she means everything to me. [open]

[Emiryal ♕]

Rerukusu cracked the reins of his horse urging him on faster. The horse complied with minor complaint. The half elf glanced at his escort who like wise had encouraged their horses to greater speed.

Rerukusu was returning from Helgrind, he'd traveled their alone but he had meet up with an escort on the way back. Presumably his father had sent them to protect Reru. He wasn't helpless but he didn't use his magic to protect him like most, his magic he used to preserve the soul of his fallen dragon. Long story there.

Regardless, the escort was here now. Their only order seemed to be to protect Reru, so they had obeyed whenever Reru ordered them to do anything. There were about eleven of them, all of them being very experienced warriors. Galbatorix had scent some of his best men to protect his only son, perhaps he did have something of a heart.

The twelve horsed pounded the ground at a steady pace, eating up the distance between them and Uru'baen quickly. Reru's cape snapped behind him as the wind whipped it wildly. In his lap a small purple dragon huddled against his chest. She was shaking and looked terrified despite Reru's attempts to convince her otherwise.

The dragon had good reason to be fearful of him. Though they were a bonded Rider and Dragon, Reru had forced the bond cracking her egg himself. A technique Galabtorix had once used on Shruikan's egg. It was an unnatural magic and certainly unorthodox. Reru hadn't named her yet, but the name would only be temporary if everything went to his plan. He'd infuse a cruix crystal into her and when she was big enough he'd complete the task. The crystal would consume her soul and he'd be able to restore Avendel's soul in place of it. He'd be killing the newborn dragon more or less.

Pulling gently on the reins of his horse to slow him as they reached the gates of Uru'baen. Hoof beats clattered onto the stone road and fell silent as they stopped at the closed gate. "Lord Rerukusu," one of the guards greeted and bowed slightly. "We were not aware you'd be returning so soon."

Reru rolled his eyes in exasperation. "I'm not here to chat, open the gates," he said his tone of voice threatened not to challenge him.

"Yes, Lord Rerukusu," the guard said once more before he whistled and told the guards to lift the gate. A creak of gears and chains groaning filled the air as the metal gate was slowly pulled up. Rerukusu didn't wait for the gate to fully rise before he urged his horse under it and ducked. His escort followed suit and kept close behind him.

Once inside Uru'baen he rode straight for the castle. It was the middle of the day and the streets were crowded with merchants selling their goods. As the clammer of hoof beats drew near, the townsfolk one of Reru's escorts rode up near him. "Make way," he commanded in a booming voice before proceeding ahead to clear the way. Most people moved aside but those that didn't nearly got run over by Reru's lead escort man.

Reru proceeded through the streets in this fashion until the castle loomed above him. A stable hand approached and took the reins from Reru as he dismounted. The purple dragon in one arm, he reached into his saddle bags and drew out a bundle wrapped in red velvet, the Raz'ac egg. His escort dissolved as he entered the castle and headed for Galbatorix's personal quarters. His father spent a lot of time there trying to figure out words in the ancient language specifically the most powerful one of them all.

Two warriors carried Murtagh between them down the hall away from Galbatorix's quarters. The General Champion of the Empire looked a wreck. His shirt had been torn off of him, exposing his torso, and the myriad of injuries. Various burns covered him, raw flesh was still bleeding, veins of purple indicated burrow worms trails and some of the injures looked potentially infected. He winced as one of the warriors bumped his arm, it was either broken or very badly bruised, it was hard to tell.

Murtagh's eyes were a world of pain, but surprisingly there was determination as well. After letting Emyiral and Firern get away, he and Thorn had returned to Uru'baen. Galbatorix was not easily fooled and breaking into Murtagh's mind found what had really happened. He wasn't pleased and had subjected Murtagh to all kinds of torture, and Thorn as well.

The warriors paused seeing Rerukusu coming near. Murtagh looked up not understanding what he saw at first through his pain. "Reru?" he said faintly.

