Chap 11 Dark Dragon Bar

"Damn! What do we do!??" Luka said quickly. She didn't want the boys seeing her like this.

"We can't go now. We promised Zuna and the others," Kali replied, "Erm...let me change your appearance. I'll change mine. Just...make sure you don't say anything suspicious." She quickly put glamours to Luka's hair and eyes to black. Luka looked in the window to see her reflection.

"Black eyes?!"

"I'm sorry but I'm in a bit of a rush!" Kali changed her eyes to stormy grey and her hair a darker shade before dragging Luka back to the others.

"What did you do that for?" Zuna asked.

"My father and two people I know are at the bar," Kali hissed. The girls knew that Kali's father was the king but she didn't want them to know that one of the men was her husband. "Luka and I need to change our names because they will recognise us otherwise and tell my husband."

"Luka can be Lucy and you can be..." Laasya started.

"Kalianne," Luka laughed, "It's your name anyway!" she pointed out as Kali rounded on her, "I doubt that your father even remembers that is your name and the others don't know it."

"Fine," Kali said through her teeth, "But the moment they leave, that name will fly out of your heads."

"Alright! But now get up there!" Tiva pointed to the raised platform. Kali looked at Luka.

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"Is something wrong, Murtagh?" Eragon asked. They were sitting by the bar, a tankard of mead in front of all of them. Murtagh was staring at the dancers from the corner of his eye.

"I'm fine," he replied taking a swing of mead.

"You've been staring at the girls for five minutes," Galbatorix stated. Two of the girls, one in red and black the other in white and blue, made their way to the stage. Once they were on it, the others started to play music. It started slow, rapidly getting faster. Both girls started to dance. Their bells matched the music and both of them danced in time with the other as if they had done it a thousand times. In Murtagh's opinion, they danced well but they looked like sluts. The dance was like swords play. He found it quite ironic. The ones in red and black dancing with the blue and white looked like the Empire and the Varden. The men around them started to cheer calling out encouragements or rude comments.

"It's incredible what men say," Galbatorix stated as a man asked how much one of the girls wanted to share a bed.

"I find it disgusting," Eragon replied, "I feel sorry for the girls; having to put up with this every night."

"Not every," Murtagh stated, "I heard of them but I've never seen them. When I come they're never here. I don't know why; this is the first time I've seen them dance."

They watched as the two girls danced a few songs before they changed with the other girls. After they had done a few dances, the girls went up to the bar and started serving beer and mead to the tables. Murtagh's eyes caught the one in the red and black as she approached the bar. She seemed familiar to him for some reason.

"Why didn't Luka want to come?" Galbatorix asked suddenly. Murtagh saw the girls back tense slightly.

"She said she wasn't feeling up to it," Murtagh replied. The girl reached for the drinks on the bar and served them to a nearby table. She approached the one in white and blue and spoke with her.

"Kalianne! Are you going to stand there talking or are you going to serve?!" the bartender asked.

The girl in red turned quickly and rushed to the bar. "Sorry," Kalianne replied as she picked up the next set of drinks. Galbatorix stared at her as she left.

"Is something wrong?" Eragon asked.

"No. No, it's nothing," he replied distractedly.

The girls kept going back and forth from the bar until the one in red sat on a stool beside them. "Hand me a drink, Tom." The bartender handed her a tankard and she took a long drink. "I've wanted to do that for ages."

Tom smiled, "Finally back to drinking then?"

"God, yes! It's horrible, not being able to have a drink whenever you want," she replied as she took another swing, "Then again, I did get a beauty out of it."

"So when are you going to bring her?" Tom asked, "According to Lucy, she's a very beautiful little girl. Who does she look more like? You or her father?"

"A bit of a mix," the girl in the white said as she approached, "But she defiantly has Kalianne's face...and temper."

"She's not that bad...is she?" Kalianne asked. Tom and Lucy burst out laughing. "What?"

