A dull throbbing awoke Eragon. Every time blood pulsed through his head it brought a fresh wave of pain. He cracked his eyes open and winced; tears rushed to his eyes as he looked into a bright lantern. He blinked and looked away. When he tried to sit up he realised his hands were tied.
He turned lethargically to his right to see Ruth, she was still unconscious, turning to his left he was relieved to see Brom. They were all tied together, why was that?
He struggled to figure it out, They wouldn't tie up a dead man!
But who was 'they'? He swivelled his head further, then stopped as a pair of black boots entered his vision. Eragon looked up to see the cowled face of a Ra'zac. Fear jolted through him. He reached for magic, he began to mouth a word that would kill the Ra'zac, then stopped; puzzled. He tried again but couldn't remember the word.
Above him the Ra'zac laughed chillingly. "The drug is working, yesss? I think you will not be bothering us again"
There was a rattle to his left, Eragon was appalled to see the other Ra'zac fitting a muzzle over Saphira's head. Her wings were pinned to her sides with black chains; there were shackles on her legs. Eragon tried to contact her but felt nothing.
"She was most cooperative once we threatened to kill you" hissed the Ra'zac, squatting by the lanterns the Ra'zac rummaged through Eragon's bags, examining and discarding various items until he found Zar'roc.
"What a pretty thing for one so.....insignificant. Maybe I will keep it" He leaned closer and sneered "Or maybe, if you behave, our master will let you polish it" His moist breath smelled like raw meat.
Behind Eragon he heard a groan, he turned slightly to see Ruth just awoke.
The Ra'zac moved over to her, placing a bony finger under the chin, she looked at the Ra'zac, her eyes half-lidded.
The Ra'zac laughed eerily "Aren't you pretty?" it hissed
Ruth groaned again, and turned her head, she looked at Eragon and mumbled something quietly. She moved her head back to face the Ra'zac who released her and returned his attention to Zar'roc.
He turned it over in his hands then screeched when he saw the black symbol. His partner rushed over, they hissed and clicked then "You two will serve our master very well, yesss"
Eragon forced his thick tongue to forms words: "If I do, I will kill you"
They chuckled coldly "Oh no we are too valuable. But you.... You are disposable."
A deep snarl came from Saphira; smoke roiled from her nostrils. The Ra'zac did not seem to care but it gained attention from Ruth.
The Ra'zac diverted their attention when Brom groaned and rolled onto his side. One of the Ra'zac grabbed his shirt and thrust him effortlessly into the air.
"It'ssss wearing off"
"Give him more"
"Let'ssss jusst kill him" said the shorter Ra'zac "He has caused us much grief"
The taller one ran a finger down his sword "A good plan. But remember the King's instructions were to keep them alive"
"We can ssssay he was killed when we captured them"
"And what of thissss of one" the Ra'zac asked, putting the tip of its blade under Ruth's chin. She lifted her head to look at the monster, Ruth moaned sluggishly.
"If she talks?"
"She won't, sshe's too exhausted"
"And this one?" The Ra'zac hissed, flicking the blade to Eragon "If he talksss?"
His companion laughed and drew a dagger "He dare not"
After a long silence the Ra'zac said "Agreed"
They dragged Brom into the centre of the camp and shoved him to his knees, they also collected Ruth and placed her next to Brom. Brom sagged to one side but Ruth stayed on her knees, looking around in fear. Eragon watched with growing anxiety.
I have to get free
He wrenched at the ropes but they were too strong for him to break.
"None of that now" said the tall Ra'zac, poking him with a sword. He nosed the air and sniffed; something seemed to trouble him.
The other Ra'zac growled, yanking Brom's head back, and swept the dagger toward his exposed throat. At that very moment, a low buzz sounded, followed by the Ra'zac's howl. An arrow protruded from his shoulder. The Ra'zac nearest to Eragon dropped to the ground, barely avoiding a second arrow. He scuttled to his wounded companion, and they glared into the darkness, hissing angrily. They made no move to stop Brom as he staggered upright, Ruth too stood.
"Get down!" cried Eragon
Brom wavered, bumping into Ruth who then stumbled, he then tottered toward Eragon. As more arrows hissed into the camp from the unseen attackers, the Ra'zac rolled behind some boulders. There was a lull, then the arrows came from the other direction. Caught by surprise, the Ra'zac reacted slowly.
With a wild cry, the smaller Ra'zac fled toward the road, kicking Eragon viciously in the side as he passed. His companion passed him, grabbing his dagger from the ground. As he left the camp, he hurled the knife at Eragon.
A strange light suddenly burned in Brom's eyes and he lunged at Eragon, his mouth open in a soundless snarl. The dagger struck him with a hollow thump, and he landed heavily on his shoulder. His head lolled limply. "No!" screamed Eragon, though he was doubled over in pain. He glanced at Ruth to see she was also doubled over, tears streaming down her face. He heard footsteps, then his eyes closed and he knew no more.
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Unexpected Ally - Eragon fanfiction
FanfictionRuth was out hunting deer when she came across Saphira outside of Teirm. Soon accompanying Eragon and Brom on their perilous journey, helping and training with them. A big twist soon knots into their lives, will they survive? This is based on the fi...
