Crack of Doom
The rain pounded down from the skies of Uru'baen much as they had miles away in Surda. A lone figure on a ruby-red dragon could be seen from the top of any building in Alagaesia's capital. He raised an arm in a futile attempt to shield his face from the pouring rain.
How fitting that it should be raining, the dragon, Thorn, said to his rider, Murtagh.
You took the words right out of my head, dragon, Murtagh replied sardonically.
I believe the phrase is "You took the words right out of my mouth, human, Thorn responded coolly.
Murtagh laughed as sincerely as he could in the circumstances. He and Thorn had taken to calling each other "human" and "dragon" after a conversation he and Thorn had had with Galbatorix's daughters, Luce and Ardis. Thorn had wondered aloud why Galbatorix called everybody by their occupations, species, family connections, or etc. Luce had said she wasn't sure, but Galbatorix had always called them "Daughter". Ardis had a rare moment of wit and said that it was because he was loosing his memory with age. Thorn had found it extremely funny, and Luce suggested, sarcastically, that they should all adopt the habit to mock Galbatorix. She had been incredibly surprised when Thorn and Murtagh actually did. Murtagh laughed inwardly at the memory of the first time Luce had heard he and Thorn calling each other "Human" and "Dragon"
Yet again your mind turns to that female, Thorn observed.
Murtagh groaned. He and Thorn had had similar conversations before.
Observant to a fault, Dragon, Murtagh replied.
Since when is observance a fault? Thorn retorted.
When you over observe and jump to conclusions that are not true, Murtagh told him sagely.
Thorn snorted what sounded like, Over observant, my foot.
Well there is nothing spectacular about your foot, except perhaps the fact that it could crush a peasant's house in on stomp. Speaking of which, be careful of snorting; you could set fire to someone's house, Murtagh said, laughing.
The rain would put it out, Thorn replied waspishly.
'It is true that your fire is weak, Murtagh volleyed.
So is your self-control when it comes to that female, Thorn retorted, clearly hurt.
Thorn, I was joking, and honestly, where did you come up with that last statement? Murtagh said to soothe his dragon.
My brain is quite quick, Human, Thorn replied, his spirits rising slightly.
I know. You have demonstrated your mental quickness for me. In fact, everyone, including Galbatorix, should be frightened by your supreme brain power, Murtagh continued.
Humor, Murtagh? Thorn replied.
Only on the gallows, came Murtagh's response.
That line reminded him of Eragon, and the feeling of dread returned. Galbatorix would be livid. Thorn would be blamed too. They would suffer, and Eragon would be in trouble if they ever crossed paths again.
We will face it together, Murtagh, Thorn said soothingly. They only used each other's given names when they were being completely serious.
Good. We approach our doom now, Murtagh muttered darkly.
Too true, my friend. Too true, Thorn replied just as darkly.
They landed in front of the palace. Murtagh climbed off of Thorn and walked up to the door. It was huge, towering, and made of some dark wood Murtagh did not know the name of. The rest of the palace was black marble and gray granite.
The door opened when he spoke his name to the guard.
"Is that beast gonna come in here?" the guard asked, looking scornfully at Thorn.
"'That beast' is a dragon. My dragon," Murtagh replied coolly.
"His majesty's orders where that you bring the blue rider and his dragon to him. I don't see the dragon or the rider," the guard said, a leering smile splitting his features.
"I will go to the king, thank you," Murtagh continued as though he hadn't heard the guard.
"What's the matter, mighty rider? Was the blue one too strong for you? Did he give you a booboo?" the guard sneered, not even bothering to contain his laugh. The others around him looked rather uneasy. They feared Murtagh, but this particular guard, Menander, was without fear.
It took all of Murtagh's self-control to not perform a spell that would leave the guard writhing on the floor. Galbatorix would not have minded if he had brought Eragon and Saphira, but in these circumstances, such actions would not be wise.
"Excuse me, guards," a husky, breathless female voice rang out. "I have a letter from the king." It was Luce. She appeared calm and cool, but if you looked closely, you could see that she had rushed to get here. Her tawny hair curled more fiercely than usual, and she appeared breathless. She held her tall body high, but tenseness was apparent about her shoulders and fox-like features to a keen eye.
That female is here, Thorn put in.
"Hey, precious, can't you see I'm busy here?" Menander shot back.
"Would you obey a written order from the king?" Luce asked coolly, thrusting a piece of paper into Menander's hand. He took it and stared at it for a moment. Luce was biting her lip. Murtagh realized she was fighting a laugh. He understood why a moment later. Menander couldn't read. He almost laughed himself.
