Eragon could finally see the red gleam of the scales about seven minutes after he first knew Murtagh was coming. The loud thud of his wings on the air and a screaming, loud roar sent shivers down his spine. He surveyed the beast before him. He had grown since the Burning Plains. From wing tip to wing tip, he completely covered the moon and much more. His muscles budged as he flew. The white spikes that, on him and every dragon, ran from between his ears to the tip of his tail, gleamed in the light of the silvery moon.
Between his shoulders, Murtagh sat, tense and still. He was barely recognizable in the dark light, but there was no mistaking it was he. His dark form seemed more evil then ever before; more foreboding.
Katrina seemed to be in shock. Eragon didn't think she believed he was his brother or that he truly was a Rider of that evil red monster. Now that there was a massive blood-colored dragon and his relentless rider flying over head, however, she had no choice but to believe him.
Careful not to give himself away, he slowly pushed Katrina into a thick, sharp bush. Despite its roughness, she went willingly into it. At the same time, he slowly pulled away from Murtagh's out stretched mind. He wasn't sure Murtagh would notice, but just in case, he reached for his magic and pulled his bow out. He quickly, quietly strung it and prepared an arrow. He nervously ran his fingers down the shaft.
Katrina gave a nervous glance at the arrow, Eragon, and the dragon. she was shocked how willing Eragon seemed; how relaxed and at ease his stance was even with his evil brother nearby. It had finally sunk in how much he'd changed. It was hard to believe the boy she could once have knock over with one finger was now this steady-stance warrior, holding meaning and power behind every motion.
However, despite what Katrina thought, Eragon was nervous and much tenser then he appeared. He couldn't kill his brother. Not only did he not want to, but he doubted he had any small chance of success without Saphira.
At camp, Saphira began to pace again. Something was wrong…
"What's going on?" Roran asked, not aware of the danger he was in.
Something is not right. The last time I felt Eragon so nervous was at the Burning Plains…I fear for him. I also feel two distant presences. Much larger then anything found around here…I need to know.
What's going on? Commented Saphira. She had felt his worry and called out to him.
Murtagh. He need not explain more. She already knew what had happened. You need to hide. He hasn't seen us…yet. And I don't think he will. But there's no harm in being prepared…
Then he broke contact with him. He felt her ready to rush to his rescue. Then he reached out to Roran. Roran, follow Saphira. Something's happened. You need to hide.
Ra'zac?
Worse. He answered as he watched Thorn land near a lake that was all to close to Katrina and his hiding place. The surface, once calm and placid, rippled as the dragon touched down.
Murtagh slid his left leg over his dragon. Then he pushed down towards the ground. He stuck his arm back onto the saddle and pulled off something small and cylinder shaped. It had tough tan ropes tied around its width and appeared to swirl around and around in a spiral. Eragon realized with dismay it was a sleeping bag. They were going to be in for a long night…
Behind him, something made a loud rustle. His heart pounded in his chest as he turned to see what had made the noise. Katrina was in an awkward position. Her legs were doing the splits and her arms held her up. she caught his gaze and gave a low, nervous laugh and toothy smile. Then she finished shifting, leaning against the tree behind the bush for support. Thorn saw it and clearly heard it too, as he started to go towards them right for their hiding place!
They were dead now for sure. They couldn't move or Murtagh might see him and use his magic. Then where'd they be. But Thorn was getting too close for comfort. Eragon knew with every stride and ripple of muscle, Thorn had another chance to see them; then he'd tell Murtagh and... They were goners.
"Thorn, would you stop messing around and help me with the fire already?" Murtagh said irritably.
They could tell Thorn said something and they could probably guess what because Murtagh spoke again, as if answering to something.
"You don't need to scare it away. And it's probably just a squirrel or something anyway."
Thorn gave one last glance at their hiding place, and then went back to help Murtagh. With one puff of flame, the job was done. Then Murtagh pulled out something that was probably food, but they couldn't see clearly. He tossed some to Thorn, who quickly gobbled it up. Then, after eating, Murtagh spoke.
"Thorn, I've been thinking a lot. And I figured out what to do."
Thorn shifted to his side and blew a little smoke.
"Think, Thorn. Who else is almost contently nearby."
They could only imagine what Thorn was saying as he blew a small, orange tongue of flame.
"Look, I know you don't like her. And we can't keep protecting her like this. We simply can't. I don't want to see anything bad happen to her; that's all. So I made Galbatorix promise…"His voice went hushed, so that even Eragon's elf ears couldn't hear it. All they heard were broken up words like, "Varden…Aiedail…only way…egg" Eragon froze.
If only I knew what he said! It seemed important. Eragon thought.
Several moments paced before they could hear again.
"So, Thorn…I know were supposed to be looking for Eragon this week, but I doubt we're going to find them. It's about as likely as them being in that bush over there." He pointed right at there hiding place, "So I thought we might just vacation instead. Where do you want to go? We've got a whole week."
Murtagh's going to be gone from the palace for a whole week? Maybe…just maybe…
"Yes I'm sure. I made sure. This week, Galbatorix is going to be gone. He'll be way to busy to even think of scurrying us."
Saphira?
Yes little one?
I got a plan. By the end of the week, if all goes well, you'll have another dragon. But I'll explain more later. Now's not a good time…
"Okay, sounds good. This is going to be fun. And I'll need it. If she doesn't leave…"
Thorn nuzzled him gently.
"It's just hard… that's all. You have no idea what it's like, Thorn."
The dragon shook his head. Murtagh frowned at him. Murtagh and Thorn laid down side by side. They sat for a long time, just watching as the sun set and the bright moon rose. The first stars became visible. Among them was the magenta light of Kisma, the evening star. Kisma is said to be a distant, dying star. After a long few moments, Murtagh shifted.
