Chap 10 Changing
Kali, Murtagh, Saphira and Thorn saw the castle as the sky started darkening. They made their way up to the Dragon Tower. Once they landed, they were met by Shruikan. My, my, aren't we in trouble, he stated. Murtagh and Kali morphed back to themselves.
"Knock it off, Shruikan. We're tired," Kali stated.
Nice to see you are well.
"Thank you. Now if you don't mind, I'll get dinner and go to bed," Kali moved passed his large claw and made for the door. Just as she was reaching for the handle, Galbatorix opened it and they crashed together.
"Sorry Kali, I just wanted...Kali?" he asked looking at her to make sure.
"Do you know more than one Kali?" she asked, rubbing her arm.
"But I thought that..."
"I feel so loved. My father thought I was dead. Goes to show how much he loves me," she said contemptuously. He looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "Don't worry," she said patting his arm and moving around him, "I still love you." She walked out of the door. Galbatorix turned back to the others.
Murtagh just shrugged his shoulders and helped Eragon remove Saphira's saddle. They had left Thorn's in Aquila, saying that they had another one in the hold. The door opened again revealing Luka, "What's wrong with Kali?" she asked.
"You knew?!" Galbatorix rounded on her.
"Of course! I'm a born street rat! I lie when I have to!" she stated. "Dinner anyone?"
Eragon and Murtagh nodded silently and followed Luka out of the door, leaving Galbatorix to stare after them. "So anything interesting happen?" Murtagh asked.
"Not really although Sidra needs to talk to Kali. I don't know why but I have to tell her," Luka answered. They reached the kitchens and Kali put down four plates of food on the table as they stepped in. "Kali, Sidra said she wanted to see you."
"Is she alright?" Kali asked.
"She's stopped being sick two months ago but she's really moody lately."
Murtagh looked up at that. Kali mouthed later. He nodded and sat down, starting to eat the food. They all sat and ate in silence. "I need sleep," Kali stated as she finished and stood up. "Night everyone."
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Eragon made his way to his room after dropping Luka off down the hall. He entered and lay down on the soft bed, thinking. Little one, if you like Luka, you should stop mooning after Arya. In my opinion, I like Luka better. She's more understandable.
Eragon chuckled slightly. Surprisingly, I've stopped. I don't have feelings for Arya anymore, especially after the Varden. And you're right; Luka is more understandable. And I guess...I do like her a bit, he said sheepishly.
So, how come your heart beats faster when you see her?
Saphira!
It is very true, Eragon, and you know it. You have my blessing.
I haven't even asked her anything, Saphira!
Well, just so you know. Good night! Saphira blocked the connection before he could retort back. He sighed and snuggled into the warm covers and fell into his elven trance. Sometime during the night, he felt something shift in his mind but before he could figure it out, he was plunged into darkness.
Eragon woke up feeling muzzy. He heaved himself out of the bed and checked the window. It was two hours passed dawn. He splashed some water in his face, waking him up and made his way to the kitchen. Kali, Luka and Murtagh were already there.
"Finally! We thought you...what happened to your face?!" Murtagh asked.
Eragon's hand went subconsciously to his face, "What's wrong with it?"
Luka stood up and touched his cheek, "You're normal. Human," she stated.
Eragon's eyes immediately went to Kali. She was looking at them, her head resting on her hand. "Both of you look cute together," she smiled, ignoring Eragon's questioning look.
"Kali? Did you have anything to do with Eragon's face changing?" Murtagh asked.
"And if I did?" she looked at him. He narrowed his eyes at her. She smiled back cheekily. "You know what? I have to go and see Sidra," she stated as she stood from the table. She slowly made her way to the door. Once the door was open, she bolted down the hall. Murtagh immediately stood and sprinted after her.
"Get back here!" he yelled, "I'm not finished with you!"
"NEVER!!!!!" she laughed. Their shouting got fainter and fainter until it disappeared altogether.
Eragon and Luka stayed staring at each other, "Do you...do you want to go for a walk while they decide if they want to come back?" he asked. Luka nodded shyly and they started to make their way to the gardens. "Do you prefer me like this or as an elf?" he asked suddenly.