"Where have you been in your daughter's life?" Tom asked.

"She's only a week old!" she protested.

"Wouldn't drinking be bad for the baby?" Galbatorix asked lightly.

The girl looked at him, "She doesn't drink milk for some reason. I've tried but she doesn't so I'll take advantage of that and have a few drinks. I think I deserve it," she raised an eyebrow, "Why have you been staring at me the whole night?"

"Staring? My dear Kalianne, I haven't been staring, merely wondering. You just happened to be in the way," he smirked.

The girl's eyes widened then narrowed. "Might I speak with you? Privately?" Galbatorix's smirk widened as he got of his seat and followed her out of the pub.

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"How could you tell?" Kali immediately fired.

"The names a bit of a giveaway," her father stated grinning as he leaned on the wall with his arms crossed, "I'm guessing that Murtagh doesn't know your real name? If not I'm sure that he would have wondered why a dancer shares the same name, seeing as it's not very common."

"I tell no one my name for the reason that I hate it!" Kali hissed, "Only you and Luka know my real name and she only knows it because we were sharing secrets. We thought you had forgotten it by now. You tell Murtagh that I'm here and I'll skin you alive; king or not!"

"I'd rather keep it to myself," he smirked, "Now I have decent blackmail to find out what I want. How long have you been doing this?"

"I'm not-!!"

"Well, I'll go tell-"

"NO!! Alright fine!! Six years!!" Kali yelled frustrated.

"Six? You've been dancing and lying to Murtagh for six years?"

"The last three years don't count thanks to you," Kali shot.

"And Luka? Is she in on this?" Galbatorix asked. Kali didn't reply looking at the floor, "Hm, Lucy...Luka...Lucy...Luka."

"Yes, she's Lucy!" she burst. They stayed in silence for a second.

"You don't do anything you shouldn't here, do you?" Kali looked at him furiously. "I thought not," her father replied, "Well, are you going to go back in? You do have to go back." Kali smiled and followed her father inside. "Don't worry," he whispered in her ear as Luka, Murtagh and Eragon looked at them, "I won't tell."

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Murtagh looked up when he heard the door open. Eragon and Lucy had started chatting about something or another but he had suspicions about Lucy. They were talking like they were in love. The looks they passed at each other were like Eragon and...Luka? Kali could have easily have put glamours on her but then Kali would need to be close.

The door opened and Kalianne and Galbatorix came in. Before they approached, the king whispered something in her ear, making her look at him wearily as Galbatorix sat down in his place and ordered another drink.

"What did you want her for?" Murtagh asked as Kalianne dragged Lucy away from Eragon.

"Nothing of interest. Just a question."

Murtagh looked at him; Galbatorix just took a swing of the beer. Murtagh let his eyes travel to Kalianne. She looked familiar but he couldn't place it. He was fairly certain that he had never met a Kalianne. Could Kali be short for Kalianne? Then again, Kali never said that she was called Kalianne. But Kali does lie sometimes. Or maybe she hates it? Murtagh thought as Lucy and Kalianne sat down beside them. They ordered another drink. "What do you do for a living?" he asked Kalianne.

"Nothing much," she replied, "Mostly going back and forth; kids, husband, friends. I just do what I can; live of daddy's money," she laughed.

Galbatorix started to choke on his beer. They all looked at him, "Sorry, went the wrong way."

Kalianne giggled. "What about you?"

"Very boring life. Wake up early, training, lunch, more training, dinner, bed. My schedule everyday. Of course I have my lovely wife to lighten it up," he replied.

"You sound very basic. And how's your wife?"

"She's fine. Not up to being here." Kalianne stiffened slightly. He noticed but didn't let on, "Maybe you know her? Kali?" She looked thoughtful but shook her head, "Storm?"

