Here we are with chapter 2 of this.

I hope you enjoy.

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Xander punched himself for accepting but knew it was necessary. Galbatorix smiled, pleased with the answer Xander gave. "Alright then. Feel free to eat to your heart's content." Galbatorix motioned to the table where Xander sat. This was the first time Xander had noticed the immense amount of food on the table. It was a mouth watering sight. A big ham sat in the center of the table, surrounded by plates of vegetables, fruit, bottles of fine wine, and more. Xander scrambled to grab a plate and began stuffing his face. The food tasted so good he began to cry. He realized that this life would be infinitely better then slave life. Let alone his childhood as the son of a bard living in poverty.

He finished and washed it down with the sweet tasting wine. Xander nearly collapsed. He had eaten more then ever before and felt good. It may have been the first time in his life where he was truly content. He set the plate with the ham on it on the floor, offering the rest to Fawkes who ate with more ferocity then Xander. When they had both eaten their fill, Galbatorix summoned two guards. "Please lead these two to their room." He said, motioning to Xander and Fawkes. The guards nodded. Xander stood shakily, as did Fawkes. The two walked in between the guards until they saw a hand carved wood door. It was decorated with patterns of flowers around the edges and two dragons facing each other in the center.

The guards opened it and Xander and Fawkes stepped inside. Xander's jaw dropped as he saw a beautiful room the size of the entire slave housing unit. It was fully furnished with a large bed for Xander, a huge mat lined with animal fur for Fawkes, a couch, a table and chairs, a desk, several lamps, it was incredible. Xander grinned and jumped onto the bed. He felt like royalty. Though he supposed that he practically was. Xander lived like this for a while, eating meals with the King, and relaxing in his room, until Fawkes was about 2 weeks old. On the morning of that day, Galbatorix sent several soldiers to come get him. He was brought once again into Galbatorix's throne room, where the King stood, Murtagh to his left, and Thorn next to Murtagh. Fawkes was slightly taller then Xander and far longer. At this point Fawkes had opinions on everything and they had discussed several times how their lives were planned out by Galbatorix and what they thought of it.

Fawkes strongly disagreed with the King, believing that he and Xander should be able to do as they wished, as nothing could defeat a Dragon and Rider. Xander thought that they should do as the King wished, at least until they could find some way to defeat him. So long as Xander could avoid swearing binding oaths to Galbatorix, they could aid the Varden in destroying him. Fawkes had agreed with this plan but knew that Galbatorix would most likely force them to swear their oaths.

The King looked at them with a straight face though hinting that he was angry. Murtagh's face was slightly down turned. The brilliant red sheath of Zar' Roc shone like a fire. Murtagh also had chain mail armor on. Thorn was non-moving, like a statue. The King finally spoke, his voice deep and commanding, unlike before. "Xander, we have a fortnight or less before I must send you out, as the Varden will not believe that you could hide for very much longer then a month. Thus, today you shall begin your training." Murtagh looked directly at Xander.

"I will be training with you." Murtagh said. Galbatorix started again with a short breath.

"He will bring you to a private training ground, fit you with armor, and give you a temporary weapon until you get your Rider's sword from the elves. Good luck. Murtagh?" Murtagh nodded. Thorn stood and the two began walking out a door near the back. Murtagh motioned to follow. Xander found himself walking down a gigantic spiral staircase. What do you think Fawkes? Xander asked.

We wait. Fawkes didn't talk after that. When they reached the bottom they were in a gigantic underground room. It was extremely large both high and in diameter. In one corner was racks and racks of swords, shields, other various weapons, and armor both leather and mail.

"These are the best you'll find anywhere." Murtagh told him. "Before we do anything, I need to see how you fight." He showed Xander over to the rack of weapons. Murtagh pulled down a one-handed sword. It was double-edged, and the blade was very much triangular. He handed it to Xander. "Swing it around a bit." Xander nodded and began to swing the sword. It was nothing compared to the work he had done in his slave days but it was odd. He felt like he should be holding it with two hands, though he liked the shape. Xander's swings were very wild as he had never had much experience with swords. He shook his head.

"The handle's too short." Murtagh nodded, then drew his sword. He swung at Xander who, panicked, rolled out of the way. "What the?!"

