Chapter 3:
"Why did you have to do that!" the figure hissed under the hood.
"It's simple, really," Galbatorix said nonchalantly, one leg draped over the arm of his throne while the other casually propped on the seat.
"Enlighten me," the figure said forcefully.
"Well, I couldn't have left you in that dreaded coma that would ruin the plan, could I?" Galbatorix started, unceremoniously flicking a speck of dirt off his armour, "And I wasn't there to force you awake, was I?" he said again, "So I had no choice but to use magic," he finished with a tone that signified it was never his fault.
"You didn't have to use dark magic like that!" the figure shrieked, finally losing cool.
"Ahhh… I will have to though, if you lose your sense of respect…"
The figure quietened down as Galbatorix smirked at the fear he commanded over his subjects.
"It- almost- killed- me," the hooded person forced out through gritted teeth, as if it pained to speak politely.
"Yes, I know," he said crisply.
"And you still carried on with it?" the person spat.
"Actually, it was one of the biggest reasons why I used it," he said, flashing a sadistic smile at her.
The figure laughed the bitter laugh that made the hair stand on Murtagh's neck with familiarity. He knew who it was! But…a person couldn't be in two places at once…
"And lose one of your two, precious Riders?" the person said, unsheathing a small dagger and facing it towards the heart.
Murtagh felt sick.
"No…not lose… you see, my dear-" he started, ignoring the weapon.
"I am not your dear!" the person gnashed.
"- nothing else could have awoken you other than a…realistic nightmare… like this one, just that it isn't a nightmare to me," he said, smirking, ignoring her "… you must know that this was necessary… I knew it couldn't kill you because you were too strong…"
"Too strong? I was lying half dead by those Urgals you set on me while I was making my way there!"
"All for convincing them…DO," he shouted, silencing the person's mouth who had opened to speak, then resuming to his cool and casual tone as he stood up, "you think they'd be happy if they found a Rider who knows dark spells from the deep, someone who can spar with the sword just like Murtagh, their enemy, and someone with a fully grown dragon?" he asked, each word bringing him a step closer to the person,
Do you think they'd just let it pass that you were taught along the way? Questions will be raised, doubts will be constantly asked…"
The person kept quiet.
"Now, my dear, do you understand?" he asked quietly, placing his finger under the chin of the person and lifting the head, only to see a the tearing face of an angry young lady with hatred spearing out of her eyes, as if daring him to touch her any further.
Murtagh felt enraged when he saw this from mezza-nine floor.
"Murtagh!" Galbatorix suddenly barked as he moved away, "I know you are there!" he said, sensing Murtagh creeping away.
As Murtagh made his way down, Galbatorix gently pried the dagger from her clutch, twirling expertly, as if dangling a delicious fly in front of a spider.
"It is time for you to wake up," he said, before plunging the dagger into her abdomen.
She sat before the council of elders, hands on her lap and eyes diverted to the floor.
"Girl, what is your name?" a crisp voice suddenly asked.
"…Nadira,"
"What is your purpose here?" the crisp voice asked, rapping her knuckles on the table before saying, "Look up!"
Her piercing black eyes shot upwards and met hers.
"It's alright," a kind young woman with skin so chocolate it reminded Nadira of the drinks her mother used to make, "We aren't here to hurt you," She said, smiling. When Nadira made no reply, she said, "My name is Nasuada, Ruler of the Varden,"
"I… I don't remember anything… I just remember, a bunch of Urgals, coming towards me and my horse,"
"And your dragon? Was he with you?"
"No… he was flying a distance away…"
The entire council kept quiet.
"Please, Nadria, answer us truthfully," Nasuada said, "How did you find the fourth dragon egg?"
"I… I can't remember," she said, a look on her face voiced her struggling to remember.
"And the barriers you set around your mind while you were sleeping?" an old man asked harshly, "If I'm not wrong, you still have them set! Where did you learn magic like that?"
"Where did your knowledge come from?"
"How did you manage to slaughter a band of Urgals?"
"Is Galbatorix behind this?"
"I…I can't remember!" she said, bringing a hand to her head and clutching a handful of hair.
