Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Eight: Luminescent

"And how are we supposed to get the horses there Eragon." I snapped back.

"I'll convince them to follow, and Saphira can carry Arya," Eragon yelled back, Murtagh cut Arya away from the saddle and heaved her onto Saphira's back before securing her. Snowfire and Tornoc whinnied and jumped into the lake and began to swim underneath the waterfall.

I sheathed my sword and dashed to the edge of the lake and jumped into the cold water. I swam into the waterfall, struggling to get through the pounding water. I kept struggling until a hand wrapped around my wrist and pulled me out of the waterfall and onto a rock floor.

I coughed up some water before I was roughly grabbed and pulled to my feet by a man who looked furious. He dragged me over to where Saphira was crouched down. I twisted back to see Murtagh being treated in the same fashion. We were both shoved next to each other with daggers at our throats. I snuck a glance at Murtagh who happened to do the same thing, and I shot him an apologetic look which he just shrugged at.

"Stop! If you use magic, I'll kill you lovely friends over here who was so kind to mention that you're a Dragon Rider." A bald guy shouted at Eragon.

"Great observational skills, because you know, the dragon behind us isn't a big enough hint," I said with a snort. The bald man snapped to me and glared at me while I just gave him an innocent smile.

"Everyone inside now!" Murtagh and I were pulled into the tunnel while Eragon slowly followed. Once everyone entered big stone doors shut, cutting us off from the lake. "This way."

"There's an injured...." Eragon began to say before he was cut off by a sharp gesture from the bald man.

"Do not speak! You must be tested, remove your weapons, and slide them to me." I unclipped my sword belt and tossed it in front of me while a dwarf did the same for Murtagh. "Now step away from your dragon and slowly approach me."

Eragon moved forward with confusion until he in front of the bald man.

"Stop there, drop your defenses around your mind, and allow me to look at your memories."

"Why?"

"To be sure that you aren't working for Galbatorix."

"There isn't time, she needs a healer," I yelled at the bald idiot.

"Silence." The bald man yelled at me. "Until tested, your words mean nothing."

"She's dying, you fool." I snarled back.

"It can wait."

"Are you blind Egraz Carn? Can't you see that's an elf on the dragon? We cannot keep her here if she's in danger; the king and Ajihad will have our heads if she is allowed to die." A dwarf yelled at the bald man.

"Very well, quickly, quickly." Arya was unstrapped from Saphira and carried away. "You have some explaining to do."

"She was poisoned with the Skilna Bragh. She needs Tunivor's nectar."

"Take her to the healers and tell them what she needs," Baldy said irritated. "We've wasted enough time. It's time for your testing."

"You better not hurt him or Adjihad will have your head." The dwarf said before leaving the room.

"Only if he resists," Baldy said with a twisted smile before turning back to Eragon who started to twitch, this went on for a few minutes before Eragon started to fall but got caught before he hit the ground.