"I need to see how you fight." Murtagh yelled at him. Fawkes was about to intervene but Thorn stopped him. Murtagh and Xander clashed blades, Xander at a huge disadvantage. The sparks flew, Zar' Roc was eating into Xander's blade, causing huge gashes in it. Eventually the sword was hit right out of Xander's hand. Xander fell to the ground, Murtagh's sword point at his neck. Murtagh stepped away. "You were right. You're not much for one-handed swords, and that one's blade was too thin, it was easily chipped down by my sword." He sheathed it and helped Xander to his feet. The two walked back to the sword rack after Murtagh threw the broken sword into a garbage chute. Xander assumed it'd be recycled.

Murtagh took a two-handed sword off of the rack and gave it to Xander. This one felt better at the grip but it was far heavier and he couldn't swing it very fast without hurting his shoulder muscles. The blade was much thicker then the last, much longer, and had a longer grip. It also had a much more simple look. Straight until the tip where both edges turned at a 45 degree angle to a sharp point. He quickly got tired. Xander and Murtagh didn't even get a chance to spar before Xander threw down the sword, panting. "Definitely not for me..." He panted between sentences. "Too heavy..." Murtagh nodded and gave a small smile after a moment.

"I'll be right back." Murtagh told him. He hung the two-handed sword on its rack and went over to a small closet. Inside was three swords hanging on a rack of their very own. Murtagh pulled one off and brought it back. It had a handle of darkened wood, a silver ring in the center of the handle, holding it together. It's pommel was a silver ball about half the size of Xander's fist. It's hand guard was a simple silver cross that curved up slightly at both ends. The sword's blade was nearly as long as a two-handed sword, but thinner. At the end of the blade was an almost circular tip, but it was still sharp. It was polished to a mirror sheen. A perfectly crafted hand-and-a-half sword. Murtagh gave it to Xander. "It's the exact kind I once used. A good friend of mine hand makes them, he tells me there's some secret to his making them but hasn't told anyone. They're the best swords I've ever seen that haven't been made by the elves."

Xander held it. The sword was beautiful but deadly. It was just the right weight. He could swing it one-handed but could hold it comfortably two-handed. "Ready?" Murtagh asked him, drawing Zar' Roc. Xander nodded, and the two clashed again. This time, the blade held steady against Zar' Roc's blows, despite Xander's inexperienced style of fighting. Finally, when the two had both worn themselves out considerably, Murtagh sheathed his sword. "Nice work. For a beginner you're very good." He gave Xander a sheath which Xander put his sword in. Xander slung it on his back, proud of his new blade. "You might want to put it down for a moment." Murtagh told him.

"Why's that?" Xander asked, putting it gently on the marble floor of the room.

"Now you need armor." Murtagh said, leading him over to the armor rack. "You seem like you need mobility so I'd say leather armor." Murtagh pulled a pair of chain mail pants, leather boots, a leather vest lined with steel, leather gloves, and a chain mail shirt. Everything was very tight on him so that he could move but was still protected. It fit well. Murtagh stepped back and looked at Xander after he had put his sword once again on his back. He looked like a warrior. Though for good or for evil, nobody knew. "So Xander, ready to have our first real sparring session?" Murtagh asked him.

"Yeah. But we'd better be careful." Xander replied, drawing his sword. Murtagh laughed a bit.

"Hand me your sword." Murtagh told him. Xander did so, and Murtagh whispered a few words, then whacked his arm with Xander's sword. Xander flinched, expecting Murtagh to badly injure himself. Though there wasn't even a scratch on his mail. "I dulled the edge with magic. I can remove it so don't worry." He handed Xander the sword. Xander looked impressed. He didn't know magic had such practical uses as well. Murtagh dulled Zar' Roc as well, and the fight began.

Both circled each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. After a moment, Xander began by rushing at Murtagh, who sidestepped and hit him over the head with Zar' Roc. Xander fell, surprised at how fast Murtagh was. He got back up and they faced off once more. This time, Xander tried to fake him out by rushing to one side and then spinning and coming from the other side. Murtagh deflected the blow and sent Xander staggering backwards. Murtagh came forward with a series of blows. Xander managed to block most, but Murtagh caught him on his kneecap, causing him to lose his balance. Murtagh was about to bring his sword down on Xander's head but he rolled to the side, avoiding it. Xander got on one knee and stabbed Murtagh in the foot. He flinched, giving Xander a slight opening. He swung upward, hitting Murtagh's chin and knocking him over. Both panted heavily for a moment, then got up and sheathed their swords.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Murtagh said after un-dulling their swords. Xander nodded. He and Fawkes walked back up the staircase, which was made twice as hard because of the armor and sword. When they finally got back to their room, Xander took off the armor and got into the bath tub and washed himself.

