DISCLAIMER: The Inheritance Cycle is not owned by me. Christopher Paolini owns that universe which he created.

Edge of Oblivion

Chapter VI - Brom's Mistake

Morzan stormed out of the Citadel, fuming. One of the riders patrolling the Empire happened upon a town that had been ransacked, the people slaughtered with impunity. All signs pointed to the work of the Shade, Durza. He had implored Vrael and the elders to act, but again they said it was not yet the right time. He had let loose a little of his frustration, but caught himself and carefully restrained the full force of the rage he felt. Thankfully, they said they understood his concerns and thought nothing much of his burst of anger at them.

He was halfway back to his home in the city, engaged in his thoughts, when a voice called out to him. Turning around he saw Brom walking with swift, purposeful strides towards him.

"Morzan," he said again, in greeting this time as he stopped about arm's length away.

Morzan wondered what it is that Brom wanted. "Brom."

"I would speak with you," said Brom, his eyes darting around them, "In private, if you please." The street they were on was not too busy, but still there were a few men and elves present.

Nodding his acquiescence, Morzan followed him as Brom had turned and began to walk. He led Morzan through some side roads and alleys and then, looking around once more he fished out a set of keys from a pocket and unlocked a door to a small building tucked away from the main streets. He beckoned Morzan to follow, and he did though somewhat apprehensively. His hand was always close to his red sword, Zar'roc, and his eyes were searching. He and Brom had both been trained by Oromis, though Morzan was the older of the two.

Brom had always looked up to him and they had been friends, close once. But ever since that fateful night... he wrestled that thought away. He did not want to think about it.

Finally, lighting some torches to provide more light Brom turned and looked squarely at Morzan. Unwavering, he returned the look and they stood there across the room they had entered with neither saying a word. Had anyone been watching, it would seem as if they were fighting each other mentally but in reality they were merely observing one another. Finally, Morzan shifted and spoke, "Why did you bring me here, Brom?" His tone was neutral, his face expressionless.

Brom looked away and said, "I have news of where the Shade may be."

Stunned silence followed the statement. Morzan narrowed his eyes, processing what was said. He wondered if it was a trap of some kind to see if he would defy the orders of the elders, but decided that Brom would not do such a thing. They were close once after all. He was wary of the statement however. What was Brom playing at?

"Is it reliable?"

Brom nodded, "My source is most reliable. The only question is whether the Shade will still be there by the time we get to him."

Morzan was taken aback. Brom wished to hunt the Shade as well? As he thought about it more it began to make sense to him. He wondered if Brom thought the same as he did about the elven riders, but decided not to ask. He would let Brom tell him what he thought when the time came. Asking such questions was too much of a risk, especially since he did not know how Brom felt or thought having avoided him for many years. He did, however, give him a questioning look.

"Why..?"

"Because..." and Brom hesitated, his breath seemingly catching in his throat, "Because I have failed you before, Morzan. And I wish to amend for that mistake... and I want you to forgive me."

Morzan wanted to accept his help and chase after the Shade immediately. Any moment of delay risked losing the Shade into the wilderness once more. But he was reluctant to so willingly trust Brom again, not after what he did. Even though he came now with such news and he spoke his intentions, Morzan was a suspicious man and his trust was not to be gained so easily especially from one who had betrayed him before. He gave a curt nod, his lips pursed into a thin line as he looked at Brom. He could see that he was having difficulty restraining his emotion, a weakness in Morzan's eyes, but he did not comment on it.

"Perhaps," he spoke, the normal edge in his voice gone as he softened slightly. "What now?"

"Now we get ready. The elders will not like this, but once we return after killing Durza it will not matter." Brom rubbed his hands together.

They agreed to meet before dawn the next day.

-xxx-

A faint light began to reach out from the edge of the earth when Brom and Morzan met up at the east gate of the city. The guards allowed them through without question and they walked for ten minutes down the path then off into the woods. Emerging into a clearing they called to their respective dragons. They waited in silence as their surroundings slowly began to get brighter.

The heavy thudding of wings resounded across the forest as the two dragons arrived at roughly the same time from opposite directions. Paine landed with a heavy thud while Sephyr did so with a gentler touchdown. Quickly, they got onto their dragons and strapped themselves in. Once finished, Brom looked over at Morzan with a twinkling of excitement in his eyes. He squeezed his legs as Sephyr launched himself into the air, closely followed by the slightly larger Paine. It had been a long time since they had last ridden together, and Brom felt a bit nostalgic as he thought back to those days when they were close.