Rerukusu glared at Murtagh. "Only my father can call me that," he growled menacingly. He didn't like anyone besides his father calling him Reru, even if he cared what his father called him he couldn't do anything about it. Not even Reru could tell Galbatorix what to do. "What happened to you?"

"Your father, that's what," Murtagh rasped. He coughed a few times, something that seemed painful for him to do. He had broken ribs on top of his other injuries, not to mention he'd inhaled smoke while fleeing from Nepherion and Vlaer. "Thorn and I let Emiryal go," he said knowing Reru would find out eventually anyways. "Galbatorix isn't in a good mood."

"You should know better than that," Reru scoffed. "Galbatorix wasn't please when you let Eragon and Saphira go either. Don't tell me you expected him to ignore this one. You had it coming to you." The half-elf seemed to show no sympathy towards Murtagh's plight. "I don't think he'll be in a bad mood for long anyways. Not after I tell him what I've found."

Just then the purple baby dragon squirmed in Reru's arms forcing him to shift his grip on the scared dragon. It growled at him helplessly. Reru just smiled at it. "I'm a rider again, and once she's grown you and Thorn might find yourselves obsolete," he said. He'd never really liked Murtagh he felt as though he competed with him, as Galbatorix had raised Murtagh after Morzan's death. So in a way they were almost brothers.

"Oh and the Raz'ac will rise again," he said holding up the bundle he held that obscured the egg.

Murtagh looked up surprised having not noticed the dragon before. Though that was understandable considering the state he was in. Galbatorix had tortured him mercilessly to the point of nearly killing him. He had waged a mental war on Murtagh until even all his energy was nearly gone. He might have as well been drugged for his current lack of ability to use magic without killing himself.

He took a deep breath and seemed to have a hard time concentrating before he finally spoke. His eyes were full of anger. Rerukusu was just as bad as Galbatorix. Murtagh despised the Raz'ac and didn't want them back. He could only guess what was in Reru's bundle but it had to be a Raz'ac egg from what he said. "Leave me be Rerukusu," he said. He wanted to say more but arguing was not a good choice. He was in enough trouble as it was for allowing Emiryal and Firern to get away. Besides he was in no condition to confront Reru and Reru knew it.

Rerukusu grinned. "That's it Murtagh? You are pathetic you know," he said. "You may be Morzan's son but I am Galbatorix's and Forma's son. Watch your back, one of these days my blade will be in it," he said threateningly before walking around Murtagh and the warriors supporting him. As he pasted one of the warriors he bumped into him making him drop Murtagh. A satisfying cry of pain and agony from Murtagh as he fell to the ground seemed to please Reru, but he didn't turn back to look.

Through pain Murtagh slowly stood up with help from his warrior escort. He painfully stood up straight and looked at Reru walking away. "Is it really worth it? Avendell is dead. Your grief has consumed you. Reru you are not Forma or Galbatorix any more than I am Morzan," he said.

Rerukusu stopped and turned abruptly to face Murtagh. "Avendell means everything to me. You've always said no life is more important to you than yours and Thorns. Well no one is more important to me than Avendell. You of all people I would think could understand that," he spat angrily finally seeming annoyed by Murtagh. The other rider said nothing more as his warriors helped him to his quarters, leaving Reru alone in the hall with the baby purple dragon.

[Aelodil]

Ragdar had been walkin through his foster parent's wing when he suddenly found the Champion of the Empire and Rerukusu, his son. He watched them talk in conflict and smirked, he always preferredRerukusu, he had helped him and Ernstad before. As Rerukusu walked by, he saw Murtagh fall and couldn't help a snort.

"Where's your might now Champion of The Empire?" Ragdar taunted. He then followed Rerukusu, curious for what happened.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh offered no response to Ragdar's taunt for whatever reason Rerukusu didn't know. Reru smiled at Ragdar's taunt though. He had not moved since his confrontation with Murtagh and remained stationary in the hall. "Even the greatest fall don't they. Murtagh is helpless against my father," he commented. "I'd take him down myself but then I'd end up looking like that."

