The Age of the Dragon 4: On Silver Wings

Chapter 22

Fallyn stirred as light pierced her eyelids, the chains chafing her wrists. Once her eyes had adjusted to the light, she saw Saphira, Eragon, Arya, and a child with a marked brow standing before Galbatorix. Her eyes drifted tiredly over the two children sitting on the steps, Thorn and Murtagh to the right of Galbatorix, who sat upon his throne with Shruikan behind. She flexed her jaw against the cloth that kept her from speaking.

"Fallyn!" Eragon called out. Her eyes fell on him again. "Are you alright?"

She nodded.

"Has he forced you to swear fealty to him?"

She snorted, shaking her head.

"Do you think I would let her tell you if I had?" Galbatorix asked.

She cast him a dark glare. While the king's attention was fixed on Eragon, she locked eyes with Murtagh as concern flickered in his eyes. She tried to communicate assurance with only her eyes, but it was difficult without risking Murtagh.

"Well, have you?" Eragon demanded in a challenging tone.

"As it so happens, no," Galbatorix said. "If I had, do you think Fang would be tearing through my city with such abandon and fury? But it matters not, for I have decided to wait until I had gathered all of you together. Now that I have, none shall leave until I have learned the true name of each and every one of you. That is why you are here. Not to kill me, but to bow down before me and to finally put an end to this noisome rebellion. Then you will go and subdue the unruly siblings who fly above the city. I have a particular interest in the so-called old god."

While Eragon continued to defy the king, Fallyn's head fell back against the stone slab, and she stared at the children on the step.

She knew she had to save them, but feared any move she made now would only risk all of their lives. She became aware of Galbatorix's shifting moods and watched quietly.

Then he declared that Eragon and Murtagh would fight, and she saw anger flare on the darker brother's face. It was followed by surprise when Eragon refuted the blood ties to Morzan, but Fallyn felt only concern that the brothers might kill each other, regardless of Galbatorix's wishes.

"Vhenan," she thought sadly.

The two took up positions opposite each other and prepared to fight.

"Begin!" Galbatorix declared, and the two advanced.