The Age of the Dragon 4: On Silver Wings

Chapter 14 Bonus

Murtagh curled up against Thorn, trying and failing to keep his tears from streaming down his face.

"I hate it, Thorn, I hate it," he said. "I hate seeing her flinch when I approach, screaming and writhing in agony as I press the iron against her skin... she has not broken, but she is certainly losing strength."

"I know, little one," Thorn covered Murtagh with his wing, curling closer around him. "I wish there was some way I could help, to give you the strength to get through this."

"If she broke... Thorn, she won't swear fealty if she breaks," Murtagh said. "She will die. She will not allow herself to serve him. I know it."

"You don't fear her breaking," Thorn said. "You fear her dying."

"Aren't you listening!? They're the same thing!" Murtagh leapt to his feet, coming out from under Thorn's wing.

He paced around the room, rubbing his temples as he ground his teeth.

"If he broke her, she would simply give up," he said. "She won't eat; if she did, it would be to swallow poison. If he sent her to battle Eragon, she would let him kill her."

Thorn hummed, laying his head in Murtagh's path.

"Then you will need to be her strength," Thorn said firmly. "Whatever way you can, you must help her."

"You've been indifferent to everyone else's lives," Murtagh said. "Why..."

"Because her breaking would mean her death," Thorn stated. "And her death would harm you more than anything Galbatorix has done to either of us. It would kill me to see you so broken. So you must find ways to help her. Sneaking her food, healing her wounds, giving her hope. Whatever you must do, do it."

Murtagh stared into Thorn's enormous red eye.

"She's one of the only people who still see me," he said. "I can't... I don't want to be the one to destroy that."

"You won't be," Thorn assured. "Fang is still out there. Whatever she's planning, I'm sure she and Eragon won't rest until she is free. That is her hope. Help her remember it."

Murtagh hugged Thorn's snout.

"Thank you, Thorn," he said. "I wouldn't be here, alive, if not for you."

"I love you too, little one," Thorn chuckled.