He wasn't sworn to his father or the Empire but he knew Galbatorix would not tolerate Reru turning on any Empire soldiers or Riders. He'd suffer the same thing as Murtagh if he tried that. He held out the purple baby dragon like she was a prize. "I am a Rider once more," he said. "I should be the Empire's Champion not Murtagh. But my father doesn't like me."

[Nepherion]

After a long rest from his travels with Freyja, Uruale had finally felt up to reporting to Galbatorix. Of course the "kind" King had allowed him to rest up first. He sighed as he sat up on his bed, his torso bare and his abs crunching in on themselves. He scratched his head, shuffling through his wavy, chestnut brown hair to his scalp. " I guess now is a better time then ever. " he told himself.

After washing himself and getting dressed, Uruale headed up the spiraling tower to Galbatorix's quarters. He looked up from the ground, hearing the ragged breathing of a familiar voice. He saw Murtagh, and unlike the usual hatred that had lit his core, he undoubtedly was feeling sympathy. He stopped walking and simply watched them drag him away. His usual arrogance and solitude was missing and left Uruale feeling somewhat sadden. The Empire's Champion, even he was nothing compared to the King. It wasn't until he had caught a closer glimpse at his eyes did he see the determination still burning inside him. A small smirk lifted his lips as he recognized the man's will to go on. It was amazing how one trip, with one woman, had started to bring things into perspective.

Uruale sent his mind towards Murtagh, and even if he hadn't let him in, he would still place a warm touch on the his mind. " Stay strong, Murtagh. Your wounds tell us you still haven't completely given in to his will.. "

After that he continued up the hall, until he saw two man and though he had never met them, he knew from the pictures hanging on Galbatorix's wall that the blonde one was Rerukusu; the king's son. Uruale loosened the string on his long-sleeve black tunic, giving his neck a bit of air way. His boots patted against the floor as he walked steadily towards them. His expression was unfathomable and blank, almost as emotionless as a statue. As he passed by his lips parted and a greeting came from them, though low and almost inaudible it was clear. " Good morning you two. " he said, continuing on to the room. He placed his hand on Reona's pommel, feeling the magic inside. And two pouches - housing he Eldunari's he had received from Galbatorix - were looped around his leather belt on his side. The dread on him suddenly compiled as he felt the distinctive feeling that surrounded him when in the King's presence. He hadn't even entered the room yet and still he could feel the stifling, suffocating air of the King's strength.

[Aelodil]

Ragdar at first did not recognize Uruale as he walked by but he quickly remembered him from when he was watching Galbatorix and had heard him mutter something about a Rider named Uruale to come back and report.

"Good morning to you as well fair sir." Ragdar replied to Uruale. As he walked by he said to Murtagh, "You, Champion Of The Empire? Pah! My grandmother could knock you down with a fist." he visibly spat at the "Champion of The Empire" and turned away back to his wing to bring Arucane, his Rider sword.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh did not hear Uruales words, as soon as he felt the contact he shielded his mind with what strength he had left. Galbatorix had tormented him this way only a short while ago and he was on edge. He wasn't about to let his mind be open to anyone. Though Galbatorix had broken his mind, no one else had and he wasn't about to change that. It surprised him that Uruale didn't attack him only touched his mind as though to speak. Before he could ponder it he lost consciousness from the effort of shielding his mind. Ragdar's words went unheard as the warriors took him into his room and left him.

Rerukusu glanced at Uruale as he walked by with a quick greeting. He had never met Uruale, but he had made a point to learn who all the Riders were so he did recognize him. "You ought to show more respect to me than a causal greeting Uruale," he said with disdain. "What business do you have with my father? For your sake, you'd better hope you have a better reason than Murtagh did." He saw the Rider had paused at the door, which was completely understandable. Even Reru felt the same way whenever he went to speak to Galbatorix, though he hid that fact rather well.

Reru glanced as Ragdar left after speaking to Murtagh. He wondered what Ragdar would say and do were Murtagh not so bad off. After all he was the second most powerful Rider there was. The thought amused Reru.