"Ah, a name I recall. Heard rumours about her from the folk around here. Fierce girl, good with a sword, spent time with street rats...ah..." she looked at him, "You must be Murtagh then." Murtagh nodded, "Mm, Galbatorix?" she asked pointing at the king who nodded with a smirk, "and since I know the Varden's Rider is no longer there, you must be Eragon." He nodded too. "Happy family?" she asked.

"In part. Two screaming kids at night, early mornings and torture training...We get a bit moody from lack of sleep," Galbatorix replied.

"I feel sorry for you," she stated, "I know how kids can be. I have two myself."

"Really? What are their names?" he grinned.

"Rose and John," she glared, "Problem?"

"Not at all. I like the names. Funny how you daughter is called Rose when Murtagh's is called River Rose." Murtagh caught Kalianne glaring at him. "So Kalianne?"

"What?!" she snapped.

"Don't you just hate your name?" They all heard her hiss like a snake, "Do you want to be called something else?" he smirked.

They saw Kalianne take a deep breath and silently slide off the stool before heading to the back room. "Sorry, I have to go," said Lucy. She slid off her stool and followed her.

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"We have to go!" Kali said quickly as she let the glamours on both of them drop. Luka looked startled. "He knows it's me and if we stay he's going to make me crack and say something. Murtagh will find out! I can't let that happen!" she stated as she started taking off her belt. Luka did the same and grabbed both their cloaks. Kali quickly wrote a note explain why they had gone, grabbed the cloak from Luka and the both rushed out of the bar. They closed the door quickly and started to make their way down the alley.

Before they stepped into the open, they heard people walking in the same direction. In the dark, Kali could make them out as Murtagh, Eragon and Galbatorix. They stayed hidden as the men walked passed. Not wanting them to risk being seen, she made Luka grab hold of her and she jumped onto the roof. They rushed from rooftop to rooftop trying to pass the men below so that they would get to the castle first. Kali climbed the castle walls and started to climb the Dragon Tower with Luka still hanging onto her like a monkey. They reached Luka's room and quickly changed to their sleeping clothes. They stuffed their dance clothes into the bottom draw and jumped into Luka's bed, just in time for someone to knock.

"Luka? Are you awake?" Murtagh asked.

Kali nodded. "Come in," Luka called. Murtagh opened the door cautiously and looked inside before closing the door behind him. Kali looked guiltily at the pillow her head was resting on. She still felt guilty of what she did earlier that day and in part, lying to him. Murtagh sat down on Kali's side if the bed.

"Kali?" he stroked her hair.

"Yeah?" she mumbled, not able to look at him.

"Do you want to come back to our room?"

She sniffed the air slightly, "You've been drinking," she stated.

Murtagh shrugged, "I asked if you two wanted to come but Luka said you were asleep so I went with Eragon and your father," he hesitated slightly, "Have you ever heard of the Dark Dragon bar dancers?"

"You mean those sluts that dance with men ogling at their arses?" Luka cut in, "We've heard of them. Hard not to; Mitch and the other guys love to go and watch. I find myself feeling sorry for those girls."

Kali couldn't help but think, Yeah, but we have a blast getting drunk and dancing.

Murtagh hummed, "So, are you ok, Kali?"

She nodded and shifted slightly. They all heard the jingle of bells. She closed her eyes, Oh, no! I forgot the anklet!

Murtagh looked at her confused as she opened her eyes before gripping the edge of the covers and pulling them off them. He grabbed Kali's ankle and pushed the trousers up to look at the anklet. She looked at the anklet and then at Murtagh as he did the same. She heard him whisper something before smiling at her. It unnerved her a little. "Do you want to go to bed?"

"I think I'll spend the night here," she stated calmly but on the inside she was anything but. "Night!" she called as he made for the door.

"Good night, Kali, Luka," he closed the door with a sharp click.