"Peace…"Nasuada said, silencing them with a look, "She must have forgotten part of her memory when she had a blow struck to her head,"
"I do remember something though… my-"
"Go on," Nasuada said serenely.
"My violin…"
Nasuada looked disappointed as she glanced nervously at the seniors surrounding the table who shook their heads.
"I'm sorry, we didn't find any violin by your side," she said regretfully, "Well, at least Eragon didn't,"
"Eragon…" she said, letting the name roll over her tongue, "Eragon…"
"Yes, Eragon, the Rider with the Varden,"
"Eragon…" she said again.
"But what we have called you here for," Nasuada said, voice turning serious as she leaned forward, "Is to ask if you are here to join us as an ally, the Varden, to fight Galbatorix and his other Rider, Murtagh,"
Murtagh…Nadira was silent as she mused over the fact that Murtagh was actually as despicable as Galabatorix. However, the Varden council took this as hesitation.
"If you are with-"
"I'll join the Varden," she said with a determined tone.
The council just stared at her, shocked that she accepted to quickly.
"Whatever the reason why I traveled here was obviously to join you," she said simply.
"You do you know that you are to swear fealty to the Varden? In ancient language?" the cold woman spoke.
"No, I don't, but if it requires me to do so, I will," she said.
BORDER.
Stepping into the vast jungle, she took in a whiff of crystal cold fresh air.
I'm with the evles… I'm in Ellesmera… she thought to herself, not thinking she would even make it this far.
Hirador! Where are you? She asked her dragon.
That was immediately answered by a loud tremble the ground had to take as he landed in front of her.
She smiled serenely and said, "Where have you been?"
Exploring.
She continued to smile and stroked his scales.
By yourself? I heard there was another Rider here.
Yes, a female named Saphira. She exudes so much wisdom! And coming from a dragon, I-
She snorted and said to him, What do you know of dragons? You only know Thorn and that dreaded -
"That's a wonderful dragon you have there," a voice suddenly said.
She turned around and saw a tall, handsome young man leaning against a large tree.
At least he's handsome… Hirador said, smirking away in her head.
"You… You must be Eragon!" she said, smiling in amazement. Truth be told, she always wanted to meet him. The way Galbatorix put him down and swore at the very mention of his name, and the way Murtagh laughted and sneered at Eragon just provoked her imagination at times.
He was exactly as she scryed him to be. Clean cut, wavy blonde hair and a decent, handsome face.
"It is an honour to meet and be saved by you," she said, ready to kneel before him when he rushed forward and stopped her.
"It's alright," he laughed, "It isn't anything, really," his eyes potraying so much sincerity she felt her heart go warm the first time in such a long time.
"I didn't catch your name," he said.
"…Nadira…"
"Nadira…" he said, allowing her name to roll over his tongue as she did he, "I take it that you have met with the council of elders?"
She winced before resuming her usual manner and replying curtly, "Yes,"
"I've been through it before. I know how you feel. Don't take it against them, they are just probably insecure. In times like these, you can't trust many people. Still, did you accept their offer to join the Varden?"
"Yes, I did,"
She has made a wise choice, Saphira said
Eragon had dully noted her overall appearance. The way her ponderous black eyes shone and her determined jaw was set, he knew that she would be an asset to victory.
"We found the band of Urgals you slaughtered on your way here. Eight of them that are dead,"
"She doesn't remember anything, so it's best not to talk of her past," Nasuada said as she entered their midst.
"The swearing in will be soon in days to come, be ready," Nasuada said kindly to her before nodding to Eragon, "And you, Eragon. You are needed to heal a wound that is bleeding to quickly,"
"I'll see you around, Nadira," Eragon said, smiling tiredly at her, before turning to walk away.
"And you too, Eragon," she said somewhat breathlessly, "Til' we meet again,"
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello? I've seen my stats. I need reviews to help me better my story. They may be horrible remarks or whatsoever, but at least they will help me... Tsk tsk...And don't drop me idle and ridiculous reviews like where is chapter 3 or nice story or what have you. Some good quality reviews that are worthy of being called reviews. Thanks.