The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Bonds

A few days later...

Eragon had been kneeling beside the still-unconscious elf for the better part of a quarter of an hour. Murtagh and I glanced at each other nervously when his face contorted in pain, and I couldn't even begin to think what was going on between the two of them.

"What do you think he's doing?" I asked Murtagh quietly, fearing that any noise we made could disturb the mental contact and ruin everything.

"I have no idea," he replied just as quietly. It was another moment or two before Eragon stood up, stretching his muscles as they must have been aching from kneeling so long. I moved quickly toward him, Murtagh right behind me.

"What happened?" I asked quickly. I had no interest in the elf whatsoever, but I did want to know if he'd found out the way to the Varden. His face was alight with excitement, though I'm sure for an entirely different reason than mine was.

"I talked to Arya," he said. Murtagh and I exchanged a single, puzzled glance before turning back to Eragon. "That's her name." He must have realized we were completely lost. He then proceeded to tell us why she wasn't waking up. It was because the Shade, Durza, had administered some kind of poison, and the antidote she needed was with the Varden.

"Did she show you how to get there?" I asked.

"Yes, but it looks like it's a farther distance than we traveled from Gil'ead to here," he explained breathlessly. "If we don't get her there in three or four days, the poison will take effect and she's going to die." Murtagh and I stood in shocked silence as he continued to regale us with his fascinating tale about the inner-workings of the mind of an elf. It was if he didn't even hear what had come out of his own mouth.

When he finally stopped prattling, I cut in. "Three or four days, Eragon!" I exclaimed heatedly, wanting very badly to walk over and smack him on the head-and very hard, at that. "Are you out of your mind?"

"It took us five very long days to get here!" Murtagh joined in, making as if he really was going to hit Eragon. "How do you expect us to get through the Beors in less time than that?"

Eragon sighed heavily when we were done delivering our verbal onslaught. "Well," he began slowly, his voice full of trepidation, "Saphira could always take Arya and me on ahead while you two catch up." I could feel the blood rushing to my face and my breath catching in my throat. Did he really just say that?!

"What are we? Your pack animals?" Murtagh replied. "I guess that's all we're good for nowadays, isn't it!" Eragon hadn't said as much, but that was certainly the implication. "Oh, and let's not forget, every soldier in the Empire is searching for us now, all because you couldn't defend yourself, and Tabby and I had to save you. Yes, I suppose we'll just follow your instructions and bring up the horses in the rear like good servants." That may have been taking it a bit far...

Eragon's face was clouded in confusion and bewilderment. "What's wrong with you?" he asked timidly, looking between both of us. "I'm grateful for what you two did. There's no reason to be angry with me! I didn't ask you to accompany me or to rescue me from Gil'ead. You chose that. I haven't forced you into doing anything!" I backed up a little bit, feeling that a fight was brewing, and I had no desire to be caught in the middle of it.

"Oh, not openly, no. What else could I do but help you with the Ra'zac? And then later, at Gil'ead, how could I have left with a clear conscience? The problem with you," Murtagh continued, stepping forward and poking Eragon square in the chest, "is that you're so totally helpless you force everyone to take care of you!" I felt my mouth pop open in surprise involuntarily as I watched the scene unfolding before me. Tempers were flared and harbored feelings were now coming out in the open. This was not going to be good...