They flew for hours, and the sun was already past midday when they finally flew towards the mountains of the Spine. It was nearing sundown when they finally were over those mountains. Finding a spot to rest high up on one of the mountains, Brom shared with Sephyr the image of where he wanted him to land. The blue dragon angled towards the flat outcropping that jutted out from the side of one of the mountains. The outcropping was large enough for the two dragons and their riders to rest for the night, and it was safe being so high up the mountain.

Brom set about starting a fire as soon as they landed, gathering some dead wood nearby. Morzan watched in silence. Once they had a big fire going, they ate from the food they packed. Neither one of them had said a word this whole time. A strange and awkward silence continued. Brom wanted to say something, but could not think of anything. He was stuck thinking of the past, of what had happened that had driven them so far apart. They were practically brothers once before, and now they were more strangers than anything else.

It was tough being so close again. Their last mission had ended in disaster and heartache. He closed his eyes and tried to ward off thoughts of that night, but found that he could not. He relived the moment in his head, and he shuddered. They had barely escaped with their lives that night. He opened his eyes and looked at Morzan, who stared intently at the fire. He wondered if Morzan was also thinking of the past, or of that night in particular. He had never forgiven Brom for what he did, and no matter how much Brom justified his actions his rift with Morzan caused him to question what he did. So much so that he now regretted it, one of the few things he had ever regretted in his life.

What troubles you? Sephyr managed to poke into his clouded mind, and Brom became aware of the fact that his mental barriers were up in full force. It was only because of their link that Sephyr, with great effort, managed to get through to him. And though the dragon could guess what ate at his rider's mind, he had to ask to make sure.

Sephyr... began Brom, He hasn't spoken to me in years, and the only times I have seen him have been during the rider meetings. He has never forgiven me... and I have never forgiven myself because of it, he paused and looked down at the dirt before him. Sometimes I wish I could go back and fix my mistakes, said Brom, his eyes moving up to look at Sephyr's blue ones.

That was a terrible night, replied Sephyr and sadness poured across their link as he too thought of that night. But it was not your fault. Accidents happen, and this was one. An accident. You did not mean to do what you did... Besides, you were exhausted from fighting after all. You must learn to let this go, Brom.

He shook his head the tiniest fraction so as not to attract Morzan's attention but enough for Sephyr to see. No, Sephyr, I cannot let this go until I am forgiven. I must repair the damage I have wrought.

A rumbling came from Sephyr's chest. So be it, but I tell you this: I fear that Morzan has hardened his heart beyond repair. You only chase a phantom of what Morzan was before she died.

He is here, is he not? asked Brom, turning to look at Morzan. The other rider had turned to his side to sleep, his red dragon keeping a watchful eye over him and occasionally looking at Brom and Sephyr with cautious glances.

Sephyr lowered his head and rested it on the ground, one of his large blue eyes still facing Brom. Aye, he is here. But only because of that Shade. You know he would do anything in his quest to hunt him.

Brom could not deny that, but said nothing as he too finally turned onto his side. Unlike Morzan, he turned to face the fire as thoughts of that night filled his head and he drifted off into the dark embrace of sleep.

-xxx-

Brom laughed as Sephyr did a barrel roll, tucked in his wings, and then dove straight down. The wind rushed through his hair and whipped past his face. He had to squint, and even then his eyes had watered slightly from the speed of their descent. Then, a few hundred feet before reaching the ground, Sephyr unfurled his wings and beat furiously, catching the wind and breaking their fall. The move jarred Brom somewhat, but he whooped all the louder in excitement. The thrill of flying was still something he was getting used to, even after several years now with Sephyr.

He rubbed the blue scales of his bond-partner as they traveled higher into the sky. Above them, flying on red-scales Paine was Morzan. His shoulder-length black hair waving in the wind. He raised a hand in greeting, a wide smile on his face as Sephyr leveled off at the same height as Paine. They flew, side by side, with all of Alagaësia beneath them.

Morzan was flying towards the village where his wife was visiting her father, who was very old and on the verge of death. Morzan's son, Murtagh, who was five years old at the time, was left in their home in Doru Araeba.

