I'm not dead! Sorry I've been gone for so long, I just had some more important things to take care of, I've started my end of year exams for example. But the exams finish on June 18th for me and I've finished college now, I only have to go back to sit each exam. So basically I'll soon have plenty of time to get back to writing and for those who have been here since the beginning you'll remember the golden days when I could put out three chapters a week. Of course there's no guarantee that I'll be able to get back to that pace but who knows, I may suddenly get a big motivation boost. Anyway, enjoy this chapter, I know you've been waiting for a while.

Chairs were brought into the throne room, along with a small table. The servants carrying them shook as they walked past the dragons, both Cynder and Eragon giving intimidating growls as the small humans passed, and then laughing at how quickly they scurried away. Thorn and Fyrenze, however, showed more restraint and eyed the other two dragons carefully.

Murtagh and Katrina did the same, especially after being told that the charcoal dragon was once Eragon. They had noticed a disturbing change in his personality before but they never expected him to be transformed like he had been; they considered it wrong. What was really upsetting to them was how badly Saphira may take it. They both felt that they wouldn’t be happy with Thorn or Fyrenze becoming human so they could only imagine what Saphira may feel, although they had yet to discuss it with their partners.

When the table and chairs had been set up Galbatorix sat down. The table had been positioned in front of his throne and so he sat at the head, lording over the rest of the people in the room like any king would. A meek looking woman stood by his side, holding something wrapped in oilskin. Murtagh and Katrina sat next to each other on the left of the table, and opposite Galbatorix sat the dragons, all four of them looking at the humans before them.

“First things first,” Galbatorix then spoke, his low yet melodious voice echoing throughout the vast room. “As you know, Eragon is now a dragon and was kind enough to bring us a rider’s sword. Of course now he no longer has a need for it and as you, Katrina, are currently without one you shall inherit it.” He then took the oilskin wrapped package and dismissed the woman, who left incredibly quickly. “Its name is Mor’ranr.”

Katrina rose from her seat to take the package from Galbatorix and then sat back down, upon which she began to unwrap it, revealing the beautiful sapphire blade. She unsheathed it to admire the metalwork and then put it away; buckling it to her hip much like Murtagh had done with Zar’roc. “Thank you, my King,” She then said, bowing her head in thanks.

“You are welcome, now all we have to do is wait for one more person to arrive and we can commence discussing our strategies.” Galbatorix finished, then sitting silently. Murtagh and Katrina began to wonder who the other person was going to be. They entertained the notion that Malefor had a found a tangible body but then dismissed it; Malefor was currently resting after Eragon’s transformation, he wouldn’t be joining in with the discussions.

Several silent minutes passed, the only sounds heard in the room being the scrapes of scales and claws on the stone floor as one by one the dragons laid themselves down. Most of the clicking originated from Eragon, who was experimenting with his body. He flexed his clawed hands continuously; admiring the powerful deadly weapons he had been given. He also snapped his jaws every now and then, each time the clash of his teeth mashing together causing everyone to look at him. The rustle of his leathery wings unfurling and folded also occasionally filled the air.

No one told him to stop, however, despite how annoying they found it. Eragon was large, bigger than Thorn and undoubtedly powerful. If he decided to lash out against anyone in the room the poor unfortunate would be hard pressed to repel him. Not that it couldn’t be done; Eragon may be strong but he was not nearly used to his body enough yet to use it as effectively as he could. For that reason Cynder had promised to put him through his paces in the art of ground and aerial combat, including honing his elemental powers, which had yet to express themselves.

The ones who were especially unhappy with Eragon’s transformation were Thorn and Fyrenze. Having to share the hold with him would be nothing but a hassle, especially since the body language Eragon was using did nothing but suggest that he though he was superior, which had yet to be determined. It wasn’t only that that bothered them, however. It was the fact that if they succeeded in capturing Saphira then she would be forced to mate with all three of them.