Well Fawkes, it looks like I'll be doing this for another 13 days. Xander told Fawkes with a sigh.


It appears so. He replied.

Fawkes? Xander questioned.

Yes?

What was Thorn like? He asked.

Sad, angry, confused, and uneducated. His feelings are all bottled up, and the only way he can express them is by killing. It's a sad existence to be perfectly honest. Fawkes explained. I honestly feel bad for him.

I see. Well anyway, we should get some sleep. Xander got onto his bed and fell asleep after only a moment.

He was again awoken by guards. This time there were about five guards. Galbatorix seemed to be sending more and more guards to watch over him, probably because of Fawkes' growing spurt. The guards once again stopped at the door and opened it for him. Xander stepped inside to see Murtagh alone this time. He realized that it was not the King's throne room but rather the door next to it, meaning that this room was directly to the right of the throne room. There was a similar door in the back, meaning that it probably led to the training room as well. "I see you haven't brought your sword or armor." Murtagh said. Xander mentally kicked himself. He had completely forgotten. "Well that's okay. We're training in magic today anyways." Xander exhaled. "Oh, Fawkes will be going to train with Shruikan today."

You okay with that Fawkes? Xander asked through their mental connection.

I don't particularly mind. It would be good for both your and my training. Fawkes answered.

Alright but try to keep in touch alright?

Agreed. Fawkes then left the room, escorted by the guards.

"Ready?" Murtagh asked. Xander nodded. They went back to the training room and began the lesson. Over the course of several hours, Murtagh showed him many words of the ancient language including fire, lifting things, how to move earth, and many other things. Halfway through the lesson, Xander nearly fainted from the strain of trying all of these things. Surprisingly, he could do most of it on his first try. Both took a lunch break, eating some bread and assorted vegetables.

"You know Xander," Murtagh began. Xander looked at him. Murtagh sat on the floor, his arms behind him, leaning back. His long brown hair suspended behind him, his deep blue eyes staring at the ceiling. "You're probably the luckiest, most talented Rider there ever was. I've never seen or heard of somebody who mastered magic as fast as you, nor a Rider who began as a slave. Not to mention your Dragon's extreme intelligence and size for its age. You have been given something few people have. Raw talent. Don't waste it." Xander listened to him intensely. He was right. He did have talent. And he shouldn't waste it. Suddenly, Xander felt Murtagh's presence delve into his mind. In your own mind is the only place we can talk privately. Just between us, if you plan to join the Varden, sneak out and leave a day before Galbatorix expects you to. He plans to make you swear your oaths on the day you leave. Xander froze. Was Murtagh lying? If he wasn't, that would be his perfect chance. "Anyhow, let's get back to it eh?" Murtagh stood and said, smiling.

"Uh, yeah..." Xander stood as well. Murtagh spent the rest of their time together teaching him to protect his mind, something Murtagh was very adept at. By the end of it, he could successfully prevent Murtagh from entering his mind which Murtagh said was very important.

"Alright, that should be enough for today. I'll see you tomorrow." Murtagh said. Xander waved and walked back up the staircase. He met Fawkes at the top. They were escorted to their room and laid down on their beds.

So. Another 11 days until we leave fore the Varden.

It appears so. Fawkes answered. I caught what Murtagh said to you about going. We've gotten very lucky if he's telling the truth.

Yeah you're right. Xander agreed. He turned over in his bed for a moment. So what was Shruikan like? I've never seen him before, nor I think has anyone in this entire castle save Galbatorix.

He was very large, about eight times my size. Xander's jaw dropped when he imagined how big Shruikan must be. He was wise, fierce, probably the most powerful Dragon currently in in Alagaesia. Though like Thorn, he had much bottled up anger, mostly towards Galbatorix. Our time together was enjoyable yet at the same time frightening. I admire Shruikan as much as I despise and fear him. It's odd really. Fawkes explained to him. Xander thought over this. He wondered what Eragon's Dragon would be like. He had heard tales of the majestic, beautiful, blue Dragon. He fell asleep with thoughts of becoming a hero, and defeating the mighty force of Galbatorix and Shruikan.

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Woot, chapter 2!
I had a lot of fun writing this and I hope you have a lot of fun reading it!

Atra esterni ono thelduin. (May good fortune rule over you)

R&R