Chapter 4

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Little One, I came across this oddity while flying back with Firnen. Saphira sent him a mental picture that rendered Eragon speechless. It's a little south of here and I'd thought you two might enjoy a short trip there. Eragon consulted with Saphira over a idea that struck him, Saphira addeda few suggestions and sought Firnen's opinion. Firnen rumbled, deep in his chest and gave his approval. Saphira wanted to wriggle with the suspense. Both dragons landed and laid near each other, Firnen resting his snout over Saphira's. "Eragon, what happened in Uru'baen?" "Firnen has shared with me memories of the battle, but he was engaged in battle with Murtagh and Thorn." Eragon looked at her and grinned. 'Do you think I could of saved you if Galbatorix and Shruiken were hot on mine and Saphira's tail?" he chuckled at Arya's widened eyes. "Saphira and I decided to launch a sneak attack on Uru'baen. We were found out, however, after a guard from the Empire sounded the alarm, we fought Murtagh and Thorn. They had been fighting more than normal, as Saphira and I noticed. It was as if Murtagh was desperate to win the battle - or bring it far away from sight. After we've reached a distance from Uru'baen, Murtagh held his hand up in a tentative truce. Thorn let go of Saphira's wing, disengaged from battle and flew a few hundred feet below Saphira and held his position. Neither one of them made a move to attack us as I healed Saphira. We were both puzzled and suspicious of their intentions."Murtagh then gestured to the ground below indicating we land first." However, I thought it was a trap and so I waited for them to land before doing so. Saphira continued. "When we landed, we both noticed that Murtagh had disarmed himself and laid all his weapons on the ground. So we cautiously approached." Saphira ruffled her wings impatiently, the projected her thoughts so that the events of that day were laid out for all to see. 