Both Thorn and Fyrenze had agreed with each other that they would make it as painless and the least degrading for Saphira throughout that process, but they knew without a shadow of a doubt that Eragon would probably relish the opportunity to dominate her, despite the connection that he and her shared. Unless Saphira became as corrupted as Eragon had become she would definitely not appreciate Eragon’s transformation. In fact, the only way they could see her accepting it is if she had had the opportunity to protest it; at least then she wouldn’t feel like her Eragon had been taken from her unwillingly.

A gentle breeze suddenly swept through the room despite the lack of an open window or door. It blew Katrina’s hair about her head, making her go red with embarrassment as she tried to restrain her coppery hair from billowing about the room. Then the breeze stopped, as suddenly as it appeared and footsteps could be heard behind Galbatorix’s throne. Murtagh, Katrina and the dragons watched the throne carefully whilst Galbatorix sat as still as ever.

Looks of pure horror and disgust then appeared on Katrina’s and Murtagh’s faces as Hydanza stepped out of the shadows, as tall and menacing as ever. His eyes appeared more sunken, and his skin around his mouth had darkened somewhat but his brilliantly white hair and his piercing green eyes had remained as prominent as they had been. He grinned at Katrina as he moved to take a seat, his hideously sharpened teeth flashing briefly before he sat down and turned to the king.

“I am sorry for my lateness, my lord. My informant in the Varden had a small case of ‘unconsciousness’. As such he was being monitored by the Varden’s healers and he could not report to me as soon as I would have liked. I punished him for his lack of judgement in pretending to faint to escape discovery, not so much that he will betray us, however; the punishment for treachery is public execution.”

The King simply nodded, accepting the apology and then looking towards Murtagh, who appeared to have gone pale. “Now, Murtagh, no doubt you are expecting some form of punishment for lopping of Hydanza’s head when you found Eragon and Saphira.” Murtagh didn’t say a word; all he could do was keep eye contact with the king whilst Hydanza smugly smiled to himself. “But that punishment will not be coming.” Galbatorix finally finished, causing Murtagh to feel relief and Hydanza’s smile to be wiped from his ghastly face.

“My lord?” The Shade asked, obviously disappointed in the lack of consequences for defying orders, not to mention trying to kill him.

“If it wasn’t for Murtagh’s false judgement we would have never have found Cynder, nor would Eragon be a dragon. Through Murtagh’s own folly we are in a stronger position to succeed in our goal of capturing Saphira and destroying the Varden.” With the ramifications of his actions now clear, Murtagh stole a glance from Katrina, their eyes meeting briefly and they both realised that they may have doomed any chance of defeating Galbatorix.

“When the Varden is gone,” The King continued, “I can focus all my efforts on the restoration of the dragon race.”

And how exactly are you to accomplish that? Eragon’s voice answered, his body showing no sign of listening to the conversation as they all looked at him; he was looking down at his claws and licking them, doggedly trying to emulate how Saphira used to clean her claws, at least that’s how Murtagh saw it. With only two females and three males at your disposal how do you think the race will turn out? Inbreeding doesn’t benefit a population for long.

Katrina found herself nodding along with Eragon’s statement. She had learnt from the various farmers and traders in Carvahall that selectively inbreeding livestock produced far more valuable offspring during the trading seasons. But she also new that with that came an increased chance of defects in the animal, often making the creature worthless. She imagined the same thing would apply to dragons just like it did with humans.

“That will not be a problem, Eragon.” Galbatorix answered. “As dragons you do not have many defects. Any you do have will not cause you a large disadvantage and if you had possessed a serious fault then the egg you would have came in would be soft and you would have died before you hatched. The marvellous thing about dragons is that as a species you do not allow inherited sickness to affect you. Inbreeding, the only way to prevent your race from slipping into extinction, will not cause a problem for you. And with traits from the likes of Saphira your race may even be all the better for it.”

I do not like the way you simply dictate my actions, Thorn suddenly interrupted, a growl escaping from between his jaws, his teeth flashing for an instant before Murtagh gave him a warning glare. Thorn ignored it, however. You may be able to force me to do your bidding but do not expect me to do it without complaint. You talk about my species’ right to procreate as if it is by only your doing that it can be possible. If you hadn’t swore Fyrenze and I into your service one of us may have been able to be mated to Saphira by now!

