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The Last Scion
By : RotSeele
Category: A through F > Eragon
Views: 5098 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon. I do not make any money from this story.
Chapter List
- 15
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- 17
Moranna’s Blessing

Murtagh had never panicked so much in his life. Despite Assan’s limited knowledge, neither of them had helped deliver a baby. Thorn crouched nearby, looking something nightmarish with his wings extended up and back and his mouth open, breathing, revealing sharp rows of teeth. Katrina was screaming and there was just so much blood. Assan was whispering in To-Ga-Ir, chanting as he helped Katrina birth her child, kneeling between her legs as he watched for the child’s head. Yurich spent his time bringing water for Murtagh to heat with a spell and fresh linens. Murtagh wiped Katrina’s brow and held tight to her hand.
“You’re doing fine.” He whispered to his sister-by-marriage. “Just a bit more.”

Katrina yelled loudly. It must’ve been two hours – it seemed so much longer – before her cries were answered by a baby’s wails. Assan took up the child and wiped it of blood and viscera before severing the umbilical cord. The child continued to wail even as Assan handed it to Yurich to wrap as the shaman dealt with the afterbirth. Then it was over.

The dwarf reverently handed the newborn to its mother and said, “It’s a daughter.”

Katrina panted with a smile as she stroked her daughter’s cheek, watching the tiny girl squirm. Murtagh grinned. “She’s beautiful.”

Assan nodded and moved to wash himself free of blood, leaving Katrina alone with her child and brother-in-law. Murtagh helped Katrina rise so the bloodied clothes could be buried and held his niece as Katrina washed herself. Thorn rose then and moved to his Rider, peering down at the infant in the man’s arms.

-She is so tiny.- Thorn said as he gently touched his snout to the baby’s forehead. When he pulled back, there was a glimmer so soft Murtagh almost didn’t notice it. -She will be protected.-

“Did he bless her?” Katrina asked, looking at the Red Rider with a gentle gaze.

Murtagh nodded. “She will be protected.” He repeated. Katrina moved to take her daughter from her uncle and smiled at Thorn.

“Thank you, Thorn.” Katrina whispered.

-You’re welcome, Katrina-sister.- Murtagh repeated Thorn’s words and Katrina smiled. They rested for most of the day for Katrina’s sake, and close to nightfall, they crossed into the Hadarac Desert. Murtagh acquired horses – by what means Katrina didn’t ask – for the three pinto ponies seemed well at ease with Thorn so close. With her daughter in a sling close to her chest, Katrina rode in the shade of Thorn’s outstretched wings during the day. Murtagh, Assan, and Yurich walked easily beside her, the riderless ponies carrying their packs. Soon, Katrina noticed Assan was leading their party toward the rising shadows of the Beor Mountains.

“Where are we going?” Katrina asked Murtagh. The Scion glanced up at her.

“We’re going to meet the To-Ga-Ir.” He said softly. “They will ally themselves with the Varden.”

“They’re your adopted family?” Katrina frowned at Murtagh’s nod.

“I’ll introduce the two of you. Have you decided a name yet?”

Katrina paused. “I wanted to wait for Roran, but I’m going to name her Moranna.”

“Moranna?” Murtagh questioned. “An odd name for a little girl.”

“She’s named so for her uncle, for without him, she would’ve been born a slave.”

Murtagh stared at Katrina for a long while. She laughed when his cheeks flushed slightly and he pointedly didn’t look at her for a little while. By moonrise they had arrived at a predetermined place, an oasis that looked undisturbed by any human, elf, or Urgal. Here they waited for the To-Ga-Ir and Murtagh and Assan often went ahead to scout, leaving Yurich and Thorn to protect Katrina and Moranna. Murtagh had begun to read out of his book to the little girl when the night filled with horns. He rose immediately and Thorn let out an answering roar.

Katrina stood in awe of the To-Ga-Ir, a great cavalry of at least ten score if not more, the warriors both male and female. Behind the warriors came the other women and children and old, many staring at the Hadarac’s wide desert in awe. The warrior in the lead approached Murtagh and Assan and when he dismounted, he grabbed Murtagh in a tight hug. Katrina couldn’t understand what was being said, but she had a feeling that proud man was Murtagh’s adopted father. When the Rider was released, he accepted a hug from a young woman, and clasped arms with another warrior.

When Murtagh beckoned, Katrina moved forward. The chieftain’s eyes lit up upon seeing Moranna and the young woman beside him grinned widely. “She is your niece, Sharru-Kinu?” the girl asked. “She is a jewel.”

Katrina reddened. Murtagh smiled. “This is my adopted sister, Hatori, and my adopted father, Kaucha. This is my sister-in-law, wife of my cousin Roran, and her daughter Moranna.”

Hatori inclined her head to Katrina. “You are blessed.”

“Yes.” Katrina whispered. “I am.”

“Come!” Hatori called suddenly, acting the translator for her father as Assan turned to speak to Murtagh. “Let us rest here, for tomorrow, we march to our allies!”