"Oh...erm...I guess I prefer you like this," she stated looking down as they walked, "I mean, you look the same but the way you looked before was...unnatural in a way. I'm not saying you looked horrible! Just a bit strange from what you see in Uru'Baen."
"So I look fine?"
"Yes," she said with a little laugh, "Although, you could do with a bath." Eragon looked down at himself and nodded in agreement. They both burst out laughing and sat down on one of the benches by the fountain.
They talked different things, changing from subject to subject naturally. They didn't have any hesitant pauses and didn't acknowledge the people around them. Before they knew it, it was almost dark. "We've spent the whole day talking?" Eragon asked.
"Apparently. Murtagh and Kali said they were going to teach us something today. I guess they got a bit too caught up with other things." Both of them shuddered slightly, "We should get back." They both made their way to the room connected to the kitchen. Before they could go in, they heard voices.
"Do you think it worked?" they heard Murtagh ask.
"Of course! They wouldn't have gotten talking twenty-to-the-dozen if they didn't. I passed them three times, none of them noticed me and they had the same look in their eyes like Sandy and Aiden, or Brandon and Chaela or-"
"You and me?"
"Yes!" Kali exclaimed, "You can tell, even if you don't know them! I haven't heard Luka laugh like that in years and she's only seventeen!"
"Alright! I get it!" Murtagh laughed, "she's happy and I'm all for her being with Eragon."
"But? I sense a but in that sentence," Kali stated accusingly.
"Well, Varden, Empire, Empire, Varden." Eragon and Luka didn't understand what he said.
"We discussed this!" she exasperated.
"I know! I know!" he said. There was the scraping of the chair as he got up. "But think of it!"
"I have and it doesn't look pretty. Murtagh we agreed on the fact that we were going to move the elves to the Varden before they can move south. We agreed! They would win easier if they were all together!"
"They want my head!" Murtagh shouted.
"And what do you think they don't want me butchered alive! I have the worst lineage! They'll kill me as soon as they look at me!" Kali screamed. The in silence they could probably have heard a pin drop. "And you know why we are doing this," she whispered, "One way or another; we get the peace we always wanted. The world hates us both, so why bother denying it?"
"I'm not," Murtagh said quietly.
"Why are we having this argument now? We should discuss it when we've done everything. How about we-?"
"Oh, no. You aren't running from me now," Murtagh laughed. They heard a small scuffle inside. "You're coming with me!" They heard Kali yelp and the door opened. She had been thrown over Murtagh's shoulder and was hanging limply, not bothering. "If you will both excuse us," he said as he saw them. He turned to his room leaving a confused Eragon and Luka behind.
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"Murtagh...Murtagh, s-stop," Kali said breathlessly. She could feel his smirk on her neck. His lips and tongue slowly travelled along her jaw before kissing her fully in the mouth.
"Why?" he whispered. He had her pinned down under him making her unable to move. She struggled uselessly. She whimpered as he went back to his previous torture of licking and biting her neck. "I have to wonder sometimes." She gasped as she felt his hands travelling up her shirt, "why you don't stop me. Maybe it's because you don't really want me to."
"We...we have t-to...wake e-early to-morrow," she gasped, "Eragon and...Lu...Luka..."
"I don't care." He made sure Kali didn't talk anymore or at least, nothing of what would happen after the next few hours he had with her.
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Eragon shot out of bed covering his ears. He heard Saphira crash in her hold. The sound sounded like Kali and Murtagh when they were roaring in Aquila. It suddenly stopped. WHAT WAS THAT! Saphira shouted.
I don't know. Eragon looked out of the window and realized that it was just past dawn. Might as well get breakfast. He made his way out of the room and down to the kitchens. He saw Luka a little ahead of his so he caught up. "Hey."
"Hi," she said turning, "Did you hear that noise?"
"Do you know what it was?" he asked.
Luka shook her head, "No but it gave me a fright. I heard Thorn crash."
"Saphira too." They entered the room near the kitchens. Kali was sitting with a mug in her hands as she looked up.
Luka opened her mouth. "Don't," Kali started, "So...how did you like your wakeup call?" she asked.
"That was you?!" they yelled.
Kali held her hands up in surrender, "It wasn't only me. Murtagh started it." At that moment, Murtagh walked in. When he saw Eragon and Luka staring accusingly at him he started to chuckle quietly.
