. Please," Murtagh said as he picked her up in his arms and made her get out of the window and onto Thorn's saddle.
Thorn looked at Rain on his back then to his master, waiting for what he'd do. Murtagh was about to say something else until the lock popped off of his door and it flung open. Soldiers with swords and bows came in through the door. The archers notched arrows and the swordsmen came toward him. Murtagh grit his teeth and drew Zar'roc, blocking the swords.
"THORN, GO!" Murtagh screamed at the top of his lungs.
"MURTAGH!" Rain screamed as Thorn took flight and soared toward the north.
Rain sobbed and clung onto Thorn tightly. Her eyes closed and she bent down low. She opened her eyes briefly to see that she could still see Murtagh fighting off the swordsmen. But then, she gasped in fright when she saw him jerk back, falling against the window pane with an arrow protruding from his chest. Soon, Thorn disappeared high into the sky, being covered by the night sky as it befell the land of Alagaesia...
Blackness covered the sky as the guards took the captured Murtagh, his arrow wound and gashes bleeding freely. He struggled against the steel grip of the soldiers that had a hold of his arms. They transported him down the hallway, passing up nobles and other guards who grinned in delight at the young man being escorted to the King's chambers. Servant women whimpered in fright and clung to each other or the wall as they passed. Murtagh looked up passed his damp brown locks to see the black doors of the King's chambers entering his sight. His throat tightened and his stomach seized as the door opened, and the dragon wing throne came into appearance, the large map of Alagaesia printed on the wall behind it, and King Galbatorix himself sitting on the in front of them both. Galbatorix's gaze locked onto Murtagh's as the soldiers forced Murtagh down on his knees and kicked him in the side. Murtagh sucked in air as his teeth gritted. He let out a grunting noise and lowered his head. He tried to move his hands but they were bound behind his back. He panted hard and he looked up at the king.
Galbatorix sat there for a while before rising from his throne and walking down to stand a few feet from Murtagh.
"You disobeyed me," Galbatorix said, his voice vibrating off of the walls of the room.
Murtagh didn't say anything. He let his gaze travel to the floor, his breathing coming in wheezes. He heard Galbatorix's footsteps draw near and the grip the soldiers had on his shoulders and arms tightened, causing Murtagh to groan.
"You disobeyed an order," Galbatorix started, causing Murtagh's breathing to quicken, "you had sexual relations with a servant girl. You let yourself fall in petty love for her. After you did that, you resisted capture and helped Thorn and the servant girl get away. Thanks to you, we will burn down as many towns as I can to find her as well as your brother...Eragon, and his damned dragon, Saphira," Galbatorix said, his voice growing angrier by the second.
Murtagh's dark eyes went up, locking with Galbatorix's angry stare. Murtagh met his with the same expression.
"Thorn won't allow you to kill her, and Eragon will destroy you and everything you've ever done to send this country into a spiral of pain and darkness!" Murtagh yelled.
"Back away!" Galbatorix bellowed.
The soldiers backed up frantically from Murtagh who tried to get up and lunge at Galbatorix, but Galbatorix spoke words of the Ancient Language and a spell erupted from his palm, hitting Murtagh in the chest. Murtagh cried out in agony as he was sent backwards onto his back a few feet away from where he originally was. He opened his eyes, tears stinging at his eyes. He looked down to see that his chest was rising with smoke. He grit his teeth in agony and screamed again as Galbatorix's heel pressed down onto his throbbing wound.
"I will make sure that until the day you die, young heir of my friend, you will experience a world of pain and torture," Galbatorix said. The king looked up and gazed toward his soldiers before saying, "Make sure you give him the most grueling tortures you know every day. Twice a day; a few hours in the morning and a few hours at night."
The soldiers bowed and then went over toward Murtagh, grasping him by the arms and dragging him from the chambers and toward the dungeons. They opened a steel door and threw him inside before kicking Murtagh to make him stay down. They stripped him of his weapons and left. One soldier stood outside of the open door and looked at Murtagh's shaking form.
"Your torture will start tomorrow, traitor," the soldier said before slamming the steel door and locking it firmly.
Murtagh's breath came out in a puff of cold smoke. The cold night air was freezing since it was nearing winter. Murtagh's bare skin began to turn red from the nipping cold. His shirt was stripped from him when they captured him. He realized that he was going to fall unconscious if he didn't tie off his arrow wound soon. He crawled shakily toward the cot in the corner of the room and climbed onto it. The only blanket that was on there was ratty and barely warm. He tore the top part of it and wrapped it around his shoulder to stop the bleeding.
Thorn... Murtagh tried to call for him, but no answer came. He could feel a block in his mind that wasn't there before. He sighed, knowing that Galbatorix had blocked all contact from Thorn. Murtagh fell over and his head hit the pillow. He wrapped what was left of the blanket on the cot around his body to try and warm himself up, but it didn't help. He just prayed to God that Rain and Thorn were alright...
