Chapter 31. Freedom

Freedom it was word Murtagh thought he would never use again and a word Thorn believed he would only know it through Murtagh's memories. They flew all day that day and all day the next; when Thorn grew tired and hungry he landed on a cliff high in the mountains of the spine. While Thorn went hunting Murtagh spent his time creating a spell that would protect his true name from being used. He laughed out loud and cried about some of the things he did for Galbatorix. When hunger took hold of his stomach Murtagh used magic to hunt deer. He skinned the animal, gutted it, and placed it on a spit. As he turned the meat to cook it evenly Thorn returned and lay next to Murtagh.

("Where are we going?") Thorn asked.

Murtagh sighed, ("I'm still thinking… Maybe I will go and visit my mother's grave…")

("I would like that… Do you think anyone will hunt us…")

Murtagh was cutting a piece of meat from the carcass and he didn't answer until he sat back down. ("I think Elva will tell them what they need to hear and no one will come for us…")

("We will have trouble with the Dwarves… We will have to avoid them at all times…")

("We will do what we can to change our names, but if they come for trouble we will give it to them…")

After he ate his fill Murtagh cut some meat up for later and allowed Thorn to eat the rest. They sat up talking for the next two hours before they fell asleep. Murtagh skipped breakfast and after relieving himself Thorn took off and flew north towards the fortress of Morzan. The black fortress sat alone near a pond that was fed by Leona Lake. Most of the black hand had the sense to leave the fortress, but there were a few arrogant spell casters who believed that with their combined might they could hold the fortress. They fell to Murtagh's power and the servants of the fortress swore allegiance to Murtagh, but he told them that he was intending to destroy the fortress.

"I beg you my lord… please don't." The chief steward said. "For many of us this is the only home we have ever known…"

Murtagh sighed; "Alright if you swear to never betray the varden and sware to them your loyalty on my behalf… I will let the fortress stand… But always you will keep a place for me and Thorn…"

After they swore Murtagh went to the garden with Thorn where his mother was buried. He remembered the magic Saphira performed for Brom and duplicated it for his mother.

("What if we buried them side by side… This Brom and your mother…") Murtagh was shocked, ("Don't pretend you weren't thinking about it…")

("I was, but Eragon has probably erected wards around his tomb…")

Thorn snorted; ("If you create the proper spell the wards should be no problem… And consider this would go a long way to changing our names…")

Murtagh agreed and it only took one day to using magic. When the feet was done, Murtagh contacted Eragon and told him what he had done. Then he and Thorn made their way to Carvahal.

The buildings were chard, burnt, and echoed with the sound of the wind. Upon Thorn's arrival a pack of wolves dashed across the river and into the forest. As Murtagh climbed out of the saddle he recited a lengthy spell that was fueled by sunlight and allow him to look upon Carvahall the day his mother arrived pregnant with Eragon. The burnt buildings were overlaid with ghostly apparitions of a bustling small town. Children were running through the streets playing tag. Men made their way to a tavern called the seven sheeves as women sat on their porches watching the children play. As the ghost sun set in the sky Selene came walking up the road into town and made her way to a lavish house that sat on a hill. He followed his mother up to the house and watched her have a conversation with a tall man named Horst. He informed her that her brother Garrow and his wife Marian still lived on their farm on the outskirts of town. Murtagh followed his mother's ghost up the road to the farm Eragon had told him about during their travels together.

Garrow was shocked to see his now pregnant sister who wore a very expensive gown and perls. She had a ring for every finger on her right hand and two for the middle fingers on her left. After a lengthy conversation in the kitchen she went to bed and stayed with Garrow until the baby was born. Murtagh had to adjust the spell so the months went by in a matter of seconds. He watched his mother beg her family to raise Eragon then she left. As she walked away from the farm she never looked back Murtagh ended the spell.

("Does that give you peace?') Thorn asked.

("Yes it does… come let us go…")

("Where are we going now?")

Murtagh smiled, ("It doesn't matter we are free now…")