Chapter 25. Out of the Past
The empire had been dealt a heavy blow, their moral was low and it could be seen in the faces of the troops. General Rang walked among the tents of his men to show them that he wasn't afraid or worried. He would stop every now and then to encourage the men and reminded them that the dwarves were coming. The empire camped a mile outside Feinster's countryside. Galbatorix's tent sat in the center of the camp with the rest encircled around it.
("How can he still be alive…") Galbatorix said sitting on a mat with his eyes closed trying to rid himself of the negative energy poisoning him. The crystal dagger Jaerden used on him contained a spell that fed on his magic and the more he used magic the sicker he became.
("You have always underestimated them…") Shruiken said at his side. The tent was big enough for him as well; ("…I am not surprised he is still alive…")
Galbatorix grunted and that is when Murtagh and Thorn entered the tent, he dropped to one knee and bowed to Galbatorix. "My lord, who was that rider that attacked us… where did he come from?"
Thorn snorted; ("I am more interested in the pink-eyed green dragon… I mean did the varden force the egg to hatch…")
When Galbatorix didn't respond Shruiken spoke up; ("The brown dragon's name is Draco and his rider is Jaerden…")
"He is a pebble in my shoe…" Galbatorix said interrupting.
("…One of the foresworn betrayed us and trained them in secret, Galbatorix cursed them… The spell we used should have killed them but somehow Jaerden has found a way to extend his life.")
"What curse did you use…" Murtagh asked.
Shruiken sent several images to their minds and continued; ("As for the green dragon and his rider… I have deduced that the spell Eragon placed on the child Elva has also touched the green dragon when it hatched for her… Dragons grow quickly in their first few months of life, but when Elva merged with the egg they both shared in that as well…")
("Her mind was unlike anything I have ever felt…") Thorn said.
Galbatorix opened his eyes and looked at Murtagh; "I can think of only one reason that Jaerden would show himself now and that is to bring Eragon and Saphira to the vault of souls…"
"The vault of souls..." Murtagh asked confused.
("It is an ancient place where the dragons of old hid their Eldunari before our pact with the elves… It lies in the heart of the hadarac desert and it is guarded by a powerful being called half paw, the dream walker, the king cat Paneer… He is the lord of all werecats…")
Shruiken's words bothered Galbatorix; "You and Thorn have to stop them at all costs… I will give you the power to fight them… I will give you more Eldunari…" When Galbatorix said this Thorn and Murtagh looked at each other as he pointed a clawed hand to the ground. "Well of souls open to your king and grant me the power from within…" It pained him to use magic as the poison spread more through his leg, because it was contained there. When nothing happened Galbatorix said the spell again. "I give Murtagh permission to open the well of souls…" Galbatorix said in the ancient language. When Murtagh said the spell nothing happened, "Jaerden!" Galbatorix barked.
("He must have snuck into the palace when Saphira and Eragon escaped…")
"You will have to face them alone… If you can manage kill Jaerden and Draco and then bring Saphira to me… Kill Eragon as well…" He invoked their names in the ancient language. As Thorn and Murtagh sadly left the tent, while Galbatorix returned to his meditation to cleanse himself.