The Age of the Dragon 4: On Silver Wings

Chapter 12

Fallyn paused as she recited a section of the Chant - she'd been through enough to know it hadn't been all that long since her last visit.

The little man shuffled in with a copper brazier full of charcoal, which he set upon its legs a few feet away from the slab she lay on. Resting in the charcoal were three long iron bars.

Fallyn released a slow breath as she realised the time had come.

Rather than continue to watch her jailor, she continued with the Chant, thoughtlessly.

Blessed are they who stand before

The corrupt and the wicked and do not falter.

Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just.

Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow.

In their blood, the Maker's will is written.

Her jailor seemed to pause in his work as if to listen to her words before he left. She watched as the fire slowly heated the iron rods, her thoughts turning to the earliest memories she had - of when she received the markings of her skin.

Taking deep breaths, she turned her thoughts away from it, and instead sang the song of Suledin.

Melava inan enansal

ir su aravel tu elvaral

u na emma abelas

in elgar sa vir mana

in tu setheneran din emma na

lath sulevin

lath araval ena

arla ven tu vir mahvir

melana 'nehn

enasal ir sa lethalin

She had heard the new footsteps - many feet this time - even before the last notes died from her throat.

The group stopped outside her cell, then two sets of footsteps made their way down. A chair was set down at the very edge of her vision and a man sat in it. Though he was silhouetted, she could see the sharp, pointed crown upon his brow. A second man took up a position near the coals and began stirring them with one of the iron rods.

The thought to insult Galbatorix verbally crossed her mind - instead, she simply remained unresponsive as he slowly removed the gloves from his hand, finger by finger.

Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him.

Foul and corrupt are they

Who have taken His gift

And turned it against His children.

They shall be named Maleficar, accursed ones.

They shall find no rest in this world

Or beyond.

She allowed her lips to curl in slight satisfaction when she heard Galbatorix tut in mild annoyance at her words.

She had been about to continue with the Chant when he deigned to speak with her.

"Welcome to Urû'baen, Fallyn Stormrider, Dragon Rider of the Dragon Fang," he said smoothly. "Welcome to this, my home, 'neath these ancient, piled rocks. Long has it been since a guest as distinguished as yourself has graced us with their presence. My energies have been occupied elsewhere, but I assure you, from now on, I shall not neglect my duties as host."