Brom had asked to accompany him, as he was won't to do for he idolized Morzan and his prowess as a rider. Though at times Morzan took advantage of his devotion by making him do some mundane tasks, Brom did not mind for he believed he was helping out a greater rider than he and thus serving Alagaësia in a way. It was only later that Brom realized his foolishness. Looking back on his time then, he would see how he was so young and naive.

At that moment they flew over the Empire, two great and powerful warriors flying on their magnificent dragons across the vast sky that was their domain. They finally landed near the village, at the foot of the mountains of the Spine. It was a few miles northeast of Lake Fläm on the eastern side of the Spine. There, a collection of about sixteen buildings huddled together against the vastness of the plains with the mountains looming over them.

Morzan leaped off Paine, and after conversing with it mentally the red-scaled dragon went airborne. Brom carefully dismounted, turning to Sephyr and telling him to behave.

It is you who must stay out of trouble, said Sephyr sternly, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone.

Brom nodded and then ran after Morzan, who was already halfway to the village from where they had landed. Soon enough they reached a small, plain-looking house near the middle of the village. There were few people, and those that saw them on the streets quickly went inside their homes. Suspicion and wariness was in their eyes, and they wondered what brought two riders to their small village. Morzan seemed to pay no attention to them as he had walked through the village without pause, Brom following close by. Morzan knocked without hesitation and a few seconds of waiting later the door opened a crack and a woman peered out at them.

A sudden gasp and the door flung open, revealing Morzan's wife, Elena. She was a pretty woman with soft features, red hair, and blue eyes. Freckles dotted her face. She looked exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes, but her face lit up when she saw Morzan. She wore a simple but well-made dress, a gift no doubt from Morzan. She closed the gap between them in two quick steps and launched herself on him, arms wrapping tightly around Morzan as if she did not want to ever let go. Morzan, who was stiff at first, returned the hug and his face softened into a small smile.

They looked as if they were going to hold each other forever until finally Elena broke the hug and kissed him soundly on the lips. She stepped back then and turned to Brom, who at that point felt rather embarrassed to be there and was staring intently at something next to his shoes. He looked up when she walked over to him and gave him a short hug.

"Thank you for coming along with him," she whispered and then let go of him.

He gave her a nod in response.

"Please, come inside." She moved aside and ushered them into the house. As they walked in she closed the door and locked it.

The room they entered was rather small, with a narrow staircase on the right that presumably led to the bedrooms upstairs. There was a round table with six chairs and a small cabinet on the wall behind it. There was a square window there with the drapes pulled shut. Two doors on the left and straight across from the front door each led to separate rooms, the kitchen on the left and a living room in the back. By the door there was a coat hanger that looked like it was broken before and hastily put back together with nails and extra wood.

"I was just preparing dinner," said Elena as she walked with haste back into the kitchen. Both men noticed the smell of cooking meat that wafted through the open doorway from the kitchen. Feeling a little out of place, Brom crossed his arms and leaned against the wall by the front door content to observe. Morzan, meanwhile walked into the kitchen after his wife and wordlessly began to help her. She gave him a smile of gratitude as they worked together to make the meal ready.

Soon enough they were told to sit down to eat while she went and fetched her sister from upstairs. An older woman who resembled Elena descended the stairs and introduced herself as Anna. She was shorter and chubbier than Elena, but with the same red hair, blue eyes, and freckled face. She explained to them that she would stay by their father's side while they ate, and so grabbed some food of her own and then a bowl of hot soup and a mug of water for the ailing father. Carrying all that she carefully went back up.

They ate in silence for a time, their meal consisting of some roasted potatoes and vegetables with some pork chops. It was a very good meal, in Brom's opinion.

"How is he?" asked Morzan.

Elena sighed and stopped eating as she looked at first Morzan and then Brom, then back to her husband. "He is very ill and the fever will not subside. He does not seem to know that we are in the room, and he whispers things that we cannot understand. Sometimes he shakes and convulses. The local magician here says that he cannot be saved and that he will pass within the week." Her voice seemed resigned to that and she frowned as she continued eating.

Morzan did not touch his food for another minute before he said, "Let me take a look at him."

