Wrath of Conviction

Krum Chick

Author's Note: Thank you all for the amazing reviews! I'm sorry for the absence of the seventh chapter of "Wrath of Conviction". School has just been hammering me down with a lot of things and there have been things at home that I had to take care of. I really appreciate all of the support and reviews you guys have given me. This is probably the best fan-fiction I have ever done. So, now that I have gotten that out of the way, please enjoy the seventh, calm chapter of "Wrath of Conviction" with Murtagh, Rain, and Samira all reunited once again!

Chapter SEVEN

The Sharpest Lives

Samira's first birthday had come and gone, and Murtagh was glad to have been sitting in that room when it happened. His body had been littered with scars, but none of them really bothered him anymore. There have not been any attacks by Galbatorix, and Murtagh was thankful that he could spent months of peace with his family.

"Dada!" Samira's childish voice called out to Murtagh.

Murtagh turned his head as he was stirring the stew that they were having for lunch. He smiled at his dark brown haired daughter crawling toward him. Rain was out in the back with Delene, washing the clothes. Murtagh tapped the side of the pot and sat the spoon down, turning on his heel and opening his arms up.

Samira squealed with delight and crawled as fast as she could toward her father. She put her little arms around her father's neck as he heaved her up in his strong arms. Murtagh smiled at his daughter that he had grown to love more than his own life.

"Hey sweetheart, what have you been doing?" Murtagh asked.

Samira giggled cutely as a response. Murtagh smirked when Thorn's words entered through his thoughts, Oh she did something. Murtagh looked up toward the window when Thorn stomped into view through the window. Thorn had grown into a good size, but was still visible through the opening. Thorn's head lowered and there was mud caked all over his face. Murtagh burst into laughter. Thorn's ruby eyes narrowed, You would not think it was so funny if she had done it to you. Murtagh's laughter settled down and he responded, Actually, I might have. You need to lighten up around children a little, Thorn. Besides, you were the one babysitting her.

Samira squealed loudly and laughed when she saw Thorn's figure in the window. Murtagh smiled and kissed Samira's forehead as he sat down in one of the chairs that were in the room. Murtagh then placed Samira against his chest and tucked his arms underneath her to support her. Samira laid her head down on her father's chest and clutched his dark brown shirt in one fist, and sticking her other thumb in her mouth. Thorn's eyes softened and Murtagh looked up at him.

What would you do, Murtagh, if she was ever put in danger? Thorn asked. Murtagh rubbed Samira's back while answering back to his companion, The same thing any species of life would do for their offspring. I would let myself die for her. She's my daughter, and a new generation of life. I cannot let that knowledge go to waste.

Dragons are not so different in that perspective. We only give our hatchlings to people we trust, and we defend them with our lives. The young hatchling is a very important symbol, and you know this. Thorn said as Murtagh frowned, knowing exactly what Thorn was talking about.

I know. She's a symbol of danger and insubordination, but she's also a symbol of mine and Rain's love. She was the reason why Galbatorix didn't want Rain and I to engage in sexual activity. He fears that my heir will assist in his downfall, but he didn't consider Eragon or Saphira in that equation. Murtagh responded.

Before Thorn could say anything else, Delene and Rain returned into the house with a basket of clothes in their arms. Rain smiled beautifully as she saw Samira already half asleep against Murtagh's chest. Murtagh smiled back at her. Delene hid her own grin as she went to put away the clothes that she had. Rain sat her basket down and went over to her lover and daughter, and bent down to kiss his lips. Murtagh returned the kiss without hesitation. After the kiss was through, Rain pulled away and stood upright.

"You are making a fine father already, my love," Rain said, walking passed Murtagh while running her fingers through his dark hair once.

She went over to the stew and checked it before taking it out from over the fire. Murtagh just smiled faintly.

"Thank you, but I have my worries," Murtagh told her.

Rain stopped and looked at him.

"What kind of worries?" she asked.

Murtagh didn't say anything for a few moments. He glanced down at Samira, then at the floor, and finally stared ahead toward the wall.

"Just the horrible realization that Galbatorix could strike to kill us at any time. Thorn brought this up just a few minutes ago. Even though I am a Dragon Rider, I am still no match against Galbatorix and Shruikan. Even you know that I cannot protect this family by my blade or magic if it is against Galbatorix himself," Murtagh said, stroking his now asleep daughter's hair delicately.

Rain frowned and sat the pot down on the table. She went over behind Murtagh and snaked her head around and kissed his cheek.

