The Rogue Rider (An Inheritance Fanfiction)

Chapter 31: Desperation

Ragin sat on his bed, his back against the rocky wall of his room and an emotionless mask on his face as he studied the three riders in front of him. Eragon was pacing back and forth, his own mask hiding the raging emotions Ragin knew the elder rider was feeling. Logan was studying his protegee as intensely as Ragin was studying them, and Theaden was leaning against the wall, a small smirk on his face as he absentmindedly twiddled a dagger in his hand.

"Surely this is proof enough," the elf said eventually as the silence grew longer, "He doesn't deserve the mantle of rider. We should break their bond right now and ship the thief's body back to Alageasia."

His words stirred a deep fear within the young rider. One that scared him far more than he thought it would. Of course, he was aware that there was a spell that made it possible to break the bond between a rider and dragon, even if he had no idea what it was. It surprised him to realise that it was more the threat of breaking up with his dragon rather than death that frightened him the most. Part of him was a little proud of the fact, though that pride would not help him here.

"That is a punishment reserved for both dragon and rider," Eragon turned his gaze on Theaden, "And as far as we know, Akaysha had nothing to do with this."

The black elf gritted his teeth, "Well we can't just leave him unpunished. Again!"

The elder rider turned his gaze upon Ragin, causing the thief to inwardly squirm under his intense gaze. He twisted the ring still on his finger absentmindedly. They still hadn't caught onto the fact that the ring made his mind impossible to detect. If they had, he had no doubt his mind would have been shattered many times by now. While he was confident in his ability to hold off one, or maybe even two riders mentally. Against the entire mountain, or even just Eragon himself, he doubted he had any chance.

"Why did you steal the egg Ragin?" the leader of the dragon riders asked icily, "Was it Tharin's doing?"

"Tharin had nothing to do with this," they were speaking the common tongue, so the lie slipped easily through Ragin's mouth. He couldn't let them find out who was truly behind this attempt, lest Akaysha be in danger.

"You will speak in the ancient language," Eragon commanded fiercely, "Your oath would have prevented you from leaving, meaning you couldn't have left with the egg. We know you were attacked last night, so did the infiltrator say something to you? Did you think by stealing the egg that you would bribe Tharin to stop coming for you?"

Ragin's mind was going into overdrive, trying to think of the best way to speak the truth without revealing the truth, "Tharin had nothing to do with me stealing the egg."

The sentence itself was true, at least that was what Ragin believed. Yes, Tharin had been the one to make him swear the oath in order to steal the egg, but the man had not participated in the actual robbery, nor had he offered any assistance. So, as long as he had nothing to do with the actual act, it made what he had said true.

"Dammit Ragin," it was Logan who spoke this time, "I don't believe you did this for no reason. We want to help you, can't you see that! We are not your enemy here!"

Ragin glanced at his master without a hint of emotion, before turning back to Eragon's enraged face.

"Forget it Logan," Theaden said, pushing himself from the wall, "The demon's spawn is too well trained to give up information, even if interrogated in the ancient language."

Eragon let out a violent curse before reach out and placing his hand against Ragin's forehead. The thief tensed, before relaxing as he watched the older rider's forehead crease into an ever lengthening frown. The ring on his hand grew heavy as Eragon searched for his mind, but was unsuccessful in finding it.