Elena looked at him with a sudden hope. "Do you think...?" She chocked back some tears that threatened to fall.

Morzan shook his head, "I... do not know for sure. But I can try."

Elena stood then and beckoned for Morzan to follow, their food forgotten. Though Brom was still somewhat hungry, he ignored it as he too stood and followed them up the stairs. The narrow stairs led up to a similarly narrow corridor with three doors. They walked to the last one, which was ajar.

They entered the room and Anna shot them a curious glance. Elena explained to her that perhaps Morzan could help him.

The older rider looked at the man who lay on the bed, oblivious to the sudden crowd in his room. He was sweating and salivating slightly. His eyes fluttered open and closed, though mostly stayed closed. His mouth moved as if he were talking, to whom and what he was saying was known only to him. His hands were shaking and his feet twitched every few seconds.

Morzan knelt beside him and reached out his hands. Before he could do anything, Brom grabbed his shoulder which elicited a glare from Morzan for interrupting him.

"What?" he snapped.

"You do not know what ails him, Morzan. How do you know what to do?" said Brom, knowing that trying to heal an injury or illness you did not know about via magic was most often fruitless and ended with the magician spent of energy.

Morzan turned back to the old man on the bed, "I must try."

And try he did. He spent an hour, breaking into a sweat of his own. The old man moaned a little and his hands stopped shaking and his feet stopped twitching. His breathing slowed and became steady.

Morzan finally opened his eyes and in them was a vast weariness. He tried to get back on his feet, but stumbled as he did so causing Brom to get a hold of him. His head drooped and his breathing became ragged. Elena quickly rushed over to him, kneeling down on the ground as Brom handed him off to her. He studied the rider he so idolized and wondered if he had indeed healed Elena's and Anna's father. He turned to him and then felt his brow - it was cool to the touch. His mouth no longer moved, in fact he was completely still save for the rise and fall of his chest.

"Did he do it?" whispered Anna to no one in particular, holding her hands at her sides as she edged closer to her father.

Brom shrugged, "We will not know for sure until your father wakes, but he seems better at least."

Anna nodded absently as she grabbed her father's hand.

Elena hugged Morzan, whose breathing finally returned to normal. She grabbed one of the towels they would use to dry off her father and wiped the sweat off of her husband's face. He weakly thanked her.

Brom admired his courage for trying, but he could very well have died if it was a mortal wound that required too much energy. While Morzan was strong, he was not yet that strong. Not to mention using the wrong words in the ancient language might have cost him dearly as well. Putting things into perspective, however, Brom was happy he had not only survived but it seemed that he had succeeded.

Later that night, Elena and Morzan slept in one of the other rooms and Brom was offered the other. Though he initially refused saying he could not possibly stay in the room while Anna had to sleep on the floor, she had insisted. She had to be near her father in case he needed her. Reluctantly he accepted, and he was lying face up on the rather stiff bed as moonlight glowed from the small window. He did not know what time it was when it happened, but he remembered first the loud roars of triumph and challenge and then the screams.

He bolted upright in his bed, unsure if he had perhaps been half-asleep and imagined what he had heard. But they rang true and clear through the night. The bellows and roars of Urgals echoed through the village as war drums beat a steady rhythm. Screams of terror and pain erupted.

He reached out with his mind and found that Sephyr was already on his way along with Paine. They had not seen the advancing Urgals for they were elsewhere, but they flew with haste back to the village. Into the corridor, he saw Morzan with a terrified Elena behind him. His eyes were shining with anger. Brom could sense his bloodlust for battle.

"The Urgals picked the wrong village to attack tonight," said Morzan and Brom nodded grimly. Already he had his sword in hand. He did not, however, have his armor so he would have to be more cautious as he only had a cloth shirt and leggings. Morzan had seen fit to wear some light armor on him already, and he told Elena to hide in their father's room. Both riders went downstairs, their swords drawn.

Brom had his aquamarine blue sword, Undbitr, while Morzan had his crimson blade, Zar'roc. Brom extended his mind outwards and felt the Urgal spellcasters recoil in surprise and shock while he sensed the minds of all the other warriors.

"At least sixty, perhaps eighty Urgals," Brom quickly said, and then he felt the mind of a powerful magical being who also recoiled at first but then launched a strong attack against him.