"Why wake up this early?" Luka moaned as she sat on a chair and reached for something.
"Training," Murtagh said simply, "But together today. Kali will decide who goes with who when she sees what both of you can do."
"Why Kali?"
"Because she's stronger and also because I can't sense things she can. I just teach what I know," he stated, "So," he rubbed his hands together, "who wants to get there arse kicked first?"
Eragon and Luka looked at each other. Oh dear, Luka thought.
Please tell me they're joking, he begged. She just shook her head sadly. "What stands in the category of training?"
"Archery, sword, magic...they usual," Kali smirked.
"I've been taught that already," Eragon stated, "Murtagh could tell you that."
"Yes," she replied, "But you will find out that there are other people better than both of you at swordplay. And anyway, Oromis, Vanir and the other elves taught you their way. I'm teaching you mine. Murtagh and I will give you a demonstration of what real sword fighting is."
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The group stood by the training fields. Eragon and Luka stood watching Murtagh and Kali circling. They circled on and on, minutes passing before Murtagh took the first strike. She dodged and delivered a few of her own. Most were blocked but a few hit their target. Eragon realised that the swords weren't blocked.
Murtagh and Kali blocked, parried, feinted and struck. Their dance became even faster and more deadly, none of them holding back at giving each other cuts, bruises and scrapes. They both had a determined gleam in their eyes. Murtagh swung his sword sideways at an angle making Kali drop the sword. Before she could even think, he thrust his sword forward through her ribs. Luka and Eragon and the whole field who was watching stared at them in silence.
He pulled the sword out and they stared at each other, Kali discreetly reaching to the back of her trousers. Before anyone could blink, they were both fighting again; Murtagh with the bloody sword and Kali with two long knives. She tripped him and Murtagh fell to the floor on his back. Kali pounced and held both knives to his throat. They stayed like that for a second, both panting harshly. Murtagh reached up to the gaping wound and healed it. Kali removed the knives and got off him before sitting on the dirt packed ground. She waved Eragon and Luka over.
They stared at each other for a moment before hesitantly walking to them. The other soldiers went back to their sparring occasionally looking back at the couple on the floor. Kali patted the floor beside her and they sat down. "So what did you learn from that?" she asked.
"Never underestimate your enemy no matter how badly they are wounded?" Eragon asked.
"And?" she prompted.
"And make sure you keep an eye on where your opponent might hide weapons?" Luka said timidly.
"Very good. You can never tell where there may be weapons hidden. If I asked you now 'how many weapons do I still have on me?' what would you say?"
"I know you would have at least two more," Luka stated.
Kali looked at Eragon. "I'll just guess. Four."
She shook her head, "Nine, the two I just used and my sword. That would make twelve."
"Nine?!" Luka exclaimed, "Where do you hide them all?!"
Murtagh smiled, "Not even I know where she hides them all. She won't ever tell you. Moving on, the fact is that you have to be ready for anything. In a duel, you can't stop until you know for sure that your opponent is dead. That means they have to be beheaded or diced or have their heart carved out or their body exploded into invisible fragments or-"
"Murtagh!"
"Basically not breathing?" he enquired.
Kali narrowed her eyes at him. "I guess that will do. But yes, you can't rest or think that you can be laid back because your challenger is weaker than you. THAT will be the death of you. Well, Murtagh will fight you, I watch. Eragon, do you want to go first?"
He was taken aback with the sudden change of subject, "Alright." They both got Zar'oc and Brisingr before taking their places, "Blocked?" Murtagh nodded and they blocked the edges of the swords. Before they stared they felt a strange feeling pass them.
"No magic!" Kali yelled.
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Eragon and Luka trudged inside the castle wearily. Both of them could barely move. They headed to the room by the kitchen for something to eat. Galbatorix was already there. He laughed slightly at the sight of them. "Bad morning?"
Luka and Eragon groaned. It was only noon. "Very." Luka sat down and grabbed a plate. "If this afternoon is anything like this morning, I'll kill myself."
"Wow. That bad?" the king asked.
"'We'll take it easy'! They bloody tore us apart!" Eragon yelled as he sat down, "I swear, and to think I thought the elves were bad! This is a million times worse!!" At that moment Kali and Murtagh walked in.
