Before The Fall {An Eragon Fanfiction}

Chapter 32- Undeniable Evidence

I finally dislodged myself from Vascar's embrace when I heard the loud 'thumps' that announced the arrival of several dragons. Looking up, I focused blearily on the large golden dragon in front of me and the nimble elf in his saddle.

Oromis quickly jumped off Glaedr's back, unconcerned with the large drop or the unstable ground below him due to the pieces of stone that were scattered across the courtyard. It was clear in his eyes that his main goal was to make it to me as fast as possible. Brom and Morzan also descended their respective dragons, although they took more care in their descent.

As Oromis approached us, I was shocked to hear a loud warning growl rumble from Vascar's chest. Never before had he acted threateningly towards either of our Masters. Glaedr responded with a low growl, one that wasn't really angry, but instead protective. Oromis stopped in his tracks and looked up at Vascar, tilting his head to the side. He didn't seem offended, but I could see a look of caution in his eyes.

"Vascar, I'm not going to hurt her, I only want to help. Please, allow me to heal her wounds," Oromis said, looking at me in concern before staring into the orange dragon's blue eyes above me.

'It's alright Vascar, I'm fine,' I said, placing my hand on his leg. He lowered his head to meet my eyes, but I simply patted his snout before stepping out from under his protection. As I started walking away, though, he rumbled softly. I looked back to see him extend his front leg and look down at it pointedly. I chuckled before turning back towards him and sitting down upon his outstretched leg, feeling comforted by how caring and protective he was being.

Oromis allowed the tiniest smile to grace his lips as he walked up to me and began to heal the wounds that Galbatorix had not reached. With little effort, he fixed whatever had snapped in my leg, and he quickly healed several minor cuts I had received when I fell from the net. But, he suddenly looked concerned when he reached the single scar on my face left by the Ra'zac's claw, for despite his best efforts, he could not remove the mark either.

From what I could tell from Oromis's and Galbatorix's inspections, the scar was a single cut that ran from my temple to the corner of my mouth. Oromis traced it with his finger, mumbling incantations under his breath as he attempted to remove the reminder left on my face by the Ra'zac. Finally, with a sigh, he gave up on the scar and turned his gaze to my side.

"Talia," Oromis said, "how did you receive this wound?"

I did not have to look to know what wound he spoke of, "it is from my dagger. When I was trapped in the net, I must have cut myself in my attempt to escape."

In the blink of an eye, Galbatorix was at my side staring at the cut in concern, "I did not notice this cut when I was healing you. I would have healed it had I seen it."

"It's fine," I mumbled, "it's just a cut."

"Talia," Oromis said, turning his gaze onto me, "you never told me you had a dagger on you."

I looked down, but once more Galbatorix spoke up, "This was how you escaped? You cut your way down?"

I nodded.

"And the cuts upon the Ra'zac," Galbatorix continued, "you caused those with this dagger?"

"Yes," I said softly, feeling as if I had done something wrong when I had only defended myself. Vascar sensed these thoughts and immediately rushed to my aid.

'What does it matter if she fought the Ra'zac with a knife or with her bare hands? She was fighting for her life moments ago, and I will not sit idly by and listen to you interrogate her for defending herself,' he growled to all listening. Oromis shook his head and quickly responded.