[Nepherion]

A spark of anger had been lit in his core, though he had been opened to a new outlook on life he wasn't all the way changed. He felt his sword-hand twitch towards Reona's hilt and knew that if it had gripped it that he would've most likely drawn the sword on the son of the king. But he didn't, he let out a sigh and looked over his shoulder at the blonde boy, his stormy grey eyes furious with his inner thoughts but his face steeled with an outer calm. " My reasons are my own. I owe none to you, Son of Galbatorix. " He figured the boy had been raised with the arrogance of knowing his heritage, so he wasn't to surprised when he had said what he had.

He was ready to enter the room when he felt the urge to tell the blonde lad something. He turned on his heels and walked up to him, immediately noticing the purple hatch-ling in his arms. He spoke only loud enough for him to hear. " You best be careful of me and Murtagh. Unlike these other Riders we have not quite given in to your father's will... " His voice was neither threatening or sympathetic, both more toneless then anything else. As if it was just a statement or warning.

[Emiryal ♕]

Rerukusu caught the slight hints of Uruale's anger towards him. This only seemed to amuse Reru. He did not retreat when Uruale suddenly turned and walked up to him. "You would do well to watch your tongue Uruale. One of these days it might gain my father's wrath. As for you and Murtagh, you saw what Galbatorix did to him. Broken will or not it won't do either of you any good."

Reru felt safe confronting Uruale, he saw little threat in it. Though he seldom used magic, as most of his was devoted to keeping his former dragon alive, he knew his father was only but a room away. He doubted Galbatorix would take kindly to his son coming to harm.

The purple baby dragon squirmed in his arms and dropped to the floor. It growled at Reru and darted into a nearby alcove to hide from him. The dragon did not like Reru at all.

[Nepherion]

A small arrogant smile lifted his lips at the blonde boy's words. It seemed to him like he was hiding behind his father's strength, but maybe he was wrong. He rolled the sleeves of his tunic up to his forearms harmlessly. " You're right, your father is strong and a man to be feared but he is not invincible. " he told him, the fury in his eyes dwindling to that of iron as broke the gaze betwen them. He took a step back, his side towards Reru and the door leading to the king's room.

Out the corner of his eye he noticed the small purple dragon drop to the floor and paw its way to a nearby hole. Uruale looked at the dragon inquiringly, he was almost certain that the dragon had been Galbatorix's son's but he had never known a dragon to run from its Rider - none the less a hatching. " What's going on here ? " he asked, his lids narrowing down on his eyes. He placed his hand on the black-wire hilt of Reona, he severely disliked those that took the life of a dragon lightly.

[Emiryal ♕]

Uruale was right in some reguard that Reru was hiding behind his father's strength. He hoped to eclipse his father one day, but until then he had found ways to use his father's strength to his advantage. Leaving Reru's own resources free. He said nothing more as Uruale comments of his father not being invincible. He knew his father could fall but in the mean time he needed his father. Without Galbatorix's power his former dragon's soul would've perished.

Reru shrugged at the Rider's question. "She doesn't like me," he said stating the obvious but not offering any more information. Truth was his bond with the hatching had been forced. That certainly didn't make for a good friendship between rider and dragon. He saw the motion of Uruale's hand on his sword. "What?" he asked innocently as though the situation was not unusual. "She'll warm up to me eventually."

[Nepherion]

Uruale was neither blind nor stupid. He knew when something was off and something was off here. He took careful steps towards the dragon, unsure of her fear. If she had allowed him he would crouch down near her and placed his hand atop of her skull. " You look frightened poor dragon. Your Rider is most unbearable. " he said in the ancient language. It had been awhile since he used it but his voice was just as fluent and elegant as usual.

He looked over his shoulder at Reru. His stormy eyes looking him up and down in confusion as he remembered something from his elarly training days with Galbatorix. " You, Are you a Rider now ? " he asked, his words spilling no details of his more elusive thoughts and ponders. His own Rider insignia was covered by dark gloves.

[Emiryal ♕]

The purple dragon pressed herself closer to the wall at Uruale's approach. His words seemed to calm her somehow and she came closer and let him place his hand on her head. She didn't understand much yet, as she was a baby but she understood enough to realize Uruale was not like Reru.

