CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: Burn
"I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you."
- The Reason, Hoobastank
Ashen picked at her nails uncomfortably, acutely aware of the fact that Murtagh and Tristan were both sending each other death glares over the top of her head. Things had been tense between them since they had first encountered each other, but there wasn't time for rivalry now.
The three of them were in a meeting, along with Thorn, Fafnir, Delia and her dragon Aziza, Queen Islanzadi, and Vanir. There was a bitter expression on Murtagh's face. He knew that no one here apart from Ashen trusted him.
"Powerful as Eragon may be, he will require assistance in taking Dras-Leona," Islanzadi stated, her piercing eyes landing on Murtagh, "This is where you, Morzan's son, can prove yourself."
Murtagh scowled. "My name is Murtagh."
Tristan was frowning, glaring across at the young Rider.
I don't trust him, Fafnir.
Perhaps you should give him a chance before you form an opinion. Fafnir's reply was as logical as ever.
Of course, the dragons could not fit inside the castle where Risthart had once lived, when he had ruled Teirm. The three of them lingered outside in the courtyard, its vastness conveyed by the fact that three dragons could fit in it.
"You and Thorn, along with Ashen, will go to Belatona. From there, you will accompany the Varden north towards Dras-Leona."
"What?" Tristan was on his feet immediately, glowering across at Murtagh, "I don't have a problem with him going with Thorn, but he's not taking Ashen with him."
Ashen shook her head and sighed.
"Tristan, don't be ridiculous. You know I can fight."
"That's beside the point!" snapped Tristan, jabbing an accusing finger at Murtagh. The other Rider was watching him with an angry look coming over his face. "He was the one who brought you to Uru'baen in the first place. You thought you could trust him once, Ashen…and it turned out that you were wrong."
Murtagh bared his teeth, his hand on the hilt of Zar'roc. He could feel the disgust emanating from Tristan.
"The king knew my true name. I didn't mean to betray you. Why do you think I'm here? My true name has changed. Ashen would understand. It's because of her that I am free of Galbatorix."
Tristan drew Sundavar, pointing it at Murtagh. Hatred was etched into his features as he advanced on the older Rider.
"You hurt my sister," Tristan hissed, sounding menacing, "I know she has been tortured. Do not try and lie to me, spawn of Morzan."
Murtagh wanted to draw Zar'roc, except Thorn would have none of it.
He is upset because of what befell Ashen. Violence will do nothing but make the matter worse. You need to talk to him, Murtagh.
Talk to him? Murtagh responded incredulously. He wants to kill me!
That is because he thinks you have done something you haven't. Explain to him what really happened. I'm sure that Ashen will side with you on this matter. She knows you have done nothing to harm her.
"I wasn't the one who tortured her," Murtagh retorted, "I would rip the heart out of the one who did. He is one of Galbatorix's pet magicians."
"It's true," Ashen piped up, crossing over to her brother. He lowered his sword slightly. "He never harmed me, Tristan. We can trust him."
Tristan was torn between his disdain for Murtagh and his love for his sister. Ashen would never lie to him. Reluctantly, he pushed Sundavar back into its sheath. Ashen smiled tightly and turned to face Murtagh.
"I will go to Belatona."
Tristan was not Ashen's older brother for no reason. He saw the way Murtagh looked at her. Normally, the young Rider was full of anger and bitterness, yet when he glanced across at Ashen…it was different. He realised the truth immediately. He's in love with her.
To think he'd entertained the notion that Ashen and Eragon would develop feelings for each other! Tristan did not know the extent of his sister's feelings for Murtagh. If she loved him, too, it could lead to complications. Despite Murtagh's pleas of innocence, Tristan still did not trust him.
When Zander had got word that Teirm was under the control of the elves, he had decided to investigate the situation for himself. Sure enough, two elves patrolled in front of the gates. He smiled to himself, cracking his knuckles. The real reason he was at Teirm wasn't only because of the rumours. A red dragon had been sighted near the city and Zander had no doubt in his mind that it was Thorn – which meant that Murtagh was there. If Murtagh was there…Ashen would be with him.
