Shoutout to Sanctuaria for giving me the idea for Thorn's POV! Now, I want ALL OF YOU to go read her stories. NOW. Seriously, she rocks. :D
A/N: Wow. I feel like I'm writing a completely different story than I was when I first started writing in December. It's kind of interesting to just let the plot roll out like that. Anyway, I've been straying away from the "Plan" (Which is kind of just a vague outline of something) but I intend to get the ball rolling in this chapter. I'd also like to mention, I lied :) I thought I was done with Flattery, to be honest, but I decided to forge on with chapter. I hope you're not mad. The next chapter might actually be Eragon's POV. I want to go back to the Varden for as long as I can stand. Yeah. *Sigh* sometimes I feel like I'm just pouring my thoughts out to like one person. Please review. Feel my pain. Take pity and review? Enough ranting.
Chapter 22!
Thorn waited obediently beyond the gates of Feinster, awaiting instructions from his rider. He watched in Murtagh's mind as his hunting scene played out: From the time he had begun to pursue them, to the time that he had struck his prey down.
Now he was on the run – again. Murtagh did not realize his full potential; his life had been tainted by evil, but now that he had finally broken away, did he choose what was right? No. What good were all the vows and oaths he had made in captivity then?
Why did you kill her? Thorn inquired.
I don't know – she deserved it.
And her true name? Did you mean to use it against her?
No. I think I killed because, if the situation was reversed, I would want her to kill me.
Because of Zoë, Thorn thought to himself. What she did was done, Little Misery, Thorn told Murtagh. You needn't have interfered with fate.
Murtagh scoffed. Zoë deserved to be avenged. Or have you forgotten the kindness she showed us?
Think about what Zoë would have wanted, Thorn urged.
I know this is what she would have wanted.
That, Little Misery, is where you are wrong. Thorn felt the connection between dragon and rider fade without a response.
Murtagh was brave and cunning, and, though it was sometimes hard to admit, gallant, but so proud. And stubborn as a bull.
There were, Thorn decided, only two people in the whole of Alagaësia that could make Murtagh see sense – or should he say beings: Himself, and the ebony-skinned Varden leader Nasuada. Perhaps the only two beings in Alagaësia that loved him.
Then there were blue-eyes-bright-scales Saphira and her rider, two-legged-pointed ears Eragon. If the two riders shared a mother, what did that mean for Thorn and Saphira, who had engaged in battle so many times? Thorn was not as eager to forgive and forget as Murtagh was. As skeptical as his partner's façade was, Thorn knew that Murtagh trusted Eragon. To a certain extent.
But, as a dragon, Thorn was much more wary of the blue pair. It was clear that, if their race was to survive, the riders were going to have to reunite. That was how Galbatorix had persuaded him to see it. It was true, even if the king was demented. But unfortunately Eragon and Saphira knew that Galbatorix wished for the riders to unite again, and, as part of the Varden, were naturally opposed to anything Galbatorix proposed.
Thorn felt a conscience nudging at his own. Murtagh, he began, I advise that you repent for what you've done or there will be trouble.
Wise words, I little voice cooed. It was not Murtagh's.
I advise you, young dragon, to keep to yourself, unless you wish to be discovered. Thorn was surprised the little dragon in the green egg was bothering to speak to him; they hadn't conversed in a long while, as the vain egg considered itself – or herself -
What else is there to do, cooped up in this egg? I want to spread my wings.
You'd have to hatch first, Thorn reminded him.
I'll hatch here and now, then, the little dragon resolved.
You won't live long, Thorn predicted, a wild dragon won't do anyone much good, given our current situation.
The little dragon in the green egg gave a mental scoff. As if I'm obligated to help your cause.
It's your life or our cause, Thorn remarked, and abolished the connection between them before the ignorant egg had the satisfaction of doing so.
Sometimes Thorn regretted the spark of magic he had inadvertently put to use, rescuing the last dragon egg. Not even Murtagh knew that his own dragon was in possession of the emerald egg.
Thorn had to admit to himself, he had done an excellent job of hiding the egg thus far: In his mouth, when he wasn't eating, and depositing it in saddlebags when Murtagh was distracted.
The heat was becoming unbearable when Thorn decided to contact Murtagh again, tired of brooding upon life.
Murtagh? Looking though his eyes, Thorn examined Murtagh surroundings. His back was braced against a high wall, locked grate to his left. A parapet was looming overhead, shrouding Murtagh and another figure in shadow. The two conversed quietly.
Yes? Murtagh replied, sounding irritated.
It may be cool where you are, but it's simmering up here.
I'm negotiating a blameless retreat from Feinster. Find some shade under a tree.
A blameless retreat? Thorn repeated. For something you are entirely accountable for?
Keep your nose out of human affairs, came Murtagh's brazen reply, and he resumed speaking to the person beside him.
Thorn leapt from the outcropping of rock where he had been perched for the past few hours, and with a powerful wing stroke, soared into the clouds. Murtagh detested flying through the wet thunderheads that were gathering, so Thorn took the opportunity now while Murtagh was ocuppied.
Shaking his scales of the water they had collected, Thorn located a tree under which he could rest. The saddlebags felt leaden, now that the contents were soaked; he would have to get Murtagh to dry them with a spell later, if the sun didn't do the job.
Though it was uncomfortable hot under the leaves of the gigantic evergreen, Thorn dozed off until a voice snapped him awake. One could deal with the sounds of sand and stones being disturbed in the wind, but Thorn could not stand having a permanent fixture in his head.
Come on, you lazy dragon, Murtagh teased cheerfully. Are you awake?
Yes, but I'd rather not be. A sheen of tiny droplets covered the red dragon's scales. The evergreen was serving as a good umbrella; the thunderheads were letting loose a downpour that raged just beyond the confines of massive tree's needles and branches.
What is it you want? Thorn asked grumpily.
To inform you. Nasuada has decided to appoint a governor to replace Lady Lorana.
Who is it? You?
No. His name is – Ashley, or something. Anyway, Nasuada struck a deal with him, and he's agreed to let us go free, as Meriam was working for Galbatorix.
You ought to be killed on sight, yet you manage to get off without penalty.
Well, Nasuada had to pull a few strings, Murtagh grumbled. He sounded unhappy.
What were the conditions?
She had to kiss Ashley! Murtagh seethed.
Terrible. Petty two-legs. When are we retuning to the Varden?
Soon. Business here is done.
Wonderful. May I return to my nap? I think I had better store my energy for the flight back.
Good idea.
Thorn settled against his tree again.
The green dragon in the egg made a disdainful noise in Thorn's head. Foolish human.
That's it! :) I hope you liked it! Thanks to my beta reader Writer of the North for awesomeness! One more thing, before I forget: if you'll click on the chapter scroll thingy, you will see that chapter 4 one space above this chapter. That is because I got the great idea of deleting the author's note chapter :/ I guess the author's note went away, but so did chapter 4. I'll get everything sorted out, though. THANKS FOR READING! I've been getting a bunch of story alert emails, so I'd love some reviews, too! And I started the nest chapter; it should be ready... soon. XD.
Until next time, my lovely readers.
-Seastar