Murtagh was sure that his attack reached its target. The elf's form disappeared in the blink of an eye, allowing the earth missile to pass right through where she used to stand. Growling in anger, Murtagh cut the energy flow that sustained the missile, making it disintegrate into mere fragments of dirt. Murtagh breathed in the fresh air, frustrated and concerted because of his failure. Keeping the earth missile together took more energy than launching it towards the elf, and now Murtagh was paying the price.
Releasing a drawn out sigh, Murtagh touched Shruikan's mind. That is exactly what I feared of, he said, looking in the distance. She did not only escape by using a teleportation just before my attack hit her, but she also traveled a great distance. Murtagh paused for a bit. I cannot sense her presence anywhere nearby.
With no reply coming from Shruikan, Murtagh turned his eyes to the corpses of the slain male elves. If she transported herself near Gil'ead, there is no doubt that she will gather another party and hunt us down.
Do not burden yourself with unnecessary weights, Murtagh, Shruikan said. Even if she does gather another party, it will take at least half a day for them to traverse this distance, and when they do we will be long gone, answered the black dragon reassuringly.
Shruikan's voice immediately reminded Murtagh of what he was about to do before ending the battle. Raising his head, he quickly turned around and ran around Shruikan's body with laborious steps. Shruikan shifted his body into a fitter position from which he would be able to get up easier.
Don't do that, Murtagh demanded, approaching his wounded right leg. I'll…be able to heal your wound.
Shruikan growled softly, but Murtagh denied him any attempts to speak.
Placing a hand on a part of Shruikan's leg which was spared of any kind of damage, Murtagh took a deep breath. I only need to regain a part of my energy, that's all, he said. Shifting his view towards the bloody wounds, Murtagh made a quick analysis of the damage and the severity of the wounds. Removing his hand from Shruikan's leg, Murtagh glanced at his Gedwey Ignasia before he placed his hands over the damaged scales.
A dim red light engulfed the small area on which his hand was placed upon after the words were uttered. Feeling the last remains of his strength leaving him, Murtagh gritted his teeth and continued with the spell. A bead of sweat came down from his forehead after it passed by the dirtied raven hair which contained a mixture of dirt, blood and perspiration. Sliding across his dirty face splattered with drops of blood, it rested on his chin before finally splashing onto the earth below.
Growling loudly, Shruikan shattered the barriers of Murtagh's mind, washing away his fatigue with a wave of invigorating energy. Your stubbornness could rival that of a dragon, small one, but just like a hatchling, you must know your limitations, he said, bringing his snout closer to him. And when to give up, he added warmly.
Murtagh couldn't help but smile when Shruikan gently touched his arm with his snout.
It was my penance for allowing that elf to attack you… he paused. With my own sword… If I could-
You did better than you realize, small one, Shruikan said. You are just too stubborn to acknowledge that.
Murtagh chuckled, removing his right hand from Shruikan's leg. There were no traces of any damage inflicted upon the lustrous black scales that covered it. That is one problem out of the way, Murtagh quickly spoke, switching his attention to Shruikan's neck.
Now, allow me to-
Check on Thorn first, Shruikan said. If his wounds are lesser than mine, then I will allow you to tend to my wounds.
Brushing his snout against Murtagh's arm one more time to show his appreciation, Shruikan got up from his position. He slowly moved towards the fallen archer, lowering his neck as he reached her. He briefly sniffed her limp body before he gently pushed her with his snout.
This one is still alive, but it will not be long until she will fade.
Murtagh took a quick glance at Thorn, who was lying on the ground, a bit farther from their position.
How bad are you wounded, Thorn? He asked, concern oozing from his voice. Do you need my assistance?
I tended to my wounds while you were fighting, little one, replied Thorn, looking straight at Murtagh. Save your energy and heal Shruikan first because his wounds may be greater than mine.
Murtagh was a bit hesitant to let his dragon suffer, even for a brief period, but the sight of Shruikan's blood covered scales was a decisive factor in taking a decision.
Turning his attention towards the limp corpse of the female archer- and subsequently towards the large black dragon that was lying nearby, Murtagh began to walk towards them.
Retracting his snout from the limp elf, Shruikan quickly spoke. I will not be the one to decide the fate of the elf.
.
Murtagh looked at the black dragon, then glanced at the elf. Shruikan moved back a little, turning his head around so he could face the red dragon that was lying on the parched ground, away from the bodies and the blood that fell onto the battle field.
Extending his wings, Shruikan prepared to take flight.
No, wait! Cried Murtagh, taking his eyes off the female elf. There was no doubt that it was her who grew the vines which almost had almost killed him, if not for Shruikan's intervention.
Shruikan folded his wings, looking at Murtagh with a questioning stare in his sparkling amber eyes.
We all heard what Thorn said, Murtagh spoke with confidence. Now, allow me to rid you of the pain you are experiencing, said Murtagh, walking towards the black dragon, after all, it is because of me that your wards against the cold were weakened.
