Disclaimer: Sorry for the delay. This is what the majority of people wanted…though I must confess that not nearly enough people voted. I got four votes. This chapter is for those people who voted. I expect more votes for the next chapter. I own nothing and anything that is remotely similar to what Christopher Paolini is purely coincidental so don't sue me.
Trinity squeezed her eyes shut just as she heard the cloth hit the concrete floor of Morzan's private chamber. She was already completely undressed, laying in his bed. She could barely feel Shruikan's presence, and it was slowly changing to a darkness unlike anything that she had ever felt before. It terrified her more than anything ever had before.
She squirmed under Morzan's rough touch. Her consciousness merged with Shruikan's as if under some unexplainable instinct. It felt wrong though. Galbatorix had corrupted her dragon.
Morzan was rough with her. He did not seem to be taking any time either. To him, it was just an animal instinct to plant his seed in his breeding stock to ensure that his genetics lived on. When he was finished, he pulled out of Trinity and got into his armor. He left her in shame.
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Brom shifted in his saddle. He could tell that his dragon was just itching to join their comrades in battle. It was only right that they should see some action as well.
Easy Saphira, we have to wait for Morzan and Ember, said Brom.
You are one to talk, chided Saphira. I can feel your need to join our companions and help them.
Yes, but we have to save our strength for Morzan, Brom chuckled hollowly. He could taste the bitterness in his mouth. And this time…don't get in the way.
I only did it to save you, scoffed Saphira.
But I had to live on in shame, replied Brom. I don't want that again. If we die, we die together.
United we stand.
Divided we fall. Brom cringed at the horrible sound that resonated through the air. A fraction of a moment later, he knew that sound had come from Galzra and Amestat. He feared for the worse as he turned his attention to his son.
Eragon looked crestfallen and torn between his duty and the woman he loved. The younger man bit his bottom lip and remained still. His eyes were glazed over as he took part in a heated argument.
"Eragon, Arya is one of our strongest warriors!" yelled Brom to try and reassure his son.
She lives, but she won't see the rest of this battle, Saphira informed him.
Brom nodded. He was happy that Arya had survived in her struggle against Tasha, but also worried for what wounds had caused for her to collapse. He merged with Islanzadi's mind and watched through her eyes for a few short moments before he heard distressed shouts from the battlefield.
He looked down at the soldiers and saw that a dragon's shadow loomed above many of them. His eyes followed to the point of origin and saw Ember flying over the battlefield with Morzan on her back.
Saphira, don't give away our position yet, instructed Brom. With any luck, they have yet to know where we are.
Have we ever been that lucky before, old friend?
Good point, grunted Brom. He wore a grim smile. Let's make this life worth living while doing the world a large favor.
Come back safely, father, murmured Eragon.
You too, Eragon, replied Brom. See you when we are victorious…or we can die trying.
Ember flew above them. Saphira 1 and 2 released jets of flame at the enemy Shur'tugal. Saphira 1 took flight after Ember and danced in the air.
Brom unsheathed his sword as he prepared for his part in the battle to decide the fate of all of Alegaesia. Morzan, this ends today!
True right you are, Brom, Morzan laughed manically. Today, you will die with your dragon!
Saphira snapped at Ember's right hind leg, only to have her snout whipped by the ruby dragon's tail. The two dragons snarled at each other. Saphira launched a barrage of assaults that included, Murderer! Traitor! Sad excuse of a dragon! You committed treason on your own kin! Kin slayer!
Ember fell back behind Saphira. She grappled Saphira's tail and twirled the blue dragon around. She threw Saphira tumbling to the ground.
Brom gritted his teeth. Saphira, FLY!
Just as it would have seemed that they would crash into the rocks, Saphira spread her wings and darted above Ember, releasing a jet of flames down at their opponent.
Morzan stopped the fire just before it could barbeque him and his dragon. He laughed manically. "You are going to have to do much better than that, Brom! This is not one of Oromis's training exercises!" He lifted boulders from the ground and launched them at Saphira.
Dodge them as they come, Saphira, commanded Brom. They moved together and dodged two of the larger boulders. Catch that smaller one…make it look like you have been hit and shoot it right back at them. Saphira complied with her Rider's instructions. She threw the smaller boulder, aiming for Morzan's head with all her strength.
Ember dodged out of the way and spiraled up toward Saphira and Brom. Balls of fire were shot out of her maw.
Saphira twirled out of the way of all of them. Brom crouched in the saddle and jumped to his dragon's tail.
I hope that you know what you are doing.
C'mon, this is a simple maneuver, chuckled Brom. Just think of this as one of Oromis's training exercises.
That's one way of looking at this when our lives are at stake.
Have a little faith.
Morzan killed me once before! Saphira scolded hotly.
I remember, replied Brom gravely. And I killed him in return…but this time, lets both make it out of this alive.
Brom! Saphira cried when Ember's fangs snapped on her tail.
Brom cringed as his dragon's pain became his own. He forced himself to close off that connection. He stabbed his sword at Ember's snout, creating a few gashes. He had to fend off Morzan after a mere moment. The swords barely touched. Saphira, break free and launch me at Morzan…this may be our only shot at killing them both…though I would much rather not kill a dragon.
Ember will be much better off, growled Saphira as she fought to break free from Ember's fangs. She slashed at Ember, damaging the dragon's armor as she did so. As if by some miracle, the old dragon escaped and flapped her wings to get some distance away from Ember before flicking her wounded tail and shooting Brom toward the mouth of the lion.
Brom pointed his sword carefully at Morzan's heart. All or nothing.
Morzan had no time to react. His eyes widened with shock as Brom's blade struck through his heart. Ember shrieked out with a horrible agony. "How?" gasped Morzan.
"You viewed Ember as just a tool," snarled Brom as he drove his weapon further in Morzan's black heart. "There was no bond between you two." He pulled his sword upward and yanked it through Morzan's left shoulder. The blood of his rival splattered his face and armor. He jumped off of the dying dragon and flew toward the ground.
Saphira caught him and landed in a nearby cave. Our part of this is complete, she murmured with grim relief.
Aye, we killed Morzan and Ember, agreed Brom. But there is still a battle to be won. We should join the soldiers.
Why not aid our kin?
Only if our help is asked for.
Authoress Note: The new poll will be up momentarily. I expect lots of votes before I post the next chapter. I will be down in Portland for a couple days this week for a Jazz Festival to compete so I will be up to my neck in things to do.