"Murtagh, you don't have to be strong to defend this family. And there is barely a chance in the world that you will have to face Galbatorix yourself. If Eragon finds out that you have turned away from Galbatorix, he may help you fight him," Rain said.

"Eragon has lost all of the trust he had in me. Galbatorix still knows my true name as well as Thorn's. He may use that knowledge against us, and we will be powerless. We turned against our oaths in the Ancient Language, and we may end up paying for it," Murtagh said, and then turned toward Rain and took her hand in his, "but Rain, just for precautions, if something happens to me, you have to promise me right here and right now that you will make sure nothing happens to the baby or yourself. My soul will never be at rest knowing that you and Samira are hurt or paying for my mistakes. There is a great chance that Thorn and I can die in the midst of battle one day. I just want to make sure that you are safe..."

Rain swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded, "I will...I promise."

Murtagh nodded and then looked into the other room, seeing Delene folding clothes. He then turned back to Rain.

"And I don't think you ever explained to me how you and Delene met," Murtagh said.

Rain looked at Delene as well and gave a smile. She then took a seat in another chair and began her story, "I was only four years old when my mother had passed away. Delene was Carvahall's healer at the time, but she retired a few years after my mother's death. She and my mother knew one another, having a very close relationship. After my mother died, Delene took me in and raised me up until I was taken by slavers while I was shopping one day, and brought to Uru'baen."

Murtagh frowned and then asked, "How did you find her again when you came back?"

"She still lived here. This is not really my home---Delene let me live here since she found out I was pregnant and the Empire was looking for me. I told her everything what had happened since she was quite a bit frightened at Thorn and the way I was acting. I was in a blind panic when I had reached here. So, she reunited with me and took care of me while I was pregnant with Samira. That's when you came and she helped heal your wounds," Rain once again explained.

"Ah, well we are very lucky to have her nonetheless," Murtagh said with a smile.

Rain nodded her head then looked down at her sleeping infant. The sound of Murtagh's heartbeat had lulled Samira to sleep. Murtagh smiled at the beautiful baby and kissed her hair. Then, a sudden yell in Murtagh's mind startled him and the baby. Samira began to wail when she was woken suddenly. Rain quickly took Samira from Murtagh as he got up and handed her quickly to Rain. Murtagh darted outside and saw that Thorn was crouched and growling toward something.

"Thorn!" Murtagh exclaimed, and then stopped beside him.

He gasped in horror when he saw four Urgals standing there, cackling evilly. Murtagh turned his head quickly toward the house and bellowed out as loud as he could, "RAIN! DELENE! THERE ARE URGALS! KEEP SAFE!"

Murtagh snapped his head back and looked at Thorn.

"Thorn, I think you know what to do!" Murtagh exclaimed.

Yes, I shall tear them apart! Thorn growled before stomping forward and engulfing one of the Urgals in his mouth, ripping him in two. Murtagh looked toward an Urgal that was coming toward him and he extended his hand, muttering a few words of the Ancient Language. A spark of red energy exploded from Murtagh's palm, barely having any effect on his stamina as the Urgal's neck snapped backward and it fell limply to the ground.

Murtagh looked toward Thorn as he tore apart a third Urgal. But then, Murtagh realized something.

Thorn! Where's the other Urgal?!

Then, that's when Murtagh heard a scream and a wailing baby's cry. He looked toward the house with horrified eyes to see that the front door was broken down and tracks of an Urgal were present.

"RAIN! SAMIRA!" Murtagh cried, darting into the house.

When he got in there, sweat trickled down his forehead and his heart was racing. But much to his relief, he saw the final Urgal laying on the ground with a butcher knife in its throat. Rain was standing up, blood a little on her dress, and Samira was being rocked by Delene. Murtagh sighed in relief and went over to Rain, hugging her tight.

"Are you alright? Did it hurt any of you?" Murtagh asked, looking Rain in the face after a few moments of embrace.

Rain shook her head, "No, I'm fine. I managed to grab the butcher knife before it could do any harm to us."

Murtagh nodded then looked over toward the window when he heard Thorn nearing. Murtagh and Thorn stared at each other right in the eye. Then, after a few moments of silence from everyone, Thorn's voice rang in his head.

It has finally happened.

Author's Note: Sorry it took me so long to put this out once again. But thank you for reading the seventh chapter. I don't know when the eighth one will be arriving since I'm going to be starting another fan fiction soon and I have something else to be working on. School will also be a factor so I don't know. Please read and review, and thank you again for your patience and reading!