Zander sat down and thought hard. He could not just stroll into Teirm. Being one of Galbatorix's favourites did have its downsides, one of them being that he would be recognised, even by elves. He had to somehow distract everyone in Teirm while he came after Ashen. If the gossip was correct, two other Riders – most likely Eragon and Tristan – were also in Teirm. He had no wish to encounter any Riders.
Then it came to Zander. He grinned and clambered to his feet, pointing his hand at Teirm and concentrating on the city as a whole. This would take a lot of effort, but Zander was powerful. His eyes glittered as he whispered the word.
"Brisingr."
It only took a minute. Screams started ringing out from the city and Zander muttered the word several more times, lighting up different parts of Teirm. Better to burn the place down than have it in the possession of the elves. The chaos continued and the elf guards disappeared into the city, clearly wondering what had happened. The fire started to rage out of control. Zander lifted his arms up into the air, threw back his head and laughed maniacally as Teirm burned.
Ashen exited the castle to see the devastation that had gripped Teirm. Her eyes widened as she saw the flames everywhere. This could be no accident. Someone was after them and her heart sank as she observed the pandemonium. The others looked just as horrified as she felt.
"We have to get people out of here," Delia's tone was commanding, "There are women and children in the city."
Tristan nodded, his eyes narrowing against the rising smoke.
"We could get some out on the dragons. Aziza is big enough to take half a dozen."
Delia's piercing eyes roved over Tristan for a moment, before she nodded. She and Tristan hurried down to the courtyard where the dragons were, and Murtagh turned to face Ashen. There was a determined gleam in his eyes.
"This is my chance to prove myself," he told her, "Come on. I'll take you out with the first…"
Ashen shook her head fervently. "No. I can look after myself. Save those you can." Murtagh looked hesitant, but Ashen's expression became fierce and he knew she was serious. She embraced him fiercely, pressing her face into his chest.
"Be careful," she instructed, kissing him quickly on the lips – just as Tristan rounded the corner to see what was taking Murtagh so long. He marched over to confront Ashen, a stern look coming over his face.
"What is going on?" he demanded, for a moment oblivious to the flames that licked at Teirm, "Ashen, I don't know what his intentions are now, but he is still a traitor."
Hurt flashed through Murtagh's eyes and he turned and stomped off, in Thorn's direction. Ashen fixed her brother with a steely glare.
"I love him," she said simply.
Whatever Tristan had been expecting, it hadn't been that. He blinked and observed his sister with shock for a moment, before whirling around and marching back the way he'd come. In his mind, he was seething.
They're in love, Fafnir! My sister and a traitor!
You're too harsh on Murtagh, Fafnir reprimanded him, Besides, you can't choose who you fall in love with. You know that better than anyone, based on your feelings for Delia.
Tristan groaned inwardly. I don't want to talk about that right now.
Good, Fafnir approved of this, Then focus on saving the people of Teirm.
Ashen felt that she was suffocating as she watched Teirm burning. She didn't think she had ever felt so helpless. She saw the dragons moving in and out of the city and could only hope that they managed to rescue everyone.
"I didn't think Murtagh would be stupid enough to leave you alone, but it looks as though I was wrong."
Ashen whirled around, drawing her sword at pointing it at Zander. He stood only feet away from her, a smirk on his face as he looked out at the fire that had claimed Teirm.
"Like it?"
Ashen shouldn't have been surprised. Had she expected Galbatorix to just let Murtagh go? Zander was obviously here to recapture him, and the fire he'd started had been to wreak destruction and keep everyone busy.
"He's not here," Ashen sneered at Zander. She was no longer a helpless prisoner in the dungeons of Uru'baen. She did not fear him anymore. "It looks like you're out of luck, Zander."