"How was training?" Galbatorix smirked. Kali gave him a look that basically said 'no comment'. She sat down silently and pulled a plate towards her. Murtagh did the same beside her. "Could someone answer?"
"They did it for you," she said pointing her fork in Eragon and Luka's general direction. "Why bother asking?"
"Every story has two sides. What's yours?"
"Let's hear what they have to say first," Murtagh stated.
Luka looked at both of them, "You work us as hard as you did this morning and I will personally find a way of killing both of you! You said you would take it easy!"
"We did!" Kali replied, "You would have been a bloody pulp by now if we hadn't!"
"We already are!" Eragon and Luka yelled.
"In battle, no one will leave you alone just because you're tired or hurt!" Murtagh and Kali retorted. "You're lucky we-" Kali cut off. She couldn't breathe. Her breath caught and her hand went to her chest. Her breath started coming out in gasps.
"Kali?" Murtagh asked worriedly. Either she ignored him or she couldn't hear him. Instead, her hands flew to her temples, as if she had a very bad headache.
Ignore him, Kali, a voice said in her head, he'll only hurt you more. He caused you pain. He destroyed your life. He caused you to kill yourself.
Please, leave me alone, she begged. Before she could do anything the pain in her head increased. She felt someone grab her arm. Kali felt a sudden bout of hatred and lashed out. She grabbed one of her knifes from her boots and held it to the persons throat. She stared at them for a few seconds before realizing who the person was. "...Murtagh?"
His face showed his confusion and slight fear. His hands were up, showing that he had no weapons. Kali's hands started to shake. The knife clattered to the ground. "Kali?"
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her hands covering her mouth. She felt someone lightly touch her shoulder. Again the hatred rose. She swung around; her fist raised and punched...her father. She stared in horror as he straightened, clutching his jaw. Everyone stared at her. Luka hesitantly placed her hand on Kali's as if she was scared Kali was going to hit her. Nothing happened.
"Eragon, touch her hand," Murtagh said quietly. He did as he was asked and was struck on the nose causing it to break. Luka held Kali before she could take another swing.
Her eyes filled with tears, "What's happening to me?"
"Kali-" Murtagh reached out.
"Don't touch me! OCCISOR!!" she hissed. She looked around before fleeing the room. Luka quickly followed her.
"What was that?" Eragon asked as he healed his nose.
Galbatorix looked at Murtagh who shook his head. "I don't...how?"
"Murtagh...what did she call you?" Galbatorix asked.
He looked at both of them, "...A murderer."
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Kali hid all day in Luka's room, Luka trying to comfort her. Murtagh and Eragon had tried to come to talk to her but Luka didn't let them in. She made Kali take a long hot bath to relax her. Kali was to mortified of what she had said and done that she didn't protest. "Hey," Luka whispered as it started to get dark outside, "Do you want to go to the Dark Dragon tonight?"
Kali smiled slightly, "Only if the girls come."
"I'll tell Marlon to tell Zuna, Tiva and Laasya to meet us. Dance things?" Kali gave her a look and Luka immediately when to find Marlon.
Kali started looking through Luka's draws and pulled out a black and red skirt and halter-top. The top would have left her stomach exposed as it would have only covered her breasts and the skirt only came up to her mid thigh. Of course, she also pulled out very short shorts, so short that they looked like knickers. She also pulled out skirt, shorts and another halter-top in white and blue for Luka. She also pulled out two pairs of black, flat shoes. We really have to be careful, she thought. She changed into the red and black clothes before looking at the full-length mirror. I look like a slut.
She turned as the door opened. "You look like a slut," Luka commented.
"That's what I thought too. But you will too," Kali replied holding out the blue and white clothing. "We're missing the bells."
"Zuna has them. She will take them with her and tell Tom that we're going today."
"I thought she worked in the bar," Kali stated. Luka nodded as she pulled the skirt over the shorts, "Either way, we need to get out of the castle without anyone knowing. I was thinking that if we put a black cloak over this and you hold onto me, we could climb down and head to the bar."
"Alright. Does Murtagh know?" Luka asked.
"No! And I'm not planning on telling him," Kali replied as she grabbed two cloaks and threw one to Luka. After they put them on Kali opened the window and climbed onto the ledge.
