Unexpected Ally - Eragon fanfiction

Chapter 12 - Sparring

Riding was painful for Ruth, but even worse for Eragon. His broken ribs were so bad that they couldn't do anything more than a walk. To save the two of them even more pain, Ruth rode with Murtagh; she couldn't ride with Brom for he too was in pain.

Murtagh rode confidently, whereas Ruth simply slouched behind him. Ruth could tell Eragon was about to ask something because he had his stupidly common curious face.

"Your horse is beautiful, what's its name?"

"Tornac, after the man who taught me how to fight" Murtagh patted the horse's side "He was given to me when he was just a foal. You'd be hard pressed to find a more courageous and intelligent animal in all of Alagaesia, Saphira expected, of course"

"He is magnificent beast" Eragon said, his eyes twinkling with admiration

Murtagh laughed "Yes, but Snowfire is as close to his match as I've ever seen"

They covered only a short distance but Ruth was glad to be on the move again.

Days rolled by, Eragon and Murtagh got on extremely well and Murtagh got along with Ruth slightly well but they mostly only talked when they were riding together. Ruth spent more time with Brom; she began to wish he was her father. She was glad he finally had a nice father figure.
One subject they all avoided discussing their pasts, although Ruth gave Brom a few hints for she needed to tell someone. She began to wish she had joined the journey sooner because she knew that soon she would have to spend more time with the boys of which she knew quite little.
The first week went by without any sight of the Ra'zac, even so they still kept watches at night. The Urgals had too disappeared.

-Eragon-

Eragon had told Ruth that he no longer dreamed of this woman that she had seen him scry; Ruth teased him because he once described her as 'beautiful'. He had regretted it since. Whenever they visited a town, Eragon would check if there was a jail then he would disguise himself and check the cells. His disguises became more elaborate as posters started getting put up in towns matching his disguised description and offering a reward.

Their travels north forced them toward Uru'baen. It was a heavily populated area, which made it difficult to escape notice. Soldiers patrolled the roads and guarded the bridges. It took them several tense, irritable days to skirt the capital.

Once they were safely around the capital, they found themselves on the edge of a vast plain. It was the same one he had crossed once he left the Palancar Valley, except now he was on the other side. They followed the Ramr river.

Eragon's sixteenth birthday came and went during this time Brom had wished him a happy birthday and once Ruth overhead she had too. At Carvahall though he would have been throwing a large celebration for entering manhood.

The day finally came when Eragon unwrapped his side for the last time. His ribs had completely healed and all that was left was a scar where the boot had sliced his skin. He flexed his muscles: pleased. He smiled.

Ruth unwrapped her stomach on the same day too. She grinned because her stomach had completely healed. Once she had slipped her shirt back on and sat by the small fire Murtagh and Eragon had created. Brom was already asleep; his body still hurt.

Murtagh sat opposite Ruth whittling a piece of wood. Ruth was fiddling with a puzzle ring she had in her saddlebag, Eragon had asked her where she got it but she ignored him. Her hair was tied in a messy bun and the longer Alagesia delved into spring the more freckles that appeared on her skin. A blanket of them already covered her face. Eragon drew Zar'roc, Murtagh tensed and Ruth glanced at him before returning her attention to the ring.

"Now that I'm strong enough, would you like to spar?" asked Eragon

Murtagh tossed the wood aside "With sharpened swords? We'd kill each other"

"Here give me your sword," said Eragon. Murtagh hesitated, then handed over his long hand-and-a-half sword. Eragon blocked the edges with magic, the way Brom had taught him.

While Murtagh examined his sword, Eragon said, "I can undo that once we're done"

Murtagh checked the balance of his sword. Satisfied, he said "It will do, let us start"

Ruth stood and moved backwards so she wasn't in the way, she then sat and watched the two of them.

Eragon swung toward Murtagh's shoulder. Their swords met in midair. Eragon disengaged with a flourish, thrust, and then riposted as Murtagh parried, dancing away.

He's fast! thought Eragon.

They struggled back and forth, trying to batter each other down. After a series of particularly intense blows, Murtagh started laughing. Not only was it impossible for either of them to gain an advantage, but they were so evenly matched that they tired at the same rate. Acknowledging with grins at each other's skill, they fought on until their arms were laden and sweat poured from their sides.

Finally, Eragon called "Enough, halt!"

Murtagh stopped midair and sat down with a gasp. Eragon staggered to the ground, his chest heaving.

Ruth laughed "I almost the two of you would never stop" she shook her head and sat down in between Murtagh and Eragon.

"You're amazing!" Murtagh exclaimed "I've studied swordplay all my life, but I have never fought one like you. You could the king's weapon master if you wanted to"

"You're just as good" observed Eragon, still panting "The man who taught you, Tornac, could make a fortune with a fencing school. Everyone would go to participate"

"He's dead" Murtagh said shortly

"I'm sorry"

Ruth looked at Murtagh, "Tomorrow night we must spar, I have a desire to defeat you now"

"Really?" Murtagh said

"Just because I am a woman does not mean I enjoy the same activities as Eragon or any other boy" she replied

"Ah, my mistake. Then we shall spar tomorrow"

In reply, she smiled and nodded.

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