Age of the Dragon 1: Return of the Riders

Chapter 13

As they proceeded, the horses were lead down a different tunnel, though Clathus protested violently. With a gentle mental command from Fallyn however, he snorted and grudgingly obeyed.

When the soldiers made to guide Fallyn down a different hallway, she was about to protest when the bald one did that for her.

"No!" he said, the dagger still held under Murtagh's chin. "She comes with us. Returning so soon after her last visit and with enemies on her heels, she has much to answer for."

"That suits me just fine," she said cooly. She had a promise to keep.

She intended to do just that.

After a series of twists and turns, Eragon spoke up again.

"There's an injured-"

"Do not speak!" the bald one snapped. "It must wait until you have been tested."

Fallyn rolled her eyes at this, glancing at Arya with concern.

The bald one pushed Murtagh towards one of the other soldiers and turned to face them.

"Remove your weapons and slide them to me," he ordered.

Fallyn quirked an eyebrow at that comment, but removed her sword and bow, handing them to one of the dwarves at her side, he gently laid them down, out of her reach.

"Now, step away from the dragon and slowly approach me," he ordered Eragon.

Once they were roughly a yard apart, he ordered Eragon to stop. "Now remove the defences from around your mind and prepare to let me inspect your thoughts and memories. If you try to hide anything from me, I will take what I want by force... which would drive you mad. If you don't submit, your companion will be killed."

"Why?" Eragon asked.

"To be sure you aren't in Galbatorix's service and to understand why hundreds of Urgals are banging on our front door," the man growled. "No one may enter Farthen Dûr without being tested."

"There isn't time!" Eragon protested. "We need a healer!"

"Silence!"

"No," Fallyn spoke up, her voice ringing clearly through the room. "Arya requires healing. Now."

"No one will leave this room-"

"Did you even hear her, Egraz Carn?" one of the dwarves protested. "She said Arya requires healing. Ajihad and the king will have our heads if she is allowed to die, not to mention the elven Queen."

The man's eyes tightened in anger before he relaxed and responded smoothly. "Of course, Orik, we wouldn't want that to happen."

"No, you really don't," Fallyn said darkly.

He sneered back at her, then glared at Eragon.

"You have much explaining to do," he said flatly.

"She was poisoned with the Skilna Bragh while in prison," Eragon said, lifting his chin defiantly. "Only Tunivor's Nectar can save her now."

The bald one's face became inscrutable, standing motionless except for his lips, which twitched occasionally.

"Very well," he said eventually, "take her to the healers and tell them what she needs. Guard her until the ceremony is completed. I will have new orders for you by then."