Brom grimaced as he steadied himself against the wall, putting up his mental defenses. Whoever this magician was, he was indeed powerful, but Brom was able to hold him off. The attack relented and Brom eased his breathing, looking with worry at Morzan who fleetingly returned the look before hardening his demeanor.

"There is a strong mage here," said Brom.

Morzan gave him a nod, "Enough talk. Let us slay them all." His statement was so simple and yet carried with it strong emotional weight for the tone was of anger and vengeance.

They burst out of the door, swords up, and three Urgals that were in front of the house stepped back in surprise. They died the next second as Morzan slew two of them in a brilliant slashing of his sword and Brom pierced the other Urgal's throat and then half-severed its head. They fell to the ground in bloody thuds. Using magic, Morzan levitated rocks and threw them at an oncoming group of ten Urgals. From the other side of the street, another group of six, one of whom Brom realized was a magician, howled as they raced towards the two riders.

Back-to-back, Brom and Morzan faced off the attackers on either side. Then Morzan sprung forward and struck the nearest Urgal, killing it instantly. Ducking underneath an attack then sidestepping another, his blade singing death and destruction all the while. He roared his own battle cry as Urgals fell before him.

Brom had slain two Urgals as they came to him, while the other four stayed back. Then the Urgal spellcaster attacked his mind, and he steeled it. He realized then that the other Urgals went to attack him. He knew that if he faltered in his concentration, the other spellcaster may take hold of his mind, and so he focused immensely on the mental fight. The Urgals were upon him and he relied mostly on instinct and reflexes to block and avoid the attacks. It was difficult for him, and he was already sweating and feeling somewhat weak from the effort.

Morzan had slain the ten Urgals and were fighting another group of about seven when the stronger magical being stepped onto the street where they had been fighting. He had flaming red hair, blood-red eyes, and as he smiled he revealed rows of teeth sharpened into points. It was a Shade.

There is a Shade! he exclaimed in his thoughts, and Paine told him that he and Sephyr were soon to descend upon the village.

Brom had actually managed to break the Urgal spellcaster in a massive counter-attack, but he was rewarded with a large gash in his arm as he was unable to completely avoid an axe that was swung at him. With the spellcaster dead, however, he whispered one of the words of death and instantly killed the three Urgals around him. He felt the drain in his energy, but he was still strong enough to continue and he pushed himself off the ground and placed a hand over his wounded right arm.

"Waíse heill!" he whispered and a slight glow and a tingling, itchy sensation coursed through his arm. The gash was healed, almost as if it had never even been inflicted upon him. Turning, he saw Morzan cut off the hand of an Urgal, sending its battle-axe to the ground, and then he slashed its from groin to neck as he approached the Shade, who had his own blade out.

"Ah, you must be... a rider?" he drawled, "Quite a surprise to see you in this pitiful village. Have the riders stooped so low?" He looked around, waving his hand, "And where are your dragons? Could you not afford to feed them anymore?"

Brom rushed over to him, but Morzan sensed that and half-turned to him, "Stay by the house, Brom! You must protect them!"

Brom stopped and begrudgingly began to walk back to the house. Sure enough, more Urgals poured into the street after ransacking some of the other houses. A few of the men had gone out to fight and defend their homes, and they were battling somewhere in the village for Brom could hear the sounds of metal and swords. As soon as some of the Urgals saw him they charged, roaring all the while. One of them tried to gore him with his horns, but ended up headless and sprawled on the ground.

Brom stole a quick glance over to Morzan, who was battling the Shade with his mind as they both stood motionless with their eyes locked. He hoped that Morzan could take him, but he was not so sure. A Shade was far more powerful than a single rider without his dragon.

Almost as if on cue, twin roars of anger emanated from the sky. Some of the Urgals stopped to look up, but then continued to fight. Urgals were not one to retreat, no matter the odds. Their society demanded that if they were in combat they fought to victory or death. Brom slew four more Urgals as he stood by the door of the house, his blade wet with black blood. A stream of fire burst from a passing dragon, and Brom sensed it was Sephyr.

About time you got here, he projected wearily to his bond-mate.

He responded with a roar and then said, We are sorry we were not here sooner. We should not have strayed as far as we did from you, but we did not expect such danger here.