Ease your mind and stop taking the blame on yourself, Murtagh, Shruikan growled. The wounds I have received while fighting against the Riders of Old were far greater compared to these feeble scratches, small one, said Shruikan calmly, his head turned towards Thorn, worry not for me, for these wounds are not that painful compared to the cuts Thorn must have received.
Murtagh smiled, passing by Shruikan's lengthy tail as he moved forward, he also said that I should heal you first, so I will accept no denials from you. Murtagh laid a hand on the lower part of the black dragon's hind leg while his eyes were set upon the impressive, well curved ivory claws. While no dragon could use their hind legs during ground combat, the sharp claws of their hind legs could cause noticeable damage when fighting another dragon in the open sky.
Shruikan growled softly, I cannot stop you since you are so determined, can I? The black dragon slowly lowered himself on the ground to allow Murtagh a better access in healing his wounds.
I guess not, Murtagh laughed, quickly removing his hand from the tough black scales as he broke into a run. He had to go all the way around Shruikan's huge body before the bloody punctures came into view. The distance between him and the wounds was still large enough to the point where the healing spell would drain more energy than usual, but Murtagh did not care. Rubbing his hands together, he pressed his body against Shruikan's foreleg and extended his right hand as far as he could.
Muttering the needed words for the healing spell, Murtagh's gedwey ignasia glowed red as the spell was beginning to take effect. Murtagh gritted his teeth as his energy was quickly leaving him, but did not interrupt the spell until he felt the last bits of flesh knitting together while the black scales were put back into place. The glow suddenly vanished as Murtagh ended the spell. Blinking a few times as an overpowering sensation of dizziness overwhelmed him, Murtagh wobbled on his feet as he slowly retracted his hand.
Curses! Did I…use too much? Was the wound…? Feeling the earth becoming more unsteady with each passing moment, he collapsed on the ground, meeting the soft powdery cinder that covered the soil.
You small ones are always taking the wrong decisions when there is no dragon nearby to undo your mistakes, growled Shruikan.
Murtagh barely understood what Shruikan said as his mind had difficulties in grasping what was going on. The only thing he was aware of was a feeling of warmness that engulfed his body, followed by something hard brushing against his shoulder. Then, out of a sudden, a riptide of energy cascaded over his being, invigorating him in an instant.
Wha-what happened? Said Murtagh, jolting up from his laying position.
You exhausted yourself with that healing spell, Murtagh, he replied calmly.
Murtagh felt a bit stupid, and Shruikan's slightly scolding voice made him feel even worse for forgetting such a basic rule of magic.
I-I guess you are right, he said, looking sheepishly towards his right. The black scales that covered Shruikan's snout obscured his view. Anyway, I guess you are feeling much better now, added Murtagh as he extended his left hand, running it down against the edges of Shrukan's jaw.
That is right, and I am most grateful for it, added the black dragon. Shruikan's lips parted slightly, causing Murtagh's hand to retract instinctively. An onrush of air sent the particles of cinder high into the air as Shruikan hummed in contentment.
The warm gusts of warm air that came out of Shruikan's nostrils came to a stop as the dragon lifted its body off the ground, removing his snout from Murtagh's shoulder in the process.
I will now go and see how Thorn is doing and the condition of his wounds, said Shruikan, extending his massive wings, you should also make haste in joining us, as any passing traveler with scrying capabilities will realize that this burned land was not Saphira's doing. With that, Shruikan flapped his mighty wings, creating a cloud as black as his scales in his wake.
Murtagh closed his eyes to prevent the cinder from irritating his vision. Then, as soon as the black powder settled back on the ground, Murtagh rose from the ground, walking with quick steps towards the body of the female elf
As soon as the elf's body came into sight, Murtagh couldn't help but marvel at her beauty. Although her lithe body was covered in a thin layer of dust mixed with remains of burned grass that gave her a rugged appearance, her features remained as impressive as ever. She had a long, golden hair which resembled the golden grass and a face almost as perfect as the elf named Arya who he had seen in Gil'ead, a long time ago.
I…cannot blame her for being forced to fight against me, even if her choices were constricted by a different kind of oath. His thoughts drifted back to the past events. All the lives he had taken, all the families he had ruined… it was all because of Galbatorix. Maybe I did become his hand of vengeance… it was not Galbatorix's arm, but mine the one that ended the life of that Rider, bringing all this suffering upon them… Murtagh cast a quick glance around the battle field. The corpses of the fallen elves were lying lifeless on the burned ground, waiting to be claimed by the ground and the elements. I may be despised… I may be hated… but I will not keep adding to the cost in blood this war keeps feeding on.
Extending his mind to the elf's consciousness, Murtagh easily broke through her undefended mind. Having no interest in the elf's memories, Murtagh quickly ignored them as he poured a bit of his energy into her. Feeling his energy dissipating from his body, Murtagh cut the connection between him and the elf after he poured just enough energy to prevent her from dying.
There is nothing more I can do for you except hoping that we will not meet again on the battle field.
Murtagh smiled briefly after he retracted into the confines of his own mind. Content with the thought that he made the right decision, Murtagh looked at the elf one more time before he turned his view away from her, looking towards the black dragon that steadily flapped his wings, nearing Thorn's position.