A little over nine months passed since that day, and Murtagh was still locked inside of Galbatorix's castle, thankfully, alive, but he didn't enjoy his existence. He was locked inside of Uru'baen, still in Galbatorix's castle. He wasn't in his dungeon cell right now, no, he was inside of the torture chamber late at night.
Murtagh was on his knees, his wrists bound by ropes which where attached to hooks on the wall, causing his arms to be spread out beside him in the air, exposing his bare back. His body was covered in thick sweat and blood caked on from the days before. Scars littered his body and newly opened wounds were scabbing over. Murtagh's eyes were clamped shut, his teeth biting down hard on a piece of thick leather as he waited for more pain to come. He gave out a whimper as he heard the whip being brought back. A loud crack was heard and Murtagh bit down hard on the leather and screamed out in agony. He could feel a chunk of his skin being ripped from him. Hot tears streamed down his face and his body shook with blood loss and pain.
Almost at the same time, in the outskirts of Carvahall, Thorn was settled in the back of a stick built cottage as he heard pained moans coming from inside of the cottage. A dimly lit candle illuminated the room and Thorn could see an older woman comforting Rain who was tucked into bed. His red eyes gazed down from her face and lower, where a large lump was present from underneath the sheets. He was startled months prior that Murtagh had impregnated the young woman with his heir. It was unexpected, and neither of them could've foreseen it. Thorn only hoped that his master was alright and would escape soon. He didn't know how much longer he could withstand waiting for the arrival of Murtagh.
Rain had been in labor for over eight hours, and she could feel the baby beginning to move down the birth canal. The midwife that she had known from her childhood had seen her when she made it back to Carvahall, alone with a dragon of unknown origin. Rain explained to her what had happened and how she escaped. Rain didn't expect to be baring the child of an heir to one of the most feared Dragon Riders of the ancient times.
Rain cried out in pain as sweat dripped down her face from a strong contraction. The midwife came over and placed a cool, damp rag upon her head. Rain had her legs spread and a blanket was covering her stomach and chest, but had her legs bared so the midwife could check the baby.
"Oh God, Delene, I don't know how much longer I can take this," Rain gasped out as the contraction subsided and her head fell limp into the pillows.
"Shush, young one, your child will arrive soon, but you must rest until it is time to deliver," Delene said.
"I want...I want Murtagh, Delene, I miss him so much, I want him to be here for my baby," Rain pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
Thorn heard what she had said and he looked down toward the grass that was being shrouded by the darkness of the sky. He laid his head down, thinking about his Rider. He could only lay and listen to the cries and moans of the young, grieving mother. He felt as helpless as ever, unable to do anything. Thorn made a decision that he would protect Murtagh's offspring, because he knew that it was the closest thing he had now to Murtagh until he returned. His companion was still trapped inside Uru'baen's walls, most likely being tortured. His eyes diverted when a loud scream was heard from Rain, followed by a sob.
"Rain, it's time for the baby to come. Bear down and push, my girl," Delene said as she tried to comfort Rain as she was down by her stomach, ready to catch the baby.
Rain grit her teeth and pushed, her face beginning to turn red and tears streamed down her face. She screamed in pain as she felt her baby move down and begin to crown. Nearly an hour had passed before the baby arrived. Thorn was half asleep until he heard the loud screaming of a newborn. His head perked up and he looked in through the window. Rain was laid back against the pillows, her chest heaving with gasps as her legs were still spread. A newborn lay in a blanket at the foot of the bed while having its umbilical cord cut with a pair of scissors. Thorn's expression softened and looked down at the child with dark brown hair.
"It is a girl, Rain..." Delene announced.
"Samira...I want her to be named Samira," Rain said, looking toward the midwife and Rain's newborn baby.
The baby squealed and cried in the blanket, still pink from birth. Thorn slithered his head into the room, making the midwife stiffen. Thorn hovered over the child and blinked at her. Samira stopped crying suddenly, and her eyes opened. Thorn hummed with delight when he found that her eyes were a dark brown. She was just like her father...just like Murtagh, a Dragon Rider. Thorn lowered his nose down upon the baby and his tongue slid out from between his teeth, and he licked the brow of the infant. Samira squealed and curled up more into the blanket. A marking upon the baby's brow shown visibly and slowly faded. The midwife got up and placed the infant in her mother's arms and Rain looked at her baby. She then looked up at Thorn and smiled.
"You gave her a blessing...didn't you?" Rain asked Thorn.
Thorn hummed and bowed his head, meaning a yes since he couldn't communicate mentally with her. Rain smiled a little more and nodded her head.
"Thank you...I know you miss Murtagh too, don't you?" she asked him.
Thorn looked at Rain sadly then retracted his head from the window. He sat outside of the cottage, looking out for any predators. He stared up toward the sky for a moment.
I wish you and I could soar the skies again one day, Murtagh. I bet your child would love to see that as well.
Author's Note: WOW! That took forever to write! I hope you guys enjoyed it because I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Well, yes, Murtagh and Rain had a baby, and it's a girl. Please review this chapter, because I worked for two hours straight with no internet to post this right away. I hope you guys liked this, because more action and romance will be coming your way!