"Give it to someone who can read, Menander," one of the other guards laughed taking the note from the outspoken guard. "By order of His Majesty, the king Galbatorix, the young woman who is carrying this letter is to escort the blue rider and his dragon to dungeon eight. The Lord Murtagh and his dragon are to report to the king immediately. If the Lord Murtagh has failed to bring the aforementioned prisoners, the previously mentioned young woman shall accompany the Lord Murtagh and his dragon to the throne room.
-G.K.
"Looks like she's telling the truth. You can go," the literate guard finished.
As Murtagh, Luce, and Thorn rounded the corner, they heard Menander asking, "Amer, where did you learn to read? And why?"
They heard Amer respond, "My mother taught me so that I would never be mocked by fox-like girls." All the other guards laughed.
It was a long walk to the throne room. Galbatorix had decided that assassins or anyone else who would wish to do him harm would be caught before they reached him. If they weren't, well…they'd be dead as soon as he figured out what they were about. Luce decided to fill the silence by making conversation with Murtagh and Thorn.
"So, you let Eragon go," she began. It wasn't a question.
"How do you know he wasn't stronger than me," Murtagh asked.
"Eragon was taught by elves and Brom. Galbatorix overcame both," she replied.
"Very clever. Did you think I would be able to capture him or not?" Murtagh asked.
"I wasn't sure. I knew that you were friends with your brother, but Galbatorix's magic has made many turn on friends. Deandra said that you would be a thrice damned fool if you didn't bring him back, but she would never speak to you again if did," Luce answered, laughing over her maid.
"She would say something like that," Murtagh laughed. Deandra was Tornac's older sister, and he used to say that she was too frank for her own good. He sighed at the thought of Tornac's name.
"I was surprised that Galbatorix let her live after Tornac…" he continued.
"She was away with me at the time," Luce replied. "I never thought I'd be grateful to have been sent off to Lady Alera's manor to learn Whatever-Gods-There-Are-Know-What with Ardis."
Murtagh nodded. Luce, Ardis and Deandra probably would have probably helped him escape if they hadn't been away. They might have even gone with them. If they hadn't, it would have been their death.
"What did you learn?" Murtagh inquired.
"Absolutely nothing of use," Luce laughed. "That's what Ardis learned too."
Murtagh laughed too. Luce must be desperate to get his mind off of his impending ordeal because she was not known for optimism. Her next question made him decide differently.
"Why didn't you capture Eragon," she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her judgment.
Murtagh was silent.
"I am sorry if my question disturbed you. I would not have taken Ardis either," Luce muttered quietly.
Murtagh was surprised she had apologized; it wasn't like her.
You know, Thorn replied, speaking for the first time to them both, they say curiosity killed the cat.
"Oh?" Luce questioned. Murtagh knew the look on her face. He knew what she would say nest.
"Everyone seems to forget the second part of the statement," Luce continued, ""and satisfaction brought it back'."
An excellent statement, Thorn replied.
Luce looked smug.
But, Thorn continued, not entirely true.
"He certainly has a point," Murtagh put in.
Luce glared at them, and then stopped abruptly. They had reached the throne room. She opened the door and walked through to announce them.
The "king" was an impressive man. He was extremely tall and his shoulders were broad. His hair and beard were silver, not gray. His eyes were like two chips of black ice, the only outward sign of his madness. She and Ardis had those eyes, though they were less harsh and less mad.
"Your majesty, the red rider and his dragon have failed to capture the blue rider and his dragon," Luce spoke in an overly formal voice as she curtsied to her father. It was an extremely complex gesture that took place in four steps. She overdid it accidentally on purpose.
"Daughter," Galbatorix said gravely, "why do you mock me with your bow? You are another one such as your mother." His face changed abruptly.
"Siloa," he roared, speaking her dead mother's name, "get out of my sight, you traitor."
Luce practically ran out of the throne room, though she was careful not to turn her back on the king.
"He's not in a good mood," Luce muttered to Murtagh and Thorn as she ran past them back to her room.
"We heard," they both muttered at the same time.
As they walked into the throne room, Galbatorix's expression became graver and more lucid. He let out a long, disappointed sigh.
"Son my friend, why have you failed me?" he asked. His voice was sad and disappointed.
"It was not my intention, Your Majesty," Murtagh replied, bowing.
"If only that were true, rider. If only that were true," Galbatorix said.
"Why do those whom I trust always fail me? Why?" Galbatorix continued, his voice keeping the same tone.
Murtagh assumed this was a rhetorical question, so he said nothing.
Galbatorix continued his narrative, "It all began when I was a young boy. I was ten when the riders tested me. The silver egg they gave me hatched and I became one of them. Naturally, I was overjoyed for I had heard about the riders glorious deeds. Alas, I failed to realize how corrupted they were.