"I wonder what he's doing right now…"
Thorn turned to face his Rider.
"Yes Thorn. I mean Galbatorix." Murtagh said sarcastically. "No, I mean Eragon… I mean my brother."
Eragon froze. He couldn't smile a bit. So he does think of me as much as I do of him…he realized. How he wished to embrace him at that moment. Or yell out "I'm here. I always have been." But he could not risk it. He must put the Varden ahead; put his duties before himself.
But what of the duties you have to yourself? To your heart…A voice said in his head. Eragon had to stop himself from jumping. It was not like any voice he'd ever heard before.
Saphira? He asked. The sound of silence greeted him. Stop playing games, Saphira!
I am not her… Came a reply. Eragon felt the hair on his neck stand up as he heard these words.
Then who are you? Eragon asked. A thought came to his mind. He tried to dismiss it. It was insane. But it buzzed through his head loudly. Was it even possible? Could it be? Should he even ask? …Mother?
He felt the connection break away. Mother? He asked again. He was greeted with the loudest blast of silence… what ever it was was sincerely gone.
Time edged by. Thorn and Murtagh sat in silence-or so it seemed. Suddenly, Eragon heard Saphira's voice in a desperate plee, Eragon! Tell me you're coming soon! Roran passed out and his head is bleeding! She screamed frantically.
What! When did this start?!
He was complaining of being lightheaded. I didn't know why he bothered telling me. I couldn't do anything. Then a couple minutes ago, he laid down. Then he started trembling violently. I tried to calm him, but to no avail. When I touched him, he was so warm, I thought he'd burn me. Me! Then he went unconscious! I fear the Ra'zac did this to him…
Eragon opened his mouth to tell Katrina, but then snapped it shut. There was no use worrying here till need be. But he did begin to fidget.
Go to sleep already Murtagh! To save my cousin! He shuttered. And I guess yours too.
He sat there in silence for what felt like an eternity but was really less then a minute. He smacked himself hard in the face. He'd been being so stupid! Why not just use magic?
"Osg tu maushe.'" He whispered. And then he moved his hand down twice, one for each person he wanted to sleep; feeling a bit tired himself. Thorn and Murtagh both yawned.
Murtagh trailed off. His and Thorn's eyes both closed. Eragon waited till he could hear a deep rasping sound. Like a dying animal. Then he realized it was coming from Thorn.
"We have to go…now…quickly. No time to explain." Eragon whispered. Swiftly
"What's going…"
"Now!" he said a bit louder. He heard the rustle of leaves being smashed. Eragon tensed up, petrified as he turned to see Murtagh turn on his side. Had he woken him? No…whew.
Katrina, without another word or question, followed Eragon away. Soon they saw the Blazing orange flames of their fire. Saphira's scales blazed with the flames. The blue mass of dragon laid in a curl around a limp figure. It was pale and a pool of wine red lay next to his head. Blood. It took Katrina a moment to realized what she saw…Roran She gaped to scream, but shut her mouth when she remembered the monster with red scales sleeping somewhere in the woods.
Katrina quickly ran to her fallen fiancé. She held him in her arms and cried out as she saw the nasty, oozing gash the Ra'zac had given him.
Eragon looked at him. He looked pale and deathly still. The blood oozing from his wound had lots of dirt in it. He would need to clean and dress the wound.
He went to a near by bubbling brook and filled a pan he had with water. Then he placed it on the fire to heat. He knew he couldn't be to long. Murtagh could be anywhere. He took a rag and wet it once the water had heated up a bit and gave it to Katrina. She cleaned the dirt out of it and washed off the dried blood, all the while crying. Then she realized something,
"You can use magic, right?"
"Good idea." He answered. He kneeled down next to Roran. "Move a little. I need some light." When she had move, he held his palm with the gedwey ignasia and said, "Waise heill." And like that, with Eragon's palm brightly shining, his head was healed.
"Why isn't he waking?" Katrina asked after a long second.
"I can't tell what's going on on the inside, so I can't heal that. We'll just have to wait and see if he gets better." The truth was, Eragon didn't know if he would get better. That blow was obviously hard…no he wouldn't think like that. Roran couldn't die…could he?
"What did you do to him!" Katrina suddenly demanded Saphira. Eragon had never seen her so angry. Her eyes, reflecting the nearby fire, burned a flashy red and orange. Her face was sheer red. Eragon felt Saphira's anger as she shifted in place; gouging the soils beneath her.
"Don't blame Saphira! She didn't do anything!" Eragon answered her with a surprised furry.
"Why are you always standing up for her? She is just a stupid animal!" Eragon could feel a torrent of flame burning within her.
"No, she's not! I thought so too when I first met her. But now I know how wrong I was. She's no more of an animal then you are!"
"How blind are you, Eragon? She's a dragon! She's not like you or me!"
"You're right! She's better!"
"Eragon, she's not. She maybe able to talk, but she can't change how I feel about dragons! I told you what happened with Thorn! She's just like him!"
At these words, a loud thud started. In his furry, it took Eragon a moment to realize what was happening. Saphira was leaving. She rose, higher and higher till she was gone.
"Saphira! Come back!" Eragon yelled, following her figure in the night. Her scales twinkled with the light of the moon, illuminating her. He heard her hurt grumbling, drifting through the air. Soon, even with Eragon's elf speed, Eragon could not keep up with the dragon's speed in the air. She was gone from his view. He ran up a hill to see her shadowy form flying away.
"Katrina, what have you done?" he mumbled as Katrina stumbled after him. She had a frightened look in her eye as she watched Saphira flying away….