Galbatorix remained silent as Fyrenze joined in. I may have only come into contact with Saphira once but even the brief contact I had with her has shown me that she is a powerful female who would be most sought after if our race was still flourishing. What you wish to throw upon her is not what she deserves and I will not take part in planning her capture. The green dragon finished with a definitive snap of his jaws.

Katrina and Murtagh looked dismayed, their faces pale and their eyes wide. They were certain that after outbursts like that the both of them and their dragons would be punished severely. But when they looked at Galbatorix they were puzzled to see that he had a smile on his face, much different to his usual expressionless visage when he was about to discipline his servants.

“Thorn, Fyrenze, both of you are sworn to me and will do whatever I tell you to do. So the fact that you complain about it is a rather irrelevant.” The King responded, proving only to anger the dragons further; they didn’t like having their views branded irrelevant. “You do not have to take part in the planning of Saphira’s capture, I can orchestrate that myself. And besides, we are not here to plan that but rather the protection of my Empire. Hydanza, if you would be so kind as to brief us.”

“Of course, my King.” Hydanza replied as he stood up from his seat and in a display of dark magic conjured a large map of Alagaesia. He then rolled the map out on to the table so that Galbatorix was looking at it right way up. “Currently, the main force of the Varden is here,” Hydanza pointed to Belatona. “They also have troops and fortifications, here and here.” Each time the Shade pointed at the map a black mark appeared, a mark now on Belatona, Feinster and Melian.

“The Surdans have successfully captured Aroughs, here,” a blue mark appeared over Aroughs, “and the elves have captured Ceunon.” A green mark appeared just like the rest, this time over Ceunon. “Currently they are the cities and towns that have been lost to the rebels.”

“And their next objectives?” Galbatorix asked, studying the map carefully, already knowing where the most strategic place to attack would be.

“Dras Leona, and Gil’ead, my Lord.” It was then that Hydanza drew lines with his fingers, a black line from Belatona moving up along Leona Lake towards Dras Leona. He then drew two green lines extending out of the forest of Du Weldenvarden, moving south around Isenstar Lake and flanking Gil’ead. “The Varden and the elves plan to attack Dras Leona and Gil’ead simultaneously, with a contingent of Dwarfs reinforcing the Varden a day after the initial assault. The Surdans, as far as I am aware, are not taking part, or at least King Orrin isn’t.”

Katrina and Murtagh were impressed. Although simple, the forces rising against the Empire split the war on two fronts, at a cost of nearly nothing to the attacking forces. The main army around Urû’baen would take far too long to mobilize in time to prevent the loss of a city and even if it could, one city would be almost guaranteed to fall without reinforcements, something that Galbatorix couldn’t afford to spare without weakening the defences of the other cities and his own fighting force.

Galbatorix, however, continued to stare at the map, noting how each front was to be tackled. Without specific knowledge on the battlefields on which the upcoming battles would be fought he was at a disadvantage. “What else was your operative able to glean, Hydanza?” He asked, hoping for anything more to factor in to his decisions before he declared them to the others around the table.

“The elves have no other tactics to give,” The Shade began, “the only thing they have acted upon which may have impeded their conquest is dispatch mages to the northern towns of Yazuac and Daret, even Therinsford despite our lack of influence that far north. They have effectively cut off any routes we may have used to send reinforcements; if we do send them the elves will definitely know about it and will react accordingly.”

“And the Varden?” The King interrupted, knowing that if the Varden fell then the elves would retreat and he could worry about them at a later date. “Tell me about the Varden.”

Hydanza smiled again, the mockery of human expression still unsettling the two riders who were forced to sit opposite him. “Their tactics were more obtainable.” It was then that Hydanza placed his finger in the middle of Leona Lake and moved it across to the City, creating another line. “They plan to use the commandeered warship, the Dragon Wing, to attack the city as a distraction. Any vessels in the lake at that time will likely be fired upon by the ship whilst the city’s gates are assaulted. That was all that had been decided on before Nasuada dismissed her commanders.”