Rerukusu shook his head and held up his left hand palm out. On his palm was a insignia, close observation would reveal that there were two marks, one overlapping the other. The one on top was vibrant the one partially covered was dull, the mark of a rider who had lost his dragon.

"Yes and no. I was a Rider during the end of the Fall. My dragon was killed by Brom," he said. He said Brom's name with such disdain and hate it was obvious that he still resented that. "Vlaer, gave me Kami's egg....I forced the bond though when she didn't hatch for me," he said. He knew most wouldn't approve of what he'd done but it wasn't like you could undo the bond.

[Nepherion]

Uruale's expression snarled up as Reru confirmed his thoughts. He pulled his hand off of the dragon known as Kami. " Forced ? " he spat as he stood to his feet. " Forcing the bond is a abomination of the true bond. You really are Galbatorix's son. " he said, dislike obviously on his tongue, He could feel Flare's anger fuming from her roost, she had been listening through the bond as well.

" That is truly unforgivable ! " she growled, the rumble in throat growing so loud that it made some of the smaller dragons whimper in fear.

Uruale clenched his jaws before standing up. The situation had been complex. What could he do ? Reru was right, the bond had been formed and as far as he knew their was no spell that could undo it. Not to mention that Galbatorix would most likely be on his son's side. " Why ? " he asked, his voice low as he spoke through clenched teeth. His fist were clenched at his side and his veins protruding up his forearm.

[Emiryal ♕]

Rerukusu wasn't surprised by Uruale's reaction, short of his father any Rider would dispise what he'd done. He glanced at Uruale's fists aware he was treading dangerous ground here. Of course forcing the bond was an abomination, his father had been the one who'd taught him how to do it. He thought the risk was worth it though. His bond with his former dragon Avendel, was not forced. His desperation had drove him to this extreme of resorting to that.

"...because I am trying to restore Avendel. To do that I need a vessel, that matches her resonance, Kami matches. I'll replace Kami's soul with Avendel's," he said a tone of desperateness entering his voice. "Avendel means everything to me, I won't stop until I have her back." He'd betray his own father if that was what it took to restore Avendel. It was a rather morbid idea but he'd basically send Kami's soul into the void, kill her, but not until she was bigger. The procedure would stop the dragon's growth.

[Nepherion]

" Kill her !?! " he barked in disbelief and anger. He took a definite step in front of Kami, knowing that only the king himself would move him from his spot. He clenched himself inwards, his expression snarled up in a mix of bravery and malice. " I would sooner cut you down than allow you to go through with such a plan. " he said, calmer than his face had displayed.

Now, he could not deny that Flare's massive pool of rage had not affected his reaction. For she was the more upset between the two of them. So much in fact that she rose from her laid area and roared into the quite air.

It was loud enough that the roar had been faintly heard where he had been. " I dare not say I know what your going through, but sending the soul of a hatchling to the void is a sin beyond the lives of a thousand fair ones. " He didn't often believe in the tales of other races but if he found one thing to be fact, it was that dragons were truly a blessing upon Alagaesia. His hand found its place on Reona's hilt and this time he drew the blade. Its rose beauty shimmered dully in the light of the hall. " And what does your dragon think of this ? " he growled. Unsure of why his anger had gone so out of control.

[Emiryal ♕]

Reru waved off Uruale's words of killing the hatchling. He had no problem with going through with that. The only one he cared about was Avendel. However, his expression hardened as Uruale spoke and place himself between Reru and Kami. "What right do you have to deny me my dragon?!" he said his voice had a dangerous air to it now.

He heard the roar of a dragon and assumed it was Flare having listened in on their conversation. He thought not much of it though, again that reaction was expected. What he wouldn't tolerate was Uruale stopping him. "You dare stand in my way and I'll send you to the void as well," he said his hand fell to the hilt of Aiwicotai, his purple rider blade.

