The Age of the Dragon 4: On Silver Wings

Chapter 4

"The human is bold," Fang commented, curled up near Fallyn's tent.

"I suspect it is a family trait," Fallyn quipped back.

Fang made a growling-cough sound, that Fallyn knew was her laughing, and stretched her wings again before settling properly.

"For now, we have bloodied their noses, and given them pause," Fang said. "We'd best complete the siege as quickly as possible, to avoid running the risk of Galbatorix or Murtagh coming here."

"There are not enough here to help in that case," Fallyn agreed.

"Something is not right," the dragon suddenly warned.

"Remain still," Fallyn said, pulling her hood low over her head and slipping out. Her dagger she hid in the folds of her cloak and thusly she slipped through the camp. Fang guided her towards where she had sensed something amiss, and there, Fallyn spotted a shadowy figure sneaking up on a lad.

With a shout, she warned the boy of danger, before throwing her dagger. Pommel over blade it spun, until the tip bit into the attacker's shoulder, throwing him back from the force and strength of it. The boy, startled, fell and scrambled away.

Before the attacker could flee, Fallyn leapt on him with a savage snarl, pinning him as she attacked his mind. Roots reached up from the ground, as silver tattoos glowed and the roots bound the man to the earth as Fallyn wrested control of his thoughts from him. Roran soon appeared, dressed in little more than his breeches. Other soldiers soon arrived, and Fallyn sifted through the attacker's thoughts even as he struggled internally.

"What's going on?" Roran demanded.

Fallyn extracted herself from his mind, allowing him to begin struggling against the roots that held him fast.

"This man came to kill you," she said simply. "And then he had planned to kill me - for glory awaits the one who can kill Stronghammer and Stormrider."

She then turned to look at him.

"Pray tell, how did you plan to deal with the dragon after her rider was slain?" Fallyn questioned.

He made to spit at her, only to cry out as the roots pulled tighter.

"I could've done it," he growled. "I could've killed him!"

"Suicidal fool," she muttered, turning to Roran. "What would you have me do with him?"

Roran seemed deep in thought, then turned to the others. "Check the camp for others, go! But do not wake the whole camp, the men need their rest."

Soldiers scrambled to obey, and Fallyn cocked an eyebrow at the Captain, though some of his men - specifically the magician - remained behind.

"I could have easily told you this one was acting alone," she said, waving a hand at him.

"I know," he said. "We haven't the resources to keep him prisoner, nor can we afford to let him go free."

Fallyn hummed. "Then I killed him without your consent."

"You would have me report to Nasuada that you disobeyed orders?"

"I am not beholden to anyone, Stronghammer," Fallyn answered firmly. "I am here as a favour, and I am helping because it suits me. I do not belong to the Varden, not as Eragon does."

Roran's jaw worked and she could see the annoyance at being challenged in this manner.

With a wave of her hand, roots that had wrapped around the man's neck loosely, squeezed, snapping his neck immediately.

"I will do what I must to bring Galbatorix down," Fallyn said softly. "I will also kill a man in cold blood if it will save the lives of hundreds more."

Roran's head dipped in understanding, and he turned away.

"Get this cleaned up," he ordered those with him. "Make sure you're all ready for the battle tomorrow."

"Stronghammer," Fallyn called out, noting a certain tenseness in his posture. He turned to look at her, and with a flash from her silver tattoos, blue light washed over him. "We need everyone in fighting condition."

He bowed his head in thanks and wandered away.

For a moment, Fallyn was reminded of an argument between Eragon and Murtagh about whether or not it was right to execute a man who could not fight back.

"It would seem that Murtagh and I were more alike than I first imagined," Fallyn thought.

"It could have been you in his place," Fang agreed sadly. "But I think you have come to terms with much of your anger."

"Three hundred years of tranquillity will help you with that," Fallyn answered lightly. "Let us rest. We will need to be as terrifying as possible, to play the distraction once again."

Fang hummed in response, and soon, the two were resting.