Galbatorix nodded in silence, absorbing the information. There weren’t many options to him. The Varden had already made their army mobile and within a week the battle would commence; he simply didn’t have time to gather a counter strike that could reinforce Dras Leona and Gil’ead and keep his army battle ready all at the same time. Not only that but due to the fronts being so far apart he couldn’t merely focus on one objective; the second would fall whilst he was defending the first.

“Tactical strikes,” Cynder suddenly called out. Galbatorix looked up at the sound of her voice and focused on her. “When I was conquering the dragon realms my armies were often out numbered. The only way for me to succeed was to take out the commanders of the armies that were resisting me. Without leaders their troops were a disorganised mess.”

Eragon had forgotten that Cynder used to be a ruler, a successful one too. It was only the result of a more powerful dragon than her interfering that she lost that position and the power that came with it; clearly she was aiming to gain that power back. Weakening their forces now and then striking afterwards before they are able to gain too strong a defence mounted in the cities would be the best option. Eragon chipped in. The Varden’s performance is linked directly to its morale. After such successful insurgencies into the Empire they will be a force to be reckoned with. Only by undermining this morale would we stand a chance in pushing them back and striking their commanding officers would do that nicely.

Galbatorix nodded and smiled slightly. “You two are already making yourselves useful.” He then took one last look at the map and seemingly made a decision. “Gil’ead is going to be the hardest to make any sort of impact upon. The elves are formidable opponents and they rarely lose sight of their objectives. That inability to change at a moment’s notice is what we’ll use against them. Cynder, Eragon, you will go to Gil’ead. It is less likely that they will attack dragons, especially ones that they have never seen before. You will be able to cause more damage than the others.”

Eragon and Cynder nodded, looking forwards to being able to cause some destruction. “Hydanza will go with you, which will allow for some diversions and split the elves focus between him and you both. I trust you remember what Malefor taught you, Hydanza?”

The Shade nodded, this time not smiling. “I do, my Lord. It will prove most efficient not needing to wait for troops to arrive. Being able to conjure them will allow me to reach Gil’ead along with the dragons and summon any troops there.”

“Excellent,” Galbatorix replied, he then looked at Murtagh and Katrina. “I believe you two will have the biggest impact with the Varden. They still hope to recover the green dragon and seeing him in the skies above the city with Thorn, reigning down fire upon them will surely dishearten them. Whilst the dragons are in the skies, however, you Murtagh, Katrina, will be on the ground, eliminating the commanders, officers and hopefully Nasuada herself. Have your dragons drop you and pick you up after each kill and let none escape you, understood?”

He had addressed the riders in the ancient language, needing to ensure that they would do what he asked. “Understood,” they both answered in the magically binding language, sealing them to their orders.

“Good, I trust in both your abilities enough that you will not be captured, no soldier can hope to defeat you except for an elf, and even then only the strongest would even pose a challenge.” Katrina and Murtagh simply nodded, knowing that it would be futile to argue against it. As long as he knew their true names then they were powerless against him. The only reason they weren’t offering alternatives to their mission was that they were hoping the Varden would be able to capture them; that would be the only way for them to escape the King’s clutches, if only temporarily.

“Would it be wrong of me to ask what you shall be doing, ebrithil?” Murtagh then plucked up the courage to ask, preferring to know exactly what his master would be up to in their absence.

“As I am no longer in possession of a dragon I shall not be riding into battle.” He answered, seeing little point in keeping his activities secret. “Until our enemies make it to me or events require my personal intervention I will do as I always have. In the meantime, I will endeavour to concoct a plan to capture Saphira, and Spyro if he so happens to fit into it. Holding my empire and rejuvenating the dragon race are my primary concerns. Once I have satisfied my concerns I shall release you both from your bonds and you may do as you wish.”