The magician blinked, his green eyes suddenly confused. Then he threw back his head and laughed delightedly. Ashen thought he was after Murtagh. Oh, how wrong she was!
"I'm not here for the Rider."
It was Ashen's turn to be puzzled. "Well then, what are you here for?"
Zander grinned and Ashen was too distracted by the malevolence in his expression to notice the black magic gathering at his fingertips.
"I'm here for you. Risa."
Ashen felt herself jerked off her feet and suddenly she was suspended over the battlements. It took all her strength to convince herself not to look down. She kicked uselessly as Zander took a step forward, palm raised towards her.
"I thought you were supposed to be intelligent," he laughed, "So tell me, Ashen – why would Galbatorix possibly want you alive?"
Ashen felt dread come over her as she thought about it. It must be because of Tristan. Galbatorix would know that the young Rider would never risk his sister. Tristan would swear himself to the king if it meant keeping Ashen alive.
"Because of Tristan."
Zander nodded slowly, a manic grin lighting his features. Ashen felt her stomach lurch. She knew that this man was insane and that was she was scared of. It wasn't him she feared – it was the fact that he was so mad she didn't know what he was capable of.
"You're close. That's one part of it. Think hard. Think about someone who would die for you. Someone whose name starts with an M."
Murtagh.
Galbatorix would have not one, but two Riders serving him. Ashen struggled against the hold of Zander's magic, although she knew she was powerless. Murtagh had already told her that she stood no chance against Zander.
"Where's your precious Rider now?" Zander mocked, "You are pathetic. You couldn't even save your own skin."
Ashen swallowed, finding the strength to speak.
"Put me down and draw your sword, and soon you won't have skin to save."
Zander seemed to consider this. His moment of hesitation was all it took. Ashen raised her hand and pointed it at him.
"Garjzla," she gasped.
The cerise light flew from her hand and smacked Zander in the chest. He was thrown several feet backwards, resulting in him releasing the magic that had held Ashen prisoner. She hit the ground hard, the wind knocked clean out of her.
Zander chuckled and clapped his hands slowly. "So you are more of a fighter than I had expected. A magician…I certainly didn't expect that."
Ashen knew she had to get up and run as fast as she could – but her head was throbbing and everything ached. She was drained from the energy she had used to strike Zander, and falling three feet hadn't helped matters.
Tears – those liquid pools of failure – welled in Ashen's eyes as Zander crouched down beside her, running a hand through his silver-blond hair. She wanted to struggle, yet there was no energy left in her body to try.
"Get away from her."
Ashen knew that voice, filled with loathing and fury. She managed to lift her head, hope lending her strength. Murtagh stood with Zar'roc pointed at Zander and Thorn flew over him, growling threateningly.
Zander realised the precarious position he was in immediately. If he did not surrender Ashen, Murtagh would surely kill him. He stood up and backed away, hands held up as if in protest. He smiled and shook his head.
"You win now, Rider…but you won't next time."
Zander turned and ran. Murtagh did not attempt to stop him. Instead, he crossed over to Ashen and helped her to her feet. His grey eyes were hard, indicating that he was not impressed by what had occurred.
"What did he do to you?" Murtagh demanded, grabbing Ashen by the wrist and inspecting her arm. Ashen snatched her hand back.
"I'm fine," she insisted, "I used magic to drive him back – and it weakened me."
Murtagh growled in anger as he gripped his hair in his hands. Thorn landed a little way off and they started walking towards him.
"What did I tell you about fighting him, Ashen? He could have killed you! What were you thinking?"
"He wasn't here to kill me." Ashen replied coolly, annoyed at being reprimanded. She and Murtagh clambered onto Thorn's back and the dragon launched himself into the air. "He was trying to capture me. He said something about using me to turn you and Tristan over to Galbatorix."
From here, they could see the destruction that had befallen Teirm. The entire city was up in flames. It would be a miracle if anything survived. Ashen shivered, recognising for the first time the extent of Zander's power.
