The Color of Destiny, Du Hjarta Vrangr

Chapter XVII – Orange: Blood Lust

The rather large orange egg was placed on a tree stump in between the two glaring figures, Murtagh was unnerved, the Kull he faced wasn't nearly as stupid as any he had ever met before. Murtagh new his plan, he was going to have them fight over the egg to please the child inside. The egg was decorated with ever-shifting scenes of combat, so naturally one might think that battle is what it desires.
Eragon had shown Murtagh the 'special' egg he found before via two-way scrying, that one had hearts all over it, and from what he had gathered it required someone with a great capacity for love to hatch. This one though, it craved combat, he could almost feel the bloodlust radiating from within the dull orange surface. Ulrahk, as the Kull had named himself was grinning at it with a twinkle in his eye that looked creepy on something non-human. It could be he felt the bloodlust as well, and as a Kull, he loved it.

In the name of Urgralgra honor, Murtagh had to lower all of his wards, or he would never be respected among the Urgals, and the egg would be lost. Murtagh himself was lost however, because he knew that if he didn't fight the egg was lost, and if he did fight the egg would likely hatch… The duel gong sounded, and Murtagh had to go into defence within the first second, unbelievably the Kull had leaped forward much faster than he expected of their lumbering race. Murtagh held his mace against his cross guard, twisted out then slashed, only to have it deflected of the crude mace.

Murtagh sneered, 'So, the Urgal can use finesse with a blunt weapon? Fine.' He couldn't speak his mind, there are to be no taunts in this battle due to the conditions, only battle cries. The Urgal feinted a strike to his left shoulder and instead whipped it around to his right ear; Murtagh just barely deflected it, and was forced to use a jab to get the Kull to back up.

The Urgal obliged, dug in his heels and vaulted forward, bringing down his mace roaring. The Rider rolled away, grunting, 'How am I supposed to get serious if I don't want to accidently kill him?' He slashed with three deceptive cuts, the first two were blocked, the third got the Urgal on his right thigh, not deep enough to hamstring him however. Ulrahk bellowed "Crusher!" As he slammed his mace at Murtagh horizontally with all his might, the attack was blocked, but that's not the problem. The egg gave a squeak, and it was far too deep-sounding from what he knew of dragons, "Oh no…"

~Ulrahk~
"Enough! It has worked, I knew it desired battle!" Ulrahk was pleased with himself, if there was anything he knew it was combat, and even a baby dragon had to relish in the glory of it. Murtagh however, "Sorry to burst your bubble, but it wasn't just the battle that caused it to start hatching. What did you say just before it squeaked again, Crusher?" A crack appeared in the egg as if in answer, Murtagh must have thought it the lamest dragon name in existence, Ulrahk however was pleased. "Fitting it is for one that will become large enough to shake the mountains around him!" Murtagh just sighed, but the sigh changed to a gasp, as Crusher didn't just break out of the egg, he caused it to explode.

Ulrahk didn't wait, he pounced on Crusher even as the hatchling started to saunter off, as the Urgal touched the copper scales, a shield-like mark was burned onto his flesh…

~Murtagh~
The Son of Morzan had to admit, this was the most thick-headed Urgal he had ever met in his life, he wasn't even knocked out cold. He just got up groggily, as if a bit drunk or dizzy, but shrugged it off with little problem. "Urgal, you are a monster of your kind. None should be able to stand after the icy-waves of magic settle in. I don't care how much you protest or your people, but I will not let you out of my sight for a century at least."

The Kull just gave his horrible tusk-y grin, "You fought well brother Rider, I would have you invited to my own hall just for not falling to my mace." Murtagh raised an eyebrow, "You actually expected to beat me? If it weren't for your restrictions on not fighting to the death, I would have felled you in seconds." The Urgal nodded, "Yes, likely. You obviously do not know our customs, most would understand that as a compliment." Murtagh grunted, "Whatever, but can Thorn enter the village now? He's getting impatient." The Urgal gazed back at Thorn, Murtagh knew he wouldn't dare refuse him unless he wanted to have his fur between Thorn's teeth. "Yes, I see no issue with it, as long as he doesn't eat us that is." Murtagh couldn't help but bark out a short laugh, "No, he won't eat any of you as long as you all leave him be.

As Ulrahk lead Murtagh to his hall, the fates were weaving the most peculiar relationship, this could end very well, or very bad for both of them…