Chapter 14. Face to Face
Two hours after sunrise Murtagh, Xastell, the captain of the guard, and over fifty spellcasters stood in the courtyard looking up at the sky. The sun was blotted out by Shruiken's massive wings and a shadow covered the entire yard as the dragon landed blowing up dust as he set down. Galbatorix jumped off the saddle to the ground below and as he approached his servants they all bowed to him.
"You have done well Murtagh… You have all done well… Tell me what is that I can reward you with…"
Murtagh wanted to say his freedom but he knew better; this was a test. "I would like to capture Nausada alive and make her my woman…"
Galbatorix laughed; "Very well continue to serve me with distinction and you may have her… Now bring me to the dragon I wish to see her first…" Galbatorix looked at Xastell and the others; "…I will be leaving today with my prize the rest of you are dismissed."
Galbatorix followed Murtagh down to the lower levels where Thorn was waiting and Saphira was chained to the floor with the collar on her neck. She roared at Galbatorix when he entered the hold.
"At last… She is magnificient…" He said with his mind and voice. "…The mother of the dragon race and the new order of riders."
She hissed; ("Galbatorix… Come closer oath breaker… So that I may great you properly…")
Shruiken roared and snapped his massive jaws at Saphira; then he started walking around her. Shruiken was bigger than Saphira, bigger than Glaedr before he died. ("It has been one hundred years since I smelled the scent of a female of our species… Consider yourself lucky… Before he died Vrael cursed Galbatorix… that is why he has no children… no heirs… and that spell has affected me as well…")
"Shruiken… that is enough!"
Saphira noticed the exchange and Shruiken's behavior as he walked away. The dragon displayed nothing but contempt for Galbatorix. Saphira wondered how she could use it to her advantage.
Galbatorix looked at the black dragon then he followed Murtagh to the prison.
"Prep her for departure!" He yelled as he walked off.
("If you harm Eragon I will fill your body with fire…") She screamed with her mind.
Eragon felt a great fear from Saphira which could only mean that Galbatorix had arrived. He braced himself and reinforced his mind with every mental trick Oromis showed him. Then he heard the footsteps and the jingle of the keys. The door opened and Eragon took a deep breath as a six-foot tall man entered the prison. He looked Galbatorix up and down as he returned the stair.
Galbatorix smiled; "Eragon… I have been looking forward to meeting you…"
"Gal… ba… tor… ix… You are shorter than I thought…" Eragon said mustering all the strength he could to keep his voice from cracking.
Galbatorix laughed as Murtagh whispered into his ear. He looked at Murtagh, then he returned his attention to Eragon. "Son of Brom… well isn't this a turn of events."
"His sword brisinger…"
Galbatorix took the sword and examined it; "I see Rheonon hasn't lost her touch…"
He shoved Eragon down to the bed handed Murtagh the sword back and sat next to him. "I apologize about your uncle… I never gave the Razac leave to kill him… But see things from my point of view… I am trying to rebuild the Riders… and I need your help Eragon. Join me… freely and I will rebuild your village and restore your people to their home… I will make your cousin a king and give him the thrown of Palancar… of course he will have to pay a tribute to me. Isn't that the kind of future he deserves…"
"Oromis was right about you… You are twisted and I will fight you with my dying breath…"
Galbatorix's demeanor changed quickly; "I offer you friendship and you spit in my face!" He stood and struck Eragon across the face. He then kicked Eragon in the ribs and grabbed the sides of his head. "I will take what I want and learn your true name… you and Saphira will be mine forever…"
Eragon braced himself as Galbatorix's foul mind touched his. He laughed at Eragon's feeble attempt to keep him out and brushed his defenses aside like cobwebs. He examined all his memories from his childhood until now. Tearing apart his identity in an attempt to learn Eragon's true name. It was unwholesome and malevolent like running his arm across hot coals. Galbatorix paid special attention to Elva and all his memories concerning her, but something was wrong. He remembered blessing Elva in the ancient language, learning his horrible mistake and then Nausada ordering him not to remove the spell. Then there was a place in his mind Galbatorix could not reach or understand and it was hidden by his feelings for Arya. It was behind this wall of love he felt safe as if everything was alright and Eragon wondered where it had come from. Many hours passed before Galbatorix removed his mind from Eragon's he stared at him for a few seconds before he spoke. Galbatorix had pulled three names in reguards to Eragon's true name. The first was Brisinger, the second was Avero, and the third was Niel. He learned the location of Ellesmera, the Monoa tree, and Eragon's secret in regards to Sloan, but his true name he couldn't get.
"Well my young rider… I have been deciphering true names for over a hundred years and you are the first I have difficulty with… Do not fear though I will learn your true name soon enough…"
Murtagh was disappointed because Galbatorix learned his name in less than ten minutes. Eragon must have a very powerful name in the ancient language if Galbatorix could not figure it out.
"I return to Urbaen…" He said looking at Murtagh; "…I have reinforcements heading here and they will arrive in a week's time…" He leaned in close and whispered into Murtagh's ear. He told him about the dwarf clan Az Swel Rak Ahunin. "Yes this war will be over soon…"
Eragon was dragged by the collar out into the courtyard where Saphira was shackled to a large wooden platform. They looked at each other and Eragon whispered I love you. Galbatorix placed Eragon in his saddle and strapped his legs. He sat behind him and pointed at Saphira's wooden platform.
"Up…" When he said this, the platform followed Shruiken in the air. They stopped once to eat and relieve themselves, then they took off and didn't stop until they reached Urbaen. When Galbatorix landed in the courtyard, a small group was there to greet him. Casmuss and Hurmon lead the group and dismissed them; when Shruiken landed. Eragon and Saphira was taken to the dragon hold and when they entered Saphira hissed while Eragon gasped. Walking across the hold was Elva.
She walked right up to Eragon and slapped him in the face; "I told you Shadeslayer… I told you I would have my revenge…" At the same time she spoke to both Saphira and Eragon in their minds. ("Eragon, Saphira hear my thoughts do not react in the wrong way or I am a dead girl… Galbatorix will not discover your true names as long as you don't focus on these areas in your minds. You are safe… when the time is right Solembum and I will free you from this place…")
Neither of them could believe their eyes and Eragon said; "Elva! How could you betray us?"
"You betrayed me by not keeping your word… I serve Galbatorix and I am the reason you are his now…"
Eragon had to play along; "It was Nausada… She ordered me not too…"
"A rider's word should take precedence over the command of his liege lord… I hate you!"
She was about to slap him again when Galbatorix caught her hand. "That is enough… You have had your revenge. Now off to your room…" As Elva left Casmuss watched her leave unimpressed by her display of emotion.
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