That last sentence was in the ancient language, Thorn said to Murtagh, keeping the conversation hidden from Galbatorix. No doubt to try to ensure our loyalty. Do not fall for it; we must take every chance we get to escape him. If you fall for his words now then you will be condemning Saphira to a life of pain…help me prevent that, please.

Murtagh ignored Thorn for the time being, preferring to discuss those matters away from Galbatorix. “Ebrithil, if there is nothing else for Katrina and myself to know then we would like to begin preparations for our mission. We shall take the next two days to gather our equipment and handle our affairs and then set off. We’ll wait for the Varden to become occupied with their battle and then strike with the element of surprise.”

Galbatorix nodded, returning to his previous state of staring at the map. “That is fine, Murtagh. You both may go. Report to me before you leave in case I have further orders for you but until then the next two days are yours to do with as you see fit. You’re dismissed.”

Both Katrina and Murtagh nodded and rose to their feet. They each gave a glance to Hydanza, who smirked back at each of them in return, and then turned to leave, walking past Eragon and Cynder without acknowledging their presence. Thorn and Fyrenze followed behind them; however, they did look at the other two dragons. Eragon met Thorn’s gaze and he snarled, at which Thorn replied with a snap of his jaws and a deep growl. He then continued on his way, Fyrenze by his side.

When all four of them had made it out of the throne room and the doors were safely closed behind them Katrina spoke. “Roran and Saphira are going to be heart broken. That shouldn’t have happened to Eragon.”

It is an unfortunate turn of events, but if we can somehow get through to Eragon, the one that you know, then we may be able to turn it to our advantage. Thorn replied, moving down the hallway and making the turn to the next that would take them to the dragon hold. I’m not sure how we can do it, but if we can then he would be in a position to protect Saphira much better than any one else could whilst Fyrenze and I are forced to pursue her.

“Which reminds me,” Murtagh interrupted. “I’m not going to let Galbatorix’s words cloud my judgement, Thorn. I’ll help you protect Saphira for as long as I can. But you must realise that the odds are against us, you may have to accept that at some point she will be captured and then she will be at Galbatorix’s mercy.”

We know that, but we want her as safe as possible until then. Fyrenze added. Once she’s captured Thorn and I will be able to show her some form of respect, but Eragon in his current state won’t. The dragon hold was as cold and dark as ever as they entered it, but being dragons that wasn’t much of a problem. They did notice that two more hollows had been lined with bedding, obviously for Cynder and Eragon to sleep in.

“We’ll find a way to make him see reason again,” Murtagh tried to reassure them all. “After all, from the sounds of it, Cynder seemed to have broken free of Malefor’s influence before, why would Eragon be any different?” Both Fyrenze and Thorn took their positions in their beds, deciding that it would be best if they not upset themselves over things they couldn’t change.

They were both surprised, however, when their riders joined them, nestling themselves against their dragons’ sides. “It’s a long walk back to our rooms and we don’t feel comfortable leaving you here with both Cynder and Eragon when they turn up.” Katrina explained.

“Besides, we rarely have a chance to do it and Eragon and Saphira did it all the time when I travelled with them. We just want some semblance of what they had.” Murtagh explained further as he lay lengthways between Thorn’s right legs. Katrina did the same with Fyrenze between his left legs and both dragons lowered a wing over them both to keep them warm.

All four of them exchanged good nights and it didn’t take long for the two humans to fall asleep. Thorn and Fyrenze, however, remained awake. As such they were able to witness Cynder and Eragon enter the hold. Not wanting the two of them know they were awake, both the two rider’s dragons feigned sleep as the two newest dragons passed.

No interaction occurred; they simply chose their beds, entered them and curled up to sleep. When it was apparent that they weren’t going to do anything else, the two cautious dragons relaxed and joined their rider’s in slumber.

Things are going to be heating up really soon, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forwards to writing the next few chapters, the battles that are going to take place will have plenty of interesting revelations for you all to chew over. I hope you all enjoy them. Well, reviews are appreciated as you know and I hope you've enjoyed the chapter, not much happened but I didn't want to put anything else in that may have detracted from what was already written.