Kali reached for the anklet to take it off, only to find the catch was missing. She and Luka shared a look. Both reached for the anklet and pulled. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" Kali yelled. The anklets were made of soft metal, painted in whatever colour they wanted. They would easily have broken. Her anklet didn't break. It stayed very solid. She tried to use magic but it wouldn't break. Luka looked panicked. "He spelled it," Kali whispered astonished, "He isn't going to let me take it off." She looked at Luka's panicked face.

Kali shot out of the bed and out of the door, "MORZANSSON!!!!" She stormed down the corridor to her room, the bells jingling as she walked. She threw open the door and saw Murtagh staring at the ceiling with a huge smirk on his face, his hands crossed over his head and shirtless. He turned his head to look at her, the smirk still planted on her face. "GET THIS ANKLET OFF!!"

"No," he said calmly.

"W-what?!"

"No. Now I know when you sneak off at night," he said as-a-matter-of-factly as he stood up.

"B-b-but...but I can't go around all day with this thing on!" she protested as he approached her, "I don't even sneak out! I-I-I...-" she was silenced with a kiss.

"You talk too much," he whispered as he closed the door to their room.

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Eragon woke up with his head pounding as if a horse had kicked his head. The sun pouring through the window burned his eyes. He groaned, not wanting to get up to close them. There was a quiet knock on the door. Even though it was quiet, Eragon felt like a ra'zac was screaming in his ear. He groaned again.

The door opened quietly, "Eragon?" Kali whispered. He looked very sorry for himself. She gently dragged him out of the bed and took him to their room. Murtagh was sitting with his back against the headboard looking like Eragon felt. Thankfully the drapes were closed. Kali lowered him into a chair before going out of the door again. After a few minutes she came back with Luka and sat her down beside Eragon.

Kali poured out a four mugs and handed one to each, leaving the fourth untouched. Murtagh downed the drink in one go before handing it back to Kali. Eragon and Luka sipped the drink and found that their hangover lessened. When they had finished, there was nothing left of the hangover. "Urg. I'm never going to go dancing and get drunk again," Luka groaned.

Murtagh, Eragon and Kali chuckled quietly. "Who's the other one for?" Murtagh asked.

There was a knock on the door. Kali picked the mug and made for the door, her anklet jiggling. She opened it and held out the cup. Galbatorix took it and downed it in one go like Murtagh before handing it back to her. "Better?" she asked setting it down on a table.

"Much," he stated as he came in and sat on the bed. "Have the day off. Hell, I would too but I can't. I hate being a king sometimes." Murtagh coughed and Kali rubbed her nose. "Just say it already!"

"Well, that's your fault!" they both yelled. Everyone laughed and they heard the dragons laughing as well.

Would you like to go for a flight, Eragon? Saphira asked, and Luka?

Sure, Eragon replied. "Luka do you want to go for a ride with me and Saphira?" he asked.

"Well..."

"Come on, Luka! You've been on a dragon before!" Kali smiled, "And you'll have to learn again because you have your own dragon now."

"I...I guess," she smiled shyly.

Eragon and Luka left together. "How can they be so difficult?" Murtagh asked, "It's so obvious they like each other."

"Give them time," Kali laughed as she sat down beside Murtagh. "We had thirteen years before we got married, eight before we admitted we liked each other. They've only been together for six day more or less."

"Love at first sight," Murtagh retorted. She gave him a look. "Alright, so even that takes time," He said weakly, "But...but..."

"You. Talk. Too. Much," she smiled, "Maybe you should catch up on some sleep."

Murtagh leaned over her, "I can think of a few other things," he whispered in her ear.

"No." Murtagh turned away from her.

"I see that Murtagh has decided to punish you," her father stated as he looked at her ankle. Kali looked at the anklet and gave her foot a little shake making the bells jingle. She huffed silently. "Are you ever going to take it off?"

"Not until I can trust her again," Murtagh replied. She looked at him pleadingly for a second, but he shook his head, "No. You've been a very bad girl."

She silently counted to ten fifteen times knowing that a temper tantrum wouldn't help her and if she did, Murtagh would get what he wanted. She silently vowed that she wouldn't speak to him until he got the damned anklet off.

