CHAPTER NINETEEN: Battle of Dras-Leona

"Keep holding on,

Coz you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

Just stay strong,

Coz you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you."

- Keep Holding On, Avril Lavigne

Murtagh had told them everything he knew of Galbatorix and the Eldunari. While this had not earned the Varden's trust, they were at least willing to give him a chance. Along with Eragon, Murtagh would attack Dras-Leona from the air.

None of them doubted that this would be their hardest battle yet. Dras-Leona was heavily fortified and spies had confirmed the reports that the Shade Mordecai would be assisting Lord Samiel. On the bright side, however, they had gained an ally.

The elves moved west for Uru'baen – and so far, Galbatorix was still unaware of Delia's existence. Ashen doubted that this would last much longer. Zander had most likely seen her and Aziza when he had burned Teirm.

Ashen was under Roran's command. She worked well with him – she had been put with him in the past. As two dragons swooped in over the city, she was forced to watch from the ground. Ashen swallowed her trepidation and gripped the hilt of her sword tight.

Eragon and Murtagh dropped to the ground and crept through the streets. Nasuada had decided that an attack during the night would be more unexpected, so the archers kept aiming for Saphira and Thorn, not knowing the Riders were not on their dragons' backs. Eragon didn't quite know what to think about working with Murtagh – they had accomplished many things in the past, but that had been before Murtagh had been the king's right-hand man.

As they reached the portcullis, a shiver ran down Eragon's spine as he realized that it was already open. He whirled around to face Murtagh, who was looking just as confused as he felt. Sudden, mocking laughter made both Riders whip around and draw their swords.

A Shade stood watching them, a delighted smile spread across his pale face. He was young for one of his kind – no older than his mid-twenties. Both Riders knew that this must be Mordecai. He strode towards them casually, eyes gleaming.

"How naïve you both are," Mordecai chuckled, "You really thought that Dras-Leona would be unprepared for a night raid? You must be more stupid than I'd thought."

Murtagh bared his teeth and held Zar'roc higher, evidently not pleased at having his intelligence insulted.

"Why would they need guards when they have me?"

He spread his hands wide and Eragon realised that he was extremely arrogant, more so than Durza and Varaug. Perhaps that arrogance could be his undoing. Eragon licked his lips, attempting to buy more time.

Saphira! You need to alert Roran and the others. They need to know what's happening.

"I've already killed two of your kind," Eragon informed Mordecai, "You seem likely to become number three."

Mordecai just observed the pair of them with a smirk.

"So this is what the Riders have become? Over-confident teenage boys lacking in brains? Oh, how the mighty have fallen."

Murtagh frowned. "You can talk. You're hardly older than us. You wouldn't even have known the Riders."

The Shade's grin was nasty. "Appearances can be deceiving, boy." He looked straight at Eragon with nothing but contempt in his maroon eyes. "Look at you. You are the Varden's greatest hope and you are nothing more than a common farm boy." He turned to sneer at Murtagh. "And you…oh, the king knows all about your little romance."

Murtagh suddenly went cold. Of course, he hadn't expected to keep Ashen a secret forever…yet the last thing he wanted was Galbatorix knowing about her. It made sense to him now. That was why Zander had been sent out. How had he been so stupid? He'd thought it was only the magician who knew the truth, but apparently it was Galbatorix now as well.

"I hear she's terrified of Shades." Mordecai was relentless, attempting to drive the daggers of his words deeper in Murtagh's heart. "Perhaps I should meet her."

Murtagh's control snapped and he lashed out at Mordecai. He lunged so fast that Eragon – who had fought Murtagh before and knew that he was practically unbeatable – expected that he would get Mordecai in the heart. The Shade laughed and took a nimble step backwards. He may not be as powerful as Murtagh physically, but he was faster.

"Nice try, Rider."

Mordecai immediately raised his palm level with Murtagh's chest. "Jierda."

There was a horrible snapping sound and Murtagh hissed in pain. Eragon watched him spit out blood and realised with disbelief that a few of his ribs must be broken. How could he withstand the pain? Eragon shuddered to think what Murtagh must have experienced in Uru'baen to allow him to suffer such an injury and still stand. While the Shade was distracted, he raised his hand towards the sky and gave the signal.

"Garjzla."

Blue light exploded above him like a firework.

"We have to finish what we started." Tynan sounded deadly serious, perhaps even vengeful. Brynja and Nolfavrell exchanged uneasy glances. The three of them had fought their way into the city and now Tynan was expressing a desire to become a Shadeslayer again. After what had happened last time, Brynja wasn't sure that was such a good idea.

"I think we should just leave him to Eragon and Murtagh…"

Tynan shook his head vigorously, blue eyes burning. "Murtagh is wounded – by the Shade. Thorn had to evacuate him."

Brynja's eyes narrowed. "Well, Eragon, then." To be honest, she did not want to go hunting Shades. They were here to capture Dras-Leona, not kill Mordecai. She could understand why Tynan wanted the Shade dead, because she did too…but they did not have to be the ones to kill him.

Nolfavrell was frowning in concentration. Brynja sighed heavily, knowing that he would be won over by the older boy's argument. Tynan could be very persuasive when he wanted to be.

"We stand a better chance," he concluded finally.

Brynja folded her arms across her chest. "Oh? Why is that?"

Nolfavrell wouldn't look her in the eye. "Because we're not the only ones trying to kill him."

There was a tense silence, before a new voice spoke up.

"You know, as amusing as you three plotting my death is, I doubt you actually have the courage to carry through with it."

Brynja felt as though her lungs had been robbed of air as she spun around. Mordecai lounged casually against the wall of one of the houses. There were no weapons on his person and he spread his arms wide, daring them to attack him. After exchanging a hesitant glance with Brynja, Tynan whipped a dagger from his belt and threw it at the Shade.