"My eyes were opened when I was eighteen, the same age you were, incidentally, when I first offered you the opportunity to serve me. Two of my great friends and I went to eradicate the Urgals, something we felt the riders should have done long ago. We were not strong enough to overcome their sheer numbers. My friends and their dragons were slain, as was my own. My rage allowed me to slay my attackers, but I could not save my dragon. That was when I first considered the notion that the riders were frightened of my power and they had purposely let the Urgals live so that a threat to their own power would die. I told myself this could not be. I would simply ask them for another dragon and forgive them of my notion. They refused, and I realized that I had been correct in my suspicion.
"I told a young rider of my suspicions, and he agreed. We killed the most arrogant of all the elders, the one I was sure had first come up with the insidious plan. The riders discovered what we had done, and I killed my companion so that he would not be subject to their tortures. I fled and laid in hiding until fate gave me a gift: your father.
"He saw that I was right. He even told me of a newly hatched black dragon, Shruikan. Shruikan was a great dragon, he told me. The rider was a female. She was sixteen at the time of the hatching, and her morals were rather loose. She was most certainly not worthy of such a great dragon. Morzan agreed with me. He left a gate unlocked, and I crept in, killed the unworthy rider, and took the dragon that was rightfully mine. I convinced Shruikan to join me.
"Over the years, you father and I gained more followers, twelve in all. We were finally ready to attack. The cowardly dwarves fled to their tunnels after their defeat. When we faced the elves, Morzan himself slew Evandar, their king. I was pleased with him. The elves showed the same cowardice as the dwarves and hid.
"Then we marched on Doru Araeba. I fought Vrael. He gained an advantage by trickery but was too weak to kill me. I took advantage of the opening and smote him in the side. He fled like the coward he was. I followed him to Utgard Mountain, and we fought again. I triumphed and crowned myself king of Alagaesia.
"This should have been the end of our troubles, but it wasn't. A young rider whose dragon had been killed formed a rebel group called the Varden. I wept for his foolishness. He could have come to me and asked for forgiveness. I would have given him one of the eggs that I had saved. He could have gained a new dragon. He was too foolish to see this. The Varden has plagued me since.
"Three years ago, two magicians came to me: the twins. We saw eye to eye on many things. They, in their ignorance, had served the Varden. They saw the foolishness of their deed then. They offered to spy. They were successful. They even brought you to me so that I could show you the error of your ways. And you let them die, foolish, foolish boy! They were killed by the cousin of yourself and the blue rider. You would not stop them. Yes, I see it all here in your head. It pains me to do this, son of my friend, but you must pay the price."
Galbatorix yelled, "THRYSTA!" and Murtagh was thrown back. He felt as though the wind had been knocked out of him.
"Malthinae! Brisingr!" Galbatorix continued. More pain. Galbatorix continued until Murtagh thought he would die. He could feel the same pain coming from Thorn.
"Swear that you will never again do your brother the disservice of letting him continue to serve the Varden. SWEAR IT! You too, dragon!" Galbatorix roared. Murtagh hardly knew what he did; he swore to stop the pain. Anything was better then letting it continue.
Galbatorix stopped. His face looked sentimental. Murtagh felt something healing him and Thorn. "I forgive you. You were misguided by Luce. I know that. She is another one such as her mother. The mothers of both my daughter betrayed me in their own way. Morgana did not know the full extent of what she did, but Siloa! Her crime was unforgivable. I had her killed the way traitors are. Morgana would have taken the proper punishment for adultery much as I regretted it. Burning to death is said to be painful, and I would have spared her if I could have. My daughter took the matter into her own hands. She was only ten at the time, but she was full of guile even then. She hated her stepmother and gave her poison while she was awaiting her death. Some claim it was merciful, but what mercy is there in death? Morgana would have been absolved of her crimes by the flames, but she cowardly ended her own life at my daughter's urging, I'm sure. THAT IS LUCE'S MERCY, MURTAGH! NEVER TRUST HER! SHE HAS HAD TEN YEARS SINCE SHE KILLED HER STEPMOTHER! SHE CAN ONLY HAVE BECOME WORSE!"
Murtagh decided that it would not be wise to point out that Galbatorix had done the same thing to the rider who had helped him, and he very much doubted that the rider would have suffered death by the flames.