-Flashback-

They were at the plains near The Hadarac Desert. Murtagh was leaning, arms crossed, on Thorn's neck, with Zar'roc and the other weapons that he carried were sheathed and laying flat on the grass. Saphira landed and felt Eragon leap off her back. Saphira growled a note of caution. Eragon looked back at her and nodded, putting a hand on the hilt of Brisingr. Murtagh shoved himself off Thorn and approached Eragon. "Brother." Murtagh patted Eragon on the shoulder smiling. Through their link Saphira knew that Eragon was taken aback by this display of brotherhood by someone who had just tried to kill him, to the best of his ability just moments ago. Umaroth and the other Eldunari growled in unison, preparing their energy in case Murtagh proved hostile. As if Murtagh had read his thoughts, he sobered. "I'm sorry for fighting so hard. It was an act necessary to fool Galbatorix. I have a plan Eragon. One that may help overthrow Galbatorix. "How do I know that you are not working for Galbatorix and tricking me like a two-faced snake?" challenged Eragon, echoing all their thoughts. Murtagh smiled and puffed out his chest as if proud of himself. "My true name has changed and so all the spells that were casted on Thorn and I are void." Eragon stared. "But. . . . How?" Murtagh closed his eyes, and an air of tranquility suffused him. "Nasuada." There was a rush of understanding in Saphira. Murtagh loves Nasuada so much that his true name changed but he can't leave while Nasuada is still in Galbatorix's clutches! Saphira was awed at the power of love. Once again it has proved resistant to evil. Eragon had that look of deep thought on his face. Saphira nudged him mentally to make him aware of his surroundings again. Murtagh is waiting for your reaction! Umaroth added, how can we be sure of his intentions? Get him to swear in the Ancient Language, Shadeslayer. Eragon started, then said "Do you swear in the Ancient Language that this not a trap and you mean me, Saphira, The Varden, Nasuada and Arya no harm?And that you no longer working for Galbatorix?" Murtagh eyes hardened, but he replied in the Ancient Language. " I see that you still don't trust me, but very well- I swear I mean no one but Galbatorix harm." Eragon visibly relaxed. After a while, he nodded saying "I. . . . Trust you, brother. What is your plan then?" Murtagh's brow furrowed with concentration. "First we have to lure him out of Uru'baen to distance him from his Eldunari. He is planning on using both Nasuada and Arya as traps and human shields to get us to surrender. He will use Nasuada to cripple The Varden's morale." Saphira could feel Eragon's frustration and fear at the mention of Arya's life been threatened, as well as his anger for Galbatorix's disregard for life. "Then how are we supposed to get them out of the trap?" "We spring it. Once Galbatorix is seperated from his Eldunari, he would be the most vulnerable that he has ever been. That is our greatest chance." Eragon shifted, clearly uneasy at this plan. "There are so many loopholes. How will we lure him out? How can we ensure the safety of both Nasuada and Arya? They are both my friends, I wouldn't want any of them hurt?" "You can count on me to keep Nasuada safe." Murtagh's frown deepened. "But I cannot ensure both of their safety. You will have to be responsible for Arya's safety. . . . She has been tortured more than Nasuada on the account that she is an elf, I think. I have tried my very best to ensure that they are in less pain than they should be in. . . ." Saphira could feel Eragon's heart twisting. He has been so depressed since Arya was captured. . . . she thought. Saphira rubber her snout on Eragon's tiny face. Little One, she said tenderly, like a mother would to her heartbroken son. Eragon smiled, a forced curving of his lips as he tried, in vain, to reassure her. Angry determination boiled up within her, fierce and hot. Arya was the rider of her mate and the love of her rider. She was her close friend and she would not stand for Arya getting hurt in any way. Whoever bites the people she loves will be ripped apart by her! We will save her Little One! eragon seemed to be infected by her hot determination. "Yes, you can count me to save Arya. I will ride back to Uru'baen and shout my victory over you. That would boost The Varden's morale and lure Galbatorix out. After which I would contact The Varden and tell them to attack, Roran would lead the attack alongside Islanzadi, Orrin, Garzhvog and Orik. Then Saphira would fly high above the clouds, and fly southeast away from The Empire and towards The Hadarac Desert-" "Where Thorn and I would be hiding in wait." Murtagh grinned. "Not a bad plan, brother." Saphira considered Eragon's plan. Shouldn't we inform Firnen too? After three dragons are stronger then two. Thorn growled, making everyone jump. He had been silent that they had forgotten he was present. "Nay", said Thorn in his deep voice. The hatchling is still too young. From our last battle, he could barely fly. No, it is better if he stayed with The Varden, where he could be protected. Eragon nodded, climbing up to Saphira's saddle readying himself for battle. "Agreed, we have Eldunari too, Blodhgarm and the other eleven spellcasters would take care of him. . . ." The scene changed and Saphira was only functioning by the Eldunari's power for Shruiken and Galbatorix were hot on her tail. Their plan had gone awry, as Galbatorix too, transported his Eldunari on Shruiken's back. Shruiken was so huge that all the Eldunari could fit snugly into the saddle bags. But decades of confinement had led to Shruiken unused to flying, while being stronger than Saphira, Saphira was ultimately more nimble and agile than Shruiken. Galbatorix was a powerful and cunning magician and mindbreaker but his swordsmanship was poorer than expected. . . When Eragon could get near enough to exchange blows, which was rare enough. They were over Leona Lake now. Murtagh had barely been able to rescue Masuada before the Eldunari that he held turned on him at Galbtorix' orders. Thorn, not having energy to sustain his won accelerated growth, was forced to remain on the ground, unable to take to the skies. Thus, Eragon and Saphira were alone in the battle against Shruiken and Galbatorix.  The dragons were having a deadly race in the air, the riders having a deadly battle in their minds. Galbatorix fought with his arsenal of Eldunari and Eragon with his. The evening air buffeted the dragons, lifting their wings, but neither could garner a hold of the other's mind. Saphira could feel Eragon's sense of hopelessness, Galbatorix was definitely more experienced than Eragon. Saphira tried snapping Eragon out of it - she sent him a mental image of Arya. Eragon redoubled his efforts. Saphira snorted, annoyed with being chased. She was Saphira Bjartscular, daughter - of - the - wind, flametongue, descendant of Balgabad the Hunter and Raugmar the Black. She would not have Shruiken treat her like a common pigeon at his mercy!. A shimmer of excitement ran through her and she roared a challenge to Skruiken. He may be bigger than her but she was faster than him!. She twisted midair, doubling back on Shruiken, rose above him loosing a jet of liquid fire. The dark - king - oath - and - eggebreaker Galbatorix remained unscathed because of his wards but the saddle that held the Eldunari did not.  The saddle smouldered and tore from Shruiken's back scattering the Eldunari onto the terrain below. Galbatorix howled and the eerie sound filled Eragon with fear. Saphira now!. She tilted her wings and Eragon scooped Arya from Galbatorix' clutches. Galbatorix pulled at Arya's limp form and Eragon's hold on Arya slipped. Arya fell, her limp form spinning in the air. NO, ARYA, NO!!, Saphira, let me down, LET ME DOWN! ARYA!. Saphira tried to talk to Eragon but in his agony his mind was closed to her. Saphira growled, turning her neck so she could fix Eragon with one eye. Eragon was straining in his saddle tugging but the binds that held his hands and feet. Saphira dropped suddenly and roared, distracting Eragon taking advantage of his momentary distraction, she let out a mental shout so loud that it overwhelmed Eragon's defences.

