Thanks for reading this far by the way, never would have guessed anyone could have put up with the spawn of my imagination for that long...
DISCLAIMER: although Lyroxia and her dragon are completely my own creation, Chris Paolini still owns the inheritance series... lucky git
Thorn Glided high over Leona Lake, appearing to have caught flame whenever his crimson hide reflected the sunlight. Below and behind, Lord Alexander Bailey's Manor lay smouldering, reduced to a forlorn, blackened lakeside hovel.
Thorn, Murtagh said. There can't be any point searching this far up the lake. A child can't have travelled this far in under a week.
The girl didn't travel, Murtagh, the horse did.
Doesn't matter. They can't have gone this far.
Well, what do you suggest? We've been scouring the northern roads of Leona Lake for hours. There's only stinking fishermen and pathetic tradesmen. She's not there, she has to be down here. I really wish you wouldn't argue so much. I've been flying with little rest for a week, I'm tired, I don't even remember the last time I went out hunting and I swear my wings are about to snap. I'm exhausted, you know I am. I just want to find the troublesome brat and be done.
... You don't truly mean that, do you?
Thorn was silent for a few minutes, confused, for there was hurt in Murtagh's he realised what he had said.
No – no, I didn't. I want that egg to reach the Varden as much as you do, I swear. That was a rash thing to say. I apologise. It's just –
I know... we have to look for her, whatever the cost... Galbatorix has us wrapped around his little finger.
Then they both retreated into a gloomy silence, and continued to search for the egg and its young courier. Thorn used his eyes, while Murtagh reached out with the tendrils of his mind.
Yesterday they had arrived at Lord Alexander Bailey's estate, where Murtagh skipped exchanging pleasantries and infiltrated the Lord's mind instead. There, he had learned everything he had needed to know, what Lord Bailey knew of the egg, where the egg was and where it was going. He also learnt of the appearance of the girl he was looking for. She was of average height, had long, dark brown hair, vividly green eyes, even features and pale skin. After he had retrieved all the information he wanted to, the manor was torched by Thorn, who had been acting on the King's orders. As far as they knew, no one had survived the blaze.
They flew on, and the afternoon turned to evening, and evening turned to night, and still they hadn't found any luck regarding their search. Murtagh could feel his friend's wing beats becoming heavier and more strained as he battled the wind to stay airborne. Murtagh didn't blame him in the slightest. Thorn had been flying virtually non-stop since they left Uru'baen last week.
Then, finally, Murtagh detected a group of consciousnesses that looked as if they might be what they had been looking for.
The first was a beast he identified as a horse, the second, the oldest and most intelligent of the three, was a human girl, but the third, he wasn't sure about. It was very young, not even a week old, yet it was aware of its surroundings. He told Thorn to fly over to where he thought they were – a small cove surrounded by dismal grey rock which opened onto the lake. It was far from the road, and it seemed difficult to find.
As they soared over it, Murtagh looked down. All he could see in the dark, lying on the sand were two outlines, one a lumpy shadow of a horse, and, close by he could just make out the figure of a child sleeping next to the fire.
But the sight had an incredible impact on Thorn, who, of course, could see much clearer than his rider could. Even when it was as dark this, he could see almost as well as Murtagh could during the day. As a result, he saw the dragon hatchling curled up against the girl, his pure scales reflecting the light from the fire brilliantly. He then let Murtagh, who was confused at his sudden shock, see through his eyes as he looked upon the scene below.
Realisation washed over Murtagh when he saw the silver dragon as it slept below.
The egg hatched for the child! Murtagh exclaimed.
Thorn glided for a moment in silence. Then he said, You do realise the child's fate now, don't you, Murtagh?
Dismay gripped him. Yes. We'll have to capture her, against our will. Then... Galbatorix will turn her into his servant and...
... And it'll be all our fault, Thorn finished miserably, as he locked his wings, sinking towards the cove where the dragon and it's rider lay, completely oblivious.
A/N well? what do you think? is it good? or is it crap? Please tell me!
by the way, remember last chapter when Lyroxia was on about what to call her dragon? either Devlin, Kaileb or Kayden? i aint got a clue, either. i'd like it if you could tell me which one you think the dragon should be called out of those three, and the one which proves the most popular is what i'll name him.
thanks guys, chapter 5 will be up in a couple of days