"Avendel is unable to communicate with me, I don't know what she thinks of this. The hatchling doesn't yet understand well enough to comprehend it," he said. Her Eldunari had been damaged and he'd transferred her soul to the gem in the hilt of Aiwicotai. This had left her unable to speak with him though. "What you are asking me to do, is to choose who I send to the void. If Kami lives then Avendel will enter the void. You cannot possibly understand what it is like to loose your dragon!!" he said his voice growing louder. Anger was clear on his face, along with grief for his fallen dragon. He was mad with grief over the loss of his dragon. Only the chance to revive Avendel kept him from complete madness.

[Nepherion]

Uruale had not been moved by Reru's threat, in fact he had made it painful obvious that he wouldn't move by raising his blade up in defense. " This is not what a Dragon would want. Sacrificing one of their hatchling's for it already elder soul. You have been corrupted by your loneliness. " he pointed out.

Flare had taken flight now, heading towards the tower that Uruale was in. " Do not worry Uruale. He will not get away with this ! " she growled, ignorant of the punishment she would receive from Galbatorix if she had torn up the tower as she had imagined herself doing.

Uruale kept his eyes on Reru but directed his thoughts to Flare. " Don't do that Flare. If you were to disturb Galbatorix in such a way, I'm sure he would descend his wrath upon us next. I dare not incur his anger on you. Stay where you are, only move if I tell you. " he told her, though his voice was softer to her than Reru. He remained quite after the blonde's outburst but still did not budge. If the purple dragon had decided to move than so be it, but if she had refused than he would protect her with all the power that he had.

[Aelodil]

Ragdar had reclaimed Arucane and had been watching behind a pillar. When he heard Flare roar he finally granted, "Fine Lenora, you can go. Just try not to destroy the castle in your rage." he sighed. Sometimes Lenora was as mad as Galbatorix.

"What a sight this is." Ragdar said as he entered into their view. "Uruale, you may have a small point, however as Rerukusu stated: You have no claim on his dragon, therefore you would do well to move." Ragdar informed him, voice cold and dangerous, hand on Arucane's hilt.

"Now can I take her?" Lenora asked Ragdar for about the tenth time. "No, I told you. A fight with Flare in the city would be bad." Lenora roared angrily but did not attack.

[Emiryal ♕]

Rerukusu made no move to attack Uruale or get to his dragon. He glanced at Ragdar as he came back and spoke. He smiled, if a fight broke out it would be two on one. Flare couldn't help without tearing into the castle, something Galbatorix would certainly notice and probably not appreciate.

"I will not sent my dragon's soul to the void," he said. His determination obvious in his eyes. "I am not corrupt. I know what I'm doing and you can't stop me," he said. His words seemed contrary to his actions. He was quite corrupt and every bit as bad as his father.

"Kami, come here now," Reru commanded mentally. Kami remained behind Uruale and made no move to join Reru. A low growl in her throat rose but she also seemed confused, she didn't understand this she just knew it seemed wrong.

"Like it or not you are my dragon, we are bound together. Nothing can break that bond now. You are mine Kami and you'd best do as I say," Reru said. Kami seemed to shrink away and pressed herself against Uruale's legs.

[Nepherion]

Uruale didn't respond to the empire's new recruit. He was of little concern and honestly just as this situation had not been any of his business, it hadn't been any of his either. Uruale held his sword towards Reru , the rose blade shimmering as the slightest twitches of his wrist reflected the brightly lit hall in a different manner. " You're not corrupt ? " he said incredibly. " That is exactly something a madman would say. Prince, I'm sorry to say that you will not get Kami. " he told him calmly.

He felt a small pressure on the back of his leg and knew then that Kami had decided against joining the Prince. He shifted his gaze between the two, knowing now that he would be combating the both of them. They had numbers in their favor but he had something that neither of them could utilize and that was the power that rested on his waist. He looked to them with calm, narrow eyes. " I warn you two now, If you attack me... " he trailed off, allowing a small smirk to decorate his smile. " You will not fair as well as you may think. "

Flare floated aloft, reluctantly following Uruale's orders.