Chapter 22.2

Murtagh finally begs me to make eye contact with him.

"It has been a while," he says as he strokes Thorn's underbelly with his right hand.

It has, I comment as I lay down next to the only window in his chamber.

"How are the eggs?" Murtagh asks.

Fine. They haven't hatched though, I reply.

Thorn growls softly at me as I continue to speak with Murtagh. By the time that the room is beginning to grow dark, Murtagh begs that I leave Uru'baen by tonight.

Why? I ask.

"I don't want you to be captured," he snaps.

I merely chuckle at his words. He thinks I could be captured? Ha! These fools don't know what I've gone through back in the world that Tamli and I came from. Back there, you being captured wasn't the worst thing that could happen to you. Trust me, I know first hand.

Without another word I slip out of the castle and decide to gaze up at the stars, a favorite past-time os mine when Tamli and I were younger. I am startled by another beast dropping down beside me, and growl fiercely as I turn to see who it is. Turns out to be Shruikan, a shock for me.

Welcome dragon, he growls as his yellow eyes lock with mine.

His attitude is much different then that of when we first met.

Why are you here white dragon? He snarls.

I landed in this world, I reply.

Leave now or I will take you to the king myself, Shruikan growls.

I'm afraid I can't do that. You see I can't return to my world until I find the human that was separated from me when we arrived here and I think he's in danger, I snarl back.

A foolish choice dragon! Shruikan roars.

Shruikan lunges at me. I dodge and land on the ground.

I suggest you get off unless you want to be thrown off, I growl, as I watch Shruikan circling around where we are.

Murtagh dismounts and I fly back into the sky.

Bring it on! I snarl.

He flies forward, attempting to run into me. I dodge by barrel-rolling and blast him with my Shadow Blast. He roars in pain and surprise and turns to face me.

You are very good for an outsider.

Perhaps I am but it won't matter if you take me to the king.

He lunges again and again I dodge. But this time he strikes back with fire. I scream in surprise and try to hold it back with a Shadow Blast but to no use.

Murtagh run! I think he wants you next, I cry as I feel my strength fading.

With one final effort I roar and tear through the torrent of fire. I fly toward him, growling. He can't dodge quickly enough and we crash into each other. Falling toward the ground, we begin to spin around each other and then lock our talons together. A few seconds before we crash, we open our wings, unlock our talons, and blast the ground with Shadow or fire, then gain attitude again. We both snarl at each other and Shruikan flies off. I land, exhausted.

A lot has changed since we first met, dragon, Shruikan says as we turn our eyes to the sky and stare into it's glorious wonder.

True, I comment.

Did you ever find your human partner?

I did, I reply.

After a moment of silence, Shruikan looks once more at me.

Flee this place dragon and rejoin with your human, he growls.

What? Why? I ask.

Because you cannot face Galbatorix without your Rider, it would kill them if you died, Shruikan says as I sense what might be a bit of sadness in his voice.

I think for a moment and then decide.

I shall go at your request Shruikan, but please, the next time we meet, call me Finca, I growl as I lift my white wings into the air.

Fly fast, white one, and may the dragons of old protect you in your journey, Shruikan hums as his eyes flicker with rage.

Could it be the rage of having to serve someone through dark magic?

I will find a way to free you, I growl as I rise off the ground.

Very well, Lightscales, but be cautious as you travel. Many enemies lurk in the shadows, sometimes they may be friends, Shruikan growls as we rub our head together before I fly off.