There was a knock on the door, "Luka? Can I come in?" Murtagh asked.
"Not really," she called, "Kali's sleeping." She gave Luka a disbelieving look.
"Well, I was just wondering if you and Kali wanted to go out for a drink."
Kali couldn't help but snort, We're probably going to get pissed tonight anyway.
"Well, I'm not really up to it," Luka stated.
"Alright. See you tomorrow then." They heard him leave. Luka held her arms around Kali's neck and Kali jumped off the ledge. She quickly landed on a ledge below and started to climb down the castle walls with Luka hanging on to her like a monkey.
"Thank god that we didn't have the bells," Luka whispered, "If not, everyone would hear us." Kali landed on the ground and they both hid in the shadows. Guards and soldiers passed them without even looking in the shadows were they hid. Luka and Kali quickly climbed over the gates, Luka hanging like a monkey again. They went through the deserted market square and walked into an alley. They reached a door and knocked loudly.
They waited a few minutes before it was opened by a girl with long blonde hair. Her eyes were a clear blue and she looked around twenty. She was wearing the same as Kali and Luka except it was in lilac and dark purple. Zuna look alright but Kali knew that with Zuna's huge breasts, the men wouldn't have cared if she was dressed in rags and the colours also made her eyes look brighter.
"Kali! Luka! God we haven't seen you in ages," Zuna stated. She dragged them both in and they followed her into a room with two other girls. They all wore the same except they had different colours. Tiva had long black hair and her eyes were grey. She wore the clothes in grey, almost silver, and green, while Laasya had reddish hair and her clothes were orange and brown. To Kali, they all looked like sluts.
"Hey!" Tiva rushed to Kali and gave her a huge hug. Kali returned the hug with a smile. "We thought you weren't going to come after all!"
"No. I, sorry, correction, we have had a bad day so Luka thought that we should come," Kali stated.
"Good, because we all know that dancing helps your mood," Laasya got up and handed both of them an anklet and a belt with small bells, one in gold and the other in bronze. Kali bent down to put the gold anklet on, "So have you told your husband that you dance in this bar yet?"
Kali stood up after putting on the anklet. "No," she replied as she put on the belt. Once she was done she shook her hips slightly and the bells jingled, "And hopefully I never will. What the heck would he say? This would be the only thing I would never tell him. And a few things Luka and I keep to ourselves," she grinned.
"Aren't you the sly one?" Zuna smirked, "So how many years have you been with him?"
"All my life since I was two really, but we didn't get married until we found out I was pregnant with Hunter. So that would be almost seventeen years," she stated as she helped Luka with the belt.
"Seventeen years?! God, woman! You've been lying to him for six years!?" Tiva asked.
"Yeah," Kali sighed, "I don't want to, but...I mean, what do I say? 'Hi sweetie, yeah I haven't told you this but I've been lying to you for six years and I dance like a slut in the Dark Dragon'?! Come on! He won't let me out of his sight ever again! And trust me, he can do that!"
"Aright! Calm down!" Zuna laughed.
"Forget it for now!" Laasya smiled, "You are going to have a fun night and we're all going to get pissed and puke our guts out tomorrow."
"You make it sound so fun," Luka said sarcastically, "And Kali doesn't even get sick!"
At that moment a man entered the room. He looked a lot like Zuna; on the other hand, Tom was her brother. "Girls, you done?"
"Kali has to hide her scars and tattoo," Laasya commented. Kali had completely forgotten and quickly put up glamours to hide them. "Now we're done."
The girls followed Tom out to the bar. There was a slightly raised platform were they could dance and a few instruments for music. Soldiers and workers were sitting in groups, all with a tankard of mead or beer talking about goodness knew what. Some called out to the girls as they started to prepare. Kali heard the bar door open and had the urge to turn to see who it was. When she did, she stopped in horror and quickly dragged Luka to a dark corner.
"What are you doing?" Luka asked panicky.
"I need to put a few glamours on you and change our appearance," Kali said quickly.
"What? Why?" At that point she looked over Kali's shoulder and gasped. Eragon, Galbatorix and Murtagh had just entered and sat down at the bar.
N/A: Review! Review! Review! No hints to the next chappy!!!
Anyone recognise the colours of Kali and Luka's costume ???