Silence filled the air as Vrael woke up just before dawn on the day of the battle. All he could hear was the sound of Umaroth's even calm breathing, and he knew that today, things were going to happen. After two centuries of waiting, Alagaesia would finally be void of Galbatorix and all the pain he had caused. There was a chance he would meet that human once more, but would he get to fight him? He would not be making the same mistake once more.
I hope we do. He owes us much from the time when he thought he had slain us, Umaroth said as he woke up. The white dragon lifter his head looking around for a few moments. Galbatorix will not go down easily, but we have to hope that this time, his time is up.
And that Eragon has the strength to defeat him, Vrael replied. He looked at the sky as it started to brighten. The morning star, Aiedail had risen high and he knew that meant it was time to get ready for the battle to come. It did not take him long to get his armour back on, having been glad that he had kept it with him, wherever he had been hiding, and then he got up onto Umaroth's back.
Vrael muttered a spell that would hide them both. Might as well let Eragon know we are on our way, he told Umaroth.
Of course, Umaroth replied. He was able to do that indeed. It was not long before he and Vrael had found where Eragon was, on top of one of the hills, watching the Varden on their way towards Urubaen.
Vrael was surprised at how quiet everyone was as they marched, save for the occasional bray from a donkey or neigh from a horse. He saw that as planned, one group continued for the main gate, one went for the south east part of the wall, and the last towards the northeast.
Then suddenly a horn sounded from Urubaen, followed by others and he saw lights appearing in the city.
"Here we go," Eragon muttered.
"Indeed, but they are closer than they might have been at least. Had you waited until daylight they would not have been so lucky, Eragon," Vrael replied, watching. A roar though from a dragon had his eyes turning to the Varden's camp, and had one of the elves not told him about the false Saphira, he would have been surprised. Off went that illusion. "You looking for Thorn, Eragon?" he asked, noticing that the younger Rider's eyes were searching for something,
Eragon nodded as stones, javelins and arrows were sent hurtling towards Urubaen.
It took time but eventually, like a ruby dropping from above, Thorn charged out of an opening hidden under that overhang. As soon as the red dragon seemed to chase after Saphira, Vrael saw Eragon get up and run over to Saphira, climbing up into his saddle. He was surprised that someone else was there as well.
He did not give the young girl much thought though as he hurried back to Umaroth's saddle, and climbed up. He tightened the straps on the dragon saddle, and as soon as Saphira was airborne, Umaroth opened his massive wings, and took flight after her.
Vrael's eyes widened when he spotted Arya, who was carrying a long wooden beam that he realised was a Duathdaert - amongst eleven other elves, some male some female. He noticed that there bits of rope tied around their chests, under their arms. The other ends of those ropes were bound to a log that was rather thick and as long as a fully grown Urgal.
As soon as Saphira neared them, he saw two of the elves throw that log into the air. Saphira caught it and a moment later she was flying away, over the walls. There was an odd twinge and Vrael groaned. Seemed Galbatorix would not allow anyone hidden from sight to remain hidden within the boundaries of his walls. Damn, he cursed. Then again he should have anticipated nothing less.
Saphira flew swifter now, for the massive gate. As soon as she had landed, he saw Arya jabbing the Duathdaert through something and heard someone fall to the ground. Umaroth landed, and Vrael jumped down from the saddle as several groups of soldiers closed in on them.
Arya and one other elf, entered the sally port together and soon the gates were opening.
Though as soon as Eragon saw the gates open enough for Umaroth's size he shouted, "Stop!"
One by one the elves got through into the citadel, but when only Umaroth, Vrael, Eragon, Saphira and the little girl were left, that was when Thorn roared in fury.
"They have discovered our deception!" One of the male elves, whose name as yet was unknown to Vrael, tossed the spear to Eragon. "Hurry, Argetlam."
"Go!" Vrael said, looking at Eragon. "We'll deal with the red dragon. Then we will catch up to you."
He ran over to Umaroth and climbed up into the saddle, as Thorn became visible hurrying towards them all. Umaroth roared as soon as he was in the saddle and took off, gliding effortlessly towards the much smaller dragon.
Cool air enveloped his long body as he glided towards his target. What did that little red shrike dragon think he was doing, choosing to challenge he who was stronger than any who lived, even stronger than Shruikan or Glaedr were, or had been?
"Here they come," Vrael called to him, as the ruby red dragon dove towards them all of a sudden, wings pinned to his sides.
Umaroth snarled, tilting away as the red dragon almost collided with his shoulder. Both his forelegs stretched out, before grabbing the red dragon, pinning his wings closed. Thorn bellowed and squirmed, kicking, biting and scratching. Nothing of which seemed to phase Umaroth overly much.
Give in, Umaroth growled. You cannot beat us. We will not fall for the same trick that took Oromis and Glaedr away.
Thorn retaliated by arching his neck and sending red flames right at Umaroth's eyes.
He had no choice but to let the red dragon go, before sending his own white flames, a massive torrent unlike the small one the red had produced in the direction of the red dragon. Umaroth rolled as he did, causing the flames to spiral through the air at the red dragon.
For him, the red shrike dragon and his Rider were just another Forsworn pair, another enemy to be crushed. None of the Varden had said anything about letting the pair live, and spite there only being Thorn, Saphira, Shruikan and himself left alive, aside from Glaedr dwelling on in his heart of hearts, he would be glad to be rid of the red. Suddenly claws ripped into his neck, and he snarled, shaking his whole body wildly.
The clash of swords on armor told him that the red dragon had to good a hold on him. He sent a relentless torrent of white flames out at the dragon, and it was not until he heard the male dragon's rider curse and a flash of scarlet told him that the red rider had lost his sword. Perhaps because he was trying to defend himself and the flames had startled him?
Time to die, rider! Umaroth snarled, before in two very fast movements, he threw the red dragon off of him and then curled his neck back, biting hard into the back of Thorn's skull. The white dragon snarled as he felt the red dragon die, and grabbing Murtagh in one foot, he flew away back to the Varden's camp.
When he landed, he did not put that foot down, and Vrael called for a few of the elves to come and take Murtagh.
"Leave him alive, but keep him somewhere he can't escape. Thorn will no longer trouble anyone else in Alagaesia."
Murtagh fell over when Umaroth put him down on his feet, before the white dragon leapt back into the time.
Now, for Galbatorix, the white dragon thought.
Indeed.
Author's note: Is Thorn really dead? Should I leave him as dead or not? Much is yet to be decided.
