Unexpected Ally - Eragon fanfiction

Chapter 10 - Murtagh pt.1

Ruth nervously sat next to Murtagh, their helper who introduced himself a few minutes before. Ruth anxiously stroked her arm and watched Eragon and Brom with growing fear. She was extremely tired but wanted to stay awake to see if Eragon or Brom would be okay. Her eyelids constantly fluttered and stayed half lidded. Murtagh glanced at her and then continued to stare into the flames of the fire that was in front of them.

Eragon opened his eyes and looked at the campfire several feet before him. Eragon struggled to his knees and stared at Murtagh.

-Eragon-

Eragon stared at the young man sitting next to Ruth. He was dressed in battered clothes, exuded a calm, assured air. In his hand was a bow, at his side a long hand-and-a-half sword. A white horn bound with silver fittings lay in his lap, and the hilt of a dagger protruded from his boot. His serious face and fierce eyes were framed by locks of brown hair. He appeared to be a few years older than Eragon and perhaps an inch or two taller. Behind him a grey war horse was picketed.

The stranger watched Saphira warily.

"Who are you?" Eragon asked, taking a shallow breath

The man's hands tightened on his bow "Murtagh". His voice was low and controlled but curiously emotional.

Eragon looked at Ruth, her shirt was stained with so much blood he couldn't tell where it was coming from.

"Are you okay?" Eragon croaked

"Are you?" Ruth replied, her tone strong, as were her posture

Unsure how to answer, without worrying her he shifted his gaze back to Murtagh, he moved his hands from under his legs so they were in front of him. He clenched his teeth as pain flared in his side again.

"Why did you help us?" Eragon grunted, through gritted teeth

"You aren't the only enemies the Ra'zac have. I was tracking them"

"You know who they are?"

"Yes"

Eragon concentrated on the ropes that bound his wrists and reached for magic. He hesitated, aware of Murtagh's and Ruth's eyes on him, then decided it didn't matter.

"Jierda!" he grunted, the ropes snapped off his wrists. He rubbed his hands to get the blood flowing.

Murtagh sucked in his breath and Ruth groaned quietly, rubbing her stomach. Eragon braced himself and tried to stand, but his ribs seared with agony. He fell back, gasping between clenched teeth. Murtagh tried to come to his aid, but Saphira stopped him with a growl.

"I would've helped you earlier but your dragon wouldn't let me near you"

"Her name's Saphira" Ruth said, still rubbing her stomach

Now let him by! I can't do this alone. Besides, he saved our lives

Saphira growled again and folded her wings then backed away. Murtagh eyes her flatly as he stepped forward.

He grasped Eragon's arm, gently pulling him to his feet. Eragon yelped and would've fallen without support. They went to the fire -where Ruth sat still groaning quietly- Brom lay on his back there too.

"How is he?" Eragon asked, gesturing vaguely toward Brom

"Bad" Murtagh said, lowering him to the ground. "The knife went between his ribs. You can look at him in a minute, but first we need to see how much damage the Ra'zac did to you." Although Eragon was aware of Ruth's eyes, he let Murtagh help him take off his shirt. Murtagh whistled
"Ouch!"

"Ouch" Eragon agreed

Ruth sucked her breath between her teeth "That looks painful" she too agreed

A blotchy bruise extended down his left side. The red, swollen skin was broken in several places. Murtagh put a hand on the bruise and pressed lightly. Eragon yelled, and Saphira growled a warning.

Murtagh glanced at Saphira as he grabbed a blanket. "I think you have some broken ribs. It's hard to tell, but at least two, maybe more. You're lucky you're not coughing up blood." He tore the blanket into strips and bound Eragon's chest.

"Yes...I'm lucky" Eragon slipped his shirt back on, he took a shallow breath and sidled to Brom.

-Ruth-

As Eragon and Murtagh checked over Brom's wounds, Ruth focused on not losing her consciousness. The pain in her stomach was so intense she felt as though she were to die. Her heart thumped loudly in her ears, involuntary groans escaped her as rubbed the spot where her agony was originating trying to reduce the pain.

Red spots danced across her vision, she grunted loudly as sharp pain stretched through her stomach as though a sword slipped through her. Clenching her teeth and screwing up her eyes, she continued to rub her belly.

Ruth paid no attention to her surroundings but rather staying awake. She opened her eyes to see Murtagh making soup, her vision faltered and spun around her. Nauseation consumed her, she fought the urge to vomit; she didn't want to bring any attention to herself. She gagged, her vision continued to dance as did her stomach and the pain continued to lance around her chest.

"Are you okay?" she heard a voice ask, though through her agony she couldn't identify who it was

".....No" she was able to mutter, she felt a hand clasp around her arm. Whoever it was -though she guessed it was Murtagh- helped her back onto the tree stump she was sitting on. She cracked her eyes open to see Murtagh staring at her. She moaned groggily as more anguish punished her. Her body swayed and nearly fell from the stump if not for Murtagh's support.

"Let me inspect your wound"

"Okay" Ruth mumbled

Murtagh laid Ruth gently on the floor, he pulled her shirt off (a cloth was wrapped around her breasts to conceal them) Murtagh whistled once again.

A large bruise, just like Eragon's, was covering her entire stomach. Many cuts coated the red, blotched bruise that all bled excessively. Just like he had down to Eragon: Murtagh pressed his hand lightly on the wound.

Ruth's shrill shriek of anguish broke the silence, extreme pain filled her entire body. Her whole body felt as though it was bruised too. She panted, "That hurt"

"I can tell" Murtagh said softly.

Eragon finally noticed Ruth's discomfort, he looked at her then looked at her wound. Once Eragon spotted it he came over and sat by Murtagh.

"I didn't know the Ra'zac hurt you this badly" Eragon said, looking ashamed

"Well I tried to stop them from getting you (as did Brom) once you were unconscious but they kicked me; like they did to you" she groaned, took her shirt and was about to put it on but Murtagh stopped her.

"Wait" he got a blanket and tore into strips and bound her stomach

"Thank you" she murmured, with a nod, although she was still in pain she was glad she wasn't bleeding as much. 

She looked at Eragon, he was staring at her already, "Feeling better?" he asked

"Yes, I feel amazing, I could run 100 leagues" she commented Eragon raised his eyebrows and Murtagh laughed dryly. Murtagh fixed Ruth a meal and handed it to her as she ate Murtagh and Eragon talked.

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1177 words