A cheer went up form the tribes, and soon the oasis was alive with activity. Hatori turned to Katrina and smiled. “With your permission, cousin, I would like to help you care for your daughter.”

Katrina blinked and looked at Murtagh. He caught her gaze and excused himself for a moment, moving toward the two women. He smiled wanly when Katrina told him of Hatori’s request. “What do you think?” she asked finally.

“To-Ga-Ir girls learn from female family members how to care for children.” Murtagh said at length. “Since you’re the only female member of our family to have an infant, it would fall to you to teach Hatori.”

“In return,” Hatori spoke quickly, “I’ll instruct you on my culture.” She clasped her hands together. “Please?”

Murtagh gave Katrina a look that gave her no clue on how to proceed. Hatori didn’t seem to be older than sixteen! Finally, Katrina sighed. “Very well.”

“Behave Hatori.” Murtagh told his sister. Hatori nodded and led Katrina toward a group of To-Ga-Ir girls, all of which cooed over baby Moranna.

The sun rose and set and still the To-Ga-Ir stayed around the oasis. When the full moon rose, Murtagh came to fetch Katrina. With Moranna in her arms, she followed Murtagh to the shamans, and spotted Assan among them.

“What’s going on?” Katrina asked Murtagh in a whisper.

“Kaucha wants to bless his grand-niece. I told him Thorn already has, but he wishes to give her something more.” He looked at her with a gentle gaze. “You can say no.”

Thinking of all she had learned, of her cousin Hatori, Katrina shook her head. “If you are To-Ga-Ir, it’s only proper your goddaughter be To-Ga-Ir as well.”

Murtagh was speechless. He gave her a wan smile and nodded. He led her into the circle of shamans and left her there. Katrina faced Assan, and it was he who approached her. A chant began, and Assan brushed scented water over Katrina’s face, then Moranna’s, though the girl began to fuss.

“The moonlight is a guide and saviour to all of us.” Assan stated. “Within the light, only truth is shown. Moranna, Katrina’s daughter, you have been blessed by a dragon. Now let us bless you, in all the names of the light.”

“Tuâtha neu hana aliele.” Murtagh whispered from behind Katrina. “Lahran neu ashran ne kehran atann.”

Let her grow as fierce and as proud as her mother. Thorn added. She will be a symbol of hope.

Katrina closed her eyes and tried not to cry in joy, kissing her daughter’s forehead. She couldn’t have asked for a better family.

The To-Ga-Ir set out early the day after Moranna’s blessing, a long train that kept the non-combatants in the center of the warriors. Katrina walked with Hatori, learning more about Murtagh’s adopted side of the family. The To-Ga-Ir women could only fight if they had sons, which was why the number of women warriors was disproportionate to the men. When Katrina asked why the women were allowed to fight at all, Hatori replied with, “Because we are more dangerous. Have you ever seen a mother wolf fight to protect her cubs? She will die defending them.”

Katrina looked at the warrior women and somehow knew they were proud to fight beside their husbands and sons. Murtagh had been teaching her, but only to defend herself. Hatori revealed he had begun doing the same for her. Murtagh hadn’t been the kind of man she had expected him to be. He was gentle, not only with Katrina but everyone he came into contact with. He was silent and strong, a shadow and guardian. A Scion, she remembered, an unsung hero of the land. Katrina was quick to make friends among the To-Ga-Ir women who had yet to give birth and traded stories with them. Some were warriors and proudly pointed out their sons while others were only about to have their first child in a strange new land. These people were extraordinary to her and they welcomed any new face with open arms provided they passed Thorn’s inspection.

Thorn was gentle like his Rider, careful about where he put his feet as he walked. His huge wings provided shade for the young and old, and he was almost always humming in some song. Katrina thought he could dwarf Saphira with how big he was, but she knew the magnificent red dragon had stopped growing. He was almost twenty-five feet at his full height, and his wingspan was a massive one hundred and eighty-two feet wide. The children had measured him as a game, Murtagh had said, looking upon his dragon with love. Thorn was Murtagh’s eyes and ears in the sky, always looking for Saphira or Eragon or the Varden and elves. It had almost been a month since Katrina’s rescue, so she didn’t know where the Varden could have gone, only that they hadn’t crossed back into Empire territory.

They were coming close to Du Weldenvarden in their search, and even Katrina could see the distant trees of the elven vale growing larger. Kaucha called for a halt then, and everyone obeyed. Katrina watched Kaucha and Murtagh begin a discussion, and prayed the Varden hadn’t been wiped out. When Murtagh was alone, Katrina approached him, gently laying a hand on his arm.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

Murtagh glanced at her. “The forest doesn’t sing. No one is in there, but we can’t go in to confirm it. The spells prevent that.”

“So where are they?” Katrina asked, worried.

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. The land is quiet, almost too quiet, but the grasses and trees whisper. They must’ve fallen back to the Beor, but I’m not sure.” Murtagh replied. “I’d have to fly there and see for myself.”

“But you don’t want to leave us.” Katrina reasoned. His tight-lipped expression confirmed her thoughts. “If you must, you must. I know these lands as well as you do.”