Brom slew two Urgals with the words of death as he avoided a swinging axe and then brought his sword up and through the Urgal's head, the top of his sword piercing the top of the Urgal's skull. He could feel his energy reserves dropping, and then a sudden surge of energy renewed him as he realized Sephyr was giving him some of his. He mentally thanked the dragon.

Paine and I cannot land without destroying houses. Paine says that Morzan is still struggling with the Shade and that he will try to help his rider soon, said Sephyr.

Brom acknowledged that as several Urgals emerged onto their street. Three of them were Kull, Brom realized, as they towered over even their other Urgal brethren. They eyed him and then the many dead Urgals that lay on the street. Then one of the Kull said in a rough voice, "Whoever slays him shall be a war chief!"

Loud roars erupted then as nine Urgals, including the three Kull, rushed towards him with weapons ready.

Brom quickly used magic to kill two of the closest Urgals, but then did not have much more time to say another spell as he was assaulted. He plunged his sword into one, barely jumping to the side as axes and swords swung where he had just been standing. He wrenched his sword out from the dead Urgal and then jumped into the house. The door frame might give him an advantage.

Sure enough, the Urgals' numbers were naught as they had to go through one at a time and barely fit through the door way. Brom slew three who tried to get at him before the other Urgals took a moment to think of how best to reach him. Suddenly, he heard a loud boom in the back and he realized there must have been a back door to the house. He grabbed an axe off of one of the dead Urgals and speaking quickly as the other Urgals out in front of the house waited for those in the back to distract him. Then he threw the axe out and it began to swing and fly around on its own, maiming one of the Kull and killing another Urgal.

There was a loud roar and a thundering crash, but Brom did not know what happened. He rushed up the stairs, thankful that it was narrow and would funnel the Urgals even more. Indeed, one of them tried to follow him up the stairs but then got stuck and it was a simple matter for Brom to strike him dead with his sword.

Suddenly, the house began to shudder and shake. They're trying to take the house down! he thought and sure enough Sephyr sent him an image of the Urgals and Kull hacking away at the wooden frame of the house.

A moment later he reached the door where they hid and knocked on it, yelling out, "It's Brom! We must leave at once!"

The door swung open to reveal two frightened women, daggers in hand, and a still unconscious old man lying on his bed.

"We have to leave, NOW!" he cried. His mind cast out to Sephyr, You must help us! Clear a path out there!

At once, came the reply and another mighty roar echoed through the night and then another thundering crash, this time it sounded like it happened just outside. There were loud cries of anguish and pain as the Urgals were torn apart by Sephyr's claws and mighty jaws. He sent a stream of fear towards a group of Urgals, burning them but then also catching the house on fire.

Oops, he said to Brom through their link, I accidentally set the house on fire. Leave quickly! It spreads fast!

Brom hurried down the steps with the old man draped across his shoulder. The two women, wide-eyed and frightened out of their minds followed at his heels.

Sephyr stood waiting outside, a few wounds on his sides but none too serious. There were a few Urgals that scurried about, but none dared challenge the blue-scaled dragon. Brom saw the two remaining Kull had been slain.

He looked at Sephyr and said out loud so that the women could hear, "You must take them to safety. Understand?"

Sephyr gave a nod with his giant head, I shall protect them, but I cannot take all three safely. You know this, especially since they are not used to riding.

"Okay, Anna you first, then I'll bring your father up and you should help support him. I'll keep you safe myself, Elena. This battle is almost over anyways."

Elena did not seem to pay attention as she was looking on at Morzan, who had fallen onto one knee. He was still staring at the Shade, who was grimacing at the strain of their mind battle.

"Will he be okay..?" she asked, reaching out a hand as if to touch him.

"Yes, especially with Paine here. But I will go help him once you are safe," he said. He helped Anna strap in and then brought the old man up and made sure he was secure and that she was holding on to him. Then Sephyr launched into the air, leaving the two on the ground.

"He shall be fine, we must go to a safer place," he tried to reassure her, though he himself did not believe his words. His eyes scanned around for any remaining Urgals, but there did not seem to be any.

But he spoke too soon.

Four Urgals were coming up from behind Morzan. Realizing what was about to happen, he cried out and ran towards the rider. His hand reached out and his Gedwëy Ignasia began to shine with a bright light. The four Urgals collapsed, and Brom felt his calves cramp as energy left him. He fell to the ground and looked up to see that he had been a fraction too late, for as one of the Urgals fell to his death his axe had been swinging high above him and it came down upon Morzan. It gashed his shoulder, but it was more than enough to break his concentration.