Usually, magic was his primary weapon, but it would be better if Mordecai was injured. The dagger struck the Shade in the shoulder blade and he snarled like an angry cat before pulling the weapon from him.

"You think to kill me with this?" His amusement sounded forced. "You stupid, stupid boy."

Brynja saw the sudden flash in the Shade's maroon eyes as he raised the dagger and she shot Nolfavrell a horrified glance. Mordecai chuckled darkly and threw the dagger right back at Tynan.

The young magician didn't stand a chance. Mordecai was just too fast. He raised his hand, eyes widening with shock, and barked: "Letta!"

Too late. The dagger had already pierced Tynan's heart and the magic faltered and died in his hand. Brynja could hear a loud, high-pitched scream – and realised that it was emanating from her. Tynan swallowed thickly and then collapsed.

Brynja was breathing fast as she looked down on Tynan's motionless body. He had been the most powerful of the three of them. By themselves, she and Nolfavrell did not stand a chance. The younger boy stepped forward as if to confront the Shade, but Brynja grabbed him by the arm and dragged him back.

"No, don't."

Her vision was suddenly blurred with tears and she tried to muffle her choked sobs. Mordecai watched her and Nolfavrell, but made no attempt to stop them. For Brynja, that was even worse. It meant that to the Shade, they weren't worth the effort of killing. He didn't even view them as a threat.

Mordecai smirked as he watched the girl and the younger boy retreat. He nudged the dead young magician aside with his foot, before he swaggered casually down the street. It did not matter that fighting was going on everywhere. He was a Shade and therefore had nothing to fear. His heightened senses would alert him if he was in danger.

Mordecai saw the commotion down the end of the street. Two Imperial soldiers were fighting a blonde girl. Despite her smaller size, she was agile and the way she fought almost made it look as though she was dancing. She twisted and ducked and within moments, both soldiers had fallen. Then the girl turned and he recognised her immediately.

It was Ashen. She froze when she saw Mordecai and suddenly all the fight went out of her. She still gripped her sword tightly in her hand – yet when the Shade advanced on her, she didn't even move. Perhaps she hoped if she stood still for long enough, she would become invisible. When Mordecai looked at her, her eyes were blazing with fear.

"So you are the one they all talk about." He paced around her like a hunter stalking its prey. "You are the key to bringing the Riders to Galbatorix."

Ashen glared at the Shade with loathing. She wanted nothing more than to kill him – yet for some reason, her arms and legs weren't obeying her commands. If he had wanted her dead, he could have killed her easily.

"You are afraid." Mordecai reached out and scraped a sharp nail down Ashen's cheek. Whatever spell had held her in check, it was immediately broken. Danger flashed in the girl's eyes and she bared her teeth, gripping the Shade's wrist tight.

"I'm not too afraid to kill you," she hissed.

Mordecai chuckled. Even without a sword, he could defeat this girl. She lunged at him, but even though her movements were fast, to him they seemed sluggish. A normal human could not hope to best him. He could see by the fire in her dark blue eyes that she was driven by her anger, her loathing of Shades.

"Do I remind you of him?" Mordecai asked of her, still smiling, "Do I remind you of the Shade who killed your brother?"

Ashen slashed at him again, trying not to let her rage control her. How dare Mordecai speak about Colton! She could feel her stomach twisting in hatred and a wild cry escaped her as she leapt at him again. The Shade raised his hand and muttered something and suddenly a searing pain shot down Ashen's right arm. She dropped her sword.

"Foolish girl," Mordecai shook his head slowly, "You think you stand any more chance against me than you did against Durza? I could destroy you…too bad the king wants you alive."

There was a nasty cut on Ashen's arm when she examined herself. Blood started to trickle down and spatter on the ground. She reached down for her sword, trying to ignore the stinging pain. Except when she stood upright, Mordecai was not looking at her.

Eragon stood there, Brisingr bathed in blue flames as he advanced on the Shade. His dark eyes were alight.

"Do you wish to meet your brother's fate?" taunted Mordecai, "Stay out of this, little Rider."

While the Shade's attention was focused on Eragon, Ashen struck. She drove her sword straight towards Mordecai, except he whipped around and it caught him the other side of his chest. She had not got him in the heart.

Mordecai gritted his teeth in pain and pulled the sword from him, tossing it to the ground. He had started to waver and Ashen knew he would fade. She felt bitter that she had only succeeded in making him stronger.

"I'll be back," the Shade warned her, "When I am, you will be sorry."

As he vanished, Ashen sighed heavily and turned to face Eragon. He lowered Brisingr and the flames disappeared as he sheathed the blade. He walked across to her and gripped her shoulders, examining her critically.

"Are you alright, Ashen? You've gone all pale. You look terrified."

Her breath rattled out from between her lips. "Of course I'm terrified, Eragon. I was just confronted by a Shade."

He gripped her wrist and inspected the cut on her wrist. Ashen's eyes widened as she realised it was starting to turn a nasty green colour. Eragon looked troubled.

"It may be infected. Come, Roran's managed to capture Lord Samiel."

Eragon released Ashen and she felt elated and yet scared, knowing that they were one step closer to taking Uru'baen. Suddenly, she remembered Mordecai's words about Eragon meeting the same fate as his brother, and her blood ran cold.

"What happened to Murtagh?" she demanded, "Is…is he alright?"

Eragon nodded and glanced down at Ashen's arm in concern. It was covered in a glove of blood and Ashen found herself overcome by a wave of dizziness. She stumbled and Eragon rushed towards her.

"Ashen!"

"I'm fine," she retorted, stepping out of his grasp.

Then everything went black.