Murtagh sounded troubled when he finally spoke. "Then you're in more danger than I thought."
A red dragon flew over Belatona and immediately, everyone was on alert. Eragon clutched at Brisingr's hilt as he watched from Saphira's back. He was overcome by cold trepidation, wondering what would happen.
They've come for us.
I don't think so. Saphira was thoughtful. Look, Eragon. They've landed. Murtagh's getting off Thorn's back. I think he wishes to speak with you.
Eragon reluctantly slid off Saphira's back, his grip never easing on Brisingr. He noticed that the portcullis had been closed behind him and he frowned. Did Lucian really think that would stop Murtagh from getting into the city, if that was what he wanted? As Eragon walked towards Murtagh and Thorn, he noticed that the Rider clad in steel armour was reaching out and helping a second person off Thorn's back.
Wait, who is that with them, Saphira? I can't tell from here.
Saphira sounded shocked. It's Ashen!
Eragon could hardly believe it. It had been months since Ashen had vanished, kidnapped by Murtagh from the outskirts of Surda. Now she was here with her captor. Eragon's brows knitted into a frown. Would Murtagh attempt to use Ashen to lure Eragon to Uru'baen? He didn't quite understand.
"Let her go, Murtagh." Eragon's tone was hard as he closed the distance between himself and the red Rider. He observed Ashen. She looked – different. Her hair was shorter, and there was something older about her face. Maybe it was the grimness in her eyes.
"I assure you, she's here of her own free will." When Eragon's eyes narrowed in suspicion, Murtagh added: "Eka ai fricai un Shur'tugal."
Eragon flinched as though he had been slapped. There could be no way that Murtagh was lying, not in the ancient language…yet he wasn't here to capture him and Saphira? Eragon still fixed his brother with an accusing glance. Murtagh's expression turned bitter.
"Don't believe me then, brother," he spat, sick of being mistrusted for something that wasn't his fault, "Ashen can confirm what I say."
The blonde girl stepped forward. Her eyes glimmered with happiness at seeing Eragon again and she opened her mouth to say something, before promptly throwing herself into the younger Rider's arms.
"I have missed you."
Eragon laughed and gripped Ashen by the shoulders, examining her carefully. Despite the joy in her face now, there was something haunted that lingered in the depths of her eyes. He could tell when someone was struggling to conceal their inner torment, and that was definitely what Ashen was doing.
"And I you."
Murtagh watched their exchange with an almost sour look about his face. As Eragon released Ashen, he realised why that was.
He's jealous.
It would seem that Murtagh has become attached to Ashen, Saphira remarked.
"Please listen to Murtagh," sighed Ashen, turning and glancing over her shoulder at the dark-haired Rider, "He has been nothing but kind to me, even in Uru'baen. You see…he managed to change his true name, Eragon. That is why we were able to escape. He comes to you now as a free man."
Eragon's attitude towards Murtagh didn't change. He thought it would probably be a while before it did. Although his older half-brother might be trying to prove himself, the past always influenced the present. A nerve twitched in Murtagh's cheek as he saw the younger Rider's doubt.
"I'll take you to Nasuada, then," Eragon relented, "She can decide whether she wishes you to join our cause or not. We could use another Rider…though not one like you. Know that I don't do this for your sake, Murtagh."
Murtagh turned to glance at Ashen, who was watching the two of them with a concerned expression on her face. A bleak smile lit his features and he laughed mirthlessly.
"Oh, I see. You're doing this for Ashen."
Ashen shook her head slowly and reached for the Rider's arm. "Murtagh…"
He jerked free of her grasp and stomped back towards Thorn. Hurt flashed through Ashen's eyes.
"Fine," Murtagh snapped at Eragon, "If you don't need me, I will leave. See how long you last against Galbatorix while I still have the Eldunari."
Eragon's attitude changed in a second, his face paling slightly.
"What…what did you say?"