“Do you remember where you held your wedding?”

“I remember. The Jiet River, but it’s further south.”

“I want you to take them there. Wait there until I come back.” Murtagh held up his hand to quiet her argument. “Right now, you’re the trump card. Galbatorix thinks the To-Ga-Ir are extinct, and we can’t afford to let him believe anything else. If the Varden aren’t in Tronjheim, I’ll fly back as quick as I can. Please Katrina. They need you now.”

Katrina heaved a sigh. “Very well. But I won’t tolerate any fighting between you, Eragon and Roran.”

“I promise, no fighting.” Murtagh said with a smile.

“Good.” Katrina gave Murtagh an irritated, sisterly peck on the cheek and moved to join Hatori who replayed the Scion’s message.

“So yer goin’ to Tronjheim.” Yurich said gruffly from behind him. “Ye’ll be needin’ a dwarf.”

Murtagh looked to the diminutive man and smiled. “You’ll have to fly again.”

Yurich did well to hide his grimace. “I’m gettin’ used to it.”

Murtagh’s eyes flicked to Assan then, the shaman having moved over with Thorn. “And what of Assan?”

“I will stay with my people.” Assan replied. “Someone has to be here to whip your ass if Katrina can’t do it.” He shrugged.

“Keep an eye on her.” Murtagh said as he moved to mount Thorn, settling in the black and silver saddle. He pulled Yurich up after him and nodded at Assan. The shaman nodded back and stepped away from Thorn as the dragon prepared to launch.
They were airborne soon enough, circling the To-Ga-Ir once before they turned for the Beor Mountains and the Dwarven vale. The To-Ga-Ir were soon a dark blotch in the distance and Murtagh put his trust in his sister-by-marriage as he turned his mind to his task. Through Thorn’s sharp eyes, Murtagh was able to scan the vast horizon, looking for signs of life. Here and there he could see signs of fighting, but no sign of his quarry. The birds, what few there were, couldn’t tell him much other than a great host had passed through. Which host, though, was a mystery for the birds’ memories weren’t great and they couldn’t remember that far back.

Thorn alighted on a hidden mountain trail Yurich pointed out and the two riders dismounted. Murtagh turned to look at his best friend and patted his shoulder. “Stay here.”

-Very well.- Thorn sighed. -But do be careful.-

Yurich, translating Thorn’s worried gaze correctly, snorted. “Don’ ye be worryin’, dragon. I’ll keep yer Rider safe.”

Thorn chuckled. -Which is what I’m worried about.-

Murtagh chose not to translate and headed up the trail with Yurich close behind. The stones and scrub bushes were silent, possessing no voice that Murtagh or Yurich could hear. Yurich soon took the lead as they drew ever closer to a secret tunnel, which would take them to the heart of the Dwarven capital. They passed no life and sensed no life. The city was empty, just like the elven forest. Murtagh frowned at the state the city had been left in. It was as if the people expected to return. If that was so, where had they gone? Murtagh followed Yurich, two spells on the tip of his tongue and a hand curled loosely around the hilt of his Elvish knife. Though he was used to fighting in tunnels, they had been made for creatures the size of men, not dwarves. A sword wouldn’t aid him here. Yurich was muttering lowly, then finally stopped and shook his head.

“No one is here.” He told his friend. “Doesn’t seem they have been, not for a while.”

“There’s no sign of struggling.” Murtagh noted. “Which means they left willingly.”

“The forges are empty as well.” Yurich stated. “Even mine own family’s. What d’ye think that means?”

“It means the dwarves, like the elves, have joined the war in full.” Murtagh turned and moved back the way they had come. Yurich quickly grabbed something from a forge and followed the human. “It means the Varden and their allies could be anywhere from here to the Spine and we must find them!”

“Then we should head for the Jiet!” Yurich yelled as they broke into a run. “Catch up with those elf-kin and yer sister-in-law. They’re lookin’ fer her, no doubt, so we’ll find ‘em!”

-Thorn! We’re coming! Get ready to fly!-

The red dragon’s surprise coloured his words. -A running mount?-

-We’re in a hurry.-

-Very well!- Thorn sounded amused.

Murtagh and Yurich broke out into the sun and Murtagh lunged up the boulders on the left side of the path. Huffing and puffing, Yurich followed, though he had a sinking feeling in his gut. Murtagh reached the last boulder, a monstrosity of at least twenty feet high, and grabbed hold of Yurich’s collar as the Rider simply jumped. The pair hit Thorn’s back with a jarring thud and Murtagh dropped easily into the saddle as the dragon picked up his pace, long legs taking him straight to the edge of a cliff for a jumping take-off. Yurich had enough time to cinch himself to the saddle and grab hold of Murtagh’s waist before Thorn launched himself into the air.

Then they were flying with all haste for the To-Ga-Ir.
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- 17
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The Last Scion	By : RotSeele Category: A through F > Eragon Views: 5098 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon. I do not make any money from this story.

The Last Scion