The Shade smiled.

"No," Brom whispered, and with as much force as he could muster he slammed his consciousness against the Shade's, who recoiled from the impact and took several steps back. He had been about to kill the rider, having taken control of his mind, but this new onslaught forced him on the defensive.

Then suddenly, Paine roared and flew overheard. The smile disappeared from the Shade's face and was replaced with a scowl.

Brom's energy was spent and his attack withered, but the Shade did not counter as the red-scaled dragon flew towards him and flame erupted from his mouth. The Shade jumped out of the way, but then as he stood to leave and Paine flew by, his tail whipped into the Shade. A massive spike gored through the Shade's stomach. It screamed an unholy pitch as it hurtled towards one of the burning houses.

Elena had rushed over to him, and he waved her off weakly. "Go, check on your husband," he whispered.

She nodded and ran towards Morzan where he lay motionless. She cried out, thinking he might be dead, but he still had breath though he was not conscious. Paine circled overhead and readied to land.

Brom looked up again as he managed to get onto his knees. His breathing was labored and he felt weak.

Then it happened. Almost as if in slow motion. There they lay, the two lovers in the midst of death and destruction. Lifeless bodies, splintered and broken wood, burning homes, and blood surrounded them as Elena held him close to her. There were tears in her eyes. And then, out of nowhere, an arrow flew and struck her. Elena was pushed forward by the impact, almost dropping Morzan to the ground, but she clutched him even tighter. Then another followed it.

Brom let loose a cry of despair and Paine, realizing what happened, roared again and landed on top of the Urgal archer - the lone Urgal survivor. He tore the Urgal apart, leaving a cloud of black blood and tattered remains. The dragon quickly bounded over and protectively covered the couple. Elena, two arrows protruding from her back, stroked Morzan's face slowly as she looked at him with affection.

Brom struggled to walk as fast as he was able to. His mind instantly touched Paine's, and the dragon's eyes alone pleaded with him. Lend me your strength, he said weakly.

Then there was a surge of power and energy in him. He quickly drew the arrows from her back with magic and then healed her wounds. Even though Paine lent him his energy, he still felt even more tired from casting the spells. Finally, he turned to Morzan and healed his wounds as well. Then he went down to the ground and lay there. Of all that he had done, it was attacking the Shade that had taken the most out of him. Of course it had been a long time since he had fought in any battle, and so his endurance was not at its best, but he chastised himself for being so soft and weak. Morzan would not approve - he of course valued strength above all.

"Will he be alright?" Elena asked again, her voice soft.

Paine bent his head down and touched his rider's head with his snout.

Brom nodded, "I believe so."

All of a sudden Elena turned to the side and began to heave. She vomited, and there was blood as well as some of the dinner they had eaten.

"I don't... feel so good.." she said before she wavered and then fell backwards.

Brom's eyes widened and he cursed. He had not realized the arrow points were poisoned! His mind raced and he felt a renewed vigor rise up within him. Using this energy he quickly cast a spell to neutralize any poisons working within her, but then he realized with growing despair that the damage had been done. Her inner wounds were far too mortal for him to heal. He could not believe it. He did not want to believe that he had failed to check for poisons. Of course the Urgals coated their arrows with toxin! Watching as the life ebbed away from Elena, he could not help but begin to cry. She smiled a sad smile, then she looked to Morzan.

"I love you," she whispered towards her husband. They were to be her last words.

Her breath left her and she stilled. Her eyes still stared at Morzan, but gone was the loving look she had but seconds earlier. Replacing it instead was the glassiness and the emptiness that followed death.

Brom still could not believe what he had done. What he had failed to do. He looked at his hands, obscured by the tears that welled in his eyes. He had made a grave mistake, and the love of his best friend, of his brother, had died because of it. He did not know if he could ever forgive himself, and he wondered if Morzan would.

Paine let out a roar of anguish and sent a jet of fire into the sky.

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and support! If you did not guess the entire italics part was Brom dreaming of the night he made a grave mistake. The night that caused him and Morzan to eventually part ways. Once close as brothers, they were no longer.