"What would Arya want you to do, Eragon? Think! She'll want you to carry out your duty to the  people of Alagaesia and all those who put their hopes and futures to you! She sacrificed herself so that you would have this chance! Eragon paused, visibly torn. Saphira spoke again, this time gently, lovingly. If you must Eragon, defeat this oath-breaker fast, so that Arya would not drown. She'smy friend and I love her too. Eragon thought fast, despereate to get to Arya and Saphira felt a sudden rush of inspiration flow through his being. The bond between Saphira and Eragon  was so strong that with no communication needed, Saphira started into a near vertical climb, flapping her wings with all her might. As expected, Galbatorix and Shruiken followed angered by the loss of the Eldunari. Saphira entered thick clouds that obscured visibility. Through Eragon she could see the flare of both Galbatorix's and Shruiken's being directly below them, with Shruiken's bulky mass gaining speed fast on Saphira. Let's test this twisted bond of theirs, shall we partner-of-my-body-and-mind? Saphira acknowledged Eragon's words by tucking her wings into her body, falling fast and doubling back on Shruiken. When they were level with Shruiken, Saphira flared her wings to maintain her height. Roaring with triumph, she clamped down hard with her iron jaws into the base of Shuiken's neck. Immobilised Shruiken's heavy bulk started downward spiral directly onto the ground. She could feel Eragon battle with Galbatorix. They were grappling both mentally and physically. Galbatorix had the upper hand mentally but Eragon was overpowering him physically. Eragon began casting a spell with the energy in Aren to communicate the pain he had caused Eragon and the whole of Alagaesia. As soon as the spell was cast, Glaedr, Umaroth and the other Eldunari poured their strength into the spell, maintaining it. Galbatorix started to whimper and as the spell took complete effect, he groaned, incapacitated. Eragon did not complete his assault but instead, growled and said between clenched teeth, "Look well, O King and see what you have accomplished with this venture of yours." The King screamed, grabbing at his hair and pounding on his chest. "Make it stop. . . . MAKE IT STOP!KILL ME!" Eragon replied with a single, icy word: "No" Saphira could feel Glaedr's and Umaroth's pride and approval with Eragon's actions. They were on a collision course with the ground. Shruiken bulk made it sure that he would be dead by the time of impact. Galbatorix pulled out his dagger and as Saphira released her death grip on Shruiken's neck, plunged it into his temple. Galbatorix's last screamed echoed in Saphira's ears as she regained altitude. A massive boom shook the ground as Shruiken smashed onto the cold, hard earth head first. There was a massive cracking sound as Shruiken spine snapped. A massive cloud of dust floated in the air, obscuring the gargantuan figure of Shruiken's form. Eragon mentally reached out and saw. . . . nothing. Gabaltorix, The Dark King, was dead. Saphira roared victoriously, rearing. mid-air, flapping her wings to clear the dust. Saphira, we. . . we did it. Now everyone will fear our names, Little One! They will learn to fear the very mention of Eragon Kingkiller and Saphira Dragonslayer! Glaedr roared mentally, hatchlings! There is no time for celebrations! Arya still requires our aid. Saphira could feel the cold fear gripping Eragon's heart. Saphira spun and angled her wings towards Leona Lake, every muscle straining to reach Arya faster.

-End of Flashback-







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