"A servant has fetched my daughters," Galbatorix continued.hated her stepmother and gave her poison while she was awaiting her death. Some claim it was merciful, but what mercy is there in death? Morgana would have been absolved of her crimes by the flames, but she cowardly ended her own life at my daughter's urging, I'm sure. THAT IS LUCE'S MERCY, MURTAGH! NEVER TRUST HER! SHE HAS HAD TEN YEARS SINCE SHE KILLED HER STEPMOTHER! SHE CAN ONLY HAVE BECOME WORSE!"
Murtagh decided that it would not be wise to point out that Galbatorix had done the same thing to the rider who had helped him, and he very much doubted that the rider would have suffered death by the flames.
"A servant has fetched my daughters," Galbatorix continued. "The Varden has found a new egg on Vroengard. I shall test the egg on both my daughters. Luce shall be first. I think being a rider might be good for her. She is more of what I want in a rider anyway. Ardis pities much. She would not realize that the only mercy for traitors is death. Luce could learn this more easily. If she fails, the dragon may choose Ardis. She has a good spirit, and my magicians have taught her well in magic. Luce has received this training as well. The dragon should pick one of them because they are half.. Luce has received this training as well. The dragon should pick one of them because they are half me."
Murtagh was, once again, silent. He hoped that the dragon egg wouldn't hatch for Luce or Ardis…especially not Luce. Why had he thought that? He would have thought Luce could handle it better than Ardis.
Thorn muttered something that sounded like, Denial. Murtagh had learned that it was hopeless to argue with his dragon.
The door swung open. Luce, Ardis, and a female servant Murtagh did not recognize stood there.
"I have brought them, your majesty," the servant said, bowing.
"Very good, Selma. You are dismissed," Galbatorix replied. He clapped his hands, and a stone slid out of the wall behind him. Galbatorix muttered something under his breath, and a large green gem with white veins came out of the hole in the wall. It was the last dragon egg.
Galbatorix looked at Luce and whispered, "Place your hand on it, daughter." Luce obeyed. She prayed under her breath that it wasn't hers or Ardis'. What dragon would want her for a rider anyway?
"You had better hope it's yours, daughter. You will regret it if not," Galbatorix muttered.
Luce gulped and drew her hand away.
Galbatorix looked at Luce and whispered, "Place your hand on it, daughter." Luce obeyed. She prayed under her breath that it wasn't hers or Ardis'. What dragon would want her for a rider anyway?
"You had better hope it's yours, daughter. You will regret it if not," Galbatorix muttered.
Luce gulped and drew her hand away. It wasn't cracking. She didn't know whether to sigh with relief or fear. She started to back out of the room when…
"Stop!" Galbatorix yelled. Luce looked with horror at the egg. It was cracking. A green dragon peered out of the shells at her. She slowly reached out her right hand and touched it. A shock went up her arm. After the affects wore off, her father looked at her and began to attack her mind.
The green dragon lent her energy to perform the spell she needed to keep her true name and her dragon's from her father. It was ridiculously complicated and could never be undone by her or anyone. She had only heard about it before. She couldn't think of anything better to do so she performed the spell. She felt the spell sapping her energy and the dragon's as she lay on the ground, gasping for air. It was done.
Galbatorix howled in rage. He kicked Luce hard in the side. He yelled, "GUARD!" Menander strode in. He grabbed Ardis and pressed a long, crooked dagger to her throat.
"Swear yourself and your dragon to me in the Ancient Language, or she dies," Galbatorix whispered evilly. Luce obeyed, and Menander let Ardis go.
Galbatorix stood over her and whispered hoarsly, "You have defied my too much. You shall pay." Luce screamed and convulsed as Galbatorix tortured her as he had Murtagh. She was already weakened from the spell, and she was certain he would kill her. She blacked out.
Murtagh watched in horror as Luce and her dragon convulsed. Ardis looked equally horrified. Even Thorn was scared. Finally, Galbatorix lowered his hand and stopped. He turned to Murtagh.
"Take her to the healers. She will live. Do not heal her yourself," he whispered menacingly. "And as for you, daughter," he spat at Ardis, "I hope you have learned from your sister's mistake."
Murtagh lifted Luce up and walked from the room. Because of her height, she was heavier than he'd expected. As he brought her to the healers' room and laid her on a bed, he wondered if Galbatorix was wrong and if Luce would die. It seemed rather likely right now.
3,622! Woot! Woot! Point for me! Thank you to my two reviewers.
Teenchic2004: Carlo said, "Saphira Brightscales, I honor you and mean you and your rider no harm. Do not harm me." I had to look it up in the book to figure out how to say that. I'm not all that fluent in the Ancient Language. Malthinae: Bind; Thrysta: thrust, compress; Brisingr: fire
Amantine: Thank you for being my only reviewer in chapter one. I read your story and I think it's really good. I'm only on chapter three now.