Chapter 34. Legend of the Red Rider

Pirates whose leader was a spell caster had kidnapped the governor's daughter of Teirm by the name Tarneth. They held her for a ransom of ten million crowns. The ship they used had been invisible when the pirates entered the city and kidnapped the girl. They sailed away heading north leaving behind a note with their demands on it. As the ship sailed away, Thorn followed it from under water. He began circling the ship creating a whirlpool and the captain ordered his men to fire their baliste into the water, but they couldn't do anything with the ship spinning like a top on the sea.

Murtagh leapt out of the water and on to the deck of the pirate ship. With one swing of Zarroc he killed three men and fought his way through the ship until he found the governor's daughter in the cargo hold.

"Who are you she asked…"

"I am a dragon rider…"

"Did Eragon Shadeslayer send you…" she asked as he cut her chains.

Murtagh smiled, "Not Exactly…"

When they returned to the deck the captain was waiting for them and he was brandishing a rider's sword. Murtagh pushed the girl over the side and fought with the captain. He killed him in five moves then Murtagh jumped over the side and onto Thorn's back as he rose into the air. Thorn looped around and unleashed a turrent of flame on the pirate ship. As they flew back towards the mainland the ship burned and then sunk into the sea.

"I am glad you came Shadeslayer…" The Governor said to Eragon in Teirm. "…Please rescue my daughter with all haste."

"Don't worry Saphira and I…"

Eragon was cut off when the doors to the thrown room opened and the governor's daughter entered wearing a new gown. She ran across the hall and fell into her father's arms.

"How in the world…"

Eragon and the governor listened as she told them of Murtagh and Thorn who rescued them from the pirates. Eragon smiled to himself and felt great pride as his brother's prowess and skill spread across the land. The red rider is what they called him. Murtagh and Thorn punished a group of humans who attacked the Urgals in their newly acquired land. He turned the oath breakers over to the Urgals and it was Nar Garzhvog who had them taken to Urubaen for Nausada to judge. Nausada allowed Nar Garhvog to sentence them so the men were taken back to Urgal country to be made sport of. A group of helgrind priests had survived the purge of the Dras Leona and it was Murtagh who hunt them down and killed them.

("My dragon blood boils and I need a mate…") Thorn said.

("I know how you feel… I can think of no one but Nausada…")

("Why don't you go to her…")

It was a tempting thing but despite his accomplishments Murtagh still feared that he would be imprisoned on sight. He was about to respond when a powerful mind touched his, it was Eragon.

("Murtagh…")

("Yes Eragon…")

("It is time we talked I am heading towards Morzan's fortress meet me there…")

Murtagh sighed, ("So be it… I will see you soon… I am not far…")

The leaves blew in all directions as Thron landed before the grave of his mother. Eragon and Saphira were waiting. "I thank you both for coming…" Eragon said staring at his mother's tomb which was diamond like Brom's.

"So have you decided it is time that I faced Dwarven justice…"

Eragon smiled, "No… The Dwarves will leave you be so long as you leave them be… Don't ever travel in their lands at least for the time being… It will be awhile before they forgive you…"

Murtagh grunted, "I wish them no ill…"

"You should know that the dwarves have been included in the magical pact between Dragons, Elves, and humans…"

"So that means that we may have dwarven riders soon…"

Eragon nodded, "Yes… I have to ask though did Galbatorix order you to kill Hrothgar…"

Thorn growled as Murtagh patted him on the side and said something to his mind. "No he didn't… I killed the king because of the way he spoke to me while I was in Tronjheim… I am not proud of my actions…"

Eragon sighed, but it was Saphira who spoke. ("You have a lot to atone for, but we believe the two of you are on the right path…") Her next words were directed at Thorn. ("My daughter Emora lives in the wilds of Duweldenvarden… Galmore has told me that the two of you are destined to mate… She will reach the age in one months time…")

("Thank you…")

Eragon turned to face Murtagh and Thorn, "The reason I contacted the two of you is because I am preparing to leave for Ellesmera to complete the training of the new riders… Saphira and I would like your help in training them…"

Murtagh gasped, "But…"

Eragon raised his hand, "You know magic and you have skill…"

"Things taught to me by Galbatorix…"

"You know a great deal about the old order… If anyone can shape the future of the riders its you…"

"I thought you were the one to…"

Eragon sighed and told them about Angela's prophecy and the curse Galbatorix placed on him before he was destroyed in Shruiken's eldunari. ("You are more powerful than Galbatorix was can't you…")

"No I cannot… He worded the spell in such way that no matter what I try it grows stronger… Elva and Galmore will come with us, but I the order needs strong leaders and I thought of you two first…"

Muratgh started talking to Thorn in his mind and after a while he addressed Eragon. "We are enjoying our freedom for now… There is so much we wish to do and see… but your offer cannot be ignored… We will take your place when you are ready to leave Alagaesia…" Eragon and Saphira thanked them then Eragon and Murtagh hugged. "How is Nausada…" Murtagh asked.

Eragon was about to climb up Saphira's side, but he stopped. "Nausada is well… She is looking for a suitor to sit at her side on the thrown…" Murtagh's mood changed dramitacally and it could be seen on his face.

"Has she chosen someone?"

Saphira and Eragon looked at each other and Saphira said; ("If you love her then go to her with all haste…")

As Eragon climbed onto the saddle Thorn asked Saphira where they were headed. Eragon pulled out a blue egg. "We are going to see the rider destined for this egg…"

("So when do you want to go to Uru'baen?") Thorn asked when Saphira took off.

Murtagh smiled, ("Right now…")

Murtagh jumped onto Thorn's back and off they flew towards the east.