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Eragon, Luka and Saphira and Thorn flew over the trees until they reached a clearing with small pond. Luka and Eragon dismounted while Saphira went to hunt with Thorn. Eragon and Luka sat beside the pond. Luka placed her feet into it after removing her shoes. "So how do you like Uru'Baen so far?" she asked.

"I'm surprised. I rather like it," he smiled at her, "Considering what I heard."

Luka laughed, "Yeah, it's nicer than what you hear but sometimes it is a bit gory when you have nothing to do. Murtagh always has to train; Kali goes off to do something her father asks and I'm stuck in a castle bored to tears. At least now I have lovely company," she blushed.

"I don't think that you're going to be bored to tears anytime soon, dear," Eragon laughed.

"I know," she smiled, "Hm...Let's play a game. You have to ask me a question and I have to answer truthfully then I do the same to you. Like that I know things about you and you know things about me. It is allowed to ask questions in your personal life."

"Alright, do you know the Ancient Language?" Luka nods, "Then we can't lie," Eragon stated, "You go first."

"Do you like it here than at the Varden?"

"Yes, people here understand me better. Why do you go the Dark Dragon to dance?"

"I only go there with Kali on occasions when one of us needs cheering up or we're bored to death. Also we like dancing and sneaking around behind people's backs. Most importantly, we love to confuse Murtagh as to where we are," she laughed, "Hm...Have you ever had a crush on anyone and if so who?"

"Er...," he hesitated, "Arya but I hate her now. Bloody bitch she is." He decided to get a little personal, "Do you fancy anyone and if it's a yes, who?"

A dark blush started to spread over her cheeks, "You," she said quietly. She looked at him, "Do you like me?"

This time it was Eragon's turn to blush, "Yes, I do. Do you regret being a street rat?"

"Absolutely not! If Kali hadn't gotten me out of there I would be dead!"

"Why?" Eragon asked. He knew why but he didn't want her to know.

"No, my turn. Why didn't you kill Murtagh when you had the chance?" Luka asked.

"I didn't want to. I didn't find Murtagh a traitor. I knew that an oath in the Ancient Language can't be broken and if he said he was forced to swear then that would be even worse. I wouldn't blame him for something he was forced to," he replied, "Why would you be dead if Kali hadn't gotten you out?"

"My father tried to kill me. Why-?"

"Ah, you haven't answered my question properly," Eragon interrupted. Luka looked at him hesitation on her face but fear in her eyes. "Luka, I'm not going to judge you, no matter what you say," he said taking her hand.

"I...I'm...c-cursed," she whispered terrified. She couldn't look at him in the eye.

"I don't really care that you're cursed," he stated softly, "but I would like to ask, how? You look fine."

"My mother married my father. M-my grandparents didn't approve of him but she married him anyway. On my grandmothers side there are a few of magical blood and she had the gift. S-she cursed my mother so that the next generation dies with me. I've been given the curse by my grandmother that I cannot have children. My parents realised this and thought it would be better to k-kill me of rather than have the trouble of finding me a husband," she sounded close to tears. "Kali found it out for me a few years ago."

"Look at me," said Eragon. She did so unwillingly, "Does it look like I care that you're cursed? No, I don't because I don't care if you cannot have children just because you're cursed. If you can't have your own children then you can adopt a child if you want a family. Kali knows; she doesn't care. Murtagh knows and he doesn't care. Like they say, it's not really a curse. There are other women in this world that cannot have children but they make their own families. You have a family whether you are barren or not and they love you. And you have me too. Even if you can't go to Kali and Murtagh, you have me and I'll be there to help you," Eragon hesitated slightly but decided to throw caution into the winds. "I won't leave you because...I love you."

N/A: Review!! I did the Eragon and Luka bit sooner that I originally wanted but I had to write something. And now you know how Luka is cursed!