Chapter 5: Shock

Hit after hit.

Blow after blow.

Neither Rider was willing to give up, no matter how much fatigue or injury. "You…have improved," panted Murtagh, atop his deformed red dragon.

Only weeks earlier, they had been fighting with Oromis, Eragon's Elvin teacher, who was also a Rider. Oromis had died, but his golden dragon Glaedr was partially alive through his Eldunari. Luckily, Glaedr had cut off the last several feet of Thorn's tail before he died. This was one of the reasons this battles was so intense. Without Galbatorix's Eldunari, Murtagh would have no chance.

For Eragon, this battle was going exactly as planned. Thorn's missing tail end was seriously affecting his flight. He tiring much faster than Saphira since he had to use a lot more energy to turn, as dragon's tail's served a similar purpose as a rudder.

As Saphira darted passed Thorn to take advantage of his tail, Eragon was hit with sudden inspiration. Saphira, I need you to stay calm and trust me.

Sure, but this better be good.

Eragon held his hands in the air in a signal of resignation. "I quit. You win." Eragon sheathed his sword and tossed it to Murtagh. Murtagh grabbed the sword, and suddenly suspicious, muttered a spell that bound Eragon in place.

Did you think about this possibility? What are you doing?

Calm down, its fine, I just need to focus.

Murtagh circled around Eragon to make sure the spell worked, then unsheathed the sword, and held it close to his face for examination. "Nice sword. I see you named it…"

Brisingr!

The sword suddenly caught fire, searing Murtagh's face and arms. Murtagh's break in concentration allowed Eragon to break through the spell binding him. "Gath sem sverd un lam iet!" The sword rushed to his hand. "Brisingr!" Eragon yelled, and lunged forward at Murtagh. Thorn at the last possible second, turned, the sword plunged into his side, and in the next instant, both were plummeting down toward Belatona. Eragon, realizing what he had done, sat in shock. A voice entered his mind. Eragon, do something! Saphira went into a vertical dive. Eragon used a quick spell to slow their descent before letting rest on the ground.

Eragon rushed out and found Murtagh unconscious on the ground. "We're gong to have our have our hands full when he wakes up and finds his dragon dead," he told Saphira.

I'm sooooooo sorry about the wait. Thank you for the reviews EragonFyre72, and the mention in your story. I will try to get another chapter up during the holidays.

Until Next time,

Yours truly,

Sincerely,

With love,

Puddlemore United 4ever